*pairing: pervy wolf hybrid Jake x human student girl
*trope: popular playboy x nerdy girl-tutoring
*inspiration: off campus book 1
*synopsis: Jake only had one problem: History. He's always been good at any subject, especially since balancing being the captain of the football team and studying engineering is no walk in the park, but his lack of history could compromise everything, and when he saw a girl holding the text with the word 100 written on it, he realized that you could be his only chance of getting through that damned subject.
But what would it sweat if tutor sessions began to become moments where he could be himself, where you began to open up after a long time to a person and discover that jake wasn't as much of a womanizer and you weren't as broken as you thought you were?
*tags: Jake is a playboy at first but after a while you arouse his curiosity, Y/n at first is skeptical of letting Jake into her life, Y/n suffered violence in high school (I won't write anything about this act also because my stories have to be a fun) many kisses, Jake is a wolf hybrid and little by little he will become territorial but also clingy with Y/n, Y/n thinks she's broken but Jake will trust her both intimately and physically, visual masturbation, protected sex, unprotected sex (dont' horny ppl) knotting, jealousy, possession, sucking to claim Y/n, declaration, +18, little bit angst, pet names (jakey) (baby, sweetheart)
banner by: @eightnyn *wc: 37k
The Contemporary History classroom was packed with students, and Jake was there, neither at the front nor at the back, but right in the middle, where he could observe everyone.
His knee wouldnât stop bouncing with anxiety, his wolf ears were perked up, and his tail, just like his knee, twitched with every breath he took and youâre probably wondering: ears and a tail? Well, yesâhe was a hybrid, specifically a wolf hybrid. For decades now, humans had shared everything with hybrids: from everyday jobs to school lessons, from apartments to entire neighborhoods where humans and hybrids lived side by side without resistance. Mixed couples were even trendy by nowâno, more than trendy, they were fully accepted in society, especially in big cities. You could see them everywhere: in malls, restaurants, or parks, with hybrid children, kids with rabbit ears or fox tails playing alongside human ones and that sight warmed Jakeâs heart more than anything, because hybrids had endured so much racial discrimination and persecution but finally, things were changing, and he had played a small part in that revolution.
In that classroom, humans were still the majority, but that was normal, especially at the university, where hybrids like him had only been admitted a few years earlier. Jake, however, was an exception: about a year ago, heâd been elected captain of the soccer team, the first hybrid to ever hold that position. Thanks to him, the number of hybrids in both recreational and competitive sports had risen. One of his best friends, Heeseung a hamster hybrid had even followed in his footsteps and become captain of the basketball team.
But back to the present: Jake was in that half-anxious state because the professor was handing back the history exams. Letâs just say that, as an engineering student, he didnât care much for the subjectâespecially since it was just an elective. But it carried a lot of credits, and the reason he disliked it was simple: his engineerâs mind thrived on logic, formulas, structural calculations, and precise physical dynamics things with no room for interpretation. History, with all its dates, nuanced socio-political contexts, and long texts to memorize, just felt like a waste of time to him⊠even if he did find the revolutions between humans and hybrids fascinating.
Still, he needed to pass all his classes to stay captain of the university team and to catch the attention of scouts from the big professional leagues, who didnât tolerate academic slippage. He had to be the perfect student and the perfect player. So when the professor approached his desk, her expression was almost apologetic, as if she knew the potential of the young man in front of her. Jake did have excellent grades in every subject⊠except hers.
The test paper slid across the wooden desk, and at the topâcircled in red marker (a color that, unfortunately for him, was not in his pendant) was a glaring 45 out of 100 and to make matters worse, it wasnât even close to passing.
The professor peered at him over her glasses and said, âJake, I hope for your sake that next time you at least manage a basic passing grade. Otherwise, Iâll have to report this to Coach, and we all know how strict Coach Smith is about academic performance.â
He nodded, and his tail suddenly stopped moving, drooping down and tucking itself under the chair. He nearly slumped over his desk, staring at that disastrous grade. His right hand fidgeted nervously through his soft hair, right at the base of his tense ears, as if trying to ease the tension. He sighed heavily, racking his brain for solutions but there were none. All his closest friends were in different majors, and if he didnât find a fix fast, his soccer dream would be over before it even began.
Unbeknownst to him, just a few rows away sat a girl twirling her pen, completely unbothered about her history test grade. She watched the professor intently as she moved between the desks, papers in hand.
Suddenly, you felt a sharp elbow nudge from your best friend. âStop staring at the professor!â Allie hissed. âShe probably saved your test for last, one of the first three sheâs handing out just so she can praise you in front of everyone. We all know youâre the biggest nerd in here.â
You rolled your eyes, exasperated but amused, as Allie sat there sipping her fruit smoothie her latest attempt at this âfructarianâ diet, while her own test, a modest but honest 70, lay forgotten beside her. With absolute nonchalance, she scrolled through an online sexy shop store, browsing through undeniably sexy sets at prices that would make any other girlâs wallet tremble...but not hers.
âStop looking at your phone,â you whispered back, giving her a light shove. âIf the professor saw you scrolling through a sex shop right now, sheâd have a heart attack. I bet she doesnât even know the difference between a thong and a Brazilian.â
Allie let out a snort, nearly spitting her drink all over the guy in front of her. She slammed her phone down on the desk just in time, because the professor finally stopped in front of you, her face breaking into a full, thirty-two-tooth grin.
âY/n, Iâm not even surprised anymore,â she said. âBut you know I struggle to give out perfect scores. Still, this last test of yours on the Cold War and the geopolitical dynamics of the Soviet bloc⊠itâs simply flawless. The knowledge youâve shown, the historical interpretations, even the extra research you included on the Cuban Missile Crisis...itâs all perfect. Iâm so proud to have you in my class. Itâs a shame youâre not majoring in history, because if you were, youâd be unstoppable.â
You smiled, thinking about how everyone had always told you to study history or political science but your love for music was stronger. âWell, itâs my job to study, get good grades, and give it my all especially in history, since you know itâs one of my favorite subjects,â you said shyly, feeling the eyes of half the class turn toward you.
Then the paper slid onto your desk, revealing a bold, perfect 100 in red ink. Allie, ever the dramatic one, blurted out way too loudly: âHoly shit, you actually got a 100?! We studied together the whole time...how the hell did I only get a 70? Okay, Iâm not complaining, but damn, Y/n!â She stared at you, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out like a wounded puppy. You shrugged, suddenly self-conscious under all the attention, and tried to cover the test with your hands but Allie was fasterâshe snatched it right out from under you, held it up to her face, and before you could protest, sheâd already pulled out her phone, snapped a crystal-clear photo of the red 100, and sent it to your friend group chat, roasting you for being such a nerd.
Your phone buzzed nonstop with the incoming messages from your friends, all teasing you affectionately. Meanwhile, a few rows back, a pair of wolf ears suddenly perked up, drawn by the noise and the word â100.â Who the hell had gotten a 100? It was practically impossible in an elective class. His amber eyes locked onto your back, and in that moment, he realized heâd just found his only lifeline to passing Contemporary History.
Jake couldnât look away. Not even when the bell rang, signaling freedom. His mind was consumed by a single thought:Â He had never seen anyone get a perfect score in his entire university career and when he saw you stand up, followed by the blonde girl he assumed was your best friend, his instincts flared to life. The wolf in him, the one that drove him to chase, to track down what was vital for his survival (or in this case, his scholarship) awoke with a jolt. Because letâs be real: in his life, there was only room for one thing:Â Soccer
And at the thought, a surge of adrenaline shot down his spine, making his ears snap forward and his tail muscles twitch back to life, swinging wildly with excitement at the idea of meeting you.
He shot to his feet, shoving his notebook haphazardly into his bag without even zipping it shut. Weaving through the maze of wooden desks, he spotted you stepping into the universityâs main atrium. Jake quickened his pace, using his athleteâs stride, until he was just a few steps behind you, right in the middle of the chaos: students switching classes, others heading to the campus bars.
âHey, Chloe!â he called out, loud enough to be heard, throwing out a random name heâd picked up somewhere in the classroom. The truth was, he had no idea what your name actually was and, honestly, heâd never seen you at one of his famous Friday night parties, nor cheering from the stands during league matches. That fact unsettled him a little⊠but it also piqued his curiosity.
Of course, you didnât turn around, because, obviously, your name wasnât Chloe. You just kept walking and talking to Allie. But Jake wasnât about to give up. He took two quick steps forward and tried again, this time stretching out a hand to intercept you.Â
âHey, Chloe! Iâm talking to you!â he said, a little louder this time.
Finally, you spun around. And that was the moment Jake saw you up close for the first time, no filters, no distance of desks between you. A lightning-fast thought shot through his mind: Damn. Not only is she a terrifyingly smart nerd, but sheâs also ridiculously cute. He took in your eyes, framed by a faint shadow of annoyance, as they swept over him from head to toe, far from impressed by the figure smiling at you.
âYou mean me?â you asked, pointing at your chest with one finger, while Allie stopped beside you, staring at him in confusion.
âYeah, you,â Jake confirmed.
You rolled your eyes. âWell, for starters, my name is Y/n. Not Chloe⊠you werenât even close.â You looked at him bluntly, and at those words, Jakeâs wolf ears drooped slightly, flattening against his soft hair in embarrassment. Before he could apologize or come up with one of his usual ready-made excuses, a sharp, ironic voice cut in from beside you.
âJake Sim is seriously talking to Y/n? Whatâs this, did you come here to ask for more signatures to sponsor your precious soccer team? Or were you sent by your little basketball buddy, Heeseung, to do his dirty work? Because if youâre here for charity signatures, weâre not interested. The universityâs already cutting tons of funding from both the theater and music majors because of you and your best friend,â Allie said, her expression dripping with disdain.
Jakeâs head snapped toward the blonde, annoyed by the intrusion but forcing himself to keep his cool. âNo,â he replied, straightening up and turning back to you, locking his eyes onto yours. âIâm here because I need to talk to Y/n. About something important.â
At his direct statement, you instinctively crossed your arms over your chest, pressing them tightly as if creating an invisible shield between you and him, a gesture born from deep insecurity and the trauma you still carried inside. The sudden movement didnât go unnoticed by the hybrid in front of you.
Jake distinctly felt your heartbeat speed up. At the same time, his nose picked up the sudden shift in your scent: the clean aroma of your skin was abruptly overpowered by a sharp, acidic trail, the unmistakable feromone signature of discomfort, mixed with a warm, suffocating note of pure embarrassment. The unwanted attention and physical proximity of an alpha male, especially one like him, had triggered it.
He ran a hand through his brown hair, furrowing his brow deeply as he studied your reaction with a mix of perplexity and concern. His wolf side picked up on your distress like an alarm signal. Why does my mere presence make her feel so threatened or uncomfortable? He wondered. Usually, girls fell over themselves to get a word or a glance from him.
Left alone with him in the atrium, you immediately took two steps back, putting more distance between you and Jake. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other, clutching your books against your chest, and fixed your gaze on him.
âSo, Jake Sim, youâve got two minutes. Tell me what you want.â
Jake studied you carefully, analyzing every tiny movement. His tail gave a slight, excited wag from side to side at finally having your attention, but he stopped it instantly, not wanting to reveal even that small loss of composure. He cleared his throat and said:
âYeah, well⊠sorry for calling you Chloe. I just didnât remember your name.â
You merely responded with a sharp nod, and Jake realized he needed to get to the point before time ran out. So, he decided to pull out the big guns: he unleashed his full Playboy charm, squaring his muscular shoulders and tilting his head slightly to the side with a crooked, magnetic smile. Along with his posture, his hybrid nature did the restâwithout realizing it, he released a subtle but intense trail of reassuring pheromones into the air around you. A warm, clean scent filled the space, a mix of citrus and something salty, blended with his natural hybrid scent. It was the kind of biological chemistry wolves used to charm people, lower their defenses, and make them instinctively feel safe and drawn to them, but he didnât yet know that with you, it would be extremely difficult.
âI saw you got a 100 on that test earlier, and first of all, congratulations. Seriously⊠not everyone can pull off a score like that in an elective class,â he said, taking an almost imperceptible step closer to you. âAnd second⊠I was wondering if youâd be willing to tutor me. I know a lot of people do it for academic credits, but I figure youâve probably got enough of those already, if you scored a 100, youâre probably acing all your major classes. Or maybe for money? So I was wondering if youâd give me private lessons. I desperately need to pass Contemporary History. Especially since itâs an extra-curricular subject for me, and itâs worth double the structural credits. If I donât pass⊠Iâm screwed.â He finished with a crooked little smile, but you didnât take the bait.
The trauma youâd experienced in high school had made you completely immune to the shameless charm of popular guys, and your mind rigidly resisted even his wolf pheromones, pushing them away like a self-defense mechanism. You looked at him with no emotion at all. âThanks for the compliment on my grade, but no. I donât tutor anyone. And as youâve already figured out, Iâve got all the credits I need, and even if weâre talking about money, which, sure, every student could useâIâve got a ton of studying for my own classes. Plus, Iâm in the university choir, and that takes up a lot of time because Iâm studying music.â You said all this while keeping your gaze lowered, almost avoiding his face, focused instead on the colorful bookmarks invading your notes. This total indifference deeply unsettled him.
Jake was used to humans hanging on his every word, to girls who would pay just to spend an hour alone with the team captain. Being rejected like this without so much as a glance wounded his alpha male pride and confused him. Sensing that you might not even like his presence, he took a step back, furrowing his brow, and blurted out in one breath:
âIs it because Iâm a hybrid that you donât want to tutor me? Or because you think that, as the soccer team captain, Iâm just another shallow idiot who canât balance engineering studies with training?â
At those words, your eyes widened, struck by how suddenly vulnerable and frustrated his voice sounded as he looked at you. You responded with a flurry of gestures: âNo, no! Itâs not that at all!â you exclaimed sincerely. âEven if a human had asked me, I wouldâve said no, Jake. Iâm really sorry⊠especially because I know balancing engineering studies and being the soccer team captain comes with a lot of pressure ut if you check the bulletin board in the atrium or the universityâs official forum, in the history section, I bet youâll find a tutor way better than meâŠIâŠIâve got to go now, yeah, Iâm meeting Allie.â
You said this with slightly flushed cheeks, still not looking him in the face, and began walking quickly down the hallway, almost hunching your shoulders as if afraid he might follow you or reach out to stop you. His fully matured wolf instincts immediately picked up on something strange in your sudden flight. His nose caught that your scent was no longer just annoyed; now it carried a clear trail of fear, and maybe even something vulnerable, and Jake didnât understand why.
They called him the golden boy of campus for a reason, no one had ever run away from him before. In fact, it was usually the opposite. He stood frozen, watching you disappear into the faculty crowd, his ears perked up, his mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. Your terrified reaction intrigued him, drove him wild. Because Jake Sim, when he wanted something, always got it and his wolf side had just decided that you, sooner or later, would be his tutor, no matter the cost and maybe, over time, something more than just a tutor. But that was something youâd both discover laterâŠÂ certainly not today.
The university campusâs main bar was nearly closing by that time, but you still had another half-hour left before your afternoon shift behind the counter ended. To pass the time and get ahead on your assignments, youâd set your laptop directly on the counter, trying to focus on your next project, studying music. You needed to dive deep into the acoustic composition of sounds and the various instrumental timbres to create balanced arrangements, ensuring the sound was perfect. Your dream was to become a singer, but youâd also love to work as a songwriter or composer. Your hearing was hyper-developed, and youâd already received requests from music agencies.
However, at that moment, music theory was the last thing on your mind. Your eyes kept wandering from the screen, drawn to the brightest corner of the bar, where Soobin was sitting. He was a Communication Sciences student specializing in Digital Media, and he played on the campus basketball team. Letâs just say you had a slight crush on him. Your head was lazily resting in the palm of your left hand, while your right hand sipped through a straw on a refreshing seasonal drink youâd made for yourself. You couldnât help but admire how incredibly cute Soobin was: he was tall, over 185 cm which was probably why he was on the basketball team, you thought as you took in his lean, athletic build. His hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a constantly sweet, approachable vibe and then, suddenly, his infectious laughter echoed through the bar, and an involuntary little pout formed on your face when you saw his famous dimples appear on his cheeks, giving him an irresistible puppy-like aura.
Seriously? Soobin?â Jakeâs bright, ironic voice cut through the air. âWhatâs so charming about that guy? Heâs always half-clumsy and doesnât even know which way a door swings unless heâs on a basketball court.â
At those words, your drink nearly went down the wrong pipe. When you straightened up, there he was, Jake, standing right in front of you. His worn-out soccer bag was slung over one shoulder, his dark hair still slightly damp from his post-training shower, and that usual smirk of his that always got under your skin. Caught red-handed, you blushed furiously and stammered:
âSoobin? I...I have no idea who youâre talking about!â You pointed at yourself, then frantically looked around to divert attention, but Jake just flashed that crooked grin of his, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement.
âOh, come on! I could help you get to know him, you know? And especially get noticed. Did you know he plays on the same team as my best friend Heeseung? He comes to almost all our weekend parties.â He turned to glance at Soobin, and you shot him a dirty look.
âHard pass. Now⊠what drink or food would you like to order, Jake?â As you said it, your fingers pressed a little too hard on the barâs computer keyboard.
âEasy: tutoring from you in history to pass the next two exams,â he said with nonchalance.
You stared at him, exasperated, and let out a long sigh. âYou really donât like hearing âno,â do you?â
At that, his wolf tail, which was peeking out from under his sports hoodie gave a slight, rhythmic wag. You didnât know much about hybrid anatomy or behavior, but to Jake, that involuntary movement meant one very clear thing: he was incredibly stimulated by your resistance toward him. It was almost like a challenge, and it excited him to no end. Jake loved competition, and right now, you were a very compelling one.
âMmm, I knew you were a sharp girl, sweetheart,â he said with total nonchalance. Your cheeks burned, and you stammered, âSweetheart?!â
He chuckled, thoroughly amused. âWell, yeah, itâs a cute nickname. Though, to be honest, thereâs not much âsweetâ about you right now.â He gifted you one of his perfect smiles.
âTell me what you want to drink or eat, or just leave,â you said sharply, crossing your arms over your chest, annoyed by the way his eyes had briefly flicked to the neckline of your shirt. Jake raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
âFine, fine. A hot caramel macchiato and a slice of Black Forest cake. Youâll bring it to my table, right? Especially since⊠Iâve decided Iâll go sit right across from Soobin.â He pointed at the guy youâd been admiring earlier. With that, he tapped his phone on the card reader, paying with a quick beep, leaving you standing there, stunned and speechless. You muttered a low curse under your breath: âI hope the cake chokes him.â
You watched as Jake sat down with absolute ease right at Soobinâs table, and you huffed in frustration. But before you could do anything, the two guys exchanged a quick, athletic handshakeâa sign of brotherhood among teammates. You knew Jake could help you get closer to Soobin, who smiled at him. A moment later, Jake turned his head slightly toward the counter, catching your gaze, and shot you a smug, triumphant grin.
In just five minutes, Jakeâs order was ready. With the tray clutched in your slightly trembling hands, you walked toward the table where Jake and Soobin were sitting. Trying to keep your voice as professional and detached as possible, you said:
âHey, guys. Hereâs the Blackforest cake and the caramel macchiato.â You set the plate and cup down in front of Jake, who watched you intently. âThanks, Y/n,â he said.
You hoped to turn on your heel and flee as quickly as possible, but Jake, of course, spoke up immediately to keep you there, so Soobin would notice you and remember your name.
âSoobin, this is Y/n. Weâre in the same Contemporary History class, and sheâs a total genius. She scored a terrifying 100 on the last test,â Jake said, addressing not just Soobin but also the other basketball players sitting around the table, who proceeded to compliment you. Soobinâs eyes widened, clearly impressed, and he looked at you with that gentle, heart-melting way of his. âYou seriously got a 100 in that extracurricular class? Wow⊠whatâs your major? You know, Iâve been struggling with those geohistory exams too. We could study together sometime, you could give me some pointers, and weâd help each other out,â he said with a shy smile.
Your cheeks instantly turned a deep burgundy, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment from the guy you liked. You just managed a timid smile and a nod.
Jake, observing the scene with the precision of a predator, knew full well that Soobin had taken the bait. With total nonchalance, he interrupted the moment before Soobin could elaborate, speaking in a tone that was falsely apologetic but incredibly possessive:
âSoobin, I hate to disappoint you, but sheâs already taken. You know Iâm a disaster in history, and the team desperately needs me to be up to date with all my classes for the championship⊠so Iâve already asked Y/n to give me private tutoring. I couldnât possibly pass up an opportunity like having the best tutor around.â He looked at you with that crooked grin of his, and you shot him a furious glare, clenching your fist so tightly against your apron that your knuckles turned white.
âI study music⊠but if youâre having trouble, Soobin, I could still find time to...â
But Soobin shook his hands and cut you off with a sincere smile. âNo, no, donât waste your precious time on me! I only play basketball for fun, to help the team. Iâll never be a professional athlete like Heeseung or Jake. You absolutely should tutor Jake. Guys, if he doesnât have all his classes in order, the federation will exclude him from the university championship and right now, there are scouts from the national leagues watching him...theyâre carefully evaluating whether his public and academic image is perfect before offering him a contract in a higher soccer league.â
At those words, you furrowed your brow, and your eyes widened slightly. You knew Jake was good at soccer, he was the captain, after all but you hadnât realized how serious the situation was. There were actually professional scouts involved, and his entire future depended on those damn history tests?
Jake, as he nibbled on his slice of cake, savoring his victory, doubled down: âSee, Y/n? Even Soobinâs asking you. I seriously need your help. And remember⊠if you ever wanted to ask me for anything in return, or needed some special help with someone, Iâd be more than happy to return the favor.â As he said this, he gave you a knowing wink, subtly nodding his chin toward Soobin. You rolled your eyes, was he blackmailing you under the guise of helping?
âIs your tail always moving like that?â You pointed at it with one finger.
Jakeâs mouth fell open in embarrassment, completely caught off guard, no one had ever asked him something so direct before, especially not a girl calling him out on an uncontrollable reflex tied to his hybrid nature. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. âLetâs just say my tail and generally, the tails of hybrids who have them reflects our emotions. We canât control it. Itâs an involuntary reflex of our nervous system,â he explained, trying to relax.
You looked at him, curious. âAnd what emotion are you feeling right now, Jake? We literally just left a bar and are walking toward campus. I donât think youâre feeling some great emotion⊠especially not in my company,â you muttered under your breath, almost to yourself but his wolf ears picked up every single word, even the way youâd said it. Jake furrowed his brow but decided not to make a big deal out of the fact that heâd heard. He looked you straight in the eyes and said:
âAnxiety? Anxiety over your verdict. Sorry if Iâm being pushy, but history is literally the only subject Iâm bad at, and youâre my last hope⊠I already checked the university forums like you suggested, but no one has your grades, and honestly, none of them inspire much confidence. So my tailâs wagging like this because Iâm anxious to know if youâve changed your mind. Is that okay?â
You sighed deeply, clutching your books to your chest, and stayed silent for a few steps as you walked along the campus paths lit by streetlamps. You thought it over, weighing the importance of his future and the veiled blackmail about Soobin, until you finally said:
âI decide when and where the tutoring sessions happen. Obviously, weâll have to work around our academic schedules. And I donât want to be messed around: if you want to pass history, you actually have to commit. No excuses...neither about soccer nor anything else and I want you to be honest if you donât understand something. In addition to our sessions, you need to study on your own at home. Iâm not doing all the work for you. Just like in soccer, you have to put in the effort in this subject too.â
You said it all in one breath, setting down ironclad rules to protect your boundaries. Jakeâs eyes widened, his ears snapping straight up in surprise. âWait⊠does this mean⊠youâll tutor me for the next few months?â he asked. This time, his tail moved differently, and you wondered if it meant he was happy.
You nodded resignedly, bringing a hand to your face. âI just hope itâs worth it⊠and that I donât lose my patience with you by the first session,â you muttered.
At your confirmation, Jake, overwhelmed with relief and happiness, completely lost control of his human inhibitions. Without realizing it, he lunged forward and pulled you into a tight hug. He pressed you against his broad, warm chest, wrapping you completely in his strong, athletic arms. You froze, stiff as a block of ice, and your heart skipped a beat from the sudden physical contact.
Why was he hugging you? God, you hated physical contact, especially with people you didnât know or trust. The memory of what youâd gone through in high school came rushing back like a slap. Your hands began to tremble slightly against your books, and you couldnât bring yourself to place them on Jakeâs back to reciprocate. You stayed motionless, breathless.
Jake, being a hybrid, immediately noticed how rigid you were in his arms. His body sensed your instant stiffness, but it was your scent that changed in a millisecond under his hyper-developed nose. The sweet, clean strawberry scent of your skin was literally overpowered by an intense, acidic trail, the unmistakable signature of negative emotions: primal panic, terror, and shock. It was the scent of someone who felt attacked, not just surprised by a hug. His wolf instinct, which never failed when it came to deciphering pheromones, picked up on that internal danger signal. It forced him to pull away from you immediately. Seeing you silent, your hands shaking, your expression blank, and your eyes wide and empty, Jake felt a pang of guilt, he was afraid heâd crossed a line with you.
Oh God, Iâm sorry⊠I⊠I didnât mean to,â he said, slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and messing it up nervously as he saw you still standing completely stiff in front of him.
âI⊠I really like physical contact when Iâm happy or relieved. Itâs a hybrid thing...we tend to be pack-oriented⊠I didnât mean to scare you,â he said, gesturing with his hands. You swallowed hard, trying to regain control of your breathing, and gave a weak nod. âYeah⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids, but please⊠just donât do it again with me, okay? No hugs.â You shifted even farther away from him.
Seeing how shaken you still were, he nodded seriously, his ears lowering in a sign of submission and respect toward you. âOkay, okay, no hugs. Iâll message you on Instagram later, alright? So we can exchange numbers and set up our first lesson.â
You nodded one last time with a quick motion and hurried toward your apartment, desperate only to close the door behind you and sink into a long, hot bath.
Jake stood frozen on the path, watching your figure disappear into the dim light. His ears were tense, motionless, and his tail was completely still. His predator and protective wolf instincts took over everything else because that drastic and terrifying shift in your scent wasnât normal for a girl your age. As he furrowed his brow, the wolf inside him had just caught the scent of a painful secret you were trying to hide.
What are you hiding thatâs so serious, sweetheart? he muttered under his breath. Who reduced you to this?
Without realizing it, Jakeâs instinct had just vowed that he would uncover the truth and whoever had hurt you would be gone, long before you even saw it coming.
You had arranged everything with Jake down to the last detail in your messages: the library, west wing, at 4:00 PM sharp. He had replied with a thumbs-up, promising heâd be there. But now it was nearly 4:15, and there was still no sign of him. Curious, youâd even checked the official team schedule to see if he had practice but Monday was marked as a full rest day for the soccer players.
That excuse, then, couldnât possibly justify his lateness. You sat there, nervously tapping your pen against the table, your laptop open to your notes and the heavy Contemporary History textbook splayed open to the chapter on World War I. You glanced around every three seconds, but there was still no trace of Jake. Finally, you huffed in frustration, running a hand through your hair.
âWhat the hell⊠why did I agree to this?â you muttered under your breath and just at that moment, you heard the study room door swing open with a little too much force. There he was: Jake, zigzagging hastily between the empty tables, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His dark hair bounced against his forehead with every quick step, and his fluffy wolf ears swayed with the movement. When he finally reached you and leaned over the table to set down his bag, your senses immediately picked up on something that made you stiffen. Beyond his usual wild, warm scent, the air was filled with an unmistakably sweet, almost floral note...a girlâs perfume that was definitely not yours.
âDonât tell me youâre 23 minutes late because you were hooking up with some girl,â you said, staring him straight in the eyes with a look that could have killed him. At those words, you watched his wolf ears drop instantly, flattening completely against the sides of his head in a clear sign of surrender and submission. Even his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie, dropped abruptly and went still between his legs. You caught a glimpse of his cheeks turning a deep red with embarrassment. His hybrid sense of smell must have already told him you were furious, and Jake swallowed hard, he knew heâd been caught red-handed.
âI...I⊠no, not a girl! Itâs just⊠the elevator in the guysâ dorm got stuck, I swear! And, um, there just happened to be a girl in there with me⊠thatâs why I smell like thisâŠâ he said, giving you his best puppy-dog eyesâbut he knew instantly it wouldnât work on you.
âI wasnât born yesterday, Jake, and I know perfectly well you donât have practice today,â you said, crossing your arms firmly over your chest. âI saw in the universityâs official vlog that soccer players rest on Mondays. So why do you have your soccer bag?â
Backed into a corner, Jake tried to play it cool to lighten the mood, smirking as he curled his lips into that usual crooked smile that drove girls wild. âOh, so youâve been stalking me? I didnât know you were already this interested in my routine, sweetheart.â
Your eyes widened, stunned by his audacity. You seriously wanted to slap him, but the only thing stopping you was the fact that you were in a public place.
âI havenât been stalking you! I just wanted to know if you were late for a valid reason, like soccer. But apparently, thatâs not the case,â you said, pointing with a sharp flick of your pen at his hair, which was far too disheveled to be the result of just running down a hallway.
He rolled his eyes slightly, then lowered his voice and stretched his hands across the table toward you. âCome on, Y/n, Iâm sorry⊠I lost track of time, okay? It wonât happen again, I promise. Now letâs sit down and open the books. Iâm all yours for the next few hours,â he said, winking at you. But you stopped him immediately, you were really angry, and even though your voice was a whisper to avoid getting kicked out of the library, your tone was unmistakably sharp.
âNo, Jake. Listen carefully. This is exactly why I didnât want to tutor anyone, especially not someone like you. You have zero respect for the time someone else is giving you, sacrificing their own studies to help you. If your absolute priority on this campus is to play the playboy, show up late to every lesson, and take my help for granted, then know this: this will be the first and last session we ever have. Consider this goodbye. You can say hello to failing that test, losing your captainâs armband, and kissing goodbye to every professional league scout watching you! I donât waste my time on people who wonât commit to something they asked me for. I donât recall chasing you down, begging to tutor you!â
For the first time in a long time, Jake felt corneredânot just by the harshness of your words, but by the fact that you werenât like all the other girls who fell at his feet. For the first time, the team captain had found someone who wasnât willing to let him off the hook for anything. Deep down, he knew he had to step up, and perhaps, beneath the surface, he felt the need to get his act together.
âIâm sorry, Y/n. From now on, Iâll always be on time. I promise,â he said seriously, extending his pinky finger to make a childish âpinky promiseâ in an attempt to lighten the mood. You studied his expression carefully to see if he was sincere, then said:
âIâll let it slide this time, but itâs the last warning, Jake.â
Then you looked at his outstretched finger, and though reluctant, you wrapped your pinky around his. In that brief moment when your skin touched, you both felt something an adrenaline rush that stole your breath, while for Jake, it was yet another confirmation that his wolf side responded intensely to your presence. Deep down, he found himself wanting more.
âToday, weâll start with the triggering causes of World War I and the European alliances of 1914. First, youâll read the text on your own, and Iâll do the same. Then, Iâve prepared five questions here that will help you summarize the entire first chapter about ten pages, to help you understand it better.â
Jake nodded, carefully looking over the first chapter.
âGo ahead and read the chapter first, and if you donât understand something, just ask. Iâm here to help,â you said gently this time. You noticed his tail swaying slightly from side to side under the table, this time with slow, lifted movements.
âGot it, Professor!â he said, saluting like a captain. You sighed, shaking your head, it was maddening how he could act like such a kid.
So, you both began silently reading the first chapter. Thanks to your study habits, you finished in just ten minutes. When you looked up, you expected Jake to be done too, but you realized he was only halfway through the fifth page. You tried your best to look away so as not to stare and make him self-conscious, but Jake had that kind of magnetism anyone within his radius was almost forced to look at him and he was truly handsome, even that day, dressed in just a loose, dark hoodie and comfortable cargo jeans.
His face perfectly embodied the proud aura of a wolf: thick, black hair that created a stunning contrast with his soft, slightly dark gray ears, which occasionally twitched or moved at the slightest sounds in the library. His eyes still had a hint of puppy-like charm, framed by long, dark lashes, a large, pronounced nose that suited his facial features divinely, and slightly full but not overly so lips.
And then there were his hands: truly beautiful, large, and well-kept. Your eyes lingered a little too long on the prominent veins on the back of his hands, a testament to the physical strain of his training, adorned with several silver rings.
As you watched him, you saw Jake make a small pout that you found incredibly cute. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair to mess it up nervously.
âStruggling?â you asked softly, and he didnât even look up from the page, answering almost defeatedly: âA little.â
You asked if heâd underlined anything in the book, and he shook his head. âItâs really hard⊠mostly, I struggle to remember all these names of ministers, archdukes, and tsars, and which territories belong to each one,â he sighed. Moved by a sudden wave of understanding, you said something without even realizing it: âYou could use colors as a visual aid, or associate historical dates with the jersey numbers of famous soccer players you know.â
At those words, Jake suddenly looked up, surprised and intrigued. âYouâre telling me to try memorizing historical dates using soccer jersey numbers?â
âYes, and you could also use a different color for each era or nation, so it sticks better in your mind. You can mentally link it to a team. Soccer teams all have different jersey colors, right? The German Empire could be the black jersey, Russia the red one, and so onâŠâ you said, picking up the highlighters. His eyes widened slightly, and a genuine smile lit up his face.
âWow⊠I never thought of that. In engineering, we never use colors, but it actually makes perfect sense for a subject like history!â
At that point, he started asking you a series of general questions to better understand how to apply the trick: he asked for explanations about the year of the Triple Alliance, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and how the European balance had collapsed. You listened, and finally told him:
âAlright, now try to answer at least two of the five questions I prepared for you. But before you write, you need to highlight the parts of the text you find truly important, using the colors we decided on.â
After an hour and a half, youâd covered two chapters, and Jake seemed fully absorbed in his studiesâthanks both to your help and your company. Heâd finally found a rhythm with your color and soccer association method. Then you glanced at the time on your phone screen and sighed loudly. Jake immediately looked up, his ears perking up curiously.
âEverything okay?â
You nodded, starting to gather your things. When he saw you stand up, something inside him snapped he wanted to stay with you, but he didnât understand why.
âYeah, sorry, but I have to go to work. I wouldâve stayed here studying a little longer, but not all of us have a scholarship secured thanks to soccer!â you said, slipping your laptop into your bag. Jake stretched in his chair, the muscles in his shoulders tensing under his loose hoodie, and curled his lips into a smirk.
âWas that a dig at me or at athletes in general?â he asked, pointing at himself. You shrugged. âTake it however you want.â
But Jake wasnât the type to back down easily, and he loved having the last word. So he leaned forward on the table, looking at you intently: âSpoiler: I donât have an athletic scholarship, sweetheart!â
You stared at him with wide eyes, freezing with your bag strap halfway over your shoulder, and stammered, clearly shockedâit was extremely impossible. âH-Howâs that possible? Youâre the team captainâŠâ
He rocked slightly in his chair, and even from there, you could tell that despite being 23, he still acted like a kid. âI was just too good at both sports and school, even back in high school. I didnât need an athletic scholarship, I got in on my grades,â he said smugly. Your mouth snapped shut, and you sighed, running a hand over your face, almost embarrassed.
You chuckled, amused by his excess of self-confidence, and gestured with your hands to tone it down. âDonât be such a know-it-all egotist, Jake! But⊠take it as a personal challenge⊠who knows, maybe not for the next test, itâs too soonbut for the one after that, you might even beat me⊠if you start liking the subject,â you said, openly teasing him with a challenging smile youâd never given any other guy before. Jake lightly bit his lower lip and muttered under his breath: âChallenge accepted, sweetheart.â
You said goodbye with a quick wave and turned, walking briskly to exit the west wing of the library and rush to the bar for your shift, your heart beating suspiciously fast.
As you walked away, Jakeâs hybrid instincts were literally rejoicing inside him. Under the table, his tail began to wag frantically, and his ears stretched forward to catch the sound of your footsteps. His wolf instinct was celebrating a double victory: not only had he managed to get you to give in and tutor him, but heâd just discovered that behind your cold, defensive armor, there was a girl capable of challenging him and holding her own with wit and that drove him wild. But what made him gloat the most was the scent youâd left in the air when you said goodbye: your smell of fear had faded, replaced by something sweeter and he couldnât wait for the next lesson.
You and Jake had been studying together for two weeks now, and you would NEVER have imagined that, deep down, he wasnât actually so bad. Sure, he was still a living jester...no lesson passed without him trying to tease you but there was one thing that had really stuck with you, something that had made your heart flutter more than once: he strictly respected physical distance. After that hug heâd given you, and after sensing how cold youâd been in returning it, Jake had never tried to touch you or get too close again. Heâd limited himself to verbal provocations and to you, that meant a lot, because for so many guys, the word "no" simply didnât exist in their vocabulary.
That morning, though, heâd sent you a WhatsApp message that had left you a little taken aback, though you understood why. The campus had erupted in chaos after the soccer team won an away game, and heâd asked if you could come to hisplace to study insteadâheâd gotten back late last night and was completely wrecked.
At first, youâd been pretty reluctant, but heâd quickly reassured you, saying you wouldnât be alone because there were six other people in the house, and at least one of his roommates would be there. So youâd agreed and now here you were, standing in front of⊠a house? No, this looked more like a villa. You thought you mustâve gotten the address wrong, but when you stepped closer to the intercom, you read the names of the seven guys who lived there: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, Ni-ki.
So you rang the bell, expecting Jake to answer immediately, but instead, a stunning guy with chiseled features and an incredibly charming vibe opened the door. You immediately noticed his dark ears and sleek, glossy tail: he was a black cat hybrid.
âYouâre Y/n, right? Come in, Jakeâs upstairs,â he said with a smile. You nodded, but before you could even respond, you heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, a tall guy with brown hair and slightly almond-shaped eyesâunmistakable black panther earsâpeered into the hallway.
You thought this place was less of a student house and more of a model recruitment center...
The panther hybrid looked at you and pouted like a child, sighing:  âOh, no⊠I was hoping my takeout had arrived.â You smiled timidly, a little intimidated by his size, but the pantherâs eyes widened as soon as he met your gaze. Pointing at you, he said: âOh my God, wait! Are you the famous Y/n? Jakeâs tutor? Damn, lately he hasnât stopped talking about....â
But before Ni-ki could finish, all three of you heard Jakeâs loud voice call out:Â âNi-ki!â
Like a bolt of lightning, Jake appeared at the top of the stairs and slid down the steps, stretching out a hand to yank Ni-kiâs shirt sleeve and silence him instantly. Ni-ki just laughed, completely unfazed, and said:Â âOh, hyung! Youâre here too, with us at home!â
Jake really wanted to strangle him, but he loved his little brother too much. When you finally looked up at Jake, you noticed he was dressed extremely comfortably: gray sweatpants, an oversized university T-shirt, his dark hair still damp from the shower, and a white towel draped over his shoulders, giving him a cozy, domestic vibe and at the same time, he looked at you and gave you a genuine smile, saying:
âHey, Y/n. Donât mind this bunch of lunatics. Follow me, weâll study in my room so itâs quieter.â
But the second he said those words, you froze on the spot. Your mind went into overdrive:
His room? Alone?
Your brain short-circuited, and you stood completely still on the doormat, clutching your books to your chest like a protective shield. You did not want to go into a room alone...especially not with a guy.
Both Jay (the black cat hybrid) and Ni-ki turned to look at you strangely, since all three of them were predator hybrids, their senses instantly picked up on the drastic shift in the air, as well as the sudden change in your clean scent, which had just been overpowered by a sharp trail of embarrassment mixed with a strong, clear note of defensive fear and panic.
Hybrids had incredibly strong olfactory instincts, and Jake froze on the spot. His smile vanished, replaced by something he didnât often feel or see. But with you, heâd smelled that scent before: the first time heâd spoken to you, and again when heâd hugged you. With an incredibly gentle and reassuring tone, he said:
âWeâll keep the bedroom door wide open, okay, Y/n? If that makes you feel more comfortable and you two⊠no nonsense from now on, got it?â He directed this mostly at Ni-ki, who rolled his eyes, while Jay, understanding the situation, gave a serious nod and walked toward the kitchen: âDonât worry, Iâll go make a snack.â
Jake looked at you again, giving you a soft nod to invite you to follow him up the stairs. Before you moved, you took one last look at Ni-ki and Jay, who returned your gaze with warm, welcoming smiles. You let out a small sigh of reliefâthose guys didnât seem dangerous at all⊠in fact, they seemed really nice and Jake⊠Jake was proving to be far more attentive and protective than youâd ever wanted to admit to yourself.
When you stepped into Jakeâs room, you were immediately enveloped by a mix of warm, inviting scents: the fresh aroma of pine-scented body wash heâd just used, a rich note of cedarwood, and that signature musky scent unique to his hybrid natureâwhich, over time, had begun to make you feel strangely safe.
Your eyes landed on the center of the room, where a large, slightly unmade king-sized bed sat with its gray sheets tangled. Nearby, a desk was buried under stacks of calculation sheets and heavy structural engineering manuals. The shelves, on the other hand, were packed with frames, photos of Jake as a child, and you smiled at the sight of him with his wolf ears still too big for his head. There were pictures of him hugging the other six hybrids from the house, all grinning with mud-streaked jerseys, and beside the photos stood rows of gleaming trophies and medals. Your eyes widened, and you let out a quiet whistle at the sight of so many merit certificates for math Olympiads.
 âWow⊠I knew you were good, but not this good,â you said, picking up a certificate with his name printed in gold letters. Jake shrugged, but you noticed the smirk tugging at his lips, his ears perking up with pride he knew he was smart, and damn good at what he did.
âI told you I wasnât bad. Historyâs just my one weak spot,â he said.
You nodded, setting the frame down. When you saw him move toward the bed and stretch out comfortably on his stomach, with history notes scattered in front of him, you couldnât help but comment:Â âYou know, normal people study sitting in a chair, facing a desk.â
But he just waved a hand dismissively, burying his face in the pillow for a second. âOverrated. If I can stretch out on my bed and study, why not?â Jake lifted his head to look at you, and in that moment, your scent: a delicate blend of fresh strawberries, cream, and a clean trail of vanilla filled the room, mingling perfectly with his hybrid scent. Jake went still for a second, breathing deeply, his expression shifting into something he didnât let show. That scent⊠itâs heavenly, he thought before he could stop himself. Then he shook his head slightly, unsettled by the spontaneous thought.
Heavenly? Damn, Jake, what the hell are you saying? Itâs⊠itâs just a nice smell, thatâs all⊠focus.
Oblivious to his thoughts, you took the desk chair, turned it around, and sat sideways, balancing your notes on your knees. âOverrated or not, this is how Iâm used to studying. If you want to stay there, fine, but I donât want to find you snoring in five minutes,â you said with a half-smile. Jake chuckled, and you saw his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie thumping eagerly against the mattress, a clear sign he genuinely enjoyed your company.
âFirst of all, I donât snore. Second, Iâve never fallen asleep during a study session and I bet that soon, even youâll end up sitting on this bed⊠itâs amazing, sweetheart. Memory foam with built-in massage tech, you know, as a soccer player, I need the best for my body,â he said, shifting slightly onto his side, teasing you with a mischievous grin and a wink. âEveryone who tries it wants to come back to sleep in it⊠thereâs plenty of space⊠and Iâm an excellent human heating pad, you know as a wolf hybrid, my body heat is way higher than yours. Perfect if you get cold in the winter!â he added with another wink.
You wanted to smack him with the history book for his audacity, but instead, you just blushed and shot him a glare. âStop talking nonsense and letâs start studying. Weâve got the first exam on Friday, and if you fail, I fail as a tutor.â
You and Jake had been studying for over two hours, and in that time, Jay had brought you delicious snacks to the room, and youâd even met Sunghoon, another one of the roommates. Youâd already heard about him on campus: he was the famous captain of the hockey team, and he, too, was a hybrid, specifically a snow fox, as well as one of the most popular athletes at the university. He also worked as a model for brands like Adidas, and everyone talked about him.
After the intense review session, you stood up for a moment to stretch your back and arms. Your eyes kept wandering around Jakeâs room, and he watched you carefully from the bed, noticing the tension in your body. âCome on, Y/n, I bet your back is killing you from sitting on that wooden chair. Just sit with me on the bed for five minutes, I promise Iâll keep my hands to myself,â he said.
To prove his intentions, he laced his fingers behind his back, looking up at you with a sweet, slightly reluctant smile. Knowing how wary you were, you finally gave in and sat on the edge of his bed. You immediately felt how incredibly soft it was.
Jake patted the large, dark fabric headboard, inviting you to get comfortable. So you settled in, half-sitting with your back resting against it, while he stayed stretched out beside you, his laptop and a pile of notes in front of him as he continued underlining according to your schemes.
After a little while, the exhaustion from the previous days caught up with you, and you yawned widely. Jake lifted his gaze from the papers. âAre you tired, sweetness?â
âA little,â you admitted, tilting your head back. He stretched slightly, letting out a sigh. Then, before you could predict it but driven irresistibly by his hybrid nature, which, in moments of tiredness or when wanting to make someone feel safe, instinctively sought contact with its âpackâ to share warmth and relax, Jake turned onto his side and, with complete naturalness, rested his head on the upper part of your legs, using them as a soft pillow.
Your eyes widened because his face was so close to your stomach. You immediately felt the impressive warmth of his body against your skin through your jeans just like that time heâd hugged you. He radiated an almost feverish heat, typical of wolf hybrids. From this close position, you could perfectly see how long and dark his lashes were, how his ears had partially lowered backward and deep inside, you felt a sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft and fluffy at the same time, and you wanted to know if they felt like a normal dogâs or catâs.
Jakeâs body relaxed completely against you, and you, having no idea what to do and with your heart beating a mile a minute, said his name softly: âJakeâŠâ
He just let out a low murmur, keeping his eyes half-closed because he liked feeling your body against hisâuntil you spoke.
âWhy did you rest your head on my legs?â you asked, slightly curious. He gave a light shrug against your thigh.
âI know you hate sudden physical contact⊠and Iâm not squeezing or openly touching you with my hands, so you can see I donât want to hurt you. You can trust me. Itâs just for support,â he said as his eyes opened fully, and two amber pools looked up at you, smiling. As your head tilted toward him, in that moment of absolute closeness, Jakeâs sharp sense of smell picked up on something that left him breathless: your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly intensified in the air, growing sweeter. There was no trace of the acidic note of fear, nor the detachment of embarrassmentâbecause you were starting to trust him.
Without even realizing it, you lifted a trembling hand, and your fingers barely brushed one of his fluffy ears, right where the fur transitioned from light gray to the super-dark shade at the tip.
You froze instantly at that sound, blushing all the way to the tips of your ears, and stammered:
âJ-Jake⊠God, Iâm sorry! Did I hurt you? I didnât mean to⊠I didnât know...â But Jake burst into genuine laughter, and you caught a glimpse of his dimples, thinking he looked damn cute.
âNo, donât worry, you didnât hurt me, sweetness,â he said, slowly reopening his eyes. âItâs totally normal that I growled. I told you the other day, both our ears and tails are the most sensitive parts of our hybrid bodies. If theyâre touched the right way, they stimulate a huge amount of pleasure, even strong excitement inside us⊠itâs just a biological reflex. We canât help it.â He said this almost shyly, and at those words, you immediately pulled your hand away from his ears but Jake immediately pouted in protest, letting out a small, annoyed whine his sense of smell had instantly noticed the loss of your skinâs warmth. He looked up at you with an almost pleading expression.
âCan I take your hand, Y/n?â
You stared at him as you leaned over him, and though hesitant, you offered him your hand. Jake, however, was incredibly gentle. He didnât interlace his fingers with yours but instead wrapped his large, warm fingers around your wrist, guiding your arm upward until your hand rested again at the base of his gray ears.
âWe hybrids are very sensitive to both smells and touch,â he explained, watching you carefully. âAnd if someone becomes part of our circle, our life⊠well, we quickly become much more insistent with physical contact. Letâs just say we have an almost physical need for it. Thatâs why I stretched out with my head on your legs. My wolf just wanted to be close to you.âHe said this without realizing it, but he didnât say things like that to just anyone⊠in fact, he hoped you wouldnât fully understand what he was implying. For your part, you just nodded.
âI⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids. Iâve always attended all-human schools before university, so this is the first time Iâve been in close contact with one of you.â
Jake studied your reactions from below, sensing that you were relaxed, and said: âWell, there are many first times in life, and this is a new first for you. Donât be shy about touching me, sweetness⊠I can sense it, your scent, your instinct, they tell me you want to.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment at being caught, and said:Â âSometimes it bothers me, this thing. You sense and understand things through smells that we humans will never be able to comprehend.â
He chuckled but didnât move, and when he felt your fingersânow moving with more confidenceâbegin to stroke the base of his ears again, Jake let out a long sigh of pure relief and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed in that moment, a feeling he hadnât experienced in years. Only his mom and grandmother could calm him with just a touch. He felt how his body was vibrating with total submission to your touch, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. You smiled because you liked the idea of being able to relax someone as energetic and hyperactive as him. With the tips of your fingers, you moved from his ears to his thick, black hair, gently ruffling it, and asked, slightly shy:
âWhy do you hybrids love physical contact so much? Is it something that comes from your puppy-like nature, orâŠ?â
Jake opened his eyes, staring straight into yours. âYes, it partly comes from when weâre pups. But actually, all hybrids need constant physical contact, both as kids and as adults, especially during heat. It can be suppressed with medication, of course, but doctors say itâs not good for our health or mental balance. And then⊠when a hybrid finds his mate, there are specific ways he uses to be with her.â
Curious, you tilted your head slightly to the side and asked:Â âAnd what are these ways?â
âWell⊠besides being touched by his mate, the hybrid loves to touch her in return. Itâs a little embarrassing, but in the early stages of a relationship, itâs constant: holding her hand, hugging her, squeezing her⊠but the most important thing for us is to make sure our scent completely soaks into her. We want our chemistry to stay on her skin, on her clothes, so the whole pack and other males know who she belongs to.â
You were slightly shocked by this possessive and biological revelation, your eyes widening as you struggled to respond, unable to fully grasp the nature of hybrids. Jake, seeing your petrified face and sudden confusion, didnât miss the chance to tease you.
âOh God, you should see your face, sweetheart! Whatâs wrong? Are you afraid Iâll rub my wolf scent all over you any second so youâll smell like me all over campus? Donât worry⊠for today, Iâll settle for your legs as a pillow, but I wonât make any promises for our next lessons!â
You huffed, looking away to hide the heat still burning on your cheeks, and said:Â âI definitely donât want your scent on me, especially if I want to have any chance with Soobin.â
At those words, Jake froze on your lap. His ears snapped backward, stiffening, and his tailâs movement stopped instantly, youâd almost forgotten about it. The only reason youâd accepted this compromise and were helping him with Contemporary History was his deal: using his influence to get Soobinâs attention. For a second, his possessive, territorial animal instinct pressed to emerge and growl at that name, but his human side quickly regained control. He slowly lifted himself from your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked at you intensely, saying:
âRelax, the only way a hybridâs scent spreads to a girl is if they do sexual thingsâwhich means undressing and sniffing each otherâor if the guy bites her. So donât worry, you wonât run that risk with me, Y/n.â
You frowned at his answer, then checked the time on your phone and said it was getting late and that you absolutely had to go. Jake returned to being his usual carefree self, wearing a mask of indifference. He nodded and asked if you wanted a ride, but you refused, explaining that Allie would pick you up.
Just as you reached the entrance hall, the front door swung open, and Heeseungâthe basketball team captain and an adorable hamster hybridâburst in, beaming as he held dark streamers in his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs: âFriday, I want all six of you dressed up for Halloween because weâre throwing a legendary party here! No excuses!â He looked at all his friends, and a chorus of reactions immediately rose from the kitchen and living room:
Jungwon and Sunooâa cat hybrid and a fox hybrid with huge earsâgroaned at the idea of chaos in the house. Ni-ki enthusiastically exclaimed, âAwesome!â Jay muttered that heâd prepare amazing cocktails for the occasion, while Sunghoon, still sprawled on the couch, just rolled his eyes because he wasnât a fan of parties at all.
As you watched the scene, you suddenly felt warm breath right next to your ear. Jake had leaned toward you, his lips just millimeters from your skin:
âThis is the perfect excuse for us to be seen together by Soobin, sweetheartâŠâ he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. âTell me how youâll dress for the party⊠because you are coming, right? Heâll definitely be there.â
You turned abruptly, finding his challenging smile just a centimeter from your face. And if there was one thing you hated, it was crowded partiesâbut the idea of finally talking to Soobin pushed you to do something crazy.
âYes, Iâll be there⊠but only if Allie can come too.â
Jake nodded, widening his sly grin. You said goodbye to all the guys with a wave and finally left that villa. As soon as you got into Allieâs car, you told her everything in detail. But your best friend could tell deep down that you wanted to go to that party to be with Jakeâbecause for the entire ride, you hadnât even mentioned Soobin.
As soon as the door closed behind you, silence fell over the entire living room. Jake turned to go back upstairs but froze on the spotâall six of his friends were staring at him with their arms crossed, wearing smiles that were half-amused and half-suspiciously knowing. All six hybrids in that room were literally breathing in the pheromones Jake had unconsciously released over the past two hours.
Jake felt his cheeks heat more than they should, turning bright red. He wanted to deny everything, but then Heeseung, the oldest in the group, twitched his hamster ears with a mix of amusement and curiosity, shook his head, and dropped the final bombshell, looking at the others:
âGuys, I think the first one to find his lifemate is actually one of the two biggest playboys and frat boys in the entire university⊠Who wouldâve ever thought that the great Jake Sim would fall at the feet of a nerd who didnât even know he existed a few weeks ago?â
Jakeâs blush deepened, spreading under the fur of his ears, which twitched nervously. He growled, baring a hint of fang to hide his panic: âShut up, you donât know what youâre talking about! Sheâs just my tutor, and Iâm just keeping my end of the deal. At the party on Friday, youâll see...sheâs into Soobin.â Jake then bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
But as he stormed up, his tail....always the traitor, began wagging frantically at the thought of seeing you dressed up for Halloween and his friends were absolutely right⊠the wolf inside him knew it all too well.
The house of the seven hybrids had been completely transformed for the Halloween party. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling corners, ghost-shaped sheets floated mid-air, and witch hats seemed to fly on their own thanks to invisible wires. The place looked like it had stepped straight out of a horror cartoon rather than a university party. Soft, rhythmic music played in the background as people from the campus began filling the hallways and living rooms of the villa.
You and Allie had arrived together. Allie was wearing a sexy pirate costume that suited her perfectly, while you had gone with the plan youâd agreed on with Jake: a lilac and purple dress inspired by Rapunzel. According to your friend, it looked divine on you, and to be honest, even you felt pretty looking at yourself in the mirror. However, you couldnât help but notice that the corset was a little too tight, accentuating your curves in a way you usually disliked but tonight, it gave you an extra boost of self-confidence. Deep down, you were a beautiful girl, but the only thing that made you wrinkle your nose a little was the cleavage, which made you feel a bit uncomfortable under the gazes of the people you passed. The rest of the outfit, though, was perfect: your hair was gathered in a soft braid decorated with tiny fake flowers, and you held a lightweight plastic frying pan, artfully stained with fake blood. You seriously hoped Jake had kept his word about dressing as Flynn Rider.
When your eyes finally spotted him near the bar corner, a small, spontaneous smile appeared on your face. Allie, who had been watching you carefully out of the corner of her eye, noticed that spark in your eyes as you looked at Jake. Deep down, your friend had already figured it all out, but she chose to stay silent, driven by a strong protective instinct toward you.
Jake, for his part, looked simply perfect. He wore the typical blue vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, showcasing his powerful biceps and the prominent veins of his athletic arms. Dark pants completed the look, but what truly took your breath away was his hairstyle: his dark hair was perfectly parted in the middle with Flynnâs signature rebellious tuft. You thought he should opt for that fluffy, middle-parted hair more often. On his cheeks and neck, he had drawn small, fake red scratches, as if he had just barely escaped the clutches of the law.
When Jake turned and saw you, he froze mid-step for what felt like an eternity. His wolf nose instantly picked up your scent in the airâa heavenly, thick aroma of fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a warm note of pure vanilla. At that olfactory contact, his tail twitched violently under his costume, swaying so hard from side to side that he had to restrain himself to keep it from breaking free of the fabric.
His wolf instinct gave a primal jolt: he thought you looked incredibly beautiful, and at the same time, he almost didnât recognize you. He had never seen you so exposed, with your figure and curves so visibly on display. Jake swallowed hard at the sight of your shy smile and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily ruining the perfect part. His animal instinct was literally screaming at him to reach out, grab you by the waist, and carry you away from all those people to keep you close to him. But he knew he had to rein in that urge, you werenât his, and besides, you were interested in another guy. Damn, you looked stunning, and his eyes couldnât stop drinking you in.
He closed the distance between you with feline steps, leaning slightly toward you, and whispered directly into your ear in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine:
âDamn, sweetheart⊠I knew you were hiding something under those hoodies or sweaters, but I didnât expect all this,â he said, unable to stop rambling because he couldnât take his eyes off you, especially not from the line of your cleavage. You blushed violently, and in self-defense, you crossed your arms over your chest, clutching the frying pan to your side.
âIn your dreams, Sim. I only came here because you asked me to, and because we have a deal. Otherwise, Iâd be comfortably in my room right now trying to compose music for my class⊠but Iâm here because you promised me something. You have to help me get to know Soobin⊠speaking of which, where is Soobin? You promised heâd be here.â
At the sound of that name, Jakeâs smug smile vanished in a millisecond. His wolf ears twitched slightly backward, flattening almost imperceptibly against his hairâa clear sign of pure annoyance and territorial jealousy. His body stiffened for a moment, irritated by the fact that your first thought had gone to another guy just as he was devouring you with his eyes. He gave a vague nod toward the kitchen. âHeâs in there, in the kitchen with Heeseung and the other basketball guys but donât rush, sweetheart⊠first, you need to loosen up⊠and have a drink.â
Before you could tell Jake you had no intention of drinking alcohol, he turned and started walking toward the kitchen with confident steps. Following him inside, you were immediately greeted by three enormous glass bowls filled with rum punch and chopped fruit. At the sight, your instinct screamed at you to run out of the room...high school memories threatened to resurface, and you feared theyâd ruin what could have been a fun night.
Jake, unaware of your internal struggle, grabbed a ladle and poured himself a glass of the reddish liquid. From the note pinned to the table, you read that it was a cocktail made with rum, prosecco, and berries. When he turned and held out the glass to you, you looked up at him and said in a thin voice: âThanks, Jake, but⊠I donât drink alcohol⊠I donât like it.âYou tried to hide it, but Jake wasnât stupid. His hybrid sixth sense was far too sharp, and he saw the slight but unmistakable tremor in your hand as you refused the glass. He noticed how your posture had suddenly stiffened, and, intrigued, he tilted his head, studying your reaction.
âMmm, okay. Wait here a second,â he said without teasing you or trying to pressure you. You simply nodded, clutching the plastic frying pan to your chest, and watched him disappear behind the door of a pantry at the back of the kitchen.
Left alone, you turned to look around. You saw Allie talking or maybe arguing with Heeseung, and your heart literally leapt into your throat when Soobin walked into the kitchen. He was dressed as Cullen from Twilight in a baseball game versionâwhite and blue jersey, a backward cap, and even a baseball glove tucked into his left hand. You immediately thought he looked cute, especially when he noticed you, and his famous dimples deepened in his cheeks. Your eyes, however, instinctively searched for Jakeâs figure.
Where the hell did he go? Soobin was walking straight toward you, and you thought, half-panicked: Where the hell has that wolf gotten himself? Why is he leaving me alone right now?!
But then a part of you forced yourself to reason after all, this was the plan, right? Jake was supposed to give you the chance to meet Soobin and make an impression. Yet deep down, you wanted him there with you so badly, and you didnât understand why.
When Soobin reached you, he gave you a sweet smile. âOh my God, Y/n? Is that you? Jakeâs tutor, right? Damn⊠you look stunning tonight. The costume suits you perfectly,â he said, even stumbling slightly over the last word as his eyes lingered inevitably on the line of your braid and the lilac corset. Your cheeks burned, turning burgundy in a millisecond from compliments you werenât used to hearing. You said:
âYou⊠you donât look bad either⊠I mean, you look really cute,â and a second later, you wanted to slap yourself in the face. You had no idea how to flirt, and having a decent conversation with the guy you liked felt like a titanic task.
But just at that moment, Jake reemerged from the pantry, holding both a sealed glass bottle of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water. The scene before him, however, made him freeze on the spot. Seeing you blush, smelling your strawberry scent grow more intense and vulnerable for another male, literally drove him wildâand he didnât understand why.
Okay, you were cute. Many times, you drove him crazy. Many times, heâd sought you out in class but you werenât his type....you were too⊠well, a little too shy. You usually gave as good as you got, but you preferred to keep to yourself or stick with a few people, while he loved being almost the center of attention. He didnât understand why he felt so strange when he was with you.
A wave of pure, territorial jealousy burned in his chest. Under his costume, his tail tensed instantly, becoming as rigid as a poker, and his ears flattened. But when his eyes met yours, Jake read your silent plea for help and your embarrassment. He understood that this was the exact moment to step in and play his card.
Jake hurried over to you, and without touching you, you immediately felt his presence as he stood in front of you with a serious expression. âHey, sweetheart, I got you a Coca-Cola and a sealed bottle of water, so you know exactly what youâre drinking,â he said, smiling warmly as he handed them to you. Once again, you were caught off guard by how well Jake could read you. It was incredible how this guyâwho, just a few weeks ago, youâd considered nothing more than a shallow, heartbreaking athleteâcould pick up on every subtle nuance of your discomfort and protect you in such a quiet, precise way.
You thanked him shyly, taking the cold glass bottle in your hands. It was at that moment that Jake turned toward the other guy.
âOh, Soobin, youâre here too,â he said with a crooked grin. Soobin wasnât intimidated by Jakeâs predator-like aura and met the soccer captainâs gaze head-on. âWell, you know Iâm here every weekend. And when I saw your tutor alone in the middle of this pack of hybrids, I came over right away to see how much sweetness and beauty she had as Rapunzel.â
Jake glared at Soobin, then shifted his gaze to you, as if expecting a reaction. Feeling caught in an invisible grip and wanting to ease the tension, you said: âWell⊠it was my idea to dress as Rapunzel and Flynn. Jake doesnât look bad tonight either, to be honest.â
At those words, a wave of immense pride washed over the wolf hybrid. Jake chuckled, visibly pleased by your unexpected compliment. He drastically closed the distance between you, eliminating the personal space youâd established, and you watched as his large hand lowered and gently brushed against yours. You bowed your head for a moment, watching his fingers slowly spread across your palm, ready to welcome yours. Driven by a sudden, overwhelming sense of security from the fact that heâd thought to protect your drink and the primal warmth radiating from his presenceâyou interlaced your hand with his, fitting your fingers between his. It was a spontaneous gesture that made your heart race, because youâd never thought that this Jakeâthe one everyone talked about as a playboy or someone who only thought of himselfâcould be like this.
Jake tightened his grip around your handâyour fingers were ridiculously cute and small compared to hisâand lifted his chin toward his rival. With a possessive tone that brooked no argument, he said:Â âIt was a pleasure, Soobin. But Y/n is with me tonight, and I need to show her around the house.â
Without giving Soobin time to respond, Jake started walking toward the villaâs stairs, gently pulling you behind him. As you climbed the first wooden steps, you leaned toward him and whispered: âDo you think itâs right to leave him already? He seemed really into talking to meâŠâ You felt bad for cutting short the only real conversation youâd started with the guy you had a crush on. But Jake couldnât have cared less about what you thought in that moment or what Soobin might have been thinking. His only goal was to get you away from the other malesâ gazes and claim you for himself, because damn, that night he wanted all your attention. So he took you to the very top of the stairs, to a raised and partially shadowed spot from which you could perfectly see the entire party belowâthe crowded living room and the music echoing off the walls.
âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart,â he murmured against your ear, his warm breath on the bare skin of your neck making you shudder. Instinctively, you tried to turn your head downward, toward the kitchen, to look for Soobinâs figure. But Jakeâs free hand shot lightning-fast to your face, his long, warm fingers caressing your cheek as he firmly held your face in place, preventing you from turning. You werenât supposed to let Soobin see you flustered by the guy you liked.
âDonât give him the satisfaction of having your eyes on him. Otherwise, heâll realize youâre interested and that he has control over you,â he warned in a low voice, his gaze fixed on your lips. You swallowed hard at how well Jake could embody his character, and trapped between his hand on your face and the stair railing, you stammered in confusion: âA-and what the hell am I supposed to do, Jake? I⊠Iâm not good at this stuff. Itâs already a lot if I managed to talk to him for two minutes straight without making a fool of myself.â You said this with a half-smile, and Jake looked at you intensely, his ears lowering slightly in an unexpectedly tender shade of sweetness.
âBut with me, you donât have a problem talking, Y/n. You donât freeze up. You hold your own, you answer back. Maybe⊠maybe you need to find someone you actually feel comfortable with, not someone your mind just thinks is cool, but who ultimately just makes you feel a little⊠constant anxiety?â Jake said this without fully realizing what heâd just admitted. For him, those words carried immense meaningâalmost a declaration of intent tied to his biological nature. He wanted you to understand that love or attraction shouldnât be a mental effort or an ideal of perfection to chase (like Soobin). Instead, it should be a natural chemistry based on loyalty, security, teasing, and a safe harbor where your body and soul felt protected and free to express themselves without fear. And those feelings? You definitely didnât feel them with Soobinâbut you did with him. He wanted you to understand that the wolf in front of you was the only one capable of naturally breaking down your protective barriers. He knew you were hiding something that had happened to you, and he couldnât wait to see you lower your guard and let go with him.
But you didnât have time to process the concept or respond, because Jake had closed the last millimeter of distance between you and pressed his lips firmly against yours, catching you completely off guard at the top of those stairs.
Jakeâs full lips pressed against yours, and your brain completely short-circuited at the sensation of that physical contact between you and him.
What the hell was he doing? Why was he kissing you like this, in front of everyone, and especially under Soobinâs gaze? But before your mind could even formulate a protest or find the strength to push him away, the devastating warmth of his body enveloped you. As if by magic, the anxiety that had been gnawing at you since before you even entered their house vanished. After just a few seconds, almost as if moved by an involuntary reflex, you parted your lips slightly. Jake let out a warm, trembling sigh right against your mouthâa sound of pure reliefâbecause you hadnât slapped him in front of everyone, even though he knew you hated being touched. Damn, heâd been dreaming for a while now of knowing what it was like to kiss you. And he began to kiss you with a disarming gentleness.
It wasnât the rough or arrogant kiss you would have expected from the soccer team captain. His lips moved against yours softly, as if he were afraid that at any moment, you might pull away. Jake gently sucked on your lower lip, savoring every single millimeter of your mouth, and you tasted the sweetness of the Coca-Cola mixed with the fruity flavor of his alcoholic aperitif. You would have never imagined that the campus playboy could kiss a girl with such care and reverence. Your cheeks burned as you felt his hand gently caress your cheek. Without realizing it, your handsâwhich had been timidly resting against his chestâslid upward, settling firmly on his broad shoulders, gripping the fabric of his white shirt. Jake leaned even closer into you, pressing you gently against the railing at the top of the stairs, isolating you from the rest of the world.
When your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly became even sweeter and more intense than usualâa clear sign that your body had surrendered to him and that you no longer felt any fearâJake broke the kiss for a millisecond. He growled in an incredibly rough, low voice: âDamn⊠you smell so good, Y/n. Stay like this⊠please.â He said this against your lips, and you didnât understand the meaning of that comment. You tried to pull your head back to protest and ask for an explanation, but Jake, seeing your deliciously parted lips, didnât waste time. He took advantage of that moment and slid his warm tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss against your lips, which were increasingly drawn to him.
At the same time, his hand slid down from your face, settling firmly around your waist, gripping the lilac fabric of your Rapunzel dress. In that moment, Jake held his breathâhe was afraid that this contact might trigger your usual resistance. He hoped with all his heart that you wouldnât pull your hand away or break free from him. But to his surprise, you kissed him back. And you did it in a way that left him completely stunned: your fingers tightened with more force on his shoulders, and your tongue responded to his with an initial shyness that quickly turned into a desperate, hungry rhythm, as if you had found a secret refuge in this guy you thought you couldnât stand. You pressed yourself closer to his chest, forgetting about Soobin, the people below the stairs, and everything else.
Jake literally smiled against your lips, savoring your total surrender, while the wolf instinct inside him screamed at the top of its lungs that you were his mate, that he should never let you go, and that he should especially not let other guys have you.
Jakeâs human side forcefully pushed back the animal instinct that wanted to take control. He didnât want to scare youâhe just wanted to savor this incredible moment with you. Your tongues continued to seek each other relentlessly, as if it were just the two of you in that house. And maybe it was, because from where you stood, only someone climbing the stairs could see what was happening.
Then, seized by a sudden boldness you didnât even know you possessed, you lightly nibbled on his lower lip. Jake was completely caught off guard by such an intimate, unexpected, and boldly provocative gesture from you. He wanted more, and a low, rough moan escaped his lips. At that sound, you felt your cheeks burn damn, Jake was kissing you and moaning in the middle of a packed party!
This realization set off an alarm bell in your mind, jolting your rationality back to life. This was not part of the deal youâd made with him. Breathless, with your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, you pulled away from him by just a few millimeters, breaking the kiss. Even though, deep down, you wanted his lips against yours again, you quickly pushed that thought away. Both of you had glossy eyes, your lips visibly redder and fuller than usual.
Embarrassed and adrenaline-fueled, you lowered your gaze and started nervously fiddling with the lilac tulle of your Rapunzel dress, trying to compose yourself. Jake, on the other hand, simply couldnât stop looking at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly under his Flynn Rider shirt. When you finally looked up again, your eyes locked once more, unable to pull away, as if they were always searching for each other. You stammered:
âI⊠I⊠why did you kiss me, Jake?â
Jake gave a small, crooked smile and repeated softly the same words from earlier:Â âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart.â
This time, though, he didnât bring his hand to your cheek to block your face, leaving you free to check if Soobin was indeed watching. When you slowly turned toward the living room below, your eyes immediately caught Soobinâs figure. He was standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, with a hint of obvious jealousy mixed with frustration in his gaze. Once again, Jake had wonâbecause he hadnât expected someone like Jake to claim you so boldly in front of everyone, especially since you werenât his ideal type of girl.
As you spun back toward Jake, confused, he looked down at you, stretching his wolf ears with a proud air. Then he murmured:
âGive it less than a week⊠youâll see, Soobin will come looking for you and ask you out. Because very soon, everyone here will know I kissed you. But theyâll also know youâre not my girlfriend. And youâll officially be the girl who stood up to Jake Sim. And believe me, sweetheart⊠every guy on campus will become terribly curious to find out who you are.â
Was Jake Sim a fortune teller? Or maybe a genie? No, because ever since youâd set foot on campus that Monday morning after the Halloween weekend, his prophecy had come true 100%: people couldnât stop staring at you. Every time you walked down the hallway, there were whispers as you passed. Classmates and even complete strangers looked at you differently nowâall because theyâd spotted you with the universityâs golden boy.
âCome on, stop looking at that phot, itâs embarrassing, please!â you whispered, glancing sideways to make sure no customers heard you. But Allie couldnât stop staring at the picture, and her tone suddenly turned more serious and dreamy as she looked at you and Jake: âBut seriously⊠you and Jake look so good in that photo. In a way I never wouldâve imagined: you, the down-to-earth girl who works double shifts to pay for university and build a future in music, kissing the campus golden boy, the soccer team captain with his path already paved to some famous club⊠Itâs a perfect match. Admit it, just a few months ago, you never wouldâve imagined ending up in a situation like this!â she concluded with a mischievous smile. But you scolded her immediately, slamming the coffee tamper on the counter and glaring at her: âStop it right now, Allie! Thereâs no match, no romantic movie. It was just⊠a setup to get Soobinâs attention, and Jake just wanted to help. Itâs a 50% help for both of us,â you said, trying to sound convincing. Yet your eyes couldnât pull away from that photo on the screen.
Looking at it, you almost didnât recognize yourself: pressed against his chest, your hands gripping his shirt, and the way Jake was looking at you as he held your waist radiated an energy that could give butterflies to even someone like Allie, whoâd been in a relationship forever. Even though the photo wasnât high quality, you could still see both you and Jake smiling at each other. And just the memory of his lips against yours made your stomach clench.
Your thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone arriving at the counter. You heard a familiar voice, and when you looked up, you found Soobin standing there with his usual shy smile. That morning, he was in full ânerd modeâ: he was wearing an oversized sweater that made him look even softer, round glasses with thin black frames, and his dark hair was slightly messy on his forehead. But it was strangeâuntil that moment, you wouldâve gone crazy at the sight of him. Now, you were happy, but you couldnât understand why your mind kept drifting to JakeâŠ
âHey, Y/nâŠâ he said in his usual shy way, and you gave him a timid smile. Soobin glanced quickly at Allieâs phone in her hand and then back at you. âMmm⊠did you see the photo of you and Jake kissing too?â The question came out of his mouth with a slightly casual, almost detached tone, but his eyes were hungry for your reaction. You nodded, feeling the blood rush straight to your cheeks, and immediately tried to downplay it by waving your hands in the air:  âYes, I saw it⊠but I swear, Soobin, itâs nothing serious! Jake is just a show-off. We were just⊠joking. There was so much confusion at the party, andâŠâ You tried to say something, as if you owed him an explanation, but he stopped you by raising a hand: âThe other night, I was really shocked when I saw you dressed like that and I noticed right away how your cheeks turned red when you saw me next to you,â he said, looking down at you from his nearly two meters of heightâSoobin was truly imposing, unlike Jake, who, despite being muscular, was only a couple of centimeters taller than you.
âJake took you away, and⊠well, we all know him, heâs a show-off. But I bet that kiss was just for show, right?â And then, leaving you completely shocked, he leaned a little further forward, lowering his voice: âWould you like to go out for a serious coffee with me this afternoon? Just you and me, I promise.â He took a sip of his drink, and you stood there, literally paralyzed with the milk jug in your hand. Was he seriously asking you out? Youâd wanted this moment for months. Youâd spent entire nights hoping Soobin would notice you. But now⊠Jakeâs image kept tormenting your mind. And with startling clarity, you remembered the warmth of his full lips, how heâd gently held you close, afraid you might pull away, and especially that damn moan that had escaped him when youâd bitten his lip and what scared you the most was the realization that, next to Jake, your body hadnât felt the slightest bit of anxiety.
With Soobin, however, you felt like you were under examination, and your instinct told you to take it slow with him, not to rush. But a part of you wanted to seize the moment, to not waste this opportunityâyouâd already wasted so many because of what happened to you as a teenager. Yet, accepting his invitation for that afternoon would mean canceling your study session with Jake. So you took a deep breath and, forcing a sweet smile, said:
âSoobin, Iâd really like to⊠but as you know, Iâm tutoring Jake. He has his Contemporary History test on Friday, and we absolutely need to meet at his place this afternoon to review the last chapters. But⊠this weekend, yes, we could go out for breakfast together, if youâd like.â
Allie, who had been silently pretending to clean a nearby table the whole time, rushed over as soon as Soobin was out of earshot. She looked you straight in the eyes, her usual playful demeanor gone, and said in a low voice:
âY/n⊠if you really wanted to go out with him this afternoon, Jake can wait. Or he can study for the test on his own. But please, be honest with yourselfâbecause you just turned down a date with the guy of your dreams to lock yourself in a house with a jock who, until recently, you claimed to detest, and who practically kissed you passionately in front of half the university. Are you sure Soobin is still the only one on your mind?â
She asked, watching you carefully and at those words, you honestly didnât know what to say.
As you walked briskly toward Jakeâs house, Allieâs words still echoed in your head. You tried to shake them off, Jake was just a⊠a "friend"? You didnât even know how to define him, to be honest. You were his tutor, end of story. What happened at the Halloween party was just a staged scene to get Soobinâs attention and land a date and it had worked. That was allâŠÂ right?
When you stood in front of the massive door of the seven hybridsâ villa, you typed in the code Jake had kindly given you a few days earlier so you wouldnât have to wait in the cold. But out of politeness, you knocked anyway. No one answered, so you pushed the door open. The living room and large kitchen were completely empty. It was really strange, the place looked almost eerie compared to the chaos of the last time youâd been there, for the Halloween party. So you walked in and, reaching the bottom of the stairs, called out: âJake! Iâm here!â
But there was no answer. You assumed he was in his room, as usual when he wanted to avoid chores. So you climbed the wooden steps one by one, looking around. All the doors on the landing were closed except one. When you reached Jakeâs door and saw it was half-open, you knocked lightly with your knuckles on the wood and said: âSorry Iâm late, Jake, but we really need to review three chapters of Contemporary History on the post-war period and the peace treatiesâŠâ
But the words died in your throat.
Jake was there but he wasnât alone. He was leaning back against his messy desk, and between his legs stood a girl you recognized all too well: one of the most popular and beautiful girls on campus. She had her nails buried in Jakeâs dark hair, kissing him passionately, her hips moving against his. And yet, you noticed immediately that Jake wasnât touching her at all. His hands were lazily resting on the desk, as if he didnât even have a girl kissing him in front of him. His ears were slightly lowered, and his tail, beneath his pants, was completely stillâno twitch, no movement. It was strange because with you, Jake was always the opposite. The way they were kissing seemed almost mechanical, especially on Jakeâs part⊠as if he were bored. There was none of that desperation to touch you like at Halloween, none of that devastating heat, none of that deep, rough moan heâd reserved for you at the top of the stairs just a few days earlier.
And yet, despite his obvious detachment, the sight of Jake wrapped around another girl hurt, badly. You suddenly felt stupid, like a total fool. But stupid for what? Jake wasnât your type at all⊠and yet, watching him share his personal space and his lips with someone else filled you with a sharp, cutting disappointment that quickly turned into burning anger toward him.
In the shock of that vision, you abruptly took a step back to leave, but the sudden movement made your heavy backpack bump against the wooden doorframe. At such close range, Jakeâs wolf hearing instantly picked up the noise but more than that, he caught your scent. He pulled away from the girl almost immediately, as if pushing her off, and his eyes widened when they landed on you in the doorway. His nose wrinkled instantly because heâd just caught your scent in the airâbut your usual sweet strawberry fragrance was gone. It had turned sour, sharp, and not goodâit reminded him of the early days when you couldnât stand him being near you at all.
âY/n! Wait!â Jake exclaimed, taking a decisive step toward you but you had no intention of staying there to be humiliated. You spun around on your heel, your cheeks literally burning with embarrassment.
Jake gently grabbed your wrist in an attempt to stop your rush down the stairs: âHey! Stop for a second!â he exclaimed, looking at you but you spun around abruptly, yanking your wrist free from his grip especially from his touch and said:
âLet go of me, Jake! Donât touch me! I knew you were irresponsible, but I didnât think youâd go this far! We have a test in three days, and I rearranged all my plans today just to come here and help you pass the exam and what do you do? Not even trainâwhich would make more senseâbut kiss one of your many girls who throw themselves at you with a snap of their fingers?!â You glared at him, and Jake looked at you carefully, almost caught off guard by the vehemence of your words. His wolf ears lowered slightly, betraying a hint of regret or perhaps confusion about what was happening. His nose wrinkled imperceptibly as he sniffed the air around you, sensing how your scent was becoming sharper, more acidic as if every fiber of your body was screaming how much you disliked the situation. It reminded him of the scent you gave off when you couldnât stand being near him.
Trying to take a step toward you to calm you down, Jake said in a low voice:Â âY/n, we werenât doing anything serious. She just came to return a hoodie to me and...â
But you didnât care at all about his justifications. You cut him off abruptly with a wave of your hands: âI donât care what you were doing! It just bothers me that I wasted my time with a guy who doesnât have his head on straight, who only thinks about having fun and showing off! You know what? Figure it out yourself. Iâll send you the notes online from now on because I have no intention of setting foot in this house again to waste time with you!â
At those words, a spark flashed in his eyesâno way was he going to lose you. He⊠he wanted to be with you. Seeing you every day kept him mentally stable, and he always found an excuse to see you or be near you. So Jake took a decisive step closer to you because he didnât rationally understand what was going through your mind at that moment but his animal natureâhis primal wolf instinctâspoke to him, suggesting a fucking precise idea:
Could it be⊠that sheâs jealous of seeing you with someone else?
In that moment of high tension, his animal side took over completely without him realizing it. His usual cocky smirk reappeared on his face, and tilting his head slightly toward you, he said in a rough, teasing tone: âAre you mad because Iâm not studying, sweetheart⊠or because the lips on my mouth werenât yours? Do you miss me that much already after the other night?â
At those words, your eyes widened. Did he seriously just say that out loud? You were completely shocked and wounded in your pride by what heâd just dared to say. Feeling your cheeks burn even redder, you forced yourself to laugh and, lifting your chin, looked him straight in the eyes with a shamelessly defiant air: âYouâre completely crazy! I donât care at all who you kiss, Jake Sim! In fact, Iâm even happy youâre so busy with your âfriendsâ that way, you wonât interfere in my life this weekend when I go out with Soobin!â You said with a small smirk.
At the sound of Soobinâs name, Jakeâs earlier smirk vanished completely. His ears snapped backward, almost stiffening, and his jaw tightened slightly at seeing you so bold with him. In a low voice, he said:Â âWhat did you say?â
You looked at him before leaving and said: âYou heard me. He asked me out today at the bar, but I told him no to come here and study with you because Iâm a responsible girl and stupid me, but weâll see each other this weekend. So try to do well on the history test because I finally got what I wanted.â
With that, you pushed him slightly, taking advantage of his moment of shock, opened the villaâs door, and walked out, slamming it behind you. You left the universityâs golden boy alone in the hallway, furious and jealous for the first time in his life.
After you left Jake, leaving your notes in plain sight on the table, the atmosphere inside that house had become literally suffocatingâespecially for Jake. When the other six members of the pack returned, they found Jake sulking, half-stretched out on the large, dark leather sofa in the living room. The younger ones almost laughed at the sight, but the older ones immediately understood that something had happened. Every second, Jake ran his fingers through his thick hair, ruffling it furiously, or hurled a stress ball against the wall in front of him, catching it mid-air with his reflexes before throwing it again.
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged an exasperated glance. Jay, the black cat hybrid, ran a hand over his neck, annoyed by the negative energy dominating the room.
âCan someone tell me what happened with your tutor? Why isnât she here in a chair, making you memorize dates or the names of generals? God, this house stinks so much of your bad pheromones. Thereâs a sour, wet-dog smell coming from you that I havenât smelled in I donât know how longâŠâ said the cat hybrid, wrinkling his nose. Sunghoon did the same, but Jake, at the mere word "tutor," jolted upright on the couch, hurling the ball onto the floor with such force that it bounced off the ceiling. He almost growled, nervously running his hands through his hair:
âNothing! Nothing happened! Sheâs just a stubborn little girl who says she doesnât want to come here anymore because⊠and sheâs going out with that damn Soobin this weekend.â
Sunghoon coughed in a half-laugh, unable to hold it back, and a cynical, amused grin appeared on his lips. âOh, so Choi is seriously interested in Y/n⊠who wouldâve thought! Heâs been practically chasing her for weeks. And well, on the other hand, you were busy getting kissed by one of your groupies five minutes before Y/n arrived, right? You donât care if Y/n goes out with another guy...especially Soobin, do you? You know, we saw her on the path as she was leaving, and human girls donât work like hybrids, who dream of finding their mate 90% of the time just to be knotted and not claimed. Human girls donât have a pack instinct. They donât accept sharing, and above all, you canât have your foot in two shoes with them.â
Jake rolled his eyes because everyone had warned him not to play around, especially with human girls. He covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. âI donât know what bothers me more...that she doesnât want to come here anymore to study with me⊠or that sheâs going out with another guy. Sheâs not⊠sheâs not my type at all, you know! Sheâs a simple, down-to-earth girlâall about home, work, and musical scores and what pisses me off the most is that sheâs almost as much of a know-it-all as I am. But damn, if I even think for a second about her laughing, walking, or looking at Soobin with those sweet eyes⊠my wolf side goes completely blind with rage, and I donât understand why. Me? Jake Sim only cares about getting signed by a national team and living for soccer, not romantic drama. But if I imagine her with another guy, I feel like somethingâs being ripped away from me something that, technically, isnât even mineâŠÂ I just want to go out there and make everyone understand that sheâs mine.â
At those words, Jakeâs eyes widenedâbecause⊠because he shouldnât be thinking those things. Those were things people said when theyâd found or were with their mate, not with a simple girl who gave them tutoring. Jay and Sunghoon stopped laughing, and their expressions turned serious, almost severe, as they watched their roommate crumble under the weight of a feeling he refused to admit but had just confessed a few seconds earlier. They exchanged another glance and, almost in unison, took a step forward toward their best friend, placing their hands on Jakeâs shoulders.
âWe told you to be careful with her, Jake,â Sunghoon said, with a rare note of seriousness in his voice. âBut above all, we warned you right away that she was the one⊠the one who could calm the beast inside you without you having to pretend to be the king of the campus.â
Jay nodded in agreement, gently stroking the lower part of Jakeâs ears this time: âYour tutor isnât playing hard to get, Jake. She saw what you always do: using people out of boredom, for sport, to confirm to yourself that you can have anyone. But this time, you chose the wrong person. Y/n isnât one of your fans who hang on your every word and accept your leftovers. If your wolf feels sick and is howling inside your head, itâs because he knows perfectly well that youâve ruined the only good, real thing youâve encountered in years. The few times Iâve seen you together, sheâs the only person who looks at you for who you areânot for the captainâs armband, your beauty, or your status.â
âSo get your ass off that couch,â Sunghoon concluded. âApologize to her and please, donât let her get away, because the true âmateâ only comes once in your life⊠donât make the mistake so many others do of not letting go.â
Jake had one clear mission: he never wanted to see you angry with him again, even if it meant swallowing his pride. So, between one soccer training session and another, he took his studies deadly seriously.
He locked himself in his room and spent hours poring over the pages of Contemporary History youâd worked on together. He started bombarding your phone: sending you photos of his summary diagrams late at night, voice messages over five minutes long (which were practically illegal in your book) answering the open-ended questions youâd left him as homework before your fight. And at the end of every voice message, heâd always try to make it personal, asking in a low voice: âHey⊠how are you? What did you do after class today? Do you want to meet up before the test on Friday afternoon?â
But you were categorical: you never replied to those personal questions, leaving him brutally on read. And for the study messages, you responded with an icy coldness that wasnât in your nature but deep down, you knew you were jealous of him, so you tried not to think about him, not to give in. Youâd look at the photos or listen to the voice messages, and youâd respond simply by leaving a reaction: a thumbs-up đ if the answer was correct, or a thumbs-down đ if heâd messed up the dates. No written messages. No âOkay,â no âGood job, you got six out of ten right.â Just absolute silence from you. And this was literally driving Jake crazy because no one in his entire life as an alpha hybrid and soccer captain had ever treated him like he was invisible.
As you stirred the coffees or steamed the milk, he wouldnât stop teasing you for a second: tilting his head, barely moving the tips of his ears to catch your eyes, and whispering with a crooked smile: âGood morning, sweetheart. Did you know WhatsApp was created as a messaging app, not an app for one-word replies or simple đđ? I preferred it when you actually spoke to me when I got distracted⊠are you sure you donât want to review together tonight?â
But you had become almost mute with him. You didnât give in even a millimeter to his antics. You kept your gaze fixed on the coffee machine and, slamming his receipt on the counter with a sharp tap, you responded every day with the same detached chant: âThatâs four dollars and fifty cents for the oat milk cappuccino, Sim. Move it, thereâs a line behind you.âYouâd point with one finger at the long line behind him, and Jake would almost always pout. The scene was so ridiculous that, a few tables away, his pack never missed an opportunity to enjoy the showâespecially the younger members, like Sunoo, who would burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hands, absolutely loving the drama between you and his hyung.
Next to him, Ni-ki would shoot Jake an amused glance and comment in the group chat that youâd refused to speak to Jake again. Even Jungwon, the cat hybrid who was usually the calmest, would chuckle under his whiskers, shaking his headâthough it was nice to see Jake, for the first time, thinking hard and working seriously on something that wasnât soccer.
The door in front of Jake was still closed, but his ears picked up the sound of the history professor arranging the tests on the desks inside. There were still five minutes until the exam started.
This was shaping up to be the most important weekend of his entire academic year: not only was there the Contemporary History exam weighing on his mind, but on Sunday, he had a crucial league match. In the stands, scouts from some of the countryâs most famous soccer teams would be watching, and Jake was hoping with everything in him to be chosen by one of themâto finally take off toward a professional career. Yet, despite the pressure of the upcoming match, the thing that had made him relax his shoulders and feel genuinely better that morning was your message.
After endless days of receiving nothing but cold thumbs-up or thumbs-down, your message had lit up his phone screen as soon as he woke up, his eyes still heavy with sleep:
âHi. Donât mix up the peace treaties from the various international assemblies, especially between World War II and the Cold War (P.S. I know there will be at least 2 questions on this topic). Good luck, Jake. Show them what youâre worth. :)â
At the sight of it, a smile, his first in a long time, crept onto his lips. He had reread that message all morning, and he was still staring at it now, just outside the classroom.
His inner wolf, which had been curled up, dull and listless for days in a corner of his mind, suddenly woke up at the news. His tail began wagging incessantly all day, and his animal instinct spoke clearly or perhaps it seriously hoped he still had a chance with you and said:
âIf she didnât care about you at all, she wouldnât have written⊠especially today, when she knows how important this day is for your future. Thereâs still hope, Sim Jaeyun. Embrace it.â
Thatâs exactly why, gripping his phone between his fingers, Jake decided not to reply to you right away. For once, he wanted to avoid making a wrong move. He didnât want to ruin that tiny bit of closeness with one of his usual bold responses. He wanted actions to speak for him.
So when the door to the lecture hall finally swung open and the students began pouring in, Jake took a seat at one of the central desks. And as soon as the Contemporary History test paper was placed in front of him, with a determination his classmates had never seen on his face before, he began answering all the questions. He didnât want to disappoint you. He couldnât allow himself to waste all the hours youâd spent writing him summaries, explaining every single chapter in detail even when you were angry with him. Or the fact that, despite everything, youâd taken a minute to wish him good luck.
So he put his head down and focused for the full two hours of the test, isolating himself from the rest of the world and concentrating on the answers he had to give.
After two grueling hours of the exam, Jake could literally not wait to find out his score. He was hoping with all his heart that the electronic system or the professors would give him the result immediatelyâhe wanted to know if all that crazy studying you and he had done together had paid off. But the professor had decided to grade the tests on the spot, and all the students, Jake included, were stuck in their seats. He rested his face against his arms, trying to calm himself and imagine how you would react if heâd passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to his wolf, the professor stood up from the desk with a stack of papers in her hands and began handing them out. When she reached Jakeâs desk, she stopped and looked at him with a sincere and slightly surprised smile:Â âI donât know how Y/n managed to make you âlikeâ Contemporary History, Sim, but Iâm truly happy and proud of you.â
The professor handed him his test, and Jake lowered his eyes. There, written at the top in bright green marker, was a 75/100, accompanied by a small smiling face. He was literally shockedâhis tail began wagging, and his pheromones started filling the air with his scent. He had never gotten a grade this high in that subject before. Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of the test, and sent it immediately to the WhatsApp group he had with the other six members of the villa. They all praised him, but all he wanted was to hear you or see you. So as he strode out of the classroom, he opened your private chat and was about to attach the photo of his 75 to brag to you tooâuntil he froze halfway down the hallway.
His wolf senses suddenly kicked in, and he caught an unmistakable trail of your sweet, unmistakable strawberry and cotton candy scent in the airâthe one he had loved discovering so much. Jakeâs head snapped around twice until his eyes locked onto you. There you were, just a few meters away, leaning against the hallway wall as you waited for him outside the classroom. At the sight of you, his hybrid nature rejoiced: his gray ears perked up happily on his head, and his tail, beneath his tracksuit pants, began moving in a frantic, enthusiastic rhythm, thrilled that you were there for himâeven though he hadnât asked you to be.
You gave him a small, shy smile, and Jake closed the distance between you in a flash, almost running until you felt his strong, large arms wrap tightly around your waist. Before you could even realize what was happening, Jake lifted you off the ground, nearly taking you into his arms mid-air in the middle of the hallway.
âJ-Jake! What are you doing?! Put me down, are you crazy?!â you stammered, your heart in your throat, as you instinctively clung to his broad back to avoid falling. But Jake ignored your protests and buried his head right near the hollow of your neck, breathing in your scent deeply. He whispered with a voice rough with emotion and adrenaline: âY/n⊠I got a 75. I did it⊠thanks to you.â
Your smile widened involuntarily at hearing him so happy, and you gently caressed the back of his neck. âI knew youâd do great things, Jake. Remember, you told me that by the end of the course, youâd get a 100 if you applied yourself! But now put me back down, seriously!â
Jake chuckled, only then realizing that all the students left in the hallway were staring at you. With extreme slowness, he let you slide back down but when your feet touched the ground, he didnât pull away instead, his face stayed just a few centimeters from yours, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. You swallowed, feeling your cheeks turn red, and he loved seeing you so close to him again. He studied you with an intense gaze, lowering his eyes to your lips for a second before meeting your eyes again.
âAnd now⊠whereâs my reward?â he asked in a provocative tone, watching you with a challenging look.
âYour reward is that the history box on the register finally has a green checkmark instead of a red one, and that maybe you wonât fail⊠thatâs your reward, Sim,â you said, as if it were obvious.
Jake pouted cutely, shaking his head, and teased you by reaching out to give you a light tap on the tip of your nose: âReally, sweetheart? Thatâs it? Youâre a ruthless tutor. I was hoping for something much more⊠this weekend⊠we haveto celebrate, Y/n. Tomorrow evening is one of the most important matches of my life....there will be scouts from national and global teams watching. Please come watch me play in the stands.â He said, almost pleading with his hands.
You immediately tried to shake your head and protest, crossing your arms: âJake, no, I told you⊠I have plans this weekend⊠I mean, I have to meet Soobin for breakfast, and then I have to study for my exams. I canât spend the evening in a pubâŠâ
But he, being the skilled manipulator he was when he wanted something from you, took half a step closer, reducing the space between you even more. You felt his pheromones teasing your body, and he said: âBreakfast is Sunday morning. My match is tomorrow evening. You have to come to the stands to cheer me on, Y/n. You sent me that message this morning, tomorrow, you need to be there in person. You helped me get through the hardest part of the week⊠you donât want to leave me alone right at the finish line, do you? Iâm only asking you to come tomorrow, okay?â
Jake Sim was seriously a thorn in your side, and he knew exactly how to get a âyesâ out of someone at any cost. You rolled your eyes, feigning fake exasperation, and started nervously fiddling with your backpack strap to avoid looking at him. âOkay, fine⊠Iâll come to the match with Allie,â you conceded in the end, hinting at a small smile. But then your tone turned more serious and low. âBut⊠you know I donât drink alcohol, Jake. So there wonât be much for me to do at the pub, and I want to leave at a decent time so I can be awake and on time Sunday morning.â
Jake immediately noticed that sudden shift in your mood. His wolf instinct picked up on a different nuance in your voice, and he desperately wanted to know what had happened to you in the pastâwhat was the reason behind your total refusal of alcohol, or why you trusted people so little and disliked physical contact so much. But he knew he had to take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, looking at you with a rare seriousness, and said: âI know youâre still hesitant about me⊠and Iâm sorry for the other day,â he said, almost mentally cursing himself for letting that third-year girl kiss him. âBut weâve known each other for a while now, and at the Halloween party, you trusted me. We worked as a team⊠so I thought that tomorrow evening, you could try drinking something with me and my friends. They might seem like a bunch of lunatics, but all six of them are curious to meet you, Y/n.â
You looked at him, stunned, your eyes wide, and opened your mouth to protest. But Jake immediately interrupted you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder to reassure you. âI just want you to feel safe with me. When youâre with me, nothing bad will ever happen to you, I promise. If youâre afraid of drinking for some reason⊠well, youâll tell me about it, when and if you want to. But tomorrow evening, Iâll stay right by your side, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, so I can stay 100% sober. You can have fun without touching a drink, obviously but I also want you to understand that you can trust me blindly and if you want to try drinking, you can do it in complete peace of mind, because after the party, Iâll pick you up, put you in my car, and take you home safe and sound, ready for your date with Soobin the next day,â Jake said, the last part reluctantly, running a hand through his thick hair and betraying a hint of jealousy at the innocent mention of your date. But he wanted, above all, to make you understand that he wasnât selfishâheâd loved making people like him since his scout days, loved being known for who he truly was. But between his reputation as the golden boy of the soccer team and knowing he was a good-looking guy, many girls wanted him, and he had fun with it. Now, though, he wanted to see if things could work with you.
You stood still because youâd never heard a guyâlet alone a fiery, popular hybrid like himâsay something like that to you, or put himself completely at your disposal just to make you feel protected.
You lowered your gaze, feeling your cheeks burn, because deep down, you knew it was true: despite his flaws, his arrogance, and his distracted kisses with others, with Jake, youâd felt safe almost from the first day. And with him, the anxiety that usually clenched your stomach always disappeared. This had to make you realize that there was something more to Jake. When you looked up again, you said softly: âThank you, JakeâŠâ
He smiled at you and said: âI promise you, Y/n. If you want to drink something, Iâll always be by your side⊠and even if you decide not to drink, itâll be the same for meâIâll be there to protect you,â he thought the last part in his mind, while his inner wolf growled with pride at the idea of being your shield against the rest of the world. âEverything will be fine, I promise,â he said, reaching out his hand toward you, lifting his pinky finger in a solemn and slightly childish vow. You looked at him for a second, then smiled, and linked your pinky with his, squeezing it.
âOkay⊠Iâll come to your match⊠and maybe Iâll drink something at the party.â
At that contact and those words, Jakeâs smile grew enormous. He pulled you close, even if only through that link between your pinkies, because he couldnât wait for you to discover and get to know the real Jake.
The stands of the university soccer field were literally packed with people: some were leading the university chants, others were playing drums and trumpets, blasting the university anthem, and there were countless screams from fans cheering on all the players but one name echoed louder than all the others: number 5, Jake Sim.
You and Allie were sitting in a kind of covered VIP box, a reserved area where the other six hybrids from the villa were also watching the match. You were sitting right next to Jay, the black cat hybrid, who was watching the game with his arms crossed and his tail lazily swaying behind his backâhe wasnât part of any sports team, but for his best friends or hyungs, he would never miss a thing. To Allieâs left was Heeseung, the hamster hybrid, who, true to his sweet but incredibly magnetic nature, hadnât stopped flirting with her for a second, making her giggle while she kept rolling her eyes.
At one point, Allie turned to you, her eyes wide, and pointed at the crowd below: âWow, Y/n⊠I knew Jake was the âgolden boyâ of the university and the soccer team, but look how many girls are wearing his jersey!â Looking down, you noticed that almost 90% of the female fans were wearing the number 5 jersey with Sim printed on the back. Out of pure spite, you had decided to leave the original jersey heâd given you the other day with a cocky smile in your closet but to avoid freezing from the evening wind, you had accepted wearing only his team scarf, which still smelled intensely of him. You werenât entirely sure if it bothered you to see so many girls with his name on their backs. After all, you didnât like Jake⊠right? And besides, the next morning, you had a special date at one of the best bakeries in the area with Soobin. So you didnât understand that annoying itch that was creeping through your body at the sight of so many girls talking about Jake.
But those confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of the university commentator over the speakers, who shouted: ââŠAnd thereâs Anton with a perfect pass to Jake from the corner kick! Sim breaks free in the shooting zone⊠he jumps higher than everyone else and⊠HEADER! GOAL! ITâS A GOAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY!â
A crazy roar spread across the entire field, and the stands almost trembled from the crowd of people screaming, jumping, and recording videos. Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, both Jay and Heeseung leaned toward you. You felt Jayâs muscular arm wrap around your neck, pulling you into a brotherly hug while Heeseung did the same with Allie, jumping and cheering. You burst out laughing, infected by that insane energy you never thought youâd enjoy, exchanging an amused glance with Allie as you saw her lean into Heeseung.
Jay, noticing your laughter, looked down at you and gave you a light, teasing nudge with his elbow. âLook at you⊠You didnât want to wear his jersey to play it cool, but youâre clutching his scarf around your neck, sniffing it every two seconds like you miss him. And you canât stop rolling your eyes when some girl comments on Jake, yet you canât take your eyes off him during any of his plays! I bet if Jake knew you were smelling his scent while he scores, heâd jump around like a puppy!â He said, observing you. You blushed instantly and retorted, giving him a playful shove to his chest: âStop it, Jay! Iâm only wearing it because itâs freezing up here, not because of⊠I only smell it because⊠because Jake has a nice scent.â Jay nodded, shaking his head with a smirk.
At that moment, your eyes returned to the field. Jake was running like crazy on the green pitch, but instead of heading toward the ultrasâ curve, he ran straight under the VIP box where you were sitting. He slowed his pace, making a slight theatrical bow with his arms open to the crowd. And as soon as his eyes found you in the crowd, he winked at you and gave you a cocky smile. You felt your cheeks burn completely, and Allie immediately brought her hands to her chest, striking a totally dramatic pose like a true actress: âOhh! Jake Sim winked at me! Iâm about to faint!â Heeseung immediately interjected, leaning toward her ear with a half-smile: âI donât think so, doll⊠I donât think that wink was meant for youâŠâ Allie, however, let out a small huff and said, âOh, come on, let me dream!â before giving you a knowing nudge.
You watched Jake as he turned to run back and let himself be swallowed by the embraces of his teammates. But when you tried to turn away to hide your embarrassment, you realized that the atmosphere in the box had suddenly changed because all six hybrids left there were staring at you.
In their gazes, there wasnât just happiness for the goal. Their eyes (feline, canine, or wild) shone with an intensity and a protective, almost possessive warmth in the way they looked at you. Because in a hybrid culture, the bond forming between you and Jake was terrifyingly similar to an imprinting, the sacred recognition of their âfemale. and in the pack, you were the first female even if you hadnât yet been knotted or bitten by Jake.
The pub where the victory party was being held was literally packed with students who had been in the stands, all dancing and drinking. The space on the small sofa in the pub was so limited that you were half-stuck to Jake, his shoulder pressed against yours. You were leaning over, scrolling through the drink menu, while Jake was telling you which one he thought youâd like best but in reality, your eyes werenât really looking at the names on the menu at allâthey were completely captivated by him.
You observed his backward baseball cap, from which a few strands of dark hair escaped, falling rebelliously across his forehead. His cheeks were still slightly flushed from the physical exertion of the game, but also from the heat of the room. Jake was really too handsomeâa lethal mix of hybrid charm with his large hands and ears that wouldnât stop moving, but also a sweetness in the small dimples on his face or his tired eyes⊠not to mention his full lips, which he bit every now and then. You realized it was a ticâpartly a nervous reflex, but also something personal, slightly explicit, directed at you.
Your thoughts dissolved instantly when you felt his warm voice against your ear, so close it sent shivers down your spine: âSo, sweetheart? What are you getting?â he asked, watching your every reaction closely. Snapping out of your trance and having barely read anything, you pointed to the first combination that caught your eye: a cocktail with grapes, lime, currants, and a vodka base.
Jake added your drink to the order and then ordered a simple Coca-Cola for himself. Looking at him, you realized he was dead seriousâhe wouldnât touch a drop of alcohol all night, giving up toasting to his own victory just to keep his promise of protecting you.
When the drink arrived at the table, Jake picked up the glass, adjusted the straw, and gently turned it toward you. You leaned slightly forward to take your first sip, and he whispered:Â âDonât drink too much at once, okay? Take small sips, or your body wonât handle the impact.â
You looked up at him as you drank, watching him from below. At the sight of your lips wrapped around the straw and your bright eyes locked on his, every rational thought in Jakeâs head vanished. His alpha hybrid instinct short-circuited at the realization of just how damn beautiful you were. His senses picked up the warmth spreading across your skin, and your strawberry scent, mixing with the fruity smell of the drink, created an intoxicating, addictive blend for a hybrid with such a developed alpha side as his.
After sliding that first drop of alcohol into your body for the first time in years, you pulled away from the straw and said with a fake challenging tone:Â âIâm not a child, Jake!â
He sighed, shaking his head with a crooked smile, and said: âI know youâre not a child⊠but you told me youâve barely ever drunk in your life, and I just want this fear of alcohol to fade, even thanks to me and I want you to have a great night. So yes, Iâll keep an eye on you, Y/n.â
At those words, you bit your lip, playing with the straw, and leaned even closer to him. Slowly reaching out, you gently caressed the base of his wolf ears, feeling them soft and warm under your fingers knowing it would make him more sensitive. âI like this drink⊠but maybe there isnât that much alcohol in it,â you whispered close to his face.
Jake sniffed your glass, his ears twitching pleasantly under your touch, and nodded: âGood. I certainly wouldnât have started you off with aged gin or century-old grappa!â he said, smiling at you. You laughed and, leaning even closer to his cheek, whispered against his lips: âYouâre such a good boy, JakeâŠâ
Jakeâs inner wolf couldnât tolerate being called a "good boy" when every single fiber of his body was screaming the opposite. His breath suddenly became heavier, and he fixed his gaze directly into your eyes. For perhaps the first time, driven by something even you didnât think you had, you were teasing him, rendering him more inert in his hybrid nature than his human one.
âStop saying things like that, sweetheart⊠you have no idea what it does to a hybridâs mind,â he hissed, his mouth a millimeter from your ear. You pouted slightly, openly challenging his gaze, and said with a tone dripping with fake innocence that shattered his self-control: âWhy not, Sim? Are you afraid your bad-boy reputation might get tarnished by me? What would happen if I went around saying youâre not actually a show-off? That you love taking care of people, and that in your pack and on your team, you act more like a protective father figure rather than just an older brother?â
At that declaration, Jake realized you knew him better than some people heâd known for years. It was trueâyou saw through him, past the arrogant athlete mask heâd stitched onto himself. He was a good guy, always had been with the people he loved but in that precise moment, with you so terrifyingly close on the pubâs small sofa, the warmth of the vodka beginning to melt your anxieties, and the scent of your skin shifting to reveal a growing excitement that his predator nature picked up with millimeter precision, Jake was having thoughts far too obscene to be defined as a "good boy."
His inner wolf was wide awake. It wanted to spin you around and kiss you in front of the entire pub. It wanted to push your head back and drag his nose along your neck, lingering on the scent glandâthe most sacred area for hybrids like him, where a femaleâs scent was most concentrated. He wanted every last hybrid on this earth to smell his scent on your body.
But his hybrid mind went even further, imagining much darker, wilder fantasiesâdefinitely not the kind a "good boy" would have. In his head, he pictured you straddling him, completely naked, your breasts bouncing with every movement, gasping as you clenched your fingers in his dark hair and bent his ears backward with pleasure. He wanted to see you trembling with pleasure beneath or above him as he thrust deep inside you, claiming you not as a human, but as an animal claiming his mate he had finally found and the most depraved image of all was seeing you swollen with his knot. He imagined pushing all the way inside you, swelling in your belly to lock himself inside your body, forcing you to stay bound to him while his pheromones marked you from within. At the same time, he wanted to hear you cry and moan his name like a sick prayer, trapped in his knot.
So no⊠Jake was not a good boy in that moment but until he officially went into heatâthat time of year when hybrids completely lost their minds or until you became his female in every sense, he would force himself to be good. He would keep the beast that had been pulsing inside him for months whenever he was near you on a tight leash.
The overwhelming beats of Scream & Shout blared at full volume, literally shaking the walls of the pub. You were in the middle of the dance floor, the alcohol coursing through you giving you the confidence to sing and dance with Allie, arms raised, hips swaying in rhythm, a few sweat-dampened strands of hair sticking to your forehead and face as you laughed and hopped but every so often, your eyes instinctively snapped toward the small sofa where Jake had stayed seated next to Heeseung.
He hadnât danced or drunk, staying true to his promise to be your shield. He kept his large hand tightly wrapped around your third drink of the nightâa deep pink Cosmopolitan and he hadnât taken his eyes off you for even a second. That gaze, both sweet and magnetic, had sent shivers through you all evening. When the song ended, you pushed your way through the crowded, overheated bodies, and when you finally reached the table, you practically collapsed onto the sofa next to them, smiling radiantly especially at Jake.
You swept your hair behind your back with a fluid neck movement, and Jake couldnât stop watching you. You leaned forward to grab the straw of your Cosmopolitan, and as the cool, alcoholic liquid slid down your throat, you gave him a sweet but incredibly sly smile. âItâs⊠itâs so good,â you slurred slightly, your cheeks flushed. âI⊠I definitely want another one!â you said, giggling.
Heeseung burst out laughing, turning to Jake and slapping him on the shoulder: âWow, Sim⊠I think tonight youâve awakened a completely new personality in Y/n! This party is going to cost you a lot if she keeps this up.â
Jake shook his head with a half-protective smile curving his lips. He leaned toward you and whispered in your ear:Â âYou still have to finish this one, sweetheart. But the answer is no...no fourth drink. Itâs already a lot that I let you get to this Cosmopolitan.â
You immediately pouted, disappointed by his refusal. Driven by a sudden, bold audacity youâd never have had while sober, you stretched toward him, wrapping your arms around his neck. You leaned forward, pressing your face right where his neck met his shoulderâexactly above his wolf scent gland.
At that contact, Jake froze instantly, stiffening as if heâd been hit by an electric shock. His breath caught because, without realizing it, by moving there against him and breathing in his skin, you were literally marking him with your strawberry and vodka scent. For a few seconds, your pheromonesâless sharp because you were humanâmixed with his, and for his wolf, that gesture was both ecstasy and exquisite torture.
âPlease, JakeâŠ?â you whispered against his neck. âYou know⊠yeah, well, Iâm really having so much fun tonight!â You raised your hands in the air to emphasize, giggling again. âAnd besides, you were⊠you were so good at soccer tonight. Youâre a champion, so we have to celebrate big, right?â
Jay, who was sitting on the sofa across from you, watched the whole scene and put a hand on his face, shaking his head though with an amused smirk. âJake, my friend, listen to me: maybe you should take her home now,â the black cat said. âOtherwise, tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, sheâll be mortified by everything sheâs doing and saying with just three drinks in her!â
You turned toward Jay, exaggerating your pout: âNo, Jake, donât listen to him! I⊠I want to dance more, and I want another drink! We could⊠we could share it, what do you say? One sip each⊠there are so many drinks Iâve never tried.â
But Jake, struggling to regain control of his instincts after that close contact on his neck, slid his large hand down your back, steadying you, and looked you straight in the eyes. With a low, incredibly gentle tone, he said: âY/n⊠earlier, you said I was a good boy, right?â
You looked at him for a few seconds, enchanted by his lips, and slowly nodded, almost hypnotized.
âExactly,â he continued, gently rubbing your back. âGood boys always take their girls home safe and sound. Itâs a promise I made you, and Iâm not breaking it. So game over for tonight.â He said, standing up and gently pulling you up by your arm. âPut on your coat actually, take my team hoodie too. Itâs freezing outside.â
As you weakly protested because you seriously wanted to go back to the dance floor and have fun, and most of all, you wanted his eyes glued to your body again, Jake helped you slip your arms into his enormous hoodie, which completely wrapped you in his scent
The notes of Into It filled the car, and you closed your eyes slightly, smiling. âIâd love to write a song like this⊠I love alternative R&B and synth-pop,â you said, leaning back against the seat. Jake smiled at the sight of you so relaxed in his car. He knew perfectly well that both you and he loved Chase Atlanticâthey were one of the many things that connected you without needing too many words, something heâd discovered about you almost by accident.
âWell, who knows⊠maybe one day, at the Champions League final, youâll be the one opening the ceremony with your own song, and Iâll be on the field with my team, walking down the tunnel,â he said, shooting you an amused glance but also offering encouragementâfor both of you. Heâd make a pact with the devil himself to become an elite soccer player, but at the same time, he wanted to see you fulfilled. At that statement, you almost shot upright, clapping your hands enthusiastically: âThat would be amazing! Even if in three or four years, youâll probably have even more girls wearing your jersey⊠You know, today at the stadium, almost all of them were wearing it, and I donât blame them, because youâreâŠâ
Jake furrowed his brows, not understanding where you were going with this, your cheeks still flushed from the alcohol. âIâmâŠ?â he asked, turning the steering wheel. At the sight of his veined hands gripping it, you bit your lip slightly and giggled, shifting in your seat to trace a finger over his hand resting on the gear shift. With your cheeks incredibly red, you whispered: âYouâre really gorgeous, Jake. But not in a⊠âsexualâ way. In the way that youâre gorgeous inside and out, and it kills me that youâre ashamed to let people see that, hiding behind your bad-boy mask.â
Jake smiled softly. âWell⊠I think thatâs the most genuine and deep compliment anyoneâs given me in years,â he said sincerely, squeezing your fingers for a second before putting his hand back on the wheel.
You clapped your hands again, happy, and started humming softly along with the rhythm of the music until the car turned onto the driveway of the hybridsâ big villa. Jake took you straight to his room to avoid waking the others who hadnât come to the party. With infinite patience, he took care of you, as heâd promised, helping you take off your coat and his oversized hoodie, turning away respectfully when you unclasped your bra to be more comfortable. He handed you a clean T-shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants to wear as pajamas. Like a good boy, he waited outside the bathroom while you washed your face. When you came out, heâd changed too.
Without his team jacket and the daytime clothes that often made him look over the top, in his pajamas, he looked like the classic boy next doorâjust an ordinary, accessible, and incredibly sweet guy. But this wasnât the real Jake youâd come to know, was it? With that question in mind, you sat on the edge of the padded headboard. When Jake sat down right next to you, you turned your face abruptly and stared at his profile under the soft light of the bedside lamp. Your eyes traced the perfect lines of his profileâJake had a beautiful nose, straight and large, typical of his hybrid nature. Without even realizing it, guided by the alcohol and a sudden urge to touch him, you reached out, placing a finger on the bridge of his nose and gently traced its entire outline down to the tip.
Jake turned his head, letting you do it as his wolf ears twitched slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. âEarlier⊠I also wanted to tell you that youâre beautiful, Jake,â you said softly as you met his eyes, pulling your hand back and looking up at the ceiling with a small huff. âBut I already knew that⊠every girl tells you that every single day of the week.â
At that, Jake rolled his eyes, and his hybrid nature kicked in instantlyâbecause this was the second time youâd subtly let him know you were completely jealous of all those stupid number 5 jerseys the other girls wore in the stands. A small grin took over his lips. âDamn⊠If Iâd known that with three drinks in you, youâd be this chatty and admit things like that, I wouldâve taken you to every party this season, sweetheart,â Jake said with an amused tone.
In the strange euphoria of the alcohol, you almost knelt on the soft mattress, leaning over him as he lay partially stretched out on the bed. Neither of you could stop looking at each other, unfiltered and guided only by instinct. You whispered in a low voice: âI⊠Can I kiss you, Jake?â
Jakeâs eyes widened, completely caught off guard by such a direct request. Where the hell had the girl who hated being touchedâespecially the one who was mad at himâgone? His tail began wagging frantically on the mattress, betraying his wild excitement. When he saw you leaning in even closer, he made a huge effort of willpower, lifting a finger and gently pressing it against your mouth. âSweetheart⊠Iâd pay gold to do it again and kiss you right now,â he said in a low voice. âBut damn, as you said earlier, right now Iâm a âgood boy,â and I canât take advantage of you like this. You have to ask me when youâre sober, Y/n. When youâre sober, you can ask me for anythingâŠÂ anything. And if tomorrow morning you still want me, you can ask me for whatever you want...but not now.â
You made an adorable pout, visibly disappointed by the refusalâyouâd never expected it. âAnything?â you murmured. Jake nodded slowly. âAnything.â
âWell⊠fine, then tomorrow morning,â you whispered, your fingers already lazily playing with his big wolf ears again. You continued, your voice shy and your eyes heavy with sleepiness: âI⊠I want to ask you something tomorrow, but I wonât spoil it now.â
Jake gently caressed your flushed cheek with the back of his hand, tender and dying of curiosity about what you might ask him. âYou should try to sleep now, Y/n. The bed is all yours,â he said. You nodded weakly, exhausted from the day, and curled up against him, nestling on his side and resting your head on the pillow.
Jake reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Despite the wolf inside him screaming with the impulse to pull you close, trap you under his body for the whole night, he forced himself to respect your space. He didnât yet have the official right to hold you or keep you close as if you were his mate. So he settled for stroking the back of your hand with warm, protective fingers all night, letting you rest. As he felt your breathing become steady, Jake stayed awake in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so curious and impatient to find out what you intended to ask him the next morning.
In his hybrid mind, he wondered if that mysterious question had to do with your fear of being touched by others.
Jake woke up stretching, his nose catching your faint scent of strawberries and something sweetâmaybe a hint of cotton candy, or perhaps a sugary note from one of the drinks youâd had the night before. As he stretched to see if you were still asleep, he placed a hand on the part of the bed where you should have been. It was still warm, but you werenât there. His heart started pounding, and he sat up almost abruptly, lazily running a hand through his hair. When he opened his eyes, at that exact moment, he saw you entering his room, still wearing his clothes, with two steaming cups of coffee in your hands.
You smiled at him shyly, and he thought you were 100% back to the girl heâd met months agoânot the teasing version of you from last night, the one who had asked if you could kiss him or who had looked at him with eyes full of excitement. When you handed him the cup, he responded with a rough, small âThanks,â and you sat down in front of him. As you sipped your coffee, you couldnât stop looking at him, and Jake chuckled into his cup.
âStop looking at me like that, sweetheart. Spit it outâŠtell me what you wanted to say last night,â he said. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of your tongue, and your cheeks turned even redder. âYou⊠you, forget it, Jake. Itâs⊠itâs nothing, what I wanted to ask you. Please, just forget it,â you said.
Jake tilted his head, observing you, and he could sense how embarrassed your body was. Teasing you, he said: âNo, no, beautiful. Now you tell me what you wanted to ask me. And I certainly canât forget you begging to kiss me!â You opened your mouth to retort, rolled your eyes, and said: âWhy are you always so shameless? Itâs not even 8 in the morning.â Jake chuckled and replied, still in a low voiceâit was in his nature. You pouted and said: âIâll ask you this thing, but first, donât laugh, donât tease me, and donât make a scene, okay? Donât yell or act like a clown, okay?â
Jake was seriously curious about what you wanted to ask him. He stretched out his pinky finger as a promise, and you squeezed it tightly. âOkay, well, I wonât beat around the bush⊠you⊠do you want to have sex with me?â
Jake thought he was still asleep. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? But when he spat out half the coffee in his mouth onto his pajama shirt, the burning contact of the liquid on his warm skin made him cough violently. You jumped up and started patting his back for a full minute. Neither of you said a word. Jake placed his coffee on the nightstand, and as he turned to you, he looked at you carefully and said, perhaps too loudly: âARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU STILL DRUNK, OR⊠DID YOU GET A HIGH FEVER IN THE FEW HOURS YOU SLEPT?â
You glared at him and almost growled his name. He lowered his voice, but his hand pressed against your foreheadâyou were coldâŠÂ damn. You were serious.
âIâm not feverish, and Iâm not drunk. Damn, I wasnât even drunk last night, Jake, and⊠and Iâm not joking. But if you donât want to⊠I understand,â you said, fiddling with the strings of your pajama. Jake was extremely restless at that moment. He ran his hands through his hair countless times, and after what felt like endless minutes, he said: âI want a reason, Y/n. I want a damn reason for why you asked me something like that. Whereâs the girl who hated my physical contact? Whereâs the girl who was even afraid to sit next to me? Whereâs that girl? That girl wouldnât have asked me to kiss her in the first place, let alone to have sex with me. So excuse me, but I want the fucking truth. And then weâll consider it. But I want⊠the truth about why you were and still are afraid of being touched or drinking a drink with a little alcohol in it.â
You sighed because only your family and Allie knew the truth about what had happened to you in your last year of high school. You closed your eyes for a moment and tried not to relive all the pain that night had caused you, or the rumors that had spread about you and your parents. Then you said:Â
âOkay, Iâll tell you the truth. But please, this has to stay between you and me. It must not leave these four walls, and you⊠Please donât say or do anything until Iâve finished telling you what happened.â
Jake nodded and shifted slightly closer, trying to calm you with his pheromones, but it didnât work. When you started telling him that in your last year of high school, you were dating a guy from the soccer team, and you thought he was the right one for you, because he was the perfect guy: good grades, part of the best studentsâ club, and loved by your entire town because he did volunteer work. You had built a clear image of him in your mind. But everything changed one night⊠You and this guy had been together for a couple of months, and you went to a party together. He had drunk a little too much, and you werenât completely sober either. Jake immediately understood what had happened to you: an assault.
His hybrid nature wanted to know who this guy was and make his life a living hell, especially when you started crying. He pulled you into his arms, and you buried your entire body against him. For endless minutes, he held you, gently stroking your hair and telling you it wasnât your fault. But you didnât stop crying and sobbing until you said:Â
âI⊠Iâm broken, Jake. Every time someone tries to make me feel good, I freeze and go into this cold trance. Thatâs why I asked you⊠because itâs hard to admit, but I trust you. And youâve made me realize that so many times these past few months.âYou said this with tears in your eyes, and Jake gently wiped them away with his thumbs, closing his eyes for a moment because he never would have imagined finding himself in a situation like this.
Jake wanted to make you happy, so he gently shifted you away from him, lifted your chin, and looked deeply into your eyes. âYouâre not broken, Y/n. You went through something horrible that no one in this world should ever experience. So itâs normal for your body to be afraid, for you to go into a negative, protective mode. Therefore⊠my answer is yes.â
You gave him a 32-tooth smile and hugged him even tighter than before. âYou⊠youâre serious? Youâll help me overcome this?â Jake nodded and wiped away another tear sliding down your face. He whispered in a low voice: âI never want to see tears of sadness in you again, Y/n. These⊠these tears should only be of joy or excitement. So yes, Iâll help you. But on my conditions.â
You nodded and said, âWhat conditions will we adopt?â. Jake tried to show his most human side, not the dark hybrid one, and said: â
First, you need to start taking the anti-hybrid pill. I donât want to accidentally knot and impregnate you when we⊠You know, have sex. And Iâll take it too, as long as this is safe.â You tried to speak, but a finger pressed against your lips. âLet me talk, Y/n. Second, we will not have sex right away. Before sex, there must absolutely be awareness and enjoyment of what weâre going to doâespecially for you, since youâve told me you canât let yourself go or be touched by others. So there will be a lot of foreplay, both for me to discover your body and for you to discover mine. Third, you must tell me at any moment if you want to stop or if you donât like something. There will be no safe wordâif you tell me NO, it will be a NO. If you tell me you like it, Iâll continue. If you want to stop, I will stop. But if you beg me to continue, I will continue⊠because I have two natures, Y/nâboth the human one and the animal one. These are my conditions, Y/n. If youâre up for it, weâll do this together. But if you donât agree with even one of these things, my answer will be a NO.â
You swallowed and nodded, still sitting on top of him, continuing to play with the strings of his pajama. After a while, you said, âThese conditions are perfect for me. Itâs clear that deep down, youâre a good guy!â You said this, trying to ease the tension that had built up. He gently caressed your side and, looking at you, said: âIâd like to suggest another condition. From the moment this starts⊠Iâd like for you not to be with other girls, and obviously, the same will go for me. I know it might seem trivial to you, but Iâd feel more comfortable. And when⊠well, if it ends, we could⊠yes, go back to our lives,â you said, a little embarrassed.
But in Jakeâs mind, it was already settled that this wouldnât end because you were his mate, and he would make you understand that in any way possible. You would never be with another guy except him, and the same went for him.
Were you a bad person for forgetting about your date with Soobin while crying in Jakeâs arms, finally sharing what had happened to you? Maybe⊠but at the same time, after years of silence, you had finally told someone the truth. And perhaps, thanks to Jakeâs words, his touch, and the growing realization that you might have found someone you could trust completely, you didnât feel like a bad person at all.
âIâm really sorry I didnât show up at the bakery. I woke up super late because the night before, I went to the soccer teamâs party with Jake and his friends, and Allie wouldnât leave me aloneâshe kept making me dance with her. Before I knew it, it was maybe 2 AM by the time I got home. And in the morning, when I woke up, I texted you right away,â you said, winking. Soobin, 99% convinced by your story, took a sip of the new winter recipe youâd added to the seasonal menu and nodded. But you heard him mutter under his breath: âOf course you were at Jakeâs party.â
At the sound of that name, something inside you twitched. And as if on cue, your phone lit up. You saw Jakeâs name at the top of your notifications. It wasnât news that Jake and Allie usually topped your chat list. You glanced at the message:
-> Jakeâœïžđș: Come over at 6 PM. There wonât be anyone around for a good two hours, so you can relax! Iâm heading to practice. See you later, sweetheart :)
You froze at those words. The day had arrived. Obviously, as heâd said, it wasnât about sex...it was aboutâŠÂ physically getting to know each other. Oh my God, what had you gotten yourself into? But he was the only manâbesides your dadâwho didnât make you anxious. Youâd thought and reasoned so much before asking him that question, and now the moment was here.
Two fingers snapped in front of your face, and you jumped. Soobinâs voice cut through your thoughts: âSeems like you just read a notification about a good grade or something amazing happening. Did something good happen?â he asked, looking at you. You quickly lied: âYes, the music production company Hybe wrote to me⊠they want a meeting. You know I write music, and they want to get to know me and the drafts I have on my computerâthere are over 100 of them.â
Soobinâs eyes widened. âDamn, Y/n, thatâs huge news! I know Jay works under that label too, you could ask him about itâŠâ You cut him off before he could finish, raising your hands. âI⊠please, donât tell anyone. I donât want to get contacts or opportunities because of someone else. I want them to want me, to like my lyrics and my melodies. So could you⊠not tell anyone? Only you, Allie, and my family know.â
Soobinâs ego swelled a little at the thought that you hadnât even told Jake yet. âDonât worry, my lips are sealed,â he said, miming a zipper over his mouth with his fingers. You thanked him.
Soobin wasnât a bad friend, he was funny, seemed like a calm guy, and had his head on straight. But to your defense⊠he didnât make you feel anything anymore. Or maybe youâd never really felt anything for him at all.
Your low-rise jeans hugged your legs perfectly, and your slightly snug sweater accentuated the curves you usually disliked but had started to appreciate as part of who you were. You had light makeup on, but your signature strawberry gloss never missed your lips, and your hair was softly wavy. You felt pretty, but anxiety was eating you up inside as you entered Jakeâs house using the code you knew. This time, Jake rushed down the stairs, and when he saw you dressed so nicely to spend time with him, a small smile formed on his face.
âHey, damn, sweetheartâif Iâd known youâd dress this well, I wouldâve spent a little more time on my outfit too!â he said, licking his lips slightly. You rolled your eyes, but when he offered his hand, you looked at it carefully before taking it. As he led you to his room, you felt a wave of anxiety, and Jake knew it. âY/n, I donât want to force you to do anything, okay? Before you got here, I thought maybe you could get comfortable in my clothes, and then we could listen to some music, do some LegosâIâve got a ton or we could watch a movie. Whatever helps you relax is fine with me. I know youâve never been with a hybrid before, but I can smell your scent notes, and right now, I can sense that sour, persistent note in you. So you choose what you want to do,â he said, giving you a small smile.
You lowered your head at the sight of his clothes because you knew youâd never meet another guy like Jake again. At first, you had to admit, you didnât particularly like him. But as you got to know him over the months, you realized Jake was the kind of guy every mom would want as a partner for their daughter. Yes, he often acted like a show-off, but deep down, he had a huge heart and you knew, deep down, that he was opening it up to you.
âItâs a great idea to wear your clothes. I donât even know why I dressed up so nicely. Weâre just staying in your room, so yeah, Iâll put on your stuff, and then maybe we could⊠listen to some music? And what do you think about dancing?âJakeâs eyes widened slightly, and he said in a low voice: âDancing?â You nodded, slightly amused, because you wanted to see if heâd get embarrassed. But Jake understood your gaze immediately and said: âYou said that before doing anything, we need to get to know our bodies. I donât want a dance-off, Jake. I just want some closeness between our bodies with the music, and yes⊠you can touch me, and obviously, I can touch you too,â you said. Jake noddedâif thatâs what you wanted, it was fine with him.
When you came out of his bathroom, you were wearing one of Jakeâs soccer jerseys, of course, with his number and last nam âand a simple pair of pajama pants. At that sight, something inside Jake clicked. Heâd been disappointed on game day when he hadnât seen you in his jersey, but now he thought it was a thousand times better to see you in his room, wearing his jersey, with only his eyes on you. In his hybrid nature, it was a beautiful victory.
He knew he was a little possessive by nature, but seeing you in his jersey, in his clothes, with his scentâthe beast inside him rejoiced fiercely. He couldnât wait to see you without them, at his mercy. But he had to push those thoughts away immediately. After what youâd confided in him, he wanted to give you all the time you needed. He wanted you to understand that only he could have you, desire you fiercely⊠because only he would listen to your body 100%.
You and Jake stared at the open Spotify screen on his laptop, scrolling through song options.
âWhat song could we listen to that we could both dance and sing to?â you asked, tilting your head as you read through various titles that were also in your own playlist. Jake made a small, thoughtful pout, running a finger over his chin until his eyes lit up. âHow about âDancing with Myselfâ? Itâs super rhythmic, I used to listen to it all the time with my dad. Itâs got that â80s rock beat that makes your feet, body, and head move all at once. What do you think?â
You beamed and hit play on the computer resting on his desk. Immediately, the iconic, overwhelming drum intro filled the room through the speakers. You didnât need to be told twiceâyou started swaying your hips and bouncing on the rug, following your own rhythm. Meanwhile, Jake brought a hand to his face, perhaps out of embarrassment? His wolf ears bent slightly backward, betraying a hint of shy embarrassment at seeing you so unleashedâjust for him. But at the same time, he was thrilled to see you so at ease in his company.
âCome on, Jake! Donât tell me youâre embarrassed to dance a little with me!â you laughed, your hair swaying slightly with every movement. Seeing his gaze on you, you approached himâhe was still sitting on the edge of the bed and teased him, holding up your pinky finger. âThereâs no one else here. I wonât tell anyone!â Without thinking, you grabbed his wrists with your hands and playfully but firmly urged him to stand up and dance with you.
He closed his eyes for a second, sighing to compose himself in the situation heâd gotten himself into just to make you happy and help you understand he was the right one for you. When he opened them again, he saw your contagious laughter ringing out with the music, and a resigned but incredibly sweet smile spread across his lips. He, too, began to sway his body, following your movements, which were clumsy but magnetic to him, because in that moment, it was just you.
âCome on, Jake, loosen up a bit! Whereâs the fearless campus bad boy whoâs afraid of nothing?â you teased, pulling him even closer. âWeâre just dancing and trying to⊠trust each other.â You swayed your hips, and at the mention of trust, Jake took a deep breath. He placed his large hands with extreme gentleness on your waist, moving to the rhythm of the song.
You laughed happily, and with a burst of joy, you did a little spin, gracefully slipping out of his grip and stepping a few paces toward the center of the room, perhaps on purpose, because you definitely wanted his attention and those eyes always on you.
Jake made a small, frustrated pout at being deprived of your touch and walked with feline grace to close the distance again. When he reached you, you threw your arms around his neck, stopping his advance but staying very close.
âDonât try to touch me like you already own me, Jake,â you whispered, looking him straight in the eyes with a mix of challenge and vulnerability. âTry to let go⊠and touch me like Iâm something completely new.â
At those words, Jakeâs animal nature took over for a moment. The wolf inside him growled softly, eager to grab you tightly and press you against his chest, to show you that every single cell of your body already belonged to him. But he shook off that overpowering thought with a shake of his head and muttered in a low voice: âEasy for you to say⊠when you already own my entire body, Y/n.â
Jake prayed you hadnât heard him and maybe you hadnât. So he slowly slid a hand behind your back, caressing the fabric of the jersey right where the large number 5 was printed. You let him, returning to your gentle dancing in front of him, completely wrapped in his scent. But seeing him completely lost in you, you turned your back, still following the rhythm of the music. Your body inevitably pressed against his chest, and thatâs when you clearly felt Jake losing patience with you⊠his self-control was crumbling because of you. You felt the warmth of his nose press directly against your exposed throat, inhaling your scent until it gave you shivers, while his hands tightened decisively around your waist, anchoring you to him.
As you continued to move against his warm body, Jake exhaled a trembling sigh against your skin, breathing in your sweet scent, which had finally softened and become extremely sweetâa sign that you were completely trusting him.
âDamn⊠theyâll have to make me a saint for how Iâm holding back tonight, Y/n,â he said roughly against you in a low voice. You giggled, finding his frustration incredibly adorable, especially because you knew all the girls heâd been with had thrown themselves at him without a second thought. Heâd never had to fight for anything when it came to girls. Seeing him so vulnerable sparked something in you. So you moved your hips even more against him.
But Jake, sensing his limit was almost reached, abruptly stepped back. When you turned to look at him, confused, he shook his head, his breath short and his ears lowered, trying to recover that last shred of âgood boyâ dignity he had left.
This time, you took a step forward. You walked toward him with determination as the first notes of Enrique Iglesiasâ I Like It began to fill the dimly lit room. Driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline and the desire that had been building for weeks, you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, and pulled him down forcefully, eliminating any remaining distance. You pressed your lips against his in a wet, sweet, and desperate kiss
Your lips tasted like strawberriesâa sweet, sugary flavor that revealed your obsession with the fruit. Jake was completely hypnotized by it. It was only the second time youâd kissed, but his mind instantly registered how your lips fit and locked perfectly with his, as if they were made for that exact embrace.
In the room, lit only by the glow of the computer screen, the wet sound of your mouths meeting echoed clearly, amplifying the tension that had built up between you over weeks. When you slightly parted your lips to catch your breath, Jake took the opportunity. With extreme slowness, he used the sharp tip of one of his wolf canines to gently nibble on your lower lip. A weak, excited moan escaped your throat, making both Jakeâs human and hybrid sides tremble.
âAhhâŠâ you moaned, and Jake smiled against your lips, pleased by your reaction. He moved on to gently sucking that spot while you began to sway and wiggle in his arms, pushing your hips against his body out of pure instinctâto get closer to him, to tease him in return. Not wanting to give him all the control, you slid your hands into his hair, reaching the base of his wolf ears, where you knew, from the beginning of your acquaintanceâthat ears and tails were the most sensitive parts for a hybrid. You began to caress that ultra-sensitive spot with your fingertips, and Jake let out a deep, almost growl-like moan that escaped as your lips were still just millimeters apart:
âMmh⊠Y/nâŠâ
In retaliation, this time you smiled between his lips, continuing to move your fingers over those soft, warm ears, making him shiver. Jake was restraining himself with every single cell of his body because his wolf nature was literally howling from the sensory overload of everything happening in just a few moments. His instinct screamed at him to pin your wrists above your head, to use his canines to mark your skin, and to take everything he desired. But before the beast could take over, you took two steps back, pulling him with you. You tripped over the edge of the bed, and you both tumbled together onto the soft mattress, with you lying on your back and him on top of you.
Jake quickly planted his forearms on either side of your head, using all the strength in his muscular arms to avoid crushing you with his weight. He lowered his gaze, and at that sight, he seriously thought he was a dead man. You were fuckingbeautiful lying there on his pillow, your hair messy and framing your face, your lips visibly swollen and glossy from the kisses, your cheeks flushed with excitement.
Damn. He never would have thought you, of all people, would be his mate, the human who would bring his wolf to its knees. He had to mentally admit that Jay, Heeseung, and all the other pack members had been rightâtheyâd realized from the very first moment youâd stepped through the door of their house that you were his destined mate.
Your hands trembled slightly as they continued to caress his ears. Jake, noticing that tremor and seeing how your eyes kept searching for his, asked in a rough whisper:Â âWhat do you want to do, sweetheart?â
You stayed silent for a few seconds while his eyes continued to devour your body, careful not to cross that invisible line youâd drawn after telling him what had happened to you. âCould you⊠could you, I donât know, kiss me again?â you finally murmured, looking away in embarrassment. âBut⊠not on the lips. I donât really know what to do, Jake⊠Honestly, I donât want this to be embarrassing for you.â You tried not to feel at fault in that moment, and Jake released one hand from its grip on the mattress. He passed it with infinite gentleness over your cheek, lifting your face to force you to look at him. He whispered against your lips:
âSweetheart⊠you canât make anything embarrassing with me. Itâs all in your head. Whatever we do tonight wonât be anywhere near embarrassing. You just have to tell me when you feel overwhelmed, just tell me to stop, and Iâll do it instantly⊠I promise.â You instinctively nuzzled into his warm hand, pressing your cheek against his palm, and closed your eyes.
âPlease⊠please, kiss me, Jake.â
Jake didnât need to be told twice. He leaned over you and kissed you again, but this time, it wasnât a kiss charged with urgency like the previous one. Instead, it was an incredibly slow, wet, and protective contact to make you understand that you could trust him.
Then, he slowly slid downward, and his nose pressed directly against the hollow of your neck. He inhaled deeply, your sweet scent now even more intense with your heated skin. He wondered how heâd managed to survive 23 years without noticing that scent.
âDamn, Y/nâŠâ he murmured against your skin, and those words sent shivers down your entire spine. âThis scent is driving me literally crazy. You smell like warm strawberries, something like cotton candy, and clean skin⊠I swear I could spend the whole night just breathing you in here.â
You let out a weak giggle at that declaration because you knew those words came more from his animal nature. But your laughter died in your throat when Jakeâs warm lips finally pressed against your bare skin, and the wolf began to place light, wet, slow kisses along the entire line of your neck, moving up to the base of your jaw and then back down toward your collarbone.
Small, muffled moans echoed in the room every time Jakeâs mouth moved, placing wet kisses and light, gentle bites from your neck down to your chest, just above the hem of his T-shirt. His hybrid nature clearly sensed how his wild scent was covering your skin, marking you minute by minute beneath him. Feeling his scent blend so intimately with yours sent a wave of even denser, more primal excitement through him. He never thought it would feel so incredible to have his scent anchored to his mate, and this realization drove him wild.
Your eyes were slightly closed, your fingers still weakly tangled in his hair. Everything was going incredibly wellâuntil Jake slightly pulled away from your neck and slid a hand under the hem of the T-shirt, caressing the bare skin of your stomach. Small shivers of pure pleasure bloomed on your skin as he continued to kiss you lightly and tease your throat. He asked in an incredibly sweet and rough whisper:Â âIs this okay, sweetheart? Do you like it?â
You simply nodded, but that wasnât the answer youâd agreed on to maintain control. So Jake stopped a millimeter from your lips: âWords, sweetheart⊠use those beautiful, plump lips Iâve been kissing to answer me. I want to hear your voice,â he teased. So you lifted your eyes to his and murmured: âYes⊠itâs all good, Jake. You can keep going.â
At that confirmation, a smile lit up his face, and he praised you shamelessly, making your blood rush: âThatâs how a good girl behavesâŠâ You rolled your eyes at that statement, but then his hand slid slowly lower, slipping out from under the T-shirt to gently press against the inside of your thigh. At that pressure, you swallowed hard, feeling your heart race. But you trusted Jake blindly, so as he kissed you again to distract you, you felt his hand slide under the sweatpants. He began with just one finger to brush against the thin fabric of your lace panties. But as soon as you felt even the slightest real pressure of that intimate contact, your body short-circuited. You froze instantly, stiffening like a piece of ice beneath him. You tried to speak, to say something, but your throat tightened as if blocked by a thread pulling tightâone of the things that had happened to you on that damn night.
Jake, whose hybrid senses were tuned to every millisecond of your reactions, immediately noticed the drastic change in your heartbeat and the tension in your muscles. He stopped instantly, pulling his hand back. As he lifted his gaze to you, he whispered your name: âY/nâŠ?â
You didnât answer, but he saw how your wide, fixed eyes on the ceiling were beginning to fill with silent panic, making you feel vulnerable in front of him. Without a hint of hesitation, Jake completely moved away from you, shifting to the side to free you from his weight. âHey, hey⊠little one, nothingâs happening. Look at me, itâs all okay,â he said in an incredibly gentle voice, opening his arms. You slowly sat up and immediately took refuge in his arms.
You hugged him as if he were your living shield, hiding your face in the hollow of his warm neck, breathing in his scent to at least ease all the bad thoughts resurfacing in your mind. For the second time in just a few days, you whispered against his skin, barely holding back tears of frustration: âSee, Jake⊠I⊠Iâm broken. I trust you, I really do⊠but I just canât do it. And thatâs the worst part⊠feeling like this.â
His large hands began to gently caress your back, tracing circles over your T-shirt to calm you. But inside him, the wolf was growling furiously because he had a mad desire to find whoever had hurt you in the past and punch them, leave them to rot somewhere. But his human, rational side took over because he knew he had to handle the situation with extreme delicacy.
After a few moments of silence, he caressed your hair and asked, with a slightly embarrassed but extremely serious tone: âWhen youâre alone⊠do you feel safe giving yourself pleasure? Or is it a situation that blocks you, whether youâre alone or with other people?â
You slightly widened your eyes, still with your chin resting on his shoulder, because the question caught you completely off guard. It was the kind of question your therapist asked, not a guy youâd known for only a few months. But you answered: âSometimes⊠I feel safe alone, but other times, no,â you said in a low voice. Jake pulled back just enough to look at your face. âSo, when youâre alone and feel safe⊠can you give yourself pleasure, or not?â
You lifted your chin slightly, feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment at the conversation because you didnât understand where he was going with this. âAre⊠are you asking if I can masturbate, Jake?â
Jake chuckled, and you saw his cheeks redden as he shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. âDamn, sweetheart⊠you asked me to have sex with you a few days ago. I donât think youâd be scandalized if I ask if you can give yourself pleasure! I just want to understand,â he said, trying to be the most serious guy in the world at that moment. You looked away and said: âYes⊠I can give myself pleasure, butâŠâ
You couldnât finish the sentence, but Jake answered right away, anticipating the truth: âYou can give yourself pleasure, but you canât come, right? You block yourself at the last moment, right?â You nodded slowly, lowering your head. A deep, calm silence fell over the room, interrupted only by the sound of light rain beginning to patter against the window. Suddenly, you saw Jake get up from the bed.
A shiver of terror ran down your spine because you feared he wanted to end things there, that he was tired of your blocks and complexities, that you had to hurry up and figure it out on your own or with a good therapist: âWhere are you going?â you asked in a thin voice. But Jake wasnât running away. You watched him walk to the desk, grab the swivel chair, and place it against the desk. The distance wasnât much, but at the same time, you felt alone sitting on that bed. You watched him sit down right in front of you, and you didnât understand what he wanted to do.
âYou can give yourself pleasure, but at the same time, you canât reach orgasm. And itâs all in your head, Y/n. Itâs a matter of trustâin yourself, but also in the other person whoâs there with you in that moment,â he explained calmly. Then, with a slightly cheeky smile, the corners of his lips curled upâone of those smiles youâd started to recognize right away, and you didnât know whether to trust it.
âSo⊠hereâs my idea: why donât we pleasure ourselves together, but each on our own?â
You widened your eyes, struck by the proposal because youâd never thought of anything like that. âYou try to make yourself come by yourself, touching yourself the way you usually do when youâre alone in your safe space⊠and Iâll try to make myself come by myself, but right here in front of you. Itâll be a test of total mutual trust, Y/n. Weâll both be vulnerable, both exposed, but without either of us touching the other or forcing anything. Weâll just watch each other. What do you think?â
You opened your mouth to protest, but no words came out for a full minute. Jakeâs proposal had never crossed your mind in all these years it was definitely too intimate for two people who werenât even officially together, yet it was also incredibly mature.
âY/n? Are you there?â he asked as you tortured your lips, biting them. You looked at him carefully, searching his eyes for any trace of irony. âYouâre not teasing me, are you, Jake?â you whispered. He shook his head decisively. âIâve never been more serious in my life, Y/n.â
âIt could work⊠I usually donât do things like this...actually, Iâve never seen anyone masturbate in front of me,â you admitted, your cheeks literally burning. After all, youâd never even watched porn, so you had no idea what to expect.
âBut I think we could try, like you saidâitâll be a test of self-trust. Youâll see me vulnerable, but Iâll also see you exposed, âinertâ in a way⊠and I think itâll be an important step for when, one day, we have sex for real,â you said, convincing yourself that it was a good idea to see each other vulnerable. Jake nodded, and with a crooked, amused smile, he commented: âSee? Iâm not so bad⊠I told you I was smart, Y/n!â
You rolled your eyes but hinted at a smile: âDonât count your chickens just yet, Jake. Letâs see if it works first,â you said as you both stared at each other for a moment. You felt the tension in the room start to rise again, and you bit your lip, embarrassed, asking: âWho⊠who takes their clothes off first?â
Jake shrugged with total nonchalance at your question and said: âIâll go first. Iâve got nothing to hide⊠quite the opposite,â he teased. You closed your eyes slightly until you saw him stand up. With a fluid movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Without that fabric covering him, you couldnât help but count the ridges of his abs, sculpted and defined, four perfect muscular hills on his toned stomach until your gaze fell on the obvious V-line that descended symmetrically, disappearing into the waistband of his Calvin Klein boxers.
His arms, though not excessively massive, were marked by bulging veins that stood out under his skin, giving him an incredibly athletic appearance. Deep down, you understood why everyone said Jake was gorgeous, and you literally felt your mouth water as you watched him lazily grab the strings of his sweatpants. Jake noticed immediately how your eyes were practically worshipping him with a hint of mischief. He shot you a complicit look, feeling his hybrid nature rejoice with pleasure. âCan I take off my pants and boxers too, sweetheart?â he asked, and you murmured: âYesâŠâ
With a smirk on his face, he let his sweatpants slide down, revealing his muscular, athletic thighs. But it was when he completely dropped his boxers that your eyes widened, and a shiver ran down your spine. Jake had no issues with his bodyâin fact, he was extremely comfortable in his own skin. At the sight of his erect member slapping against his lower abs, you nearly lost your breath. Youâd never seen anything like it before: it wasnât excessively long, but it was incrediblythick, hard, marked by prominent veins, and already covered in a slight pearly sheen on the tip. You realized it was seriously wild and not entirely human.
Seeing you so captivated and curious, Jake enjoyed the show of your wide eyes and loved seeing you open-mouthed for him. âDo you like what you see, sweetheart?â he asked with a cheeky tone. You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to lift your gaze to his face so you wouldnât get too distracted by all that perfection just a few meters away. You desperately wanted to touch him, but you knew that first, you had to trust him completely.
âWow⊠besides being beautiful on the inside, I have to admit youâre beautiful on the outside too, Jake. But you already know thatâeveryone tells you so,â you said.
He made a small, disappointed pout, as if that compliment wasnât exclusive enough for him. To tease you, he took a slow step toward you, wrapping his hand around his shaft and moving it just slightly with a single, slow slide of skin just to show you how responsive he was to your gaze.
âThey might say that to me, but I only care if you like it,â he whispered in a rough voice. Then, with a nod of his chin toward your clothes, he concluded: âBut enough talking⊠Your turn, Y/n. Take your clothes off.â
At that commandâwhich couldâve been interpreted in a way far different from how you saw itâJake couldnât wait to discover the beauty of your body, judging by the way he was looking at you. You felt your cheeks literally burn, and a sudden heat dyed your face a deep red, which he found adorable.
âIâll⊠Iâll obviously take off my pants and the shirt, but Iâd like to keep the bra on, if thatâs okay with you,â you said in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of his objection. But Jake looked at you with his hands trembling slightly along his sides, betraying the immense effort he was making not to pounce on you and touch you, smell you.
âDo whatever makes you feel most comfortable, Y/n,â he replied in an incredibly gentle tone, though his tail couldnât stay still for a second. His nose picked up every scent of yours, ranging from sweetness to something teasing due to your anxiety. âThereâs absolutely no problem for me. Take all the time you need.â
Reassured by his words, you nodded. You werenât sure what to take off first, feeling his eyes on you, not missing a single millimeter of your movements. You wanted to scream at him to close his eyes or turn away, but sooner or later, Jake would see you naked. So you slightly rose from the mattress, and with somewhat uncertain, maybe awkwardânot entirely sexyâgestures, you let the sweatpants slide down your legs.
At the sight of your toned thighs and fair skin, Jake visibly swallowed, clenching his fists against his hips. When his eyes caught the purple lace trim of your panties peeking out from under the hem of his oversized T-shirt, a mix between a moan and a sigh escaped his lips, which heâd been torturing with his teeth. He wanted to touch you in that exact momentâit was a damn devastating temptation, the idea of getting up from the chair and crawling back onto the bed to trap you beneath him. But he forced himself to stay still because he didnât want to ruin anything, especially seeing how your hands were trembling.
After minutes of staring at each other, you took a deep breath and murmured: âOkay⊠Iâm taking off your shirt now.â
Jake nodded slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from your body. âDo it, sweetheart. Youâre so damn beautiful⊠donât be afraid to let me look at you. I bet thereâs a body to worship under there, not one to hide from my eyes,â he said in a low voice. Those words gave you courage, and you crossed your arms, lifting the fabric over your head. In the exact moment you stood in front of him wearing only a damn purple Victoriaâs Secret set, decorated with small embroidered flowers that framed your body like you were a work of art on a canvas, the hybrid inside him lost his mind completely.
Jake let out a low growl that came entirely from his animal instinctâa purely wild sound. It was the very first time youâd heard him growl like that, so wild and primal. That sound made your entire body tremble, but not out of fearârather, it was a mix of physical and mental connection between you. Youâd discovered that hybrids both purr and growl: they purr in acts of pure docility with their mate, while growls can serve as a warning of danger, a sign not to touch their mate or their pack, or in a sense of pure excitement. And thatâs what Jake was feeling in that moment: he was growling at the sight of the bliss of your body just a few meters away from him, but he couldnât even brush you with a finger.
His eyes widened at that sound because you hadnât expected it, and Jake couldnât stop staring at you, open-mouthed, devouring your body with his hungry eyes. He studied carefully how the curve of your breasts seemed to try to escape from the bra cups, pushed upward. Heâd always known you had an abundant chest, but at that sight, his mindâwhich was currently running on purely animal and instinctive tracksâwas flooded with dark, possessive thoughts. He thought about how much he wanted to grab that soft flesh in his hands, how he wanted to suck on those warm nipples until you screamed his name. He even thought about how beautiful it would be to see them swollen and full of milk, watching it gush out as he filled you with his seed to bring your pups to life.
He shook his head to chase away those intense fantasies, running a hand over his mouth before complimenting you in that typical hybrid tone of hisâshameless and lewd: âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre a fucking work of art. That purple against your fair skin is driving me crazy. I knew you had perfect breasts, and I swear, if I werenât confined to this chair, Iâd have already consumed your skin with bites and kisses.â He said this while biting his lips, which were almost bleeding from how much heâd been nibbling on them in the last few minutes.
You sat back down on the edge of the bed with your legs curled up, trying to calm your racing heart. Now that you were both almost completely naked, you had to start what youâd agreed to do.
At those words, you swallowed hard and closed your eyes for a moment. Youâd never done anything like this before, and you wanted the earth to swallow you whole. But when you opened your eyes again, Jake was there, watching you intently. âYou donât have to be afraid right now, Y/n. Itâs just you and me. Slide your panties aside gently if you donât want to take them all the way off. Let me see how wet you are⊠I can smell it from here, youâre already soaked.â
Your cheeks burned at his words. With trembling hands, you slid your fingers toward your panties, already feeling the heat of your arousal. You pulled the edge down just enough to reveal your lips to Jake. At the sight, he groaned, and you instinctively closed your eyes but that wasnât what he wanted.
âOpen your eyes, sweetheart,â he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. âItâs not just me who gets to watch you pleasure yourself. You need to watch too.â
You obeyed, and what you saw took your breath away: his hands wrapped around his shaft, moving up and down in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The tip, flushed and glistening, grew thicker with every stroke, and a bead of pre-cum slid down the length. You crossed your legs, the desire burning inside you. âPlease, Jake⊠Please talk to me. I feel⊠lost,â you mumbled, your eyes fixed on him.
Jake sighed, his patience stretched thin. âSlide your panties all the way down your legs,â he ordered, his voice a contained growl. âUse your middle finger on your clit and start rubbing. But donât you dare close your eyes.â
You sighed in response and did as he said. Your panties slid off, and you shifted slightly higher on the bed, spreading your legs under his hungry gaze. Jake cursed under his breathâthe sight of you naked and ready to touch yourself without needing his command pushed him to the edge. It was as if, little by little, you were starting to understand the situation youâd gotten yourselves into⊠and that you could trust the man in front of you.
Jake watched as your trembling finger found your clit, already swollen and sensitive. âIs this okay?â you asked softly. He nodded, his dark eyes filled with desire. âRub. Slowly. Let me hear you moan.â
And so you did. Your clit was already hypersensitive, and the touch of your fingers made you let out a small moan. Little by little, you felt more at ease, more daring. âDonât stroke your cock so much, Jake⊠or youâll come first,â you stammered, your lips parted, your breath ragged. âI⊠I want to come with you.â
Jakeâs eyes widened at your confession, but he nodded. You saw his abs clench as he slowed his rhythm, rubbing his cock slowly in the grip of his hand. It was an incredible sight, youâd never imagined how exciting it could be to see a guy like him, just sitting there, watching you, while at the same time pleasuring himself just to make you feel at ease.
He realized that without his guidance, you wouldnât dare go further. And at the sight of your naked body at his mercy, he could have come at any moment like an inexperienced teenager. But that was exactly what you did to himâyou made him weak, and that both frustrated and reassured him, confirming that you were his mate. He adjusted himself on the chair, spreading his thighs, and said in a rough voice: âSweetheart, your clit is swollen and ready. Now, with your eyes on me, try sliding a finger inside you. Any finger is fine, as long as it goes into those beautiful lips of yours. Let me see⊠let me hear your sounds, little one. Otherwise⊠I wonât last much longer.â
At his confession, you bit your lip. This was the hardest part: letting go without thoughts, without fears. But the sight of Jake, his honesty, his vulnerability, pushed you to want to give yourself pleasure⊠and to give him something deeply intimate. You spread your legs a little wider, took a deep breath, and slid a finger between your wet folds. The intrusion was a new sensation, different from the solitary games you played under the covers. You moaned, surprised by the pleasure coursing through you, both mentally and physically.
The wet sound of your finger moving in and out of you made Jake groan your name. You felt completely at ease under his gaze, which never left you for a second. You saw how his cock grew thicker and thicker, how droplets of fluid escaped with every movement.
âKeep going⊠keep going like that, little one,â he urged, his voice a growl. âYouâre doing so well. Now that youâre nice and stretched, try sliding another finger in. And at the same time, rub your clit. That way, youâll come soon⊠and Iâll come with you.â
As Jake had instructed, you slid another finger inside yourself. A deep, throaty moan escaped your lips, and his name spilled out like a broken sigh: âJaaakeâŠâ The way you said it was desperate, sweet, and rawâlike he was the only lifeline in a sea of overwhelming sensations. At the sound of his name, Jake cursed under his breath, a guttural âFuckâŠâ rumbling from his chest as he watched you completely lost in pleasure. He couldnât hold back anymore. His arm muscles tensed as he began stroking himself harder, his fist gliding up and down his thick, throbbing shaft.
The room was thick with the sounds of your muffled moans and ragged breaths. It echoed with the wet, rhythmic sounds of your fingers pumping in and out of you, the creak of the chair beneath Jake amplifying every tiny noise. The scent was intoxicatingâmusky, sweet, and sharp all at once. Jakeâs heightened hybrid senses picked up on how your fragrance grew richer with every passing minute, a heady blend of strawberry, arousal, and a hint of sweat. âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre so fucking sexy,â he growled, his voice rough and low, his eyes glued to you as he watched you writhe, pleasure coiling tighter inside you. âLook at how wet you are⊠how perfect you look.â
You closed your eyes, and with your free hand, you clutched Jakeâs blanket, gripping it tightly between your fingers. Your voice trembled as you stammered, âJake⊠itâs too muchâŠâ
He paused for a moment, his hand still wrapped around his cock, and asked with a mix of concern and desire, âWhatâs too much, sweetheart?â
You moaned, breathless, and confessed, âEverything⊠itâs all too much⊠and I⊠I want to come.â
At those words, Jake smiledâa hungry, satisfied grin. âYou will in a few minutes, trust me. Now, tease your clit more and let go. But open those fucking eyes and watch what youâre doing to me,â he commanded, his voice a contained growl.
Embarrassed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, you obeyed. You opened your eyes and saw Jake barely holding back, his muscles taut, his breath ragged. With a whisper, you dared to say to him, âLet goâŠâ
His eyes darkened slightly at your boldness, as if he hadnât expected you to take control. But he didnât say a word. Deep down, that small act of defiance only turned him on even more.
Your walls began to tighten around your fingers, and your clit throbbed with pleasure as small, breathy moans escaped your lips. âI⊠Iâm about to come,â you whispered, your eyes half-lidded and glistening. At the sight of you so lost in pleasure, Jake gripped his shaft tighter and pumped harder, his voice rough as he urged, âCome on, sweetheart⊠let me see you come.â
You cried out, pleasure crashing over you like a wave. A few moments later, shivers raced through your body. You clenched the sheets of his bed tightly, your fingers still pumping and teasing your clit as your orgasm tore through you first. At the sight, Jakeâs abs clenched, and with a groan of your name, he came too. Thin streams of white cum spilled from the tip of his cock, and he moaned in pleasure at the release. But honestly, he didnât care much about his own climax. His eyes were locked on youâsprawled out on his bed, your stomach rising and falling rapidly with each ragged breath, your lips parted in a perfect O, your hair wild, and your legs trembling.
Jake slowly stood up, wiping away the remnants of his release before pulling his boxers back on. At the sight of you lying there, relaxed and half-lidded, he asked, âCan I⊠can I come closer to you, little one?â
You opened your eyes and tried to sit up slightly, but the sticky wetness began to seep out of you, and you moaned at the sensation. At the sight, Jakeâs smile returned, and he said, âSee? I told you I could make you come without even touching you, sweetheart.â
You let out a weak, breathless giggle, still trembling from the last waves of pleasure. You watched Jake stretch his arm toward the nightstand to grab a tissue, then lean toward you on the bed with a naturalness and care that left you breathless. You felt his large, warm hands settle firmly but gently on your thigh to keep you still, and then he cleaned you slowly, with no rush or malice in his gaze, treating you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. Your eyes never left his, not even for a millisecond, captivated by the sweetness in his expression.
When he finished and tossed the tissue into the trash can beside the bed, you shyly tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear, your cheeks still warm from everything that had just happened. Seeing you so timid, Jake leaned toward you again, offering you the T-shirt youâd taken off earlier. He knew perfectly well that youâd just taken giant steps, having been half-naked and vulnerable in front of him, and he didnât want to ruin the magic of the moment by rushing things.
âLift your arms, sweetheart,â he said softly, and you did as he asked. He slid his oversized T-shirt down over your body, dressing you completely. As soon as the fabric covered you, moved by an impulse of gratitude and affection, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him forcefully toward you to kiss him.
Jake hadnât expected you to kiss him of your own free will at all. Heâd expected that, once the moment had passed, you might tease him or hide under the covers. Instead, you leaned forward and gently pulled his lower lip between your teeth, trapping it between your lips almost as a victory for everything that had happened.
Jake groaned against your lips a mix of a surprised grunt and a deep, pleasure-filled moan that vibrated in the back of his throatâas he instinctively placed his large hands on your hips to steady both of you on the mattress. Your mouths sought each other with a new urgency every time you had to pull apart to catch your breath. When you timidly slid your tongue against his, tasting him, you felt Jake smile against your mouth.
âFuck, Y/n⊠youâre really driving me crazy tonight,â he whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from you. Heâd become a full-on clingy boy with you. After a few seconds, Jake slowly pulled back to give you space, and you looked at him with infinite sweetness. âThank you, Jake,â you said.
He smiled almost timidly, for the first time since youâd known himâand opened his arms on the bed in a silent invitation to hug you again. You didnât need to be told twice. You nestled against his massive chest, inhaling his reassuring scent of pine, and pressed your head into the warm hollow of his neck.
Jake pulled you close, wrapping you completely in his strong, protective body. For long minutes, you both stayed there, still and embraced in the silence of the room, lulled only by the sound of your heartbeats slowly returning to normal and the patter of rain against the roof of the house. Eventually, you pulled back slightly from his chest and lifted your chin to look at him.
Jake was there, watching you from above, his ears relaxed and his gaze attentive. In that moment, he would have given anything for the ability to read your mind and know exactly what was going through that little head of yours.
Suddenly, though, he noticed your eyes growing glossy, filling with tears ready to spill down your cheeks. Jakeâs heart literally skipped a beat, and his face painted an expression of pure panic, he thought he might have done or said something wrong.
âHey, hey⊠little one, no, donât cry!â he exclaimed, gently squeezing your shoulders. âDid I⊠was I too rough? Did I do or say something you didnât like? I swear, I just wanted to...â
Before he could finish, you pressed a finger directly to his lips to silence him, cutting off the stream of anxious apologies.
âYou⊠you made me realize that I need to talk to people, Jake. But most of all, you taught me that, after a while, I need to start tearing down my own protective walls⊠and thatâs exactly what I managed to do tonight with you,â you said, looking him straight in the eyes. âI really donât know how to thank you. Youâve been so patient with me, you never backed down from anything, and youâve respected me from the very first moment I walked into this house. So⊠no, donât be sad. These tears are just pure joy,â you concluded, weakly giggling as you wiped your face with the edge of his T-shirt sleeve.
Jake sighed deeply, feeling a knot of tension finally dissolve in his chest. A small smile formed on his lips as he lifted his hands to caress your face, using his thumbs with infinite gentleness to wipe away the last tears wetting your cheeks.
For days, since youâd confessed you wanted to have sex with him and shared everything that had happened to you, heâd feared he was too overbearing, too abrupt, or simply âwrongâ for a sensitive girl like you. But in that moment, lulled by your strawberry scent, now free of any trace of fear, Jake finally felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âI only did what any guy worthy of being by your side would have done, Y/n,â he murmured softly and sincerely, looking at you with a tenderness he rarely showed outside the walls of that room. He was only ever this sweet with his family and his pack⊠not even with his teammates, with whom he spent hours training, had he ever been this honest in his life. But you shook your head, pressing your cheek against his warm palm.
âNo other guy would have done thisâŠâ you said quietly, meeting his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassment creep back in but determined not to lose that beautiful harmony, you continued with a clearly shy but resolute tone: âNow⊠yes, for next time, Iâd like things to be less planned. Iâd like them to flow more naturally between us. When they happen, theyâll happen⊠though, obviously, I expect it to happen again as soon as possible!â You said this while playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt, hoping heâd understand what you meant.
Jakeâs eyes widened slightly, surprised by that sudden burst of boldness, and he burst into laughter as he watched you make yourself smaller. At the sight, he gently pinched your side, knowing you were ticklish, and said: âDamn⊠Whereâs the shy, reserved girl who struggled to even look me in the eye gone? Donât tell me Iâve created a creature whoâs greedy for my touch, or that now you canât do without me?â
You laughed heartily when his fingers started lightly tickling your sides, making you curl up against him on the mattress. To defend yourself, you rolled your eyes dramatically and teased him, playfully tapping his muscular chest:Â âOh, please, Sim! Donât get a big head. Youâre the âgolden boyâ of the team, the âfrat boyâ everyone dreams aboutâI think that guy disappeared a while ago thanks to me. So before you talk, think about how you canât stop finding excuses to touch me!âYou laughed as Jake intensified the tickling.
Without stopping his smile, he leaned over you, pressed his soft lips to your forehead, and then moved up through your hair, leaving a reassuring kiss on you. When he pulled back slightly, his eyes shone with a hopeful light, finally making you understand that you could trust him.
âWill you stay tonight, Y/n?â he asked this time, stopping his teasing. You made a thoughtful pout and then slowly nodded, pulling him back to you by the shoulders, welcoming him into your embrace again.
But that happy ending hadnât yet provided the right answers: What were you and Jake? How would he balance university, your constant presence in his routine, and being the captain of the soccer team, which was under the spotlight of scouts looking for the best striker for their teams? How would he balance his human nature with his hybrid one, with you getting closer and closer to him? And how would he get through his first heat as a hybrid, knowing you were his mate and that he wanted you for himself forever?
*pairing: pervy wolf hybrid Jake x human student girl
*trope: popular playboy x nerdy girl-tutoring
*inspiration: off campus book 1
*synopsis: Jake only had one problem: History. He's always been good at any subject, especially since balancing being the captain of the football team and studying engineering is no walk in the park, but his lack of history could compromise everything, and when he saw a girl holding the text with the word 100 written on it, he realized that you could be his only chance of getting through that damned subject.
But what would it sweat if tutor sessions began to become moments where he could be himself, where you began to open up after a long time to a person and discover that jake wasn't as much of a womanizer and you weren't as broken as you thought you were?
*tags: Jake is a playboy at first but after a while you arouse his curiosity, Y/n at first is skeptical of letting Jake into her life, Y/n suffered violence in high school (I won't write anything about this act also because my stories have to be a fun) many kisses, Jake is a wolf hybrid and little by little he will become territorial but also clingy with Y/n, Y/n thinks she's broken but Jake will trust her both intimately and physically, visual masturbation, protected sex, unprotected sex (dont' horny ppl) knotting, jealousy, possession, sucking to claim Y/n, declaration, +18, little bit angst, pet names (jakey) (baby, sweetheart)
banner by: @eightnyn *wc: 37k
The Contemporary History classroom was packed with students, and Jake was there, neither at the front nor at the back, but right in the middle, where he could observe everyone.
His knee wouldnât stop bouncing with anxiety, his wolf ears were perked up, and his tail, just like his knee, twitched with every breath he took and youâre probably wondering: ears and a tail? Well, yesâhe was a hybrid, specifically a wolf hybrid. For decades now, humans had shared everything with hybrids: from everyday jobs to school lessons, from apartments to entire neighborhoods where humans and hybrids lived side by side without resistance. Mixed couples were even trendy by nowâno, more than trendy, they were fully accepted in society, especially in big cities. You could see them everywhere: in malls, restaurants, or parks, with hybrid children, kids with rabbit ears or fox tails playing alongside human ones and that sight warmed Jakeâs heart more than anything, because hybrids had endured so much racial discrimination and persecution but finally, things were changing, and he had played a small part in that revolution.
In that classroom, humans were still the majority, but that was normal, especially at the university, where hybrids like him had only been admitted a few years earlier. Jake, however, was an exception: about a year ago, heâd been elected captain of the soccer team, the first hybrid to ever hold that position. Thanks to him, the number of hybrids in both recreational and competitive sports had risen. One of his best friends, Heeseung a hamster hybrid had even followed in his footsteps and become captain of the basketball team.
But back to the present: Jake was in that half-anxious state because the professor was handing back the history exams. Letâs just say that, as an engineering student, he didnât care much for the subjectâespecially since it was just an elective. But it carried a lot of credits, and the reason he disliked it was simple: his engineerâs mind thrived on logic, formulas, structural calculations, and precise physical dynamics things with no room for interpretation. History, with all its dates, nuanced socio-political contexts, and long texts to memorize, just felt like a waste of time to him⊠even if he did find the revolutions between humans and hybrids fascinating.
Still, he needed to pass all his classes to stay captain of the university team and to catch the attention of scouts from the big professional leagues, who didnât tolerate academic slippage. He had to be the perfect student and the perfect player. So when the professor approached his desk, her expression was almost apologetic, as if she knew the potential of the young man in front of her. Jake did have excellent grades in every subject⊠except hers.
The test paper slid across the wooden desk, and at the topâcircled in red marker (a color that, unfortunately for him, was not in his pendant) was a glaring 45 out of 100 and to make matters worse, it wasnât even close to passing.
The professor peered at him over her glasses and said, âJake, I hope for your sake that next time you at least manage a basic passing grade. Otherwise, Iâll have to report this to Coach, and we all know how strict Coach Smith is about academic performance.â
He nodded, and his tail suddenly stopped moving, drooping down and tucking itself under the chair. He nearly slumped over his desk, staring at that disastrous grade. His right hand fidgeted nervously through his soft hair, right at the base of his tense ears, as if trying to ease the tension. He sighed heavily, racking his brain for solutions but there were none. All his closest friends were in different majors, and if he didnât find a fix fast, his soccer dream would be over before it even began.
Unbeknownst to him, just a few rows away sat a girl twirling her pen, completely unbothered about her history test grade. She watched the professor intently as she moved between the desks, papers in hand.
Suddenly, you felt a sharp elbow nudge from your best friend. âStop staring at the professor!â Allie hissed. âShe probably saved your test for last, one of the first three sheâs handing out just so she can praise you in front of everyone. We all know youâre the biggest nerd in here.â
You rolled your eyes, exasperated but amused, as Allie sat there sipping her fruit smoothie her latest attempt at this âfructarianâ diet, while her own test, a modest but honest 70, lay forgotten beside her. With absolute nonchalance, she scrolled through an online sexy shop store, browsing through undeniably sexy sets at prices that would make any other girlâs wallet tremble...but not hers.
âStop looking at your phone,â you whispered back, giving her a light shove. âIf the professor saw you scrolling through a sex shop right now, sheâd have a heart attack. I bet she doesnât even know the difference between a thong and a Brazilian.â
Allie let out a snort, nearly spitting her drink all over the guy in front of her. She slammed her phone down on the desk just in time, because the professor finally stopped in front of you, her face breaking into a full, thirty-two-tooth grin.
âY/n, Iâm not even surprised anymore,â she said. âBut you know I struggle to give out perfect scores. Still, this last test of yours on the Cold War and the geopolitical dynamics of the Soviet bloc⊠itâs simply flawless. The knowledge youâve shown, the historical interpretations, even the extra research you included on the Cuban Missile Crisis...itâs all perfect. Iâm so proud to have you in my class. Itâs a shame youâre not majoring in history, because if you were, youâd be unstoppable.â
You smiled, thinking about how everyone had always told you to study history or political science but your love for music was stronger. âWell, itâs my job to study, get good grades, and give it my all especially in history, since you know itâs one of my favorite subjects,â you said shyly, feeling the eyes of half the class turn toward you.
Then the paper slid onto your desk, revealing a bold, perfect 100 in red ink. Allie, ever the dramatic one, blurted out way too loudly: âHoly shit, you actually got a 100?! We studied together the whole time...how the hell did I only get a 70? Okay, Iâm not complaining, but damn, Y/n!â She stared at you, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out like a wounded puppy. You shrugged, suddenly self-conscious under all the attention, and tried to cover the test with your hands but Allie was fasterâshe snatched it right out from under you, held it up to her face, and before you could protest, sheâd already pulled out her phone, snapped a crystal-clear photo of the red 100, and sent it to your friend group chat, roasting you for being such a nerd.
Your phone buzzed nonstop with the incoming messages from your friends, all teasing you affectionately. Meanwhile, a few rows back, a pair of wolf ears suddenly perked up, drawn by the noise and the word â100.â Who the hell had gotten a 100? It was practically impossible in an elective class. His amber eyes locked onto your back, and in that moment, he realized heâd just found his only lifeline to passing Contemporary History.
Jake couldnât look away. Not even when the bell rang, signaling freedom. His mind was consumed by a single thought:Â He had never seen anyone get a perfect score in his entire university career and when he saw you stand up, followed by the blonde girl he assumed was your best friend, his instincts flared to life. The wolf in him, the one that drove him to chase, to track down what was vital for his survival (or in this case, his scholarship) awoke with a jolt. Because letâs be real: in his life, there was only room for one thing:Â Soccer
And at the thought, a surge of adrenaline shot down his spine, making his ears snap forward and his tail muscles twitch back to life, swinging wildly with excitement at the idea of meeting you.
He shot to his feet, shoving his notebook haphazardly into his bag without even zipping it shut. Weaving through the maze of wooden desks, he spotted you stepping into the universityâs main atrium. Jake quickened his pace, using his athleteâs stride, until he was just a few steps behind you, right in the middle of the chaos: students switching classes, others heading to the campus bars.
âHey, Chloe!â he called out, loud enough to be heard, throwing out a random name heâd picked up somewhere in the classroom. The truth was, he had no idea what your name actually was and, honestly, heâd never seen you at one of his famous Friday night parties, nor cheering from the stands during league matches. That fact unsettled him a little⊠but it also piqued his curiosity.
Of course, you didnât turn around, because, obviously, your name wasnât Chloe. You just kept walking and talking to Allie. But Jake wasnât about to give up. He took two quick steps forward and tried again, this time stretching out a hand to intercept you.Â
âHey, Chloe! Iâm talking to you!â he said, a little louder this time.
Finally, you spun around. And that was the moment Jake saw you up close for the first time, no filters, no distance of desks between you. A lightning-fast thought shot through his mind: Damn. Not only is she a terrifyingly smart nerd, but sheâs also ridiculously cute. He took in your eyes, framed by a faint shadow of annoyance, as they swept over him from head to toe, far from impressed by the figure smiling at you.
âYou mean me?â you asked, pointing at your chest with one finger, while Allie stopped beside you, staring at him in confusion.
âYeah, you,â Jake confirmed.
You rolled your eyes. âWell, for starters, my name is Y/n. Not Chloe⊠you werenât even close.â You looked at him bluntly, and at those words, Jakeâs wolf ears drooped slightly, flattening against his soft hair in embarrassment. Before he could apologize or come up with one of his usual ready-made excuses, a sharp, ironic voice cut in from beside you.
âJake Sim is seriously talking to Y/n? Whatâs this, did you come here to ask for more signatures to sponsor your precious soccer team? Or were you sent by your little basketball buddy, Heeseung, to do his dirty work? Because if youâre here for charity signatures, weâre not interested. The universityâs already cutting tons of funding from both the theater and music majors because of you and your best friend,â Allie said, her expression dripping with disdain.
Jakeâs head snapped toward the blonde, annoyed by the intrusion but forcing himself to keep his cool. âNo,â he replied, straightening up and turning back to you, locking his eyes onto yours. âIâm here because I need to talk to Y/n. About something important.â
At his direct statement, you instinctively crossed your arms over your chest, pressing them tightly as if creating an invisible shield between you and him, a gesture born from deep insecurity and the trauma you still carried inside. The sudden movement didnât go unnoticed by the hybrid in front of you.
Jake distinctly felt your heartbeat speed up. At the same time, his nose picked up the sudden shift in your scent: the clean aroma of your skin was abruptly overpowered by a sharp, acidic trail, the unmistakable feromone signature of discomfort, mixed with a warm, suffocating note of pure embarrassment. The unwanted attention and physical proximity of an alpha male, especially one like him, had triggered it.
He ran a hand through his brown hair, furrowing his brow deeply as he studied your reaction with a mix of perplexity and concern. His wolf side picked up on your distress like an alarm signal. Why does my mere presence make her feel so threatened or uncomfortable? He wondered. Usually, girls fell over themselves to get a word or a glance from him.
Left alone with him in the atrium, you immediately took two steps back, putting more distance between you and Jake. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other, clutching your books against your chest, and fixed your gaze on him.
âSo, Jake Sim, youâve got two minutes. Tell me what you want.â
Jake studied you carefully, analyzing every tiny movement. His tail gave a slight, excited wag from side to side at finally having your attention, but he stopped it instantly, not wanting to reveal even that small loss of composure. He cleared his throat and said:
âYeah, well⊠sorry for calling you Chloe. I just didnât remember your name.â
You merely responded with a sharp nod, and Jake realized he needed to get to the point before time ran out. So, he decided to pull out the big guns: he unleashed his full Playboy charm, squaring his muscular shoulders and tilting his head slightly to the side with a crooked, magnetic smile. Along with his posture, his hybrid nature did the restâwithout realizing it, he released a subtle but intense trail of reassuring pheromones into the air around you. A warm, clean scent filled the space, a mix of citrus and something salty, blended with his natural hybrid scent. It was the kind of biological chemistry wolves used to charm people, lower their defenses, and make them instinctively feel safe and drawn to them, but he didnât yet know that with you, it would be extremely difficult.
âI saw you got a 100 on that test earlier, and first of all, congratulations. Seriously⊠not everyone can pull off a score like that in an elective class,â he said, taking an almost imperceptible step closer to you. âAnd second⊠I was wondering if youâd be willing to tutor me. I know a lot of people do it for academic credits, but I figure youâve probably got enough of those already, if you scored a 100, youâre probably acing all your major classes. Or maybe for money? So I was wondering if youâd give me private lessons. I desperately need to pass Contemporary History. Especially since itâs an extra-curricular subject for me, and itâs worth double the structural credits. If I donât pass⊠Iâm screwed.â He finished with a crooked little smile, but you didnât take the bait.
The trauma youâd experienced in high school had made you completely immune to the shameless charm of popular guys, and your mind rigidly resisted even his wolf pheromones, pushing them away like a self-defense mechanism. You looked at him with no emotion at all. âThanks for the compliment on my grade, but no. I donât tutor anyone. And as youâve already figured out, Iâve got all the credits I need, and even if weâre talking about money, which, sure, every student could useâIâve got a ton of studying for my own classes. Plus, Iâm in the university choir, and that takes up a lot of time because Iâm studying music.â You said all this while keeping your gaze lowered, almost avoiding his face, focused instead on the colorful bookmarks invading your notes. This total indifference deeply unsettled him.
Jake was used to humans hanging on his every word, to girls who would pay just to spend an hour alone with the team captain. Being rejected like this without so much as a glance wounded his alpha male pride and confused him. Sensing that you might not even like his presence, he took a step back, furrowing his brow, and blurted out in one breath:
âIs it because Iâm a hybrid that you donât want to tutor me? Or because you think that, as the soccer team captain, Iâm just another shallow idiot who canât balance engineering studies with training?â
At those words, your eyes widened, struck by how suddenly vulnerable and frustrated his voice sounded as he looked at you. You responded with a flurry of gestures: âNo, no! Itâs not that at all!â you exclaimed sincerely. âEven if a human had asked me, I wouldâve said no, Jake. Iâm really sorry⊠especially because I know balancing engineering studies and being the soccer team captain comes with a lot of pressure ut if you check the bulletin board in the atrium or the universityâs official forum, in the history section, I bet youâll find a tutor way better than meâŠIâŠIâve got to go now, yeah, Iâm meeting Allie.â
You said this with slightly flushed cheeks, still not looking him in the face, and began walking quickly down the hallway, almost hunching your shoulders as if afraid he might follow you or reach out to stop you. His fully matured wolf instincts immediately picked up on something strange in your sudden flight. His nose caught that your scent was no longer just annoyed; now it carried a clear trail of fear, and maybe even something vulnerable, and Jake didnât understand why.
They called him the golden boy of campus for a reason, no one had ever run away from him before. In fact, it was usually the opposite. He stood frozen, watching you disappear into the faculty crowd, his ears perked up, his mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. Your terrified reaction intrigued him, drove him wild. Because Jake Sim, when he wanted something, always got it and his wolf side had just decided that you, sooner or later, would be his tutor, no matter the cost and maybe, over time, something more than just a tutor. But that was something youâd both discover laterâŠÂ certainly not today.
The university campusâs main bar was nearly closing by that time, but you still had another half-hour left before your afternoon shift behind the counter ended. To pass the time and get ahead on your assignments, youâd set your laptop directly on the counter, trying to focus on your next project, studying music. You needed to dive deep into the acoustic composition of sounds and the various instrumental timbres to create balanced arrangements, ensuring the sound was perfect. Your dream was to become a singer, but youâd also love to work as a songwriter or composer. Your hearing was hyper-developed, and youâd already received requests from music agencies.
However, at that moment, music theory was the last thing on your mind. Your eyes kept wandering from the screen, drawn to the brightest corner of the bar, where Soobin was sitting. He was a Communication Sciences student specializing in Digital Media, and he played on the campus basketball team. Letâs just say you had a slight crush on him. Your head was lazily resting in the palm of your left hand, while your right hand sipped through a straw on a refreshing seasonal drink youâd made for yourself. You couldnât help but admire how incredibly cute Soobin was: he was tall, over 185 cm which was probably why he was on the basketball team, you thought as you took in his lean, athletic build. His hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a constantly sweet, approachable vibe and then, suddenly, his infectious laughter echoed through the bar, and an involuntary little pout formed on your face when you saw his famous dimples appear on his cheeks, giving him an irresistible puppy-like aura.
Seriously? Soobin?â Jakeâs bright, ironic voice cut through the air. âWhatâs so charming about that guy? Heâs always half-clumsy and doesnât even know which way a door swings unless heâs on a basketball court.â
At those words, your drink nearly went down the wrong pipe. When you straightened up, there he was, Jake, standing right in front of you. His worn-out soccer bag was slung over one shoulder, his dark hair still slightly damp from his post-training shower, and that usual smirk of his that always got under your skin. Caught red-handed, you blushed furiously and stammered:
âSoobin? I...I have no idea who youâre talking about!â You pointed at yourself, then frantically looked around to divert attention, but Jake just flashed that crooked grin of his, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement.
âOh, come on! I could help you get to know him, you know? And especially get noticed. Did you know he plays on the same team as my best friend Heeseung? He comes to almost all our weekend parties.â He turned to glance at Soobin, and you shot him a dirty look.
âHard pass. Now⊠what drink or food would you like to order, Jake?â As you said it, your fingers pressed a little too hard on the barâs computer keyboard.
âEasy: tutoring from you in history to pass the next two exams,â he said with nonchalance.
You stared at him, exasperated, and let out a long sigh. âYou really donât like hearing âno,â do you?â
At that, his wolf tail, which was peeking out from under his sports hoodie gave a slight, rhythmic wag. You didnât know much about hybrid anatomy or behavior, but to Jake, that involuntary movement meant one very clear thing: he was incredibly stimulated by your resistance toward him. It was almost like a challenge, and it excited him to no end. Jake loved competition, and right now, you were a very compelling one.
âMmm, I knew you were a sharp girl, sweetheart,â he said with total nonchalance. Your cheeks burned, and you stammered, âSweetheart?!â
He chuckled, thoroughly amused. âWell, yeah, itâs a cute nickname. Though, to be honest, thereâs not much âsweetâ about you right now.â He gifted you one of his perfect smiles.
âTell me what you want to drink or eat, or just leave,â you said sharply, crossing your arms over your chest, annoyed by the way his eyes had briefly flicked to the neckline of your shirt. Jake raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
âFine, fine. A hot caramel macchiato and a slice of Black Forest cake. Youâll bring it to my table, right? Especially since⊠Iâve decided Iâll go sit right across from Soobin.â He pointed at the guy youâd been admiring earlier. With that, he tapped his phone on the card reader, paying with a quick beep, leaving you standing there, stunned and speechless. You muttered a low curse under your breath: âI hope the cake chokes him.â
You watched as Jake sat down with absolute ease right at Soobinâs table, and you huffed in frustration. But before you could do anything, the two guys exchanged a quick, athletic handshakeâa sign of brotherhood among teammates. You knew Jake could help you get closer to Soobin, who smiled at him. A moment later, Jake turned his head slightly toward the counter, catching your gaze, and shot you a smug, triumphant grin.
In just five minutes, Jakeâs order was ready. With the tray clutched in your slightly trembling hands, you walked toward the table where Jake and Soobin were sitting. Trying to keep your voice as professional and detached as possible, you said:
âHey, guys. Hereâs the Blackforest cake and the caramel macchiato.â You set the plate and cup down in front of Jake, who watched you intently. âThanks, Y/n,â he said.
You hoped to turn on your heel and flee as quickly as possible, but Jake, of course, spoke up immediately to keep you there, so Soobin would notice you and remember your name.
âSoobin, this is Y/n. Weâre in the same Contemporary History class, and sheâs a total genius. She scored a terrifying 100 on the last test,â Jake said, addressing not just Soobin but also the other basketball players sitting around the table, who proceeded to compliment you. Soobinâs eyes widened, clearly impressed, and he looked at you with that gentle, heart-melting way of his. âYou seriously got a 100 in that extracurricular class? Wow⊠whatâs your major? You know, Iâve been struggling with those geohistory exams too. We could study together sometime, you could give me some pointers, and weâd help each other out,â he said with a shy smile.
Your cheeks instantly turned a deep burgundy, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment from the guy you liked. You just managed a timid smile and a nod.
Jake, observing the scene with the precision of a predator, knew full well that Soobin had taken the bait. With total nonchalance, he interrupted the moment before Soobin could elaborate, speaking in a tone that was falsely apologetic but incredibly possessive:
âSoobin, I hate to disappoint you, but sheâs already taken. You know Iâm a disaster in history, and the team desperately needs me to be up to date with all my classes for the championship⊠so Iâve already asked Y/n to give me private tutoring. I couldnât possibly pass up an opportunity like having the best tutor around.â He looked at you with that crooked grin of his, and you shot him a furious glare, clenching your fist so tightly against your apron that your knuckles turned white.
âI study music⊠but if youâre having trouble, Soobin, I could still find time to...â
But Soobin shook his hands and cut you off with a sincere smile. âNo, no, donât waste your precious time on me! I only play basketball for fun, to help the team. Iâll never be a professional athlete like Heeseung or Jake. You absolutely should tutor Jake. Guys, if he doesnât have all his classes in order, the federation will exclude him from the university championship and right now, there are scouts from the national leagues watching him...theyâre carefully evaluating whether his public and academic image is perfect before offering him a contract in a higher soccer league.â
At those words, you furrowed your brow, and your eyes widened slightly. You knew Jake was good at soccer, he was the captain, after all but you hadnât realized how serious the situation was. There were actually professional scouts involved, and his entire future depended on those damn history tests?
Jake, as he nibbled on his slice of cake, savoring his victory, doubled down: âSee, Y/n? Even Soobinâs asking you. I seriously need your help. And remember⊠if you ever wanted to ask me for anything in return, or needed some special help with someone, Iâd be more than happy to return the favor.â As he said this, he gave you a knowing wink, subtly nodding his chin toward Soobin. You rolled your eyes, was he blackmailing you under the guise of helping?
âIs your tail always moving like that?â You pointed at it with one finger.
Jakeâs mouth fell open in embarrassment, completely caught off guard, no one had ever asked him something so direct before, especially not a girl calling him out on an uncontrollable reflex tied to his hybrid nature. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. âLetâs just say my tail and generally, the tails of hybrids who have them reflects our emotions. We canât control it. Itâs an involuntary reflex of our nervous system,â he explained, trying to relax.
You looked at him, curious. âAnd what emotion are you feeling right now, Jake? We literally just left a bar and are walking toward campus. I donât think youâre feeling some great emotion⊠especially not in my company,â you muttered under your breath, almost to yourself but his wolf ears picked up every single word, even the way youâd said it. Jake furrowed his brow but decided not to make a big deal out of the fact that heâd heard. He looked you straight in the eyes and said:
âAnxiety? Anxiety over your verdict. Sorry if Iâm being pushy, but history is literally the only subject Iâm bad at, and youâre my last hope⊠I already checked the university forums like you suggested, but no one has your grades, and honestly, none of them inspire much confidence. So my tailâs wagging like this because Iâm anxious to know if youâve changed your mind. Is that okay?â
You sighed deeply, clutching your books to your chest, and stayed silent for a few steps as you walked along the campus paths lit by streetlamps. You thought it over, weighing the importance of his future and the veiled blackmail about Soobin, until you finally said:
âI decide when and where the tutoring sessions happen. Obviously, weâll have to work around our academic schedules. And I donât want to be messed around: if you want to pass history, you actually have to commit. No excuses...neither about soccer nor anything else and I want you to be honest if you donât understand something. In addition to our sessions, you need to study on your own at home. Iâm not doing all the work for you. Just like in soccer, you have to put in the effort in this subject too.â
You said it all in one breath, setting down ironclad rules to protect your boundaries. Jakeâs eyes widened, his ears snapping straight up in surprise. âWait⊠does this mean⊠youâll tutor me for the next few months?â he asked. This time, his tail moved differently, and you wondered if it meant he was happy.
You nodded resignedly, bringing a hand to your face. âI just hope itâs worth it⊠and that I donât lose my patience with you by the first session,â you muttered.
At your confirmation, Jake, overwhelmed with relief and happiness, completely lost control of his human inhibitions. Without realizing it, he lunged forward and pulled you into a tight hug. He pressed you against his broad, warm chest, wrapping you completely in his strong, athletic arms. You froze, stiff as a block of ice, and your heart skipped a beat from the sudden physical contact.
Why was he hugging you? God, you hated physical contact, especially with people you didnât know or trust. The memory of what youâd gone through in high school came rushing back like a slap. Your hands began to tremble slightly against your books, and you couldnât bring yourself to place them on Jakeâs back to reciprocate. You stayed motionless, breathless.
Jake, being a hybrid, immediately noticed how rigid you were in his arms. His body sensed your instant stiffness, but it was your scent that changed in a millisecond under his hyper-developed nose. The sweet, clean strawberry scent of your skin was literally overpowered by an intense, acidic trail, the unmistakable signature of negative emotions: primal panic, terror, and shock. It was the scent of someone who felt attacked, not just surprised by a hug. His wolf instinct, which never failed when it came to deciphering pheromones, picked up on that internal danger signal. It forced him to pull away from you immediately. Seeing you silent, your hands shaking, your expression blank, and your eyes wide and empty, Jake felt a pang of guilt, he was afraid heâd crossed a line with you.
Oh God, Iâm sorry⊠I⊠I didnât mean to,â he said, slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and messing it up nervously as he saw you still standing completely stiff in front of him.
âI⊠I really like physical contact when Iâm happy or relieved. Itâs a hybrid thing...we tend to be pack-oriented⊠I didnât mean to scare you,â he said, gesturing with his hands. You swallowed hard, trying to regain control of your breathing, and gave a weak nod. âYeah⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids, but please⊠just donât do it again with me, okay? No hugs.â You shifted even farther away from him.
Seeing how shaken you still were, he nodded seriously, his ears lowering in a sign of submission and respect toward you. âOkay, okay, no hugs. Iâll message you on Instagram later, alright? So we can exchange numbers and set up our first lesson.â
You nodded one last time with a quick motion and hurried toward your apartment, desperate only to close the door behind you and sink into a long, hot bath.
Jake stood frozen on the path, watching your figure disappear into the dim light. His ears were tense, motionless, and his tail was completely still. His predator and protective wolf instincts took over everything else because that drastic and terrifying shift in your scent wasnât normal for a girl your age. As he furrowed his brow, the wolf inside him had just caught the scent of a painful secret you were trying to hide.
What are you hiding thatâs so serious, sweetheart? he muttered under his breath. Who reduced you to this?
Without realizing it, Jakeâs instinct had just vowed that he would uncover the truth and whoever had hurt you would be gone, long before you even saw it coming.
You had arranged everything with Jake down to the last detail in your messages: the library, west wing, at 4:00 PM sharp. He had replied with a thumbs-up, promising heâd be there. But now it was nearly 4:15, and there was still no sign of him. Curious, youâd even checked the official team schedule to see if he had practice but Monday was marked as a full rest day for the soccer players.
That excuse, then, couldnât possibly justify his lateness. You sat there, nervously tapping your pen against the table, your laptop open to your notes and the heavy Contemporary History textbook splayed open to the chapter on World War I. You glanced around every three seconds, but there was still no trace of Jake. Finally, you huffed in frustration, running a hand through your hair.
âWhat the hell⊠why did I agree to this?â you muttered under your breath and just at that moment, you heard the study room door swing open with a little too much force. There he was: Jake, zigzagging hastily between the empty tables, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His dark hair bounced against his forehead with every quick step, and his fluffy wolf ears swayed with the movement. When he finally reached you and leaned over the table to set down his bag, your senses immediately picked up on something that made you stiffen. Beyond his usual wild, warm scent, the air was filled with an unmistakably sweet, almost floral note...a girlâs perfume that was definitely not yours.
âDonât tell me youâre 23 minutes late because you were hooking up with some girl,â you said, staring him straight in the eyes with a look that could have killed him. At those words, you watched his wolf ears drop instantly, flattening completely against the sides of his head in a clear sign of surrender and submission. Even his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie, dropped abruptly and went still between his legs. You caught a glimpse of his cheeks turning a deep red with embarrassment. His hybrid sense of smell must have already told him you were furious, and Jake swallowed hard, he knew heâd been caught red-handed.
âI...I⊠no, not a girl! Itâs just⊠the elevator in the guysâ dorm got stuck, I swear! And, um, there just happened to be a girl in there with me⊠thatâs why I smell like thisâŠâ he said, giving you his best puppy-dog eyesâbut he knew instantly it wouldnât work on you.
âI wasnât born yesterday, Jake, and I know perfectly well you donât have practice today,â you said, crossing your arms firmly over your chest. âI saw in the universityâs official vlog that soccer players rest on Mondays. So why do you have your soccer bag?â
Backed into a corner, Jake tried to play it cool to lighten the mood, smirking as he curled his lips into that usual crooked smile that drove girls wild. âOh, so youâve been stalking me? I didnât know you were already this interested in my routine, sweetheart.â
Your eyes widened, stunned by his audacity. You seriously wanted to slap him, but the only thing stopping you was the fact that you were in a public place.
âI havenât been stalking you! I just wanted to know if you were late for a valid reason, like soccer. But apparently, thatâs not the case,â you said, pointing with a sharp flick of your pen at his hair, which was far too disheveled to be the result of just running down a hallway.
He rolled his eyes slightly, then lowered his voice and stretched his hands across the table toward you. âCome on, Y/n, Iâm sorry⊠I lost track of time, okay? It wonât happen again, I promise. Now letâs sit down and open the books. Iâm all yours for the next few hours,â he said, winking at you. But you stopped him immediately, you were really angry, and even though your voice was a whisper to avoid getting kicked out of the library, your tone was unmistakably sharp.
âNo, Jake. Listen carefully. This is exactly why I didnât want to tutor anyone, especially not someone like you. You have zero respect for the time someone else is giving you, sacrificing their own studies to help you. If your absolute priority on this campus is to play the playboy, show up late to every lesson, and take my help for granted, then know this: this will be the first and last session we ever have. Consider this goodbye. You can say hello to failing that test, losing your captainâs armband, and kissing goodbye to every professional league scout watching you! I donât waste my time on people who wonât commit to something they asked me for. I donât recall chasing you down, begging to tutor you!â
For the first time in a long time, Jake felt corneredânot just by the harshness of your words, but by the fact that you werenât like all the other girls who fell at his feet. For the first time, the team captain had found someone who wasnât willing to let him off the hook for anything. Deep down, he knew he had to step up, and perhaps, beneath the surface, he felt the need to get his act together.
âIâm sorry, Y/n. From now on, Iâll always be on time. I promise,â he said seriously, extending his pinky finger to make a childish âpinky promiseâ in an attempt to lighten the mood. You studied his expression carefully to see if he was sincere, then said:
âIâll let it slide this time, but itâs the last warning, Jake.â
Then you looked at his outstretched finger, and though reluctant, you wrapped your pinky around his. In that brief moment when your skin touched, you both felt something an adrenaline rush that stole your breath, while for Jake, it was yet another confirmation that his wolf side responded intensely to your presence. Deep down, he found himself wanting more.
âToday, weâll start with the triggering causes of World War I and the European alliances of 1914. First, youâll read the text on your own, and Iâll do the same. Then, Iâve prepared five questions here that will help you summarize the entire first chapter about ten pages, to help you understand it better.â
Jake nodded, carefully looking over the first chapter.
âGo ahead and read the chapter first, and if you donât understand something, just ask. Iâm here to help,â you said gently this time. You noticed his tail swaying slightly from side to side under the table, this time with slow, lifted movements.
âGot it, Professor!â he said, saluting like a captain. You sighed, shaking your head, it was maddening how he could act like such a kid.
So, you both began silently reading the first chapter. Thanks to your study habits, you finished in just ten minutes. When you looked up, you expected Jake to be done too, but you realized he was only halfway through the fifth page. You tried your best to look away so as not to stare and make him self-conscious, but Jake had that kind of magnetism anyone within his radius was almost forced to look at him and he was truly handsome, even that day, dressed in just a loose, dark hoodie and comfortable cargo jeans.
His face perfectly embodied the proud aura of a wolf: thick, black hair that created a stunning contrast with his soft, slightly dark gray ears, which occasionally twitched or moved at the slightest sounds in the library. His eyes still had a hint of puppy-like charm, framed by long, dark lashes, a large, pronounced nose that suited his facial features divinely, and slightly full but not overly so lips.
And then there were his hands: truly beautiful, large, and well-kept. Your eyes lingered a little too long on the prominent veins on the back of his hands, a testament to the physical strain of his training, adorned with several silver rings.
As you watched him, you saw Jake make a small pout that you found incredibly cute. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair to mess it up nervously.
âStruggling?â you asked softly, and he didnât even look up from the page, answering almost defeatedly: âA little.â
You asked if heâd underlined anything in the book, and he shook his head. âItâs really hard⊠mostly, I struggle to remember all these names of ministers, archdukes, and tsars, and which territories belong to each one,â he sighed. Moved by a sudden wave of understanding, you said something without even realizing it: âYou could use colors as a visual aid, or associate historical dates with the jersey numbers of famous soccer players you know.â
At those words, Jake suddenly looked up, surprised and intrigued. âYouâre telling me to try memorizing historical dates using soccer jersey numbers?â
âYes, and you could also use a different color for each era or nation, so it sticks better in your mind. You can mentally link it to a team. Soccer teams all have different jersey colors, right? The German Empire could be the black jersey, Russia the red one, and so onâŠâ you said, picking up the highlighters. His eyes widened slightly, and a genuine smile lit up his face.
âWow⊠I never thought of that. In engineering, we never use colors, but it actually makes perfect sense for a subject like history!â
At that point, he started asking you a series of general questions to better understand how to apply the trick: he asked for explanations about the year of the Triple Alliance, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and how the European balance had collapsed. You listened, and finally told him:
âAlright, now try to answer at least two of the five questions I prepared for you. But before you write, you need to highlight the parts of the text you find truly important, using the colors we decided on.â
After an hour and a half, youâd covered two chapters, and Jake seemed fully absorbed in his studiesâthanks both to your help and your company. Heâd finally found a rhythm with your color and soccer association method. Then you glanced at the time on your phone screen and sighed loudly. Jake immediately looked up, his ears perking up curiously.
âEverything okay?â
You nodded, starting to gather your things. When he saw you stand up, something inside him snapped he wanted to stay with you, but he didnât understand why.
âYeah, sorry, but I have to go to work. I wouldâve stayed here studying a little longer, but not all of us have a scholarship secured thanks to soccer!â you said, slipping your laptop into your bag. Jake stretched in his chair, the muscles in his shoulders tensing under his loose hoodie, and curled his lips into a smirk.
âWas that a dig at me or at athletes in general?â he asked, pointing at himself. You shrugged. âTake it however you want.â
But Jake wasnât the type to back down easily, and he loved having the last word. So he leaned forward on the table, looking at you intently: âSpoiler: I donât have an athletic scholarship, sweetheart!â
You stared at him with wide eyes, freezing with your bag strap halfway over your shoulder, and stammered, clearly shockedâit was extremely impossible. âH-Howâs that possible? Youâre the team captainâŠâ
He rocked slightly in his chair, and even from there, you could tell that despite being 23, he still acted like a kid. âI was just too good at both sports and school, even back in high school. I didnât need an athletic scholarship, I got in on my grades,â he said smugly. Your mouth snapped shut, and you sighed, running a hand over your face, almost embarrassed.
You chuckled, amused by his excess of self-confidence, and gestured with your hands to tone it down. âDonât be such a know-it-all egotist, Jake! But⊠take it as a personal challenge⊠who knows, maybe not for the next test, itâs too soonbut for the one after that, you might even beat me⊠if you start liking the subject,â you said, openly teasing him with a challenging smile youâd never given any other guy before. Jake lightly bit his lower lip and muttered under his breath: âChallenge accepted, sweetheart.â
You said goodbye with a quick wave and turned, walking briskly to exit the west wing of the library and rush to the bar for your shift, your heart beating suspiciously fast.
As you walked away, Jakeâs hybrid instincts were literally rejoicing inside him. Under the table, his tail began to wag frantically, and his ears stretched forward to catch the sound of your footsteps. His wolf instinct was celebrating a double victory: not only had he managed to get you to give in and tutor him, but heâd just discovered that behind your cold, defensive armor, there was a girl capable of challenging him and holding her own with wit and that drove him wild. But what made him gloat the most was the scent youâd left in the air when you said goodbye: your smell of fear had faded, replaced by something sweeter and he couldnât wait for the next lesson.
You and Jake had been studying together for two weeks now, and you would NEVER have imagined that, deep down, he wasnât actually so bad. Sure, he was still a living jester...no lesson passed without him trying to tease you but there was one thing that had really stuck with you, something that had made your heart flutter more than once: he strictly respected physical distance. After that hug heâd given you, and after sensing how cold youâd been in returning it, Jake had never tried to touch you or get too close again. Heâd limited himself to verbal provocations and to you, that meant a lot, because for so many guys, the word "no" simply didnât exist in their vocabulary.
That morning, though, heâd sent you a WhatsApp message that had left you a little taken aback, though you understood why. The campus had erupted in chaos after the soccer team won an away game, and heâd asked if you could come to hisplace to study insteadâheâd gotten back late last night and was completely wrecked.
At first, youâd been pretty reluctant, but heâd quickly reassured you, saying you wouldnât be alone because there were six other people in the house, and at least one of his roommates would be there. So youâd agreed and now here you were, standing in front of⊠a house? No, this looked more like a villa. You thought you mustâve gotten the address wrong, but when you stepped closer to the intercom, you read the names of the seven guys who lived there: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, Ni-ki.
So you rang the bell, expecting Jake to answer immediately, but instead, a stunning guy with chiseled features and an incredibly charming vibe opened the door. You immediately noticed his dark ears and sleek, glossy tail: he was a black cat hybrid.
âYouâre Y/n, right? Come in, Jakeâs upstairs,â he said with a smile. You nodded, but before you could even respond, you heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, a tall guy with brown hair and slightly almond-shaped eyesâunmistakable black panther earsâpeered into the hallway.
You thought this place was less of a student house and more of a model recruitment center...
The panther hybrid looked at you and pouted like a child, sighing:  âOh, no⊠I was hoping my takeout had arrived.â You smiled timidly, a little intimidated by his size, but the pantherâs eyes widened as soon as he met your gaze. Pointing at you, he said: âOh my God, wait! Are you the famous Y/n? Jakeâs tutor? Damn, lately he hasnât stopped talking about....â
But before Ni-ki could finish, all three of you heard Jakeâs loud voice call out:Â âNi-ki!â
Like a bolt of lightning, Jake appeared at the top of the stairs and slid down the steps, stretching out a hand to yank Ni-kiâs shirt sleeve and silence him instantly. Ni-ki just laughed, completely unfazed, and said:Â âOh, hyung! Youâre here too, with us at home!â
Jake really wanted to strangle him, but he loved his little brother too much. When you finally looked up at Jake, you noticed he was dressed extremely comfortably: gray sweatpants, an oversized university T-shirt, his dark hair still damp from the shower, and a white towel draped over his shoulders, giving him a cozy, domestic vibe and at the same time, he looked at you and gave you a genuine smile, saying:
âHey, Y/n. Donât mind this bunch of lunatics. Follow me, weâll study in my room so itâs quieter.â
But the second he said those words, you froze on the spot. Your mind went into overdrive:
His room? Alone?
Your brain short-circuited, and you stood completely still on the doormat, clutching your books to your chest like a protective shield. You did not want to go into a room alone...especially not with a guy.
Both Jay (the black cat hybrid) and Ni-ki turned to look at you strangely, since all three of them were predator hybrids, their senses instantly picked up on the drastic shift in the air, as well as the sudden change in your clean scent, which had just been overpowered by a sharp trail of embarrassment mixed with a strong, clear note of defensive fear and panic.
Hybrids had incredibly strong olfactory instincts, and Jake froze on the spot. His smile vanished, replaced by something he didnât often feel or see. But with you, heâd smelled that scent before: the first time heâd spoken to you, and again when heâd hugged you. With an incredibly gentle and reassuring tone, he said:
âWeâll keep the bedroom door wide open, okay, Y/n? If that makes you feel more comfortable and you two⊠no nonsense from now on, got it?â He directed this mostly at Ni-ki, who rolled his eyes, while Jay, understanding the situation, gave a serious nod and walked toward the kitchen: âDonât worry, Iâll go make a snack.â
Jake looked at you again, giving you a soft nod to invite you to follow him up the stairs. Before you moved, you took one last look at Ni-ki and Jay, who returned your gaze with warm, welcoming smiles. You let out a small sigh of reliefâthose guys didnât seem dangerous at all⊠in fact, they seemed really nice and Jake⊠Jake was proving to be far more attentive and protective than youâd ever wanted to admit to yourself.
When you stepped into Jakeâs room, you were immediately enveloped by a mix of warm, inviting scents: the fresh aroma of pine-scented body wash heâd just used, a rich note of cedarwood, and that signature musky scent unique to his hybrid natureâwhich, over time, had begun to make you feel strangely safe.
Your eyes landed on the center of the room, where a large, slightly unmade king-sized bed sat with its gray sheets tangled. Nearby, a desk was buried under stacks of calculation sheets and heavy structural engineering manuals. The shelves, on the other hand, were packed with frames, photos of Jake as a child, and you smiled at the sight of him with his wolf ears still too big for his head. There were pictures of him hugging the other six hybrids from the house, all grinning with mud-streaked jerseys, and beside the photos stood rows of gleaming trophies and medals. Your eyes widened, and you let out a quiet whistle at the sight of so many merit certificates for math Olympiads.
 âWow⊠I knew you were good, but not this good,â you said, picking up a certificate with his name printed in gold letters. Jake shrugged, but you noticed the smirk tugging at his lips, his ears perking up with pride he knew he was smart, and damn good at what he did.
âI told you I wasnât bad. Historyâs just my one weak spot,â he said.
You nodded, setting the frame down. When you saw him move toward the bed and stretch out comfortably on his stomach, with history notes scattered in front of him, you couldnât help but comment:Â âYou know, normal people study sitting in a chair, facing a desk.â
But he just waved a hand dismissively, burying his face in the pillow for a second. âOverrated. If I can stretch out on my bed and study, why not?â Jake lifted his head to look at you, and in that moment, your scent: a delicate blend of fresh strawberries, cream, and a clean trail of vanilla filled the room, mingling perfectly with his hybrid scent. Jake went still for a second, breathing deeply, his expression shifting into something he didnât let show. That scent⊠itâs heavenly, he thought before he could stop himself. Then he shook his head slightly, unsettled by the spontaneous thought.
Heavenly? Damn, Jake, what the hell are you saying? Itâs⊠itâs just a nice smell, thatâs all⊠focus.
Oblivious to his thoughts, you took the desk chair, turned it around, and sat sideways, balancing your notes on your knees. âOverrated or not, this is how Iâm used to studying. If you want to stay there, fine, but I donât want to find you snoring in five minutes,â you said with a half-smile. Jake chuckled, and you saw his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie thumping eagerly against the mattress, a clear sign he genuinely enjoyed your company.
âFirst of all, I donât snore. Second, Iâve never fallen asleep during a study session and I bet that soon, even youâll end up sitting on this bed⊠itâs amazing, sweetheart. Memory foam with built-in massage tech, you know, as a soccer player, I need the best for my body,â he said, shifting slightly onto his side, teasing you with a mischievous grin and a wink. âEveryone who tries it wants to come back to sleep in it⊠thereâs plenty of space⊠and Iâm an excellent human heating pad, you know as a wolf hybrid, my body heat is way higher than yours. Perfect if you get cold in the winter!â he added with another wink.
You wanted to smack him with the history book for his audacity, but instead, you just blushed and shot him a glare. âStop talking nonsense and letâs start studying. Weâve got the first exam on Friday, and if you fail, I fail as a tutor.â
You and Jake had been studying for over two hours, and in that time, Jay had brought you delicious snacks to the room, and youâd even met Sunghoon, another one of the roommates. Youâd already heard about him on campus: he was the famous captain of the hockey team, and he, too, was a hybrid, specifically a snow fox, as well as one of the most popular athletes at the university. He also worked as a model for brands like Adidas, and everyone talked about him.
After the intense review session, you stood up for a moment to stretch your back and arms. Your eyes kept wandering around Jakeâs room, and he watched you carefully from the bed, noticing the tension in your body. âCome on, Y/n, I bet your back is killing you from sitting on that wooden chair. Just sit with me on the bed for five minutes, I promise Iâll keep my hands to myself,â he said.
To prove his intentions, he laced his fingers behind his back, looking up at you with a sweet, slightly reluctant smile. Knowing how wary you were, you finally gave in and sat on the edge of his bed. You immediately felt how incredibly soft it was.
Jake patted the large, dark fabric headboard, inviting you to get comfortable. So you settled in, half-sitting with your back resting against it, while he stayed stretched out beside you, his laptop and a pile of notes in front of him as he continued underlining according to your schemes.
After a little while, the exhaustion from the previous days caught up with you, and you yawned widely. Jake lifted his gaze from the papers. âAre you tired, sweetness?â
âA little,â you admitted, tilting your head back. He stretched slightly, letting out a sigh. Then, before you could predict it but driven irresistibly by his hybrid nature, which, in moments of tiredness or when wanting to make someone feel safe, instinctively sought contact with its âpackâ to share warmth and relax, Jake turned onto his side and, with complete naturalness, rested his head on the upper part of your legs, using them as a soft pillow.
Your eyes widened because his face was so close to your stomach. You immediately felt the impressive warmth of his body against your skin through your jeans just like that time heâd hugged you. He radiated an almost feverish heat, typical of wolf hybrids. From this close position, you could perfectly see how long and dark his lashes were, how his ears had partially lowered backward and deep inside, you felt a sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft and fluffy at the same time, and you wanted to know if they felt like a normal dogâs or catâs.
Jakeâs body relaxed completely against you, and you, having no idea what to do and with your heart beating a mile a minute, said his name softly: âJakeâŠâ
He just let out a low murmur, keeping his eyes half-closed because he liked feeling your body against hisâuntil you spoke.
âWhy did you rest your head on my legs?â you asked, slightly curious. He gave a light shrug against your thigh.
âI know you hate sudden physical contact⊠and Iâm not squeezing or openly touching you with my hands, so you can see I donât want to hurt you. You can trust me. Itâs just for support,â he said as his eyes opened fully, and two amber pools looked up at you, smiling. As your head tilted toward him, in that moment of absolute closeness, Jakeâs sharp sense of smell picked up on something that left him breathless: your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly intensified in the air, growing sweeter. There was no trace of the acidic note of fear, nor the detachment of embarrassmentâbecause you were starting to trust him.
Without even realizing it, you lifted a trembling hand, and your fingers barely brushed one of his fluffy ears, right where the fur transitioned from light gray to the super-dark shade at the tip.
You froze instantly at that sound, blushing all the way to the tips of your ears, and stammered:
âJ-Jake⊠God, Iâm sorry! Did I hurt you? I didnât mean to⊠I didnât know...â But Jake burst into genuine laughter, and you caught a glimpse of his dimples, thinking he looked damn cute.
âNo, donât worry, you didnât hurt me, sweetness,â he said, slowly reopening his eyes. âItâs totally normal that I growled. I told you the other day, both our ears and tails are the most sensitive parts of our hybrid bodies. If theyâre touched the right way, they stimulate a huge amount of pleasure, even strong excitement inside us⊠itâs just a biological reflex. We canât help it.â He said this almost shyly, and at those words, you immediately pulled your hand away from his ears but Jake immediately pouted in protest, letting out a small, annoyed whine his sense of smell had instantly noticed the loss of your skinâs warmth. He looked up at you with an almost pleading expression.
âCan I take your hand, Y/n?â
You stared at him as you leaned over him, and though hesitant, you offered him your hand. Jake, however, was incredibly gentle. He didnât interlace his fingers with yours but instead wrapped his large, warm fingers around your wrist, guiding your arm upward until your hand rested again at the base of his gray ears.
âWe hybrids are very sensitive to both smells and touch,â he explained, watching you carefully. âAnd if someone becomes part of our circle, our life⊠well, we quickly become much more insistent with physical contact. Letâs just say we have an almost physical need for it. Thatâs why I stretched out with my head on your legs. My wolf just wanted to be close to you.âHe said this without realizing it, but he didnât say things like that to just anyone⊠in fact, he hoped you wouldnât fully understand what he was implying. For your part, you just nodded.
âI⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids. Iâve always attended all-human schools before university, so this is the first time Iâve been in close contact with one of you.â
Jake studied your reactions from below, sensing that you were relaxed, and said: âWell, there are many first times in life, and this is a new first for you. Donât be shy about touching me, sweetness⊠I can sense it, your scent, your instinct, they tell me you want to.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment at being caught, and said:Â âSometimes it bothers me, this thing. You sense and understand things through smells that we humans will never be able to comprehend.â
He chuckled but didnât move, and when he felt your fingersânow moving with more confidenceâbegin to stroke the base of his ears again, Jake let out a long sigh of pure relief and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed in that moment, a feeling he hadnât experienced in years. Only his mom and grandmother could calm him with just a touch. He felt how his body was vibrating with total submission to your touch, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. You smiled because you liked the idea of being able to relax someone as energetic and hyperactive as him. With the tips of your fingers, you moved from his ears to his thick, black hair, gently ruffling it, and asked, slightly shy:
âWhy do you hybrids love physical contact so much? Is it something that comes from your puppy-like nature, orâŠ?â
Jake opened his eyes, staring straight into yours. âYes, it partly comes from when weâre pups. But actually, all hybrids need constant physical contact, both as kids and as adults, especially during heat. It can be suppressed with medication, of course, but doctors say itâs not good for our health or mental balance. And then⊠when a hybrid finds his mate, there are specific ways he uses to be with her.â
Curious, you tilted your head slightly to the side and asked:Â âAnd what are these ways?â
âWell⊠besides being touched by his mate, the hybrid loves to touch her in return. Itâs a little embarrassing, but in the early stages of a relationship, itâs constant: holding her hand, hugging her, squeezing her⊠but the most important thing for us is to make sure our scent completely soaks into her. We want our chemistry to stay on her skin, on her clothes, so the whole pack and other males know who she belongs to.â
You were slightly shocked by this possessive and biological revelation, your eyes widening as you struggled to respond, unable to fully grasp the nature of hybrids. Jake, seeing your petrified face and sudden confusion, didnât miss the chance to tease you.
âOh God, you should see your face, sweetheart! Whatâs wrong? Are you afraid Iâll rub my wolf scent all over you any second so youâll smell like me all over campus? Donât worry⊠for today, Iâll settle for your legs as a pillow, but I wonât make any promises for our next lessons!â
You huffed, looking away to hide the heat still burning on your cheeks, and said:Â âI definitely donât want your scent on me, especially if I want to have any chance with Soobin.â
At those words, Jake froze on your lap. His ears snapped backward, stiffening, and his tailâs movement stopped instantly, youâd almost forgotten about it. The only reason youâd accepted this compromise and were helping him with Contemporary History was his deal: using his influence to get Soobinâs attention. For a second, his possessive, territorial animal instinct pressed to emerge and growl at that name, but his human side quickly regained control. He slowly lifted himself from your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked at you intensely, saying:
âRelax, the only way a hybridâs scent spreads to a girl is if they do sexual thingsâwhich means undressing and sniffing each otherâor if the guy bites her. So donât worry, you wonât run that risk with me, Y/n.â
You frowned at his answer, then checked the time on your phone and said it was getting late and that you absolutely had to go. Jake returned to being his usual carefree self, wearing a mask of indifference. He nodded and asked if you wanted a ride, but you refused, explaining that Allie would pick you up.
Just as you reached the entrance hall, the front door swung open, and Heeseungâthe basketball team captain and an adorable hamster hybridâburst in, beaming as he held dark streamers in his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs: âFriday, I want all six of you dressed up for Halloween because weâre throwing a legendary party here! No excuses!â He looked at all his friends, and a chorus of reactions immediately rose from the kitchen and living room:
Jungwon and Sunooâa cat hybrid and a fox hybrid with huge earsâgroaned at the idea of chaos in the house. Ni-ki enthusiastically exclaimed, âAwesome!â Jay muttered that heâd prepare amazing cocktails for the occasion, while Sunghoon, still sprawled on the couch, just rolled his eyes because he wasnât a fan of parties at all.
As you watched the scene, you suddenly felt warm breath right next to your ear. Jake had leaned toward you, his lips just millimeters from your skin:
âThis is the perfect excuse for us to be seen together by Soobin, sweetheartâŠâ he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. âTell me how youâll dress for the party⊠because you are coming, right? Heâll definitely be there.â
You turned abruptly, finding his challenging smile just a centimeter from your face. And if there was one thing you hated, it was crowded partiesâbut the idea of finally talking to Soobin pushed you to do something crazy.
âYes, Iâll be there⊠but only if Allie can come too.â
Jake nodded, widening his sly grin. You said goodbye to all the guys with a wave and finally left that villa. As soon as you got into Allieâs car, you told her everything in detail. But your best friend could tell deep down that you wanted to go to that party to be with Jakeâbecause for the entire ride, you hadnât even mentioned Soobin.
As soon as the door closed behind you, silence fell over the entire living room. Jake turned to go back upstairs but froze on the spotâall six of his friends were staring at him with their arms crossed, wearing smiles that were half-amused and half-suspiciously knowing. All six hybrids in that room were literally breathing in the pheromones Jake had unconsciously released over the past two hours.
Jake felt his cheeks heat more than they should, turning bright red. He wanted to deny everything, but then Heeseung, the oldest in the group, twitched his hamster ears with a mix of amusement and curiosity, shook his head, and dropped the final bombshell, looking at the others:
âGuys, I think the first one to find his lifemate is actually one of the two biggest playboys and frat boys in the entire university⊠Who wouldâve ever thought that the great Jake Sim would fall at the feet of a nerd who didnât even know he existed a few weeks ago?â
Jakeâs blush deepened, spreading under the fur of his ears, which twitched nervously. He growled, baring a hint of fang to hide his panic: âShut up, you donât know what youâre talking about! Sheâs just my tutor, and Iâm just keeping my end of the deal. At the party on Friday, youâll see...sheâs into Soobin.â Jake then bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
But as he stormed up, his tail....always the traitor, began wagging frantically at the thought of seeing you dressed up for Halloween and his friends were absolutely right⊠the wolf inside him knew it all too well.
The house of the seven hybrids had been completely transformed for the Halloween party. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling corners, ghost-shaped sheets floated mid-air, and witch hats seemed to fly on their own thanks to invisible wires. The place looked like it had stepped straight out of a horror cartoon rather than a university party. Soft, rhythmic music played in the background as people from the campus began filling the hallways and living rooms of the villa.
You and Allie had arrived together. Allie was wearing a sexy pirate costume that suited her perfectly, while you had gone with the plan youâd agreed on with Jake: a lilac and purple dress inspired by Rapunzel. According to your friend, it looked divine on you, and to be honest, even you felt pretty looking at yourself in the mirror. However, you couldnât help but notice that the corset was a little too tight, accentuating your curves in a way you usually disliked but tonight, it gave you an extra boost of self-confidence. Deep down, you were a beautiful girl, but the only thing that made you wrinkle your nose a little was the cleavage, which made you feel a bit uncomfortable under the gazes of the people you passed. The rest of the outfit, though, was perfect: your hair was gathered in a soft braid decorated with tiny fake flowers, and you held a lightweight plastic frying pan, artfully stained with fake blood. You seriously hoped Jake had kept his word about dressing as Flynn Rider.
When your eyes finally spotted him near the bar corner, a small, spontaneous smile appeared on your face. Allie, who had been watching you carefully out of the corner of her eye, noticed that spark in your eyes as you looked at Jake. Deep down, your friend had already figured it all out, but she chose to stay silent, driven by a strong protective instinct toward you.
Jake, for his part, looked simply perfect. He wore the typical blue vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, showcasing his powerful biceps and the prominent veins of his athletic arms. Dark pants completed the look, but what truly took your breath away was his hairstyle: his dark hair was perfectly parted in the middle with Flynnâs signature rebellious tuft. You thought he should opt for that fluffy, middle-parted hair more often. On his cheeks and neck, he had drawn small, fake red scratches, as if he had just barely escaped the clutches of the law.
When Jake turned and saw you, he froze mid-step for what felt like an eternity. His wolf nose instantly picked up your scent in the airâa heavenly, thick aroma of fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a warm note of pure vanilla. At that olfactory contact, his tail twitched violently under his costume, swaying so hard from side to side that he had to restrain himself to keep it from breaking free of the fabric.
His wolf instinct gave a primal jolt: he thought you looked incredibly beautiful, and at the same time, he almost didnât recognize you. He had never seen you so exposed, with your figure and curves so visibly on display. Jake swallowed hard at the sight of your shy smile and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily ruining the perfect part. His animal instinct was literally screaming at him to reach out, grab you by the waist, and carry you away from all those people to keep you close to him. But he knew he had to rein in that urge, you werenât his, and besides, you were interested in another guy. Damn, you looked stunning, and his eyes couldnât stop drinking you in.
He closed the distance between you with feline steps, leaning slightly toward you, and whispered directly into your ear in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine:
âDamn, sweetheart⊠I knew you were hiding something under those hoodies or sweaters, but I didnât expect all this,â he said, unable to stop rambling because he couldnât take his eyes off you, especially not from the line of your cleavage. You blushed violently, and in self-defense, you crossed your arms over your chest, clutching the frying pan to your side.
âIn your dreams, Sim. I only came here because you asked me to, and because we have a deal. Otherwise, Iâd be comfortably in my room right now trying to compose music for my class⊠but Iâm here because you promised me something. You have to help me get to know Soobin⊠speaking of which, where is Soobin? You promised heâd be here.â
At the sound of that name, Jakeâs smug smile vanished in a millisecond. His wolf ears twitched slightly backward, flattening almost imperceptibly against his hairâa clear sign of pure annoyance and territorial jealousy. His body stiffened for a moment, irritated by the fact that your first thought had gone to another guy just as he was devouring you with his eyes. He gave a vague nod toward the kitchen. âHeâs in there, in the kitchen with Heeseung and the other basketball guys but donât rush, sweetheart⊠first, you need to loosen up⊠and have a drink.â
Before you could tell Jake you had no intention of drinking alcohol, he turned and started walking toward the kitchen with confident steps. Following him inside, you were immediately greeted by three enormous glass bowls filled with rum punch and chopped fruit. At the sight, your instinct screamed at you to run out of the room...high school memories threatened to resurface, and you feared theyâd ruin what could have been a fun night.
Jake, unaware of your internal struggle, grabbed a ladle and poured himself a glass of the reddish liquid. From the note pinned to the table, you read that it was a cocktail made with rum, prosecco, and berries. When he turned and held out the glass to you, you looked up at him and said in a thin voice: âThanks, Jake, but⊠I donât drink alcohol⊠I donât like it.âYou tried to hide it, but Jake wasnât stupid. His hybrid sixth sense was far too sharp, and he saw the slight but unmistakable tremor in your hand as you refused the glass. He noticed how your posture had suddenly stiffened, and, intrigued, he tilted his head, studying your reaction.
âMmm, okay. Wait here a second,â he said without teasing you or trying to pressure you. You simply nodded, clutching the plastic frying pan to your chest, and watched him disappear behind the door of a pantry at the back of the kitchen.
Left alone, you turned to look around. You saw Allie talking or maybe arguing with Heeseung, and your heart literally leapt into your throat when Soobin walked into the kitchen. He was dressed as Cullen from Twilight in a baseball game versionâwhite and blue jersey, a backward cap, and even a baseball glove tucked into his left hand. You immediately thought he looked cute, especially when he noticed you, and his famous dimples deepened in his cheeks. Your eyes, however, instinctively searched for Jakeâs figure.
Where the hell did he go? Soobin was walking straight toward you, and you thought, half-panicked: Where the hell has that wolf gotten himself? Why is he leaving me alone right now?!
But then a part of you forced yourself to reason after all, this was the plan, right? Jake was supposed to give you the chance to meet Soobin and make an impression. Yet deep down, you wanted him there with you so badly, and you didnât understand why.
When Soobin reached you, he gave you a sweet smile. âOh my God, Y/n? Is that you? Jakeâs tutor, right? Damn⊠you look stunning tonight. The costume suits you perfectly,â he said, even stumbling slightly over the last word as his eyes lingered inevitably on the line of your braid and the lilac corset. Your cheeks burned, turning burgundy in a millisecond from compliments you werenât used to hearing. You said:
âYou⊠you donât look bad either⊠I mean, you look really cute,â and a second later, you wanted to slap yourself in the face. You had no idea how to flirt, and having a decent conversation with the guy you liked felt like a titanic task.
But just at that moment, Jake reemerged from the pantry, holding both a sealed glass bottle of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water. The scene before him, however, made him freeze on the spot. Seeing you blush, smelling your strawberry scent grow more intense and vulnerable for another male, literally drove him wildâand he didnât understand why.
Okay, you were cute. Many times, you drove him crazy. Many times, heâd sought you out in class but you werenât his type....you were too⊠well, a little too shy. You usually gave as good as you got, but you preferred to keep to yourself or stick with a few people, while he loved being almost the center of attention. He didnât understand why he felt so strange when he was with you.
A wave of pure, territorial jealousy burned in his chest. Under his costume, his tail tensed instantly, becoming as rigid as a poker, and his ears flattened. But when his eyes met yours, Jake read your silent plea for help and your embarrassment. He understood that this was the exact moment to step in and play his card.
Jake hurried over to you, and without touching you, you immediately felt his presence as he stood in front of you with a serious expression. âHey, sweetheart, I got you a Coca-Cola and a sealed bottle of water, so you know exactly what youâre drinking,â he said, smiling warmly as he handed them to you. Once again, you were caught off guard by how well Jake could read you. It was incredible how this guyâwho, just a few weeks ago, youâd considered nothing more than a shallow, heartbreaking athleteâcould pick up on every subtle nuance of your discomfort and protect you in such a quiet, precise way.
You thanked him shyly, taking the cold glass bottle in your hands. It was at that moment that Jake turned toward the other guy.
âOh, Soobin, youâre here too,â he said with a crooked grin. Soobin wasnât intimidated by Jakeâs predator-like aura and met the soccer captainâs gaze head-on. âWell, you know Iâm here every weekend. And when I saw your tutor alone in the middle of this pack of hybrids, I came over right away to see how much sweetness and beauty she had as Rapunzel.â
Jake glared at Soobin, then shifted his gaze to you, as if expecting a reaction. Feeling caught in an invisible grip and wanting to ease the tension, you said: âWell⊠it was my idea to dress as Rapunzel and Flynn. Jake doesnât look bad tonight either, to be honest.â
At those words, a wave of immense pride washed over the wolf hybrid. Jake chuckled, visibly pleased by your unexpected compliment. He drastically closed the distance between you, eliminating the personal space youâd established, and you watched as his large hand lowered and gently brushed against yours. You bowed your head for a moment, watching his fingers slowly spread across your palm, ready to welcome yours. Driven by a sudden, overwhelming sense of security from the fact that heâd thought to protect your drink and the primal warmth radiating from his presenceâyou interlaced your hand with his, fitting your fingers between his. It was a spontaneous gesture that made your heart race, because youâd never thought that this Jakeâthe one everyone talked about as a playboy or someone who only thought of himselfâcould be like this.
Jake tightened his grip around your handâyour fingers were ridiculously cute and small compared to hisâand lifted his chin toward his rival. With a possessive tone that brooked no argument, he said:Â âIt was a pleasure, Soobin. But Y/n is with me tonight, and I need to show her around the house.â
Without giving Soobin time to respond, Jake started walking toward the villaâs stairs, gently pulling you behind him. As you climbed the first wooden steps, you leaned toward him and whispered: âDo you think itâs right to leave him already? He seemed really into talking to meâŠâ You felt bad for cutting short the only real conversation youâd started with the guy you had a crush on. But Jake couldnât have cared less about what you thought in that moment or what Soobin might have been thinking. His only goal was to get you away from the other malesâ gazes and claim you for himself, because damn, that night he wanted all your attention. So he took you to the very top of the stairs, to a raised and partially shadowed spot from which you could perfectly see the entire party belowâthe crowded living room and the music echoing off the walls.
âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart,â he murmured against your ear, his warm breath on the bare skin of your neck making you shudder. Instinctively, you tried to turn your head downward, toward the kitchen, to look for Soobinâs figure. But Jakeâs free hand shot lightning-fast to your face, his long, warm fingers caressing your cheek as he firmly held your face in place, preventing you from turning. You werenât supposed to let Soobin see you flustered by the guy you liked.
âDonât give him the satisfaction of having your eyes on him. Otherwise, heâll realize youâre interested and that he has control over you,â he warned in a low voice, his gaze fixed on your lips. You swallowed hard at how well Jake could embody his character, and trapped between his hand on your face and the stair railing, you stammered in confusion: âA-and what the hell am I supposed to do, Jake? I⊠Iâm not good at this stuff. Itâs already a lot if I managed to talk to him for two minutes straight without making a fool of myself.â You said this with a half-smile, and Jake looked at you intensely, his ears lowering slightly in an unexpectedly tender shade of sweetness.
âBut with me, you donât have a problem talking, Y/n. You donât freeze up. You hold your own, you answer back. Maybe⊠maybe you need to find someone you actually feel comfortable with, not someone your mind just thinks is cool, but who ultimately just makes you feel a little⊠constant anxiety?â Jake said this without fully realizing what heâd just admitted. For him, those words carried immense meaningâalmost a declaration of intent tied to his biological nature. He wanted you to understand that love or attraction shouldnât be a mental effort or an ideal of perfection to chase (like Soobin). Instead, it should be a natural chemistry based on loyalty, security, teasing, and a safe harbor where your body and soul felt protected and free to express themselves without fear. And those feelings? You definitely didnât feel them with Soobinâbut you did with him. He wanted you to understand that the wolf in front of you was the only one capable of naturally breaking down your protective barriers. He knew you were hiding something that had happened to you, and he couldnât wait to see you lower your guard and let go with him.
But you didnât have time to process the concept or respond, because Jake had closed the last millimeter of distance between you and pressed his lips firmly against yours, catching you completely off guard at the top of those stairs.
Jakeâs full lips pressed against yours, and your brain completely short-circuited at the sensation of that physical contact between you and him.
What the hell was he doing? Why was he kissing you like this, in front of everyone, and especially under Soobinâs gaze? But before your mind could even formulate a protest or find the strength to push him away, the devastating warmth of his body enveloped you. As if by magic, the anxiety that had been gnawing at you since before you even entered their house vanished. After just a few seconds, almost as if moved by an involuntary reflex, you parted your lips slightly. Jake let out a warm, trembling sigh right against your mouthâa sound of pure reliefâbecause you hadnât slapped him in front of everyone, even though he knew you hated being touched. Damn, heâd been dreaming for a while now of knowing what it was like to kiss you. And he began to kiss you with a disarming gentleness.
It wasnât the rough or arrogant kiss you would have expected from the soccer team captain. His lips moved against yours softly, as if he were afraid that at any moment, you might pull away. Jake gently sucked on your lower lip, savoring every single millimeter of your mouth, and you tasted the sweetness of the Coca-Cola mixed with the fruity flavor of his alcoholic aperitif. You would have never imagined that the campus playboy could kiss a girl with such care and reverence. Your cheeks burned as you felt his hand gently caress your cheek. Without realizing it, your handsâwhich had been timidly resting against his chestâslid upward, settling firmly on his broad shoulders, gripping the fabric of his white shirt. Jake leaned even closer into you, pressing you gently against the railing at the top of the stairs, isolating you from the rest of the world.
When your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly became even sweeter and more intense than usualâa clear sign that your body had surrendered to him and that you no longer felt any fearâJake broke the kiss for a millisecond. He growled in an incredibly rough, low voice: âDamn⊠you smell so good, Y/n. Stay like this⊠please.â He said this against your lips, and you didnât understand the meaning of that comment. You tried to pull your head back to protest and ask for an explanation, but Jake, seeing your deliciously parted lips, didnât waste time. He took advantage of that moment and slid his warm tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss against your lips, which were increasingly drawn to him.
At the same time, his hand slid down from your face, settling firmly around your waist, gripping the lilac fabric of your Rapunzel dress. In that moment, Jake held his breathâhe was afraid that this contact might trigger your usual resistance. He hoped with all his heart that you wouldnât pull your hand away or break free from him. But to his surprise, you kissed him back. And you did it in a way that left him completely stunned: your fingers tightened with more force on his shoulders, and your tongue responded to his with an initial shyness that quickly turned into a desperate, hungry rhythm, as if you had found a secret refuge in this guy you thought you couldnât stand. You pressed yourself closer to his chest, forgetting about Soobin, the people below the stairs, and everything else.
Jake literally smiled against your lips, savoring your total surrender, while the wolf instinct inside him screamed at the top of its lungs that you were his mate, that he should never let you go, and that he should especially not let other guys have you.
Jakeâs human side forcefully pushed back the animal instinct that wanted to take control. He didnât want to scare youâhe just wanted to savor this incredible moment with you. Your tongues continued to seek each other relentlessly, as if it were just the two of you in that house. And maybe it was, because from where you stood, only someone climbing the stairs could see what was happening.
Then, seized by a sudden boldness you didnât even know you possessed, you lightly nibbled on his lower lip. Jake was completely caught off guard by such an intimate, unexpected, and boldly provocative gesture from you. He wanted more, and a low, rough moan escaped his lips. At that sound, you felt your cheeks burn damn, Jake was kissing you and moaning in the middle of a packed party!
This realization set off an alarm bell in your mind, jolting your rationality back to life. This was not part of the deal youâd made with him. Breathless, with your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, you pulled away from him by just a few millimeters, breaking the kiss. Even though, deep down, you wanted his lips against yours again, you quickly pushed that thought away. Both of you had glossy eyes, your lips visibly redder and fuller than usual.
Embarrassed and adrenaline-fueled, you lowered your gaze and started nervously fiddling with the lilac tulle of your Rapunzel dress, trying to compose yourself. Jake, on the other hand, simply couldnât stop looking at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly under his Flynn Rider shirt. When you finally looked up again, your eyes locked once more, unable to pull away, as if they were always searching for each other. You stammered:
âI⊠I⊠why did you kiss me, Jake?â
Jake gave a small, crooked smile and repeated softly the same words from earlier:Â âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart.â
This time, though, he didnât bring his hand to your cheek to block your face, leaving you free to check if Soobin was indeed watching. When you slowly turned toward the living room below, your eyes immediately caught Soobinâs figure. He was standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, with a hint of obvious jealousy mixed with frustration in his gaze. Once again, Jake had wonâbecause he hadnât expected someone like Jake to claim you so boldly in front of everyone, especially since you werenât his ideal type of girl.
As you spun back toward Jake, confused, he looked down at you, stretching his wolf ears with a proud air. Then he murmured:
âGive it less than a week⊠youâll see, Soobin will come looking for you and ask you out. Because very soon, everyone here will know I kissed you. But theyâll also know youâre not my girlfriend. And youâll officially be the girl who stood up to Jake Sim. And believe me, sweetheart⊠every guy on campus will become terribly curious to find out who you are.â
Was Jake Sim a fortune teller? Or maybe a genie? No, because ever since youâd set foot on campus that Monday morning after the Halloween weekend, his prophecy had come true 100%: people couldnât stop staring at you. Every time you walked down the hallway, there were whispers as you passed. Classmates and even complete strangers looked at you differently nowâall because theyâd spotted you with the universityâs golden boy.
âCome on, stop looking at that phot, itâs embarrassing, please!â you whispered, glancing sideways to make sure no customers heard you. But Allie couldnât stop staring at the picture, and her tone suddenly turned more serious and dreamy as she looked at you and Jake: âBut seriously⊠you and Jake look so good in that photo. In a way I never wouldâve imagined: you, the down-to-earth girl who works double shifts to pay for university and build a future in music, kissing the campus golden boy, the soccer team captain with his path already paved to some famous club⊠Itâs a perfect match. Admit it, just a few months ago, you never wouldâve imagined ending up in a situation like this!â she concluded with a mischievous smile. But you scolded her immediately, slamming the coffee tamper on the counter and glaring at her: âStop it right now, Allie! Thereâs no match, no romantic movie. It was just⊠a setup to get Soobinâs attention, and Jake just wanted to help. Itâs a 50% help for both of us,â you said, trying to sound convincing. Yet your eyes couldnât pull away from that photo on the screen.
Looking at it, you almost didnât recognize yourself: pressed against his chest, your hands gripping his shirt, and the way Jake was looking at you as he held your waist radiated an energy that could give butterflies to even someone like Allie, whoâd been in a relationship forever. Even though the photo wasnât high quality, you could still see both you and Jake smiling at each other. And just the memory of his lips against yours made your stomach clench.
Your thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone arriving at the counter. You heard a familiar voice, and when you looked up, you found Soobin standing there with his usual shy smile. That morning, he was in full ânerd modeâ: he was wearing an oversized sweater that made him look even softer, round glasses with thin black frames, and his dark hair was slightly messy on his forehead. But it was strangeâuntil that moment, you wouldâve gone crazy at the sight of him. Now, you were happy, but you couldnât understand why your mind kept drifting to JakeâŠ
âHey, Y/nâŠâ he said in his usual shy way, and you gave him a timid smile. Soobin glanced quickly at Allieâs phone in her hand and then back at you. âMmm⊠did you see the photo of you and Jake kissing too?â The question came out of his mouth with a slightly casual, almost detached tone, but his eyes were hungry for your reaction. You nodded, feeling the blood rush straight to your cheeks, and immediately tried to downplay it by waving your hands in the air:  âYes, I saw it⊠but I swear, Soobin, itâs nothing serious! Jake is just a show-off. We were just⊠joking. There was so much confusion at the party, andâŠâ You tried to say something, as if you owed him an explanation, but he stopped you by raising a hand: âThe other night, I was really shocked when I saw you dressed like that and I noticed right away how your cheeks turned red when you saw me next to you,â he said, looking down at you from his nearly two meters of heightâSoobin was truly imposing, unlike Jake, who, despite being muscular, was only a couple of centimeters taller than you.
âJake took you away, and⊠well, we all know him, heâs a show-off. But I bet that kiss was just for show, right?â And then, leaving you completely shocked, he leaned a little further forward, lowering his voice: âWould you like to go out for a serious coffee with me this afternoon? Just you and me, I promise.â He took a sip of his drink, and you stood there, literally paralyzed with the milk jug in your hand. Was he seriously asking you out? Youâd wanted this moment for months. Youâd spent entire nights hoping Soobin would notice you. But now⊠Jakeâs image kept tormenting your mind. And with startling clarity, you remembered the warmth of his full lips, how heâd gently held you close, afraid you might pull away, and especially that damn moan that had escaped him when youâd bitten his lip and what scared you the most was the realization that, next to Jake, your body hadnât felt the slightest bit of anxiety.
With Soobin, however, you felt like you were under examination, and your instinct told you to take it slow with him, not to rush. But a part of you wanted to seize the moment, to not waste this opportunityâyouâd already wasted so many because of what happened to you as a teenager. Yet, accepting his invitation for that afternoon would mean canceling your study session with Jake. So you took a deep breath and, forcing a sweet smile, said:
âSoobin, Iâd really like to⊠but as you know, Iâm tutoring Jake. He has his Contemporary History test on Friday, and we absolutely need to meet at his place this afternoon to review the last chapters. But⊠this weekend, yes, we could go out for breakfast together, if youâd like.â
Allie, who had been silently pretending to clean a nearby table the whole time, rushed over as soon as Soobin was out of earshot. She looked you straight in the eyes, her usual playful demeanor gone, and said in a low voice:
âY/n⊠if you really wanted to go out with him this afternoon, Jake can wait. Or he can study for the test on his own. But please, be honest with yourselfâbecause you just turned down a date with the guy of your dreams to lock yourself in a house with a jock who, until recently, you claimed to detest, and who practically kissed you passionately in front of half the university. Are you sure Soobin is still the only one on your mind?â
She asked, watching you carefully and at those words, you honestly didnât know what to say.
As you walked briskly toward Jakeâs house, Allieâs words still echoed in your head. You tried to shake them off, Jake was just a⊠a "friend"? You didnât even know how to define him, to be honest. You were his tutor, end of story. What happened at the Halloween party was just a staged scene to get Soobinâs attention and land a date and it had worked. That was allâŠÂ right?
When you stood in front of the massive door of the seven hybridsâ villa, you typed in the code Jake had kindly given you a few days earlier so you wouldnât have to wait in the cold. But out of politeness, you knocked anyway. No one answered, so you pushed the door open. The living room and large kitchen were completely empty. It was really strange, the place looked almost eerie compared to the chaos of the last time youâd been there, for the Halloween party. So you walked in and, reaching the bottom of the stairs, called out: âJake! Iâm here!â
But there was no answer. You assumed he was in his room, as usual when he wanted to avoid chores. So you climbed the wooden steps one by one, looking around. All the doors on the landing were closed except one. When you reached Jakeâs door and saw it was half-open, you knocked lightly with your knuckles on the wood and said: âSorry Iâm late, Jake, but we really need to review three chapters of Contemporary History on the post-war period and the peace treatiesâŠâ
But the words died in your throat.
Jake was there but he wasnât alone. He was leaning back against his messy desk, and between his legs stood a girl you recognized all too well: one of the most popular and beautiful girls on campus. She had her nails buried in Jakeâs dark hair, kissing him passionately, her hips moving against his. And yet, you noticed immediately that Jake wasnât touching her at all. His hands were lazily resting on the desk, as if he didnât even have a girl kissing him in front of him. His ears were slightly lowered, and his tail, beneath his pants, was completely stillâno twitch, no movement. It was strange because with you, Jake was always the opposite. The way they were kissing seemed almost mechanical, especially on Jakeâs part⊠as if he were bored. There was none of that desperation to touch you like at Halloween, none of that devastating heat, none of that deep, rough moan heâd reserved for you at the top of the stairs just a few days earlier.
And yet, despite his obvious detachment, the sight of Jake wrapped around another girl hurt, badly. You suddenly felt stupid, like a total fool. But stupid for what? Jake wasnât your type at all⊠and yet, watching him share his personal space and his lips with someone else filled you with a sharp, cutting disappointment that quickly turned into burning anger toward him.
In the shock of that vision, you abruptly took a step back to leave, but the sudden movement made your heavy backpack bump against the wooden doorframe. At such close range, Jakeâs wolf hearing instantly picked up the noise but more than that, he caught your scent. He pulled away from the girl almost immediately, as if pushing her off, and his eyes widened when they landed on you in the doorway. His nose wrinkled instantly because heâd just caught your scent in the airâbut your usual sweet strawberry fragrance was gone. It had turned sour, sharp, and not goodâit reminded him of the early days when you couldnât stand him being near you at all.
âY/n! Wait!â Jake exclaimed, taking a decisive step toward you but you had no intention of staying there to be humiliated. You spun around on your heel, your cheeks literally burning with embarrassment.
Jake gently grabbed your wrist in an attempt to stop your rush down the stairs: âHey! Stop for a second!â he exclaimed, looking at you but you spun around abruptly, yanking your wrist free from his grip especially from his touch and said:
âLet go of me, Jake! Donât touch me! I knew you were irresponsible, but I didnât think youâd go this far! We have a test in three days, and I rearranged all my plans today just to come here and help you pass the exam and what do you do? Not even trainâwhich would make more senseâbut kiss one of your many girls who throw themselves at you with a snap of their fingers?!â You glared at him, and Jake looked at you carefully, almost caught off guard by the vehemence of your words. His wolf ears lowered slightly, betraying a hint of regret or perhaps confusion about what was happening. His nose wrinkled imperceptibly as he sniffed the air around you, sensing how your scent was becoming sharper, more acidic as if every fiber of your body was screaming how much you disliked the situation. It reminded him of the scent you gave off when you couldnât stand being near him.
Trying to take a step toward you to calm you down, Jake said in a low voice:Â âY/n, we werenât doing anything serious. She just came to return a hoodie to me and...â
But you didnât care at all about his justifications. You cut him off abruptly with a wave of your hands: âI donât care what you were doing! It just bothers me that I wasted my time with a guy who doesnât have his head on straight, who only thinks about having fun and showing off! You know what? Figure it out yourself. Iâll send you the notes online from now on because I have no intention of setting foot in this house again to waste time with you!â
At those words, a spark flashed in his eyesâno way was he going to lose you. He⊠he wanted to be with you. Seeing you every day kept him mentally stable, and he always found an excuse to see you or be near you. So Jake took a decisive step closer to you because he didnât rationally understand what was going through your mind at that moment but his animal natureâhis primal wolf instinctâspoke to him, suggesting a fucking precise idea:
Could it be⊠that sheâs jealous of seeing you with someone else?
In that moment of high tension, his animal side took over completely without him realizing it. His usual cocky smirk reappeared on his face, and tilting his head slightly toward you, he said in a rough, teasing tone: âAre you mad because Iâm not studying, sweetheart⊠or because the lips on my mouth werenât yours? Do you miss me that much already after the other night?â
At those words, your eyes widened. Did he seriously just say that out loud? You were completely shocked and wounded in your pride by what heâd just dared to say. Feeling your cheeks burn even redder, you forced yourself to laugh and, lifting your chin, looked him straight in the eyes with a shamelessly defiant air: âYouâre completely crazy! I donât care at all who you kiss, Jake Sim! In fact, Iâm even happy youâre so busy with your âfriendsâ that way, you wonât interfere in my life this weekend when I go out with Soobin!â You said with a small smirk.
At the sound of Soobinâs name, Jakeâs earlier smirk vanished completely. His ears snapped backward, almost stiffening, and his jaw tightened slightly at seeing you so bold with him. In a low voice, he said:Â âWhat did you say?â
You looked at him before leaving and said: âYou heard me. He asked me out today at the bar, but I told him no to come here and study with you because Iâm a responsible girl and stupid me, but weâll see each other this weekend. So try to do well on the history test because I finally got what I wanted.â
With that, you pushed him slightly, taking advantage of his moment of shock, opened the villaâs door, and walked out, slamming it behind you. You left the universityâs golden boy alone in the hallway, furious and jealous for the first time in his life.
After you left Jake, leaving your notes in plain sight on the table, the atmosphere inside that house had become literally suffocatingâespecially for Jake. When the other six members of the pack returned, they found Jake sulking, half-stretched out on the large, dark leather sofa in the living room. The younger ones almost laughed at the sight, but the older ones immediately understood that something had happened. Every second, Jake ran his fingers through his thick hair, ruffling it furiously, or hurled a stress ball against the wall in front of him, catching it mid-air with his reflexes before throwing it again.
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged an exasperated glance. Jay, the black cat hybrid, ran a hand over his neck, annoyed by the negative energy dominating the room.
âCan someone tell me what happened with your tutor? Why isnât she here in a chair, making you memorize dates or the names of generals? God, this house stinks so much of your bad pheromones. Thereâs a sour, wet-dog smell coming from you that I havenât smelled in I donât know how longâŠâ said the cat hybrid, wrinkling his nose. Sunghoon did the same, but Jake, at the mere word "tutor," jolted upright on the couch, hurling the ball onto the floor with such force that it bounced off the ceiling. He almost growled, nervously running his hands through his hair:
âNothing! Nothing happened! Sheâs just a stubborn little girl who says she doesnât want to come here anymore because⊠and sheâs going out with that damn Soobin this weekend.â
Sunghoon coughed in a half-laugh, unable to hold it back, and a cynical, amused grin appeared on his lips. âOh, so Choi is seriously interested in Y/n⊠who wouldâve thought! Heâs been practically chasing her for weeks. And well, on the other hand, you were busy getting kissed by one of your groupies five minutes before Y/n arrived, right? You donât care if Y/n goes out with another guy...especially Soobin, do you? You know, we saw her on the path as she was leaving, and human girls donât work like hybrids, who dream of finding their mate 90% of the time just to be knotted and not claimed. Human girls donât have a pack instinct. They donât accept sharing, and above all, you canât have your foot in two shoes with them.â
Jake rolled his eyes because everyone had warned him not to play around, especially with human girls. He covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. âI donât know what bothers me more...that she doesnât want to come here anymore to study with me⊠or that sheâs going out with another guy. Sheâs not⊠sheâs not my type at all, you know! Sheâs a simple, down-to-earth girlâall about home, work, and musical scores and what pisses me off the most is that sheâs almost as much of a know-it-all as I am. But damn, if I even think for a second about her laughing, walking, or looking at Soobin with those sweet eyes⊠my wolf side goes completely blind with rage, and I donât understand why. Me? Jake Sim only cares about getting signed by a national team and living for soccer, not romantic drama. But if I imagine her with another guy, I feel like somethingâs being ripped away from me something that, technically, isnât even mineâŠÂ I just want to go out there and make everyone understand that sheâs mine.â
At those words, Jakeâs eyes widenedâbecause⊠because he shouldnât be thinking those things. Those were things people said when theyâd found or were with their mate, not with a simple girl who gave them tutoring. Jay and Sunghoon stopped laughing, and their expressions turned serious, almost severe, as they watched their roommate crumble under the weight of a feeling he refused to admit but had just confessed a few seconds earlier. They exchanged another glance and, almost in unison, took a step forward toward their best friend, placing their hands on Jakeâs shoulders.
âWe told you to be careful with her, Jake,â Sunghoon said, with a rare note of seriousness in his voice. âBut above all, we warned you right away that she was the one⊠the one who could calm the beast inside you without you having to pretend to be the king of the campus.â
Jay nodded in agreement, gently stroking the lower part of Jakeâs ears this time: âYour tutor isnât playing hard to get, Jake. She saw what you always do: using people out of boredom, for sport, to confirm to yourself that you can have anyone. But this time, you chose the wrong person. Y/n isnât one of your fans who hang on your every word and accept your leftovers. If your wolf feels sick and is howling inside your head, itâs because he knows perfectly well that youâve ruined the only good, real thing youâve encountered in years. The few times Iâve seen you together, sheâs the only person who looks at you for who you areânot for the captainâs armband, your beauty, or your status.â
âSo get your ass off that couch,â Sunghoon concluded. âApologize to her and please, donât let her get away, because the true âmateâ only comes once in your life⊠donât make the mistake so many others do of not letting go.â
Jake had one clear mission: he never wanted to see you angry with him again, even if it meant swallowing his pride. So, between one soccer training session and another, he took his studies deadly seriously.
He locked himself in his room and spent hours poring over the pages of Contemporary History youâd worked on together. He started bombarding your phone: sending you photos of his summary diagrams late at night, voice messages over five minutes long (which were practically illegal in your book) answering the open-ended questions youâd left him as homework before your fight. And at the end of every voice message, heâd always try to make it personal, asking in a low voice: âHey⊠how are you? What did you do after class today? Do you want to meet up before the test on Friday afternoon?â
But you were categorical: you never replied to those personal questions, leaving him brutally on read. And for the study messages, you responded with an icy coldness that wasnât in your nature but deep down, you knew you were jealous of him, so you tried not to think about him, not to give in. Youâd look at the photos or listen to the voice messages, and youâd respond simply by leaving a reaction: a thumbs-up đ if the answer was correct, or a thumbs-down đ if heâd messed up the dates. No written messages. No âOkay,â no âGood job, you got six out of ten right.â Just absolute silence from you. And this was literally driving Jake crazy because no one in his entire life as an alpha hybrid and soccer captain had ever treated him like he was invisible.
As you stirred the coffees or steamed the milk, he wouldnât stop teasing you for a second: tilting his head, barely moving the tips of his ears to catch your eyes, and whispering with a crooked smile: âGood morning, sweetheart. Did you know WhatsApp was created as a messaging app, not an app for one-word replies or simple đđ? I preferred it when you actually spoke to me when I got distracted⊠are you sure you donât want to review together tonight?â
But you had become almost mute with him. You didnât give in even a millimeter to his antics. You kept your gaze fixed on the coffee machine and, slamming his receipt on the counter with a sharp tap, you responded every day with the same detached chant: âThatâs four dollars and fifty cents for the oat milk cappuccino, Sim. Move it, thereâs a line behind you.âYouâd point with one finger at the long line behind him, and Jake would almost always pout. The scene was so ridiculous that, a few tables away, his pack never missed an opportunity to enjoy the showâespecially the younger members, like Sunoo, who would burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hands, absolutely loving the drama between you and his hyung.
Next to him, Ni-ki would shoot Jake an amused glance and comment in the group chat that youâd refused to speak to Jake again. Even Jungwon, the cat hybrid who was usually the calmest, would chuckle under his whiskers, shaking his headâthough it was nice to see Jake, for the first time, thinking hard and working seriously on something that wasnât soccer.
The door in front of Jake was still closed, but his ears picked up the sound of the history professor arranging the tests on the desks inside. There were still five minutes until the exam started.
This was shaping up to be the most important weekend of his entire academic year: not only was there the Contemporary History exam weighing on his mind, but on Sunday, he had a crucial league match. In the stands, scouts from some of the countryâs most famous soccer teams would be watching, and Jake was hoping with everything in him to be chosen by one of themâto finally take off toward a professional career. Yet, despite the pressure of the upcoming match, the thing that had made him relax his shoulders and feel genuinely better that morning was your message.
After endless days of receiving nothing but cold thumbs-up or thumbs-down, your message had lit up his phone screen as soon as he woke up, his eyes still heavy with sleep:
âHi. Donât mix up the peace treaties from the various international assemblies, especially between World War II and the Cold War (P.S. I know there will be at least 2 questions on this topic). Good luck, Jake. Show them what youâre worth. :)â
At the sight of it, a smile, his first in a long time, crept onto his lips. He had reread that message all morning, and he was still staring at it now, just outside the classroom.
His inner wolf, which had been curled up, dull and listless for days in a corner of his mind, suddenly woke up at the news. His tail began wagging incessantly all day, and his animal instinct spoke clearly or perhaps it seriously hoped he still had a chance with you and said:
âIf she didnât care about you at all, she wouldnât have written⊠especially today, when she knows how important this day is for your future. Thereâs still hope, Sim Jaeyun. Embrace it.â
Thatâs exactly why, gripping his phone between his fingers, Jake decided not to reply to you right away. For once, he wanted to avoid making a wrong move. He didnât want to ruin that tiny bit of closeness with one of his usual bold responses. He wanted actions to speak for him.
So when the door to the lecture hall finally swung open and the students began pouring in, Jake took a seat at one of the central desks. And as soon as the Contemporary History test paper was placed in front of him, with a determination his classmates had never seen on his face before, he began answering all the questions. He didnât want to disappoint you. He couldnât allow himself to waste all the hours youâd spent writing him summaries, explaining every single chapter in detail even when you were angry with him. Or the fact that, despite everything, youâd taken a minute to wish him good luck.
So he put his head down and focused for the full two hours of the test, isolating himself from the rest of the world and concentrating on the answers he had to give.
After two grueling hours of the exam, Jake could literally not wait to find out his score. He was hoping with all his heart that the electronic system or the professors would give him the result immediatelyâhe wanted to know if all that crazy studying you and he had done together had paid off. But the professor had decided to grade the tests on the spot, and all the students, Jake included, were stuck in their seats. He rested his face against his arms, trying to calm himself and imagine how you would react if heâd passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to his wolf, the professor stood up from the desk with a stack of papers in her hands and began handing them out. When she reached Jakeâs desk, she stopped and looked at him with a sincere and slightly surprised smile:Â âI donât know how Y/n managed to make you âlikeâ Contemporary History, Sim, but Iâm truly happy and proud of you.â
The professor handed him his test, and Jake lowered his eyes. There, written at the top in bright green marker, was a 75/100, accompanied by a small smiling face. He was literally shockedâhis tail began wagging, and his pheromones started filling the air with his scent. He had never gotten a grade this high in that subject before. Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of the test, and sent it immediately to the WhatsApp group he had with the other six members of the villa. They all praised him, but all he wanted was to hear you or see you. So as he strode out of the classroom, he opened your private chat and was about to attach the photo of his 75 to brag to you tooâuntil he froze halfway down the hallway.
His wolf senses suddenly kicked in, and he caught an unmistakable trail of your sweet, unmistakable strawberry and cotton candy scent in the airâthe one he had loved discovering so much. Jakeâs head snapped around twice until his eyes locked onto you. There you were, just a few meters away, leaning against the hallway wall as you waited for him outside the classroom. At the sight of you, his hybrid nature rejoiced: his gray ears perked up happily on his head, and his tail, beneath his tracksuit pants, began moving in a frantic, enthusiastic rhythm, thrilled that you were there for himâeven though he hadnât asked you to be.
You gave him a small, shy smile, and Jake closed the distance between you in a flash, almost running until you felt his strong, large arms wrap tightly around your waist. Before you could even realize what was happening, Jake lifted you off the ground, nearly taking you into his arms mid-air in the middle of the hallway.
âJ-Jake! What are you doing?! Put me down, are you crazy?!â you stammered, your heart in your throat, as you instinctively clung to his broad back to avoid falling. But Jake ignored your protests and buried his head right near the hollow of your neck, breathing in your scent deeply. He whispered with a voice rough with emotion and adrenaline: âY/n⊠I got a 75. I did it⊠thanks to you.â
Your smile widened involuntarily at hearing him so happy, and you gently caressed the back of his neck. âI knew youâd do great things, Jake. Remember, you told me that by the end of the course, youâd get a 100 if you applied yourself! But now put me back down, seriously!â
Jake chuckled, only then realizing that all the students left in the hallway were staring at you. With extreme slowness, he let you slide back down but when your feet touched the ground, he didnât pull away instead, his face stayed just a few centimeters from yours, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. You swallowed, feeling your cheeks turn red, and he loved seeing you so close to him again. He studied you with an intense gaze, lowering his eyes to your lips for a second before meeting your eyes again.
âAnd now⊠whereâs my reward?â he asked in a provocative tone, watching you with a challenging look.
âYour reward is that the history box on the register finally has a green checkmark instead of a red one, and that maybe you wonât fail⊠thatâs your reward, Sim,â you said, as if it were obvious.
Jake pouted cutely, shaking his head, and teased you by reaching out to give you a light tap on the tip of your nose: âReally, sweetheart? Thatâs it? Youâre a ruthless tutor. I was hoping for something much more⊠this weekend⊠we haveto celebrate, Y/n. Tomorrow evening is one of the most important matches of my life....there will be scouts from national and global teams watching. Please come watch me play in the stands.â He said, almost pleading with his hands.
You immediately tried to shake your head and protest, crossing your arms: âJake, no, I told you⊠I have plans this weekend⊠I mean, I have to meet Soobin for breakfast, and then I have to study for my exams. I canât spend the evening in a pubâŠâ
But he, being the skilled manipulator he was when he wanted something from you, took half a step closer, reducing the space between you even more. You felt his pheromones teasing your body, and he said: âBreakfast is Sunday morning. My match is tomorrow evening. You have to come to the stands to cheer me on, Y/n. You sent me that message this morning, tomorrow, you need to be there in person. You helped me get through the hardest part of the week⊠you donât want to leave me alone right at the finish line, do you? Iâm only asking you to come tomorrow, okay?â
Jake Sim was seriously a thorn in your side, and he knew exactly how to get a âyesâ out of someone at any cost. You rolled your eyes, feigning fake exasperation, and started nervously fiddling with your backpack strap to avoid looking at him. âOkay, fine⊠Iâll come to the match with Allie,â you conceded in the end, hinting at a small smile. But then your tone turned more serious and low. âBut⊠you know I donât drink alcohol, Jake. So there wonât be much for me to do at the pub, and I want to leave at a decent time so I can be awake and on time Sunday morning.â
Jake immediately noticed that sudden shift in your mood. His wolf instinct picked up on a different nuance in your voice, and he desperately wanted to know what had happened to you in the pastâwhat was the reason behind your total refusal of alcohol, or why you trusted people so little and disliked physical contact so much. But he knew he had to take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, looking at you with a rare seriousness, and said: âI know youâre still hesitant about me⊠and Iâm sorry for the other day,â he said, almost mentally cursing himself for letting that third-year girl kiss him. âBut weâve known each other for a while now, and at the Halloween party, you trusted me. We worked as a team⊠so I thought that tomorrow evening, you could try drinking something with me and my friends. They might seem like a bunch of lunatics, but all six of them are curious to meet you, Y/n.â
You looked at him, stunned, your eyes wide, and opened your mouth to protest. But Jake immediately interrupted you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder to reassure you. âI just want you to feel safe with me. When youâre with me, nothing bad will ever happen to you, I promise. If youâre afraid of drinking for some reason⊠well, youâll tell me about it, when and if you want to. But tomorrow evening, Iâll stay right by your side, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, so I can stay 100% sober. You can have fun without touching a drink, obviously but I also want you to understand that you can trust me blindly and if you want to try drinking, you can do it in complete peace of mind, because after the party, Iâll pick you up, put you in my car, and take you home safe and sound, ready for your date with Soobin the next day,â Jake said, the last part reluctantly, running a hand through his thick hair and betraying a hint of jealousy at the innocent mention of your date. But he wanted, above all, to make you understand that he wasnât selfishâheâd loved making people like him since his scout days, loved being known for who he truly was. But between his reputation as the golden boy of the soccer team and knowing he was a good-looking guy, many girls wanted him, and he had fun with it. Now, though, he wanted to see if things could work with you.
You stood still because youâd never heard a guyâlet alone a fiery, popular hybrid like himâsay something like that to you, or put himself completely at your disposal just to make you feel protected.
You lowered your gaze, feeling your cheeks burn, because deep down, you knew it was true: despite his flaws, his arrogance, and his distracted kisses with others, with Jake, youâd felt safe almost from the first day. And with him, the anxiety that usually clenched your stomach always disappeared. This had to make you realize that there was something more to Jake. When you looked up again, you said softly: âThank you, JakeâŠâ
He smiled at you and said: âI promise you, Y/n. If you want to drink something, Iâll always be by your side⊠and even if you decide not to drink, itâll be the same for meâIâll be there to protect you,â he thought the last part in his mind, while his inner wolf growled with pride at the idea of being your shield against the rest of the world. âEverything will be fine, I promise,â he said, reaching out his hand toward you, lifting his pinky finger in a solemn and slightly childish vow. You looked at him for a second, then smiled, and linked your pinky with his, squeezing it.
âOkay⊠Iâll come to your match⊠and maybe Iâll drink something at the party.â
At that contact and those words, Jakeâs smile grew enormous. He pulled you close, even if only through that link between your pinkies, because he couldnât wait for you to discover and get to know the real Jake.
The stands of the university soccer field were literally packed with people: some were leading the university chants, others were playing drums and trumpets, blasting the university anthem, and there were countless screams from fans cheering on all the players but one name echoed louder than all the others: number 5, Jake Sim.
You and Allie were sitting in a kind of covered VIP box, a reserved area where the other six hybrids from the villa were also watching the match. You were sitting right next to Jay, the black cat hybrid, who was watching the game with his arms crossed and his tail lazily swaying behind his backâhe wasnât part of any sports team, but for his best friends or hyungs, he would never miss a thing. To Allieâs left was Heeseung, the hamster hybrid, who, true to his sweet but incredibly magnetic nature, hadnât stopped flirting with her for a second, making her giggle while she kept rolling her eyes.
At one point, Allie turned to you, her eyes wide, and pointed at the crowd below: âWow, Y/n⊠I knew Jake was the âgolden boyâ of the university and the soccer team, but look how many girls are wearing his jersey!â Looking down, you noticed that almost 90% of the female fans were wearing the number 5 jersey with Sim printed on the back. Out of pure spite, you had decided to leave the original jersey heâd given you the other day with a cocky smile in your closet but to avoid freezing from the evening wind, you had accepted wearing only his team scarf, which still smelled intensely of him. You werenât entirely sure if it bothered you to see so many girls with his name on their backs. After all, you didnât like Jake⊠right? And besides, the next morning, you had a special date at one of the best bakeries in the area with Soobin. So you didnât understand that annoying itch that was creeping through your body at the sight of so many girls talking about Jake.
But those confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of the university commentator over the speakers, who shouted: ââŠAnd thereâs Anton with a perfect pass to Jake from the corner kick! Sim breaks free in the shooting zone⊠he jumps higher than everyone else and⊠HEADER! GOAL! ITâS A GOAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY!â
A crazy roar spread across the entire field, and the stands almost trembled from the crowd of people screaming, jumping, and recording videos. Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, both Jay and Heeseung leaned toward you. You felt Jayâs muscular arm wrap around your neck, pulling you into a brotherly hug while Heeseung did the same with Allie, jumping and cheering. You burst out laughing, infected by that insane energy you never thought youâd enjoy, exchanging an amused glance with Allie as you saw her lean into Heeseung.
Jay, noticing your laughter, looked down at you and gave you a light, teasing nudge with his elbow. âLook at you⊠You didnât want to wear his jersey to play it cool, but youâre clutching his scarf around your neck, sniffing it every two seconds like you miss him. And you canât stop rolling your eyes when some girl comments on Jake, yet you canât take your eyes off him during any of his plays! I bet if Jake knew you were smelling his scent while he scores, heâd jump around like a puppy!â He said, observing you. You blushed instantly and retorted, giving him a playful shove to his chest: âStop it, Jay! Iâm only wearing it because itâs freezing up here, not because of⊠I only smell it because⊠because Jake has a nice scent.â Jay nodded, shaking his head with a smirk.
At that moment, your eyes returned to the field. Jake was running like crazy on the green pitch, but instead of heading toward the ultrasâ curve, he ran straight under the VIP box where you were sitting. He slowed his pace, making a slight theatrical bow with his arms open to the crowd. And as soon as his eyes found you in the crowd, he winked at you and gave you a cocky smile. You felt your cheeks burn completely, and Allie immediately brought her hands to her chest, striking a totally dramatic pose like a true actress: âOhh! Jake Sim winked at me! Iâm about to faint!â Heeseung immediately interjected, leaning toward her ear with a half-smile: âI donât think so, doll⊠I donât think that wink was meant for youâŠâ Allie, however, let out a small huff and said, âOh, come on, let me dream!â before giving you a knowing nudge.
You watched Jake as he turned to run back and let himself be swallowed by the embraces of his teammates. But when you tried to turn away to hide your embarrassment, you realized that the atmosphere in the box had suddenly changed because all six hybrids left there were staring at you.
In their gazes, there wasnât just happiness for the goal. Their eyes (feline, canine, or wild) shone with an intensity and a protective, almost possessive warmth in the way they looked at you. Because in a hybrid culture, the bond forming between you and Jake was terrifyingly similar to an imprinting, the sacred recognition of their âfemale. and in the pack, you were the first female even if you hadnât yet been knotted or bitten by Jake.
The pub where the victory party was being held was literally packed with students who had been in the stands, all dancing and drinking. The space on the small sofa in the pub was so limited that you were half-stuck to Jake, his shoulder pressed against yours. You were leaning over, scrolling through the drink menu, while Jake was telling you which one he thought youâd like best but in reality, your eyes werenât really looking at the names on the menu at allâthey were completely captivated by him.
You observed his backward baseball cap, from which a few strands of dark hair escaped, falling rebelliously across his forehead. His cheeks were still slightly flushed from the physical exertion of the game, but also from the heat of the room. Jake was really too handsomeâa lethal mix of hybrid charm with his large hands and ears that wouldnât stop moving, but also a sweetness in the small dimples on his face or his tired eyes⊠not to mention his full lips, which he bit every now and then. You realized it was a ticâpartly a nervous reflex, but also something personal, slightly explicit, directed at you.
Your thoughts dissolved instantly when you felt his warm voice against your ear, so close it sent shivers down your spine: âSo, sweetheart? What are you getting?â he asked, watching your every reaction closely. Snapping out of your trance and having barely read anything, you pointed to the first combination that caught your eye: a cocktail with grapes, lime, currants, and a vodka base.
Jake added your drink to the order and then ordered a simple Coca-Cola for himself. Looking at him, you realized he was dead seriousâhe wouldnât touch a drop of alcohol all night, giving up toasting to his own victory just to keep his promise of protecting you.
When the drink arrived at the table, Jake picked up the glass, adjusted the straw, and gently turned it toward you. You leaned slightly forward to take your first sip, and he whispered:Â âDonât drink too much at once, okay? Take small sips, or your body wonât handle the impact.â
You looked up at him as you drank, watching him from below. At the sight of your lips wrapped around the straw and your bright eyes locked on his, every rational thought in Jakeâs head vanished. His alpha hybrid instinct short-circuited at the realization of just how damn beautiful you were. His senses picked up the warmth spreading across your skin, and your strawberry scent, mixing with the fruity smell of the drink, created an intoxicating, addictive blend for a hybrid with such a developed alpha side as his.
After sliding that first drop of alcohol into your body for the first time in years, you pulled away from the straw and said with a fake challenging tone:Â âIâm not a child, Jake!â
He sighed, shaking his head with a crooked smile, and said: âI know youâre not a child⊠but you told me youâve barely ever drunk in your life, and I just want this fear of alcohol to fade, even thanks to me and I want you to have a great night. So yes, Iâll keep an eye on you, Y/n.â
At those words, you bit your lip, playing with the straw, and leaned even closer to him. Slowly reaching out, you gently caressed the base of his wolf ears, feeling them soft and warm under your fingers knowing it would make him more sensitive. âI like this drink⊠but maybe there isnât that much alcohol in it,â you whispered close to his face.
Jake sniffed your glass, his ears twitching pleasantly under your touch, and nodded: âGood. I certainly wouldnât have started you off with aged gin or century-old grappa!â he said, smiling at you. You laughed and, leaning even closer to his cheek, whispered against his lips: âYouâre such a good boy, JakeâŠâ
Jakeâs inner wolf couldnât tolerate being called a "good boy" when every single fiber of his body was screaming the opposite. His breath suddenly became heavier, and he fixed his gaze directly into your eyes. For perhaps the first time, driven by something even you didnât think you had, you were teasing him, rendering him more inert in his hybrid nature than his human one.
âStop saying things like that, sweetheart⊠you have no idea what it does to a hybridâs mind,â he hissed, his mouth a millimeter from your ear. You pouted slightly, openly challenging his gaze, and said with a tone dripping with fake innocence that shattered his self-control: âWhy not, Sim? Are you afraid your bad-boy reputation might get tarnished by me? What would happen if I went around saying youâre not actually a show-off? That you love taking care of people, and that in your pack and on your team, you act more like a protective father figure rather than just an older brother?â
At that declaration, Jake realized you knew him better than some people heâd known for years. It was trueâyou saw through him, past the arrogant athlete mask heâd stitched onto himself. He was a good guy, always had been with the people he loved but in that precise moment, with you so terrifyingly close on the pubâs small sofa, the warmth of the vodka beginning to melt your anxieties, and the scent of your skin shifting to reveal a growing excitement that his predator nature picked up with millimeter precision, Jake was having thoughts far too obscene to be defined as a "good boy."
His inner wolf was wide awake. It wanted to spin you around and kiss you in front of the entire pub. It wanted to push your head back and drag his nose along your neck, lingering on the scent glandâthe most sacred area for hybrids like him, where a femaleâs scent was most concentrated. He wanted every last hybrid on this earth to smell his scent on your body.
But his hybrid mind went even further, imagining much darker, wilder fantasiesâdefinitely not the kind a "good boy" would have. In his head, he pictured you straddling him, completely naked, your breasts bouncing with every movement, gasping as you clenched your fingers in his dark hair and bent his ears backward with pleasure. He wanted to see you trembling with pleasure beneath or above him as he thrust deep inside you, claiming you not as a human, but as an animal claiming his mate he had finally found and the most depraved image of all was seeing you swollen with his knot. He imagined pushing all the way inside you, swelling in your belly to lock himself inside your body, forcing you to stay bound to him while his pheromones marked you from within. At the same time, he wanted to hear you cry and moan his name like a sick prayer, trapped in his knot.
So no⊠Jake was not a good boy in that moment but until he officially went into heatâthat time of year when hybrids completely lost their minds or until you became his female in every sense, he would force himself to be good. He would keep the beast that had been pulsing inside him for months whenever he was near you on a tight leash.
The overwhelming beats of Scream & Shout blared at full volume, literally shaking the walls of the pub. You were in the middle of the dance floor, the alcohol coursing through you giving you the confidence to sing and dance with Allie, arms raised, hips swaying in rhythm, a few sweat-dampened strands of hair sticking to your forehead and face as you laughed and hopped but every so often, your eyes instinctively snapped toward the small sofa where Jake had stayed seated next to Heeseung.
He hadnât danced or drunk, staying true to his promise to be your shield. He kept his large hand tightly wrapped around your third drink of the nightâa deep pink Cosmopolitan and he hadnât taken his eyes off you for even a second. That gaze, both sweet and magnetic, had sent shivers through you all evening. When the song ended, you pushed your way through the crowded, overheated bodies, and when you finally reached the table, you practically collapsed onto the sofa next to them, smiling radiantly especially at Jake.
You swept your hair behind your back with a fluid neck movement, and Jake couldnât stop watching you. You leaned forward to grab the straw of your Cosmopolitan, and as the cool, alcoholic liquid slid down your throat, you gave him a sweet but incredibly sly smile. âItâs⊠itâs so good,â you slurred slightly, your cheeks flushed. âI⊠I definitely want another one!â you said, giggling.
Heeseung burst out laughing, turning to Jake and slapping him on the shoulder: âWow, Sim⊠I think tonight youâve awakened a completely new personality in Y/n! This party is going to cost you a lot if she keeps this up.â
Jake shook his head with a half-protective smile curving his lips. He leaned toward you and whispered in your ear:Â âYou still have to finish this one, sweetheart. But the answer is no...no fourth drink. Itâs already a lot that I let you get to this Cosmopolitan.â
You immediately pouted, disappointed by his refusal. Driven by a sudden, bold audacity youâd never have had while sober, you stretched toward him, wrapping your arms around his neck. You leaned forward, pressing your face right where his neck met his shoulderâexactly above his wolf scent gland.
At that contact, Jake froze instantly, stiffening as if heâd been hit by an electric shock. His breath caught because, without realizing it, by moving there against him and breathing in his skin, you were literally marking him with your strawberry and vodka scent. For a few seconds, your pheromonesâless sharp because you were humanâmixed with his, and for his wolf, that gesture was both ecstasy and exquisite torture.
âPlease, JakeâŠ?â you whispered against his neck. âYou know⊠yeah, well, Iâm really having so much fun tonight!â You raised your hands in the air to emphasize, giggling again. âAnd besides, you were⊠you were so good at soccer tonight. Youâre a champion, so we have to celebrate big, right?â
Jay, who was sitting on the sofa across from you, watched the whole scene and put a hand on his face, shaking his head though with an amused smirk. âJake, my friend, listen to me: maybe you should take her home now,â the black cat said. âOtherwise, tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, sheâll be mortified by everything sheâs doing and saying with just three drinks in her!â
You turned toward Jay, exaggerating your pout: âNo, Jake, donât listen to him! I⊠I want to dance more, and I want another drink! We could⊠we could share it, what do you say? One sip each⊠there are so many drinks Iâve never tried.â
But Jake, struggling to regain control of his instincts after that close contact on his neck, slid his large hand down your back, steadying you, and looked you straight in the eyes. With a low, incredibly gentle tone, he said: âY/n⊠earlier, you said I was a good boy, right?â
You looked at him for a few seconds, enchanted by his lips, and slowly nodded, almost hypnotized.
âExactly,â he continued, gently rubbing your back. âGood boys always take their girls home safe and sound. Itâs a promise I made you, and Iâm not breaking it. So game over for tonight.â He said, standing up and gently pulling you up by your arm. âPut on your coat actually, take my team hoodie too. Itâs freezing outside.â
As you weakly protested because you seriously wanted to go back to the dance floor and have fun, and most of all, you wanted his eyes glued to your body again, Jake helped you slip your arms into his enormous hoodie, which completely wrapped you in his scent
The notes of Into It filled the car, and you closed your eyes slightly, smiling. âIâd love to write a song like this⊠I love alternative R&B and synth-pop,â you said, leaning back against the seat. Jake smiled at the sight of you so relaxed in his car. He knew perfectly well that both you and he loved Chase Atlanticâthey were one of the many things that connected you without needing too many words, something heâd discovered about you almost by accident.
âWell, who knows⊠maybe one day, at the Champions League final, youâll be the one opening the ceremony with your own song, and Iâll be on the field with my team, walking down the tunnel,â he said, shooting you an amused glance but also offering encouragementâfor both of you. Heâd make a pact with the devil himself to become an elite soccer player, but at the same time, he wanted to see you fulfilled. At that statement, you almost shot upright, clapping your hands enthusiastically: âThat would be amazing! Even if in three or four years, youâll probably have even more girls wearing your jersey⊠You know, today at the stadium, almost all of them were wearing it, and I donât blame them, because youâreâŠâ
Jake furrowed his brows, not understanding where you were going with this, your cheeks still flushed from the alcohol. âIâmâŠ?â he asked, turning the steering wheel. At the sight of his veined hands gripping it, you bit your lip slightly and giggled, shifting in your seat to trace a finger over his hand resting on the gear shift. With your cheeks incredibly red, you whispered: âYouâre really gorgeous, Jake. But not in a⊠âsexualâ way. In the way that youâre gorgeous inside and out, and it kills me that youâre ashamed to let people see that, hiding behind your bad-boy mask.â
Jake smiled softly. âWell⊠I think thatâs the most genuine and deep compliment anyoneâs given me in years,â he said sincerely, squeezing your fingers for a second before putting his hand back on the wheel.
You clapped your hands again, happy, and started humming softly along with the rhythm of the music until the car turned onto the driveway of the hybridsâ big villa. Jake took you straight to his room to avoid waking the others who hadnât come to the party. With infinite patience, he took care of you, as heâd promised, helping you take off your coat and his oversized hoodie, turning away respectfully when you unclasped your bra to be more comfortable. He handed you a clean T-shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants to wear as pajamas. Like a good boy, he waited outside the bathroom while you washed your face. When you came out, heâd changed too.
Without his team jacket and the daytime clothes that often made him look over the top, in his pajamas, he looked like the classic boy next doorâjust an ordinary, accessible, and incredibly sweet guy. But this wasnât the real Jake youâd come to know, was it? With that question in mind, you sat on the edge of the padded headboard. When Jake sat down right next to you, you turned your face abruptly and stared at his profile under the soft light of the bedside lamp. Your eyes traced the perfect lines of his profileâJake had a beautiful nose, straight and large, typical of his hybrid nature. Without even realizing it, guided by the alcohol and a sudden urge to touch him, you reached out, placing a finger on the bridge of his nose and gently traced its entire outline down to the tip.
Jake turned his head, letting you do it as his wolf ears twitched slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. âEarlier⊠I also wanted to tell you that youâre beautiful, Jake,â you said softly as you met his eyes, pulling your hand back and looking up at the ceiling with a small huff. âBut I already knew that⊠every girl tells you that every single day of the week.â
At that, Jake rolled his eyes, and his hybrid nature kicked in instantlyâbecause this was the second time youâd subtly let him know you were completely jealous of all those stupid number 5 jerseys the other girls wore in the stands. A small grin took over his lips. âDamn⊠If Iâd known that with three drinks in you, youâd be this chatty and admit things like that, I wouldâve taken you to every party this season, sweetheart,â Jake said with an amused tone.
In the strange euphoria of the alcohol, you almost knelt on the soft mattress, leaning over him as he lay partially stretched out on the bed. Neither of you could stop looking at each other, unfiltered and guided only by instinct. You whispered in a low voice: âI⊠Can I kiss you, Jake?â
Jakeâs eyes widened, completely caught off guard by such a direct request. Where the hell had the girl who hated being touchedâespecially the one who was mad at himâgone? His tail began wagging frantically on the mattress, betraying his wild excitement. When he saw you leaning in even closer, he made a huge effort of willpower, lifting a finger and gently pressing it against your mouth. âSweetheart⊠Iâd pay gold to do it again and kiss you right now,â he said in a low voice. âBut damn, as you said earlier, right now Iâm a âgood boy,â and I canât take advantage of you like this. You have to ask me when youâre sober, Y/n. When youâre sober, you can ask me for anythingâŠÂ anything. And if tomorrow morning you still want me, you can ask me for whatever you want...but not now.â
You made an adorable pout, visibly disappointed by the refusalâyouâd never expected it. âAnything?â you murmured. Jake nodded slowly. âAnything.â
âWell⊠fine, then tomorrow morning,â you whispered, your fingers already lazily playing with his big wolf ears again. You continued, your voice shy and your eyes heavy with sleepiness: âI⊠I want to ask you something tomorrow, but I wonât spoil it now.â
Jake gently caressed your flushed cheek with the back of his hand, tender and dying of curiosity about what you might ask him. âYou should try to sleep now, Y/n. The bed is all yours,â he said. You nodded weakly, exhausted from the day, and curled up against him, nestling on his side and resting your head on the pillow.
Jake reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Despite the wolf inside him screaming with the impulse to pull you close, trap you under his body for the whole night, he forced himself to respect your space. He didnât yet have the official right to hold you or keep you close as if you were his mate. So he settled for stroking the back of your hand with warm, protective fingers all night, letting you rest. As he felt your breathing become steady, Jake stayed awake in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so curious and impatient to find out what you intended to ask him the next morning.
In his hybrid mind, he wondered if that mysterious question had to do with your fear of being touched by others.
Jake woke up stretching, his nose catching your faint scent of strawberries and something sweetâmaybe a hint of cotton candy, or perhaps a sugary note from one of the drinks youâd had the night before. As he stretched to see if you were still asleep, he placed a hand on the part of the bed where you should have been. It was still warm, but you werenât there. His heart started pounding, and he sat up almost abruptly, lazily running a hand through his hair. When he opened his eyes, at that exact moment, he saw you entering his room, still wearing his clothes, with two steaming cups of coffee in your hands.
You smiled at him shyly, and he thought you were 100% back to the girl heâd met months agoânot the teasing version of you from last night, the one who had asked if you could kiss him or who had looked at him with eyes full of excitement. When you handed him the cup, he responded with a rough, small âThanks,â and you sat down in front of him. As you sipped your coffee, you couldnât stop looking at him, and Jake chuckled into his cup.
âStop looking at me like that, sweetheart. Spit it outâŠtell me what you wanted to say last night,â he said. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of your tongue, and your cheeks turned even redder. âYou⊠you, forget it, Jake. Itâs⊠itâs nothing, what I wanted to ask you. Please, just forget it,â you said.
Jake tilted his head, observing you, and he could sense how embarrassed your body was. Teasing you, he said: âNo, no, beautiful. Now you tell me what you wanted to ask me. And I certainly canât forget you begging to kiss me!â You opened your mouth to retort, rolled your eyes, and said: âWhy are you always so shameless? Itâs not even 8 in the morning.â Jake chuckled and replied, still in a low voiceâit was in his nature. You pouted and said: âIâll ask you this thing, but first, donât laugh, donât tease me, and donât make a scene, okay? Donât yell or act like a clown, okay?â
Jake was seriously curious about what you wanted to ask him. He stretched out his pinky finger as a promise, and you squeezed it tightly. âOkay, well, I wonât beat around the bush⊠you⊠do you want to have sex with me?â
Jake thought he was still asleep. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? But when he spat out half the coffee in his mouth onto his pajama shirt, the burning contact of the liquid on his warm skin made him cough violently. You jumped up and started patting his back for a full minute. Neither of you said a word. Jake placed his coffee on the nightstand, and as he turned to you, he looked at you carefully and said, perhaps too loudly: âARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU STILL DRUNK, OR⊠DID YOU GET A HIGH FEVER IN THE FEW HOURS YOU SLEPT?â
You glared at him and almost growled his name. He lowered his voice, but his hand pressed against your foreheadâyou were coldâŠÂ damn. You were serious.
âIâm not feverish, and Iâm not drunk. Damn, I wasnât even drunk last night, Jake, and⊠and Iâm not joking. But if you donât want to⊠I understand,â you said, fiddling with the strings of your pajama. Jake was extremely restless at that moment. He ran his hands through his hair countless times, and after what felt like endless minutes, he said: âI want a reason, Y/n. I want a damn reason for why you asked me something like that. Whereâs the girl who hated my physical contact? Whereâs the girl who was even afraid to sit next to me? Whereâs that girl? That girl wouldnât have asked me to kiss her in the first place, let alone to have sex with me. So excuse me, but I want the fucking truth. And then weâll consider it. But I want⊠the truth about why you were and still are afraid of being touched or drinking a drink with a little alcohol in it.â
You sighed because only your family and Allie knew the truth about what had happened to you in your last year of high school. You closed your eyes for a moment and tried not to relive all the pain that night had caused you, or the rumors that had spread about you and your parents. Then you said:Â
âOkay, Iâll tell you the truth. But please, this has to stay between you and me. It must not leave these four walls, and you⊠Please donât say or do anything until Iâve finished telling you what happened.â
Jake nodded and shifted slightly closer, trying to calm you with his pheromones, but it didnât work. When you started telling him that in your last year of high school, you were dating a guy from the soccer team, and you thought he was the right one for you, because he was the perfect guy: good grades, part of the best studentsâ club, and loved by your entire town because he did volunteer work. You had built a clear image of him in your mind. But everything changed one night⊠You and this guy had been together for a couple of months, and you went to a party together. He had drunk a little too much, and you werenât completely sober either. Jake immediately understood what had happened to you: an assault.
His hybrid nature wanted to know who this guy was and make his life a living hell, especially when you started crying. He pulled you into his arms, and you buried your entire body against him. For endless minutes, he held you, gently stroking your hair and telling you it wasnât your fault. But you didnât stop crying and sobbing until you said:Â
âI⊠Iâm broken, Jake. Every time someone tries to make me feel good, I freeze and go into this cold trance. Thatâs why I asked you⊠because itâs hard to admit, but I trust you. And youâve made me realize that so many times these past few months.âYou said this with tears in your eyes, and Jake gently wiped them away with his thumbs, closing his eyes for a moment because he never would have imagined finding himself in a situation like this.
Jake wanted to make you happy, so he gently shifted you away from him, lifted your chin, and looked deeply into your eyes. âYouâre not broken, Y/n. You went through something horrible that no one in this world should ever experience. So itâs normal for your body to be afraid, for you to go into a negative, protective mode. Therefore⊠my answer is yes.â
You gave him a 32-tooth smile and hugged him even tighter than before. âYou⊠youâre serious? Youâll help me overcome this?â Jake nodded and wiped away another tear sliding down your face. He whispered in a low voice: âI never want to see tears of sadness in you again, Y/n. These⊠these tears should only be of joy or excitement. So yes, Iâll help you. But on my conditions.â
You nodded and said, âWhat conditions will we adopt?â. Jake tried to show his most human side, not the dark hybrid one, and said: â
First, you need to start taking the anti-hybrid pill. I donât want to accidentally knot and impregnate you when we⊠You know, have sex. And Iâll take it too, as long as this is safe.â You tried to speak, but a finger pressed against your lips. âLet me talk, Y/n. Second, we will not have sex right away. Before sex, there must absolutely be awareness and enjoyment of what weâre going to doâespecially for you, since youâve told me you canât let yourself go or be touched by others. So there will be a lot of foreplay, both for me to discover your body and for you to discover mine. Third, you must tell me at any moment if you want to stop or if you donât like something. There will be no safe wordâif you tell me NO, it will be a NO. If you tell me you like it, Iâll continue. If you want to stop, I will stop. But if you beg me to continue, I will continue⊠because I have two natures, Y/nâboth the human one and the animal one. These are my conditions, Y/n. If youâre up for it, weâll do this together. But if you donât agree with even one of these things, my answer will be a NO.â
You swallowed and nodded, still sitting on top of him, continuing to play with the strings of his pajama. After a while, you said, âThese conditions are perfect for me. Itâs clear that deep down, youâre a good guy!â You said this, trying to ease the tension that had built up. He gently caressed your side and, looking at you, said: âIâd like to suggest another condition. From the moment this starts⊠Iâd like for you not to be with other girls, and obviously, the same will go for me. I know it might seem trivial to you, but Iâd feel more comfortable. And when⊠well, if it ends, we could⊠yes, go back to our lives,â you said, a little embarrassed.
But in Jakeâs mind, it was already settled that this wouldnât end because you were his mate, and he would make you understand that in any way possible. You would never be with another guy except him, and the same went for him.
Were you a bad person for forgetting about your date with Soobin while crying in Jakeâs arms, finally sharing what had happened to you? Maybe⊠but at the same time, after years of silence, you had finally told someone the truth. And perhaps, thanks to Jakeâs words, his touch, and the growing realization that you might have found someone you could trust completely, you didnât feel like a bad person at all.
âIâm really sorry I didnât show up at the bakery. I woke up super late because the night before, I went to the soccer teamâs party with Jake and his friends, and Allie wouldnât leave me aloneâshe kept making me dance with her. Before I knew it, it was maybe 2 AM by the time I got home. And in the morning, when I woke up, I texted you right away,â you said, winking. Soobin, 99% convinced by your story, took a sip of the new winter recipe youâd added to the seasonal menu and nodded. But you heard him mutter under his breath: âOf course you were at Jakeâs party.â
At the sound of that name, something inside you twitched. And as if on cue, your phone lit up. You saw Jakeâs name at the top of your notifications. It wasnât news that Jake and Allie usually topped your chat list. You glanced at the message:
-> Jakeâœïžđș: Come over at 6 PM. There wonât be anyone around for a good two hours, so you can relax! Iâm heading to practice. See you later, sweetheart :)
You froze at those words. The day had arrived. Obviously, as heâd said, it wasnât about sex...it was aboutâŠÂ physically getting to know each other. Oh my God, what had you gotten yourself into? But he was the only manâbesides your dadâwho didnât make you anxious. Youâd thought and reasoned so much before asking him that question, and now the moment was here.
Two fingers snapped in front of your face, and you jumped. Soobinâs voice cut through your thoughts: âSeems like you just read a notification about a good grade or something amazing happening. Did something good happen?â he asked, looking at you. You quickly lied: âYes, the music production company Hybe wrote to me⊠they want a meeting. You know I write music, and they want to get to know me and the drafts I have on my computerâthere are over 100 of them.â
Soobinâs eyes widened. âDamn, Y/n, thatâs huge news! I know Jay works under that label too, you could ask him about itâŠâ You cut him off before he could finish, raising your hands. âI⊠please, donât tell anyone. I donât want to get contacts or opportunities because of someone else. I want them to want me, to like my lyrics and my melodies. So could you⊠not tell anyone? Only you, Allie, and my family know.â
Soobinâs ego swelled a little at the thought that you hadnât even told Jake yet. âDonât worry, my lips are sealed,â he said, miming a zipper over his mouth with his fingers. You thanked him.
Soobin wasnât a bad friend, he was funny, seemed like a calm guy, and had his head on straight. But to your defense⊠he didnât make you feel anything anymore. Or maybe youâd never really felt anything for him at all.
Your low-rise jeans hugged your legs perfectly, and your slightly snug sweater accentuated the curves you usually disliked but had started to appreciate as part of who you were. You had light makeup on, but your signature strawberry gloss never missed your lips, and your hair was softly wavy. You felt pretty, but anxiety was eating you up inside as you entered Jakeâs house using the code you knew. This time, Jake rushed down the stairs, and when he saw you dressed so nicely to spend time with him, a small smile formed on his face.
âHey, damn, sweetheartâif Iâd known youâd dress this well, I wouldâve spent a little more time on my outfit too!â he said, licking his lips slightly. You rolled your eyes, but when he offered his hand, you looked at it carefully before taking it. As he led you to his room, you felt a wave of anxiety, and Jake knew it. âY/n, I donât want to force you to do anything, okay? Before you got here, I thought maybe you could get comfortable in my clothes, and then we could listen to some music, do some LegosâIâve got a ton or we could watch a movie. Whatever helps you relax is fine with me. I know youâve never been with a hybrid before, but I can smell your scent notes, and right now, I can sense that sour, persistent note in you. So you choose what you want to do,â he said, giving you a small smile.
You lowered your head at the sight of his clothes because you knew youâd never meet another guy like Jake again. At first, you had to admit, you didnât particularly like him. But as you got to know him over the months, you realized Jake was the kind of guy every mom would want as a partner for their daughter. Yes, he often acted like a show-off, but deep down, he had a huge heart and you knew, deep down, that he was opening it up to you.
âItâs a great idea to wear your clothes. I donât even know why I dressed up so nicely. Weâre just staying in your room, so yeah, Iâll put on your stuff, and then maybe we could⊠listen to some music? And what do you think about dancing?âJakeâs eyes widened slightly, and he said in a low voice: âDancing?â You nodded, slightly amused, because you wanted to see if heâd get embarrassed. But Jake understood your gaze immediately and said: âYou said that before doing anything, we need to get to know our bodies. I donât want a dance-off, Jake. I just want some closeness between our bodies with the music, and yes⊠you can touch me, and obviously, I can touch you too,â you said. Jake noddedâif thatâs what you wanted, it was fine with him.
When you came out of his bathroom, you were wearing one of Jakeâs soccer jerseys, of course, with his number and last nam âand a simple pair of pajama pants. At that sight, something inside Jake clicked. Heâd been disappointed on game day when he hadnât seen you in his jersey, but now he thought it was a thousand times better to see you in his room, wearing his jersey, with only his eyes on you. In his hybrid nature, it was a beautiful victory.
He knew he was a little possessive by nature, but seeing you in his jersey, in his clothes, with his scentâthe beast inside him rejoiced fiercely. He couldnât wait to see you without them, at his mercy. But he had to push those thoughts away immediately. After what youâd confided in him, he wanted to give you all the time you needed. He wanted you to understand that only he could have you, desire you fiercely⊠because only he would listen to your body 100%.
You and Jake stared at the open Spotify screen on his laptop, scrolling through song options.
âWhat song could we listen to that we could both dance and sing to?â you asked, tilting your head as you read through various titles that were also in your own playlist. Jake made a small, thoughtful pout, running a finger over his chin until his eyes lit up. âHow about âDancing with Myselfâ? Itâs super rhythmic, I used to listen to it all the time with my dad. Itâs got that â80s rock beat that makes your feet, body, and head move all at once. What do you think?â
You beamed and hit play on the computer resting on his desk. Immediately, the iconic, overwhelming drum intro filled the room through the speakers. You didnât need to be told twiceâyou started swaying your hips and bouncing on the rug, following your own rhythm. Meanwhile, Jake brought a hand to his face, perhaps out of embarrassment? His wolf ears bent slightly backward, betraying a hint of shy embarrassment at seeing you so unleashedâjust for him. But at the same time, he was thrilled to see you so at ease in his company.
âCome on, Jake! Donât tell me youâre embarrassed to dance a little with me!â you laughed, your hair swaying slightly with every movement. Seeing his gaze on you, you approached himâhe was still sitting on the edge of the bed and teased him, holding up your pinky finger. âThereâs no one else here. I wonât tell anyone!â Without thinking, you grabbed his wrists with your hands and playfully but firmly urged him to stand up and dance with you.
He closed his eyes for a second, sighing to compose himself in the situation heâd gotten himself into just to make you happy and help you understand he was the right one for you. When he opened them again, he saw your contagious laughter ringing out with the music, and a resigned but incredibly sweet smile spread across his lips. He, too, began to sway his body, following your movements, which were clumsy but magnetic to him, because in that moment, it was just you.
âCome on, Jake, loosen up a bit! Whereâs the fearless campus bad boy whoâs afraid of nothing?â you teased, pulling him even closer. âWeâre just dancing and trying to⊠trust each other.â You swayed your hips, and at the mention of trust, Jake took a deep breath. He placed his large hands with extreme gentleness on your waist, moving to the rhythm of the song.
You laughed happily, and with a burst of joy, you did a little spin, gracefully slipping out of his grip and stepping a few paces toward the center of the room, perhaps on purpose, because you definitely wanted his attention and those eyes always on you.
Jake made a small, frustrated pout at being deprived of your touch and walked with feline grace to close the distance again. When he reached you, you threw your arms around his neck, stopping his advance but staying very close.
âDonât try to touch me like you already own me, Jake,â you whispered, looking him straight in the eyes with a mix of challenge and vulnerability. âTry to let go⊠and touch me like Iâm something completely new.â
At those words, Jakeâs animal nature took over for a moment. The wolf inside him growled softly, eager to grab you tightly and press you against his chest, to show you that every single cell of your body already belonged to him. But he shook off that overpowering thought with a shake of his head and muttered in a low voice: âEasy for you to say⊠when you already own my entire body, Y/n.â
Jake prayed you hadnât heard him and maybe you hadnât. So he slowly slid a hand behind your back, caressing the fabric of the jersey right where the large number 5 was printed. You let him, returning to your gentle dancing in front of him, completely wrapped in his scent. But seeing him completely lost in you, you turned your back, still following the rhythm of the music. Your body inevitably pressed against his chest, and thatâs when you clearly felt Jake losing patience with you⊠his self-control was crumbling because of you. You felt the warmth of his nose press directly against your exposed throat, inhaling your scent until it gave you shivers, while his hands tightened decisively around your waist, anchoring you to him.
As you continued to move against his warm body, Jake exhaled a trembling sigh against your skin, breathing in your sweet scent, which had finally softened and become extremely sweetâa sign that you were completely trusting him.
âDamn⊠theyâll have to make me a saint for how Iâm holding back tonight, Y/n,â he said roughly against you in a low voice. You giggled, finding his frustration incredibly adorable, especially because you knew all the girls heâd been with had thrown themselves at him without a second thought. Heâd never had to fight for anything when it came to girls. Seeing him so vulnerable sparked something in you. So you moved your hips even more against him.
But Jake, sensing his limit was almost reached, abruptly stepped back. When you turned to look at him, confused, he shook his head, his breath short and his ears lowered, trying to recover that last shred of âgood boyâ dignity he had left.
This time, you took a step forward. You walked toward him with determination as the first notes of Enrique Iglesiasâ I Like It began to fill the dimly lit room. Driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline and the desire that had been building for weeks, you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, and pulled him down forcefully, eliminating any remaining distance. You pressed your lips against his in a wet, sweet, and desperate kiss
Your lips tasted like strawberriesâa sweet, sugary flavor that revealed your obsession with the fruit. Jake was completely hypnotized by it. It was only the second time youâd kissed, but his mind instantly registered how your lips fit and locked perfectly with his, as if they were made for that exact embrace.
In the room, lit only by the glow of the computer screen, the wet sound of your mouths meeting echoed clearly, amplifying the tension that had built up between you over weeks. When you slightly parted your lips to catch your breath, Jake took the opportunity. With extreme slowness, he used the sharp tip of one of his wolf canines to gently nibble on your lower lip. A weak, excited moan escaped your throat, making both Jakeâs human and hybrid sides tremble.
âAhhâŠâ you moaned, and Jake smiled against your lips, pleased by your reaction. He moved on to gently sucking that spot while you began to sway and wiggle in his arms, pushing your hips against his body out of pure instinctâto get closer to him, to tease him in return. Not wanting to give him all the control, you slid your hands into his hair, reaching the base of his wolf ears, where you knew, from the beginning of your acquaintanceâthat ears and tails were the most sensitive parts for a hybrid. You began to caress that ultra-sensitive spot with your fingertips, and Jake let out a deep, almost growl-like moan that escaped as your lips were still just millimeters apart:
âMmh⊠Y/nâŠâ
In retaliation, this time you smiled between his lips, continuing to move your fingers over those soft, warm ears, making him shiver. Jake was restraining himself with every single cell of his body because his wolf nature was literally howling from the sensory overload of everything happening in just a few moments. His instinct screamed at him to pin your wrists above your head, to use his canines to mark your skin, and to take everything he desired. But before the beast could take over, you took two steps back, pulling him with you. You tripped over the edge of the bed, and you both tumbled together onto the soft mattress, with you lying on your back and him on top of you.
Jake quickly planted his forearms on either side of your head, using all the strength in his muscular arms to avoid crushing you with his weight. He lowered his gaze, and at that sight, he seriously thought he was a dead man. You were fuckingbeautiful lying there on his pillow, your hair messy and framing your face, your lips visibly swollen and glossy from the kisses, your cheeks flushed with excitement.
Damn. He never would have thought you, of all people, would be his mate, the human who would bring his wolf to its knees. He had to mentally admit that Jay, Heeseung, and all the other pack members had been rightâtheyâd realized from the very first moment youâd stepped through the door of their house that you were his destined mate.
Your hands trembled slightly as they continued to caress his ears. Jake, noticing that tremor and seeing how your eyes kept searching for his, asked in a rough whisper:Â âWhat do you want to do, sweetheart?â
You stayed silent for a few seconds while his eyes continued to devour your body, careful not to cross that invisible line youâd drawn after telling him what had happened to you. âCould you⊠could you, I donât know, kiss me again?â you finally murmured, looking away in embarrassment. âBut⊠not on the lips. I donât really know what to do, Jake⊠Honestly, I donât want this to be embarrassing for you.â You tried not to feel at fault in that moment, and Jake released one hand from its grip on the mattress. He passed it with infinite gentleness over your cheek, lifting your face to force you to look at him. He whispered against your lips:
âSweetheart⊠you canât make anything embarrassing with me. Itâs all in your head. Whatever we do tonight wonât be anywhere near embarrassing. You just have to tell me when you feel overwhelmed, just tell me to stop, and Iâll do it instantly⊠I promise.â You instinctively nuzzled into his warm hand, pressing your cheek against his palm, and closed your eyes.
âPlease⊠please, kiss me, Jake.â
Jake didnât need to be told twice. He leaned over you and kissed you again, but this time, it wasnât a kiss charged with urgency like the previous one. Instead, it was an incredibly slow, wet, and protective contact to make you understand that you could trust him.
Then, he slowly slid downward, and his nose pressed directly against the hollow of your neck. He inhaled deeply, your sweet scent now even more intense with your heated skin. He wondered how heâd managed to survive 23 years without noticing that scent.
âDamn, Y/nâŠâ he murmured against your skin, and those words sent shivers down your entire spine. âThis scent is driving me literally crazy. You smell like warm strawberries, something like cotton candy, and clean skin⊠I swear I could spend the whole night just breathing you in here.â
You let out a weak giggle at that declaration because you knew those words came more from his animal nature. But your laughter died in your throat when Jakeâs warm lips finally pressed against your bare skin, and the wolf began to place light, wet, slow kisses along the entire line of your neck, moving up to the base of your jaw and then back down toward your collarbone.
Small, muffled moans echoed in the room every time Jakeâs mouth moved, placing wet kisses and light, gentle bites from your neck down to your chest, just above the hem of his T-shirt. His hybrid nature clearly sensed how his wild scent was covering your skin, marking you minute by minute beneath him. Feeling his scent blend so intimately with yours sent a wave of even denser, more primal excitement through him. He never thought it would feel so incredible to have his scent anchored to his mate, and this realization drove him wild.
Your eyes were slightly closed, your fingers still weakly tangled in his hair. Everything was going incredibly wellâuntil Jake slightly pulled away from your neck and slid a hand under the hem of the T-shirt, caressing the bare skin of your stomach. Small shivers of pure pleasure bloomed on your skin as he continued to kiss you lightly and tease your throat. He asked in an incredibly sweet and rough whisper:Â âIs this okay, sweetheart? Do you like it?â
You simply nodded, but that wasnât the answer youâd agreed on to maintain control. So Jake stopped a millimeter from your lips: âWords, sweetheart⊠use those beautiful, plump lips Iâve been kissing to answer me. I want to hear your voice,â he teased. So you lifted your eyes to his and murmured: âYes⊠itâs all good, Jake. You can keep going.â
At that confirmation, a smile lit up his face, and he praised you shamelessly, making your blood rush: âThatâs how a good girl behavesâŠâ You rolled your eyes at that statement, but then his hand slid slowly lower, slipping out from under the T-shirt to gently press against the inside of your thigh. At that pressure, you swallowed hard, feeling your heart race. But you trusted Jake blindly, so as he kissed you again to distract you, you felt his hand slide under the sweatpants. He began with just one finger to brush against the thin fabric of your lace panties. But as soon as you felt even the slightest real pressure of that intimate contact, your body short-circuited. You froze instantly, stiffening like a piece of ice beneath him. You tried to speak, to say something, but your throat tightened as if blocked by a thread pulling tightâone of the things that had happened to you on that damn night.
Jake, whose hybrid senses were tuned to every millisecond of your reactions, immediately noticed the drastic change in your heartbeat and the tension in your muscles. He stopped instantly, pulling his hand back. As he lifted his gaze to you, he whispered your name: âY/nâŠ?â
You didnât answer, but he saw how your wide, fixed eyes on the ceiling were beginning to fill with silent panic, making you feel vulnerable in front of him. Without a hint of hesitation, Jake completely moved away from you, shifting to the side to free you from his weight. âHey, hey⊠little one, nothingâs happening. Look at me, itâs all okay,â he said in an incredibly gentle voice, opening his arms. You slowly sat up and immediately took refuge in his arms.
You hugged him as if he were your living shield, hiding your face in the hollow of his warm neck, breathing in his scent to at least ease all the bad thoughts resurfacing in your mind. For the second time in just a few days, you whispered against his skin, barely holding back tears of frustration: âSee, Jake⊠I⊠Iâm broken. I trust you, I really do⊠but I just canât do it. And thatâs the worst part⊠feeling like this.â
His large hands began to gently caress your back, tracing circles over your T-shirt to calm you. But inside him, the wolf was growling furiously because he had a mad desire to find whoever had hurt you in the past and punch them, leave them to rot somewhere. But his human, rational side took over because he knew he had to handle the situation with extreme delicacy.
After a few moments of silence, he caressed your hair and asked, with a slightly embarrassed but extremely serious tone: âWhen youâre alone⊠do you feel safe giving yourself pleasure? Or is it a situation that blocks you, whether youâre alone or with other people?â
You slightly widened your eyes, still with your chin resting on his shoulder, because the question caught you completely off guard. It was the kind of question your therapist asked, not a guy youâd known for only a few months. But you answered: âSometimes⊠I feel safe alone, but other times, no,â you said in a low voice. Jake pulled back just enough to look at your face. âSo, when youâre alone and feel safe⊠can you give yourself pleasure, or not?â
You lifted your chin slightly, feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment at the conversation because you didnât understand where he was going with this. âAre⊠are you asking if I can masturbate, Jake?â
Jake chuckled, and you saw his cheeks redden as he shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. âDamn, sweetheart⊠you asked me to have sex with you a few days ago. I donât think youâd be scandalized if I ask if you can give yourself pleasure! I just want to understand,â he said, trying to be the most serious guy in the world at that moment. You looked away and said: âYes⊠I can give myself pleasure, butâŠâ
You couldnât finish the sentence, but Jake answered right away, anticipating the truth: âYou can give yourself pleasure, but you canât come, right? You block yourself at the last moment, right?â You nodded slowly, lowering your head. A deep, calm silence fell over the room, interrupted only by the sound of light rain beginning to patter against the window. Suddenly, you saw Jake get up from the bed.
A shiver of terror ran down your spine because you feared he wanted to end things there, that he was tired of your blocks and complexities, that you had to hurry up and figure it out on your own or with a good therapist: âWhere are you going?â you asked in a thin voice. But Jake wasnât running away. You watched him walk to the desk, grab the swivel chair, and place it against the desk. The distance wasnât much, but at the same time, you felt alone sitting on that bed. You watched him sit down right in front of you, and you didnât understand what he wanted to do.
âYou can give yourself pleasure, but at the same time, you canât reach orgasm. And itâs all in your head, Y/n. Itâs a matter of trustâin yourself, but also in the other person whoâs there with you in that moment,â he explained calmly. Then, with a slightly cheeky smile, the corners of his lips curled upâone of those smiles youâd started to recognize right away, and you didnât know whether to trust it.
âSo⊠hereâs my idea: why donât we pleasure ourselves together, but each on our own?â
You widened your eyes, struck by the proposal because youâd never thought of anything like that. âYou try to make yourself come by yourself, touching yourself the way you usually do when youâre alone in your safe space⊠and Iâll try to make myself come by myself, but right here in front of you. Itâll be a test of total mutual trust, Y/n. Weâll both be vulnerable, both exposed, but without either of us touching the other or forcing anything. Weâll just watch each other. What do you think?â
You opened your mouth to protest, but no words came out for a full minute. Jakeâs proposal had never crossed your mind in all these years it was definitely too intimate for two people who werenât even officially together, yet it was also incredibly mature.
âY/n? Are you there?â he asked as you tortured your lips, biting them. You looked at him carefully, searching his eyes for any trace of irony. âYouâre not teasing me, are you, Jake?â you whispered. He shook his head decisively. âIâve never been more serious in my life, Y/n.â
âIt could work⊠I usually donât do things like this...actually, Iâve never seen anyone masturbate in front of me,â you admitted, your cheeks literally burning. After all, youâd never even watched porn, so you had no idea what to expect.
âBut I think we could try, like you saidâitâll be a test of self-trust. Youâll see me vulnerable, but Iâll also see you exposed, âinertâ in a way⊠and I think itâll be an important step for when, one day, we have sex for real,â you said, convincing yourself that it was a good idea to see each other vulnerable. Jake nodded, and with a crooked, amused smile, he commented: âSee? Iâm not so bad⊠I told you I was smart, Y/n!â
You rolled your eyes but hinted at a smile: âDonât count your chickens just yet, Jake. Letâs see if it works first,â you said as you both stared at each other for a moment. You felt the tension in the room start to rise again, and you bit your lip, embarrassed, asking: âWho⊠who takes their clothes off first?â
Jake shrugged with total nonchalance at your question and said: âIâll go first. Iâve got nothing to hide⊠quite the opposite,â he teased. You closed your eyes slightly until you saw him stand up. With a fluid movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Without that fabric covering him, you couldnât help but count the ridges of his abs, sculpted and defined, four perfect muscular hills on his toned stomach until your gaze fell on the obvious V-line that descended symmetrically, disappearing into the waistband of his Calvin Klein boxers.
His arms, though not excessively massive, were marked by bulging veins that stood out under his skin, giving him an incredibly athletic appearance. Deep down, you understood why everyone said Jake was gorgeous, and you literally felt your mouth water as you watched him lazily grab the strings of his sweatpants. Jake noticed immediately how your eyes were practically worshipping him with a hint of mischief. He shot you a complicit look, feeling his hybrid nature rejoice with pleasure. âCan I take off my pants and boxers too, sweetheart?â he asked, and you murmured: âYesâŠâ
With a smirk on his face, he let his sweatpants slide down, revealing his muscular, athletic thighs. But it was when he completely dropped his boxers that your eyes widened, and a shiver ran down your spine. Jake had no issues with his bodyâin fact, he was extremely comfortable in his own skin. At the sight of his erect member slapping against his lower abs, you nearly lost your breath. Youâd never seen anything like it before: it wasnât excessively long, but it was incrediblythick, hard, marked by prominent veins, and already covered in a slight pearly sheen on the tip. You realized it was seriously wild and not entirely human.
Seeing you so captivated and curious, Jake enjoyed the show of your wide eyes and loved seeing you open-mouthed for him. âDo you like what you see, sweetheart?â he asked with a cheeky tone. You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to lift your gaze to his face so you wouldnât get too distracted by all that perfection just a few meters away. You desperately wanted to touch him, but you knew that first, you had to trust him completely.
âWow⊠besides being beautiful on the inside, I have to admit youâre beautiful on the outside too, Jake. But you already know thatâeveryone tells you so,â you said.
He made a small, disappointed pout, as if that compliment wasnât exclusive enough for him. To tease you, he took a slow step toward you, wrapping his hand around his shaft and moving it just slightly with a single, slow slide of skin just to show you how responsive he was to your gaze.
âThey might say that to me, but I only care if you like it,â he whispered in a rough voice. Then, with a nod of his chin toward your clothes, he concluded: âBut enough talking⊠Your turn, Y/n. Take your clothes off.â
At that commandâwhich couldâve been interpreted in a way far different from how you saw itâJake couldnât wait to discover the beauty of your body, judging by the way he was looking at you. You felt your cheeks literally burn, and a sudden heat dyed your face a deep red, which he found adorable.
âIâll⊠Iâll obviously take off my pants and the shirt, but Iâd like to keep the bra on, if thatâs okay with you,â you said in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of his objection. But Jake looked at you with his hands trembling slightly along his sides, betraying the immense effort he was making not to pounce on you and touch you, smell you.
âDo whatever makes you feel most comfortable, Y/n,â he replied in an incredibly gentle tone, though his tail couldnât stay still for a second. His nose picked up every scent of yours, ranging from sweetness to something teasing due to your anxiety. âThereâs absolutely no problem for me. Take all the time you need.â
Reassured by his words, you nodded. You werenât sure what to take off first, feeling his eyes on you, not missing a single millimeter of your movements. You wanted to scream at him to close his eyes or turn away, but sooner or later, Jake would see you naked. So you slightly rose from the mattress, and with somewhat uncertain, maybe awkwardânot entirely sexyâgestures, you let the sweatpants slide down your legs.
At the sight of your toned thighs and fair skin, Jake visibly swallowed, clenching his fists against his hips. When his eyes caught the purple lace trim of your panties peeking out from under the hem of his oversized T-shirt, a mix between a moan and a sigh escaped his lips, which heâd been torturing with his teeth. He wanted to touch you in that exact momentâit was a damn devastating temptation, the idea of getting up from the chair and crawling back onto the bed to trap you beneath him. But he forced himself to stay still because he didnât want to ruin anything, especially seeing how your hands were trembling.
After minutes of staring at each other, you took a deep breath and murmured: âOkay⊠Iâm taking off your shirt now.â
Jake nodded slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from your body. âDo it, sweetheart. Youâre so damn beautiful⊠donât be afraid to let me look at you. I bet thereâs a body to worship under there, not one to hide from my eyes,â he said in a low voice. Those words gave you courage, and you crossed your arms, lifting the fabric over your head. In the exact moment you stood in front of him wearing only a damn purple Victoriaâs Secret set, decorated with small embroidered flowers that framed your body like you were a work of art on a canvas, the hybrid inside him lost his mind completely.
Jake let out a low growl that came entirely from his animal instinctâa purely wild sound. It was the very first time youâd heard him growl like that, so wild and primal. That sound made your entire body tremble, but not out of fearârather, it was a mix of physical and mental connection between you. Youâd discovered that hybrids both purr and growl: they purr in acts of pure docility with their mate, while growls can serve as a warning of danger, a sign not to touch their mate or their pack, or in a sense of pure excitement. And thatâs what Jake was feeling in that moment: he was growling at the sight of the bliss of your body just a few meters away from him, but he couldnât even brush you with a finger.
His eyes widened at that sound because you hadnât expected it, and Jake couldnât stop staring at you, open-mouthed, devouring your body with his hungry eyes. He studied carefully how the curve of your breasts seemed to try to escape from the bra cups, pushed upward. Heâd always known you had an abundant chest, but at that sight, his mindâwhich was currently running on purely animal and instinctive tracksâwas flooded with dark, possessive thoughts. He thought about how much he wanted to grab that soft flesh in his hands, how he wanted to suck on those warm nipples until you screamed his name. He even thought about how beautiful it would be to see them swollen and full of milk, watching it gush out as he filled you with his seed to bring your pups to life.
He shook his head to chase away those intense fantasies, running a hand over his mouth before complimenting you in that typical hybrid tone of hisâshameless and lewd: âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre a fucking work of art. That purple against your fair skin is driving me crazy. I knew you had perfect breasts, and I swear, if I werenât confined to this chair, Iâd have already consumed your skin with bites and kisses.â He said this while biting his lips, which were almost bleeding from how much heâd been nibbling on them in the last few minutes.
You sat back down on the edge of the bed with your legs curled up, trying to calm your racing heart. Now that you were both almost completely naked, you had to start what youâd agreed to do.
At those words, you swallowed hard and closed your eyes for a moment. Youâd never done anything like this before, and you wanted the earth to swallow you whole. But when you opened your eyes again, Jake was there, watching you intently. âYou donât have to be afraid right now, Y/n. Itâs just you and me. Slide your panties aside gently if you donât want to take them all the way off. Let me see how wet you are⊠I can smell it from here, youâre already soaked.â
Your cheeks burned at his words. With trembling hands, you slid your fingers toward your panties, already feeling the heat of your arousal. You pulled the edge down just enough to reveal your lips to Jake. At the sight, he groaned, and you instinctively closed your eyes but that wasnât what he wanted.
âOpen your eyes, sweetheart,â he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. âItâs not just me who gets to watch you pleasure yourself. You need to watch too.â
You obeyed, and what you saw took your breath away: his hands wrapped around his shaft, moving up and down in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The tip, flushed and glistening, grew thicker with every stroke, and a bead of pre-cum slid down the length. You crossed your legs, the desire burning inside you. âPlease, Jake⊠Please talk to me. I feel⊠lost,â you mumbled, your eyes fixed on him.
Jake sighed, his patience stretched thin. âSlide your panties all the way down your legs,â he ordered, his voice a contained growl. âUse your middle finger on your clit and start rubbing. But donât you dare close your eyes.â
You sighed in response and did as he said. Your panties slid off, and you shifted slightly higher on the bed, spreading your legs under his hungry gaze. Jake cursed under his breathâthe sight of you naked and ready to touch yourself without needing his command pushed him to the edge. It was as if, little by little, you were starting to understand the situation youâd gotten yourselves into⊠and that you could trust the man in front of you.
Jake watched as your trembling finger found your clit, already swollen and sensitive. âIs this okay?â you asked softly. He nodded, his dark eyes filled with desire. âRub. Slowly. Let me hear you moan.â
And so you did. Your clit was already hypersensitive, and the touch of your fingers made you let out a small moan. Little by little, you felt more at ease, more daring. âDonât stroke your cock so much, Jake⊠or youâll come first,â you stammered, your lips parted, your breath ragged. âI⊠I want to come with you.â
Jakeâs eyes widened at your confession, but he nodded. You saw his abs clench as he slowed his rhythm, rubbing his cock slowly in the grip of his hand. It was an incredible sight, youâd never imagined how exciting it could be to see a guy like him, just sitting there, watching you, while at the same time pleasuring himself just to make you feel at ease.
He realized that without his guidance, you wouldnât dare go further. And at the sight of your naked body at his mercy, he could have come at any moment like an inexperienced teenager. But that was exactly what you did to himâyou made him weak, and that both frustrated and reassured him, confirming that you were his mate. He adjusted himself on the chair, spreading his thighs, and said in a rough voice: âSweetheart, your clit is swollen and ready. Now, with your eyes on me, try sliding a finger inside you. Any finger is fine, as long as it goes into those beautiful lips of yours. Let me see⊠let me hear your sounds, little one. Otherwise⊠I wonât last much longer.â
At his confession, you bit your lip. This was the hardest part: letting go without thoughts, without fears. But the sight of Jake, his honesty, his vulnerability, pushed you to want to give yourself pleasure⊠and to give him something deeply intimate. You spread your legs a little wider, took a deep breath, and slid a finger between your wet folds. The intrusion was a new sensation, different from the solitary games you played under the covers. You moaned, surprised by the pleasure coursing through you, both mentally and physically.
The wet sound of your finger moving in and out of you made Jake groan your name. You felt completely at ease under his gaze, which never left you for a second. You saw how his cock grew thicker and thicker, how droplets of fluid escaped with every movement.
âKeep going⊠keep going like that, little one,â he urged, his voice a growl. âYouâre doing so well. Now that youâre nice and stretched, try sliding another finger in. And at the same time, rub your clit. That way, youâll come soon⊠and Iâll come with you.â
As Jake had instructed, you slid another finger inside yourself. A deep, throaty moan escaped your lips, and his name spilled out like a broken sigh: âJaaakeâŠâ The way you said it was desperate, sweet, and rawâlike he was the only lifeline in a sea of overwhelming sensations. At the sound of his name, Jake cursed under his breath, a guttural âFuckâŠâ rumbling from his chest as he watched you completely lost in pleasure. He couldnât hold back anymore. His arm muscles tensed as he began stroking himself harder, his fist gliding up and down his thick, throbbing shaft.
The room was thick with the sounds of your muffled moans and ragged breaths. It echoed with the wet, rhythmic sounds of your fingers pumping in and out of you, the creak of the chair beneath Jake amplifying every tiny noise. The scent was intoxicatingâmusky, sweet, and sharp all at once. Jakeâs heightened hybrid senses picked up on how your fragrance grew richer with every passing minute, a heady blend of strawberry, arousal, and a hint of sweat. âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre so fucking sexy,â he growled, his voice rough and low, his eyes glued to you as he watched you writhe, pleasure coiling tighter inside you. âLook at how wet you are⊠how perfect you look.â
You closed your eyes, and with your free hand, you clutched Jakeâs blanket, gripping it tightly between your fingers. Your voice trembled as you stammered, âJake⊠itâs too muchâŠâ
He paused for a moment, his hand still wrapped around his cock, and asked with a mix of concern and desire, âWhatâs too much, sweetheart?â
You moaned, breathless, and confessed, âEverything⊠itâs all too much⊠and I⊠I want to come.â
At those words, Jake smiledâa hungry, satisfied grin. âYou will in a few minutes, trust me. Now, tease your clit more and let go. But open those fucking eyes and watch what youâre doing to me,â he commanded, his voice a contained growl.
Embarrassed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, you obeyed. You opened your eyes and saw Jake barely holding back, his muscles taut, his breath ragged. With a whisper, you dared to say to him, âLet goâŠâ
His eyes darkened slightly at your boldness, as if he hadnât expected you to take control. But he didnât say a word. Deep down, that small act of defiance only turned him on even more.
Your walls began to tighten around your fingers, and your clit throbbed with pleasure as small, breathy moans escaped your lips. âI⊠Iâm about to come,â you whispered, your eyes half-lidded and glistening. At the sight of you so lost in pleasure, Jake gripped his shaft tighter and pumped harder, his voice rough as he urged, âCome on, sweetheart⊠let me see you come.â
You cried out, pleasure crashing over you like a wave. A few moments later, shivers raced through your body. You clenched the sheets of his bed tightly, your fingers still pumping and teasing your clit as your orgasm tore through you first. At the sight, Jakeâs abs clenched, and with a groan of your name, he came too. Thin streams of white cum spilled from the tip of his cock, and he moaned in pleasure at the release. But honestly, he didnât care much about his own climax. His eyes were locked on youâsprawled out on his bed, your stomach rising and falling rapidly with each ragged breath, your lips parted in a perfect O, your hair wild, and your legs trembling.
Jake slowly stood up, wiping away the remnants of his release before pulling his boxers back on. At the sight of you lying there, relaxed and half-lidded, he asked, âCan I⊠can I come closer to you, little one?â
You opened your eyes and tried to sit up slightly, but the sticky wetness began to seep out of you, and you moaned at the sensation. At the sight, Jakeâs smile returned, and he said, âSee? I told you I could make you come without even touching you, sweetheart.â
You let out a weak, breathless giggle, still trembling from the last waves of pleasure. You watched Jake stretch his arm toward the nightstand to grab a tissue, then lean toward you on the bed with a naturalness and care that left you breathless. You felt his large, warm hands settle firmly but gently on your thigh to keep you still, and then he cleaned you slowly, with no rush or malice in his gaze, treating you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. Your eyes never left his, not even for a millisecond, captivated by the sweetness in his expression.
When he finished and tossed the tissue into the trash can beside the bed, you shyly tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear, your cheeks still warm from everything that had just happened. Seeing you so timid, Jake leaned toward you again, offering you the T-shirt youâd taken off earlier. He knew perfectly well that youâd just taken giant steps, having been half-naked and vulnerable in front of him, and he didnât want to ruin the magic of the moment by rushing things.
âLift your arms, sweetheart,â he said softly, and you did as he asked. He slid his oversized T-shirt down over your body, dressing you completely. As soon as the fabric covered you, moved by an impulse of gratitude and affection, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him forcefully toward you to kiss him.
Jake hadnât expected you to kiss him of your own free will at all. Heâd expected that, once the moment had passed, you might tease him or hide under the covers. Instead, you leaned forward and gently pulled his lower lip between your teeth, trapping it between your lips almost as a victory for everything that had happened.
Jake groaned against your lips a mix of a surprised grunt and a deep, pleasure-filled moan that vibrated in the back of his throatâas he instinctively placed his large hands on your hips to steady both of you on the mattress. Your mouths sought each other with a new urgency every time you had to pull apart to catch your breath. When you timidly slid your tongue against his, tasting him, you felt Jake smile against your mouth.
âFuck, Y/n⊠youâre really driving me crazy tonight,â he whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from you. Heâd become a full-on clingy boy with you. After a few seconds, Jake slowly pulled back to give you space, and you looked at him with infinite sweetness. âThank you, Jake,â you said.
He smiled almost timidly, for the first time since youâd known himâand opened his arms on the bed in a silent invitation to hug you again. You didnât need to be told twice. You nestled against his massive chest, inhaling his reassuring scent of pine, and pressed your head into the warm hollow of his neck.
Jake pulled you close, wrapping you completely in his strong, protective body. For long minutes, you both stayed there, still and embraced in the silence of the room, lulled only by the sound of your heartbeats slowly returning to normal and the patter of rain against the roof of the house. Eventually, you pulled back slightly from his chest and lifted your chin to look at him.
Jake was there, watching you from above, his ears relaxed and his gaze attentive. In that moment, he would have given anything for the ability to read your mind and know exactly what was going through that little head of yours.
Suddenly, though, he noticed your eyes growing glossy, filling with tears ready to spill down your cheeks. Jakeâs heart literally skipped a beat, and his face painted an expression of pure panic, he thought he might have done or said something wrong.
âHey, hey⊠little one, no, donât cry!â he exclaimed, gently squeezing your shoulders. âDid I⊠was I too rough? Did I do or say something you didnât like? I swear, I just wanted to...â
Before he could finish, you pressed a finger directly to his lips to silence him, cutting off the stream of anxious apologies.
âYou⊠you made me realize that I need to talk to people, Jake. But most of all, you taught me that, after a while, I need to start tearing down my own protective walls⊠and thatâs exactly what I managed to do tonight with you,â you said, looking him straight in the eyes. âI really donât know how to thank you. Youâve been so patient with me, you never backed down from anything, and youâve respected me from the very first moment I walked into this house. So⊠no, donât be sad. These tears are just pure joy,â you concluded, weakly giggling as you wiped your face with the edge of his T-shirt sleeve.
Jake sighed deeply, feeling a knot of tension finally dissolve in his chest. A small smile formed on his lips as he lifted his hands to caress your face, using his thumbs with infinite gentleness to wipe away the last tears wetting your cheeks.
For days, since youâd confessed you wanted to have sex with him and shared everything that had happened to you, heâd feared he was too overbearing, too abrupt, or simply âwrongâ for a sensitive girl like you. But in that moment, lulled by your strawberry scent, now free of any trace of fear, Jake finally felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âI only did what any guy worthy of being by your side would have done, Y/n,â he murmured softly and sincerely, looking at you with a tenderness he rarely showed outside the walls of that room. He was only ever this sweet with his family and his pack⊠not even with his teammates, with whom he spent hours training, had he ever been this honest in his life. But you shook your head, pressing your cheek against his warm palm.
âNo other guy would have done thisâŠâ you said quietly, meeting his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassment creep back in but determined not to lose that beautiful harmony, you continued with a clearly shy but resolute tone: âNow⊠yes, for next time, Iâd like things to be less planned. Iâd like them to flow more naturally between us. When they happen, theyâll happen⊠though, obviously, I expect it to happen again as soon as possible!â You said this while playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt, hoping heâd understand what you meant.
Jakeâs eyes widened slightly, surprised by that sudden burst of boldness, and he burst into laughter as he watched you make yourself smaller. At the sight, he gently pinched your side, knowing you were ticklish, and said: âDamn⊠Whereâs the shy, reserved girl who struggled to even look me in the eye gone? Donât tell me Iâve created a creature whoâs greedy for my touch, or that now you canât do without me?â
You laughed heartily when his fingers started lightly tickling your sides, making you curl up against him on the mattress. To defend yourself, you rolled your eyes dramatically and teased him, playfully tapping his muscular chest:Â âOh, please, Sim! Donât get a big head. Youâre the âgolden boyâ of the team, the âfrat boyâ everyone dreams aboutâI think that guy disappeared a while ago thanks to me. So before you talk, think about how you canât stop finding excuses to touch me!âYou laughed as Jake intensified the tickling.
Without stopping his smile, he leaned over you, pressed his soft lips to your forehead, and then moved up through your hair, leaving a reassuring kiss on you. When he pulled back slightly, his eyes shone with a hopeful light, finally making you understand that you could trust him.
âWill you stay tonight, Y/n?â he asked this time, stopping his teasing. You made a thoughtful pout and then slowly nodded, pulling him back to you by the shoulders, welcoming him into your embrace again.
But that happy ending hadnât yet provided the right answers: What were you and Jake? How would he balance university, your constant presence in his routine, and being the captain of the soccer team, which was under the spotlight of scouts looking for the best striker for their teams? How would he balance his human nature with his hybrid one, with you getting closer and closer to him? And how would he get through his first heat as a hybrid, knowing you were his mate and that he wanted you for himself forever?
hey, in the story âSomething about youâ Jake I imagine so it is for color hair with a few gray/white strands in the hair and with a style like that.
pt2 will be released at the end of July I think, anyway thank you for the 3k
*pairing: pervy wolf hybrid Jake x human student girl
*trope: popular playboy x nerdy girl-tutoring
*inspiration: off campus book 1
*synopsis: Jake only had one problem: History. He's always been good at any subject, especially since balancing being the captain of the football team and studying engineering is no walk in the park, but his lack of history could compromise everything, and when he saw a girl holding the text with the word 100 written on it, he realized that you could be his only chance of getting through that damned subject.
But what would it sweat if tutor sessions began to become moments where he could be himself, where you began to open up after a long time to a person and discover that jake wasn't as much of a womanizer and you weren't as broken as you thought you were?
*tags: Jake is a playboy at first but after a while you arouse his curiosity, Y/n at first is skeptical of letting Jake into her life, Y/n suffered violence in high school (I won't write anything about this act also because my stories have to be a fun) many kisses, Jake is a wolf hybrid and little by little he will become territorial but also clingy with Y/n, Y/n thinks she's broken but Jake will trust her both intimately and physically, visual masturbation, protected sex, unprotected sex (dont' horny ppl) knotting, jealousy, possession, sucking to claim Y/n, declaration, +18, little bit angst, pet names (jakey) (baby, sweetheart)
banner by: @eightnyn *wc: 37k
The Contemporary History classroom was packed with students, and Jake was there, neither at the front nor at the back, but right in the middle, where he could observe everyone.
His knee wouldnât stop bouncing with anxiety, his wolf ears were perked up, and his tail, just like his knee, twitched with every breath he took and youâre probably wondering: ears and a tail? Well, yesâhe was a hybrid, specifically a wolf hybrid. For decades now, humans had shared everything with hybrids: from everyday jobs to school lessons, from apartments to entire neighborhoods where humans and hybrids lived side by side without resistance. Mixed couples were even trendy by nowâno, more than trendy, they were fully accepted in society, especially in big cities. You could see them everywhere: in malls, restaurants, or parks, with hybrid children, kids with rabbit ears or fox tails playing alongside human ones and that sight warmed Jakeâs heart more than anything, because hybrids had endured so much racial discrimination and persecution but finally, things were changing, and he had played a small part in that revolution.
In that classroom, humans were still the majority, but that was normal, especially at the university, where hybrids like him had only been admitted a few years earlier. Jake, however, was an exception: about a year ago, heâd been elected captain of the soccer team, the first hybrid to ever hold that position. Thanks to him, the number of hybrids in both recreational and competitive sports had risen. One of his best friends, Heeseung a hamster hybrid had even followed in his footsteps and become captain of the basketball team.
But back to the present: Jake was in that half-anxious state because the professor was handing back the history exams. Letâs just say that, as an engineering student, he didnât care much for the subjectâespecially since it was just an elective. But it carried a lot of credits, and the reason he disliked it was simple: his engineerâs mind thrived on logic, formulas, structural calculations, and precise physical dynamics things with no room for interpretation. History, with all its dates, nuanced socio-political contexts, and long texts to memorize, just felt like a waste of time to him⊠even if he did find the revolutions between humans and hybrids fascinating.
Still, he needed to pass all his classes to stay captain of the university team and to catch the attention of scouts from the big professional leagues, who didnât tolerate academic slippage. He had to be the perfect student and the perfect player. So when the professor approached his desk, her expression was almost apologetic, as if she knew the potential of the young man in front of her. Jake did have excellent grades in every subject⊠except hers.
The test paper slid across the wooden desk, and at the topâcircled in red marker (a color that, unfortunately for him, was not in his pendant) was a glaring 45 out of 100 and to make matters worse, it wasnât even close to passing.
The professor peered at him over her glasses and said, âJake, I hope for your sake that next time you at least manage a basic passing grade. Otherwise, Iâll have to report this to Coach, and we all know how strict Coach Smith is about academic performance.â
He nodded, and his tail suddenly stopped moving, drooping down and tucking itself under the chair. He nearly slumped over his desk, staring at that disastrous grade. His right hand fidgeted nervously through his soft hair, right at the base of his tense ears, as if trying to ease the tension. He sighed heavily, racking his brain for solutions but there were none. All his closest friends were in different majors, and if he didnât find a fix fast, his soccer dream would be over before it even began.
Unbeknownst to him, just a few rows away sat a girl twirling her pen, completely unbothered about her history test grade. She watched the professor intently as she moved between the desks, papers in hand.
Suddenly, you felt a sharp elbow nudge from your best friend. âStop staring at the professor!â Allie hissed. âShe probably saved your test for last, one of the first three sheâs handing out just so she can praise you in front of everyone. We all know youâre the biggest nerd in here.â
You rolled your eyes, exasperated but amused, as Allie sat there sipping her fruit smoothie her latest attempt at this âfructarianâ diet, while her own test, a modest but honest 70, lay forgotten beside her. With absolute nonchalance, she scrolled through an online sexy shop store, browsing through undeniably sexy sets at prices that would make any other girlâs wallet tremble...but not hers.
âStop looking at your phone,â you whispered back, giving her a light shove. âIf the professor saw you scrolling through a sex shop right now, sheâd have a heart attack. I bet she doesnât even know the difference between a thong and a Brazilian.â
Allie let out a snort, nearly spitting her drink all over the guy in front of her. She slammed her phone down on the desk just in time, because the professor finally stopped in front of you, her face breaking into a full, thirty-two-tooth grin.
âY/n, Iâm not even surprised anymore,â she said. âBut you know I struggle to give out perfect scores. Still, this last test of yours on the Cold War and the geopolitical dynamics of the Soviet bloc⊠itâs simply flawless. The knowledge youâve shown, the historical interpretations, even the extra research you included on the Cuban Missile Crisis...itâs all perfect. Iâm so proud to have you in my class. Itâs a shame youâre not majoring in history, because if you were, youâd be unstoppable.â
You smiled, thinking about how everyone had always told you to study history or political science but your love for music was stronger. âWell, itâs my job to study, get good grades, and give it my all especially in history, since you know itâs one of my favorite subjects,â you said shyly, feeling the eyes of half the class turn toward you.
Then the paper slid onto your desk, revealing a bold, perfect 100 in red ink. Allie, ever the dramatic one, blurted out way too loudly: âHoly shit, you actually got a 100?! We studied together the whole time...how the hell did I only get a 70? Okay, Iâm not complaining, but damn, Y/n!â She stared at you, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out like a wounded puppy. You shrugged, suddenly self-conscious under all the attention, and tried to cover the test with your hands but Allie was fasterâshe snatched it right out from under you, held it up to her face, and before you could protest, sheâd already pulled out her phone, snapped a crystal-clear photo of the red 100, and sent it to your friend group chat, roasting you for being such a nerd.
Your phone buzzed nonstop with the incoming messages from your friends, all teasing you affectionately. Meanwhile, a few rows back, a pair of wolf ears suddenly perked up, drawn by the noise and the word â100.â Who the hell had gotten a 100? It was practically impossible in an elective class. His amber eyes locked onto your back, and in that moment, he realized heâd just found his only lifeline to passing Contemporary History.
Jake couldnât look away. Not even when the bell rang, signaling freedom. His mind was consumed by a single thought:Â He had never seen anyone get a perfect score in his entire university career and when he saw you stand up, followed by the blonde girl he assumed was your best friend, his instincts flared to life. The wolf in him, the one that drove him to chase, to track down what was vital for his survival (or in this case, his scholarship) awoke with a jolt. Because letâs be real: in his life, there was only room for one thing:Â Soccer
And at the thought, a surge of adrenaline shot down his spine, making his ears snap forward and his tail muscles twitch back to life, swinging wildly with excitement at the idea of meeting you.
He shot to his feet, shoving his notebook haphazardly into his bag without even zipping it shut. Weaving through the maze of wooden desks, he spotted you stepping into the universityâs main atrium. Jake quickened his pace, using his athleteâs stride, until he was just a few steps behind you, right in the middle of the chaos: students switching classes, others heading to the campus bars.
âHey, Chloe!â he called out, loud enough to be heard, throwing out a random name heâd picked up somewhere in the classroom. The truth was, he had no idea what your name actually was and, honestly, heâd never seen you at one of his famous Friday night parties, nor cheering from the stands during league matches. That fact unsettled him a little⊠but it also piqued his curiosity.
Of course, you didnât turn around, because, obviously, your name wasnât Chloe. You just kept walking and talking to Allie. But Jake wasnât about to give up. He took two quick steps forward and tried again, this time stretching out a hand to intercept you.Â
âHey, Chloe! Iâm talking to you!â he said, a little louder this time.
Finally, you spun around. And that was the moment Jake saw you up close for the first time, no filters, no distance of desks between you. A lightning-fast thought shot through his mind: Damn. Not only is she a terrifyingly smart nerd, but sheâs also ridiculously cute. He took in your eyes, framed by a faint shadow of annoyance, as they swept over him from head to toe, far from impressed by the figure smiling at you.
âYou mean me?â you asked, pointing at your chest with one finger, while Allie stopped beside you, staring at him in confusion.
âYeah, you,â Jake confirmed.
You rolled your eyes. âWell, for starters, my name is Y/n. Not Chloe⊠you werenât even close.â You looked at him bluntly, and at those words, Jakeâs wolf ears drooped slightly, flattening against his soft hair in embarrassment. Before he could apologize or come up with one of his usual ready-made excuses, a sharp, ironic voice cut in from beside you.
âJake Sim is seriously talking to Y/n? Whatâs this, did you come here to ask for more signatures to sponsor your precious soccer team? Or were you sent by your little basketball buddy, Heeseung, to do his dirty work? Because if youâre here for charity signatures, weâre not interested. The universityâs already cutting tons of funding from both the theater and music majors because of you and your best friend,â Allie said, her expression dripping with disdain.
Jakeâs head snapped toward the blonde, annoyed by the intrusion but forcing himself to keep his cool. âNo,â he replied, straightening up and turning back to you, locking his eyes onto yours. âIâm here because I need to talk to Y/n. About something important.â
At his direct statement, you instinctively crossed your arms over your chest, pressing them tightly as if creating an invisible shield between you and him, a gesture born from deep insecurity and the trauma you still carried inside. The sudden movement didnât go unnoticed by the hybrid in front of you.
Jake distinctly felt your heartbeat speed up. At the same time, his nose picked up the sudden shift in your scent: the clean aroma of your skin was abruptly overpowered by a sharp, acidic trail, the unmistakable feromone signature of discomfort, mixed with a warm, suffocating note of pure embarrassment. The unwanted attention and physical proximity of an alpha male, especially one like him, had triggered it.
He ran a hand through his brown hair, furrowing his brow deeply as he studied your reaction with a mix of perplexity and concern. His wolf side picked up on your distress like an alarm signal. Why does my mere presence make her feel so threatened or uncomfortable? He wondered. Usually, girls fell over themselves to get a word or a glance from him.
Left alone with him in the atrium, you immediately took two steps back, putting more distance between you and Jake. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other, clutching your books against your chest, and fixed your gaze on him.
âSo, Jake Sim, youâve got two minutes. Tell me what you want.â
Jake studied you carefully, analyzing every tiny movement. His tail gave a slight, excited wag from side to side at finally having your attention, but he stopped it instantly, not wanting to reveal even that small loss of composure. He cleared his throat and said:
âYeah, well⊠sorry for calling you Chloe. I just didnât remember your name.â
You merely responded with a sharp nod, and Jake realized he needed to get to the point before time ran out. So, he decided to pull out the big guns: he unleashed his full Playboy charm, squaring his muscular shoulders and tilting his head slightly to the side with a crooked, magnetic smile. Along with his posture, his hybrid nature did the restâwithout realizing it, he released a subtle but intense trail of reassuring pheromones into the air around you. A warm, clean scent filled the space, a mix of citrus and something salty, blended with his natural hybrid scent. It was the kind of biological chemistry wolves used to charm people, lower their defenses, and make them instinctively feel safe and drawn to them, but he didnât yet know that with you, it would be extremely difficult.
âI saw you got a 100 on that test earlier, and first of all, congratulations. Seriously⊠not everyone can pull off a score like that in an elective class,â he said, taking an almost imperceptible step closer to you. âAnd second⊠I was wondering if youâd be willing to tutor me. I know a lot of people do it for academic credits, but I figure youâve probably got enough of those already, if you scored a 100, youâre probably acing all your major classes. Or maybe for money? So I was wondering if youâd give me private lessons. I desperately need to pass Contemporary History. Especially since itâs an extra-curricular subject for me, and itâs worth double the structural credits. If I donât pass⊠Iâm screwed.â He finished with a crooked little smile, but you didnât take the bait.
The trauma youâd experienced in high school had made you completely immune to the shameless charm of popular guys, and your mind rigidly resisted even his wolf pheromones, pushing them away like a self-defense mechanism. You looked at him with no emotion at all. âThanks for the compliment on my grade, but no. I donât tutor anyone. And as youâve already figured out, Iâve got all the credits I need, and even if weâre talking about money, which, sure, every student could useâIâve got a ton of studying for my own classes. Plus, Iâm in the university choir, and that takes up a lot of time because Iâm studying music.â You said all this while keeping your gaze lowered, almost avoiding his face, focused instead on the colorful bookmarks invading your notes. This total indifference deeply unsettled him.
Jake was used to humans hanging on his every word, to girls who would pay just to spend an hour alone with the team captain. Being rejected like this without so much as a glance wounded his alpha male pride and confused him. Sensing that you might not even like his presence, he took a step back, furrowing his brow, and blurted out in one breath:
âIs it because Iâm a hybrid that you donât want to tutor me? Or because you think that, as the soccer team captain, Iâm just another shallow idiot who canât balance engineering studies with training?â
At those words, your eyes widened, struck by how suddenly vulnerable and frustrated his voice sounded as he looked at you. You responded with a flurry of gestures: âNo, no! Itâs not that at all!â you exclaimed sincerely. âEven if a human had asked me, I wouldâve said no, Jake. Iâm really sorry⊠especially because I know balancing engineering studies and being the soccer team captain comes with a lot of pressure ut if you check the bulletin board in the atrium or the universityâs official forum, in the history section, I bet youâll find a tutor way better than meâŠIâŠIâve got to go now, yeah, Iâm meeting Allie.â
You said this with slightly flushed cheeks, still not looking him in the face, and began walking quickly down the hallway, almost hunching your shoulders as if afraid he might follow you or reach out to stop you. His fully matured wolf instincts immediately picked up on something strange in your sudden flight. His nose caught that your scent was no longer just annoyed; now it carried a clear trail of fear, and maybe even something vulnerable, and Jake didnât understand why.
They called him the golden boy of campus for a reason, no one had ever run away from him before. In fact, it was usually the opposite. He stood frozen, watching you disappear into the faculty crowd, his ears perked up, his mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. Your terrified reaction intrigued him, drove him wild. Because Jake Sim, when he wanted something, always got it and his wolf side had just decided that you, sooner or later, would be his tutor, no matter the cost and maybe, over time, something more than just a tutor. But that was something youâd both discover laterâŠÂ certainly not today.
The university campusâs main bar was nearly closing by that time, but you still had another half-hour left before your afternoon shift behind the counter ended. To pass the time and get ahead on your assignments, youâd set your laptop directly on the counter, trying to focus on your next project, studying music. You needed to dive deep into the acoustic composition of sounds and the various instrumental timbres to create balanced arrangements, ensuring the sound was perfect. Your dream was to become a singer, but youâd also love to work as a songwriter or composer. Your hearing was hyper-developed, and youâd already received requests from music agencies.
However, at that moment, music theory was the last thing on your mind. Your eyes kept wandering from the screen, drawn to the brightest corner of the bar, where Soobin was sitting. He was a Communication Sciences student specializing in Digital Media, and he played on the campus basketball team. Letâs just say you had a slight crush on him. Your head was lazily resting in the palm of your left hand, while your right hand sipped through a straw on a refreshing seasonal drink youâd made for yourself. You couldnât help but admire how incredibly cute Soobin was: he was tall, over 185 cm which was probably why he was on the basketball team, you thought as you took in his lean, athletic build. His hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a constantly sweet, approachable vibe and then, suddenly, his infectious laughter echoed through the bar, and an involuntary little pout formed on your face when you saw his famous dimples appear on his cheeks, giving him an irresistible puppy-like aura.
Seriously? Soobin?â Jakeâs bright, ironic voice cut through the air. âWhatâs so charming about that guy? Heâs always half-clumsy and doesnât even know which way a door swings unless heâs on a basketball court.â
At those words, your drink nearly went down the wrong pipe. When you straightened up, there he was, Jake, standing right in front of you. His worn-out soccer bag was slung over one shoulder, his dark hair still slightly damp from his post-training shower, and that usual smirk of his that always got under your skin. Caught red-handed, you blushed furiously and stammered:
âSoobin? I...I have no idea who youâre talking about!â You pointed at yourself, then frantically looked around to divert attention, but Jake just flashed that crooked grin of his, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement.
âOh, come on! I could help you get to know him, you know? And especially get noticed. Did you know he plays on the same team as my best friend Heeseung? He comes to almost all our weekend parties.â He turned to glance at Soobin, and you shot him a dirty look.
âHard pass. Now⊠what drink or food would you like to order, Jake?â As you said it, your fingers pressed a little too hard on the barâs computer keyboard.
âEasy: tutoring from you in history to pass the next two exams,â he said with nonchalance.
You stared at him, exasperated, and let out a long sigh. âYou really donât like hearing âno,â do you?â
At that, his wolf tail, which was peeking out from under his sports hoodie gave a slight, rhythmic wag. You didnât know much about hybrid anatomy or behavior, but to Jake, that involuntary movement meant one very clear thing: he was incredibly stimulated by your resistance toward him. It was almost like a challenge, and it excited him to no end. Jake loved competition, and right now, you were a very compelling one.
âMmm, I knew you were a sharp girl, sweetheart,â he said with total nonchalance. Your cheeks burned, and you stammered, âSweetheart?!â
He chuckled, thoroughly amused. âWell, yeah, itâs a cute nickname. Though, to be honest, thereâs not much âsweetâ about you right now.â He gifted you one of his perfect smiles.
âTell me what you want to drink or eat, or just leave,â you said sharply, crossing your arms over your chest, annoyed by the way his eyes had briefly flicked to the neckline of your shirt. Jake raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
âFine, fine. A hot caramel macchiato and a slice of Black Forest cake. Youâll bring it to my table, right? Especially since⊠Iâve decided Iâll go sit right across from Soobin.â He pointed at the guy youâd been admiring earlier. With that, he tapped his phone on the card reader, paying with a quick beep, leaving you standing there, stunned and speechless. You muttered a low curse under your breath: âI hope the cake chokes him.â
You watched as Jake sat down with absolute ease right at Soobinâs table, and you huffed in frustration. But before you could do anything, the two guys exchanged a quick, athletic handshakeâa sign of brotherhood among teammates. You knew Jake could help you get closer to Soobin, who smiled at him. A moment later, Jake turned his head slightly toward the counter, catching your gaze, and shot you a smug, triumphant grin.
In just five minutes, Jakeâs order was ready. With the tray clutched in your slightly trembling hands, you walked toward the table where Jake and Soobin were sitting. Trying to keep your voice as professional and detached as possible, you said:
âHey, guys. Hereâs the Blackforest cake and the caramel macchiato.â You set the plate and cup down in front of Jake, who watched you intently. âThanks, Y/n,â he said.
You hoped to turn on your heel and flee as quickly as possible, but Jake, of course, spoke up immediately to keep you there, so Soobin would notice you and remember your name.
âSoobin, this is Y/n. Weâre in the same Contemporary History class, and sheâs a total genius. She scored a terrifying 100 on the last test,â Jake said, addressing not just Soobin but also the other basketball players sitting around the table, who proceeded to compliment you. Soobinâs eyes widened, clearly impressed, and he looked at you with that gentle, heart-melting way of his. âYou seriously got a 100 in that extracurricular class? Wow⊠whatâs your major? You know, Iâve been struggling with those geohistory exams too. We could study together sometime, you could give me some pointers, and weâd help each other out,â he said with a shy smile.
Your cheeks instantly turned a deep burgundy, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment from the guy you liked. You just managed a timid smile and a nod.
Jake, observing the scene with the precision of a predator, knew full well that Soobin had taken the bait. With total nonchalance, he interrupted the moment before Soobin could elaborate, speaking in a tone that was falsely apologetic but incredibly possessive:
âSoobin, I hate to disappoint you, but sheâs already taken. You know Iâm a disaster in history, and the team desperately needs me to be up to date with all my classes for the championship⊠so Iâve already asked Y/n to give me private tutoring. I couldnât possibly pass up an opportunity like having the best tutor around.â He looked at you with that crooked grin of his, and you shot him a furious glare, clenching your fist so tightly against your apron that your knuckles turned white.
âI study music⊠but if youâre having trouble, Soobin, I could still find time to...â
But Soobin shook his hands and cut you off with a sincere smile. âNo, no, donât waste your precious time on me! I only play basketball for fun, to help the team. Iâll never be a professional athlete like Heeseung or Jake. You absolutely should tutor Jake. Guys, if he doesnât have all his classes in order, the federation will exclude him from the university championship and right now, there are scouts from the national leagues watching him...theyâre carefully evaluating whether his public and academic image is perfect before offering him a contract in a higher soccer league.â
At those words, you furrowed your brow, and your eyes widened slightly. You knew Jake was good at soccer, he was the captain, after all but you hadnât realized how serious the situation was. There were actually professional scouts involved, and his entire future depended on those damn history tests?
Jake, as he nibbled on his slice of cake, savoring his victory, doubled down: âSee, Y/n? Even Soobinâs asking you. I seriously need your help. And remember⊠if you ever wanted to ask me for anything in return, or needed some special help with someone, Iâd be more than happy to return the favor.â As he said this, he gave you a knowing wink, subtly nodding his chin toward Soobin. You rolled your eyes, was he blackmailing you under the guise of helping?
âIs your tail always moving like that?â You pointed at it with one finger.
Jakeâs mouth fell open in embarrassment, completely caught off guard, no one had ever asked him something so direct before, especially not a girl calling him out on an uncontrollable reflex tied to his hybrid nature. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. âLetâs just say my tail and generally, the tails of hybrids who have them reflects our emotions. We canât control it. Itâs an involuntary reflex of our nervous system,â he explained, trying to relax.
You looked at him, curious. âAnd what emotion are you feeling right now, Jake? We literally just left a bar and are walking toward campus. I donât think youâre feeling some great emotion⊠especially not in my company,â you muttered under your breath, almost to yourself but his wolf ears picked up every single word, even the way youâd said it. Jake furrowed his brow but decided not to make a big deal out of the fact that heâd heard. He looked you straight in the eyes and said:
âAnxiety? Anxiety over your verdict. Sorry if Iâm being pushy, but history is literally the only subject Iâm bad at, and youâre my last hope⊠I already checked the university forums like you suggested, but no one has your grades, and honestly, none of them inspire much confidence. So my tailâs wagging like this because Iâm anxious to know if youâve changed your mind. Is that okay?â
You sighed deeply, clutching your books to your chest, and stayed silent for a few steps as you walked along the campus paths lit by streetlamps. You thought it over, weighing the importance of his future and the veiled blackmail about Soobin, until you finally said:
âI decide when and where the tutoring sessions happen. Obviously, weâll have to work around our academic schedules. And I donât want to be messed around: if you want to pass history, you actually have to commit. No excuses...neither about soccer nor anything else and I want you to be honest if you donât understand something. In addition to our sessions, you need to study on your own at home. Iâm not doing all the work for you. Just like in soccer, you have to put in the effort in this subject too.â
You said it all in one breath, setting down ironclad rules to protect your boundaries. Jakeâs eyes widened, his ears snapping straight up in surprise. âWait⊠does this mean⊠youâll tutor me for the next few months?â he asked. This time, his tail moved differently, and you wondered if it meant he was happy.
You nodded resignedly, bringing a hand to your face. âI just hope itâs worth it⊠and that I donât lose my patience with you by the first session,â you muttered.
At your confirmation, Jake, overwhelmed with relief and happiness, completely lost control of his human inhibitions. Without realizing it, he lunged forward and pulled you into a tight hug. He pressed you against his broad, warm chest, wrapping you completely in his strong, athletic arms. You froze, stiff as a block of ice, and your heart skipped a beat from the sudden physical contact.
Why was he hugging you? God, you hated physical contact, especially with people you didnât know or trust. The memory of what youâd gone through in high school came rushing back like a slap. Your hands began to tremble slightly against your books, and you couldnât bring yourself to place them on Jakeâs back to reciprocate. You stayed motionless, breathless.
Jake, being a hybrid, immediately noticed how rigid you were in his arms. His body sensed your instant stiffness, but it was your scent that changed in a millisecond under his hyper-developed nose. The sweet, clean strawberry scent of your skin was literally overpowered by an intense, acidic trail, the unmistakable signature of negative emotions: primal panic, terror, and shock. It was the scent of someone who felt attacked, not just surprised by a hug. His wolf instinct, which never failed when it came to deciphering pheromones, picked up on that internal danger signal. It forced him to pull away from you immediately. Seeing you silent, your hands shaking, your expression blank, and your eyes wide and empty, Jake felt a pang of guilt, he was afraid heâd crossed a line with you.
Oh God, Iâm sorry⊠I⊠I didnât mean to,â he said, slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and messing it up nervously as he saw you still standing completely stiff in front of him.
âI⊠I really like physical contact when Iâm happy or relieved. Itâs a hybrid thing...we tend to be pack-oriented⊠I didnât mean to scare you,â he said, gesturing with his hands. You swallowed hard, trying to regain control of your breathing, and gave a weak nod. âYeah⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids, but please⊠just donât do it again with me, okay? No hugs.â You shifted even farther away from him.
Seeing how shaken you still were, he nodded seriously, his ears lowering in a sign of submission and respect toward you. âOkay, okay, no hugs. Iâll message you on Instagram later, alright? So we can exchange numbers and set up our first lesson.â
You nodded one last time with a quick motion and hurried toward your apartment, desperate only to close the door behind you and sink into a long, hot bath.
Jake stood frozen on the path, watching your figure disappear into the dim light. His ears were tense, motionless, and his tail was completely still. His predator and protective wolf instincts took over everything else because that drastic and terrifying shift in your scent wasnât normal for a girl your age. As he furrowed his brow, the wolf inside him had just caught the scent of a painful secret you were trying to hide.
What are you hiding thatâs so serious, sweetheart? he muttered under his breath. Who reduced you to this?
Without realizing it, Jakeâs instinct had just vowed that he would uncover the truth and whoever had hurt you would be gone, long before you even saw it coming.
You had arranged everything with Jake down to the last detail in your messages: the library, west wing, at 4:00 PM sharp. He had replied with a thumbs-up, promising heâd be there. But now it was nearly 4:15, and there was still no sign of him. Curious, youâd even checked the official team schedule to see if he had practice but Monday was marked as a full rest day for the soccer players.
That excuse, then, couldnât possibly justify his lateness. You sat there, nervously tapping your pen against the table, your laptop open to your notes and the heavy Contemporary History textbook splayed open to the chapter on World War I. You glanced around every three seconds, but there was still no trace of Jake. Finally, you huffed in frustration, running a hand through your hair.
âWhat the hell⊠why did I agree to this?â you muttered under your breath and just at that moment, you heard the study room door swing open with a little too much force. There he was: Jake, zigzagging hastily between the empty tables, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His dark hair bounced against his forehead with every quick step, and his fluffy wolf ears swayed with the movement. When he finally reached you and leaned over the table to set down his bag, your senses immediately picked up on something that made you stiffen. Beyond his usual wild, warm scent, the air was filled with an unmistakably sweet, almost floral note...a girlâs perfume that was definitely not yours.
âDonât tell me youâre 23 minutes late because you were hooking up with some girl,â you said, staring him straight in the eyes with a look that could have killed him. At those words, you watched his wolf ears drop instantly, flattening completely against the sides of his head in a clear sign of surrender and submission. Even his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie, dropped abruptly and went still between his legs. You caught a glimpse of his cheeks turning a deep red with embarrassment. His hybrid sense of smell must have already told him you were furious, and Jake swallowed hard, he knew heâd been caught red-handed.
âI...I⊠no, not a girl! Itâs just⊠the elevator in the guysâ dorm got stuck, I swear! And, um, there just happened to be a girl in there with me⊠thatâs why I smell like thisâŠâ he said, giving you his best puppy-dog eyesâbut he knew instantly it wouldnât work on you.
âI wasnât born yesterday, Jake, and I know perfectly well you donât have practice today,â you said, crossing your arms firmly over your chest. âI saw in the universityâs official vlog that soccer players rest on Mondays. So why do you have your soccer bag?â
Backed into a corner, Jake tried to play it cool to lighten the mood, smirking as he curled his lips into that usual crooked smile that drove girls wild. âOh, so youâve been stalking me? I didnât know you were already this interested in my routine, sweetheart.â
Your eyes widened, stunned by his audacity. You seriously wanted to slap him, but the only thing stopping you was the fact that you were in a public place.
âI havenât been stalking you! I just wanted to know if you were late for a valid reason, like soccer. But apparently, thatâs not the case,â you said, pointing with a sharp flick of your pen at his hair, which was far too disheveled to be the result of just running down a hallway.
He rolled his eyes slightly, then lowered his voice and stretched his hands across the table toward you. âCome on, Y/n, Iâm sorry⊠I lost track of time, okay? It wonât happen again, I promise. Now letâs sit down and open the books. Iâm all yours for the next few hours,â he said, winking at you. But you stopped him immediately, you were really angry, and even though your voice was a whisper to avoid getting kicked out of the library, your tone was unmistakably sharp.
âNo, Jake. Listen carefully. This is exactly why I didnât want to tutor anyone, especially not someone like you. You have zero respect for the time someone else is giving you, sacrificing their own studies to help you. If your absolute priority on this campus is to play the playboy, show up late to every lesson, and take my help for granted, then know this: this will be the first and last session we ever have. Consider this goodbye. You can say hello to failing that test, losing your captainâs armband, and kissing goodbye to every professional league scout watching you! I donât waste my time on people who wonât commit to something they asked me for. I donât recall chasing you down, begging to tutor you!â
For the first time in a long time, Jake felt corneredânot just by the harshness of your words, but by the fact that you werenât like all the other girls who fell at his feet. For the first time, the team captain had found someone who wasnât willing to let him off the hook for anything. Deep down, he knew he had to step up, and perhaps, beneath the surface, he felt the need to get his act together.
âIâm sorry, Y/n. From now on, Iâll always be on time. I promise,â he said seriously, extending his pinky finger to make a childish âpinky promiseâ in an attempt to lighten the mood. You studied his expression carefully to see if he was sincere, then said:
âIâll let it slide this time, but itâs the last warning, Jake.â
Then you looked at his outstretched finger, and though reluctant, you wrapped your pinky around his. In that brief moment when your skin touched, you both felt something an adrenaline rush that stole your breath, while for Jake, it was yet another confirmation that his wolf side responded intensely to your presence. Deep down, he found himself wanting more.
âToday, weâll start with the triggering causes of World War I and the European alliances of 1914. First, youâll read the text on your own, and Iâll do the same. Then, Iâve prepared five questions here that will help you summarize the entire first chapter about ten pages, to help you understand it better.â
Jake nodded, carefully looking over the first chapter.
âGo ahead and read the chapter first, and if you donât understand something, just ask. Iâm here to help,â you said gently this time. You noticed his tail swaying slightly from side to side under the table, this time with slow, lifted movements.
âGot it, Professor!â he said, saluting like a captain. You sighed, shaking your head, it was maddening how he could act like such a kid.
So, you both began silently reading the first chapter. Thanks to your study habits, you finished in just ten minutes. When you looked up, you expected Jake to be done too, but you realized he was only halfway through the fifth page. You tried your best to look away so as not to stare and make him self-conscious, but Jake had that kind of magnetism anyone within his radius was almost forced to look at him and he was truly handsome, even that day, dressed in just a loose, dark hoodie and comfortable cargo jeans.
His face perfectly embodied the proud aura of a wolf: thick, black hair that created a stunning contrast with his soft, slightly dark gray ears, which occasionally twitched or moved at the slightest sounds in the library. His eyes still had a hint of puppy-like charm, framed by long, dark lashes, a large, pronounced nose that suited his facial features divinely, and slightly full but not overly so lips.
And then there were his hands: truly beautiful, large, and well-kept. Your eyes lingered a little too long on the prominent veins on the back of his hands, a testament to the physical strain of his training, adorned with several silver rings.
As you watched him, you saw Jake make a small pout that you found incredibly cute. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair to mess it up nervously.
âStruggling?â you asked softly, and he didnât even look up from the page, answering almost defeatedly: âA little.â
You asked if heâd underlined anything in the book, and he shook his head. âItâs really hard⊠mostly, I struggle to remember all these names of ministers, archdukes, and tsars, and which territories belong to each one,â he sighed. Moved by a sudden wave of understanding, you said something without even realizing it: âYou could use colors as a visual aid, or associate historical dates with the jersey numbers of famous soccer players you know.â
At those words, Jake suddenly looked up, surprised and intrigued. âYouâre telling me to try memorizing historical dates using soccer jersey numbers?â
âYes, and you could also use a different color for each era or nation, so it sticks better in your mind. You can mentally link it to a team. Soccer teams all have different jersey colors, right? The German Empire could be the black jersey, Russia the red one, and so onâŠâ you said, picking up the highlighters. His eyes widened slightly, and a genuine smile lit up his face.
âWow⊠I never thought of that. In engineering, we never use colors, but it actually makes perfect sense for a subject like history!â
At that point, he started asking you a series of general questions to better understand how to apply the trick: he asked for explanations about the year of the Triple Alliance, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and how the European balance had collapsed. You listened, and finally told him:
âAlright, now try to answer at least two of the five questions I prepared for you. But before you write, you need to highlight the parts of the text you find truly important, using the colors we decided on.â
After an hour and a half, youâd covered two chapters, and Jake seemed fully absorbed in his studiesâthanks both to your help and your company. Heâd finally found a rhythm with your color and soccer association method. Then you glanced at the time on your phone screen and sighed loudly. Jake immediately looked up, his ears perking up curiously.
âEverything okay?â
You nodded, starting to gather your things. When he saw you stand up, something inside him snapped he wanted to stay with you, but he didnât understand why.
âYeah, sorry, but I have to go to work. I wouldâve stayed here studying a little longer, but not all of us have a scholarship secured thanks to soccer!â you said, slipping your laptop into your bag. Jake stretched in his chair, the muscles in his shoulders tensing under his loose hoodie, and curled his lips into a smirk.
âWas that a dig at me or at athletes in general?â he asked, pointing at himself. You shrugged. âTake it however you want.â
But Jake wasnât the type to back down easily, and he loved having the last word. So he leaned forward on the table, looking at you intently: âSpoiler: I donât have an athletic scholarship, sweetheart!â
You stared at him with wide eyes, freezing with your bag strap halfway over your shoulder, and stammered, clearly shockedâit was extremely impossible. âH-Howâs that possible? Youâre the team captainâŠâ
He rocked slightly in his chair, and even from there, you could tell that despite being 23, he still acted like a kid. âI was just too good at both sports and school, even back in high school. I didnât need an athletic scholarship, I got in on my grades,â he said smugly. Your mouth snapped shut, and you sighed, running a hand over your face, almost embarrassed.
You chuckled, amused by his excess of self-confidence, and gestured with your hands to tone it down. âDonât be such a know-it-all egotist, Jake! But⊠take it as a personal challenge⊠who knows, maybe not for the next test, itâs too soonbut for the one after that, you might even beat me⊠if you start liking the subject,â you said, openly teasing him with a challenging smile youâd never given any other guy before. Jake lightly bit his lower lip and muttered under his breath: âChallenge accepted, sweetheart.â
You said goodbye with a quick wave and turned, walking briskly to exit the west wing of the library and rush to the bar for your shift, your heart beating suspiciously fast.
As you walked away, Jakeâs hybrid instincts were literally rejoicing inside him. Under the table, his tail began to wag frantically, and his ears stretched forward to catch the sound of your footsteps. His wolf instinct was celebrating a double victory: not only had he managed to get you to give in and tutor him, but heâd just discovered that behind your cold, defensive armor, there was a girl capable of challenging him and holding her own with wit and that drove him wild. But what made him gloat the most was the scent youâd left in the air when you said goodbye: your smell of fear had faded, replaced by something sweeter and he couldnât wait for the next lesson.
You and Jake had been studying together for two weeks now, and you would NEVER have imagined that, deep down, he wasnât actually so bad. Sure, he was still a living jester...no lesson passed without him trying to tease you but there was one thing that had really stuck with you, something that had made your heart flutter more than once: he strictly respected physical distance. After that hug heâd given you, and after sensing how cold youâd been in returning it, Jake had never tried to touch you or get too close again. Heâd limited himself to verbal provocations and to you, that meant a lot, because for so many guys, the word "no" simply didnât exist in their vocabulary.
That morning, though, heâd sent you a WhatsApp message that had left you a little taken aback, though you understood why. The campus had erupted in chaos after the soccer team won an away game, and heâd asked if you could come to hisplace to study insteadâheâd gotten back late last night and was completely wrecked.
At first, youâd been pretty reluctant, but heâd quickly reassured you, saying you wouldnât be alone because there were six other people in the house, and at least one of his roommates would be there. So youâd agreed and now here you were, standing in front of⊠a house? No, this looked more like a villa. You thought you mustâve gotten the address wrong, but when you stepped closer to the intercom, you read the names of the seven guys who lived there: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, Ni-ki.
So you rang the bell, expecting Jake to answer immediately, but instead, a stunning guy with chiseled features and an incredibly charming vibe opened the door. You immediately noticed his dark ears and sleek, glossy tail: he was a black cat hybrid.
âYouâre Y/n, right? Come in, Jakeâs upstairs,â he said with a smile. You nodded, but before you could even respond, you heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, a tall guy with brown hair and slightly almond-shaped eyesâunmistakable black panther earsâpeered into the hallway.
You thought this place was less of a student house and more of a model recruitment center...
The panther hybrid looked at you and pouted like a child, sighing:  âOh, no⊠I was hoping my takeout had arrived.â You smiled timidly, a little intimidated by his size, but the pantherâs eyes widened as soon as he met your gaze. Pointing at you, he said: âOh my God, wait! Are you the famous Y/n? Jakeâs tutor? Damn, lately he hasnât stopped talking about....â
But before Ni-ki could finish, all three of you heard Jakeâs loud voice call out:Â âNi-ki!â
Like a bolt of lightning, Jake appeared at the top of the stairs and slid down the steps, stretching out a hand to yank Ni-kiâs shirt sleeve and silence him instantly. Ni-ki just laughed, completely unfazed, and said:Â âOh, hyung! Youâre here too, with us at home!â
Jake really wanted to strangle him, but he loved his little brother too much. When you finally looked up at Jake, you noticed he was dressed extremely comfortably: gray sweatpants, an oversized university T-shirt, his dark hair still damp from the shower, and a white towel draped over his shoulders, giving him a cozy, domestic vibe and at the same time, he looked at you and gave you a genuine smile, saying:
âHey, Y/n. Donât mind this bunch of lunatics. Follow me, weâll study in my room so itâs quieter.â
But the second he said those words, you froze on the spot. Your mind went into overdrive:
His room? Alone?
Your brain short-circuited, and you stood completely still on the doormat, clutching your books to your chest like a protective shield. You did not want to go into a room alone...especially not with a guy.
Both Jay (the black cat hybrid) and Ni-ki turned to look at you strangely, since all three of them were predator hybrids, their senses instantly picked up on the drastic shift in the air, as well as the sudden change in your clean scent, which had just been overpowered by a sharp trail of embarrassment mixed with a strong, clear note of defensive fear and panic.
Hybrids had incredibly strong olfactory instincts, and Jake froze on the spot. His smile vanished, replaced by something he didnât often feel or see. But with you, heâd smelled that scent before: the first time heâd spoken to you, and again when heâd hugged you. With an incredibly gentle and reassuring tone, he said:
âWeâll keep the bedroom door wide open, okay, Y/n? If that makes you feel more comfortable and you two⊠no nonsense from now on, got it?â He directed this mostly at Ni-ki, who rolled his eyes, while Jay, understanding the situation, gave a serious nod and walked toward the kitchen: âDonât worry, Iâll go make a snack.â
Jake looked at you again, giving you a soft nod to invite you to follow him up the stairs. Before you moved, you took one last look at Ni-ki and Jay, who returned your gaze with warm, welcoming smiles. You let out a small sigh of reliefâthose guys didnât seem dangerous at all⊠in fact, they seemed really nice and Jake⊠Jake was proving to be far more attentive and protective than youâd ever wanted to admit to yourself.
When you stepped into Jakeâs room, you were immediately enveloped by a mix of warm, inviting scents: the fresh aroma of pine-scented body wash heâd just used, a rich note of cedarwood, and that signature musky scent unique to his hybrid natureâwhich, over time, had begun to make you feel strangely safe.
Your eyes landed on the center of the room, where a large, slightly unmade king-sized bed sat with its gray sheets tangled. Nearby, a desk was buried under stacks of calculation sheets and heavy structural engineering manuals. The shelves, on the other hand, were packed with frames, photos of Jake as a child, and you smiled at the sight of him with his wolf ears still too big for his head. There were pictures of him hugging the other six hybrids from the house, all grinning with mud-streaked jerseys, and beside the photos stood rows of gleaming trophies and medals. Your eyes widened, and you let out a quiet whistle at the sight of so many merit certificates for math Olympiads.
 âWow⊠I knew you were good, but not this good,â you said, picking up a certificate with his name printed in gold letters. Jake shrugged, but you noticed the smirk tugging at his lips, his ears perking up with pride he knew he was smart, and damn good at what he did.
âI told you I wasnât bad. Historyâs just my one weak spot,â he said.
You nodded, setting the frame down. When you saw him move toward the bed and stretch out comfortably on his stomach, with history notes scattered in front of him, you couldnât help but comment:Â âYou know, normal people study sitting in a chair, facing a desk.â
But he just waved a hand dismissively, burying his face in the pillow for a second. âOverrated. If I can stretch out on my bed and study, why not?â Jake lifted his head to look at you, and in that moment, your scent: a delicate blend of fresh strawberries, cream, and a clean trail of vanilla filled the room, mingling perfectly with his hybrid scent. Jake went still for a second, breathing deeply, his expression shifting into something he didnât let show. That scent⊠itâs heavenly, he thought before he could stop himself. Then he shook his head slightly, unsettled by the spontaneous thought.
Heavenly? Damn, Jake, what the hell are you saying? Itâs⊠itâs just a nice smell, thatâs all⊠focus.
Oblivious to his thoughts, you took the desk chair, turned it around, and sat sideways, balancing your notes on your knees. âOverrated or not, this is how Iâm used to studying. If you want to stay there, fine, but I donât want to find you snoring in five minutes,â you said with a half-smile. Jake chuckled, and you saw his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie thumping eagerly against the mattress, a clear sign he genuinely enjoyed your company.
âFirst of all, I donât snore. Second, Iâve never fallen asleep during a study session and I bet that soon, even youâll end up sitting on this bed⊠itâs amazing, sweetheart. Memory foam with built-in massage tech, you know, as a soccer player, I need the best for my body,â he said, shifting slightly onto his side, teasing you with a mischievous grin and a wink. âEveryone who tries it wants to come back to sleep in it⊠thereâs plenty of space⊠and Iâm an excellent human heating pad, you know as a wolf hybrid, my body heat is way higher than yours. Perfect if you get cold in the winter!â he added with another wink.
You wanted to smack him with the history book for his audacity, but instead, you just blushed and shot him a glare. âStop talking nonsense and letâs start studying. Weâve got the first exam on Friday, and if you fail, I fail as a tutor.â
You and Jake had been studying for over two hours, and in that time, Jay had brought you delicious snacks to the room, and youâd even met Sunghoon, another one of the roommates. Youâd already heard about him on campus: he was the famous captain of the hockey team, and he, too, was a hybrid, specifically a snow fox, as well as one of the most popular athletes at the university. He also worked as a model for brands like Adidas, and everyone talked about him.
After the intense review session, you stood up for a moment to stretch your back and arms. Your eyes kept wandering around Jakeâs room, and he watched you carefully from the bed, noticing the tension in your body. âCome on, Y/n, I bet your back is killing you from sitting on that wooden chair. Just sit with me on the bed for five minutes, I promise Iâll keep my hands to myself,â he said.
To prove his intentions, he laced his fingers behind his back, looking up at you with a sweet, slightly reluctant smile. Knowing how wary you were, you finally gave in and sat on the edge of his bed. You immediately felt how incredibly soft it was.
Jake patted the large, dark fabric headboard, inviting you to get comfortable. So you settled in, half-sitting with your back resting against it, while he stayed stretched out beside you, his laptop and a pile of notes in front of him as he continued underlining according to your schemes.
After a little while, the exhaustion from the previous days caught up with you, and you yawned widely. Jake lifted his gaze from the papers. âAre you tired, sweetness?â
âA little,â you admitted, tilting your head back. He stretched slightly, letting out a sigh. Then, before you could predict it but driven irresistibly by his hybrid nature, which, in moments of tiredness or when wanting to make someone feel safe, instinctively sought contact with its âpackâ to share warmth and relax, Jake turned onto his side and, with complete naturalness, rested his head on the upper part of your legs, using them as a soft pillow.
Your eyes widened because his face was so close to your stomach. You immediately felt the impressive warmth of his body against your skin through your jeans just like that time heâd hugged you. He radiated an almost feverish heat, typical of wolf hybrids. From this close position, you could perfectly see how long and dark his lashes were, how his ears had partially lowered backward and deep inside, you felt a sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft and fluffy at the same time, and you wanted to know if they felt like a normal dogâs or catâs.
Jakeâs body relaxed completely against you, and you, having no idea what to do and with your heart beating a mile a minute, said his name softly: âJakeâŠâ
He just let out a low murmur, keeping his eyes half-closed because he liked feeling your body against hisâuntil you spoke.
âWhy did you rest your head on my legs?â you asked, slightly curious. He gave a light shrug against your thigh.
âI know you hate sudden physical contact⊠and Iâm not squeezing or openly touching you with my hands, so you can see I donât want to hurt you. You can trust me. Itâs just for support,â he said as his eyes opened fully, and two amber pools looked up at you, smiling. As your head tilted toward him, in that moment of absolute closeness, Jakeâs sharp sense of smell picked up on something that left him breathless: your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly intensified in the air, growing sweeter. There was no trace of the acidic note of fear, nor the detachment of embarrassmentâbecause you were starting to trust him.
Without even realizing it, you lifted a trembling hand, and your fingers barely brushed one of his fluffy ears, right where the fur transitioned from light gray to the super-dark shade at the tip.
You froze instantly at that sound, blushing all the way to the tips of your ears, and stammered:
âJ-Jake⊠God, Iâm sorry! Did I hurt you? I didnât mean to⊠I didnât know...â But Jake burst into genuine laughter, and you caught a glimpse of his dimples, thinking he looked damn cute.
âNo, donât worry, you didnât hurt me, sweetness,â he said, slowly reopening his eyes. âItâs totally normal that I growled. I told you the other day, both our ears and tails are the most sensitive parts of our hybrid bodies. If theyâre touched the right way, they stimulate a huge amount of pleasure, even strong excitement inside us⊠itâs just a biological reflex. We canât help it.â He said this almost shyly, and at those words, you immediately pulled your hand away from his ears but Jake immediately pouted in protest, letting out a small, annoyed whine his sense of smell had instantly noticed the loss of your skinâs warmth. He looked up at you with an almost pleading expression.
âCan I take your hand, Y/n?â
You stared at him as you leaned over him, and though hesitant, you offered him your hand. Jake, however, was incredibly gentle. He didnât interlace his fingers with yours but instead wrapped his large, warm fingers around your wrist, guiding your arm upward until your hand rested again at the base of his gray ears.
âWe hybrids are very sensitive to both smells and touch,â he explained, watching you carefully. âAnd if someone becomes part of our circle, our life⊠well, we quickly become much more insistent with physical contact. Letâs just say we have an almost physical need for it. Thatâs why I stretched out with my head on your legs. My wolf just wanted to be close to you.âHe said this without realizing it, but he didnât say things like that to just anyone⊠in fact, he hoped you wouldnât fully understand what he was implying. For your part, you just nodded.
âI⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids. Iâve always attended all-human schools before university, so this is the first time Iâve been in close contact with one of you.â
Jake studied your reactions from below, sensing that you were relaxed, and said: âWell, there are many first times in life, and this is a new first for you. Donât be shy about touching me, sweetness⊠I can sense it, your scent, your instinct, they tell me you want to.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment at being caught, and said:Â âSometimes it bothers me, this thing. You sense and understand things through smells that we humans will never be able to comprehend.â
He chuckled but didnât move, and when he felt your fingersânow moving with more confidenceâbegin to stroke the base of his ears again, Jake let out a long sigh of pure relief and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed in that moment, a feeling he hadnât experienced in years. Only his mom and grandmother could calm him with just a touch. He felt how his body was vibrating with total submission to your touch, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. You smiled because you liked the idea of being able to relax someone as energetic and hyperactive as him. With the tips of your fingers, you moved from his ears to his thick, black hair, gently ruffling it, and asked, slightly shy:
âWhy do you hybrids love physical contact so much? Is it something that comes from your puppy-like nature, orâŠ?â
Jake opened his eyes, staring straight into yours. âYes, it partly comes from when weâre pups. But actually, all hybrids need constant physical contact, both as kids and as adults, especially during heat. It can be suppressed with medication, of course, but doctors say itâs not good for our health or mental balance. And then⊠when a hybrid finds his mate, there are specific ways he uses to be with her.â
Curious, you tilted your head slightly to the side and asked:Â âAnd what are these ways?â
âWell⊠besides being touched by his mate, the hybrid loves to touch her in return. Itâs a little embarrassing, but in the early stages of a relationship, itâs constant: holding her hand, hugging her, squeezing her⊠but the most important thing for us is to make sure our scent completely soaks into her. We want our chemistry to stay on her skin, on her clothes, so the whole pack and other males know who she belongs to.â
You were slightly shocked by this possessive and biological revelation, your eyes widening as you struggled to respond, unable to fully grasp the nature of hybrids. Jake, seeing your petrified face and sudden confusion, didnât miss the chance to tease you.
âOh God, you should see your face, sweetheart! Whatâs wrong? Are you afraid Iâll rub my wolf scent all over you any second so youâll smell like me all over campus? Donât worry⊠for today, Iâll settle for your legs as a pillow, but I wonât make any promises for our next lessons!â
You huffed, looking away to hide the heat still burning on your cheeks, and said:Â âI definitely donât want your scent on me, especially if I want to have any chance with Soobin.â
At those words, Jake froze on your lap. His ears snapped backward, stiffening, and his tailâs movement stopped instantly, youâd almost forgotten about it. The only reason youâd accepted this compromise and were helping him with Contemporary History was his deal: using his influence to get Soobinâs attention. For a second, his possessive, territorial animal instinct pressed to emerge and growl at that name, but his human side quickly regained control. He slowly lifted himself from your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked at you intensely, saying:
âRelax, the only way a hybridâs scent spreads to a girl is if they do sexual thingsâwhich means undressing and sniffing each otherâor if the guy bites her. So donât worry, you wonât run that risk with me, Y/n.â
You frowned at his answer, then checked the time on your phone and said it was getting late and that you absolutely had to go. Jake returned to being his usual carefree self, wearing a mask of indifference. He nodded and asked if you wanted a ride, but you refused, explaining that Allie would pick you up.
Just as you reached the entrance hall, the front door swung open, and Heeseungâthe basketball team captain and an adorable hamster hybridâburst in, beaming as he held dark streamers in his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs: âFriday, I want all six of you dressed up for Halloween because weâre throwing a legendary party here! No excuses!â He looked at all his friends, and a chorus of reactions immediately rose from the kitchen and living room:
Jungwon and Sunooâa cat hybrid and a fox hybrid with huge earsâgroaned at the idea of chaos in the house. Ni-ki enthusiastically exclaimed, âAwesome!â Jay muttered that heâd prepare amazing cocktails for the occasion, while Sunghoon, still sprawled on the couch, just rolled his eyes because he wasnât a fan of parties at all.
As you watched the scene, you suddenly felt warm breath right next to your ear. Jake had leaned toward you, his lips just millimeters from your skin:
âThis is the perfect excuse for us to be seen together by Soobin, sweetheartâŠâ he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. âTell me how youâll dress for the party⊠because you are coming, right? Heâll definitely be there.â
You turned abruptly, finding his challenging smile just a centimeter from your face. And if there was one thing you hated, it was crowded partiesâbut the idea of finally talking to Soobin pushed you to do something crazy.
âYes, Iâll be there⊠but only if Allie can come too.â
Jake nodded, widening his sly grin. You said goodbye to all the guys with a wave and finally left that villa. As soon as you got into Allieâs car, you told her everything in detail. But your best friend could tell deep down that you wanted to go to that party to be with Jakeâbecause for the entire ride, you hadnât even mentioned Soobin.
As soon as the door closed behind you, silence fell over the entire living room. Jake turned to go back upstairs but froze on the spotâall six of his friends were staring at him with their arms crossed, wearing smiles that were half-amused and half-suspiciously knowing. All six hybrids in that room were literally breathing in the pheromones Jake had unconsciously released over the past two hours.
Jake felt his cheeks heat more than they should, turning bright red. He wanted to deny everything, but then Heeseung, the oldest in the group, twitched his hamster ears with a mix of amusement and curiosity, shook his head, and dropped the final bombshell, looking at the others:
âGuys, I think the first one to find his lifemate is actually one of the two biggest playboys and frat boys in the entire university⊠Who wouldâve ever thought that the great Jake Sim would fall at the feet of a nerd who didnât even know he existed a few weeks ago?â
Jakeâs blush deepened, spreading under the fur of his ears, which twitched nervously. He growled, baring a hint of fang to hide his panic: âShut up, you donât know what youâre talking about! Sheâs just my tutor, and Iâm just keeping my end of the deal. At the party on Friday, youâll see...sheâs into Soobin.â Jake then bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
But as he stormed up, his tail....always the traitor, began wagging frantically at the thought of seeing you dressed up for Halloween and his friends were absolutely right⊠the wolf inside him knew it all too well.
The house of the seven hybrids had been completely transformed for the Halloween party. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling corners, ghost-shaped sheets floated mid-air, and witch hats seemed to fly on their own thanks to invisible wires. The place looked like it had stepped straight out of a horror cartoon rather than a university party. Soft, rhythmic music played in the background as people from the campus began filling the hallways and living rooms of the villa.
You and Allie had arrived together. Allie was wearing a sexy pirate costume that suited her perfectly, while you had gone with the plan youâd agreed on with Jake: a lilac and purple dress inspired by Rapunzel. According to your friend, it looked divine on you, and to be honest, even you felt pretty looking at yourself in the mirror. However, you couldnât help but notice that the corset was a little too tight, accentuating your curves in a way you usually disliked but tonight, it gave you an extra boost of self-confidence. Deep down, you were a beautiful girl, but the only thing that made you wrinkle your nose a little was the cleavage, which made you feel a bit uncomfortable under the gazes of the people you passed. The rest of the outfit, though, was perfect: your hair was gathered in a soft braid decorated with tiny fake flowers, and you held a lightweight plastic frying pan, artfully stained with fake blood. You seriously hoped Jake had kept his word about dressing as Flynn Rider.
When your eyes finally spotted him near the bar corner, a small, spontaneous smile appeared on your face. Allie, who had been watching you carefully out of the corner of her eye, noticed that spark in your eyes as you looked at Jake. Deep down, your friend had already figured it all out, but she chose to stay silent, driven by a strong protective instinct toward you.
Jake, for his part, looked simply perfect. He wore the typical blue vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, showcasing his powerful biceps and the prominent veins of his athletic arms. Dark pants completed the look, but what truly took your breath away was his hairstyle: his dark hair was perfectly parted in the middle with Flynnâs signature rebellious tuft. You thought he should opt for that fluffy, middle-parted hair more often. On his cheeks and neck, he had drawn small, fake red scratches, as if he had just barely escaped the clutches of the law.
When Jake turned and saw you, he froze mid-step for what felt like an eternity. His wolf nose instantly picked up your scent in the airâa heavenly, thick aroma of fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a warm note of pure vanilla. At that olfactory contact, his tail twitched violently under his costume, swaying so hard from side to side that he had to restrain himself to keep it from breaking free of the fabric.
His wolf instinct gave a primal jolt: he thought you looked incredibly beautiful, and at the same time, he almost didnât recognize you. He had never seen you so exposed, with your figure and curves so visibly on display. Jake swallowed hard at the sight of your shy smile and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily ruining the perfect part. His animal instinct was literally screaming at him to reach out, grab you by the waist, and carry you away from all those people to keep you close to him. But he knew he had to rein in that urge, you werenât his, and besides, you were interested in another guy. Damn, you looked stunning, and his eyes couldnât stop drinking you in.
He closed the distance between you with feline steps, leaning slightly toward you, and whispered directly into your ear in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine:
âDamn, sweetheart⊠I knew you were hiding something under those hoodies or sweaters, but I didnât expect all this,â he said, unable to stop rambling because he couldnât take his eyes off you, especially not from the line of your cleavage. You blushed violently, and in self-defense, you crossed your arms over your chest, clutching the frying pan to your side.
âIn your dreams, Sim. I only came here because you asked me to, and because we have a deal. Otherwise, Iâd be comfortably in my room right now trying to compose music for my class⊠but Iâm here because you promised me something. You have to help me get to know Soobin⊠speaking of which, where is Soobin? You promised heâd be here.â
At the sound of that name, Jakeâs smug smile vanished in a millisecond. His wolf ears twitched slightly backward, flattening almost imperceptibly against his hairâa clear sign of pure annoyance and territorial jealousy. His body stiffened for a moment, irritated by the fact that your first thought had gone to another guy just as he was devouring you with his eyes. He gave a vague nod toward the kitchen. âHeâs in there, in the kitchen with Heeseung and the other basketball guys but donât rush, sweetheart⊠first, you need to loosen up⊠and have a drink.â
Before you could tell Jake you had no intention of drinking alcohol, he turned and started walking toward the kitchen with confident steps. Following him inside, you were immediately greeted by three enormous glass bowls filled with rum punch and chopped fruit. At the sight, your instinct screamed at you to run out of the room...high school memories threatened to resurface, and you feared theyâd ruin what could have been a fun night.
Jake, unaware of your internal struggle, grabbed a ladle and poured himself a glass of the reddish liquid. From the note pinned to the table, you read that it was a cocktail made with rum, prosecco, and berries. When he turned and held out the glass to you, you looked up at him and said in a thin voice: âThanks, Jake, but⊠I donât drink alcohol⊠I donât like it.âYou tried to hide it, but Jake wasnât stupid. His hybrid sixth sense was far too sharp, and he saw the slight but unmistakable tremor in your hand as you refused the glass. He noticed how your posture had suddenly stiffened, and, intrigued, he tilted his head, studying your reaction.
âMmm, okay. Wait here a second,â he said without teasing you or trying to pressure you. You simply nodded, clutching the plastic frying pan to your chest, and watched him disappear behind the door of a pantry at the back of the kitchen.
Left alone, you turned to look around. You saw Allie talking or maybe arguing with Heeseung, and your heart literally leapt into your throat when Soobin walked into the kitchen. He was dressed as Cullen from Twilight in a baseball game versionâwhite and blue jersey, a backward cap, and even a baseball glove tucked into his left hand. You immediately thought he looked cute, especially when he noticed you, and his famous dimples deepened in his cheeks. Your eyes, however, instinctively searched for Jakeâs figure.
Where the hell did he go? Soobin was walking straight toward you, and you thought, half-panicked: Where the hell has that wolf gotten himself? Why is he leaving me alone right now?!
But then a part of you forced yourself to reason after all, this was the plan, right? Jake was supposed to give you the chance to meet Soobin and make an impression. Yet deep down, you wanted him there with you so badly, and you didnât understand why.
When Soobin reached you, he gave you a sweet smile. âOh my God, Y/n? Is that you? Jakeâs tutor, right? Damn⊠you look stunning tonight. The costume suits you perfectly,â he said, even stumbling slightly over the last word as his eyes lingered inevitably on the line of your braid and the lilac corset. Your cheeks burned, turning burgundy in a millisecond from compliments you werenât used to hearing. You said:
âYou⊠you donât look bad either⊠I mean, you look really cute,â and a second later, you wanted to slap yourself in the face. You had no idea how to flirt, and having a decent conversation with the guy you liked felt like a titanic task.
But just at that moment, Jake reemerged from the pantry, holding both a sealed glass bottle of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water. The scene before him, however, made him freeze on the spot. Seeing you blush, smelling your strawberry scent grow more intense and vulnerable for another male, literally drove him wildâand he didnât understand why.
Okay, you were cute. Many times, you drove him crazy. Many times, heâd sought you out in class but you werenât his type....you were too⊠well, a little too shy. You usually gave as good as you got, but you preferred to keep to yourself or stick with a few people, while he loved being almost the center of attention. He didnât understand why he felt so strange when he was with you.
A wave of pure, territorial jealousy burned in his chest. Under his costume, his tail tensed instantly, becoming as rigid as a poker, and his ears flattened. But when his eyes met yours, Jake read your silent plea for help and your embarrassment. He understood that this was the exact moment to step in and play his card.
Jake hurried over to you, and without touching you, you immediately felt his presence as he stood in front of you with a serious expression. âHey, sweetheart, I got you a Coca-Cola and a sealed bottle of water, so you know exactly what youâre drinking,â he said, smiling warmly as he handed them to you. Once again, you were caught off guard by how well Jake could read you. It was incredible how this guyâwho, just a few weeks ago, youâd considered nothing more than a shallow, heartbreaking athleteâcould pick up on every subtle nuance of your discomfort and protect you in such a quiet, precise way.
You thanked him shyly, taking the cold glass bottle in your hands. It was at that moment that Jake turned toward the other guy.
âOh, Soobin, youâre here too,â he said with a crooked grin. Soobin wasnât intimidated by Jakeâs predator-like aura and met the soccer captainâs gaze head-on. âWell, you know Iâm here every weekend. And when I saw your tutor alone in the middle of this pack of hybrids, I came over right away to see how much sweetness and beauty she had as Rapunzel.â
Jake glared at Soobin, then shifted his gaze to you, as if expecting a reaction. Feeling caught in an invisible grip and wanting to ease the tension, you said: âWell⊠it was my idea to dress as Rapunzel and Flynn. Jake doesnât look bad tonight either, to be honest.â
At those words, a wave of immense pride washed over the wolf hybrid. Jake chuckled, visibly pleased by your unexpected compliment. He drastically closed the distance between you, eliminating the personal space youâd established, and you watched as his large hand lowered and gently brushed against yours. You bowed your head for a moment, watching his fingers slowly spread across your palm, ready to welcome yours. Driven by a sudden, overwhelming sense of security from the fact that heâd thought to protect your drink and the primal warmth radiating from his presenceâyou interlaced your hand with his, fitting your fingers between his. It was a spontaneous gesture that made your heart race, because youâd never thought that this Jakeâthe one everyone talked about as a playboy or someone who only thought of himselfâcould be like this.
Jake tightened his grip around your handâyour fingers were ridiculously cute and small compared to hisâand lifted his chin toward his rival. With a possessive tone that brooked no argument, he said:Â âIt was a pleasure, Soobin. But Y/n is with me tonight, and I need to show her around the house.â
Without giving Soobin time to respond, Jake started walking toward the villaâs stairs, gently pulling you behind him. As you climbed the first wooden steps, you leaned toward him and whispered: âDo you think itâs right to leave him already? He seemed really into talking to meâŠâ You felt bad for cutting short the only real conversation youâd started with the guy you had a crush on. But Jake couldnât have cared less about what you thought in that moment or what Soobin might have been thinking. His only goal was to get you away from the other malesâ gazes and claim you for himself, because damn, that night he wanted all your attention. So he took you to the very top of the stairs, to a raised and partially shadowed spot from which you could perfectly see the entire party belowâthe crowded living room and the music echoing off the walls.
âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart,â he murmured against your ear, his warm breath on the bare skin of your neck making you shudder. Instinctively, you tried to turn your head downward, toward the kitchen, to look for Soobinâs figure. But Jakeâs free hand shot lightning-fast to your face, his long, warm fingers caressing your cheek as he firmly held your face in place, preventing you from turning. You werenât supposed to let Soobin see you flustered by the guy you liked.
âDonât give him the satisfaction of having your eyes on him. Otherwise, heâll realize youâre interested and that he has control over you,â he warned in a low voice, his gaze fixed on your lips. You swallowed hard at how well Jake could embody his character, and trapped between his hand on your face and the stair railing, you stammered in confusion: âA-and what the hell am I supposed to do, Jake? I⊠Iâm not good at this stuff. Itâs already a lot if I managed to talk to him for two minutes straight without making a fool of myself.â You said this with a half-smile, and Jake looked at you intensely, his ears lowering slightly in an unexpectedly tender shade of sweetness.
âBut with me, you donât have a problem talking, Y/n. You donât freeze up. You hold your own, you answer back. Maybe⊠maybe you need to find someone you actually feel comfortable with, not someone your mind just thinks is cool, but who ultimately just makes you feel a little⊠constant anxiety?â Jake said this without fully realizing what heâd just admitted. For him, those words carried immense meaningâalmost a declaration of intent tied to his biological nature. He wanted you to understand that love or attraction shouldnât be a mental effort or an ideal of perfection to chase (like Soobin). Instead, it should be a natural chemistry based on loyalty, security, teasing, and a safe harbor where your body and soul felt protected and free to express themselves without fear. And those feelings? You definitely didnât feel them with Soobinâbut you did with him. He wanted you to understand that the wolf in front of you was the only one capable of naturally breaking down your protective barriers. He knew you were hiding something that had happened to you, and he couldnât wait to see you lower your guard and let go with him.
But you didnât have time to process the concept or respond, because Jake had closed the last millimeter of distance between you and pressed his lips firmly against yours, catching you completely off guard at the top of those stairs.
Jakeâs full lips pressed against yours, and your brain completely short-circuited at the sensation of that physical contact between you and him.
What the hell was he doing? Why was he kissing you like this, in front of everyone, and especially under Soobinâs gaze? But before your mind could even formulate a protest or find the strength to push him away, the devastating warmth of his body enveloped you. As if by magic, the anxiety that had been gnawing at you since before you even entered their house vanished. After just a few seconds, almost as if moved by an involuntary reflex, you parted your lips slightly. Jake let out a warm, trembling sigh right against your mouthâa sound of pure reliefâbecause you hadnât slapped him in front of everyone, even though he knew you hated being touched. Damn, heâd been dreaming for a while now of knowing what it was like to kiss you. And he began to kiss you with a disarming gentleness.
It wasnât the rough or arrogant kiss you would have expected from the soccer team captain. His lips moved against yours softly, as if he were afraid that at any moment, you might pull away. Jake gently sucked on your lower lip, savoring every single millimeter of your mouth, and you tasted the sweetness of the Coca-Cola mixed with the fruity flavor of his alcoholic aperitif. You would have never imagined that the campus playboy could kiss a girl with such care and reverence. Your cheeks burned as you felt his hand gently caress your cheek. Without realizing it, your handsâwhich had been timidly resting against his chestâslid upward, settling firmly on his broad shoulders, gripping the fabric of his white shirt. Jake leaned even closer into you, pressing you gently against the railing at the top of the stairs, isolating you from the rest of the world.
When your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly became even sweeter and more intense than usualâa clear sign that your body had surrendered to him and that you no longer felt any fearâJake broke the kiss for a millisecond. He growled in an incredibly rough, low voice: âDamn⊠you smell so good, Y/n. Stay like this⊠please.â He said this against your lips, and you didnât understand the meaning of that comment. You tried to pull your head back to protest and ask for an explanation, but Jake, seeing your deliciously parted lips, didnât waste time. He took advantage of that moment and slid his warm tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss against your lips, which were increasingly drawn to him.
At the same time, his hand slid down from your face, settling firmly around your waist, gripping the lilac fabric of your Rapunzel dress. In that moment, Jake held his breathâhe was afraid that this contact might trigger your usual resistance. He hoped with all his heart that you wouldnât pull your hand away or break free from him. But to his surprise, you kissed him back. And you did it in a way that left him completely stunned: your fingers tightened with more force on his shoulders, and your tongue responded to his with an initial shyness that quickly turned into a desperate, hungry rhythm, as if you had found a secret refuge in this guy you thought you couldnât stand. You pressed yourself closer to his chest, forgetting about Soobin, the people below the stairs, and everything else.
Jake literally smiled against your lips, savoring your total surrender, while the wolf instinct inside him screamed at the top of its lungs that you were his mate, that he should never let you go, and that he should especially not let other guys have you.
Jakeâs human side forcefully pushed back the animal instinct that wanted to take control. He didnât want to scare youâhe just wanted to savor this incredible moment with you. Your tongues continued to seek each other relentlessly, as if it were just the two of you in that house. And maybe it was, because from where you stood, only someone climbing the stairs could see what was happening.
Then, seized by a sudden boldness you didnât even know you possessed, you lightly nibbled on his lower lip. Jake was completely caught off guard by such an intimate, unexpected, and boldly provocative gesture from you. He wanted more, and a low, rough moan escaped his lips. At that sound, you felt your cheeks burn damn, Jake was kissing you and moaning in the middle of a packed party!
This realization set off an alarm bell in your mind, jolting your rationality back to life. This was not part of the deal youâd made with him. Breathless, with your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, you pulled away from him by just a few millimeters, breaking the kiss. Even though, deep down, you wanted his lips against yours again, you quickly pushed that thought away. Both of you had glossy eyes, your lips visibly redder and fuller than usual.
Embarrassed and adrenaline-fueled, you lowered your gaze and started nervously fiddling with the lilac tulle of your Rapunzel dress, trying to compose yourself. Jake, on the other hand, simply couldnât stop looking at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly under his Flynn Rider shirt. When you finally looked up again, your eyes locked once more, unable to pull away, as if they were always searching for each other. You stammered:
âI⊠I⊠why did you kiss me, Jake?â
Jake gave a small, crooked smile and repeated softly the same words from earlier:Â âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart.â
This time, though, he didnât bring his hand to your cheek to block your face, leaving you free to check if Soobin was indeed watching. When you slowly turned toward the living room below, your eyes immediately caught Soobinâs figure. He was standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, with a hint of obvious jealousy mixed with frustration in his gaze. Once again, Jake had wonâbecause he hadnât expected someone like Jake to claim you so boldly in front of everyone, especially since you werenât his ideal type of girl.
As you spun back toward Jake, confused, he looked down at you, stretching his wolf ears with a proud air. Then he murmured:
âGive it less than a week⊠youâll see, Soobin will come looking for you and ask you out. Because very soon, everyone here will know I kissed you. But theyâll also know youâre not my girlfriend. And youâll officially be the girl who stood up to Jake Sim. And believe me, sweetheart⊠every guy on campus will become terribly curious to find out who you are.â
Was Jake Sim a fortune teller? Or maybe a genie? No, because ever since youâd set foot on campus that Monday morning after the Halloween weekend, his prophecy had come true 100%: people couldnât stop staring at you. Every time you walked down the hallway, there were whispers as you passed. Classmates and even complete strangers looked at you differently nowâall because theyâd spotted you with the universityâs golden boy.
âCome on, stop looking at that phot, itâs embarrassing, please!â you whispered, glancing sideways to make sure no customers heard you. But Allie couldnât stop staring at the picture, and her tone suddenly turned more serious and dreamy as she looked at you and Jake: âBut seriously⊠you and Jake look so good in that photo. In a way I never wouldâve imagined: you, the down-to-earth girl who works double shifts to pay for university and build a future in music, kissing the campus golden boy, the soccer team captain with his path already paved to some famous club⊠Itâs a perfect match. Admit it, just a few months ago, you never wouldâve imagined ending up in a situation like this!â she concluded with a mischievous smile. But you scolded her immediately, slamming the coffee tamper on the counter and glaring at her: âStop it right now, Allie! Thereâs no match, no romantic movie. It was just⊠a setup to get Soobinâs attention, and Jake just wanted to help. Itâs a 50% help for both of us,â you said, trying to sound convincing. Yet your eyes couldnât pull away from that photo on the screen.
Looking at it, you almost didnât recognize yourself: pressed against his chest, your hands gripping his shirt, and the way Jake was looking at you as he held your waist radiated an energy that could give butterflies to even someone like Allie, whoâd been in a relationship forever. Even though the photo wasnât high quality, you could still see both you and Jake smiling at each other. And just the memory of his lips against yours made your stomach clench.
Your thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone arriving at the counter. You heard a familiar voice, and when you looked up, you found Soobin standing there with his usual shy smile. That morning, he was in full ânerd modeâ: he was wearing an oversized sweater that made him look even softer, round glasses with thin black frames, and his dark hair was slightly messy on his forehead. But it was strangeâuntil that moment, you wouldâve gone crazy at the sight of him. Now, you were happy, but you couldnât understand why your mind kept drifting to JakeâŠ
âHey, Y/nâŠâ he said in his usual shy way, and you gave him a timid smile. Soobin glanced quickly at Allieâs phone in her hand and then back at you. âMmm⊠did you see the photo of you and Jake kissing too?â The question came out of his mouth with a slightly casual, almost detached tone, but his eyes were hungry for your reaction. You nodded, feeling the blood rush straight to your cheeks, and immediately tried to downplay it by waving your hands in the air:  âYes, I saw it⊠but I swear, Soobin, itâs nothing serious! Jake is just a show-off. We were just⊠joking. There was so much confusion at the party, andâŠâ You tried to say something, as if you owed him an explanation, but he stopped you by raising a hand: âThe other night, I was really shocked when I saw you dressed like that and I noticed right away how your cheeks turned red when you saw me next to you,â he said, looking down at you from his nearly two meters of heightâSoobin was truly imposing, unlike Jake, who, despite being muscular, was only a couple of centimeters taller than you.
âJake took you away, and⊠well, we all know him, heâs a show-off. But I bet that kiss was just for show, right?â And then, leaving you completely shocked, he leaned a little further forward, lowering his voice: âWould you like to go out for a serious coffee with me this afternoon? Just you and me, I promise.â He took a sip of his drink, and you stood there, literally paralyzed with the milk jug in your hand. Was he seriously asking you out? Youâd wanted this moment for months. Youâd spent entire nights hoping Soobin would notice you. But now⊠Jakeâs image kept tormenting your mind. And with startling clarity, you remembered the warmth of his full lips, how heâd gently held you close, afraid you might pull away, and especially that damn moan that had escaped him when youâd bitten his lip and what scared you the most was the realization that, next to Jake, your body hadnât felt the slightest bit of anxiety.
With Soobin, however, you felt like you were under examination, and your instinct told you to take it slow with him, not to rush. But a part of you wanted to seize the moment, to not waste this opportunityâyouâd already wasted so many because of what happened to you as a teenager. Yet, accepting his invitation for that afternoon would mean canceling your study session with Jake. So you took a deep breath and, forcing a sweet smile, said:
âSoobin, Iâd really like to⊠but as you know, Iâm tutoring Jake. He has his Contemporary History test on Friday, and we absolutely need to meet at his place this afternoon to review the last chapters. But⊠this weekend, yes, we could go out for breakfast together, if youâd like.â
Allie, who had been silently pretending to clean a nearby table the whole time, rushed over as soon as Soobin was out of earshot. She looked you straight in the eyes, her usual playful demeanor gone, and said in a low voice:
âY/n⊠if you really wanted to go out with him this afternoon, Jake can wait. Or he can study for the test on his own. But please, be honest with yourselfâbecause you just turned down a date with the guy of your dreams to lock yourself in a house with a jock who, until recently, you claimed to detest, and who practically kissed you passionately in front of half the university. Are you sure Soobin is still the only one on your mind?â
She asked, watching you carefully and at those words, you honestly didnât know what to say.
As you walked briskly toward Jakeâs house, Allieâs words still echoed in your head. You tried to shake them off, Jake was just a⊠a "friend"? You didnât even know how to define him, to be honest. You were his tutor, end of story. What happened at the Halloween party was just a staged scene to get Soobinâs attention and land a date and it had worked. That was allâŠÂ right?
When you stood in front of the massive door of the seven hybridsâ villa, you typed in the code Jake had kindly given you a few days earlier so you wouldnât have to wait in the cold. But out of politeness, you knocked anyway. No one answered, so you pushed the door open. The living room and large kitchen were completely empty. It was really strange, the place looked almost eerie compared to the chaos of the last time youâd been there, for the Halloween party. So you walked in and, reaching the bottom of the stairs, called out: âJake! Iâm here!â
But there was no answer. You assumed he was in his room, as usual when he wanted to avoid chores. So you climbed the wooden steps one by one, looking around. All the doors on the landing were closed except one. When you reached Jakeâs door and saw it was half-open, you knocked lightly with your knuckles on the wood and said: âSorry Iâm late, Jake, but we really need to review three chapters of Contemporary History on the post-war period and the peace treatiesâŠâ
But the words died in your throat.
Jake was there but he wasnât alone. He was leaning back against his messy desk, and between his legs stood a girl you recognized all too well: one of the most popular and beautiful girls on campus. She had her nails buried in Jakeâs dark hair, kissing him passionately, her hips moving against his. And yet, you noticed immediately that Jake wasnât touching her at all. His hands were lazily resting on the desk, as if he didnât even have a girl kissing him in front of him. His ears were slightly lowered, and his tail, beneath his pants, was completely stillâno twitch, no movement. It was strange because with you, Jake was always the opposite. The way they were kissing seemed almost mechanical, especially on Jakeâs part⊠as if he were bored. There was none of that desperation to touch you like at Halloween, none of that devastating heat, none of that deep, rough moan heâd reserved for you at the top of the stairs just a few days earlier.
And yet, despite his obvious detachment, the sight of Jake wrapped around another girl hurt, badly. You suddenly felt stupid, like a total fool. But stupid for what? Jake wasnât your type at all⊠and yet, watching him share his personal space and his lips with someone else filled you with a sharp, cutting disappointment that quickly turned into burning anger toward him.
In the shock of that vision, you abruptly took a step back to leave, but the sudden movement made your heavy backpack bump against the wooden doorframe. At such close range, Jakeâs wolf hearing instantly picked up the noise but more than that, he caught your scent. He pulled away from the girl almost immediately, as if pushing her off, and his eyes widened when they landed on you in the doorway. His nose wrinkled instantly because heâd just caught your scent in the airâbut your usual sweet strawberry fragrance was gone. It had turned sour, sharp, and not goodâit reminded him of the early days when you couldnât stand him being near you at all.
âY/n! Wait!â Jake exclaimed, taking a decisive step toward you but you had no intention of staying there to be humiliated. You spun around on your heel, your cheeks literally burning with embarrassment.
Jake gently grabbed your wrist in an attempt to stop your rush down the stairs: âHey! Stop for a second!â he exclaimed, looking at you but you spun around abruptly, yanking your wrist free from his grip especially from his touch and said:
âLet go of me, Jake! Donât touch me! I knew you were irresponsible, but I didnât think youâd go this far! We have a test in three days, and I rearranged all my plans today just to come here and help you pass the exam and what do you do? Not even trainâwhich would make more senseâbut kiss one of your many girls who throw themselves at you with a snap of their fingers?!â You glared at him, and Jake looked at you carefully, almost caught off guard by the vehemence of your words. His wolf ears lowered slightly, betraying a hint of regret or perhaps confusion about what was happening. His nose wrinkled imperceptibly as he sniffed the air around you, sensing how your scent was becoming sharper, more acidic as if every fiber of your body was screaming how much you disliked the situation. It reminded him of the scent you gave off when you couldnât stand being near him.
Trying to take a step toward you to calm you down, Jake said in a low voice:Â âY/n, we werenât doing anything serious. She just came to return a hoodie to me and...â
But you didnât care at all about his justifications. You cut him off abruptly with a wave of your hands: âI donât care what you were doing! It just bothers me that I wasted my time with a guy who doesnât have his head on straight, who only thinks about having fun and showing off! You know what? Figure it out yourself. Iâll send you the notes online from now on because I have no intention of setting foot in this house again to waste time with you!â
At those words, a spark flashed in his eyesâno way was he going to lose you. He⊠he wanted to be with you. Seeing you every day kept him mentally stable, and he always found an excuse to see you or be near you. So Jake took a decisive step closer to you because he didnât rationally understand what was going through your mind at that moment but his animal natureâhis primal wolf instinctâspoke to him, suggesting a fucking precise idea:
Could it be⊠that sheâs jealous of seeing you with someone else?
In that moment of high tension, his animal side took over completely without him realizing it. His usual cocky smirk reappeared on his face, and tilting his head slightly toward you, he said in a rough, teasing tone: âAre you mad because Iâm not studying, sweetheart⊠or because the lips on my mouth werenât yours? Do you miss me that much already after the other night?â
At those words, your eyes widened. Did he seriously just say that out loud? You were completely shocked and wounded in your pride by what heâd just dared to say. Feeling your cheeks burn even redder, you forced yourself to laugh and, lifting your chin, looked him straight in the eyes with a shamelessly defiant air: âYouâre completely crazy! I donât care at all who you kiss, Jake Sim! In fact, Iâm even happy youâre so busy with your âfriendsâ that way, you wonât interfere in my life this weekend when I go out with Soobin!â You said with a small smirk.
At the sound of Soobinâs name, Jakeâs earlier smirk vanished completely. His ears snapped backward, almost stiffening, and his jaw tightened slightly at seeing you so bold with him. In a low voice, he said:Â âWhat did you say?â
You looked at him before leaving and said: âYou heard me. He asked me out today at the bar, but I told him no to come here and study with you because Iâm a responsible girl and stupid me, but weâll see each other this weekend. So try to do well on the history test because I finally got what I wanted.â
With that, you pushed him slightly, taking advantage of his moment of shock, opened the villaâs door, and walked out, slamming it behind you. You left the universityâs golden boy alone in the hallway, furious and jealous for the first time in his life.
After you left Jake, leaving your notes in plain sight on the table, the atmosphere inside that house had become literally suffocatingâespecially for Jake. When the other six members of the pack returned, they found Jake sulking, half-stretched out on the large, dark leather sofa in the living room. The younger ones almost laughed at the sight, but the older ones immediately understood that something had happened. Every second, Jake ran his fingers through his thick hair, ruffling it furiously, or hurled a stress ball against the wall in front of him, catching it mid-air with his reflexes before throwing it again.
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged an exasperated glance. Jay, the black cat hybrid, ran a hand over his neck, annoyed by the negative energy dominating the room.
âCan someone tell me what happened with your tutor? Why isnât she here in a chair, making you memorize dates or the names of generals? God, this house stinks so much of your bad pheromones. Thereâs a sour, wet-dog smell coming from you that I havenât smelled in I donât know how longâŠâ said the cat hybrid, wrinkling his nose. Sunghoon did the same, but Jake, at the mere word "tutor," jolted upright on the couch, hurling the ball onto the floor with such force that it bounced off the ceiling. He almost growled, nervously running his hands through his hair:
âNothing! Nothing happened! Sheâs just a stubborn little girl who says she doesnât want to come here anymore because⊠and sheâs going out with that damn Soobin this weekend.â
Sunghoon coughed in a half-laugh, unable to hold it back, and a cynical, amused grin appeared on his lips. âOh, so Choi is seriously interested in Y/n⊠who wouldâve thought! Heâs been practically chasing her for weeks. And well, on the other hand, you were busy getting kissed by one of your groupies five minutes before Y/n arrived, right? You donât care if Y/n goes out with another guy...especially Soobin, do you? You know, we saw her on the path as she was leaving, and human girls donât work like hybrids, who dream of finding their mate 90% of the time just to be knotted and not claimed. Human girls donât have a pack instinct. They donât accept sharing, and above all, you canât have your foot in two shoes with them.â
Jake rolled his eyes because everyone had warned him not to play around, especially with human girls. He covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. âI donât know what bothers me more...that she doesnât want to come here anymore to study with me⊠or that sheâs going out with another guy. Sheâs not⊠sheâs not my type at all, you know! Sheâs a simple, down-to-earth girlâall about home, work, and musical scores and what pisses me off the most is that sheâs almost as much of a know-it-all as I am. But damn, if I even think for a second about her laughing, walking, or looking at Soobin with those sweet eyes⊠my wolf side goes completely blind with rage, and I donât understand why. Me? Jake Sim only cares about getting signed by a national team and living for soccer, not romantic drama. But if I imagine her with another guy, I feel like somethingâs being ripped away from me something that, technically, isnât even mineâŠÂ I just want to go out there and make everyone understand that sheâs mine.â
At those words, Jakeâs eyes widenedâbecause⊠because he shouldnât be thinking those things. Those were things people said when theyâd found or were with their mate, not with a simple girl who gave them tutoring. Jay and Sunghoon stopped laughing, and their expressions turned serious, almost severe, as they watched their roommate crumble under the weight of a feeling he refused to admit but had just confessed a few seconds earlier. They exchanged another glance and, almost in unison, took a step forward toward their best friend, placing their hands on Jakeâs shoulders.
âWe told you to be careful with her, Jake,â Sunghoon said, with a rare note of seriousness in his voice. âBut above all, we warned you right away that she was the one⊠the one who could calm the beast inside you without you having to pretend to be the king of the campus.â
Jay nodded in agreement, gently stroking the lower part of Jakeâs ears this time: âYour tutor isnât playing hard to get, Jake. She saw what you always do: using people out of boredom, for sport, to confirm to yourself that you can have anyone. But this time, you chose the wrong person. Y/n isnât one of your fans who hang on your every word and accept your leftovers. If your wolf feels sick and is howling inside your head, itâs because he knows perfectly well that youâve ruined the only good, real thing youâve encountered in years. The few times Iâve seen you together, sheâs the only person who looks at you for who you areânot for the captainâs armband, your beauty, or your status.â
âSo get your ass off that couch,â Sunghoon concluded. âApologize to her and please, donât let her get away, because the true âmateâ only comes once in your life⊠donât make the mistake so many others do of not letting go.â
Jake had one clear mission: he never wanted to see you angry with him again, even if it meant swallowing his pride. So, between one soccer training session and another, he took his studies deadly seriously.
He locked himself in his room and spent hours poring over the pages of Contemporary History youâd worked on together. He started bombarding your phone: sending you photos of his summary diagrams late at night, voice messages over five minutes long (which were practically illegal in your book) answering the open-ended questions youâd left him as homework before your fight. And at the end of every voice message, heâd always try to make it personal, asking in a low voice: âHey⊠how are you? What did you do after class today? Do you want to meet up before the test on Friday afternoon?â
But you were categorical: you never replied to those personal questions, leaving him brutally on read. And for the study messages, you responded with an icy coldness that wasnât in your nature but deep down, you knew you were jealous of him, so you tried not to think about him, not to give in. Youâd look at the photos or listen to the voice messages, and youâd respond simply by leaving a reaction: a thumbs-up đ if the answer was correct, or a thumbs-down đ if heâd messed up the dates. No written messages. No âOkay,â no âGood job, you got six out of ten right.â Just absolute silence from you. And this was literally driving Jake crazy because no one in his entire life as an alpha hybrid and soccer captain had ever treated him like he was invisible.
As you stirred the coffees or steamed the milk, he wouldnât stop teasing you for a second: tilting his head, barely moving the tips of his ears to catch your eyes, and whispering with a crooked smile: âGood morning, sweetheart. Did you know WhatsApp was created as a messaging app, not an app for one-word replies or simple đđ? I preferred it when you actually spoke to me when I got distracted⊠are you sure you donât want to review together tonight?â
But you had become almost mute with him. You didnât give in even a millimeter to his antics. You kept your gaze fixed on the coffee machine and, slamming his receipt on the counter with a sharp tap, you responded every day with the same detached chant: âThatâs four dollars and fifty cents for the oat milk cappuccino, Sim. Move it, thereâs a line behind you.âYouâd point with one finger at the long line behind him, and Jake would almost always pout. The scene was so ridiculous that, a few tables away, his pack never missed an opportunity to enjoy the showâespecially the younger members, like Sunoo, who would burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hands, absolutely loving the drama between you and his hyung.
Next to him, Ni-ki would shoot Jake an amused glance and comment in the group chat that youâd refused to speak to Jake again. Even Jungwon, the cat hybrid who was usually the calmest, would chuckle under his whiskers, shaking his headâthough it was nice to see Jake, for the first time, thinking hard and working seriously on something that wasnât soccer.
The door in front of Jake was still closed, but his ears picked up the sound of the history professor arranging the tests on the desks inside. There were still five minutes until the exam started.
This was shaping up to be the most important weekend of his entire academic year: not only was there the Contemporary History exam weighing on his mind, but on Sunday, he had a crucial league match. In the stands, scouts from some of the countryâs most famous soccer teams would be watching, and Jake was hoping with everything in him to be chosen by one of themâto finally take off toward a professional career. Yet, despite the pressure of the upcoming match, the thing that had made him relax his shoulders and feel genuinely better that morning was your message.
After endless days of receiving nothing but cold thumbs-up or thumbs-down, your message had lit up his phone screen as soon as he woke up, his eyes still heavy with sleep:
âHi. Donât mix up the peace treaties from the various international assemblies, especially between World War II and the Cold War (P.S. I know there will be at least 2 questions on this topic). Good luck, Jake. Show them what youâre worth. :)â
At the sight of it, a smile, his first in a long time, crept onto his lips. He had reread that message all morning, and he was still staring at it now, just outside the classroom.
His inner wolf, which had been curled up, dull and listless for days in a corner of his mind, suddenly woke up at the news. His tail began wagging incessantly all day, and his animal instinct spoke clearly or perhaps it seriously hoped he still had a chance with you and said:
âIf she didnât care about you at all, she wouldnât have written⊠especially today, when she knows how important this day is for your future. Thereâs still hope, Sim Jaeyun. Embrace it.â
Thatâs exactly why, gripping his phone between his fingers, Jake decided not to reply to you right away. For once, he wanted to avoid making a wrong move. He didnât want to ruin that tiny bit of closeness with one of his usual bold responses. He wanted actions to speak for him.
So when the door to the lecture hall finally swung open and the students began pouring in, Jake took a seat at one of the central desks. And as soon as the Contemporary History test paper was placed in front of him, with a determination his classmates had never seen on his face before, he began answering all the questions. He didnât want to disappoint you. He couldnât allow himself to waste all the hours youâd spent writing him summaries, explaining every single chapter in detail even when you were angry with him. Or the fact that, despite everything, youâd taken a minute to wish him good luck.
So he put his head down and focused for the full two hours of the test, isolating himself from the rest of the world and concentrating on the answers he had to give.
After two grueling hours of the exam, Jake could literally not wait to find out his score. He was hoping with all his heart that the electronic system or the professors would give him the result immediatelyâhe wanted to know if all that crazy studying you and he had done together had paid off. But the professor had decided to grade the tests on the spot, and all the students, Jake included, were stuck in their seats. He rested his face against his arms, trying to calm himself and imagine how you would react if heâd passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to his wolf, the professor stood up from the desk with a stack of papers in her hands and began handing them out. When she reached Jakeâs desk, she stopped and looked at him with a sincere and slightly surprised smile:Â âI donât know how Y/n managed to make you âlikeâ Contemporary History, Sim, but Iâm truly happy and proud of you.â
The professor handed him his test, and Jake lowered his eyes. There, written at the top in bright green marker, was a 75/100, accompanied by a small smiling face. He was literally shockedâhis tail began wagging, and his pheromones started filling the air with his scent. He had never gotten a grade this high in that subject before. Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of the test, and sent it immediately to the WhatsApp group he had with the other six members of the villa. They all praised him, but all he wanted was to hear you or see you. So as he strode out of the classroom, he opened your private chat and was about to attach the photo of his 75 to brag to you tooâuntil he froze halfway down the hallway.
His wolf senses suddenly kicked in, and he caught an unmistakable trail of your sweet, unmistakable strawberry and cotton candy scent in the airâthe one he had loved discovering so much. Jakeâs head snapped around twice until his eyes locked onto you. There you were, just a few meters away, leaning against the hallway wall as you waited for him outside the classroom. At the sight of you, his hybrid nature rejoiced: his gray ears perked up happily on his head, and his tail, beneath his tracksuit pants, began moving in a frantic, enthusiastic rhythm, thrilled that you were there for himâeven though he hadnât asked you to be.
You gave him a small, shy smile, and Jake closed the distance between you in a flash, almost running until you felt his strong, large arms wrap tightly around your waist. Before you could even realize what was happening, Jake lifted you off the ground, nearly taking you into his arms mid-air in the middle of the hallway.
âJ-Jake! What are you doing?! Put me down, are you crazy?!â you stammered, your heart in your throat, as you instinctively clung to his broad back to avoid falling. But Jake ignored your protests and buried his head right near the hollow of your neck, breathing in your scent deeply. He whispered with a voice rough with emotion and adrenaline: âY/n⊠I got a 75. I did it⊠thanks to you.â
Your smile widened involuntarily at hearing him so happy, and you gently caressed the back of his neck. âI knew youâd do great things, Jake. Remember, you told me that by the end of the course, youâd get a 100 if you applied yourself! But now put me back down, seriously!â
Jake chuckled, only then realizing that all the students left in the hallway were staring at you. With extreme slowness, he let you slide back down but when your feet touched the ground, he didnât pull away instead, his face stayed just a few centimeters from yours, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. You swallowed, feeling your cheeks turn red, and he loved seeing you so close to him again. He studied you with an intense gaze, lowering his eyes to your lips for a second before meeting your eyes again.
âAnd now⊠whereâs my reward?â he asked in a provocative tone, watching you with a challenging look.
âYour reward is that the history box on the register finally has a green checkmark instead of a red one, and that maybe you wonât fail⊠thatâs your reward, Sim,â you said, as if it were obvious.
Jake pouted cutely, shaking his head, and teased you by reaching out to give you a light tap on the tip of your nose: âReally, sweetheart? Thatâs it? Youâre a ruthless tutor. I was hoping for something much more⊠this weekend⊠we haveto celebrate, Y/n. Tomorrow evening is one of the most important matches of my life....there will be scouts from national and global teams watching. Please come watch me play in the stands.â He said, almost pleading with his hands.
You immediately tried to shake your head and protest, crossing your arms: âJake, no, I told you⊠I have plans this weekend⊠I mean, I have to meet Soobin for breakfast, and then I have to study for my exams. I canât spend the evening in a pubâŠâ
But he, being the skilled manipulator he was when he wanted something from you, took half a step closer, reducing the space between you even more. You felt his pheromones teasing your body, and he said: âBreakfast is Sunday morning. My match is tomorrow evening. You have to come to the stands to cheer me on, Y/n. You sent me that message this morning, tomorrow, you need to be there in person. You helped me get through the hardest part of the week⊠you donât want to leave me alone right at the finish line, do you? Iâm only asking you to come tomorrow, okay?â
Jake Sim was seriously a thorn in your side, and he knew exactly how to get a âyesâ out of someone at any cost. You rolled your eyes, feigning fake exasperation, and started nervously fiddling with your backpack strap to avoid looking at him. âOkay, fine⊠Iâll come to the match with Allie,â you conceded in the end, hinting at a small smile. But then your tone turned more serious and low. âBut⊠you know I donât drink alcohol, Jake. So there wonât be much for me to do at the pub, and I want to leave at a decent time so I can be awake and on time Sunday morning.â
Jake immediately noticed that sudden shift in your mood. His wolf instinct picked up on a different nuance in your voice, and he desperately wanted to know what had happened to you in the pastâwhat was the reason behind your total refusal of alcohol, or why you trusted people so little and disliked physical contact so much. But he knew he had to take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, looking at you with a rare seriousness, and said: âI know youâre still hesitant about me⊠and Iâm sorry for the other day,â he said, almost mentally cursing himself for letting that third-year girl kiss him. âBut weâve known each other for a while now, and at the Halloween party, you trusted me. We worked as a team⊠so I thought that tomorrow evening, you could try drinking something with me and my friends. They might seem like a bunch of lunatics, but all six of them are curious to meet you, Y/n.â
You looked at him, stunned, your eyes wide, and opened your mouth to protest. But Jake immediately interrupted you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder to reassure you. âI just want you to feel safe with me. When youâre with me, nothing bad will ever happen to you, I promise. If youâre afraid of drinking for some reason⊠well, youâll tell me about it, when and if you want to. But tomorrow evening, Iâll stay right by your side, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, so I can stay 100% sober. You can have fun without touching a drink, obviously but I also want you to understand that you can trust me blindly and if you want to try drinking, you can do it in complete peace of mind, because after the party, Iâll pick you up, put you in my car, and take you home safe and sound, ready for your date with Soobin the next day,â Jake said, the last part reluctantly, running a hand through his thick hair and betraying a hint of jealousy at the innocent mention of your date. But he wanted, above all, to make you understand that he wasnât selfishâheâd loved making people like him since his scout days, loved being known for who he truly was. But between his reputation as the golden boy of the soccer team and knowing he was a good-looking guy, many girls wanted him, and he had fun with it. Now, though, he wanted to see if things could work with you.
You stood still because youâd never heard a guyâlet alone a fiery, popular hybrid like himâsay something like that to you, or put himself completely at your disposal just to make you feel protected.
You lowered your gaze, feeling your cheeks burn, because deep down, you knew it was true: despite his flaws, his arrogance, and his distracted kisses with others, with Jake, youâd felt safe almost from the first day. And with him, the anxiety that usually clenched your stomach always disappeared. This had to make you realize that there was something more to Jake. When you looked up again, you said softly: âThank you, JakeâŠâ
He smiled at you and said: âI promise you, Y/n. If you want to drink something, Iâll always be by your side⊠and even if you decide not to drink, itâll be the same for meâIâll be there to protect you,â he thought the last part in his mind, while his inner wolf growled with pride at the idea of being your shield against the rest of the world. âEverything will be fine, I promise,â he said, reaching out his hand toward you, lifting his pinky finger in a solemn and slightly childish vow. You looked at him for a second, then smiled, and linked your pinky with his, squeezing it.
âOkay⊠Iâll come to your match⊠and maybe Iâll drink something at the party.â
At that contact and those words, Jakeâs smile grew enormous. He pulled you close, even if only through that link between your pinkies, because he couldnât wait for you to discover and get to know the real Jake.
The stands of the university soccer field were literally packed with people: some were leading the university chants, others were playing drums and trumpets, blasting the university anthem, and there were countless screams from fans cheering on all the players but one name echoed louder than all the others: number 5, Jake Sim.
You and Allie were sitting in a kind of covered VIP box, a reserved area where the other six hybrids from the villa were also watching the match. You were sitting right next to Jay, the black cat hybrid, who was watching the game with his arms crossed and his tail lazily swaying behind his backâhe wasnât part of any sports team, but for his best friends or hyungs, he would never miss a thing. To Allieâs left was Heeseung, the hamster hybrid, who, true to his sweet but incredibly magnetic nature, hadnât stopped flirting with her for a second, making her giggle while she kept rolling her eyes.
At one point, Allie turned to you, her eyes wide, and pointed at the crowd below: âWow, Y/n⊠I knew Jake was the âgolden boyâ of the university and the soccer team, but look how many girls are wearing his jersey!â Looking down, you noticed that almost 90% of the female fans were wearing the number 5 jersey with Sim printed on the back. Out of pure spite, you had decided to leave the original jersey heâd given you the other day with a cocky smile in your closet but to avoid freezing from the evening wind, you had accepted wearing only his team scarf, which still smelled intensely of him. You werenât entirely sure if it bothered you to see so many girls with his name on their backs. After all, you didnât like Jake⊠right? And besides, the next morning, you had a special date at one of the best bakeries in the area with Soobin. So you didnât understand that annoying itch that was creeping through your body at the sight of so many girls talking about Jake.
But those confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of the university commentator over the speakers, who shouted: ââŠAnd thereâs Anton with a perfect pass to Jake from the corner kick! Sim breaks free in the shooting zone⊠he jumps higher than everyone else and⊠HEADER! GOAL! ITâS A GOAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY!â
A crazy roar spread across the entire field, and the stands almost trembled from the crowd of people screaming, jumping, and recording videos. Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, both Jay and Heeseung leaned toward you. You felt Jayâs muscular arm wrap around your neck, pulling you into a brotherly hug while Heeseung did the same with Allie, jumping and cheering. You burst out laughing, infected by that insane energy you never thought youâd enjoy, exchanging an amused glance with Allie as you saw her lean into Heeseung.
Jay, noticing your laughter, looked down at you and gave you a light, teasing nudge with his elbow. âLook at you⊠You didnât want to wear his jersey to play it cool, but youâre clutching his scarf around your neck, sniffing it every two seconds like you miss him. And you canât stop rolling your eyes when some girl comments on Jake, yet you canât take your eyes off him during any of his plays! I bet if Jake knew you were smelling his scent while he scores, heâd jump around like a puppy!â He said, observing you. You blushed instantly and retorted, giving him a playful shove to his chest: âStop it, Jay! Iâm only wearing it because itâs freezing up here, not because of⊠I only smell it because⊠because Jake has a nice scent.â Jay nodded, shaking his head with a smirk.
At that moment, your eyes returned to the field. Jake was running like crazy on the green pitch, but instead of heading toward the ultrasâ curve, he ran straight under the VIP box where you were sitting. He slowed his pace, making a slight theatrical bow with his arms open to the crowd. And as soon as his eyes found you in the crowd, he winked at you and gave you a cocky smile. You felt your cheeks burn completely, and Allie immediately brought her hands to her chest, striking a totally dramatic pose like a true actress: âOhh! Jake Sim winked at me! Iâm about to faint!â Heeseung immediately interjected, leaning toward her ear with a half-smile: âI donât think so, doll⊠I donât think that wink was meant for youâŠâ Allie, however, let out a small huff and said, âOh, come on, let me dream!â before giving you a knowing nudge.
You watched Jake as he turned to run back and let himself be swallowed by the embraces of his teammates. But when you tried to turn away to hide your embarrassment, you realized that the atmosphere in the box had suddenly changed because all six hybrids left there were staring at you.
In their gazes, there wasnât just happiness for the goal. Their eyes (feline, canine, or wild) shone with an intensity and a protective, almost possessive warmth in the way they looked at you. Because in a hybrid culture, the bond forming between you and Jake was terrifyingly similar to an imprinting, the sacred recognition of their âfemale. and in the pack, you were the first female even if you hadnât yet been knotted or bitten by Jake.
The pub where the victory party was being held was literally packed with students who had been in the stands, all dancing and drinking. The space on the small sofa in the pub was so limited that you were half-stuck to Jake, his shoulder pressed against yours. You were leaning over, scrolling through the drink menu, while Jake was telling you which one he thought youâd like best but in reality, your eyes werenât really looking at the names on the menu at allâthey were completely captivated by him.
You observed his backward baseball cap, from which a few strands of dark hair escaped, falling rebelliously across his forehead. His cheeks were still slightly flushed from the physical exertion of the game, but also from the heat of the room. Jake was really too handsomeâa lethal mix of hybrid charm with his large hands and ears that wouldnât stop moving, but also a sweetness in the small dimples on his face or his tired eyes⊠not to mention his full lips, which he bit every now and then. You realized it was a ticâpartly a nervous reflex, but also something personal, slightly explicit, directed at you.
Your thoughts dissolved instantly when you felt his warm voice against your ear, so close it sent shivers down your spine: âSo, sweetheart? What are you getting?â he asked, watching your every reaction closely. Snapping out of your trance and having barely read anything, you pointed to the first combination that caught your eye: a cocktail with grapes, lime, currants, and a vodka base.
Jake added your drink to the order and then ordered a simple Coca-Cola for himself. Looking at him, you realized he was dead seriousâhe wouldnât touch a drop of alcohol all night, giving up toasting to his own victory just to keep his promise of protecting you.
When the drink arrived at the table, Jake picked up the glass, adjusted the straw, and gently turned it toward you. You leaned slightly forward to take your first sip, and he whispered:Â âDonât drink too much at once, okay? Take small sips, or your body wonât handle the impact.â
You looked up at him as you drank, watching him from below. At the sight of your lips wrapped around the straw and your bright eyes locked on his, every rational thought in Jakeâs head vanished. His alpha hybrid instinct short-circuited at the realization of just how damn beautiful you were. His senses picked up the warmth spreading across your skin, and your strawberry scent, mixing with the fruity smell of the drink, created an intoxicating, addictive blend for a hybrid with such a developed alpha side as his.
After sliding that first drop of alcohol into your body for the first time in years, you pulled away from the straw and said with a fake challenging tone:Â âIâm not a child, Jake!â
He sighed, shaking his head with a crooked smile, and said: âI know youâre not a child⊠but you told me youâve barely ever drunk in your life, and I just want this fear of alcohol to fade, even thanks to me and I want you to have a great night. So yes, Iâll keep an eye on you, Y/n.â
At those words, you bit your lip, playing with the straw, and leaned even closer to him. Slowly reaching out, you gently caressed the base of his wolf ears, feeling them soft and warm under your fingers knowing it would make him more sensitive. âI like this drink⊠but maybe there isnât that much alcohol in it,â you whispered close to his face.
Jake sniffed your glass, his ears twitching pleasantly under your touch, and nodded: âGood. I certainly wouldnât have started you off with aged gin or century-old grappa!â he said, smiling at you. You laughed and, leaning even closer to his cheek, whispered against his lips: âYouâre such a good boy, JakeâŠâ
Jakeâs inner wolf couldnât tolerate being called a "good boy" when every single fiber of his body was screaming the opposite. His breath suddenly became heavier, and he fixed his gaze directly into your eyes. For perhaps the first time, driven by something even you didnât think you had, you were teasing him, rendering him more inert in his hybrid nature than his human one.
âStop saying things like that, sweetheart⊠you have no idea what it does to a hybridâs mind,â he hissed, his mouth a millimeter from your ear. You pouted slightly, openly challenging his gaze, and said with a tone dripping with fake innocence that shattered his self-control: âWhy not, Sim? Are you afraid your bad-boy reputation might get tarnished by me? What would happen if I went around saying youâre not actually a show-off? That you love taking care of people, and that in your pack and on your team, you act more like a protective father figure rather than just an older brother?â
At that declaration, Jake realized you knew him better than some people heâd known for years. It was trueâyou saw through him, past the arrogant athlete mask heâd stitched onto himself. He was a good guy, always had been with the people he loved but in that precise moment, with you so terrifyingly close on the pubâs small sofa, the warmth of the vodka beginning to melt your anxieties, and the scent of your skin shifting to reveal a growing excitement that his predator nature picked up with millimeter precision, Jake was having thoughts far too obscene to be defined as a "good boy."
His inner wolf was wide awake. It wanted to spin you around and kiss you in front of the entire pub. It wanted to push your head back and drag his nose along your neck, lingering on the scent glandâthe most sacred area for hybrids like him, where a femaleâs scent was most concentrated. He wanted every last hybrid on this earth to smell his scent on your body.
But his hybrid mind went even further, imagining much darker, wilder fantasiesâdefinitely not the kind a "good boy" would have. In his head, he pictured you straddling him, completely naked, your breasts bouncing with every movement, gasping as you clenched your fingers in his dark hair and bent his ears backward with pleasure. He wanted to see you trembling with pleasure beneath or above him as he thrust deep inside you, claiming you not as a human, but as an animal claiming his mate he had finally found and the most depraved image of all was seeing you swollen with his knot. He imagined pushing all the way inside you, swelling in your belly to lock himself inside your body, forcing you to stay bound to him while his pheromones marked you from within. At the same time, he wanted to hear you cry and moan his name like a sick prayer, trapped in his knot.
So no⊠Jake was not a good boy in that moment but until he officially went into heatâthat time of year when hybrids completely lost their minds or until you became his female in every sense, he would force himself to be good. He would keep the beast that had been pulsing inside him for months whenever he was near you on a tight leash.
The overwhelming beats of Scream & Shout blared at full volume, literally shaking the walls of the pub. You were in the middle of the dance floor, the alcohol coursing through you giving you the confidence to sing and dance with Allie, arms raised, hips swaying in rhythm, a few sweat-dampened strands of hair sticking to your forehead and face as you laughed and hopped but every so often, your eyes instinctively snapped toward the small sofa where Jake had stayed seated next to Heeseung.
He hadnât danced or drunk, staying true to his promise to be your shield. He kept his large hand tightly wrapped around your third drink of the nightâa deep pink Cosmopolitan and he hadnât taken his eyes off you for even a second. That gaze, both sweet and magnetic, had sent shivers through you all evening. When the song ended, you pushed your way through the crowded, overheated bodies, and when you finally reached the table, you practically collapsed onto the sofa next to them, smiling radiantly especially at Jake.
You swept your hair behind your back with a fluid neck movement, and Jake couldnât stop watching you. You leaned forward to grab the straw of your Cosmopolitan, and as the cool, alcoholic liquid slid down your throat, you gave him a sweet but incredibly sly smile. âItâs⊠itâs so good,â you slurred slightly, your cheeks flushed. âI⊠I definitely want another one!â you said, giggling.
Heeseung burst out laughing, turning to Jake and slapping him on the shoulder: âWow, Sim⊠I think tonight youâve awakened a completely new personality in Y/n! This party is going to cost you a lot if she keeps this up.â
Jake shook his head with a half-protective smile curving his lips. He leaned toward you and whispered in your ear:Â âYou still have to finish this one, sweetheart. But the answer is no...no fourth drink. Itâs already a lot that I let you get to this Cosmopolitan.â
You immediately pouted, disappointed by his refusal. Driven by a sudden, bold audacity youâd never have had while sober, you stretched toward him, wrapping your arms around his neck. You leaned forward, pressing your face right where his neck met his shoulderâexactly above his wolf scent gland.
At that contact, Jake froze instantly, stiffening as if heâd been hit by an electric shock. His breath caught because, without realizing it, by moving there against him and breathing in his skin, you were literally marking him with your strawberry and vodka scent. For a few seconds, your pheromonesâless sharp because you were humanâmixed with his, and for his wolf, that gesture was both ecstasy and exquisite torture.
âPlease, JakeâŠ?â you whispered against his neck. âYou know⊠yeah, well, Iâm really having so much fun tonight!â You raised your hands in the air to emphasize, giggling again. âAnd besides, you were⊠you were so good at soccer tonight. Youâre a champion, so we have to celebrate big, right?â
Jay, who was sitting on the sofa across from you, watched the whole scene and put a hand on his face, shaking his head though with an amused smirk. âJake, my friend, listen to me: maybe you should take her home now,â the black cat said. âOtherwise, tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, sheâll be mortified by everything sheâs doing and saying with just three drinks in her!â
You turned toward Jay, exaggerating your pout: âNo, Jake, donât listen to him! I⊠I want to dance more, and I want another drink! We could⊠we could share it, what do you say? One sip each⊠there are so many drinks Iâve never tried.â
But Jake, struggling to regain control of his instincts after that close contact on his neck, slid his large hand down your back, steadying you, and looked you straight in the eyes. With a low, incredibly gentle tone, he said: âY/n⊠earlier, you said I was a good boy, right?â
You looked at him for a few seconds, enchanted by his lips, and slowly nodded, almost hypnotized.
âExactly,â he continued, gently rubbing your back. âGood boys always take their girls home safe and sound. Itâs a promise I made you, and Iâm not breaking it. So game over for tonight.â He said, standing up and gently pulling you up by your arm. âPut on your coat actually, take my team hoodie too. Itâs freezing outside.â
As you weakly protested because you seriously wanted to go back to the dance floor and have fun, and most of all, you wanted his eyes glued to your body again, Jake helped you slip your arms into his enormous hoodie, which completely wrapped you in his scent
The notes of Into It filled the car, and you closed your eyes slightly, smiling. âIâd love to write a song like this⊠I love alternative R&B and synth-pop,â you said, leaning back against the seat. Jake smiled at the sight of you so relaxed in his car. He knew perfectly well that both you and he loved Chase Atlanticâthey were one of the many things that connected you without needing too many words, something heâd discovered about you almost by accident.
âWell, who knows⊠maybe one day, at the Champions League final, youâll be the one opening the ceremony with your own song, and Iâll be on the field with my team, walking down the tunnel,â he said, shooting you an amused glance but also offering encouragementâfor both of you. Heâd make a pact with the devil himself to become an elite soccer player, but at the same time, he wanted to see you fulfilled. At that statement, you almost shot upright, clapping your hands enthusiastically: âThat would be amazing! Even if in three or four years, youâll probably have even more girls wearing your jersey⊠You know, today at the stadium, almost all of them were wearing it, and I donât blame them, because youâreâŠâ
Jake furrowed his brows, not understanding where you were going with this, your cheeks still flushed from the alcohol. âIâmâŠ?â he asked, turning the steering wheel. At the sight of his veined hands gripping it, you bit your lip slightly and giggled, shifting in your seat to trace a finger over his hand resting on the gear shift. With your cheeks incredibly red, you whispered: âYouâre really gorgeous, Jake. But not in a⊠âsexualâ way. In the way that youâre gorgeous inside and out, and it kills me that youâre ashamed to let people see that, hiding behind your bad-boy mask.â
Jake smiled softly. âWell⊠I think thatâs the most genuine and deep compliment anyoneâs given me in years,â he said sincerely, squeezing your fingers for a second before putting his hand back on the wheel.
You clapped your hands again, happy, and started humming softly along with the rhythm of the music until the car turned onto the driveway of the hybridsâ big villa. Jake took you straight to his room to avoid waking the others who hadnât come to the party. With infinite patience, he took care of you, as heâd promised, helping you take off your coat and his oversized hoodie, turning away respectfully when you unclasped your bra to be more comfortable. He handed you a clean T-shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants to wear as pajamas. Like a good boy, he waited outside the bathroom while you washed your face. When you came out, heâd changed too.
Without his team jacket and the daytime clothes that often made him look over the top, in his pajamas, he looked like the classic boy next doorâjust an ordinary, accessible, and incredibly sweet guy. But this wasnât the real Jake youâd come to know, was it? With that question in mind, you sat on the edge of the padded headboard. When Jake sat down right next to you, you turned your face abruptly and stared at his profile under the soft light of the bedside lamp. Your eyes traced the perfect lines of his profileâJake had a beautiful nose, straight and large, typical of his hybrid nature. Without even realizing it, guided by the alcohol and a sudden urge to touch him, you reached out, placing a finger on the bridge of his nose and gently traced its entire outline down to the tip.
Jake turned his head, letting you do it as his wolf ears twitched slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. âEarlier⊠I also wanted to tell you that youâre beautiful, Jake,â you said softly as you met his eyes, pulling your hand back and looking up at the ceiling with a small huff. âBut I already knew that⊠every girl tells you that every single day of the week.â
At that, Jake rolled his eyes, and his hybrid nature kicked in instantlyâbecause this was the second time youâd subtly let him know you were completely jealous of all those stupid number 5 jerseys the other girls wore in the stands. A small grin took over his lips. âDamn⊠If Iâd known that with three drinks in you, youâd be this chatty and admit things like that, I wouldâve taken you to every party this season, sweetheart,â Jake said with an amused tone.
In the strange euphoria of the alcohol, you almost knelt on the soft mattress, leaning over him as he lay partially stretched out on the bed. Neither of you could stop looking at each other, unfiltered and guided only by instinct. You whispered in a low voice: âI⊠Can I kiss you, Jake?â
Jakeâs eyes widened, completely caught off guard by such a direct request. Where the hell had the girl who hated being touchedâespecially the one who was mad at himâgone? His tail began wagging frantically on the mattress, betraying his wild excitement. When he saw you leaning in even closer, he made a huge effort of willpower, lifting a finger and gently pressing it against your mouth. âSweetheart⊠Iâd pay gold to do it again and kiss you right now,â he said in a low voice. âBut damn, as you said earlier, right now Iâm a âgood boy,â and I canât take advantage of you like this. You have to ask me when youâre sober, Y/n. When youâre sober, you can ask me for anythingâŠÂ anything. And if tomorrow morning you still want me, you can ask me for whatever you want...but not now.â
You made an adorable pout, visibly disappointed by the refusalâyouâd never expected it. âAnything?â you murmured. Jake nodded slowly. âAnything.â
âWell⊠fine, then tomorrow morning,â you whispered, your fingers already lazily playing with his big wolf ears again. You continued, your voice shy and your eyes heavy with sleepiness: âI⊠I want to ask you something tomorrow, but I wonât spoil it now.â
Jake gently caressed your flushed cheek with the back of his hand, tender and dying of curiosity about what you might ask him. âYou should try to sleep now, Y/n. The bed is all yours,â he said. You nodded weakly, exhausted from the day, and curled up against him, nestling on his side and resting your head on the pillow.
Jake reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Despite the wolf inside him screaming with the impulse to pull you close, trap you under his body for the whole night, he forced himself to respect your space. He didnât yet have the official right to hold you or keep you close as if you were his mate. So he settled for stroking the back of your hand with warm, protective fingers all night, letting you rest. As he felt your breathing become steady, Jake stayed awake in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so curious and impatient to find out what you intended to ask him the next morning.
In his hybrid mind, he wondered if that mysterious question had to do with your fear of being touched by others.
Jake woke up stretching, his nose catching your faint scent of strawberries and something sweetâmaybe a hint of cotton candy, or perhaps a sugary note from one of the drinks youâd had the night before. As he stretched to see if you were still asleep, he placed a hand on the part of the bed where you should have been. It was still warm, but you werenât there. His heart started pounding, and he sat up almost abruptly, lazily running a hand through his hair. When he opened his eyes, at that exact moment, he saw you entering his room, still wearing his clothes, with two steaming cups of coffee in your hands.
You smiled at him shyly, and he thought you were 100% back to the girl heâd met months agoânot the teasing version of you from last night, the one who had asked if you could kiss him or who had looked at him with eyes full of excitement. When you handed him the cup, he responded with a rough, small âThanks,â and you sat down in front of him. As you sipped your coffee, you couldnât stop looking at him, and Jake chuckled into his cup.
âStop looking at me like that, sweetheart. Spit it outâŠtell me what you wanted to say last night,â he said. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of your tongue, and your cheeks turned even redder. âYou⊠you, forget it, Jake. Itâs⊠itâs nothing, what I wanted to ask you. Please, just forget it,â you said.
Jake tilted his head, observing you, and he could sense how embarrassed your body was. Teasing you, he said: âNo, no, beautiful. Now you tell me what you wanted to ask me. And I certainly canât forget you begging to kiss me!â You opened your mouth to retort, rolled your eyes, and said: âWhy are you always so shameless? Itâs not even 8 in the morning.â Jake chuckled and replied, still in a low voiceâit was in his nature. You pouted and said: âIâll ask you this thing, but first, donât laugh, donât tease me, and donât make a scene, okay? Donât yell or act like a clown, okay?â
Jake was seriously curious about what you wanted to ask him. He stretched out his pinky finger as a promise, and you squeezed it tightly. âOkay, well, I wonât beat around the bush⊠you⊠do you want to have sex with me?â
Jake thought he was still asleep. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? But when he spat out half the coffee in his mouth onto his pajama shirt, the burning contact of the liquid on his warm skin made him cough violently. You jumped up and started patting his back for a full minute. Neither of you said a word. Jake placed his coffee on the nightstand, and as he turned to you, he looked at you carefully and said, perhaps too loudly: âARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU STILL DRUNK, OR⊠DID YOU GET A HIGH FEVER IN THE FEW HOURS YOU SLEPT?â
You glared at him and almost growled his name. He lowered his voice, but his hand pressed against your foreheadâyou were coldâŠÂ damn. You were serious.
âIâm not feverish, and Iâm not drunk. Damn, I wasnât even drunk last night, Jake, and⊠and Iâm not joking. But if you donât want to⊠I understand,â you said, fiddling with the strings of your pajama. Jake was extremely restless at that moment. He ran his hands through his hair countless times, and after what felt like endless minutes, he said: âI want a reason, Y/n. I want a damn reason for why you asked me something like that. Whereâs the girl who hated my physical contact? Whereâs the girl who was even afraid to sit next to me? Whereâs that girl? That girl wouldnât have asked me to kiss her in the first place, let alone to have sex with me. So excuse me, but I want the fucking truth. And then weâll consider it. But I want⊠the truth about why you were and still are afraid of being touched or drinking a drink with a little alcohol in it.â
You sighed because only your family and Allie knew the truth about what had happened to you in your last year of high school. You closed your eyes for a moment and tried not to relive all the pain that night had caused you, or the rumors that had spread about you and your parents. Then you said:Â
âOkay, Iâll tell you the truth. But please, this has to stay between you and me. It must not leave these four walls, and you⊠Please donât say or do anything until Iâve finished telling you what happened.â
Jake nodded and shifted slightly closer, trying to calm you with his pheromones, but it didnât work. When you started telling him that in your last year of high school, you were dating a guy from the soccer team, and you thought he was the right one for you, because he was the perfect guy: good grades, part of the best studentsâ club, and loved by your entire town because he did volunteer work. You had built a clear image of him in your mind. But everything changed one night⊠You and this guy had been together for a couple of months, and you went to a party together. He had drunk a little too much, and you werenât completely sober either. Jake immediately understood what had happened to you: an assault.
His hybrid nature wanted to know who this guy was and make his life a living hell, especially when you started crying. He pulled you into his arms, and you buried your entire body against him. For endless minutes, he held you, gently stroking your hair and telling you it wasnât your fault. But you didnât stop crying and sobbing until you said:Â
âI⊠Iâm broken, Jake. Every time someone tries to make me feel good, I freeze and go into this cold trance. Thatâs why I asked you⊠because itâs hard to admit, but I trust you. And youâve made me realize that so many times these past few months.âYou said this with tears in your eyes, and Jake gently wiped them away with his thumbs, closing his eyes for a moment because he never would have imagined finding himself in a situation like this.
Jake wanted to make you happy, so he gently shifted you away from him, lifted your chin, and looked deeply into your eyes. âYouâre not broken, Y/n. You went through something horrible that no one in this world should ever experience. So itâs normal for your body to be afraid, for you to go into a negative, protective mode. Therefore⊠my answer is yes.â
You gave him a 32-tooth smile and hugged him even tighter than before. âYou⊠youâre serious? Youâll help me overcome this?â Jake nodded and wiped away another tear sliding down your face. He whispered in a low voice: âI never want to see tears of sadness in you again, Y/n. These⊠these tears should only be of joy or excitement. So yes, Iâll help you. But on my conditions.â
You nodded and said, âWhat conditions will we adopt?â. Jake tried to show his most human side, not the dark hybrid one, and said: â
First, you need to start taking the anti-hybrid pill. I donât want to accidentally knot and impregnate you when we⊠You know, have sex. And Iâll take it too, as long as this is safe.â You tried to speak, but a finger pressed against your lips. âLet me talk, Y/n. Second, we will not have sex right away. Before sex, there must absolutely be awareness and enjoyment of what weâre going to doâespecially for you, since youâve told me you canât let yourself go or be touched by others. So there will be a lot of foreplay, both for me to discover your body and for you to discover mine. Third, you must tell me at any moment if you want to stop or if you donât like something. There will be no safe wordâif you tell me NO, it will be a NO. If you tell me you like it, Iâll continue. If you want to stop, I will stop. But if you beg me to continue, I will continue⊠because I have two natures, Y/nâboth the human one and the animal one. These are my conditions, Y/n. If youâre up for it, weâll do this together. But if you donât agree with even one of these things, my answer will be a NO.â
You swallowed and nodded, still sitting on top of him, continuing to play with the strings of his pajama. After a while, you said, âThese conditions are perfect for me. Itâs clear that deep down, youâre a good guy!â You said this, trying to ease the tension that had built up. He gently caressed your side and, looking at you, said: âIâd like to suggest another condition. From the moment this starts⊠Iâd like for you not to be with other girls, and obviously, the same will go for me. I know it might seem trivial to you, but Iâd feel more comfortable. And when⊠well, if it ends, we could⊠yes, go back to our lives,â you said, a little embarrassed.
But in Jakeâs mind, it was already settled that this wouldnât end because you were his mate, and he would make you understand that in any way possible. You would never be with another guy except him, and the same went for him.
Were you a bad person for forgetting about your date with Soobin while crying in Jakeâs arms, finally sharing what had happened to you? Maybe⊠but at the same time, after years of silence, you had finally told someone the truth. And perhaps, thanks to Jakeâs words, his touch, and the growing realization that you might have found someone you could trust completely, you didnât feel like a bad person at all.
âIâm really sorry I didnât show up at the bakery. I woke up super late because the night before, I went to the soccer teamâs party with Jake and his friends, and Allie wouldnât leave me aloneâshe kept making me dance with her. Before I knew it, it was maybe 2 AM by the time I got home. And in the morning, when I woke up, I texted you right away,â you said, winking. Soobin, 99% convinced by your story, took a sip of the new winter recipe youâd added to the seasonal menu and nodded. But you heard him mutter under his breath: âOf course you were at Jakeâs party.â
At the sound of that name, something inside you twitched. And as if on cue, your phone lit up. You saw Jakeâs name at the top of your notifications. It wasnât news that Jake and Allie usually topped your chat list. You glanced at the message:
-> Jakeâœïžđș: Come over at 6 PM. There wonât be anyone around for a good two hours, so you can relax! Iâm heading to practice. See you later, sweetheart :)
You froze at those words. The day had arrived. Obviously, as heâd said, it wasnât about sex...it was aboutâŠÂ physically getting to know each other. Oh my God, what had you gotten yourself into? But he was the only manâbesides your dadâwho didnât make you anxious. Youâd thought and reasoned so much before asking him that question, and now the moment was here.
Two fingers snapped in front of your face, and you jumped. Soobinâs voice cut through your thoughts: âSeems like you just read a notification about a good grade or something amazing happening. Did something good happen?â he asked, looking at you. You quickly lied: âYes, the music production company Hybe wrote to me⊠they want a meeting. You know I write music, and they want to get to know me and the drafts I have on my computerâthere are over 100 of them.â
Soobinâs eyes widened. âDamn, Y/n, thatâs huge news! I know Jay works under that label too, you could ask him about itâŠâ You cut him off before he could finish, raising your hands. âI⊠please, donât tell anyone. I donât want to get contacts or opportunities because of someone else. I want them to want me, to like my lyrics and my melodies. So could you⊠not tell anyone? Only you, Allie, and my family know.â
Soobinâs ego swelled a little at the thought that you hadnât even told Jake yet. âDonât worry, my lips are sealed,â he said, miming a zipper over his mouth with his fingers. You thanked him.
Soobin wasnât a bad friend, he was funny, seemed like a calm guy, and had his head on straight. But to your defense⊠he didnât make you feel anything anymore. Or maybe youâd never really felt anything for him at all.
Your low-rise jeans hugged your legs perfectly, and your slightly snug sweater accentuated the curves you usually disliked but had started to appreciate as part of who you were. You had light makeup on, but your signature strawberry gloss never missed your lips, and your hair was softly wavy. You felt pretty, but anxiety was eating you up inside as you entered Jakeâs house using the code you knew. This time, Jake rushed down the stairs, and when he saw you dressed so nicely to spend time with him, a small smile formed on his face.
âHey, damn, sweetheartâif Iâd known youâd dress this well, I wouldâve spent a little more time on my outfit too!â he said, licking his lips slightly. You rolled your eyes, but when he offered his hand, you looked at it carefully before taking it. As he led you to his room, you felt a wave of anxiety, and Jake knew it. âY/n, I donât want to force you to do anything, okay? Before you got here, I thought maybe you could get comfortable in my clothes, and then we could listen to some music, do some LegosâIâve got a ton or we could watch a movie. Whatever helps you relax is fine with me. I know youâve never been with a hybrid before, but I can smell your scent notes, and right now, I can sense that sour, persistent note in you. So you choose what you want to do,â he said, giving you a small smile.
You lowered your head at the sight of his clothes because you knew youâd never meet another guy like Jake again. At first, you had to admit, you didnât particularly like him. But as you got to know him over the months, you realized Jake was the kind of guy every mom would want as a partner for their daughter. Yes, he often acted like a show-off, but deep down, he had a huge heart and you knew, deep down, that he was opening it up to you.
âItâs a great idea to wear your clothes. I donât even know why I dressed up so nicely. Weâre just staying in your room, so yeah, Iâll put on your stuff, and then maybe we could⊠listen to some music? And what do you think about dancing?âJakeâs eyes widened slightly, and he said in a low voice: âDancing?â You nodded, slightly amused, because you wanted to see if heâd get embarrassed. But Jake understood your gaze immediately and said: âYou said that before doing anything, we need to get to know our bodies. I donât want a dance-off, Jake. I just want some closeness between our bodies with the music, and yes⊠you can touch me, and obviously, I can touch you too,â you said. Jake noddedâif thatâs what you wanted, it was fine with him.
When you came out of his bathroom, you were wearing one of Jakeâs soccer jerseys, of course, with his number and last nam âand a simple pair of pajama pants. At that sight, something inside Jake clicked. Heâd been disappointed on game day when he hadnât seen you in his jersey, but now he thought it was a thousand times better to see you in his room, wearing his jersey, with only his eyes on you. In his hybrid nature, it was a beautiful victory.
He knew he was a little possessive by nature, but seeing you in his jersey, in his clothes, with his scentâthe beast inside him rejoiced fiercely. He couldnât wait to see you without them, at his mercy. But he had to push those thoughts away immediately. After what youâd confided in him, he wanted to give you all the time you needed. He wanted you to understand that only he could have you, desire you fiercely⊠because only he would listen to your body 100%.
You and Jake stared at the open Spotify screen on his laptop, scrolling through song options.
âWhat song could we listen to that we could both dance and sing to?â you asked, tilting your head as you read through various titles that were also in your own playlist. Jake made a small, thoughtful pout, running a finger over his chin until his eyes lit up. âHow about âDancing with Myselfâ? Itâs super rhythmic, I used to listen to it all the time with my dad. Itâs got that â80s rock beat that makes your feet, body, and head move all at once. What do you think?â
You beamed and hit play on the computer resting on his desk. Immediately, the iconic, overwhelming drum intro filled the room through the speakers. You didnât need to be told twiceâyou started swaying your hips and bouncing on the rug, following your own rhythm. Meanwhile, Jake brought a hand to his face, perhaps out of embarrassment? His wolf ears bent slightly backward, betraying a hint of shy embarrassment at seeing you so unleashedâjust for him. But at the same time, he was thrilled to see you so at ease in his company.
âCome on, Jake! Donât tell me youâre embarrassed to dance a little with me!â you laughed, your hair swaying slightly with every movement. Seeing his gaze on you, you approached himâhe was still sitting on the edge of the bed and teased him, holding up your pinky finger. âThereâs no one else here. I wonât tell anyone!â Without thinking, you grabbed his wrists with your hands and playfully but firmly urged him to stand up and dance with you.
He closed his eyes for a second, sighing to compose himself in the situation heâd gotten himself into just to make you happy and help you understand he was the right one for you. When he opened them again, he saw your contagious laughter ringing out with the music, and a resigned but incredibly sweet smile spread across his lips. He, too, began to sway his body, following your movements, which were clumsy but magnetic to him, because in that moment, it was just you.
âCome on, Jake, loosen up a bit! Whereâs the fearless campus bad boy whoâs afraid of nothing?â you teased, pulling him even closer. âWeâre just dancing and trying to⊠trust each other.â You swayed your hips, and at the mention of trust, Jake took a deep breath. He placed his large hands with extreme gentleness on your waist, moving to the rhythm of the song.
You laughed happily, and with a burst of joy, you did a little spin, gracefully slipping out of his grip and stepping a few paces toward the center of the room, perhaps on purpose, because you definitely wanted his attention and those eyes always on you.
Jake made a small, frustrated pout at being deprived of your touch and walked with feline grace to close the distance again. When he reached you, you threw your arms around his neck, stopping his advance but staying very close.
âDonât try to touch me like you already own me, Jake,â you whispered, looking him straight in the eyes with a mix of challenge and vulnerability. âTry to let go⊠and touch me like Iâm something completely new.â
At those words, Jakeâs animal nature took over for a moment. The wolf inside him growled softly, eager to grab you tightly and press you against his chest, to show you that every single cell of your body already belonged to him. But he shook off that overpowering thought with a shake of his head and muttered in a low voice: âEasy for you to say⊠when you already own my entire body, Y/n.â
Jake prayed you hadnât heard him and maybe you hadnât. So he slowly slid a hand behind your back, caressing the fabric of the jersey right where the large number 5 was printed. You let him, returning to your gentle dancing in front of him, completely wrapped in his scent. But seeing him completely lost in you, you turned your back, still following the rhythm of the music. Your body inevitably pressed against his chest, and thatâs when you clearly felt Jake losing patience with you⊠his self-control was crumbling because of you. You felt the warmth of his nose press directly against your exposed throat, inhaling your scent until it gave you shivers, while his hands tightened decisively around your waist, anchoring you to him.
As you continued to move against his warm body, Jake exhaled a trembling sigh against your skin, breathing in your sweet scent, which had finally softened and become extremely sweetâa sign that you were completely trusting him.
âDamn⊠theyâll have to make me a saint for how Iâm holding back tonight, Y/n,â he said roughly against you in a low voice. You giggled, finding his frustration incredibly adorable, especially because you knew all the girls heâd been with had thrown themselves at him without a second thought. Heâd never had to fight for anything when it came to girls. Seeing him so vulnerable sparked something in you. So you moved your hips even more against him.
But Jake, sensing his limit was almost reached, abruptly stepped back. When you turned to look at him, confused, he shook his head, his breath short and his ears lowered, trying to recover that last shred of âgood boyâ dignity he had left.
This time, you took a step forward. You walked toward him with determination as the first notes of Enrique Iglesiasâ I Like It began to fill the dimly lit room. Driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline and the desire that had been building for weeks, you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, and pulled him down forcefully, eliminating any remaining distance. You pressed your lips against his in a wet, sweet, and desperate kiss
Your lips tasted like strawberriesâa sweet, sugary flavor that revealed your obsession with the fruit. Jake was completely hypnotized by it. It was only the second time youâd kissed, but his mind instantly registered how your lips fit and locked perfectly with his, as if they were made for that exact embrace.
In the room, lit only by the glow of the computer screen, the wet sound of your mouths meeting echoed clearly, amplifying the tension that had built up between you over weeks. When you slightly parted your lips to catch your breath, Jake took the opportunity. With extreme slowness, he used the sharp tip of one of his wolf canines to gently nibble on your lower lip. A weak, excited moan escaped your throat, making both Jakeâs human and hybrid sides tremble.
âAhhâŠâ you moaned, and Jake smiled against your lips, pleased by your reaction. He moved on to gently sucking that spot while you began to sway and wiggle in his arms, pushing your hips against his body out of pure instinctâto get closer to him, to tease him in return. Not wanting to give him all the control, you slid your hands into his hair, reaching the base of his wolf ears, where you knew, from the beginning of your acquaintanceâthat ears and tails were the most sensitive parts for a hybrid. You began to caress that ultra-sensitive spot with your fingertips, and Jake let out a deep, almost growl-like moan that escaped as your lips were still just millimeters apart:
âMmh⊠Y/nâŠâ
In retaliation, this time you smiled between his lips, continuing to move your fingers over those soft, warm ears, making him shiver. Jake was restraining himself with every single cell of his body because his wolf nature was literally howling from the sensory overload of everything happening in just a few moments. His instinct screamed at him to pin your wrists above your head, to use his canines to mark your skin, and to take everything he desired. But before the beast could take over, you took two steps back, pulling him with you. You tripped over the edge of the bed, and you both tumbled together onto the soft mattress, with you lying on your back and him on top of you.
Jake quickly planted his forearms on either side of your head, using all the strength in his muscular arms to avoid crushing you with his weight. He lowered his gaze, and at that sight, he seriously thought he was a dead man. You were fuckingbeautiful lying there on his pillow, your hair messy and framing your face, your lips visibly swollen and glossy from the kisses, your cheeks flushed with excitement.
Damn. He never would have thought you, of all people, would be his mate, the human who would bring his wolf to its knees. He had to mentally admit that Jay, Heeseung, and all the other pack members had been rightâtheyâd realized from the very first moment youâd stepped through the door of their house that you were his destined mate.
Your hands trembled slightly as they continued to caress his ears. Jake, noticing that tremor and seeing how your eyes kept searching for his, asked in a rough whisper:Â âWhat do you want to do, sweetheart?â
You stayed silent for a few seconds while his eyes continued to devour your body, careful not to cross that invisible line youâd drawn after telling him what had happened to you. âCould you⊠could you, I donât know, kiss me again?â you finally murmured, looking away in embarrassment. âBut⊠not on the lips. I donât really know what to do, Jake⊠Honestly, I donât want this to be embarrassing for you.â You tried not to feel at fault in that moment, and Jake released one hand from its grip on the mattress. He passed it with infinite gentleness over your cheek, lifting your face to force you to look at him. He whispered against your lips:
âSweetheart⊠you canât make anything embarrassing with me. Itâs all in your head. Whatever we do tonight wonât be anywhere near embarrassing. You just have to tell me when you feel overwhelmed, just tell me to stop, and Iâll do it instantly⊠I promise.â You instinctively nuzzled into his warm hand, pressing your cheek against his palm, and closed your eyes.
âPlease⊠please, kiss me, Jake.â
Jake didnât need to be told twice. He leaned over you and kissed you again, but this time, it wasnât a kiss charged with urgency like the previous one. Instead, it was an incredibly slow, wet, and protective contact to make you understand that you could trust him.
Then, he slowly slid downward, and his nose pressed directly against the hollow of your neck. He inhaled deeply, your sweet scent now even more intense with your heated skin. He wondered how heâd managed to survive 23 years without noticing that scent.
âDamn, Y/nâŠâ he murmured against your skin, and those words sent shivers down your entire spine. âThis scent is driving me literally crazy. You smell like warm strawberries, something like cotton candy, and clean skin⊠I swear I could spend the whole night just breathing you in here.â
You let out a weak giggle at that declaration because you knew those words came more from his animal nature. But your laughter died in your throat when Jakeâs warm lips finally pressed against your bare skin, and the wolf began to place light, wet, slow kisses along the entire line of your neck, moving up to the base of your jaw and then back down toward your collarbone.
Small, muffled moans echoed in the room every time Jakeâs mouth moved, placing wet kisses and light, gentle bites from your neck down to your chest, just above the hem of his T-shirt. His hybrid nature clearly sensed how his wild scent was covering your skin, marking you minute by minute beneath him. Feeling his scent blend so intimately with yours sent a wave of even denser, more primal excitement through him. He never thought it would feel so incredible to have his scent anchored to his mate, and this realization drove him wild.
Your eyes were slightly closed, your fingers still weakly tangled in his hair. Everything was going incredibly wellâuntil Jake slightly pulled away from your neck and slid a hand under the hem of the T-shirt, caressing the bare skin of your stomach. Small shivers of pure pleasure bloomed on your skin as he continued to kiss you lightly and tease your throat. He asked in an incredibly sweet and rough whisper:Â âIs this okay, sweetheart? Do you like it?â
You simply nodded, but that wasnât the answer youâd agreed on to maintain control. So Jake stopped a millimeter from your lips: âWords, sweetheart⊠use those beautiful, plump lips Iâve been kissing to answer me. I want to hear your voice,â he teased. So you lifted your eyes to his and murmured: âYes⊠itâs all good, Jake. You can keep going.â
At that confirmation, a smile lit up his face, and he praised you shamelessly, making your blood rush: âThatâs how a good girl behavesâŠâ You rolled your eyes at that statement, but then his hand slid slowly lower, slipping out from under the T-shirt to gently press against the inside of your thigh. At that pressure, you swallowed hard, feeling your heart race. But you trusted Jake blindly, so as he kissed you again to distract you, you felt his hand slide under the sweatpants. He began with just one finger to brush against the thin fabric of your lace panties. But as soon as you felt even the slightest real pressure of that intimate contact, your body short-circuited. You froze instantly, stiffening like a piece of ice beneath him. You tried to speak, to say something, but your throat tightened as if blocked by a thread pulling tightâone of the things that had happened to you on that damn night.
Jake, whose hybrid senses were tuned to every millisecond of your reactions, immediately noticed the drastic change in your heartbeat and the tension in your muscles. He stopped instantly, pulling his hand back. As he lifted his gaze to you, he whispered your name: âY/nâŠ?â
You didnât answer, but he saw how your wide, fixed eyes on the ceiling were beginning to fill with silent panic, making you feel vulnerable in front of him. Without a hint of hesitation, Jake completely moved away from you, shifting to the side to free you from his weight. âHey, hey⊠little one, nothingâs happening. Look at me, itâs all okay,â he said in an incredibly gentle voice, opening his arms. You slowly sat up and immediately took refuge in his arms.
You hugged him as if he were your living shield, hiding your face in the hollow of his warm neck, breathing in his scent to at least ease all the bad thoughts resurfacing in your mind. For the second time in just a few days, you whispered against his skin, barely holding back tears of frustration: âSee, Jake⊠I⊠Iâm broken. I trust you, I really do⊠but I just canât do it. And thatâs the worst part⊠feeling like this.â
His large hands began to gently caress your back, tracing circles over your T-shirt to calm you. But inside him, the wolf was growling furiously because he had a mad desire to find whoever had hurt you in the past and punch them, leave them to rot somewhere. But his human, rational side took over because he knew he had to handle the situation with extreme delicacy.
After a few moments of silence, he caressed your hair and asked, with a slightly embarrassed but extremely serious tone: âWhen youâre alone⊠do you feel safe giving yourself pleasure? Or is it a situation that blocks you, whether youâre alone or with other people?â
You slightly widened your eyes, still with your chin resting on his shoulder, because the question caught you completely off guard. It was the kind of question your therapist asked, not a guy youâd known for only a few months. But you answered: âSometimes⊠I feel safe alone, but other times, no,â you said in a low voice. Jake pulled back just enough to look at your face. âSo, when youâre alone and feel safe⊠can you give yourself pleasure, or not?â
You lifted your chin slightly, feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment at the conversation because you didnât understand where he was going with this. âAre⊠are you asking if I can masturbate, Jake?â
Jake chuckled, and you saw his cheeks redden as he shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. âDamn, sweetheart⊠you asked me to have sex with you a few days ago. I donât think youâd be scandalized if I ask if you can give yourself pleasure! I just want to understand,â he said, trying to be the most serious guy in the world at that moment. You looked away and said: âYes⊠I can give myself pleasure, butâŠâ
You couldnât finish the sentence, but Jake answered right away, anticipating the truth: âYou can give yourself pleasure, but you canât come, right? You block yourself at the last moment, right?â You nodded slowly, lowering your head. A deep, calm silence fell over the room, interrupted only by the sound of light rain beginning to patter against the window. Suddenly, you saw Jake get up from the bed.
A shiver of terror ran down your spine because you feared he wanted to end things there, that he was tired of your blocks and complexities, that you had to hurry up and figure it out on your own or with a good therapist: âWhere are you going?â you asked in a thin voice. But Jake wasnât running away. You watched him walk to the desk, grab the swivel chair, and place it against the desk. The distance wasnât much, but at the same time, you felt alone sitting on that bed. You watched him sit down right in front of you, and you didnât understand what he wanted to do.
âYou can give yourself pleasure, but at the same time, you canât reach orgasm. And itâs all in your head, Y/n. Itâs a matter of trustâin yourself, but also in the other person whoâs there with you in that moment,â he explained calmly. Then, with a slightly cheeky smile, the corners of his lips curled upâone of those smiles youâd started to recognize right away, and you didnât know whether to trust it.
âSo⊠hereâs my idea: why donât we pleasure ourselves together, but each on our own?â
You widened your eyes, struck by the proposal because youâd never thought of anything like that. âYou try to make yourself come by yourself, touching yourself the way you usually do when youâre alone in your safe space⊠and Iâll try to make myself come by myself, but right here in front of you. Itâll be a test of total mutual trust, Y/n. Weâll both be vulnerable, both exposed, but without either of us touching the other or forcing anything. Weâll just watch each other. What do you think?â
You opened your mouth to protest, but no words came out for a full minute. Jakeâs proposal had never crossed your mind in all these years it was definitely too intimate for two people who werenât even officially together, yet it was also incredibly mature.
âY/n? Are you there?â he asked as you tortured your lips, biting them. You looked at him carefully, searching his eyes for any trace of irony. âYouâre not teasing me, are you, Jake?â you whispered. He shook his head decisively. âIâve never been more serious in my life, Y/n.â
âIt could work⊠I usually donât do things like this...actually, Iâve never seen anyone masturbate in front of me,â you admitted, your cheeks literally burning. After all, youâd never even watched porn, so you had no idea what to expect.
âBut I think we could try, like you saidâitâll be a test of self-trust. Youâll see me vulnerable, but Iâll also see you exposed, âinertâ in a way⊠and I think itâll be an important step for when, one day, we have sex for real,â you said, convincing yourself that it was a good idea to see each other vulnerable. Jake nodded, and with a crooked, amused smile, he commented: âSee? Iâm not so bad⊠I told you I was smart, Y/n!â
You rolled your eyes but hinted at a smile: âDonât count your chickens just yet, Jake. Letâs see if it works first,â you said as you both stared at each other for a moment. You felt the tension in the room start to rise again, and you bit your lip, embarrassed, asking: âWho⊠who takes their clothes off first?â
Jake shrugged with total nonchalance at your question and said: âIâll go first. Iâve got nothing to hide⊠quite the opposite,â he teased. You closed your eyes slightly until you saw him stand up. With a fluid movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Without that fabric covering him, you couldnât help but count the ridges of his abs, sculpted and defined, four perfect muscular hills on his toned stomach until your gaze fell on the obvious V-line that descended symmetrically, disappearing into the waistband of his Calvin Klein boxers.
His arms, though not excessively massive, were marked by bulging veins that stood out under his skin, giving him an incredibly athletic appearance. Deep down, you understood why everyone said Jake was gorgeous, and you literally felt your mouth water as you watched him lazily grab the strings of his sweatpants. Jake noticed immediately how your eyes were practically worshipping him with a hint of mischief. He shot you a complicit look, feeling his hybrid nature rejoice with pleasure. âCan I take off my pants and boxers too, sweetheart?â he asked, and you murmured: âYesâŠâ
With a smirk on his face, he let his sweatpants slide down, revealing his muscular, athletic thighs. But it was when he completely dropped his boxers that your eyes widened, and a shiver ran down your spine. Jake had no issues with his bodyâin fact, he was extremely comfortable in his own skin. At the sight of his erect member slapping against his lower abs, you nearly lost your breath. Youâd never seen anything like it before: it wasnât excessively long, but it was incrediblythick, hard, marked by prominent veins, and already covered in a slight pearly sheen on the tip. You realized it was seriously wild and not entirely human.
Seeing you so captivated and curious, Jake enjoyed the show of your wide eyes and loved seeing you open-mouthed for him. âDo you like what you see, sweetheart?â he asked with a cheeky tone. You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to lift your gaze to his face so you wouldnât get too distracted by all that perfection just a few meters away. You desperately wanted to touch him, but you knew that first, you had to trust him completely.
âWow⊠besides being beautiful on the inside, I have to admit youâre beautiful on the outside too, Jake. But you already know thatâeveryone tells you so,â you said.
He made a small, disappointed pout, as if that compliment wasnât exclusive enough for him. To tease you, he took a slow step toward you, wrapping his hand around his shaft and moving it just slightly with a single, slow slide of skin just to show you how responsive he was to your gaze.
âThey might say that to me, but I only care if you like it,â he whispered in a rough voice. Then, with a nod of his chin toward your clothes, he concluded: âBut enough talking⊠Your turn, Y/n. Take your clothes off.â
At that commandâwhich couldâve been interpreted in a way far different from how you saw itâJake couldnât wait to discover the beauty of your body, judging by the way he was looking at you. You felt your cheeks literally burn, and a sudden heat dyed your face a deep red, which he found adorable.
âIâll⊠Iâll obviously take off my pants and the shirt, but Iâd like to keep the bra on, if thatâs okay with you,â you said in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of his objection. But Jake looked at you with his hands trembling slightly along his sides, betraying the immense effort he was making not to pounce on you and touch you, smell you.
âDo whatever makes you feel most comfortable, Y/n,â he replied in an incredibly gentle tone, though his tail couldnât stay still for a second. His nose picked up every scent of yours, ranging from sweetness to something teasing due to your anxiety. âThereâs absolutely no problem for me. Take all the time you need.â
Reassured by his words, you nodded. You werenât sure what to take off first, feeling his eyes on you, not missing a single millimeter of your movements. You wanted to scream at him to close his eyes or turn away, but sooner or later, Jake would see you naked. So you slightly rose from the mattress, and with somewhat uncertain, maybe awkwardânot entirely sexyâgestures, you let the sweatpants slide down your legs.
At the sight of your toned thighs and fair skin, Jake visibly swallowed, clenching his fists against his hips. When his eyes caught the purple lace trim of your panties peeking out from under the hem of his oversized T-shirt, a mix between a moan and a sigh escaped his lips, which heâd been torturing with his teeth. He wanted to touch you in that exact momentâit was a damn devastating temptation, the idea of getting up from the chair and crawling back onto the bed to trap you beneath him. But he forced himself to stay still because he didnât want to ruin anything, especially seeing how your hands were trembling.
After minutes of staring at each other, you took a deep breath and murmured: âOkay⊠Iâm taking off your shirt now.â
Jake nodded slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from your body. âDo it, sweetheart. Youâre so damn beautiful⊠donât be afraid to let me look at you. I bet thereâs a body to worship under there, not one to hide from my eyes,â he said in a low voice. Those words gave you courage, and you crossed your arms, lifting the fabric over your head. In the exact moment you stood in front of him wearing only a damn purple Victoriaâs Secret set, decorated with small embroidered flowers that framed your body like you were a work of art on a canvas, the hybrid inside him lost his mind completely.
Jake let out a low growl that came entirely from his animal instinctâa purely wild sound. It was the very first time youâd heard him growl like that, so wild and primal. That sound made your entire body tremble, but not out of fearârather, it was a mix of physical and mental connection between you. Youâd discovered that hybrids both purr and growl: they purr in acts of pure docility with their mate, while growls can serve as a warning of danger, a sign not to touch their mate or their pack, or in a sense of pure excitement. And thatâs what Jake was feeling in that moment: he was growling at the sight of the bliss of your body just a few meters away from him, but he couldnât even brush you with a finger.
His eyes widened at that sound because you hadnât expected it, and Jake couldnât stop staring at you, open-mouthed, devouring your body with his hungry eyes. He studied carefully how the curve of your breasts seemed to try to escape from the bra cups, pushed upward. Heâd always known you had an abundant chest, but at that sight, his mindâwhich was currently running on purely animal and instinctive tracksâwas flooded with dark, possessive thoughts. He thought about how much he wanted to grab that soft flesh in his hands, how he wanted to suck on those warm nipples until you screamed his name. He even thought about how beautiful it would be to see them swollen and full of milk, watching it gush out as he filled you with his seed to bring your pups to life.
He shook his head to chase away those intense fantasies, running a hand over his mouth before complimenting you in that typical hybrid tone of hisâshameless and lewd: âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre a fucking work of art. That purple against your fair skin is driving me crazy. I knew you had perfect breasts, and I swear, if I werenât confined to this chair, Iâd have already consumed your skin with bites and kisses.â He said this while biting his lips, which were almost bleeding from how much heâd been nibbling on them in the last few minutes.
You sat back down on the edge of the bed with your legs curled up, trying to calm your racing heart. Now that you were both almost completely naked, you had to start what youâd agreed to do.
At those words, you swallowed hard and closed your eyes for a moment. Youâd never done anything like this before, and you wanted the earth to swallow you whole. But when you opened your eyes again, Jake was there, watching you intently. âYou donât have to be afraid right now, Y/n. Itâs just you and me. Slide your panties aside gently if you donât want to take them all the way off. Let me see how wet you are⊠I can smell it from here, youâre already soaked.â
Your cheeks burned at his words. With trembling hands, you slid your fingers toward your panties, already feeling the heat of your arousal. You pulled the edge down just enough to reveal your lips to Jake. At the sight, he groaned, and you instinctively closed your eyes but that wasnât what he wanted.
âOpen your eyes, sweetheart,â he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. âItâs not just me who gets to watch you pleasure yourself. You need to watch too.â
You obeyed, and what you saw took your breath away: his hands wrapped around his shaft, moving up and down in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The tip, flushed and glistening, grew thicker with every stroke, and a bead of pre-cum slid down the length. You crossed your legs, the desire burning inside you. âPlease, Jake⊠Please talk to me. I feel⊠lost,â you mumbled, your eyes fixed on him.
Jake sighed, his patience stretched thin. âSlide your panties all the way down your legs,â he ordered, his voice a contained growl. âUse your middle finger on your clit and start rubbing. But donât you dare close your eyes.â
You sighed in response and did as he said. Your panties slid off, and you shifted slightly higher on the bed, spreading your legs under his hungry gaze. Jake cursed under his breathâthe sight of you naked and ready to touch yourself without needing his command pushed him to the edge. It was as if, little by little, you were starting to understand the situation youâd gotten yourselves into⊠and that you could trust the man in front of you.
Jake watched as your trembling finger found your clit, already swollen and sensitive. âIs this okay?â you asked softly. He nodded, his dark eyes filled with desire. âRub. Slowly. Let me hear you moan.â
And so you did. Your clit was already hypersensitive, and the touch of your fingers made you let out a small moan. Little by little, you felt more at ease, more daring. âDonât stroke your cock so much, Jake⊠or youâll come first,â you stammered, your lips parted, your breath ragged. âI⊠I want to come with you.â
Jakeâs eyes widened at your confession, but he nodded. You saw his abs clench as he slowed his rhythm, rubbing his cock slowly in the grip of his hand. It was an incredible sight, youâd never imagined how exciting it could be to see a guy like him, just sitting there, watching you, while at the same time pleasuring himself just to make you feel at ease.
He realized that without his guidance, you wouldnât dare go further. And at the sight of your naked body at his mercy, he could have come at any moment like an inexperienced teenager. But that was exactly what you did to himâyou made him weak, and that both frustrated and reassured him, confirming that you were his mate. He adjusted himself on the chair, spreading his thighs, and said in a rough voice: âSweetheart, your clit is swollen and ready. Now, with your eyes on me, try sliding a finger inside you. Any finger is fine, as long as it goes into those beautiful lips of yours. Let me see⊠let me hear your sounds, little one. Otherwise⊠I wonât last much longer.â
At his confession, you bit your lip. This was the hardest part: letting go without thoughts, without fears. But the sight of Jake, his honesty, his vulnerability, pushed you to want to give yourself pleasure⊠and to give him something deeply intimate. You spread your legs a little wider, took a deep breath, and slid a finger between your wet folds. The intrusion was a new sensation, different from the solitary games you played under the covers. You moaned, surprised by the pleasure coursing through you, both mentally and physically.
The wet sound of your finger moving in and out of you made Jake groan your name. You felt completely at ease under his gaze, which never left you for a second. You saw how his cock grew thicker and thicker, how droplets of fluid escaped with every movement.
âKeep going⊠keep going like that, little one,â he urged, his voice a growl. âYouâre doing so well. Now that youâre nice and stretched, try sliding another finger in. And at the same time, rub your clit. That way, youâll come soon⊠and Iâll come with you.â
As Jake had instructed, you slid another finger inside yourself. A deep, throaty moan escaped your lips, and his name spilled out like a broken sigh: âJaaakeâŠâ The way you said it was desperate, sweet, and rawâlike he was the only lifeline in a sea of overwhelming sensations. At the sound of his name, Jake cursed under his breath, a guttural âFuckâŠâ rumbling from his chest as he watched you completely lost in pleasure. He couldnât hold back anymore. His arm muscles tensed as he began stroking himself harder, his fist gliding up and down his thick, throbbing shaft.
The room was thick with the sounds of your muffled moans and ragged breaths. It echoed with the wet, rhythmic sounds of your fingers pumping in and out of you, the creak of the chair beneath Jake amplifying every tiny noise. The scent was intoxicatingâmusky, sweet, and sharp all at once. Jakeâs heightened hybrid senses picked up on how your fragrance grew richer with every passing minute, a heady blend of strawberry, arousal, and a hint of sweat. âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre so fucking sexy,â he growled, his voice rough and low, his eyes glued to you as he watched you writhe, pleasure coiling tighter inside you. âLook at how wet you are⊠how perfect you look.â
You closed your eyes, and with your free hand, you clutched Jakeâs blanket, gripping it tightly between your fingers. Your voice trembled as you stammered, âJake⊠itâs too muchâŠâ
He paused for a moment, his hand still wrapped around his cock, and asked with a mix of concern and desire, âWhatâs too much, sweetheart?â
You moaned, breathless, and confessed, âEverything⊠itâs all too much⊠and I⊠I want to come.â
At those words, Jake smiledâa hungry, satisfied grin. âYou will in a few minutes, trust me. Now, tease your clit more and let go. But open those fucking eyes and watch what youâre doing to me,â he commanded, his voice a contained growl.
Embarrassed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, you obeyed. You opened your eyes and saw Jake barely holding back, his muscles taut, his breath ragged. With a whisper, you dared to say to him, âLet goâŠâ
His eyes darkened slightly at your boldness, as if he hadnât expected you to take control. But he didnât say a word. Deep down, that small act of defiance only turned him on even more.
Your walls began to tighten around your fingers, and your clit throbbed with pleasure as small, breathy moans escaped your lips. âI⊠Iâm about to come,â you whispered, your eyes half-lidded and glistening. At the sight of you so lost in pleasure, Jake gripped his shaft tighter and pumped harder, his voice rough as he urged, âCome on, sweetheart⊠let me see you come.â
You cried out, pleasure crashing over you like a wave. A few moments later, shivers raced through your body. You clenched the sheets of his bed tightly, your fingers still pumping and teasing your clit as your orgasm tore through you first. At the sight, Jakeâs abs clenched, and with a groan of your name, he came too. Thin streams of white cum spilled from the tip of his cock, and he moaned in pleasure at the release. But honestly, he didnât care much about his own climax. His eyes were locked on youâsprawled out on his bed, your stomach rising and falling rapidly with each ragged breath, your lips parted in a perfect O, your hair wild, and your legs trembling.
Jake slowly stood up, wiping away the remnants of his release before pulling his boxers back on. At the sight of you lying there, relaxed and half-lidded, he asked, âCan I⊠can I come closer to you, little one?â
You opened your eyes and tried to sit up slightly, but the sticky wetness began to seep out of you, and you moaned at the sensation. At the sight, Jakeâs smile returned, and he said, âSee? I told you I could make you come without even touching you, sweetheart.â
You let out a weak, breathless giggle, still trembling from the last waves of pleasure. You watched Jake stretch his arm toward the nightstand to grab a tissue, then lean toward you on the bed with a naturalness and care that left you breathless. You felt his large, warm hands settle firmly but gently on your thigh to keep you still, and then he cleaned you slowly, with no rush or malice in his gaze, treating you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. Your eyes never left his, not even for a millisecond, captivated by the sweetness in his expression.
When he finished and tossed the tissue into the trash can beside the bed, you shyly tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear, your cheeks still warm from everything that had just happened. Seeing you so timid, Jake leaned toward you again, offering you the T-shirt youâd taken off earlier. He knew perfectly well that youâd just taken giant steps, having been half-naked and vulnerable in front of him, and he didnât want to ruin the magic of the moment by rushing things.
âLift your arms, sweetheart,â he said softly, and you did as he asked. He slid his oversized T-shirt down over your body, dressing you completely. As soon as the fabric covered you, moved by an impulse of gratitude and affection, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him forcefully toward you to kiss him.
Jake hadnât expected you to kiss him of your own free will at all. Heâd expected that, once the moment had passed, you might tease him or hide under the covers. Instead, you leaned forward and gently pulled his lower lip between your teeth, trapping it between your lips almost as a victory for everything that had happened.
Jake groaned against your lips a mix of a surprised grunt and a deep, pleasure-filled moan that vibrated in the back of his throatâas he instinctively placed his large hands on your hips to steady both of you on the mattress. Your mouths sought each other with a new urgency every time you had to pull apart to catch your breath. When you timidly slid your tongue against his, tasting him, you felt Jake smile against your mouth.
âFuck, Y/n⊠youâre really driving me crazy tonight,â he whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from you. Heâd become a full-on clingy boy with you. After a few seconds, Jake slowly pulled back to give you space, and you looked at him with infinite sweetness. âThank you, Jake,â you said.
He smiled almost timidly, for the first time since youâd known himâand opened his arms on the bed in a silent invitation to hug you again. You didnât need to be told twice. You nestled against his massive chest, inhaling his reassuring scent of pine, and pressed your head into the warm hollow of his neck.
Jake pulled you close, wrapping you completely in his strong, protective body. For long minutes, you both stayed there, still and embraced in the silence of the room, lulled only by the sound of your heartbeats slowly returning to normal and the patter of rain against the roof of the house. Eventually, you pulled back slightly from his chest and lifted your chin to look at him.
Jake was there, watching you from above, his ears relaxed and his gaze attentive. In that moment, he would have given anything for the ability to read your mind and know exactly what was going through that little head of yours.
Suddenly, though, he noticed your eyes growing glossy, filling with tears ready to spill down your cheeks. Jakeâs heart literally skipped a beat, and his face painted an expression of pure panic, he thought he might have done or said something wrong.
âHey, hey⊠little one, no, donât cry!â he exclaimed, gently squeezing your shoulders. âDid I⊠was I too rough? Did I do or say something you didnât like? I swear, I just wanted to...â
Before he could finish, you pressed a finger directly to his lips to silence him, cutting off the stream of anxious apologies.
âYou⊠you made me realize that I need to talk to people, Jake. But most of all, you taught me that, after a while, I need to start tearing down my own protective walls⊠and thatâs exactly what I managed to do tonight with you,â you said, looking him straight in the eyes. âI really donât know how to thank you. Youâve been so patient with me, you never backed down from anything, and youâve respected me from the very first moment I walked into this house. So⊠no, donât be sad. These tears are just pure joy,â you concluded, weakly giggling as you wiped your face with the edge of his T-shirt sleeve.
Jake sighed deeply, feeling a knot of tension finally dissolve in his chest. A small smile formed on his lips as he lifted his hands to caress your face, using his thumbs with infinite gentleness to wipe away the last tears wetting your cheeks.
For days, since youâd confessed you wanted to have sex with him and shared everything that had happened to you, heâd feared he was too overbearing, too abrupt, or simply âwrongâ for a sensitive girl like you. But in that moment, lulled by your strawberry scent, now free of any trace of fear, Jake finally felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âI only did what any guy worthy of being by your side would have done, Y/n,â he murmured softly and sincerely, looking at you with a tenderness he rarely showed outside the walls of that room. He was only ever this sweet with his family and his pack⊠not even with his teammates, with whom he spent hours training, had he ever been this honest in his life. But you shook your head, pressing your cheek against his warm palm.
âNo other guy would have done thisâŠâ you said quietly, meeting his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassment creep back in but determined not to lose that beautiful harmony, you continued with a clearly shy but resolute tone: âNow⊠yes, for next time, Iâd like things to be less planned. Iâd like them to flow more naturally between us. When they happen, theyâll happen⊠though, obviously, I expect it to happen again as soon as possible!â You said this while playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt, hoping heâd understand what you meant.
Jakeâs eyes widened slightly, surprised by that sudden burst of boldness, and he burst into laughter as he watched you make yourself smaller. At the sight, he gently pinched your side, knowing you were ticklish, and said: âDamn⊠Whereâs the shy, reserved girl who struggled to even look me in the eye gone? Donât tell me Iâve created a creature whoâs greedy for my touch, or that now you canât do without me?â
You laughed heartily when his fingers started lightly tickling your sides, making you curl up against him on the mattress. To defend yourself, you rolled your eyes dramatically and teased him, playfully tapping his muscular chest:Â âOh, please, Sim! Donât get a big head. Youâre the âgolden boyâ of the team, the âfrat boyâ everyone dreams aboutâI think that guy disappeared a while ago thanks to me. So before you talk, think about how you canât stop finding excuses to touch me!âYou laughed as Jake intensified the tickling.
Without stopping his smile, he leaned over you, pressed his soft lips to your forehead, and then moved up through your hair, leaving a reassuring kiss on you. When he pulled back slightly, his eyes shone with a hopeful light, finally making you understand that you could trust him.
âWill you stay tonight, Y/n?â he asked this time, stopping his teasing. You made a thoughtful pout and then slowly nodded, pulling him back to you by the shoulders, welcoming him into your embrace again.
But that happy ending hadnât yet provided the right answers: What were you and Jake? How would he balance university, your constant presence in his routine, and being the captain of the soccer team, which was under the spotlight of scouts looking for the best striker for their teams? How would he balance his human nature with his hybrid one, with you getting closer and closer to him? And how would he get through his first heat as a hybrid, knowing you were his mate and that he wanted you for himself forever?
*pairing: pervy wolf hybrid Jake x human student girl
*trope: popular playboy x nerdy girl-tutoring
*inspiration: off campus book 1
*synopsis: Jake only had one problem: History. He's always been good at any subject, especially since balancing being the captain of the football team and studying engineering is no walk in the park, but his lack of history could compromise everything, and when he saw a girl holding the text with the word 100 written on it, he realized that you could be his only chance of getting through that damned subject.
But what would it sweat if tutor sessions began to become moments where he could be himself, where you began to open up after a long time to a person and discover that jake wasn't as much of a womanizer and you weren't as broken as you thought you were?
*tags: Jake is a playboy at first but after a while you arouse his curiosity, Y/n at first is skeptical of letting Jake into her life, Y/n suffered violence in high school (I won't write anything about this act also because my stories have to be a fun) many kisses, Jake is a wolf hybrid and little by little he will become territorial but also clingy with Y/n, Y/n thinks she's broken but Jake will trust her both intimately and physically, visual masturbation, protected sex, unprotected sex (dont' horny ppl) knotting, jealousy, possession, sucking to claim Y/n, declaration, +18, little bit angst, pet names (jakey) (baby, sweetheart)
banner by: @eightnyn *wc: 37k
The Contemporary History classroom was packed with students, and Jake was there, neither at the front nor at the back, but right in the middle, where he could observe everyone.
His knee wouldnât stop bouncing with anxiety, his wolf ears were perked up, and his tail, just like his knee, twitched with every breath he took and youâre probably wondering: ears and a tail? Well, yesâhe was a hybrid, specifically a wolf hybrid. For decades now, humans had shared everything with hybrids: from everyday jobs to school lessons, from apartments to entire neighborhoods where humans and hybrids lived side by side without resistance. Mixed couples were even trendy by nowâno, more than trendy, they were fully accepted in society, especially in big cities. You could see them everywhere: in malls, restaurants, or parks, with hybrid children, kids with rabbit ears or fox tails playing alongside human ones and that sight warmed Jakeâs heart more than anything, because hybrids had endured so much racial discrimination and persecution but finally, things were changing, and he had played a small part in that revolution.
In that classroom, humans were still the majority, but that was normal, especially at the university, where hybrids like him had only been admitted a few years earlier. Jake, however, was an exception: about a year ago, heâd been elected captain of the soccer team, the first hybrid to ever hold that position. Thanks to him, the number of hybrids in both recreational and competitive sports had risen. One of his best friends, Heeseung a hamster hybrid had even followed in his footsteps and become captain of the basketball team.
But back to the present: Jake was in that half-anxious state because the professor was handing back the history exams. Letâs just say that, as an engineering student, he didnât care much for the subjectâespecially since it was just an elective. But it carried a lot of credits, and the reason he disliked it was simple: his engineerâs mind thrived on logic, formulas, structural calculations, and precise physical dynamics things with no room for interpretation. History, with all its dates, nuanced socio-political contexts, and long texts to memorize, just felt like a waste of time to him⊠even if he did find the revolutions between humans and hybrids fascinating.
Still, he needed to pass all his classes to stay captain of the university team and to catch the attention of scouts from the big professional leagues, who didnât tolerate academic slippage. He had to be the perfect student and the perfect player. So when the professor approached his desk, her expression was almost apologetic, as if she knew the potential of the young man in front of her. Jake did have excellent grades in every subject⊠except hers.
The test paper slid across the wooden desk, and at the topâcircled in red marker (a color that, unfortunately for him, was not in his pendant) was a glaring 45 out of 100 and to make matters worse, it wasnât even close to passing.
The professor peered at him over her glasses and said, âJake, I hope for your sake that next time you at least manage a basic passing grade. Otherwise, Iâll have to report this to Coach, and we all know how strict Coach Smith is about academic performance.â
He nodded, and his tail suddenly stopped moving, drooping down and tucking itself under the chair. He nearly slumped over his desk, staring at that disastrous grade. His right hand fidgeted nervously through his soft hair, right at the base of his tense ears, as if trying to ease the tension. He sighed heavily, racking his brain for solutions but there were none. All his closest friends were in different majors, and if he didnât find a fix fast, his soccer dream would be over before it even began.
Unbeknownst to him, just a few rows away sat a girl twirling her pen, completely unbothered about her history test grade. She watched the professor intently as she moved between the desks, papers in hand.
Suddenly, you felt a sharp elbow nudge from your best friend. âStop staring at the professor!â Allie hissed. âShe probably saved your test for last, one of the first three sheâs handing out just so she can praise you in front of everyone. We all know youâre the biggest nerd in here.â
You rolled your eyes, exasperated but amused, as Allie sat there sipping her fruit smoothie her latest attempt at this âfructarianâ diet, while her own test, a modest but honest 70, lay forgotten beside her. With absolute nonchalance, she scrolled through an online sexy shop store, browsing through undeniably sexy sets at prices that would make any other girlâs wallet tremble...but not hers.
âStop looking at your phone,â you whispered back, giving her a light shove. âIf the professor saw you scrolling through a sex shop right now, sheâd have a heart attack. I bet she doesnât even know the difference between a thong and a Brazilian.â
Allie let out a snort, nearly spitting her drink all over the guy in front of her. She slammed her phone down on the desk just in time, because the professor finally stopped in front of you, her face breaking into a full, thirty-two-tooth grin.
âY/n, Iâm not even surprised anymore,â she said. âBut you know I struggle to give out perfect scores. Still, this last test of yours on the Cold War and the geopolitical dynamics of the Soviet bloc⊠itâs simply flawless. The knowledge youâve shown, the historical interpretations, even the extra research you included on the Cuban Missile Crisis...itâs all perfect. Iâm so proud to have you in my class. Itâs a shame youâre not majoring in history, because if you were, youâd be unstoppable.â
You smiled, thinking about how everyone had always told you to study history or political science but your love for music was stronger. âWell, itâs my job to study, get good grades, and give it my all especially in history, since you know itâs one of my favorite subjects,â you said shyly, feeling the eyes of half the class turn toward you.
Then the paper slid onto your desk, revealing a bold, perfect 100 in red ink. Allie, ever the dramatic one, blurted out way too loudly: âHoly shit, you actually got a 100?! We studied together the whole time...how the hell did I only get a 70? Okay, Iâm not complaining, but damn, Y/n!â She stared at you, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out like a wounded puppy. You shrugged, suddenly self-conscious under all the attention, and tried to cover the test with your hands but Allie was fasterâshe snatched it right out from under you, held it up to her face, and before you could protest, sheâd already pulled out her phone, snapped a crystal-clear photo of the red 100, and sent it to your friend group chat, roasting you for being such a nerd.
Your phone buzzed nonstop with the incoming messages from your friends, all teasing you affectionately. Meanwhile, a few rows back, a pair of wolf ears suddenly perked up, drawn by the noise and the word â100.â Who the hell had gotten a 100? It was practically impossible in an elective class. His amber eyes locked onto your back, and in that moment, he realized heâd just found his only lifeline to passing Contemporary History.
Jake couldnât look away. Not even when the bell rang, signaling freedom. His mind was consumed by a single thought:Â He had never seen anyone get a perfect score in his entire university career and when he saw you stand up, followed by the blonde girl he assumed was your best friend, his instincts flared to life. The wolf in him, the one that drove him to chase, to track down what was vital for his survival (or in this case, his scholarship) awoke with a jolt. Because letâs be real: in his life, there was only room for one thing:Â Soccer
And at the thought, a surge of adrenaline shot down his spine, making his ears snap forward and his tail muscles twitch back to life, swinging wildly with excitement at the idea of meeting you.
He shot to his feet, shoving his notebook haphazardly into his bag without even zipping it shut. Weaving through the maze of wooden desks, he spotted you stepping into the universityâs main atrium. Jake quickened his pace, using his athleteâs stride, until he was just a few steps behind you, right in the middle of the chaos: students switching classes, others heading to the campus bars.
âHey, Chloe!â he called out, loud enough to be heard, throwing out a random name heâd picked up somewhere in the classroom. The truth was, he had no idea what your name actually was and, honestly, heâd never seen you at one of his famous Friday night parties, nor cheering from the stands during league matches. That fact unsettled him a little⊠but it also piqued his curiosity.
Of course, you didnât turn around, because, obviously, your name wasnât Chloe. You just kept walking and talking to Allie. But Jake wasnât about to give up. He took two quick steps forward and tried again, this time stretching out a hand to intercept you.Â
âHey, Chloe! Iâm talking to you!â he said, a little louder this time.
Finally, you spun around. And that was the moment Jake saw you up close for the first time, no filters, no distance of desks between you. A lightning-fast thought shot through his mind: Damn. Not only is she a terrifyingly smart nerd, but sheâs also ridiculously cute. He took in your eyes, framed by a faint shadow of annoyance, as they swept over him from head to toe, far from impressed by the figure smiling at you.
âYou mean me?â you asked, pointing at your chest with one finger, while Allie stopped beside you, staring at him in confusion.
âYeah, you,â Jake confirmed.
You rolled your eyes. âWell, for starters, my name is Y/n. Not Chloe⊠you werenât even close.â You looked at him bluntly, and at those words, Jakeâs wolf ears drooped slightly, flattening against his soft hair in embarrassment. Before he could apologize or come up with one of his usual ready-made excuses, a sharp, ironic voice cut in from beside you.
âJake Sim is seriously talking to Y/n? Whatâs this, did you come here to ask for more signatures to sponsor your precious soccer team? Or were you sent by your little basketball buddy, Heeseung, to do his dirty work? Because if youâre here for charity signatures, weâre not interested. The universityâs already cutting tons of funding from both the theater and music majors because of you and your best friend,â Allie said, her expression dripping with disdain.
Jakeâs head snapped toward the blonde, annoyed by the intrusion but forcing himself to keep his cool. âNo,â he replied, straightening up and turning back to you, locking his eyes onto yours. âIâm here because I need to talk to Y/n. About something important.â
At his direct statement, you instinctively crossed your arms over your chest, pressing them tightly as if creating an invisible shield between you and him, a gesture born from deep insecurity and the trauma you still carried inside. The sudden movement didnât go unnoticed by the hybrid in front of you.
Jake distinctly felt your heartbeat speed up. At the same time, his nose picked up the sudden shift in your scent: the clean aroma of your skin was abruptly overpowered by a sharp, acidic trail, the unmistakable feromone signature of discomfort, mixed with a warm, suffocating note of pure embarrassment. The unwanted attention and physical proximity of an alpha male, especially one like him, had triggered it.
He ran a hand through his brown hair, furrowing his brow deeply as he studied your reaction with a mix of perplexity and concern. His wolf side picked up on your distress like an alarm signal. Why does my mere presence make her feel so threatened or uncomfortable? He wondered. Usually, girls fell over themselves to get a word or a glance from him.
Left alone with him in the atrium, you immediately took two steps back, putting more distance between you and Jake. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other, clutching your books against your chest, and fixed your gaze on him.
âSo, Jake Sim, youâve got two minutes. Tell me what you want.â
Jake studied you carefully, analyzing every tiny movement. His tail gave a slight, excited wag from side to side at finally having your attention, but he stopped it instantly, not wanting to reveal even that small loss of composure. He cleared his throat and said:
âYeah, well⊠sorry for calling you Chloe. I just didnât remember your name.â
You merely responded with a sharp nod, and Jake realized he needed to get to the point before time ran out. So, he decided to pull out the big guns: he unleashed his full Playboy charm, squaring his muscular shoulders and tilting his head slightly to the side with a crooked, magnetic smile. Along with his posture, his hybrid nature did the restâwithout realizing it, he released a subtle but intense trail of reassuring pheromones into the air around you. A warm, clean scent filled the space, a mix of citrus and something salty, blended with his natural hybrid scent. It was the kind of biological chemistry wolves used to charm people, lower their defenses, and make them instinctively feel safe and drawn to them, but he didnât yet know that with you, it would be extremely difficult.
âI saw you got a 100 on that test earlier, and first of all, congratulations. Seriously⊠not everyone can pull off a score like that in an elective class,â he said, taking an almost imperceptible step closer to you. âAnd second⊠I was wondering if youâd be willing to tutor me. I know a lot of people do it for academic credits, but I figure youâve probably got enough of those already, if you scored a 100, youâre probably acing all your major classes. Or maybe for money? So I was wondering if youâd give me private lessons. I desperately need to pass Contemporary History. Especially since itâs an extra-curricular subject for me, and itâs worth double the structural credits. If I donât pass⊠Iâm screwed.â He finished with a crooked little smile, but you didnât take the bait.
The trauma youâd experienced in high school had made you completely immune to the shameless charm of popular guys, and your mind rigidly resisted even his wolf pheromones, pushing them away like a self-defense mechanism. You looked at him with no emotion at all. âThanks for the compliment on my grade, but no. I donât tutor anyone. And as youâve already figured out, Iâve got all the credits I need, and even if weâre talking about money, which, sure, every student could useâIâve got a ton of studying for my own classes. Plus, Iâm in the university choir, and that takes up a lot of time because Iâm studying music.â You said all this while keeping your gaze lowered, almost avoiding his face, focused instead on the colorful bookmarks invading your notes. This total indifference deeply unsettled him.
Jake was used to humans hanging on his every word, to girls who would pay just to spend an hour alone with the team captain. Being rejected like this without so much as a glance wounded his alpha male pride and confused him. Sensing that you might not even like his presence, he took a step back, furrowing his brow, and blurted out in one breath:
âIs it because Iâm a hybrid that you donât want to tutor me? Or because you think that, as the soccer team captain, Iâm just another shallow idiot who canât balance engineering studies with training?â
At those words, your eyes widened, struck by how suddenly vulnerable and frustrated his voice sounded as he looked at you. You responded with a flurry of gestures: âNo, no! Itâs not that at all!â you exclaimed sincerely. âEven if a human had asked me, I wouldâve said no, Jake. Iâm really sorry⊠especially because I know balancing engineering studies and being the soccer team captain comes with a lot of pressure ut if you check the bulletin board in the atrium or the universityâs official forum, in the history section, I bet youâll find a tutor way better than meâŠIâŠIâve got to go now, yeah, Iâm meeting Allie.â
You said this with slightly flushed cheeks, still not looking him in the face, and began walking quickly down the hallway, almost hunching your shoulders as if afraid he might follow you or reach out to stop you. His fully matured wolf instincts immediately picked up on something strange in your sudden flight. His nose caught that your scent was no longer just annoyed; now it carried a clear trail of fear, and maybe even something vulnerable, and Jake didnât understand why.
They called him the golden boy of campus for a reason, no one had ever run away from him before. In fact, it was usually the opposite. He stood frozen, watching you disappear into the faculty crowd, his ears perked up, his mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. Your terrified reaction intrigued him, drove him wild. Because Jake Sim, when he wanted something, always got it and his wolf side had just decided that you, sooner or later, would be his tutor, no matter the cost and maybe, over time, something more than just a tutor. But that was something youâd both discover laterâŠÂ certainly not today.
The university campusâs main bar was nearly closing by that time, but you still had another half-hour left before your afternoon shift behind the counter ended. To pass the time and get ahead on your assignments, youâd set your laptop directly on the counter, trying to focus on your next project, studying music. You needed to dive deep into the acoustic composition of sounds and the various instrumental timbres to create balanced arrangements, ensuring the sound was perfect. Your dream was to become a singer, but youâd also love to work as a songwriter or composer. Your hearing was hyper-developed, and youâd already received requests from music agencies.
However, at that moment, music theory was the last thing on your mind. Your eyes kept wandering from the screen, drawn to the brightest corner of the bar, where Soobin was sitting. He was a Communication Sciences student specializing in Digital Media, and he played on the campus basketball team. Letâs just say you had a slight crush on him. Your head was lazily resting in the palm of your left hand, while your right hand sipped through a straw on a refreshing seasonal drink youâd made for yourself. You couldnât help but admire how incredibly cute Soobin was: he was tall, over 185 cm which was probably why he was on the basketball team, you thought as you took in his lean, athletic build. His hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a constantly sweet, approachable vibe and then, suddenly, his infectious laughter echoed through the bar, and an involuntary little pout formed on your face when you saw his famous dimples appear on his cheeks, giving him an irresistible puppy-like aura.
Seriously? Soobin?â Jakeâs bright, ironic voice cut through the air. âWhatâs so charming about that guy? Heâs always half-clumsy and doesnât even know which way a door swings unless heâs on a basketball court.â
At those words, your drink nearly went down the wrong pipe. When you straightened up, there he was, Jake, standing right in front of you. His worn-out soccer bag was slung over one shoulder, his dark hair still slightly damp from his post-training shower, and that usual smirk of his that always got under your skin. Caught red-handed, you blushed furiously and stammered:
âSoobin? I...I have no idea who youâre talking about!â You pointed at yourself, then frantically looked around to divert attention, but Jake just flashed that crooked grin of his, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement.
âOh, come on! I could help you get to know him, you know? And especially get noticed. Did you know he plays on the same team as my best friend Heeseung? He comes to almost all our weekend parties.â He turned to glance at Soobin, and you shot him a dirty look.
âHard pass. Now⊠what drink or food would you like to order, Jake?â As you said it, your fingers pressed a little too hard on the barâs computer keyboard.
âEasy: tutoring from you in history to pass the next two exams,â he said with nonchalance.
You stared at him, exasperated, and let out a long sigh. âYou really donât like hearing âno,â do you?â
At that, his wolf tail, which was peeking out from under his sports hoodie gave a slight, rhythmic wag. You didnât know much about hybrid anatomy or behavior, but to Jake, that involuntary movement meant one very clear thing: he was incredibly stimulated by your resistance toward him. It was almost like a challenge, and it excited him to no end. Jake loved competition, and right now, you were a very compelling one.
âMmm, I knew you were a sharp girl, sweetheart,â he said with total nonchalance. Your cheeks burned, and you stammered, âSweetheart?!â
He chuckled, thoroughly amused. âWell, yeah, itâs a cute nickname. Though, to be honest, thereâs not much âsweetâ about you right now.â He gifted you one of his perfect smiles.
âTell me what you want to drink or eat, or just leave,â you said sharply, crossing your arms over your chest, annoyed by the way his eyes had briefly flicked to the neckline of your shirt. Jake raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
âFine, fine. A hot caramel macchiato and a slice of Black Forest cake. Youâll bring it to my table, right? Especially since⊠Iâve decided Iâll go sit right across from Soobin.â He pointed at the guy youâd been admiring earlier. With that, he tapped his phone on the card reader, paying with a quick beep, leaving you standing there, stunned and speechless. You muttered a low curse under your breath: âI hope the cake chokes him.â
You watched as Jake sat down with absolute ease right at Soobinâs table, and you huffed in frustration. But before you could do anything, the two guys exchanged a quick, athletic handshakeâa sign of brotherhood among teammates. You knew Jake could help you get closer to Soobin, who smiled at him. A moment later, Jake turned his head slightly toward the counter, catching your gaze, and shot you a smug, triumphant grin.
In just five minutes, Jakeâs order was ready. With the tray clutched in your slightly trembling hands, you walked toward the table where Jake and Soobin were sitting. Trying to keep your voice as professional and detached as possible, you said:
âHey, guys. Hereâs the Blackforest cake and the caramel macchiato.â You set the plate and cup down in front of Jake, who watched you intently. âThanks, Y/n,â he said.
You hoped to turn on your heel and flee as quickly as possible, but Jake, of course, spoke up immediately to keep you there, so Soobin would notice you and remember your name.
âSoobin, this is Y/n. Weâre in the same Contemporary History class, and sheâs a total genius. She scored a terrifying 100 on the last test,â Jake said, addressing not just Soobin but also the other basketball players sitting around the table, who proceeded to compliment you. Soobinâs eyes widened, clearly impressed, and he looked at you with that gentle, heart-melting way of his. âYou seriously got a 100 in that extracurricular class? Wow⊠whatâs your major? You know, Iâve been struggling with those geohistory exams too. We could study together sometime, you could give me some pointers, and weâd help each other out,â he said with a shy smile.
Your cheeks instantly turned a deep burgundy, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment from the guy you liked. You just managed a timid smile and a nod.
Jake, observing the scene with the precision of a predator, knew full well that Soobin had taken the bait. With total nonchalance, he interrupted the moment before Soobin could elaborate, speaking in a tone that was falsely apologetic but incredibly possessive:
âSoobin, I hate to disappoint you, but sheâs already taken. You know Iâm a disaster in history, and the team desperately needs me to be up to date with all my classes for the championship⊠so Iâve already asked Y/n to give me private tutoring. I couldnât possibly pass up an opportunity like having the best tutor around.â He looked at you with that crooked grin of his, and you shot him a furious glare, clenching your fist so tightly against your apron that your knuckles turned white.
âI study music⊠but if youâre having trouble, Soobin, I could still find time to...â
But Soobin shook his hands and cut you off with a sincere smile. âNo, no, donât waste your precious time on me! I only play basketball for fun, to help the team. Iâll never be a professional athlete like Heeseung or Jake. You absolutely should tutor Jake. Guys, if he doesnât have all his classes in order, the federation will exclude him from the university championship and right now, there are scouts from the national leagues watching him...theyâre carefully evaluating whether his public and academic image is perfect before offering him a contract in a higher soccer league.â
At those words, you furrowed your brow, and your eyes widened slightly. You knew Jake was good at soccer, he was the captain, after all but you hadnât realized how serious the situation was. There were actually professional scouts involved, and his entire future depended on those damn history tests?
Jake, as he nibbled on his slice of cake, savoring his victory, doubled down: âSee, Y/n? Even Soobinâs asking you. I seriously need your help. And remember⊠if you ever wanted to ask me for anything in return, or needed some special help with someone, Iâd be more than happy to return the favor.â As he said this, he gave you a knowing wink, subtly nodding his chin toward Soobin. You rolled your eyes, was he blackmailing you under the guise of helping?
âIs your tail always moving like that?â You pointed at it with one finger.
Jakeâs mouth fell open in embarrassment, completely caught off guard, no one had ever asked him something so direct before, especially not a girl calling him out on an uncontrollable reflex tied to his hybrid nature. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. âLetâs just say my tail and generally, the tails of hybrids who have them reflects our emotions. We canât control it. Itâs an involuntary reflex of our nervous system,â he explained, trying to relax.
You looked at him, curious. âAnd what emotion are you feeling right now, Jake? We literally just left a bar and are walking toward campus. I donât think youâre feeling some great emotion⊠especially not in my company,â you muttered under your breath, almost to yourself but his wolf ears picked up every single word, even the way youâd said it. Jake furrowed his brow but decided not to make a big deal out of the fact that heâd heard. He looked you straight in the eyes and said:
âAnxiety? Anxiety over your verdict. Sorry if Iâm being pushy, but history is literally the only subject Iâm bad at, and youâre my last hope⊠I already checked the university forums like you suggested, but no one has your grades, and honestly, none of them inspire much confidence. So my tailâs wagging like this because Iâm anxious to know if youâve changed your mind. Is that okay?â
You sighed deeply, clutching your books to your chest, and stayed silent for a few steps as you walked along the campus paths lit by streetlamps. You thought it over, weighing the importance of his future and the veiled blackmail about Soobin, until you finally said:
âI decide when and where the tutoring sessions happen. Obviously, weâll have to work around our academic schedules. And I donât want to be messed around: if you want to pass history, you actually have to commit. No excuses...neither about soccer nor anything else and I want you to be honest if you donât understand something. In addition to our sessions, you need to study on your own at home. Iâm not doing all the work for you. Just like in soccer, you have to put in the effort in this subject too.â
You said it all in one breath, setting down ironclad rules to protect your boundaries. Jakeâs eyes widened, his ears snapping straight up in surprise. âWait⊠does this mean⊠youâll tutor me for the next few months?â he asked. This time, his tail moved differently, and you wondered if it meant he was happy.
You nodded resignedly, bringing a hand to your face. âI just hope itâs worth it⊠and that I donât lose my patience with you by the first session,â you muttered.
At your confirmation, Jake, overwhelmed with relief and happiness, completely lost control of his human inhibitions. Without realizing it, he lunged forward and pulled you into a tight hug. He pressed you against his broad, warm chest, wrapping you completely in his strong, athletic arms. You froze, stiff as a block of ice, and your heart skipped a beat from the sudden physical contact.
Why was he hugging you? God, you hated physical contact, especially with people you didnât know or trust. The memory of what youâd gone through in high school came rushing back like a slap. Your hands began to tremble slightly against your books, and you couldnât bring yourself to place them on Jakeâs back to reciprocate. You stayed motionless, breathless.
Jake, being a hybrid, immediately noticed how rigid you were in his arms. His body sensed your instant stiffness, but it was your scent that changed in a millisecond under his hyper-developed nose. The sweet, clean strawberry scent of your skin was literally overpowered by an intense, acidic trail, the unmistakable signature of negative emotions: primal panic, terror, and shock. It was the scent of someone who felt attacked, not just surprised by a hug. His wolf instinct, which never failed when it came to deciphering pheromones, picked up on that internal danger signal. It forced him to pull away from you immediately. Seeing you silent, your hands shaking, your expression blank, and your eyes wide and empty, Jake felt a pang of guilt, he was afraid heâd crossed a line with you.
Oh God, Iâm sorry⊠I⊠I didnât mean to,â he said, slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and messing it up nervously as he saw you still standing completely stiff in front of him.
âI⊠I really like physical contact when Iâm happy or relieved. Itâs a hybrid thing...we tend to be pack-oriented⊠I didnât mean to scare you,â he said, gesturing with his hands. You swallowed hard, trying to regain control of your breathing, and gave a weak nod. âYeah⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids, but please⊠just donât do it again with me, okay? No hugs.â You shifted even farther away from him.
Seeing how shaken you still were, he nodded seriously, his ears lowering in a sign of submission and respect toward you. âOkay, okay, no hugs. Iâll message you on Instagram later, alright? So we can exchange numbers and set up our first lesson.â
You nodded one last time with a quick motion and hurried toward your apartment, desperate only to close the door behind you and sink into a long, hot bath.
Jake stood frozen on the path, watching your figure disappear into the dim light. His ears were tense, motionless, and his tail was completely still. His predator and protective wolf instincts took over everything else because that drastic and terrifying shift in your scent wasnât normal for a girl your age. As he furrowed his brow, the wolf inside him had just caught the scent of a painful secret you were trying to hide.
What are you hiding thatâs so serious, sweetheart? he muttered under his breath. Who reduced you to this?
Without realizing it, Jakeâs instinct had just vowed that he would uncover the truth and whoever had hurt you would be gone, long before you even saw it coming.
You had arranged everything with Jake down to the last detail in your messages: the library, west wing, at 4:00 PM sharp. He had replied with a thumbs-up, promising heâd be there. But now it was nearly 4:15, and there was still no sign of him. Curious, youâd even checked the official team schedule to see if he had practice but Monday was marked as a full rest day for the soccer players.
That excuse, then, couldnât possibly justify his lateness. You sat there, nervously tapping your pen against the table, your laptop open to your notes and the heavy Contemporary History textbook splayed open to the chapter on World War I. You glanced around every three seconds, but there was still no trace of Jake. Finally, you huffed in frustration, running a hand through your hair.
âWhat the hell⊠why did I agree to this?â you muttered under your breath and just at that moment, you heard the study room door swing open with a little too much force. There he was: Jake, zigzagging hastily between the empty tables, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His dark hair bounced against his forehead with every quick step, and his fluffy wolf ears swayed with the movement. When he finally reached you and leaned over the table to set down his bag, your senses immediately picked up on something that made you stiffen. Beyond his usual wild, warm scent, the air was filled with an unmistakably sweet, almost floral note...a girlâs perfume that was definitely not yours.
âDonât tell me youâre 23 minutes late because you were hooking up with some girl,â you said, staring him straight in the eyes with a look that could have killed him. At those words, you watched his wolf ears drop instantly, flattening completely against the sides of his head in a clear sign of surrender and submission. Even his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie, dropped abruptly and went still between his legs. You caught a glimpse of his cheeks turning a deep red with embarrassment. His hybrid sense of smell must have already told him you were furious, and Jake swallowed hard, he knew heâd been caught red-handed.
âI...I⊠no, not a girl! Itâs just⊠the elevator in the guysâ dorm got stuck, I swear! And, um, there just happened to be a girl in there with me⊠thatâs why I smell like thisâŠâ he said, giving you his best puppy-dog eyesâbut he knew instantly it wouldnât work on you.
âI wasnât born yesterday, Jake, and I know perfectly well you donât have practice today,â you said, crossing your arms firmly over your chest. âI saw in the universityâs official vlog that soccer players rest on Mondays. So why do you have your soccer bag?â
Backed into a corner, Jake tried to play it cool to lighten the mood, smirking as he curled his lips into that usual crooked smile that drove girls wild. âOh, so youâve been stalking me? I didnât know you were already this interested in my routine, sweetheart.â
Your eyes widened, stunned by his audacity. You seriously wanted to slap him, but the only thing stopping you was the fact that you were in a public place.
âI havenât been stalking you! I just wanted to know if you were late for a valid reason, like soccer. But apparently, thatâs not the case,â you said, pointing with a sharp flick of your pen at his hair, which was far too disheveled to be the result of just running down a hallway.
He rolled his eyes slightly, then lowered his voice and stretched his hands across the table toward you. âCome on, Y/n, Iâm sorry⊠I lost track of time, okay? It wonât happen again, I promise. Now letâs sit down and open the books. Iâm all yours for the next few hours,â he said, winking at you. But you stopped him immediately, you were really angry, and even though your voice was a whisper to avoid getting kicked out of the library, your tone was unmistakably sharp.
âNo, Jake. Listen carefully. This is exactly why I didnât want to tutor anyone, especially not someone like you. You have zero respect for the time someone else is giving you, sacrificing their own studies to help you. If your absolute priority on this campus is to play the playboy, show up late to every lesson, and take my help for granted, then know this: this will be the first and last session we ever have. Consider this goodbye. You can say hello to failing that test, losing your captainâs armband, and kissing goodbye to every professional league scout watching you! I donât waste my time on people who wonât commit to something they asked me for. I donât recall chasing you down, begging to tutor you!â
For the first time in a long time, Jake felt corneredânot just by the harshness of your words, but by the fact that you werenât like all the other girls who fell at his feet. For the first time, the team captain had found someone who wasnât willing to let him off the hook for anything. Deep down, he knew he had to step up, and perhaps, beneath the surface, he felt the need to get his act together.
âIâm sorry, Y/n. From now on, Iâll always be on time. I promise,â he said seriously, extending his pinky finger to make a childish âpinky promiseâ in an attempt to lighten the mood. You studied his expression carefully to see if he was sincere, then said:
âIâll let it slide this time, but itâs the last warning, Jake.â
Then you looked at his outstretched finger, and though reluctant, you wrapped your pinky around his. In that brief moment when your skin touched, you both felt something an adrenaline rush that stole your breath, while for Jake, it was yet another confirmation that his wolf side responded intensely to your presence. Deep down, he found himself wanting more.
âToday, weâll start with the triggering causes of World War I and the European alliances of 1914. First, youâll read the text on your own, and Iâll do the same. Then, Iâve prepared five questions here that will help you summarize the entire first chapter about ten pages, to help you understand it better.â
Jake nodded, carefully looking over the first chapter.
âGo ahead and read the chapter first, and if you donât understand something, just ask. Iâm here to help,â you said gently this time. You noticed his tail swaying slightly from side to side under the table, this time with slow, lifted movements.
âGot it, Professor!â he said, saluting like a captain. You sighed, shaking your head, it was maddening how he could act like such a kid.
So, you both began silently reading the first chapter. Thanks to your study habits, you finished in just ten minutes. When you looked up, you expected Jake to be done too, but you realized he was only halfway through the fifth page. You tried your best to look away so as not to stare and make him self-conscious, but Jake had that kind of magnetism anyone within his radius was almost forced to look at him and he was truly handsome, even that day, dressed in just a loose, dark hoodie and comfortable cargo jeans.
His face perfectly embodied the proud aura of a wolf: thick, black hair that created a stunning contrast with his soft, slightly dark gray ears, which occasionally twitched or moved at the slightest sounds in the library. His eyes still had a hint of puppy-like charm, framed by long, dark lashes, a large, pronounced nose that suited his facial features divinely, and slightly full but not overly so lips.
And then there were his hands: truly beautiful, large, and well-kept. Your eyes lingered a little too long on the prominent veins on the back of his hands, a testament to the physical strain of his training, adorned with several silver rings.
As you watched him, you saw Jake make a small pout that you found incredibly cute. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair to mess it up nervously.
âStruggling?â you asked softly, and he didnât even look up from the page, answering almost defeatedly: âA little.â
You asked if heâd underlined anything in the book, and he shook his head. âItâs really hard⊠mostly, I struggle to remember all these names of ministers, archdukes, and tsars, and which territories belong to each one,â he sighed. Moved by a sudden wave of understanding, you said something without even realizing it: âYou could use colors as a visual aid, or associate historical dates with the jersey numbers of famous soccer players you know.â
At those words, Jake suddenly looked up, surprised and intrigued. âYouâre telling me to try memorizing historical dates using soccer jersey numbers?â
âYes, and you could also use a different color for each era or nation, so it sticks better in your mind. You can mentally link it to a team. Soccer teams all have different jersey colors, right? The German Empire could be the black jersey, Russia the red one, and so onâŠâ you said, picking up the highlighters. His eyes widened slightly, and a genuine smile lit up his face.
âWow⊠I never thought of that. In engineering, we never use colors, but it actually makes perfect sense for a subject like history!â
At that point, he started asking you a series of general questions to better understand how to apply the trick: he asked for explanations about the year of the Triple Alliance, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and how the European balance had collapsed. You listened, and finally told him:
âAlright, now try to answer at least two of the five questions I prepared for you. But before you write, you need to highlight the parts of the text you find truly important, using the colors we decided on.â
After an hour and a half, youâd covered two chapters, and Jake seemed fully absorbed in his studiesâthanks both to your help and your company. Heâd finally found a rhythm with your color and soccer association method. Then you glanced at the time on your phone screen and sighed loudly. Jake immediately looked up, his ears perking up curiously.
âEverything okay?â
You nodded, starting to gather your things. When he saw you stand up, something inside him snapped he wanted to stay with you, but he didnât understand why.
âYeah, sorry, but I have to go to work. I wouldâve stayed here studying a little longer, but not all of us have a scholarship secured thanks to soccer!â you said, slipping your laptop into your bag. Jake stretched in his chair, the muscles in his shoulders tensing under his loose hoodie, and curled his lips into a smirk.
âWas that a dig at me or at athletes in general?â he asked, pointing at himself. You shrugged. âTake it however you want.â
But Jake wasnât the type to back down easily, and he loved having the last word. So he leaned forward on the table, looking at you intently: âSpoiler: I donât have an athletic scholarship, sweetheart!â
You stared at him with wide eyes, freezing with your bag strap halfway over your shoulder, and stammered, clearly shockedâit was extremely impossible. âH-Howâs that possible? Youâre the team captainâŠâ
He rocked slightly in his chair, and even from there, you could tell that despite being 23, he still acted like a kid. âI was just too good at both sports and school, even back in high school. I didnât need an athletic scholarship, I got in on my grades,â he said smugly. Your mouth snapped shut, and you sighed, running a hand over your face, almost embarrassed.
You chuckled, amused by his excess of self-confidence, and gestured with your hands to tone it down. âDonât be such a know-it-all egotist, Jake! But⊠take it as a personal challenge⊠who knows, maybe not for the next test, itâs too soonbut for the one after that, you might even beat me⊠if you start liking the subject,â you said, openly teasing him with a challenging smile youâd never given any other guy before. Jake lightly bit his lower lip and muttered under his breath: âChallenge accepted, sweetheart.â
You said goodbye with a quick wave and turned, walking briskly to exit the west wing of the library and rush to the bar for your shift, your heart beating suspiciously fast.
As you walked away, Jakeâs hybrid instincts were literally rejoicing inside him. Under the table, his tail began to wag frantically, and his ears stretched forward to catch the sound of your footsteps. His wolf instinct was celebrating a double victory: not only had he managed to get you to give in and tutor him, but heâd just discovered that behind your cold, defensive armor, there was a girl capable of challenging him and holding her own with wit and that drove him wild. But what made him gloat the most was the scent youâd left in the air when you said goodbye: your smell of fear had faded, replaced by something sweeter and he couldnât wait for the next lesson.
You and Jake had been studying together for two weeks now, and you would NEVER have imagined that, deep down, he wasnât actually so bad. Sure, he was still a living jester...no lesson passed without him trying to tease you but there was one thing that had really stuck with you, something that had made your heart flutter more than once: he strictly respected physical distance. After that hug heâd given you, and after sensing how cold youâd been in returning it, Jake had never tried to touch you or get too close again. Heâd limited himself to verbal provocations and to you, that meant a lot, because for so many guys, the word "no" simply didnât exist in their vocabulary.
That morning, though, heâd sent you a WhatsApp message that had left you a little taken aback, though you understood why. The campus had erupted in chaos after the soccer team won an away game, and heâd asked if you could come to hisplace to study insteadâheâd gotten back late last night and was completely wrecked.
At first, youâd been pretty reluctant, but heâd quickly reassured you, saying you wouldnât be alone because there were six other people in the house, and at least one of his roommates would be there. So youâd agreed and now here you were, standing in front of⊠a house? No, this looked more like a villa. You thought you mustâve gotten the address wrong, but when you stepped closer to the intercom, you read the names of the seven guys who lived there: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, Ni-ki.
So you rang the bell, expecting Jake to answer immediately, but instead, a stunning guy with chiseled features and an incredibly charming vibe opened the door. You immediately noticed his dark ears and sleek, glossy tail: he was a black cat hybrid.
âYouâre Y/n, right? Come in, Jakeâs upstairs,â he said with a smile. You nodded, but before you could even respond, you heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, a tall guy with brown hair and slightly almond-shaped eyesâunmistakable black panther earsâpeered into the hallway.
You thought this place was less of a student house and more of a model recruitment center...
The panther hybrid looked at you and pouted like a child, sighing:  âOh, no⊠I was hoping my takeout had arrived.â You smiled timidly, a little intimidated by his size, but the pantherâs eyes widened as soon as he met your gaze. Pointing at you, he said: âOh my God, wait! Are you the famous Y/n? Jakeâs tutor? Damn, lately he hasnât stopped talking about....â
But before Ni-ki could finish, all three of you heard Jakeâs loud voice call out:Â âNi-ki!â
Like a bolt of lightning, Jake appeared at the top of the stairs and slid down the steps, stretching out a hand to yank Ni-kiâs shirt sleeve and silence him instantly. Ni-ki just laughed, completely unfazed, and said:Â âOh, hyung! Youâre here too, with us at home!â
Jake really wanted to strangle him, but he loved his little brother too much. When you finally looked up at Jake, you noticed he was dressed extremely comfortably: gray sweatpants, an oversized university T-shirt, his dark hair still damp from the shower, and a white towel draped over his shoulders, giving him a cozy, domestic vibe and at the same time, he looked at you and gave you a genuine smile, saying:
âHey, Y/n. Donât mind this bunch of lunatics. Follow me, weâll study in my room so itâs quieter.â
But the second he said those words, you froze on the spot. Your mind went into overdrive:
His room? Alone?
Your brain short-circuited, and you stood completely still on the doormat, clutching your books to your chest like a protective shield. You did not want to go into a room alone...especially not with a guy.
Both Jay (the black cat hybrid) and Ni-ki turned to look at you strangely, since all three of them were predator hybrids, their senses instantly picked up on the drastic shift in the air, as well as the sudden change in your clean scent, which had just been overpowered by a sharp trail of embarrassment mixed with a strong, clear note of defensive fear and panic.
Hybrids had incredibly strong olfactory instincts, and Jake froze on the spot. His smile vanished, replaced by something he didnât often feel or see. But with you, heâd smelled that scent before: the first time heâd spoken to you, and again when heâd hugged you. With an incredibly gentle and reassuring tone, he said:
âWeâll keep the bedroom door wide open, okay, Y/n? If that makes you feel more comfortable and you two⊠no nonsense from now on, got it?â He directed this mostly at Ni-ki, who rolled his eyes, while Jay, understanding the situation, gave a serious nod and walked toward the kitchen: âDonât worry, Iâll go make a snack.â
Jake looked at you again, giving you a soft nod to invite you to follow him up the stairs. Before you moved, you took one last look at Ni-ki and Jay, who returned your gaze with warm, welcoming smiles. You let out a small sigh of reliefâthose guys didnât seem dangerous at all⊠in fact, they seemed really nice and Jake⊠Jake was proving to be far more attentive and protective than youâd ever wanted to admit to yourself.
When you stepped into Jakeâs room, you were immediately enveloped by a mix of warm, inviting scents: the fresh aroma of pine-scented body wash heâd just used, a rich note of cedarwood, and that signature musky scent unique to his hybrid natureâwhich, over time, had begun to make you feel strangely safe.
Your eyes landed on the center of the room, where a large, slightly unmade king-sized bed sat with its gray sheets tangled. Nearby, a desk was buried under stacks of calculation sheets and heavy structural engineering manuals. The shelves, on the other hand, were packed with frames, photos of Jake as a child, and you smiled at the sight of him with his wolf ears still too big for his head. There were pictures of him hugging the other six hybrids from the house, all grinning with mud-streaked jerseys, and beside the photos stood rows of gleaming trophies and medals. Your eyes widened, and you let out a quiet whistle at the sight of so many merit certificates for math Olympiads.
 âWow⊠I knew you were good, but not this good,â you said, picking up a certificate with his name printed in gold letters. Jake shrugged, but you noticed the smirk tugging at his lips, his ears perking up with pride he knew he was smart, and damn good at what he did.
âI told you I wasnât bad. Historyâs just my one weak spot,â he said.
You nodded, setting the frame down. When you saw him move toward the bed and stretch out comfortably on his stomach, with history notes scattered in front of him, you couldnât help but comment:Â âYou know, normal people study sitting in a chair, facing a desk.â
But he just waved a hand dismissively, burying his face in the pillow for a second. âOverrated. If I can stretch out on my bed and study, why not?â Jake lifted his head to look at you, and in that moment, your scent: a delicate blend of fresh strawberries, cream, and a clean trail of vanilla filled the room, mingling perfectly with his hybrid scent. Jake went still for a second, breathing deeply, his expression shifting into something he didnât let show. That scent⊠itâs heavenly, he thought before he could stop himself. Then he shook his head slightly, unsettled by the spontaneous thought.
Heavenly? Damn, Jake, what the hell are you saying? Itâs⊠itâs just a nice smell, thatâs all⊠focus.
Oblivious to his thoughts, you took the desk chair, turned it around, and sat sideways, balancing your notes on your knees. âOverrated or not, this is how Iâm used to studying. If you want to stay there, fine, but I donât want to find you snoring in five minutes,â you said with a half-smile. Jake chuckled, and you saw his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie thumping eagerly against the mattress, a clear sign he genuinely enjoyed your company.
âFirst of all, I donât snore. Second, Iâve never fallen asleep during a study session and I bet that soon, even youâll end up sitting on this bed⊠itâs amazing, sweetheart. Memory foam with built-in massage tech, you know, as a soccer player, I need the best for my body,â he said, shifting slightly onto his side, teasing you with a mischievous grin and a wink. âEveryone who tries it wants to come back to sleep in it⊠thereâs plenty of space⊠and Iâm an excellent human heating pad, you know as a wolf hybrid, my body heat is way higher than yours. Perfect if you get cold in the winter!â he added with another wink.
You wanted to smack him with the history book for his audacity, but instead, you just blushed and shot him a glare. âStop talking nonsense and letâs start studying. Weâve got the first exam on Friday, and if you fail, I fail as a tutor.â
You and Jake had been studying for over two hours, and in that time, Jay had brought you delicious snacks to the room, and youâd even met Sunghoon, another one of the roommates. Youâd already heard about him on campus: he was the famous captain of the hockey team, and he, too, was a hybrid, specifically a snow fox, as well as one of the most popular athletes at the university. He also worked as a model for brands like Adidas, and everyone talked about him.
After the intense review session, you stood up for a moment to stretch your back and arms. Your eyes kept wandering around Jakeâs room, and he watched you carefully from the bed, noticing the tension in your body. âCome on, Y/n, I bet your back is killing you from sitting on that wooden chair. Just sit with me on the bed for five minutes, I promise Iâll keep my hands to myself,â he said.
To prove his intentions, he laced his fingers behind his back, looking up at you with a sweet, slightly reluctant smile. Knowing how wary you were, you finally gave in and sat on the edge of his bed. You immediately felt how incredibly soft it was.
Jake patted the large, dark fabric headboard, inviting you to get comfortable. So you settled in, half-sitting with your back resting against it, while he stayed stretched out beside you, his laptop and a pile of notes in front of him as he continued underlining according to your schemes.
After a little while, the exhaustion from the previous days caught up with you, and you yawned widely. Jake lifted his gaze from the papers. âAre you tired, sweetness?â
âA little,â you admitted, tilting your head back. He stretched slightly, letting out a sigh. Then, before you could predict it but driven irresistibly by his hybrid nature, which, in moments of tiredness or when wanting to make someone feel safe, instinctively sought contact with its âpackâ to share warmth and relax, Jake turned onto his side and, with complete naturalness, rested his head on the upper part of your legs, using them as a soft pillow.
Your eyes widened because his face was so close to your stomach. You immediately felt the impressive warmth of his body against your skin through your jeans just like that time heâd hugged you. He radiated an almost feverish heat, typical of wolf hybrids. From this close position, you could perfectly see how long and dark his lashes were, how his ears had partially lowered backward and deep inside, you felt a sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft and fluffy at the same time, and you wanted to know if they felt like a normal dogâs or catâs.
Jakeâs body relaxed completely against you, and you, having no idea what to do and with your heart beating a mile a minute, said his name softly: âJakeâŠâ
He just let out a low murmur, keeping his eyes half-closed because he liked feeling your body against hisâuntil you spoke.
âWhy did you rest your head on my legs?â you asked, slightly curious. He gave a light shrug against your thigh.
âI know you hate sudden physical contact⊠and Iâm not squeezing or openly touching you with my hands, so you can see I donât want to hurt you. You can trust me. Itâs just for support,â he said as his eyes opened fully, and two amber pools looked up at you, smiling. As your head tilted toward him, in that moment of absolute closeness, Jakeâs sharp sense of smell picked up on something that left him breathless: your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly intensified in the air, growing sweeter. There was no trace of the acidic note of fear, nor the detachment of embarrassmentâbecause you were starting to trust him.
Without even realizing it, you lifted a trembling hand, and your fingers barely brushed one of his fluffy ears, right where the fur transitioned from light gray to the super-dark shade at the tip.
You froze instantly at that sound, blushing all the way to the tips of your ears, and stammered:
âJ-Jake⊠God, Iâm sorry! Did I hurt you? I didnât mean to⊠I didnât know...â But Jake burst into genuine laughter, and you caught a glimpse of his dimples, thinking he looked damn cute.
âNo, donât worry, you didnât hurt me, sweetness,â he said, slowly reopening his eyes. âItâs totally normal that I growled. I told you the other day, both our ears and tails are the most sensitive parts of our hybrid bodies. If theyâre touched the right way, they stimulate a huge amount of pleasure, even strong excitement inside us⊠itâs just a biological reflex. We canât help it.â He said this almost shyly, and at those words, you immediately pulled your hand away from his ears but Jake immediately pouted in protest, letting out a small, annoyed whine his sense of smell had instantly noticed the loss of your skinâs warmth. He looked up at you with an almost pleading expression.
âCan I take your hand, Y/n?â
You stared at him as you leaned over him, and though hesitant, you offered him your hand. Jake, however, was incredibly gentle. He didnât interlace his fingers with yours but instead wrapped his large, warm fingers around your wrist, guiding your arm upward until your hand rested again at the base of his gray ears.
âWe hybrids are very sensitive to both smells and touch,â he explained, watching you carefully. âAnd if someone becomes part of our circle, our life⊠well, we quickly become much more insistent with physical contact. Letâs just say we have an almost physical need for it. Thatâs why I stretched out with my head on your legs. My wolf just wanted to be close to you.âHe said this without realizing it, but he didnât say things like that to just anyone⊠in fact, he hoped you wouldnât fully understand what he was implying. For your part, you just nodded.
âI⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids. Iâve always attended all-human schools before university, so this is the first time Iâve been in close contact with one of you.â
Jake studied your reactions from below, sensing that you were relaxed, and said: âWell, there are many first times in life, and this is a new first for you. Donât be shy about touching me, sweetness⊠I can sense it, your scent, your instinct, they tell me you want to.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment at being caught, and said:Â âSometimes it bothers me, this thing. You sense and understand things through smells that we humans will never be able to comprehend.â
He chuckled but didnât move, and when he felt your fingersânow moving with more confidenceâbegin to stroke the base of his ears again, Jake let out a long sigh of pure relief and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed in that moment, a feeling he hadnât experienced in years. Only his mom and grandmother could calm him with just a touch. He felt how his body was vibrating with total submission to your touch, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. You smiled because you liked the idea of being able to relax someone as energetic and hyperactive as him. With the tips of your fingers, you moved from his ears to his thick, black hair, gently ruffling it, and asked, slightly shy:
âWhy do you hybrids love physical contact so much? Is it something that comes from your puppy-like nature, orâŠ?â
Jake opened his eyes, staring straight into yours. âYes, it partly comes from when weâre pups. But actually, all hybrids need constant physical contact, both as kids and as adults, especially during heat. It can be suppressed with medication, of course, but doctors say itâs not good for our health or mental balance. And then⊠when a hybrid finds his mate, there are specific ways he uses to be with her.â
Curious, you tilted your head slightly to the side and asked:Â âAnd what are these ways?â
âWell⊠besides being touched by his mate, the hybrid loves to touch her in return. Itâs a little embarrassing, but in the early stages of a relationship, itâs constant: holding her hand, hugging her, squeezing her⊠but the most important thing for us is to make sure our scent completely soaks into her. We want our chemistry to stay on her skin, on her clothes, so the whole pack and other males know who she belongs to.â
You were slightly shocked by this possessive and biological revelation, your eyes widening as you struggled to respond, unable to fully grasp the nature of hybrids. Jake, seeing your petrified face and sudden confusion, didnât miss the chance to tease you.
âOh God, you should see your face, sweetheart! Whatâs wrong? Are you afraid Iâll rub my wolf scent all over you any second so youâll smell like me all over campus? Donât worry⊠for today, Iâll settle for your legs as a pillow, but I wonât make any promises for our next lessons!â
You huffed, looking away to hide the heat still burning on your cheeks, and said:Â âI definitely donât want your scent on me, especially if I want to have any chance with Soobin.â
At those words, Jake froze on your lap. His ears snapped backward, stiffening, and his tailâs movement stopped instantly, youâd almost forgotten about it. The only reason youâd accepted this compromise and were helping him with Contemporary History was his deal: using his influence to get Soobinâs attention. For a second, his possessive, territorial animal instinct pressed to emerge and growl at that name, but his human side quickly regained control. He slowly lifted himself from your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked at you intensely, saying:
âRelax, the only way a hybridâs scent spreads to a girl is if they do sexual thingsâwhich means undressing and sniffing each otherâor if the guy bites her. So donât worry, you wonât run that risk with me, Y/n.â
You frowned at his answer, then checked the time on your phone and said it was getting late and that you absolutely had to go. Jake returned to being his usual carefree self, wearing a mask of indifference. He nodded and asked if you wanted a ride, but you refused, explaining that Allie would pick you up.
Just as you reached the entrance hall, the front door swung open, and Heeseungâthe basketball team captain and an adorable hamster hybridâburst in, beaming as he held dark streamers in his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs: âFriday, I want all six of you dressed up for Halloween because weâre throwing a legendary party here! No excuses!â He looked at all his friends, and a chorus of reactions immediately rose from the kitchen and living room:
Jungwon and Sunooâa cat hybrid and a fox hybrid with huge earsâgroaned at the idea of chaos in the house. Ni-ki enthusiastically exclaimed, âAwesome!â Jay muttered that heâd prepare amazing cocktails for the occasion, while Sunghoon, still sprawled on the couch, just rolled his eyes because he wasnât a fan of parties at all.
As you watched the scene, you suddenly felt warm breath right next to your ear. Jake had leaned toward you, his lips just millimeters from your skin:
âThis is the perfect excuse for us to be seen together by Soobin, sweetheartâŠâ he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. âTell me how youâll dress for the party⊠because you are coming, right? Heâll definitely be there.â
You turned abruptly, finding his challenging smile just a centimeter from your face. And if there was one thing you hated, it was crowded partiesâbut the idea of finally talking to Soobin pushed you to do something crazy.
âYes, Iâll be there⊠but only if Allie can come too.â
Jake nodded, widening his sly grin. You said goodbye to all the guys with a wave and finally left that villa. As soon as you got into Allieâs car, you told her everything in detail. But your best friend could tell deep down that you wanted to go to that party to be with Jakeâbecause for the entire ride, you hadnât even mentioned Soobin.
As soon as the door closed behind you, silence fell over the entire living room. Jake turned to go back upstairs but froze on the spotâall six of his friends were staring at him with their arms crossed, wearing smiles that were half-amused and half-suspiciously knowing. All six hybrids in that room were literally breathing in the pheromones Jake had unconsciously released over the past two hours.
Jake felt his cheeks heat more than they should, turning bright red. He wanted to deny everything, but then Heeseung, the oldest in the group, twitched his hamster ears with a mix of amusement and curiosity, shook his head, and dropped the final bombshell, looking at the others:
âGuys, I think the first one to find his lifemate is actually one of the two biggest playboys and frat boys in the entire university⊠Who wouldâve ever thought that the great Jake Sim would fall at the feet of a nerd who didnât even know he existed a few weeks ago?â
Jakeâs blush deepened, spreading under the fur of his ears, which twitched nervously. He growled, baring a hint of fang to hide his panic: âShut up, you donât know what youâre talking about! Sheâs just my tutor, and Iâm just keeping my end of the deal. At the party on Friday, youâll see...sheâs into Soobin.â Jake then bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
But as he stormed up, his tail....always the traitor, began wagging frantically at the thought of seeing you dressed up for Halloween and his friends were absolutely right⊠the wolf inside him knew it all too well.
The house of the seven hybrids had been completely transformed for the Halloween party. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling corners, ghost-shaped sheets floated mid-air, and witch hats seemed to fly on their own thanks to invisible wires. The place looked like it had stepped straight out of a horror cartoon rather than a university party. Soft, rhythmic music played in the background as people from the campus began filling the hallways and living rooms of the villa.
You and Allie had arrived together. Allie was wearing a sexy pirate costume that suited her perfectly, while you had gone with the plan youâd agreed on with Jake: a lilac and purple dress inspired by Rapunzel. According to your friend, it looked divine on you, and to be honest, even you felt pretty looking at yourself in the mirror. However, you couldnât help but notice that the corset was a little too tight, accentuating your curves in a way you usually disliked but tonight, it gave you an extra boost of self-confidence. Deep down, you were a beautiful girl, but the only thing that made you wrinkle your nose a little was the cleavage, which made you feel a bit uncomfortable under the gazes of the people you passed. The rest of the outfit, though, was perfect: your hair was gathered in a soft braid decorated with tiny fake flowers, and you held a lightweight plastic frying pan, artfully stained with fake blood. You seriously hoped Jake had kept his word about dressing as Flynn Rider.
When your eyes finally spotted him near the bar corner, a small, spontaneous smile appeared on your face. Allie, who had been watching you carefully out of the corner of her eye, noticed that spark in your eyes as you looked at Jake. Deep down, your friend had already figured it all out, but she chose to stay silent, driven by a strong protective instinct toward you.
Jake, for his part, looked simply perfect. He wore the typical blue vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, showcasing his powerful biceps and the prominent veins of his athletic arms. Dark pants completed the look, but what truly took your breath away was his hairstyle: his dark hair was perfectly parted in the middle with Flynnâs signature rebellious tuft. You thought he should opt for that fluffy, middle-parted hair more often. On his cheeks and neck, he had drawn small, fake red scratches, as if he had just barely escaped the clutches of the law.
When Jake turned and saw you, he froze mid-step for what felt like an eternity. His wolf nose instantly picked up your scent in the airâa heavenly, thick aroma of fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a warm note of pure vanilla. At that olfactory contact, his tail twitched violently under his costume, swaying so hard from side to side that he had to restrain himself to keep it from breaking free of the fabric.
His wolf instinct gave a primal jolt: he thought you looked incredibly beautiful, and at the same time, he almost didnât recognize you. He had never seen you so exposed, with your figure and curves so visibly on display. Jake swallowed hard at the sight of your shy smile and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily ruining the perfect part. His animal instinct was literally screaming at him to reach out, grab you by the waist, and carry you away from all those people to keep you close to him. But he knew he had to rein in that urge, you werenât his, and besides, you were interested in another guy. Damn, you looked stunning, and his eyes couldnât stop drinking you in.
He closed the distance between you with feline steps, leaning slightly toward you, and whispered directly into your ear in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine:
âDamn, sweetheart⊠I knew you were hiding something under those hoodies or sweaters, but I didnât expect all this,â he said, unable to stop rambling because he couldnât take his eyes off you, especially not from the line of your cleavage. You blushed violently, and in self-defense, you crossed your arms over your chest, clutching the frying pan to your side.
âIn your dreams, Sim. I only came here because you asked me to, and because we have a deal. Otherwise, Iâd be comfortably in my room right now trying to compose music for my class⊠but Iâm here because you promised me something. You have to help me get to know Soobin⊠speaking of which, where is Soobin? You promised heâd be here.â
At the sound of that name, Jakeâs smug smile vanished in a millisecond. His wolf ears twitched slightly backward, flattening almost imperceptibly against his hairâa clear sign of pure annoyance and territorial jealousy. His body stiffened for a moment, irritated by the fact that your first thought had gone to another guy just as he was devouring you with his eyes. He gave a vague nod toward the kitchen. âHeâs in there, in the kitchen with Heeseung and the other basketball guys but donât rush, sweetheart⊠first, you need to loosen up⊠and have a drink.â
Before you could tell Jake you had no intention of drinking alcohol, he turned and started walking toward the kitchen with confident steps. Following him inside, you were immediately greeted by three enormous glass bowls filled with rum punch and chopped fruit. At the sight, your instinct screamed at you to run out of the room...high school memories threatened to resurface, and you feared theyâd ruin what could have been a fun night.
Jake, unaware of your internal struggle, grabbed a ladle and poured himself a glass of the reddish liquid. From the note pinned to the table, you read that it was a cocktail made with rum, prosecco, and berries. When he turned and held out the glass to you, you looked up at him and said in a thin voice: âThanks, Jake, but⊠I donât drink alcohol⊠I donât like it.âYou tried to hide it, but Jake wasnât stupid. His hybrid sixth sense was far too sharp, and he saw the slight but unmistakable tremor in your hand as you refused the glass. He noticed how your posture had suddenly stiffened, and, intrigued, he tilted his head, studying your reaction.
âMmm, okay. Wait here a second,â he said without teasing you or trying to pressure you. You simply nodded, clutching the plastic frying pan to your chest, and watched him disappear behind the door of a pantry at the back of the kitchen.
Left alone, you turned to look around. You saw Allie talking or maybe arguing with Heeseung, and your heart literally leapt into your throat when Soobin walked into the kitchen. He was dressed as Cullen from Twilight in a baseball game versionâwhite and blue jersey, a backward cap, and even a baseball glove tucked into his left hand. You immediately thought he looked cute, especially when he noticed you, and his famous dimples deepened in his cheeks. Your eyes, however, instinctively searched for Jakeâs figure.
Where the hell did he go? Soobin was walking straight toward you, and you thought, half-panicked: Where the hell has that wolf gotten himself? Why is he leaving me alone right now?!
But then a part of you forced yourself to reason after all, this was the plan, right? Jake was supposed to give you the chance to meet Soobin and make an impression. Yet deep down, you wanted him there with you so badly, and you didnât understand why.
When Soobin reached you, he gave you a sweet smile. âOh my God, Y/n? Is that you? Jakeâs tutor, right? Damn⊠you look stunning tonight. The costume suits you perfectly,â he said, even stumbling slightly over the last word as his eyes lingered inevitably on the line of your braid and the lilac corset. Your cheeks burned, turning burgundy in a millisecond from compliments you werenât used to hearing. You said:
âYou⊠you donât look bad either⊠I mean, you look really cute,â and a second later, you wanted to slap yourself in the face. You had no idea how to flirt, and having a decent conversation with the guy you liked felt like a titanic task.
But just at that moment, Jake reemerged from the pantry, holding both a sealed glass bottle of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water. The scene before him, however, made him freeze on the spot. Seeing you blush, smelling your strawberry scent grow more intense and vulnerable for another male, literally drove him wildâand he didnât understand why.
Okay, you were cute. Many times, you drove him crazy. Many times, heâd sought you out in class but you werenât his type....you were too⊠well, a little too shy. You usually gave as good as you got, but you preferred to keep to yourself or stick with a few people, while he loved being almost the center of attention. He didnât understand why he felt so strange when he was with you.
A wave of pure, territorial jealousy burned in his chest. Under his costume, his tail tensed instantly, becoming as rigid as a poker, and his ears flattened. But when his eyes met yours, Jake read your silent plea for help and your embarrassment. He understood that this was the exact moment to step in and play his card.
Jake hurried over to you, and without touching you, you immediately felt his presence as he stood in front of you with a serious expression. âHey, sweetheart, I got you a Coca-Cola and a sealed bottle of water, so you know exactly what youâre drinking,â he said, smiling warmly as he handed them to you. Once again, you were caught off guard by how well Jake could read you. It was incredible how this guyâwho, just a few weeks ago, youâd considered nothing more than a shallow, heartbreaking athleteâcould pick up on every subtle nuance of your discomfort and protect you in such a quiet, precise way.
You thanked him shyly, taking the cold glass bottle in your hands. It was at that moment that Jake turned toward the other guy.
âOh, Soobin, youâre here too,â he said with a crooked grin. Soobin wasnât intimidated by Jakeâs predator-like aura and met the soccer captainâs gaze head-on. âWell, you know Iâm here every weekend. And when I saw your tutor alone in the middle of this pack of hybrids, I came over right away to see how much sweetness and beauty she had as Rapunzel.â
Jake glared at Soobin, then shifted his gaze to you, as if expecting a reaction. Feeling caught in an invisible grip and wanting to ease the tension, you said: âWell⊠it was my idea to dress as Rapunzel and Flynn. Jake doesnât look bad tonight either, to be honest.â
At those words, a wave of immense pride washed over the wolf hybrid. Jake chuckled, visibly pleased by your unexpected compliment. He drastically closed the distance between you, eliminating the personal space youâd established, and you watched as his large hand lowered and gently brushed against yours. You bowed your head for a moment, watching his fingers slowly spread across your palm, ready to welcome yours. Driven by a sudden, overwhelming sense of security from the fact that heâd thought to protect your drink and the primal warmth radiating from his presenceâyou interlaced your hand with his, fitting your fingers between his. It was a spontaneous gesture that made your heart race, because youâd never thought that this Jakeâthe one everyone talked about as a playboy or someone who only thought of himselfâcould be like this.
Jake tightened his grip around your handâyour fingers were ridiculously cute and small compared to hisâand lifted his chin toward his rival. With a possessive tone that brooked no argument, he said:Â âIt was a pleasure, Soobin. But Y/n is with me tonight, and I need to show her around the house.â
Without giving Soobin time to respond, Jake started walking toward the villaâs stairs, gently pulling you behind him. As you climbed the first wooden steps, you leaned toward him and whispered: âDo you think itâs right to leave him already? He seemed really into talking to meâŠâ You felt bad for cutting short the only real conversation youâd started with the guy you had a crush on. But Jake couldnât have cared less about what you thought in that moment or what Soobin might have been thinking. His only goal was to get you away from the other malesâ gazes and claim you for himself, because damn, that night he wanted all your attention. So he took you to the very top of the stairs, to a raised and partially shadowed spot from which you could perfectly see the entire party belowâthe crowded living room and the music echoing off the walls.
âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart,â he murmured against your ear, his warm breath on the bare skin of your neck making you shudder. Instinctively, you tried to turn your head downward, toward the kitchen, to look for Soobinâs figure. But Jakeâs free hand shot lightning-fast to your face, his long, warm fingers caressing your cheek as he firmly held your face in place, preventing you from turning. You werenât supposed to let Soobin see you flustered by the guy you liked.
âDonât give him the satisfaction of having your eyes on him. Otherwise, heâll realize youâre interested and that he has control over you,â he warned in a low voice, his gaze fixed on your lips. You swallowed hard at how well Jake could embody his character, and trapped between his hand on your face and the stair railing, you stammered in confusion: âA-and what the hell am I supposed to do, Jake? I⊠Iâm not good at this stuff. Itâs already a lot if I managed to talk to him for two minutes straight without making a fool of myself.â You said this with a half-smile, and Jake looked at you intensely, his ears lowering slightly in an unexpectedly tender shade of sweetness.
âBut with me, you donât have a problem talking, Y/n. You donât freeze up. You hold your own, you answer back. Maybe⊠maybe you need to find someone you actually feel comfortable with, not someone your mind just thinks is cool, but who ultimately just makes you feel a little⊠constant anxiety?â Jake said this without fully realizing what heâd just admitted. For him, those words carried immense meaningâalmost a declaration of intent tied to his biological nature. He wanted you to understand that love or attraction shouldnât be a mental effort or an ideal of perfection to chase (like Soobin). Instead, it should be a natural chemistry based on loyalty, security, teasing, and a safe harbor where your body and soul felt protected and free to express themselves without fear. And those feelings? You definitely didnât feel them with Soobinâbut you did with him. He wanted you to understand that the wolf in front of you was the only one capable of naturally breaking down your protective barriers. He knew you were hiding something that had happened to you, and he couldnât wait to see you lower your guard and let go with him.
But you didnât have time to process the concept or respond, because Jake had closed the last millimeter of distance between you and pressed his lips firmly against yours, catching you completely off guard at the top of those stairs.
Jakeâs full lips pressed against yours, and your brain completely short-circuited at the sensation of that physical contact between you and him.
What the hell was he doing? Why was he kissing you like this, in front of everyone, and especially under Soobinâs gaze? But before your mind could even formulate a protest or find the strength to push him away, the devastating warmth of his body enveloped you. As if by magic, the anxiety that had been gnawing at you since before you even entered their house vanished. After just a few seconds, almost as if moved by an involuntary reflex, you parted your lips slightly. Jake let out a warm, trembling sigh right against your mouthâa sound of pure reliefâbecause you hadnât slapped him in front of everyone, even though he knew you hated being touched. Damn, heâd been dreaming for a while now of knowing what it was like to kiss you. And he began to kiss you with a disarming gentleness.
It wasnât the rough or arrogant kiss you would have expected from the soccer team captain. His lips moved against yours softly, as if he were afraid that at any moment, you might pull away. Jake gently sucked on your lower lip, savoring every single millimeter of your mouth, and you tasted the sweetness of the Coca-Cola mixed with the fruity flavor of his alcoholic aperitif. You would have never imagined that the campus playboy could kiss a girl with such care and reverence. Your cheeks burned as you felt his hand gently caress your cheek. Without realizing it, your handsâwhich had been timidly resting against his chestâslid upward, settling firmly on his broad shoulders, gripping the fabric of his white shirt. Jake leaned even closer into you, pressing you gently against the railing at the top of the stairs, isolating you from the rest of the world.
When your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly became even sweeter and more intense than usualâa clear sign that your body had surrendered to him and that you no longer felt any fearâJake broke the kiss for a millisecond. He growled in an incredibly rough, low voice: âDamn⊠you smell so good, Y/n. Stay like this⊠please.â He said this against your lips, and you didnât understand the meaning of that comment. You tried to pull your head back to protest and ask for an explanation, but Jake, seeing your deliciously parted lips, didnât waste time. He took advantage of that moment and slid his warm tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss against your lips, which were increasingly drawn to him.
At the same time, his hand slid down from your face, settling firmly around your waist, gripping the lilac fabric of your Rapunzel dress. In that moment, Jake held his breathâhe was afraid that this contact might trigger your usual resistance. He hoped with all his heart that you wouldnât pull your hand away or break free from him. But to his surprise, you kissed him back. And you did it in a way that left him completely stunned: your fingers tightened with more force on his shoulders, and your tongue responded to his with an initial shyness that quickly turned into a desperate, hungry rhythm, as if you had found a secret refuge in this guy you thought you couldnât stand. You pressed yourself closer to his chest, forgetting about Soobin, the people below the stairs, and everything else.
Jake literally smiled against your lips, savoring your total surrender, while the wolf instinct inside him screamed at the top of its lungs that you were his mate, that he should never let you go, and that he should especially not let other guys have you.
Jakeâs human side forcefully pushed back the animal instinct that wanted to take control. He didnât want to scare youâhe just wanted to savor this incredible moment with you. Your tongues continued to seek each other relentlessly, as if it were just the two of you in that house. And maybe it was, because from where you stood, only someone climbing the stairs could see what was happening.
Then, seized by a sudden boldness you didnât even know you possessed, you lightly nibbled on his lower lip. Jake was completely caught off guard by such an intimate, unexpected, and boldly provocative gesture from you. He wanted more, and a low, rough moan escaped his lips. At that sound, you felt your cheeks burn damn, Jake was kissing you and moaning in the middle of a packed party!
This realization set off an alarm bell in your mind, jolting your rationality back to life. This was not part of the deal youâd made with him. Breathless, with your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, you pulled away from him by just a few millimeters, breaking the kiss. Even though, deep down, you wanted his lips against yours again, you quickly pushed that thought away. Both of you had glossy eyes, your lips visibly redder and fuller than usual.
Embarrassed and adrenaline-fueled, you lowered your gaze and started nervously fiddling with the lilac tulle of your Rapunzel dress, trying to compose yourself. Jake, on the other hand, simply couldnât stop looking at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly under his Flynn Rider shirt. When you finally looked up again, your eyes locked once more, unable to pull away, as if they were always searching for each other. You stammered:
âI⊠I⊠why did you kiss me, Jake?â
Jake gave a small, crooked smile and repeated softly the same words from earlier:Â âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart.â
This time, though, he didnât bring his hand to your cheek to block your face, leaving you free to check if Soobin was indeed watching. When you slowly turned toward the living room below, your eyes immediately caught Soobinâs figure. He was standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, with a hint of obvious jealousy mixed with frustration in his gaze. Once again, Jake had wonâbecause he hadnât expected someone like Jake to claim you so boldly in front of everyone, especially since you werenât his ideal type of girl.
As you spun back toward Jake, confused, he looked down at you, stretching his wolf ears with a proud air. Then he murmured:
âGive it less than a week⊠youâll see, Soobin will come looking for you and ask you out. Because very soon, everyone here will know I kissed you. But theyâll also know youâre not my girlfriend. And youâll officially be the girl who stood up to Jake Sim. And believe me, sweetheart⊠every guy on campus will become terribly curious to find out who you are.â
Was Jake Sim a fortune teller? Or maybe a genie? No, because ever since youâd set foot on campus that Monday morning after the Halloween weekend, his prophecy had come true 100%: people couldnât stop staring at you. Every time you walked down the hallway, there were whispers as you passed. Classmates and even complete strangers looked at you differently nowâall because theyâd spotted you with the universityâs golden boy.
âCome on, stop looking at that phot, itâs embarrassing, please!â you whispered, glancing sideways to make sure no customers heard you. But Allie couldnât stop staring at the picture, and her tone suddenly turned more serious and dreamy as she looked at you and Jake: âBut seriously⊠you and Jake look so good in that photo. In a way I never wouldâve imagined: you, the down-to-earth girl who works double shifts to pay for university and build a future in music, kissing the campus golden boy, the soccer team captain with his path already paved to some famous club⊠Itâs a perfect match. Admit it, just a few months ago, you never wouldâve imagined ending up in a situation like this!â she concluded with a mischievous smile. But you scolded her immediately, slamming the coffee tamper on the counter and glaring at her: âStop it right now, Allie! Thereâs no match, no romantic movie. It was just⊠a setup to get Soobinâs attention, and Jake just wanted to help. Itâs a 50% help for both of us,â you said, trying to sound convincing. Yet your eyes couldnât pull away from that photo on the screen.
Looking at it, you almost didnât recognize yourself: pressed against his chest, your hands gripping his shirt, and the way Jake was looking at you as he held your waist radiated an energy that could give butterflies to even someone like Allie, whoâd been in a relationship forever. Even though the photo wasnât high quality, you could still see both you and Jake smiling at each other. And just the memory of his lips against yours made your stomach clench.
Your thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone arriving at the counter. You heard a familiar voice, and when you looked up, you found Soobin standing there with his usual shy smile. That morning, he was in full ânerd modeâ: he was wearing an oversized sweater that made him look even softer, round glasses with thin black frames, and his dark hair was slightly messy on his forehead. But it was strangeâuntil that moment, you wouldâve gone crazy at the sight of him. Now, you were happy, but you couldnât understand why your mind kept drifting to JakeâŠ
âHey, Y/nâŠâ he said in his usual shy way, and you gave him a timid smile. Soobin glanced quickly at Allieâs phone in her hand and then back at you. âMmm⊠did you see the photo of you and Jake kissing too?â The question came out of his mouth with a slightly casual, almost detached tone, but his eyes were hungry for your reaction. You nodded, feeling the blood rush straight to your cheeks, and immediately tried to downplay it by waving your hands in the air:  âYes, I saw it⊠but I swear, Soobin, itâs nothing serious! Jake is just a show-off. We were just⊠joking. There was so much confusion at the party, andâŠâ You tried to say something, as if you owed him an explanation, but he stopped you by raising a hand: âThe other night, I was really shocked when I saw you dressed like that and I noticed right away how your cheeks turned red when you saw me next to you,â he said, looking down at you from his nearly two meters of heightâSoobin was truly imposing, unlike Jake, who, despite being muscular, was only a couple of centimeters taller than you.
âJake took you away, and⊠well, we all know him, heâs a show-off. But I bet that kiss was just for show, right?â And then, leaving you completely shocked, he leaned a little further forward, lowering his voice: âWould you like to go out for a serious coffee with me this afternoon? Just you and me, I promise.â He took a sip of his drink, and you stood there, literally paralyzed with the milk jug in your hand. Was he seriously asking you out? Youâd wanted this moment for months. Youâd spent entire nights hoping Soobin would notice you. But now⊠Jakeâs image kept tormenting your mind. And with startling clarity, you remembered the warmth of his full lips, how heâd gently held you close, afraid you might pull away, and especially that damn moan that had escaped him when youâd bitten his lip and what scared you the most was the realization that, next to Jake, your body hadnât felt the slightest bit of anxiety.
With Soobin, however, you felt like you were under examination, and your instinct told you to take it slow with him, not to rush. But a part of you wanted to seize the moment, to not waste this opportunityâyouâd already wasted so many because of what happened to you as a teenager. Yet, accepting his invitation for that afternoon would mean canceling your study session with Jake. So you took a deep breath and, forcing a sweet smile, said:
âSoobin, Iâd really like to⊠but as you know, Iâm tutoring Jake. He has his Contemporary History test on Friday, and we absolutely need to meet at his place this afternoon to review the last chapters. But⊠this weekend, yes, we could go out for breakfast together, if youâd like.â
Allie, who had been silently pretending to clean a nearby table the whole time, rushed over as soon as Soobin was out of earshot. She looked you straight in the eyes, her usual playful demeanor gone, and said in a low voice:
âY/n⊠if you really wanted to go out with him this afternoon, Jake can wait. Or he can study for the test on his own. But please, be honest with yourselfâbecause you just turned down a date with the guy of your dreams to lock yourself in a house with a jock who, until recently, you claimed to detest, and who practically kissed you passionately in front of half the university. Are you sure Soobin is still the only one on your mind?â
She asked, watching you carefully and at those words, you honestly didnât know what to say.
As you walked briskly toward Jakeâs house, Allieâs words still echoed in your head. You tried to shake them off, Jake was just a⊠a "friend"? You didnât even know how to define him, to be honest. You were his tutor, end of story. What happened at the Halloween party was just a staged scene to get Soobinâs attention and land a date and it had worked. That was allâŠÂ right?
When you stood in front of the massive door of the seven hybridsâ villa, you typed in the code Jake had kindly given you a few days earlier so you wouldnât have to wait in the cold. But out of politeness, you knocked anyway. No one answered, so you pushed the door open. The living room and large kitchen were completely empty. It was really strange, the place looked almost eerie compared to the chaos of the last time youâd been there, for the Halloween party. So you walked in and, reaching the bottom of the stairs, called out: âJake! Iâm here!â
But there was no answer. You assumed he was in his room, as usual when he wanted to avoid chores. So you climbed the wooden steps one by one, looking around. All the doors on the landing were closed except one. When you reached Jakeâs door and saw it was half-open, you knocked lightly with your knuckles on the wood and said: âSorry Iâm late, Jake, but we really need to review three chapters of Contemporary History on the post-war period and the peace treatiesâŠâ
But the words died in your throat.
Jake was there but he wasnât alone. He was leaning back against his messy desk, and between his legs stood a girl you recognized all too well: one of the most popular and beautiful girls on campus. She had her nails buried in Jakeâs dark hair, kissing him passionately, her hips moving against his. And yet, you noticed immediately that Jake wasnât touching her at all. His hands were lazily resting on the desk, as if he didnât even have a girl kissing him in front of him. His ears were slightly lowered, and his tail, beneath his pants, was completely stillâno twitch, no movement. It was strange because with you, Jake was always the opposite. The way they were kissing seemed almost mechanical, especially on Jakeâs part⊠as if he were bored. There was none of that desperation to touch you like at Halloween, none of that devastating heat, none of that deep, rough moan heâd reserved for you at the top of the stairs just a few days earlier.
And yet, despite his obvious detachment, the sight of Jake wrapped around another girl hurt, badly. You suddenly felt stupid, like a total fool. But stupid for what? Jake wasnât your type at all⊠and yet, watching him share his personal space and his lips with someone else filled you with a sharp, cutting disappointment that quickly turned into burning anger toward him.
In the shock of that vision, you abruptly took a step back to leave, but the sudden movement made your heavy backpack bump against the wooden doorframe. At such close range, Jakeâs wolf hearing instantly picked up the noise but more than that, he caught your scent. He pulled away from the girl almost immediately, as if pushing her off, and his eyes widened when they landed on you in the doorway. His nose wrinkled instantly because heâd just caught your scent in the airâbut your usual sweet strawberry fragrance was gone. It had turned sour, sharp, and not goodâit reminded him of the early days when you couldnât stand him being near you at all.
âY/n! Wait!â Jake exclaimed, taking a decisive step toward you but you had no intention of staying there to be humiliated. You spun around on your heel, your cheeks literally burning with embarrassment.
Jake gently grabbed your wrist in an attempt to stop your rush down the stairs: âHey! Stop for a second!â he exclaimed, looking at you but you spun around abruptly, yanking your wrist free from his grip especially from his touch and said:
âLet go of me, Jake! Donât touch me! I knew you were irresponsible, but I didnât think youâd go this far! We have a test in three days, and I rearranged all my plans today just to come here and help you pass the exam and what do you do? Not even trainâwhich would make more senseâbut kiss one of your many girls who throw themselves at you with a snap of their fingers?!â You glared at him, and Jake looked at you carefully, almost caught off guard by the vehemence of your words. His wolf ears lowered slightly, betraying a hint of regret or perhaps confusion about what was happening. His nose wrinkled imperceptibly as he sniffed the air around you, sensing how your scent was becoming sharper, more acidic as if every fiber of your body was screaming how much you disliked the situation. It reminded him of the scent you gave off when you couldnât stand being near him.
Trying to take a step toward you to calm you down, Jake said in a low voice:Â âY/n, we werenât doing anything serious. She just came to return a hoodie to me and...â
But you didnât care at all about his justifications. You cut him off abruptly with a wave of your hands: âI donât care what you were doing! It just bothers me that I wasted my time with a guy who doesnât have his head on straight, who only thinks about having fun and showing off! You know what? Figure it out yourself. Iâll send you the notes online from now on because I have no intention of setting foot in this house again to waste time with you!â
At those words, a spark flashed in his eyesâno way was he going to lose you. He⊠he wanted to be with you. Seeing you every day kept him mentally stable, and he always found an excuse to see you or be near you. So Jake took a decisive step closer to you because he didnât rationally understand what was going through your mind at that moment but his animal natureâhis primal wolf instinctâspoke to him, suggesting a fucking precise idea:
Could it be⊠that sheâs jealous of seeing you with someone else?
In that moment of high tension, his animal side took over completely without him realizing it. His usual cocky smirk reappeared on his face, and tilting his head slightly toward you, he said in a rough, teasing tone: âAre you mad because Iâm not studying, sweetheart⊠or because the lips on my mouth werenât yours? Do you miss me that much already after the other night?â
At those words, your eyes widened. Did he seriously just say that out loud? You were completely shocked and wounded in your pride by what heâd just dared to say. Feeling your cheeks burn even redder, you forced yourself to laugh and, lifting your chin, looked him straight in the eyes with a shamelessly defiant air: âYouâre completely crazy! I donât care at all who you kiss, Jake Sim! In fact, Iâm even happy youâre so busy with your âfriendsâ that way, you wonât interfere in my life this weekend when I go out with Soobin!â You said with a small smirk.
At the sound of Soobinâs name, Jakeâs earlier smirk vanished completely. His ears snapped backward, almost stiffening, and his jaw tightened slightly at seeing you so bold with him. In a low voice, he said:Â âWhat did you say?â
You looked at him before leaving and said: âYou heard me. He asked me out today at the bar, but I told him no to come here and study with you because Iâm a responsible girl and stupid me, but weâll see each other this weekend. So try to do well on the history test because I finally got what I wanted.â
With that, you pushed him slightly, taking advantage of his moment of shock, opened the villaâs door, and walked out, slamming it behind you. You left the universityâs golden boy alone in the hallway, furious and jealous for the first time in his life.
After you left Jake, leaving your notes in plain sight on the table, the atmosphere inside that house had become literally suffocatingâespecially for Jake. When the other six members of the pack returned, they found Jake sulking, half-stretched out on the large, dark leather sofa in the living room. The younger ones almost laughed at the sight, but the older ones immediately understood that something had happened. Every second, Jake ran his fingers through his thick hair, ruffling it furiously, or hurled a stress ball against the wall in front of him, catching it mid-air with his reflexes before throwing it again.
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged an exasperated glance. Jay, the black cat hybrid, ran a hand over his neck, annoyed by the negative energy dominating the room.
âCan someone tell me what happened with your tutor? Why isnât she here in a chair, making you memorize dates or the names of generals? God, this house stinks so much of your bad pheromones. Thereâs a sour, wet-dog smell coming from you that I havenât smelled in I donât know how longâŠâ said the cat hybrid, wrinkling his nose. Sunghoon did the same, but Jake, at the mere word "tutor," jolted upright on the couch, hurling the ball onto the floor with such force that it bounced off the ceiling. He almost growled, nervously running his hands through his hair:
âNothing! Nothing happened! Sheâs just a stubborn little girl who says she doesnât want to come here anymore because⊠and sheâs going out with that damn Soobin this weekend.â
Sunghoon coughed in a half-laugh, unable to hold it back, and a cynical, amused grin appeared on his lips. âOh, so Choi is seriously interested in Y/n⊠who wouldâve thought! Heâs been practically chasing her for weeks. And well, on the other hand, you were busy getting kissed by one of your groupies five minutes before Y/n arrived, right? You donât care if Y/n goes out with another guy...especially Soobin, do you? You know, we saw her on the path as she was leaving, and human girls donât work like hybrids, who dream of finding their mate 90% of the time just to be knotted and not claimed. Human girls donât have a pack instinct. They donât accept sharing, and above all, you canât have your foot in two shoes with them.â
Jake rolled his eyes because everyone had warned him not to play around, especially with human girls. He covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. âI donât know what bothers me more...that she doesnât want to come here anymore to study with me⊠or that sheâs going out with another guy. Sheâs not⊠sheâs not my type at all, you know! Sheâs a simple, down-to-earth girlâall about home, work, and musical scores and what pisses me off the most is that sheâs almost as much of a know-it-all as I am. But damn, if I even think for a second about her laughing, walking, or looking at Soobin with those sweet eyes⊠my wolf side goes completely blind with rage, and I donât understand why. Me? Jake Sim only cares about getting signed by a national team and living for soccer, not romantic drama. But if I imagine her with another guy, I feel like somethingâs being ripped away from me something that, technically, isnât even mineâŠÂ I just want to go out there and make everyone understand that sheâs mine.â
At those words, Jakeâs eyes widenedâbecause⊠because he shouldnât be thinking those things. Those were things people said when theyâd found or were with their mate, not with a simple girl who gave them tutoring. Jay and Sunghoon stopped laughing, and their expressions turned serious, almost severe, as they watched their roommate crumble under the weight of a feeling he refused to admit but had just confessed a few seconds earlier. They exchanged another glance and, almost in unison, took a step forward toward their best friend, placing their hands on Jakeâs shoulders.
âWe told you to be careful with her, Jake,â Sunghoon said, with a rare note of seriousness in his voice. âBut above all, we warned you right away that she was the one⊠the one who could calm the beast inside you without you having to pretend to be the king of the campus.â
Jay nodded in agreement, gently stroking the lower part of Jakeâs ears this time: âYour tutor isnât playing hard to get, Jake. She saw what you always do: using people out of boredom, for sport, to confirm to yourself that you can have anyone. But this time, you chose the wrong person. Y/n isnât one of your fans who hang on your every word and accept your leftovers. If your wolf feels sick and is howling inside your head, itâs because he knows perfectly well that youâve ruined the only good, real thing youâve encountered in years. The few times Iâve seen you together, sheâs the only person who looks at you for who you areânot for the captainâs armband, your beauty, or your status.â
âSo get your ass off that couch,â Sunghoon concluded. âApologize to her and please, donât let her get away, because the true âmateâ only comes once in your life⊠donât make the mistake so many others do of not letting go.â
Jake had one clear mission: he never wanted to see you angry with him again, even if it meant swallowing his pride. So, between one soccer training session and another, he took his studies deadly seriously.
He locked himself in his room and spent hours poring over the pages of Contemporary History youâd worked on together. He started bombarding your phone: sending you photos of his summary diagrams late at night, voice messages over five minutes long (which were practically illegal in your book) answering the open-ended questions youâd left him as homework before your fight. And at the end of every voice message, heâd always try to make it personal, asking in a low voice: âHey⊠how are you? What did you do after class today? Do you want to meet up before the test on Friday afternoon?â
But you were categorical: you never replied to those personal questions, leaving him brutally on read. And for the study messages, you responded with an icy coldness that wasnât in your nature but deep down, you knew you were jealous of him, so you tried not to think about him, not to give in. Youâd look at the photos or listen to the voice messages, and youâd respond simply by leaving a reaction: a thumbs-up đ if the answer was correct, or a thumbs-down đ if heâd messed up the dates. No written messages. No âOkay,â no âGood job, you got six out of ten right.â Just absolute silence from you. And this was literally driving Jake crazy because no one in his entire life as an alpha hybrid and soccer captain had ever treated him like he was invisible.
As you stirred the coffees or steamed the milk, he wouldnât stop teasing you for a second: tilting his head, barely moving the tips of his ears to catch your eyes, and whispering with a crooked smile: âGood morning, sweetheart. Did you know WhatsApp was created as a messaging app, not an app for one-word replies or simple đđ? I preferred it when you actually spoke to me when I got distracted⊠are you sure you donât want to review together tonight?â
But you had become almost mute with him. You didnât give in even a millimeter to his antics. You kept your gaze fixed on the coffee machine and, slamming his receipt on the counter with a sharp tap, you responded every day with the same detached chant: âThatâs four dollars and fifty cents for the oat milk cappuccino, Sim. Move it, thereâs a line behind you.âYouâd point with one finger at the long line behind him, and Jake would almost always pout. The scene was so ridiculous that, a few tables away, his pack never missed an opportunity to enjoy the showâespecially the younger members, like Sunoo, who would burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hands, absolutely loving the drama between you and his hyung.
Next to him, Ni-ki would shoot Jake an amused glance and comment in the group chat that youâd refused to speak to Jake again. Even Jungwon, the cat hybrid who was usually the calmest, would chuckle under his whiskers, shaking his headâthough it was nice to see Jake, for the first time, thinking hard and working seriously on something that wasnât soccer.
The door in front of Jake was still closed, but his ears picked up the sound of the history professor arranging the tests on the desks inside. There were still five minutes until the exam started.
This was shaping up to be the most important weekend of his entire academic year: not only was there the Contemporary History exam weighing on his mind, but on Sunday, he had a crucial league match. In the stands, scouts from some of the countryâs most famous soccer teams would be watching, and Jake was hoping with everything in him to be chosen by one of themâto finally take off toward a professional career. Yet, despite the pressure of the upcoming match, the thing that had made him relax his shoulders and feel genuinely better that morning was your message.
After endless days of receiving nothing but cold thumbs-up or thumbs-down, your message had lit up his phone screen as soon as he woke up, his eyes still heavy with sleep:
âHi. Donât mix up the peace treaties from the various international assemblies, especially between World War II and the Cold War (P.S. I know there will be at least 2 questions on this topic). Good luck, Jake. Show them what youâre worth. :)â
At the sight of it, a smile, his first in a long time, crept onto his lips. He had reread that message all morning, and he was still staring at it now, just outside the classroom.
His inner wolf, which had been curled up, dull and listless for days in a corner of his mind, suddenly woke up at the news. His tail began wagging incessantly all day, and his animal instinct spoke clearly or perhaps it seriously hoped he still had a chance with you and said:
âIf she didnât care about you at all, she wouldnât have written⊠especially today, when she knows how important this day is for your future. Thereâs still hope, Sim Jaeyun. Embrace it.â
Thatâs exactly why, gripping his phone between his fingers, Jake decided not to reply to you right away. For once, he wanted to avoid making a wrong move. He didnât want to ruin that tiny bit of closeness with one of his usual bold responses. He wanted actions to speak for him.
So when the door to the lecture hall finally swung open and the students began pouring in, Jake took a seat at one of the central desks. And as soon as the Contemporary History test paper was placed in front of him, with a determination his classmates had never seen on his face before, he began answering all the questions. He didnât want to disappoint you. He couldnât allow himself to waste all the hours youâd spent writing him summaries, explaining every single chapter in detail even when you were angry with him. Or the fact that, despite everything, youâd taken a minute to wish him good luck.
So he put his head down and focused for the full two hours of the test, isolating himself from the rest of the world and concentrating on the answers he had to give.
After two grueling hours of the exam, Jake could literally not wait to find out his score. He was hoping with all his heart that the electronic system or the professors would give him the result immediatelyâhe wanted to know if all that crazy studying you and he had done together had paid off. But the professor had decided to grade the tests on the spot, and all the students, Jake included, were stuck in their seats. He rested his face against his arms, trying to calm himself and imagine how you would react if heâd passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to his wolf, the professor stood up from the desk with a stack of papers in her hands and began handing them out. When she reached Jakeâs desk, she stopped and looked at him with a sincere and slightly surprised smile:Â âI donât know how Y/n managed to make you âlikeâ Contemporary History, Sim, but Iâm truly happy and proud of you.â
The professor handed him his test, and Jake lowered his eyes. There, written at the top in bright green marker, was a 75/100, accompanied by a small smiling face. He was literally shockedâhis tail began wagging, and his pheromones started filling the air with his scent. He had never gotten a grade this high in that subject before. Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of the test, and sent it immediately to the WhatsApp group he had with the other six members of the villa. They all praised him, but all he wanted was to hear you or see you. So as he strode out of the classroom, he opened your private chat and was about to attach the photo of his 75 to brag to you tooâuntil he froze halfway down the hallway.
His wolf senses suddenly kicked in, and he caught an unmistakable trail of your sweet, unmistakable strawberry and cotton candy scent in the airâthe one he had loved discovering so much. Jakeâs head snapped around twice until his eyes locked onto you. There you were, just a few meters away, leaning against the hallway wall as you waited for him outside the classroom. At the sight of you, his hybrid nature rejoiced: his gray ears perked up happily on his head, and his tail, beneath his tracksuit pants, began moving in a frantic, enthusiastic rhythm, thrilled that you were there for himâeven though he hadnât asked you to be.
You gave him a small, shy smile, and Jake closed the distance between you in a flash, almost running until you felt his strong, large arms wrap tightly around your waist. Before you could even realize what was happening, Jake lifted you off the ground, nearly taking you into his arms mid-air in the middle of the hallway.
âJ-Jake! What are you doing?! Put me down, are you crazy?!â you stammered, your heart in your throat, as you instinctively clung to his broad back to avoid falling. But Jake ignored your protests and buried his head right near the hollow of your neck, breathing in your scent deeply. He whispered with a voice rough with emotion and adrenaline: âY/n⊠I got a 75. I did it⊠thanks to you.â
Your smile widened involuntarily at hearing him so happy, and you gently caressed the back of his neck. âI knew youâd do great things, Jake. Remember, you told me that by the end of the course, youâd get a 100 if you applied yourself! But now put me back down, seriously!â
Jake chuckled, only then realizing that all the students left in the hallway were staring at you. With extreme slowness, he let you slide back down but when your feet touched the ground, he didnât pull away instead, his face stayed just a few centimeters from yours, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. You swallowed, feeling your cheeks turn red, and he loved seeing you so close to him again. He studied you with an intense gaze, lowering his eyes to your lips for a second before meeting your eyes again.
âAnd now⊠whereâs my reward?â he asked in a provocative tone, watching you with a challenging look.
âYour reward is that the history box on the register finally has a green checkmark instead of a red one, and that maybe you wonât fail⊠thatâs your reward, Sim,â you said, as if it were obvious.
Jake pouted cutely, shaking his head, and teased you by reaching out to give you a light tap on the tip of your nose: âReally, sweetheart? Thatâs it? Youâre a ruthless tutor. I was hoping for something much more⊠this weekend⊠we haveto celebrate, Y/n. Tomorrow evening is one of the most important matches of my life....there will be scouts from national and global teams watching. Please come watch me play in the stands.â He said, almost pleading with his hands.
You immediately tried to shake your head and protest, crossing your arms: âJake, no, I told you⊠I have plans this weekend⊠I mean, I have to meet Soobin for breakfast, and then I have to study for my exams. I canât spend the evening in a pubâŠâ
But he, being the skilled manipulator he was when he wanted something from you, took half a step closer, reducing the space between you even more. You felt his pheromones teasing your body, and he said: âBreakfast is Sunday morning. My match is tomorrow evening. You have to come to the stands to cheer me on, Y/n. You sent me that message this morning, tomorrow, you need to be there in person. You helped me get through the hardest part of the week⊠you donât want to leave me alone right at the finish line, do you? Iâm only asking you to come tomorrow, okay?â
Jake Sim was seriously a thorn in your side, and he knew exactly how to get a âyesâ out of someone at any cost. You rolled your eyes, feigning fake exasperation, and started nervously fiddling with your backpack strap to avoid looking at him. âOkay, fine⊠Iâll come to the match with Allie,â you conceded in the end, hinting at a small smile. But then your tone turned more serious and low. âBut⊠you know I donât drink alcohol, Jake. So there wonât be much for me to do at the pub, and I want to leave at a decent time so I can be awake and on time Sunday morning.â
Jake immediately noticed that sudden shift in your mood. His wolf instinct picked up on a different nuance in your voice, and he desperately wanted to know what had happened to you in the pastâwhat was the reason behind your total refusal of alcohol, or why you trusted people so little and disliked physical contact so much. But he knew he had to take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, looking at you with a rare seriousness, and said: âI know youâre still hesitant about me⊠and Iâm sorry for the other day,â he said, almost mentally cursing himself for letting that third-year girl kiss him. âBut weâve known each other for a while now, and at the Halloween party, you trusted me. We worked as a team⊠so I thought that tomorrow evening, you could try drinking something with me and my friends. They might seem like a bunch of lunatics, but all six of them are curious to meet you, Y/n.â
You looked at him, stunned, your eyes wide, and opened your mouth to protest. But Jake immediately interrupted you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder to reassure you. âI just want you to feel safe with me. When youâre with me, nothing bad will ever happen to you, I promise. If youâre afraid of drinking for some reason⊠well, youâll tell me about it, when and if you want to. But tomorrow evening, Iâll stay right by your side, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, so I can stay 100% sober. You can have fun without touching a drink, obviously but I also want you to understand that you can trust me blindly and if you want to try drinking, you can do it in complete peace of mind, because after the party, Iâll pick you up, put you in my car, and take you home safe and sound, ready for your date with Soobin the next day,â Jake said, the last part reluctantly, running a hand through his thick hair and betraying a hint of jealousy at the innocent mention of your date. But he wanted, above all, to make you understand that he wasnât selfishâheâd loved making people like him since his scout days, loved being known for who he truly was. But between his reputation as the golden boy of the soccer team and knowing he was a good-looking guy, many girls wanted him, and he had fun with it. Now, though, he wanted to see if things could work with you.
You stood still because youâd never heard a guyâlet alone a fiery, popular hybrid like himâsay something like that to you, or put himself completely at your disposal just to make you feel protected.
You lowered your gaze, feeling your cheeks burn, because deep down, you knew it was true: despite his flaws, his arrogance, and his distracted kisses with others, with Jake, youâd felt safe almost from the first day. And with him, the anxiety that usually clenched your stomach always disappeared. This had to make you realize that there was something more to Jake. When you looked up again, you said softly: âThank you, JakeâŠâ
He smiled at you and said: âI promise you, Y/n. If you want to drink something, Iâll always be by your side⊠and even if you decide not to drink, itâll be the same for meâIâll be there to protect you,â he thought the last part in his mind, while his inner wolf growled with pride at the idea of being your shield against the rest of the world. âEverything will be fine, I promise,â he said, reaching out his hand toward you, lifting his pinky finger in a solemn and slightly childish vow. You looked at him for a second, then smiled, and linked your pinky with his, squeezing it.
âOkay⊠Iâll come to your match⊠and maybe Iâll drink something at the party.â
At that contact and those words, Jakeâs smile grew enormous. He pulled you close, even if only through that link between your pinkies, because he couldnât wait for you to discover and get to know the real Jake.
The stands of the university soccer field were literally packed with people: some were leading the university chants, others were playing drums and trumpets, blasting the university anthem, and there were countless screams from fans cheering on all the players but one name echoed louder than all the others: number 5, Jake Sim.
You and Allie were sitting in a kind of covered VIP box, a reserved area where the other six hybrids from the villa were also watching the match. You were sitting right next to Jay, the black cat hybrid, who was watching the game with his arms crossed and his tail lazily swaying behind his backâhe wasnât part of any sports team, but for his best friends or hyungs, he would never miss a thing. To Allieâs left was Heeseung, the hamster hybrid, who, true to his sweet but incredibly magnetic nature, hadnât stopped flirting with her for a second, making her giggle while she kept rolling her eyes.
At one point, Allie turned to you, her eyes wide, and pointed at the crowd below: âWow, Y/n⊠I knew Jake was the âgolden boyâ of the university and the soccer team, but look how many girls are wearing his jersey!â Looking down, you noticed that almost 90% of the female fans were wearing the number 5 jersey with Sim printed on the back. Out of pure spite, you had decided to leave the original jersey heâd given you the other day with a cocky smile in your closet but to avoid freezing from the evening wind, you had accepted wearing only his team scarf, which still smelled intensely of him. You werenât entirely sure if it bothered you to see so many girls with his name on their backs. After all, you didnât like Jake⊠right? And besides, the next morning, you had a special date at one of the best bakeries in the area with Soobin. So you didnât understand that annoying itch that was creeping through your body at the sight of so many girls talking about Jake.
But those confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of the university commentator over the speakers, who shouted: ââŠAnd thereâs Anton with a perfect pass to Jake from the corner kick! Sim breaks free in the shooting zone⊠he jumps higher than everyone else and⊠HEADER! GOAL! ITâS A GOAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY!â
A crazy roar spread across the entire field, and the stands almost trembled from the crowd of people screaming, jumping, and recording videos. Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, both Jay and Heeseung leaned toward you. You felt Jayâs muscular arm wrap around your neck, pulling you into a brotherly hug while Heeseung did the same with Allie, jumping and cheering. You burst out laughing, infected by that insane energy you never thought youâd enjoy, exchanging an amused glance with Allie as you saw her lean into Heeseung.
Jay, noticing your laughter, looked down at you and gave you a light, teasing nudge with his elbow. âLook at you⊠You didnât want to wear his jersey to play it cool, but youâre clutching his scarf around your neck, sniffing it every two seconds like you miss him. And you canât stop rolling your eyes when some girl comments on Jake, yet you canât take your eyes off him during any of his plays! I bet if Jake knew you were smelling his scent while he scores, heâd jump around like a puppy!â He said, observing you. You blushed instantly and retorted, giving him a playful shove to his chest: âStop it, Jay! Iâm only wearing it because itâs freezing up here, not because of⊠I only smell it because⊠because Jake has a nice scent.â Jay nodded, shaking his head with a smirk.
At that moment, your eyes returned to the field. Jake was running like crazy on the green pitch, but instead of heading toward the ultrasâ curve, he ran straight under the VIP box where you were sitting. He slowed his pace, making a slight theatrical bow with his arms open to the crowd. And as soon as his eyes found you in the crowd, he winked at you and gave you a cocky smile. You felt your cheeks burn completely, and Allie immediately brought her hands to her chest, striking a totally dramatic pose like a true actress: âOhh! Jake Sim winked at me! Iâm about to faint!â Heeseung immediately interjected, leaning toward her ear with a half-smile: âI donât think so, doll⊠I donât think that wink was meant for youâŠâ Allie, however, let out a small huff and said, âOh, come on, let me dream!â before giving you a knowing nudge.
You watched Jake as he turned to run back and let himself be swallowed by the embraces of his teammates. But when you tried to turn away to hide your embarrassment, you realized that the atmosphere in the box had suddenly changed because all six hybrids left there were staring at you.
In their gazes, there wasnât just happiness for the goal. Their eyes (feline, canine, or wild) shone with an intensity and a protective, almost possessive warmth in the way they looked at you. Because in a hybrid culture, the bond forming between you and Jake was terrifyingly similar to an imprinting, the sacred recognition of their âfemale. and in the pack, you were the first female even if you hadnât yet been knotted or bitten by Jake.
The pub where the victory party was being held was literally packed with students who had been in the stands, all dancing and drinking. The space on the small sofa in the pub was so limited that you were half-stuck to Jake, his shoulder pressed against yours. You were leaning over, scrolling through the drink menu, while Jake was telling you which one he thought youâd like best but in reality, your eyes werenât really looking at the names on the menu at allâthey were completely captivated by him.
You observed his backward baseball cap, from which a few strands of dark hair escaped, falling rebelliously across his forehead. His cheeks were still slightly flushed from the physical exertion of the game, but also from the heat of the room. Jake was really too handsomeâa lethal mix of hybrid charm with his large hands and ears that wouldnât stop moving, but also a sweetness in the small dimples on his face or his tired eyes⊠not to mention his full lips, which he bit every now and then. You realized it was a ticâpartly a nervous reflex, but also something personal, slightly explicit, directed at you.
Your thoughts dissolved instantly when you felt his warm voice against your ear, so close it sent shivers down your spine: âSo, sweetheart? What are you getting?â he asked, watching your every reaction closely. Snapping out of your trance and having barely read anything, you pointed to the first combination that caught your eye: a cocktail with grapes, lime, currants, and a vodka base.
Jake added your drink to the order and then ordered a simple Coca-Cola for himself. Looking at him, you realized he was dead seriousâhe wouldnât touch a drop of alcohol all night, giving up toasting to his own victory just to keep his promise of protecting you.
When the drink arrived at the table, Jake picked up the glass, adjusted the straw, and gently turned it toward you. You leaned slightly forward to take your first sip, and he whispered:Â âDonât drink too much at once, okay? Take small sips, or your body wonât handle the impact.â
You looked up at him as you drank, watching him from below. At the sight of your lips wrapped around the straw and your bright eyes locked on his, every rational thought in Jakeâs head vanished. His alpha hybrid instinct short-circuited at the realization of just how damn beautiful you were. His senses picked up the warmth spreading across your skin, and your strawberry scent, mixing with the fruity smell of the drink, created an intoxicating, addictive blend for a hybrid with such a developed alpha side as his.
After sliding that first drop of alcohol into your body for the first time in years, you pulled away from the straw and said with a fake challenging tone:Â âIâm not a child, Jake!â
He sighed, shaking his head with a crooked smile, and said: âI know youâre not a child⊠but you told me youâve barely ever drunk in your life, and I just want this fear of alcohol to fade, even thanks to me and I want you to have a great night. So yes, Iâll keep an eye on you, Y/n.â
At those words, you bit your lip, playing with the straw, and leaned even closer to him. Slowly reaching out, you gently caressed the base of his wolf ears, feeling them soft and warm under your fingers knowing it would make him more sensitive. âI like this drink⊠but maybe there isnât that much alcohol in it,â you whispered close to his face.
Jake sniffed your glass, his ears twitching pleasantly under your touch, and nodded: âGood. I certainly wouldnât have started you off with aged gin or century-old grappa!â he said, smiling at you. You laughed and, leaning even closer to his cheek, whispered against his lips: âYouâre such a good boy, JakeâŠâ
Jakeâs inner wolf couldnât tolerate being called a "good boy" when every single fiber of his body was screaming the opposite. His breath suddenly became heavier, and he fixed his gaze directly into your eyes. For perhaps the first time, driven by something even you didnât think you had, you were teasing him, rendering him more inert in his hybrid nature than his human one.
âStop saying things like that, sweetheart⊠you have no idea what it does to a hybridâs mind,â he hissed, his mouth a millimeter from your ear. You pouted slightly, openly challenging his gaze, and said with a tone dripping with fake innocence that shattered his self-control: âWhy not, Sim? Are you afraid your bad-boy reputation might get tarnished by me? What would happen if I went around saying youâre not actually a show-off? That you love taking care of people, and that in your pack and on your team, you act more like a protective father figure rather than just an older brother?â
At that declaration, Jake realized you knew him better than some people heâd known for years. It was trueâyou saw through him, past the arrogant athlete mask heâd stitched onto himself. He was a good guy, always had been with the people he loved but in that precise moment, with you so terrifyingly close on the pubâs small sofa, the warmth of the vodka beginning to melt your anxieties, and the scent of your skin shifting to reveal a growing excitement that his predator nature picked up with millimeter precision, Jake was having thoughts far too obscene to be defined as a "good boy."
His inner wolf was wide awake. It wanted to spin you around and kiss you in front of the entire pub. It wanted to push your head back and drag his nose along your neck, lingering on the scent glandâthe most sacred area for hybrids like him, where a femaleâs scent was most concentrated. He wanted every last hybrid on this earth to smell his scent on your body.
But his hybrid mind went even further, imagining much darker, wilder fantasiesâdefinitely not the kind a "good boy" would have. In his head, he pictured you straddling him, completely naked, your breasts bouncing with every movement, gasping as you clenched your fingers in his dark hair and bent his ears backward with pleasure. He wanted to see you trembling with pleasure beneath or above him as he thrust deep inside you, claiming you not as a human, but as an animal claiming his mate he had finally found and the most depraved image of all was seeing you swollen with his knot. He imagined pushing all the way inside you, swelling in your belly to lock himself inside your body, forcing you to stay bound to him while his pheromones marked you from within. At the same time, he wanted to hear you cry and moan his name like a sick prayer, trapped in his knot.
So no⊠Jake was not a good boy in that moment but until he officially went into heatâthat time of year when hybrids completely lost their minds or until you became his female in every sense, he would force himself to be good. He would keep the beast that had been pulsing inside him for months whenever he was near you on a tight leash.
The overwhelming beats of Scream & Shout blared at full volume, literally shaking the walls of the pub. You were in the middle of the dance floor, the alcohol coursing through you giving you the confidence to sing and dance with Allie, arms raised, hips swaying in rhythm, a few sweat-dampened strands of hair sticking to your forehead and face as you laughed and hopped but every so often, your eyes instinctively snapped toward the small sofa where Jake had stayed seated next to Heeseung.
He hadnât danced or drunk, staying true to his promise to be your shield. He kept his large hand tightly wrapped around your third drink of the nightâa deep pink Cosmopolitan and he hadnât taken his eyes off you for even a second. That gaze, both sweet and magnetic, had sent shivers through you all evening. When the song ended, you pushed your way through the crowded, overheated bodies, and when you finally reached the table, you practically collapsed onto the sofa next to them, smiling radiantly especially at Jake.
You swept your hair behind your back with a fluid neck movement, and Jake couldnât stop watching you. You leaned forward to grab the straw of your Cosmopolitan, and as the cool, alcoholic liquid slid down your throat, you gave him a sweet but incredibly sly smile. âItâs⊠itâs so good,â you slurred slightly, your cheeks flushed. âI⊠I definitely want another one!â you said, giggling.
Heeseung burst out laughing, turning to Jake and slapping him on the shoulder: âWow, Sim⊠I think tonight youâve awakened a completely new personality in Y/n! This party is going to cost you a lot if she keeps this up.â
Jake shook his head with a half-protective smile curving his lips. He leaned toward you and whispered in your ear:Â âYou still have to finish this one, sweetheart. But the answer is no...no fourth drink. Itâs already a lot that I let you get to this Cosmopolitan.â
You immediately pouted, disappointed by his refusal. Driven by a sudden, bold audacity youâd never have had while sober, you stretched toward him, wrapping your arms around his neck. You leaned forward, pressing your face right where his neck met his shoulderâexactly above his wolf scent gland.
At that contact, Jake froze instantly, stiffening as if heâd been hit by an electric shock. His breath caught because, without realizing it, by moving there against him and breathing in his skin, you were literally marking him with your strawberry and vodka scent. For a few seconds, your pheromonesâless sharp because you were humanâmixed with his, and for his wolf, that gesture was both ecstasy and exquisite torture.
âPlease, JakeâŠ?â you whispered against his neck. âYou know⊠yeah, well, Iâm really having so much fun tonight!â You raised your hands in the air to emphasize, giggling again. âAnd besides, you were⊠you were so good at soccer tonight. Youâre a champion, so we have to celebrate big, right?â
Jay, who was sitting on the sofa across from you, watched the whole scene and put a hand on his face, shaking his head though with an amused smirk. âJake, my friend, listen to me: maybe you should take her home now,â the black cat said. âOtherwise, tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, sheâll be mortified by everything sheâs doing and saying with just three drinks in her!â
You turned toward Jay, exaggerating your pout: âNo, Jake, donât listen to him! I⊠I want to dance more, and I want another drink! We could⊠we could share it, what do you say? One sip each⊠there are so many drinks Iâve never tried.â
But Jake, struggling to regain control of his instincts after that close contact on his neck, slid his large hand down your back, steadying you, and looked you straight in the eyes. With a low, incredibly gentle tone, he said: âY/n⊠earlier, you said I was a good boy, right?â
You looked at him for a few seconds, enchanted by his lips, and slowly nodded, almost hypnotized.
âExactly,â he continued, gently rubbing your back. âGood boys always take their girls home safe and sound. Itâs a promise I made you, and Iâm not breaking it. So game over for tonight.â He said, standing up and gently pulling you up by your arm. âPut on your coat actually, take my team hoodie too. Itâs freezing outside.â
As you weakly protested because you seriously wanted to go back to the dance floor and have fun, and most of all, you wanted his eyes glued to your body again, Jake helped you slip your arms into his enormous hoodie, which completely wrapped you in his scent
The notes of Into It filled the car, and you closed your eyes slightly, smiling. âIâd love to write a song like this⊠I love alternative R&B and synth-pop,â you said, leaning back against the seat. Jake smiled at the sight of you so relaxed in his car. He knew perfectly well that both you and he loved Chase Atlanticâthey were one of the many things that connected you without needing too many words, something heâd discovered about you almost by accident.
âWell, who knows⊠maybe one day, at the Champions League final, youâll be the one opening the ceremony with your own song, and Iâll be on the field with my team, walking down the tunnel,â he said, shooting you an amused glance but also offering encouragementâfor both of you. Heâd make a pact with the devil himself to become an elite soccer player, but at the same time, he wanted to see you fulfilled. At that statement, you almost shot upright, clapping your hands enthusiastically: âThat would be amazing! Even if in three or four years, youâll probably have even more girls wearing your jersey⊠You know, today at the stadium, almost all of them were wearing it, and I donât blame them, because youâreâŠâ
Jake furrowed his brows, not understanding where you were going with this, your cheeks still flushed from the alcohol. âIâmâŠ?â he asked, turning the steering wheel. At the sight of his veined hands gripping it, you bit your lip slightly and giggled, shifting in your seat to trace a finger over his hand resting on the gear shift. With your cheeks incredibly red, you whispered: âYouâre really gorgeous, Jake. But not in a⊠âsexualâ way. In the way that youâre gorgeous inside and out, and it kills me that youâre ashamed to let people see that, hiding behind your bad-boy mask.â
Jake smiled softly. âWell⊠I think thatâs the most genuine and deep compliment anyoneâs given me in years,â he said sincerely, squeezing your fingers for a second before putting his hand back on the wheel.
You clapped your hands again, happy, and started humming softly along with the rhythm of the music until the car turned onto the driveway of the hybridsâ big villa. Jake took you straight to his room to avoid waking the others who hadnât come to the party. With infinite patience, he took care of you, as heâd promised, helping you take off your coat and his oversized hoodie, turning away respectfully when you unclasped your bra to be more comfortable. He handed you a clean T-shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants to wear as pajamas. Like a good boy, he waited outside the bathroom while you washed your face. When you came out, heâd changed too.
Without his team jacket and the daytime clothes that often made him look over the top, in his pajamas, he looked like the classic boy next doorâjust an ordinary, accessible, and incredibly sweet guy. But this wasnât the real Jake youâd come to know, was it? With that question in mind, you sat on the edge of the padded headboard. When Jake sat down right next to you, you turned your face abruptly and stared at his profile under the soft light of the bedside lamp. Your eyes traced the perfect lines of his profileâJake had a beautiful nose, straight and large, typical of his hybrid nature. Without even realizing it, guided by the alcohol and a sudden urge to touch him, you reached out, placing a finger on the bridge of his nose and gently traced its entire outline down to the tip.
Jake turned his head, letting you do it as his wolf ears twitched slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. âEarlier⊠I also wanted to tell you that youâre beautiful, Jake,â you said softly as you met his eyes, pulling your hand back and looking up at the ceiling with a small huff. âBut I already knew that⊠every girl tells you that every single day of the week.â
At that, Jake rolled his eyes, and his hybrid nature kicked in instantlyâbecause this was the second time youâd subtly let him know you were completely jealous of all those stupid number 5 jerseys the other girls wore in the stands. A small grin took over his lips. âDamn⊠If Iâd known that with three drinks in you, youâd be this chatty and admit things like that, I wouldâve taken you to every party this season, sweetheart,â Jake said with an amused tone.
In the strange euphoria of the alcohol, you almost knelt on the soft mattress, leaning over him as he lay partially stretched out on the bed. Neither of you could stop looking at each other, unfiltered and guided only by instinct. You whispered in a low voice: âI⊠Can I kiss you, Jake?â
Jakeâs eyes widened, completely caught off guard by such a direct request. Where the hell had the girl who hated being touchedâespecially the one who was mad at himâgone? His tail began wagging frantically on the mattress, betraying his wild excitement. When he saw you leaning in even closer, he made a huge effort of willpower, lifting a finger and gently pressing it against your mouth. âSweetheart⊠Iâd pay gold to do it again and kiss you right now,â he said in a low voice. âBut damn, as you said earlier, right now Iâm a âgood boy,â and I canât take advantage of you like this. You have to ask me when youâre sober, Y/n. When youâre sober, you can ask me for anythingâŠÂ anything. And if tomorrow morning you still want me, you can ask me for whatever you want...but not now.â
You made an adorable pout, visibly disappointed by the refusalâyouâd never expected it. âAnything?â you murmured. Jake nodded slowly. âAnything.â
âWell⊠fine, then tomorrow morning,â you whispered, your fingers already lazily playing with his big wolf ears again. You continued, your voice shy and your eyes heavy with sleepiness: âI⊠I want to ask you something tomorrow, but I wonât spoil it now.â
Jake gently caressed your flushed cheek with the back of his hand, tender and dying of curiosity about what you might ask him. âYou should try to sleep now, Y/n. The bed is all yours,â he said. You nodded weakly, exhausted from the day, and curled up against him, nestling on his side and resting your head on the pillow.
Jake reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Despite the wolf inside him screaming with the impulse to pull you close, trap you under his body for the whole night, he forced himself to respect your space. He didnât yet have the official right to hold you or keep you close as if you were his mate. So he settled for stroking the back of your hand with warm, protective fingers all night, letting you rest. As he felt your breathing become steady, Jake stayed awake in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so curious and impatient to find out what you intended to ask him the next morning.
In his hybrid mind, he wondered if that mysterious question had to do with your fear of being touched by others.
Jake woke up stretching, his nose catching your faint scent of strawberries and something sweetâmaybe a hint of cotton candy, or perhaps a sugary note from one of the drinks youâd had the night before. As he stretched to see if you were still asleep, he placed a hand on the part of the bed where you should have been. It was still warm, but you werenât there. His heart started pounding, and he sat up almost abruptly, lazily running a hand through his hair. When he opened his eyes, at that exact moment, he saw you entering his room, still wearing his clothes, with two steaming cups of coffee in your hands.
You smiled at him shyly, and he thought you were 100% back to the girl heâd met months agoânot the teasing version of you from last night, the one who had asked if you could kiss him or who had looked at him with eyes full of excitement. When you handed him the cup, he responded with a rough, small âThanks,â and you sat down in front of him. As you sipped your coffee, you couldnât stop looking at him, and Jake chuckled into his cup.
âStop looking at me like that, sweetheart. Spit it outâŠtell me what you wanted to say last night,â he said. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of your tongue, and your cheeks turned even redder. âYou⊠you, forget it, Jake. Itâs⊠itâs nothing, what I wanted to ask you. Please, just forget it,â you said.
Jake tilted his head, observing you, and he could sense how embarrassed your body was. Teasing you, he said: âNo, no, beautiful. Now you tell me what you wanted to ask me. And I certainly canât forget you begging to kiss me!â You opened your mouth to retort, rolled your eyes, and said: âWhy are you always so shameless? Itâs not even 8 in the morning.â Jake chuckled and replied, still in a low voiceâit was in his nature. You pouted and said: âIâll ask you this thing, but first, donât laugh, donât tease me, and donât make a scene, okay? Donât yell or act like a clown, okay?â
Jake was seriously curious about what you wanted to ask him. He stretched out his pinky finger as a promise, and you squeezed it tightly. âOkay, well, I wonât beat around the bush⊠you⊠do you want to have sex with me?â
Jake thought he was still asleep. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? But when he spat out half the coffee in his mouth onto his pajama shirt, the burning contact of the liquid on his warm skin made him cough violently. You jumped up and started patting his back for a full minute. Neither of you said a word. Jake placed his coffee on the nightstand, and as he turned to you, he looked at you carefully and said, perhaps too loudly: âARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU STILL DRUNK, OR⊠DID YOU GET A HIGH FEVER IN THE FEW HOURS YOU SLEPT?â
You glared at him and almost growled his name. He lowered his voice, but his hand pressed against your foreheadâyou were coldâŠÂ damn. You were serious.
âIâm not feverish, and Iâm not drunk. Damn, I wasnât even drunk last night, Jake, and⊠and Iâm not joking. But if you donât want to⊠I understand,â you said, fiddling with the strings of your pajama. Jake was extremely restless at that moment. He ran his hands through his hair countless times, and after what felt like endless minutes, he said: âI want a reason, Y/n. I want a damn reason for why you asked me something like that. Whereâs the girl who hated my physical contact? Whereâs the girl who was even afraid to sit next to me? Whereâs that girl? That girl wouldnât have asked me to kiss her in the first place, let alone to have sex with me. So excuse me, but I want the fucking truth. And then weâll consider it. But I want⊠the truth about why you were and still are afraid of being touched or drinking a drink with a little alcohol in it.â
You sighed because only your family and Allie knew the truth about what had happened to you in your last year of high school. You closed your eyes for a moment and tried not to relive all the pain that night had caused you, or the rumors that had spread about you and your parents. Then you said:Â
âOkay, Iâll tell you the truth. But please, this has to stay between you and me. It must not leave these four walls, and you⊠Please donât say or do anything until Iâve finished telling you what happened.â
Jake nodded and shifted slightly closer, trying to calm you with his pheromones, but it didnât work. When you started telling him that in your last year of high school, you were dating a guy from the soccer team, and you thought he was the right one for you, because he was the perfect guy: good grades, part of the best studentsâ club, and loved by your entire town because he did volunteer work. You had built a clear image of him in your mind. But everything changed one night⊠You and this guy had been together for a couple of months, and you went to a party together. He had drunk a little too much, and you werenât completely sober either. Jake immediately understood what had happened to you: an assault.
His hybrid nature wanted to know who this guy was and make his life a living hell, especially when you started crying. He pulled you into his arms, and you buried your entire body against him. For endless minutes, he held you, gently stroking your hair and telling you it wasnât your fault. But you didnât stop crying and sobbing until you said:Â
âI⊠Iâm broken, Jake. Every time someone tries to make me feel good, I freeze and go into this cold trance. Thatâs why I asked you⊠because itâs hard to admit, but I trust you. And youâve made me realize that so many times these past few months.âYou said this with tears in your eyes, and Jake gently wiped them away with his thumbs, closing his eyes for a moment because he never would have imagined finding himself in a situation like this.
Jake wanted to make you happy, so he gently shifted you away from him, lifted your chin, and looked deeply into your eyes. âYouâre not broken, Y/n. You went through something horrible that no one in this world should ever experience. So itâs normal for your body to be afraid, for you to go into a negative, protective mode. Therefore⊠my answer is yes.â
You gave him a 32-tooth smile and hugged him even tighter than before. âYou⊠youâre serious? Youâll help me overcome this?â Jake nodded and wiped away another tear sliding down your face. He whispered in a low voice: âI never want to see tears of sadness in you again, Y/n. These⊠these tears should only be of joy or excitement. So yes, Iâll help you. But on my conditions.â
You nodded and said, âWhat conditions will we adopt?â. Jake tried to show his most human side, not the dark hybrid one, and said: â
First, you need to start taking the anti-hybrid pill. I donât want to accidentally knot and impregnate you when we⊠You know, have sex. And Iâll take it too, as long as this is safe.â You tried to speak, but a finger pressed against your lips. âLet me talk, Y/n. Second, we will not have sex right away. Before sex, there must absolutely be awareness and enjoyment of what weâre going to doâespecially for you, since youâve told me you canât let yourself go or be touched by others. So there will be a lot of foreplay, both for me to discover your body and for you to discover mine. Third, you must tell me at any moment if you want to stop or if you donât like something. There will be no safe wordâif you tell me NO, it will be a NO. If you tell me you like it, Iâll continue. If you want to stop, I will stop. But if you beg me to continue, I will continue⊠because I have two natures, Y/nâboth the human one and the animal one. These are my conditions, Y/n. If youâre up for it, weâll do this together. But if you donât agree with even one of these things, my answer will be a NO.â
You swallowed and nodded, still sitting on top of him, continuing to play with the strings of his pajama. After a while, you said, âThese conditions are perfect for me. Itâs clear that deep down, youâre a good guy!â You said this, trying to ease the tension that had built up. He gently caressed your side and, looking at you, said: âIâd like to suggest another condition. From the moment this starts⊠Iâd like for you not to be with other girls, and obviously, the same will go for me. I know it might seem trivial to you, but Iâd feel more comfortable. And when⊠well, if it ends, we could⊠yes, go back to our lives,â you said, a little embarrassed.
But in Jakeâs mind, it was already settled that this wouldnât end because you were his mate, and he would make you understand that in any way possible. You would never be with another guy except him, and the same went for him.
Were you a bad person for forgetting about your date with Soobin while crying in Jakeâs arms, finally sharing what had happened to you? Maybe⊠but at the same time, after years of silence, you had finally told someone the truth. And perhaps, thanks to Jakeâs words, his touch, and the growing realization that you might have found someone you could trust completely, you didnât feel like a bad person at all.
âIâm really sorry I didnât show up at the bakery. I woke up super late because the night before, I went to the soccer teamâs party with Jake and his friends, and Allie wouldnât leave me aloneâshe kept making me dance with her. Before I knew it, it was maybe 2 AM by the time I got home. And in the morning, when I woke up, I texted you right away,â you said, winking. Soobin, 99% convinced by your story, took a sip of the new winter recipe youâd added to the seasonal menu and nodded. But you heard him mutter under his breath: âOf course you were at Jakeâs party.â
At the sound of that name, something inside you twitched. And as if on cue, your phone lit up. You saw Jakeâs name at the top of your notifications. It wasnât news that Jake and Allie usually topped your chat list. You glanced at the message:
-> Jakeâœïžđș: Come over at 6 PM. There wonât be anyone around for a good two hours, so you can relax! Iâm heading to practice. See you later, sweetheart :)
You froze at those words. The day had arrived. Obviously, as heâd said, it wasnât about sex...it was aboutâŠÂ physically getting to know each other. Oh my God, what had you gotten yourself into? But he was the only manâbesides your dadâwho didnât make you anxious. Youâd thought and reasoned so much before asking him that question, and now the moment was here.
Two fingers snapped in front of your face, and you jumped. Soobinâs voice cut through your thoughts: âSeems like you just read a notification about a good grade or something amazing happening. Did something good happen?â he asked, looking at you. You quickly lied: âYes, the music production company Hybe wrote to me⊠they want a meeting. You know I write music, and they want to get to know me and the drafts I have on my computerâthere are over 100 of them.â
Soobinâs eyes widened. âDamn, Y/n, thatâs huge news! I know Jay works under that label too, you could ask him about itâŠâ You cut him off before he could finish, raising your hands. âI⊠please, donât tell anyone. I donât want to get contacts or opportunities because of someone else. I want them to want me, to like my lyrics and my melodies. So could you⊠not tell anyone? Only you, Allie, and my family know.â
Soobinâs ego swelled a little at the thought that you hadnât even told Jake yet. âDonât worry, my lips are sealed,â he said, miming a zipper over his mouth with his fingers. You thanked him.
Soobin wasnât a bad friend, he was funny, seemed like a calm guy, and had his head on straight. But to your defense⊠he didnât make you feel anything anymore. Or maybe youâd never really felt anything for him at all.
Your low-rise jeans hugged your legs perfectly, and your slightly snug sweater accentuated the curves you usually disliked but had started to appreciate as part of who you were. You had light makeup on, but your signature strawberry gloss never missed your lips, and your hair was softly wavy. You felt pretty, but anxiety was eating you up inside as you entered Jakeâs house using the code you knew. This time, Jake rushed down the stairs, and when he saw you dressed so nicely to spend time with him, a small smile formed on his face.
âHey, damn, sweetheartâif Iâd known youâd dress this well, I wouldâve spent a little more time on my outfit too!â he said, licking his lips slightly. You rolled your eyes, but when he offered his hand, you looked at it carefully before taking it. As he led you to his room, you felt a wave of anxiety, and Jake knew it. âY/n, I donât want to force you to do anything, okay? Before you got here, I thought maybe you could get comfortable in my clothes, and then we could listen to some music, do some LegosâIâve got a ton or we could watch a movie. Whatever helps you relax is fine with me. I know youâve never been with a hybrid before, but I can smell your scent notes, and right now, I can sense that sour, persistent note in you. So you choose what you want to do,â he said, giving you a small smile.
You lowered your head at the sight of his clothes because you knew youâd never meet another guy like Jake again. At first, you had to admit, you didnât particularly like him. But as you got to know him over the months, you realized Jake was the kind of guy every mom would want as a partner for their daughter. Yes, he often acted like a show-off, but deep down, he had a huge heart and you knew, deep down, that he was opening it up to you.
âItâs a great idea to wear your clothes. I donât even know why I dressed up so nicely. Weâre just staying in your room, so yeah, Iâll put on your stuff, and then maybe we could⊠listen to some music? And what do you think about dancing?âJakeâs eyes widened slightly, and he said in a low voice: âDancing?â You nodded, slightly amused, because you wanted to see if heâd get embarrassed. But Jake understood your gaze immediately and said: âYou said that before doing anything, we need to get to know our bodies. I donât want a dance-off, Jake. I just want some closeness between our bodies with the music, and yes⊠you can touch me, and obviously, I can touch you too,â you said. Jake noddedâif thatâs what you wanted, it was fine with him.
When you came out of his bathroom, you were wearing one of Jakeâs soccer jerseys, of course, with his number and last nam âand a simple pair of pajama pants. At that sight, something inside Jake clicked. Heâd been disappointed on game day when he hadnât seen you in his jersey, but now he thought it was a thousand times better to see you in his room, wearing his jersey, with only his eyes on you. In his hybrid nature, it was a beautiful victory.
He knew he was a little possessive by nature, but seeing you in his jersey, in his clothes, with his scentâthe beast inside him rejoiced fiercely. He couldnât wait to see you without them, at his mercy. But he had to push those thoughts away immediately. After what youâd confided in him, he wanted to give you all the time you needed. He wanted you to understand that only he could have you, desire you fiercely⊠because only he would listen to your body 100%.
You and Jake stared at the open Spotify screen on his laptop, scrolling through song options.
âWhat song could we listen to that we could both dance and sing to?â you asked, tilting your head as you read through various titles that were also in your own playlist. Jake made a small, thoughtful pout, running a finger over his chin until his eyes lit up. âHow about âDancing with Myselfâ? Itâs super rhythmic, I used to listen to it all the time with my dad. Itâs got that â80s rock beat that makes your feet, body, and head move all at once. What do you think?â
You beamed and hit play on the computer resting on his desk. Immediately, the iconic, overwhelming drum intro filled the room through the speakers. You didnât need to be told twiceâyou started swaying your hips and bouncing on the rug, following your own rhythm. Meanwhile, Jake brought a hand to his face, perhaps out of embarrassment? His wolf ears bent slightly backward, betraying a hint of shy embarrassment at seeing you so unleashedâjust for him. But at the same time, he was thrilled to see you so at ease in his company.
âCome on, Jake! Donât tell me youâre embarrassed to dance a little with me!â you laughed, your hair swaying slightly with every movement. Seeing his gaze on you, you approached himâhe was still sitting on the edge of the bed and teased him, holding up your pinky finger. âThereâs no one else here. I wonât tell anyone!â Without thinking, you grabbed his wrists with your hands and playfully but firmly urged him to stand up and dance with you.
He closed his eyes for a second, sighing to compose himself in the situation heâd gotten himself into just to make you happy and help you understand he was the right one for you. When he opened them again, he saw your contagious laughter ringing out with the music, and a resigned but incredibly sweet smile spread across his lips. He, too, began to sway his body, following your movements, which were clumsy but magnetic to him, because in that moment, it was just you.
âCome on, Jake, loosen up a bit! Whereâs the fearless campus bad boy whoâs afraid of nothing?â you teased, pulling him even closer. âWeâre just dancing and trying to⊠trust each other.â You swayed your hips, and at the mention of trust, Jake took a deep breath. He placed his large hands with extreme gentleness on your waist, moving to the rhythm of the song.
You laughed happily, and with a burst of joy, you did a little spin, gracefully slipping out of his grip and stepping a few paces toward the center of the room, perhaps on purpose, because you definitely wanted his attention and those eyes always on you.
Jake made a small, frustrated pout at being deprived of your touch and walked with feline grace to close the distance again. When he reached you, you threw your arms around his neck, stopping his advance but staying very close.
âDonât try to touch me like you already own me, Jake,â you whispered, looking him straight in the eyes with a mix of challenge and vulnerability. âTry to let go⊠and touch me like Iâm something completely new.â
At those words, Jakeâs animal nature took over for a moment. The wolf inside him growled softly, eager to grab you tightly and press you against his chest, to show you that every single cell of your body already belonged to him. But he shook off that overpowering thought with a shake of his head and muttered in a low voice: âEasy for you to say⊠when you already own my entire body, Y/n.â
Jake prayed you hadnât heard him and maybe you hadnât. So he slowly slid a hand behind your back, caressing the fabric of the jersey right where the large number 5 was printed. You let him, returning to your gentle dancing in front of him, completely wrapped in his scent. But seeing him completely lost in you, you turned your back, still following the rhythm of the music. Your body inevitably pressed against his chest, and thatâs when you clearly felt Jake losing patience with you⊠his self-control was crumbling because of you. You felt the warmth of his nose press directly against your exposed throat, inhaling your scent until it gave you shivers, while his hands tightened decisively around your waist, anchoring you to him.
As you continued to move against his warm body, Jake exhaled a trembling sigh against your skin, breathing in your sweet scent, which had finally softened and become extremely sweetâa sign that you were completely trusting him.
âDamn⊠theyâll have to make me a saint for how Iâm holding back tonight, Y/n,â he said roughly against you in a low voice. You giggled, finding his frustration incredibly adorable, especially because you knew all the girls heâd been with had thrown themselves at him without a second thought. Heâd never had to fight for anything when it came to girls. Seeing him so vulnerable sparked something in you. So you moved your hips even more against him.
But Jake, sensing his limit was almost reached, abruptly stepped back. When you turned to look at him, confused, he shook his head, his breath short and his ears lowered, trying to recover that last shred of âgood boyâ dignity he had left.
This time, you took a step forward. You walked toward him with determination as the first notes of Enrique Iglesiasâ I Like It began to fill the dimly lit room. Driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline and the desire that had been building for weeks, you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, and pulled him down forcefully, eliminating any remaining distance. You pressed your lips against his in a wet, sweet, and desperate kiss
Your lips tasted like strawberriesâa sweet, sugary flavor that revealed your obsession with the fruit. Jake was completely hypnotized by it. It was only the second time youâd kissed, but his mind instantly registered how your lips fit and locked perfectly with his, as if they were made for that exact embrace.
In the room, lit only by the glow of the computer screen, the wet sound of your mouths meeting echoed clearly, amplifying the tension that had built up between you over weeks. When you slightly parted your lips to catch your breath, Jake took the opportunity. With extreme slowness, he used the sharp tip of one of his wolf canines to gently nibble on your lower lip. A weak, excited moan escaped your throat, making both Jakeâs human and hybrid sides tremble.
âAhhâŠâ you moaned, and Jake smiled against your lips, pleased by your reaction. He moved on to gently sucking that spot while you began to sway and wiggle in his arms, pushing your hips against his body out of pure instinctâto get closer to him, to tease him in return. Not wanting to give him all the control, you slid your hands into his hair, reaching the base of his wolf ears, where you knew, from the beginning of your acquaintanceâthat ears and tails were the most sensitive parts for a hybrid. You began to caress that ultra-sensitive spot with your fingertips, and Jake let out a deep, almost growl-like moan that escaped as your lips were still just millimeters apart:
âMmh⊠Y/nâŠâ
In retaliation, this time you smiled between his lips, continuing to move your fingers over those soft, warm ears, making him shiver. Jake was restraining himself with every single cell of his body because his wolf nature was literally howling from the sensory overload of everything happening in just a few moments. His instinct screamed at him to pin your wrists above your head, to use his canines to mark your skin, and to take everything he desired. But before the beast could take over, you took two steps back, pulling him with you. You tripped over the edge of the bed, and you both tumbled together onto the soft mattress, with you lying on your back and him on top of you.
Jake quickly planted his forearms on either side of your head, using all the strength in his muscular arms to avoid crushing you with his weight. He lowered his gaze, and at that sight, he seriously thought he was a dead man. You were fuckingbeautiful lying there on his pillow, your hair messy and framing your face, your lips visibly swollen and glossy from the kisses, your cheeks flushed with excitement.
Damn. He never would have thought you, of all people, would be his mate, the human who would bring his wolf to its knees. He had to mentally admit that Jay, Heeseung, and all the other pack members had been rightâtheyâd realized from the very first moment youâd stepped through the door of their house that you were his destined mate.
Your hands trembled slightly as they continued to caress his ears. Jake, noticing that tremor and seeing how your eyes kept searching for his, asked in a rough whisper:Â âWhat do you want to do, sweetheart?â
You stayed silent for a few seconds while his eyes continued to devour your body, careful not to cross that invisible line youâd drawn after telling him what had happened to you. âCould you⊠could you, I donât know, kiss me again?â you finally murmured, looking away in embarrassment. âBut⊠not on the lips. I donât really know what to do, Jake⊠Honestly, I donât want this to be embarrassing for you.â You tried not to feel at fault in that moment, and Jake released one hand from its grip on the mattress. He passed it with infinite gentleness over your cheek, lifting your face to force you to look at him. He whispered against your lips:
âSweetheart⊠you canât make anything embarrassing with me. Itâs all in your head. Whatever we do tonight wonât be anywhere near embarrassing. You just have to tell me when you feel overwhelmed, just tell me to stop, and Iâll do it instantly⊠I promise.â You instinctively nuzzled into his warm hand, pressing your cheek against his palm, and closed your eyes.
âPlease⊠please, kiss me, Jake.â
Jake didnât need to be told twice. He leaned over you and kissed you again, but this time, it wasnât a kiss charged with urgency like the previous one. Instead, it was an incredibly slow, wet, and protective contact to make you understand that you could trust him.
Then, he slowly slid downward, and his nose pressed directly against the hollow of your neck. He inhaled deeply, your sweet scent now even more intense with your heated skin. He wondered how heâd managed to survive 23 years without noticing that scent.
âDamn, Y/nâŠâ he murmured against your skin, and those words sent shivers down your entire spine. âThis scent is driving me literally crazy. You smell like warm strawberries, something like cotton candy, and clean skin⊠I swear I could spend the whole night just breathing you in here.â
You let out a weak giggle at that declaration because you knew those words came more from his animal nature. But your laughter died in your throat when Jakeâs warm lips finally pressed against your bare skin, and the wolf began to place light, wet, slow kisses along the entire line of your neck, moving up to the base of your jaw and then back down toward your collarbone.
Small, muffled moans echoed in the room every time Jakeâs mouth moved, placing wet kisses and light, gentle bites from your neck down to your chest, just above the hem of his T-shirt. His hybrid nature clearly sensed how his wild scent was covering your skin, marking you minute by minute beneath him. Feeling his scent blend so intimately with yours sent a wave of even denser, more primal excitement through him. He never thought it would feel so incredible to have his scent anchored to his mate, and this realization drove him wild.
Your eyes were slightly closed, your fingers still weakly tangled in his hair. Everything was going incredibly wellâuntil Jake slightly pulled away from your neck and slid a hand under the hem of the T-shirt, caressing the bare skin of your stomach. Small shivers of pure pleasure bloomed on your skin as he continued to kiss you lightly and tease your throat. He asked in an incredibly sweet and rough whisper:Â âIs this okay, sweetheart? Do you like it?â
You simply nodded, but that wasnât the answer youâd agreed on to maintain control. So Jake stopped a millimeter from your lips: âWords, sweetheart⊠use those beautiful, plump lips Iâve been kissing to answer me. I want to hear your voice,â he teased. So you lifted your eyes to his and murmured: âYes⊠itâs all good, Jake. You can keep going.â
At that confirmation, a smile lit up his face, and he praised you shamelessly, making your blood rush: âThatâs how a good girl behavesâŠâ You rolled your eyes at that statement, but then his hand slid slowly lower, slipping out from under the T-shirt to gently press against the inside of your thigh. At that pressure, you swallowed hard, feeling your heart race. But you trusted Jake blindly, so as he kissed you again to distract you, you felt his hand slide under the sweatpants. He began with just one finger to brush against the thin fabric of your lace panties. But as soon as you felt even the slightest real pressure of that intimate contact, your body short-circuited. You froze instantly, stiffening like a piece of ice beneath him. You tried to speak, to say something, but your throat tightened as if blocked by a thread pulling tightâone of the things that had happened to you on that damn night.
Jake, whose hybrid senses were tuned to every millisecond of your reactions, immediately noticed the drastic change in your heartbeat and the tension in your muscles. He stopped instantly, pulling his hand back. As he lifted his gaze to you, he whispered your name: âY/nâŠ?â
You didnât answer, but he saw how your wide, fixed eyes on the ceiling were beginning to fill with silent panic, making you feel vulnerable in front of him. Without a hint of hesitation, Jake completely moved away from you, shifting to the side to free you from his weight. âHey, hey⊠little one, nothingâs happening. Look at me, itâs all okay,â he said in an incredibly gentle voice, opening his arms. You slowly sat up and immediately took refuge in his arms.
You hugged him as if he were your living shield, hiding your face in the hollow of his warm neck, breathing in his scent to at least ease all the bad thoughts resurfacing in your mind. For the second time in just a few days, you whispered against his skin, barely holding back tears of frustration: âSee, Jake⊠I⊠Iâm broken. I trust you, I really do⊠but I just canât do it. And thatâs the worst part⊠feeling like this.â
His large hands began to gently caress your back, tracing circles over your T-shirt to calm you. But inside him, the wolf was growling furiously because he had a mad desire to find whoever had hurt you in the past and punch them, leave them to rot somewhere. But his human, rational side took over because he knew he had to handle the situation with extreme delicacy.
After a few moments of silence, he caressed your hair and asked, with a slightly embarrassed but extremely serious tone: âWhen youâre alone⊠do you feel safe giving yourself pleasure? Or is it a situation that blocks you, whether youâre alone or with other people?â
You slightly widened your eyes, still with your chin resting on his shoulder, because the question caught you completely off guard. It was the kind of question your therapist asked, not a guy youâd known for only a few months. But you answered: âSometimes⊠I feel safe alone, but other times, no,â you said in a low voice. Jake pulled back just enough to look at your face. âSo, when youâre alone and feel safe⊠can you give yourself pleasure, or not?â
You lifted your chin slightly, feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment at the conversation because you didnât understand where he was going with this. âAre⊠are you asking if I can masturbate, Jake?â
Jake chuckled, and you saw his cheeks redden as he shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. âDamn, sweetheart⊠you asked me to have sex with you a few days ago. I donât think youâd be scandalized if I ask if you can give yourself pleasure! I just want to understand,â he said, trying to be the most serious guy in the world at that moment. You looked away and said: âYes⊠I can give myself pleasure, butâŠâ
You couldnât finish the sentence, but Jake answered right away, anticipating the truth: âYou can give yourself pleasure, but you canât come, right? You block yourself at the last moment, right?â You nodded slowly, lowering your head. A deep, calm silence fell over the room, interrupted only by the sound of light rain beginning to patter against the window. Suddenly, you saw Jake get up from the bed.
A shiver of terror ran down your spine because you feared he wanted to end things there, that he was tired of your blocks and complexities, that you had to hurry up and figure it out on your own or with a good therapist: âWhere are you going?â you asked in a thin voice. But Jake wasnât running away. You watched him walk to the desk, grab the swivel chair, and place it against the desk. The distance wasnât much, but at the same time, you felt alone sitting on that bed. You watched him sit down right in front of you, and you didnât understand what he wanted to do.
âYou can give yourself pleasure, but at the same time, you canât reach orgasm. And itâs all in your head, Y/n. Itâs a matter of trustâin yourself, but also in the other person whoâs there with you in that moment,â he explained calmly. Then, with a slightly cheeky smile, the corners of his lips curled upâone of those smiles youâd started to recognize right away, and you didnât know whether to trust it.
âSo⊠hereâs my idea: why donât we pleasure ourselves together, but each on our own?â
You widened your eyes, struck by the proposal because youâd never thought of anything like that. âYou try to make yourself come by yourself, touching yourself the way you usually do when youâre alone in your safe space⊠and Iâll try to make myself come by myself, but right here in front of you. Itâll be a test of total mutual trust, Y/n. Weâll both be vulnerable, both exposed, but without either of us touching the other or forcing anything. Weâll just watch each other. What do you think?â
You opened your mouth to protest, but no words came out for a full minute. Jakeâs proposal had never crossed your mind in all these years it was definitely too intimate for two people who werenât even officially together, yet it was also incredibly mature.
âY/n? Are you there?â he asked as you tortured your lips, biting them. You looked at him carefully, searching his eyes for any trace of irony. âYouâre not teasing me, are you, Jake?â you whispered. He shook his head decisively. âIâve never been more serious in my life, Y/n.â
âIt could work⊠I usually donât do things like this...actually, Iâve never seen anyone masturbate in front of me,â you admitted, your cheeks literally burning. After all, youâd never even watched porn, so you had no idea what to expect.
âBut I think we could try, like you saidâitâll be a test of self-trust. Youâll see me vulnerable, but Iâll also see you exposed, âinertâ in a way⊠and I think itâll be an important step for when, one day, we have sex for real,â you said, convincing yourself that it was a good idea to see each other vulnerable. Jake nodded, and with a crooked, amused smile, he commented: âSee? Iâm not so bad⊠I told you I was smart, Y/n!â
You rolled your eyes but hinted at a smile: âDonât count your chickens just yet, Jake. Letâs see if it works first,â you said as you both stared at each other for a moment. You felt the tension in the room start to rise again, and you bit your lip, embarrassed, asking: âWho⊠who takes their clothes off first?â
Jake shrugged with total nonchalance at your question and said: âIâll go first. Iâve got nothing to hide⊠quite the opposite,â he teased. You closed your eyes slightly until you saw him stand up. With a fluid movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Without that fabric covering him, you couldnât help but count the ridges of his abs, sculpted and defined, four perfect muscular hills on his toned stomach until your gaze fell on the obvious V-line that descended symmetrically, disappearing into the waistband of his Calvin Klein boxers.
His arms, though not excessively massive, were marked by bulging veins that stood out under his skin, giving him an incredibly athletic appearance. Deep down, you understood why everyone said Jake was gorgeous, and you literally felt your mouth water as you watched him lazily grab the strings of his sweatpants. Jake noticed immediately how your eyes were practically worshipping him with a hint of mischief. He shot you a complicit look, feeling his hybrid nature rejoice with pleasure. âCan I take off my pants and boxers too, sweetheart?â he asked, and you murmured: âYesâŠâ
With a smirk on his face, he let his sweatpants slide down, revealing his muscular, athletic thighs. But it was when he completely dropped his boxers that your eyes widened, and a shiver ran down your spine. Jake had no issues with his bodyâin fact, he was extremely comfortable in his own skin. At the sight of his erect member slapping against his lower abs, you nearly lost your breath. Youâd never seen anything like it before: it wasnât excessively long, but it was incrediblythick, hard, marked by prominent veins, and already covered in a slight pearly sheen on the tip. You realized it was seriously wild and not entirely human.
Seeing you so captivated and curious, Jake enjoyed the show of your wide eyes and loved seeing you open-mouthed for him. âDo you like what you see, sweetheart?â he asked with a cheeky tone. You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to lift your gaze to his face so you wouldnât get too distracted by all that perfection just a few meters away. You desperately wanted to touch him, but you knew that first, you had to trust him completely.
âWow⊠besides being beautiful on the inside, I have to admit youâre beautiful on the outside too, Jake. But you already know thatâeveryone tells you so,â you said.
He made a small, disappointed pout, as if that compliment wasnât exclusive enough for him. To tease you, he took a slow step toward you, wrapping his hand around his shaft and moving it just slightly with a single, slow slide of skin just to show you how responsive he was to your gaze.
âThey might say that to me, but I only care if you like it,â he whispered in a rough voice. Then, with a nod of his chin toward your clothes, he concluded: âBut enough talking⊠Your turn, Y/n. Take your clothes off.â
At that commandâwhich couldâve been interpreted in a way far different from how you saw itâJake couldnât wait to discover the beauty of your body, judging by the way he was looking at you. You felt your cheeks literally burn, and a sudden heat dyed your face a deep red, which he found adorable.
âIâll⊠Iâll obviously take off my pants and the shirt, but Iâd like to keep the bra on, if thatâs okay with you,â you said in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of his objection. But Jake looked at you with his hands trembling slightly along his sides, betraying the immense effort he was making not to pounce on you and touch you, smell you.
âDo whatever makes you feel most comfortable, Y/n,â he replied in an incredibly gentle tone, though his tail couldnât stay still for a second. His nose picked up every scent of yours, ranging from sweetness to something teasing due to your anxiety. âThereâs absolutely no problem for me. Take all the time you need.â
Reassured by his words, you nodded. You werenât sure what to take off first, feeling his eyes on you, not missing a single millimeter of your movements. You wanted to scream at him to close his eyes or turn away, but sooner or later, Jake would see you naked. So you slightly rose from the mattress, and with somewhat uncertain, maybe awkwardânot entirely sexyâgestures, you let the sweatpants slide down your legs.
At the sight of your toned thighs and fair skin, Jake visibly swallowed, clenching his fists against his hips. When his eyes caught the purple lace trim of your panties peeking out from under the hem of his oversized T-shirt, a mix between a moan and a sigh escaped his lips, which heâd been torturing with his teeth. He wanted to touch you in that exact momentâit was a damn devastating temptation, the idea of getting up from the chair and crawling back onto the bed to trap you beneath him. But he forced himself to stay still because he didnât want to ruin anything, especially seeing how your hands were trembling.
After minutes of staring at each other, you took a deep breath and murmured: âOkay⊠Iâm taking off your shirt now.â
Jake nodded slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from your body. âDo it, sweetheart. Youâre so damn beautiful⊠donât be afraid to let me look at you. I bet thereâs a body to worship under there, not one to hide from my eyes,â he said in a low voice. Those words gave you courage, and you crossed your arms, lifting the fabric over your head. In the exact moment you stood in front of him wearing only a damn purple Victoriaâs Secret set, decorated with small embroidered flowers that framed your body like you were a work of art on a canvas, the hybrid inside him lost his mind completely.
Jake let out a low growl that came entirely from his animal instinctâa purely wild sound. It was the very first time youâd heard him growl like that, so wild and primal. That sound made your entire body tremble, but not out of fearârather, it was a mix of physical and mental connection between you. Youâd discovered that hybrids both purr and growl: they purr in acts of pure docility with their mate, while growls can serve as a warning of danger, a sign not to touch their mate or their pack, or in a sense of pure excitement. And thatâs what Jake was feeling in that moment: he was growling at the sight of the bliss of your body just a few meters away from him, but he couldnât even brush you with a finger.
His eyes widened at that sound because you hadnât expected it, and Jake couldnât stop staring at you, open-mouthed, devouring your body with his hungry eyes. He studied carefully how the curve of your breasts seemed to try to escape from the bra cups, pushed upward. Heâd always known you had an abundant chest, but at that sight, his mindâwhich was currently running on purely animal and instinctive tracksâwas flooded with dark, possessive thoughts. He thought about how much he wanted to grab that soft flesh in his hands, how he wanted to suck on those warm nipples until you screamed his name. He even thought about how beautiful it would be to see them swollen and full of milk, watching it gush out as he filled you with his seed to bring your pups to life.
He shook his head to chase away those intense fantasies, running a hand over his mouth before complimenting you in that typical hybrid tone of hisâshameless and lewd: âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre a fucking work of art. That purple against your fair skin is driving me crazy. I knew you had perfect breasts, and I swear, if I werenât confined to this chair, Iâd have already consumed your skin with bites and kisses.â He said this while biting his lips, which were almost bleeding from how much heâd been nibbling on them in the last few minutes.
You sat back down on the edge of the bed with your legs curled up, trying to calm your racing heart. Now that you were both almost completely naked, you had to start what youâd agreed to do.
At those words, you swallowed hard and closed your eyes for a moment. Youâd never done anything like this before, and you wanted the earth to swallow you whole. But when you opened your eyes again, Jake was there, watching you intently. âYou donât have to be afraid right now, Y/n. Itâs just you and me. Slide your panties aside gently if you donât want to take them all the way off. Let me see how wet you are⊠I can smell it from here, youâre already soaked.â
Your cheeks burned at his words. With trembling hands, you slid your fingers toward your panties, already feeling the heat of your arousal. You pulled the edge down just enough to reveal your lips to Jake. At the sight, he groaned, and you instinctively closed your eyes but that wasnât what he wanted.
âOpen your eyes, sweetheart,â he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. âItâs not just me who gets to watch you pleasure yourself. You need to watch too.â
You obeyed, and what you saw took your breath away: his hands wrapped around his shaft, moving up and down in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The tip, flushed and glistening, grew thicker with every stroke, and a bead of pre-cum slid down the length. You crossed your legs, the desire burning inside you. âPlease, Jake⊠Please talk to me. I feel⊠lost,â you mumbled, your eyes fixed on him.
Jake sighed, his patience stretched thin. âSlide your panties all the way down your legs,â he ordered, his voice a contained growl. âUse your middle finger on your clit and start rubbing. But donât you dare close your eyes.â
You sighed in response and did as he said. Your panties slid off, and you shifted slightly higher on the bed, spreading your legs under his hungry gaze. Jake cursed under his breathâthe sight of you naked and ready to touch yourself without needing his command pushed him to the edge. It was as if, little by little, you were starting to understand the situation youâd gotten yourselves into⊠and that you could trust the man in front of you.
Jake watched as your trembling finger found your clit, already swollen and sensitive. âIs this okay?â you asked softly. He nodded, his dark eyes filled with desire. âRub. Slowly. Let me hear you moan.â
And so you did. Your clit was already hypersensitive, and the touch of your fingers made you let out a small moan. Little by little, you felt more at ease, more daring. âDonât stroke your cock so much, Jake⊠or youâll come first,â you stammered, your lips parted, your breath ragged. âI⊠I want to come with you.â
Jakeâs eyes widened at your confession, but he nodded. You saw his abs clench as he slowed his rhythm, rubbing his cock slowly in the grip of his hand. It was an incredible sight, youâd never imagined how exciting it could be to see a guy like him, just sitting there, watching you, while at the same time pleasuring himself just to make you feel at ease.
He realized that without his guidance, you wouldnât dare go further. And at the sight of your naked body at his mercy, he could have come at any moment like an inexperienced teenager. But that was exactly what you did to himâyou made him weak, and that both frustrated and reassured him, confirming that you were his mate. He adjusted himself on the chair, spreading his thighs, and said in a rough voice: âSweetheart, your clit is swollen and ready. Now, with your eyes on me, try sliding a finger inside you. Any finger is fine, as long as it goes into those beautiful lips of yours. Let me see⊠let me hear your sounds, little one. Otherwise⊠I wonât last much longer.â
At his confession, you bit your lip. This was the hardest part: letting go without thoughts, without fears. But the sight of Jake, his honesty, his vulnerability, pushed you to want to give yourself pleasure⊠and to give him something deeply intimate. You spread your legs a little wider, took a deep breath, and slid a finger between your wet folds. The intrusion was a new sensation, different from the solitary games you played under the covers. You moaned, surprised by the pleasure coursing through you, both mentally and physically.
The wet sound of your finger moving in and out of you made Jake groan your name. You felt completely at ease under his gaze, which never left you for a second. You saw how his cock grew thicker and thicker, how droplets of fluid escaped with every movement.
âKeep going⊠keep going like that, little one,â he urged, his voice a growl. âYouâre doing so well. Now that youâre nice and stretched, try sliding another finger in. And at the same time, rub your clit. That way, youâll come soon⊠and Iâll come with you.â
As Jake had instructed, you slid another finger inside yourself. A deep, throaty moan escaped your lips, and his name spilled out like a broken sigh: âJaaakeâŠâ The way you said it was desperate, sweet, and rawâlike he was the only lifeline in a sea of overwhelming sensations. At the sound of his name, Jake cursed under his breath, a guttural âFuckâŠâ rumbling from his chest as he watched you completely lost in pleasure. He couldnât hold back anymore. His arm muscles tensed as he began stroking himself harder, his fist gliding up and down his thick, throbbing shaft.
The room was thick with the sounds of your muffled moans and ragged breaths. It echoed with the wet, rhythmic sounds of your fingers pumping in and out of you, the creak of the chair beneath Jake amplifying every tiny noise. The scent was intoxicatingâmusky, sweet, and sharp all at once. Jakeâs heightened hybrid senses picked up on how your fragrance grew richer with every passing minute, a heady blend of strawberry, arousal, and a hint of sweat. âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre so fucking sexy,â he growled, his voice rough and low, his eyes glued to you as he watched you writhe, pleasure coiling tighter inside you. âLook at how wet you are⊠how perfect you look.â
You closed your eyes, and with your free hand, you clutched Jakeâs blanket, gripping it tightly between your fingers. Your voice trembled as you stammered, âJake⊠itâs too muchâŠâ
He paused for a moment, his hand still wrapped around his cock, and asked with a mix of concern and desire, âWhatâs too much, sweetheart?â
You moaned, breathless, and confessed, âEverything⊠itâs all too much⊠and I⊠I want to come.â
At those words, Jake smiledâa hungry, satisfied grin. âYou will in a few minutes, trust me. Now, tease your clit more and let go. But open those fucking eyes and watch what youâre doing to me,â he commanded, his voice a contained growl.
Embarrassed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, you obeyed. You opened your eyes and saw Jake barely holding back, his muscles taut, his breath ragged. With a whisper, you dared to say to him, âLet goâŠâ
His eyes darkened slightly at your boldness, as if he hadnât expected you to take control. But he didnât say a word. Deep down, that small act of defiance only turned him on even more.
Your walls began to tighten around your fingers, and your clit throbbed with pleasure as small, breathy moans escaped your lips. âI⊠Iâm about to come,â you whispered, your eyes half-lidded and glistening. At the sight of you so lost in pleasure, Jake gripped his shaft tighter and pumped harder, his voice rough as he urged, âCome on, sweetheart⊠let me see you come.â
You cried out, pleasure crashing over you like a wave. A few moments later, shivers raced through your body. You clenched the sheets of his bed tightly, your fingers still pumping and teasing your clit as your orgasm tore through you first. At the sight, Jakeâs abs clenched, and with a groan of your name, he came too. Thin streams of white cum spilled from the tip of his cock, and he moaned in pleasure at the release. But honestly, he didnât care much about his own climax. His eyes were locked on youâsprawled out on his bed, your stomach rising and falling rapidly with each ragged breath, your lips parted in a perfect O, your hair wild, and your legs trembling.
Jake slowly stood up, wiping away the remnants of his release before pulling his boxers back on. At the sight of you lying there, relaxed and half-lidded, he asked, âCan I⊠can I come closer to you, little one?â
You opened your eyes and tried to sit up slightly, but the sticky wetness began to seep out of you, and you moaned at the sensation. At the sight, Jakeâs smile returned, and he said, âSee? I told you I could make you come without even touching you, sweetheart.â
You let out a weak, breathless giggle, still trembling from the last waves of pleasure. You watched Jake stretch his arm toward the nightstand to grab a tissue, then lean toward you on the bed with a naturalness and care that left you breathless. You felt his large, warm hands settle firmly but gently on your thigh to keep you still, and then he cleaned you slowly, with no rush or malice in his gaze, treating you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. Your eyes never left his, not even for a millisecond, captivated by the sweetness in his expression.
When he finished and tossed the tissue into the trash can beside the bed, you shyly tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear, your cheeks still warm from everything that had just happened. Seeing you so timid, Jake leaned toward you again, offering you the T-shirt youâd taken off earlier. He knew perfectly well that youâd just taken giant steps, having been half-naked and vulnerable in front of him, and he didnât want to ruin the magic of the moment by rushing things.
âLift your arms, sweetheart,â he said softly, and you did as he asked. He slid his oversized T-shirt down over your body, dressing you completely. As soon as the fabric covered you, moved by an impulse of gratitude and affection, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him forcefully toward you to kiss him.
Jake hadnât expected you to kiss him of your own free will at all. Heâd expected that, once the moment had passed, you might tease him or hide under the covers. Instead, you leaned forward and gently pulled his lower lip between your teeth, trapping it between your lips almost as a victory for everything that had happened.
Jake groaned against your lips a mix of a surprised grunt and a deep, pleasure-filled moan that vibrated in the back of his throatâas he instinctively placed his large hands on your hips to steady both of you on the mattress. Your mouths sought each other with a new urgency every time you had to pull apart to catch your breath. When you timidly slid your tongue against his, tasting him, you felt Jake smile against your mouth.
âFuck, Y/n⊠youâre really driving me crazy tonight,â he whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from you. Heâd become a full-on clingy boy with you. After a few seconds, Jake slowly pulled back to give you space, and you looked at him with infinite sweetness. âThank you, Jake,â you said.
He smiled almost timidly, for the first time since youâd known himâand opened his arms on the bed in a silent invitation to hug you again. You didnât need to be told twice. You nestled against his massive chest, inhaling his reassuring scent of pine, and pressed your head into the warm hollow of his neck.
Jake pulled you close, wrapping you completely in his strong, protective body. For long minutes, you both stayed there, still and embraced in the silence of the room, lulled only by the sound of your heartbeats slowly returning to normal and the patter of rain against the roof of the house. Eventually, you pulled back slightly from his chest and lifted your chin to look at him.
Jake was there, watching you from above, his ears relaxed and his gaze attentive. In that moment, he would have given anything for the ability to read your mind and know exactly what was going through that little head of yours.
Suddenly, though, he noticed your eyes growing glossy, filling with tears ready to spill down your cheeks. Jakeâs heart literally skipped a beat, and his face painted an expression of pure panic, he thought he might have done or said something wrong.
âHey, hey⊠little one, no, donât cry!â he exclaimed, gently squeezing your shoulders. âDid I⊠was I too rough? Did I do or say something you didnât like? I swear, I just wanted to...â
Before he could finish, you pressed a finger directly to his lips to silence him, cutting off the stream of anxious apologies.
âYou⊠you made me realize that I need to talk to people, Jake. But most of all, you taught me that, after a while, I need to start tearing down my own protective walls⊠and thatâs exactly what I managed to do tonight with you,â you said, looking him straight in the eyes. âI really donât know how to thank you. Youâve been so patient with me, you never backed down from anything, and youâve respected me from the very first moment I walked into this house. So⊠no, donât be sad. These tears are just pure joy,â you concluded, weakly giggling as you wiped your face with the edge of his T-shirt sleeve.
Jake sighed deeply, feeling a knot of tension finally dissolve in his chest. A small smile formed on his lips as he lifted his hands to caress your face, using his thumbs with infinite gentleness to wipe away the last tears wetting your cheeks.
For days, since youâd confessed you wanted to have sex with him and shared everything that had happened to you, heâd feared he was too overbearing, too abrupt, or simply âwrongâ for a sensitive girl like you. But in that moment, lulled by your strawberry scent, now free of any trace of fear, Jake finally felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âI only did what any guy worthy of being by your side would have done, Y/n,â he murmured softly and sincerely, looking at you with a tenderness he rarely showed outside the walls of that room. He was only ever this sweet with his family and his pack⊠not even with his teammates, with whom he spent hours training, had he ever been this honest in his life. But you shook your head, pressing your cheek against his warm palm.
âNo other guy would have done thisâŠâ you said quietly, meeting his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassment creep back in but determined not to lose that beautiful harmony, you continued with a clearly shy but resolute tone: âNow⊠yes, for next time, Iâd like things to be less planned. Iâd like them to flow more naturally between us. When they happen, theyâll happen⊠though, obviously, I expect it to happen again as soon as possible!â You said this while playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt, hoping heâd understand what you meant.
Jakeâs eyes widened slightly, surprised by that sudden burst of boldness, and he burst into laughter as he watched you make yourself smaller. At the sight, he gently pinched your side, knowing you were ticklish, and said: âDamn⊠Whereâs the shy, reserved girl who struggled to even look me in the eye gone? Donât tell me Iâve created a creature whoâs greedy for my touch, or that now you canât do without me?â
You laughed heartily when his fingers started lightly tickling your sides, making you curl up against him on the mattress. To defend yourself, you rolled your eyes dramatically and teased him, playfully tapping his muscular chest:Â âOh, please, Sim! Donât get a big head. Youâre the âgolden boyâ of the team, the âfrat boyâ everyone dreams aboutâI think that guy disappeared a while ago thanks to me. So before you talk, think about how you canât stop finding excuses to touch me!âYou laughed as Jake intensified the tickling.
Without stopping his smile, he leaned over you, pressed his soft lips to your forehead, and then moved up through your hair, leaving a reassuring kiss on you. When he pulled back slightly, his eyes shone with a hopeful light, finally making you understand that you could trust him.
âWill you stay tonight, Y/n?â he asked this time, stopping his teasing. You made a thoughtful pout and then slowly nodded, pulling him back to you by the shoulders, welcoming him into your embrace again.
But that happy ending hadnât yet provided the right answers: What were you and Jake? How would he balance university, your constant presence in his routine, and being the captain of the soccer team, which was under the spotlight of scouts looking for the best striker for their teams? How would he balance his human nature with his hybrid one, with you getting closer and closer to him? And how would he get through his first heat as a hybrid, knowing you were his mate and that he wanted you for himself forever?
hey, I wanted to split this story into 2 parts, I know there's a lot of slow born and I didn't think so but I think it's better this way, now I will always post a story that connects with this one featuring one of the members (try to guess who!!) to thank you for the 3k.
For part 2 I think it will be released in August but I'm already writing it so always keep yourself on your toes, I hope you enjoyed it:)
*pairing: pervy wolf hybrid Jake x human student girl
*trope: popular playboy x nerdy girl-tutoring
*inspiration: off campus book 1
*synopsis: Jake only had one problem: History. He's always been good at any subject, especially since balancing being the captain of the football team and studying engineering is no walk in the park, but his lack of history could compromise everything, and when he saw a girl holding the text with the word 100 written on it, he realized that you could be his only chance of getting through that damned subject.
But what would it sweat if tutor sessions began to become moments where he could be himself, where you began to open up after a long time to a person and discover that jake wasn't as much of a womanizer and you weren't as broken as you thought you were?
*tags: Jake is a playboy at first but after a while you arouse his curiosity, Y/n at first is skeptical of letting Jake into her life, Y/n suffered violence in high school (I won't write anything about this act also because my stories have to be a fun) many kisses, Jake is a wolf hybrid and little by little he will become territorial but also clingy with Y/n, Y/n thinks she's broken but Jake will trust her both intimately and physically, visual masturbation, protected sex, unprotected sex (dont' horny ppl) knotting, jealousy, possession, sucking to claim Y/n, declaration, +18, little bit angst, pet names (jakey) (baby, sweetheart)
banner by: @eightnyn *wc: 37k
The Contemporary History classroom was packed with students, and Jake was there, neither at the front nor at the back, but right in the middle, where he could observe everyone.
His knee wouldnât stop bouncing with anxiety, his wolf ears were perked up, and his tail, just like his knee, twitched with every breath he took and youâre probably wondering: ears and a tail? Well, yesâhe was a hybrid, specifically a wolf hybrid. For decades now, humans had shared everything with hybrids: from everyday jobs to school lessons, from apartments to entire neighborhoods where humans and hybrids lived side by side without resistance. Mixed couples were even trendy by nowâno, more than trendy, they were fully accepted in society, especially in big cities. You could see them everywhere: in malls, restaurants, or parks, with hybrid children, kids with rabbit ears or fox tails playing alongside human ones and that sight warmed Jakeâs heart more than anything, because hybrids had endured so much racial discrimination and persecution but finally, things were changing, and he had played a small part in that revolution.
In that classroom, humans were still the majority, but that was normal, especially at the university, where hybrids like him had only been admitted a few years earlier. Jake, however, was an exception: about a year ago, heâd been elected captain of the soccer team, the first hybrid to ever hold that position. Thanks to him, the number of hybrids in both recreational and competitive sports had risen. One of his best friends, Heeseung a hamster hybrid had even followed in his footsteps and become captain of the basketball team.
But back to the present: Jake was in that half-anxious state because the professor was handing back the history exams. Letâs just say that, as an engineering student, he didnât care much for the subjectâespecially since it was just an elective. But it carried a lot of credits, and the reason he disliked it was simple: his engineerâs mind thrived on logic, formulas, structural calculations, and precise physical dynamics things with no room for interpretation. History, with all its dates, nuanced socio-political contexts, and long texts to memorize, just felt like a waste of time to him⊠even if he did find the revolutions between humans and hybrids fascinating.
Still, he needed to pass all his classes to stay captain of the university team and to catch the attention of scouts from the big professional leagues, who didnât tolerate academic slippage. He had to be the perfect student and the perfect player. So when the professor approached his desk, her expression was almost apologetic, as if she knew the potential of the young man in front of her. Jake did have excellent grades in every subject⊠except hers.
The test paper slid across the wooden desk, and at the topâcircled in red marker (a color that, unfortunately for him, was not in his pendant) was a glaring 45 out of 100 and to make matters worse, it wasnât even close to passing.
The professor peered at him over her glasses and said, âJake, I hope for your sake that next time you at least manage a basic passing grade. Otherwise, Iâll have to report this to Coach, and we all know how strict Coach Smith is about academic performance.â
He nodded, and his tail suddenly stopped moving, drooping down and tucking itself under the chair. He nearly slumped over his desk, staring at that disastrous grade. His right hand fidgeted nervously through his soft hair, right at the base of his tense ears, as if trying to ease the tension. He sighed heavily, racking his brain for solutions but there were none. All his closest friends were in different majors, and if he didnât find a fix fast, his soccer dream would be over before it even began.
Unbeknownst to him, just a few rows away sat a girl twirling her pen, completely unbothered about her history test grade. She watched the professor intently as she moved between the desks, papers in hand.
Suddenly, you felt a sharp elbow nudge from your best friend. âStop staring at the professor!â Allie hissed. âShe probably saved your test for last, one of the first three sheâs handing out just so she can praise you in front of everyone. We all know youâre the biggest nerd in here.â
You rolled your eyes, exasperated but amused, as Allie sat there sipping her fruit smoothie her latest attempt at this âfructarianâ diet, while her own test, a modest but honest 70, lay forgotten beside her. With absolute nonchalance, she scrolled through an online sexy shop store, browsing through undeniably sexy sets at prices that would make any other girlâs wallet tremble...but not hers.
âStop looking at your phone,â you whispered back, giving her a light shove. âIf the professor saw you scrolling through a sex shop right now, sheâd have a heart attack. I bet she doesnât even know the difference between a thong and a Brazilian.â
Allie let out a snort, nearly spitting her drink all over the guy in front of her. She slammed her phone down on the desk just in time, because the professor finally stopped in front of you, her face breaking into a full, thirty-two-tooth grin.
âY/n, Iâm not even surprised anymore,â she said. âBut you know I struggle to give out perfect scores. Still, this last test of yours on the Cold War and the geopolitical dynamics of the Soviet bloc⊠itâs simply flawless. The knowledge youâve shown, the historical interpretations, even the extra research you included on the Cuban Missile Crisis...itâs all perfect. Iâm so proud to have you in my class. Itâs a shame youâre not majoring in history, because if you were, youâd be unstoppable.â
You smiled, thinking about how everyone had always told you to study history or political science but your love for music was stronger. âWell, itâs my job to study, get good grades, and give it my all especially in history, since you know itâs one of my favorite subjects,â you said shyly, feeling the eyes of half the class turn toward you.
Then the paper slid onto your desk, revealing a bold, perfect 100 in red ink. Allie, ever the dramatic one, blurted out way too loudly: âHoly shit, you actually got a 100?! We studied together the whole time...how the hell did I only get a 70? Okay, Iâm not complaining, but damn, Y/n!â She stared at you, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out like a wounded puppy. You shrugged, suddenly self-conscious under all the attention, and tried to cover the test with your hands but Allie was fasterâshe snatched it right out from under you, held it up to her face, and before you could protest, sheâd already pulled out her phone, snapped a crystal-clear photo of the red 100, and sent it to your friend group chat, roasting you for being such a nerd.
Your phone buzzed nonstop with the incoming messages from your friends, all teasing you affectionately. Meanwhile, a few rows back, a pair of wolf ears suddenly perked up, drawn by the noise and the word â100.â Who the hell had gotten a 100? It was practically impossible in an elective class. His amber eyes locked onto your back, and in that moment, he realized heâd just found his only lifeline to passing Contemporary History.
Jake couldnât look away. Not even when the bell rang, signaling freedom. His mind was consumed by a single thought:Â He had never seen anyone get a perfect score in his entire university career and when he saw you stand up, followed by the blonde girl he assumed was your best friend, his instincts flared to life. The wolf in him, the one that drove him to chase, to track down what was vital for his survival (or in this case, his scholarship) awoke with a jolt. Because letâs be real: in his life, there was only room for one thing:Â Soccer
And at the thought, a surge of adrenaline shot down his spine, making his ears snap forward and his tail muscles twitch back to life, swinging wildly with excitement at the idea of meeting you.
He shot to his feet, shoving his notebook haphazardly into his bag without even zipping it shut. Weaving through the maze of wooden desks, he spotted you stepping into the universityâs main atrium. Jake quickened his pace, using his athleteâs stride, until he was just a few steps behind you, right in the middle of the chaos: students switching classes, others heading to the campus bars.
âHey, Chloe!â he called out, loud enough to be heard, throwing out a random name heâd picked up somewhere in the classroom. The truth was, he had no idea what your name actually was and, honestly, heâd never seen you at one of his famous Friday night parties, nor cheering from the stands during league matches. That fact unsettled him a little⊠but it also piqued his curiosity.
Of course, you didnât turn around, because, obviously, your name wasnât Chloe. You just kept walking and talking to Allie. But Jake wasnât about to give up. He took two quick steps forward and tried again, this time stretching out a hand to intercept you.Â
âHey, Chloe! Iâm talking to you!â he said, a little louder this time.
Finally, you spun around. And that was the moment Jake saw you up close for the first time, no filters, no distance of desks between you. A lightning-fast thought shot through his mind: Damn. Not only is she a terrifyingly smart nerd, but sheâs also ridiculously cute. He took in your eyes, framed by a faint shadow of annoyance, as they swept over him from head to toe, far from impressed by the figure smiling at you.
âYou mean me?â you asked, pointing at your chest with one finger, while Allie stopped beside you, staring at him in confusion.
âYeah, you,â Jake confirmed.
You rolled your eyes. âWell, for starters, my name is Y/n. Not Chloe⊠you werenât even close.â You looked at him bluntly, and at those words, Jakeâs wolf ears drooped slightly, flattening against his soft hair in embarrassment. Before he could apologize or come up with one of his usual ready-made excuses, a sharp, ironic voice cut in from beside you.
âJake Sim is seriously talking to Y/n? Whatâs this, did you come here to ask for more signatures to sponsor your precious soccer team? Or were you sent by your little basketball buddy, Heeseung, to do his dirty work? Because if youâre here for charity signatures, weâre not interested. The universityâs already cutting tons of funding from both the theater and music majors because of you and your best friend,â Allie said, her expression dripping with disdain.
Jakeâs head snapped toward the blonde, annoyed by the intrusion but forcing himself to keep his cool. âNo,â he replied, straightening up and turning back to you, locking his eyes onto yours. âIâm here because I need to talk to Y/n. About something important.â
At his direct statement, you instinctively crossed your arms over your chest, pressing them tightly as if creating an invisible shield between you and him, a gesture born from deep insecurity and the trauma you still carried inside. The sudden movement didnât go unnoticed by the hybrid in front of you.
Jake distinctly felt your heartbeat speed up. At the same time, his nose picked up the sudden shift in your scent: the clean aroma of your skin was abruptly overpowered by a sharp, acidic trail, the unmistakable feromone signature of discomfort, mixed with a warm, suffocating note of pure embarrassment. The unwanted attention and physical proximity of an alpha male, especially one like him, had triggered it.
He ran a hand through his brown hair, furrowing his brow deeply as he studied your reaction with a mix of perplexity and concern. His wolf side picked up on your distress like an alarm signal. Why does my mere presence make her feel so threatened or uncomfortable? He wondered. Usually, girls fell over themselves to get a word or a glance from him.
Left alone with him in the atrium, you immediately took two steps back, putting more distance between you and Jake. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other, clutching your books against your chest, and fixed your gaze on him.
âSo, Jake Sim, youâve got two minutes. Tell me what you want.â
Jake studied you carefully, analyzing every tiny movement. His tail gave a slight, excited wag from side to side at finally having your attention, but he stopped it instantly, not wanting to reveal even that small loss of composure. He cleared his throat and said:
âYeah, well⊠sorry for calling you Chloe. I just didnât remember your name.â
You merely responded with a sharp nod, and Jake realized he needed to get to the point before time ran out. So, he decided to pull out the big guns: he unleashed his full Playboy charm, squaring his muscular shoulders and tilting his head slightly to the side with a crooked, magnetic smile. Along with his posture, his hybrid nature did the restâwithout realizing it, he released a subtle but intense trail of reassuring pheromones into the air around you. A warm, clean scent filled the space, a mix of citrus and something salty, blended with his natural hybrid scent. It was the kind of biological chemistry wolves used to charm people, lower their defenses, and make them instinctively feel safe and drawn to them, but he didnât yet know that with you, it would be extremely difficult.
âI saw you got a 100 on that test earlier, and first of all, congratulations. Seriously⊠not everyone can pull off a score like that in an elective class,â he said, taking an almost imperceptible step closer to you. âAnd second⊠I was wondering if youâd be willing to tutor me. I know a lot of people do it for academic credits, but I figure youâve probably got enough of those already, if you scored a 100, youâre probably acing all your major classes. Or maybe for money? So I was wondering if youâd give me private lessons. I desperately need to pass Contemporary History. Especially since itâs an extra-curricular subject for me, and itâs worth double the structural credits. If I donât pass⊠Iâm screwed.â He finished with a crooked little smile, but you didnât take the bait.
The trauma youâd experienced in high school had made you completely immune to the shameless charm of popular guys, and your mind rigidly resisted even his wolf pheromones, pushing them away like a self-defense mechanism. You looked at him with no emotion at all. âThanks for the compliment on my grade, but no. I donât tutor anyone. And as youâve already figured out, Iâve got all the credits I need, and even if weâre talking about money, which, sure, every student could useâIâve got a ton of studying for my own classes. Plus, Iâm in the university choir, and that takes up a lot of time because Iâm studying music.â You said all this while keeping your gaze lowered, almost avoiding his face, focused instead on the colorful bookmarks invading your notes. This total indifference deeply unsettled him.
Jake was used to humans hanging on his every word, to girls who would pay just to spend an hour alone with the team captain. Being rejected like this without so much as a glance wounded his alpha male pride and confused him. Sensing that you might not even like his presence, he took a step back, furrowing his brow, and blurted out in one breath:
âIs it because Iâm a hybrid that you donât want to tutor me? Or because you think that, as the soccer team captain, Iâm just another shallow idiot who canât balance engineering studies with training?â
At those words, your eyes widened, struck by how suddenly vulnerable and frustrated his voice sounded as he looked at you. You responded with a flurry of gestures: âNo, no! Itâs not that at all!â you exclaimed sincerely. âEven if a human had asked me, I wouldâve said no, Jake. Iâm really sorry⊠especially because I know balancing engineering studies and being the soccer team captain comes with a lot of pressure ut if you check the bulletin board in the atrium or the universityâs official forum, in the history section, I bet youâll find a tutor way better than meâŠIâŠIâve got to go now, yeah, Iâm meeting Allie.â
You said this with slightly flushed cheeks, still not looking him in the face, and began walking quickly down the hallway, almost hunching your shoulders as if afraid he might follow you or reach out to stop you. His fully matured wolf instincts immediately picked up on something strange in your sudden flight. His nose caught that your scent was no longer just annoyed; now it carried a clear trail of fear, and maybe even something vulnerable, and Jake didnât understand why.
They called him the golden boy of campus for a reason, no one had ever run away from him before. In fact, it was usually the opposite. He stood frozen, watching you disappear into the faculty crowd, his ears perked up, his mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. Your terrified reaction intrigued him, drove him wild. Because Jake Sim, when he wanted something, always got it and his wolf side had just decided that you, sooner or later, would be his tutor, no matter the cost and maybe, over time, something more than just a tutor. But that was something youâd both discover laterâŠÂ certainly not today.
The university campusâs main bar was nearly closing by that time, but you still had another half-hour left before your afternoon shift behind the counter ended. To pass the time and get ahead on your assignments, youâd set your laptop directly on the counter, trying to focus on your next project, studying music. You needed to dive deep into the acoustic composition of sounds and the various instrumental timbres to create balanced arrangements, ensuring the sound was perfect. Your dream was to become a singer, but youâd also love to work as a songwriter or composer. Your hearing was hyper-developed, and youâd already received requests from music agencies.
However, at that moment, music theory was the last thing on your mind. Your eyes kept wandering from the screen, drawn to the brightest corner of the bar, where Soobin was sitting. He was a Communication Sciences student specializing in Digital Media, and he played on the campus basketball team. Letâs just say you had a slight crush on him. Your head was lazily resting in the palm of your left hand, while your right hand sipped through a straw on a refreshing seasonal drink youâd made for yourself. You couldnât help but admire how incredibly cute Soobin was: he was tall, over 185 cm which was probably why he was on the basketball team, you thought as you took in his lean, athletic build. His hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a constantly sweet, approachable vibe and then, suddenly, his infectious laughter echoed through the bar, and an involuntary little pout formed on your face when you saw his famous dimples appear on his cheeks, giving him an irresistible puppy-like aura.
Seriously? Soobin?â Jakeâs bright, ironic voice cut through the air. âWhatâs so charming about that guy? Heâs always half-clumsy and doesnât even know which way a door swings unless heâs on a basketball court.â
At those words, your drink nearly went down the wrong pipe. When you straightened up, there he was, Jake, standing right in front of you. His worn-out soccer bag was slung over one shoulder, his dark hair still slightly damp from his post-training shower, and that usual smirk of his that always got under your skin. Caught red-handed, you blushed furiously and stammered:
âSoobin? I...I have no idea who youâre talking about!â You pointed at yourself, then frantically looked around to divert attention, but Jake just flashed that crooked grin of his, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement.
âOh, come on! I could help you get to know him, you know? And especially get noticed. Did you know he plays on the same team as my best friend Heeseung? He comes to almost all our weekend parties.â He turned to glance at Soobin, and you shot him a dirty look.
âHard pass. Now⊠what drink or food would you like to order, Jake?â As you said it, your fingers pressed a little too hard on the barâs computer keyboard.
âEasy: tutoring from you in history to pass the next two exams,â he said with nonchalance.
You stared at him, exasperated, and let out a long sigh. âYou really donât like hearing âno,â do you?â
At that, his wolf tail, which was peeking out from under his sports hoodie gave a slight, rhythmic wag. You didnât know much about hybrid anatomy or behavior, but to Jake, that involuntary movement meant one very clear thing: he was incredibly stimulated by your resistance toward him. It was almost like a challenge, and it excited him to no end. Jake loved competition, and right now, you were a very compelling one.
âMmm, I knew you were a sharp girl, sweetheart,â he said with total nonchalance. Your cheeks burned, and you stammered, âSweetheart?!â
He chuckled, thoroughly amused. âWell, yeah, itâs a cute nickname. Though, to be honest, thereâs not much âsweetâ about you right now.â He gifted you one of his perfect smiles.
âTell me what you want to drink or eat, or just leave,â you said sharply, crossing your arms over your chest, annoyed by the way his eyes had briefly flicked to the neckline of your shirt. Jake raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
âFine, fine. A hot caramel macchiato and a slice of Black Forest cake. Youâll bring it to my table, right? Especially since⊠Iâve decided Iâll go sit right across from Soobin.â He pointed at the guy youâd been admiring earlier. With that, he tapped his phone on the card reader, paying with a quick beep, leaving you standing there, stunned and speechless. You muttered a low curse under your breath: âI hope the cake chokes him.â
You watched as Jake sat down with absolute ease right at Soobinâs table, and you huffed in frustration. But before you could do anything, the two guys exchanged a quick, athletic handshakeâa sign of brotherhood among teammates. You knew Jake could help you get closer to Soobin, who smiled at him. A moment later, Jake turned his head slightly toward the counter, catching your gaze, and shot you a smug, triumphant grin.
In just five minutes, Jakeâs order was ready. With the tray clutched in your slightly trembling hands, you walked toward the table where Jake and Soobin were sitting. Trying to keep your voice as professional and detached as possible, you said:
âHey, guys. Hereâs the Blackforest cake and the caramel macchiato.â You set the plate and cup down in front of Jake, who watched you intently. âThanks, Y/n,â he said.
You hoped to turn on your heel and flee as quickly as possible, but Jake, of course, spoke up immediately to keep you there, so Soobin would notice you and remember your name.
âSoobin, this is Y/n. Weâre in the same Contemporary History class, and sheâs a total genius. She scored a terrifying 100 on the last test,â Jake said, addressing not just Soobin but also the other basketball players sitting around the table, who proceeded to compliment you. Soobinâs eyes widened, clearly impressed, and he looked at you with that gentle, heart-melting way of his. âYou seriously got a 100 in that extracurricular class? Wow⊠whatâs your major? You know, Iâve been struggling with those geohistory exams too. We could study together sometime, you could give me some pointers, and weâd help each other out,â he said with a shy smile.
Your cheeks instantly turned a deep burgundy, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment from the guy you liked. You just managed a timid smile and a nod.
Jake, observing the scene with the precision of a predator, knew full well that Soobin had taken the bait. With total nonchalance, he interrupted the moment before Soobin could elaborate, speaking in a tone that was falsely apologetic but incredibly possessive:
âSoobin, I hate to disappoint you, but sheâs already taken. You know Iâm a disaster in history, and the team desperately needs me to be up to date with all my classes for the championship⊠so Iâve already asked Y/n to give me private tutoring. I couldnât possibly pass up an opportunity like having the best tutor around.â He looked at you with that crooked grin of his, and you shot him a furious glare, clenching your fist so tightly against your apron that your knuckles turned white.
âI study music⊠but if youâre having trouble, Soobin, I could still find time to...â
But Soobin shook his hands and cut you off with a sincere smile. âNo, no, donât waste your precious time on me! I only play basketball for fun, to help the team. Iâll never be a professional athlete like Heeseung or Jake. You absolutely should tutor Jake. Guys, if he doesnât have all his classes in order, the federation will exclude him from the university championship and right now, there are scouts from the national leagues watching him...theyâre carefully evaluating whether his public and academic image is perfect before offering him a contract in a higher soccer league.â
At those words, you furrowed your brow, and your eyes widened slightly. You knew Jake was good at soccer, he was the captain, after all but you hadnât realized how serious the situation was. There were actually professional scouts involved, and his entire future depended on those damn history tests?
Jake, as he nibbled on his slice of cake, savoring his victory, doubled down: âSee, Y/n? Even Soobinâs asking you. I seriously need your help. And remember⊠if you ever wanted to ask me for anything in return, or needed some special help with someone, Iâd be more than happy to return the favor.â As he said this, he gave you a knowing wink, subtly nodding his chin toward Soobin. You rolled your eyes, was he blackmailing you under the guise of helping?
âIs your tail always moving like that?â You pointed at it with one finger.
Jakeâs mouth fell open in embarrassment, completely caught off guard, no one had ever asked him something so direct before, especially not a girl calling him out on an uncontrollable reflex tied to his hybrid nature. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. âLetâs just say my tail and generally, the tails of hybrids who have them reflects our emotions. We canât control it. Itâs an involuntary reflex of our nervous system,â he explained, trying to relax.
You looked at him, curious. âAnd what emotion are you feeling right now, Jake? We literally just left a bar and are walking toward campus. I donât think youâre feeling some great emotion⊠especially not in my company,â you muttered under your breath, almost to yourself but his wolf ears picked up every single word, even the way youâd said it. Jake furrowed his brow but decided not to make a big deal out of the fact that heâd heard. He looked you straight in the eyes and said:
âAnxiety? Anxiety over your verdict. Sorry if Iâm being pushy, but history is literally the only subject Iâm bad at, and youâre my last hope⊠I already checked the university forums like you suggested, but no one has your grades, and honestly, none of them inspire much confidence. So my tailâs wagging like this because Iâm anxious to know if youâve changed your mind. Is that okay?â
You sighed deeply, clutching your books to your chest, and stayed silent for a few steps as you walked along the campus paths lit by streetlamps. You thought it over, weighing the importance of his future and the veiled blackmail about Soobin, until you finally said:
âI decide when and where the tutoring sessions happen. Obviously, weâll have to work around our academic schedules. And I donât want to be messed around: if you want to pass history, you actually have to commit. No excuses...neither about soccer nor anything else and I want you to be honest if you donât understand something. In addition to our sessions, you need to study on your own at home. Iâm not doing all the work for you. Just like in soccer, you have to put in the effort in this subject too.â
You said it all in one breath, setting down ironclad rules to protect your boundaries. Jakeâs eyes widened, his ears snapping straight up in surprise. âWait⊠does this mean⊠youâll tutor me for the next few months?â he asked. This time, his tail moved differently, and you wondered if it meant he was happy.
You nodded resignedly, bringing a hand to your face. âI just hope itâs worth it⊠and that I donât lose my patience with you by the first session,â you muttered.
At your confirmation, Jake, overwhelmed with relief and happiness, completely lost control of his human inhibitions. Without realizing it, he lunged forward and pulled you into a tight hug. He pressed you against his broad, warm chest, wrapping you completely in his strong, athletic arms. You froze, stiff as a block of ice, and your heart skipped a beat from the sudden physical contact.
Why was he hugging you? God, you hated physical contact, especially with people you didnât know or trust. The memory of what youâd gone through in high school came rushing back like a slap. Your hands began to tremble slightly against your books, and you couldnât bring yourself to place them on Jakeâs back to reciprocate. You stayed motionless, breathless.
Jake, being a hybrid, immediately noticed how rigid you were in his arms. His body sensed your instant stiffness, but it was your scent that changed in a millisecond under his hyper-developed nose. The sweet, clean strawberry scent of your skin was literally overpowered by an intense, acidic trail, the unmistakable signature of negative emotions: primal panic, terror, and shock. It was the scent of someone who felt attacked, not just surprised by a hug. His wolf instinct, which never failed when it came to deciphering pheromones, picked up on that internal danger signal. It forced him to pull away from you immediately. Seeing you silent, your hands shaking, your expression blank, and your eyes wide and empty, Jake felt a pang of guilt, he was afraid heâd crossed a line with you.
Oh God, Iâm sorry⊠I⊠I didnât mean to,â he said, slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and messing it up nervously as he saw you still standing completely stiff in front of him.
âI⊠I really like physical contact when Iâm happy or relieved. Itâs a hybrid thing...we tend to be pack-oriented⊠I didnât mean to scare you,â he said, gesturing with his hands. You swallowed hard, trying to regain control of your breathing, and gave a weak nod. âYeah⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids, but please⊠just donât do it again with me, okay? No hugs.â You shifted even farther away from him.
Seeing how shaken you still were, he nodded seriously, his ears lowering in a sign of submission and respect toward you. âOkay, okay, no hugs. Iâll message you on Instagram later, alright? So we can exchange numbers and set up our first lesson.â
You nodded one last time with a quick motion and hurried toward your apartment, desperate only to close the door behind you and sink into a long, hot bath.
Jake stood frozen on the path, watching your figure disappear into the dim light. His ears were tense, motionless, and his tail was completely still. His predator and protective wolf instincts took over everything else because that drastic and terrifying shift in your scent wasnât normal for a girl your age. As he furrowed his brow, the wolf inside him had just caught the scent of a painful secret you were trying to hide.
What are you hiding thatâs so serious, sweetheart? he muttered under his breath. Who reduced you to this?
Without realizing it, Jakeâs instinct had just vowed that he would uncover the truth and whoever had hurt you would be gone, long before you even saw it coming.
You had arranged everything with Jake down to the last detail in your messages: the library, west wing, at 4:00 PM sharp. He had replied with a thumbs-up, promising heâd be there. But now it was nearly 4:15, and there was still no sign of him. Curious, youâd even checked the official team schedule to see if he had practice but Monday was marked as a full rest day for the soccer players.
That excuse, then, couldnât possibly justify his lateness. You sat there, nervously tapping your pen against the table, your laptop open to your notes and the heavy Contemporary History textbook splayed open to the chapter on World War I. You glanced around every three seconds, but there was still no trace of Jake. Finally, you huffed in frustration, running a hand through your hair.
âWhat the hell⊠why did I agree to this?â you muttered under your breath and just at that moment, you heard the study room door swing open with a little too much force. There he was: Jake, zigzagging hastily between the empty tables, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His dark hair bounced against his forehead with every quick step, and his fluffy wolf ears swayed with the movement. When he finally reached you and leaned over the table to set down his bag, your senses immediately picked up on something that made you stiffen. Beyond his usual wild, warm scent, the air was filled with an unmistakably sweet, almost floral note...a girlâs perfume that was definitely not yours.
âDonât tell me youâre 23 minutes late because you were hooking up with some girl,â you said, staring him straight in the eyes with a look that could have killed him. At those words, you watched his wolf ears drop instantly, flattening completely against the sides of his head in a clear sign of surrender and submission. Even his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie, dropped abruptly and went still between his legs. You caught a glimpse of his cheeks turning a deep red with embarrassment. His hybrid sense of smell must have already told him you were furious, and Jake swallowed hard, he knew heâd been caught red-handed.
âI...I⊠no, not a girl! Itâs just⊠the elevator in the guysâ dorm got stuck, I swear! And, um, there just happened to be a girl in there with me⊠thatâs why I smell like thisâŠâ he said, giving you his best puppy-dog eyesâbut he knew instantly it wouldnât work on you.
âI wasnât born yesterday, Jake, and I know perfectly well you donât have practice today,â you said, crossing your arms firmly over your chest. âI saw in the universityâs official vlog that soccer players rest on Mondays. So why do you have your soccer bag?â
Backed into a corner, Jake tried to play it cool to lighten the mood, smirking as he curled his lips into that usual crooked smile that drove girls wild. âOh, so youâve been stalking me? I didnât know you were already this interested in my routine, sweetheart.â
Your eyes widened, stunned by his audacity. You seriously wanted to slap him, but the only thing stopping you was the fact that you were in a public place.
âI havenât been stalking you! I just wanted to know if you were late for a valid reason, like soccer. But apparently, thatâs not the case,â you said, pointing with a sharp flick of your pen at his hair, which was far too disheveled to be the result of just running down a hallway.
He rolled his eyes slightly, then lowered his voice and stretched his hands across the table toward you. âCome on, Y/n, Iâm sorry⊠I lost track of time, okay? It wonât happen again, I promise. Now letâs sit down and open the books. Iâm all yours for the next few hours,â he said, winking at you. But you stopped him immediately, you were really angry, and even though your voice was a whisper to avoid getting kicked out of the library, your tone was unmistakably sharp.
âNo, Jake. Listen carefully. This is exactly why I didnât want to tutor anyone, especially not someone like you. You have zero respect for the time someone else is giving you, sacrificing their own studies to help you. If your absolute priority on this campus is to play the playboy, show up late to every lesson, and take my help for granted, then know this: this will be the first and last session we ever have. Consider this goodbye. You can say hello to failing that test, losing your captainâs armband, and kissing goodbye to every professional league scout watching you! I donât waste my time on people who wonât commit to something they asked me for. I donât recall chasing you down, begging to tutor you!â
For the first time in a long time, Jake felt corneredânot just by the harshness of your words, but by the fact that you werenât like all the other girls who fell at his feet. For the first time, the team captain had found someone who wasnât willing to let him off the hook for anything. Deep down, he knew he had to step up, and perhaps, beneath the surface, he felt the need to get his act together.
âIâm sorry, Y/n. From now on, Iâll always be on time. I promise,â he said seriously, extending his pinky finger to make a childish âpinky promiseâ in an attempt to lighten the mood. You studied his expression carefully to see if he was sincere, then said:
âIâll let it slide this time, but itâs the last warning, Jake.â
Then you looked at his outstretched finger, and though reluctant, you wrapped your pinky around his. In that brief moment when your skin touched, you both felt something an adrenaline rush that stole your breath, while for Jake, it was yet another confirmation that his wolf side responded intensely to your presence. Deep down, he found himself wanting more.
âToday, weâll start with the triggering causes of World War I and the European alliances of 1914. First, youâll read the text on your own, and Iâll do the same. Then, Iâve prepared five questions here that will help you summarize the entire first chapter about ten pages, to help you understand it better.â
Jake nodded, carefully looking over the first chapter.
âGo ahead and read the chapter first, and if you donât understand something, just ask. Iâm here to help,â you said gently this time. You noticed his tail swaying slightly from side to side under the table, this time with slow, lifted movements.
âGot it, Professor!â he said, saluting like a captain. You sighed, shaking your head, it was maddening how he could act like such a kid.
So, you both began silently reading the first chapter. Thanks to your study habits, you finished in just ten minutes. When you looked up, you expected Jake to be done too, but you realized he was only halfway through the fifth page. You tried your best to look away so as not to stare and make him self-conscious, but Jake had that kind of magnetism anyone within his radius was almost forced to look at him and he was truly handsome, even that day, dressed in just a loose, dark hoodie and comfortable cargo jeans.
His face perfectly embodied the proud aura of a wolf: thick, black hair that created a stunning contrast with his soft, slightly dark gray ears, which occasionally twitched or moved at the slightest sounds in the library. His eyes still had a hint of puppy-like charm, framed by long, dark lashes, a large, pronounced nose that suited his facial features divinely, and slightly full but not overly so lips.
And then there were his hands: truly beautiful, large, and well-kept. Your eyes lingered a little too long on the prominent veins on the back of his hands, a testament to the physical strain of his training, adorned with several silver rings.
As you watched him, you saw Jake make a small pout that you found incredibly cute. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair to mess it up nervously.
âStruggling?â you asked softly, and he didnât even look up from the page, answering almost defeatedly: âA little.â
You asked if heâd underlined anything in the book, and he shook his head. âItâs really hard⊠mostly, I struggle to remember all these names of ministers, archdukes, and tsars, and which territories belong to each one,â he sighed. Moved by a sudden wave of understanding, you said something without even realizing it: âYou could use colors as a visual aid, or associate historical dates with the jersey numbers of famous soccer players you know.â
At those words, Jake suddenly looked up, surprised and intrigued. âYouâre telling me to try memorizing historical dates using soccer jersey numbers?â
âYes, and you could also use a different color for each era or nation, so it sticks better in your mind. You can mentally link it to a team. Soccer teams all have different jersey colors, right? The German Empire could be the black jersey, Russia the red one, and so onâŠâ you said, picking up the highlighters. His eyes widened slightly, and a genuine smile lit up his face.
âWow⊠I never thought of that. In engineering, we never use colors, but it actually makes perfect sense for a subject like history!â
At that point, he started asking you a series of general questions to better understand how to apply the trick: he asked for explanations about the year of the Triple Alliance, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and how the European balance had collapsed. You listened, and finally told him:
âAlright, now try to answer at least two of the five questions I prepared for you. But before you write, you need to highlight the parts of the text you find truly important, using the colors we decided on.â
After an hour and a half, youâd covered two chapters, and Jake seemed fully absorbed in his studiesâthanks both to your help and your company. Heâd finally found a rhythm with your color and soccer association method. Then you glanced at the time on your phone screen and sighed loudly. Jake immediately looked up, his ears perking up curiously.
âEverything okay?â
You nodded, starting to gather your things. When he saw you stand up, something inside him snapped he wanted to stay with you, but he didnât understand why.
âYeah, sorry, but I have to go to work. I wouldâve stayed here studying a little longer, but not all of us have a scholarship secured thanks to soccer!â you said, slipping your laptop into your bag. Jake stretched in his chair, the muscles in his shoulders tensing under his loose hoodie, and curled his lips into a smirk.
âWas that a dig at me or at athletes in general?â he asked, pointing at himself. You shrugged. âTake it however you want.â
But Jake wasnât the type to back down easily, and he loved having the last word. So he leaned forward on the table, looking at you intently: âSpoiler: I donât have an athletic scholarship, sweetheart!â
You stared at him with wide eyes, freezing with your bag strap halfway over your shoulder, and stammered, clearly shockedâit was extremely impossible. âH-Howâs that possible? Youâre the team captainâŠâ
He rocked slightly in his chair, and even from there, you could tell that despite being 23, he still acted like a kid. âI was just too good at both sports and school, even back in high school. I didnât need an athletic scholarship, I got in on my grades,â he said smugly. Your mouth snapped shut, and you sighed, running a hand over your face, almost embarrassed.
You chuckled, amused by his excess of self-confidence, and gestured with your hands to tone it down. âDonât be such a know-it-all egotist, Jake! But⊠take it as a personal challenge⊠who knows, maybe not for the next test, itâs too soonbut for the one after that, you might even beat me⊠if you start liking the subject,â you said, openly teasing him with a challenging smile youâd never given any other guy before. Jake lightly bit his lower lip and muttered under his breath: âChallenge accepted, sweetheart.â
You said goodbye with a quick wave and turned, walking briskly to exit the west wing of the library and rush to the bar for your shift, your heart beating suspiciously fast.
As you walked away, Jakeâs hybrid instincts were literally rejoicing inside him. Under the table, his tail began to wag frantically, and his ears stretched forward to catch the sound of your footsteps. His wolf instinct was celebrating a double victory: not only had he managed to get you to give in and tutor him, but heâd just discovered that behind your cold, defensive armor, there was a girl capable of challenging him and holding her own with wit and that drove him wild. But what made him gloat the most was the scent youâd left in the air when you said goodbye: your smell of fear had faded, replaced by something sweeter and he couldnât wait for the next lesson.
You and Jake had been studying together for two weeks now, and you would NEVER have imagined that, deep down, he wasnât actually so bad. Sure, he was still a living jester...no lesson passed without him trying to tease you but there was one thing that had really stuck with you, something that had made your heart flutter more than once: he strictly respected physical distance. After that hug heâd given you, and after sensing how cold youâd been in returning it, Jake had never tried to touch you or get too close again. Heâd limited himself to verbal provocations and to you, that meant a lot, because for so many guys, the word "no" simply didnât exist in their vocabulary.
That morning, though, heâd sent you a WhatsApp message that had left you a little taken aback, though you understood why. The campus had erupted in chaos after the soccer team won an away game, and heâd asked if you could come to hisplace to study insteadâheâd gotten back late last night and was completely wrecked.
At first, youâd been pretty reluctant, but heâd quickly reassured you, saying you wouldnât be alone because there were six other people in the house, and at least one of his roommates would be there. So youâd agreed and now here you were, standing in front of⊠a house? No, this looked more like a villa. You thought you mustâve gotten the address wrong, but when you stepped closer to the intercom, you read the names of the seven guys who lived there: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, Ni-ki.
So you rang the bell, expecting Jake to answer immediately, but instead, a stunning guy with chiseled features and an incredibly charming vibe opened the door. You immediately noticed his dark ears and sleek, glossy tail: he was a black cat hybrid.
âYouâre Y/n, right? Come in, Jakeâs upstairs,â he said with a smile. You nodded, but before you could even respond, you heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, a tall guy with brown hair and slightly almond-shaped eyesâunmistakable black panther earsâpeered into the hallway.
You thought this place was less of a student house and more of a model recruitment center...
The panther hybrid looked at you and pouted like a child, sighing:  âOh, no⊠I was hoping my takeout had arrived.â You smiled timidly, a little intimidated by his size, but the pantherâs eyes widened as soon as he met your gaze. Pointing at you, he said: âOh my God, wait! Are you the famous Y/n? Jakeâs tutor? Damn, lately he hasnât stopped talking about....â
But before Ni-ki could finish, all three of you heard Jakeâs loud voice call out:Â âNi-ki!â
Like a bolt of lightning, Jake appeared at the top of the stairs and slid down the steps, stretching out a hand to yank Ni-kiâs shirt sleeve and silence him instantly. Ni-ki just laughed, completely unfazed, and said:Â âOh, hyung! Youâre here too, with us at home!â
Jake really wanted to strangle him, but he loved his little brother too much. When you finally looked up at Jake, you noticed he was dressed extremely comfortably: gray sweatpants, an oversized university T-shirt, his dark hair still damp from the shower, and a white towel draped over his shoulders, giving him a cozy, domestic vibe and at the same time, he looked at you and gave you a genuine smile, saying:
âHey, Y/n. Donât mind this bunch of lunatics. Follow me, weâll study in my room so itâs quieter.â
But the second he said those words, you froze on the spot. Your mind went into overdrive:
His room? Alone?
Your brain short-circuited, and you stood completely still on the doormat, clutching your books to your chest like a protective shield. You did not want to go into a room alone...especially not with a guy.
Both Jay (the black cat hybrid) and Ni-ki turned to look at you strangely, since all three of them were predator hybrids, their senses instantly picked up on the drastic shift in the air, as well as the sudden change in your clean scent, which had just been overpowered by a sharp trail of embarrassment mixed with a strong, clear note of defensive fear and panic.
Hybrids had incredibly strong olfactory instincts, and Jake froze on the spot. His smile vanished, replaced by something he didnât often feel or see. But with you, heâd smelled that scent before: the first time heâd spoken to you, and again when heâd hugged you. With an incredibly gentle and reassuring tone, he said:
âWeâll keep the bedroom door wide open, okay, Y/n? If that makes you feel more comfortable and you two⊠no nonsense from now on, got it?â He directed this mostly at Ni-ki, who rolled his eyes, while Jay, understanding the situation, gave a serious nod and walked toward the kitchen: âDonât worry, Iâll go make a snack.â
Jake looked at you again, giving you a soft nod to invite you to follow him up the stairs. Before you moved, you took one last look at Ni-ki and Jay, who returned your gaze with warm, welcoming smiles. You let out a small sigh of reliefâthose guys didnât seem dangerous at all⊠in fact, they seemed really nice and Jake⊠Jake was proving to be far more attentive and protective than youâd ever wanted to admit to yourself.
When you stepped into Jakeâs room, you were immediately enveloped by a mix of warm, inviting scents: the fresh aroma of pine-scented body wash heâd just used, a rich note of cedarwood, and that signature musky scent unique to his hybrid natureâwhich, over time, had begun to make you feel strangely safe.
Your eyes landed on the center of the room, where a large, slightly unmade king-sized bed sat with its gray sheets tangled. Nearby, a desk was buried under stacks of calculation sheets and heavy structural engineering manuals. The shelves, on the other hand, were packed with frames, photos of Jake as a child, and you smiled at the sight of him with his wolf ears still too big for his head. There were pictures of him hugging the other six hybrids from the house, all grinning with mud-streaked jerseys, and beside the photos stood rows of gleaming trophies and medals. Your eyes widened, and you let out a quiet whistle at the sight of so many merit certificates for math Olympiads.
 âWow⊠I knew you were good, but not this good,â you said, picking up a certificate with his name printed in gold letters. Jake shrugged, but you noticed the smirk tugging at his lips, his ears perking up with pride he knew he was smart, and damn good at what he did.
âI told you I wasnât bad. Historyâs just my one weak spot,â he said.
You nodded, setting the frame down. When you saw him move toward the bed and stretch out comfortably on his stomach, with history notes scattered in front of him, you couldnât help but comment:Â âYou know, normal people study sitting in a chair, facing a desk.â
But he just waved a hand dismissively, burying his face in the pillow for a second. âOverrated. If I can stretch out on my bed and study, why not?â Jake lifted his head to look at you, and in that moment, your scent: a delicate blend of fresh strawberries, cream, and a clean trail of vanilla filled the room, mingling perfectly with his hybrid scent. Jake went still for a second, breathing deeply, his expression shifting into something he didnât let show. That scent⊠itâs heavenly, he thought before he could stop himself. Then he shook his head slightly, unsettled by the spontaneous thought.
Heavenly? Damn, Jake, what the hell are you saying? Itâs⊠itâs just a nice smell, thatâs all⊠focus.
Oblivious to his thoughts, you took the desk chair, turned it around, and sat sideways, balancing your notes on your knees. âOverrated or not, this is how Iâm used to studying. If you want to stay there, fine, but I donât want to find you snoring in five minutes,â you said with a half-smile. Jake chuckled, and you saw his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie thumping eagerly against the mattress, a clear sign he genuinely enjoyed your company.
âFirst of all, I donât snore. Second, Iâve never fallen asleep during a study session and I bet that soon, even youâll end up sitting on this bed⊠itâs amazing, sweetheart. Memory foam with built-in massage tech, you know, as a soccer player, I need the best for my body,â he said, shifting slightly onto his side, teasing you with a mischievous grin and a wink. âEveryone who tries it wants to come back to sleep in it⊠thereâs plenty of space⊠and Iâm an excellent human heating pad, you know as a wolf hybrid, my body heat is way higher than yours. Perfect if you get cold in the winter!â he added with another wink.
You wanted to smack him with the history book for his audacity, but instead, you just blushed and shot him a glare. âStop talking nonsense and letâs start studying. Weâve got the first exam on Friday, and if you fail, I fail as a tutor.â
You and Jake had been studying for over two hours, and in that time, Jay had brought you delicious snacks to the room, and youâd even met Sunghoon, another one of the roommates. Youâd already heard about him on campus: he was the famous captain of the hockey team, and he, too, was a hybrid, specifically a snow fox, as well as one of the most popular athletes at the university. He also worked as a model for brands like Adidas, and everyone talked about him.
After the intense review session, you stood up for a moment to stretch your back and arms. Your eyes kept wandering around Jakeâs room, and he watched you carefully from the bed, noticing the tension in your body. âCome on, Y/n, I bet your back is killing you from sitting on that wooden chair. Just sit with me on the bed for five minutes, I promise Iâll keep my hands to myself,â he said.
To prove his intentions, he laced his fingers behind his back, looking up at you with a sweet, slightly reluctant smile. Knowing how wary you were, you finally gave in and sat on the edge of his bed. You immediately felt how incredibly soft it was.
Jake patted the large, dark fabric headboard, inviting you to get comfortable. So you settled in, half-sitting with your back resting against it, while he stayed stretched out beside you, his laptop and a pile of notes in front of him as he continued underlining according to your schemes.
After a little while, the exhaustion from the previous days caught up with you, and you yawned widely. Jake lifted his gaze from the papers. âAre you tired, sweetness?â
âA little,â you admitted, tilting your head back. He stretched slightly, letting out a sigh. Then, before you could predict it but driven irresistibly by his hybrid nature, which, in moments of tiredness or when wanting to make someone feel safe, instinctively sought contact with its âpackâ to share warmth and relax, Jake turned onto his side and, with complete naturalness, rested his head on the upper part of your legs, using them as a soft pillow.
Your eyes widened because his face was so close to your stomach. You immediately felt the impressive warmth of his body against your skin through your jeans just like that time heâd hugged you. He radiated an almost feverish heat, typical of wolf hybrids. From this close position, you could perfectly see how long and dark his lashes were, how his ears had partially lowered backward and deep inside, you felt a sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft and fluffy at the same time, and you wanted to know if they felt like a normal dogâs or catâs.
Jakeâs body relaxed completely against you, and you, having no idea what to do and with your heart beating a mile a minute, said his name softly: âJakeâŠâ
He just let out a low murmur, keeping his eyes half-closed because he liked feeling your body against hisâuntil you spoke.
âWhy did you rest your head on my legs?â you asked, slightly curious. He gave a light shrug against your thigh.
âI know you hate sudden physical contact⊠and Iâm not squeezing or openly touching you with my hands, so you can see I donât want to hurt you. You can trust me. Itâs just for support,â he said as his eyes opened fully, and two amber pools looked up at you, smiling. As your head tilted toward him, in that moment of absolute closeness, Jakeâs sharp sense of smell picked up on something that left him breathless: your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly intensified in the air, growing sweeter. There was no trace of the acidic note of fear, nor the detachment of embarrassmentâbecause you were starting to trust him.
Without even realizing it, you lifted a trembling hand, and your fingers barely brushed one of his fluffy ears, right where the fur transitioned from light gray to the super-dark shade at the tip.
You froze instantly at that sound, blushing all the way to the tips of your ears, and stammered:
âJ-Jake⊠God, Iâm sorry! Did I hurt you? I didnât mean to⊠I didnât know...â But Jake burst into genuine laughter, and you caught a glimpse of his dimples, thinking he looked damn cute.
âNo, donât worry, you didnât hurt me, sweetness,â he said, slowly reopening his eyes. âItâs totally normal that I growled. I told you the other day, both our ears and tails are the most sensitive parts of our hybrid bodies. If theyâre touched the right way, they stimulate a huge amount of pleasure, even strong excitement inside us⊠itâs just a biological reflex. We canât help it.â He said this almost shyly, and at those words, you immediately pulled your hand away from his ears but Jake immediately pouted in protest, letting out a small, annoyed whine his sense of smell had instantly noticed the loss of your skinâs warmth. He looked up at you with an almost pleading expression.
âCan I take your hand, Y/n?â
You stared at him as you leaned over him, and though hesitant, you offered him your hand. Jake, however, was incredibly gentle. He didnât interlace his fingers with yours but instead wrapped his large, warm fingers around your wrist, guiding your arm upward until your hand rested again at the base of his gray ears.
âWe hybrids are very sensitive to both smells and touch,â he explained, watching you carefully. âAnd if someone becomes part of our circle, our life⊠well, we quickly become much more insistent with physical contact. Letâs just say we have an almost physical need for it. Thatâs why I stretched out with my head on your legs. My wolf just wanted to be close to you.âHe said this without realizing it, but he didnât say things like that to just anyone⊠in fact, he hoped you wouldnât fully understand what he was implying. For your part, you just nodded.
âI⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids. Iâve always attended all-human schools before university, so this is the first time Iâve been in close contact with one of you.â
Jake studied your reactions from below, sensing that you were relaxed, and said: âWell, there are many first times in life, and this is a new first for you. Donât be shy about touching me, sweetness⊠I can sense it, your scent, your instinct, they tell me you want to.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment at being caught, and said:Â âSometimes it bothers me, this thing. You sense and understand things through smells that we humans will never be able to comprehend.â
He chuckled but didnât move, and when he felt your fingersânow moving with more confidenceâbegin to stroke the base of his ears again, Jake let out a long sigh of pure relief and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed in that moment, a feeling he hadnât experienced in years. Only his mom and grandmother could calm him with just a touch. He felt how his body was vibrating with total submission to your touch, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. You smiled because you liked the idea of being able to relax someone as energetic and hyperactive as him. With the tips of your fingers, you moved from his ears to his thick, black hair, gently ruffling it, and asked, slightly shy:
âWhy do you hybrids love physical contact so much? Is it something that comes from your puppy-like nature, orâŠ?â
Jake opened his eyes, staring straight into yours. âYes, it partly comes from when weâre pups. But actually, all hybrids need constant physical contact, both as kids and as adults, especially during heat. It can be suppressed with medication, of course, but doctors say itâs not good for our health or mental balance. And then⊠when a hybrid finds his mate, there are specific ways he uses to be with her.â
Curious, you tilted your head slightly to the side and asked:Â âAnd what are these ways?â
âWell⊠besides being touched by his mate, the hybrid loves to touch her in return. Itâs a little embarrassing, but in the early stages of a relationship, itâs constant: holding her hand, hugging her, squeezing her⊠but the most important thing for us is to make sure our scent completely soaks into her. We want our chemistry to stay on her skin, on her clothes, so the whole pack and other males know who she belongs to.â
You were slightly shocked by this possessive and biological revelation, your eyes widening as you struggled to respond, unable to fully grasp the nature of hybrids. Jake, seeing your petrified face and sudden confusion, didnât miss the chance to tease you.
âOh God, you should see your face, sweetheart! Whatâs wrong? Are you afraid Iâll rub my wolf scent all over you any second so youâll smell like me all over campus? Donât worry⊠for today, Iâll settle for your legs as a pillow, but I wonât make any promises for our next lessons!â
You huffed, looking away to hide the heat still burning on your cheeks, and said:Â âI definitely donât want your scent on me, especially if I want to have any chance with Soobin.â
At those words, Jake froze on your lap. His ears snapped backward, stiffening, and his tailâs movement stopped instantly, youâd almost forgotten about it. The only reason youâd accepted this compromise and were helping him with Contemporary History was his deal: using his influence to get Soobinâs attention. For a second, his possessive, territorial animal instinct pressed to emerge and growl at that name, but his human side quickly regained control. He slowly lifted himself from your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked at you intensely, saying:
âRelax, the only way a hybridâs scent spreads to a girl is if they do sexual thingsâwhich means undressing and sniffing each otherâor if the guy bites her. So donât worry, you wonât run that risk with me, Y/n.â
You frowned at his answer, then checked the time on your phone and said it was getting late and that you absolutely had to go. Jake returned to being his usual carefree self, wearing a mask of indifference. He nodded and asked if you wanted a ride, but you refused, explaining that Allie would pick you up.
Just as you reached the entrance hall, the front door swung open, and Heeseungâthe basketball team captain and an adorable hamster hybridâburst in, beaming as he held dark streamers in his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs: âFriday, I want all six of you dressed up for Halloween because weâre throwing a legendary party here! No excuses!â He looked at all his friends, and a chorus of reactions immediately rose from the kitchen and living room:
Jungwon and Sunooâa cat hybrid and a fox hybrid with huge earsâgroaned at the idea of chaos in the house. Ni-ki enthusiastically exclaimed, âAwesome!â Jay muttered that heâd prepare amazing cocktails for the occasion, while Sunghoon, still sprawled on the couch, just rolled his eyes because he wasnât a fan of parties at all.
As you watched the scene, you suddenly felt warm breath right next to your ear. Jake had leaned toward you, his lips just millimeters from your skin:
âThis is the perfect excuse for us to be seen together by Soobin, sweetheartâŠâ he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. âTell me how youâll dress for the party⊠because you are coming, right? Heâll definitely be there.â
You turned abruptly, finding his challenging smile just a centimeter from your face. And if there was one thing you hated, it was crowded partiesâbut the idea of finally talking to Soobin pushed you to do something crazy.
âYes, Iâll be there⊠but only if Allie can come too.â
Jake nodded, widening his sly grin. You said goodbye to all the guys with a wave and finally left that villa. As soon as you got into Allieâs car, you told her everything in detail. But your best friend could tell deep down that you wanted to go to that party to be with Jakeâbecause for the entire ride, you hadnât even mentioned Soobin.
As soon as the door closed behind you, silence fell over the entire living room. Jake turned to go back upstairs but froze on the spotâall six of his friends were staring at him with their arms crossed, wearing smiles that were half-amused and half-suspiciously knowing. All six hybrids in that room were literally breathing in the pheromones Jake had unconsciously released over the past two hours.
Jake felt his cheeks heat more than they should, turning bright red. He wanted to deny everything, but then Heeseung, the oldest in the group, twitched his hamster ears with a mix of amusement and curiosity, shook his head, and dropped the final bombshell, looking at the others:
âGuys, I think the first one to find his lifemate is actually one of the two biggest playboys and frat boys in the entire university⊠Who wouldâve ever thought that the great Jake Sim would fall at the feet of a nerd who didnât even know he existed a few weeks ago?â
Jakeâs blush deepened, spreading under the fur of his ears, which twitched nervously. He growled, baring a hint of fang to hide his panic: âShut up, you donât know what youâre talking about! Sheâs just my tutor, and Iâm just keeping my end of the deal. At the party on Friday, youâll see...sheâs into Soobin.â Jake then bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
But as he stormed up, his tail....always the traitor, began wagging frantically at the thought of seeing you dressed up for Halloween and his friends were absolutely right⊠the wolf inside him knew it all too well.
The house of the seven hybrids had been completely transformed for the Halloween party. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling corners, ghost-shaped sheets floated mid-air, and witch hats seemed to fly on their own thanks to invisible wires. The place looked like it had stepped straight out of a horror cartoon rather than a university party. Soft, rhythmic music played in the background as people from the campus began filling the hallways and living rooms of the villa.
You and Allie had arrived together. Allie was wearing a sexy pirate costume that suited her perfectly, while you had gone with the plan youâd agreed on with Jake: a lilac and purple dress inspired by Rapunzel. According to your friend, it looked divine on you, and to be honest, even you felt pretty looking at yourself in the mirror. However, you couldnât help but notice that the corset was a little too tight, accentuating your curves in a way you usually disliked but tonight, it gave you an extra boost of self-confidence. Deep down, you were a beautiful girl, but the only thing that made you wrinkle your nose a little was the cleavage, which made you feel a bit uncomfortable under the gazes of the people you passed. The rest of the outfit, though, was perfect: your hair was gathered in a soft braid decorated with tiny fake flowers, and you held a lightweight plastic frying pan, artfully stained with fake blood. You seriously hoped Jake had kept his word about dressing as Flynn Rider.
When your eyes finally spotted him near the bar corner, a small, spontaneous smile appeared on your face. Allie, who had been watching you carefully out of the corner of her eye, noticed that spark in your eyes as you looked at Jake. Deep down, your friend had already figured it all out, but she chose to stay silent, driven by a strong protective instinct toward you.
Jake, for his part, looked simply perfect. He wore the typical blue vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, showcasing his powerful biceps and the prominent veins of his athletic arms. Dark pants completed the look, but what truly took your breath away was his hairstyle: his dark hair was perfectly parted in the middle with Flynnâs signature rebellious tuft. You thought he should opt for that fluffy, middle-parted hair more often. On his cheeks and neck, he had drawn small, fake red scratches, as if he had just barely escaped the clutches of the law.
When Jake turned and saw you, he froze mid-step for what felt like an eternity. His wolf nose instantly picked up your scent in the airâa heavenly, thick aroma of fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a warm note of pure vanilla. At that olfactory contact, his tail twitched violently under his costume, swaying so hard from side to side that he had to restrain himself to keep it from breaking free of the fabric.
His wolf instinct gave a primal jolt: he thought you looked incredibly beautiful, and at the same time, he almost didnât recognize you. He had never seen you so exposed, with your figure and curves so visibly on display. Jake swallowed hard at the sight of your shy smile and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily ruining the perfect part. His animal instinct was literally screaming at him to reach out, grab you by the waist, and carry you away from all those people to keep you close to him. But he knew he had to rein in that urge, you werenât his, and besides, you were interested in another guy. Damn, you looked stunning, and his eyes couldnât stop drinking you in.
He closed the distance between you with feline steps, leaning slightly toward you, and whispered directly into your ear in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine:
âDamn, sweetheart⊠I knew you were hiding something under those hoodies or sweaters, but I didnât expect all this,â he said, unable to stop rambling because he couldnât take his eyes off you, especially not from the line of your cleavage. You blushed violently, and in self-defense, you crossed your arms over your chest, clutching the frying pan to your side.
âIn your dreams, Sim. I only came here because you asked me to, and because we have a deal. Otherwise, Iâd be comfortably in my room right now trying to compose music for my class⊠but Iâm here because you promised me something. You have to help me get to know Soobin⊠speaking of which, where is Soobin? You promised heâd be here.â
At the sound of that name, Jakeâs smug smile vanished in a millisecond. His wolf ears twitched slightly backward, flattening almost imperceptibly against his hairâa clear sign of pure annoyance and territorial jealousy. His body stiffened for a moment, irritated by the fact that your first thought had gone to another guy just as he was devouring you with his eyes. He gave a vague nod toward the kitchen. âHeâs in there, in the kitchen with Heeseung and the other basketball guys but donât rush, sweetheart⊠first, you need to loosen up⊠and have a drink.â
Before you could tell Jake you had no intention of drinking alcohol, he turned and started walking toward the kitchen with confident steps. Following him inside, you were immediately greeted by three enormous glass bowls filled with rum punch and chopped fruit. At the sight, your instinct screamed at you to run out of the room...high school memories threatened to resurface, and you feared theyâd ruin what could have been a fun night.
Jake, unaware of your internal struggle, grabbed a ladle and poured himself a glass of the reddish liquid. From the note pinned to the table, you read that it was a cocktail made with rum, prosecco, and berries. When he turned and held out the glass to you, you looked up at him and said in a thin voice: âThanks, Jake, but⊠I donât drink alcohol⊠I donât like it.âYou tried to hide it, but Jake wasnât stupid. His hybrid sixth sense was far too sharp, and he saw the slight but unmistakable tremor in your hand as you refused the glass. He noticed how your posture had suddenly stiffened, and, intrigued, he tilted his head, studying your reaction.
âMmm, okay. Wait here a second,â he said without teasing you or trying to pressure you. You simply nodded, clutching the plastic frying pan to your chest, and watched him disappear behind the door of a pantry at the back of the kitchen.
Left alone, you turned to look around. You saw Allie talking or maybe arguing with Heeseung, and your heart literally leapt into your throat when Soobin walked into the kitchen. He was dressed as Cullen from Twilight in a baseball game versionâwhite and blue jersey, a backward cap, and even a baseball glove tucked into his left hand. You immediately thought he looked cute, especially when he noticed you, and his famous dimples deepened in his cheeks. Your eyes, however, instinctively searched for Jakeâs figure.
Where the hell did he go? Soobin was walking straight toward you, and you thought, half-panicked: Where the hell has that wolf gotten himself? Why is he leaving me alone right now?!
But then a part of you forced yourself to reason after all, this was the plan, right? Jake was supposed to give you the chance to meet Soobin and make an impression. Yet deep down, you wanted him there with you so badly, and you didnât understand why.
When Soobin reached you, he gave you a sweet smile. âOh my God, Y/n? Is that you? Jakeâs tutor, right? Damn⊠you look stunning tonight. The costume suits you perfectly,â he said, even stumbling slightly over the last word as his eyes lingered inevitably on the line of your braid and the lilac corset. Your cheeks burned, turning burgundy in a millisecond from compliments you werenât used to hearing. You said:
âYou⊠you donât look bad either⊠I mean, you look really cute,â and a second later, you wanted to slap yourself in the face. You had no idea how to flirt, and having a decent conversation with the guy you liked felt like a titanic task.
But just at that moment, Jake reemerged from the pantry, holding both a sealed glass bottle of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water. The scene before him, however, made him freeze on the spot. Seeing you blush, smelling your strawberry scent grow more intense and vulnerable for another male, literally drove him wildâand he didnât understand why.
Okay, you were cute. Many times, you drove him crazy. Many times, heâd sought you out in class but you werenât his type....you were too⊠well, a little too shy. You usually gave as good as you got, but you preferred to keep to yourself or stick with a few people, while he loved being almost the center of attention. He didnât understand why he felt so strange when he was with you.
A wave of pure, territorial jealousy burned in his chest. Under his costume, his tail tensed instantly, becoming as rigid as a poker, and his ears flattened. But when his eyes met yours, Jake read your silent plea for help and your embarrassment. He understood that this was the exact moment to step in and play his card.
Jake hurried over to you, and without touching you, you immediately felt his presence as he stood in front of you with a serious expression. âHey, sweetheart, I got you a Coca-Cola and a sealed bottle of water, so you know exactly what youâre drinking,â he said, smiling warmly as he handed them to you. Once again, you were caught off guard by how well Jake could read you. It was incredible how this guyâwho, just a few weeks ago, youâd considered nothing more than a shallow, heartbreaking athleteâcould pick up on every subtle nuance of your discomfort and protect you in such a quiet, precise way.
You thanked him shyly, taking the cold glass bottle in your hands. It was at that moment that Jake turned toward the other guy.
âOh, Soobin, youâre here too,â he said with a crooked grin. Soobin wasnât intimidated by Jakeâs predator-like aura and met the soccer captainâs gaze head-on. âWell, you know Iâm here every weekend. And when I saw your tutor alone in the middle of this pack of hybrids, I came over right away to see how much sweetness and beauty she had as Rapunzel.â
Jake glared at Soobin, then shifted his gaze to you, as if expecting a reaction. Feeling caught in an invisible grip and wanting to ease the tension, you said: âWell⊠it was my idea to dress as Rapunzel and Flynn. Jake doesnât look bad tonight either, to be honest.â
At those words, a wave of immense pride washed over the wolf hybrid. Jake chuckled, visibly pleased by your unexpected compliment. He drastically closed the distance between you, eliminating the personal space youâd established, and you watched as his large hand lowered and gently brushed against yours. You bowed your head for a moment, watching his fingers slowly spread across your palm, ready to welcome yours. Driven by a sudden, overwhelming sense of security from the fact that heâd thought to protect your drink and the primal warmth radiating from his presenceâyou interlaced your hand with his, fitting your fingers between his. It was a spontaneous gesture that made your heart race, because youâd never thought that this Jakeâthe one everyone talked about as a playboy or someone who only thought of himselfâcould be like this.
Jake tightened his grip around your handâyour fingers were ridiculously cute and small compared to hisâand lifted his chin toward his rival. With a possessive tone that brooked no argument, he said:Â âIt was a pleasure, Soobin. But Y/n is with me tonight, and I need to show her around the house.â
Without giving Soobin time to respond, Jake started walking toward the villaâs stairs, gently pulling you behind him. As you climbed the first wooden steps, you leaned toward him and whispered: âDo you think itâs right to leave him already? He seemed really into talking to meâŠâ You felt bad for cutting short the only real conversation youâd started with the guy you had a crush on. But Jake couldnât have cared less about what you thought in that moment or what Soobin might have been thinking. His only goal was to get you away from the other malesâ gazes and claim you for himself, because damn, that night he wanted all your attention. So he took you to the very top of the stairs, to a raised and partially shadowed spot from which you could perfectly see the entire party belowâthe crowded living room and the music echoing off the walls.
âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart,â he murmured against your ear, his warm breath on the bare skin of your neck making you shudder. Instinctively, you tried to turn your head downward, toward the kitchen, to look for Soobinâs figure. But Jakeâs free hand shot lightning-fast to your face, his long, warm fingers caressing your cheek as he firmly held your face in place, preventing you from turning. You werenât supposed to let Soobin see you flustered by the guy you liked.
âDonât give him the satisfaction of having your eyes on him. Otherwise, heâll realize youâre interested and that he has control over you,â he warned in a low voice, his gaze fixed on your lips. You swallowed hard at how well Jake could embody his character, and trapped between his hand on your face and the stair railing, you stammered in confusion: âA-and what the hell am I supposed to do, Jake? I⊠Iâm not good at this stuff. Itâs already a lot if I managed to talk to him for two minutes straight without making a fool of myself.â You said this with a half-smile, and Jake looked at you intensely, his ears lowering slightly in an unexpectedly tender shade of sweetness.
âBut with me, you donât have a problem talking, Y/n. You donât freeze up. You hold your own, you answer back. Maybe⊠maybe you need to find someone you actually feel comfortable with, not someone your mind just thinks is cool, but who ultimately just makes you feel a little⊠constant anxiety?â Jake said this without fully realizing what heâd just admitted. For him, those words carried immense meaningâalmost a declaration of intent tied to his biological nature. He wanted you to understand that love or attraction shouldnât be a mental effort or an ideal of perfection to chase (like Soobin). Instead, it should be a natural chemistry based on loyalty, security, teasing, and a safe harbor where your body and soul felt protected and free to express themselves without fear. And those feelings? You definitely didnât feel them with Soobinâbut you did with him. He wanted you to understand that the wolf in front of you was the only one capable of naturally breaking down your protective barriers. He knew you were hiding something that had happened to you, and he couldnât wait to see you lower your guard and let go with him.
But you didnât have time to process the concept or respond, because Jake had closed the last millimeter of distance between you and pressed his lips firmly against yours, catching you completely off guard at the top of those stairs.
Jakeâs full lips pressed against yours, and your brain completely short-circuited at the sensation of that physical contact between you and him.
What the hell was he doing? Why was he kissing you like this, in front of everyone, and especially under Soobinâs gaze? But before your mind could even formulate a protest or find the strength to push him away, the devastating warmth of his body enveloped you. As if by magic, the anxiety that had been gnawing at you since before you even entered their house vanished. After just a few seconds, almost as if moved by an involuntary reflex, you parted your lips slightly. Jake let out a warm, trembling sigh right against your mouthâa sound of pure reliefâbecause you hadnât slapped him in front of everyone, even though he knew you hated being touched. Damn, heâd been dreaming for a while now of knowing what it was like to kiss you. And he began to kiss you with a disarming gentleness.
It wasnât the rough or arrogant kiss you would have expected from the soccer team captain. His lips moved against yours softly, as if he were afraid that at any moment, you might pull away. Jake gently sucked on your lower lip, savoring every single millimeter of your mouth, and you tasted the sweetness of the Coca-Cola mixed with the fruity flavor of his alcoholic aperitif. You would have never imagined that the campus playboy could kiss a girl with such care and reverence. Your cheeks burned as you felt his hand gently caress your cheek. Without realizing it, your handsâwhich had been timidly resting against his chestâslid upward, settling firmly on his broad shoulders, gripping the fabric of his white shirt. Jake leaned even closer into you, pressing you gently against the railing at the top of the stairs, isolating you from the rest of the world.
When your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly became even sweeter and more intense than usualâa clear sign that your body had surrendered to him and that you no longer felt any fearâJake broke the kiss for a millisecond. He growled in an incredibly rough, low voice: âDamn⊠you smell so good, Y/n. Stay like this⊠please.â He said this against your lips, and you didnât understand the meaning of that comment. You tried to pull your head back to protest and ask for an explanation, but Jake, seeing your deliciously parted lips, didnât waste time. He took advantage of that moment and slid his warm tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss against your lips, which were increasingly drawn to him.
At the same time, his hand slid down from your face, settling firmly around your waist, gripping the lilac fabric of your Rapunzel dress. In that moment, Jake held his breathâhe was afraid that this contact might trigger your usual resistance. He hoped with all his heart that you wouldnât pull your hand away or break free from him. But to his surprise, you kissed him back. And you did it in a way that left him completely stunned: your fingers tightened with more force on his shoulders, and your tongue responded to his with an initial shyness that quickly turned into a desperate, hungry rhythm, as if you had found a secret refuge in this guy you thought you couldnât stand. You pressed yourself closer to his chest, forgetting about Soobin, the people below the stairs, and everything else.
Jake literally smiled against your lips, savoring your total surrender, while the wolf instinct inside him screamed at the top of its lungs that you were his mate, that he should never let you go, and that he should especially not let other guys have you.
Jakeâs human side forcefully pushed back the animal instinct that wanted to take control. He didnât want to scare youâhe just wanted to savor this incredible moment with you. Your tongues continued to seek each other relentlessly, as if it were just the two of you in that house. And maybe it was, because from where you stood, only someone climbing the stairs could see what was happening.
Then, seized by a sudden boldness you didnât even know you possessed, you lightly nibbled on his lower lip. Jake was completely caught off guard by such an intimate, unexpected, and boldly provocative gesture from you. He wanted more, and a low, rough moan escaped his lips. At that sound, you felt your cheeks burn damn, Jake was kissing you and moaning in the middle of a packed party!
This realization set off an alarm bell in your mind, jolting your rationality back to life. This was not part of the deal youâd made with him. Breathless, with your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, you pulled away from him by just a few millimeters, breaking the kiss. Even though, deep down, you wanted his lips against yours again, you quickly pushed that thought away. Both of you had glossy eyes, your lips visibly redder and fuller than usual.
Embarrassed and adrenaline-fueled, you lowered your gaze and started nervously fiddling with the lilac tulle of your Rapunzel dress, trying to compose yourself. Jake, on the other hand, simply couldnât stop looking at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly under his Flynn Rider shirt. When you finally looked up again, your eyes locked once more, unable to pull away, as if they were always searching for each other. You stammered:
âI⊠I⊠why did you kiss me, Jake?â
Jake gave a small, crooked smile and repeated softly the same words from earlier:Â âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart.â
This time, though, he didnât bring his hand to your cheek to block your face, leaving you free to check if Soobin was indeed watching. When you slowly turned toward the living room below, your eyes immediately caught Soobinâs figure. He was standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, with a hint of obvious jealousy mixed with frustration in his gaze. Once again, Jake had wonâbecause he hadnât expected someone like Jake to claim you so boldly in front of everyone, especially since you werenât his ideal type of girl.
As you spun back toward Jake, confused, he looked down at you, stretching his wolf ears with a proud air. Then he murmured:
âGive it less than a week⊠youâll see, Soobin will come looking for you and ask you out. Because very soon, everyone here will know I kissed you. But theyâll also know youâre not my girlfriend. And youâll officially be the girl who stood up to Jake Sim. And believe me, sweetheart⊠every guy on campus will become terribly curious to find out who you are.â
Was Jake Sim a fortune teller? Or maybe a genie? No, because ever since youâd set foot on campus that Monday morning after the Halloween weekend, his prophecy had come true 100%: people couldnât stop staring at you. Every time you walked down the hallway, there were whispers as you passed. Classmates and even complete strangers looked at you differently nowâall because theyâd spotted you with the universityâs golden boy.
âCome on, stop looking at that phot, itâs embarrassing, please!â you whispered, glancing sideways to make sure no customers heard you. But Allie couldnât stop staring at the picture, and her tone suddenly turned more serious and dreamy as she looked at you and Jake: âBut seriously⊠you and Jake look so good in that photo. In a way I never wouldâve imagined: you, the down-to-earth girl who works double shifts to pay for university and build a future in music, kissing the campus golden boy, the soccer team captain with his path already paved to some famous club⊠Itâs a perfect match. Admit it, just a few months ago, you never wouldâve imagined ending up in a situation like this!â she concluded with a mischievous smile. But you scolded her immediately, slamming the coffee tamper on the counter and glaring at her: âStop it right now, Allie! Thereâs no match, no romantic movie. It was just⊠a setup to get Soobinâs attention, and Jake just wanted to help. Itâs a 50% help for both of us,â you said, trying to sound convincing. Yet your eyes couldnât pull away from that photo on the screen.
Looking at it, you almost didnât recognize yourself: pressed against his chest, your hands gripping his shirt, and the way Jake was looking at you as he held your waist radiated an energy that could give butterflies to even someone like Allie, whoâd been in a relationship forever. Even though the photo wasnât high quality, you could still see both you and Jake smiling at each other. And just the memory of his lips against yours made your stomach clench.
Your thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone arriving at the counter. You heard a familiar voice, and when you looked up, you found Soobin standing there with his usual shy smile. That morning, he was in full ânerd modeâ: he was wearing an oversized sweater that made him look even softer, round glasses with thin black frames, and his dark hair was slightly messy on his forehead. But it was strangeâuntil that moment, you wouldâve gone crazy at the sight of him. Now, you were happy, but you couldnât understand why your mind kept drifting to JakeâŠ
âHey, Y/nâŠâ he said in his usual shy way, and you gave him a timid smile. Soobin glanced quickly at Allieâs phone in her hand and then back at you. âMmm⊠did you see the photo of you and Jake kissing too?â The question came out of his mouth with a slightly casual, almost detached tone, but his eyes were hungry for your reaction. You nodded, feeling the blood rush straight to your cheeks, and immediately tried to downplay it by waving your hands in the air:  âYes, I saw it⊠but I swear, Soobin, itâs nothing serious! Jake is just a show-off. We were just⊠joking. There was so much confusion at the party, andâŠâ You tried to say something, as if you owed him an explanation, but he stopped you by raising a hand: âThe other night, I was really shocked when I saw you dressed like that and I noticed right away how your cheeks turned red when you saw me next to you,â he said, looking down at you from his nearly two meters of heightâSoobin was truly imposing, unlike Jake, who, despite being muscular, was only a couple of centimeters taller than you.
âJake took you away, and⊠well, we all know him, heâs a show-off. But I bet that kiss was just for show, right?â And then, leaving you completely shocked, he leaned a little further forward, lowering his voice: âWould you like to go out for a serious coffee with me this afternoon? Just you and me, I promise.â He took a sip of his drink, and you stood there, literally paralyzed with the milk jug in your hand. Was he seriously asking you out? Youâd wanted this moment for months. Youâd spent entire nights hoping Soobin would notice you. But now⊠Jakeâs image kept tormenting your mind. And with startling clarity, you remembered the warmth of his full lips, how heâd gently held you close, afraid you might pull away, and especially that damn moan that had escaped him when youâd bitten his lip and what scared you the most was the realization that, next to Jake, your body hadnât felt the slightest bit of anxiety.
With Soobin, however, you felt like you were under examination, and your instinct told you to take it slow with him, not to rush. But a part of you wanted to seize the moment, to not waste this opportunityâyouâd already wasted so many because of what happened to you as a teenager. Yet, accepting his invitation for that afternoon would mean canceling your study session with Jake. So you took a deep breath and, forcing a sweet smile, said:
âSoobin, Iâd really like to⊠but as you know, Iâm tutoring Jake. He has his Contemporary History test on Friday, and we absolutely need to meet at his place this afternoon to review the last chapters. But⊠this weekend, yes, we could go out for breakfast together, if youâd like.â
Allie, who had been silently pretending to clean a nearby table the whole time, rushed over as soon as Soobin was out of earshot. She looked you straight in the eyes, her usual playful demeanor gone, and said in a low voice:
âY/n⊠if you really wanted to go out with him this afternoon, Jake can wait. Or he can study for the test on his own. But please, be honest with yourselfâbecause you just turned down a date with the guy of your dreams to lock yourself in a house with a jock who, until recently, you claimed to detest, and who practically kissed you passionately in front of half the university. Are you sure Soobin is still the only one on your mind?â
She asked, watching you carefully and at those words, you honestly didnât know what to say.
As you walked briskly toward Jakeâs house, Allieâs words still echoed in your head. You tried to shake them off, Jake was just a⊠a "friend"? You didnât even know how to define him, to be honest. You were his tutor, end of story. What happened at the Halloween party was just a staged scene to get Soobinâs attention and land a date and it had worked. That was allâŠÂ right?
When you stood in front of the massive door of the seven hybridsâ villa, you typed in the code Jake had kindly given you a few days earlier so you wouldnât have to wait in the cold. But out of politeness, you knocked anyway. No one answered, so you pushed the door open. The living room and large kitchen were completely empty. It was really strange, the place looked almost eerie compared to the chaos of the last time youâd been there, for the Halloween party. So you walked in and, reaching the bottom of the stairs, called out: âJake! Iâm here!â
But there was no answer. You assumed he was in his room, as usual when he wanted to avoid chores. So you climbed the wooden steps one by one, looking around. All the doors on the landing were closed except one. When you reached Jakeâs door and saw it was half-open, you knocked lightly with your knuckles on the wood and said: âSorry Iâm late, Jake, but we really need to review three chapters of Contemporary History on the post-war period and the peace treatiesâŠâ
But the words died in your throat.
Jake was there but he wasnât alone. He was leaning back against his messy desk, and between his legs stood a girl you recognized all too well: one of the most popular and beautiful girls on campus. She had her nails buried in Jakeâs dark hair, kissing him passionately, her hips moving against his. And yet, you noticed immediately that Jake wasnât touching her at all. His hands were lazily resting on the desk, as if he didnât even have a girl kissing him in front of him. His ears were slightly lowered, and his tail, beneath his pants, was completely stillâno twitch, no movement. It was strange because with you, Jake was always the opposite. The way they were kissing seemed almost mechanical, especially on Jakeâs part⊠as if he were bored. There was none of that desperation to touch you like at Halloween, none of that devastating heat, none of that deep, rough moan heâd reserved for you at the top of the stairs just a few days earlier.
And yet, despite his obvious detachment, the sight of Jake wrapped around another girl hurt, badly. You suddenly felt stupid, like a total fool. But stupid for what? Jake wasnât your type at all⊠and yet, watching him share his personal space and his lips with someone else filled you with a sharp, cutting disappointment that quickly turned into burning anger toward him.
In the shock of that vision, you abruptly took a step back to leave, but the sudden movement made your heavy backpack bump against the wooden doorframe. At such close range, Jakeâs wolf hearing instantly picked up the noise but more than that, he caught your scent. He pulled away from the girl almost immediately, as if pushing her off, and his eyes widened when they landed on you in the doorway. His nose wrinkled instantly because heâd just caught your scent in the airâbut your usual sweet strawberry fragrance was gone. It had turned sour, sharp, and not goodâit reminded him of the early days when you couldnât stand him being near you at all.
âY/n! Wait!â Jake exclaimed, taking a decisive step toward you but you had no intention of staying there to be humiliated. You spun around on your heel, your cheeks literally burning with embarrassment.
Jake gently grabbed your wrist in an attempt to stop your rush down the stairs: âHey! Stop for a second!â he exclaimed, looking at you but you spun around abruptly, yanking your wrist free from his grip especially from his touch and said:
âLet go of me, Jake! Donât touch me! I knew you were irresponsible, but I didnât think youâd go this far! We have a test in three days, and I rearranged all my plans today just to come here and help you pass the exam and what do you do? Not even trainâwhich would make more senseâbut kiss one of your many girls who throw themselves at you with a snap of their fingers?!â You glared at him, and Jake looked at you carefully, almost caught off guard by the vehemence of your words. His wolf ears lowered slightly, betraying a hint of regret or perhaps confusion about what was happening. His nose wrinkled imperceptibly as he sniffed the air around you, sensing how your scent was becoming sharper, more acidic as if every fiber of your body was screaming how much you disliked the situation. It reminded him of the scent you gave off when you couldnât stand being near him.
Trying to take a step toward you to calm you down, Jake said in a low voice:Â âY/n, we werenât doing anything serious. She just came to return a hoodie to me and...â
But you didnât care at all about his justifications. You cut him off abruptly with a wave of your hands: âI donât care what you were doing! It just bothers me that I wasted my time with a guy who doesnât have his head on straight, who only thinks about having fun and showing off! You know what? Figure it out yourself. Iâll send you the notes online from now on because I have no intention of setting foot in this house again to waste time with you!â
At those words, a spark flashed in his eyesâno way was he going to lose you. He⊠he wanted to be with you. Seeing you every day kept him mentally stable, and he always found an excuse to see you or be near you. So Jake took a decisive step closer to you because he didnât rationally understand what was going through your mind at that moment but his animal natureâhis primal wolf instinctâspoke to him, suggesting a fucking precise idea:
Could it be⊠that sheâs jealous of seeing you with someone else?
In that moment of high tension, his animal side took over completely without him realizing it. His usual cocky smirk reappeared on his face, and tilting his head slightly toward you, he said in a rough, teasing tone: âAre you mad because Iâm not studying, sweetheart⊠or because the lips on my mouth werenât yours? Do you miss me that much already after the other night?â
At those words, your eyes widened. Did he seriously just say that out loud? You were completely shocked and wounded in your pride by what heâd just dared to say. Feeling your cheeks burn even redder, you forced yourself to laugh and, lifting your chin, looked him straight in the eyes with a shamelessly defiant air: âYouâre completely crazy! I donât care at all who you kiss, Jake Sim! In fact, Iâm even happy youâre so busy with your âfriendsâ that way, you wonât interfere in my life this weekend when I go out with Soobin!â You said with a small smirk.
At the sound of Soobinâs name, Jakeâs earlier smirk vanished completely. His ears snapped backward, almost stiffening, and his jaw tightened slightly at seeing you so bold with him. In a low voice, he said:Â âWhat did you say?â
You looked at him before leaving and said: âYou heard me. He asked me out today at the bar, but I told him no to come here and study with you because Iâm a responsible girl and stupid me, but weâll see each other this weekend. So try to do well on the history test because I finally got what I wanted.â
With that, you pushed him slightly, taking advantage of his moment of shock, opened the villaâs door, and walked out, slamming it behind you. You left the universityâs golden boy alone in the hallway, furious and jealous for the first time in his life.
After you left Jake, leaving your notes in plain sight on the table, the atmosphere inside that house had become literally suffocatingâespecially for Jake. When the other six members of the pack returned, they found Jake sulking, half-stretched out on the large, dark leather sofa in the living room. The younger ones almost laughed at the sight, but the older ones immediately understood that something had happened. Every second, Jake ran his fingers through his thick hair, ruffling it furiously, or hurled a stress ball against the wall in front of him, catching it mid-air with his reflexes before throwing it again.
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged an exasperated glance. Jay, the black cat hybrid, ran a hand over his neck, annoyed by the negative energy dominating the room.
âCan someone tell me what happened with your tutor? Why isnât she here in a chair, making you memorize dates or the names of generals? God, this house stinks so much of your bad pheromones. Thereâs a sour, wet-dog smell coming from you that I havenât smelled in I donât know how longâŠâ said the cat hybrid, wrinkling his nose. Sunghoon did the same, but Jake, at the mere word "tutor," jolted upright on the couch, hurling the ball onto the floor with such force that it bounced off the ceiling. He almost growled, nervously running his hands through his hair:
âNothing! Nothing happened! Sheâs just a stubborn little girl who says she doesnât want to come here anymore because⊠and sheâs going out with that damn Soobin this weekend.â
Sunghoon coughed in a half-laugh, unable to hold it back, and a cynical, amused grin appeared on his lips. âOh, so Choi is seriously interested in Y/n⊠who wouldâve thought! Heâs been practically chasing her for weeks. And well, on the other hand, you were busy getting kissed by one of your groupies five minutes before Y/n arrived, right? You donât care if Y/n goes out with another guy...especially Soobin, do you? You know, we saw her on the path as she was leaving, and human girls donât work like hybrids, who dream of finding their mate 90% of the time just to be knotted and not claimed. Human girls donât have a pack instinct. They donât accept sharing, and above all, you canât have your foot in two shoes with them.â
Jake rolled his eyes because everyone had warned him not to play around, especially with human girls. He covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. âI donât know what bothers me more...that she doesnât want to come here anymore to study with me⊠or that sheâs going out with another guy. Sheâs not⊠sheâs not my type at all, you know! Sheâs a simple, down-to-earth girlâall about home, work, and musical scores and what pisses me off the most is that sheâs almost as much of a know-it-all as I am. But damn, if I even think for a second about her laughing, walking, or looking at Soobin with those sweet eyes⊠my wolf side goes completely blind with rage, and I donât understand why. Me? Jake Sim only cares about getting signed by a national team and living for soccer, not romantic drama. But if I imagine her with another guy, I feel like somethingâs being ripped away from me something that, technically, isnât even mineâŠÂ I just want to go out there and make everyone understand that sheâs mine.â
At those words, Jakeâs eyes widenedâbecause⊠because he shouldnât be thinking those things. Those were things people said when theyâd found or were with their mate, not with a simple girl who gave them tutoring. Jay and Sunghoon stopped laughing, and their expressions turned serious, almost severe, as they watched their roommate crumble under the weight of a feeling he refused to admit but had just confessed a few seconds earlier. They exchanged another glance and, almost in unison, took a step forward toward their best friend, placing their hands on Jakeâs shoulders.
âWe told you to be careful with her, Jake,â Sunghoon said, with a rare note of seriousness in his voice. âBut above all, we warned you right away that she was the one⊠the one who could calm the beast inside you without you having to pretend to be the king of the campus.â
Jay nodded in agreement, gently stroking the lower part of Jakeâs ears this time: âYour tutor isnât playing hard to get, Jake. She saw what you always do: using people out of boredom, for sport, to confirm to yourself that you can have anyone. But this time, you chose the wrong person. Y/n isnât one of your fans who hang on your every word and accept your leftovers. If your wolf feels sick and is howling inside your head, itâs because he knows perfectly well that youâve ruined the only good, real thing youâve encountered in years. The few times Iâve seen you together, sheâs the only person who looks at you for who you areânot for the captainâs armband, your beauty, or your status.â
âSo get your ass off that couch,â Sunghoon concluded. âApologize to her and please, donât let her get away, because the true âmateâ only comes once in your life⊠donât make the mistake so many others do of not letting go.â
Jake had one clear mission: he never wanted to see you angry with him again, even if it meant swallowing his pride. So, between one soccer training session and another, he took his studies deadly seriously.
He locked himself in his room and spent hours poring over the pages of Contemporary History youâd worked on together. He started bombarding your phone: sending you photos of his summary diagrams late at night, voice messages over five minutes long (which were practically illegal in your book) answering the open-ended questions youâd left him as homework before your fight. And at the end of every voice message, heâd always try to make it personal, asking in a low voice: âHey⊠how are you? What did you do after class today? Do you want to meet up before the test on Friday afternoon?â
But you were categorical: you never replied to those personal questions, leaving him brutally on read. And for the study messages, you responded with an icy coldness that wasnât in your nature but deep down, you knew you were jealous of him, so you tried not to think about him, not to give in. Youâd look at the photos or listen to the voice messages, and youâd respond simply by leaving a reaction: a thumbs-up đ if the answer was correct, or a thumbs-down đ if heâd messed up the dates. No written messages. No âOkay,â no âGood job, you got six out of ten right.â Just absolute silence from you. And this was literally driving Jake crazy because no one in his entire life as an alpha hybrid and soccer captain had ever treated him like he was invisible.
As you stirred the coffees or steamed the milk, he wouldnât stop teasing you for a second: tilting his head, barely moving the tips of his ears to catch your eyes, and whispering with a crooked smile: âGood morning, sweetheart. Did you know WhatsApp was created as a messaging app, not an app for one-word replies or simple đđ? I preferred it when you actually spoke to me when I got distracted⊠are you sure you donât want to review together tonight?â
But you had become almost mute with him. You didnât give in even a millimeter to his antics. You kept your gaze fixed on the coffee machine and, slamming his receipt on the counter with a sharp tap, you responded every day with the same detached chant: âThatâs four dollars and fifty cents for the oat milk cappuccino, Sim. Move it, thereâs a line behind you.âYouâd point with one finger at the long line behind him, and Jake would almost always pout. The scene was so ridiculous that, a few tables away, his pack never missed an opportunity to enjoy the showâespecially the younger members, like Sunoo, who would burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hands, absolutely loving the drama between you and his hyung.
Next to him, Ni-ki would shoot Jake an amused glance and comment in the group chat that youâd refused to speak to Jake again. Even Jungwon, the cat hybrid who was usually the calmest, would chuckle under his whiskers, shaking his headâthough it was nice to see Jake, for the first time, thinking hard and working seriously on something that wasnât soccer.
The door in front of Jake was still closed, but his ears picked up the sound of the history professor arranging the tests on the desks inside. There were still five minutes until the exam started.
This was shaping up to be the most important weekend of his entire academic year: not only was there the Contemporary History exam weighing on his mind, but on Sunday, he had a crucial league match. In the stands, scouts from some of the countryâs most famous soccer teams would be watching, and Jake was hoping with everything in him to be chosen by one of themâto finally take off toward a professional career. Yet, despite the pressure of the upcoming match, the thing that had made him relax his shoulders and feel genuinely better that morning was your message.
After endless days of receiving nothing but cold thumbs-up or thumbs-down, your message had lit up his phone screen as soon as he woke up, his eyes still heavy with sleep:
âHi. Donât mix up the peace treaties from the various international assemblies, especially between World War II and the Cold War (P.S. I know there will be at least 2 questions on this topic). Good luck, Jake. Show them what youâre worth. :)â
At the sight of it, a smile, his first in a long time, crept onto his lips. He had reread that message all morning, and he was still staring at it now, just outside the classroom.
His inner wolf, which had been curled up, dull and listless for days in a corner of his mind, suddenly woke up at the news. His tail began wagging incessantly all day, and his animal instinct spoke clearly or perhaps it seriously hoped he still had a chance with you and said:
âIf she didnât care about you at all, she wouldnât have written⊠especially today, when she knows how important this day is for your future. Thereâs still hope, Sim Jaeyun. Embrace it.â
Thatâs exactly why, gripping his phone between his fingers, Jake decided not to reply to you right away. For once, he wanted to avoid making a wrong move. He didnât want to ruin that tiny bit of closeness with one of his usual bold responses. He wanted actions to speak for him.
So when the door to the lecture hall finally swung open and the students began pouring in, Jake took a seat at one of the central desks. And as soon as the Contemporary History test paper was placed in front of him, with a determination his classmates had never seen on his face before, he began answering all the questions. He didnât want to disappoint you. He couldnât allow himself to waste all the hours youâd spent writing him summaries, explaining every single chapter in detail even when you were angry with him. Or the fact that, despite everything, youâd taken a minute to wish him good luck.
So he put his head down and focused for the full two hours of the test, isolating himself from the rest of the world and concentrating on the answers he had to give.
After two grueling hours of the exam, Jake could literally not wait to find out his score. He was hoping with all his heart that the electronic system or the professors would give him the result immediatelyâhe wanted to know if all that crazy studying you and he had done together had paid off. But the professor had decided to grade the tests on the spot, and all the students, Jake included, were stuck in their seats. He rested his face against his arms, trying to calm himself and imagine how you would react if heâd passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to his wolf, the professor stood up from the desk with a stack of papers in her hands and began handing them out. When she reached Jakeâs desk, she stopped and looked at him with a sincere and slightly surprised smile:Â âI donât know how Y/n managed to make you âlikeâ Contemporary History, Sim, but Iâm truly happy and proud of you.â
The professor handed him his test, and Jake lowered his eyes. There, written at the top in bright green marker, was a 75/100, accompanied by a small smiling face. He was literally shockedâhis tail began wagging, and his pheromones started filling the air with his scent. He had never gotten a grade this high in that subject before. Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of the test, and sent it immediately to the WhatsApp group he had with the other six members of the villa. They all praised him, but all he wanted was to hear you or see you. So as he strode out of the classroom, he opened your private chat and was about to attach the photo of his 75 to brag to you tooâuntil he froze halfway down the hallway.
His wolf senses suddenly kicked in, and he caught an unmistakable trail of your sweet, unmistakable strawberry and cotton candy scent in the airâthe one he had loved discovering so much. Jakeâs head snapped around twice until his eyes locked onto you. There you were, just a few meters away, leaning against the hallway wall as you waited for him outside the classroom. At the sight of you, his hybrid nature rejoiced: his gray ears perked up happily on his head, and his tail, beneath his tracksuit pants, began moving in a frantic, enthusiastic rhythm, thrilled that you were there for himâeven though he hadnât asked you to be.
You gave him a small, shy smile, and Jake closed the distance between you in a flash, almost running until you felt his strong, large arms wrap tightly around your waist. Before you could even realize what was happening, Jake lifted you off the ground, nearly taking you into his arms mid-air in the middle of the hallway.
âJ-Jake! What are you doing?! Put me down, are you crazy?!â you stammered, your heart in your throat, as you instinctively clung to his broad back to avoid falling. But Jake ignored your protests and buried his head right near the hollow of your neck, breathing in your scent deeply. He whispered with a voice rough with emotion and adrenaline: âY/n⊠I got a 75. I did it⊠thanks to you.â
Your smile widened involuntarily at hearing him so happy, and you gently caressed the back of his neck. âI knew youâd do great things, Jake. Remember, you told me that by the end of the course, youâd get a 100 if you applied yourself! But now put me back down, seriously!â
Jake chuckled, only then realizing that all the students left in the hallway were staring at you. With extreme slowness, he let you slide back down but when your feet touched the ground, he didnât pull away instead, his face stayed just a few centimeters from yours, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. You swallowed, feeling your cheeks turn red, and he loved seeing you so close to him again. He studied you with an intense gaze, lowering his eyes to your lips for a second before meeting your eyes again.
âAnd now⊠whereâs my reward?â he asked in a provocative tone, watching you with a challenging look.
âYour reward is that the history box on the register finally has a green checkmark instead of a red one, and that maybe you wonât fail⊠thatâs your reward, Sim,â you said, as if it were obvious.
Jake pouted cutely, shaking his head, and teased you by reaching out to give you a light tap on the tip of your nose: âReally, sweetheart? Thatâs it? Youâre a ruthless tutor. I was hoping for something much more⊠this weekend⊠we haveto celebrate, Y/n. Tomorrow evening is one of the most important matches of my life....there will be scouts from national and global teams watching. Please come watch me play in the stands.â He said, almost pleading with his hands.
You immediately tried to shake your head and protest, crossing your arms: âJake, no, I told you⊠I have plans this weekend⊠I mean, I have to meet Soobin for breakfast, and then I have to study for my exams. I canât spend the evening in a pubâŠâ
But he, being the skilled manipulator he was when he wanted something from you, took half a step closer, reducing the space between you even more. You felt his pheromones teasing your body, and he said: âBreakfast is Sunday morning. My match is tomorrow evening. You have to come to the stands to cheer me on, Y/n. You sent me that message this morning, tomorrow, you need to be there in person. You helped me get through the hardest part of the week⊠you donât want to leave me alone right at the finish line, do you? Iâm only asking you to come tomorrow, okay?â
Jake Sim was seriously a thorn in your side, and he knew exactly how to get a âyesâ out of someone at any cost. You rolled your eyes, feigning fake exasperation, and started nervously fiddling with your backpack strap to avoid looking at him. âOkay, fine⊠Iâll come to the match with Allie,â you conceded in the end, hinting at a small smile. But then your tone turned more serious and low. âBut⊠you know I donât drink alcohol, Jake. So there wonât be much for me to do at the pub, and I want to leave at a decent time so I can be awake and on time Sunday morning.â
Jake immediately noticed that sudden shift in your mood. His wolf instinct picked up on a different nuance in your voice, and he desperately wanted to know what had happened to you in the pastâwhat was the reason behind your total refusal of alcohol, or why you trusted people so little and disliked physical contact so much. But he knew he had to take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, looking at you with a rare seriousness, and said: âI know youâre still hesitant about me⊠and Iâm sorry for the other day,â he said, almost mentally cursing himself for letting that third-year girl kiss him. âBut weâve known each other for a while now, and at the Halloween party, you trusted me. We worked as a team⊠so I thought that tomorrow evening, you could try drinking something with me and my friends. They might seem like a bunch of lunatics, but all six of them are curious to meet you, Y/n.â
You looked at him, stunned, your eyes wide, and opened your mouth to protest. But Jake immediately interrupted you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder to reassure you. âI just want you to feel safe with me. When youâre with me, nothing bad will ever happen to you, I promise. If youâre afraid of drinking for some reason⊠well, youâll tell me about it, when and if you want to. But tomorrow evening, Iâll stay right by your side, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, so I can stay 100% sober. You can have fun without touching a drink, obviously but I also want you to understand that you can trust me blindly and if you want to try drinking, you can do it in complete peace of mind, because after the party, Iâll pick you up, put you in my car, and take you home safe and sound, ready for your date with Soobin the next day,â Jake said, the last part reluctantly, running a hand through his thick hair and betraying a hint of jealousy at the innocent mention of your date. But he wanted, above all, to make you understand that he wasnât selfishâheâd loved making people like him since his scout days, loved being known for who he truly was. But between his reputation as the golden boy of the soccer team and knowing he was a good-looking guy, many girls wanted him, and he had fun with it. Now, though, he wanted to see if things could work with you.
You stood still because youâd never heard a guyâlet alone a fiery, popular hybrid like himâsay something like that to you, or put himself completely at your disposal just to make you feel protected.
You lowered your gaze, feeling your cheeks burn, because deep down, you knew it was true: despite his flaws, his arrogance, and his distracted kisses with others, with Jake, youâd felt safe almost from the first day. And with him, the anxiety that usually clenched your stomach always disappeared. This had to make you realize that there was something more to Jake. When you looked up again, you said softly: âThank you, JakeâŠâ
He smiled at you and said: âI promise you, Y/n. If you want to drink something, Iâll always be by your side⊠and even if you decide not to drink, itâll be the same for meâIâll be there to protect you,â he thought the last part in his mind, while his inner wolf growled with pride at the idea of being your shield against the rest of the world. âEverything will be fine, I promise,â he said, reaching out his hand toward you, lifting his pinky finger in a solemn and slightly childish vow. You looked at him for a second, then smiled, and linked your pinky with his, squeezing it.
âOkay⊠Iâll come to your match⊠and maybe Iâll drink something at the party.â
At that contact and those words, Jakeâs smile grew enormous. He pulled you close, even if only through that link between your pinkies, because he couldnât wait for you to discover and get to know the real Jake.
The stands of the university soccer field were literally packed with people: some were leading the university chants, others were playing drums and trumpets, blasting the university anthem, and there were countless screams from fans cheering on all the players but one name echoed louder than all the others: number 5, Jake Sim.
You and Allie were sitting in a kind of covered VIP box, a reserved area where the other six hybrids from the villa were also watching the match. You were sitting right next to Jay, the black cat hybrid, who was watching the game with his arms crossed and his tail lazily swaying behind his backâhe wasnât part of any sports team, but for his best friends or hyungs, he would never miss a thing. To Allieâs left was Heeseung, the hamster hybrid, who, true to his sweet but incredibly magnetic nature, hadnât stopped flirting with her for a second, making her giggle while she kept rolling her eyes.
At one point, Allie turned to you, her eyes wide, and pointed at the crowd below: âWow, Y/n⊠I knew Jake was the âgolden boyâ of the university and the soccer team, but look how many girls are wearing his jersey!â Looking down, you noticed that almost 90% of the female fans were wearing the number 5 jersey with Sim printed on the back. Out of pure spite, you had decided to leave the original jersey heâd given you the other day with a cocky smile in your closet but to avoid freezing from the evening wind, you had accepted wearing only his team scarf, which still smelled intensely of him. You werenât entirely sure if it bothered you to see so many girls with his name on their backs. After all, you didnât like Jake⊠right? And besides, the next morning, you had a special date at one of the best bakeries in the area with Soobin. So you didnât understand that annoying itch that was creeping through your body at the sight of so many girls talking about Jake.
But those confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of the university commentator over the speakers, who shouted: ââŠAnd thereâs Anton with a perfect pass to Jake from the corner kick! Sim breaks free in the shooting zone⊠he jumps higher than everyone else and⊠HEADER! GOAL! ITâS A GOAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY!â
A crazy roar spread across the entire field, and the stands almost trembled from the crowd of people screaming, jumping, and recording videos. Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, both Jay and Heeseung leaned toward you. You felt Jayâs muscular arm wrap around your neck, pulling you into a brotherly hug while Heeseung did the same with Allie, jumping and cheering. You burst out laughing, infected by that insane energy you never thought youâd enjoy, exchanging an amused glance with Allie as you saw her lean into Heeseung.
Jay, noticing your laughter, looked down at you and gave you a light, teasing nudge with his elbow. âLook at you⊠You didnât want to wear his jersey to play it cool, but youâre clutching his scarf around your neck, sniffing it every two seconds like you miss him. And you canât stop rolling your eyes when some girl comments on Jake, yet you canât take your eyes off him during any of his plays! I bet if Jake knew you were smelling his scent while he scores, heâd jump around like a puppy!â He said, observing you. You blushed instantly and retorted, giving him a playful shove to his chest: âStop it, Jay! Iâm only wearing it because itâs freezing up here, not because of⊠I only smell it because⊠because Jake has a nice scent.â Jay nodded, shaking his head with a smirk.
At that moment, your eyes returned to the field. Jake was running like crazy on the green pitch, but instead of heading toward the ultrasâ curve, he ran straight under the VIP box where you were sitting. He slowed his pace, making a slight theatrical bow with his arms open to the crowd. And as soon as his eyes found you in the crowd, he winked at you and gave you a cocky smile. You felt your cheeks burn completely, and Allie immediately brought her hands to her chest, striking a totally dramatic pose like a true actress: âOhh! Jake Sim winked at me! Iâm about to faint!â Heeseung immediately interjected, leaning toward her ear with a half-smile: âI donât think so, doll⊠I donât think that wink was meant for youâŠâ Allie, however, let out a small huff and said, âOh, come on, let me dream!â before giving you a knowing nudge.
You watched Jake as he turned to run back and let himself be swallowed by the embraces of his teammates. But when you tried to turn away to hide your embarrassment, you realized that the atmosphere in the box had suddenly changed because all six hybrids left there were staring at you.
In their gazes, there wasnât just happiness for the goal. Their eyes (feline, canine, or wild) shone with an intensity and a protective, almost possessive warmth in the way they looked at you. Because in a hybrid culture, the bond forming between you and Jake was terrifyingly similar to an imprinting, the sacred recognition of their âfemale. and in the pack, you were the first female even if you hadnât yet been knotted or bitten by Jake.
The pub where the victory party was being held was literally packed with students who had been in the stands, all dancing and drinking. The space on the small sofa in the pub was so limited that you were half-stuck to Jake, his shoulder pressed against yours. You were leaning over, scrolling through the drink menu, while Jake was telling you which one he thought youâd like best but in reality, your eyes werenât really looking at the names on the menu at allâthey were completely captivated by him.
You observed his backward baseball cap, from which a few strands of dark hair escaped, falling rebelliously across his forehead. His cheeks were still slightly flushed from the physical exertion of the game, but also from the heat of the room. Jake was really too handsomeâa lethal mix of hybrid charm with his large hands and ears that wouldnât stop moving, but also a sweetness in the small dimples on his face or his tired eyes⊠not to mention his full lips, which he bit every now and then. You realized it was a ticâpartly a nervous reflex, but also something personal, slightly explicit, directed at you.
Your thoughts dissolved instantly when you felt his warm voice against your ear, so close it sent shivers down your spine: âSo, sweetheart? What are you getting?â he asked, watching your every reaction closely. Snapping out of your trance and having barely read anything, you pointed to the first combination that caught your eye: a cocktail with grapes, lime, currants, and a vodka base.
Jake added your drink to the order and then ordered a simple Coca-Cola for himself. Looking at him, you realized he was dead seriousâhe wouldnât touch a drop of alcohol all night, giving up toasting to his own victory just to keep his promise of protecting you.
When the drink arrived at the table, Jake picked up the glass, adjusted the straw, and gently turned it toward you. You leaned slightly forward to take your first sip, and he whispered:Â âDonât drink too much at once, okay? Take small sips, or your body wonât handle the impact.â
You looked up at him as you drank, watching him from below. At the sight of your lips wrapped around the straw and your bright eyes locked on his, every rational thought in Jakeâs head vanished. His alpha hybrid instinct short-circuited at the realization of just how damn beautiful you were. His senses picked up the warmth spreading across your skin, and your strawberry scent, mixing with the fruity smell of the drink, created an intoxicating, addictive blend for a hybrid with such a developed alpha side as his.
After sliding that first drop of alcohol into your body for the first time in years, you pulled away from the straw and said with a fake challenging tone:Â âIâm not a child, Jake!â
He sighed, shaking his head with a crooked smile, and said: âI know youâre not a child⊠but you told me youâve barely ever drunk in your life, and I just want this fear of alcohol to fade, even thanks to me and I want you to have a great night. So yes, Iâll keep an eye on you, Y/n.â
At those words, you bit your lip, playing with the straw, and leaned even closer to him. Slowly reaching out, you gently caressed the base of his wolf ears, feeling them soft and warm under your fingers knowing it would make him more sensitive. âI like this drink⊠but maybe there isnât that much alcohol in it,â you whispered close to his face.
Jake sniffed your glass, his ears twitching pleasantly under your touch, and nodded: âGood. I certainly wouldnât have started you off with aged gin or century-old grappa!â he said, smiling at you. You laughed and, leaning even closer to his cheek, whispered against his lips: âYouâre such a good boy, JakeâŠâ
Jakeâs inner wolf couldnât tolerate being called a "good boy" when every single fiber of his body was screaming the opposite. His breath suddenly became heavier, and he fixed his gaze directly into your eyes. For perhaps the first time, driven by something even you didnât think you had, you were teasing him, rendering him more inert in his hybrid nature than his human one.
âStop saying things like that, sweetheart⊠you have no idea what it does to a hybridâs mind,â he hissed, his mouth a millimeter from your ear. You pouted slightly, openly challenging his gaze, and said with a tone dripping with fake innocence that shattered his self-control: âWhy not, Sim? Are you afraid your bad-boy reputation might get tarnished by me? What would happen if I went around saying youâre not actually a show-off? That you love taking care of people, and that in your pack and on your team, you act more like a protective father figure rather than just an older brother?â
At that declaration, Jake realized you knew him better than some people heâd known for years. It was trueâyou saw through him, past the arrogant athlete mask heâd stitched onto himself. He was a good guy, always had been with the people he loved but in that precise moment, with you so terrifyingly close on the pubâs small sofa, the warmth of the vodka beginning to melt your anxieties, and the scent of your skin shifting to reveal a growing excitement that his predator nature picked up with millimeter precision, Jake was having thoughts far too obscene to be defined as a "good boy."
His inner wolf was wide awake. It wanted to spin you around and kiss you in front of the entire pub. It wanted to push your head back and drag his nose along your neck, lingering on the scent glandâthe most sacred area for hybrids like him, where a femaleâs scent was most concentrated. He wanted every last hybrid on this earth to smell his scent on your body.
But his hybrid mind went even further, imagining much darker, wilder fantasiesâdefinitely not the kind a "good boy" would have. In his head, he pictured you straddling him, completely naked, your breasts bouncing with every movement, gasping as you clenched your fingers in his dark hair and bent his ears backward with pleasure. He wanted to see you trembling with pleasure beneath or above him as he thrust deep inside you, claiming you not as a human, but as an animal claiming his mate he had finally found and the most depraved image of all was seeing you swollen with his knot. He imagined pushing all the way inside you, swelling in your belly to lock himself inside your body, forcing you to stay bound to him while his pheromones marked you from within. At the same time, he wanted to hear you cry and moan his name like a sick prayer, trapped in his knot.
So no⊠Jake was not a good boy in that moment but until he officially went into heatâthat time of year when hybrids completely lost their minds or until you became his female in every sense, he would force himself to be good. He would keep the beast that had been pulsing inside him for months whenever he was near you on a tight leash.
The overwhelming beats of Scream & Shout blared at full volume, literally shaking the walls of the pub. You were in the middle of the dance floor, the alcohol coursing through you giving you the confidence to sing and dance with Allie, arms raised, hips swaying in rhythm, a few sweat-dampened strands of hair sticking to your forehead and face as you laughed and hopped but every so often, your eyes instinctively snapped toward the small sofa where Jake had stayed seated next to Heeseung.
He hadnât danced or drunk, staying true to his promise to be your shield. He kept his large hand tightly wrapped around your third drink of the nightâa deep pink Cosmopolitan and he hadnât taken his eyes off you for even a second. That gaze, both sweet and magnetic, had sent shivers through you all evening. When the song ended, you pushed your way through the crowded, overheated bodies, and when you finally reached the table, you practically collapsed onto the sofa next to them, smiling radiantly especially at Jake.
You swept your hair behind your back with a fluid neck movement, and Jake couldnât stop watching you. You leaned forward to grab the straw of your Cosmopolitan, and as the cool, alcoholic liquid slid down your throat, you gave him a sweet but incredibly sly smile. âItâs⊠itâs so good,â you slurred slightly, your cheeks flushed. âI⊠I definitely want another one!â you said, giggling.
Heeseung burst out laughing, turning to Jake and slapping him on the shoulder: âWow, Sim⊠I think tonight youâve awakened a completely new personality in Y/n! This party is going to cost you a lot if she keeps this up.â
Jake shook his head with a half-protective smile curving his lips. He leaned toward you and whispered in your ear:Â âYou still have to finish this one, sweetheart. But the answer is no...no fourth drink. Itâs already a lot that I let you get to this Cosmopolitan.â
You immediately pouted, disappointed by his refusal. Driven by a sudden, bold audacity youâd never have had while sober, you stretched toward him, wrapping your arms around his neck. You leaned forward, pressing your face right where his neck met his shoulderâexactly above his wolf scent gland.
At that contact, Jake froze instantly, stiffening as if heâd been hit by an electric shock. His breath caught because, without realizing it, by moving there against him and breathing in his skin, you were literally marking him with your strawberry and vodka scent. For a few seconds, your pheromonesâless sharp because you were humanâmixed with his, and for his wolf, that gesture was both ecstasy and exquisite torture.
âPlease, JakeâŠ?â you whispered against his neck. âYou know⊠yeah, well, Iâm really having so much fun tonight!â You raised your hands in the air to emphasize, giggling again. âAnd besides, you were⊠you were so good at soccer tonight. Youâre a champion, so we have to celebrate big, right?â
Jay, who was sitting on the sofa across from you, watched the whole scene and put a hand on his face, shaking his head though with an amused smirk. âJake, my friend, listen to me: maybe you should take her home now,â the black cat said. âOtherwise, tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, sheâll be mortified by everything sheâs doing and saying with just three drinks in her!â
You turned toward Jay, exaggerating your pout: âNo, Jake, donât listen to him! I⊠I want to dance more, and I want another drink! We could⊠we could share it, what do you say? One sip each⊠there are so many drinks Iâve never tried.â
But Jake, struggling to regain control of his instincts after that close contact on his neck, slid his large hand down your back, steadying you, and looked you straight in the eyes. With a low, incredibly gentle tone, he said: âY/n⊠earlier, you said I was a good boy, right?â
You looked at him for a few seconds, enchanted by his lips, and slowly nodded, almost hypnotized.
âExactly,â he continued, gently rubbing your back. âGood boys always take their girls home safe and sound. Itâs a promise I made you, and Iâm not breaking it. So game over for tonight.â He said, standing up and gently pulling you up by your arm. âPut on your coat actually, take my team hoodie too. Itâs freezing outside.â
As you weakly protested because you seriously wanted to go back to the dance floor and have fun, and most of all, you wanted his eyes glued to your body again, Jake helped you slip your arms into his enormous hoodie, which completely wrapped you in his scent
The notes of Into It filled the car, and you closed your eyes slightly, smiling. âIâd love to write a song like this⊠I love alternative R&B and synth-pop,â you said, leaning back against the seat. Jake smiled at the sight of you so relaxed in his car. He knew perfectly well that both you and he loved Chase Atlanticâthey were one of the many things that connected you without needing too many words, something heâd discovered about you almost by accident.
âWell, who knows⊠maybe one day, at the Champions League final, youâll be the one opening the ceremony with your own song, and Iâll be on the field with my team, walking down the tunnel,â he said, shooting you an amused glance but also offering encouragementâfor both of you. Heâd make a pact with the devil himself to become an elite soccer player, but at the same time, he wanted to see you fulfilled. At that statement, you almost shot upright, clapping your hands enthusiastically: âThat would be amazing! Even if in three or four years, youâll probably have even more girls wearing your jersey⊠You know, today at the stadium, almost all of them were wearing it, and I donât blame them, because youâreâŠâ
Jake furrowed his brows, not understanding where you were going with this, your cheeks still flushed from the alcohol. âIâmâŠ?â he asked, turning the steering wheel. At the sight of his veined hands gripping it, you bit your lip slightly and giggled, shifting in your seat to trace a finger over his hand resting on the gear shift. With your cheeks incredibly red, you whispered: âYouâre really gorgeous, Jake. But not in a⊠âsexualâ way. In the way that youâre gorgeous inside and out, and it kills me that youâre ashamed to let people see that, hiding behind your bad-boy mask.â
Jake smiled softly. âWell⊠I think thatâs the most genuine and deep compliment anyoneâs given me in years,â he said sincerely, squeezing your fingers for a second before putting his hand back on the wheel.
You clapped your hands again, happy, and started humming softly along with the rhythm of the music until the car turned onto the driveway of the hybridsâ big villa. Jake took you straight to his room to avoid waking the others who hadnât come to the party. With infinite patience, he took care of you, as heâd promised, helping you take off your coat and his oversized hoodie, turning away respectfully when you unclasped your bra to be more comfortable. He handed you a clean T-shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants to wear as pajamas. Like a good boy, he waited outside the bathroom while you washed your face. When you came out, heâd changed too.
Without his team jacket and the daytime clothes that often made him look over the top, in his pajamas, he looked like the classic boy next doorâjust an ordinary, accessible, and incredibly sweet guy. But this wasnât the real Jake youâd come to know, was it? With that question in mind, you sat on the edge of the padded headboard. When Jake sat down right next to you, you turned your face abruptly and stared at his profile under the soft light of the bedside lamp. Your eyes traced the perfect lines of his profileâJake had a beautiful nose, straight and large, typical of his hybrid nature. Without even realizing it, guided by the alcohol and a sudden urge to touch him, you reached out, placing a finger on the bridge of his nose and gently traced its entire outline down to the tip.
Jake turned his head, letting you do it as his wolf ears twitched slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. âEarlier⊠I also wanted to tell you that youâre beautiful, Jake,â you said softly as you met his eyes, pulling your hand back and looking up at the ceiling with a small huff. âBut I already knew that⊠every girl tells you that every single day of the week.â
At that, Jake rolled his eyes, and his hybrid nature kicked in instantlyâbecause this was the second time youâd subtly let him know you were completely jealous of all those stupid number 5 jerseys the other girls wore in the stands. A small grin took over his lips. âDamn⊠If Iâd known that with three drinks in you, youâd be this chatty and admit things like that, I wouldâve taken you to every party this season, sweetheart,â Jake said with an amused tone.
In the strange euphoria of the alcohol, you almost knelt on the soft mattress, leaning over him as he lay partially stretched out on the bed. Neither of you could stop looking at each other, unfiltered and guided only by instinct. You whispered in a low voice: âI⊠Can I kiss you, Jake?â
Jakeâs eyes widened, completely caught off guard by such a direct request. Where the hell had the girl who hated being touchedâespecially the one who was mad at himâgone? His tail began wagging frantically on the mattress, betraying his wild excitement. When he saw you leaning in even closer, he made a huge effort of willpower, lifting a finger and gently pressing it against your mouth. âSweetheart⊠Iâd pay gold to do it again and kiss you right now,â he said in a low voice. âBut damn, as you said earlier, right now Iâm a âgood boy,â and I canât take advantage of you like this. You have to ask me when youâre sober, Y/n. When youâre sober, you can ask me for anythingâŠÂ anything. And if tomorrow morning you still want me, you can ask me for whatever you want...but not now.â
You made an adorable pout, visibly disappointed by the refusalâyouâd never expected it. âAnything?â you murmured. Jake nodded slowly. âAnything.â
âWell⊠fine, then tomorrow morning,â you whispered, your fingers already lazily playing with his big wolf ears again. You continued, your voice shy and your eyes heavy with sleepiness: âI⊠I want to ask you something tomorrow, but I wonât spoil it now.â
Jake gently caressed your flushed cheek with the back of his hand, tender and dying of curiosity about what you might ask him. âYou should try to sleep now, Y/n. The bed is all yours,â he said. You nodded weakly, exhausted from the day, and curled up against him, nestling on his side and resting your head on the pillow.
Jake reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Despite the wolf inside him screaming with the impulse to pull you close, trap you under his body for the whole night, he forced himself to respect your space. He didnât yet have the official right to hold you or keep you close as if you were his mate. So he settled for stroking the back of your hand with warm, protective fingers all night, letting you rest. As he felt your breathing become steady, Jake stayed awake in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so curious and impatient to find out what you intended to ask him the next morning.
In his hybrid mind, he wondered if that mysterious question had to do with your fear of being touched by others.
Jake woke up stretching, his nose catching your faint scent of strawberries and something sweetâmaybe a hint of cotton candy, or perhaps a sugary note from one of the drinks youâd had the night before. As he stretched to see if you were still asleep, he placed a hand on the part of the bed where you should have been. It was still warm, but you werenât there. His heart started pounding, and he sat up almost abruptly, lazily running a hand through his hair. When he opened his eyes, at that exact moment, he saw you entering his room, still wearing his clothes, with two steaming cups of coffee in your hands.
You smiled at him shyly, and he thought you were 100% back to the girl heâd met months agoânot the teasing version of you from last night, the one who had asked if you could kiss him or who had looked at him with eyes full of excitement. When you handed him the cup, he responded with a rough, small âThanks,â and you sat down in front of him. As you sipped your coffee, you couldnât stop looking at him, and Jake chuckled into his cup.
âStop looking at me like that, sweetheart. Spit it outâŠtell me what you wanted to say last night,â he said. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of your tongue, and your cheeks turned even redder. âYou⊠you, forget it, Jake. Itâs⊠itâs nothing, what I wanted to ask you. Please, just forget it,â you said.
Jake tilted his head, observing you, and he could sense how embarrassed your body was. Teasing you, he said: âNo, no, beautiful. Now you tell me what you wanted to ask me. And I certainly canât forget you begging to kiss me!â You opened your mouth to retort, rolled your eyes, and said: âWhy are you always so shameless? Itâs not even 8 in the morning.â Jake chuckled and replied, still in a low voiceâit was in his nature. You pouted and said: âIâll ask you this thing, but first, donât laugh, donât tease me, and donât make a scene, okay? Donât yell or act like a clown, okay?â
Jake was seriously curious about what you wanted to ask him. He stretched out his pinky finger as a promise, and you squeezed it tightly. âOkay, well, I wonât beat around the bush⊠you⊠do you want to have sex with me?â
Jake thought he was still asleep. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? But when he spat out half the coffee in his mouth onto his pajama shirt, the burning contact of the liquid on his warm skin made him cough violently. You jumped up and started patting his back for a full minute. Neither of you said a word. Jake placed his coffee on the nightstand, and as he turned to you, he looked at you carefully and said, perhaps too loudly: âARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU STILL DRUNK, OR⊠DID YOU GET A HIGH FEVER IN THE FEW HOURS YOU SLEPT?â
You glared at him and almost growled his name. He lowered his voice, but his hand pressed against your foreheadâyou were coldâŠÂ damn. You were serious.
âIâm not feverish, and Iâm not drunk. Damn, I wasnât even drunk last night, Jake, and⊠and Iâm not joking. But if you donât want to⊠I understand,â you said, fiddling with the strings of your pajama. Jake was extremely restless at that moment. He ran his hands through his hair countless times, and after what felt like endless minutes, he said: âI want a reason, Y/n. I want a damn reason for why you asked me something like that. Whereâs the girl who hated my physical contact? Whereâs the girl who was even afraid to sit next to me? Whereâs that girl? That girl wouldnât have asked me to kiss her in the first place, let alone to have sex with me. So excuse me, but I want the fucking truth. And then weâll consider it. But I want⊠the truth about why you were and still are afraid of being touched or drinking a drink with a little alcohol in it.â
You sighed because only your family and Allie knew the truth about what had happened to you in your last year of high school. You closed your eyes for a moment and tried not to relive all the pain that night had caused you, or the rumors that had spread about you and your parents. Then you said:Â
âOkay, Iâll tell you the truth. But please, this has to stay between you and me. It must not leave these four walls, and you⊠Please donât say or do anything until Iâve finished telling you what happened.â
Jake nodded and shifted slightly closer, trying to calm you with his pheromones, but it didnât work. When you started telling him that in your last year of high school, you were dating a guy from the soccer team, and you thought he was the right one for you, because he was the perfect guy: good grades, part of the best studentsâ club, and loved by your entire town because he did volunteer work. You had built a clear image of him in your mind. But everything changed one night⊠You and this guy had been together for a couple of months, and you went to a party together. He had drunk a little too much, and you werenât completely sober either. Jake immediately understood what had happened to you: an assault.
His hybrid nature wanted to know who this guy was and make his life a living hell, especially when you started crying. He pulled you into his arms, and you buried your entire body against him. For endless minutes, he held you, gently stroking your hair and telling you it wasnât your fault. But you didnât stop crying and sobbing until you said:Â
âI⊠Iâm broken, Jake. Every time someone tries to make me feel good, I freeze and go into this cold trance. Thatâs why I asked you⊠because itâs hard to admit, but I trust you. And youâve made me realize that so many times these past few months.âYou said this with tears in your eyes, and Jake gently wiped them away with his thumbs, closing his eyes for a moment because he never would have imagined finding himself in a situation like this.
Jake wanted to make you happy, so he gently shifted you away from him, lifted your chin, and looked deeply into your eyes. âYouâre not broken, Y/n. You went through something horrible that no one in this world should ever experience. So itâs normal for your body to be afraid, for you to go into a negative, protective mode. Therefore⊠my answer is yes.â
You gave him a 32-tooth smile and hugged him even tighter than before. âYou⊠youâre serious? Youâll help me overcome this?â Jake nodded and wiped away another tear sliding down your face. He whispered in a low voice: âI never want to see tears of sadness in you again, Y/n. These⊠these tears should only be of joy or excitement. So yes, Iâll help you. But on my conditions.â
You nodded and said, âWhat conditions will we adopt?â. Jake tried to show his most human side, not the dark hybrid one, and said: â
First, you need to start taking the anti-hybrid pill. I donât want to accidentally knot and impregnate you when we⊠You know, have sex. And Iâll take it too, as long as this is safe.â You tried to speak, but a finger pressed against your lips. âLet me talk, Y/n. Second, we will not have sex right away. Before sex, there must absolutely be awareness and enjoyment of what weâre going to doâespecially for you, since youâve told me you canât let yourself go or be touched by others. So there will be a lot of foreplay, both for me to discover your body and for you to discover mine. Third, you must tell me at any moment if you want to stop or if you donât like something. There will be no safe wordâif you tell me NO, it will be a NO. If you tell me you like it, Iâll continue. If you want to stop, I will stop. But if you beg me to continue, I will continue⊠because I have two natures, Y/nâboth the human one and the animal one. These are my conditions, Y/n. If youâre up for it, weâll do this together. But if you donât agree with even one of these things, my answer will be a NO.â
You swallowed and nodded, still sitting on top of him, continuing to play with the strings of his pajama. After a while, you said, âThese conditions are perfect for me. Itâs clear that deep down, youâre a good guy!â You said this, trying to ease the tension that had built up. He gently caressed your side and, looking at you, said: âIâd like to suggest another condition. From the moment this starts⊠Iâd like for you not to be with other girls, and obviously, the same will go for me. I know it might seem trivial to you, but Iâd feel more comfortable. And when⊠well, if it ends, we could⊠yes, go back to our lives,â you said, a little embarrassed.
But in Jakeâs mind, it was already settled that this wouldnât end because you were his mate, and he would make you understand that in any way possible. You would never be with another guy except him, and the same went for him.
Were you a bad person for forgetting about your date with Soobin while crying in Jakeâs arms, finally sharing what had happened to you? Maybe⊠but at the same time, after years of silence, you had finally told someone the truth. And perhaps, thanks to Jakeâs words, his touch, and the growing realization that you might have found someone you could trust completely, you didnât feel like a bad person at all.
âIâm really sorry I didnât show up at the bakery. I woke up super late because the night before, I went to the soccer teamâs party with Jake and his friends, and Allie wouldnât leave me aloneâshe kept making me dance with her. Before I knew it, it was maybe 2 AM by the time I got home. And in the morning, when I woke up, I texted you right away,â you said, winking. Soobin, 99% convinced by your story, took a sip of the new winter recipe youâd added to the seasonal menu and nodded. But you heard him mutter under his breath: âOf course you were at Jakeâs party.â
At the sound of that name, something inside you twitched. And as if on cue, your phone lit up. You saw Jakeâs name at the top of your notifications. It wasnât news that Jake and Allie usually topped your chat list. You glanced at the message:
-> Jakeâœïžđș: Come over at 6 PM. There wonât be anyone around for a good two hours, so you can relax! Iâm heading to practice. See you later, sweetheart :)
You froze at those words. The day had arrived. Obviously, as heâd said, it wasnât about sex...it was aboutâŠÂ physically getting to know each other. Oh my God, what had you gotten yourself into? But he was the only manâbesides your dadâwho didnât make you anxious. Youâd thought and reasoned so much before asking him that question, and now the moment was here.
Two fingers snapped in front of your face, and you jumped. Soobinâs voice cut through your thoughts: âSeems like you just read a notification about a good grade or something amazing happening. Did something good happen?â he asked, looking at you. You quickly lied: âYes, the music production company Hybe wrote to me⊠they want a meeting. You know I write music, and they want to get to know me and the drafts I have on my computerâthere are over 100 of them.â
Soobinâs eyes widened. âDamn, Y/n, thatâs huge news! I know Jay works under that label too, you could ask him about itâŠâ You cut him off before he could finish, raising your hands. âI⊠please, donât tell anyone. I donât want to get contacts or opportunities because of someone else. I want them to want me, to like my lyrics and my melodies. So could you⊠not tell anyone? Only you, Allie, and my family know.â
Soobinâs ego swelled a little at the thought that you hadnât even told Jake yet. âDonât worry, my lips are sealed,â he said, miming a zipper over his mouth with his fingers. You thanked him.
Soobin wasnât a bad friend, he was funny, seemed like a calm guy, and had his head on straight. But to your defense⊠he didnât make you feel anything anymore. Or maybe youâd never really felt anything for him at all.
Your low-rise jeans hugged your legs perfectly, and your slightly snug sweater accentuated the curves you usually disliked but had started to appreciate as part of who you were. You had light makeup on, but your signature strawberry gloss never missed your lips, and your hair was softly wavy. You felt pretty, but anxiety was eating you up inside as you entered Jakeâs house using the code you knew. This time, Jake rushed down the stairs, and when he saw you dressed so nicely to spend time with him, a small smile formed on his face.
âHey, damn, sweetheartâif Iâd known youâd dress this well, I wouldâve spent a little more time on my outfit too!â he said, licking his lips slightly. You rolled your eyes, but when he offered his hand, you looked at it carefully before taking it. As he led you to his room, you felt a wave of anxiety, and Jake knew it. âY/n, I donât want to force you to do anything, okay? Before you got here, I thought maybe you could get comfortable in my clothes, and then we could listen to some music, do some LegosâIâve got a ton or we could watch a movie. Whatever helps you relax is fine with me. I know youâve never been with a hybrid before, but I can smell your scent notes, and right now, I can sense that sour, persistent note in you. So you choose what you want to do,â he said, giving you a small smile.
You lowered your head at the sight of his clothes because you knew youâd never meet another guy like Jake again. At first, you had to admit, you didnât particularly like him. But as you got to know him over the months, you realized Jake was the kind of guy every mom would want as a partner for their daughter. Yes, he often acted like a show-off, but deep down, he had a huge heart and you knew, deep down, that he was opening it up to you.
âItâs a great idea to wear your clothes. I donât even know why I dressed up so nicely. Weâre just staying in your room, so yeah, Iâll put on your stuff, and then maybe we could⊠listen to some music? And what do you think about dancing?âJakeâs eyes widened slightly, and he said in a low voice: âDancing?â You nodded, slightly amused, because you wanted to see if heâd get embarrassed. But Jake understood your gaze immediately and said: âYou said that before doing anything, we need to get to know our bodies. I donât want a dance-off, Jake. I just want some closeness between our bodies with the music, and yes⊠you can touch me, and obviously, I can touch you too,â you said. Jake noddedâif thatâs what you wanted, it was fine with him.
When you came out of his bathroom, you were wearing one of Jakeâs soccer jerseys, of course, with his number and last nam âand a simple pair of pajama pants. At that sight, something inside Jake clicked. Heâd been disappointed on game day when he hadnât seen you in his jersey, but now he thought it was a thousand times better to see you in his room, wearing his jersey, with only his eyes on you. In his hybrid nature, it was a beautiful victory.
He knew he was a little possessive by nature, but seeing you in his jersey, in his clothes, with his scentâthe beast inside him rejoiced fiercely. He couldnât wait to see you without them, at his mercy. But he had to push those thoughts away immediately. After what youâd confided in him, he wanted to give you all the time you needed. He wanted you to understand that only he could have you, desire you fiercely⊠because only he would listen to your body 100%.
You and Jake stared at the open Spotify screen on his laptop, scrolling through song options.
âWhat song could we listen to that we could both dance and sing to?â you asked, tilting your head as you read through various titles that were also in your own playlist. Jake made a small, thoughtful pout, running a finger over his chin until his eyes lit up. âHow about âDancing with Myselfâ? Itâs super rhythmic, I used to listen to it all the time with my dad. Itâs got that â80s rock beat that makes your feet, body, and head move all at once. What do you think?â
You beamed and hit play on the computer resting on his desk. Immediately, the iconic, overwhelming drum intro filled the room through the speakers. You didnât need to be told twiceâyou started swaying your hips and bouncing on the rug, following your own rhythm. Meanwhile, Jake brought a hand to his face, perhaps out of embarrassment? His wolf ears bent slightly backward, betraying a hint of shy embarrassment at seeing you so unleashedâjust for him. But at the same time, he was thrilled to see you so at ease in his company.
âCome on, Jake! Donât tell me youâre embarrassed to dance a little with me!â you laughed, your hair swaying slightly with every movement. Seeing his gaze on you, you approached himâhe was still sitting on the edge of the bed and teased him, holding up your pinky finger. âThereâs no one else here. I wonât tell anyone!â Without thinking, you grabbed his wrists with your hands and playfully but firmly urged him to stand up and dance with you.
He closed his eyes for a second, sighing to compose himself in the situation heâd gotten himself into just to make you happy and help you understand he was the right one for you. When he opened them again, he saw your contagious laughter ringing out with the music, and a resigned but incredibly sweet smile spread across his lips. He, too, began to sway his body, following your movements, which were clumsy but magnetic to him, because in that moment, it was just you.
âCome on, Jake, loosen up a bit! Whereâs the fearless campus bad boy whoâs afraid of nothing?â you teased, pulling him even closer. âWeâre just dancing and trying to⊠trust each other.â You swayed your hips, and at the mention of trust, Jake took a deep breath. He placed his large hands with extreme gentleness on your waist, moving to the rhythm of the song.
You laughed happily, and with a burst of joy, you did a little spin, gracefully slipping out of his grip and stepping a few paces toward the center of the room, perhaps on purpose, because you definitely wanted his attention and those eyes always on you.
Jake made a small, frustrated pout at being deprived of your touch and walked with feline grace to close the distance again. When he reached you, you threw your arms around his neck, stopping his advance but staying very close.
âDonât try to touch me like you already own me, Jake,â you whispered, looking him straight in the eyes with a mix of challenge and vulnerability. âTry to let go⊠and touch me like Iâm something completely new.â
At those words, Jakeâs animal nature took over for a moment. The wolf inside him growled softly, eager to grab you tightly and press you against his chest, to show you that every single cell of your body already belonged to him. But he shook off that overpowering thought with a shake of his head and muttered in a low voice: âEasy for you to say⊠when you already own my entire body, Y/n.â
Jake prayed you hadnât heard him and maybe you hadnât. So he slowly slid a hand behind your back, caressing the fabric of the jersey right where the large number 5 was printed. You let him, returning to your gentle dancing in front of him, completely wrapped in his scent. But seeing him completely lost in you, you turned your back, still following the rhythm of the music. Your body inevitably pressed against his chest, and thatâs when you clearly felt Jake losing patience with you⊠his self-control was crumbling because of you. You felt the warmth of his nose press directly against your exposed throat, inhaling your scent until it gave you shivers, while his hands tightened decisively around your waist, anchoring you to him.
As you continued to move against his warm body, Jake exhaled a trembling sigh against your skin, breathing in your sweet scent, which had finally softened and become extremely sweetâa sign that you were completely trusting him.
âDamn⊠theyâll have to make me a saint for how Iâm holding back tonight, Y/n,â he said roughly against you in a low voice. You giggled, finding his frustration incredibly adorable, especially because you knew all the girls heâd been with had thrown themselves at him without a second thought. Heâd never had to fight for anything when it came to girls. Seeing him so vulnerable sparked something in you. So you moved your hips even more against him.
But Jake, sensing his limit was almost reached, abruptly stepped back. When you turned to look at him, confused, he shook his head, his breath short and his ears lowered, trying to recover that last shred of âgood boyâ dignity he had left.
This time, you took a step forward. You walked toward him with determination as the first notes of Enrique Iglesiasâ I Like It began to fill the dimly lit room. Driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline and the desire that had been building for weeks, you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, and pulled him down forcefully, eliminating any remaining distance. You pressed your lips against his in a wet, sweet, and desperate kiss
Your lips tasted like strawberriesâa sweet, sugary flavor that revealed your obsession with the fruit. Jake was completely hypnotized by it. It was only the second time youâd kissed, but his mind instantly registered how your lips fit and locked perfectly with his, as if they were made for that exact embrace.
In the room, lit only by the glow of the computer screen, the wet sound of your mouths meeting echoed clearly, amplifying the tension that had built up between you over weeks. When you slightly parted your lips to catch your breath, Jake took the opportunity. With extreme slowness, he used the sharp tip of one of his wolf canines to gently nibble on your lower lip. A weak, excited moan escaped your throat, making both Jakeâs human and hybrid sides tremble.
âAhhâŠâ you moaned, and Jake smiled against your lips, pleased by your reaction. He moved on to gently sucking that spot while you began to sway and wiggle in his arms, pushing your hips against his body out of pure instinctâto get closer to him, to tease him in return. Not wanting to give him all the control, you slid your hands into his hair, reaching the base of his wolf ears, where you knew, from the beginning of your acquaintanceâthat ears and tails were the most sensitive parts for a hybrid. You began to caress that ultra-sensitive spot with your fingertips, and Jake let out a deep, almost growl-like moan that escaped as your lips were still just millimeters apart:
âMmh⊠Y/nâŠâ
In retaliation, this time you smiled between his lips, continuing to move your fingers over those soft, warm ears, making him shiver. Jake was restraining himself with every single cell of his body because his wolf nature was literally howling from the sensory overload of everything happening in just a few moments. His instinct screamed at him to pin your wrists above your head, to use his canines to mark your skin, and to take everything he desired. But before the beast could take over, you took two steps back, pulling him with you. You tripped over the edge of the bed, and you both tumbled together onto the soft mattress, with you lying on your back and him on top of you.
Jake quickly planted his forearms on either side of your head, using all the strength in his muscular arms to avoid crushing you with his weight. He lowered his gaze, and at that sight, he seriously thought he was a dead man. You were fuckingbeautiful lying there on his pillow, your hair messy and framing your face, your lips visibly swollen and glossy from the kisses, your cheeks flushed with excitement.
Damn. He never would have thought you, of all people, would be his mate, the human who would bring his wolf to its knees. He had to mentally admit that Jay, Heeseung, and all the other pack members had been rightâtheyâd realized from the very first moment youâd stepped through the door of their house that you were his destined mate.
Your hands trembled slightly as they continued to caress his ears. Jake, noticing that tremor and seeing how your eyes kept searching for his, asked in a rough whisper:Â âWhat do you want to do, sweetheart?â
You stayed silent for a few seconds while his eyes continued to devour your body, careful not to cross that invisible line youâd drawn after telling him what had happened to you. âCould you⊠could you, I donât know, kiss me again?â you finally murmured, looking away in embarrassment. âBut⊠not on the lips. I donât really know what to do, Jake⊠Honestly, I donât want this to be embarrassing for you.â You tried not to feel at fault in that moment, and Jake released one hand from its grip on the mattress. He passed it with infinite gentleness over your cheek, lifting your face to force you to look at him. He whispered against your lips:
âSweetheart⊠you canât make anything embarrassing with me. Itâs all in your head. Whatever we do tonight wonât be anywhere near embarrassing. You just have to tell me when you feel overwhelmed, just tell me to stop, and Iâll do it instantly⊠I promise.â You instinctively nuzzled into his warm hand, pressing your cheek against his palm, and closed your eyes.
âPlease⊠please, kiss me, Jake.â
Jake didnât need to be told twice. He leaned over you and kissed you again, but this time, it wasnât a kiss charged with urgency like the previous one. Instead, it was an incredibly slow, wet, and protective contact to make you understand that you could trust him.
Then, he slowly slid downward, and his nose pressed directly against the hollow of your neck. He inhaled deeply, your sweet scent now even more intense with your heated skin. He wondered how heâd managed to survive 23 years without noticing that scent.
âDamn, Y/nâŠâ he murmured against your skin, and those words sent shivers down your entire spine. âThis scent is driving me literally crazy. You smell like warm strawberries, something like cotton candy, and clean skin⊠I swear I could spend the whole night just breathing you in here.â
You let out a weak giggle at that declaration because you knew those words came more from his animal nature. But your laughter died in your throat when Jakeâs warm lips finally pressed against your bare skin, and the wolf began to place light, wet, slow kisses along the entire line of your neck, moving up to the base of your jaw and then back down toward your collarbone.
Small, muffled moans echoed in the room every time Jakeâs mouth moved, placing wet kisses and light, gentle bites from your neck down to your chest, just above the hem of his T-shirt. His hybrid nature clearly sensed how his wild scent was covering your skin, marking you minute by minute beneath him. Feeling his scent blend so intimately with yours sent a wave of even denser, more primal excitement through him. He never thought it would feel so incredible to have his scent anchored to his mate, and this realization drove him wild.
Your eyes were slightly closed, your fingers still weakly tangled in his hair. Everything was going incredibly wellâuntil Jake slightly pulled away from your neck and slid a hand under the hem of the T-shirt, caressing the bare skin of your stomach. Small shivers of pure pleasure bloomed on your skin as he continued to kiss you lightly and tease your throat. He asked in an incredibly sweet and rough whisper:Â âIs this okay, sweetheart? Do you like it?â
You simply nodded, but that wasnât the answer youâd agreed on to maintain control. So Jake stopped a millimeter from your lips: âWords, sweetheart⊠use those beautiful, plump lips Iâve been kissing to answer me. I want to hear your voice,â he teased. So you lifted your eyes to his and murmured: âYes⊠itâs all good, Jake. You can keep going.â
At that confirmation, a smile lit up his face, and he praised you shamelessly, making your blood rush: âThatâs how a good girl behavesâŠâ You rolled your eyes at that statement, but then his hand slid slowly lower, slipping out from under the T-shirt to gently press against the inside of your thigh. At that pressure, you swallowed hard, feeling your heart race. But you trusted Jake blindly, so as he kissed you again to distract you, you felt his hand slide under the sweatpants. He began with just one finger to brush against the thin fabric of your lace panties. But as soon as you felt even the slightest real pressure of that intimate contact, your body short-circuited. You froze instantly, stiffening like a piece of ice beneath him. You tried to speak, to say something, but your throat tightened as if blocked by a thread pulling tightâone of the things that had happened to you on that damn night.
Jake, whose hybrid senses were tuned to every millisecond of your reactions, immediately noticed the drastic change in your heartbeat and the tension in your muscles. He stopped instantly, pulling his hand back. As he lifted his gaze to you, he whispered your name: âY/nâŠ?â
You didnât answer, but he saw how your wide, fixed eyes on the ceiling were beginning to fill with silent panic, making you feel vulnerable in front of him. Without a hint of hesitation, Jake completely moved away from you, shifting to the side to free you from his weight. âHey, hey⊠little one, nothingâs happening. Look at me, itâs all okay,â he said in an incredibly gentle voice, opening his arms. You slowly sat up and immediately took refuge in his arms.
You hugged him as if he were your living shield, hiding your face in the hollow of his warm neck, breathing in his scent to at least ease all the bad thoughts resurfacing in your mind. For the second time in just a few days, you whispered against his skin, barely holding back tears of frustration: âSee, Jake⊠I⊠Iâm broken. I trust you, I really do⊠but I just canât do it. And thatâs the worst part⊠feeling like this.â
His large hands began to gently caress your back, tracing circles over your T-shirt to calm you. But inside him, the wolf was growling furiously because he had a mad desire to find whoever had hurt you in the past and punch them, leave them to rot somewhere. But his human, rational side took over because he knew he had to handle the situation with extreme delicacy.
After a few moments of silence, he caressed your hair and asked, with a slightly embarrassed but extremely serious tone: âWhen youâre alone⊠do you feel safe giving yourself pleasure? Or is it a situation that blocks you, whether youâre alone or with other people?â
You slightly widened your eyes, still with your chin resting on his shoulder, because the question caught you completely off guard. It was the kind of question your therapist asked, not a guy youâd known for only a few months. But you answered: âSometimes⊠I feel safe alone, but other times, no,â you said in a low voice. Jake pulled back just enough to look at your face. âSo, when youâre alone and feel safe⊠can you give yourself pleasure, or not?â
You lifted your chin slightly, feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment at the conversation because you didnât understand where he was going with this. âAre⊠are you asking if I can masturbate, Jake?â
Jake chuckled, and you saw his cheeks redden as he shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. âDamn, sweetheart⊠you asked me to have sex with you a few days ago. I donât think youâd be scandalized if I ask if you can give yourself pleasure! I just want to understand,â he said, trying to be the most serious guy in the world at that moment. You looked away and said: âYes⊠I can give myself pleasure, butâŠâ
You couldnât finish the sentence, but Jake answered right away, anticipating the truth: âYou can give yourself pleasure, but you canât come, right? You block yourself at the last moment, right?â You nodded slowly, lowering your head. A deep, calm silence fell over the room, interrupted only by the sound of light rain beginning to patter against the window. Suddenly, you saw Jake get up from the bed.
A shiver of terror ran down your spine because you feared he wanted to end things there, that he was tired of your blocks and complexities, that you had to hurry up and figure it out on your own or with a good therapist: âWhere are you going?â you asked in a thin voice. But Jake wasnât running away. You watched him walk to the desk, grab the swivel chair, and place it against the desk. The distance wasnât much, but at the same time, you felt alone sitting on that bed. You watched him sit down right in front of you, and you didnât understand what he wanted to do.
âYou can give yourself pleasure, but at the same time, you canât reach orgasm. And itâs all in your head, Y/n. Itâs a matter of trustâin yourself, but also in the other person whoâs there with you in that moment,â he explained calmly. Then, with a slightly cheeky smile, the corners of his lips curled upâone of those smiles youâd started to recognize right away, and you didnât know whether to trust it.
âSo⊠hereâs my idea: why donât we pleasure ourselves together, but each on our own?â
You widened your eyes, struck by the proposal because youâd never thought of anything like that. âYou try to make yourself come by yourself, touching yourself the way you usually do when youâre alone in your safe space⊠and Iâll try to make myself come by myself, but right here in front of you. Itâll be a test of total mutual trust, Y/n. Weâll both be vulnerable, both exposed, but without either of us touching the other or forcing anything. Weâll just watch each other. What do you think?â
You opened your mouth to protest, but no words came out for a full minute. Jakeâs proposal had never crossed your mind in all these years it was definitely too intimate for two people who werenât even officially together, yet it was also incredibly mature.
âY/n? Are you there?â he asked as you tortured your lips, biting them. You looked at him carefully, searching his eyes for any trace of irony. âYouâre not teasing me, are you, Jake?â you whispered. He shook his head decisively. âIâve never been more serious in my life, Y/n.â
âIt could work⊠I usually donât do things like this...actually, Iâve never seen anyone masturbate in front of me,â you admitted, your cheeks literally burning. After all, youâd never even watched porn, so you had no idea what to expect.
âBut I think we could try, like you saidâitâll be a test of self-trust. Youâll see me vulnerable, but Iâll also see you exposed, âinertâ in a way⊠and I think itâll be an important step for when, one day, we have sex for real,â you said, convincing yourself that it was a good idea to see each other vulnerable. Jake nodded, and with a crooked, amused smile, he commented: âSee? Iâm not so bad⊠I told you I was smart, Y/n!â
You rolled your eyes but hinted at a smile: âDonât count your chickens just yet, Jake. Letâs see if it works first,â you said as you both stared at each other for a moment. You felt the tension in the room start to rise again, and you bit your lip, embarrassed, asking: âWho⊠who takes their clothes off first?â
Jake shrugged with total nonchalance at your question and said: âIâll go first. Iâve got nothing to hide⊠quite the opposite,â he teased. You closed your eyes slightly until you saw him stand up. With a fluid movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Without that fabric covering him, you couldnât help but count the ridges of his abs, sculpted and defined, four perfect muscular hills on his toned stomach until your gaze fell on the obvious V-line that descended symmetrically, disappearing into the waistband of his Calvin Klein boxers.
His arms, though not excessively massive, were marked by bulging veins that stood out under his skin, giving him an incredibly athletic appearance. Deep down, you understood why everyone said Jake was gorgeous, and you literally felt your mouth water as you watched him lazily grab the strings of his sweatpants. Jake noticed immediately how your eyes were practically worshipping him with a hint of mischief. He shot you a complicit look, feeling his hybrid nature rejoice with pleasure. âCan I take off my pants and boxers too, sweetheart?â he asked, and you murmured: âYesâŠâ
With a smirk on his face, he let his sweatpants slide down, revealing his muscular, athletic thighs. But it was when he completely dropped his boxers that your eyes widened, and a shiver ran down your spine. Jake had no issues with his bodyâin fact, he was extremely comfortable in his own skin. At the sight of his erect member slapping against his lower abs, you nearly lost your breath. Youâd never seen anything like it before: it wasnât excessively long, but it was incrediblythick, hard, marked by prominent veins, and already covered in a slight pearly sheen on the tip. You realized it was seriously wild and not entirely human.
Seeing you so captivated and curious, Jake enjoyed the show of your wide eyes and loved seeing you open-mouthed for him. âDo you like what you see, sweetheart?â he asked with a cheeky tone. You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to lift your gaze to his face so you wouldnât get too distracted by all that perfection just a few meters away. You desperately wanted to touch him, but you knew that first, you had to trust him completely.
âWow⊠besides being beautiful on the inside, I have to admit youâre beautiful on the outside too, Jake. But you already know thatâeveryone tells you so,â you said.
He made a small, disappointed pout, as if that compliment wasnât exclusive enough for him. To tease you, he took a slow step toward you, wrapping his hand around his shaft and moving it just slightly with a single, slow slide of skin just to show you how responsive he was to your gaze.
âThey might say that to me, but I only care if you like it,â he whispered in a rough voice. Then, with a nod of his chin toward your clothes, he concluded: âBut enough talking⊠Your turn, Y/n. Take your clothes off.â
At that commandâwhich couldâve been interpreted in a way far different from how you saw itâJake couldnât wait to discover the beauty of your body, judging by the way he was looking at you. You felt your cheeks literally burn, and a sudden heat dyed your face a deep red, which he found adorable.
âIâll⊠Iâll obviously take off my pants and the shirt, but Iâd like to keep the bra on, if thatâs okay with you,â you said in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of his objection. But Jake looked at you with his hands trembling slightly along his sides, betraying the immense effort he was making not to pounce on you and touch you, smell you.
âDo whatever makes you feel most comfortable, Y/n,â he replied in an incredibly gentle tone, though his tail couldnât stay still for a second. His nose picked up every scent of yours, ranging from sweetness to something teasing due to your anxiety. âThereâs absolutely no problem for me. Take all the time you need.â
Reassured by his words, you nodded. You werenât sure what to take off first, feeling his eyes on you, not missing a single millimeter of your movements. You wanted to scream at him to close his eyes or turn away, but sooner or later, Jake would see you naked. So you slightly rose from the mattress, and with somewhat uncertain, maybe awkwardânot entirely sexyâgestures, you let the sweatpants slide down your legs.
At the sight of your toned thighs and fair skin, Jake visibly swallowed, clenching his fists against his hips. When his eyes caught the purple lace trim of your panties peeking out from under the hem of his oversized T-shirt, a mix between a moan and a sigh escaped his lips, which heâd been torturing with his teeth. He wanted to touch you in that exact momentâit was a damn devastating temptation, the idea of getting up from the chair and crawling back onto the bed to trap you beneath him. But he forced himself to stay still because he didnât want to ruin anything, especially seeing how your hands were trembling.
After minutes of staring at each other, you took a deep breath and murmured: âOkay⊠Iâm taking off your shirt now.â
Jake nodded slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from your body. âDo it, sweetheart. Youâre so damn beautiful⊠donât be afraid to let me look at you. I bet thereâs a body to worship under there, not one to hide from my eyes,â he said in a low voice. Those words gave you courage, and you crossed your arms, lifting the fabric over your head. In the exact moment you stood in front of him wearing only a damn purple Victoriaâs Secret set, decorated with small embroidered flowers that framed your body like you were a work of art on a canvas, the hybrid inside him lost his mind completely.
Jake let out a low growl that came entirely from his animal instinctâa purely wild sound. It was the very first time youâd heard him growl like that, so wild and primal. That sound made your entire body tremble, but not out of fearârather, it was a mix of physical and mental connection between you. Youâd discovered that hybrids both purr and growl: they purr in acts of pure docility with their mate, while growls can serve as a warning of danger, a sign not to touch their mate or their pack, or in a sense of pure excitement. And thatâs what Jake was feeling in that moment: he was growling at the sight of the bliss of your body just a few meters away from him, but he couldnât even brush you with a finger.
His eyes widened at that sound because you hadnât expected it, and Jake couldnât stop staring at you, open-mouthed, devouring your body with his hungry eyes. He studied carefully how the curve of your breasts seemed to try to escape from the bra cups, pushed upward. Heâd always known you had an abundant chest, but at that sight, his mindâwhich was currently running on purely animal and instinctive tracksâwas flooded with dark, possessive thoughts. He thought about how much he wanted to grab that soft flesh in his hands, how he wanted to suck on those warm nipples until you screamed his name. He even thought about how beautiful it would be to see them swollen and full of milk, watching it gush out as he filled you with his seed to bring your pups to life.
He shook his head to chase away those intense fantasies, running a hand over his mouth before complimenting you in that typical hybrid tone of hisâshameless and lewd: âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre a fucking work of art. That purple against your fair skin is driving me crazy. I knew you had perfect breasts, and I swear, if I werenât confined to this chair, Iâd have already consumed your skin with bites and kisses.â He said this while biting his lips, which were almost bleeding from how much heâd been nibbling on them in the last few minutes.
You sat back down on the edge of the bed with your legs curled up, trying to calm your racing heart. Now that you were both almost completely naked, you had to start what youâd agreed to do.
At those words, you swallowed hard and closed your eyes for a moment. Youâd never done anything like this before, and you wanted the earth to swallow you whole. But when you opened your eyes again, Jake was there, watching you intently. âYou donât have to be afraid right now, Y/n. Itâs just you and me. Slide your panties aside gently if you donât want to take them all the way off. Let me see how wet you are⊠I can smell it from here, youâre already soaked.â
Your cheeks burned at his words. With trembling hands, you slid your fingers toward your panties, already feeling the heat of your arousal. You pulled the edge down just enough to reveal your lips to Jake. At the sight, he groaned, and you instinctively closed your eyes but that wasnât what he wanted.
âOpen your eyes, sweetheart,â he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. âItâs not just me who gets to watch you pleasure yourself. You need to watch too.â
You obeyed, and what you saw took your breath away: his hands wrapped around his shaft, moving up and down in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The tip, flushed and glistening, grew thicker with every stroke, and a bead of pre-cum slid down the length. You crossed your legs, the desire burning inside you. âPlease, Jake⊠Please talk to me. I feel⊠lost,â you mumbled, your eyes fixed on him.
Jake sighed, his patience stretched thin. âSlide your panties all the way down your legs,â he ordered, his voice a contained growl. âUse your middle finger on your clit and start rubbing. But donât you dare close your eyes.â
You sighed in response and did as he said. Your panties slid off, and you shifted slightly higher on the bed, spreading your legs under his hungry gaze. Jake cursed under his breathâthe sight of you naked and ready to touch yourself without needing his command pushed him to the edge. It was as if, little by little, you were starting to understand the situation youâd gotten yourselves into⊠and that you could trust the man in front of you.
Jake watched as your trembling finger found your clit, already swollen and sensitive. âIs this okay?â you asked softly. He nodded, his dark eyes filled with desire. âRub. Slowly. Let me hear you moan.â
And so you did. Your clit was already hypersensitive, and the touch of your fingers made you let out a small moan. Little by little, you felt more at ease, more daring. âDonât stroke your cock so much, Jake⊠or youâll come first,â you stammered, your lips parted, your breath ragged. âI⊠I want to come with you.â
Jakeâs eyes widened at your confession, but he nodded. You saw his abs clench as he slowed his rhythm, rubbing his cock slowly in the grip of his hand. It was an incredible sight, youâd never imagined how exciting it could be to see a guy like him, just sitting there, watching you, while at the same time pleasuring himself just to make you feel at ease.
He realized that without his guidance, you wouldnât dare go further. And at the sight of your naked body at his mercy, he could have come at any moment like an inexperienced teenager. But that was exactly what you did to himâyou made him weak, and that both frustrated and reassured him, confirming that you were his mate. He adjusted himself on the chair, spreading his thighs, and said in a rough voice: âSweetheart, your clit is swollen and ready. Now, with your eyes on me, try sliding a finger inside you. Any finger is fine, as long as it goes into those beautiful lips of yours. Let me see⊠let me hear your sounds, little one. Otherwise⊠I wonât last much longer.â
At his confession, you bit your lip. This was the hardest part: letting go without thoughts, without fears. But the sight of Jake, his honesty, his vulnerability, pushed you to want to give yourself pleasure⊠and to give him something deeply intimate. You spread your legs a little wider, took a deep breath, and slid a finger between your wet folds. The intrusion was a new sensation, different from the solitary games you played under the covers. You moaned, surprised by the pleasure coursing through you, both mentally and physically.
The wet sound of your finger moving in and out of you made Jake groan your name. You felt completely at ease under his gaze, which never left you for a second. You saw how his cock grew thicker and thicker, how droplets of fluid escaped with every movement.
âKeep going⊠keep going like that, little one,â he urged, his voice a growl. âYouâre doing so well. Now that youâre nice and stretched, try sliding another finger in. And at the same time, rub your clit. That way, youâll come soon⊠and Iâll come with you.â
As Jake had instructed, you slid another finger inside yourself. A deep, throaty moan escaped your lips, and his name spilled out like a broken sigh: âJaaakeâŠâ The way you said it was desperate, sweet, and rawâlike he was the only lifeline in a sea of overwhelming sensations. At the sound of his name, Jake cursed under his breath, a guttural âFuckâŠâ rumbling from his chest as he watched you completely lost in pleasure. He couldnât hold back anymore. His arm muscles tensed as he began stroking himself harder, his fist gliding up and down his thick, throbbing shaft.
The room was thick with the sounds of your muffled moans and ragged breaths. It echoed with the wet, rhythmic sounds of your fingers pumping in and out of you, the creak of the chair beneath Jake amplifying every tiny noise. The scent was intoxicatingâmusky, sweet, and sharp all at once. Jakeâs heightened hybrid senses picked up on how your fragrance grew richer with every passing minute, a heady blend of strawberry, arousal, and a hint of sweat. âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre so fucking sexy,â he growled, his voice rough and low, his eyes glued to you as he watched you writhe, pleasure coiling tighter inside you. âLook at how wet you are⊠how perfect you look.â
You closed your eyes, and with your free hand, you clutched Jakeâs blanket, gripping it tightly between your fingers. Your voice trembled as you stammered, âJake⊠itâs too muchâŠâ
He paused for a moment, his hand still wrapped around his cock, and asked with a mix of concern and desire, âWhatâs too much, sweetheart?â
You moaned, breathless, and confessed, âEverything⊠itâs all too much⊠and I⊠I want to come.â
At those words, Jake smiledâa hungry, satisfied grin. âYou will in a few minutes, trust me. Now, tease your clit more and let go. But open those fucking eyes and watch what youâre doing to me,â he commanded, his voice a contained growl.
Embarrassed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, you obeyed. You opened your eyes and saw Jake barely holding back, his muscles taut, his breath ragged. With a whisper, you dared to say to him, âLet goâŠâ
His eyes darkened slightly at your boldness, as if he hadnât expected you to take control. But he didnât say a word. Deep down, that small act of defiance only turned him on even more.
Your walls began to tighten around your fingers, and your clit throbbed with pleasure as small, breathy moans escaped your lips. âI⊠Iâm about to come,â you whispered, your eyes half-lidded and glistening. At the sight of you so lost in pleasure, Jake gripped his shaft tighter and pumped harder, his voice rough as he urged, âCome on, sweetheart⊠let me see you come.â
You cried out, pleasure crashing over you like a wave. A few moments later, shivers raced through your body. You clenched the sheets of his bed tightly, your fingers still pumping and teasing your clit as your orgasm tore through you first. At the sight, Jakeâs abs clenched, and with a groan of your name, he came too. Thin streams of white cum spilled from the tip of his cock, and he moaned in pleasure at the release. But honestly, he didnât care much about his own climax. His eyes were locked on youâsprawled out on his bed, your stomach rising and falling rapidly with each ragged breath, your lips parted in a perfect O, your hair wild, and your legs trembling.
Jake slowly stood up, wiping away the remnants of his release before pulling his boxers back on. At the sight of you lying there, relaxed and half-lidded, he asked, âCan I⊠can I come closer to you, little one?â
You opened your eyes and tried to sit up slightly, but the sticky wetness began to seep out of you, and you moaned at the sensation. At the sight, Jakeâs smile returned, and he said, âSee? I told you I could make you come without even touching you, sweetheart.â
You let out a weak, breathless giggle, still trembling from the last waves of pleasure. You watched Jake stretch his arm toward the nightstand to grab a tissue, then lean toward you on the bed with a naturalness and care that left you breathless. You felt his large, warm hands settle firmly but gently on your thigh to keep you still, and then he cleaned you slowly, with no rush or malice in his gaze, treating you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. Your eyes never left his, not even for a millisecond, captivated by the sweetness in his expression.
When he finished and tossed the tissue into the trash can beside the bed, you shyly tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear, your cheeks still warm from everything that had just happened. Seeing you so timid, Jake leaned toward you again, offering you the T-shirt youâd taken off earlier. He knew perfectly well that youâd just taken giant steps, having been half-naked and vulnerable in front of him, and he didnât want to ruin the magic of the moment by rushing things.
âLift your arms, sweetheart,â he said softly, and you did as he asked. He slid his oversized T-shirt down over your body, dressing you completely. As soon as the fabric covered you, moved by an impulse of gratitude and affection, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him forcefully toward you to kiss him.
Jake hadnât expected you to kiss him of your own free will at all. Heâd expected that, once the moment had passed, you might tease him or hide under the covers. Instead, you leaned forward and gently pulled his lower lip between your teeth, trapping it between your lips almost as a victory for everything that had happened.
Jake groaned against your lips a mix of a surprised grunt and a deep, pleasure-filled moan that vibrated in the back of his throatâas he instinctively placed his large hands on your hips to steady both of you on the mattress. Your mouths sought each other with a new urgency every time you had to pull apart to catch your breath. When you timidly slid your tongue against his, tasting him, you felt Jake smile against your mouth.
âFuck, Y/n⊠youâre really driving me crazy tonight,â he whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from you. Heâd become a full-on clingy boy with you. After a few seconds, Jake slowly pulled back to give you space, and you looked at him with infinite sweetness. âThank you, Jake,â you said.
He smiled almost timidly, for the first time since youâd known himâand opened his arms on the bed in a silent invitation to hug you again. You didnât need to be told twice. You nestled against his massive chest, inhaling his reassuring scent of pine, and pressed your head into the warm hollow of his neck.
Jake pulled you close, wrapping you completely in his strong, protective body. For long minutes, you both stayed there, still and embraced in the silence of the room, lulled only by the sound of your heartbeats slowly returning to normal and the patter of rain against the roof of the house. Eventually, you pulled back slightly from his chest and lifted your chin to look at him.
Jake was there, watching you from above, his ears relaxed and his gaze attentive. In that moment, he would have given anything for the ability to read your mind and know exactly what was going through that little head of yours.
Suddenly, though, he noticed your eyes growing glossy, filling with tears ready to spill down your cheeks. Jakeâs heart literally skipped a beat, and his face painted an expression of pure panic, he thought he might have done or said something wrong.
âHey, hey⊠little one, no, donât cry!â he exclaimed, gently squeezing your shoulders. âDid I⊠was I too rough? Did I do or say something you didnât like? I swear, I just wanted to...â
Before he could finish, you pressed a finger directly to his lips to silence him, cutting off the stream of anxious apologies.
âYou⊠you made me realize that I need to talk to people, Jake. But most of all, you taught me that, after a while, I need to start tearing down my own protective walls⊠and thatâs exactly what I managed to do tonight with you,â you said, looking him straight in the eyes. âI really donât know how to thank you. Youâve been so patient with me, you never backed down from anything, and youâve respected me from the very first moment I walked into this house. So⊠no, donât be sad. These tears are just pure joy,â you concluded, weakly giggling as you wiped your face with the edge of his T-shirt sleeve.
Jake sighed deeply, feeling a knot of tension finally dissolve in his chest. A small smile formed on his lips as he lifted his hands to caress your face, using his thumbs with infinite gentleness to wipe away the last tears wetting your cheeks.
For days, since youâd confessed you wanted to have sex with him and shared everything that had happened to you, heâd feared he was too overbearing, too abrupt, or simply âwrongâ for a sensitive girl like you. But in that moment, lulled by your strawberry scent, now free of any trace of fear, Jake finally felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âI only did what any guy worthy of being by your side would have done, Y/n,â he murmured softly and sincerely, looking at you with a tenderness he rarely showed outside the walls of that room. He was only ever this sweet with his family and his pack⊠not even with his teammates, with whom he spent hours training, had he ever been this honest in his life. But you shook your head, pressing your cheek against his warm palm.
âNo other guy would have done thisâŠâ you said quietly, meeting his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassment creep back in but determined not to lose that beautiful harmony, you continued with a clearly shy but resolute tone: âNow⊠yes, for next time, Iâd like things to be less planned. Iâd like them to flow more naturally between us. When they happen, theyâll happen⊠though, obviously, I expect it to happen again as soon as possible!â You said this while playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt, hoping heâd understand what you meant.
Jakeâs eyes widened slightly, surprised by that sudden burst of boldness, and he burst into laughter as he watched you make yourself smaller. At the sight, he gently pinched your side, knowing you were ticklish, and said: âDamn⊠Whereâs the shy, reserved girl who struggled to even look me in the eye gone? Donât tell me Iâve created a creature whoâs greedy for my touch, or that now you canât do without me?â
You laughed heartily when his fingers started lightly tickling your sides, making you curl up against him on the mattress. To defend yourself, you rolled your eyes dramatically and teased him, playfully tapping his muscular chest:Â âOh, please, Sim! Donât get a big head. Youâre the âgolden boyâ of the team, the âfrat boyâ everyone dreams aboutâI think that guy disappeared a while ago thanks to me. So before you talk, think about how you canât stop finding excuses to touch me!âYou laughed as Jake intensified the tickling.
Without stopping his smile, he leaned over you, pressed his soft lips to your forehead, and then moved up through your hair, leaving a reassuring kiss on you. When he pulled back slightly, his eyes shone with a hopeful light, finally making you understand that you could trust him.
âWill you stay tonight, Y/n?â he asked this time, stopping his teasing. You made a thoughtful pout and then slowly nodded, pulling him back to you by the shoulders, welcoming him into your embrace again.
But that happy ending hadnât yet provided the right answers: What were you and Jake? How would he balance university, your constant presence in his routine, and being the captain of the soccer team, which was under the spotlight of scouts looking for the best striker for their teams? How would he balance his human nature with his hybrid one, with you getting closer and closer to him? And how would he get through his first heat as a hybrid, knowing you were his mate and that he wanted you for himself forever?
hey, I wanted to split this story into 2 parts, I know there's a lot of slow born and I didn't think so but I think it's better this way, now I will always post a story that connects with this one featuring one of the members (try to guess who!!) to thank you for the 3k.
For part 2 I think it will be released in August but I'm already writing it so always keep yourself on your toes, I hope you enjoyed it:)
*pairing: pervy wolf hybrid Jake x human student girl
*trope: popular playboy x nerdy girl-tutoring
*inspiration: off campus book 1
*synopsis: Jake only had one problem: History. He's always been good at any subject, especially since balancing being the captain of the football team and studying engineering is no walk in the park, but his lack of history could compromise everything, and when he saw a girl holding the text with the word 100 written on it, he realized that you could be his only chance of getting through that damned subject.
But what would it sweat if tutor sessions began to become moments where he could be himself, where you began to open up after a long time to a person and discover that jake wasn't as much of a womanizer and you weren't as broken as you thought you were?
*tags: Jake is a playboy at first but after a while you arouse his curiosity, Y/n at first is skeptical of letting Jake into her life, Y/n suffered violence in high school (I won't write anything about this act also because my stories have to be a fun) many kisses, Jake is a wolf hybrid and little by little he will become territorial but also clingy with Y/n, Y/n thinks she's broken but Jake will trust her both intimately and physically, visual masturbation, protected sex, unprotected sex (dont' horny ppl) knotting, jealousy, possession, sucking to claim Y/n, declaration, +18, little bit angst, pet names (jakey) (baby, sweetheart)
banner by: @eightnyn *wc: 37k
The Contemporary History classroom was packed with students, and Jake was there, neither at the front nor at the back, but right in the middle, where he could observe everyone.
His knee wouldnât stop bouncing with anxiety, his wolf ears were perked up, and his tail, just like his knee, twitched with every breath he took and youâre probably wondering: ears and a tail? Well, yesâhe was a hybrid, specifically a wolf hybrid. For decades now, humans had shared everything with hybrids: from everyday jobs to school lessons, from apartments to entire neighborhoods where humans and hybrids lived side by side without resistance. Mixed couples were even trendy by nowâno, more than trendy, they were fully accepted in society, especially in big cities. You could see them everywhere: in malls, restaurants, or parks, with hybrid children, kids with rabbit ears or fox tails playing alongside human ones and that sight warmed Jakeâs heart more than anything, because hybrids had endured so much racial discrimination and persecution but finally, things were changing, and he had played a small part in that revolution.
In that classroom, humans were still the majority, but that was normal, especially at the university, where hybrids like him had only been admitted a few years earlier. Jake, however, was an exception: about a year ago, heâd been elected captain of the soccer team, the first hybrid to ever hold that position. Thanks to him, the number of hybrids in both recreational and competitive sports had risen. One of his best friends, Heeseung a hamster hybrid had even followed in his footsteps and become captain of the basketball team.
But back to the present: Jake was in that half-anxious state because the professor was handing back the history exams. Letâs just say that, as an engineering student, he didnât care much for the subjectâespecially since it was just an elective. But it carried a lot of credits, and the reason he disliked it was simple: his engineerâs mind thrived on logic, formulas, structural calculations, and precise physical dynamics things with no room for interpretation. History, with all its dates, nuanced socio-political contexts, and long texts to memorize, just felt like a waste of time to him⊠even if he did find the revolutions between humans and hybrids fascinating.
Still, he needed to pass all his classes to stay captain of the university team and to catch the attention of scouts from the big professional leagues, who didnât tolerate academic slippage. He had to be the perfect student and the perfect player. So when the professor approached his desk, her expression was almost apologetic, as if she knew the potential of the young man in front of her. Jake did have excellent grades in every subject⊠except hers.
The test paper slid across the wooden desk, and at the topâcircled in red marker (a color that, unfortunately for him, was not in his pendant) was a glaring 45 out of 100 and to make matters worse, it wasnât even close to passing.
The professor peered at him over her glasses and said, âJake, I hope for your sake that next time you at least manage a basic passing grade. Otherwise, Iâll have to report this to Coach, and we all know how strict Coach Smith is about academic performance.â
He nodded, and his tail suddenly stopped moving, drooping down and tucking itself under the chair. He nearly slumped over his desk, staring at that disastrous grade. His right hand fidgeted nervously through his soft hair, right at the base of his tense ears, as if trying to ease the tension. He sighed heavily, racking his brain for solutions but there were none. All his closest friends were in different majors, and if he didnât find a fix fast, his soccer dream would be over before it even began.
Unbeknownst to him, just a few rows away sat a girl twirling her pen, completely unbothered about her history test grade. She watched the professor intently as she moved between the desks, papers in hand.
Suddenly, you felt a sharp elbow nudge from your best friend. âStop staring at the professor!â Allie hissed. âShe probably saved your test for last, one of the first three sheâs handing out just so she can praise you in front of everyone. We all know youâre the biggest nerd in here.â
You rolled your eyes, exasperated but amused, as Allie sat there sipping her fruit smoothie her latest attempt at this âfructarianâ diet, while her own test, a modest but honest 70, lay forgotten beside her. With absolute nonchalance, she scrolled through an online sexy shop store, browsing through undeniably sexy sets at prices that would make any other girlâs wallet tremble...but not hers.
âStop looking at your phone,â you whispered back, giving her a light shove. âIf the professor saw you scrolling through a sex shop right now, sheâd have a heart attack. I bet she doesnât even know the difference between a thong and a Brazilian.â
Allie let out a snort, nearly spitting her drink all over the guy in front of her. She slammed her phone down on the desk just in time, because the professor finally stopped in front of you, her face breaking into a full, thirty-two-tooth grin.
âY/n, Iâm not even surprised anymore,â she said. âBut you know I struggle to give out perfect scores. Still, this last test of yours on the Cold War and the geopolitical dynamics of the Soviet bloc⊠itâs simply flawless. The knowledge youâve shown, the historical interpretations, even the extra research you included on the Cuban Missile Crisis...itâs all perfect. Iâm so proud to have you in my class. Itâs a shame youâre not majoring in history, because if you were, youâd be unstoppable.â
You smiled, thinking about how everyone had always told you to study history or political science but your love for music was stronger. âWell, itâs my job to study, get good grades, and give it my all especially in history, since you know itâs one of my favorite subjects,â you said shyly, feeling the eyes of half the class turn toward you.
Then the paper slid onto your desk, revealing a bold, perfect 100 in red ink. Allie, ever the dramatic one, blurted out way too loudly: âHoly shit, you actually got a 100?! We studied together the whole time...how the hell did I only get a 70? Okay, Iâm not complaining, but damn, Y/n!â She stared at you, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out like a wounded puppy. You shrugged, suddenly self-conscious under all the attention, and tried to cover the test with your hands but Allie was fasterâshe snatched it right out from under you, held it up to her face, and before you could protest, sheâd already pulled out her phone, snapped a crystal-clear photo of the red 100, and sent it to your friend group chat, roasting you for being such a nerd.
Your phone buzzed nonstop with the incoming messages from your friends, all teasing you affectionately. Meanwhile, a few rows back, a pair of wolf ears suddenly perked up, drawn by the noise and the word â100.â Who the hell had gotten a 100? It was practically impossible in an elective class. His amber eyes locked onto your back, and in that moment, he realized heâd just found his only lifeline to passing Contemporary History.
Jake couldnât look away. Not even when the bell rang, signaling freedom. His mind was consumed by a single thought:Â He had never seen anyone get a perfect score in his entire university career and when he saw you stand up, followed by the blonde girl he assumed was your best friend, his instincts flared to life. The wolf in him, the one that drove him to chase, to track down what was vital for his survival (or in this case, his scholarship) awoke with a jolt. Because letâs be real: in his life, there was only room for one thing:Â Soccer
And at the thought, a surge of adrenaline shot down his spine, making his ears snap forward and his tail muscles twitch back to life, swinging wildly with excitement at the idea of meeting you.
He shot to his feet, shoving his notebook haphazardly into his bag without even zipping it shut. Weaving through the maze of wooden desks, he spotted you stepping into the universityâs main atrium. Jake quickened his pace, using his athleteâs stride, until he was just a few steps behind you, right in the middle of the chaos: students switching classes, others heading to the campus bars.
âHey, Chloe!â he called out, loud enough to be heard, throwing out a random name heâd picked up somewhere in the classroom. The truth was, he had no idea what your name actually was and, honestly, heâd never seen you at one of his famous Friday night parties, nor cheering from the stands during league matches. That fact unsettled him a little⊠but it also piqued his curiosity.
Of course, you didnât turn around, because, obviously, your name wasnât Chloe. You just kept walking and talking to Allie. But Jake wasnât about to give up. He took two quick steps forward and tried again, this time stretching out a hand to intercept you.Â
âHey, Chloe! Iâm talking to you!â he said, a little louder this time.
Finally, you spun around. And that was the moment Jake saw you up close for the first time, no filters, no distance of desks between you. A lightning-fast thought shot through his mind: Damn. Not only is she a terrifyingly smart nerd, but sheâs also ridiculously cute. He took in your eyes, framed by a faint shadow of annoyance, as they swept over him from head to toe, far from impressed by the figure smiling at you.
âYou mean me?â you asked, pointing at your chest with one finger, while Allie stopped beside you, staring at him in confusion.
âYeah, you,â Jake confirmed.
You rolled your eyes. âWell, for starters, my name is Y/n. Not Chloe⊠you werenât even close.â You looked at him bluntly, and at those words, Jakeâs wolf ears drooped slightly, flattening against his soft hair in embarrassment. Before he could apologize or come up with one of his usual ready-made excuses, a sharp, ironic voice cut in from beside you.
âJake Sim is seriously talking to Y/n? Whatâs this, did you come here to ask for more signatures to sponsor your precious soccer team? Or were you sent by your little basketball buddy, Heeseung, to do his dirty work? Because if youâre here for charity signatures, weâre not interested. The universityâs already cutting tons of funding from both the theater and music majors because of you and your best friend,â Allie said, her expression dripping with disdain.
Jakeâs head snapped toward the blonde, annoyed by the intrusion but forcing himself to keep his cool. âNo,â he replied, straightening up and turning back to you, locking his eyes onto yours. âIâm here because I need to talk to Y/n. About something important.â
At his direct statement, you instinctively crossed your arms over your chest, pressing them tightly as if creating an invisible shield between you and him, a gesture born from deep insecurity and the trauma you still carried inside. The sudden movement didnât go unnoticed by the hybrid in front of you.
Jake distinctly felt your heartbeat speed up. At the same time, his nose picked up the sudden shift in your scent: the clean aroma of your skin was abruptly overpowered by a sharp, acidic trail, the unmistakable feromone signature of discomfort, mixed with a warm, suffocating note of pure embarrassment. The unwanted attention and physical proximity of an alpha male, especially one like him, had triggered it.
He ran a hand through his brown hair, furrowing his brow deeply as he studied your reaction with a mix of perplexity and concern. His wolf side picked up on your distress like an alarm signal. Why does my mere presence make her feel so threatened or uncomfortable? He wondered. Usually, girls fell over themselves to get a word or a glance from him.
Left alone with him in the atrium, you immediately took two steps back, putting more distance between you and Jake. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other, clutching your books against your chest, and fixed your gaze on him.
âSo, Jake Sim, youâve got two minutes. Tell me what you want.â
Jake studied you carefully, analyzing every tiny movement. His tail gave a slight, excited wag from side to side at finally having your attention, but he stopped it instantly, not wanting to reveal even that small loss of composure. He cleared his throat and said:
âYeah, well⊠sorry for calling you Chloe. I just didnât remember your name.â
You merely responded with a sharp nod, and Jake realized he needed to get to the point before time ran out. So, he decided to pull out the big guns: he unleashed his full Playboy charm, squaring his muscular shoulders and tilting his head slightly to the side with a crooked, magnetic smile. Along with his posture, his hybrid nature did the restâwithout realizing it, he released a subtle but intense trail of reassuring pheromones into the air around you. A warm, clean scent filled the space, a mix of citrus and something salty, blended with his natural hybrid scent. It was the kind of biological chemistry wolves used to charm people, lower their defenses, and make them instinctively feel safe and drawn to them, but he didnât yet know that with you, it would be extremely difficult.
âI saw you got a 100 on that test earlier, and first of all, congratulations. Seriously⊠not everyone can pull off a score like that in an elective class,â he said, taking an almost imperceptible step closer to you. âAnd second⊠I was wondering if youâd be willing to tutor me. I know a lot of people do it for academic credits, but I figure youâve probably got enough of those already, if you scored a 100, youâre probably acing all your major classes. Or maybe for money? So I was wondering if youâd give me private lessons. I desperately need to pass Contemporary History. Especially since itâs an extra-curricular subject for me, and itâs worth double the structural credits. If I donât pass⊠Iâm screwed.â He finished with a crooked little smile, but you didnât take the bait.
The trauma youâd experienced in high school had made you completely immune to the shameless charm of popular guys, and your mind rigidly resisted even his wolf pheromones, pushing them away like a self-defense mechanism. You looked at him with no emotion at all. âThanks for the compliment on my grade, but no. I donât tutor anyone. And as youâve already figured out, Iâve got all the credits I need, and even if weâre talking about money, which, sure, every student could useâIâve got a ton of studying for my own classes. Plus, Iâm in the university choir, and that takes up a lot of time because Iâm studying music.â You said all this while keeping your gaze lowered, almost avoiding his face, focused instead on the colorful bookmarks invading your notes. This total indifference deeply unsettled him.
Jake was used to humans hanging on his every word, to girls who would pay just to spend an hour alone with the team captain. Being rejected like this without so much as a glance wounded his alpha male pride and confused him. Sensing that you might not even like his presence, he took a step back, furrowing his brow, and blurted out in one breath:
âIs it because Iâm a hybrid that you donât want to tutor me? Or because you think that, as the soccer team captain, Iâm just another shallow idiot who canât balance engineering studies with training?â
At those words, your eyes widened, struck by how suddenly vulnerable and frustrated his voice sounded as he looked at you. You responded with a flurry of gestures: âNo, no! Itâs not that at all!â you exclaimed sincerely. âEven if a human had asked me, I wouldâve said no, Jake. Iâm really sorry⊠especially because I know balancing engineering studies and being the soccer team captain comes with a lot of pressure ut if you check the bulletin board in the atrium or the universityâs official forum, in the history section, I bet youâll find a tutor way better than meâŠIâŠIâve got to go now, yeah, Iâm meeting Allie.â
You said this with slightly flushed cheeks, still not looking him in the face, and began walking quickly down the hallway, almost hunching your shoulders as if afraid he might follow you or reach out to stop you. His fully matured wolf instincts immediately picked up on something strange in your sudden flight. His nose caught that your scent was no longer just annoyed; now it carried a clear trail of fear, and maybe even something vulnerable, and Jake didnât understand why.
They called him the golden boy of campus for a reason, no one had ever run away from him before. In fact, it was usually the opposite. He stood frozen, watching you disappear into the faculty crowd, his ears perked up, his mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. Your terrified reaction intrigued him, drove him wild. Because Jake Sim, when he wanted something, always got it and his wolf side had just decided that you, sooner or later, would be his tutor, no matter the cost and maybe, over time, something more than just a tutor. But that was something youâd both discover laterâŠÂ certainly not today.
The university campusâs main bar was nearly closing by that time, but you still had another half-hour left before your afternoon shift behind the counter ended. To pass the time and get ahead on your assignments, youâd set your laptop directly on the counter, trying to focus on your next project, studying music. You needed to dive deep into the acoustic composition of sounds and the various instrumental timbres to create balanced arrangements, ensuring the sound was perfect. Your dream was to become a singer, but youâd also love to work as a songwriter or composer. Your hearing was hyper-developed, and youâd already received requests from music agencies.
However, at that moment, music theory was the last thing on your mind. Your eyes kept wandering from the screen, drawn to the brightest corner of the bar, where Soobin was sitting. He was a Communication Sciences student specializing in Digital Media, and he played on the campus basketball team. Letâs just say you had a slight crush on him. Your head was lazily resting in the palm of your left hand, while your right hand sipped through a straw on a refreshing seasonal drink youâd made for yourself. You couldnât help but admire how incredibly cute Soobin was: he was tall, over 185 cm which was probably why he was on the basketball team, you thought as you took in his lean, athletic build. His hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a constantly sweet, approachable vibe and then, suddenly, his infectious laughter echoed through the bar, and an involuntary little pout formed on your face when you saw his famous dimples appear on his cheeks, giving him an irresistible puppy-like aura.
Seriously? Soobin?â Jakeâs bright, ironic voice cut through the air. âWhatâs so charming about that guy? Heâs always half-clumsy and doesnât even know which way a door swings unless heâs on a basketball court.â
At those words, your drink nearly went down the wrong pipe. When you straightened up, there he was, Jake, standing right in front of you. His worn-out soccer bag was slung over one shoulder, his dark hair still slightly damp from his post-training shower, and that usual smirk of his that always got under your skin. Caught red-handed, you blushed furiously and stammered:
âSoobin? I...I have no idea who youâre talking about!â You pointed at yourself, then frantically looked around to divert attention, but Jake just flashed that crooked grin of his, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement.
âOh, come on! I could help you get to know him, you know? And especially get noticed. Did you know he plays on the same team as my best friend Heeseung? He comes to almost all our weekend parties.â He turned to glance at Soobin, and you shot him a dirty look.
âHard pass. Now⊠what drink or food would you like to order, Jake?â As you said it, your fingers pressed a little too hard on the barâs computer keyboard.
âEasy: tutoring from you in history to pass the next two exams,â he said with nonchalance.
You stared at him, exasperated, and let out a long sigh. âYou really donât like hearing âno,â do you?â
At that, his wolf tail, which was peeking out from under his sports hoodie gave a slight, rhythmic wag. You didnât know much about hybrid anatomy or behavior, but to Jake, that involuntary movement meant one very clear thing: he was incredibly stimulated by your resistance toward him. It was almost like a challenge, and it excited him to no end. Jake loved competition, and right now, you were a very compelling one.
âMmm, I knew you were a sharp girl, sweetheart,â he said with total nonchalance. Your cheeks burned, and you stammered, âSweetheart?!â
He chuckled, thoroughly amused. âWell, yeah, itâs a cute nickname. Though, to be honest, thereâs not much âsweetâ about you right now.â He gifted you one of his perfect smiles.
âTell me what you want to drink or eat, or just leave,â you said sharply, crossing your arms over your chest, annoyed by the way his eyes had briefly flicked to the neckline of your shirt. Jake raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
âFine, fine. A hot caramel macchiato and a slice of Black Forest cake. Youâll bring it to my table, right? Especially since⊠Iâve decided Iâll go sit right across from Soobin.â He pointed at the guy youâd been admiring earlier. With that, he tapped his phone on the card reader, paying with a quick beep, leaving you standing there, stunned and speechless. You muttered a low curse under your breath: âI hope the cake chokes him.â
You watched as Jake sat down with absolute ease right at Soobinâs table, and you huffed in frustration. But before you could do anything, the two guys exchanged a quick, athletic handshakeâa sign of brotherhood among teammates. You knew Jake could help you get closer to Soobin, who smiled at him. A moment later, Jake turned his head slightly toward the counter, catching your gaze, and shot you a smug, triumphant grin.
In just five minutes, Jakeâs order was ready. With the tray clutched in your slightly trembling hands, you walked toward the table where Jake and Soobin were sitting. Trying to keep your voice as professional and detached as possible, you said:
âHey, guys. Hereâs the Blackforest cake and the caramel macchiato.â You set the plate and cup down in front of Jake, who watched you intently. âThanks, Y/n,â he said.
You hoped to turn on your heel and flee as quickly as possible, but Jake, of course, spoke up immediately to keep you there, so Soobin would notice you and remember your name.
âSoobin, this is Y/n. Weâre in the same Contemporary History class, and sheâs a total genius. She scored a terrifying 100 on the last test,â Jake said, addressing not just Soobin but also the other basketball players sitting around the table, who proceeded to compliment you. Soobinâs eyes widened, clearly impressed, and he looked at you with that gentle, heart-melting way of his. âYou seriously got a 100 in that extracurricular class? Wow⊠whatâs your major? You know, Iâve been struggling with those geohistory exams too. We could study together sometime, you could give me some pointers, and weâd help each other out,â he said with a shy smile.
Your cheeks instantly turned a deep burgundy, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment from the guy you liked. You just managed a timid smile and a nod.
Jake, observing the scene with the precision of a predator, knew full well that Soobin had taken the bait. With total nonchalance, he interrupted the moment before Soobin could elaborate, speaking in a tone that was falsely apologetic but incredibly possessive:
âSoobin, I hate to disappoint you, but sheâs already taken. You know Iâm a disaster in history, and the team desperately needs me to be up to date with all my classes for the championship⊠so Iâve already asked Y/n to give me private tutoring. I couldnât possibly pass up an opportunity like having the best tutor around.â He looked at you with that crooked grin of his, and you shot him a furious glare, clenching your fist so tightly against your apron that your knuckles turned white.
âI study music⊠but if youâre having trouble, Soobin, I could still find time to...â
But Soobin shook his hands and cut you off with a sincere smile. âNo, no, donât waste your precious time on me! I only play basketball for fun, to help the team. Iâll never be a professional athlete like Heeseung or Jake. You absolutely should tutor Jake. Guys, if he doesnât have all his classes in order, the federation will exclude him from the university championship and right now, there are scouts from the national leagues watching him...theyâre carefully evaluating whether his public and academic image is perfect before offering him a contract in a higher soccer league.â
At those words, you furrowed your brow, and your eyes widened slightly. You knew Jake was good at soccer, he was the captain, after all but you hadnât realized how serious the situation was. There were actually professional scouts involved, and his entire future depended on those damn history tests?
Jake, as he nibbled on his slice of cake, savoring his victory, doubled down: âSee, Y/n? Even Soobinâs asking you. I seriously need your help. And remember⊠if you ever wanted to ask me for anything in return, or needed some special help with someone, Iâd be more than happy to return the favor.â As he said this, he gave you a knowing wink, subtly nodding his chin toward Soobin. You rolled your eyes, was he blackmailing you under the guise of helping?
âIs your tail always moving like that?â You pointed at it with one finger.
Jakeâs mouth fell open in embarrassment, completely caught off guard, no one had ever asked him something so direct before, especially not a girl calling him out on an uncontrollable reflex tied to his hybrid nature. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. âLetâs just say my tail and generally, the tails of hybrids who have them reflects our emotions. We canât control it. Itâs an involuntary reflex of our nervous system,â he explained, trying to relax.
You looked at him, curious. âAnd what emotion are you feeling right now, Jake? We literally just left a bar and are walking toward campus. I donât think youâre feeling some great emotion⊠especially not in my company,â you muttered under your breath, almost to yourself but his wolf ears picked up every single word, even the way youâd said it. Jake furrowed his brow but decided not to make a big deal out of the fact that heâd heard. He looked you straight in the eyes and said:
âAnxiety? Anxiety over your verdict. Sorry if Iâm being pushy, but history is literally the only subject Iâm bad at, and youâre my last hope⊠I already checked the university forums like you suggested, but no one has your grades, and honestly, none of them inspire much confidence. So my tailâs wagging like this because Iâm anxious to know if youâve changed your mind. Is that okay?â
You sighed deeply, clutching your books to your chest, and stayed silent for a few steps as you walked along the campus paths lit by streetlamps. You thought it over, weighing the importance of his future and the veiled blackmail about Soobin, until you finally said:
âI decide when and where the tutoring sessions happen. Obviously, weâll have to work around our academic schedules. And I donât want to be messed around: if you want to pass history, you actually have to commit. No excuses...neither about soccer nor anything else and I want you to be honest if you donât understand something. In addition to our sessions, you need to study on your own at home. Iâm not doing all the work for you. Just like in soccer, you have to put in the effort in this subject too.â
You said it all in one breath, setting down ironclad rules to protect your boundaries. Jakeâs eyes widened, his ears snapping straight up in surprise. âWait⊠does this mean⊠youâll tutor me for the next few months?â he asked. This time, his tail moved differently, and you wondered if it meant he was happy.
You nodded resignedly, bringing a hand to your face. âI just hope itâs worth it⊠and that I donât lose my patience with you by the first session,â you muttered.
At your confirmation, Jake, overwhelmed with relief and happiness, completely lost control of his human inhibitions. Without realizing it, he lunged forward and pulled you into a tight hug. He pressed you against his broad, warm chest, wrapping you completely in his strong, athletic arms. You froze, stiff as a block of ice, and your heart skipped a beat from the sudden physical contact.
Why was he hugging you? God, you hated physical contact, especially with people you didnât know or trust. The memory of what youâd gone through in high school came rushing back like a slap. Your hands began to tremble slightly against your books, and you couldnât bring yourself to place them on Jakeâs back to reciprocate. You stayed motionless, breathless.
Jake, being a hybrid, immediately noticed how rigid you were in his arms. His body sensed your instant stiffness, but it was your scent that changed in a millisecond under his hyper-developed nose. The sweet, clean strawberry scent of your skin was literally overpowered by an intense, acidic trail, the unmistakable signature of negative emotions: primal panic, terror, and shock. It was the scent of someone who felt attacked, not just surprised by a hug. His wolf instinct, which never failed when it came to deciphering pheromones, picked up on that internal danger signal. It forced him to pull away from you immediately. Seeing you silent, your hands shaking, your expression blank, and your eyes wide and empty, Jake felt a pang of guilt, he was afraid heâd crossed a line with you.
Oh God, Iâm sorry⊠I⊠I didnât mean to,â he said, slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and messing it up nervously as he saw you still standing completely stiff in front of him.
âI⊠I really like physical contact when Iâm happy or relieved. Itâs a hybrid thing...we tend to be pack-oriented⊠I didnât mean to scare you,â he said, gesturing with his hands. You swallowed hard, trying to regain control of your breathing, and gave a weak nod. âYeah⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids, but please⊠just donât do it again with me, okay? No hugs.â You shifted even farther away from him.
Seeing how shaken you still were, he nodded seriously, his ears lowering in a sign of submission and respect toward you. âOkay, okay, no hugs. Iâll message you on Instagram later, alright? So we can exchange numbers and set up our first lesson.â
You nodded one last time with a quick motion and hurried toward your apartment, desperate only to close the door behind you and sink into a long, hot bath.
Jake stood frozen on the path, watching your figure disappear into the dim light. His ears were tense, motionless, and his tail was completely still. His predator and protective wolf instincts took over everything else because that drastic and terrifying shift in your scent wasnât normal for a girl your age. As he furrowed his brow, the wolf inside him had just caught the scent of a painful secret you were trying to hide.
What are you hiding thatâs so serious, sweetheart? he muttered under his breath. Who reduced you to this?
Without realizing it, Jakeâs instinct had just vowed that he would uncover the truth and whoever had hurt you would be gone, long before you even saw it coming.
You had arranged everything with Jake down to the last detail in your messages: the library, west wing, at 4:00 PM sharp. He had replied with a thumbs-up, promising heâd be there. But now it was nearly 4:15, and there was still no sign of him. Curious, youâd even checked the official team schedule to see if he had practice but Monday was marked as a full rest day for the soccer players.
That excuse, then, couldnât possibly justify his lateness. You sat there, nervously tapping your pen against the table, your laptop open to your notes and the heavy Contemporary History textbook splayed open to the chapter on World War I. You glanced around every three seconds, but there was still no trace of Jake. Finally, you huffed in frustration, running a hand through your hair.
âWhat the hell⊠why did I agree to this?â you muttered under your breath and just at that moment, you heard the study room door swing open with a little too much force. There he was: Jake, zigzagging hastily between the empty tables, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His dark hair bounced against his forehead with every quick step, and his fluffy wolf ears swayed with the movement. When he finally reached you and leaned over the table to set down his bag, your senses immediately picked up on something that made you stiffen. Beyond his usual wild, warm scent, the air was filled with an unmistakably sweet, almost floral note...a girlâs perfume that was definitely not yours.
âDonât tell me youâre 23 minutes late because you were hooking up with some girl,â you said, staring him straight in the eyes with a look that could have killed him. At those words, you watched his wolf ears drop instantly, flattening completely against the sides of his head in a clear sign of surrender and submission. Even his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie, dropped abruptly and went still between his legs. You caught a glimpse of his cheeks turning a deep red with embarrassment. His hybrid sense of smell must have already told him you were furious, and Jake swallowed hard, he knew heâd been caught red-handed.
âI...I⊠no, not a girl! Itâs just⊠the elevator in the guysâ dorm got stuck, I swear! And, um, there just happened to be a girl in there with me⊠thatâs why I smell like thisâŠâ he said, giving you his best puppy-dog eyesâbut he knew instantly it wouldnât work on you.
âI wasnât born yesterday, Jake, and I know perfectly well you donât have practice today,â you said, crossing your arms firmly over your chest. âI saw in the universityâs official vlog that soccer players rest on Mondays. So why do you have your soccer bag?â
Backed into a corner, Jake tried to play it cool to lighten the mood, smirking as he curled his lips into that usual crooked smile that drove girls wild. âOh, so youâve been stalking me? I didnât know you were already this interested in my routine, sweetheart.â
Your eyes widened, stunned by his audacity. You seriously wanted to slap him, but the only thing stopping you was the fact that you were in a public place.
âI havenât been stalking you! I just wanted to know if you were late for a valid reason, like soccer. But apparently, thatâs not the case,â you said, pointing with a sharp flick of your pen at his hair, which was far too disheveled to be the result of just running down a hallway.
He rolled his eyes slightly, then lowered his voice and stretched his hands across the table toward you. âCome on, Y/n, Iâm sorry⊠I lost track of time, okay? It wonât happen again, I promise. Now letâs sit down and open the books. Iâm all yours for the next few hours,â he said, winking at you. But you stopped him immediately, you were really angry, and even though your voice was a whisper to avoid getting kicked out of the library, your tone was unmistakably sharp.
âNo, Jake. Listen carefully. This is exactly why I didnât want to tutor anyone, especially not someone like you. You have zero respect for the time someone else is giving you, sacrificing their own studies to help you. If your absolute priority on this campus is to play the playboy, show up late to every lesson, and take my help for granted, then know this: this will be the first and last session we ever have. Consider this goodbye. You can say hello to failing that test, losing your captainâs armband, and kissing goodbye to every professional league scout watching you! I donât waste my time on people who wonât commit to something they asked me for. I donât recall chasing you down, begging to tutor you!â
For the first time in a long time, Jake felt corneredânot just by the harshness of your words, but by the fact that you werenât like all the other girls who fell at his feet. For the first time, the team captain had found someone who wasnât willing to let him off the hook for anything. Deep down, he knew he had to step up, and perhaps, beneath the surface, he felt the need to get his act together.
âIâm sorry, Y/n. From now on, Iâll always be on time. I promise,â he said seriously, extending his pinky finger to make a childish âpinky promiseâ in an attempt to lighten the mood. You studied his expression carefully to see if he was sincere, then said:
âIâll let it slide this time, but itâs the last warning, Jake.â
Then you looked at his outstretched finger, and though reluctant, you wrapped your pinky around his. In that brief moment when your skin touched, you both felt something an adrenaline rush that stole your breath, while for Jake, it was yet another confirmation that his wolf side responded intensely to your presence. Deep down, he found himself wanting more.
âToday, weâll start with the triggering causes of World War I and the European alliances of 1914. First, youâll read the text on your own, and Iâll do the same. Then, Iâve prepared five questions here that will help you summarize the entire first chapter about ten pages, to help you understand it better.â
Jake nodded, carefully looking over the first chapter.
âGo ahead and read the chapter first, and if you donât understand something, just ask. Iâm here to help,â you said gently this time. You noticed his tail swaying slightly from side to side under the table, this time with slow, lifted movements.
âGot it, Professor!â he said, saluting like a captain. You sighed, shaking your head, it was maddening how he could act like such a kid.
So, you both began silently reading the first chapter. Thanks to your study habits, you finished in just ten minutes. When you looked up, you expected Jake to be done too, but you realized he was only halfway through the fifth page. You tried your best to look away so as not to stare and make him self-conscious, but Jake had that kind of magnetism anyone within his radius was almost forced to look at him and he was truly handsome, even that day, dressed in just a loose, dark hoodie and comfortable cargo jeans.
His face perfectly embodied the proud aura of a wolf: thick, black hair that created a stunning contrast with his soft, slightly dark gray ears, which occasionally twitched or moved at the slightest sounds in the library. His eyes still had a hint of puppy-like charm, framed by long, dark lashes, a large, pronounced nose that suited his facial features divinely, and slightly full but not overly so lips.
And then there were his hands: truly beautiful, large, and well-kept. Your eyes lingered a little too long on the prominent veins on the back of his hands, a testament to the physical strain of his training, adorned with several silver rings.
As you watched him, you saw Jake make a small pout that you found incredibly cute. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair to mess it up nervously.
âStruggling?â you asked softly, and he didnât even look up from the page, answering almost defeatedly: âA little.â
You asked if heâd underlined anything in the book, and he shook his head. âItâs really hard⊠mostly, I struggle to remember all these names of ministers, archdukes, and tsars, and which territories belong to each one,â he sighed. Moved by a sudden wave of understanding, you said something without even realizing it: âYou could use colors as a visual aid, or associate historical dates with the jersey numbers of famous soccer players you know.â
At those words, Jake suddenly looked up, surprised and intrigued. âYouâre telling me to try memorizing historical dates using soccer jersey numbers?â
âYes, and you could also use a different color for each era or nation, so it sticks better in your mind. You can mentally link it to a team. Soccer teams all have different jersey colors, right? The German Empire could be the black jersey, Russia the red one, and so onâŠâ you said, picking up the highlighters. His eyes widened slightly, and a genuine smile lit up his face.
âWow⊠I never thought of that. In engineering, we never use colors, but it actually makes perfect sense for a subject like history!â
At that point, he started asking you a series of general questions to better understand how to apply the trick: he asked for explanations about the year of the Triple Alliance, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and how the European balance had collapsed. You listened, and finally told him:
âAlright, now try to answer at least two of the five questions I prepared for you. But before you write, you need to highlight the parts of the text you find truly important, using the colors we decided on.â
After an hour and a half, youâd covered two chapters, and Jake seemed fully absorbed in his studiesâthanks both to your help and your company. Heâd finally found a rhythm with your color and soccer association method. Then you glanced at the time on your phone screen and sighed loudly. Jake immediately looked up, his ears perking up curiously.
âEverything okay?â
You nodded, starting to gather your things. When he saw you stand up, something inside him snapped he wanted to stay with you, but he didnât understand why.
âYeah, sorry, but I have to go to work. I wouldâve stayed here studying a little longer, but not all of us have a scholarship secured thanks to soccer!â you said, slipping your laptop into your bag. Jake stretched in his chair, the muscles in his shoulders tensing under his loose hoodie, and curled his lips into a smirk.
âWas that a dig at me or at athletes in general?â he asked, pointing at himself. You shrugged. âTake it however you want.â
But Jake wasnât the type to back down easily, and he loved having the last word. So he leaned forward on the table, looking at you intently: âSpoiler: I donât have an athletic scholarship, sweetheart!â
You stared at him with wide eyes, freezing with your bag strap halfway over your shoulder, and stammered, clearly shockedâit was extremely impossible. âH-Howâs that possible? Youâre the team captainâŠâ
He rocked slightly in his chair, and even from there, you could tell that despite being 23, he still acted like a kid. âI was just too good at both sports and school, even back in high school. I didnât need an athletic scholarship, I got in on my grades,â he said smugly. Your mouth snapped shut, and you sighed, running a hand over your face, almost embarrassed.
You chuckled, amused by his excess of self-confidence, and gestured with your hands to tone it down. âDonât be such a know-it-all egotist, Jake! But⊠take it as a personal challenge⊠who knows, maybe not for the next test, itâs too soonbut for the one after that, you might even beat me⊠if you start liking the subject,â you said, openly teasing him with a challenging smile youâd never given any other guy before. Jake lightly bit his lower lip and muttered under his breath: âChallenge accepted, sweetheart.â
You said goodbye with a quick wave and turned, walking briskly to exit the west wing of the library and rush to the bar for your shift, your heart beating suspiciously fast.
As you walked away, Jakeâs hybrid instincts were literally rejoicing inside him. Under the table, his tail began to wag frantically, and his ears stretched forward to catch the sound of your footsteps. His wolf instinct was celebrating a double victory: not only had he managed to get you to give in and tutor him, but heâd just discovered that behind your cold, defensive armor, there was a girl capable of challenging him and holding her own with wit and that drove him wild. But what made him gloat the most was the scent youâd left in the air when you said goodbye: your smell of fear had faded, replaced by something sweeter and he couldnât wait for the next lesson.
You and Jake had been studying together for two weeks now, and you would NEVER have imagined that, deep down, he wasnât actually so bad. Sure, he was still a living jester...no lesson passed without him trying to tease you but there was one thing that had really stuck with you, something that had made your heart flutter more than once: he strictly respected physical distance. After that hug heâd given you, and after sensing how cold youâd been in returning it, Jake had never tried to touch you or get too close again. Heâd limited himself to verbal provocations and to you, that meant a lot, because for so many guys, the word "no" simply didnât exist in their vocabulary.
That morning, though, heâd sent you a WhatsApp message that had left you a little taken aback, though you understood why. The campus had erupted in chaos after the soccer team won an away game, and heâd asked if you could come to hisplace to study insteadâheâd gotten back late last night and was completely wrecked.
At first, youâd been pretty reluctant, but heâd quickly reassured you, saying you wouldnât be alone because there were six other people in the house, and at least one of his roommates would be there. So youâd agreed and now here you were, standing in front of⊠a house? No, this looked more like a villa. You thought you mustâve gotten the address wrong, but when you stepped closer to the intercom, you read the names of the seven guys who lived there: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, Ni-ki.
So you rang the bell, expecting Jake to answer immediately, but instead, a stunning guy with chiseled features and an incredibly charming vibe opened the door. You immediately noticed his dark ears and sleek, glossy tail: he was a black cat hybrid.
âYouâre Y/n, right? Come in, Jakeâs upstairs,â he said with a smile. You nodded, but before you could even respond, you heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, a tall guy with brown hair and slightly almond-shaped eyesâunmistakable black panther earsâpeered into the hallway.
You thought this place was less of a student house and more of a model recruitment center...
The panther hybrid looked at you and pouted like a child, sighing:  âOh, no⊠I was hoping my takeout had arrived.â You smiled timidly, a little intimidated by his size, but the pantherâs eyes widened as soon as he met your gaze. Pointing at you, he said: âOh my God, wait! Are you the famous Y/n? Jakeâs tutor? Damn, lately he hasnât stopped talking about....â
But before Ni-ki could finish, all three of you heard Jakeâs loud voice call out:Â âNi-ki!â
Like a bolt of lightning, Jake appeared at the top of the stairs and slid down the steps, stretching out a hand to yank Ni-kiâs shirt sleeve and silence him instantly. Ni-ki just laughed, completely unfazed, and said:Â âOh, hyung! Youâre here too, with us at home!â
Jake really wanted to strangle him, but he loved his little brother too much. When you finally looked up at Jake, you noticed he was dressed extremely comfortably: gray sweatpants, an oversized university T-shirt, his dark hair still damp from the shower, and a white towel draped over his shoulders, giving him a cozy, domestic vibe and at the same time, he looked at you and gave you a genuine smile, saying:
âHey, Y/n. Donât mind this bunch of lunatics. Follow me, weâll study in my room so itâs quieter.â
But the second he said those words, you froze on the spot. Your mind went into overdrive:
His room? Alone?
Your brain short-circuited, and you stood completely still on the doormat, clutching your books to your chest like a protective shield. You did not want to go into a room alone...especially not with a guy.
Both Jay (the black cat hybrid) and Ni-ki turned to look at you strangely, since all three of them were predator hybrids, their senses instantly picked up on the drastic shift in the air, as well as the sudden change in your clean scent, which had just been overpowered by a sharp trail of embarrassment mixed with a strong, clear note of defensive fear and panic.
Hybrids had incredibly strong olfactory instincts, and Jake froze on the spot. His smile vanished, replaced by something he didnât often feel or see. But with you, heâd smelled that scent before: the first time heâd spoken to you, and again when heâd hugged you. With an incredibly gentle and reassuring tone, he said:
âWeâll keep the bedroom door wide open, okay, Y/n? If that makes you feel more comfortable and you two⊠no nonsense from now on, got it?â He directed this mostly at Ni-ki, who rolled his eyes, while Jay, understanding the situation, gave a serious nod and walked toward the kitchen: âDonât worry, Iâll go make a snack.â
Jake looked at you again, giving you a soft nod to invite you to follow him up the stairs. Before you moved, you took one last look at Ni-ki and Jay, who returned your gaze with warm, welcoming smiles. You let out a small sigh of reliefâthose guys didnât seem dangerous at all⊠in fact, they seemed really nice and Jake⊠Jake was proving to be far more attentive and protective than youâd ever wanted to admit to yourself.
When you stepped into Jakeâs room, you were immediately enveloped by a mix of warm, inviting scents: the fresh aroma of pine-scented body wash heâd just used, a rich note of cedarwood, and that signature musky scent unique to his hybrid natureâwhich, over time, had begun to make you feel strangely safe.
Your eyes landed on the center of the room, where a large, slightly unmade king-sized bed sat with its gray sheets tangled. Nearby, a desk was buried under stacks of calculation sheets and heavy structural engineering manuals. The shelves, on the other hand, were packed with frames, photos of Jake as a child, and you smiled at the sight of him with his wolf ears still too big for his head. There were pictures of him hugging the other six hybrids from the house, all grinning with mud-streaked jerseys, and beside the photos stood rows of gleaming trophies and medals. Your eyes widened, and you let out a quiet whistle at the sight of so many merit certificates for math Olympiads.
 âWow⊠I knew you were good, but not this good,â you said, picking up a certificate with his name printed in gold letters. Jake shrugged, but you noticed the smirk tugging at his lips, his ears perking up with pride he knew he was smart, and damn good at what he did.
âI told you I wasnât bad. Historyâs just my one weak spot,â he said.
You nodded, setting the frame down. When you saw him move toward the bed and stretch out comfortably on his stomach, with history notes scattered in front of him, you couldnât help but comment:Â âYou know, normal people study sitting in a chair, facing a desk.â
But he just waved a hand dismissively, burying his face in the pillow for a second. âOverrated. If I can stretch out on my bed and study, why not?â Jake lifted his head to look at you, and in that moment, your scent: a delicate blend of fresh strawberries, cream, and a clean trail of vanilla filled the room, mingling perfectly with his hybrid scent. Jake went still for a second, breathing deeply, his expression shifting into something he didnât let show. That scent⊠itâs heavenly, he thought before he could stop himself. Then he shook his head slightly, unsettled by the spontaneous thought.
Heavenly? Damn, Jake, what the hell are you saying? Itâs⊠itâs just a nice smell, thatâs all⊠focus.
Oblivious to his thoughts, you took the desk chair, turned it around, and sat sideways, balancing your notes on your knees. âOverrated or not, this is how Iâm used to studying. If you want to stay there, fine, but I donât want to find you snoring in five minutes,â you said with a half-smile. Jake chuckled, and you saw his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie thumping eagerly against the mattress, a clear sign he genuinely enjoyed your company.
âFirst of all, I donât snore. Second, Iâve never fallen asleep during a study session and I bet that soon, even youâll end up sitting on this bed⊠itâs amazing, sweetheart. Memory foam with built-in massage tech, you know, as a soccer player, I need the best for my body,â he said, shifting slightly onto his side, teasing you with a mischievous grin and a wink. âEveryone who tries it wants to come back to sleep in it⊠thereâs plenty of space⊠and Iâm an excellent human heating pad, you know as a wolf hybrid, my body heat is way higher than yours. Perfect if you get cold in the winter!â he added with another wink.
You wanted to smack him with the history book for his audacity, but instead, you just blushed and shot him a glare. âStop talking nonsense and letâs start studying. Weâve got the first exam on Friday, and if you fail, I fail as a tutor.â
You and Jake had been studying for over two hours, and in that time, Jay had brought you delicious snacks to the room, and youâd even met Sunghoon, another one of the roommates. Youâd already heard about him on campus: he was the famous captain of the hockey team, and he, too, was a hybrid, specifically a snow fox, as well as one of the most popular athletes at the university. He also worked as a model for brands like Adidas, and everyone talked about him.
After the intense review session, you stood up for a moment to stretch your back and arms. Your eyes kept wandering around Jakeâs room, and he watched you carefully from the bed, noticing the tension in your body. âCome on, Y/n, I bet your back is killing you from sitting on that wooden chair. Just sit with me on the bed for five minutes, I promise Iâll keep my hands to myself,â he said.
To prove his intentions, he laced his fingers behind his back, looking up at you with a sweet, slightly reluctant smile. Knowing how wary you were, you finally gave in and sat on the edge of his bed. You immediately felt how incredibly soft it was.
Jake patted the large, dark fabric headboard, inviting you to get comfortable. So you settled in, half-sitting with your back resting against it, while he stayed stretched out beside you, his laptop and a pile of notes in front of him as he continued underlining according to your schemes.
After a little while, the exhaustion from the previous days caught up with you, and you yawned widely. Jake lifted his gaze from the papers. âAre you tired, sweetness?â
âA little,â you admitted, tilting your head back. He stretched slightly, letting out a sigh. Then, before you could predict it but driven irresistibly by his hybrid nature, which, in moments of tiredness or when wanting to make someone feel safe, instinctively sought contact with its âpackâ to share warmth and relax, Jake turned onto his side and, with complete naturalness, rested his head on the upper part of your legs, using them as a soft pillow.
Your eyes widened because his face was so close to your stomach. You immediately felt the impressive warmth of his body against your skin through your jeans just like that time heâd hugged you. He radiated an almost feverish heat, typical of wolf hybrids. From this close position, you could perfectly see how long and dark his lashes were, how his ears had partially lowered backward and deep inside, you felt a sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft and fluffy at the same time, and you wanted to know if they felt like a normal dogâs or catâs.
Jakeâs body relaxed completely against you, and you, having no idea what to do and with your heart beating a mile a minute, said his name softly: âJakeâŠâ
He just let out a low murmur, keeping his eyes half-closed because he liked feeling your body against hisâuntil you spoke.
âWhy did you rest your head on my legs?â you asked, slightly curious. He gave a light shrug against your thigh.
âI know you hate sudden physical contact⊠and Iâm not squeezing or openly touching you with my hands, so you can see I donât want to hurt you. You can trust me. Itâs just for support,â he said as his eyes opened fully, and two amber pools looked up at you, smiling. As your head tilted toward him, in that moment of absolute closeness, Jakeâs sharp sense of smell picked up on something that left him breathless: your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly intensified in the air, growing sweeter. There was no trace of the acidic note of fear, nor the detachment of embarrassmentâbecause you were starting to trust him.
Without even realizing it, you lifted a trembling hand, and your fingers barely brushed one of his fluffy ears, right where the fur transitioned from light gray to the super-dark shade at the tip.
You froze instantly at that sound, blushing all the way to the tips of your ears, and stammered:
âJ-Jake⊠God, Iâm sorry! Did I hurt you? I didnât mean to⊠I didnât know...â But Jake burst into genuine laughter, and you caught a glimpse of his dimples, thinking he looked damn cute.
âNo, donât worry, you didnât hurt me, sweetness,â he said, slowly reopening his eyes. âItâs totally normal that I growled. I told you the other day, both our ears and tails are the most sensitive parts of our hybrid bodies. If theyâre touched the right way, they stimulate a huge amount of pleasure, even strong excitement inside us⊠itâs just a biological reflex. We canât help it.â He said this almost shyly, and at those words, you immediately pulled your hand away from his ears but Jake immediately pouted in protest, letting out a small, annoyed whine his sense of smell had instantly noticed the loss of your skinâs warmth. He looked up at you with an almost pleading expression.
âCan I take your hand, Y/n?â
You stared at him as you leaned over him, and though hesitant, you offered him your hand. Jake, however, was incredibly gentle. He didnât interlace his fingers with yours but instead wrapped his large, warm fingers around your wrist, guiding your arm upward until your hand rested again at the base of his gray ears.
âWe hybrids are very sensitive to both smells and touch,â he explained, watching you carefully. âAnd if someone becomes part of our circle, our life⊠well, we quickly become much more insistent with physical contact. Letâs just say we have an almost physical need for it. Thatâs why I stretched out with my head on your legs. My wolf just wanted to be close to you.âHe said this without realizing it, but he didnât say things like that to just anyone⊠in fact, he hoped you wouldnât fully understand what he was implying. For your part, you just nodded.
âI⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids. Iâve always attended all-human schools before university, so this is the first time Iâve been in close contact with one of you.â
Jake studied your reactions from below, sensing that you were relaxed, and said: âWell, there are many first times in life, and this is a new first for you. Donât be shy about touching me, sweetness⊠I can sense it, your scent, your instinct, they tell me you want to.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment at being caught, and said:Â âSometimes it bothers me, this thing. You sense and understand things through smells that we humans will never be able to comprehend.â
He chuckled but didnât move, and when he felt your fingersânow moving with more confidenceâbegin to stroke the base of his ears again, Jake let out a long sigh of pure relief and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed in that moment, a feeling he hadnât experienced in years. Only his mom and grandmother could calm him with just a touch. He felt how his body was vibrating with total submission to your touch, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. You smiled because you liked the idea of being able to relax someone as energetic and hyperactive as him. With the tips of your fingers, you moved from his ears to his thick, black hair, gently ruffling it, and asked, slightly shy:
âWhy do you hybrids love physical contact so much? Is it something that comes from your puppy-like nature, orâŠ?â
Jake opened his eyes, staring straight into yours. âYes, it partly comes from when weâre pups. But actually, all hybrids need constant physical contact, both as kids and as adults, especially during heat. It can be suppressed with medication, of course, but doctors say itâs not good for our health or mental balance. And then⊠when a hybrid finds his mate, there are specific ways he uses to be with her.â
Curious, you tilted your head slightly to the side and asked:Â âAnd what are these ways?â
âWell⊠besides being touched by his mate, the hybrid loves to touch her in return. Itâs a little embarrassing, but in the early stages of a relationship, itâs constant: holding her hand, hugging her, squeezing her⊠but the most important thing for us is to make sure our scent completely soaks into her. We want our chemistry to stay on her skin, on her clothes, so the whole pack and other males know who she belongs to.â
You were slightly shocked by this possessive and biological revelation, your eyes widening as you struggled to respond, unable to fully grasp the nature of hybrids. Jake, seeing your petrified face and sudden confusion, didnât miss the chance to tease you.
âOh God, you should see your face, sweetheart! Whatâs wrong? Are you afraid Iâll rub my wolf scent all over you any second so youâll smell like me all over campus? Donât worry⊠for today, Iâll settle for your legs as a pillow, but I wonât make any promises for our next lessons!â
You huffed, looking away to hide the heat still burning on your cheeks, and said:Â âI definitely donât want your scent on me, especially if I want to have any chance with Soobin.â
At those words, Jake froze on your lap. His ears snapped backward, stiffening, and his tailâs movement stopped instantly, youâd almost forgotten about it. The only reason youâd accepted this compromise and were helping him with Contemporary History was his deal: using his influence to get Soobinâs attention. For a second, his possessive, territorial animal instinct pressed to emerge and growl at that name, but his human side quickly regained control. He slowly lifted himself from your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked at you intensely, saying:
âRelax, the only way a hybridâs scent spreads to a girl is if they do sexual thingsâwhich means undressing and sniffing each otherâor if the guy bites her. So donât worry, you wonât run that risk with me, Y/n.â
You frowned at his answer, then checked the time on your phone and said it was getting late and that you absolutely had to go. Jake returned to being his usual carefree self, wearing a mask of indifference. He nodded and asked if you wanted a ride, but you refused, explaining that Allie would pick you up.
Just as you reached the entrance hall, the front door swung open, and Heeseungâthe basketball team captain and an adorable hamster hybridâburst in, beaming as he held dark streamers in his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs: âFriday, I want all six of you dressed up for Halloween because weâre throwing a legendary party here! No excuses!â He looked at all his friends, and a chorus of reactions immediately rose from the kitchen and living room:
Jungwon and Sunooâa cat hybrid and a fox hybrid with huge earsâgroaned at the idea of chaos in the house. Ni-ki enthusiastically exclaimed, âAwesome!â Jay muttered that heâd prepare amazing cocktails for the occasion, while Sunghoon, still sprawled on the couch, just rolled his eyes because he wasnât a fan of parties at all.
As you watched the scene, you suddenly felt warm breath right next to your ear. Jake had leaned toward you, his lips just millimeters from your skin:
âThis is the perfect excuse for us to be seen together by Soobin, sweetheartâŠâ he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. âTell me how youâll dress for the party⊠because you are coming, right? Heâll definitely be there.â
You turned abruptly, finding his challenging smile just a centimeter from your face. And if there was one thing you hated, it was crowded partiesâbut the idea of finally talking to Soobin pushed you to do something crazy.
âYes, Iâll be there⊠but only if Allie can come too.â
Jake nodded, widening his sly grin. You said goodbye to all the guys with a wave and finally left that villa. As soon as you got into Allieâs car, you told her everything in detail. But your best friend could tell deep down that you wanted to go to that party to be with Jakeâbecause for the entire ride, you hadnât even mentioned Soobin.
As soon as the door closed behind you, silence fell over the entire living room. Jake turned to go back upstairs but froze on the spotâall six of his friends were staring at him with their arms crossed, wearing smiles that were half-amused and half-suspiciously knowing. All six hybrids in that room were literally breathing in the pheromones Jake had unconsciously released over the past two hours.
Jake felt his cheeks heat more than they should, turning bright red. He wanted to deny everything, but then Heeseung, the oldest in the group, twitched his hamster ears with a mix of amusement and curiosity, shook his head, and dropped the final bombshell, looking at the others:
âGuys, I think the first one to find his lifemate is actually one of the two biggest playboys and frat boys in the entire university⊠Who wouldâve ever thought that the great Jake Sim would fall at the feet of a nerd who didnât even know he existed a few weeks ago?â
Jakeâs blush deepened, spreading under the fur of his ears, which twitched nervously. He growled, baring a hint of fang to hide his panic: âShut up, you donât know what youâre talking about! Sheâs just my tutor, and Iâm just keeping my end of the deal. At the party on Friday, youâll see...sheâs into Soobin.â Jake then bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
But as he stormed up, his tail....always the traitor, began wagging frantically at the thought of seeing you dressed up for Halloween and his friends were absolutely right⊠the wolf inside him knew it all too well.
The house of the seven hybrids had been completely transformed for the Halloween party. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling corners, ghost-shaped sheets floated mid-air, and witch hats seemed to fly on their own thanks to invisible wires. The place looked like it had stepped straight out of a horror cartoon rather than a university party. Soft, rhythmic music played in the background as people from the campus began filling the hallways and living rooms of the villa.
You and Allie had arrived together. Allie was wearing a sexy pirate costume that suited her perfectly, while you had gone with the plan youâd agreed on with Jake: a lilac and purple dress inspired by Rapunzel. According to your friend, it looked divine on you, and to be honest, even you felt pretty looking at yourself in the mirror. However, you couldnât help but notice that the corset was a little too tight, accentuating your curves in a way you usually disliked but tonight, it gave you an extra boost of self-confidence. Deep down, you were a beautiful girl, but the only thing that made you wrinkle your nose a little was the cleavage, which made you feel a bit uncomfortable under the gazes of the people you passed. The rest of the outfit, though, was perfect: your hair was gathered in a soft braid decorated with tiny fake flowers, and you held a lightweight plastic frying pan, artfully stained with fake blood. You seriously hoped Jake had kept his word about dressing as Flynn Rider.
When your eyes finally spotted him near the bar corner, a small, spontaneous smile appeared on your face. Allie, who had been watching you carefully out of the corner of her eye, noticed that spark in your eyes as you looked at Jake. Deep down, your friend had already figured it all out, but she chose to stay silent, driven by a strong protective instinct toward you.
Jake, for his part, looked simply perfect. He wore the typical blue vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, showcasing his powerful biceps and the prominent veins of his athletic arms. Dark pants completed the look, but what truly took your breath away was his hairstyle: his dark hair was perfectly parted in the middle with Flynnâs signature rebellious tuft. You thought he should opt for that fluffy, middle-parted hair more often. On his cheeks and neck, he had drawn small, fake red scratches, as if he had just barely escaped the clutches of the law.
When Jake turned and saw you, he froze mid-step for what felt like an eternity. His wolf nose instantly picked up your scent in the airâa heavenly, thick aroma of fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a warm note of pure vanilla. At that olfactory contact, his tail twitched violently under his costume, swaying so hard from side to side that he had to restrain himself to keep it from breaking free of the fabric.
His wolf instinct gave a primal jolt: he thought you looked incredibly beautiful, and at the same time, he almost didnât recognize you. He had never seen you so exposed, with your figure and curves so visibly on display. Jake swallowed hard at the sight of your shy smile and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily ruining the perfect part. His animal instinct was literally screaming at him to reach out, grab you by the waist, and carry you away from all those people to keep you close to him. But he knew he had to rein in that urge, you werenât his, and besides, you were interested in another guy. Damn, you looked stunning, and his eyes couldnât stop drinking you in.
He closed the distance between you with feline steps, leaning slightly toward you, and whispered directly into your ear in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine:
âDamn, sweetheart⊠I knew you were hiding something under those hoodies or sweaters, but I didnât expect all this,â he said, unable to stop rambling because he couldnât take his eyes off you, especially not from the line of your cleavage. You blushed violently, and in self-defense, you crossed your arms over your chest, clutching the frying pan to your side.
âIn your dreams, Sim. I only came here because you asked me to, and because we have a deal. Otherwise, Iâd be comfortably in my room right now trying to compose music for my class⊠but Iâm here because you promised me something. You have to help me get to know Soobin⊠speaking of which, where is Soobin? You promised heâd be here.â
At the sound of that name, Jakeâs smug smile vanished in a millisecond. His wolf ears twitched slightly backward, flattening almost imperceptibly against his hairâa clear sign of pure annoyance and territorial jealousy. His body stiffened for a moment, irritated by the fact that your first thought had gone to another guy just as he was devouring you with his eyes. He gave a vague nod toward the kitchen. âHeâs in there, in the kitchen with Heeseung and the other basketball guys but donât rush, sweetheart⊠first, you need to loosen up⊠and have a drink.â
Before you could tell Jake you had no intention of drinking alcohol, he turned and started walking toward the kitchen with confident steps. Following him inside, you were immediately greeted by three enormous glass bowls filled with rum punch and chopped fruit. At the sight, your instinct screamed at you to run out of the room...high school memories threatened to resurface, and you feared theyâd ruin what could have been a fun night.
Jake, unaware of your internal struggle, grabbed a ladle and poured himself a glass of the reddish liquid. From the note pinned to the table, you read that it was a cocktail made with rum, prosecco, and berries. When he turned and held out the glass to you, you looked up at him and said in a thin voice: âThanks, Jake, but⊠I donât drink alcohol⊠I donât like it.âYou tried to hide it, but Jake wasnât stupid. His hybrid sixth sense was far too sharp, and he saw the slight but unmistakable tremor in your hand as you refused the glass. He noticed how your posture had suddenly stiffened, and, intrigued, he tilted his head, studying your reaction.
âMmm, okay. Wait here a second,â he said without teasing you or trying to pressure you. You simply nodded, clutching the plastic frying pan to your chest, and watched him disappear behind the door of a pantry at the back of the kitchen.
Left alone, you turned to look around. You saw Allie talking or maybe arguing with Heeseung, and your heart literally leapt into your throat when Soobin walked into the kitchen. He was dressed as Cullen from Twilight in a baseball game versionâwhite and blue jersey, a backward cap, and even a baseball glove tucked into his left hand. You immediately thought he looked cute, especially when he noticed you, and his famous dimples deepened in his cheeks. Your eyes, however, instinctively searched for Jakeâs figure.
Where the hell did he go? Soobin was walking straight toward you, and you thought, half-panicked: Where the hell has that wolf gotten himself? Why is he leaving me alone right now?!
But then a part of you forced yourself to reason after all, this was the plan, right? Jake was supposed to give you the chance to meet Soobin and make an impression. Yet deep down, you wanted him there with you so badly, and you didnât understand why.
When Soobin reached you, he gave you a sweet smile. âOh my God, Y/n? Is that you? Jakeâs tutor, right? Damn⊠you look stunning tonight. The costume suits you perfectly,â he said, even stumbling slightly over the last word as his eyes lingered inevitably on the line of your braid and the lilac corset. Your cheeks burned, turning burgundy in a millisecond from compliments you werenât used to hearing. You said:
âYou⊠you donât look bad either⊠I mean, you look really cute,â and a second later, you wanted to slap yourself in the face. You had no idea how to flirt, and having a decent conversation with the guy you liked felt like a titanic task.
But just at that moment, Jake reemerged from the pantry, holding both a sealed glass bottle of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water. The scene before him, however, made him freeze on the spot. Seeing you blush, smelling your strawberry scent grow more intense and vulnerable for another male, literally drove him wildâand he didnât understand why.
Okay, you were cute. Many times, you drove him crazy. Many times, heâd sought you out in class but you werenât his type....you were too⊠well, a little too shy. You usually gave as good as you got, but you preferred to keep to yourself or stick with a few people, while he loved being almost the center of attention. He didnât understand why he felt so strange when he was with you.
A wave of pure, territorial jealousy burned in his chest. Under his costume, his tail tensed instantly, becoming as rigid as a poker, and his ears flattened. But when his eyes met yours, Jake read your silent plea for help and your embarrassment. He understood that this was the exact moment to step in and play his card.
Jake hurried over to you, and without touching you, you immediately felt his presence as he stood in front of you with a serious expression. âHey, sweetheart, I got you a Coca-Cola and a sealed bottle of water, so you know exactly what youâre drinking,â he said, smiling warmly as he handed them to you. Once again, you were caught off guard by how well Jake could read you. It was incredible how this guyâwho, just a few weeks ago, youâd considered nothing more than a shallow, heartbreaking athleteâcould pick up on every subtle nuance of your discomfort and protect you in such a quiet, precise way.
You thanked him shyly, taking the cold glass bottle in your hands. It was at that moment that Jake turned toward the other guy.
âOh, Soobin, youâre here too,â he said with a crooked grin. Soobin wasnât intimidated by Jakeâs predator-like aura and met the soccer captainâs gaze head-on. âWell, you know Iâm here every weekend. And when I saw your tutor alone in the middle of this pack of hybrids, I came over right away to see how much sweetness and beauty she had as Rapunzel.â
Jake glared at Soobin, then shifted his gaze to you, as if expecting a reaction. Feeling caught in an invisible grip and wanting to ease the tension, you said: âWell⊠it was my idea to dress as Rapunzel and Flynn. Jake doesnât look bad tonight either, to be honest.â
At those words, a wave of immense pride washed over the wolf hybrid. Jake chuckled, visibly pleased by your unexpected compliment. He drastically closed the distance between you, eliminating the personal space youâd established, and you watched as his large hand lowered and gently brushed against yours. You bowed your head for a moment, watching his fingers slowly spread across your palm, ready to welcome yours. Driven by a sudden, overwhelming sense of security from the fact that heâd thought to protect your drink and the primal warmth radiating from his presenceâyou interlaced your hand with his, fitting your fingers between his. It was a spontaneous gesture that made your heart race, because youâd never thought that this Jakeâthe one everyone talked about as a playboy or someone who only thought of himselfâcould be like this.
Jake tightened his grip around your handâyour fingers were ridiculously cute and small compared to hisâand lifted his chin toward his rival. With a possessive tone that brooked no argument, he said:Â âIt was a pleasure, Soobin. But Y/n is with me tonight, and I need to show her around the house.â
Without giving Soobin time to respond, Jake started walking toward the villaâs stairs, gently pulling you behind him. As you climbed the first wooden steps, you leaned toward him and whispered: âDo you think itâs right to leave him already? He seemed really into talking to meâŠâ You felt bad for cutting short the only real conversation youâd started with the guy you had a crush on. But Jake couldnât have cared less about what you thought in that moment or what Soobin might have been thinking. His only goal was to get you away from the other malesâ gazes and claim you for himself, because damn, that night he wanted all your attention. So he took you to the very top of the stairs, to a raised and partially shadowed spot from which you could perfectly see the entire party belowâthe crowded living room and the music echoing off the walls.
âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart,â he murmured against your ear, his warm breath on the bare skin of your neck making you shudder. Instinctively, you tried to turn your head downward, toward the kitchen, to look for Soobinâs figure. But Jakeâs free hand shot lightning-fast to your face, his long, warm fingers caressing your cheek as he firmly held your face in place, preventing you from turning. You werenât supposed to let Soobin see you flustered by the guy you liked.
âDonât give him the satisfaction of having your eyes on him. Otherwise, heâll realize youâre interested and that he has control over you,â he warned in a low voice, his gaze fixed on your lips. You swallowed hard at how well Jake could embody his character, and trapped between his hand on your face and the stair railing, you stammered in confusion: âA-and what the hell am I supposed to do, Jake? I⊠Iâm not good at this stuff. Itâs already a lot if I managed to talk to him for two minutes straight without making a fool of myself.â You said this with a half-smile, and Jake looked at you intensely, his ears lowering slightly in an unexpectedly tender shade of sweetness.
âBut with me, you donât have a problem talking, Y/n. You donât freeze up. You hold your own, you answer back. Maybe⊠maybe you need to find someone you actually feel comfortable with, not someone your mind just thinks is cool, but who ultimately just makes you feel a little⊠constant anxiety?â Jake said this without fully realizing what heâd just admitted. For him, those words carried immense meaningâalmost a declaration of intent tied to his biological nature. He wanted you to understand that love or attraction shouldnât be a mental effort or an ideal of perfection to chase (like Soobin). Instead, it should be a natural chemistry based on loyalty, security, teasing, and a safe harbor where your body and soul felt protected and free to express themselves without fear. And those feelings? You definitely didnât feel them with Soobinâbut you did with him. He wanted you to understand that the wolf in front of you was the only one capable of naturally breaking down your protective barriers. He knew you were hiding something that had happened to you, and he couldnât wait to see you lower your guard and let go with him.
But you didnât have time to process the concept or respond, because Jake had closed the last millimeter of distance between you and pressed his lips firmly against yours, catching you completely off guard at the top of those stairs.
Jakeâs full lips pressed against yours, and your brain completely short-circuited at the sensation of that physical contact between you and him.
What the hell was he doing? Why was he kissing you like this, in front of everyone, and especially under Soobinâs gaze? But before your mind could even formulate a protest or find the strength to push him away, the devastating warmth of his body enveloped you. As if by magic, the anxiety that had been gnawing at you since before you even entered their house vanished. After just a few seconds, almost as if moved by an involuntary reflex, you parted your lips slightly. Jake let out a warm, trembling sigh right against your mouthâa sound of pure reliefâbecause you hadnât slapped him in front of everyone, even though he knew you hated being touched. Damn, heâd been dreaming for a while now of knowing what it was like to kiss you. And he began to kiss you with a disarming gentleness.
It wasnât the rough or arrogant kiss you would have expected from the soccer team captain. His lips moved against yours softly, as if he were afraid that at any moment, you might pull away. Jake gently sucked on your lower lip, savoring every single millimeter of your mouth, and you tasted the sweetness of the Coca-Cola mixed with the fruity flavor of his alcoholic aperitif. You would have never imagined that the campus playboy could kiss a girl with such care and reverence. Your cheeks burned as you felt his hand gently caress your cheek. Without realizing it, your handsâwhich had been timidly resting against his chestâslid upward, settling firmly on his broad shoulders, gripping the fabric of his white shirt. Jake leaned even closer into you, pressing you gently against the railing at the top of the stairs, isolating you from the rest of the world.
When your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly became even sweeter and more intense than usualâa clear sign that your body had surrendered to him and that you no longer felt any fearâJake broke the kiss for a millisecond. He growled in an incredibly rough, low voice: âDamn⊠you smell so good, Y/n. Stay like this⊠please.â He said this against your lips, and you didnât understand the meaning of that comment. You tried to pull your head back to protest and ask for an explanation, but Jake, seeing your deliciously parted lips, didnât waste time. He took advantage of that moment and slid his warm tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss against your lips, which were increasingly drawn to him.
At the same time, his hand slid down from your face, settling firmly around your waist, gripping the lilac fabric of your Rapunzel dress. In that moment, Jake held his breathâhe was afraid that this contact might trigger your usual resistance. He hoped with all his heart that you wouldnât pull your hand away or break free from him. But to his surprise, you kissed him back. And you did it in a way that left him completely stunned: your fingers tightened with more force on his shoulders, and your tongue responded to his with an initial shyness that quickly turned into a desperate, hungry rhythm, as if you had found a secret refuge in this guy you thought you couldnât stand. You pressed yourself closer to his chest, forgetting about Soobin, the people below the stairs, and everything else.
Jake literally smiled against your lips, savoring your total surrender, while the wolf instinct inside him screamed at the top of its lungs that you were his mate, that he should never let you go, and that he should especially not let other guys have you.
Jakeâs human side forcefully pushed back the animal instinct that wanted to take control. He didnât want to scare youâhe just wanted to savor this incredible moment with you. Your tongues continued to seek each other relentlessly, as if it were just the two of you in that house. And maybe it was, because from where you stood, only someone climbing the stairs could see what was happening.
Then, seized by a sudden boldness you didnât even know you possessed, you lightly nibbled on his lower lip. Jake was completely caught off guard by such an intimate, unexpected, and boldly provocative gesture from you. He wanted more, and a low, rough moan escaped his lips. At that sound, you felt your cheeks burn damn, Jake was kissing you and moaning in the middle of a packed party!
This realization set off an alarm bell in your mind, jolting your rationality back to life. This was not part of the deal youâd made with him. Breathless, with your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, you pulled away from him by just a few millimeters, breaking the kiss. Even though, deep down, you wanted his lips against yours again, you quickly pushed that thought away. Both of you had glossy eyes, your lips visibly redder and fuller than usual.
Embarrassed and adrenaline-fueled, you lowered your gaze and started nervously fiddling with the lilac tulle of your Rapunzel dress, trying to compose yourself. Jake, on the other hand, simply couldnât stop looking at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly under his Flynn Rider shirt. When you finally looked up again, your eyes locked once more, unable to pull away, as if they were always searching for each other. You stammered:
âI⊠I⊠why did you kiss me, Jake?â
Jake gave a small, crooked smile and repeated softly the same words from earlier:Â âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart.â
This time, though, he didnât bring his hand to your cheek to block your face, leaving you free to check if Soobin was indeed watching. When you slowly turned toward the living room below, your eyes immediately caught Soobinâs figure. He was standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, with a hint of obvious jealousy mixed with frustration in his gaze. Once again, Jake had wonâbecause he hadnât expected someone like Jake to claim you so boldly in front of everyone, especially since you werenât his ideal type of girl.
As you spun back toward Jake, confused, he looked down at you, stretching his wolf ears with a proud air. Then he murmured:
âGive it less than a week⊠youâll see, Soobin will come looking for you and ask you out. Because very soon, everyone here will know I kissed you. But theyâll also know youâre not my girlfriend. And youâll officially be the girl who stood up to Jake Sim. And believe me, sweetheart⊠every guy on campus will become terribly curious to find out who you are.â
Was Jake Sim a fortune teller? Or maybe a genie? No, because ever since youâd set foot on campus that Monday morning after the Halloween weekend, his prophecy had come true 100%: people couldnât stop staring at you. Every time you walked down the hallway, there were whispers as you passed. Classmates and even complete strangers looked at you differently nowâall because theyâd spotted you with the universityâs golden boy.
âCome on, stop looking at that phot, itâs embarrassing, please!â you whispered, glancing sideways to make sure no customers heard you. But Allie couldnât stop staring at the picture, and her tone suddenly turned more serious and dreamy as she looked at you and Jake: âBut seriously⊠you and Jake look so good in that photo. In a way I never wouldâve imagined: you, the down-to-earth girl who works double shifts to pay for university and build a future in music, kissing the campus golden boy, the soccer team captain with his path already paved to some famous club⊠Itâs a perfect match. Admit it, just a few months ago, you never wouldâve imagined ending up in a situation like this!â she concluded with a mischievous smile. But you scolded her immediately, slamming the coffee tamper on the counter and glaring at her: âStop it right now, Allie! Thereâs no match, no romantic movie. It was just⊠a setup to get Soobinâs attention, and Jake just wanted to help. Itâs a 50% help for both of us,â you said, trying to sound convincing. Yet your eyes couldnât pull away from that photo on the screen.
Looking at it, you almost didnât recognize yourself: pressed against his chest, your hands gripping his shirt, and the way Jake was looking at you as he held your waist radiated an energy that could give butterflies to even someone like Allie, whoâd been in a relationship forever. Even though the photo wasnât high quality, you could still see both you and Jake smiling at each other. And just the memory of his lips against yours made your stomach clench.
Your thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone arriving at the counter. You heard a familiar voice, and when you looked up, you found Soobin standing there with his usual shy smile. That morning, he was in full ânerd modeâ: he was wearing an oversized sweater that made him look even softer, round glasses with thin black frames, and his dark hair was slightly messy on his forehead. But it was strangeâuntil that moment, you wouldâve gone crazy at the sight of him. Now, you were happy, but you couldnât understand why your mind kept drifting to JakeâŠ
âHey, Y/nâŠâ he said in his usual shy way, and you gave him a timid smile. Soobin glanced quickly at Allieâs phone in her hand and then back at you. âMmm⊠did you see the photo of you and Jake kissing too?â The question came out of his mouth with a slightly casual, almost detached tone, but his eyes were hungry for your reaction. You nodded, feeling the blood rush straight to your cheeks, and immediately tried to downplay it by waving your hands in the air:  âYes, I saw it⊠but I swear, Soobin, itâs nothing serious! Jake is just a show-off. We were just⊠joking. There was so much confusion at the party, andâŠâ You tried to say something, as if you owed him an explanation, but he stopped you by raising a hand: âThe other night, I was really shocked when I saw you dressed like that and I noticed right away how your cheeks turned red when you saw me next to you,â he said, looking down at you from his nearly two meters of heightâSoobin was truly imposing, unlike Jake, who, despite being muscular, was only a couple of centimeters taller than you.
âJake took you away, and⊠well, we all know him, heâs a show-off. But I bet that kiss was just for show, right?â And then, leaving you completely shocked, he leaned a little further forward, lowering his voice: âWould you like to go out for a serious coffee with me this afternoon? Just you and me, I promise.â He took a sip of his drink, and you stood there, literally paralyzed with the milk jug in your hand. Was he seriously asking you out? Youâd wanted this moment for months. Youâd spent entire nights hoping Soobin would notice you. But now⊠Jakeâs image kept tormenting your mind. And with startling clarity, you remembered the warmth of his full lips, how heâd gently held you close, afraid you might pull away, and especially that damn moan that had escaped him when youâd bitten his lip and what scared you the most was the realization that, next to Jake, your body hadnât felt the slightest bit of anxiety.
With Soobin, however, you felt like you were under examination, and your instinct told you to take it slow with him, not to rush. But a part of you wanted to seize the moment, to not waste this opportunityâyouâd already wasted so many because of what happened to you as a teenager. Yet, accepting his invitation for that afternoon would mean canceling your study session with Jake. So you took a deep breath and, forcing a sweet smile, said:
âSoobin, Iâd really like to⊠but as you know, Iâm tutoring Jake. He has his Contemporary History test on Friday, and we absolutely need to meet at his place this afternoon to review the last chapters. But⊠this weekend, yes, we could go out for breakfast together, if youâd like.â
Allie, who had been silently pretending to clean a nearby table the whole time, rushed over as soon as Soobin was out of earshot. She looked you straight in the eyes, her usual playful demeanor gone, and said in a low voice:
âY/n⊠if you really wanted to go out with him this afternoon, Jake can wait. Or he can study for the test on his own. But please, be honest with yourselfâbecause you just turned down a date with the guy of your dreams to lock yourself in a house with a jock who, until recently, you claimed to detest, and who practically kissed you passionately in front of half the university. Are you sure Soobin is still the only one on your mind?â
She asked, watching you carefully and at those words, you honestly didnât know what to say.
As you walked briskly toward Jakeâs house, Allieâs words still echoed in your head. You tried to shake them off, Jake was just a⊠a "friend"? You didnât even know how to define him, to be honest. You were his tutor, end of story. What happened at the Halloween party was just a staged scene to get Soobinâs attention and land a date and it had worked. That was allâŠÂ right?
When you stood in front of the massive door of the seven hybridsâ villa, you typed in the code Jake had kindly given you a few days earlier so you wouldnât have to wait in the cold. But out of politeness, you knocked anyway. No one answered, so you pushed the door open. The living room and large kitchen were completely empty. It was really strange, the place looked almost eerie compared to the chaos of the last time youâd been there, for the Halloween party. So you walked in and, reaching the bottom of the stairs, called out: âJake! Iâm here!â
But there was no answer. You assumed he was in his room, as usual when he wanted to avoid chores. So you climbed the wooden steps one by one, looking around. All the doors on the landing were closed except one. When you reached Jakeâs door and saw it was half-open, you knocked lightly with your knuckles on the wood and said: âSorry Iâm late, Jake, but we really need to review three chapters of Contemporary History on the post-war period and the peace treatiesâŠâ
But the words died in your throat.
Jake was there but he wasnât alone. He was leaning back against his messy desk, and between his legs stood a girl you recognized all too well: one of the most popular and beautiful girls on campus. She had her nails buried in Jakeâs dark hair, kissing him passionately, her hips moving against his. And yet, you noticed immediately that Jake wasnât touching her at all. His hands were lazily resting on the desk, as if he didnât even have a girl kissing him in front of him. His ears were slightly lowered, and his tail, beneath his pants, was completely stillâno twitch, no movement. It was strange because with you, Jake was always the opposite. The way they were kissing seemed almost mechanical, especially on Jakeâs part⊠as if he were bored. There was none of that desperation to touch you like at Halloween, none of that devastating heat, none of that deep, rough moan heâd reserved for you at the top of the stairs just a few days earlier.
And yet, despite his obvious detachment, the sight of Jake wrapped around another girl hurt, badly. You suddenly felt stupid, like a total fool. But stupid for what? Jake wasnât your type at all⊠and yet, watching him share his personal space and his lips with someone else filled you with a sharp, cutting disappointment that quickly turned into burning anger toward him.
In the shock of that vision, you abruptly took a step back to leave, but the sudden movement made your heavy backpack bump against the wooden doorframe. At such close range, Jakeâs wolf hearing instantly picked up the noise but more than that, he caught your scent. He pulled away from the girl almost immediately, as if pushing her off, and his eyes widened when they landed on you in the doorway. His nose wrinkled instantly because heâd just caught your scent in the airâbut your usual sweet strawberry fragrance was gone. It had turned sour, sharp, and not goodâit reminded him of the early days when you couldnât stand him being near you at all.
âY/n! Wait!â Jake exclaimed, taking a decisive step toward you but you had no intention of staying there to be humiliated. You spun around on your heel, your cheeks literally burning with embarrassment.
Jake gently grabbed your wrist in an attempt to stop your rush down the stairs: âHey! Stop for a second!â he exclaimed, looking at you but you spun around abruptly, yanking your wrist free from his grip especially from his touch and said:
âLet go of me, Jake! Donât touch me! I knew you were irresponsible, but I didnât think youâd go this far! We have a test in three days, and I rearranged all my plans today just to come here and help you pass the exam and what do you do? Not even trainâwhich would make more senseâbut kiss one of your many girls who throw themselves at you with a snap of their fingers?!â You glared at him, and Jake looked at you carefully, almost caught off guard by the vehemence of your words. His wolf ears lowered slightly, betraying a hint of regret or perhaps confusion about what was happening. His nose wrinkled imperceptibly as he sniffed the air around you, sensing how your scent was becoming sharper, more acidic as if every fiber of your body was screaming how much you disliked the situation. It reminded him of the scent you gave off when you couldnât stand being near him.
Trying to take a step toward you to calm you down, Jake said in a low voice:Â âY/n, we werenât doing anything serious. She just came to return a hoodie to me and...â
But you didnât care at all about his justifications. You cut him off abruptly with a wave of your hands: âI donât care what you were doing! It just bothers me that I wasted my time with a guy who doesnât have his head on straight, who only thinks about having fun and showing off! You know what? Figure it out yourself. Iâll send you the notes online from now on because I have no intention of setting foot in this house again to waste time with you!â
At those words, a spark flashed in his eyesâno way was he going to lose you. He⊠he wanted to be with you. Seeing you every day kept him mentally stable, and he always found an excuse to see you or be near you. So Jake took a decisive step closer to you because he didnât rationally understand what was going through your mind at that moment but his animal natureâhis primal wolf instinctâspoke to him, suggesting a fucking precise idea:
Could it be⊠that sheâs jealous of seeing you with someone else?
In that moment of high tension, his animal side took over completely without him realizing it. His usual cocky smirk reappeared on his face, and tilting his head slightly toward you, he said in a rough, teasing tone: âAre you mad because Iâm not studying, sweetheart⊠or because the lips on my mouth werenât yours? Do you miss me that much already after the other night?â
At those words, your eyes widened. Did he seriously just say that out loud? You were completely shocked and wounded in your pride by what heâd just dared to say. Feeling your cheeks burn even redder, you forced yourself to laugh and, lifting your chin, looked him straight in the eyes with a shamelessly defiant air: âYouâre completely crazy! I donât care at all who you kiss, Jake Sim! In fact, Iâm even happy youâre so busy with your âfriendsâ that way, you wonât interfere in my life this weekend when I go out with Soobin!â You said with a small smirk.
At the sound of Soobinâs name, Jakeâs earlier smirk vanished completely. His ears snapped backward, almost stiffening, and his jaw tightened slightly at seeing you so bold with him. In a low voice, he said:Â âWhat did you say?â
You looked at him before leaving and said: âYou heard me. He asked me out today at the bar, but I told him no to come here and study with you because Iâm a responsible girl and stupid me, but weâll see each other this weekend. So try to do well on the history test because I finally got what I wanted.â
With that, you pushed him slightly, taking advantage of his moment of shock, opened the villaâs door, and walked out, slamming it behind you. You left the universityâs golden boy alone in the hallway, furious and jealous for the first time in his life.
After you left Jake, leaving your notes in plain sight on the table, the atmosphere inside that house had become literally suffocatingâespecially for Jake. When the other six members of the pack returned, they found Jake sulking, half-stretched out on the large, dark leather sofa in the living room. The younger ones almost laughed at the sight, but the older ones immediately understood that something had happened. Every second, Jake ran his fingers through his thick hair, ruffling it furiously, or hurled a stress ball against the wall in front of him, catching it mid-air with his reflexes before throwing it again.
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged an exasperated glance. Jay, the black cat hybrid, ran a hand over his neck, annoyed by the negative energy dominating the room.
âCan someone tell me what happened with your tutor? Why isnât she here in a chair, making you memorize dates or the names of generals? God, this house stinks so much of your bad pheromones. Thereâs a sour, wet-dog smell coming from you that I havenât smelled in I donât know how longâŠâ said the cat hybrid, wrinkling his nose. Sunghoon did the same, but Jake, at the mere word "tutor," jolted upright on the couch, hurling the ball onto the floor with such force that it bounced off the ceiling. He almost growled, nervously running his hands through his hair:
âNothing! Nothing happened! Sheâs just a stubborn little girl who says she doesnât want to come here anymore because⊠and sheâs going out with that damn Soobin this weekend.â
Sunghoon coughed in a half-laugh, unable to hold it back, and a cynical, amused grin appeared on his lips. âOh, so Choi is seriously interested in Y/n⊠who wouldâve thought! Heâs been practically chasing her for weeks. And well, on the other hand, you were busy getting kissed by one of your groupies five minutes before Y/n arrived, right? You donât care if Y/n goes out with another guy...especially Soobin, do you? You know, we saw her on the path as she was leaving, and human girls donât work like hybrids, who dream of finding their mate 90% of the time just to be knotted and not claimed. Human girls donât have a pack instinct. They donât accept sharing, and above all, you canât have your foot in two shoes with them.â
Jake rolled his eyes because everyone had warned him not to play around, especially with human girls. He covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. âI donât know what bothers me more...that she doesnât want to come here anymore to study with me⊠or that sheâs going out with another guy. Sheâs not⊠sheâs not my type at all, you know! Sheâs a simple, down-to-earth girlâall about home, work, and musical scores and what pisses me off the most is that sheâs almost as much of a know-it-all as I am. But damn, if I even think for a second about her laughing, walking, or looking at Soobin with those sweet eyes⊠my wolf side goes completely blind with rage, and I donât understand why. Me? Jake Sim only cares about getting signed by a national team and living for soccer, not romantic drama. But if I imagine her with another guy, I feel like somethingâs being ripped away from me something that, technically, isnât even mineâŠÂ I just want to go out there and make everyone understand that sheâs mine.â
At those words, Jakeâs eyes widenedâbecause⊠because he shouldnât be thinking those things. Those were things people said when theyâd found or were with their mate, not with a simple girl who gave them tutoring. Jay and Sunghoon stopped laughing, and their expressions turned serious, almost severe, as they watched their roommate crumble under the weight of a feeling he refused to admit but had just confessed a few seconds earlier. They exchanged another glance and, almost in unison, took a step forward toward their best friend, placing their hands on Jakeâs shoulders.
âWe told you to be careful with her, Jake,â Sunghoon said, with a rare note of seriousness in his voice. âBut above all, we warned you right away that she was the one⊠the one who could calm the beast inside you without you having to pretend to be the king of the campus.â
Jay nodded in agreement, gently stroking the lower part of Jakeâs ears this time: âYour tutor isnât playing hard to get, Jake. She saw what you always do: using people out of boredom, for sport, to confirm to yourself that you can have anyone. But this time, you chose the wrong person. Y/n isnât one of your fans who hang on your every word and accept your leftovers. If your wolf feels sick and is howling inside your head, itâs because he knows perfectly well that youâve ruined the only good, real thing youâve encountered in years. The few times Iâve seen you together, sheâs the only person who looks at you for who you areânot for the captainâs armband, your beauty, or your status.â
âSo get your ass off that couch,â Sunghoon concluded. âApologize to her and please, donât let her get away, because the true âmateâ only comes once in your life⊠donât make the mistake so many others do of not letting go.â
Jake had one clear mission: he never wanted to see you angry with him again, even if it meant swallowing his pride. So, between one soccer training session and another, he took his studies deadly seriously.
He locked himself in his room and spent hours poring over the pages of Contemporary History youâd worked on together. He started bombarding your phone: sending you photos of his summary diagrams late at night, voice messages over five minutes long (which were practically illegal in your book) answering the open-ended questions youâd left him as homework before your fight. And at the end of every voice message, heâd always try to make it personal, asking in a low voice: âHey⊠how are you? What did you do after class today? Do you want to meet up before the test on Friday afternoon?â
But you were categorical: you never replied to those personal questions, leaving him brutally on read. And for the study messages, you responded with an icy coldness that wasnât in your nature but deep down, you knew you were jealous of him, so you tried not to think about him, not to give in. Youâd look at the photos or listen to the voice messages, and youâd respond simply by leaving a reaction: a thumbs-up đ if the answer was correct, or a thumbs-down đ if heâd messed up the dates. No written messages. No âOkay,â no âGood job, you got six out of ten right.â Just absolute silence from you. And this was literally driving Jake crazy because no one in his entire life as an alpha hybrid and soccer captain had ever treated him like he was invisible.
As you stirred the coffees or steamed the milk, he wouldnât stop teasing you for a second: tilting his head, barely moving the tips of his ears to catch your eyes, and whispering with a crooked smile: âGood morning, sweetheart. Did you know WhatsApp was created as a messaging app, not an app for one-word replies or simple đđ? I preferred it when you actually spoke to me when I got distracted⊠are you sure you donât want to review together tonight?â
But you had become almost mute with him. You didnât give in even a millimeter to his antics. You kept your gaze fixed on the coffee machine and, slamming his receipt on the counter with a sharp tap, you responded every day with the same detached chant: âThatâs four dollars and fifty cents for the oat milk cappuccino, Sim. Move it, thereâs a line behind you.âYouâd point with one finger at the long line behind him, and Jake would almost always pout. The scene was so ridiculous that, a few tables away, his pack never missed an opportunity to enjoy the showâespecially the younger members, like Sunoo, who would burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hands, absolutely loving the drama between you and his hyung.
Next to him, Ni-ki would shoot Jake an amused glance and comment in the group chat that youâd refused to speak to Jake again. Even Jungwon, the cat hybrid who was usually the calmest, would chuckle under his whiskers, shaking his headâthough it was nice to see Jake, for the first time, thinking hard and working seriously on something that wasnât soccer.
The door in front of Jake was still closed, but his ears picked up the sound of the history professor arranging the tests on the desks inside. There were still five minutes until the exam started.
This was shaping up to be the most important weekend of his entire academic year: not only was there the Contemporary History exam weighing on his mind, but on Sunday, he had a crucial league match. In the stands, scouts from some of the countryâs most famous soccer teams would be watching, and Jake was hoping with everything in him to be chosen by one of themâto finally take off toward a professional career. Yet, despite the pressure of the upcoming match, the thing that had made him relax his shoulders and feel genuinely better that morning was your message.
After endless days of receiving nothing but cold thumbs-up or thumbs-down, your message had lit up his phone screen as soon as he woke up, his eyes still heavy with sleep:
âHi. Donât mix up the peace treaties from the various international assemblies, especially between World War II and the Cold War (P.S. I know there will be at least 2 questions on this topic). Good luck, Jake. Show them what youâre worth. :)â
At the sight of it, a smile, his first in a long time, crept onto his lips. He had reread that message all morning, and he was still staring at it now, just outside the classroom.
His inner wolf, which had been curled up, dull and listless for days in a corner of his mind, suddenly woke up at the news. His tail began wagging incessantly all day, and his animal instinct spoke clearly or perhaps it seriously hoped he still had a chance with you and said:
âIf she didnât care about you at all, she wouldnât have written⊠especially today, when she knows how important this day is for your future. Thereâs still hope, Sim Jaeyun. Embrace it.â
Thatâs exactly why, gripping his phone between his fingers, Jake decided not to reply to you right away. For once, he wanted to avoid making a wrong move. He didnât want to ruin that tiny bit of closeness with one of his usual bold responses. He wanted actions to speak for him.
So when the door to the lecture hall finally swung open and the students began pouring in, Jake took a seat at one of the central desks. And as soon as the Contemporary History test paper was placed in front of him, with a determination his classmates had never seen on his face before, he began answering all the questions. He didnât want to disappoint you. He couldnât allow himself to waste all the hours youâd spent writing him summaries, explaining every single chapter in detail even when you were angry with him. Or the fact that, despite everything, youâd taken a minute to wish him good luck.
So he put his head down and focused for the full two hours of the test, isolating himself from the rest of the world and concentrating on the answers he had to give.
After two grueling hours of the exam, Jake could literally not wait to find out his score. He was hoping with all his heart that the electronic system or the professors would give him the result immediatelyâhe wanted to know if all that crazy studying you and he had done together had paid off. But the professor had decided to grade the tests on the spot, and all the students, Jake included, were stuck in their seats. He rested his face against his arms, trying to calm himself and imagine how you would react if heâd passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to his wolf, the professor stood up from the desk with a stack of papers in her hands and began handing them out. When she reached Jakeâs desk, she stopped and looked at him with a sincere and slightly surprised smile:Â âI donât know how Y/n managed to make you âlikeâ Contemporary History, Sim, but Iâm truly happy and proud of you.â
The professor handed him his test, and Jake lowered his eyes. There, written at the top in bright green marker, was a 75/100, accompanied by a small smiling face. He was literally shockedâhis tail began wagging, and his pheromones started filling the air with his scent. He had never gotten a grade this high in that subject before. Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of the test, and sent it immediately to the WhatsApp group he had with the other six members of the villa. They all praised him, but all he wanted was to hear you or see you. So as he strode out of the classroom, he opened your private chat and was about to attach the photo of his 75 to brag to you tooâuntil he froze halfway down the hallway.
His wolf senses suddenly kicked in, and he caught an unmistakable trail of your sweet, unmistakable strawberry and cotton candy scent in the airâthe one he had loved discovering so much. Jakeâs head snapped around twice until his eyes locked onto you. There you were, just a few meters away, leaning against the hallway wall as you waited for him outside the classroom. At the sight of you, his hybrid nature rejoiced: his gray ears perked up happily on his head, and his tail, beneath his tracksuit pants, began moving in a frantic, enthusiastic rhythm, thrilled that you were there for himâeven though he hadnât asked you to be.
You gave him a small, shy smile, and Jake closed the distance between you in a flash, almost running until you felt his strong, large arms wrap tightly around your waist. Before you could even realize what was happening, Jake lifted you off the ground, nearly taking you into his arms mid-air in the middle of the hallway.
âJ-Jake! What are you doing?! Put me down, are you crazy?!â you stammered, your heart in your throat, as you instinctively clung to his broad back to avoid falling. But Jake ignored your protests and buried his head right near the hollow of your neck, breathing in your scent deeply. He whispered with a voice rough with emotion and adrenaline: âY/n⊠I got a 75. I did it⊠thanks to you.â
Your smile widened involuntarily at hearing him so happy, and you gently caressed the back of his neck. âI knew youâd do great things, Jake. Remember, you told me that by the end of the course, youâd get a 100 if you applied yourself! But now put me back down, seriously!â
Jake chuckled, only then realizing that all the students left in the hallway were staring at you. With extreme slowness, he let you slide back down but when your feet touched the ground, he didnât pull away instead, his face stayed just a few centimeters from yours, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. You swallowed, feeling your cheeks turn red, and he loved seeing you so close to him again. He studied you with an intense gaze, lowering his eyes to your lips for a second before meeting your eyes again.
âAnd now⊠whereâs my reward?â he asked in a provocative tone, watching you with a challenging look.
âYour reward is that the history box on the register finally has a green checkmark instead of a red one, and that maybe you wonât fail⊠thatâs your reward, Sim,â you said, as if it were obvious.
Jake pouted cutely, shaking his head, and teased you by reaching out to give you a light tap on the tip of your nose: âReally, sweetheart? Thatâs it? Youâre a ruthless tutor. I was hoping for something much more⊠this weekend⊠we haveto celebrate, Y/n. Tomorrow evening is one of the most important matches of my life....there will be scouts from national and global teams watching. Please come watch me play in the stands.â He said, almost pleading with his hands.
You immediately tried to shake your head and protest, crossing your arms: âJake, no, I told you⊠I have plans this weekend⊠I mean, I have to meet Soobin for breakfast, and then I have to study for my exams. I canât spend the evening in a pubâŠâ
But he, being the skilled manipulator he was when he wanted something from you, took half a step closer, reducing the space between you even more. You felt his pheromones teasing your body, and he said: âBreakfast is Sunday morning. My match is tomorrow evening. You have to come to the stands to cheer me on, Y/n. You sent me that message this morning, tomorrow, you need to be there in person. You helped me get through the hardest part of the week⊠you donât want to leave me alone right at the finish line, do you? Iâm only asking you to come tomorrow, okay?â
Jake Sim was seriously a thorn in your side, and he knew exactly how to get a âyesâ out of someone at any cost. You rolled your eyes, feigning fake exasperation, and started nervously fiddling with your backpack strap to avoid looking at him. âOkay, fine⊠Iâll come to the match with Allie,â you conceded in the end, hinting at a small smile. But then your tone turned more serious and low. âBut⊠you know I donât drink alcohol, Jake. So there wonât be much for me to do at the pub, and I want to leave at a decent time so I can be awake and on time Sunday morning.â
Jake immediately noticed that sudden shift in your mood. His wolf instinct picked up on a different nuance in your voice, and he desperately wanted to know what had happened to you in the pastâwhat was the reason behind your total refusal of alcohol, or why you trusted people so little and disliked physical contact so much. But he knew he had to take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, looking at you with a rare seriousness, and said: âI know youâre still hesitant about me⊠and Iâm sorry for the other day,â he said, almost mentally cursing himself for letting that third-year girl kiss him. âBut weâve known each other for a while now, and at the Halloween party, you trusted me. We worked as a team⊠so I thought that tomorrow evening, you could try drinking something with me and my friends. They might seem like a bunch of lunatics, but all six of them are curious to meet you, Y/n.â
You looked at him, stunned, your eyes wide, and opened your mouth to protest. But Jake immediately interrupted you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder to reassure you. âI just want you to feel safe with me. When youâre with me, nothing bad will ever happen to you, I promise. If youâre afraid of drinking for some reason⊠well, youâll tell me about it, when and if you want to. But tomorrow evening, Iâll stay right by your side, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, so I can stay 100% sober. You can have fun without touching a drink, obviously but I also want you to understand that you can trust me blindly and if you want to try drinking, you can do it in complete peace of mind, because after the party, Iâll pick you up, put you in my car, and take you home safe and sound, ready for your date with Soobin the next day,â Jake said, the last part reluctantly, running a hand through his thick hair and betraying a hint of jealousy at the innocent mention of your date. But he wanted, above all, to make you understand that he wasnât selfishâheâd loved making people like him since his scout days, loved being known for who he truly was. But between his reputation as the golden boy of the soccer team and knowing he was a good-looking guy, many girls wanted him, and he had fun with it. Now, though, he wanted to see if things could work with you.
You stood still because youâd never heard a guyâlet alone a fiery, popular hybrid like himâsay something like that to you, or put himself completely at your disposal just to make you feel protected.
You lowered your gaze, feeling your cheeks burn, because deep down, you knew it was true: despite his flaws, his arrogance, and his distracted kisses with others, with Jake, youâd felt safe almost from the first day. And with him, the anxiety that usually clenched your stomach always disappeared. This had to make you realize that there was something more to Jake. When you looked up again, you said softly: âThank you, JakeâŠâ
He smiled at you and said: âI promise you, Y/n. If you want to drink something, Iâll always be by your side⊠and even if you decide not to drink, itâll be the same for meâIâll be there to protect you,â he thought the last part in his mind, while his inner wolf growled with pride at the idea of being your shield against the rest of the world. âEverything will be fine, I promise,â he said, reaching out his hand toward you, lifting his pinky finger in a solemn and slightly childish vow. You looked at him for a second, then smiled, and linked your pinky with his, squeezing it.
âOkay⊠Iâll come to your match⊠and maybe Iâll drink something at the party.â
At that contact and those words, Jakeâs smile grew enormous. He pulled you close, even if only through that link between your pinkies, because he couldnât wait for you to discover and get to know the real Jake.
The stands of the university soccer field were literally packed with people: some were leading the university chants, others were playing drums and trumpets, blasting the university anthem, and there were countless screams from fans cheering on all the players but one name echoed louder than all the others: number 5, Jake Sim.
You and Allie were sitting in a kind of covered VIP box, a reserved area where the other six hybrids from the villa were also watching the match. You were sitting right next to Jay, the black cat hybrid, who was watching the game with his arms crossed and his tail lazily swaying behind his backâhe wasnât part of any sports team, but for his best friends or hyungs, he would never miss a thing. To Allieâs left was Heeseung, the hamster hybrid, who, true to his sweet but incredibly magnetic nature, hadnât stopped flirting with her for a second, making her giggle while she kept rolling her eyes.
At one point, Allie turned to you, her eyes wide, and pointed at the crowd below: âWow, Y/n⊠I knew Jake was the âgolden boyâ of the university and the soccer team, but look how many girls are wearing his jersey!â Looking down, you noticed that almost 90% of the female fans were wearing the number 5 jersey with Sim printed on the back. Out of pure spite, you had decided to leave the original jersey heâd given you the other day with a cocky smile in your closet but to avoid freezing from the evening wind, you had accepted wearing only his team scarf, which still smelled intensely of him. You werenât entirely sure if it bothered you to see so many girls with his name on their backs. After all, you didnât like Jake⊠right? And besides, the next morning, you had a special date at one of the best bakeries in the area with Soobin. So you didnât understand that annoying itch that was creeping through your body at the sight of so many girls talking about Jake.
But those confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of the university commentator over the speakers, who shouted: ââŠAnd thereâs Anton with a perfect pass to Jake from the corner kick! Sim breaks free in the shooting zone⊠he jumps higher than everyone else and⊠HEADER! GOAL! ITâS A GOAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY!â
A crazy roar spread across the entire field, and the stands almost trembled from the crowd of people screaming, jumping, and recording videos. Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, both Jay and Heeseung leaned toward you. You felt Jayâs muscular arm wrap around your neck, pulling you into a brotherly hug while Heeseung did the same with Allie, jumping and cheering. You burst out laughing, infected by that insane energy you never thought youâd enjoy, exchanging an amused glance with Allie as you saw her lean into Heeseung.
Jay, noticing your laughter, looked down at you and gave you a light, teasing nudge with his elbow. âLook at you⊠You didnât want to wear his jersey to play it cool, but youâre clutching his scarf around your neck, sniffing it every two seconds like you miss him. And you canât stop rolling your eyes when some girl comments on Jake, yet you canât take your eyes off him during any of his plays! I bet if Jake knew you were smelling his scent while he scores, heâd jump around like a puppy!â He said, observing you. You blushed instantly and retorted, giving him a playful shove to his chest: âStop it, Jay! Iâm only wearing it because itâs freezing up here, not because of⊠I only smell it because⊠because Jake has a nice scent.â Jay nodded, shaking his head with a smirk.
At that moment, your eyes returned to the field. Jake was running like crazy on the green pitch, but instead of heading toward the ultrasâ curve, he ran straight under the VIP box where you were sitting. He slowed his pace, making a slight theatrical bow with his arms open to the crowd. And as soon as his eyes found you in the crowd, he winked at you and gave you a cocky smile. You felt your cheeks burn completely, and Allie immediately brought her hands to her chest, striking a totally dramatic pose like a true actress: âOhh! Jake Sim winked at me! Iâm about to faint!â Heeseung immediately interjected, leaning toward her ear with a half-smile: âI donât think so, doll⊠I donât think that wink was meant for youâŠâ Allie, however, let out a small huff and said, âOh, come on, let me dream!â before giving you a knowing nudge.
You watched Jake as he turned to run back and let himself be swallowed by the embraces of his teammates. But when you tried to turn away to hide your embarrassment, you realized that the atmosphere in the box had suddenly changed because all six hybrids left there were staring at you.
In their gazes, there wasnât just happiness for the goal. Their eyes (feline, canine, or wild) shone with an intensity and a protective, almost possessive warmth in the way they looked at you. Because in a hybrid culture, the bond forming between you and Jake was terrifyingly similar to an imprinting, the sacred recognition of their âfemale. and in the pack, you were the first female even if you hadnât yet been knotted or bitten by Jake.
The pub where the victory party was being held was literally packed with students who had been in the stands, all dancing and drinking. The space on the small sofa in the pub was so limited that you were half-stuck to Jake, his shoulder pressed against yours. You were leaning over, scrolling through the drink menu, while Jake was telling you which one he thought youâd like best but in reality, your eyes werenât really looking at the names on the menu at allâthey were completely captivated by him.
You observed his backward baseball cap, from which a few strands of dark hair escaped, falling rebelliously across his forehead. His cheeks were still slightly flushed from the physical exertion of the game, but also from the heat of the room. Jake was really too handsomeâa lethal mix of hybrid charm with his large hands and ears that wouldnât stop moving, but also a sweetness in the small dimples on his face or his tired eyes⊠not to mention his full lips, which he bit every now and then. You realized it was a ticâpartly a nervous reflex, but also something personal, slightly explicit, directed at you.
Your thoughts dissolved instantly when you felt his warm voice against your ear, so close it sent shivers down your spine: âSo, sweetheart? What are you getting?â he asked, watching your every reaction closely. Snapping out of your trance and having barely read anything, you pointed to the first combination that caught your eye: a cocktail with grapes, lime, currants, and a vodka base.
Jake added your drink to the order and then ordered a simple Coca-Cola for himself. Looking at him, you realized he was dead seriousâhe wouldnât touch a drop of alcohol all night, giving up toasting to his own victory just to keep his promise of protecting you.
When the drink arrived at the table, Jake picked up the glass, adjusted the straw, and gently turned it toward you. You leaned slightly forward to take your first sip, and he whispered:Â âDonât drink too much at once, okay? Take small sips, or your body wonât handle the impact.â
You looked up at him as you drank, watching him from below. At the sight of your lips wrapped around the straw and your bright eyes locked on his, every rational thought in Jakeâs head vanished. His alpha hybrid instinct short-circuited at the realization of just how damn beautiful you were. His senses picked up the warmth spreading across your skin, and your strawberry scent, mixing with the fruity smell of the drink, created an intoxicating, addictive blend for a hybrid with such a developed alpha side as his.
After sliding that first drop of alcohol into your body for the first time in years, you pulled away from the straw and said with a fake challenging tone:Â âIâm not a child, Jake!â
He sighed, shaking his head with a crooked smile, and said: âI know youâre not a child⊠but you told me youâve barely ever drunk in your life, and I just want this fear of alcohol to fade, even thanks to me and I want you to have a great night. So yes, Iâll keep an eye on you, Y/n.â
At those words, you bit your lip, playing with the straw, and leaned even closer to him. Slowly reaching out, you gently caressed the base of his wolf ears, feeling them soft and warm under your fingers knowing it would make him more sensitive. âI like this drink⊠but maybe there isnât that much alcohol in it,â you whispered close to his face.
Jake sniffed your glass, his ears twitching pleasantly under your touch, and nodded: âGood. I certainly wouldnât have started you off with aged gin or century-old grappa!â he said, smiling at you. You laughed and, leaning even closer to his cheek, whispered against his lips: âYouâre such a good boy, JakeâŠâ
Jakeâs inner wolf couldnât tolerate being called a "good boy" when every single fiber of his body was screaming the opposite. His breath suddenly became heavier, and he fixed his gaze directly into your eyes. For perhaps the first time, driven by something even you didnât think you had, you were teasing him, rendering him more inert in his hybrid nature than his human one.
âStop saying things like that, sweetheart⊠you have no idea what it does to a hybridâs mind,â he hissed, his mouth a millimeter from your ear. You pouted slightly, openly challenging his gaze, and said with a tone dripping with fake innocence that shattered his self-control: âWhy not, Sim? Are you afraid your bad-boy reputation might get tarnished by me? What would happen if I went around saying youâre not actually a show-off? That you love taking care of people, and that in your pack and on your team, you act more like a protective father figure rather than just an older brother?â
At that declaration, Jake realized you knew him better than some people heâd known for years. It was trueâyou saw through him, past the arrogant athlete mask heâd stitched onto himself. He was a good guy, always had been with the people he loved but in that precise moment, with you so terrifyingly close on the pubâs small sofa, the warmth of the vodka beginning to melt your anxieties, and the scent of your skin shifting to reveal a growing excitement that his predator nature picked up with millimeter precision, Jake was having thoughts far too obscene to be defined as a "good boy."
His inner wolf was wide awake. It wanted to spin you around and kiss you in front of the entire pub. It wanted to push your head back and drag his nose along your neck, lingering on the scent glandâthe most sacred area for hybrids like him, where a femaleâs scent was most concentrated. He wanted every last hybrid on this earth to smell his scent on your body.
But his hybrid mind went even further, imagining much darker, wilder fantasiesâdefinitely not the kind a "good boy" would have. In his head, he pictured you straddling him, completely naked, your breasts bouncing with every movement, gasping as you clenched your fingers in his dark hair and bent his ears backward with pleasure. He wanted to see you trembling with pleasure beneath or above him as he thrust deep inside you, claiming you not as a human, but as an animal claiming his mate he had finally found and the most depraved image of all was seeing you swollen with his knot. He imagined pushing all the way inside you, swelling in your belly to lock himself inside your body, forcing you to stay bound to him while his pheromones marked you from within. At the same time, he wanted to hear you cry and moan his name like a sick prayer, trapped in his knot.
So no⊠Jake was not a good boy in that moment but until he officially went into heatâthat time of year when hybrids completely lost their minds or until you became his female in every sense, he would force himself to be good. He would keep the beast that had been pulsing inside him for months whenever he was near you on a tight leash.
The overwhelming beats of Scream & Shout blared at full volume, literally shaking the walls of the pub. You were in the middle of the dance floor, the alcohol coursing through you giving you the confidence to sing and dance with Allie, arms raised, hips swaying in rhythm, a few sweat-dampened strands of hair sticking to your forehead and face as you laughed and hopped but every so often, your eyes instinctively snapped toward the small sofa where Jake had stayed seated next to Heeseung.
He hadnât danced or drunk, staying true to his promise to be your shield. He kept his large hand tightly wrapped around your third drink of the nightâa deep pink Cosmopolitan and he hadnât taken his eyes off you for even a second. That gaze, both sweet and magnetic, had sent shivers through you all evening. When the song ended, you pushed your way through the crowded, overheated bodies, and when you finally reached the table, you practically collapsed onto the sofa next to them, smiling radiantly especially at Jake.
You swept your hair behind your back with a fluid neck movement, and Jake couldnât stop watching you. You leaned forward to grab the straw of your Cosmopolitan, and as the cool, alcoholic liquid slid down your throat, you gave him a sweet but incredibly sly smile. âItâs⊠itâs so good,â you slurred slightly, your cheeks flushed. âI⊠I definitely want another one!â you said, giggling.
Heeseung burst out laughing, turning to Jake and slapping him on the shoulder: âWow, Sim⊠I think tonight youâve awakened a completely new personality in Y/n! This party is going to cost you a lot if she keeps this up.â
Jake shook his head with a half-protective smile curving his lips. He leaned toward you and whispered in your ear:Â âYou still have to finish this one, sweetheart. But the answer is no...no fourth drink. Itâs already a lot that I let you get to this Cosmopolitan.â
You immediately pouted, disappointed by his refusal. Driven by a sudden, bold audacity youâd never have had while sober, you stretched toward him, wrapping your arms around his neck. You leaned forward, pressing your face right where his neck met his shoulderâexactly above his wolf scent gland.
At that contact, Jake froze instantly, stiffening as if heâd been hit by an electric shock. His breath caught because, without realizing it, by moving there against him and breathing in his skin, you were literally marking him with your strawberry and vodka scent. For a few seconds, your pheromonesâless sharp because you were humanâmixed with his, and for his wolf, that gesture was both ecstasy and exquisite torture.
âPlease, JakeâŠ?â you whispered against his neck. âYou know⊠yeah, well, Iâm really having so much fun tonight!â You raised your hands in the air to emphasize, giggling again. âAnd besides, you were⊠you were so good at soccer tonight. Youâre a champion, so we have to celebrate big, right?â
Jay, who was sitting on the sofa across from you, watched the whole scene and put a hand on his face, shaking his head though with an amused smirk. âJake, my friend, listen to me: maybe you should take her home now,â the black cat said. âOtherwise, tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, sheâll be mortified by everything sheâs doing and saying with just three drinks in her!â
You turned toward Jay, exaggerating your pout: âNo, Jake, donât listen to him! I⊠I want to dance more, and I want another drink! We could⊠we could share it, what do you say? One sip each⊠there are so many drinks Iâve never tried.â
But Jake, struggling to regain control of his instincts after that close contact on his neck, slid his large hand down your back, steadying you, and looked you straight in the eyes. With a low, incredibly gentle tone, he said: âY/n⊠earlier, you said I was a good boy, right?â
You looked at him for a few seconds, enchanted by his lips, and slowly nodded, almost hypnotized.
âExactly,â he continued, gently rubbing your back. âGood boys always take their girls home safe and sound. Itâs a promise I made you, and Iâm not breaking it. So game over for tonight.â He said, standing up and gently pulling you up by your arm. âPut on your coat actually, take my team hoodie too. Itâs freezing outside.â
As you weakly protested because you seriously wanted to go back to the dance floor and have fun, and most of all, you wanted his eyes glued to your body again, Jake helped you slip your arms into his enormous hoodie, which completely wrapped you in his scent
The notes of Into It filled the car, and you closed your eyes slightly, smiling. âIâd love to write a song like this⊠I love alternative R&B and synth-pop,â you said, leaning back against the seat. Jake smiled at the sight of you so relaxed in his car. He knew perfectly well that both you and he loved Chase Atlanticâthey were one of the many things that connected you without needing too many words, something heâd discovered about you almost by accident.
âWell, who knows⊠maybe one day, at the Champions League final, youâll be the one opening the ceremony with your own song, and Iâll be on the field with my team, walking down the tunnel,â he said, shooting you an amused glance but also offering encouragementâfor both of you. Heâd make a pact with the devil himself to become an elite soccer player, but at the same time, he wanted to see you fulfilled. At that statement, you almost shot upright, clapping your hands enthusiastically: âThat would be amazing! Even if in three or four years, youâll probably have even more girls wearing your jersey⊠You know, today at the stadium, almost all of them were wearing it, and I donât blame them, because youâreâŠâ
Jake furrowed his brows, not understanding where you were going with this, your cheeks still flushed from the alcohol. âIâmâŠ?â he asked, turning the steering wheel. At the sight of his veined hands gripping it, you bit your lip slightly and giggled, shifting in your seat to trace a finger over his hand resting on the gear shift. With your cheeks incredibly red, you whispered: âYouâre really gorgeous, Jake. But not in a⊠âsexualâ way. In the way that youâre gorgeous inside and out, and it kills me that youâre ashamed to let people see that, hiding behind your bad-boy mask.â
Jake smiled softly. âWell⊠I think thatâs the most genuine and deep compliment anyoneâs given me in years,â he said sincerely, squeezing your fingers for a second before putting his hand back on the wheel.
You clapped your hands again, happy, and started humming softly along with the rhythm of the music until the car turned onto the driveway of the hybridsâ big villa. Jake took you straight to his room to avoid waking the others who hadnât come to the party. With infinite patience, he took care of you, as heâd promised, helping you take off your coat and his oversized hoodie, turning away respectfully when you unclasped your bra to be more comfortable. He handed you a clean T-shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants to wear as pajamas. Like a good boy, he waited outside the bathroom while you washed your face. When you came out, heâd changed too.
Without his team jacket and the daytime clothes that often made him look over the top, in his pajamas, he looked like the classic boy next doorâjust an ordinary, accessible, and incredibly sweet guy. But this wasnât the real Jake youâd come to know, was it? With that question in mind, you sat on the edge of the padded headboard. When Jake sat down right next to you, you turned your face abruptly and stared at his profile under the soft light of the bedside lamp. Your eyes traced the perfect lines of his profileâJake had a beautiful nose, straight and large, typical of his hybrid nature. Without even realizing it, guided by the alcohol and a sudden urge to touch him, you reached out, placing a finger on the bridge of his nose and gently traced its entire outline down to the tip.
Jake turned his head, letting you do it as his wolf ears twitched slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. âEarlier⊠I also wanted to tell you that youâre beautiful, Jake,â you said softly as you met his eyes, pulling your hand back and looking up at the ceiling with a small huff. âBut I already knew that⊠every girl tells you that every single day of the week.â
At that, Jake rolled his eyes, and his hybrid nature kicked in instantlyâbecause this was the second time youâd subtly let him know you were completely jealous of all those stupid number 5 jerseys the other girls wore in the stands. A small grin took over his lips. âDamn⊠If Iâd known that with three drinks in you, youâd be this chatty and admit things like that, I wouldâve taken you to every party this season, sweetheart,â Jake said with an amused tone.
In the strange euphoria of the alcohol, you almost knelt on the soft mattress, leaning over him as he lay partially stretched out on the bed. Neither of you could stop looking at each other, unfiltered and guided only by instinct. You whispered in a low voice: âI⊠Can I kiss you, Jake?â
Jakeâs eyes widened, completely caught off guard by such a direct request. Where the hell had the girl who hated being touchedâespecially the one who was mad at himâgone? His tail began wagging frantically on the mattress, betraying his wild excitement. When he saw you leaning in even closer, he made a huge effort of willpower, lifting a finger and gently pressing it against your mouth. âSweetheart⊠Iâd pay gold to do it again and kiss you right now,â he said in a low voice. âBut damn, as you said earlier, right now Iâm a âgood boy,â and I canât take advantage of you like this. You have to ask me when youâre sober, Y/n. When youâre sober, you can ask me for anythingâŠÂ anything. And if tomorrow morning you still want me, you can ask me for whatever you want...but not now.â
You made an adorable pout, visibly disappointed by the refusalâyouâd never expected it. âAnything?â you murmured. Jake nodded slowly. âAnything.â
âWell⊠fine, then tomorrow morning,â you whispered, your fingers already lazily playing with his big wolf ears again. You continued, your voice shy and your eyes heavy with sleepiness: âI⊠I want to ask you something tomorrow, but I wonât spoil it now.â
Jake gently caressed your flushed cheek with the back of his hand, tender and dying of curiosity about what you might ask him. âYou should try to sleep now, Y/n. The bed is all yours,â he said. You nodded weakly, exhausted from the day, and curled up against him, nestling on his side and resting your head on the pillow.
Jake reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Despite the wolf inside him screaming with the impulse to pull you close, trap you under his body for the whole night, he forced himself to respect your space. He didnât yet have the official right to hold you or keep you close as if you were his mate. So he settled for stroking the back of your hand with warm, protective fingers all night, letting you rest. As he felt your breathing become steady, Jake stayed awake in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so curious and impatient to find out what you intended to ask him the next morning.
In his hybrid mind, he wondered if that mysterious question had to do with your fear of being touched by others.
Jake woke up stretching, his nose catching your faint scent of strawberries and something sweetâmaybe a hint of cotton candy, or perhaps a sugary note from one of the drinks youâd had the night before. As he stretched to see if you were still asleep, he placed a hand on the part of the bed where you should have been. It was still warm, but you werenât there. His heart started pounding, and he sat up almost abruptly, lazily running a hand through his hair. When he opened his eyes, at that exact moment, he saw you entering his room, still wearing his clothes, with two steaming cups of coffee in your hands.
You smiled at him shyly, and he thought you were 100% back to the girl heâd met months agoânot the teasing version of you from last night, the one who had asked if you could kiss him or who had looked at him with eyes full of excitement. When you handed him the cup, he responded with a rough, small âThanks,â and you sat down in front of him. As you sipped your coffee, you couldnât stop looking at him, and Jake chuckled into his cup.
âStop looking at me like that, sweetheart. Spit it outâŠtell me what you wanted to say last night,â he said. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of your tongue, and your cheeks turned even redder. âYou⊠you, forget it, Jake. Itâs⊠itâs nothing, what I wanted to ask you. Please, just forget it,â you said.
Jake tilted his head, observing you, and he could sense how embarrassed your body was. Teasing you, he said: âNo, no, beautiful. Now you tell me what you wanted to ask me. And I certainly canât forget you begging to kiss me!â You opened your mouth to retort, rolled your eyes, and said: âWhy are you always so shameless? Itâs not even 8 in the morning.â Jake chuckled and replied, still in a low voiceâit was in his nature. You pouted and said: âIâll ask you this thing, but first, donât laugh, donât tease me, and donât make a scene, okay? Donât yell or act like a clown, okay?â
Jake was seriously curious about what you wanted to ask him. He stretched out his pinky finger as a promise, and you squeezed it tightly. âOkay, well, I wonât beat around the bush⊠you⊠do you want to have sex with me?â
Jake thought he was still asleep. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? But when he spat out half the coffee in his mouth onto his pajama shirt, the burning contact of the liquid on his warm skin made him cough violently. You jumped up and started patting his back for a full minute. Neither of you said a word. Jake placed his coffee on the nightstand, and as he turned to you, he looked at you carefully and said, perhaps too loudly: âARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU STILL DRUNK, OR⊠DID YOU GET A HIGH FEVER IN THE FEW HOURS YOU SLEPT?â
You glared at him and almost growled his name. He lowered his voice, but his hand pressed against your foreheadâyou were coldâŠÂ damn. You were serious.
âIâm not feverish, and Iâm not drunk. Damn, I wasnât even drunk last night, Jake, and⊠and Iâm not joking. But if you donât want to⊠I understand,â you said, fiddling with the strings of your pajama. Jake was extremely restless at that moment. He ran his hands through his hair countless times, and after what felt like endless minutes, he said: âI want a reason, Y/n. I want a damn reason for why you asked me something like that. Whereâs the girl who hated my physical contact? Whereâs the girl who was even afraid to sit next to me? Whereâs that girl? That girl wouldnât have asked me to kiss her in the first place, let alone to have sex with me. So excuse me, but I want the fucking truth. And then weâll consider it. But I want⊠the truth about why you were and still are afraid of being touched or drinking a drink with a little alcohol in it.â
You sighed because only your family and Allie knew the truth about what had happened to you in your last year of high school. You closed your eyes for a moment and tried not to relive all the pain that night had caused you, or the rumors that had spread about you and your parents. Then you said:Â
âOkay, Iâll tell you the truth. But please, this has to stay between you and me. It must not leave these four walls, and you⊠Please donât say or do anything until Iâve finished telling you what happened.â
Jake nodded and shifted slightly closer, trying to calm you with his pheromones, but it didnât work. When you started telling him that in your last year of high school, you were dating a guy from the soccer team, and you thought he was the right one for you, because he was the perfect guy: good grades, part of the best studentsâ club, and loved by your entire town because he did volunteer work. You had built a clear image of him in your mind. But everything changed one night⊠You and this guy had been together for a couple of months, and you went to a party together. He had drunk a little too much, and you werenât completely sober either. Jake immediately understood what had happened to you: an assault.
His hybrid nature wanted to know who this guy was and make his life a living hell, especially when you started crying. He pulled you into his arms, and you buried your entire body against him. For endless minutes, he held you, gently stroking your hair and telling you it wasnât your fault. But you didnât stop crying and sobbing until you said:Â
âI⊠Iâm broken, Jake. Every time someone tries to make me feel good, I freeze and go into this cold trance. Thatâs why I asked you⊠because itâs hard to admit, but I trust you. And youâve made me realize that so many times these past few months.âYou said this with tears in your eyes, and Jake gently wiped them away with his thumbs, closing his eyes for a moment because he never would have imagined finding himself in a situation like this.
Jake wanted to make you happy, so he gently shifted you away from him, lifted your chin, and looked deeply into your eyes. âYouâre not broken, Y/n. You went through something horrible that no one in this world should ever experience. So itâs normal for your body to be afraid, for you to go into a negative, protective mode. Therefore⊠my answer is yes.â
You gave him a 32-tooth smile and hugged him even tighter than before. âYou⊠youâre serious? Youâll help me overcome this?â Jake nodded and wiped away another tear sliding down your face. He whispered in a low voice: âI never want to see tears of sadness in you again, Y/n. These⊠these tears should only be of joy or excitement. So yes, Iâll help you. But on my conditions.â
You nodded and said, âWhat conditions will we adopt?â. Jake tried to show his most human side, not the dark hybrid one, and said: â
First, you need to start taking the anti-hybrid pill. I donât want to accidentally knot and impregnate you when we⊠You know, have sex. And Iâll take it too, as long as this is safe.â You tried to speak, but a finger pressed against your lips. âLet me talk, Y/n. Second, we will not have sex right away. Before sex, there must absolutely be awareness and enjoyment of what weâre going to doâespecially for you, since youâve told me you canât let yourself go or be touched by others. So there will be a lot of foreplay, both for me to discover your body and for you to discover mine. Third, you must tell me at any moment if you want to stop or if you donât like something. There will be no safe wordâif you tell me NO, it will be a NO. If you tell me you like it, Iâll continue. If you want to stop, I will stop. But if you beg me to continue, I will continue⊠because I have two natures, Y/nâboth the human one and the animal one. These are my conditions, Y/n. If youâre up for it, weâll do this together. But if you donât agree with even one of these things, my answer will be a NO.â
You swallowed and nodded, still sitting on top of him, continuing to play with the strings of his pajama. After a while, you said, âThese conditions are perfect for me. Itâs clear that deep down, youâre a good guy!â You said this, trying to ease the tension that had built up. He gently caressed your side and, looking at you, said: âIâd like to suggest another condition. From the moment this starts⊠Iâd like for you not to be with other girls, and obviously, the same will go for me. I know it might seem trivial to you, but Iâd feel more comfortable. And when⊠well, if it ends, we could⊠yes, go back to our lives,â you said, a little embarrassed.
But in Jakeâs mind, it was already settled that this wouldnât end because you were his mate, and he would make you understand that in any way possible. You would never be with another guy except him, and the same went for him.
Were you a bad person for forgetting about your date with Soobin while crying in Jakeâs arms, finally sharing what had happened to you? Maybe⊠but at the same time, after years of silence, you had finally told someone the truth. And perhaps, thanks to Jakeâs words, his touch, and the growing realization that you might have found someone you could trust completely, you didnât feel like a bad person at all.
âIâm really sorry I didnât show up at the bakery. I woke up super late because the night before, I went to the soccer teamâs party with Jake and his friends, and Allie wouldnât leave me aloneâshe kept making me dance with her. Before I knew it, it was maybe 2 AM by the time I got home. And in the morning, when I woke up, I texted you right away,â you said, winking. Soobin, 99% convinced by your story, took a sip of the new winter recipe youâd added to the seasonal menu and nodded. But you heard him mutter under his breath: âOf course you were at Jakeâs party.â
At the sound of that name, something inside you twitched. And as if on cue, your phone lit up. You saw Jakeâs name at the top of your notifications. It wasnât news that Jake and Allie usually topped your chat list. You glanced at the message:
-> Jakeâœïžđș: Come over at 6 PM. There wonât be anyone around for a good two hours, so you can relax! Iâm heading to practice. See you later, sweetheart :)
You froze at those words. The day had arrived. Obviously, as heâd said, it wasnât about sex...it was aboutâŠÂ physically getting to know each other. Oh my God, what had you gotten yourself into? But he was the only manâbesides your dadâwho didnât make you anxious. Youâd thought and reasoned so much before asking him that question, and now the moment was here.
Two fingers snapped in front of your face, and you jumped. Soobinâs voice cut through your thoughts: âSeems like you just read a notification about a good grade or something amazing happening. Did something good happen?â he asked, looking at you. You quickly lied: âYes, the music production company Hybe wrote to me⊠they want a meeting. You know I write music, and they want to get to know me and the drafts I have on my computerâthere are over 100 of them.â
Soobinâs eyes widened. âDamn, Y/n, thatâs huge news! I know Jay works under that label too, you could ask him about itâŠâ You cut him off before he could finish, raising your hands. âI⊠please, donât tell anyone. I donât want to get contacts or opportunities because of someone else. I want them to want me, to like my lyrics and my melodies. So could you⊠not tell anyone? Only you, Allie, and my family know.â
Soobinâs ego swelled a little at the thought that you hadnât even told Jake yet. âDonât worry, my lips are sealed,â he said, miming a zipper over his mouth with his fingers. You thanked him.
Soobin wasnât a bad friend, he was funny, seemed like a calm guy, and had his head on straight. But to your defense⊠he didnât make you feel anything anymore. Or maybe youâd never really felt anything for him at all.
Your low-rise jeans hugged your legs perfectly, and your slightly snug sweater accentuated the curves you usually disliked but had started to appreciate as part of who you were. You had light makeup on, but your signature strawberry gloss never missed your lips, and your hair was softly wavy. You felt pretty, but anxiety was eating you up inside as you entered Jakeâs house using the code you knew. This time, Jake rushed down the stairs, and when he saw you dressed so nicely to spend time with him, a small smile formed on his face.
âHey, damn, sweetheartâif Iâd known youâd dress this well, I wouldâve spent a little more time on my outfit too!â he said, licking his lips slightly. You rolled your eyes, but when he offered his hand, you looked at it carefully before taking it. As he led you to his room, you felt a wave of anxiety, and Jake knew it. âY/n, I donât want to force you to do anything, okay? Before you got here, I thought maybe you could get comfortable in my clothes, and then we could listen to some music, do some LegosâIâve got a ton or we could watch a movie. Whatever helps you relax is fine with me. I know youâve never been with a hybrid before, but I can smell your scent notes, and right now, I can sense that sour, persistent note in you. So you choose what you want to do,â he said, giving you a small smile.
You lowered your head at the sight of his clothes because you knew youâd never meet another guy like Jake again. At first, you had to admit, you didnât particularly like him. But as you got to know him over the months, you realized Jake was the kind of guy every mom would want as a partner for their daughter. Yes, he often acted like a show-off, but deep down, he had a huge heart and you knew, deep down, that he was opening it up to you.
âItâs a great idea to wear your clothes. I donât even know why I dressed up so nicely. Weâre just staying in your room, so yeah, Iâll put on your stuff, and then maybe we could⊠listen to some music? And what do you think about dancing?âJakeâs eyes widened slightly, and he said in a low voice: âDancing?â You nodded, slightly amused, because you wanted to see if heâd get embarrassed. But Jake understood your gaze immediately and said: âYou said that before doing anything, we need to get to know our bodies. I donât want a dance-off, Jake. I just want some closeness between our bodies with the music, and yes⊠you can touch me, and obviously, I can touch you too,â you said. Jake noddedâif thatâs what you wanted, it was fine with him.
When you came out of his bathroom, you were wearing one of Jakeâs soccer jerseys, of course, with his number and last nam âand a simple pair of pajama pants. At that sight, something inside Jake clicked. Heâd been disappointed on game day when he hadnât seen you in his jersey, but now he thought it was a thousand times better to see you in his room, wearing his jersey, with only his eyes on you. In his hybrid nature, it was a beautiful victory.
He knew he was a little possessive by nature, but seeing you in his jersey, in his clothes, with his scentâthe beast inside him rejoiced fiercely. He couldnât wait to see you without them, at his mercy. But he had to push those thoughts away immediately. After what youâd confided in him, he wanted to give you all the time you needed. He wanted you to understand that only he could have you, desire you fiercely⊠because only he would listen to your body 100%.
You and Jake stared at the open Spotify screen on his laptop, scrolling through song options.
âWhat song could we listen to that we could both dance and sing to?â you asked, tilting your head as you read through various titles that were also in your own playlist. Jake made a small, thoughtful pout, running a finger over his chin until his eyes lit up. âHow about âDancing with Myselfâ? Itâs super rhythmic, I used to listen to it all the time with my dad. Itâs got that â80s rock beat that makes your feet, body, and head move all at once. What do you think?â
You beamed and hit play on the computer resting on his desk. Immediately, the iconic, overwhelming drum intro filled the room through the speakers. You didnât need to be told twiceâyou started swaying your hips and bouncing on the rug, following your own rhythm. Meanwhile, Jake brought a hand to his face, perhaps out of embarrassment? His wolf ears bent slightly backward, betraying a hint of shy embarrassment at seeing you so unleashedâjust for him. But at the same time, he was thrilled to see you so at ease in his company.
âCome on, Jake! Donât tell me youâre embarrassed to dance a little with me!â you laughed, your hair swaying slightly with every movement. Seeing his gaze on you, you approached himâhe was still sitting on the edge of the bed and teased him, holding up your pinky finger. âThereâs no one else here. I wonât tell anyone!â Without thinking, you grabbed his wrists with your hands and playfully but firmly urged him to stand up and dance with you.
He closed his eyes for a second, sighing to compose himself in the situation heâd gotten himself into just to make you happy and help you understand he was the right one for you. When he opened them again, he saw your contagious laughter ringing out with the music, and a resigned but incredibly sweet smile spread across his lips. He, too, began to sway his body, following your movements, which were clumsy but magnetic to him, because in that moment, it was just you.
âCome on, Jake, loosen up a bit! Whereâs the fearless campus bad boy whoâs afraid of nothing?â you teased, pulling him even closer. âWeâre just dancing and trying to⊠trust each other.â You swayed your hips, and at the mention of trust, Jake took a deep breath. He placed his large hands with extreme gentleness on your waist, moving to the rhythm of the song.
You laughed happily, and with a burst of joy, you did a little spin, gracefully slipping out of his grip and stepping a few paces toward the center of the room, perhaps on purpose, because you definitely wanted his attention and those eyes always on you.
Jake made a small, frustrated pout at being deprived of your touch and walked with feline grace to close the distance again. When he reached you, you threw your arms around his neck, stopping his advance but staying very close.
âDonât try to touch me like you already own me, Jake,â you whispered, looking him straight in the eyes with a mix of challenge and vulnerability. âTry to let go⊠and touch me like Iâm something completely new.â
At those words, Jakeâs animal nature took over for a moment. The wolf inside him growled softly, eager to grab you tightly and press you against his chest, to show you that every single cell of your body already belonged to him. But he shook off that overpowering thought with a shake of his head and muttered in a low voice: âEasy for you to say⊠when you already own my entire body, Y/n.â
Jake prayed you hadnât heard him and maybe you hadnât. So he slowly slid a hand behind your back, caressing the fabric of the jersey right where the large number 5 was printed. You let him, returning to your gentle dancing in front of him, completely wrapped in his scent. But seeing him completely lost in you, you turned your back, still following the rhythm of the music. Your body inevitably pressed against his chest, and thatâs when you clearly felt Jake losing patience with you⊠his self-control was crumbling because of you. You felt the warmth of his nose press directly against your exposed throat, inhaling your scent until it gave you shivers, while his hands tightened decisively around your waist, anchoring you to him.
As you continued to move against his warm body, Jake exhaled a trembling sigh against your skin, breathing in your sweet scent, which had finally softened and become extremely sweetâa sign that you were completely trusting him.
âDamn⊠theyâll have to make me a saint for how Iâm holding back tonight, Y/n,â he said roughly against you in a low voice. You giggled, finding his frustration incredibly adorable, especially because you knew all the girls heâd been with had thrown themselves at him without a second thought. Heâd never had to fight for anything when it came to girls. Seeing him so vulnerable sparked something in you. So you moved your hips even more against him.
But Jake, sensing his limit was almost reached, abruptly stepped back. When you turned to look at him, confused, he shook his head, his breath short and his ears lowered, trying to recover that last shred of âgood boyâ dignity he had left.
This time, you took a step forward. You walked toward him with determination as the first notes of Enrique Iglesiasâ I Like It began to fill the dimly lit room. Driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline and the desire that had been building for weeks, you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, and pulled him down forcefully, eliminating any remaining distance. You pressed your lips against his in a wet, sweet, and desperate kiss
Your lips tasted like strawberriesâa sweet, sugary flavor that revealed your obsession with the fruit. Jake was completely hypnotized by it. It was only the second time youâd kissed, but his mind instantly registered how your lips fit and locked perfectly with his, as if they were made for that exact embrace.
In the room, lit only by the glow of the computer screen, the wet sound of your mouths meeting echoed clearly, amplifying the tension that had built up between you over weeks. When you slightly parted your lips to catch your breath, Jake took the opportunity. With extreme slowness, he used the sharp tip of one of his wolf canines to gently nibble on your lower lip. A weak, excited moan escaped your throat, making both Jakeâs human and hybrid sides tremble.
âAhhâŠâ you moaned, and Jake smiled against your lips, pleased by your reaction. He moved on to gently sucking that spot while you began to sway and wiggle in his arms, pushing your hips against his body out of pure instinctâto get closer to him, to tease him in return. Not wanting to give him all the control, you slid your hands into his hair, reaching the base of his wolf ears, where you knew, from the beginning of your acquaintanceâthat ears and tails were the most sensitive parts for a hybrid. You began to caress that ultra-sensitive spot with your fingertips, and Jake let out a deep, almost growl-like moan that escaped as your lips were still just millimeters apart:
âMmh⊠Y/nâŠâ
In retaliation, this time you smiled between his lips, continuing to move your fingers over those soft, warm ears, making him shiver. Jake was restraining himself with every single cell of his body because his wolf nature was literally howling from the sensory overload of everything happening in just a few moments. His instinct screamed at him to pin your wrists above your head, to use his canines to mark your skin, and to take everything he desired. But before the beast could take over, you took two steps back, pulling him with you. You tripped over the edge of the bed, and you both tumbled together onto the soft mattress, with you lying on your back and him on top of you.
Jake quickly planted his forearms on either side of your head, using all the strength in his muscular arms to avoid crushing you with his weight. He lowered his gaze, and at that sight, he seriously thought he was a dead man. You were fuckingbeautiful lying there on his pillow, your hair messy and framing your face, your lips visibly swollen and glossy from the kisses, your cheeks flushed with excitement.
Damn. He never would have thought you, of all people, would be his mate, the human who would bring his wolf to its knees. He had to mentally admit that Jay, Heeseung, and all the other pack members had been rightâtheyâd realized from the very first moment youâd stepped through the door of their house that you were his destined mate.
Your hands trembled slightly as they continued to caress his ears. Jake, noticing that tremor and seeing how your eyes kept searching for his, asked in a rough whisper:Â âWhat do you want to do, sweetheart?â
You stayed silent for a few seconds while his eyes continued to devour your body, careful not to cross that invisible line youâd drawn after telling him what had happened to you. âCould you⊠could you, I donât know, kiss me again?â you finally murmured, looking away in embarrassment. âBut⊠not on the lips. I donât really know what to do, Jake⊠Honestly, I donât want this to be embarrassing for you.â You tried not to feel at fault in that moment, and Jake released one hand from its grip on the mattress. He passed it with infinite gentleness over your cheek, lifting your face to force you to look at him. He whispered against your lips:
âSweetheart⊠you canât make anything embarrassing with me. Itâs all in your head. Whatever we do tonight wonât be anywhere near embarrassing. You just have to tell me when you feel overwhelmed, just tell me to stop, and Iâll do it instantly⊠I promise.â You instinctively nuzzled into his warm hand, pressing your cheek against his palm, and closed your eyes.
âPlease⊠please, kiss me, Jake.â
Jake didnât need to be told twice. He leaned over you and kissed you again, but this time, it wasnât a kiss charged with urgency like the previous one. Instead, it was an incredibly slow, wet, and protective contact to make you understand that you could trust him.
Then, he slowly slid downward, and his nose pressed directly against the hollow of your neck. He inhaled deeply, your sweet scent now even more intense with your heated skin. He wondered how heâd managed to survive 23 years without noticing that scent.
âDamn, Y/nâŠâ he murmured against your skin, and those words sent shivers down your entire spine. âThis scent is driving me literally crazy. You smell like warm strawberries, something like cotton candy, and clean skin⊠I swear I could spend the whole night just breathing you in here.â
You let out a weak giggle at that declaration because you knew those words came more from his animal nature. But your laughter died in your throat when Jakeâs warm lips finally pressed against your bare skin, and the wolf began to place light, wet, slow kisses along the entire line of your neck, moving up to the base of your jaw and then back down toward your collarbone.
Small, muffled moans echoed in the room every time Jakeâs mouth moved, placing wet kisses and light, gentle bites from your neck down to your chest, just above the hem of his T-shirt. His hybrid nature clearly sensed how his wild scent was covering your skin, marking you minute by minute beneath him. Feeling his scent blend so intimately with yours sent a wave of even denser, more primal excitement through him. He never thought it would feel so incredible to have his scent anchored to his mate, and this realization drove him wild.
Your eyes were slightly closed, your fingers still weakly tangled in his hair. Everything was going incredibly wellâuntil Jake slightly pulled away from your neck and slid a hand under the hem of the T-shirt, caressing the bare skin of your stomach. Small shivers of pure pleasure bloomed on your skin as he continued to kiss you lightly and tease your throat. He asked in an incredibly sweet and rough whisper:Â âIs this okay, sweetheart? Do you like it?â
You simply nodded, but that wasnât the answer youâd agreed on to maintain control. So Jake stopped a millimeter from your lips: âWords, sweetheart⊠use those beautiful, plump lips Iâve been kissing to answer me. I want to hear your voice,â he teased. So you lifted your eyes to his and murmured: âYes⊠itâs all good, Jake. You can keep going.â
At that confirmation, a smile lit up his face, and he praised you shamelessly, making your blood rush: âThatâs how a good girl behavesâŠâ You rolled your eyes at that statement, but then his hand slid slowly lower, slipping out from under the T-shirt to gently press against the inside of your thigh. At that pressure, you swallowed hard, feeling your heart race. But you trusted Jake blindly, so as he kissed you again to distract you, you felt his hand slide under the sweatpants. He began with just one finger to brush against the thin fabric of your lace panties. But as soon as you felt even the slightest real pressure of that intimate contact, your body short-circuited. You froze instantly, stiffening like a piece of ice beneath him. You tried to speak, to say something, but your throat tightened as if blocked by a thread pulling tightâone of the things that had happened to you on that damn night.
Jake, whose hybrid senses were tuned to every millisecond of your reactions, immediately noticed the drastic change in your heartbeat and the tension in your muscles. He stopped instantly, pulling his hand back. As he lifted his gaze to you, he whispered your name: âY/nâŠ?â
You didnât answer, but he saw how your wide, fixed eyes on the ceiling were beginning to fill with silent panic, making you feel vulnerable in front of him. Without a hint of hesitation, Jake completely moved away from you, shifting to the side to free you from his weight. âHey, hey⊠little one, nothingâs happening. Look at me, itâs all okay,â he said in an incredibly gentle voice, opening his arms. You slowly sat up and immediately took refuge in his arms.
You hugged him as if he were your living shield, hiding your face in the hollow of his warm neck, breathing in his scent to at least ease all the bad thoughts resurfacing in your mind. For the second time in just a few days, you whispered against his skin, barely holding back tears of frustration: âSee, Jake⊠I⊠Iâm broken. I trust you, I really do⊠but I just canât do it. And thatâs the worst part⊠feeling like this.â
His large hands began to gently caress your back, tracing circles over your T-shirt to calm you. But inside him, the wolf was growling furiously because he had a mad desire to find whoever had hurt you in the past and punch them, leave them to rot somewhere. But his human, rational side took over because he knew he had to handle the situation with extreme delicacy.
After a few moments of silence, he caressed your hair and asked, with a slightly embarrassed but extremely serious tone: âWhen youâre alone⊠do you feel safe giving yourself pleasure? Or is it a situation that blocks you, whether youâre alone or with other people?â
You slightly widened your eyes, still with your chin resting on his shoulder, because the question caught you completely off guard. It was the kind of question your therapist asked, not a guy youâd known for only a few months. But you answered: âSometimes⊠I feel safe alone, but other times, no,â you said in a low voice. Jake pulled back just enough to look at your face. âSo, when youâre alone and feel safe⊠can you give yourself pleasure, or not?â
You lifted your chin slightly, feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment at the conversation because you didnât understand where he was going with this. âAre⊠are you asking if I can masturbate, Jake?â
Jake chuckled, and you saw his cheeks redden as he shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. âDamn, sweetheart⊠you asked me to have sex with you a few days ago. I donât think youâd be scandalized if I ask if you can give yourself pleasure! I just want to understand,â he said, trying to be the most serious guy in the world at that moment. You looked away and said: âYes⊠I can give myself pleasure, butâŠâ
You couldnât finish the sentence, but Jake answered right away, anticipating the truth: âYou can give yourself pleasure, but you canât come, right? You block yourself at the last moment, right?â You nodded slowly, lowering your head. A deep, calm silence fell over the room, interrupted only by the sound of light rain beginning to patter against the window. Suddenly, you saw Jake get up from the bed.
A shiver of terror ran down your spine because you feared he wanted to end things there, that he was tired of your blocks and complexities, that you had to hurry up and figure it out on your own or with a good therapist: âWhere are you going?â you asked in a thin voice. But Jake wasnât running away. You watched him walk to the desk, grab the swivel chair, and place it against the desk. The distance wasnât much, but at the same time, you felt alone sitting on that bed. You watched him sit down right in front of you, and you didnât understand what he wanted to do.
âYou can give yourself pleasure, but at the same time, you canât reach orgasm. And itâs all in your head, Y/n. Itâs a matter of trustâin yourself, but also in the other person whoâs there with you in that moment,â he explained calmly. Then, with a slightly cheeky smile, the corners of his lips curled upâone of those smiles youâd started to recognize right away, and you didnât know whether to trust it.
âSo⊠hereâs my idea: why donât we pleasure ourselves together, but each on our own?â
You widened your eyes, struck by the proposal because youâd never thought of anything like that. âYou try to make yourself come by yourself, touching yourself the way you usually do when youâre alone in your safe space⊠and Iâll try to make myself come by myself, but right here in front of you. Itâll be a test of total mutual trust, Y/n. Weâll both be vulnerable, both exposed, but without either of us touching the other or forcing anything. Weâll just watch each other. What do you think?â
You opened your mouth to protest, but no words came out for a full minute. Jakeâs proposal had never crossed your mind in all these years it was definitely too intimate for two people who werenât even officially together, yet it was also incredibly mature.
âY/n? Are you there?â he asked as you tortured your lips, biting them. You looked at him carefully, searching his eyes for any trace of irony. âYouâre not teasing me, are you, Jake?â you whispered. He shook his head decisively. âIâve never been more serious in my life, Y/n.â
âIt could work⊠I usually donât do things like this...actually, Iâve never seen anyone masturbate in front of me,â you admitted, your cheeks literally burning. After all, youâd never even watched porn, so you had no idea what to expect.
âBut I think we could try, like you saidâitâll be a test of self-trust. Youâll see me vulnerable, but Iâll also see you exposed, âinertâ in a way⊠and I think itâll be an important step for when, one day, we have sex for real,â you said, convincing yourself that it was a good idea to see each other vulnerable. Jake nodded, and with a crooked, amused smile, he commented: âSee? Iâm not so bad⊠I told you I was smart, Y/n!â
You rolled your eyes but hinted at a smile: âDonât count your chickens just yet, Jake. Letâs see if it works first,â you said as you both stared at each other for a moment. You felt the tension in the room start to rise again, and you bit your lip, embarrassed, asking: âWho⊠who takes their clothes off first?â
Jake shrugged with total nonchalance at your question and said: âIâll go first. Iâve got nothing to hide⊠quite the opposite,â he teased. You closed your eyes slightly until you saw him stand up. With a fluid movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Without that fabric covering him, you couldnât help but count the ridges of his abs, sculpted and defined, four perfect muscular hills on his toned stomach until your gaze fell on the obvious V-line that descended symmetrically, disappearing into the waistband of his Calvin Klein boxers.
His arms, though not excessively massive, were marked by bulging veins that stood out under his skin, giving him an incredibly athletic appearance. Deep down, you understood why everyone said Jake was gorgeous, and you literally felt your mouth water as you watched him lazily grab the strings of his sweatpants. Jake noticed immediately how your eyes were practically worshipping him with a hint of mischief. He shot you a complicit look, feeling his hybrid nature rejoice with pleasure. âCan I take off my pants and boxers too, sweetheart?â he asked, and you murmured: âYesâŠâ
With a smirk on his face, he let his sweatpants slide down, revealing his muscular, athletic thighs. But it was when he completely dropped his boxers that your eyes widened, and a shiver ran down your spine. Jake had no issues with his bodyâin fact, he was extremely comfortable in his own skin. At the sight of his erect member slapping against his lower abs, you nearly lost your breath. Youâd never seen anything like it before: it wasnât excessively long, but it was incrediblythick, hard, marked by prominent veins, and already covered in a slight pearly sheen on the tip. You realized it was seriously wild and not entirely human.
Seeing you so captivated and curious, Jake enjoyed the show of your wide eyes and loved seeing you open-mouthed for him. âDo you like what you see, sweetheart?â he asked with a cheeky tone. You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to lift your gaze to his face so you wouldnât get too distracted by all that perfection just a few meters away. You desperately wanted to touch him, but you knew that first, you had to trust him completely.
âWow⊠besides being beautiful on the inside, I have to admit youâre beautiful on the outside too, Jake. But you already know thatâeveryone tells you so,â you said.
He made a small, disappointed pout, as if that compliment wasnât exclusive enough for him. To tease you, he took a slow step toward you, wrapping his hand around his shaft and moving it just slightly with a single, slow slide of skin just to show you how responsive he was to your gaze.
âThey might say that to me, but I only care if you like it,â he whispered in a rough voice. Then, with a nod of his chin toward your clothes, he concluded: âBut enough talking⊠Your turn, Y/n. Take your clothes off.â
At that commandâwhich couldâve been interpreted in a way far different from how you saw itâJake couldnât wait to discover the beauty of your body, judging by the way he was looking at you. You felt your cheeks literally burn, and a sudden heat dyed your face a deep red, which he found adorable.
âIâll⊠Iâll obviously take off my pants and the shirt, but Iâd like to keep the bra on, if thatâs okay with you,â you said in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of his objection. But Jake looked at you with his hands trembling slightly along his sides, betraying the immense effort he was making not to pounce on you and touch you, smell you.
âDo whatever makes you feel most comfortable, Y/n,â he replied in an incredibly gentle tone, though his tail couldnât stay still for a second. His nose picked up every scent of yours, ranging from sweetness to something teasing due to your anxiety. âThereâs absolutely no problem for me. Take all the time you need.â
Reassured by his words, you nodded. You werenât sure what to take off first, feeling his eyes on you, not missing a single millimeter of your movements. You wanted to scream at him to close his eyes or turn away, but sooner or later, Jake would see you naked. So you slightly rose from the mattress, and with somewhat uncertain, maybe awkwardânot entirely sexyâgestures, you let the sweatpants slide down your legs.
At the sight of your toned thighs and fair skin, Jake visibly swallowed, clenching his fists against his hips. When his eyes caught the purple lace trim of your panties peeking out from under the hem of his oversized T-shirt, a mix between a moan and a sigh escaped his lips, which heâd been torturing with his teeth. He wanted to touch you in that exact momentâit was a damn devastating temptation, the idea of getting up from the chair and crawling back onto the bed to trap you beneath him. But he forced himself to stay still because he didnât want to ruin anything, especially seeing how your hands were trembling.
After minutes of staring at each other, you took a deep breath and murmured: âOkay⊠Iâm taking off your shirt now.â
Jake nodded slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from your body. âDo it, sweetheart. Youâre so damn beautiful⊠donât be afraid to let me look at you. I bet thereâs a body to worship under there, not one to hide from my eyes,â he said in a low voice. Those words gave you courage, and you crossed your arms, lifting the fabric over your head. In the exact moment you stood in front of him wearing only a damn purple Victoriaâs Secret set, decorated with small embroidered flowers that framed your body like you were a work of art on a canvas, the hybrid inside him lost his mind completely.
Jake let out a low growl that came entirely from his animal instinctâa purely wild sound. It was the very first time youâd heard him growl like that, so wild and primal. That sound made your entire body tremble, but not out of fearârather, it was a mix of physical and mental connection between you. Youâd discovered that hybrids both purr and growl: they purr in acts of pure docility with their mate, while growls can serve as a warning of danger, a sign not to touch their mate or their pack, or in a sense of pure excitement. And thatâs what Jake was feeling in that moment: he was growling at the sight of the bliss of your body just a few meters away from him, but he couldnât even brush you with a finger.
His eyes widened at that sound because you hadnât expected it, and Jake couldnât stop staring at you, open-mouthed, devouring your body with his hungry eyes. He studied carefully how the curve of your breasts seemed to try to escape from the bra cups, pushed upward. Heâd always known you had an abundant chest, but at that sight, his mindâwhich was currently running on purely animal and instinctive tracksâwas flooded with dark, possessive thoughts. He thought about how much he wanted to grab that soft flesh in his hands, how he wanted to suck on those warm nipples until you screamed his name. He even thought about how beautiful it would be to see them swollen and full of milk, watching it gush out as he filled you with his seed to bring your pups to life.
He shook his head to chase away those intense fantasies, running a hand over his mouth before complimenting you in that typical hybrid tone of hisâshameless and lewd: âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre a fucking work of art. That purple against your fair skin is driving me crazy. I knew you had perfect breasts, and I swear, if I werenât confined to this chair, Iâd have already consumed your skin with bites and kisses.â He said this while biting his lips, which were almost bleeding from how much heâd been nibbling on them in the last few minutes.
You sat back down on the edge of the bed with your legs curled up, trying to calm your racing heart. Now that you were both almost completely naked, you had to start what youâd agreed to do.
At those words, you swallowed hard and closed your eyes for a moment. Youâd never done anything like this before, and you wanted the earth to swallow you whole. But when you opened your eyes again, Jake was there, watching you intently. âYou donât have to be afraid right now, Y/n. Itâs just you and me. Slide your panties aside gently if you donât want to take them all the way off. Let me see how wet you are⊠I can smell it from here, youâre already soaked.â
Your cheeks burned at his words. With trembling hands, you slid your fingers toward your panties, already feeling the heat of your arousal. You pulled the edge down just enough to reveal your lips to Jake. At the sight, he groaned, and you instinctively closed your eyes but that wasnât what he wanted.
âOpen your eyes, sweetheart,â he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. âItâs not just me who gets to watch you pleasure yourself. You need to watch too.â
You obeyed, and what you saw took your breath away: his hands wrapped around his shaft, moving up and down in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The tip, flushed and glistening, grew thicker with every stroke, and a bead of pre-cum slid down the length. You crossed your legs, the desire burning inside you. âPlease, Jake⊠Please talk to me. I feel⊠lost,â you mumbled, your eyes fixed on him.
Jake sighed, his patience stretched thin. âSlide your panties all the way down your legs,â he ordered, his voice a contained growl. âUse your middle finger on your clit and start rubbing. But donât you dare close your eyes.â
You sighed in response and did as he said. Your panties slid off, and you shifted slightly higher on the bed, spreading your legs under his hungry gaze. Jake cursed under his breathâthe sight of you naked and ready to touch yourself without needing his command pushed him to the edge. It was as if, little by little, you were starting to understand the situation youâd gotten yourselves into⊠and that you could trust the man in front of you.
Jake watched as your trembling finger found your clit, already swollen and sensitive. âIs this okay?â you asked softly. He nodded, his dark eyes filled with desire. âRub. Slowly. Let me hear you moan.â
And so you did. Your clit was already hypersensitive, and the touch of your fingers made you let out a small moan. Little by little, you felt more at ease, more daring. âDonât stroke your cock so much, Jake⊠or youâll come first,â you stammered, your lips parted, your breath ragged. âI⊠I want to come with you.â
Jakeâs eyes widened at your confession, but he nodded. You saw his abs clench as he slowed his rhythm, rubbing his cock slowly in the grip of his hand. It was an incredible sight, youâd never imagined how exciting it could be to see a guy like him, just sitting there, watching you, while at the same time pleasuring himself just to make you feel at ease.
He realized that without his guidance, you wouldnât dare go further. And at the sight of your naked body at his mercy, he could have come at any moment like an inexperienced teenager. But that was exactly what you did to himâyou made him weak, and that both frustrated and reassured him, confirming that you were his mate. He adjusted himself on the chair, spreading his thighs, and said in a rough voice: âSweetheart, your clit is swollen and ready. Now, with your eyes on me, try sliding a finger inside you. Any finger is fine, as long as it goes into those beautiful lips of yours. Let me see⊠let me hear your sounds, little one. Otherwise⊠I wonât last much longer.â
At his confession, you bit your lip. This was the hardest part: letting go without thoughts, without fears. But the sight of Jake, his honesty, his vulnerability, pushed you to want to give yourself pleasure⊠and to give him something deeply intimate. You spread your legs a little wider, took a deep breath, and slid a finger between your wet folds. The intrusion was a new sensation, different from the solitary games you played under the covers. You moaned, surprised by the pleasure coursing through you, both mentally and physically.
The wet sound of your finger moving in and out of you made Jake groan your name. You felt completely at ease under his gaze, which never left you for a second. You saw how his cock grew thicker and thicker, how droplets of fluid escaped with every movement.
âKeep going⊠keep going like that, little one,â he urged, his voice a growl. âYouâre doing so well. Now that youâre nice and stretched, try sliding another finger in. And at the same time, rub your clit. That way, youâll come soon⊠and Iâll come with you.â
As Jake had instructed, you slid another finger inside yourself. A deep, throaty moan escaped your lips, and his name spilled out like a broken sigh: âJaaakeâŠâ The way you said it was desperate, sweet, and rawâlike he was the only lifeline in a sea of overwhelming sensations. At the sound of his name, Jake cursed under his breath, a guttural âFuckâŠâ rumbling from his chest as he watched you completely lost in pleasure. He couldnât hold back anymore. His arm muscles tensed as he began stroking himself harder, his fist gliding up and down his thick, throbbing shaft.
The room was thick with the sounds of your muffled moans and ragged breaths. It echoed with the wet, rhythmic sounds of your fingers pumping in and out of you, the creak of the chair beneath Jake amplifying every tiny noise. The scent was intoxicatingâmusky, sweet, and sharp all at once. Jakeâs heightened hybrid senses picked up on how your fragrance grew richer with every passing minute, a heady blend of strawberry, arousal, and a hint of sweat. âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre so fucking sexy,â he growled, his voice rough and low, his eyes glued to you as he watched you writhe, pleasure coiling tighter inside you. âLook at how wet you are⊠how perfect you look.â
You closed your eyes, and with your free hand, you clutched Jakeâs blanket, gripping it tightly between your fingers. Your voice trembled as you stammered, âJake⊠itâs too muchâŠâ
He paused for a moment, his hand still wrapped around his cock, and asked with a mix of concern and desire, âWhatâs too much, sweetheart?â
You moaned, breathless, and confessed, âEverything⊠itâs all too much⊠and I⊠I want to come.â
At those words, Jake smiledâa hungry, satisfied grin. âYou will in a few minutes, trust me. Now, tease your clit more and let go. But open those fucking eyes and watch what youâre doing to me,â he commanded, his voice a contained growl.
Embarrassed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, you obeyed. You opened your eyes and saw Jake barely holding back, his muscles taut, his breath ragged. With a whisper, you dared to say to him, âLet goâŠâ
His eyes darkened slightly at your boldness, as if he hadnât expected you to take control. But he didnât say a word. Deep down, that small act of defiance only turned him on even more.
Your walls began to tighten around your fingers, and your clit throbbed with pleasure as small, breathy moans escaped your lips. âI⊠Iâm about to come,â you whispered, your eyes half-lidded and glistening. At the sight of you so lost in pleasure, Jake gripped his shaft tighter and pumped harder, his voice rough as he urged, âCome on, sweetheart⊠let me see you come.â
You cried out, pleasure crashing over you like a wave. A few moments later, shivers raced through your body. You clenched the sheets of his bed tightly, your fingers still pumping and teasing your clit as your orgasm tore through you first. At the sight, Jakeâs abs clenched, and with a groan of your name, he came too. Thin streams of white cum spilled from the tip of his cock, and he moaned in pleasure at the release. But honestly, he didnât care much about his own climax. His eyes were locked on youâsprawled out on his bed, your stomach rising and falling rapidly with each ragged breath, your lips parted in a perfect O, your hair wild, and your legs trembling.
Jake slowly stood up, wiping away the remnants of his release before pulling his boxers back on. At the sight of you lying there, relaxed and half-lidded, he asked, âCan I⊠can I come closer to you, little one?â
You opened your eyes and tried to sit up slightly, but the sticky wetness began to seep out of you, and you moaned at the sensation. At the sight, Jakeâs smile returned, and he said, âSee? I told you I could make you come without even touching you, sweetheart.â
You let out a weak, breathless giggle, still trembling from the last waves of pleasure. You watched Jake stretch his arm toward the nightstand to grab a tissue, then lean toward you on the bed with a naturalness and care that left you breathless. You felt his large, warm hands settle firmly but gently on your thigh to keep you still, and then he cleaned you slowly, with no rush or malice in his gaze, treating you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. Your eyes never left his, not even for a millisecond, captivated by the sweetness in his expression.
When he finished and tossed the tissue into the trash can beside the bed, you shyly tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear, your cheeks still warm from everything that had just happened. Seeing you so timid, Jake leaned toward you again, offering you the T-shirt youâd taken off earlier. He knew perfectly well that youâd just taken giant steps, having been half-naked and vulnerable in front of him, and he didnât want to ruin the magic of the moment by rushing things.
âLift your arms, sweetheart,â he said softly, and you did as he asked. He slid his oversized T-shirt down over your body, dressing you completely. As soon as the fabric covered you, moved by an impulse of gratitude and affection, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him forcefully toward you to kiss him.
Jake hadnât expected you to kiss him of your own free will at all. Heâd expected that, once the moment had passed, you might tease him or hide under the covers. Instead, you leaned forward and gently pulled his lower lip between your teeth, trapping it between your lips almost as a victory for everything that had happened.
Jake groaned against your lips a mix of a surprised grunt and a deep, pleasure-filled moan that vibrated in the back of his throatâas he instinctively placed his large hands on your hips to steady both of you on the mattress. Your mouths sought each other with a new urgency every time you had to pull apart to catch your breath. When you timidly slid your tongue against his, tasting him, you felt Jake smile against your mouth.
âFuck, Y/n⊠youâre really driving me crazy tonight,â he whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from you. Heâd become a full-on clingy boy with you. After a few seconds, Jake slowly pulled back to give you space, and you looked at him with infinite sweetness. âThank you, Jake,â you said.
He smiled almost timidly, for the first time since youâd known himâand opened his arms on the bed in a silent invitation to hug you again. You didnât need to be told twice. You nestled against his massive chest, inhaling his reassuring scent of pine, and pressed your head into the warm hollow of his neck.
Jake pulled you close, wrapping you completely in his strong, protective body. For long minutes, you both stayed there, still and embraced in the silence of the room, lulled only by the sound of your heartbeats slowly returning to normal and the patter of rain against the roof of the house. Eventually, you pulled back slightly from his chest and lifted your chin to look at him.
Jake was there, watching you from above, his ears relaxed and his gaze attentive. In that moment, he would have given anything for the ability to read your mind and know exactly what was going through that little head of yours.
Suddenly, though, he noticed your eyes growing glossy, filling with tears ready to spill down your cheeks. Jakeâs heart literally skipped a beat, and his face painted an expression of pure panic, he thought he might have done or said something wrong.
âHey, hey⊠little one, no, donât cry!â he exclaimed, gently squeezing your shoulders. âDid I⊠was I too rough? Did I do or say something you didnât like? I swear, I just wanted to...â
Before he could finish, you pressed a finger directly to his lips to silence him, cutting off the stream of anxious apologies.
âYou⊠you made me realize that I need to talk to people, Jake. But most of all, you taught me that, after a while, I need to start tearing down my own protective walls⊠and thatâs exactly what I managed to do tonight with you,â you said, looking him straight in the eyes. âI really donât know how to thank you. Youâve been so patient with me, you never backed down from anything, and youâve respected me from the very first moment I walked into this house. So⊠no, donât be sad. These tears are just pure joy,â you concluded, weakly giggling as you wiped your face with the edge of his T-shirt sleeve.
Jake sighed deeply, feeling a knot of tension finally dissolve in his chest. A small smile formed on his lips as he lifted his hands to caress your face, using his thumbs with infinite gentleness to wipe away the last tears wetting your cheeks.
For days, since youâd confessed you wanted to have sex with him and shared everything that had happened to you, heâd feared he was too overbearing, too abrupt, or simply âwrongâ for a sensitive girl like you. But in that moment, lulled by your strawberry scent, now free of any trace of fear, Jake finally felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âI only did what any guy worthy of being by your side would have done, Y/n,â he murmured softly and sincerely, looking at you with a tenderness he rarely showed outside the walls of that room. He was only ever this sweet with his family and his pack⊠not even with his teammates, with whom he spent hours training, had he ever been this honest in his life. But you shook your head, pressing your cheek against his warm palm.
âNo other guy would have done thisâŠâ you said quietly, meeting his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassment creep back in but determined not to lose that beautiful harmony, you continued with a clearly shy but resolute tone: âNow⊠yes, for next time, Iâd like things to be less planned. Iâd like them to flow more naturally between us. When they happen, theyâll happen⊠though, obviously, I expect it to happen again as soon as possible!â You said this while playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt, hoping heâd understand what you meant.
Jakeâs eyes widened slightly, surprised by that sudden burst of boldness, and he burst into laughter as he watched you make yourself smaller. At the sight, he gently pinched your side, knowing you were ticklish, and said: âDamn⊠Whereâs the shy, reserved girl who struggled to even look me in the eye gone? Donât tell me Iâve created a creature whoâs greedy for my touch, or that now you canât do without me?â
You laughed heartily when his fingers started lightly tickling your sides, making you curl up against him on the mattress. To defend yourself, you rolled your eyes dramatically and teased him, playfully tapping his muscular chest:Â âOh, please, Sim! Donât get a big head. Youâre the âgolden boyâ of the team, the âfrat boyâ everyone dreams aboutâI think that guy disappeared a while ago thanks to me. So before you talk, think about how you canât stop finding excuses to touch me!âYou laughed as Jake intensified the tickling.
Without stopping his smile, he leaned over you, pressed his soft lips to your forehead, and then moved up through your hair, leaving a reassuring kiss on you. When he pulled back slightly, his eyes shone with a hopeful light, finally making you understand that you could trust him.
âWill you stay tonight, Y/n?â he asked this time, stopping his teasing. You made a thoughtful pout and then slowly nodded, pulling him back to you by the shoulders, welcoming him into your embrace again.
But that happy ending hadnât yet provided the right answers: What were you and Jake? How would he balance university, your constant presence in his routine, and being the captain of the soccer team, which was under the spotlight of scouts looking for the best striker for their teams? How would he balance his human nature with his hybrid one, with you getting closer and closer to him? And how would he get through his first heat as a hybrid, knowing you were his mate and that he wanted you for himself forever?
hey, I wanted to split this story into 2 parts, I know there's a lot of slow born and I didn't think so but I think it's better this way, now I will always post a story that connects with this one featuring one of the members (try to guess who!!) to thank you for the 3k.
For part 2 I think it will be released in August but I'm already writing it so always keep yourself on your toes, I hope you enjoyed it:)
*pairing: pervy wolf hybrid Jake x human student girl
*trope: popular playboy x nerdy girl-tutoring
*inspiration: off campus book 1
*synopsis: Jake only had one problem: History. He's always been good at any subject, especially since balancing being the captain of the football team and studying engineering is no walk in the park, but his lack of history could compromise everything, and when he saw a girl holding the text with the word 100 written on it, he realized that you could be his only chance of getting through that damned subject.
But what would it sweat if tutor sessions began to become moments where he could be himself, where you began to open up after a long time to a person and discover that jake wasn't as much of a womanizer and you weren't as broken as you thought you were?
*tags: Jake is a playboy at first but after a while you arouse his curiosity, Y/n at first is skeptical of letting Jake into her life, Y/n suffered violence in high school (I won't write anything about this act also because my stories have to be a fun) many kisses, Jake is a wolf hybrid and little by little he will become territorial but also clingy with Y/n, Y/n thinks she's broken but Jake will trust her both intimately and physically, visual masturbation, protected sex, unprotected sex (dont' horny ppl) knotting, jealousy, possession, sucking to claim Y/n, declaration, +18, little bit angst, pet names (jakey) (baby, sweetheart)
banner by: @eightnyn *wc: 37k
The Contemporary History classroom was packed with students, and Jake was there, neither at the front nor at the back, but right in the middle, where he could observe everyone.
His knee wouldnât stop bouncing with anxiety, his wolf ears were perked up, and his tail, just like his knee, twitched with every breath he took and youâre probably wondering: ears and a tail? Well, yesâhe was a hybrid, specifically a wolf hybrid. For decades now, humans had shared everything with hybrids: from everyday jobs to school lessons, from apartments to entire neighborhoods where humans and hybrids lived side by side without resistance. Mixed couples were even trendy by nowâno, more than trendy, they were fully accepted in society, especially in big cities. You could see them everywhere: in malls, restaurants, or parks, with hybrid children, kids with rabbit ears or fox tails playing alongside human ones and that sight warmed Jakeâs heart more than anything, because hybrids had endured so much racial discrimination and persecution but finally, things were changing, and he had played a small part in that revolution.
In that classroom, humans were still the majority, but that was normal, especially at the university, where hybrids like him had only been admitted a few years earlier. Jake, however, was an exception: about a year ago, heâd been elected captain of the soccer team, the first hybrid to ever hold that position. Thanks to him, the number of hybrids in both recreational and competitive sports had risen. One of his best friends, Heeseung a hamster hybrid had even followed in his footsteps and become captain of the basketball team.
But back to the present: Jake was in that half-anxious state because the professor was handing back the history exams. Letâs just say that, as an engineering student, he didnât care much for the subjectâespecially since it was just an elective. But it carried a lot of credits, and the reason he disliked it was simple: his engineerâs mind thrived on logic, formulas, structural calculations, and precise physical dynamics things with no room for interpretation. History, with all its dates, nuanced socio-political contexts, and long texts to memorize, just felt like a waste of time to him⊠even if he did find the revolutions between humans and hybrids fascinating.
Still, he needed to pass all his classes to stay captain of the university team and to catch the attention of scouts from the big professional leagues, who didnât tolerate academic slippage. He had to be the perfect student and the perfect player. So when the professor approached his desk, her expression was almost apologetic, as if she knew the potential of the young man in front of her. Jake did have excellent grades in every subject⊠except hers.
The test paper slid across the wooden desk, and at the topâcircled in red marker (a color that, unfortunately for him, was not in his pendant) was a glaring 45 out of 100 and to make matters worse, it wasnât even close to passing.
The professor peered at him over her glasses and said, âJake, I hope for your sake that next time you at least manage a basic passing grade. Otherwise, Iâll have to report this to Coach, and we all know how strict Coach Smith is about academic performance.â
He nodded, and his tail suddenly stopped moving, drooping down and tucking itself under the chair. He nearly slumped over his desk, staring at that disastrous grade. His right hand fidgeted nervously through his soft hair, right at the base of his tense ears, as if trying to ease the tension. He sighed heavily, racking his brain for solutions but there were none. All his closest friends were in different majors, and if he didnât find a fix fast, his soccer dream would be over before it even began.
Unbeknownst to him, just a few rows away sat a girl twirling her pen, completely unbothered about her history test grade. She watched the professor intently as she moved between the desks, papers in hand.
Suddenly, you felt a sharp elbow nudge from your best friend. âStop staring at the professor!â Allie hissed. âShe probably saved your test for last, one of the first three sheâs handing out just so she can praise you in front of everyone. We all know youâre the biggest nerd in here.â
You rolled your eyes, exasperated but amused, as Allie sat there sipping her fruit smoothie her latest attempt at this âfructarianâ diet, while her own test, a modest but honest 70, lay forgotten beside her. With absolute nonchalance, she scrolled through an online sexy shop store, browsing through undeniably sexy sets at prices that would make any other girlâs wallet tremble...but not hers.
âStop looking at your phone,â you whispered back, giving her a light shove. âIf the professor saw you scrolling through a sex shop right now, sheâd have a heart attack. I bet she doesnât even know the difference between a thong and a Brazilian.â
Allie let out a snort, nearly spitting her drink all over the guy in front of her. She slammed her phone down on the desk just in time, because the professor finally stopped in front of you, her face breaking into a full, thirty-two-tooth grin.
âY/n, Iâm not even surprised anymore,â she said. âBut you know I struggle to give out perfect scores. Still, this last test of yours on the Cold War and the geopolitical dynamics of the Soviet bloc⊠itâs simply flawless. The knowledge youâve shown, the historical interpretations, even the extra research you included on the Cuban Missile Crisis...itâs all perfect. Iâm so proud to have you in my class. Itâs a shame youâre not majoring in history, because if you were, youâd be unstoppable.â
You smiled, thinking about how everyone had always told you to study history or political science but your love for music was stronger. âWell, itâs my job to study, get good grades, and give it my all especially in history, since you know itâs one of my favorite subjects,â you said shyly, feeling the eyes of half the class turn toward you.
Then the paper slid onto your desk, revealing a bold, perfect 100 in red ink. Allie, ever the dramatic one, blurted out way too loudly: âHoly shit, you actually got a 100?! We studied together the whole time...how the hell did I only get a 70? Okay, Iâm not complaining, but damn, Y/n!â She stared at you, eyes wide, lower lip jutting out like a wounded puppy. You shrugged, suddenly self-conscious under all the attention, and tried to cover the test with your hands but Allie was fasterâshe snatched it right out from under you, held it up to her face, and before you could protest, sheâd already pulled out her phone, snapped a crystal-clear photo of the red 100, and sent it to your friend group chat, roasting you for being such a nerd.
Your phone buzzed nonstop with the incoming messages from your friends, all teasing you affectionately. Meanwhile, a few rows back, a pair of wolf ears suddenly perked up, drawn by the noise and the word â100.â Who the hell had gotten a 100? It was practically impossible in an elective class. His amber eyes locked onto your back, and in that moment, he realized heâd just found his only lifeline to passing Contemporary History.
Jake couldnât look away. Not even when the bell rang, signaling freedom. His mind was consumed by a single thought:Â He had never seen anyone get a perfect score in his entire university career and when he saw you stand up, followed by the blonde girl he assumed was your best friend, his instincts flared to life. The wolf in him, the one that drove him to chase, to track down what was vital for his survival (or in this case, his scholarship) awoke with a jolt. Because letâs be real: in his life, there was only room for one thing:Â Soccer
And at the thought, a surge of adrenaline shot down his spine, making his ears snap forward and his tail muscles twitch back to life, swinging wildly with excitement at the idea of meeting you.
He shot to his feet, shoving his notebook haphazardly into his bag without even zipping it shut. Weaving through the maze of wooden desks, he spotted you stepping into the universityâs main atrium. Jake quickened his pace, using his athleteâs stride, until he was just a few steps behind you, right in the middle of the chaos: students switching classes, others heading to the campus bars.
âHey, Chloe!â he called out, loud enough to be heard, throwing out a random name heâd picked up somewhere in the classroom. The truth was, he had no idea what your name actually was and, honestly, heâd never seen you at one of his famous Friday night parties, nor cheering from the stands during league matches. That fact unsettled him a little⊠but it also piqued his curiosity.
Of course, you didnât turn around, because, obviously, your name wasnât Chloe. You just kept walking and talking to Allie. But Jake wasnât about to give up. He took two quick steps forward and tried again, this time stretching out a hand to intercept you.Â
âHey, Chloe! Iâm talking to you!â he said, a little louder this time.
Finally, you spun around. And that was the moment Jake saw you up close for the first time, no filters, no distance of desks between you. A lightning-fast thought shot through his mind: Damn. Not only is she a terrifyingly smart nerd, but sheâs also ridiculously cute. He took in your eyes, framed by a faint shadow of annoyance, as they swept over him from head to toe, far from impressed by the figure smiling at you.
âYou mean me?â you asked, pointing at your chest with one finger, while Allie stopped beside you, staring at him in confusion.
âYeah, you,â Jake confirmed.
You rolled your eyes. âWell, for starters, my name is Y/n. Not Chloe⊠you werenât even close.â You looked at him bluntly, and at those words, Jakeâs wolf ears drooped slightly, flattening against his soft hair in embarrassment. Before he could apologize or come up with one of his usual ready-made excuses, a sharp, ironic voice cut in from beside you.
âJake Sim is seriously talking to Y/n? Whatâs this, did you come here to ask for more signatures to sponsor your precious soccer team? Or were you sent by your little basketball buddy, Heeseung, to do his dirty work? Because if youâre here for charity signatures, weâre not interested. The universityâs already cutting tons of funding from both the theater and music majors because of you and your best friend,â Allie said, her expression dripping with disdain.
Jakeâs head snapped toward the blonde, annoyed by the intrusion but forcing himself to keep his cool. âNo,â he replied, straightening up and turning back to you, locking his eyes onto yours. âIâm here because I need to talk to Y/n. About something important.â
At his direct statement, you instinctively crossed your arms over your chest, pressing them tightly as if creating an invisible shield between you and him, a gesture born from deep insecurity and the trauma you still carried inside. The sudden movement didnât go unnoticed by the hybrid in front of you.
Jake distinctly felt your heartbeat speed up. At the same time, his nose picked up the sudden shift in your scent: the clean aroma of your skin was abruptly overpowered by a sharp, acidic trail, the unmistakable feromone signature of discomfort, mixed with a warm, suffocating note of pure embarrassment. The unwanted attention and physical proximity of an alpha male, especially one like him, had triggered it.
He ran a hand through his brown hair, furrowing his brow deeply as he studied your reaction with a mix of perplexity and concern. His wolf side picked up on your distress like an alarm signal. Why does my mere presence make her feel so threatened or uncomfortable? He wondered. Usually, girls fell over themselves to get a word or a glance from him.
Left alone with him in the atrium, you immediately took two steps back, putting more distance between you and Jake. You shifted your weight from one foot to the other, clutching your books against your chest, and fixed your gaze on him.
âSo, Jake Sim, youâve got two minutes. Tell me what you want.â
Jake studied you carefully, analyzing every tiny movement. His tail gave a slight, excited wag from side to side at finally having your attention, but he stopped it instantly, not wanting to reveal even that small loss of composure. He cleared his throat and said:
âYeah, well⊠sorry for calling you Chloe. I just didnât remember your name.â
You merely responded with a sharp nod, and Jake realized he needed to get to the point before time ran out. So, he decided to pull out the big guns: he unleashed his full Playboy charm, squaring his muscular shoulders and tilting his head slightly to the side with a crooked, magnetic smile. Along with his posture, his hybrid nature did the restâwithout realizing it, he released a subtle but intense trail of reassuring pheromones into the air around you. A warm, clean scent filled the space, a mix of citrus and something salty, blended with his natural hybrid scent. It was the kind of biological chemistry wolves used to charm people, lower their defenses, and make them instinctively feel safe and drawn to them, but he didnât yet know that with you, it would be extremely difficult.
âI saw you got a 100 on that test earlier, and first of all, congratulations. Seriously⊠not everyone can pull off a score like that in an elective class,â he said, taking an almost imperceptible step closer to you. âAnd second⊠I was wondering if youâd be willing to tutor me. I know a lot of people do it for academic credits, but I figure youâve probably got enough of those already, if you scored a 100, youâre probably acing all your major classes. Or maybe for money? So I was wondering if youâd give me private lessons. I desperately need to pass Contemporary History. Especially since itâs an extra-curricular subject for me, and itâs worth double the structural credits. If I donât pass⊠Iâm screwed.â He finished with a crooked little smile, but you didnât take the bait.
The trauma youâd experienced in high school had made you completely immune to the shameless charm of popular guys, and your mind rigidly resisted even his wolf pheromones, pushing them away like a self-defense mechanism. You looked at him with no emotion at all. âThanks for the compliment on my grade, but no. I donât tutor anyone. And as youâve already figured out, Iâve got all the credits I need, and even if weâre talking about money, which, sure, every student could useâIâve got a ton of studying for my own classes. Plus, Iâm in the university choir, and that takes up a lot of time because Iâm studying music.â You said all this while keeping your gaze lowered, almost avoiding his face, focused instead on the colorful bookmarks invading your notes. This total indifference deeply unsettled him.
Jake was used to humans hanging on his every word, to girls who would pay just to spend an hour alone with the team captain. Being rejected like this without so much as a glance wounded his alpha male pride and confused him. Sensing that you might not even like his presence, he took a step back, furrowing his brow, and blurted out in one breath:
âIs it because Iâm a hybrid that you donât want to tutor me? Or because you think that, as the soccer team captain, Iâm just another shallow idiot who canât balance engineering studies with training?â
At those words, your eyes widened, struck by how suddenly vulnerable and frustrated his voice sounded as he looked at you. You responded with a flurry of gestures: âNo, no! Itâs not that at all!â you exclaimed sincerely. âEven if a human had asked me, I wouldâve said no, Jake. Iâm really sorry⊠especially because I know balancing engineering studies and being the soccer team captain comes with a lot of pressure ut if you check the bulletin board in the atrium or the universityâs official forum, in the history section, I bet youâll find a tutor way better than meâŠIâŠIâve got to go now, yeah, Iâm meeting Allie.â
You said this with slightly flushed cheeks, still not looking him in the face, and began walking quickly down the hallway, almost hunching your shoulders as if afraid he might follow you or reach out to stop you. His fully matured wolf instincts immediately picked up on something strange in your sudden flight. His nose caught that your scent was no longer just annoyed; now it carried a clear trail of fear, and maybe even something vulnerable, and Jake didnât understand why.
They called him the golden boy of campus for a reason, no one had ever run away from him before. In fact, it was usually the opposite. He stood frozen, watching you disappear into the faculty crowd, his ears perked up, his mind racing at a hundred miles an hour. Your terrified reaction intrigued him, drove him wild. Because Jake Sim, when he wanted something, always got it and his wolf side had just decided that you, sooner or later, would be his tutor, no matter the cost and maybe, over time, something more than just a tutor. But that was something youâd both discover laterâŠÂ certainly not today.
The university campusâs main bar was nearly closing by that time, but you still had another half-hour left before your afternoon shift behind the counter ended. To pass the time and get ahead on your assignments, youâd set your laptop directly on the counter, trying to focus on your next project, studying music. You needed to dive deep into the acoustic composition of sounds and the various instrumental timbres to create balanced arrangements, ensuring the sound was perfect. Your dream was to become a singer, but youâd also love to work as a songwriter or composer. Your hearing was hyper-developed, and youâd already received requests from music agencies.
However, at that moment, music theory was the last thing on your mind. Your eyes kept wandering from the screen, drawn to the brightest corner of the bar, where Soobin was sitting. He was a Communication Sciences student specializing in Digital Media, and he played on the campus basketball team. Letâs just say you had a slight crush on him. Your head was lazily resting in the palm of your left hand, while your right hand sipped through a straw on a refreshing seasonal drink youâd made for yourself. You couldnât help but admire how incredibly cute Soobin was: he was tall, over 185 cm which was probably why he was on the basketball team, you thought as you took in his lean, athletic build. His hair fell messily across his forehead, giving him a constantly sweet, approachable vibe and then, suddenly, his infectious laughter echoed through the bar, and an involuntary little pout formed on your face when you saw his famous dimples appear on his cheeks, giving him an irresistible puppy-like aura.
Seriously? Soobin?â Jakeâs bright, ironic voice cut through the air. âWhatâs so charming about that guy? Heâs always half-clumsy and doesnât even know which way a door swings unless heâs on a basketball court.â
At those words, your drink nearly went down the wrong pipe. When you straightened up, there he was, Jake, standing right in front of you. His worn-out soccer bag was slung over one shoulder, his dark hair still slightly damp from his post-training shower, and that usual smirk of his that always got under your skin. Caught red-handed, you blushed furiously and stammered:
âSoobin? I...I have no idea who youâre talking about!â You pointed at yourself, then frantically looked around to divert attention, but Jake just flashed that crooked grin of his, his eyes sparkling with pure amusement.
âOh, come on! I could help you get to know him, you know? And especially get noticed. Did you know he plays on the same team as my best friend Heeseung? He comes to almost all our weekend parties.â He turned to glance at Soobin, and you shot him a dirty look.
âHard pass. Now⊠what drink or food would you like to order, Jake?â As you said it, your fingers pressed a little too hard on the barâs computer keyboard.
âEasy: tutoring from you in history to pass the next two exams,â he said with nonchalance.
You stared at him, exasperated, and let out a long sigh. âYou really donât like hearing âno,â do you?â
At that, his wolf tail, which was peeking out from under his sports hoodie gave a slight, rhythmic wag. You didnât know much about hybrid anatomy or behavior, but to Jake, that involuntary movement meant one very clear thing: he was incredibly stimulated by your resistance toward him. It was almost like a challenge, and it excited him to no end. Jake loved competition, and right now, you were a very compelling one.
âMmm, I knew you were a sharp girl, sweetheart,â he said with total nonchalance. Your cheeks burned, and you stammered, âSweetheart?!â
He chuckled, thoroughly amused. âWell, yeah, itâs a cute nickname. Though, to be honest, thereâs not much âsweetâ about you right now.â He gifted you one of his perfect smiles.
âTell me what you want to drink or eat, or just leave,â you said sharply, crossing your arms over your chest, annoyed by the way his eyes had briefly flicked to the neckline of your shirt. Jake raised his hands in mock surrender, still grinning.
âFine, fine. A hot caramel macchiato and a slice of Black Forest cake. Youâll bring it to my table, right? Especially since⊠Iâve decided Iâll go sit right across from Soobin.â He pointed at the guy youâd been admiring earlier. With that, he tapped his phone on the card reader, paying with a quick beep, leaving you standing there, stunned and speechless. You muttered a low curse under your breath: âI hope the cake chokes him.â
You watched as Jake sat down with absolute ease right at Soobinâs table, and you huffed in frustration. But before you could do anything, the two guys exchanged a quick, athletic handshakeâa sign of brotherhood among teammates. You knew Jake could help you get closer to Soobin, who smiled at him. A moment later, Jake turned his head slightly toward the counter, catching your gaze, and shot you a smug, triumphant grin.
In just five minutes, Jakeâs order was ready. With the tray clutched in your slightly trembling hands, you walked toward the table where Jake and Soobin were sitting. Trying to keep your voice as professional and detached as possible, you said:
âHey, guys. Hereâs the Blackforest cake and the caramel macchiato.â You set the plate and cup down in front of Jake, who watched you intently. âThanks, Y/n,â he said.
You hoped to turn on your heel and flee as quickly as possible, but Jake, of course, spoke up immediately to keep you there, so Soobin would notice you and remember your name.
âSoobin, this is Y/n. Weâre in the same Contemporary History class, and sheâs a total genius. She scored a terrifying 100 on the last test,â Jake said, addressing not just Soobin but also the other basketball players sitting around the table, who proceeded to compliment you. Soobinâs eyes widened, clearly impressed, and he looked at you with that gentle, heart-melting way of his. âYou seriously got a 100 in that extracurricular class? Wow⊠whatâs your major? You know, Iâve been struggling with those geohistory exams too. We could study together sometime, you could give me some pointers, and weâd help each other out,â he said with a shy smile.
Your cheeks instantly turned a deep burgundy, embarrassed by the unexpected compliment from the guy you liked. You just managed a timid smile and a nod.
Jake, observing the scene with the precision of a predator, knew full well that Soobin had taken the bait. With total nonchalance, he interrupted the moment before Soobin could elaborate, speaking in a tone that was falsely apologetic but incredibly possessive:
âSoobin, I hate to disappoint you, but sheâs already taken. You know Iâm a disaster in history, and the team desperately needs me to be up to date with all my classes for the championship⊠so Iâve already asked Y/n to give me private tutoring. I couldnât possibly pass up an opportunity like having the best tutor around.â He looked at you with that crooked grin of his, and you shot him a furious glare, clenching your fist so tightly against your apron that your knuckles turned white.
âI study music⊠but if youâre having trouble, Soobin, I could still find time to...â
But Soobin shook his hands and cut you off with a sincere smile. âNo, no, donât waste your precious time on me! I only play basketball for fun, to help the team. Iâll never be a professional athlete like Heeseung or Jake. You absolutely should tutor Jake. Guys, if he doesnât have all his classes in order, the federation will exclude him from the university championship and right now, there are scouts from the national leagues watching him...theyâre carefully evaluating whether his public and academic image is perfect before offering him a contract in a higher soccer league.â
At those words, you furrowed your brow, and your eyes widened slightly. You knew Jake was good at soccer, he was the captain, after all but you hadnât realized how serious the situation was. There were actually professional scouts involved, and his entire future depended on those damn history tests?
Jake, as he nibbled on his slice of cake, savoring his victory, doubled down: âSee, Y/n? Even Soobinâs asking you. I seriously need your help. And remember⊠if you ever wanted to ask me for anything in return, or needed some special help with someone, Iâd be more than happy to return the favor.â As he said this, he gave you a knowing wink, subtly nodding his chin toward Soobin. You rolled your eyes, was he blackmailing you under the guise of helping?
âIs your tail always moving like that?â You pointed at it with one finger.
Jakeâs mouth fell open in embarrassment, completely caught off guard, no one had ever asked him something so direct before, especially not a girl calling him out on an uncontrollable reflex tied to his hybrid nature. He sighed, running a hand through his hair. âLetâs just say my tail and generally, the tails of hybrids who have them reflects our emotions. We canât control it. Itâs an involuntary reflex of our nervous system,â he explained, trying to relax.
You looked at him, curious. âAnd what emotion are you feeling right now, Jake? We literally just left a bar and are walking toward campus. I donât think youâre feeling some great emotion⊠especially not in my company,â you muttered under your breath, almost to yourself but his wolf ears picked up every single word, even the way youâd said it. Jake furrowed his brow but decided not to make a big deal out of the fact that heâd heard. He looked you straight in the eyes and said:
âAnxiety? Anxiety over your verdict. Sorry if Iâm being pushy, but history is literally the only subject Iâm bad at, and youâre my last hope⊠I already checked the university forums like you suggested, but no one has your grades, and honestly, none of them inspire much confidence. So my tailâs wagging like this because Iâm anxious to know if youâve changed your mind. Is that okay?â
You sighed deeply, clutching your books to your chest, and stayed silent for a few steps as you walked along the campus paths lit by streetlamps. You thought it over, weighing the importance of his future and the veiled blackmail about Soobin, until you finally said:
âI decide when and where the tutoring sessions happen. Obviously, weâll have to work around our academic schedules. And I donât want to be messed around: if you want to pass history, you actually have to commit. No excuses...neither about soccer nor anything else and I want you to be honest if you donât understand something. In addition to our sessions, you need to study on your own at home. Iâm not doing all the work for you. Just like in soccer, you have to put in the effort in this subject too.â
You said it all in one breath, setting down ironclad rules to protect your boundaries. Jakeâs eyes widened, his ears snapping straight up in surprise. âWait⊠does this mean⊠youâll tutor me for the next few months?â he asked. This time, his tail moved differently, and you wondered if it meant he was happy.
You nodded resignedly, bringing a hand to your face. âI just hope itâs worth it⊠and that I donât lose my patience with you by the first session,â you muttered.
At your confirmation, Jake, overwhelmed with relief and happiness, completely lost control of his human inhibitions. Without realizing it, he lunged forward and pulled you into a tight hug. He pressed you against his broad, warm chest, wrapping you completely in his strong, athletic arms. You froze, stiff as a block of ice, and your heart skipped a beat from the sudden physical contact.
Why was he hugging you? God, you hated physical contact, especially with people you didnât know or trust. The memory of what youâd gone through in high school came rushing back like a slap. Your hands began to tremble slightly against your books, and you couldnât bring yourself to place them on Jakeâs back to reciprocate. You stayed motionless, breathless.
Jake, being a hybrid, immediately noticed how rigid you were in his arms. His body sensed your instant stiffness, but it was your scent that changed in a millisecond under his hyper-developed nose. The sweet, clean strawberry scent of your skin was literally overpowered by an intense, acidic trail, the unmistakable signature of negative emotions: primal panic, terror, and shock. It was the scent of someone who felt attacked, not just surprised by a hug. His wolf instinct, which never failed when it came to deciphering pheromones, picked up on that internal danger signal. It forced him to pull away from you immediately. Seeing you silent, your hands shaking, your expression blank, and your eyes wide and empty, Jake felt a pang of guilt, he was afraid heâd crossed a line with you.
Oh God, Iâm sorry⊠I⊠I didnât mean to,â he said, slightly embarrassed, running a hand through his hair and messing it up nervously as he saw you still standing completely stiff in front of him.
âI⊠I really like physical contact when Iâm happy or relieved. Itâs a hybrid thing...we tend to be pack-oriented⊠I didnât mean to scare you,â he said, gesturing with his hands. You swallowed hard, trying to regain control of your breathing, and gave a weak nod. âYeah⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids, but please⊠just donât do it again with me, okay? No hugs.â You shifted even farther away from him.
Seeing how shaken you still were, he nodded seriously, his ears lowering in a sign of submission and respect toward you. âOkay, okay, no hugs. Iâll message you on Instagram later, alright? So we can exchange numbers and set up our first lesson.â
You nodded one last time with a quick motion and hurried toward your apartment, desperate only to close the door behind you and sink into a long, hot bath.
Jake stood frozen on the path, watching your figure disappear into the dim light. His ears were tense, motionless, and his tail was completely still. His predator and protective wolf instincts took over everything else because that drastic and terrifying shift in your scent wasnât normal for a girl your age. As he furrowed his brow, the wolf inside him had just caught the scent of a painful secret you were trying to hide.
What are you hiding thatâs so serious, sweetheart? he muttered under his breath. Who reduced you to this?
Without realizing it, Jakeâs instinct had just vowed that he would uncover the truth and whoever had hurt you would be gone, long before you even saw it coming.
You had arranged everything with Jake down to the last detail in your messages: the library, west wing, at 4:00 PM sharp. He had replied with a thumbs-up, promising heâd be there. But now it was nearly 4:15, and there was still no sign of him. Curious, youâd even checked the official team schedule to see if he had practice but Monday was marked as a full rest day for the soccer players.
That excuse, then, couldnât possibly justify his lateness. You sat there, nervously tapping your pen against the table, your laptop open to your notes and the heavy Contemporary History textbook splayed open to the chapter on World War I. You glanced around every three seconds, but there was still no trace of Jake. Finally, you huffed in frustration, running a hand through your hair.
âWhat the hell⊠why did I agree to this?â you muttered under your breath and just at that moment, you heard the study room door swing open with a little too much force. There he was: Jake, zigzagging hastily between the empty tables, his gym bag slung over one shoulder. His dark hair bounced against his forehead with every quick step, and his fluffy wolf ears swayed with the movement. When he finally reached you and leaned over the table to set down his bag, your senses immediately picked up on something that made you stiffen. Beyond his usual wild, warm scent, the air was filled with an unmistakably sweet, almost floral note...a girlâs perfume that was definitely not yours.
âDonât tell me youâre 23 minutes late because you were hooking up with some girl,â you said, staring him straight in the eyes with a look that could have killed him. At those words, you watched his wolf ears drop instantly, flattening completely against the sides of his head in a clear sign of surrender and submission. Even his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie, dropped abruptly and went still between his legs. You caught a glimpse of his cheeks turning a deep red with embarrassment. His hybrid sense of smell must have already told him you were furious, and Jake swallowed hard, he knew heâd been caught red-handed.
âI...I⊠no, not a girl! Itâs just⊠the elevator in the guysâ dorm got stuck, I swear! And, um, there just happened to be a girl in there with me⊠thatâs why I smell like thisâŠâ he said, giving you his best puppy-dog eyesâbut he knew instantly it wouldnât work on you.
âI wasnât born yesterday, Jake, and I know perfectly well you donât have practice today,â you said, crossing your arms firmly over your chest. âI saw in the universityâs official vlog that soccer players rest on Mondays. So why do you have your soccer bag?â
Backed into a corner, Jake tried to play it cool to lighten the mood, smirking as he curled his lips into that usual crooked smile that drove girls wild. âOh, so youâve been stalking me? I didnât know you were already this interested in my routine, sweetheart.â
Your eyes widened, stunned by his audacity. You seriously wanted to slap him, but the only thing stopping you was the fact that you were in a public place.
âI havenât been stalking you! I just wanted to know if you were late for a valid reason, like soccer. But apparently, thatâs not the case,â you said, pointing with a sharp flick of your pen at his hair, which was far too disheveled to be the result of just running down a hallway.
He rolled his eyes slightly, then lowered his voice and stretched his hands across the table toward you. âCome on, Y/n, Iâm sorry⊠I lost track of time, okay? It wonât happen again, I promise. Now letâs sit down and open the books. Iâm all yours for the next few hours,â he said, winking at you. But you stopped him immediately, you were really angry, and even though your voice was a whisper to avoid getting kicked out of the library, your tone was unmistakably sharp.
âNo, Jake. Listen carefully. This is exactly why I didnât want to tutor anyone, especially not someone like you. You have zero respect for the time someone else is giving you, sacrificing their own studies to help you. If your absolute priority on this campus is to play the playboy, show up late to every lesson, and take my help for granted, then know this: this will be the first and last session we ever have. Consider this goodbye. You can say hello to failing that test, losing your captainâs armband, and kissing goodbye to every professional league scout watching you! I donât waste my time on people who wonât commit to something they asked me for. I donât recall chasing you down, begging to tutor you!â
For the first time in a long time, Jake felt corneredânot just by the harshness of your words, but by the fact that you werenât like all the other girls who fell at his feet. For the first time, the team captain had found someone who wasnât willing to let him off the hook for anything. Deep down, he knew he had to step up, and perhaps, beneath the surface, he felt the need to get his act together.
âIâm sorry, Y/n. From now on, Iâll always be on time. I promise,â he said seriously, extending his pinky finger to make a childish âpinky promiseâ in an attempt to lighten the mood. You studied his expression carefully to see if he was sincere, then said:
âIâll let it slide this time, but itâs the last warning, Jake.â
Then you looked at his outstretched finger, and though reluctant, you wrapped your pinky around his. In that brief moment when your skin touched, you both felt something an adrenaline rush that stole your breath, while for Jake, it was yet another confirmation that his wolf side responded intensely to your presence. Deep down, he found himself wanting more.
âToday, weâll start with the triggering causes of World War I and the European alliances of 1914. First, youâll read the text on your own, and Iâll do the same. Then, Iâve prepared five questions here that will help you summarize the entire first chapter about ten pages, to help you understand it better.â
Jake nodded, carefully looking over the first chapter.
âGo ahead and read the chapter first, and if you donât understand something, just ask. Iâm here to help,â you said gently this time. You noticed his tail swaying slightly from side to side under the table, this time with slow, lifted movements.
âGot it, Professor!â he said, saluting like a captain. You sighed, shaking your head, it was maddening how he could act like such a kid.
So, you both began silently reading the first chapter. Thanks to your study habits, you finished in just ten minutes. When you looked up, you expected Jake to be done too, but you realized he was only halfway through the fifth page. You tried your best to look away so as not to stare and make him self-conscious, but Jake had that kind of magnetism anyone within his radius was almost forced to look at him and he was truly handsome, even that day, dressed in just a loose, dark hoodie and comfortable cargo jeans.
His face perfectly embodied the proud aura of a wolf: thick, black hair that created a stunning contrast with his soft, slightly dark gray ears, which occasionally twitched or moved at the slightest sounds in the library. His eyes still had a hint of puppy-like charm, framed by long, dark lashes, a large, pronounced nose that suited his facial features divinely, and slightly full but not overly so lips.
And then there were his hands: truly beautiful, large, and well-kept. Your eyes lingered a little too long on the prominent veins on the back of his hands, a testament to the physical strain of his training, adorned with several silver rings.
As you watched him, you saw Jake make a small pout that you found incredibly cute. He sighed heavily, running a hand through his hair to mess it up nervously.
âStruggling?â you asked softly, and he didnât even look up from the page, answering almost defeatedly: âA little.â
You asked if heâd underlined anything in the book, and he shook his head. âItâs really hard⊠mostly, I struggle to remember all these names of ministers, archdukes, and tsars, and which territories belong to each one,â he sighed. Moved by a sudden wave of understanding, you said something without even realizing it: âYou could use colors as a visual aid, or associate historical dates with the jersey numbers of famous soccer players you know.â
At those words, Jake suddenly looked up, surprised and intrigued. âYouâre telling me to try memorizing historical dates using soccer jersey numbers?â
âYes, and you could also use a different color for each era or nation, so it sticks better in your mind. You can mentally link it to a team. Soccer teams all have different jersey colors, right? The German Empire could be the black jersey, Russia the red one, and so onâŠâ you said, picking up the highlighters. His eyes widened slightly, and a genuine smile lit up his face.
âWow⊠I never thought of that. In engineering, we never use colors, but it actually makes perfect sense for a subject like history!â
At that point, he started asking you a series of general questions to better understand how to apply the trick: he asked for explanations about the year of the Triple Alliance, the assassination of Archduke Franz Ferdinand, and how the European balance had collapsed. You listened, and finally told him:
âAlright, now try to answer at least two of the five questions I prepared for you. But before you write, you need to highlight the parts of the text you find truly important, using the colors we decided on.â
After an hour and a half, youâd covered two chapters, and Jake seemed fully absorbed in his studiesâthanks both to your help and your company. Heâd finally found a rhythm with your color and soccer association method. Then you glanced at the time on your phone screen and sighed loudly. Jake immediately looked up, his ears perking up curiously.
âEverything okay?â
You nodded, starting to gather your things. When he saw you stand up, something inside him snapped he wanted to stay with you, but he didnât understand why.
âYeah, sorry, but I have to go to work. I wouldâve stayed here studying a little longer, but not all of us have a scholarship secured thanks to soccer!â you said, slipping your laptop into your bag. Jake stretched in his chair, the muscles in his shoulders tensing under his loose hoodie, and curled his lips into a smirk.
âWas that a dig at me or at athletes in general?â he asked, pointing at himself. You shrugged. âTake it however you want.â
But Jake wasnât the type to back down easily, and he loved having the last word. So he leaned forward on the table, looking at you intently: âSpoiler: I donât have an athletic scholarship, sweetheart!â
You stared at him with wide eyes, freezing with your bag strap halfway over your shoulder, and stammered, clearly shockedâit was extremely impossible. âH-Howâs that possible? Youâre the team captainâŠâ
He rocked slightly in his chair, and even from there, you could tell that despite being 23, he still acted like a kid. âI was just too good at both sports and school, even back in high school. I didnât need an athletic scholarship, I got in on my grades,â he said smugly. Your mouth snapped shut, and you sighed, running a hand over your face, almost embarrassed.
You chuckled, amused by his excess of self-confidence, and gestured with your hands to tone it down. âDonât be such a know-it-all egotist, Jake! But⊠take it as a personal challenge⊠who knows, maybe not for the next test, itâs too soonbut for the one after that, you might even beat me⊠if you start liking the subject,â you said, openly teasing him with a challenging smile youâd never given any other guy before. Jake lightly bit his lower lip and muttered under his breath: âChallenge accepted, sweetheart.â
You said goodbye with a quick wave and turned, walking briskly to exit the west wing of the library and rush to the bar for your shift, your heart beating suspiciously fast.
As you walked away, Jakeâs hybrid instincts were literally rejoicing inside him. Under the table, his tail began to wag frantically, and his ears stretched forward to catch the sound of your footsteps. His wolf instinct was celebrating a double victory: not only had he managed to get you to give in and tutor him, but heâd just discovered that behind your cold, defensive armor, there was a girl capable of challenging him and holding her own with wit and that drove him wild. But what made him gloat the most was the scent youâd left in the air when you said goodbye: your smell of fear had faded, replaced by something sweeter and he couldnât wait for the next lesson.
You and Jake had been studying together for two weeks now, and you would NEVER have imagined that, deep down, he wasnât actually so bad. Sure, he was still a living jester...no lesson passed without him trying to tease you but there was one thing that had really stuck with you, something that had made your heart flutter more than once: he strictly respected physical distance. After that hug heâd given you, and after sensing how cold youâd been in returning it, Jake had never tried to touch you or get too close again. Heâd limited himself to verbal provocations and to you, that meant a lot, because for so many guys, the word "no" simply didnât exist in their vocabulary.
That morning, though, heâd sent you a WhatsApp message that had left you a little taken aback, though you understood why. The campus had erupted in chaos after the soccer team won an away game, and heâd asked if you could come to hisplace to study insteadâheâd gotten back late last night and was completely wrecked.
At first, youâd been pretty reluctant, but heâd quickly reassured you, saying you wouldnât be alone because there were six other people in the house, and at least one of his roommates would be there. So youâd agreed and now here you were, standing in front of⊠a house? No, this looked more like a villa. You thought you mustâve gotten the address wrong, but when you stepped closer to the intercom, you read the names of the seven guys who lived there: Heeseung, Jay, Jake, Sunghoon, Sunoo, Jungwon, Ni-ki.
So you rang the bell, expecting Jake to answer immediately, but instead, a stunning guy with chiseled features and an incredibly charming vibe opened the door. You immediately noticed his dark ears and sleek, glossy tail: he was a black cat hybrid.
âYouâre Y/n, right? Come in, Jakeâs upstairs,â he said with a smile. You nodded, but before you could even respond, you heard heavy footsteps coming down the stairs, a tall guy with brown hair and slightly almond-shaped eyesâunmistakable black panther earsâpeered into the hallway.
You thought this place was less of a student house and more of a model recruitment center...
The panther hybrid looked at you and pouted like a child, sighing:  âOh, no⊠I was hoping my takeout had arrived.â You smiled timidly, a little intimidated by his size, but the pantherâs eyes widened as soon as he met your gaze. Pointing at you, he said: âOh my God, wait! Are you the famous Y/n? Jakeâs tutor? Damn, lately he hasnât stopped talking about....â
But before Ni-ki could finish, all three of you heard Jakeâs loud voice call out:Â âNi-ki!â
Like a bolt of lightning, Jake appeared at the top of the stairs and slid down the steps, stretching out a hand to yank Ni-kiâs shirt sleeve and silence him instantly. Ni-ki just laughed, completely unfazed, and said:Â âOh, hyung! Youâre here too, with us at home!â
Jake really wanted to strangle him, but he loved his little brother too much. When you finally looked up at Jake, you noticed he was dressed extremely comfortably: gray sweatpants, an oversized university T-shirt, his dark hair still damp from the shower, and a white towel draped over his shoulders, giving him a cozy, domestic vibe and at the same time, he looked at you and gave you a genuine smile, saying:
âHey, Y/n. Donât mind this bunch of lunatics. Follow me, weâll study in my room so itâs quieter.â
But the second he said those words, you froze on the spot. Your mind went into overdrive:
His room? Alone?
Your brain short-circuited, and you stood completely still on the doormat, clutching your books to your chest like a protective shield. You did not want to go into a room alone...especially not with a guy.
Both Jay (the black cat hybrid) and Ni-ki turned to look at you strangely, since all three of them were predator hybrids, their senses instantly picked up on the drastic shift in the air, as well as the sudden change in your clean scent, which had just been overpowered by a sharp trail of embarrassment mixed with a strong, clear note of defensive fear and panic.
Hybrids had incredibly strong olfactory instincts, and Jake froze on the spot. His smile vanished, replaced by something he didnât often feel or see. But with you, heâd smelled that scent before: the first time heâd spoken to you, and again when heâd hugged you. With an incredibly gentle and reassuring tone, he said:
âWeâll keep the bedroom door wide open, okay, Y/n? If that makes you feel more comfortable and you two⊠no nonsense from now on, got it?â He directed this mostly at Ni-ki, who rolled his eyes, while Jay, understanding the situation, gave a serious nod and walked toward the kitchen: âDonât worry, Iâll go make a snack.â
Jake looked at you again, giving you a soft nod to invite you to follow him up the stairs. Before you moved, you took one last look at Ni-ki and Jay, who returned your gaze with warm, welcoming smiles. You let out a small sigh of reliefâthose guys didnât seem dangerous at all⊠in fact, they seemed really nice and Jake⊠Jake was proving to be far more attentive and protective than youâd ever wanted to admit to yourself.
When you stepped into Jakeâs room, you were immediately enveloped by a mix of warm, inviting scents: the fresh aroma of pine-scented body wash heâd just used, a rich note of cedarwood, and that signature musky scent unique to his hybrid natureâwhich, over time, had begun to make you feel strangely safe.
Your eyes landed on the center of the room, where a large, slightly unmade king-sized bed sat with its gray sheets tangled. Nearby, a desk was buried under stacks of calculation sheets and heavy structural engineering manuals. The shelves, on the other hand, were packed with frames, photos of Jake as a child, and you smiled at the sight of him with his wolf ears still too big for his head. There were pictures of him hugging the other six hybrids from the house, all grinning with mud-streaked jerseys, and beside the photos stood rows of gleaming trophies and medals. Your eyes widened, and you let out a quiet whistle at the sight of so many merit certificates for math Olympiads.
 âWow⊠I knew you were good, but not this good,â you said, picking up a certificate with his name printed in gold letters. Jake shrugged, but you noticed the smirk tugging at his lips, his ears perking up with pride he knew he was smart, and damn good at what he did.
âI told you I wasnât bad. Historyâs just my one weak spot,â he said.
You nodded, setting the frame down. When you saw him move toward the bed and stretch out comfortably on his stomach, with history notes scattered in front of him, you couldnât help but comment:Â âYou know, normal people study sitting in a chair, facing a desk.â
But he just waved a hand dismissively, burying his face in the pillow for a second. âOverrated. If I can stretch out on my bed and study, why not?â Jake lifted his head to look at you, and in that moment, your scent: a delicate blend of fresh strawberries, cream, and a clean trail of vanilla filled the room, mingling perfectly with his hybrid scent. Jake went still for a second, breathing deeply, his expression shifting into something he didnât let show. That scent⊠itâs heavenly, he thought before he could stop himself. Then he shook his head slightly, unsettled by the spontaneous thought.
Heavenly? Damn, Jake, what the hell are you saying? Itâs⊠itâs just a nice smell, thatâs all⊠focus.
Oblivious to his thoughts, you took the desk chair, turned it around, and sat sideways, balancing your notes on your knees. âOverrated or not, this is how Iâm used to studying. If you want to stay there, fine, but I donât want to find you snoring in five minutes,â you said with a half-smile. Jake chuckled, and you saw his tail, peeking out from under his hoodie thumping eagerly against the mattress, a clear sign he genuinely enjoyed your company.
âFirst of all, I donât snore. Second, Iâve never fallen asleep during a study session and I bet that soon, even youâll end up sitting on this bed⊠itâs amazing, sweetheart. Memory foam with built-in massage tech, you know, as a soccer player, I need the best for my body,â he said, shifting slightly onto his side, teasing you with a mischievous grin and a wink. âEveryone who tries it wants to come back to sleep in it⊠thereâs plenty of space⊠and Iâm an excellent human heating pad, you know as a wolf hybrid, my body heat is way higher than yours. Perfect if you get cold in the winter!â he added with another wink.
You wanted to smack him with the history book for his audacity, but instead, you just blushed and shot him a glare. âStop talking nonsense and letâs start studying. Weâve got the first exam on Friday, and if you fail, I fail as a tutor.â
You and Jake had been studying for over two hours, and in that time, Jay had brought you delicious snacks to the room, and youâd even met Sunghoon, another one of the roommates. Youâd already heard about him on campus: he was the famous captain of the hockey team, and he, too, was a hybrid, specifically a snow fox, as well as one of the most popular athletes at the university. He also worked as a model for brands like Adidas, and everyone talked about him.
After the intense review session, you stood up for a moment to stretch your back and arms. Your eyes kept wandering around Jakeâs room, and he watched you carefully from the bed, noticing the tension in your body. âCome on, Y/n, I bet your back is killing you from sitting on that wooden chair. Just sit with me on the bed for five minutes, I promise Iâll keep my hands to myself,â he said.
To prove his intentions, he laced his fingers behind his back, looking up at you with a sweet, slightly reluctant smile. Knowing how wary you were, you finally gave in and sat on the edge of his bed. You immediately felt how incredibly soft it was.
Jake patted the large, dark fabric headboard, inviting you to get comfortable. So you settled in, half-sitting with your back resting against it, while he stayed stretched out beside you, his laptop and a pile of notes in front of him as he continued underlining according to your schemes.
After a little while, the exhaustion from the previous days caught up with you, and you yawned widely. Jake lifted his gaze from the papers. âAre you tired, sweetness?â
âA little,â you admitted, tilting your head back. He stretched slightly, letting out a sigh. Then, before you could predict it but driven irresistibly by his hybrid nature, which, in moments of tiredness or when wanting to make someone feel safe, instinctively sought contact with its âpackâ to share warmth and relax, Jake turned onto his side and, with complete naturalness, rested his head on the upper part of your legs, using them as a soft pillow.
Your eyes widened because his face was so close to your stomach. You immediately felt the impressive warmth of his body against your skin through your jeans just like that time heâd hugged you. He radiated an almost feverish heat, typical of wolf hybrids. From this close position, you could perfectly see how long and dark his lashes were, how his ears had partially lowered backward and deep inside, you felt a sudden, almost uncontrollable urge to reach out and touch them, they looked so soft and fluffy at the same time, and you wanted to know if they felt like a normal dogâs or catâs.
Jakeâs body relaxed completely against you, and you, having no idea what to do and with your heart beating a mile a minute, said his name softly: âJakeâŠâ
He just let out a low murmur, keeping his eyes half-closed because he liked feeling your body against hisâuntil you spoke.
âWhy did you rest your head on my legs?â you asked, slightly curious. He gave a light shrug against your thigh.
âI know you hate sudden physical contact⊠and Iâm not squeezing or openly touching you with my hands, so you can see I donât want to hurt you. You can trust me. Itâs just for support,â he said as his eyes opened fully, and two amber pools looked up at you, smiling. As your head tilted toward him, in that moment of absolute closeness, Jakeâs sharp sense of smell picked up on something that left him breathless: your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly intensified in the air, growing sweeter. There was no trace of the acidic note of fear, nor the detachment of embarrassmentâbecause you were starting to trust him.
Without even realizing it, you lifted a trembling hand, and your fingers barely brushed one of his fluffy ears, right where the fur transitioned from light gray to the super-dark shade at the tip.
You froze instantly at that sound, blushing all the way to the tips of your ears, and stammered:
âJ-Jake⊠God, Iâm sorry! Did I hurt you? I didnât mean to⊠I didnât know...â But Jake burst into genuine laughter, and you caught a glimpse of his dimples, thinking he looked damn cute.
âNo, donât worry, you didnât hurt me, sweetness,â he said, slowly reopening his eyes. âItâs totally normal that I growled. I told you the other day, both our ears and tails are the most sensitive parts of our hybrid bodies. If theyâre touched the right way, they stimulate a huge amount of pleasure, even strong excitement inside us⊠itâs just a biological reflex. We canât help it.â He said this almost shyly, and at those words, you immediately pulled your hand away from his ears but Jake immediately pouted in protest, letting out a small, annoyed whine his sense of smell had instantly noticed the loss of your skinâs warmth. He looked up at you with an almost pleading expression.
âCan I take your hand, Y/n?â
You stared at him as you leaned over him, and though hesitant, you offered him your hand. Jake, however, was incredibly gentle. He didnât interlace his fingers with yours but instead wrapped his large, warm fingers around your wrist, guiding your arm upward until your hand rested again at the base of his gray ears.
âWe hybrids are very sensitive to both smells and touch,â he explained, watching you carefully. âAnd if someone becomes part of our circle, our life⊠well, we quickly become much more insistent with physical contact. Letâs just say we have an almost physical need for it. Thatâs why I stretched out with my head on your legs. My wolf just wanted to be close to you.âHe said this without realizing it, but he didnât say things like that to just anyone⊠in fact, he hoped you wouldnât fully understand what he was implying. For your part, you just nodded.
âI⊠well, I donât know much about hybrids. Iâve always attended all-human schools before university, so this is the first time Iâve been in close contact with one of you.â
Jake studied your reactions from below, sensing that you were relaxed, and said: âWell, there are many first times in life, and this is a new first for you. Donât be shy about touching me, sweetness⊠I can sense it, your scent, your instinct, they tell me you want to.â
You rolled your eyes, trying to hide your embarrassment at being caught, and said:Â âSometimes it bothers me, this thing. You sense and understand things through smells that we humans will never be able to comprehend.â
He chuckled but didnât move, and when he felt your fingersânow moving with more confidenceâbegin to stroke the base of his ears again, Jake let out a long sigh of pure relief and closed his eyes. He felt so relaxed in that moment, a feeling he hadnât experienced in years. Only his mom and grandmother could calm him with just a touch. He felt how his body was vibrating with total submission to your touch, but he quickly shook that thought from his mind. You smiled because you liked the idea of being able to relax someone as energetic and hyperactive as him. With the tips of your fingers, you moved from his ears to his thick, black hair, gently ruffling it, and asked, slightly shy:
âWhy do you hybrids love physical contact so much? Is it something that comes from your puppy-like nature, orâŠ?â
Jake opened his eyes, staring straight into yours. âYes, it partly comes from when weâre pups. But actually, all hybrids need constant physical contact, both as kids and as adults, especially during heat. It can be suppressed with medication, of course, but doctors say itâs not good for our health or mental balance. And then⊠when a hybrid finds his mate, there are specific ways he uses to be with her.â
Curious, you tilted your head slightly to the side and asked:Â âAnd what are these ways?â
âWell⊠besides being touched by his mate, the hybrid loves to touch her in return. Itâs a little embarrassing, but in the early stages of a relationship, itâs constant: holding her hand, hugging her, squeezing her⊠but the most important thing for us is to make sure our scent completely soaks into her. We want our chemistry to stay on her skin, on her clothes, so the whole pack and other males know who she belongs to.â
You were slightly shocked by this possessive and biological revelation, your eyes widening as you struggled to respond, unable to fully grasp the nature of hybrids. Jake, seeing your petrified face and sudden confusion, didnât miss the chance to tease you.
âOh God, you should see your face, sweetheart! Whatâs wrong? Are you afraid Iâll rub my wolf scent all over you any second so youâll smell like me all over campus? Donât worry⊠for today, Iâll settle for your legs as a pillow, but I wonât make any promises for our next lessons!â
You huffed, looking away to hide the heat still burning on your cheeks, and said:Â âI definitely donât want your scent on me, especially if I want to have any chance with Soobin.â
At those words, Jake froze on your lap. His ears snapped backward, stiffening, and his tailâs movement stopped instantly, youâd almost forgotten about it. The only reason youâd accepted this compromise and were helping him with Contemporary History was his deal: using his influence to get Soobinâs attention. For a second, his possessive, territorial animal instinct pressed to emerge and growl at that name, but his human side quickly regained control. He slowly lifted himself from your legs, sitting on the edge of the bed, and looked at you intensely, saying:
âRelax, the only way a hybridâs scent spreads to a girl is if they do sexual thingsâwhich means undressing and sniffing each otherâor if the guy bites her. So donât worry, you wonât run that risk with me, Y/n.â
You frowned at his answer, then checked the time on your phone and said it was getting late and that you absolutely had to go. Jake returned to being his usual carefree self, wearing a mask of indifference. He nodded and asked if you wanted a ride, but you refused, explaining that Allie would pick you up.
Just as you reached the entrance hall, the front door swung open, and Heeseungâthe basketball team captain and an adorable hamster hybridâburst in, beaming as he held dark streamers in his hands, shouting at the top of his lungs: âFriday, I want all six of you dressed up for Halloween because weâre throwing a legendary party here! No excuses!â He looked at all his friends, and a chorus of reactions immediately rose from the kitchen and living room:
Jungwon and Sunooâa cat hybrid and a fox hybrid with huge earsâgroaned at the idea of chaos in the house. Ni-ki enthusiastically exclaimed, âAwesome!â Jay muttered that heâd prepare amazing cocktails for the occasion, while Sunghoon, still sprawled on the couch, just rolled his eyes because he wasnât a fan of parties at all.
As you watched the scene, you suddenly felt warm breath right next to your ear. Jake had leaned toward you, his lips just millimeters from your skin:
âThis is the perfect excuse for us to be seen together by Soobin, sweetheartâŠâ he whispered, sending shivers down your spine. âTell me how youâll dress for the party⊠because you are coming, right? Heâll definitely be there.â
You turned abruptly, finding his challenging smile just a centimeter from your face. And if there was one thing you hated, it was crowded partiesâbut the idea of finally talking to Soobin pushed you to do something crazy.
âYes, Iâll be there⊠but only if Allie can come too.â
Jake nodded, widening his sly grin. You said goodbye to all the guys with a wave and finally left that villa. As soon as you got into Allieâs car, you told her everything in detail. But your best friend could tell deep down that you wanted to go to that party to be with Jakeâbecause for the entire ride, you hadnât even mentioned Soobin.
As soon as the door closed behind you, silence fell over the entire living room. Jake turned to go back upstairs but froze on the spotâall six of his friends were staring at him with their arms crossed, wearing smiles that were half-amused and half-suspiciously knowing. All six hybrids in that room were literally breathing in the pheromones Jake had unconsciously released over the past two hours.
Jake felt his cheeks heat more than they should, turning bright red. He wanted to deny everything, but then Heeseung, the oldest in the group, twitched his hamster ears with a mix of amusement and curiosity, shook his head, and dropped the final bombshell, looking at the others:
âGuys, I think the first one to find his lifemate is actually one of the two biggest playboys and frat boys in the entire university⊠Who wouldâve ever thought that the great Jake Sim would fall at the feet of a nerd who didnât even know he existed a few weeks ago?â
Jakeâs blush deepened, spreading under the fur of his ears, which twitched nervously. He growled, baring a hint of fang to hide his panic: âShut up, you donât know what youâre talking about! Sheâs just my tutor, and Iâm just keeping my end of the deal. At the party on Friday, youâll see...sheâs into Soobin.â Jake then bolted up the stairs, taking them two at a time.
But as he stormed up, his tail....always the traitor, began wagging frantically at the thought of seeing you dressed up for Halloween and his friends were absolutely right⊠the wolf inside him knew it all too well.
The house of the seven hybrids had been completely transformed for the Halloween party. Thick cobwebs hung from the ceiling corners, ghost-shaped sheets floated mid-air, and witch hats seemed to fly on their own thanks to invisible wires. The place looked like it had stepped straight out of a horror cartoon rather than a university party. Soft, rhythmic music played in the background as people from the campus began filling the hallways and living rooms of the villa.
You and Allie had arrived together. Allie was wearing a sexy pirate costume that suited her perfectly, while you had gone with the plan youâd agreed on with Jake: a lilac and purple dress inspired by Rapunzel. According to your friend, it looked divine on you, and to be honest, even you felt pretty looking at yourself in the mirror. However, you couldnât help but notice that the corset was a little too tight, accentuating your curves in a way you usually disliked but tonight, it gave you an extra boost of self-confidence. Deep down, you were a beautiful girl, but the only thing that made you wrinkle your nose a little was the cleavage, which made you feel a bit uncomfortable under the gazes of the people you passed. The rest of the outfit, though, was perfect: your hair was gathered in a soft braid decorated with tiny fake flowers, and you held a lightweight plastic frying pan, artfully stained with fake blood. You seriously hoped Jake had kept his word about dressing as Flynn Rider.
When your eyes finally spotted him near the bar corner, a small, spontaneous smile appeared on your face. Allie, who had been watching you carefully out of the corner of her eye, noticed that spark in your eyes as you looked at Jake. Deep down, your friend had already figured it all out, but she chose to stay silent, driven by a strong protective instinct toward you.
Jake, for his part, looked simply perfect. He wore the typical blue vest over a white shirt with the sleeves rolled up past his elbows, showcasing his powerful biceps and the prominent veins of his athletic arms. Dark pants completed the look, but what truly took your breath away was his hairstyle: his dark hair was perfectly parted in the middle with Flynnâs signature rebellious tuft. You thought he should opt for that fluffy, middle-parted hair more often. On his cheeks and neck, he had drawn small, fake red scratches, as if he had just barely escaped the clutches of the law.
When Jake turned and saw you, he froze mid-step for what felt like an eternity. His wolf nose instantly picked up your scent in the airâa heavenly, thick aroma of fresh strawberries, powdered sugar, and a warm note of pure vanilla. At that olfactory contact, his tail twitched violently under his costume, swaying so hard from side to side that he had to restrain himself to keep it from breaking free of the fabric.
His wolf instinct gave a primal jolt: he thought you looked incredibly beautiful, and at the same time, he almost didnât recognize you. He had never seen you so exposed, with your figure and curves so visibly on display. Jake swallowed hard at the sight of your shy smile and ran a hand through his hair, momentarily ruining the perfect part. His animal instinct was literally screaming at him to reach out, grab you by the waist, and carry you away from all those people to keep you close to him. But he knew he had to rein in that urge, you werenât his, and besides, you were interested in another guy. Damn, you looked stunning, and his eyes couldnât stop drinking you in.
He closed the distance between you with feline steps, leaning slightly toward you, and whispered directly into your ear in a low voice that sent shivers down your spine:
âDamn, sweetheart⊠I knew you were hiding something under those hoodies or sweaters, but I didnât expect all this,â he said, unable to stop rambling because he couldnât take his eyes off you, especially not from the line of your cleavage. You blushed violently, and in self-defense, you crossed your arms over your chest, clutching the frying pan to your side.
âIn your dreams, Sim. I only came here because you asked me to, and because we have a deal. Otherwise, Iâd be comfortably in my room right now trying to compose music for my class⊠but Iâm here because you promised me something. You have to help me get to know Soobin⊠speaking of which, where is Soobin? You promised heâd be here.â
At the sound of that name, Jakeâs smug smile vanished in a millisecond. His wolf ears twitched slightly backward, flattening almost imperceptibly against his hairâa clear sign of pure annoyance and territorial jealousy. His body stiffened for a moment, irritated by the fact that your first thought had gone to another guy just as he was devouring you with his eyes. He gave a vague nod toward the kitchen. âHeâs in there, in the kitchen with Heeseung and the other basketball guys but donât rush, sweetheart⊠first, you need to loosen up⊠and have a drink.â
Before you could tell Jake you had no intention of drinking alcohol, he turned and started walking toward the kitchen with confident steps. Following him inside, you were immediately greeted by three enormous glass bowls filled with rum punch and chopped fruit. At the sight, your instinct screamed at you to run out of the room...high school memories threatened to resurface, and you feared theyâd ruin what could have been a fun night.
Jake, unaware of your internal struggle, grabbed a ladle and poured himself a glass of the reddish liquid. From the note pinned to the table, you read that it was a cocktail made with rum, prosecco, and berries. When he turned and held out the glass to you, you looked up at him and said in a thin voice: âThanks, Jake, but⊠I donât drink alcohol⊠I donât like it.âYou tried to hide it, but Jake wasnât stupid. His hybrid sixth sense was far too sharp, and he saw the slight but unmistakable tremor in your hand as you refused the glass. He noticed how your posture had suddenly stiffened, and, intrigued, he tilted his head, studying your reaction.
âMmm, okay. Wait here a second,â he said without teasing you or trying to pressure you. You simply nodded, clutching the plastic frying pan to your chest, and watched him disappear behind the door of a pantry at the back of the kitchen.
Left alone, you turned to look around. You saw Allie talking or maybe arguing with Heeseung, and your heart literally leapt into your throat when Soobin walked into the kitchen. He was dressed as Cullen from Twilight in a baseball game versionâwhite and blue jersey, a backward cap, and even a baseball glove tucked into his left hand. You immediately thought he looked cute, especially when he noticed you, and his famous dimples deepened in his cheeks. Your eyes, however, instinctively searched for Jakeâs figure.
Where the hell did he go? Soobin was walking straight toward you, and you thought, half-panicked: Where the hell has that wolf gotten himself? Why is he leaving me alone right now?!
But then a part of you forced yourself to reason after all, this was the plan, right? Jake was supposed to give you the chance to meet Soobin and make an impression. Yet deep down, you wanted him there with you so badly, and you didnât understand why.
When Soobin reached you, he gave you a sweet smile. âOh my God, Y/n? Is that you? Jakeâs tutor, right? Damn⊠you look stunning tonight. The costume suits you perfectly,â he said, even stumbling slightly over the last word as his eyes lingered inevitably on the line of your braid and the lilac corset. Your cheeks burned, turning burgundy in a millisecond from compliments you werenât used to hearing. You said:
âYou⊠you donât look bad either⊠I mean, you look really cute,â and a second later, you wanted to slap yourself in the face. You had no idea how to flirt, and having a decent conversation with the guy you liked felt like a titanic task.
But just at that moment, Jake reemerged from the pantry, holding both a sealed glass bottle of Coca-Cola and a bottle of water. The scene before him, however, made him freeze on the spot. Seeing you blush, smelling your strawberry scent grow more intense and vulnerable for another male, literally drove him wildâand he didnât understand why.
Okay, you were cute. Many times, you drove him crazy. Many times, heâd sought you out in class but you werenât his type....you were too⊠well, a little too shy. You usually gave as good as you got, but you preferred to keep to yourself or stick with a few people, while he loved being almost the center of attention. He didnât understand why he felt so strange when he was with you.
A wave of pure, territorial jealousy burned in his chest. Under his costume, his tail tensed instantly, becoming as rigid as a poker, and his ears flattened. But when his eyes met yours, Jake read your silent plea for help and your embarrassment. He understood that this was the exact moment to step in and play his card.
Jake hurried over to you, and without touching you, you immediately felt his presence as he stood in front of you with a serious expression. âHey, sweetheart, I got you a Coca-Cola and a sealed bottle of water, so you know exactly what youâre drinking,â he said, smiling warmly as he handed them to you. Once again, you were caught off guard by how well Jake could read you. It was incredible how this guyâwho, just a few weeks ago, youâd considered nothing more than a shallow, heartbreaking athleteâcould pick up on every subtle nuance of your discomfort and protect you in such a quiet, precise way.
You thanked him shyly, taking the cold glass bottle in your hands. It was at that moment that Jake turned toward the other guy.
âOh, Soobin, youâre here too,â he said with a crooked grin. Soobin wasnât intimidated by Jakeâs predator-like aura and met the soccer captainâs gaze head-on. âWell, you know Iâm here every weekend. And when I saw your tutor alone in the middle of this pack of hybrids, I came over right away to see how much sweetness and beauty she had as Rapunzel.â
Jake glared at Soobin, then shifted his gaze to you, as if expecting a reaction. Feeling caught in an invisible grip and wanting to ease the tension, you said: âWell⊠it was my idea to dress as Rapunzel and Flynn. Jake doesnât look bad tonight either, to be honest.â
At those words, a wave of immense pride washed over the wolf hybrid. Jake chuckled, visibly pleased by your unexpected compliment. He drastically closed the distance between you, eliminating the personal space youâd established, and you watched as his large hand lowered and gently brushed against yours. You bowed your head for a moment, watching his fingers slowly spread across your palm, ready to welcome yours. Driven by a sudden, overwhelming sense of security from the fact that heâd thought to protect your drink and the primal warmth radiating from his presenceâyou interlaced your hand with his, fitting your fingers between his. It was a spontaneous gesture that made your heart race, because youâd never thought that this Jakeâthe one everyone talked about as a playboy or someone who only thought of himselfâcould be like this.
Jake tightened his grip around your handâyour fingers were ridiculously cute and small compared to hisâand lifted his chin toward his rival. With a possessive tone that brooked no argument, he said:Â âIt was a pleasure, Soobin. But Y/n is with me tonight, and I need to show her around the house.â
Without giving Soobin time to respond, Jake started walking toward the villaâs stairs, gently pulling you behind him. As you climbed the first wooden steps, you leaned toward him and whispered: âDo you think itâs right to leave him already? He seemed really into talking to meâŠâ You felt bad for cutting short the only real conversation youâd started with the guy you had a crush on. But Jake couldnât have cared less about what you thought in that moment or what Soobin might have been thinking. His only goal was to get you away from the other malesâ gazes and claim you for himself, because damn, that night he wanted all your attention. So he took you to the very top of the stairs, to a raised and partially shadowed spot from which you could perfectly see the entire party belowâthe crowded living room and the music echoing off the walls.
âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart,â he murmured against your ear, his warm breath on the bare skin of your neck making you shudder. Instinctively, you tried to turn your head downward, toward the kitchen, to look for Soobinâs figure. But Jakeâs free hand shot lightning-fast to your face, his long, warm fingers caressing your cheek as he firmly held your face in place, preventing you from turning. You werenât supposed to let Soobin see you flustered by the guy you liked.
âDonât give him the satisfaction of having your eyes on him. Otherwise, heâll realize youâre interested and that he has control over you,â he warned in a low voice, his gaze fixed on your lips. You swallowed hard at how well Jake could embody his character, and trapped between his hand on your face and the stair railing, you stammered in confusion: âA-and what the hell am I supposed to do, Jake? I⊠Iâm not good at this stuff. Itâs already a lot if I managed to talk to him for two minutes straight without making a fool of myself.â You said this with a half-smile, and Jake looked at you intensely, his ears lowering slightly in an unexpectedly tender shade of sweetness.
âBut with me, you donât have a problem talking, Y/n. You donât freeze up. You hold your own, you answer back. Maybe⊠maybe you need to find someone you actually feel comfortable with, not someone your mind just thinks is cool, but who ultimately just makes you feel a little⊠constant anxiety?â Jake said this without fully realizing what heâd just admitted. For him, those words carried immense meaningâalmost a declaration of intent tied to his biological nature. He wanted you to understand that love or attraction shouldnât be a mental effort or an ideal of perfection to chase (like Soobin). Instead, it should be a natural chemistry based on loyalty, security, teasing, and a safe harbor where your body and soul felt protected and free to express themselves without fear. And those feelings? You definitely didnât feel them with Soobinâbut you did with him. He wanted you to understand that the wolf in front of you was the only one capable of naturally breaking down your protective barriers. He knew you were hiding something that had happened to you, and he couldnât wait to see you lower your guard and let go with him.
But you didnât have time to process the concept or respond, because Jake had closed the last millimeter of distance between you and pressed his lips firmly against yours, catching you completely off guard at the top of those stairs.
Jakeâs full lips pressed against yours, and your brain completely short-circuited at the sensation of that physical contact between you and him.
What the hell was he doing? Why was he kissing you like this, in front of everyone, and especially under Soobinâs gaze? But before your mind could even formulate a protest or find the strength to push him away, the devastating warmth of his body enveloped you. As if by magic, the anxiety that had been gnawing at you since before you even entered their house vanished. After just a few seconds, almost as if moved by an involuntary reflex, you parted your lips slightly. Jake let out a warm, trembling sigh right against your mouthâa sound of pure reliefâbecause you hadnât slapped him in front of everyone, even though he knew you hated being touched. Damn, heâd been dreaming for a while now of knowing what it was like to kiss you. And he began to kiss you with a disarming gentleness.
It wasnât the rough or arrogant kiss you would have expected from the soccer team captain. His lips moved against yours softly, as if he were afraid that at any moment, you might pull away. Jake gently sucked on your lower lip, savoring every single millimeter of your mouth, and you tasted the sweetness of the Coca-Cola mixed with the fruity flavor of his alcoholic aperitif. You would have never imagined that the campus playboy could kiss a girl with such care and reverence. Your cheeks burned as you felt his hand gently caress your cheek. Without realizing it, your handsâwhich had been timidly resting against his chestâslid upward, settling firmly on his broad shoulders, gripping the fabric of his white shirt. Jake leaned even closer into you, pressing you gently against the railing at the top of the stairs, isolating you from the rest of the world.
When your strawberry and vanilla scent suddenly became even sweeter and more intense than usualâa clear sign that your body had surrendered to him and that you no longer felt any fearâJake broke the kiss for a millisecond. He growled in an incredibly rough, low voice: âDamn⊠you smell so good, Y/n. Stay like this⊠please.â He said this against your lips, and you didnât understand the meaning of that comment. You tried to pull your head back to protest and ask for an explanation, but Jake, seeing your deliciously parted lips, didnât waste time. He took advantage of that moment and slid his warm tongue into your mouth, deepening the kiss against your lips, which were increasingly drawn to him.
At the same time, his hand slid down from your face, settling firmly around your waist, gripping the lilac fabric of your Rapunzel dress. In that moment, Jake held his breathâhe was afraid that this contact might trigger your usual resistance. He hoped with all his heart that you wouldnât pull your hand away or break free from him. But to his surprise, you kissed him back. And you did it in a way that left him completely stunned: your fingers tightened with more force on his shoulders, and your tongue responded to his with an initial shyness that quickly turned into a desperate, hungry rhythm, as if you had found a secret refuge in this guy you thought you couldnât stand. You pressed yourself closer to his chest, forgetting about Soobin, the people below the stairs, and everything else.
Jake literally smiled against your lips, savoring your total surrender, while the wolf instinct inside him screamed at the top of its lungs that you were his mate, that he should never let you go, and that he should especially not let other guys have you.
Jakeâs human side forcefully pushed back the animal instinct that wanted to take control. He didnât want to scare youâhe just wanted to savor this incredible moment with you. Your tongues continued to seek each other relentlessly, as if it were just the two of you in that house. And maybe it was, because from where you stood, only someone climbing the stairs could see what was happening.
Then, seized by a sudden boldness you didnât even know you possessed, you lightly nibbled on his lower lip. Jake was completely caught off guard by such an intimate, unexpected, and boldly provocative gesture from you. He wanted more, and a low, rough moan escaped his lips. At that sound, you felt your cheeks burn damn, Jake was kissing you and moaning in the middle of a packed party!
This realization set off an alarm bell in your mind, jolting your rationality back to life. This was not part of the deal youâd made with him. Breathless, with your heart pounding so hard it felt like it might burst, you pulled away from him by just a few millimeters, breaking the kiss. Even though, deep down, you wanted his lips against yours again, you quickly pushed that thought away. Both of you had glossy eyes, your lips visibly redder and fuller than usual.
Embarrassed and adrenaline-fueled, you lowered your gaze and started nervously fiddling with the lilac tulle of your Rapunzel dress, trying to compose yourself. Jake, on the other hand, simply couldnât stop looking at you. His chest rose and fell rapidly under his Flynn Rider shirt. When you finally looked up again, your eyes locked once more, unable to pull away, as if they were always searching for each other. You stammered:
âI⊠I⊠why did you kiss me, Jake?â
Jake gave a small, crooked smile and repeated softly the same words from earlier:Â âHeâs still watching us, sweetheart.â
This time, though, he didnât bring his hand to your cheek to block your face, leaving you free to check if Soobin was indeed watching. When you slowly turned toward the living room below, your eyes immediately caught Soobinâs figure. He was standing at the end of the hallway, arms crossed, with a hint of obvious jealousy mixed with frustration in his gaze. Once again, Jake had wonâbecause he hadnât expected someone like Jake to claim you so boldly in front of everyone, especially since you werenât his ideal type of girl.
As you spun back toward Jake, confused, he looked down at you, stretching his wolf ears with a proud air. Then he murmured:
âGive it less than a week⊠youâll see, Soobin will come looking for you and ask you out. Because very soon, everyone here will know I kissed you. But theyâll also know youâre not my girlfriend. And youâll officially be the girl who stood up to Jake Sim. And believe me, sweetheart⊠every guy on campus will become terribly curious to find out who you are.â
Was Jake Sim a fortune teller? Or maybe a genie? No, because ever since youâd set foot on campus that Monday morning after the Halloween weekend, his prophecy had come true 100%: people couldnât stop staring at you. Every time you walked down the hallway, there were whispers as you passed. Classmates and even complete strangers looked at you differently nowâall because theyâd spotted you with the universityâs golden boy.
âCome on, stop looking at that phot, itâs embarrassing, please!â you whispered, glancing sideways to make sure no customers heard you. But Allie couldnât stop staring at the picture, and her tone suddenly turned more serious and dreamy as she looked at you and Jake: âBut seriously⊠you and Jake look so good in that photo. In a way I never wouldâve imagined: you, the down-to-earth girl who works double shifts to pay for university and build a future in music, kissing the campus golden boy, the soccer team captain with his path already paved to some famous club⊠Itâs a perfect match. Admit it, just a few months ago, you never wouldâve imagined ending up in a situation like this!â she concluded with a mischievous smile. But you scolded her immediately, slamming the coffee tamper on the counter and glaring at her: âStop it right now, Allie! Thereâs no match, no romantic movie. It was just⊠a setup to get Soobinâs attention, and Jake just wanted to help. Itâs a 50% help for both of us,â you said, trying to sound convincing. Yet your eyes couldnât pull away from that photo on the screen.
Looking at it, you almost didnât recognize yourself: pressed against his chest, your hands gripping his shirt, and the way Jake was looking at you as he held your waist radiated an energy that could give butterflies to even someone like Allie, whoâd been in a relationship forever. Even though the photo wasnât high quality, you could still see both you and Jake smiling at each other. And just the memory of his lips against yours made your stomach clench.
Your thoughts were abruptly interrupted by someone arriving at the counter. You heard a familiar voice, and when you looked up, you found Soobin standing there with his usual shy smile. That morning, he was in full ânerd modeâ: he was wearing an oversized sweater that made him look even softer, round glasses with thin black frames, and his dark hair was slightly messy on his forehead. But it was strangeâuntil that moment, you wouldâve gone crazy at the sight of him. Now, you were happy, but you couldnât understand why your mind kept drifting to JakeâŠ
âHey, Y/nâŠâ he said in his usual shy way, and you gave him a timid smile. Soobin glanced quickly at Allieâs phone in her hand and then back at you. âMmm⊠did you see the photo of you and Jake kissing too?â The question came out of his mouth with a slightly casual, almost detached tone, but his eyes were hungry for your reaction. You nodded, feeling the blood rush straight to your cheeks, and immediately tried to downplay it by waving your hands in the air:  âYes, I saw it⊠but I swear, Soobin, itâs nothing serious! Jake is just a show-off. We were just⊠joking. There was so much confusion at the party, andâŠâ You tried to say something, as if you owed him an explanation, but he stopped you by raising a hand: âThe other night, I was really shocked when I saw you dressed like that and I noticed right away how your cheeks turned red when you saw me next to you,â he said, looking down at you from his nearly two meters of heightâSoobin was truly imposing, unlike Jake, who, despite being muscular, was only a couple of centimeters taller than you.
âJake took you away, and⊠well, we all know him, heâs a show-off. But I bet that kiss was just for show, right?â And then, leaving you completely shocked, he leaned a little further forward, lowering his voice: âWould you like to go out for a serious coffee with me this afternoon? Just you and me, I promise.â He took a sip of his drink, and you stood there, literally paralyzed with the milk jug in your hand. Was he seriously asking you out? Youâd wanted this moment for months. Youâd spent entire nights hoping Soobin would notice you. But now⊠Jakeâs image kept tormenting your mind. And with startling clarity, you remembered the warmth of his full lips, how heâd gently held you close, afraid you might pull away, and especially that damn moan that had escaped him when youâd bitten his lip and what scared you the most was the realization that, next to Jake, your body hadnât felt the slightest bit of anxiety.
With Soobin, however, you felt like you were under examination, and your instinct told you to take it slow with him, not to rush. But a part of you wanted to seize the moment, to not waste this opportunityâyouâd already wasted so many because of what happened to you as a teenager. Yet, accepting his invitation for that afternoon would mean canceling your study session with Jake. So you took a deep breath and, forcing a sweet smile, said:
âSoobin, Iâd really like to⊠but as you know, Iâm tutoring Jake. He has his Contemporary History test on Friday, and we absolutely need to meet at his place this afternoon to review the last chapters. But⊠this weekend, yes, we could go out for breakfast together, if youâd like.â
Allie, who had been silently pretending to clean a nearby table the whole time, rushed over as soon as Soobin was out of earshot. She looked you straight in the eyes, her usual playful demeanor gone, and said in a low voice:
âY/n⊠if you really wanted to go out with him this afternoon, Jake can wait. Or he can study for the test on his own. But please, be honest with yourselfâbecause you just turned down a date with the guy of your dreams to lock yourself in a house with a jock who, until recently, you claimed to detest, and who practically kissed you passionately in front of half the university. Are you sure Soobin is still the only one on your mind?â
She asked, watching you carefully and at those words, you honestly didnât know what to say.
As you walked briskly toward Jakeâs house, Allieâs words still echoed in your head. You tried to shake them off, Jake was just a⊠a "friend"? You didnât even know how to define him, to be honest. You were his tutor, end of story. What happened at the Halloween party was just a staged scene to get Soobinâs attention and land a date and it had worked. That was allâŠÂ right?
When you stood in front of the massive door of the seven hybridsâ villa, you typed in the code Jake had kindly given you a few days earlier so you wouldnât have to wait in the cold. But out of politeness, you knocked anyway. No one answered, so you pushed the door open. The living room and large kitchen were completely empty. It was really strange, the place looked almost eerie compared to the chaos of the last time youâd been there, for the Halloween party. So you walked in and, reaching the bottom of the stairs, called out: âJake! Iâm here!â
But there was no answer. You assumed he was in his room, as usual when he wanted to avoid chores. So you climbed the wooden steps one by one, looking around. All the doors on the landing were closed except one. When you reached Jakeâs door and saw it was half-open, you knocked lightly with your knuckles on the wood and said: âSorry Iâm late, Jake, but we really need to review three chapters of Contemporary History on the post-war period and the peace treatiesâŠâ
But the words died in your throat.
Jake was there but he wasnât alone. He was leaning back against his messy desk, and between his legs stood a girl you recognized all too well: one of the most popular and beautiful girls on campus. She had her nails buried in Jakeâs dark hair, kissing him passionately, her hips moving against his. And yet, you noticed immediately that Jake wasnât touching her at all. His hands were lazily resting on the desk, as if he didnât even have a girl kissing him in front of him. His ears were slightly lowered, and his tail, beneath his pants, was completely stillâno twitch, no movement. It was strange because with you, Jake was always the opposite. The way they were kissing seemed almost mechanical, especially on Jakeâs part⊠as if he were bored. There was none of that desperation to touch you like at Halloween, none of that devastating heat, none of that deep, rough moan heâd reserved for you at the top of the stairs just a few days earlier.
And yet, despite his obvious detachment, the sight of Jake wrapped around another girl hurt, badly. You suddenly felt stupid, like a total fool. But stupid for what? Jake wasnât your type at all⊠and yet, watching him share his personal space and his lips with someone else filled you with a sharp, cutting disappointment that quickly turned into burning anger toward him.
In the shock of that vision, you abruptly took a step back to leave, but the sudden movement made your heavy backpack bump against the wooden doorframe. At such close range, Jakeâs wolf hearing instantly picked up the noise but more than that, he caught your scent. He pulled away from the girl almost immediately, as if pushing her off, and his eyes widened when they landed on you in the doorway. His nose wrinkled instantly because heâd just caught your scent in the airâbut your usual sweet strawberry fragrance was gone. It had turned sour, sharp, and not goodâit reminded him of the early days when you couldnât stand him being near you at all.
âY/n! Wait!â Jake exclaimed, taking a decisive step toward you but you had no intention of staying there to be humiliated. You spun around on your heel, your cheeks literally burning with embarrassment.
Jake gently grabbed your wrist in an attempt to stop your rush down the stairs: âHey! Stop for a second!â he exclaimed, looking at you but you spun around abruptly, yanking your wrist free from his grip especially from his touch and said:
âLet go of me, Jake! Donât touch me! I knew you were irresponsible, but I didnât think youâd go this far! We have a test in three days, and I rearranged all my plans today just to come here and help you pass the exam and what do you do? Not even trainâwhich would make more senseâbut kiss one of your many girls who throw themselves at you with a snap of their fingers?!â You glared at him, and Jake looked at you carefully, almost caught off guard by the vehemence of your words. His wolf ears lowered slightly, betraying a hint of regret or perhaps confusion about what was happening. His nose wrinkled imperceptibly as he sniffed the air around you, sensing how your scent was becoming sharper, more acidic as if every fiber of your body was screaming how much you disliked the situation. It reminded him of the scent you gave off when you couldnât stand being near him.
Trying to take a step toward you to calm you down, Jake said in a low voice:Â âY/n, we werenât doing anything serious. She just came to return a hoodie to me and...â
But you didnât care at all about his justifications. You cut him off abruptly with a wave of your hands: âI donât care what you were doing! It just bothers me that I wasted my time with a guy who doesnât have his head on straight, who only thinks about having fun and showing off! You know what? Figure it out yourself. Iâll send you the notes online from now on because I have no intention of setting foot in this house again to waste time with you!â
At those words, a spark flashed in his eyesâno way was he going to lose you. He⊠he wanted to be with you. Seeing you every day kept him mentally stable, and he always found an excuse to see you or be near you. So Jake took a decisive step closer to you because he didnât rationally understand what was going through your mind at that moment but his animal natureâhis primal wolf instinctâspoke to him, suggesting a fucking precise idea:
Could it be⊠that sheâs jealous of seeing you with someone else?
In that moment of high tension, his animal side took over completely without him realizing it. His usual cocky smirk reappeared on his face, and tilting his head slightly toward you, he said in a rough, teasing tone: âAre you mad because Iâm not studying, sweetheart⊠or because the lips on my mouth werenât yours? Do you miss me that much already after the other night?â
At those words, your eyes widened. Did he seriously just say that out loud? You were completely shocked and wounded in your pride by what heâd just dared to say. Feeling your cheeks burn even redder, you forced yourself to laugh and, lifting your chin, looked him straight in the eyes with a shamelessly defiant air: âYouâre completely crazy! I donât care at all who you kiss, Jake Sim! In fact, Iâm even happy youâre so busy with your âfriendsâ that way, you wonât interfere in my life this weekend when I go out with Soobin!â You said with a small smirk.
At the sound of Soobinâs name, Jakeâs earlier smirk vanished completely. His ears snapped backward, almost stiffening, and his jaw tightened slightly at seeing you so bold with him. In a low voice, he said:Â âWhat did you say?â
You looked at him before leaving and said: âYou heard me. He asked me out today at the bar, but I told him no to come here and study with you because Iâm a responsible girl and stupid me, but weâll see each other this weekend. So try to do well on the history test because I finally got what I wanted.â
With that, you pushed him slightly, taking advantage of his moment of shock, opened the villaâs door, and walked out, slamming it behind you. You left the universityâs golden boy alone in the hallway, furious and jealous for the first time in his life.
After you left Jake, leaving your notes in plain sight on the table, the atmosphere inside that house had become literally suffocatingâespecially for Jake. When the other six members of the pack returned, they found Jake sulking, half-stretched out on the large, dark leather sofa in the living room. The younger ones almost laughed at the sight, but the older ones immediately understood that something had happened. Every second, Jake ran his fingers through his thick hair, ruffling it furiously, or hurled a stress ball against the wall in front of him, catching it mid-air with his reflexes before throwing it again.
Jay and Sunghoon exchanged an exasperated glance. Jay, the black cat hybrid, ran a hand over his neck, annoyed by the negative energy dominating the room.
âCan someone tell me what happened with your tutor? Why isnât she here in a chair, making you memorize dates or the names of generals? God, this house stinks so much of your bad pheromones. Thereâs a sour, wet-dog smell coming from you that I havenât smelled in I donât know how longâŠâ said the cat hybrid, wrinkling his nose. Sunghoon did the same, but Jake, at the mere word "tutor," jolted upright on the couch, hurling the ball onto the floor with such force that it bounced off the ceiling. He almost growled, nervously running his hands through his hair:
âNothing! Nothing happened! Sheâs just a stubborn little girl who says she doesnât want to come here anymore because⊠and sheâs going out with that damn Soobin this weekend.â
Sunghoon coughed in a half-laugh, unable to hold it back, and a cynical, amused grin appeared on his lips. âOh, so Choi is seriously interested in Y/n⊠who wouldâve thought! Heâs been practically chasing her for weeks. And well, on the other hand, you were busy getting kissed by one of your groupies five minutes before Y/n arrived, right? You donât care if Y/n goes out with another guy...especially Soobin, do you? You know, we saw her on the path as she was leaving, and human girls donât work like hybrids, who dream of finding their mate 90% of the time just to be knotted and not claimed. Human girls donât have a pack instinct. They donât accept sharing, and above all, you canât have your foot in two shoes with them.â
Jake rolled his eyes because everyone had warned him not to play around, especially with human girls. He covered his face with his hands, resting his elbows on his knees. âI donât know what bothers me more...that she doesnât want to come here anymore to study with me⊠or that sheâs going out with another guy. Sheâs not⊠sheâs not my type at all, you know! Sheâs a simple, down-to-earth girlâall about home, work, and musical scores and what pisses me off the most is that sheâs almost as much of a know-it-all as I am. But damn, if I even think for a second about her laughing, walking, or looking at Soobin with those sweet eyes⊠my wolf side goes completely blind with rage, and I donât understand why. Me? Jake Sim only cares about getting signed by a national team and living for soccer, not romantic drama. But if I imagine her with another guy, I feel like somethingâs being ripped away from me something that, technically, isnât even mineâŠÂ I just want to go out there and make everyone understand that sheâs mine.â
At those words, Jakeâs eyes widenedâbecause⊠because he shouldnât be thinking those things. Those were things people said when theyâd found or were with their mate, not with a simple girl who gave them tutoring. Jay and Sunghoon stopped laughing, and their expressions turned serious, almost severe, as they watched their roommate crumble under the weight of a feeling he refused to admit but had just confessed a few seconds earlier. They exchanged another glance and, almost in unison, took a step forward toward their best friend, placing their hands on Jakeâs shoulders.
âWe told you to be careful with her, Jake,â Sunghoon said, with a rare note of seriousness in his voice. âBut above all, we warned you right away that she was the one⊠the one who could calm the beast inside you without you having to pretend to be the king of the campus.â
Jay nodded in agreement, gently stroking the lower part of Jakeâs ears this time: âYour tutor isnât playing hard to get, Jake. She saw what you always do: using people out of boredom, for sport, to confirm to yourself that you can have anyone. But this time, you chose the wrong person. Y/n isnât one of your fans who hang on your every word and accept your leftovers. If your wolf feels sick and is howling inside your head, itâs because he knows perfectly well that youâve ruined the only good, real thing youâve encountered in years. The few times Iâve seen you together, sheâs the only person who looks at you for who you areânot for the captainâs armband, your beauty, or your status.â
âSo get your ass off that couch,â Sunghoon concluded. âApologize to her and please, donât let her get away, because the true âmateâ only comes once in your life⊠donât make the mistake so many others do of not letting go.â
Jake had one clear mission: he never wanted to see you angry with him again, even if it meant swallowing his pride. So, between one soccer training session and another, he took his studies deadly seriously.
He locked himself in his room and spent hours poring over the pages of Contemporary History youâd worked on together. He started bombarding your phone: sending you photos of his summary diagrams late at night, voice messages over five minutes long (which were practically illegal in your book) answering the open-ended questions youâd left him as homework before your fight. And at the end of every voice message, heâd always try to make it personal, asking in a low voice: âHey⊠how are you? What did you do after class today? Do you want to meet up before the test on Friday afternoon?â
But you were categorical: you never replied to those personal questions, leaving him brutally on read. And for the study messages, you responded with an icy coldness that wasnât in your nature but deep down, you knew you were jealous of him, so you tried not to think about him, not to give in. Youâd look at the photos or listen to the voice messages, and youâd respond simply by leaving a reaction: a thumbs-up đ if the answer was correct, or a thumbs-down đ if heâd messed up the dates. No written messages. No âOkay,â no âGood job, you got six out of ten right.â Just absolute silence from you. And this was literally driving Jake crazy because no one in his entire life as an alpha hybrid and soccer captain had ever treated him like he was invisible.
As you stirred the coffees or steamed the milk, he wouldnât stop teasing you for a second: tilting his head, barely moving the tips of his ears to catch your eyes, and whispering with a crooked smile: âGood morning, sweetheart. Did you know WhatsApp was created as a messaging app, not an app for one-word replies or simple đđ? I preferred it when you actually spoke to me when I got distracted⊠are you sure you donât want to review together tonight?â
But you had become almost mute with him. You didnât give in even a millimeter to his antics. You kept your gaze fixed on the coffee machine and, slamming his receipt on the counter with a sharp tap, you responded every day with the same detached chant: âThatâs four dollars and fifty cents for the oat milk cappuccino, Sim. Move it, thereâs a line behind you.âYouâd point with one finger at the long line behind him, and Jake would almost always pout. The scene was so ridiculous that, a few tables away, his pack never missed an opportunity to enjoy the showâespecially the younger members, like Sunoo, who would burst out laughing, covering his mouth with his hands, absolutely loving the drama between you and his hyung.
Next to him, Ni-ki would shoot Jake an amused glance and comment in the group chat that youâd refused to speak to Jake again. Even Jungwon, the cat hybrid who was usually the calmest, would chuckle under his whiskers, shaking his headâthough it was nice to see Jake, for the first time, thinking hard and working seriously on something that wasnât soccer.
The door in front of Jake was still closed, but his ears picked up the sound of the history professor arranging the tests on the desks inside. There were still five minutes until the exam started.
This was shaping up to be the most important weekend of his entire academic year: not only was there the Contemporary History exam weighing on his mind, but on Sunday, he had a crucial league match. In the stands, scouts from some of the countryâs most famous soccer teams would be watching, and Jake was hoping with everything in him to be chosen by one of themâto finally take off toward a professional career. Yet, despite the pressure of the upcoming match, the thing that had made him relax his shoulders and feel genuinely better that morning was your message.
After endless days of receiving nothing but cold thumbs-up or thumbs-down, your message had lit up his phone screen as soon as he woke up, his eyes still heavy with sleep:
âHi. Donât mix up the peace treaties from the various international assemblies, especially between World War II and the Cold War (P.S. I know there will be at least 2 questions on this topic). Good luck, Jake. Show them what youâre worth. :)â
At the sight of it, a smile, his first in a long time, crept onto his lips. He had reread that message all morning, and he was still staring at it now, just outside the classroom.
His inner wolf, which had been curled up, dull and listless for days in a corner of his mind, suddenly woke up at the news. His tail began wagging incessantly all day, and his animal instinct spoke clearly or perhaps it seriously hoped he still had a chance with you and said:
âIf she didnât care about you at all, she wouldnât have written⊠especially today, when she knows how important this day is for your future. Thereâs still hope, Sim Jaeyun. Embrace it.â
Thatâs exactly why, gripping his phone between his fingers, Jake decided not to reply to you right away. For once, he wanted to avoid making a wrong move. He didnât want to ruin that tiny bit of closeness with one of his usual bold responses. He wanted actions to speak for him.
So when the door to the lecture hall finally swung open and the students began pouring in, Jake took a seat at one of the central desks. And as soon as the Contemporary History test paper was placed in front of him, with a determination his classmates had never seen on his face before, he began answering all the questions. He didnât want to disappoint you. He couldnât allow himself to waste all the hours youâd spent writing him summaries, explaining every single chapter in detail even when you were angry with him. Or the fact that, despite everything, youâd taken a minute to wish him good luck.
So he put his head down and focused for the full two hours of the test, isolating himself from the rest of the world and concentrating on the answers he had to give.
After two grueling hours of the exam, Jake could literally not wait to find out his score. He was hoping with all his heart that the electronic system or the professors would give him the result immediatelyâhe wanted to know if all that crazy studying you and he had done together had paid off. But the professor had decided to grade the tests on the spot, and all the students, Jake included, were stuck in their seats. He rested his face against his arms, trying to calm himself and imagine how you would react if heâd passed.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity to his wolf, the professor stood up from the desk with a stack of papers in her hands and began handing them out. When she reached Jakeâs desk, she stopped and looked at him with a sincere and slightly surprised smile:Â âI donât know how Y/n managed to make you âlikeâ Contemporary History, Sim, but Iâm truly happy and proud of you.â
The professor handed him his test, and Jake lowered his eyes. There, written at the top in bright green marker, was a 75/100, accompanied by a small smiling face. He was literally shockedâhis tail began wagging, and his pheromones started filling the air with his scent. He had never gotten a grade this high in that subject before. Without wasting a second, he pulled out his phone, took a photo of the test, and sent it immediately to the WhatsApp group he had with the other six members of the villa. They all praised him, but all he wanted was to hear you or see you. So as he strode out of the classroom, he opened your private chat and was about to attach the photo of his 75 to brag to you tooâuntil he froze halfway down the hallway.
His wolf senses suddenly kicked in, and he caught an unmistakable trail of your sweet, unmistakable strawberry and cotton candy scent in the airâthe one he had loved discovering so much. Jakeâs head snapped around twice until his eyes locked onto you. There you were, just a few meters away, leaning against the hallway wall as you waited for him outside the classroom. At the sight of you, his hybrid nature rejoiced: his gray ears perked up happily on his head, and his tail, beneath his tracksuit pants, began moving in a frantic, enthusiastic rhythm, thrilled that you were there for himâeven though he hadnât asked you to be.
You gave him a small, shy smile, and Jake closed the distance between you in a flash, almost running until you felt his strong, large arms wrap tightly around your waist. Before you could even realize what was happening, Jake lifted you off the ground, nearly taking you into his arms mid-air in the middle of the hallway.
âJ-Jake! What are you doing?! Put me down, are you crazy?!â you stammered, your heart in your throat, as you instinctively clung to his broad back to avoid falling. But Jake ignored your protests and buried his head right near the hollow of your neck, breathing in your scent deeply. He whispered with a voice rough with emotion and adrenaline: âY/n⊠I got a 75. I did it⊠thanks to you.â
Your smile widened involuntarily at hearing him so happy, and you gently caressed the back of his neck. âI knew youâd do great things, Jake. Remember, you told me that by the end of the course, youâd get a 100 if you applied yourself! But now put me back down, seriously!â
Jake chuckled, only then realizing that all the students left in the hallway were staring at you. With extreme slowness, he let you slide back down but when your feet touched the ground, he didnât pull away instead, his face stayed just a few centimeters from yours, so close you could feel the warmth of his breath on your skin. You swallowed, feeling your cheeks turn red, and he loved seeing you so close to him again. He studied you with an intense gaze, lowering his eyes to your lips for a second before meeting your eyes again.
âAnd now⊠whereâs my reward?â he asked in a provocative tone, watching you with a challenging look.
âYour reward is that the history box on the register finally has a green checkmark instead of a red one, and that maybe you wonât fail⊠thatâs your reward, Sim,â you said, as if it were obvious.
Jake pouted cutely, shaking his head, and teased you by reaching out to give you a light tap on the tip of your nose: âReally, sweetheart? Thatâs it? Youâre a ruthless tutor. I was hoping for something much more⊠this weekend⊠we haveto celebrate, Y/n. Tomorrow evening is one of the most important matches of my life....there will be scouts from national and global teams watching. Please come watch me play in the stands.â He said, almost pleading with his hands.
You immediately tried to shake your head and protest, crossing your arms: âJake, no, I told you⊠I have plans this weekend⊠I mean, I have to meet Soobin for breakfast, and then I have to study for my exams. I canât spend the evening in a pubâŠâ
But he, being the skilled manipulator he was when he wanted something from you, took half a step closer, reducing the space between you even more. You felt his pheromones teasing your body, and he said: âBreakfast is Sunday morning. My match is tomorrow evening. You have to come to the stands to cheer me on, Y/n. You sent me that message this morning, tomorrow, you need to be there in person. You helped me get through the hardest part of the week⊠you donât want to leave me alone right at the finish line, do you? Iâm only asking you to come tomorrow, okay?â
Jake Sim was seriously a thorn in your side, and he knew exactly how to get a âyesâ out of someone at any cost. You rolled your eyes, feigning fake exasperation, and started nervously fiddling with your backpack strap to avoid looking at him. âOkay, fine⊠Iâll come to the match with Allie,â you conceded in the end, hinting at a small smile. But then your tone turned more serious and low. âBut⊠you know I donât drink alcohol, Jake. So there wonât be much for me to do at the pub, and I want to leave at a decent time so I can be awake and on time Sunday morning.â
Jake immediately noticed that sudden shift in your mood. His wolf instinct picked up on a different nuance in your voice, and he desperately wanted to know what had happened to you in the pastâwhat was the reason behind your total refusal of alcohol, or why you trusted people so little and disliked physical contact so much. But he knew he had to take it one step at a time.
He took a deep breath, looking at you with a rare seriousness, and said: âI know youâre still hesitant about me⊠and Iâm sorry for the other day,â he said, almost mentally cursing himself for letting that third-year girl kiss him. âBut weâve known each other for a while now, and at the Halloween party, you trusted me. We worked as a team⊠so I thought that tomorrow evening, you could try drinking something with me and my friends. They might seem like a bunch of lunatics, but all six of them are curious to meet you, Y/n.â
You looked at him, stunned, your eyes wide, and opened your mouth to protest. But Jake immediately interrupted you, placing a gentle hand on your shoulder to reassure you. âI just want you to feel safe with me. When youâre with me, nothing bad will ever happen to you, I promise. If youâre afraid of drinking for some reason⊠well, youâll tell me about it, when and if you want to. But tomorrow evening, Iâll stay right by your side, without drinking a single drop of alcohol, so I can stay 100% sober. You can have fun without touching a drink, obviously but I also want you to understand that you can trust me blindly and if you want to try drinking, you can do it in complete peace of mind, because after the party, Iâll pick you up, put you in my car, and take you home safe and sound, ready for your date with Soobin the next day,â Jake said, the last part reluctantly, running a hand through his thick hair and betraying a hint of jealousy at the innocent mention of your date. But he wanted, above all, to make you understand that he wasnât selfishâheâd loved making people like him since his scout days, loved being known for who he truly was. But between his reputation as the golden boy of the soccer team and knowing he was a good-looking guy, many girls wanted him, and he had fun with it. Now, though, he wanted to see if things could work with you.
You stood still because youâd never heard a guyâlet alone a fiery, popular hybrid like himâsay something like that to you, or put himself completely at your disposal just to make you feel protected.
You lowered your gaze, feeling your cheeks burn, because deep down, you knew it was true: despite his flaws, his arrogance, and his distracted kisses with others, with Jake, youâd felt safe almost from the first day. And with him, the anxiety that usually clenched your stomach always disappeared. This had to make you realize that there was something more to Jake. When you looked up again, you said softly: âThank you, JakeâŠâ
He smiled at you and said: âI promise you, Y/n. If you want to drink something, Iâll always be by your side⊠and even if you decide not to drink, itâll be the same for meâIâll be there to protect you,â he thought the last part in his mind, while his inner wolf growled with pride at the idea of being your shield against the rest of the world. âEverything will be fine, I promise,â he said, reaching out his hand toward you, lifting his pinky finger in a solemn and slightly childish vow. You looked at him for a second, then smiled, and linked your pinky with his, squeezing it.
âOkay⊠Iâll come to your match⊠and maybe Iâll drink something at the party.â
At that contact and those words, Jakeâs smile grew enormous. He pulled you close, even if only through that link between your pinkies, because he couldnât wait for you to discover and get to know the real Jake.
The stands of the university soccer field were literally packed with people: some were leading the university chants, others were playing drums and trumpets, blasting the university anthem, and there were countless screams from fans cheering on all the players but one name echoed louder than all the others: number 5, Jake Sim.
You and Allie were sitting in a kind of covered VIP box, a reserved area where the other six hybrids from the villa were also watching the match. You were sitting right next to Jay, the black cat hybrid, who was watching the game with his arms crossed and his tail lazily swaying behind his backâhe wasnât part of any sports team, but for his best friends or hyungs, he would never miss a thing. To Allieâs left was Heeseung, the hamster hybrid, who, true to his sweet but incredibly magnetic nature, hadnât stopped flirting with her for a second, making her giggle while she kept rolling her eyes.
At one point, Allie turned to you, her eyes wide, and pointed at the crowd below: âWow, Y/n⊠I knew Jake was the âgolden boyâ of the university and the soccer team, but look how many girls are wearing his jersey!â Looking down, you noticed that almost 90% of the female fans were wearing the number 5 jersey with Sim printed on the back. Out of pure spite, you had decided to leave the original jersey heâd given you the other day with a cocky smile in your closet but to avoid freezing from the evening wind, you had accepted wearing only his team scarf, which still smelled intensely of him. You werenât entirely sure if it bothered you to see so many girls with his name on their backs. After all, you didnât like Jake⊠right? And besides, the next morning, you had a special date at one of the best bakeries in the area with Soobin. So you didnât understand that annoying itch that was creeping through your body at the sight of so many girls talking about Jake.
But those confused thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the booming voice of the university commentator over the speakers, who shouted: ââŠAnd thereâs Anton with a perfect pass to Jake from the corner kick! Sim breaks free in the shooting zone⊠he jumps higher than everyone else and⊠HEADER! GOAL! ITâS A GOAL FOR OUR UNIVERSITY!â
A crazy roar spread across the entire field, and the stands almost trembled from the crowd of people screaming, jumping, and recording videos. Caught up in the adrenaline of the moment, both Jay and Heeseung leaned toward you. You felt Jayâs muscular arm wrap around your neck, pulling you into a brotherly hug while Heeseung did the same with Allie, jumping and cheering. You burst out laughing, infected by that insane energy you never thought youâd enjoy, exchanging an amused glance with Allie as you saw her lean into Heeseung.
Jay, noticing your laughter, looked down at you and gave you a light, teasing nudge with his elbow. âLook at you⊠You didnât want to wear his jersey to play it cool, but youâre clutching his scarf around your neck, sniffing it every two seconds like you miss him. And you canât stop rolling your eyes when some girl comments on Jake, yet you canât take your eyes off him during any of his plays! I bet if Jake knew you were smelling his scent while he scores, heâd jump around like a puppy!â He said, observing you. You blushed instantly and retorted, giving him a playful shove to his chest: âStop it, Jay! Iâm only wearing it because itâs freezing up here, not because of⊠I only smell it because⊠because Jake has a nice scent.â Jay nodded, shaking his head with a smirk.
At that moment, your eyes returned to the field. Jake was running like crazy on the green pitch, but instead of heading toward the ultrasâ curve, he ran straight under the VIP box where you were sitting. He slowed his pace, making a slight theatrical bow with his arms open to the crowd. And as soon as his eyes found you in the crowd, he winked at you and gave you a cocky smile. You felt your cheeks burn completely, and Allie immediately brought her hands to her chest, striking a totally dramatic pose like a true actress: âOhh! Jake Sim winked at me! Iâm about to faint!â Heeseung immediately interjected, leaning toward her ear with a half-smile: âI donât think so, doll⊠I donât think that wink was meant for youâŠâ Allie, however, let out a small huff and said, âOh, come on, let me dream!â before giving you a knowing nudge.
You watched Jake as he turned to run back and let himself be swallowed by the embraces of his teammates. But when you tried to turn away to hide your embarrassment, you realized that the atmosphere in the box had suddenly changed because all six hybrids left there were staring at you.
In their gazes, there wasnât just happiness for the goal. Their eyes (feline, canine, or wild) shone with an intensity and a protective, almost possessive warmth in the way they looked at you. Because in a hybrid culture, the bond forming between you and Jake was terrifyingly similar to an imprinting, the sacred recognition of their âfemale. and in the pack, you were the first female even if you hadnât yet been knotted or bitten by Jake.
The pub where the victory party was being held was literally packed with students who had been in the stands, all dancing and drinking. The space on the small sofa in the pub was so limited that you were half-stuck to Jake, his shoulder pressed against yours. You were leaning over, scrolling through the drink menu, while Jake was telling you which one he thought youâd like best but in reality, your eyes werenât really looking at the names on the menu at allâthey were completely captivated by him.
You observed his backward baseball cap, from which a few strands of dark hair escaped, falling rebelliously across his forehead. His cheeks were still slightly flushed from the physical exertion of the game, but also from the heat of the room. Jake was really too handsomeâa lethal mix of hybrid charm with his large hands and ears that wouldnât stop moving, but also a sweetness in the small dimples on his face or his tired eyes⊠not to mention his full lips, which he bit every now and then. You realized it was a ticâpartly a nervous reflex, but also something personal, slightly explicit, directed at you.
Your thoughts dissolved instantly when you felt his warm voice against your ear, so close it sent shivers down your spine: âSo, sweetheart? What are you getting?â he asked, watching your every reaction closely. Snapping out of your trance and having barely read anything, you pointed to the first combination that caught your eye: a cocktail with grapes, lime, currants, and a vodka base.
Jake added your drink to the order and then ordered a simple Coca-Cola for himself. Looking at him, you realized he was dead seriousâhe wouldnât touch a drop of alcohol all night, giving up toasting to his own victory just to keep his promise of protecting you.
When the drink arrived at the table, Jake picked up the glass, adjusted the straw, and gently turned it toward you. You leaned slightly forward to take your first sip, and he whispered:Â âDonât drink too much at once, okay? Take small sips, or your body wonât handle the impact.â
You looked up at him as you drank, watching him from below. At the sight of your lips wrapped around the straw and your bright eyes locked on his, every rational thought in Jakeâs head vanished. His alpha hybrid instinct short-circuited at the realization of just how damn beautiful you were. His senses picked up the warmth spreading across your skin, and your strawberry scent, mixing with the fruity smell of the drink, created an intoxicating, addictive blend for a hybrid with such a developed alpha side as his.
After sliding that first drop of alcohol into your body for the first time in years, you pulled away from the straw and said with a fake challenging tone:Â âIâm not a child, Jake!â
He sighed, shaking his head with a crooked smile, and said: âI know youâre not a child⊠but you told me youâve barely ever drunk in your life, and I just want this fear of alcohol to fade, even thanks to me and I want you to have a great night. So yes, Iâll keep an eye on you, Y/n.â
At those words, you bit your lip, playing with the straw, and leaned even closer to him. Slowly reaching out, you gently caressed the base of his wolf ears, feeling them soft and warm under your fingers knowing it would make him more sensitive. âI like this drink⊠but maybe there isnât that much alcohol in it,â you whispered close to his face.
Jake sniffed your glass, his ears twitching pleasantly under your touch, and nodded: âGood. I certainly wouldnât have started you off with aged gin or century-old grappa!â he said, smiling at you. You laughed and, leaning even closer to his cheek, whispered against his lips: âYouâre such a good boy, JakeâŠâ
Jakeâs inner wolf couldnât tolerate being called a "good boy" when every single fiber of his body was screaming the opposite. His breath suddenly became heavier, and he fixed his gaze directly into your eyes. For perhaps the first time, driven by something even you didnât think you had, you were teasing him, rendering him more inert in his hybrid nature than his human one.
âStop saying things like that, sweetheart⊠you have no idea what it does to a hybridâs mind,â he hissed, his mouth a millimeter from your ear. You pouted slightly, openly challenging his gaze, and said with a tone dripping with fake innocence that shattered his self-control: âWhy not, Sim? Are you afraid your bad-boy reputation might get tarnished by me? What would happen if I went around saying youâre not actually a show-off? That you love taking care of people, and that in your pack and on your team, you act more like a protective father figure rather than just an older brother?â
At that declaration, Jake realized you knew him better than some people heâd known for years. It was trueâyou saw through him, past the arrogant athlete mask heâd stitched onto himself. He was a good guy, always had been with the people he loved but in that precise moment, with you so terrifyingly close on the pubâs small sofa, the warmth of the vodka beginning to melt your anxieties, and the scent of your skin shifting to reveal a growing excitement that his predator nature picked up with millimeter precision, Jake was having thoughts far too obscene to be defined as a "good boy."
His inner wolf was wide awake. It wanted to spin you around and kiss you in front of the entire pub. It wanted to push your head back and drag his nose along your neck, lingering on the scent glandâthe most sacred area for hybrids like him, where a femaleâs scent was most concentrated. He wanted every last hybrid on this earth to smell his scent on your body.
But his hybrid mind went even further, imagining much darker, wilder fantasiesâdefinitely not the kind a "good boy" would have. In his head, he pictured you straddling him, completely naked, your breasts bouncing with every movement, gasping as you clenched your fingers in his dark hair and bent his ears backward with pleasure. He wanted to see you trembling with pleasure beneath or above him as he thrust deep inside you, claiming you not as a human, but as an animal claiming his mate he had finally found and the most depraved image of all was seeing you swollen with his knot. He imagined pushing all the way inside you, swelling in your belly to lock himself inside your body, forcing you to stay bound to him while his pheromones marked you from within. At the same time, he wanted to hear you cry and moan his name like a sick prayer, trapped in his knot.
So no⊠Jake was not a good boy in that moment but until he officially went into heatâthat time of year when hybrids completely lost their minds or until you became his female in every sense, he would force himself to be good. He would keep the beast that had been pulsing inside him for months whenever he was near you on a tight leash.
The overwhelming beats of Scream & Shout blared at full volume, literally shaking the walls of the pub. You were in the middle of the dance floor, the alcohol coursing through you giving you the confidence to sing and dance with Allie, arms raised, hips swaying in rhythm, a few sweat-dampened strands of hair sticking to your forehead and face as you laughed and hopped but every so often, your eyes instinctively snapped toward the small sofa where Jake had stayed seated next to Heeseung.
He hadnât danced or drunk, staying true to his promise to be your shield. He kept his large hand tightly wrapped around your third drink of the nightâa deep pink Cosmopolitan and he hadnât taken his eyes off you for even a second. That gaze, both sweet and magnetic, had sent shivers through you all evening. When the song ended, you pushed your way through the crowded, overheated bodies, and when you finally reached the table, you practically collapsed onto the sofa next to them, smiling radiantly especially at Jake.
You swept your hair behind your back with a fluid neck movement, and Jake couldnât stop watching you. You leaned forward to grab the straw of your Cosmopolitan, and as the cool, alcoholic liquid slid down your throat, you gave him a sweet but incredibly sly smile. âItâs⊠itâs so good,â you slurred slightly, your cheeks flushed. âI⊠I definitely want another one!â you said, giggling.
Heeseung burst out laughing, turning to Jake and slapping him on the shoulder: âWow, Sim⊠I think tonight youâve awakened a completely new personality in Y/n! This party is going to cost you a lot if she keeps this up.â
Jake shook his head with a half-protective smile curving his lips. He leaned toward you and whispered in your ear:Â âYou still have to finish this one, sweetheart. But the answer is no...no fourth drink. Itâs already a lot that I let you get to this Cosmopolitan.â
You immediately pouted, disappointed by his refusal. Driven by a sudden, bold audacity youâd never have had while sober, you stretched toward him, wrapping your arms around his neck. You leaned forward, pressing your face right where his neck met his shoulderâexactly above his wolf scent gland.
At that contact, Jake froze instantly, stiffening as if heâd been hit by an electric shock. His breath caught because, without realizing it, by moving there against him and breathing in his skin, you were literally marking him with your strawberry and vodka scent. For a few seconds, your pheromonesâless sharp because you were humanâmixed with his, and for his wolf, that gesture was both ecstasy and exquisite torture.
âPlease, JakeâŠ?â you whispered against his neck. âYou know⊠yeah, well, Iâm really having so much fun tonight!â You raised your hands in the air to emphasize, giggling again. âAnd besides, you were⊠you were so good at soccer tonight. Youâre a champion, so we have to celebrate big, right?â
Jay, who was sitting on the sofa across from you, watched the whole scene and put a hand on his face, shaking his head though with an amused smirk. âJake, my friend, listen to me: maybe you should take her home now,â the black cat said. âOtherwise, tomorrow morning, when she wakes up, sheâll be mortified by everything sheâs doing and saying with just three drinks in her!â
You turned toward Jay, exaggerating your pout: âNo, Jake, donât listen to him! I⊠I want to dance more, and I want another drink! We could⊠we could share it, what do you say? One sip each⊠there are so many drinks Iâve never tried.â
But Jake, struggling to regain control of his instincts after that close contact on his neck, slid his large hand down your back, steadying you, and looked you straight in the eyes. With a low, incredibly gentle tone, he said: âY/n⊠earlier, you said I was a good boy, right?â
You looked at him for a few seconds, enchanted by his lips, and slowly nodded, almost hypnotized.
âExactly,â he continued, gently rubbing your back. âGood boys always take their girls home safe and sound. Itâs a promise I made you, and Iâm not breaking it. So game over for tonight.â He said, standing up and gently pulling you up by your arm. âPut on your coat actually, take my team hoodie too. Itâs freezing outside.â
As you weakly protested because you seriously wanted to go back to the dance floor and have fun, and most of all, you wanted his eyes glued to your body again, Jake helped you slip your arms into his enormous hoodie, which completely wrapped you in his scent
The notes of Into It filled the car, and you closed your eyes slightly, smiling. âIâd love to write a song like this⊠I love alternative R&B and synth-pop,â you said, leaning back against the seat. Jake smiled at the sight of you so relaxed in his car. He knew perfectly well that both you and he loved Chase Atlanticâthey were one of the many things that connected you without needing too many words, something heâd discovered about you almost by accident.
âWell, who knows⊠maybe one day, at the Champions League final, youâll be the one opening the ceremony with your own song, and Iâll be on the field with my team, walking down the tunnel,â he said, shooting you an amused glance but also offering encouragementâfor both of you. Heâd make a pact with the devil himself to become an elite soccer player, but at the same time, he wanted to see you fulfilled. At that statement, you almost shot upright, clapping your hands enthusiastically: âThat would be amazing! Even if in three or four years, youâll probably have even more girls wearing your jersey⊠You know, today at the stadium, almost all of them were wearing it, and I donât blame them, because youâreâŠâ
Jake furrowed his brows, not understanding where you were going with this, your cheeks still flushed from the alcohol. âIâmâŠ?â he asked, turning the steering wheel. At the sight of his veined hands gripping it, you bit your lip slightly and giggled, shifting in your seat to trace a finger over his hand resting on the gear shift. With your cheeks incredibly red, you whispered: âYouâre really gorgeous, Jake. But not in a⊠âsexualâ way. In the way that youâre gorgeous inside and out, and it kills me that youâre ashamed to let people see that, hiding behind your bad-boy mask.â
Jake smiled softly. âWell⊠I think thatâs the most genuine and deep compliment anyoneâs given me in years,â he said sincerely, squeezing your fingers for a second before putting his hand back on the wheel.
You clapped your hands again, happy, and started humming softly along with the rhythm of the music until the car turned onto the driveway of the hybridsâ big villa. Jake took you straight to his room to avoid waking the others who hadnât come to the party. With infinite patience, he took care of you, as heâd promised, helping you take off your coat and his oversized hoodie, turning away respectfully when you unclasped your bra to be more comfortable. He handed you a clean T-shirt and a pair of soft sweatpants to wear as pajamas. Like a good boy, he waited outside the bathroom while you washed your face. When you came out, heâd changed too.
Without his team jacket and the daytime clothes that often made him look over the top, in his pajamas, he looked like the classic boy next doorâjust an ordinary, accessible, and incredibly sweet guy. But this wasnât the real Jake youâd come to know, was it? With that question in mind, you sat on the edge of the padded headboard. When Jake sat down right next to you, you turned your face abruptly and stared at his profile under the soft light of the bedside lamp. Your eyes traced the perfect lines of his profileâJake had a beautiful nose, straight and large, typical of his hybrid nature. Without even realizing it, guided by the alcohol and a sudden urge to touch him, you reached out, placing a finger on the bridge of his nose and gently traced its entire outline down to the tip.
Jake turned his head, letting you do it as his wolf ears twitched slightly and a small smile formed on his lips. âEarlier⊠I also wanted to tell you that youâre beautiful, Jake,â you said softly as you met his eyes, pulling your hand back and looking up at the ceiling with a small huff. âBut I already knew that⊠every girl tells you that every single day of the week.â
At that, Jake rolled his eyes, and his hybrid nature kicked in instantlyâbecause this was the second time youâd subtly let him know you were completely jealous of all those stupid number 5 jerseys the other girls wore in the stands. A small grin took over his lips. âDamn⊠If Iâd known that with three drinks in you, youâd be this chatty and admit things like that, I wouldâve taken you to every party this season, sweetheart,â Jake said with an amused tone.
In the strange euphoria of the alcohol, you almost knelt on the soft mattress, leaning over him as he lay partially stretched out on the bed. Neither of you could stop looking at each other, unfiltered and guided only by instinct. You whispered in a low voice: âI⊠Can I kiss you, Jake?â
Jakeâs eyes widened, completely caught off guard by such a direct request. Where the hell had the girl who hated being touchedâespecially the one who was mad at himâgone? His tail began wagging frantically on the mattress, betraying his wild excitement. When he saw you leaning in even closer, he made a huge effort of willpower, lifting a finger and gently pressing it against your mouth. âSweetheart⊠Iâd pay gold to do it again and kiss you right now,â he said in a low voice. âBut damn, as you said earlier, right now Iâm a âgood boy,â and I canât take advantage of you like this. You have to ask me when youâre sober, Y/n. When youâre sober, you can ask me for anythingâŠÂ anything. And if tomorrow morning you still want me, you can ask me for whatever you want...but not now.â
You made an adorable pout, visibly disappointed by the refusalâyouâd never expected it. âAnything?â you murmured. Jake nodded slowly. âAnything.â
âWell⊠fine, then tomorrow morning,â you whispered, your fingers already lazily playing with his big wolf ears again. You continued, your voice shy and your eyes heavy with sleepiness: âI⊠I want to ask you something tomorrow, but I wonât spoil it now.â
Jake gently caressed your flushed cheek with the back of his hand, tender and dying of curiosity about what you might ask him. âYou should try to sleep now, Y/n. The bed is all yours,â he said. You nodded weakly, exhausted from the day, and curled up against him, nestling on his side and resting your head on the pillow.
Jake reached over to turn off the bedside lamp. Despite the wolf inside him screaming with the impulse to pull you close, trap you under his body for the whole night, he forced himself to respect your space. He didnât yet have the official right to hold you or keep you close as if you were his mate. So he settled for stroking the back of your hand with warm, protective fingers all night, letting you rest. As he felt your breathing become steady, Jake stayed awake in the dark, his heart pounding in his chest. He was so curious and impatient to find out what you intended to ask him the next morning.
In his hybrid mind, he wondered if that mysterious question had to do with your fear of being touched by others.
Jake woke up stretching, his nose catching your faint scent of strawberries and something sweetâmaybe a hint of cotton candy, or perhaps a sugary note from one of the drinks youâd had the night before. As he stretched to see if you were still asleep, he placed a hand on the part of the bed where you should have been. It was still warm, but you werenât there. His heart started pounding, and he sat up almost abruptly, lazily running a hand through his hair. When he opened his eyes, at that exact moment, he saw you entering his room, still wearing his clothes, with two steaming cups of coffee in your hands.
You smiled at him shyly, and he thought you were 100% back to the girl heâd met months agoânot the teasing version of you from last night, the one who had asked if you could kiss him or who had looked at him with eyes full of excitement. When you handed him the cup, he responded with a rough, small âThanks,â and you sat down in front of him. As you sipped your coffee, you couldnât stop looking at him, and Jake chuckled into his cup.
âStop looking at me like that, sweetheart. Spit it outâŠtell me what you wanted to say last night,â he said. You opened your mouth to speak, but the words got stuck on the tip of your tongue, and your cheeks turned even redder. âYou⊠you, forget it, Jake. Itâs⊠itâs nothing, what I wanted to ask you. Please, just forget it,â you said.
Jake tilted his head, observing you, and he could sense how embarrassed your body was. Teasing you, he said: âNo, no, beautiful. Now you tell me what you wanted to ask me. And I certainly canât forget you begging to kiss me!â You opened your mouth to retort, rolled your eyes, and said: âWhy are you always so shameless? Itâs not even 8 in the morning.â Jake chuckled and replied, still in a low voiceâit was in his nature. You pouted and said: âIâll ask you this thing, but first, donât laugh, donât tease me, and donât make a scene, okay? Donât yell or act like a clown, okay?â
Jake was seriously curious about what you wanted to ask him. He stretched out his pinky finger as a promise, and you squeezed it tightly. âOkay, well, I wonât beat around the bush⊠you⊠do you want to have sex with me?â
Jake thought he was still asleep. Was he dreaming? Hallucinating? But when he spat out half the coffee in his mouth onto his pajama shirt, the burning contact of the liquid on his warm skin made him cough violently. You jumped up and started patting his back for a full minute. Neither of you said a word. Jake placed his coffee on the nightstand, and as he turned to you, he looked at you carefully and said, perhaps too loudly: âARE YOU KIDDING ME? ARE YOU STILL DRUNK, OR⊠DID YOU GET A HIGH FEVER IN THE FEW HOURS YOU SLEPT?â
You glared at him and almost growled his name. He lowered his voice, but his hand pressed against your foreheadâyou were coldâŠÂ damn. You were serious.
âIâm not feverish, and Iâm not drunk. Damn, I wasnât even drunk last night, Jake, and⊠and Iâm not joking. But if you donât want to⊠I understand,â you said, fiddling with the strings of your pajama. Jake was extremely restless at that moment. He ran his hands through his hair countless times, and after what felt like endless minutes, he said: âI want a reason, Y/n. I want a damn reason for why you asked me something like that. Whereâs the girl who hated my physical contact? Whereâs the girl who was even afraid to sit next to me? Whereâs that girl? That girl wouldnât have asked me to kiss her in the first place, let alone to have sex with me. So excuse me, but I want the fucking truth. And then weâll consider it. But I want⊠the truth about why you were and still are afraid of being touched or drinking a drink with a little alcohol in it.â
You sighed because only your family and Allie knew the truth about what had happened to you in your last year of high school. You closed your eyes for a moment and tried not to relive all the pain that night had caused you, or the rumors that had spread about you and your parents. Then you said:Â
âOkay, Iâll tell you the truth. But please, this has to stay between you and me. It must not leave these four walls, and you⊠Please donât say or do anything until Iâve finished telling you what happened.â
Jake nodded and shifted slightly closer, trying to calm you with his pheromones, but it didnât work. When you started telling him that in your last year of high school, you were dating a guy from the soccer team, and you thought he was the right one for you, because he was the perfect guy: good grades, part of the best studentsâ club, and loved by your entire town because he did volunteer work. You had built a clear image of him in your mind. But everything changed one night⊠You and this guy had been together for a couple of months, and you went to a party together. He had drunk a little too much, and you werenât completely sober either. Jake immediately understood what had happened to you: an assault.
His hybrid nature wanted to know who this guy was and make his life a living hell, especially when you started crying. He pulled you into his arms, and you buried your entire body against him. For endless minutes, he held you, gently stroking your hair and telling you it wasnât your fault. But you didnât stop crying and sobbing until you said:Â
âI⊠Iâm broken, Jake. Every time someone tries to make me feel good, I freeze and go into this cold trance. Thatâs why I asked you⊠because itâs hard to admit, but I trust you. And youâve made me realize that so many times these past few months.âYou said this with tears in your eyes, and Jake gently wiped them away with his thumbs, closing his eyes for a moment because he never would have imagined finding himself in a situation like this.
Jake wanted to make you happy, so he gently shifted you away from him, lifted your chin, and looked deeply into your eyes. âYouâre not broken, Y/n. You went through something horrible that no one in this world should ever experience. So itâs normal for your body to be afraid, for you to go into a negative, protective mode. Therefore⊠my answer is yes.â
You gave him a 32-tooth smile and hugged him even tighter than before. âYou⊠youâre serious? Youâll help me overcome this?â Jake nodded and wiped away another tear sliding down your face. He whispered in a low voice: âI never want to see tears of sadness in you again, Y/n. These⊠these tears should only be of joy or excitement. So yes, Iâll help you. But on my conditions.â
You nodded and said, âWhat conditions will we adopt?â. Jake tried to show his most human side, not the dark hybrid one, and said: â
First, you need to start taking the anti-hybrid pill. I donât want to accidentally knot and impregnate you when we⊠You know, have sex. And Iâll take it too, as long as this is safe.â You tried to speak, but a finger pressed against your lips. âLet me talk, Y/n. Second, we will not have sex right away. Before sex, there must absolutely be awareness and enjoyment of what weâre going to doâespecially for you, since youâve told me you canât let yourself go or be touched by others. So there will be a lot of foreplay, both for me to discover your body and for you to discover mine. Third, you must tell me at any moment if you want to stop or if you donât like something. There will be no safe wordâif you tell me NO, it will be a NO. If you tell me you like it, Iâll continue. If you want to stop, I will stop. But if you beg me to continue, I will continue⊠because I have two natures, Y/nâboth the human one and the animal one. These are my conditions, Y/n. If youâre up for it, weâll do this together. But if you donât agree with even one of these things, my answer will be a NO.â
You swallowed and nodded, still sitting on top of him, continuing to play with the strings of his pajama. After a while, you said, âThese conditions are perfect for me. Itâs clear that deep down, youâre a good guy!â You said this, trying to ease the tension that had built up. He gently caressed your side and, looking at you, said: âIâd like to suggest another condition. From the moment this starts⊠Iâd like for you not to be with other girls, and obviously, the same will go for me. I know it might seem trivial to you, but Iâd feel more comfortable. And when⊠well, if it ends, we could⊠yes, go back to our lives,â you said, a little embarrassed.
But in Jakeâs mind, it was already settled that this wouldnât end because you were his mate, and he would make you understand that in any way possible. You would never be with another guy except him, and the same went for him.
Were you a bad person for forgetting about your date with Soobin while crying in Jakeâs arms, finally sharing what had happened to you? Maybe⊠but at the same time, after years of silence, you had finally told someone the truth. And perhaps, thanks to Jakeâs words, his touch, and the growing realization that you might have found someone you could trust completely, you didnât feel like a bad person at all.
âIâm really sorry I didnât show up at the bakery. I woke up super late because the night before, I went to the soccer teamâs party with Jake and his friends, and Allie wouldnât leave me aloneâshe kept making me dance with her. Before I knew it, it was maybe 2 AM by the time I got home. And in the morning, when I woke up, I texted you right away,â you said, winking. Soobin, 99% convinced by your story, took a sip of the new winter recipe youâd added to the seasonal menu and nodded. But you heard him mutter under his breath: âOf course you were at Jakeâs party.â
At the sound of that name, something inside you twitched. And as if on cue, your phone lit up. You saw Jakeâs name at the top of your notifications. It wasnât news that Jake and Allie usually topped your chat list. You glanced at the message:
-> Jakeâœïžđș: Come over at 6 PM. There wonât be anyone around for a good two hours, so you can relax! Iâm heading to practice. See you later, sweetheart :)
You froze at those words. The day had arrived. Obviously, as heâd said, it wasnât about sex...it was aboutâŠÂ physically getting to know each other. Oh my God, what had you gotten yourself into? But he was the only manâbesides your dadâwho didnât make you anxious. Youâd thought and reasoned so much before asking him that question, and now the moment was here.
Two fingers snapped in front of your face, and you jumped. Soobinâs voice cut through your thoughts: âSeems like you just read a notification about a good grade or something amazing happening. Did something good happen?â he asked, looking at you. You quickly lied: âYes, the music production company Hybe wrote to me⊠they want a meeting. You know I write music, and they want to get to know me and the drafts I have on my computerâthere are over 100 of them.â
Soobinâs eyes widened. âDamn, Y/n, thatâs huge news! I know Jay works under that label too, you could ask him about itâŠâ You cut him off before he could finish, raising your hands. âI⊠please, donât tell anyone. I donât want to get contacts or opportunities because of someone else. I want them to want me, to like my lyrics and my melodies. So could you⊠not tell anyone? Only you, Allie, and my family know.â
Soobinâs ego swelled a little at the thought that you hadnât even told Jake yet. âDonât worry, my lips are sealed,â he said, miming a zipper over his mouth with his fingers. You thanked him.
Soobin wasnât a bad friend, he was funny, seemed like a calm guy, and had his head on straight. But to your defense⊠he didnât make you feel anything anymore. Or maybe youâd never really felt anything for him at all.
Your low-rise jeans hugged your legs perfectly, and your slightly snug sweater accentuated the curves you usually disliked but had started to appreciate as part of who you were. You had light makeup on, but your signature strawberry gloss never missed your lips, and your hair was softly wavy. You felt pretty, but anxiety was eating you up inside as you entered Jakeâs house using the code you knew. This time, Jake rushed down the stairs, and when he saw you dressed so nicely to spend time with him, a small smile formed on his face.
âHey, damn, sweetheartâif Iâd known youâd dress this well, I wouldâve spent a little more time on my outfit too!â he said, licking his lips slightly. You rolled your eyes, but when he offered his hand, you looked at it carefully before taking it. As he led you to his room, you felt a wave of anxiety, and Jake knew it. âY/n, I donât want to force you to do anything, okay? Before you got here, I thought maybe you could get comfortable in my clothes, and then we could listen to some music, do some LegosâIâve got a ton or we could watch a movie. Whatever helps you relax is fine with me. I know youâve never been with a hybrid before, but I can smell your scent notes, and right now, I can sense that sour, persistent note in you. So you choose what you want to do,â he said, giving you a small smile.
You lowered your head at the sight of his clothes because you knew youâd never meet another guy like Jake again. At first, you had to admit, you didnât particularly like him. But as you got to know him over the months, you realized Jake was the kind of guy every mom would want as a partner for their daughter. Yes, he often acted like a show-off, but deep down, he had a huge heart and you knew, deep down, that he was opening it up to you.
âItâs a great idea to wear your clothes. I donât even know why I dressed up so nicely. Weâre just staying in your room, so yeah, Iâll put on your stuff, and then maybe we could⊠listen to some music? And what do you think about dancing?âJakeâs eyes widened slightly, and he said in a low voice: âDancing?â You nodded, slightly amused, because you wanted to see if heâd get embarrassed. But Jake understood your gaze immediately and said: âYou said that before doing anything, we need to get to know our bodies. I donât want a dance-off, Jake. I just want some closeness between our bodies with the music, and yes⊠you can touch me, and obviously, I can touch you too,â you said. Jake noddedâif thatâs what you wanted, it was fine with him.
When you came out of his bathroom, you were wearing one of Jakeâs soccer jerseys, of course, with his number and last nam âand a simple pair of pajama pants. At that sight, something inside Jake clicked. Heâd been disappointed on game day when he hadnât seen you in his jersey, but now he thought it was a thousand times better to see you in his room, wearing his jersey, with only his eyes on you. In his hybrid nature, it was a beautiful victory.
He knew he was a little possessive by nature, but seeing you in his jersey, in his clothes, with his scentâthe beast inside him rejoiced fiercely. He couldnât wait to see you without them, at his mercy. But he had to push those thoughts away immediately. After what youâd confided in him, he wanted to give you all the time you needed. He wanted you to understand that only he could have you, desire you fiercely⊠because only he would listen to your body 100%.
You and Jake stared at the open Spotify screen on his laptop, scrolling through song options.
âWhat song could we listen to that we could both dance and sing to?â you asked, tilting your head as you read through various titles that were also in your own playlist. Jake made a small, thoughtful pout, running a finger over his chin until his eyes lit up. âHow about âDancing with Myselfâ? Itâs super rhythmic, I used to listen to it all the time with my dad. Itâs got that â80s rock beat that makes your feet, body, and head move all at once. What do you think?â
You beamed and hit play on the computer resting on his desk. Immediately, the iconic, overwhelming drum intro filled the room through the speakers. You didnât need to be told twiceâyou started swaying your hips and bouncing on the rug, following your own rhythm. Meanwhile, Jake brought a hand to his face, perhaps out of embarrassment? His wolf ears bent slightly backward, betraying a hint of shy embarrassment at seeing you so unleashedâjust for him. But at the same time, he was thrilled to see you so at ease in his company.
âCome on, Jake! Donât tell me youâre embarrassed to dance a little with me!â you laughed, your hair swaying slightly with every movement. Seeing his gaze on you, you approached himâhe was still sitting on the edge of the bed and teased him, holding up your pinky finger. âThereâs no one else here. I wonât tell anyone!â Without thinking, you grabbed his wrists with your hands and playfully but firmly urged him to stand up and dance with you.
He closed his eyes for a second, sighing to compose himself in the situation heâd gotten himself into just to make you happy and help you understand he was the right one for you. When he opened them again, he saw your contagious laughter ringing out with the music, and a resigned but incredibly sweet smile spread across his lips. He, too, began to sway his body, following your movements, which were clumsy but magnetic to him, because in that moment, it was just you.
âCome on, Jake, loosen up a bit! Whereâs the fearless campus bad boy whoâs afraid of nothing?â you teased, pulling him even closer. âWeâre just dancing and trying to⊠trust each other.â You swayed your hips, and at the mention of trust, Jake took a deep breath. He placed his large hands with extreme gentleness on your waist, moving to the rhythm of the song.
You laughed happily, and with a burst of joy, you did a little spin, gracefully slipping out of his grip and stepping a few paces toward the center of the room, perhaps on purpose, because you definitely wanted his attention and those eyes always on you.
Jake made a small, frustrated pout at being deprived of your touch and walked with feline grace to close the distance again. When he reached you, you threw your arms around his neck, stopping his advance but staying very close.
âDonât try to touch me like you already own me, Jake,â you whispered, looking him straight in the eyes with a mix of challenge and vulnerability. âTry to let go⊠and touch me like Iâm something completely new.â
At those words, Jakeâs animal nature took over for a moment. The wolf inside him growled softly, eager to grab you tightly and press you against his chest, to show you that every single cell of your body already belonged to him. But he shook off that overpowering thought with a shake of his head and muttered in a low voice: âEasy for you to say⊠when you already own my entire body, Y/n.â
Jake prayed you hadnât heard him and maybe you hadnât. So he slowly slid a hand behind your back, caressing the fabric of the jersey right where the large number 5 was printed. You let him, returning to your gentle dancing in front of him, completely wrapped in his scent. But seeing him completely lost in you, you turned your back, still following the rhythm of the music. Your body inevitably pressed against his chest, and thatâs when you clearly felt Jake losing patience with you⊠his self-control was crumbling because of you. You felt the warmth of his nose press directly against your exposed throat, inhaling your scent until it gave you shivers, while his hands tightened decisively around your waist, anchoring you to him.
As you continued to move against his warm body, Jake exhaled a trembling sigh against your skin, breathing in your sweet scent, which had finally softened and become extremely sweetâa sign that you were completely trusting him.
âDamn⊠theyâll have to make me a saint for how Iâm holding back tonight, Y/n,â he said roughly against you in a low voice. You giggled, finding his frustration incredibly adorable, especially because you knew all the girls heâd been with had thrown themselves at him without a second thought. Heâd never had to fight for anything when it came to girls. Seeing him so vulnerable sparked something in you. So you moved your hips even more against him.
But Jake, sensing his limit was almost reached, abruptly stepped back. When you turned to look at him, confused, he shook his head, his breath short and his ears lowered, trying to recover that last shred of âgood boyâ dignity he had left.
This time, you took a step forward. You walked toward him with determination as the first notes of Enrique Iglesiasâ I Like It began to fill the dimly lit room. Driven by a sudden rush of adrenaline and the desire that had been building for weeks, you rose slightly onto your tiptoes, grabbed the collar of his T-shirt, and pulled him down forcefully, eliminating any remaining distance. You pressed your lips against his in a wet, sweet, and desperate kiss
Your lips tasted like strawberriesâa sweet, sugary flavor that revealed your obsession with the fruit. Jake was completely hypnotized by it. It was only the second time youâd kissed, but his mind instantly registered how your lips fit and locked perfectly with his, as if they were made for that exact embrace.
In the room, lit only by the glow of the computer screen, the wet sound of your mouths meeting echoed clearly, amplifying the tension that had built up between you over weeks. When you slightly parted your lips to catch your breath, Jake took the opportunity. With extreme slowness, he used the sharp tip of one of his wolf canines to gently nibble on your lower lip. A weak, excited moan escaped your throat, making both Jakeâs human and hybrid sides tremble.
âAhhâŠâ you moaned, and Jake smiled against your lips, pleased by your reaction. He moved on to gently sucking that spot while you began to sway and wiggle in his arms, pushing your hips against his body out of pure instinctâto get closer to him, to tease him in return. Not wanting to give him all the control, you slid your hands into his hair, reaching the base of his wolf ears, where you knew, from the beginning of your acquaintanceâthat ears and tails were the most sensitive parts for a hybrid. You began to caress that ultra-sensitive spot with your fingertips, and Jake let out a deep, almost growl-like moan that escaped as your lips were still just millimeters apart:
âMmh⊠Y/nâŠâ
In retaliation, this time you smiled between his lips, continuing to move your fingers over those soft, warm ears, making him shiver. Jake was restraining himself with every single cell of his body because his wolf nature was literally howling from the sensory overload of everything happening in just a few moments. His instinct screamed at him to pin your wrists above your head, to use his canines to mark your skin, and to take everything he desired. But before the beast could take over, you took two steps back, pulling him with you. You tripped over the edge of the bed, and you both tumbled together onto the soft mattress, with you lying on your back and him on top of you.
Jake quickly planted his forearms on either side of your head, using all the strength in his muscular arms to avoid crushing you with his weight. He lowered his gaze, and at that sight, he seriously thought he was a dead man. You were fuckingbeautiful lying there on his pillow, your hair messy and framing your face, your lips visibly swollen and glossy from the kisses, your cheeks flushed with excitement.
Damn. He never would have thought you, of all people, would be his mate, the human who would bring his wolf to its knees. He had to mentally admit that Jay, Heeseung, and all the other pack members had been rightâtheyâd realized from the very first moment youâd stepped through the door of their house that you were his destined mate.
Your hands trembled slightly as they continued to caress his ears. Jake, noticing that tremor and seeing how your eyes kept searching for his, asked in a rough whisper:Â âWhat do you want to do, sweetheart?â
You stayed silent for a few seconds while his eyes continued to devour your body, careful not to cross that invisible line youâd drawn after telling him what had happened to you. âCould you⊠could you, I donât know, kiss me again?â you finally murmured, looking away in embarrassment. âBut⊠not on the lips. I donât really know what to do, Jake⊠Honestly, I donât want this to be embarrassing for you.â You tried not to feel at fault in that moment, and Jake released one hand from its grip on the mattress. He passed it with infinite gentleness over your cheek, lifting your face to force you to look at him. He whispered against your lips:
âSweetheart⊠you canât make anything embarrassing with me. Itâs all in your head. Whatever we do tonight wonât be anywhere near embarrassing. You just have to tell me when you feel overwhelmed, just tell me to stop, and Iâll do it instantly⊠I promise.â You instinctively nuzzled into his warm hand, pressing your cheek against his palm, and closed your eyes.
âPlease⊠please, kiss me, Jake.â
Jake didnât need to be told twice. He leaned over you and kissed you again, but this time, it wasnât a kiss charged with urgency like the previous one. Instead, it was an incredibly slow, wet, and protective contact to make you understand that you could trust him.
Then, he slowly slid downward, and his nose pressed directly against the hollow of your neck. He inhaled deeply, your sweet scent now even more intense with your heated skin. He wondered how heâd managed to survive 23 years without noticing that scent.
âDamn, Y/nâŠâ he murmured against your skin, and those words sent shivers down your entire spine. âThis scent is driving me literally crazy. You smell like warm strawberries, something like cotton candy, and clean skin⊠I swear I could spend the whole night just breathing you in here.â
You let out a weak giggle at that declaration because you knew those words came more from his animal nature. But your laughter died in your throat when Jakeâs warm lips finally pressed against your bare skin, and the wolf began to place light, wet, slow kisses along the entire line of your neck, moving up to the base of your jaw and then back down toward your collarbone.
Small, muffled moans echoed in the room every time Jakeâs mouth moved, placing wet kisses and light, gentle bites from your neck down to your chest, just above the hem of his T-shirt. His hybrid nature clearly sensed how his wild scent was covering your skin, marking you minute by minute beneath him. Feeling his scent blend so intimately with yours sent a wave of even denser, more primal excitement through him. He never thought it would feel so incredible to have his scent anchored to his mate, and this realization drove him wild.
Your eyes were slightly closed, your fingers still weakly tangled in his hair. Everything was going incredibly wellâuntil Jake slightly pulled away from your neck and slid a hand under the hem of the T-shirt, caressing the bare skin of your stomach. Small shivers of pure pleasure bloomed on your skin as he continued to kiss you lightly and tease your throat. He asked in an incredibly sweet and rough whisper:Â âIs this okay, sweetheart? Do you like it?â
You simply nodded, but that wasnât the answer youâd agreed on to maintain control. So Jake stopped a millimeter from your lips: âWords, sweetheart⊠use those beautiful, plump lips Iâve been kissing to answer me. I want to hear your voice,â he teased. So you lifted your eyes to his and murmured: âYes⊠itâs all good, Jake. You can keep going.â
At that confirmation, a smile lit up his face, and he praised you shamelessly, making your blood rush: âThatâs how a good girl behavesâŠâ You rolled your eyes at that statement, but then his hand slid slowly lower, slipping out from under the T-shirt to gently press against the inside of your thigh. At that pressure, you swallowed hard, feeling your heart race. But you trusted Jake blindly, so as he kissed you again to distract you, you felt his hand slide under the sweatpants. He began with just one finger to brush against the thin fabric of your lace panties. But as soon as you felt even the slightest real pressure of that intimate contact, your body short-circuited. You froze instantly, stiffening like a piece of ice beneath him. You tried to speak, to say something, but your throat tightened as if blocked by a thread pulling tightâone of the things that had happened to you on that damn night.
Jake, whose hybrid senses were tuned to every millisecond of your reactions, immediately noticed the drastic change in your heartbeat and the tension in your muscles. He stopped instantly, pulling his hand back. As he lifted his gaze to you, he whispered your name: âY/nâŠ?â
You didnât answer, but he saw how your wide, fixed eyes on the ceiling were beginning to fill with silent panic, making you feel vulnerable in front of him. Without a hint of hesitation, Jake completely moved away from you, shifting to the side to free you from his weight. âHey, hey⊠little one, nothingâs happening. Look at me, itâs all okay,â he said in an incredibly gentle voice, opening his arms. You slowly sat up and immediately took refuge in his arms.
You hugged him as if he were your living shield, hiding your face in the hollow of his warm neck, breathing in his scent to at least ease all the bad thoughts resurfacing in your mind. For the second time in just a few days, you whispered against his skin, barely holding back tears of frustration: âSee, Jake⊠I⊠Iâm broken. I trust you, I really do⊠but I just canât do it. And thatâs the worst part⊠feeling like this.â
His large hands began to gently caress your back, tracing circles over your T-shirt to calm you. But inside him, the wolf was growling furiously because he had a mad desire to find whoever had hurt you in the past and punch them, leave them to rot somewhere. But his human, rational side took over because he knew he had to handle the situation with extreme delicacy.
After a few moments of silence, he caressed your hair and asked, with a slightly embarrassed but extremely serious tone: âWhen youâre alone⊠do you feel safe giving yourself pleasure? Or is it a situation that blocks you, whether youâre alone or with other people?â
You slightly widened your eyes, still with your chin resting on his shoulder, because the question caught you completely off guard. It was the kind of question your therapist asked, not a guy youâd known for only a few months. But you answered: âSometimes⊠I feel safe alone, but other times, no,â you said in a low voice. Jake pulled back just enough to look at your face. âSo, when youâre alone and feel safe⊠can you give yourself pleasure, or not?â
You lifted your chin slightly, feeling your cheeks burn with embarrassment at the conversation because you didnât understand where he was going with this. âAre⊠are you asking if I can masturbate, Jake?â
Jake chuckled, and you saw his cheeks redden as he shrugged, running a hand through his thick hair. âDamn, sweetheart⊠you asked me to have sex with you a few days ago. I donât think youâd be scandalized if I ask if you can give yourself pleasure! I just want to understand,â he said, trying to be the most serious guy in the world at that moment. You looked away and said: âYes⊠I can give myself pleasure, butâŠâ
You couldnât finish the sentence, but Jake answered right away, anticipating the truth: âYou can give yourself pleasure, but you canât come, right? You block yourself at the last moment, right?â You nodded slowly, lowering your head. A deep, calm silence fell over the room, interrupted only by the sound of light rain beginning to patter against the window. Suddenly, you saw Jake get up from the bed.
A shiver of terror ran down your spine because you feared he wanted to end things there, that he was tired of your blocks and complexities, that you had to hurry up and figure it out on your own or with a good therapist: âWhere are you going?â you asked in a thin voice. But Jake wasnât running away. You watched him walk to the desk, grab the swivel chair, and place it against the desk. The distance wasnât much, but at the same time, you felt alone sitting on that bed. You watched him sit down right in front of you, and you didnât understand what he wanted to do.
âYou can give yourself pleasure, but at the same time, you canât reach orgasm. And itâs all in your head, Y/n. Itâs a matter of trustâin yourself, but also in the other person whoâs there with you in that moment,â he explained calmly. Then, with a slightly cheeky smile, the corners of his lips curled upâone of those smiles youâd started to recognize right away, and you didnât know whether to trust it.
âSo⊠hereâs my idea: why donât we pleasure ourselves together, but each on our own?â
You widened your eyes, struck by the proposal because youâd never thought of anything like that. âYou try to make yourself come by yourself, touching yourself the way you usually do when youâre alone in your safe space⊠and Iâll try to make myself come by myself, but right here in front of you. Itâll be a test of total mutual trust, Y/n. Weâll both be vulnerable, both exposed, but without either of us touching the other or forcing anything. Weâll just watch each other. What do you think?â
You opened your mouth to protest, but no words came out for a full minute. Jakeâs proposal had never crossed your mind in all these years it was definitely too intimate for two people who werenât even officially together, yet it was also incredibly mature.
âY/n? Are you there?â he asked as you tortured your lips, biting them. You looked at him carefully, searching his eyes for any trace of irony. âYouâre not teasing me, are you, Jake?â you whispered. He shook his head decisively. âIâve never been more serious in my life, Y/n.â
âIt could work⊠I usually donât do things like this...actually, Iâve never seen anyone masturbate in front of me,â you admitted, your cheeks literally burning. After all, youâd never even watched porn, so you had no idea what to expect.
âBut I think we could try, like you saidâitâll be a test of self-trust. Youâll see me vulnerable, but Iâll also see you exposed, âinertâ in a way⊠and I think itâll be an important step for when, one day, we have sex for real,â you said, convincing yourself that it was a good idea to see each other vulnerable. Jake nodded, and with a crooked, amused smile, he commented: âSee? Iâm not so bad⊠I told you I was smart, Y/n!â
You rolled your eyes but hinted at a smile: âDonât count your chickens just yet, Jake. Letâs see if it works first,â you said as you both stared at each other for a moment. You felt the tension in the room start to rise again, and you bit your lip, embarrassed, asking: âWho⊠who takes their clothes off first?â
Jake shrugged with total nonchalance at your question and said: âIâll go first. Iâve got nothing to hide⊠quite the opposite,â he teased. You closed your eyes slightly until you saw him stand up. With a fluid movement, he pulled his T-shirt over his head. Without that fabric covering him, you couldnât help but count the ridges of his abs, sculpted and defined, four perfect muscular hills on his toned stomach until your gaze fell on the obvious V-line that descended symmetrically, disappearing into the waistband of his Calvin Klein boxers.
His arms, though not excessively massive, were marked by bulging veins that stood out under his skin, giving him an incredibly athletic appearance. Deep down, you understood why everyone said Jake was gorgeous, and you literally felt your mouth water as you watched him lazily grab the strings of his sweatpants. Jake noticed immediately how your eyes were practically worshipping him with a hint of mischief. He shot you a complicit look, feeling his hybrid nature rejoice with pleasure. âCan I take off my pants and boxers too, sweetheart?â he asked, and you murmured: âYesâŠâ
With a smirk on his face, he let his sweatpants slide down, revealing his muscular, athletic thighs. But it was when he completely dropped his boxers that your eyes widened, and a shiver ran down your spine. Jake had no issues with his bodyâin fact, he was extremely comfortable in his own skin. At the sight of his erect member slapping against his lower abs, you nearly lost your breath. Youâd never seen anything like it before: it wasnât excessively long, but it was incrediblythick, hard, marked by prominent veins, and already covered in a slight pearly sheen on the tip. You realized it was seriously wild and not entirely human.
Seeing you so captivated and curious, Jake enjoyed the show of your wide eyes and loved seeing you open-mouthed for him. âDo you like what you see, sweetheart?â he asked with a cheeky tone. You swallowed hard, forcing yourself to lift your gaze to his face so you wouldnât get too distracted by all that perfection just a few meters away. You desperately wanted to touch him, but you knew that first, you had to trust him completely.
âWow⊠besides being beautiful on the inside, I have to admit youâre beautiful on the outside too, Jake. But you already know thatâeveryone tells you so,â you said.
He made a small, disappointed pout, as if that compliment wasnât exclusive enough for him. To tease you, he took a slow step toward you, wrapping his hand around his shaft and moving it just slightly with a single, slow slide of skin just to show you how responsive he was to your gaze.
âThey might say that to me, but I only care if you like it,â he whispered in a rough voice. Then, with a nod of his chin toward your clothes, he concluded: âBut enough talking⊠Your turn, Y/n. Take your clothes off.â
At that commandâwhich couldâve been interpreted in a way far different from how you saw itâJake couldnât wait to discover the beauty of your body, judging by the way he was looking at you. You felt your cheeks literally burn, and a sudden heat dyed your face a deep red, which he found adorable.
âIâll⊠Iâll obviously take off my pants and the shirt, but Iâd like to keep the bra on, if thatâs okay with you,â you said in a barely audible voice, almost afraid of his objection. But Jake looked at you with his hands trembling slightly along his sides, betraying the immense effort he was making not to pounce on you and touch you, smell you.
âDo whatever makes you feel most comfortable, Y/n,â he replied in an incredibly gentle tone, though his tail couldnât stay still for a second. His nose picked up every scent of yours, ranging from sweetness to something teasing due to your anxiety. âThereâs absolutely no problem for me. Take all the time you need.â
Reassured by his words, you nodded. You werenât sure what to take off first, feeling his eyes on you, not missing a single millimeter of your movements. You wanted to scream at him to close his eyes or turn away, but sooner or later, Jake would see you naked. So you slightly rose from the mattress, and with somewhat uncertain, maybe awkwardânot entirely sexyâgestures, you let the sweatpants slide down your legs.
At the sight of your toned thighs and fair skin, Jake visibly swallowed, clenching his fists against his hips. When his eyes caught the purple lace trim of your panties peeking out from under the hem of his oversized T-shirt, a mix between a moan and a sigh escaped his lips, which heâd been torturing with his teeth. He wanted to touch you in that exact momentâit was a damn devastating temptation, the idea of getting up from the chair and crawling back onto the bed to trap you beneath him. But he forced himself to stay still because he didnât want to ruin anything, especially seeing how your hands were trembling.
After minutes of staring at each other, you took a deep breath and murmured: âOkay⊠Iâm taking off your shirt now.â
Jake nodded slowly, unable to tear his eyes away from your body. âDo it, sweetheart. Youâre so damn beautiful⊠donât be afraid to let me look at you. I bet thereâs a body to worship under there, not one to hide from my eyes,â he said in a low voice. Those words gave you courage, and you crossed your arms, lifting the fabric over your head. In the exact moment you stood in front of him wearing only a damn purple Victoriaâs Secret set, decorated with small embroidered flowers that framed your body like you were a work of art on a canvas, the hybrid inside him lost his mind completely.
Jake let out a low growl that came entirely from his animal instinctâa purely wild sound. It was the very first time youâd heard him growl like that, so wild and primal. That sound made your entire body tremble, but not out of fearârather, it was a mix of physical and mental connection between you. Youâd discovered that hybrids both purr and growl: they purr in acts of pure docility with their mate, while growls can serve as a warning of danger, a sign not to touch their mate or their pack, or in a sense of pure excitement. And thatâs what Jake was feeling in that moment: he was growling at the sight of the bliss of your body just a few meters away from him, but he couldnât even brush you with a finger.
His eyes widened at that sound because you hadnât expected it, and Jake couldnât stop staring at you, open-mouthed, devouring your body with his hungry eyes. He studied carefully how the curve of your breasts seemed to try to escape from the bra cups, pushed upward. Heâd always known you had an abundant chest, but at that sight, his mindâwhich was currently running on purely animal and instinctive tracksâwas flooded with dark, possessive thoughts. He thought about how much he wanted to grab that soft flesh in his hands, how he wanted to suck on those warm nipples until you screamed his name. He even thought about how beautiful it would be to see them swollen and full of milk, watching it gush out as he filled you with his seed to bring your pups to life.
He shook his head to chase away those intense fantasies, running a hand over his mouth before complimenting you in that typical hybrid tone of hisâshameless and lewd: âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre a fucking work of art. That purple against your fair skin is driving me crazy. I knew you had perfect breasts, and I swear, if I werenât confined to this chair, Iâd have already consumed your skin with bites and kisses.â He said this while biting his lips, which were almost bleeding from how much heâd been nibbling on them in the last few minutes.
You sat back down on the edge of the bed with your legs curled up, trying to calm your racing heart. Now that you were both almost completely naked, you had to start what youâd agreed to do.
At those words, you swallowed hard and closed your eyes for a moment. Youâd never done anything like this before, and you wanted the earth to swallow you whole. But when you opened your eyes again, Jake was there, watching you intently. âYou donât have to be afraid right now, Y/n. Itâs just you and me. Slide your panties aside gently if you donât want to take them all the way off. Let me see how wet you are⊠I can smell it from here, youâre already soaked.â
Your cheeks burned at his words. With trembling hands, you slid your fingers toward your panties, already feeling the heat of your arousal. You pulled the edge down just enough to reveal your lips to Jake. At the sight, he groaned, and you instinctively closed your eyes but that wasnât what he wanted.
âOpen your eyes, sweetheart,â he said, his voice a mix of command and tenderness. âItâs not just me who gets to watch you pleasure yourself. You need to watch too.â
You obeyed, and what you saw took your breath away: his hands wrapped around his shaft, moving up and down in a slow, deliberate rhythm. The tip, flushed and glistening, grew thicker with every stroke, and a bead of pre-cum slid down the length. You crossed your legs, the desire burning inside you. âPlease, Jake⊠Please talk to me. I feel⊠lost,â you mumbled, your eyes fixed on him.
Jake sighed, his patience stretched thin. âSlide your panties all the way down your legs,â he ordered, his voice a contained growl. âUse your middle finger on your clit and start rubbing. But donât you dare close your eyes.â
You sighed in response and did as he said. Your panties slid off, and you shifted slightly higher on the bed, spreading your legs under his hungry gaze. Jake cursed under his breathâthe sight of you naked and ready to touch yourself without needing his command pushed him to the edge. It was as if, little by little, you were starting to understand the situation youâd gotten yourselves into⊠and that you could trust the man in front of you.
Jake watched as your trembling finger found your clit, already swollen and sensitive. âIs this okay?â you asked softly. He nodded, his dark eyes filled with desire. âRub. Slowly. Let me hear you moan.â
And so you did. Your clit was already hypersensitive, and the touch of your fingers made you let out a small moan. Little by little, you felt more at ease, more daring. âDonât stroke your cock so much, Jake⊠or youâll come first,â you stammered, your lips parted, your breath ragged. âI⊠I want to come with you.â
Jakeâs eyes widened at your confession, but he nodded. You saw his abs clench as he slowed his rhythm, rubbing his cock slowly in the grip of his hand. It was an incredible sight, youâd never imagined how exciting it could be to see a guy like him, just sitting there, watching you, while at the same time pleasuring himself just to make you feel at ease.
He realized that without his guidance, you wouldnât dare go further. And at the sight of your naked body at his mercy, he could have come at any moment like an inexperienced teenager. But that was exactly what you did to himâyou made him weak, and that both frustrated and reassured him, confirming that you were his mate. He adjusted himself on the chair, spreading his thighs, and said in a rough voice: âSweetheart, your clit is swollen and ready. Now, with your eyes on me, try sliding a finger inside you. Any finger is fine, as long as it goes into those beautiful lips of yours. Let me see⊠let me hear your sounds, little one. Otherwise⊠I wonât last much longer.â
At his confession, you bit your lip. This was the hardest part: letting go without thoughts, without fears. But the sight of Jake, his honesty, his vulnerability, pushed you to want to give yourself pleasure⊠and to give him something deeply intimate. You spread your legs a little wider, took a deep breath, and slid a finger between your wet folds. The intrusion was a new sensation, different from the solitary games you played under the covers. You moaned, surprised by the pleasure coursing through you, both mentally and physically.
The wet sound of your finger moving in and out of you made Jake groan your name. You felt completely at ease under his gaze, which never left you for a second. You saw how his cock grew thicker and thicker, how droplets of fluid escaped with every movement.
âKeep going⊠keep going like that, little one,â he urged, his voice a growl. âYouâre doing so well. Now that youâre nice and stretched, try sliding another finger in. And at the same time, rub your clit. That way, youâll come soon⊠and Iâll come with you.â
As Jake had instructed, you slid another finger inside yourself. A deep, throaty moan escaped your lips, and his name spilled out like a broken sigh: âJaaakeâŠâ The way you said it was desperate, sweet, and rawâlike he was the only lifeline in a sea of overwhelming sensations. At the sound of his name, Jake cursed under his breath, a guttural âFuckâŠâ rumbling from his chest as he watched you completely lost in pleasure. He couldnât hold back anymore. His arm muscles tensed as he began stroking himself harder, his fist gliding up and down his thick, throbbing shaft.
The room was thick with the sounds of your muffled moans and ragged breaths. It echoed with the wet, rhythmic sounds of your fingers pumping in and out of you, the creak of the chair beneath Jake amplifying every tiny noise. The scent was intoxicatingâmusky, sweet, and sharp all at once. Jakeâs heightened hybrid senses picked up on how your fragrance grew richer with every passing minute, a heady blend of strawberry, arousal, and a hint of sweat. âDamn, Y/n⊠youâre so fucking sexy,â he growled, his voice rough and low, his eyes glued to you as he watched you writhe, pleasure coiling tighter inside you. âLook at how wet you are⊠how perfect you look.â
You closed your eyes, and with your free hand, you clutched Jakeâs blanket, gripping it tightly between your fingers. Your voice trembled as you stammered, âJake⊠itâs too muchâŠâ
He paused for a moment, his hand still wrapped around his cock, and asked with a mix of concern and desire, âWhatâs too much, sweetheart?â
You moaned, breathless, and confessed, âEverything⊠itâs all too much⊠and I⊠I want to come.â
At those words, Jake smiledâa hungry, satisfied grin. âYou will in a few minutes, trust me. Now, tease your clit more and let go. But open those fucking eyes and watch what youâre doing to me,â he commanded, his voice a contained growl.
Embarrassed, cheeks flushed and lips parted, you obeyed. You opened your eyes and saw Jake barely holding back, his muscles taut, his breath ragged. With a whisper, you dared to say to him, âLet goâŠâ
His eyes darkened slightly at your boldness, as if he hadnât expected you to take control. But he didnât say a word. Deep down, that small act of defiance only turned him on even more.
Your walls began to tighten around your fingers, and your clit throbbed with pleasure as small, breathy moans escaped your lips. âI⊠Iâm about to come,â you whispered, your eyes half-lidded and glistening. At the sight of you so lost in pleasure, Jake gripped his shaft tighter and pumped harder, his voice rough as he urged, âCome on, sweetheart⊠let me see you come.â
You cried out, pleasure crashing over you like a wave. A few moments later, shivers raced through your body. You clenched the sheets of his bed tightly, your fingers still pumping and teasing your clit as your orgasm tore through you first. At the sight, Jakeâs abs clenched, and with a groan of your name, he came too. Thin streams of white cum spilled from the tip of his cock, and he moaned in pleasure at the release. But honestly, he didnât care much about his own climax. His eyes were locked on youâsprawled out on his bed, your stomach rising and falling rapidly with each ragged breath, your lips parted in a perfect O, your hair wild, and your legs trembling.
Jake slowly stood up, wiping away the remnants of his release before pulling his boxers back on. At the sight of you lying there, relaxed and half-lidded, he asked, âCan I⊠can I come closer to you, little one?â
You opened your eyes and tried to sit up slightly, but the sticky wetness began to seep out of you, and you moaned at the sensation. At the sight, Jakeâs smile returned, and he said, âSee? I told you I could make you come without even touching you, sweetheart.â
You let out a weak, breathless giggle, still trembling from the last waves of pleasure. You watched Jake stretch his arm toward the nightstand to grab a tissue, then lean toward you on the bed with a naturalness and care that left you breathless. You felt his large, warm hands settle firmly but gently on your thigh to keep you still, and then he cleaned you slowly, with no rush or malice in his gaze, treating you as if you were the most precious thing in the world. Your eyes never left his, not even for a millisecond, captivated by the sweetness in his expression.
When he finished and tossed the tissue into the trash can beside the bed, you shyly tucked a few strands of hair behind your ear, your cheeks still warm from everything that had just happened. Seeing you so timid, Jake leaned toward you again, offering you the T-shirt youâd taken off earlier. He knew perfectly well that youâd just taken giant steps, having been half-naked and vulnerable in front of him, and he didnât want to ruin the magic of the moment by rushing things.
âLift your arms, sweetheart,â he said softly, and you did as he asked. He slid his oversized T-shirt down over your body, dressing you completely. As soon as the fabric covered you, moved by an impulse of gratitude and affection, you wrapped your arms around his neck and pulled him forcefully toward you to kiss him.
Jake hadnât expected you to kiss him of your own free will at all. Heâd expected that, once the moment had passed, you might tease him or hide under the covers. Instead, you leaned forward and gently pulled his lower lip between your teeth, trapping it between your lips almost as a victory for everything that had happened.
Jake groaned against your lips a mix of a surprised grunt and a deep, pleasure-filled moan that vibrated in the back of his throatâas he instinctively placed his large hands on your hips to steady both of you on the mattress. Your mouths sought each other with a new urgency every time you had to pull apart to catch your breath. When you timidly slid your tongue against his, tasting him, you felt Jake smile against your mouth.
âFuck, Y/n⊠youâre really driving me crazy tonight,â he whispered against your lips, unable to pull away from you. Heâd become a full-on clingy boy with you. After a few seconds, Jake slowly pulled back to give you space, and you looked at him with infinite sweetness. âThank you, Jake,â you said.
He smiled almost timidly, for the first time since youâd known himâand opened his arms on the bed in a silent invitation to hug you again. You didnât need to be told twice. You nestled against his massive chest, inhaling his reassuring scent of pine, and pressed your head into the warm hollow of his neck.
Jake pulled you close, wrapping you completely in his strong, protective body. For long minutes, you both stayed there, still and embraced in the silence of the room, lulled only by the sound of your heartbeats slowly returning to normal and the patter of rain against the roof of the house. Eventually, you pulled back slightly from his chest and lifted your chin to look at him.
Jake was there, watching you from above, his ears relaxed and his gaze attentive. In that moment, he would have given anything for the ability to read your mind and know exactly what was going through that little head of yours.
Suddenly, though, he noticed your eyes growing glossy, filling with tears ready to spill down your cheeks. Jakeâs heart literally skipped a beat, and his face painted an expression of pure panic, he thought he might have done or said something wrong.
âHey, hey⊠little one, no, donât cry!â he exclaimed, gently squeezing your shoulders. âDid I⊠was I too rough? Did I do or say something you didnât like? I swear, I just wanted to...â
Before he could finish, you pressed a finger directly to his lips to silence him, cutting off the stream of anxious apologies.
âYou⊠you made me realize that I need to talk to people, Jake. But most of all, you taught me that, after a while, I need to start tearing down my own protective walls⊠and thatâs exactly what I managed to do tonight with you,â you said, looking him straight in the eyes. âI really donât know how to thank you. Youâve been so patient with me, you never backed down from anything, and youâve respected me from the very first moment I walked into this house. So⊠no, donât be sad. These tears are just pure joy,â you concluded, weakly giggling as you wiped your face with the edge of his T-shirt sleeve.
Jake sighed deeply, feeling a knot of tension finally dissolve in his chest. A small smile formed on his lips as he lifted his hands to caress your face, using his thumbs with infinite gentleness to wipe away the last tears wetting your cheeks.
For days, since youâd confessed you wanted to have sex with him and shared everything that had happened to you, heâd feared he was too overbearing, too abrupt, or simply âwrongâ for a sensitive girl like you. But in that moment, lulled by your strawberry scent, now free of any trace of fear, Jake finally felt like he was exactly where he was meant to be.
âI only did what any guy worthy of being by your side would have done, Y/n,â he murmured softly and sincerely, looking at you with a tenderness he rarely showed outside the walls of that room. He was only ever this sweet with his family and his pack⊠not even with his teammates, with whom he spent hours training, had he ever been this honest in his life. But you shook your head, pressing your cheek against his warm palm.
âNo other guy would have done thisâŠâ you said quietly, meeting his gaze. Then, feeling embarrassment creep back in but determined not to lose that beautiful harmony, you continued with a clearly shy but resolute tone: âNow⊠yes, for next time, Iâd like things to be less planned. Iâd like them to flow more naturally between us. When they happen, theyâll happen⊠though, obviously, I expect it to happen again as soon as possible!â You said this while playing with the sleeve of his T-shirt, hoping heâd understand what you meant.
Jakeâs eyes widened slightly, surprised by that sudden burst of boldness, and he burst into laughter as he watched you make yourself smaller. At the sight, he gently pinched your side, knowing you were ticklish, and said: âDamn⊠Whereâs the shy, reserved girl who struggled to even look me in the eye gone? Donât tell me Iâve created a creature whoâs greedy for my touch, or that now you canât do without me?â
You laughed heartily when his fingers started lightly tickling your sides, making you curl up against him on the mattress. To defend yourself, you rolled your eyes dramatically and teased him, playfully tapping his muscular chest:Â âOh, please, Sim! Donât get a big head. Youâre the âgolden boyâ of the team, the âfrat boyâ everyone dreams aboutâI think that guy disappeared a while ago thanks to me. So before you talk, think about how you canât stop finding excuses to touch me!âYou laughed as Jake intensified the tickling.
Without stopping his smile, he leaned over you, pressed his soft lips to your forehead, and then moved up through your hair, leaving a reassuring kiss on you. When he pulled back slightly, his eyes shone with a hopeful light, finally making you understand that you could trust him.
âWill you stay tonight, Y/n?â he asked this time, stopping his teasing. You made a thoughtful pout and then slowly nodded, pulling him back to you by the shoulders, welcoming him into your embrace again.
But that happy ending hadnât yet provided the right answers: What were you and Jake? How would he balance university, your constant presence in his routine, and being the captain of the soccer team, which was under the spotlight of scouts looking for the best striker for their teams? How would he balance his human nature with his hybrid one, with you getting closer and closer to him? And how would he get through his first heat as a hybrid, knowing you were his mate and that he wanted you for himself forever?
IN WHICH. . . Your beloved puma hybrid: Nishimura Riki, has reached his limits of restraining himself. Under the influence of his heat combined with his pent-up feelings for you, he decides the best way to let you know was by showing than saying it out loud.
5.7k wcâ âââ non idol & university au âȘâȘ puma hybrid! nishimura riki x fem! reader đ§ explicit mature content, porn without plot, unprotected sex, knotting, breeding kink, jealous riki, riki has a tail & claws, feral & possessive riki, fingering, oral sex (f & m receiving), pussy slapping, breast play, coming untouched, face-sitting, mild choking, size difference, hung riki, mean! riki.
from author: i love puma riki. that's it. that's the plot.
Riki has been acting weird recently.
The puma hybrid is more clingy than usualâwhich wasn't anything new at first glance. Ever since he came into your life, the hybrid with the height of six foot something, toned arms, impressive abs that's hidden under the layers of his clothes with tattoosâone on near his hipbones, one on his side and the last on his back, Riki will be on you the moment you came back.
He didn't care if you haven't removed your shoes or dropped the keys. Riki wastes no time in pulling you into his arms, head buried in your neck with him nuzzling his nose against your skin. He ignored your futile, weak attempts of prying him off, his body practically melting once he inhaled your scent, like it's an antidote for his illness.
His illness of being separated from you for way too long.
But now? Now his clinginess only got even worse. If you were smarter, you would've been able to connect the dotsâhow your beloved puma hybrid kept following you around, his long, black tail swishing side to side ever since you told him you got a boyfriend. You've been dating for the past five months and he's everything you wantedâloyal, kind, faithful, funny, understanding and the list goes on.
When you broke the news to Riki, you were too deep in love, already rambling about your oh so perfect relationship to notice how he stilled. How his tail dipped immediately. How his ears flattened against his head. How his jaw clenched, tongue poking the insides of his cheek. How his eyes narrowed into silts. How he clenched his left hand into a fist that rested on his lap, hidden from your view.
Ever since that dayâfive months ago, Riki made it a point to cling onto you at every chance he gets. He doesn't care if you're in public. The moment you're in his sight, he has his tail wrapped around your waist, holding you close to him while subtly scenting you at the same time. As he's tall enough, it's enough to scare off anyone who's foolish enough to look your way. If that doesn't worked, he'll resort to glaring at them, which proved to be useful many, many times.
Right now, you're seated on the couch in the living room with your laptop perched on a cushion, using it as a temporary stand. Your fingers flew across the keyboard, lips unconsciously pursed in a thin line while working on your assignments. Being a university student meant you're constantly bombarded with never-ending assignmentsâessays, group projects, reports, tests and exams.
It got so bad to the point you haven't contacted your boyfriend for the past two weeks. You felt remorseful at first, not wanting any misunderstandings to be formed. But when your lecturers thought it was a great idea for them to throw an unreasonable amount of work to their students, the thought was washed down the drain as you threw yourself into study mode, working on them nonstop.
You were so engrossed with your current task that you remained blissfully unaware of your surroundings. Of how a certain puma hybrid was heading your way, his footsteps light and barely making any noise, like he's stalking his next prey. You finally looked down, features softening to see it's none other than Riki resting his head on your lap, eyes fixated on your face.
You reached down, brushing his dirty ash blonde hair away from his forehead, drawing a soft, pleased sigh from him. Your heart squeezed, getting a rush of cuteness aggression when he turned, rubbing his cheek against your stomach through your shirt. You knew what he wants and also knew if anything, he's extremely shy when it comes to demanding for your attention.
You being you, decides to tease him.
"Riki, do you need something?" You asked, hovering your hand in the air.
The hybrid stopped rubbing his cheek, cracking one eye open to glare at you, his thick and plump lips curling down in a pout. "You know what I want."
You hummed, plastering a fake thoughtful look on your face, well-aware of how he's watching you. "Do I? I'm not a mind reader. If you want something, you need to tell me."
Your words drew a frustrated and annoyed growl from him but you weren't fazed or afraid. You merely chuckled, wriggling your fingers in the air. "I'm waitinggggg."
He closed his eyes, seemingly sending prayers to whoever's listening before opening them. "âŠCan you pat me, please?"
You cooed out loud and Riki scrunched his nose, sending you death glares at the revolting noise. "You're so cute! If that's what my precious baby puma wants."
He was about to get up when you started patting his head, occasionally flicking his ears. The moment you laid your hands on him, his shoulders sagged with relief and his eyes fluttered shut. He made himself comfortable, face squashed into your stomach with his arms loosely wrapped around your waist, locking you in place while you returned to working on your assignment.
Thirty minutes of comfortable silence past and your phone started ringing, vibrating vigorously from its spot on the couch's armrest. You didn't want to wake Riki upâwho had been lulled to sleep by your comforting scent and warmth, subtly stretching your arm to pick up your phone. One look at the screen made your heart dropped when you saw the contact name.
You accepted the call, bringing your phone to your right ear.
"Hello?"
"(Name), let's break up," your boyfriend said, his tone steady and firm.
Your heart stopped beating, shattering into pieces the moment you heard his words. You felt cold, like someone had dumped a pail of cold, freezing water over you. You stared ahead of youâwide eyes and tuning out your surroundings, until the only thing you can hear was the blood rushing through your ears.
"W-What? Why?" You stammered, unaware of Riki stirring to life, his ears perking up, clearly trying to eavesdrop.
A sigh. "It's no hard feelings, really. I just don't feel the same way anymore. And you've been busy lately. You didn't answer my texts or my calls. It's like you've forgotten about my existence."
"That's notâ"
"And that hybrid of yours. It's clear there's something going on between the two of you, with how possessive he is," he interrupted, having no intention of hearing you out or letting you speak.
Hearing this, you stilled. Your fingers that were previously threading through Riki's hair came to an abrupt halt. Your eyes instinctively flicked down to him, breath hitching when you made eye contact and how he has been watching and listening the entire time. His eyes were now narrowed to silts. He doesn't care that he was caught red-handed, showing no ounce of remorse or shame.
But rather, he looked⊠smug, like he knew this will happen.
Your lack of response earned a bitter huff from your boyfriendâor ex-boyfriend, in this case. "See? This is what I meant. Forget it, there's no point trying to talk to you. We're over. Don't contact me again."
"Waitâ"
He ended the call and you moved it away, staring at it like it had personally offended you. Riki took that as his cue to push himself up, stretching his arms above his head. The action made the gray hoodie he worn to be dragged up, showing off an inch of his skin and the kiss mark tattoo he got. Your eyes darted towards it without warning, only for you to look away immediately ignoring how your heart skipped a beat and heat pooling in your stomach.
"Who was that?" He asked casually and innocently, running a hand through his hair.
"My boyfriend," you chuckled, placing your phone on your side, "well, ex-boyfriend."
He frowned. "Ex?"
"Yeah, he just broke up with me, over the phone."
Riki sucked in air from his teeth, his tail neatly resting over his lap. "Oh⊠I'm sorry to hear that."
You shook your head, sinking further into the couch. "It's fine, I kinda deserve it."
"Why? You didn't do anything wrong," he replied without missing a beat.
You glanced at him, startled by how fast and firm his response was. "Because I might have forgotten to contact him? I didn't make any efforts to call or text him."
"And? You're busy with your assignments. You don't have to bend your back for someone who's insecure," he retorted, draping an arm across the back of his couch, his hand directly behind your head.
You snorted. "He's not insecure, Riki. Don't be mean to him."
For a brief moment, the hybrid seemed like he wanted to say something but thought better of it, choosing to keep his mouth shut. He got up from the couch, the tip of his tail grazing your bare ankleâdeliberately and lightly before he walked away. You remained seated on the couch, watching as he disappeared into the comfort of his own room, closing the door behind him.
What was that?
~
You noticed a slight change in Riki two weeks later.
The hybrid started spending more time in his room, only coming out when it's absolutely necessary. Heck, he didn't step out even when you announced you were leaving for your classes, leaving you utterly confused. You did knock on his door, asking him questions about his health but all you got was him telling you to go away.
If there's one thing about you, it's that you never give up.
Knock knock.
"Riki? Hello? Are you still alive?" You asked, pressing your ear against the door, trying to catch the smallest sounds.
That's when you heard itâa low, slow and warning growl. Hearing it sent shivers down your spine and you rubbed your thighs together, feeling the all-too familiar sensation of arousal blooming in your stomach.
"Go away."
The two words were said with such conviction and coldness that it rendered you speechless. Never in your life have you heard Riki growling at you, like the true puma he is. You should listen to him. Should turned around, walked away to leave him alone. Ignoring the invisible alarm bells going off in your mind, you took a deep breath, twisted the door knob and pushed it open.
The door moved aside to reveal Riki's room. The curtains were drawn closed, shutting him out from the rest of the world. Your eyes locked in on the bump on his bed. A bump that you easily identified as the owner of the room. You stepped in, wary to not step on anything that could potentially scared him or set him into fight-or-flight mode.
Once you were close enough, you sat on the edge of the bed, turning slightly so you can face him without straining your neck. You reached out, ready to pull the sheets away when he moved.
One moment you were seated and the next, you were pinned against the bed. You gasped, startled by the abrupt change of position. Both of your wrists was held over your head, held down firmly with Riki's one hand while the other was braced on the wrinkled sheets. The sight before you made your breath hitched.
Riki's face was flushed, cheeks covered in a light shade of red. His eyes turned into slits, borderline glowing and his forehead glowed in a layer of sweat, hair sticking to his face. His lips were parted, exhaling at an unsteady pace, like he had ran a marathon. This wasn't the usual Riki you're used to. Someone who always keep his cool. Someone who noticed everything about you.
"Riki, whaâ!?"
You stopped when he ducked, nosing along your neck and he breathed in, deeply. You strained your ears, picking up what sounded like⊠purring? You felt the vibrations coursing through his body and his sharp, fluffy ears twitched.
"Your scent⊠it's driving me crazy," he rasped out, voice low and deep.
You swallowed, your heart hammering against your chest rapidly. "Seriously, what's wrâmmpfh!"
You didn't finish your sentence, not because your voice gave up on you. But rather, it was because of the hybrid, who captured your lips in a hot, demanding and intense kiss. Unlike your ex who takes his time, Riki was different. He kissed you harshly, further pushing you into the sheets with him fully settling his weight on you, like he wants you to blend into it.
You squeaked when he nipped at the plush, soft flesh of your lips with the sharp tip of his fangs, the searing pain striking you like a lightning bolt. He released his grip on your wrists, supporting your head with one hand on your neck while the other gripped onto your waist, his touch possessive and firm.
You could feel the warmth from his body, how he's a walking heater. The closeness of this combined with him kissing you with such desperation made you whined into his mouth. Riki groaned, swallowing the delicious sound, treating it like it's an sacred offering. The kiss deepenedâhim forcing you to grant him entrance and he sucked on your tongue, hard enough to make you pushed your chest up against his.
It's filthy and lewd, with spit trickling down your chin. Seeing this, Riki broke the kiss and licked it up with his rough tongue, leaving your skin feeling damp and sticky before he kissed you again, unable to get enough of your sweet, addictive taste.
"Rikiâ"
You moaned against his lips, arching your back off the bed as his other hand traced your silhouette, creating a map out of your body. He pushed your oversized shirt up until the hem of your bra was shown, drawing a ragged, broken moan from him, like seeing your clear, unblemished skin does something to him.
He pulled back, staring at you as he takes in the mind-blowing sight before himâyour dazed eyes, your swollen, bruised and spit-covered lips and the light flush on your cheeks. Seeing you like thisâall wrecked and breathless, drew a dark and pleased purr from the depth of his throat.
"So pretty for me," he breathed out, his breath fanning across your lips, savoring the way you shivered involuntarily at his words.
Riki moved down, busying himself in leaving wet and messy kisses along the expanse of your neck, ensuring to lick at your skin, able to get a faint salty taste at the tip of his tongue. He slowly lowered himself, spreading your legs apart with one handâthe action effortless and requiring close to zero strength, aligning your cores together and oh, you can feel him.
Feel his long, thick and heavy cock straining against the poor restraints of his sweatpants, begging to be freed. You swallowed, feeling your underwear sticking against your pussy at the thought of him filling you up. Riki stilled above you, his nostrils flaring before he growled, staring you down with nothing but desire written all over his face.
A loud ripping sound pierced through the bedroom. You squeaked, hands moving to cover yourself when the puma hybrid ripped your clothes with his sharp claws but he was faster, pinning your hands above your head with one hand while the other gripped your chin, forcing you to look at him.
"Don't hide from me," he snarled.
You made a pathetic soundâa sound you didn't know you were capable of in the first place and it made the puma smirked proudly. When it's clear you're not planning to move, Riki shifted down, giving attention to your freed breasts. He wrapped his lips around your left hardened nipple, alternating between licking and sucking on it while pinching and twisting the other nipple with his free hand.
"Ngh!"
You cried out, throwing your head back as you tangled your hand through his hair while the other blindly grabbed the sheets, twisting and turning it beneath your fingers. You squirmed about on the bed, which pissed Riki off, judging from the feral snarl he let out as he held you down by your hips, his grip hard and vice-like with his claws borderline digging into your skin, hard enough for thin, red-lined marks to be imprinted.
He continued abusing your poor nipples until they were bruised red and covered in a layer of his thick spit, leaving it glistened in the dim room. Riki shifted further down until he dropped to his knees on the floor. You yelped when you were roughly yanked forward by his tail until your lower half hovered in the air. Your legs trembled as they were slung over the hybrid's firm, broad shoulders.
"Tell me what you want and I'll give it to you," he murmured, nosing along your inner right thigh, occasionally nipping at your skin until it turned reddish-purple.
The possessiveness in him gleamed in pride at the thought of you walking around, wearing pants or anything long to hide the marks he left behind on your body, like he's claiming, marking and branding you. Keeping you away from any potential suitors too. Riki continued his adventure until he reached where you're desperately aching for him. He blew hot air, watching with pure hunger at how your pussy throbbed.
"Sensitive already," he huffed, amused.
"P-Please.." You whimpered oh so beautifully for him, further twisting the sheets.
"Please what, doll? C'mon, be a good girl and use your words," he coaxed.
You squeezed your eyes shut, not having the courage to look at him but your action only made him clicked his tongue in disapproval.
Smack!
Your body visibly jolted, taken aback at the sudden stinging pain landing squarely on your bare pussy. Interest flickered across his face at your reactionâhow you bit down on your lip and how you got even wetter. Deciding to put his theory to the test, he did it again. Not once. Not twice. But thrice, back-to-back.
Smack! Smack! Smack!
Your body trembled like a taut wire, clenching down on nothing as violent shockwaves traversed through you from head to toe. Riki, on the other hand, paused. His mind spun, reeling from what just happened. He didn't give you time to regain your composure, dragging his left index finger along your puffy, soaked folds, making you whimpered from the sensitivity.
"Fuck, you came just like that?" He murmured, in awe.
"W-Wha.."
You mumbled blearily, looking at him with half-lidded eyes, already exhausted. The only form of warning you got was the puma hybrid inching closer until something rough, hot and flat licked a stripe up, from your clit to entrance. You screamed, the sound high and loud that you're certain your neighbors will launch a noise complaint soon.
The thought left your mind as quickly as it formed when Riki moaned, his face buried between your legs. He ate you out messily and sloppily, paying special attention to your clit peeking out. Your body twitched, nearly yanking the sheets freed when he circled it with the tip of his tongue, the sensation driving you up the wall.
Your legs trembled in the air but you couldn't closed them, not when they were hoisted on his strong, muscular shoulders. You hooked your ankles around his neck, tugging him closer and let out a wonton moan when the tip of his nose pokes your clit. He didn't care, pushing further and further in, like he wants to be suffocated between your legs, tasting your sweet, addictive slick on his tongue.
"F-Fuck, soâhngh, good," you panted, back arching off the bed as he wrapped his lips around your clit, sucking on it. The suction was enough for your stomach to tighten, about to cum again, only for him to pull away, letting your clit fall limp against your pussy, all sore and red.
You watched with your head laying on the sheets, chest heaving as you struggle to catch your breath as Riki rose to his full height, gently dropping your legs down onto the solid floor. He didn't look away, locking eyes with you while he stripped, starting with the white, tight tank top that does nothing to hide his arm muscles. Once it was gone, his toned and tattooed chest was revealed. Your hands twitched, tempted to trace your hand over it.
He smirked, catching your reaction and hooked his fingers through the hem of his sweatpants that's hanging dangerously low around his hips. He shoved it down, his black Chrome Heart boxers falling as well until its brunched around his ankles. His cock sprung free from the restraints, proudly standing upright, thick, long and veiny.
Your breath stuttered, unable to tear your eyes away from it. Hybrids isn't built very different from humans but despite that, he's⊠huge. Probably bigger than anyone you've slept with, which was just one personâyour ex-boyfriend. The fat, mushroomy tip had turned a ferocious shade of reddish-purple, practically screaming for attention. A fat, thick bead of precum rested on the slit and Riki wrapped a hand around himself, thumb pressing down on the slit.
"FuckâŠ"
He cursed, eyes fluttering shut and he threw his head back as he fisted his own cock, forming a tight circle with his hand, fucking into it without any shame. You watched from where you wereâstill laying on the sheets with wide, unblinking eyes. Riki's fangs dug into his plump lips, his slitted eyes were squeezed shut, ears flattened against his head and his tail swished side to side frantically.
You chewed on your bottom lip, snaking your hand down between your breasts, down your stomach and to your pussy. However, before you could reached your destination, Riki let out a feral, hostile and beast-like snarl. He surged forward, grabbing your wrist, holding it in place with a vice-like grip, tight enough to draw a wince from you.
"Don't touch yourself. If you do, you can't cum," he warned you.
His firm words and authoritative tone made you whimpered, feeling unusually smallâhim as the predator and you as his prey that he managed to catch. Riki shifted, climbing onto the bed and he forced you to shift upward a little. The hybrid crawled forward on his knees, a hand now loosely wrapped around the base of his cock.
He grabbed a fistful of your hair, yanking your head backward. You knew what his intentions was, obediently opening your mouth and let him pushed his cock in. The hybrid purred in pleasure, feeling how tight and warm your cavern was. You made a muffled gagging sound, tears brimming in your eyes at his tip hitting the back of your throat.
He's big and thick, forcing you to further slacken your jaw muscles while covering your teeth with your lips, not wanting to injure him. You had to resort to breathing through your nose, savoring the heavy weight of his cock resting on your tongue. Riki cupped your left cheek, thumb gingerly wiping away the singular tear droplet that slipped, action all sickeningly sweet and oh so mean at the same time.
"Look at you, so pretty and wrecked for me. You're taking me well, aren't you?" He cooed, voice lowering an octave lower.
It's obvious you can't speak, not when your mouth was stuffed full of his cock, which is the reason why he used that condescending and belittling tone with you. Riki smirked, pushing forward a little, picking up the strangled moan you let out and how your eyes rolled to the back of your head. You let him used you like a toy as he fucked your throat, pushing in and out of your mouth at a slow, lazy and borderline teasing pace.
You did your bestâtracing the protruding veins with your tongue and hollowed your cheeks for better suction. But god, he's too big. And judging from the knowing, dark glint in his eyes, Riki can tell you're struggling. Which was why he made a faux sweet coo, using his free hand to clasp it around your neck and gave it a light squeeze.
It's not enough to completely cut off your oxygen supply. You knew he wouldn't kill you, not with how smitten he is with you but it's the implication of it. The thought of him possessing both the capability and talent to snap your neck into half, to kill you immediately, made you even wetter, if that's possible.
Riki's eyes darted down, hissing under his breath at the large, dark stains beneath you. "You're one messy and needy slut, aren't you? Can't be satisfied even with your mouth full?"
"Mmpfh."
The hybrid groaned, mouth dropping open at the vibrations running down the length of his cock. "Shit, c-close."
He pulled you closer until his entire cock is in your mouth, your nose rubbing against his bare stomach. You gagged as he cum, painting it in the shade of his thick, hot cum. The hybrid groaned, releasing his grip from your hair and pulled his cock out of your swollen, sore mouth with a loud "pop" sound.
"Swallow it," he demanded, gripping your chin and you obeyed, even opening your mouth to let him see.
He purred, satisfied and tapped your right cheek twice. "Good girl. You deserve a reward, don't you?"
You sniffled, frantically and eagerly nodding. "P-Please.. I've been good."
He chuckled, flipping your position with him now laying on the bed, head on one of his pillows. You squeaked when you ended up on his lap, hands braced on his bare chest, soaking his toned stomach with your slick. Riki patted your thigh, dark eyes drinking in your naked figure shamelessly.
"Come up," he instructed, doing the "come here" gesture with his fingers.
You gulped, complying and crawled upward with shaking knees and hands. Resting one hand on the headboard and the other on your lap, you slowly lowered yourself down onto the puma's mouth. However, you were being too slow, earning an impatient growl from him.
"Riki!"
You cried out when he yanked you down, making you sit squarely on his face. He parted your folds with his left fingersâindex and middle, plunging his long, rough and slimey tongue into your gaping entrance, tracing it along the walls and occasionally twisting it. A series of moans and whimpers left your lips at his relentless assault on your poor pussy.
It didn't help that you're still sensitive, which only further heightened the toe-curling sensations. Riki alternated between sucking and licking, like a famished beast that hasn't feasted for three months. He ate you out messily, spit trickling down his chin. You grinded your hips against his skillful tongue, moaning out loud as he pushed two fingers in, pumping them in and out of you.
The double penetration of his fingers and tongue made you further grind into his mouth, craving more. He purred, drunk on the taste of your slick and his tail snugly wrapped itself around your waist, the tip grazing your still-sensitive nipples, drawing a strangled, broken cry from you.
"R-Riki, c-can't.. too much, ngh," you keened, stars exploding behind your vision as he curled his fingers, easily locating that one spongy spot that made your thighs trembled vigorously.
"You can take it, baby," he moaned, voice muffled, tongue gliding along the seam of your folds.
You sobbed, the final straw comes with him sucking on your beyond clit and you cum with a soundless cry, mouth dropping open in an "O" shape, violent shockwaves coursing through your body. You weren't aware you even squirtedâtransparent, warm liquid gushing everywhere, landing on your sweaty, tangled bodies and the sheets.
Riki groaned, tongue lapping up what you have to offer, not wanting to let a single drop go to waste, ignoring how you squirmed and thrashed about, pussy weakly squirting a few more times before you went limp, bracing both hands against the wall to balance yourself. The hybrid finally detached his lips from you, the lower half of his face completely covered in your slick, practically glistening.
His ears twitched, tongue darting out to lick up your slick covering his lips, moaning at the taste. Your pussy throbbed at the lewd sight and you acted without thinking, scooting down until your cores made contact. At first, Riki was confused, furrowing his eyebrows but it was replaced with realization as he watched, not bothering to helpâone hand on his lap while the other is held behind his head and between the headboard.
His breath hitched, watching how you collected your dripping slick, using it as lube before stroking his cock with your slick. It didn't take long for him to fill up and thicken in your grip. He had dreamed of thisâhaving you beneath him as he fucks you, stretching you wide open with his cock, reducing you into a flushed and moaning mess with his name being chanted like a sacred prayer.
But dreams could never come close to the real thing.
The only form of assistance you got was Riki steadying you by your hips when you swayed to the side dangerously. With you holding the base of his cockâfingers barely touching, you aligned him to your stretched-out entrance and sank down in one go.
Both of you moaned in unison at the blinding feeling. The feeling of being connected on an intimate level. The stretch was no doubt painful, enough for your vision to blur slightly. You didn't move, struggling to accommodate to the size and grith of his cock as the pain gradually subsided until it's replaced with a numbing, consistent pleasure.
Riki, on the other hand, had to restrain himself at all costs. He nearly cum right there and then the moment he slides in. His eyes locked in on the prominent bludge on your stomachâright where his cock laid and he saw red.
He acted on instinct, the instinct of a wild, feral beastâmanhandling you until your face was shoved into the pillow with you on your knees, your ass raised up high as your back was arched in an seductive arch. Riki wasted no time in pounding into you from behind, his heavy balls slapping against your inner thighs, creating a series of loud "plap, plap, plap" sound that echoed among the four walls of his bedroom.
"Think that pathetic ex-boyfriend of yours can't fuck you better than I can? He can't," he snarled, leaning forward to plaster his chest against your back, one hand grabbing and kneading your left breast within his palm while twisting and pinching your hardened nipple.
You wailed, unable to form a coherent sentence, with how good he's stretching you and how he's filling you up, reshaping your insides to the shape and outline of his cock. The hybrid purred, slowing down his pace as he fucked you slow and nice, ensuring to circle his hips every time he bottomed out, savoring the blissed sigh you let out.
"M-MoreâŠ" You babbled, head tilted forward with drool running down your chin.
He purred, nosing along your neck as he breathed in your scent. It's mixed with different smellsâsweat, your body fluids and sex. But to him, there's no perfect combination other than this.
"More?" He echoed. "You're so greedy, baby. I'm already fucking you and you still want more?"
"M-Mhm!"
"What do you want? Tell me."
Now, you weren't thinking straight anymore, too fucked out to think about anything. So it's normal for Riki to be surprised by the words that left your mouth without you processing it.
"K-Knot me, please," you begged.
Riki's tail straightened, shooting up and his ears flicked upward.
Knot. Knot. Knot.
That was the only word he captured. The only word out of your short sentence. With a deep and guttural growl, he pounded into you with newfound determination. The thought of knotting you until your stomach swells, you waddling around in the house with a swollen baby as you born his children, makes him feral.
You keened as he angled his cock slightly, the tip now hitting that one delicate, spongy spot hidden between your gummy walls. It's enough for your knees to tremble, giving way as you fell into the sheets, trapping his hand between the bed and your chest. Riki clicked his tongue, hoisting you back up with his tail that's around your waist and his free hand grabbing a fistful of your hair, making a temporary ponytail to hold you upright.
He continued fucking into you, quickening the pace and the sound of skin slapping against skin gets louder and louder. You couldn't register the kind of sounds you're letting out but whatever it was, it can rival against a professional pornstar. You had to support yourself with your elbows resting on the sheets as sweat rolled down your cheeks.
"Gonna knot you, pump you full so you can carry my children," he snarled, his slitted eyes locked onto the way your ass cheeks jiggled at every thrust.
You whined out loud at his words, clenching around him and it didn't go unnoticed by him. You snaked your hand between your legs, tracing your fingers around where you're connected before rubbing your clit at the same pace as his thrust.
"G-Gonna cum, hah," you whimpered, your fingers gradually getting soaked from your own slick.
Riki cursed, slapping your hand away and replaced it with his own, drawing a loud, startled cry from you. "Then cum, baby. Let me see you fall apart."
He gave a harsh twist to your engorged clit and that was it. You cum while chanting his name like a sacred prayer, your walls violently convulsing around his cock as your juices ran down the paths of your inner thighs. Riki grit his teeth, sweat landing on the sheets as he felt his knot growing bigger and biggerâa sign he's reaching his climax.
With one last, powerful thrust, he buried himself to the hilt and released his hot, thick semen inside while he fucks you through your orgasm, forcing your pussy to milk him dry. You grimace at how incredibly full and sated you felt, stomach bloated with his hybrid cum. His knot remained lodged in your cunt, reaching the entrance to your womb.
Your elbows and knees gave way for the second time as you collapsed into the sheets, wincing at the uncomfortable feeling of you covered in body fluids and sweat. You thought it was finally over and that you could get a break.
However, Riki didn't have the same idea in mind.
"Riâ!?"
You made a sound when he thrusted into you from behindâhis knot showing no signs of detaching itself from your womb, drawing a hoarse moan from you. You looked over your shoulder, swallowing nervously at the wild, intense look on his face. His dirty ash blonde hair was messed up, some strands sticking to his sweaty forehead. But it was his eyes that made your stomach tightened.
The lust and desire gaze, making you unconsciously clenched down on him, on his cock that's still buried deep inside you.
"We're not done yet, doll," he purred, lips curling up in a promising, dark smirk.
You gasped when he did an experimental thrust into you, creating a loud and wet squelch sound that made your ears heat up. But the embarrassment was gone when Riki pushed your head down into the sheets, rendering you immobile.
"We're not stopping until you take every single drop," he continued, leaving you swallowing, heart beating anxiously as you knew you're in for a long, wild and rough night.
àŁȘ Ë đŠč°â nishimura riki âthis is so fucked."
ââ HOMEWRECKER
đŁČâ â (đŹ) Youâre the kind of girl who gets peonies for breakfast, so Riki Nishimura would really like to know why youâre buying weed from him.
è„żæ ć riki nishimura x cheer captain! reader
ËËË riki as a plug, i promise its not as bad as it sounds, romcom, fluff, crack, profanity, homewrecking but not really, cheating (not really) but not on riki dw, explicit content, smut, oral sex, m receiving, porn with plot, unprotected sex, dom ni-ki, size kink lowk, weed, toxic, mdni !
wc: 20 766
p: d.a.m. - fetty wap ; homewrecker - sombr ; i get lonely - drake ; lowkey - niki (fcking hilarious)
Riki Nishimura was a conformist by all means possible, and even prides himself as a law-abiding citizen to the normalized standards.Â
He does think some fractions of the government system can totally be tweaked, but he isnât some reformist that would go out of his way â he actually really likes the stability of society and how itâs structured. Heâs comfortable with the status quo.
That includes knowing who to follow on Instagram, who not to approach in the hallway, who to invite in group projects, and who to sit with in lunch. He goes by what makes sense and knows who the hell doesnât belong in his circle, who rightfully has his phone number, and who can comment on his Instagram posts.Â
Except when it comes to substances. Heâs not a drug addict but he does enjoy good weed.Â
He did listen during chemistry lectures, which basically means he knows a thing or two about pharmaceutics â at least the important parts like which produce larger surges of dopamine and intense euphoria. So while they get drug orientations every start of the school year and the addition of the entrepreneurial mindset of a businessman his father has passed down to him; Rikiâs a fucking a jackpot. He simply believed every structure had blind spots, and if someone was smart enough to notice them, then maybe they deserved to profit a little.Â
Maybe that made him a hypocrite. He knew that. Sometimes, in the middle of his own judgment, the thought would occur to him that he was not exactly living inside the moral boundaries he pretended to respect.
So with all of these in mind â weed-seller and social scale follower â imagine his surprise seeing a text from you.
You, an A-tier cheer captain with perfect grades and perfect friends and a perfect boyfriend and someone he doubts even has ever touched weed within a 10 feet radius because of how goody-two-shoes and slightly more socially-conformed you are, texted him:Â
you:
hi
you sell right
The kind of surprise a priest might feel if the Virgin Mary asked to borrow a dildo.
Riki stared at his phone for a full thirty seconds. Not because he was shocked by the question itself â heâd gotten worse, far more incriminating messages from people with nothing to lose â but because of who it was from. Your name sat there, attached to a profile picture he never thought would sit on his chat log. Someone who followed the rules so well she barely seemed to touch the ground and practically flew up the school field with the school banner.
This was not how the structure worked. Nope.
He knew you didnât look at people like him unless it was to borrow a pen or unwillingly get assigned to a lab partner. You definitely werenât supposed to be asking him this.Â
Riki leaned back in his chair and rethought the logistics. He wasnât paranoid â paranoia implied irrationality. This was risk assessment, youâre high visibility, youâre a liability, youâre a cop in disguise, youâre a prig whoâll ruin his cloak and dagger, youâre holier-than-thou. Youâre interesting.
riki:
????
is this a test loll
you:
?
its a question
riki:
u fr????
you:
js tell me if its a no
i have money
riki:
3pm behind the science building
you:
ok thanks
But more than whatever you are, he knows this was stupid. This was the kind of deviation that got people caught and into the most flouting position heâll ever be, therefore ruining his very wish to stay within a lawful system. It was, unequivocally, a very bad idea.
And yet he finds himself at the back of the building while he reevaluates the measures of bad-ness in the idea. If math really has been on his side along with his really athletic stature, he can run when you pull out as witness to his little dissenter mood. It halts when he sees you rounding the corner in your cheer uniform â ponytail perfect, knee tape slightly crooked, eyes darting like you werenât sure you belonged back here â he realizes something his knees will give out before he can even try to walk away.
You stop a few feet away from him, awkward, out of place, glowing like a wrong answer circled in red. You stare at him with your arms crossed, hyperaware when his eyes follow the silhouette of your frame like heâs finding a covert surveillance device underneath your pleated skirt.
Riki talks calmly, like this wasnât insane at all, like he hasnât been in his head for the past hours: âSo,â he starts, hands slipping into the pockets of his hoodie. âWhat do you need?â
The question shouldâve been easy. Youâd rehearsed it in your head on the walk here, timed it with your steps, told yourself not to sound like an idiot. But standing this near â near enough to notice the faint, clean smell of cologne and something green and earthy â you blank.
You shift your weight, arms tightening across your chest. âUm. Weed.â
Riki blinks once, and immediately he knows what this is. He studies you the way he did with lab results that didnât line up with the predictions â or maybe it did exactly, and he canât believe it was that easy.
ââŠOkay,â he said. âWhat kind?â
Your mouth opens. Then closes.
âWhat kind.â he repeats.
You felt heat crawl up your neck. âJust⊠normal?â you say, immediately hating yourself. âLike. The kind people use?â
A corner of his mouth twitches before he can stop it. Then he licks the inside of his cheek, shaking his head when he realizes that yeah, his guess is right. âYou donât know what youâre doing.â he says.Â
You bristle. âSo?â
âYou donât even know dosage. Or strain. Or why you want it.â His eyes flick up to yours. âDo you?â
Your confidence wobbles, the polished composure you wore so easily in hallways cracking just a little now. He pulls out a small, neatly labeled bag and holds it between his fingers instead of handing it to you. âThis is low THC,â he explains. âWonât make you freak out. But I need to know what you specifically need so you donât⊠panic.â
This was supposed to be transactional, quick, something you could tuck away and forget about. Yet every risky glance you take, he doesnât look like someone whoâd hold anything against you.
Riki sighs, about to put the bag away. âLook, letâs just forget ââ
âI just,â you start, then sigh because thereâs no cool way to say it. âI donât know. I had a bad week. I wanted to try something.â
When you finally look up, heâs watching you differently. Not like youâre stupid or embarrassing, though you feel plenty of that on your own. His brows have lifted slightly, the faint amusement in his mouth fading into something quieter as he takes you in properly: your tight grip on your own arms, the way your eyes keep darting away.
And it makes it worse.
You meet his eyes for half a second before looking away with a small huff, embarrassed by the sudden attention.Â
He puckers his lips slightly, staring at the thing in his hand like heâs thinking. At first, you think he might be deciding if youâre worth the trouble, but then he nods once. âOkay,â he says. âSo youâre not becoming a stoner. Youâre just trying a new cuisine.â
You blink at him, then laugh under your breath before you can stop yourself.
His mouth twitches, but hides it. He steps closer, just enough that you can see the smoothness of his skin, like he owns expensive skincare. Heâs very tall, in a way that surprises you maybe because youâd just never stood this close before.
Really, you never spent time looking at Riki Nishimura. Youâve known the name, because who can ever look past the opulent sound of it, but to know the man behind it didnât matter. After texting him, you donât know what you expected either, maybe someone grubbier and smelled like smoke, someone with dry lips from all the ash. You thought heâd smell like one of those hippie guys who sold sketchy shit while wearing the same beanie for three years.Â
But no, he smells like a familiar perfume your father owns in his fragrance wardrobe.
And his clothes are annoyingly nice, like the hoodie is probably more expensive than it looks and the loose pants are intentional, not lazy.Â
Also, heâs 6â1.
âThis,â he taps the bag lightly, âwill help you relax. Body high, mostly. Youâll still be functional. But since itâs your first time, better not fuck around too much.âÂ
Heâs still standing in front of you, close enough for you to notice the way his lashes lower when he looks at the bag in his hand, and you feel deeply, horribly stupid for only realizing now that he looks like that.Â
Your gaze lingers, and he catches it. Riki clears his throat, spine straightening a little. âYou okay?â
âYeah,â you say too fast.
He only hums. You tighten your arms across your chest. âJust give me the thing.â
He finally hands you the bag, and you eye it once you feel its weight in your palm; leafy and green and brown and not you â but it doesnât look so bad right now. It looks enticing, even, which you wonât try to admit out loud.
âTwenty,â he says, not planning to converse himself with the sudden discount.Â
You dig into your bag, finding for the vintage pink wallet that screams the contrast of cannabis in your palm right now. âYou know,â you say, hesitant but honest, âI donât know. Itâs weird how weâve never talked before.â
That gets him. He chuckles even if thereâs nothing funny about what you said, but there is something humorous about the fact he remembers shit you obviously forgot. Heâs quick to question the lack of indifference, because he remembers it well that this is definitely not the first time you two talked.
âWe were partners in freshman year,â Riki says.
He watches your face blank in real time, and something about it makes his mouth lift again, but not kindly enough to be mean. More like he expected it and still finds it a little funny that you are proving him right.
âEnglish lit,â he adds. âThe mythology presentation.â
For a second, he looks at you like someone whoâs always known you, and you look at him like youâre seeing him for the first time. He sees it flash in your eyes, that maybe you remember him more than just some guy who sells weed to irresponsible decision-makers.
âOh,â you say.
Riki nods once, the corner of his mouth twitching. âOh.â
Until your phone buzzes to drag you back from this little bubble youâre in â your boyfriendâs name lights up the screen and Riki notices it too.
âOh,â you say again, clearly out of your own head. âI â sorry.â
Something shifts, like the structure rebuilds and reasserts itself back into proper footing. You pull the bills from your wallet and press them into his hand. âThanks,â you say. âFor, um. The stuff.â
He closes his fist around the money, nods once. âYeah.â
You hesitate like you might say something else, so you just tuck the bag away and step back. âIâll go,â you say.
You turn the corner first. Riki exhales only when youâre out of sight, and chews on his bottom lip before hitting the side of his fist against the wall without real effort. He turns the other corner, parting from the rendezvous kept between eng lit and discounts.
The thing is, Riki knows you before whatever you are now. Miss Perfect who buys weed from Mister Lowkey Weed Seller â itâs a whole tangle in his brain in which he canât exactly comprehend, but while he smokes a joint and music blasts through the speakers from the house party heâs dragged into, your pictureâs pinned with red strings.Â
Heâs known you since third grade. Youâve been part of the cheer team before puberty, and since then youâve accumulated likable girls your age into your circle, then the guys from the football team after. It becomes a whole coupling session when the age came right, which Riki is convinced is just some orgy labeled friendship goals in curated Instagram. He thought you were mean mostly because thatâs what someone like you would be â but he does know a thing or two about you, other than the assumption of character. Youâve been in the same group projects against your will, sometimes youâd stand next to each other by the queue lines in the cafeteria, sometimes youâd bump against him in the hallway when youâre chasing time.
Is it weird he kept tabs? Maybe.
He always noticed, obviously, why wouldnât he? You are not exactly unnoticeable. Youâre nicer than your friends, you say sorry when you accidentally bump into someone, you say thanks to the staff, you say good morning to strangers, youâre pretty, youâre talented, youâre smart, you laugh at his jokes, you bought weed from him, youâre pretty, youâre perfect, youâre funny, youâre ridiculously pretty â
Riki takes another puff, too fast and too harsh, earning a rough cough from his throat. Heeseung chuckles, giving him an aggressive pat on the back when he leans his elbows against his knees. âGeez, first time?â
Riki shoves his arm away with a laugh, unsure where this is coming from. Because on top of every other noticeable trait you have, you have a boyfriend. So. Yeah. He knows better than to think about you.
He sinks deeper into someone elseâs couch â leather, cracked at the seams â while the bass rattles the walls and bodies blur together in the dim lights. Smoke hangs thick in the air, clinging to his clothes, his hair, his thoughts. He takes another drag, slower this time, lets it sit in his lungs until the noise dulls around the edges.
Across from him, someoneâs laughing too loud, then a couple is making out like itâs an Olympic sport. Heeseung steals the joint from his fingers and flicks the ash into an empty cup.
âYou look fucked,â Heeseung says.
âIâm not,â Riki replies automatically.
âMhm.â
Riki pushes himself up from the couch, suddenly restless. He just wants a drink â something cold, something that doesnât make his head spiral because even the thought of weed pulls him back to this cheerleader. So he goes to the kitchen, instinctively saying half-assed sorryâs to strangers without meaning them.Â
Until he bumps into someone.
For half a second, he genuinely wonders if the side effects are finally catching up to him, because his head feels several feet away from his eyes and the kitchen lights look more hazy than they should.
But itâs you, he knows that because your kind voice apologizes; the way you always do, the way your friends donât. Your shoulder knocks into his chest and youâre already stepping back, eyes wide a fraction of a second when you look up. Riki freezes too, unsure what to do with his hands or his feet or where to look without threading too close to the sternum your lowcut top exposes. Up close, under dim kitchen lights instead of school hallways, you look unreal â hair loose, lips parted like youâve been laughing.Â
âRiki,â you say, breathless, like his name slipped out before your brain could catch it.
His name on your mouth does something stupid to him.Â
âHey,â he says, too softly. Heâs just thankful you donât notice the slight roughness of it.
You smile, small and polite â but thereâs something else underneath it now. Recognition that shouldnât exist, not in the structure where youâre meant to forget that you know; one where he looks up at you from beneath your echelon, now heâs standing close enough that you have to tilt your chin to look up at him.
âI didnât know youâd be here,â you say.
He huffs a quiet laugh. âI didnât either.â
You glance past him, toward the other room, toward where your friends probably are â or your boyfriend. Then back at him, polite in a way heâs sure is because youâre you and not because heâs him.
âI donât usually see you in⊠parties,â you say.Â
He puts both hands in his pant pockets, shoulders loose, eyes on yours like the noise around you doesnât have enough authority to interrupt.
âYou donât usually look,â he says.
Itâs not said rudely, just calm, like heâs stating something obvious enough that both of you should stop pretending around it.
Your fingers tighten around your cup. âThatâs not true.â
Riki tilts his head, eyes moving over your face. âYeah?â
You hate how it sounds coming from him, low and slow and almost amused, like he knows youâre lying before you do. You scoff a quiet laugh, eyes looking away because you canât keep looking at him.Â
âI mean, I know you exist.â You look back up at him when you say it, bottom lip catching between your teeth before you can stop yourself.
His eyes drop for half a second, then he smirks and looks away, tongue pressing against the inside of his cheek like heâs trying not to say something.
When he looks back, his face is calmer. âWhereâs your boyfriend?â
The question is casual enough that it almost sounds harmless. You glance elsewhere instinctively, like youâre going to find him close. âSomewhere.â
âSpecific.â
âHeâs with his friends.â
Riki just nods, doesnât wanna push, even though heâs pretty sure you donât actually know where he is. Leaving is the smarter and normal thing to do. The thing a girl with a boyfriend and a reputation and a phone full of unread messages from her friends would do.
Instead, you stay there. And Rikiâs got that tabbed already.
You hesitate, fingers worrying at the rim of your cup. âI, um. I havenât â used it yet.â
Riki blinks. âThe stuff?â
You nod, cheeks warming. âI just⊠donât really know how.â Itâs weird being this honest with someone you barely know, yet your bones donât buzz with the prompt demand to pause. It must be the slight slosh, itâs the only real thing to excuse why youâre not pulling away.
For a second, he just looks at you. Then his mouth curves, slow and amused. âYou bought weed without knowing how to use it?â
Your face warms, but you try not to look embarrassed. âOkay, well.â You lift your cup a little, like that somehow helps your argument. âYou can teach me.â
Riki grimaces immediately, playful but clear. âSounds like a bad idea.â
You blink. âWow. Rude." You huff, looking away, but youâre smiling a little because he doesnât sound scared of you. Or impressed by you. Or desperate to keep you there. He just sounds like he already knows better and hates that he has to be the one saying it.
He sighs, looking away for a second. âFuck, fine.â his jaw clenches. âBut not here.â
You try not to smile and fail almost immediately. You take one step back, still looking at him. âIâll text you. Maybe later?â
Someone calls your name from the other room and you exhale, dragging back through the fracture. The music spikes and someone bumps into you again, closer this time, and Rikiâs hand lifts instinctively, hovering over your waist without touching.Â
Your eyes flick down, then back up to his. âNice seeing you,â you say finally, voice softer now.Â
âYeah,â he says. âYou too.â
You step around him, brushing past just close enough that he catches your scent â which is bad, because now heâll have to remember that too. When you disappear back into the crowd, Riki stays rooted in place for a beat too long.
He exhales, rubs a hand over his face, and laughs quietly to himself.
He really, really knows better.
Which somehow makes it worse.
Riki glances back to see youâre sitting on the couch now, legs tucked in, your boyfriendâs arm slung easily around your shoulders. He leans in and presses a quick kiss to your cheek, which makes you smile and ease back into him. Riki turns away to open the fridge and grabs the coldest beer he can find. He lifts it and downs it in one go, throat burning at the coldness and bitter taste.
He shouldnât do this.
He really shouldnât.
Later, in that strange lull when the party has gotten worse and louder â you text him.
You:
bathroom upstairs
The bathroom is cramped and clean but gross in concept: flickering light, foggy mirror, the smell of cheap air freshener. Youâre perched on the edge of the sink when he slips inside and locks the door behind him, eyes bright, a little nervous, because being in a bathroom with you feels worse than any sketchy deal heâs made.
âOkay,â you whisper, like youâre conspiring. âSo. Teach me.â
He winces, glancing around. âThis is⊠not ideal.â
You just grin. He laughs despite himself and sets the weed down on the closed toilet lid, grimacing when he starts rolling paper against it. Once heâs done, he holds the roll up to your mouth and he tells you to lick it. You follow through, leaning down and sticking your tongue out to lick the side. He clears his throat, trying not to think about the way you looked doing that, trying not to imagine anything else.
Heâs careful, not clinical or a lecture when he instructs, just calm and reassuring like heâs trying to keep you comfortable more than correct. When he hands the final roll to you, your fingers shake a little as you take it.
âLike this?â you ask.
âYeah,â he says softly. âSlow.â
You cough immediately after trying, sharp and sudden, bending forward with a surprised laugh. âOh my god â why does it â â
âHey,â he says, too fast, stepping closer, hand hovering at your back. âYou okay?â
You wave him off, still laughing, eyes watering. âIâm fine, Iâm fine.â
He watches you like you might disappear if he looks away. Youâre laughing, which isnât comforting Riki even in the slightest because the last thing he needs is to not be a conformist and end up in jail for accidentally supporting your homicide.
You try again, better this time. You still cough, laugh, cough again, but way more manageable as time goes by.
âSorry,â you say, breathless.
âDonât apologize,â he says. âYouâre doing fine.â
You keep at it, stubborn in that way of yours, until the coughing eases and something in your shoulders loosens. You lean back against the wall, head tipping gently, eyes half-lidded.
âOh,â you murmur. âThatâs⊠actually really nice.â
Riki lets out a breath he didnât realize he was holding, a nervous laugh slipping out. He leans back against the wall, hand through his bangs, exposing the skin of his forehead. âJesus fucking Christ,â
You nod slowly, smiling to yourself. âMy brainâs quiet.â
He watches you for a moment: relaxed, unguarded, glowing in this tiny bathroom because you donât belong here at all, holding a joint Riki himself rolled for you. Really, you never belonged anywhere that tried to put you in a box, and he wasnât going to make himself an exception to that opening.
He tries thinking about who you really are, beyond what most people would take you as. Though he knows not to fantasize a tale where he saves the damsel from her golden label. He takes you with memory and not assumption: cheer girl, disciplined afternoon drills, academically smart, socially competent, good. But tonight, while you lean against the cracked sink and stand diagonally across him, he sees a side he never thought heâd secretly behold.
Your eyes flick to him. âYouâre a good teacher.â
He swallows. âYouâre an easy student.â
Riki rolls another one for himself, hands steadier now that youâre settled, and lights it with a quiet flick. The bathroom fills with a softer haze this time, the kind that wraps instead of hits like a downer high school series. He takes a drag, exhales toward the ceiling, letting the room reek with shouldnâts and endorphine boosters.
You smoke more confidently now, less harsh and rough when you let the smoke run down your throat. Your eyes are a little red, lashes heavier, the sharp edges of you blurred into something warmer and looser, less polished and picture perfect the way your boyfriend would like. Riki thinks â stupidly â that heâs never seen you look better.
You lean your head back against the wall again, staring at the ceiling like itâs just told you a secret. He doesnât stare, actually. He keeps his eyes narrowed to the broken tile in front of him like heâll discern the reason itâs cracked (maybe someone opened the door too hard, maybe someone once stood there trying to look normal while his heart acted stupid over a girl, which was especially humiliating when the whole point of being high was to feel less insane). Sometimes heâll permit himself to glance, but even the very glimpse of your smudged lipstick makes him look away and inhale the fuck outta that weed.
Then, suddenly, with eyes still trained to the dim bathroom light â âI thought you were,â you start, then laugh, a little too loud before clapping a hand over your mouth. âSorry. I thought you were, like⊠this weirdo.â
He snorts, shaking his head. âWow. Honesty hour already?â
âNo â â you groan, waving the joint like youâre conducting an orchestra. âI mean it nicely. You always stayed away from everyone. I figured you were judging us.â
âUs?â he repeats, amused, cocking a brow when he glances at you.
âYou know. People like me.â You squint at him, trying to focus. You gesture at yourself ineptly, clearly out of the ordinary intellectual capacity you clench tight, not when rickety makes up for your feet.
He quickly looks away, trying not to smile.Â
âLoud. Annoying.â you clarify, hand gesturing around.
He tilts his head, considering. âWas I supposed to be friends with people like you?â
You blink, like youâre thinking about what he said and calculating the rationale behind his causes. It was a hit, one that steadies a thought in your brain.
âIs that so bad?â
The question knocks the breath out of him, especially when you look up at him like that, eyes bright and wide. He blinks, and then he laughs, coming out quieter this time, looking away because he canât keep eye contact with you. âI didnât think youâd want that.â
âWhy not?â
Because thereâs a system. Because thereâs levels to this shit. Because you have a boyfriend. Because youâre untouchable. Because youâre perfect and heâs whatever this was. Because people like him didnât get pulled into your orbit unless it was transactional. Like weed exchanges and favors on the toilet.Â
For now, he shrugs. âSeemed like you already had your people.âÂ
You hum, nodding slowly, then smile. You tap the joint, watching some ash fall to the tiles. âTheyâre loud.â
He smiles back despite himself. âYeah. They are.â
The bathroom feels like itâs floating away from the music that pumps loud through the pipes, a constant reminder that thereâs more than the stinky bathroom you two share as a secret. Itâs risky because itâs merely wood that separates the crypticity of Mary Jane from the Average Joe you two function in individually.
You glance at the joint, then at him. âYouâre not weird, by the way.â
âOh?â he says, eyebrow lifting. He even scoffs, because he (un-admittedly) finds you adorable.Â
âYouâre just⊠quiet. You keep to yourself, but that doesnât make you⊠eccentric.â You grin lopsided, cheeks warm but you ignore that. âYouâre nice.â
That one gets him, more than heâd ever admit to anyone. Riki looks over, and for half a second, his gaze slips lower before he forces it back to your face. Youâre already looking at him, all soft eyes and honest mouth, like you have no idea what youâre doing to him.
He looks away first, rubbing the side of his jaw like that might help. âYouâre high,â he says.
âMaybe,â you confess. âBut I mean it.â
Heâs been called quiet and nice all his life, but that was never the full truth. He just knew who deserved access to the rest of him, and most people didnât. It wasnât personal. He could talk when he wanted to, laugh when something was actually funny, keep a conversation going if he cared enough. He just didnât feel the need to prove he had thoughts by saying all of them out loud.
Riki takes a drag, exhales slowly, looking over the tiles of the bathroom while he rethinks the decision heâs about to drop. He clears his throat before speaking, âYouâre not mean either.â
Your eyes widen a little, gaze recklessly steady at his side profile. âYou thought I was?â
âEveryone did,â he says honestly, smiling a little.
You make a face, frowning at him even though he refuses to look at you. âThatâs rude.â
He laughs, really laughs this time, head tipping back. When he looks at you again, youâre smiling up at him like youâve discovered something new and decided to keep it. For a moment, it feels like maybe there was always a version of this where you talked in bathrooms and shared smoke and didnât belong where people expected you to.
You take another small drag, then suddenly straighten when you decide to take him in. Heâs wearing a jacket over his hoodie, simple sweats loose around his hips. Only a few strands of his dark blonde hair graze over his forehead, leading down to the sharp features you only really notice now.
You never thought Riki Nishimura was ugly. Now, you canât help but think that heâs⊠kinda hot.
Youâre high, youâre just gone. Thatâs why. It also explains why you nudge closer than you have been before, letting your skirt brush slightly against his pants, thighs grazing slightly against his.
Youâre both still smoking â slow now, like the room itself has decided to breathe with you. The bathroom feels even smaller than before, shrinking with every second the music downstairs gets louder but muffled through the wooden door keeping you a secret. Your head feels light, buoyant, like youâre floating a few inches above your body. Maybe itâs the weed. Maybe itâs the half-drinks youâd taken before this. Maybe itâs neither.
He stares at the tile beneath his boot like it holds the secrets of the universe, or like it had the equations for him to understand gravityâs intentions and how it led to him feeling your softness against him.
âIs there something on the floor?â you laugh.
He just huffs, shaking his head because thatâs all he can do right now. Youâre still leaning back and heâs still standing just a little too close. Your knee brushes his again, accidental but not corrected.
He looks down at you then. The red in your eyes, the crooked smile, the way youâre leaning just a little toward him like gravityâs doing something new. You lean closer because youâre completely zooted and smart-Riki who knows better, leans away and only lets his chest tighten. His eyes drop traitorously down to your lips, and heâs not fast enough to look back up. You notice, of course, which makes you both look away and straighten back on your feet instead of the wall.Â
Riki clears his throat, smoking the last of his before he rids of it against the sink. âYou gotta go?â he asks out of the blue, which makes you frown a little. It wasnât exactly a statement, but you know when things are implied and telling, so you shove back the nerves and remember that heâs different from you.
Youâre not his type of person. He probably likes more chill people who actually know how to roll this shit â not the sheltered ones whoâs clueless with THC or terms alike it.
âYeah. I guess.â you smooth out your clothes even though nothingâs wrong with them.
He realizes what he just did, especially now that youâre not even looking back at him. He tries correcting himself, to backtrack, but the moment you glance back up, heâs silenced. You put your unfinished joint in his hand. âSee you.â You say just before unlocking the door, slipping through it, and accidentally slamming it too hard.
Riki reels in from the solitude of the silence, like heâs now just realizing the ruins he broke himself. He sighs in resignation, head falling forward in defeat. âShit.â
He stares at the thing in his hand, unfinished and yours, half-burnt and still warm.
âIdiot,â he mutters to himself, dragging a hand down his face. He can still feel the ghost of your skirt brushing his leg, the way you didnât look back because he gave you a reason not to.
But the bathroom still smells like you â sweet perfume tangled with smoke â and the joint is there, remaining as an accusation wrapped in paper. He turns it between his fingers, thumb brushing the spot where your lipstick smudged faintly against the edge.
Riki exhales, then lifts it.
He wraps his lips around it carefully, stupidly aware of the fact that yours were there first. The thought alone makes his chest tighten, heat creeping up his neck and pelvis as he takes a slow drag.
He closes his eyes as he exhales, leaning his head back against the wall, heart thudding too loud for a room this small. For a split second, he imagines you still there â tilted smile, red-rimmed eyes, saying his name like it belongs to you, all while your boyfriend waits in the living room.
He laughs shakily under his breath. Itâs so wrong.
After that, you two havenât really talked for weeks.Â
That part isnât weird. You both have lived the majority of your lives settling with the insouciance despite recognition, and one night in a bathroom, smoke and secrets and red eyes, isnât enough to reroute that kind of muscle memory. Riki tells himself that over and over, like itâs a theorem heâs already proven.
He hasnât been worried. He still goes to class, still shows up on time, still hands in assignments with some effort. The only difference â although barely worth mentioning â is that heâs been dipping into his stash more often than usual. A little before bed. A little after.Â
Riki exhales slowly, staring at the ceiling, telling himself â again â that this doesnât mean anything and it doesnât have anything to do with the cheer girl he kinda had a moment with in the bathroom.
Itâs so fucked, even if you donât think being his friend is bad, because youâre not meant to be a part of this. He was simply curious that Miss Cheerleader bought weed from him and kinda trusted him way too fast and that wasnât just some everyday occurrence â thatâs the only best psychological explanation why youâre here even when youâre not.
You have a boyfriend. Heâs not about to be a homewrecker. Yet itâs not helping.
No talking for weeks, reaching a month even. That says enough. He has to stop.
âProbably about Little Miss Perfect.â
Riki flinches like someone just snapped a rubber band against the back of his neck. He sits up, glaring at Heeseung. âWhat the fuck,â he blurts. âHow do you know that?â
Jake slowly looks up from his laptop, eyes lighting up like he just unlocked a bonus level.
âOh my god.â Sunghoonâs grin spreads and Heeseung laughs, clapping like heâs won because technically he did, at the mental betting at what keeps Riki Nishimura downing his marijuana greenhouse.
âOhhh,â Heeseung says, taunting and annoying. âSo it is about her.â
Riki blinks. âNo.â
âThat was the weakest no Iâve ever heard,â Jake says immediately, pointing a finger at Riki. âYouâre a guilty man, arenât you?â
Riki scoffs, scrambling, fingers rubbing against his temple in attempts to cool. âYouâre literally insane. Why would it be about her?â
Heeseung shrugs, casual. âI saw you two talking at that party.â
Rikiâs stomach drops. âYou â what?â
âRelax,â Heeseung says, laughing. âI wasnât spying. You two just kinda had a freeze frame by the kitchen. Wasnât so hard to notice.â
Riki opens his mouth, just to close it. Then he runs a hand through his hair with the irritated slant of said illegality stamped in your name. âWe were just talking. Nothing happened.â Riki snaps, defensive again, hands up like heâs caught.Â
Jake squints at him. âThen why are you acting like that?â
Riki looks away. Usually, itâs enough answer to more teasing and mocking, but maybe not this time. Because now, it raises actual questions that regard his very bearing at this monumental association with you â a damn unicorn of a scene snatched out a comedy fantasy movie.
Heeseung asks carefully, âAre you, like, her boy toy or something?â
Riki whips around with the flush of unpredictability and utter shock. âWhat? No!â
Heeseung grins again, gentler this time. âOkay, not her boy toy. What now?â
Riki exhales, long and slow, falling back supine against the floor with the decency of a man with boundaries and the understanding of someone brilliant to keep himself away. âNothing. She has a boyfriend. She lives in a different world.â
Itâs realistic. He thinks heâll drag the shit out of his stash to get his mind off this, because Riki Nishimura was a conformist by all means.
Youâre where youâre supposed to be.
You laugh at the jokes while dawdling down the hallway with girls you actually consider your friends, your boyfriendâs arm heavy around your shoulders like it belongs there. You learned how to roll your own joints now, practiced with irritated little shrieks until it stopped being embarrassing, until they came out neat and perfect between your fingers. You donât need him. You donât need anyone, actually. Independence always looked good and natural on you.
Then Riki walks past with Heeseung and Jay.
Backpacks slung low, shoes dragging lazily against the floor, laughing about something stupid like someoneâs terrible quiz score. Rikiâs eyes stay forward like always, keeping his business private from everyone. Especially from you.
You donât acknowledge each other beyond the bare minimum of peripheral awareness of two classmates that happen to be in the same class and two planets in the same orbit. Your boyfriend tightens his arm around you, leaning down to murmur something about lunch plans. You nod, glossed lips wrapped around a lollipop, sugar sweet and cherry-flavored on your tongue. You should be listening, youâre sure you are, until he passes.
Your eyes follow Riki â not openly, just enough to catch the back of his neck, the familiar slope of his shoulders, the same boy who leaned against a bathroom wall while you were high and laughing too much, knees brushing his because the room was small and neither of you moved away.
The lollipop slides down your tongue: all artificial sugar because the substance stays at home in the back of your secret drawer, while some of it just passed you down the hallway.
âIâll catch up,â you say lightly, lifting your boyfriendâs arm off your shoulders. âI forgot something.â
You slip away before anyone can think too hard about it, weaving through the hallway with your lollipop still between your lips. You keep enough distance to make it look accidental, watching as Heeseung and Jay split off with quick fist bumps and loud voices. Riki keeps walking and pushes open the door to an empty lecture hall before disappearing inside.
You stop outside, remembering that this is probably the part where youâre supposed to turn around. Where the perfect, reasonable version of you remembers her boyfriend, her friends, her place in the hallway. Where the status quo reaches for your wrist and pulls you back into line.
Well, you push the door open.
Riki is near the front row, one hand still on the strap of his bag when he looks up from his seat, legs spread wide, thumbs midway to scroll through his phone. His eyes widen slightly, posture going still like he did not think youâd actually follow him.
For some reason, it thrills you. Because now heâs looking at you.
You pull the lollipop from your mouth, twirling the stick between your fingers as the door clicks shut behind you. âHey.â
His eyes flick briefly to the door behind you. âYou lost?â
This isnât a bathroom of some random houseparty. Thereâs no smoke, no music, no excuse, just you, Riki, and an empty lecture hall in the middle of the school day â which means you came here on purpose.
âYou should roll a joint for me again,â you say, like itâs so simple. âOne of these nights.â
Riki blinks once. Then he huffs out a soft laugh, shaking his head. âWhat, you havenât learned since last time?â
You step closer anyway, slow and unhurried, allowed to exist wherever you want. He leans back against his seat, still careful and invisibly (but truly) restless. âI did.â you answer, then you smile small and lazy. âYouâre just better at it.â
That gets him (because youâve been knowing what to say to get him). His eyes lift to you, amused now, something low and unreadable settling there which sets you on fire because you have no idea what heâs thinking, not even a little hint.Â
âFlattery,â he says, then scoffs.
You hum and step closer, close enough that his knee is almost in front of your thigh. Riki leans back in his seat, one arm loose over the desk beside him, phone forgotten in his lap.Â
âThereâs another party this weekend,â you say. âAt McKayâs. You and your friends should go.â
He tilts his head. âShould we?â
âI think so.â You shrug. âGood music, large pad, beer games.âÂ
He chuckles, eyes dropping briefly to the floor before meeting yours again. âAnd youâll be there.â
âProbably.â
âAnd youâll want me to roll one for you.â
You pull the lollipop from your mouth, tapping it lightly against your lower lip as you think. âIf youâre offering.â
âIâm not,â he says, but his mouth twitches.
You lean back against the edge of the desk beside him, copying his ease like you have any right to be comfortable around him. From far away, it would look casual, just two classmates talking before class. Except thereâs only you standing between him and the empty rows, him sitting back in his seat, looking up at you with that unreadable expression while you try not to smile too much.
He should probably feel insulted that you only do this when nobody can see â maybe he does, if he still believes in self-respect. Itâs just hard to stay offended when youâre looking at him like that.
Riki nods once. âIâll think about it.â
Satisfied, you push off the table and head for the door. âCool.â
When the door shuts behind you, he thinks about red eyes and smoke, about how your usual crowd will be there, your boyfriendâs arm around you just before you sneak away to Rikiâs.Â
Youâre trouble, which makes Riki smile. âCause he knows damn well heâs going to that party.
-
McKayâs house is already vibrating when Riki gets there with Heeseung, Jake, and Sunghoon â bass rattling the windows, someone yelling about cups, someone else yelling back about something incomprehensible. Riki isnât a frat boy at all, and he doesnât really go to parties, but the perfume layered on top of alcohol is basically familiar territory.
âThis place is a fire hazard,â Jake mutters, stepping over a discarded heel.
Riki scans the room pretending he doesnât mean to, observing layouts and people, when really heâs actually looking for one specific designer wardrobe of a person.
He doesnât see you, but he sees your usual crowd scattered around the room, posing with red cups they barely drink from and laughing a little too loud whenever someone points a camera at them. Youâre not there, nor is your boyfriend, and that usually speaks for itself already.
Heeseung nudges him, already mischievous with the smile Riki canât see. âLittle Miss Perfect?â
âFuck off,â Riki replies, flat.
Jakeâs halfway to disbelief when he narrows his eyes at Riki. âYouâre already staring.â
âSheâs not even here,â the former hisses.
âLooking for her, though.â Sunghoon teases, practically grinning widely.
Riki pushes past them. âIâm getting a drink.â
He doesnât get a drink. He goes through hallways and in between bodies that nudge abruptly into him, half-assed apologies going through one ear and out the other while he properly finds footing again and again. When he gets to the bathroom and finds it locked, he groans and leans back against the wall. For now, he flicks the light on his own joint and smokes away while he waits â for you, for the bathroom, for anything to make him think going here was worth it at all.Â
Too many girls brush against him, too many of them apologizing with tilted heads and lashes batting. He has no interest in rewarding the performance, not tonight, not when the party is already crawling under his skin, all bass-heavy music, sticky floors, smoke in the air, perfume clinging to his throat, and people packed so tightly he canât move without touching someone. Itâs too much at once; too loud, too hot, too bright, too dark. Then he sees it, and everything in him goes still.
Your boyfriend has another girl pushed against the bedroom wall.Â
Riki sees this through the crack of the door, just slightly opened enough for him to see how he moves his hand underneath her skirt really fucking aggressively. Theyâre kissing too, and itâs not at all sweet or even arousing; itâs just straight out gross. He chokes, coughing so rough and loud and forward he has to lunge himself off the wall and straight through the crowd because his first instinct is you.
Your boyfriend is cheating on you.
What the fuck is happening? Whyâs your boyfriend fucking a girl like someone who knows nothing about clits? Now, Riki isnât an expert about pleasing women but heâs watched porn enough to know that Exhibit A over there was straight-up persecution.Â
He finally spots you near the kitchen, talking to one of your friends with a cup in your hand. He starts toward you, but someone shoves past from behind, and he bumps lightly into your shoulder. You turn, already halfway to apologizing until you see him, your face already changing before you can stop it.
âYou came,â you say, eyes flicking around before coming back to him.
Heâs kinda out of breath, from the smoke and from hurrying, but he smiles too. âYeah.â
While youâre still smiling, Riki clears his throat. Itâs casual like heâs asking for a lighter, not like heâs abput to derail your night, âcause truth be told, heâs not sure he knows how youâll react to the information. To be honest, he thinks about how itâs only fair â maybe â because he doubts your boyfriend knows you sneak into bathrooms with another guy. And sure, his hand isnât performing DJ on your pussy, but the shared secrecy of eye contact with loaded tension is much more intimate than whatever the hell that was.
âUh,â he says, hand rubbing on his jeans. âCan we talk? Like. Somewhere quieter.â
You blink. Then you nod, already stepping closer so he has to lean down to hear you.
âBathroom or outside?â you ask, half-teasing.
âOutside,â he says easily.
The night is cold enough to make everything feel quieter, like itâs only the two of you standing under someoneâs porch light while music leaks through the walls behind you. Itâs strange, because youâre not even friends, not really, but the little space between you feels private in a way Riki doesnât know what to do with. He exhales slowly, like heâs been holding his breath since the second he walked into the house, then leans back against the railing and looks at you standing across from him.
He tries finding the words first, but the way youâre looking at him tightens his chest faster than his brain can work out. Is this karma for your cheating boyfriend? Is he the instrument God has given you to slam notes back to the guy youâre practically cheating on too?Â
Then Riki clears his throat, casual as hell. âI saw something inside,â he continues, tone still chill but eyes a little sharper now. âYour boyfriend.â
Your smile falters. âWhat about him?â
âHeâs, uh.â Riki taps ash off the joint. âHe was fucking a girl. On a wall.â
You stare at him for a while, and heâs half-expecting you to lash out, on him, on the crowd, on your boyfriend, on something.Â
Instead, you laugh this small, amused breath that slips out of you before you shrug, like he told you your boyfriend spilled punch on his shirt and not that he had just seen him with another girl.
What the fuck is happening?
It feels a lot like you donât care and that surprises Riki leading him down a rabbit hole of introspection. He was already expecting you to cry and sob or scream in the party about how much of a dick he is, how you trusted him and gave him everything â all things they do when they find out their boyfriends are cheaters.
No, you just, âWow.â then huff a laugh. âIâm sorry you had to see that.â
He blinks once, watching you carefully while you regather your thoughts as a woman whoâs been said something paltry rather than an admission of an affair. To be honest, Riki doesnât understand, so now he just stands there and looks stunned. And confused. Very confused, actually.
Riki squints at you like heâs trying to solve a trick question. âThatâs it?â he asks. âThatâs your reaction?â
You shrug, lifting your cup to your lips for a sip. âI mean. Itâs been happening. âWeâre just sorta together for our parents. Theyâre friends so⊠but thatâs a story for another night.â
Oh. He never thought fake relationships were a thing.
That makes sense. How come Riki didnât know? Was he so out of touch from school gossips hat he genuinely didnât know that youâre actually not the perfect couple he thought you two were? Is that why Heeseung and Jake and Sunghoon didnât react so badly? Has this been a thing? Oh my God, Rikiâs ecstatic and he hasnât even finished a joint yet.
He lets out a quick, unguarded sound. âJesus.â
You lean back against the railing across from him, far too relaxed for a revelation that should have ruined someoneâs eyeliner. Riki watches you for a second, waiting for the anger, the hurt, the sharp inhale before you turn and storm back inside. But you just stand there, cup in hand, looking more inconvenienced than heartbroken.
Thatâs when it hits him, slow and weirdly humiliating, that you might not care about the relationship at all.
âBut,â you say lightly, âthanks for telling me.â
He blinks, then shakes his head a little. âYeah.â His voice comes out slower than usual. âNo worries.â
You glance at the joint between his fingers, your eyes lingering a second too long on the veins along his hand. âYou always this heroic when youâre high?â
âNo,â he says, deadpan. âItâs just who I am.â
You laugh, and despite everything, his mouth twitches. He looks back toward the door, half-expecting your boyfriend to come out and make the night complicated. When no one does, he relaxes, shoulders easing, but not completely.
Because this is new information.
Someone inside screams the chorus to a song, and the nightâs way too cold for the silence that buzzes. Riki offers the joint without looking at you, just holds it out between two fingers like itâs nothing.
You hesitate for half a second. But you take it.
âYou have a car?â you suddenly ask while you take a puff.
Riki blinks once, then lets out a quiet laugh, dragging his thumb along the bridge of his nose. Right, so this is his life now. He sells you weed one time, and somehow heâs standing outside a party while your boyfriend (?)Â cheats inside and you look mildly bored about it.
Itâs stupid. Itâs also the most interesting thing thatâs happened to him in months.
So he just sighs and slumps back a little. âYeah. I do.â
âLetâs go,â you say, completely not a question, flicking the finished joint on the pavement and trampling it beneath your heel. âI wanna smoke.â
He lets you trail after him through the side yard like this is already something you do, like he isnât silently praying no one sees you following him away from the party. Gravel crunches under your shoes, the bass growing duller behind you as you cross the street toward his Supra, parked sleek and dark under the streetlamp. Riki unlocks it without looking back, rounds the hood, and opens the passenger door for you like itâs nothing.
You notice. You just donât say anything.
Inside, the car actually smells clean and like coffee, for someone youâve assumed is mad about marijuana and sorts alike (well, again, heâs proven how neat he is just for smelling so fucking good). He slides into the driverâs seat and just sits there for a second before turning the engine on, heater clicking low.Â
The silence settles, but it doesnât feel awkward, which Riki finds suspicious. Maybe itâs because youâre not acting like the version of you heâs used to, all neat edges and perfect timing. Now your heels are on the floor of his car, your hair is loose around your face, and youâre curled into the passenger seat of a Supra youâve never sat in before like your body decided to trust him before your brain could argue. He clears his throat, trying to get rid of the warmth at the back of his neck, but you only glance at him like you donât notice. The hem of your skirt rides up consequently, and he tries his hardest not to look.
âThanks. For caring.â
He shrugs, one hand resting loose on the steering wheel. âDidnât feel right not to tell you.â
âYou didnât have to.â
âYeah,â he says quietly. âI know.â
The radio flicks on â some pop song bleeding through the speakers. He then pulls out pre-rolled joints from his pockets, which he sheepishly apologizes for hygiene and, well, itâs a bit delated, although you just smile and take one. He lights yours up and you two stay there, settled in his warm seats, dissolving the chill with cannabis down your system like two people who doesnât give a shit about the system and fucking power dynamics and popularity status.
Again, weird. Hanging out in his car like youâre old buddies who smoke in free time on the usual.Â
If he told himself a month ago that he would be smoking weed with the team cheer captain, he would have laughed his ass off about inhaling too much narcotics that totally screwed mental frameworks. Yet now, heâs stealing a few glances at you beside him, getting high off his greens, and he doesnât feel completely off-center about it. Itâs the weed obviously, but he feels steady. Itâs charged because youâre not talking but your thoughts are everywhere, and even if you protrude the profile of indifference â he knows you care. Then again, what does he know about you, right? You are the odd in the equation, the alternative hypothesis that proves the difference in variables, and talks about the impact on the situation.
Now, conformist Riki Nishimura, who has spent his whole life respecting the ladder, is starting to wonder what happens if he climbs high enough to stand beside someone like you.
He stares through the windshield the second before he speaks. âYouâre not what people think you are.â
You blink, caught off guard as you turn to him. âIs that good or bad?â
He huffs. âDepends whoâs thinking it.â
You smile a little, your eyes moving over him before you can pretend they didnât. Riki isnât brawny in that loud, gym-mirror way, but heâs taller than he should be, broader than he looks from a distance, and unfairly very put together. His throat moves when he breathes in, and you catch yourself watching it for one embarrassing second too long.
You chew on your bottom lip. âAnd what do you think?â
Riki shifts in his seat, hand fidgeting against the wheel like heâs weighing how honest heâs allowed to be. âI think youâre quieter than your reputation.âÂ
You study him now â the calm posture, the way he never overdoes anything, the way his voice stays even like heâs learned not to tip his hand.Â
He glances at you, then back ahead. âMakes it easier.â
You look at him for a second too long. âEasier for who?â
âYou tell me.â
The car feels smaller and the windows are fogged enough that the streetlamp outside is just a blur of light now, like youâve been sealed off from everything else. Away from the reality that boxes you two into something that makes sense rather than accepts.Â
You laugh once, but it comes out softer than planned. âYou always psychoanalyze girls in your car?â
âNo.â
âJust me?â
His mouth twitches. âYou asked.â
You turn your head toward the window, trying to keep your face normal. âYou donât know me that well.â
âI know.â
Riki finally turns to you, one hand still resting loose on the steering wheel. His eyes are a little low, a little unreadable, but not careless â that might be the problem.
âIâm not saying I do,â he says. âIâm saying people donât either.â
Your fingers fidget with the joint, rolling it carefully between them even though youâre barely paying attention to it anymore. The tip glows faintly, forgotten for a second, and Riki reaches over without thinking to tap the ash into the tray before it can fall on your skirt.
You look down at his hand, then back at him when he hands it to you.
âDonât you think thatâs weird?â you ask. âLike, what kind of girl is cheer captain and smokes weed? Who gets into a fake relationship because of her parents? Doesnât that sound kind of fucked?â
He looks at you for a moment.
Then he leans back, eyes returning to the windshield. âI sell weed.â
He says it from the driverâs seat of a spotless car that smells like coffee and cologne. Itâs stupidly funny, actually, the whole contrast of him that kinda looks like you.
You laugh before you can stop yourself. âThatâs different.â
âHow?â he snickers.
You open your mouth, then close it again because you donât actually have a good answer. âI donât know,â you admit, laughing a little. âIt just is.â
He hums like he expected that. Then he glances at you before back through the windshield. âI donât think youâre weird,â His eyes flick over your face. âI think youâre bored.â
Obviously, that makes you furrow your brows. Obviously, you let him continue speaking.
âOf your boyfriend. Your friends. Your parents already knowing what youâre going to do.â His mouth twitches faintly. âProbably bored at being good at the same shit every day.â
You should probably deny it. It surprises you that you donât, even though youâve sworn hatred towards men that think they can assume your personality because of one little circumstance.
âThatâs why youâre here, right?â Rikiâs eyes drop to your hand, then back to your face.Â
Your throat tightens.
âWith me,â he adds.
He doesnât smile like he won, he just sits there with one hand loose on the wheel, like he already knows the answer and is kind enough not to make you say it.
The air between you feels worse, like the moment before a storm cracks open into his car, and electrocutes you with a spark youâve never experienced in your life. Which is eccentric considering youâre not the type of girl whoâd be in Rikiâs car instead of a party dominated by your friends, getting high off shit that would make your parents pass out.Â
You scoff and look away, shaking your head like the whole thing is ridiculous. âYou talk like you know everything.â
âI just guessed one fucking thing.â
You roll the joint between your fingers again, slower now. âMaybe I just wanted to try something.â
âWith me?â
Your eyes cut to him, and you see thereâs a slight curve to his mouth, like he heard the shape of your answer before you even made it.Â
You huff. âYouâre so annoying.â
Neither of you moves. Just suspended there, breathing the same warm air, the song on the radio dissolving into background noise, the world narrowed down to inches and intent and maybe weak will and strong urges. The tensionâs palpable, solid enough that you could feel it grow between your thighs.
Youâre probably one more joint away from being zooted, and Riki knows this of course, which is why he keeps his eyes narrowed across him and not the woman whoâs audibly shifting in her seat.Â
Heâs high too â faster than usual â and it makes the moment stretch in this you know kind because heâs thinking bad. He keeps his gaze trained somewhere between the fogged windshield and the blur of your reflection in it, like itâs the only thing keeping him at bay.
For the record â youâre both twenty, obviously adults, even if the world still insists on calling you kids. Which is also the very age people let you experience the paradox of being too grown and too immature for anything consistent, so the underestimation you endure as an adult, smart woman, cheerleader, and a kinda-child â wow youâre in deep detestation for that system.
So you take control of things you can handle.
Youâre a conformist, no doubt. Except in areas you loathe menâs freedom in yet expect restraint for women. So⊠in diminutive ways, you indulge. Like weed. Like running council. Like wearing short skirts. Like Riki Nishimura.
You glance at him sideways, voice light, almost bored. Almost. âSo,â you say, like youâre asking about his major or what songâs playing on the radio. âI will ask you something kind of personal.â
Riki exhales a quiet laugh. âYouâre already in my car smoking my weed. I think the lineâs gone.â
You smile, satisfied, then tilt your head back against the seat.Â
âAre you a virgin?â
The question hangs there. Unembellished and very dangerous in its simplicity. Also, of course, bold, which makes Riki actually freeze â a half-second pause where even his breathing stutters. Then he scoffs, shaking his head like he canât believe you just dropped that between the heater hum and the low bass leaking from the house.
He blames the weed, though part of him wishes it isnât from that.
âYou always ask things like that?â
âIâm curious,â you say easily. âAnd a little high.â you gesture with your thumb and forefinger.
He rubs the back of his neck, eyes flicking to you now despite himself. âWhy?â he asks. âDoes it change your opinion of me?â
You meet his gaze, unblinking. âI donât know yet. Thatâs why I asked.â
He huffs a soft laugh. He admits to embarrassment, even if it doesnât cover his entire skin with flush and heat, heâs never found himself in this position. But honestly, nothing from the past few weeks has ever been something he prepared for â which he has you to blame, of course.
âYeah.â he licks the corner of his lips, refusing to meet your eyes while he taps the steering wheel. âI am.â
Your eyebrows lift, impressed but not shocked. âHuh.â
Riki looks over. âHuh?â he mocks.
You bite back a smile and turn toward the window, but the reflection gives you away. âI just didnât expect that.â
He scoffs, looking back at the windshield. âWhy?â
âI donât know.â You shrug, still smiling a little. âYou sell weed. And you drive this car.â
âAnd?â
âAnd you look like that.â
For one second, Rikiâs fingers still on the steering wheel, and he learns to shut up. He lets out a quiet laugh after, but it sounds different this time, lower and almost embarrassed. âYouâre so fucking high,â
That makes him quiet, makes him adjust on his seat. Heâs touched a woman before, but no oneâs ever sat on his dick, nor has he ever been in anyone. So maybe heâs half a virgin, maybe heâs just a sore loser. He watches you as you move, as you turn in the seat, knees pressing into the leather, facing him fully now. The space changes instantly, the air recalibrating around your movement and maybe even pushing you further toward him.
Riki stiffens â just suddenly very aware, and perhaps a little scared. âUh,â he says, brows knitting. âWhat are you doing?â
You tilt your head, resting your hands casually on the seat, perfectly balanced. âBored, like you said,â you say. âAnd my boyfriendâs cheating on me. Again.â
He swallows. His gaze drops, then snaps back up to your face, like heâs trying very hard to stay respectful and failing in slow motion because youâre especially gorgeous tonight. âThatâs⊠not a great combo,â he says.
âNot really,â you agree.
You lean in just enough for him to feel it â not touch, not yet. Just close enough that he can smell your gloss, the faint sweetness still clinging to you, and the cannabis that if he warrants himself the scary concept, is his mark on you.
âAt least you donât think Iâm boring.â
Riki exhales, a real one this time, like heâs surrendering to the moment instead of fighting it because what can a simple guy like him do, right? His eyes flick to your mouth again â longer now â and when he looks back up, thereâs a decision there, from someone whoâs tired of conforming.
You close the distance then, slow enough that he could pull away if he wanted to. When he doesnât, your lips meet in a kiss thatâs brief and soft at first. Rikiâs hand lifts instinctively, stopping just short of your waist, hovering there like heâs giving you the choice.
When you kiss again, youâre pressing harder, with the very intent to steal the air from his lungs. So that is what happens, you inhale and climb over the console and close your knees around his waist and heâs breathing shakily against your mouth, fighting for the oxygen heâs willingly giving away.Â
Your cunt presses against the zipper of his jeans, and when you roll, he pulls away like heâs burnt.Â
âW-wait â this isnât â we canât do this.â He shakes his head insistently, looking down your joined thighs while he regains composure.
You frown. âWhy not?â
He looks back up at you, eyes wide and glossy from the taste of your cherry gloss and his greens in your mouth. He looks like he canât handle this. Youâre high, heâs high, this isnât a good idea. Youâre perfect, heâs not, this isnât a good idea. Youâre pretty and he sells weed, this isnât a good idea.
âBecause you have a boyfriend.â he says weakly.
You smile, fingers brushing into the hair at his nape. âNot really.â
He stares at you before he laughs, quiet and disbelieving, like the whole situation is so stupid he has no choice but to let it be funny for half a second. Youâre in his lap, his car is fogged, your party is across the street, and apparently your boyfriend is more of a family arrangement than an actual person you care about.Â
âThis is so fucked,â he mutters.
Still, he kisses you anyway. His hand finally settles at your waist, firm enough to make your breath catch. His fingers press into your flesh just before he pulls you closer and his hips thrusts up underneath you.
His bulge presses hard against your clothed cunt, and a small whimper slips out his mouth. Your thighs practically clench around him, your core tightening as you rub yourself on him. Beneath the jeans secured around his hips, the start of his v-line peeks, in which you softly graze with your thumb.
âF-fuck,â he whispers, resigned while he lets his head fall back against the headrest.
When you kiss him again this time, itâs slow and languid and licking into his mouth, and your hips start rolling against his while he unconsciously bucks into you. You gasp at the feeling of his growing erection despite the jeans, and you canât help but feel rushed because itâs been way too long.Â
His bodyâs hot and he doesnât understand why he canât even talk properly. âAre you okay?â you ask, kissing his cheek. He just nods.
âThis is so wrong,â Riki says softly and raspy.
You just smile and kiss him again, feeling how sloppy heâs starting to become when your tongues meet. You set the pace, careful with how you bite and suck, more of a learning curve with what you like best rather than devouring. Riki realizes this and slows down too, relaxing underneath your thighs while his cock remains bulging against you. Your soft fingers slither at the back of his hair, tugging and caressing, while he finds the courage to sneak his tongue into your mouth.
When you pull to breathe, heâs practically panting. âYou can touch me.â you whisper.
His gaze practically flicks up to look up at you, silently asking for clarification. You donât use words, you instead take his wrists and start dragging his hands from your waist to underneath your shirt. His breath hitches at the feeling of your soft skin against his, watching intently as you guide his hands further beneath your cotton top, until his fingers slightly grazes the soft swell of the underside of your breasts.
âShit.â Riki mutters, his breath unstable when you let go. He looks for your eyes, asking for instructions, except you just smile and lean in to kiss him again with your hands on his jaw.Â
So he takes it upon himself to move by his own. His fingers grazes the soft skin, careful and learning, testing the underside swell by gently squeezing. After that, he gains confidence, hands going further up until they touch your nipples.Â
You gasp, pulling away to breathe when he starts gently pinching them, rolling them against the pads of his fingertips. He plays with them for a little while, watching your reactions when you sigh heavy, when your eyes close, when you lean further against his touch. Itâs so good, he doesnât even notice how painfully hard he is when he can feel just how sensitive your nipples are, when he can feel the weight of your breast as he cups them.
After a while, he finally stops, hands gliding down your ribs instead, thumbs still grazing slightly at the curve. Your kissing eases, reduced to pecks and softness. At rest and caress, you giggle and he chuckles, finally reeling in from the moment at how high he feels.
From your taste, your softness, your clothed pussy still pressing against his hard-on.
âYouâre good for a virgin.â you say.
At that, Riki huffs and leans his head back against the rest, caressing your waist while he watches your face. Youâre very pretty, even when your lipsticks smudged and youâre clearly teasing him, not touching him at all.Â
He doesnât mind. He doesnât think heâll mind for a long time. âIâm trying to make decent decisions.â
You tilt your head. âAnd kissing me is one?â
His jaw tightens a little, but he smiles. âItâs a very bad decision.â
âMm.â You lean closer, but you donât kiss him this time. âYou stopped.â
âBecause I donât want to be your rebound,âÂ
The teasing fades just a little. Your fingers, which had been lazily tracing the back of his neck, slow, and now you look at him too, at the way heâs looking at you like something cliche is about to happen now that heâs tasted something better than marijuana.
âYou think Iâd use you?â you ask.
He shrugs. âI donât know.â
You study him for a moment. His nose and ears are still pink, which admittedly does something to you. It makes him look shyer somehow, less untouchable, like all that quiet control has slipped just enough for you to see heâs not as unaffected as he wants to seem.
He looks back at you, thumb moving once at your waist. âLet me take you out.â
You stare at him. âYouâre asking me on a date right now? While Iâm sitting on you?â
His mouth twitches despite himself. âNot my best timing.â
You laugh, soft and surprised, but he doesnât laugh with you right away. You lean in again, slower and softer, just lips meeting and staying there, but his breath still hitches. You lets it last for a few seconds before you pull back, still close enough that your noses nearly brush.
âAsk me when weâre not high.â
Then he laughs once, quiet and disbelieving, his hand flexing at your waist. âFine.â
Riki drives you home that night and you arrive at around 3 am, friends completely unaware of where you are or who youâre with â but you donât care, even when your phoneâs blown out of weird proportion. You laugh when he insists on walking you to your front porch, just to make sure you donât slip and fall and he wouldnât lose his favorite weed customer.Â
âYouâre ridiculous, Riki Nishimura.â you shove at his arm weakly.
âAnd you,â he leans down enough that his nose nudges yours. âare so pretty.â
You laugh harder, admittedly a little flustered the way you never have been before. He tells you to eat something real when you head in, and you mock him for it but he just smiles and nods, agrees with the idea he is so, very stupid and funny for you.
Riki thinks the universe is testing him. Because ever since last night, every single thing reminds him of you.Â
The cherry gloss taste still ghosting his mouth when he wakes up, the faint perfume lingering on his hoodie, even the stupid heater smell in the car feels different now, like the seats remember the way you climbed over the console and kissed him until his dick ached for you.
âDude,â Jake says, throwing his duffel bag. âYou look like shit.â
Riki drags a hand through his hair. âThanks.â
Jake doesnât push it, which Riki appreciates for about three seconds before he sees where the cheer team is practicing. On the other side of the gym court, youâre standing with your friends, ponytail tied high, hands on your hips while you go over counts as the captain. Youâre not doing anything special, occasionally laughing at something one of the girls beside you says, but Riki still feels his attention pull toward you like it has no discipline left.
He looks away first.
PE is already starting by the time he reaches their side of the court. He pulls his sleeveless shirt down properly and rolls his shoulders once, mostly because he needs something to do with his body. His hair keeps falling near his eyes, and he can feel sweat gathering at the back of his neck before class has even properly started.
He tells himself not to look. But then he looks.
Youâre already looking too.
It only lasts a second. Your eyes meet his, then drop briefly to his arms before you turn back to your friends like nothing happened. Riki presses his tongue against the inside of his cheek and looks at the ball in his hands, suddenly way too aware of himself.
Jake notices, but all he does is glance between the two of you. âSince when do you know her like that?â
Riki bounces the ball once. âI donât.â
Jake gives him a look. Riki doesnât look back. âNot like that.â
âOkay.â
The drill starts, and for a while, itâs just run, catch, dribble, pass, move. Riki focuses on the court, on the PE teacherâs whistle, on the ball against his palms. It works for half the time, until your voice cuts across the space, counting with the rest of the cheer team, and he misses a pass by half a second.
âPay attention,â Jake says, not even laughing.
âI am.â
âYouâre really not.â
Later, when the class breaks for water, Riki walks toward the drinking fountain and finds you there already, refilling your bottle. Your friends are a few steps away, talking among themselves, close enough to notice if either of you makes it obvious, far enough that neither of you has to pretend not to see each other.
He stands behind you to wait for his turn, and from afar, it doesn't look scandalous. You take your time refilling your bottle, eyes forward, one hand steadying the plastic under the stream. He keeps his gaze on the wall in front of you, jaw working once, because he knows exactly what you're doing when you lean a little farther than necessary and let the silence stretch.
Your skirt shifts when you bend, showing the backside of your thighs and the slight swell of your ass, and he sighs through his nose like he's deeply disappointed in both of you. Then he looks away completely.
You bite back a smile.
When the bottle finally fills, you straighten and cap it slowly, still not moving right away. He doesn't meet your eyes when you step aside, he just moves in, bends toward the fountain, and presses one hand against the edge for balance.
Then it's your turn to look away. But you don't, not even shamelessly. Because youâre the girl who got things her way and never got scared of the repercussions.
His sleeveless shirt pulls against his shoulders when he leans down, arm tense from holding himself there, the veins along his bicep showing under the gym lights. Water hits his mouth, and you watch the way his hair falls near his eyes, the way his throat moves when he swallows. It's stupid, actually, how normal he's being and how much worse that makes it.
Riki finishes drinking, straightens, and wipes the water from his chin with the back of his hand. Only then does he look at you.
You're still staring. And for a second, neither of you says anything.
His expression barely changes, but something in his eyes does, like he caught you and decided not to make it easy. "What?"
You blink, then lift your bottle a little. "You took forever."
He looks at you, calm, unreadable, except for the faint color rising at the tips of his ears and the slight lift on the corner of his mouth. "You're one to talk."
Your friends laugh at something behind you, and the sound snaps the moment thinner, not enough to break it, but enough to remind you both where you are. You glance over your shoulder, then back at him, only to find he's still watching you. Not obviously, just enough to show that he knows exactly what that night did to you, and worse, exactly what this day is doing too.
And that heâs enjoying the view.
You tuck your bottle against your chest and step back. "Try not to miss another pass."
His mouth curves. "Then don't distract me."
The second he says it, your smile gets bigger, like a shared inside joke between you two now. Then you turn back to your team, and he stays by the fountain for one extra second, pretending the afternoon heat is the reason he can't stop feeling warm. In the locker room, he pretends itâs celibacy thatâs making his cock hard again, and not the picture of you bending in front of him, the fat of your ass presenting itself to him so adorably.
In the cafeteria, while pages turn and keyboards clack for an upcoming test for biology, you try your best to stay focused the way you can on the usual. Riki was right about you â you were smarter than what people thought, and the merit beside your name is shocking to a whole lot when itâs pasted on the board.Â
You think youâre no longer smart. Not when youâre staring at the open reviewer in front of you, color coded with little sticky tabs but youâre still distracted.
You grab your coffee and drink, just to try if that could help with your lost concentration. Something about protein synthesis and cell division. Something about how Rikiâs hands looked wrapped around the steering wheel that one night while he called you weird and interesting in the same breath.
This is so inconvenient.
âBabe.â
Your boyfriend slides into the empty chair beside you like he owns the furniture, sunglasses pushed up on his head even though the cafeteria lighting could barely offend a bitch. His hand settles automatically on your thigh beneath the table, casual and familiar, and you almost flinch.
âYou disappeared last night,â he says casually.
You lean back in your chair. âI told you I left.â
âYeah, but where?â
You think briefly about Rikiâs car parked under the streetlamp â fogged windows, heated air, cherry gloss smeared on his mouth, plump lips smirking in restraint, hands squeezing you in the right place, keeping you in place.
âI just went home,â you reply smoothly.
Your boyfriend hums, clearly unconvinced, but also has about three seconds of emotional stamina left for the topic, so he lets it go and steals one of your fries instead. âMy parents want dinner with you this weekend.â he says instead.
He continues talking about it but youâre staring at the flashcards and reviewers in front of you, imagining what your parents would say if Riki wouldâve showed up to a family dinner instead. Maybe heâd appear in different clothes, a white button-up just to sit there and attempt to look polite in ways he isnât with you â which makes your heart jump a little.Â
Dinner drags on for three excruciating hours.
Three whole hours of crystal glasses and polished silverware and your boyfriendâs parents discussing investment portfolios. The restaurant is one of those stupidly expensive places where portions are microscopic and every waiter looks vaguely judgmental â you donât complain, youâre rather very grateful for his parents (sometimes).
You sat there in a pretty dress your mother picked out. Your boyfriend talks over you twice when you try contributing to the conversation, his mother asks about your grades before asking how cheerleading is going, like academics and aesthetics are the only two things remotely interesting about you. At some point, your boyfriend likes another girlâs Instagram story right beside you at the table and everything about the night is just bad.
You just feel tired, especially on the way home.Â
Tired in the way performances always leave you feeling like youâve spent hours acting inside a role you got stuck with years ago â because it mostly worked in your favor, until that one time you decided to jump out of your comfort zone and try weed. Itâs the worst thing you have done, but itâs the only thing that made you feel good.
Your heels click quietly against the marble floors when you enter your house and you make it halfway upstairs before the pressure behind your eyes finally cracks. Obviously, you donât sob out of sadness, just frustrated tears slipping down your cheeks while you struggle with the zipper of your dress. âFuck,â you mutter.
Your makeupâs ruined now; mascara faintly smudged beneath your eyes, lipstick mostly gone except for traces still staining your mouth.Â
Before you can think too hard about it â which is kind of bad â you open Rikiâs contact, and your fingers move faster than your dignity can intervene.
you:
he actually sucks so bad
like genuinely i think talking to drywall has more nuance
You exhale through your nose and laugh weakly at yourself because obviously Riki probably has better things to do than babysit you after 9PM, not when youâre just another weed customer and smoking buddy he had. You toss your phone onto the bed and sit in silence for a second, still in your dress, earrings discarded somewhere.
You try not to think about anything for the minutes youâve spent staring at the ceiling: not about Riki, or your dumb boyfriend, or your (im)perfect life, or the way Riki kissed you, or the way he looked at you, or the way he thought about you.Â
Because that's the part that bothers you most. Not the kiss itself, not even the fact that you wanted it, but the way he seemed to actually think about you before touching you. Like you weren't just pretty or convenient or someone people liked because you made sense beside them. Riki looked at you like he was trying to understand you, and somehow that felt more intimate than anything you've ever had.
And maybe that makes you painfully average.
Maybe youâre not special at all, maybe youâre just another girl in the long, embarrassing history of girls who developed feelings for the first boy who looked at them like they were a person. Congratulations, really. Very original and groundbreaking, for being part of the emotionally confused teenage girls.
You turn onto your side and press your face into your pillow, immediately hating yourself for how dramatic that feels.
Until something taps three times against your window.
Your brows furrow immediately because your bedroom is on the second floor and nobody normally knocks on windows like some suburban horror movie, you donât even try to look because of what could be there. For a second, you genuinely think youâre hallucinating from emotional exhaustion and expensive restaurant food and maybe (you did not do prior research) the possibility of the long term hallucinations of marijuana.
Then it happens again. Three deliberate taps.
You sit up slowly from the edge of your bed, the strap of your dress slipping off one shoulder while your heels remain abandoned somewhere near the door. When you turn to the window, your heart practically falls from your chest when you see Riki standing outside like a fucking delinquent moron. Heâs standing on the roof of the first floor near your window, hoodie sleeves pushed to his elbows, while one hand steadies himself against the frame.Â
You burst out laughing while fumbling with the lock of your window. Rikiâs entire expression softens the second he hears you laugh and that does something unhealthy to him.
Because he drove for twenty minutes thinking about you crying over some guy who doesnât even look at you properly, wondering if climbing a house at this hour officially qualifies as insanity (heâs never done that before, and it doesnât sound so conformist right now either). Rikiâs usually good at self-restraint, at risk assessment, at understanding what makes sense and what doesnât.
For the record, this doesnât make sense. Yet here he is anyway.
 âHi.â
You stare at him in disbelief once you finally open your window. âWhat the fuck are you doing?â you whisper-yell.
âYou sounded sad.â
âIs that supposed to be an answer?â
âWhat?â he says defensively while climbing inside carefully. âYou said your boyfriend sucks. That sounded shitty.â
The second he lands properly inside your room, he looks at you before anything else. Heâs used to seeing you fixed with perfect hair, perfect smile, perfect posture, like you just stepped out of a university brochure about good conduct and that the school cheer spirit is something one definitely needs for personal development.
This version of you feels familiar, and traitorously and selfishly, he thinks itâs for him.
Your dress is wrinkled now, your jewelry sits slightly crooked against your skin, your makeupâs smudged enough to expose the eyebags underneath, and your hairâs started falling from whatever expensive style you wore to dinner.
Riki swallows once before he can stop himself. âYou were crying?â
Immediately, you look away, a bit embarrassed when you realize what you look like. âDonât make it weird.â
âIâm not making it weird,â he says quickly, hands lifting instinctively. âI just.â
He cuts himself off because he suddenly realizes he has no idea how to navigate this. Girls usually donât text him while being miserable and summon him to their bedroom windows like some modern romance movie directed by a bad romcom enthusiast. Nothing is romcom-y about this.
So instead, awkwardly, he holds the backyard vegetation toward you.
âI got you these.â
Flowers. They arenât roses and lilies, especially not the peonies your boyfriend orders because it looks better in pictures. Theyâre not anything arranged like the bouquets your boyfriendâs family sends during competitions and birthdays and events where impression matters. They usually screamed âI have moneyâ so I had my manager fix these for you.
Riki brought you wildflowers, which are tiny white, yellow, and purple ones bundled unevenly together like he picked them himself on the side of the road and decided, yeah, these ones are perfect. Theyâre crooked and asymmetrical and a little pathetic, and it weirdly looks a lot like you.
You take them carefully, looking down at the tiny flowers bundled together with what suspiciously resembles a broccoli rubber band.
âOh my God,â you laugh quietly. âThese are so ugly.â
He looks offended immediately. âOkay, first of all, fuck you.â
You laugh, open and loud. âTheyâre literally weeds.â
âI mean. Matches us, no?â he argues.
Youâre still smiling when you bring them closer to inspect, and he notices your eyes when you admire them because he notices everything when it comes to you now, apparently.
âHe made you cry?â he asks quieter this time.
You look up at him, flowers resting against your chest while you slump a little. âNot exactly.â
He raises his brows. âThat means yes.â
You sigh, gaze dropping to the petals between your fingers. âHeâs justâŠâ You shake your head slowly. âI donât know. I guess Iâm really sick of it.â
Riki stays quiet â not because he doesnât have thoughts, but because he has too many.
The thing is, he understands that social hierarchy is basically one giant theater production and heâs spent his entire life studying how to survive inside it correctly â heâs admitted to live in it quite comfortably. Which people to talk to, which ones to avoid, what behavior keeps life stable and uncomplicated, who not to sell weed to.
You were supposed to be part of that stable world, the part that he shouldnât have had any associations with. Instead, youâre now standing barefoot in front of him holding ugly flowers with watery eyes while confiding in him like heâs become something safe. Now heâs giving a girl weeds for flowers, while his own cannabis has become untouched for quite a while now.
You narrow your eyes up at him suddenly, a teasing smile on your lips. âYou couldâve used the front door.â
âAnd say what?â he snorts. ââGood evening, your daughter texted me so Iâm here to comfort her?â
You laugh again and Jesus Christ, he thinks heâd probably climb ten more roofs if it meant hearing that sound a second time.
Which is not good at all.
He looks around your room now, and he finds that is not in the dramatic movie sense where heâs overwhelmed by femininity and candles or whatever bullshit directors think teenage girls do in bedrooms. Itâs just your space and that feels undeniably you in a way heâs never gotten access to before â never thought he would, actually. Thereâs a stack of annotated reviewers on your desk beside skincare products, then a half-folded cheer uniform hangs over your chair. Your bookshelf is organized by color at first glance, but he notices that some books are stuffed sideways and doubled-up like gave up halfway through organizing.
Youâre contradiction after contradiction. Which feels fitting considering Rikiâs currently inside the bedroom of a girl he once categorized under absolutely not my problem.
This is exactly why social structures exist. To prevent situations like this where a guy who sells weed ends up standing in the bedroom of a girl who looks expensive enough to kill him.
You set the flowers carefully on your vanity like theyâre not random plants held together by produce rubber. Riki watches how gentle your hands are, watches the way your dress slips slightly higher on your thigh when you move.
You step closer to him after, eyes peeking through your lashes, and he starts to feel drunk from your perfume. âYou really came all the way here because I was sad?â you ask softly.
Riki opens his mouth automatically with something sarcastic prepared because thatâs safer, because joking is easier than admitting the truth. But then he looks at you looking at him like heâs become something important frighteningly fast.
Honesty slips out before he can stop it. âYeah.â
Your eyes soften in a way that completely wrecks him, because nobodyâs ever looked at him like this before â like he did something meaningful instead of useful.
You step even closer now until thereâs barely space between you. âYouâre really bad at being casual,â you murmur.
He huffs a laugh. âYou climbed into my lap the first time we kissed.â
âThat was different.â
âHow?â
âI was high.â
âAnd whatâs your excuse now?â
Your lips twitch and his gaze drops there instinctively.
Big mistake, because now heâs thinking about kissing you again and suddenly being in your bedroom at midnight feels significantly more dangerous than it did when he drove here. Riki clears his throat and looks away first. Usually heâs good at eye contact, good at keeping composure, good at staying levelheaded even when situations become complicated, because he knows emotional regulation keeps things orderly, predictable, and safe.
You are none of those things anymore.
Standing this close to you feels like someone slowly dismantling every sensible thought process heâs ever had and replacing it with bad decisions and pretty girls in wrinkled dresses.Â
Riki swallows, eyes still not fully on yours. âDo you know what youâre gonna do?â
You sigh, shoulders dropping a little as you look away. âI donât know.â
Riki nods, though he doesnât look surprised. âWell,â he says quietly, âyou arenât happy.â
The honesty in his voice catches you off guard, because it isnât dramatic or possessive or demanding â itâs actually the complete opposite. He says things carefully. Your boyfriend never talks to you carefully.Â
You study Riki for a second â the slight flush across his cheeks, the hoodie sleeves pushed to his elbows, the fact he literally climbed your house because you sounded sad over text.Â
Clearly, heâs lost the plot somewhere. He might find it in your room, but why would it be there?
You look at the boy who notices everything about you, who reads you better than anyone ever did. And maybe thatâs pathetic, but after a long time of performance and image, you canât quite find irrationality when something finally sees you so clearly.Â
You donât even realize youâre crying again until his expression changes. The tears just spill over quietly, slipping down your cheeks before you can catch them, and for a second, you donât understand why his eyes drop there with so much concern because you arenât sad, nor overwhelmingly happy.
His hand lifts and his fingers touch your cheek lightly and carefully. His thumb brushes beneath your eye, catching the tear before it reaches your jaw. Then the other hand comes up too, steadying your face with a gentleness that makes your throat tighten worse than the crying did. You stare up at him while he wipes your face like itâs something important, his hands warm, his touch steady even though his breathing isnât. He just keeps his palms against your cheeks, thumbs soft under your eyes, focused on you.
Rikiâs thumb slows beneath your eye, his gaze moving over your face with something almost pained. âYouâre too pretty to cry over him,â he says quietly.
Your hand lifts before you can think better of it, fingers wrapping gently around his wrist to keep him there. His skin is warm beneath your palm, and for a second, his whole body seems to still when you touch him. You look up at him because heâs so tall this close, broad enough to block out half your room, and heâs holding your face like you might bruise if he moves wrong.
âIâm not crying over him,â you say, and your voice comes out quieter, âI think Iâm crying because I want someone else.â
His hand stays against your cheek, but his thumb stops moving entirely. He has no immediate answer right now, no dry comment waiting in the back of his throat, no clever way to make the moment smaller than it feels. He just looks at you, like he heard you perfectly and still needs another second for it to reach the rest of him.
He shifts closer, but only slightly, careful enough that you notice the restraint. âAre you sure?â
You let out a tiny, breathless laugh. âYes.âÂ
Then your gaze drops from his eyes, not because youâre embarrassed exactly, but because looking at him straight on feels like standing too close to something bright. Your eyes settle on his chest instead, on the front of his hoodie rising and falling with a breath heâs clearly trying to control. His hands move from your cheeks, careful and slow, until his palms settle just beneath your jaw while his fingers slip behind your ears, curling gently at the back of your neck.Â
For a second, you think heâs going to kiss you.
Actually, you know he is. You can feel it in the way his breathing changes, in the way his eyes drop to your mouth and stay there this time, no pretending it was an accident. Heâs close enough that you can smell his cologne and whatever terrible decision-making brought him to your window.
Then something in you panics â not because you donât want him to.
Thatâs the problem. You want him so much it feels insulting to every sensible part of your life (even though youâve made many irrational choices that have shamed them anyway). You want him in your room, in your space, in the middle of all the pretty, curated pieces of yourself nobody else gets to see messy. You want him, and it would be so easy to lean up and let that be the answer. But there is still one stupid, technical, irritating thing standing between you and that, so you pull back a little.
He freezes immediately, hands dropping like he thinks he did something wrong. âWhat?â
âI need to do something.â
His brows pull together. âRight now?â
You turn away before you can lose your nerve, moving toward your bed where your phone is half-buried in the sheets. Your hands are unsteady when you pick it up, which is annoying because you are not the kind of girl who fumbles â you are the kind of girl who answers essay questions with proper structure, corrects formations instinctively, and pretends sheâs fine so convincingly that people believe it until it becomes inconvenient not to.
Calling your boyfriend while Riki Nishimura stands in your bedroom after midnight is, admittedly, not your most elegant moment, but thereâs a kind of clarity to it too.
He stays behind you, quiet, watching as you scroll to the contact you have ignored for most of the night. His name on your screen looks strange now.
The call rings twice.
Riki moves closer, though not touching you yet, just behind your shoulder, close enough that you can feel the heat of him. It makes focusing much harder, which is extremely inconsiderate for someone who climbed into your room to be supportive.
Your boyfriend answers with your name, voice already irritated. âItâs late. Iâm busy.â
You close your eyes for half a second. âIâm just letting you know. Weâre done.â
There is a pause. âWhat?â
You swallow, your grip tightening around the phone. âIâm breaking up with you.â
Behind you, Riki goes very still. Your boyfriend lets out a humorless laugh. âAre you serious right now?â
âYes.â
âAfter everything? After tonight, youâre just gonna call me and say that?â
You stare at the wall in front of you. Itâs absurd, actually, how little the anger reaches you. Maybe you should be shaking or crying harder or preparing a speech that starts with all the ways he hurt you â instead, you feel strangely calm.
He starts talking again, louder this time, something about your parents, his parents, how youâre overreacting, how you both agreed, how you donât get to act innocent either. Until Rikiâs hand appears beside you, and he takes the phone from your hand.
Your eyes widen. âRiki.â
He looks at the screen, hears your boyfriend still talking, then tosses the phone onto the bed, where it lands face-up against the sheets, the call still running, your boyfriendâs voice now small and furious through the speaker.
âWhat are you doing?â you whisper.
His eyes stay on yours. âYou already broke up with him.â
On the bed, your ex says your name again, sharp and confused, but neither of you are looking at the phone.Â
Riki lifts one hand, not touching your face yet, just brushing his knuckles lightly near your jaw like heâs giving you one last chance to move away.
That is all he needs before he kisses you. It is not rushed, not messy from panic, just a little harsh from jealousy. But itâs slow enough to make your knees feel unreliable, steady enough that your whole body seems to understand before your brain does. You grab the front of his hoodie and he exhales against your mouth, the sound going straight through you. His hand settles at the side of your neck, thumb brushing under your jaw while his other hand finds your waist, careful but sure.Â
The phone is still there, your boyfriend is still talking. It should ruin the moment, but it doesnât. If anything, it makes the whole thing feel worse in the way your heart is pounding too hard, in the way Riki keeps kissing you like heâs trying not to prove a point and failing anyway, in the way you know this is a terrible way to end a relationship and still cannot bring yourself to care.
Riki pulls back just enough to breathe, forehead almost touching yours. âHe talks a lot,â he says quietly.
You laugh before you can stop yourself, and he kisses you before you can even finish a thought he physically cannot hear another word about your boyfriend tonight, earning a gasp from your mouth. Itâs soft at first, his mouth catching yours that makes you go still for half a second, surprised, and then your hand tightens around his wrist as you kiss him back. He exhales through his nose, quiet and shaky, and his fingers press a little more firmly into your nape, not pulling you in too hard, just holding you.
You make this soft startled sound against his lips and he swears it nearly kills him on impact. When he pulls back just enough to breathe, his forehead bumps lightly against yours.Â
âI donât wanna talk about him anymore,â he says quietly.
His voice comes out rougher than before. You stare at him for a second, and your lips twitch.
âOkay,â you whisper.
He kisses you again almost immediately, and this time you kiss him back just as fast, your chests pressing against one another until you can feel the rapid beat of his heart through his hoodie. His hands find your waist, the weight of them warm and steady through the thin fabric of your dress, like heâs grounding you and keeping himself grounded too.
You tilt your head up to meet him properly, rising slightly onto your toes without meaning to, and he bends down into you like the movement pulls something out of him. His fingers press carefully at your sides, thumbs shifting once against your waist. The kiss deepens then, your hand sliding up the front of his hoodie until youâre holding onto him too.
Riki exhales against your mouth, almost shaky, and his grip tightens for one second before he loosens it again, like heâs reminding himself to be careful.
Without so much as a few words, your gaze meets his. But thatâs not enough for him, not when he needs to hear that you want this too. The zipper you struggled with earlier starts undoing when his hand finds the back, before he leans in just enough for his voice to drop between you.Â
"Words, baby," he whispers.
He isn't teasing now. His voice is low, but careful, like he needs to hear you say it before he lets himself want anything more.
You swallow, fingers tightening lightly in his hoodie. "I want you."
Riki watches your face for a second, and when he sees the true genuineness and want in your eyes, he lets himself have it. He dips down to your height, capturing your lips in a kiss again, before fully pulling the zipper down to the small of your back. With barely any effort, the dress slides off your body and pools around your feet on the floor.Â
Too busy getting drunk on his plump lips, you donât even notice his hands roaming over your skin, his fingertips memorizing the arch of your spine, before gliding up to the curve of your ribcage. You donât notice how close he really is until his fingers find the underside part of your breasts. You pull away with a gasp, seeing him smile coyly when you finally realize youâre naked in front of him, and how heâs massaging your mounds in his hands.
He lets his thumbs brush your hardened nipples, watching your face scrunch and melt with fluster. He holds you so well, heat rushing all over your skin with the way he studies your body, eyes carefully taking in every detail about you. He continues stroking your nipples and massaging your breasts when he bends down again, kissing the corner of your lips before trailing over to your jaw. He presses open mouthed kisses on your pulse next, sucking and biting to leave love bites there.
You moan, all breathy and heavy, and his cock twitches in his sweats. For a man thatâs been so cautious with you, he canât help but fight the urge to pound into you recklessly right now.
âOn the bed,â he prompts softly, taking a step forward.Â
You obey with no fight, pathetically stepping backward until you sit back on the soft mattress. You adjust a little to get on your knees, eyes finding his through your lashes again. Heâs looking at you with half-open lids, hand already reaching up to the back of your head, fingers tangling with your hair. He likes you like this, on your knees and your face so fucking close to his bulge, he can practically see it.
And because he has been so kind to you, you want to recompense for all of it. Your fingers hook at the hem of his sweatpants, keeping your gaze steady on his face to watch the way he reacts when he realizes what youâre about to do. You drag his pants down, enough for it to slip down his legs.Â
His cock bulges in his briefs, begging to be set free. You cup it gently and he lets out a low moan, deeper than his usual, and when you look up, heâs just watching you. You lean in, only to lick a stripe from the bottom to top â his grip on your hair tightens, and you feel him pull you closer. Since you both donât hold any godly kind of willpower, you waste no time lowering the fabric.
Rikiâs stupidly long cock springs forward once you remove his briefs, and everything about it just makes sense. It isnât excessively thick in girth, but itâs length makes you wonder if it can even fit at all. Itâs pale at the base and turns pink towards the tip, the slit lathered with pre all over the head, all for you.
You bite your lip, not being able to help the thrilled grin on your face, eyes bright at the sight of it. He clears his throat, caressing the back of your head gently. âYou good?â
You snicker, reaching up to wrap your hand around the base. He chokes out a gasp, stilling completely yet his hips buck forward. He watches you handle him so delicately, even the way you start pumping his dick, watching the way pre-cum leaks out the tip. You lean forward, tongue flat against the head, tasting him.Â
âO-oh, s-shit ââ his breathing becomes heavy, arm flexing involuntarily as he keeps rubbing the back of your head.
You giggle, tilting your head a little to press soft pecks all over his length. âWatch me, sweet boy. Okay?âÂ
Youâre a fucking tease. Thatâs all he manages to come up with before his brain completely blanks out when you tilt forward and let your mouth close around the head of his dick. You start to suckle on it, tongue playing with the slit a little. Then you push forward, enough the tip touches the back of your throat and your cheeks hollow around his length.
And heâs still too fucking long.Â
You start choking a little, tears touching your waterline. You stroke the part you canât reach, and he canât help but smirk arrogantly.
Heavy breaths turns into deep groans, trying to keep his sounds to himself but the way you look as your head bobs on his dick, practically choking as you suck on it, and his hand flexing a tight grip on your hair â this has got to be better than any fucking narcotic ever. He bets morphine wonât ever feel this good. âY-youâre fucking sublime, baby,â
You retract your mouth, going back to suckle on the tip, before taking him all back down your throat. His hips jerk forward, you can tell just how gentle heâs trying to be even when heâs losing all control.Â
And itâs too good, because twenty years of chastity has started to reach him faster than the way you rub him. He feels his abdomen tighten, and fuck does his balls feel tense. So as any illogical, preposterous, unsound idiot ever, he pulls you away from his cock. He holds you by your hair, slowing you down as you stare up at him, eyes wide and confused, lips wet from your saliva and his fluids.
âWhat the fuck?â you mutter, catching your breaths.Â
Riki licks his bottom lip, and you can see every restraint holding him back from breaking you. The tips of his ears are red, and his eyes, once so tender and meticulous, looks down at you like he just canât wait to fuck you senseless. Theyâre sharper than they ever have been, and once since this night began, youâre scared.
âEasy,â he drawls, hand withdrawing from you completely. He takes a step back, just enough to admire the way you look, panting and on your knees, breasts exposed and perky. Then with a small smirk, he pinches the edge of his hoodie. âYou always this impatient?â
He slides the hoodie over his arms, the cloth revealing flesh that practically glow from your vanity lights. His chest and shoulder width is broad and wide, flat in that boyish way you love, expanding to the chiseled arms. You can feel yourself salivating at the muscles, at his taut abs, delicate grooves that trace down to a sharp v-line. Even his obliques and traps are so defined.
âGet on your back.â he rasps, and you donât let yourself react before lying down, head against your soft pillows. He kneels in between your legs, eyes trailing over your body. He hooks his fingers over the elastic of your panties, just before he slowly pulls them off you, slow enough to make you embarrassed.
âRiki,â you murmur sheepishly, but he ignores you, keeping his eyes narrowed to the way your cunt glistens, your own fluids leaking out of you. Sheâs perfect, and his already frustrated cock twitches.Â
Blonde hair sticks to his forehead, and his eyes are dark when your gaze meets again. He hovers over you, caging you against the bed before he leans in, kissing you again. Your lips part for him, breaths mingling, getting hot and heavy as his hand finds your ass. He squeezes the fat there, fingers digging into your skin. âYouâre making it hard to think, pretty girl.â
You manage a giggle, though it quickly turns to soft moans when he kisses your jaw and presses his cock against your cunt.Â
âRiki, please,â you can see how swollen his cock has gotten.
âI donât know if I can be gentle,â he breathes, his arms tensing as he keeps himself up. He strokes himself a bit, just before he aligns the tip with your aching hole.
Your brain has gone hazy, not being able to process anything other than the way he kisses your neck when the head of his cock pushes through your folds, and immediately your arms come to his back, nails digging into his muscles. He tenses too, giving a sharp exhale when his length slides past the tight muscle and rubs against your gummy walls.
âFuck,â he groans, burying his face against your neck while your teeth bite down your bottom lip. âG-god, thatâs so good,âÂ
His hips closes against your pelvis, while his tip brushes against your cervix so good heâs pretty sure youâre sucking him in. And you feel stuffed, more than you ever have been, by Rikiâs long cock. âGood fucking pussy, shit ââ
Your legs are open wide for him, pressing flat against the mattress. And thatâs enough for him, just to see you so spread beneath him, cunt squeezing him so tight; enough for him to pull back and watch the way your fluids wrap slick around his cock. Your hips wiggle for him, and thatâs all he takes before slamming his hips back into you.
Rikiâs jaw hangs open, a low moan gushing out him, strained and heavy into your ears.Â
âR-Riki â f-f-fuck ââ
The sounds of squelching pussy and skin slapping echoes throughout your entire room, walls so tight around his cock as you gasp. The pace is set already, quick and fucking drilling into you even though youâve known him for his care and caution â yet he pounds into you like he doesnât give a fuck about anything but his pleasure.
âS-s-so good â ugh, Riki â fuck,â you scratch his back muscles, tensing underneath your nails. His pelvis and abs are tight, slamming himself so hard against your cunt like he canât keep himself apart from you.
He continues groaning, his eyebrows furrowed, eyes half-lidded watching you, completely fucked out while he admires the way your tits bounce every time he rocks his dick deep into your cunt. His lips part to moan your name, and you love how he almost whimpers when you squeeze around him.Â
Then he stills, though only fast enough before he slides an arm beneath your waist and gathers you closer, like heâs scooping you into him without fully lifting you.Â
âW-what are you ââÂ
âOn your stomach.âÂ
You can only blink and nod, before turning around, suddenly feeling empty when his dick slips from inside you. You settle on your hands and knees, then lie on your chest, face pressed to the soft pillow. âFuck, my good girl.â
You canât see him anymore, and youâre not sure with how you feel about it â not until you feel his warm body press against your back, his chest hovering slightly over you. He presses a hand on the back of your thigh, gently adjusting your knee higher, the position immediately spreading your folds more than you would have thought.Â
âLift your hips for me, baby,â he breathes, voice low and strained.
You obey, pussy clenching around nothing when he whispers quiet praises as your ass perks up and your folds glisten for him again, slick oozing out from you. You get on your hands a little, just enough to lift yourself and look over your shoulder. Without much of a warning, he pushes his cock back deep inside you again, walls welcoming him with a dirty squelch, your breath catches, then escapes in a quiet gasp.
âThere, just like that ââ Riki moans, his v-line pressed tight against your ass.
Then he continues, retracting his hips only to slap back inside you. The new positions doing fucking wonders to you, stretching you a whole lot more, his dick fucking you so raw that you canât help the screams you let out. He presses his hands against your waist, fingers ingrained to lift your ass up and pound into you right after, grip so tight itâs already bruising.
You fuck yourself against him too, slapping back against his hips, cock choking in your tight walls. His eyes are almost rolling back, if not for how obsessed he is watching your ass shake and tits bounce every sloppy stroke, his hand sliding under you to grope your mound. He fondles with it, pinching your nipple and loving the weight of it against his palm.Â
Sweatâs getting hot and the airâs smells too much of sex, he can feel it when his balls clench and how desperate heâs starting to get.
You look over your shoulder and he meets you halfway, leaning over to capture your lips in a passionate kiss. Itâs full of saliva and itâs warm, messy in a way that tells how close you both are.
Then with so little strength (canât compare to Riki Nishimura, really), your weight falls back to the pillow, face and chest pressed against the softness while your ass stays up. If not for his large hands keeping you up and still, you wouldâve fallen over completely.Â
Your abdomen clenches and pressure builds in there, and he continues rutting into you while you become a puddle of sweat and moans. âR-right there â fuck, Riki â !â
âI-Iâm gonna fucking cum, s-shit â Iâll blow a fucking load in you ââ his hips drive into your pussy with a new kind of intensity, faster and deeper somehow, his tip hitting your cervix that has you throbbing around him.
âCum all over me, baby, please ââ he whines, face pressed against your shoulder.Â
You feel hot spurts of him fill you the same time your cunt clenches around him one final time, legs twitching while his hips come to a stutter. Cum settles in your hole, warm and full and sticky and practically seeping out of you. He collapses on top of you, unconsciously maybe, his heavier weight pressing over your body.
Your vision goes white for a bit, then it comes back, only for you to see hair all over your face, stuck with sweat and saliva. Heâs still on top of you, but you can feel him carry himself a little, making sure not to crush you right after cumming in you.
Quiet beats stretch out the moment, and you donât even notice his arm tucking underneath you to massage your tit, a tired laugh leaving your mouth when you do. When you both muster enough strength, he straightens just enough to lift himself off of you, while you manage to get on your hands. By the time you look over your shoulder, heâs already leaning in, his mouth finding yours again, a hand still fondling with your breast.
âRiki,â a small sheepish smile curves on your lips, all while he presses soft pecks against your mouth and jaw.Â
âHm?â he hums, tired and spent, clearly having nothing else to do but to kiss you. His breaths are still shallow, eyelids heavy before shutting completely.
You giggle, putting your hand over his on your breast. âGet off me,â you say with a playful grin. âYouâre so heavy!â
WIth a quiet groan, he listens. He slides out of you, unplugging you to let your fluids out. Then he lies down, and he hasnât realized how strained his muscles are until he sinks into the softness of your bed. He relaxes inevitably, while you stay up just to admire him for a bit.
Riki Nishimura is never going to be insecure about his looks, but the way you stare at him with dilated pupils that match his, especially post-sex, he canât help but grow a bit bashful.Â
He huffs out a laugh, one hand reaching out to squeeze your waist because you feel so far. "So do you have a no-cuddle policy, or," he murmurs.
You laugh before you can stop yourself because he's so stupidly funny for someone trying to sound serious. Instead of answering, you shake your head and lean more of your weight against one hand, the other resting against his chest as your fingers trace lazy, thoughtless shapes.
He watches you do it for a second, his expression going quiet in that way that makes your stomach turn. Then you glance up at him. "Can you roll one for me?"
He sighs so heavily it almost sounds personal. Before you can even react, his arm hooks around your waist and pulls you down against his chest, firm and immediate, like the idea alone offended him. Your hand lands against his abs to catch yourself, your cheek nearly brushing his shoulder as he keeps you there.
âThrow that shit away,â he says, voice low near your ear. âI swear to God.â
You blink, caught against him. âWhat?â His arm stays around you, warm and unmoving. âWhy?â
Riki looks at you with half-lidded eyes, sleepy and a little strained, like even answering takes effort. âBecause,â he murmurs, his grip softening at your waist, âafter tonight, I think I found something better.â
Your jaw actually falls open. For one second, all you can do is stare at him, because thereâs no way Riki Nishimura just said that to you while looking half-asleep and impossibly calm, like he didnât just say something that made your entire stomach turn over and tighten all over again.
Then you smack his chest lightly. âRiki.â
He chuckles, low and tired, the sound vibrating against your palm. His arm stays around your waist, keeping you close even when you try to lean back enough to glare at him properly.
âWhat?â he murmurs, eyes barely opening more. âUse my dick instead, I wonât get mad.â
You smack his chest harder, earning a yelp from him. âRiki!â
He laughs under his breath, but before you can pull your hand back, his fingers wrap around your wrist. His eyes open a little more as he looks at you, still tired, still amused, and then he tugs you.Â
You land over him, knees sinking into the mattress on either side of his hips as his arm settles around your waist to steady you. For a second, neither of you moves. Your hand stays pressed to his chest, his heartbeat is faster than he's pretending. "Careful," he murmurs, like he wasn't the one who pulled you.
"You're so annoying," you whisper again, but it comes out softer this time, a quiet breath as you lean down to him. You're close enough now that your noses brush, close enough to feel his smile fade against your mouth.
Riki's gaze drops to your lips, then back to your eyes. Your fingers stay flat against the broad hardness of his chest while his hand stays warm at your waist, slowly smoothing over the curve of your ass.
âRide me?â he whispers against your lips.
You sigh, rolling your eyes while your mouth curves to a grin, back straightening. You act like you think about it, only for your exposed cunt to start grinding against his cock â which, obviously, because he is a very simple man, erects again.
A simple man such as he, all he knows is that he is yours.
END OF THE LINE ⊠ë°ì±í PARK SUNGHOON [ PART 02 ]
if you're gonna break me in two â masterpost â do what you gotta do
GENRE + PAIRING âź college au. ice hockey player!fratboy!sunghoon x fem!reader âź PART 02 WC 31.4k
SYNOPSIS âź youâve been crushing on lee heeseung for most of your college life â long enough that you were beginning to crack. one blessed night, when a girl at a party slips you his number, it feels like fate finally taking pity on you. what follows is a slow, intoxicating unraveling â late-night calls, perfect pick-ups, subtle flirts youâd expect from a charming guy like him. so why is it that when you finally wave at him on campus, he looks genuinely confused?
CONTENT WARNINGS âź explicit themes INCLUDES SMUT so +18 ONLY. themes of mental illness sex as a coping mechanism self esteem issues angst with happy ending miscommunication skinship physical intimacy inferiority complex featuring enhypen + yeonjun of txt slowburn pining NSFW TAGS âź dom!sunghoon, condescending remarks, piv, dumbification, creampie, unprotected sex (don't), degradation, spanking, praise, dry humping, fingering, edging, sunghoon puts reader into a mating press halfway, breeding kink, sunghoon says i love you while in it, reader is so down Bad save her.
AUTHOR'S NOTE âź heeelloo i'm back again less than a week later TT up until this point i've had a huge draft to work from, but i wrote this part mostlyyy recently (like in the past 2-3weeks). i can't wait to see what everyone thinks of the fic as a whole and i'll be lurking in ur blogs... watching... also stream dwygd by the band camino the song sparked me back into finishing this fic and it's where the titles r taken from :7 ENJOY !!!! #hoonynforever
REBLOGS APPRECIATED â THANK YOU FOR READING
you know this version of yourself very well. itâs the one that immediately starts accounting for error before drawing conclusions, and the one that treats uncertainty as concrete evidence youâve got everything wrong. by the time you reach your car, you couldnât even pull your stupid phone out of your stupidly tight jeans, because the pocket seemed vacuum sealed to your thighs once you sat down.
the drive home is full of revision. memories, mostly, on the phone: did you dream all of lee heeseung up? who the hell started those conversations? who called you last night?
was this all one-sided?
every turn at every corner feels excruciating. the green lights are too slow and every second that passes makes you want to reach for your phone, call him immediately, and ask just what the fuck that was. your palms stick against the steering wheel and the thought of hearing his response makes your stomach twist unpleasantly.
it just canât be possible. there is just no way that youâre this unlucky.
the rest of the journey is blank. you didnât even turn on the radio, nor did you bother to plug in the carplay. itâs almost pathetic how fast you slide out of the leather seat, how hard you slam the door to the driverâs, and how desperately you punch in the code to your apartment. you mess it up once, which earns a small cuss under your breath, but none of it overshadows the confusion.
you canât possibly text him like this. ringing him would only lead to something even worse. you might say something you donât mean, or fuck things up in that signature way of yours.
so, you settle for the same routine as always: shower, lunch, nap, and try not to lose your mind throughout the day. at some point, you think it cannot possibly be this seriousâyouâve never met the man like this, never spoken to him in person, and not once have you heard his voice utter your name in real life. it is absolutely ridiculous that your knees almost buckle in the shower, at the mere thought that this truly might have meant nothing. just nothing.
there is an attempt to move through the day without acknowledging the hundred pound weight on your shoulders. perhaps itâs because youâve spent weeks with your brain at full power that itâs starting to swirl with all kinds of things now.
youâre dragging your feet against the floorboards as you make your way to the kitchen. caffeine might help, maybe. thereâs no logic or sound reasoning behind the decision, but you reach for your favourite mug and position it under the coffee machine anyway. your bottom lip is swollen from biting down on it, a habit you never really got around to unlearning from middle school, and for a fleeting, pathetic moment, you think that this is your fate.
your knuckles almost go white, grip tightening on the edge of the marble island, like itâll help regulate your feelings any better. an annoying chime plays from the coffee machine a few seconds laterâhot ribbons of steam curling into the airâbut you donât even feel like drinking it at all, really.
half-heartedly, you take the mug and head straight for your bedroom. your hair is still damp against your neck, the apartment smells like your shampoo, and for a moment, you catch a whiff of cigarette smoke from the neighbour above your unit. your things are still in a mess from last nightâfrom when you were still on the phone with him, falling asleep with a sour mood and paper notes crumpled at the foot of your bed, books still flipped open to important pages that you conveniently wiped from your memory an hour ago.
and, your phone. face down, on your night stand, plugged into the wall and far too quiet for your comfort, as if lee heeseung could sense what was wrong with you from miles away.
âhello?â
you end up calling.
youâre sitting on the edge of your bed, shoulders slouched and back hunched over like itâll do anything to ease the emptiness in your stomach. a screen is pressed up to your cheek, and you swear your nails might snap off if you hold your phone any tighter than you are now; the phoneâs been ringing for a while, and now that heâs finally picked up, every thought decides to somersault out of the fucking windowâstraight down and plummeting into the concrete pavement outside.
âhey, y/n.â he says. âiâm⊠fuckâsorry. iâm with some friends right now. are you okay?â
heâs out of breath.
yelling in the background. plastic on plastic, some whistling, someone else calling yeonjunâs name.
you swallow thickly, but it gets caught in your throat halfway. your voice comes out more defeated than you intended. âwhy did you look at me like that?â
silence. you can hear his heavy breathing through the speaker, and all it does is make you pick at the skin around your nails. ears picking up everything, thereâs voices layered over each other, the sound of something sharp cutting against snow, or ice. it stops momentarily when he finally understands the question, soft, but loud enough for your heart to pound.
âwhat?â
âlike you didnât know me,â you almost fucking whimper, and all you can think is: god, how much more humiliating can this get? âwhy?â
your free hand comes up to rub at the bridge of your nose, until little bursts of pressure bloom behind your eyes. all of this is giving you a headache, and thereâs a split second where you think you should just hang up and save yourself the trouble. this is just how it is. your luck. your fingers knead, and knead, and kneadâbut itâs no use. all you can hear is him.
ây/n,â he mumbles. âcan we meet? tonight?â
âyou canât just do that,â you breathe shakily. âtell me why. please.â
time has been moving wrong all day. everything feels delayed and stretched and slow in this awful, unbearable way. five seconds between responses starts feeling like whole afternoons, and minutes feel like centuries. you spent weeks getting used to talking to him whenever something happenedâsending him stupid pictures and complaining about classes and saying things before thinking because there was always tomorrow, and thatâs exactly what you did last night.
but now that tomorrow is here⊠shit, it doesnât even matter anymore.
ây/n,â his voice breaks just a littleânot very sure if itâs the horrible connection on campus, if heâs even still there. you imagine, just for the sake of your sanity, that heâs running his hands through his hair, breathing wrong, panicking. anything like those movies where the guy realises heâs going to lose it all. âi know it doesnât make any senseââ
âwhat do you think, huh? do you think any of it does?â
âi knowâshit, i know.â
your fingers keep kneading at your skin because the headacheâs spreading now, radiating into your temples in slow pulses. you keep pressing harder like pain somewhere else will make this one smaller. it doesnât work.
âi think we should meet in person,â he answers, calm again, like itâs how heâs always been. somehow, it pisses you off even more, when you know he can hear the shake in your voice. âi gotta go. iâm sorry.â
heâs never apologised to you before. not even for missing your calls.
âwhat the fuck are you sorry for, heeseung?â
you hear him breathe in, then out. he sounds exhausted in a way that has nothing to do with sleep.
âiâm justâŠâ his voice catches faintly, before smoothing back out. âiâm sorry.â
the line goes dead.
you stay, just for a while, phone still pressed against your ear like the warmth of your skin might coax him back and force an explanation out of him. your shoulders fold further into themselves until your spine starts to ache, but moving would mean admitting the call is over, and youâre not quite ready to do that yet.
your eyes remain fixed on nothing in particularâthe opposite wall, maybe, where the late afternoon light stretches unevenly across the paint and catches the tiny imperfections in the plaster that youâve somehow never noticed despite living here for months.
your stomach really hurts. sour and hollow, underneath your ribcage, compelling you to lower your phone and lock your screen before you can over-analyse the messages from last night.
you draw a deep breath through your nose, falling back against the mattress until your shoulder blades scratch against your duvet.
you are not crying over a man youâve technically never even met.
this is absolutely fucking ridiculous, you mutter under your breath, but you still wipe under your eyes and try to blink all the salt out of your eyes anyway. your phone dies eventually because you forget to plug it back in, and now, all thatâs left is you, the tear-stained sheets and meaningless pieces of paper.
two weeks ago, park sunghoon was on the brink of losing his shit.
it was purely emotional. probably more emotion than anyone on the team has ever seen him display, and lord, was it utterly humiliating. he wonders if anyone on the team still thinks about it, given how the locker room goes dead silent every time he steps inâand itâs literally like he just got named captain all over again.
practice ended badly. not disastrously, because no one broke anything, and maki didnât start a petty argument between the goalkeeper and him. yeonjun barely screamed at the little freshmen, and only one of them cried post-cool downâso by all technical definitions, it had been productive enough.
and still, he was irritated.
it had been building for days now, in that same slow, ugly way tension knots all your muscles before becoming pain. finals always fucked everyone over, but not enough to stop them from showing upâmentally, though, theyâre elsewhere. sunghoon had been there, before he had decided he was tired of making shitty excuses for his terrible performance.
shortcuts irritate him. heâs watching people cut corners before his very eyes because they assume heâs as tired as themâwell, he is, but thatâs besides the point.
he hated it.
metal lockers slammed shut one after another while conversations overlapped in every direction. someone was laughing too loudly, and sunghoon was almost certain the obnoxiously loud carly rae jepsen echoing through the room belonged to makiâs fucked up speakers again. the locker room was humid in that unpleasant post-practice wayâthe air thick with damp towels, deodorant and sweat drying into fabric, hot enough that stepping in after the rink always felt vaguely suffocating.
sunghoon walks further into the space and, while it isnât the most obvious thing in the world, conversations shift around him in tiny ways heâs learnt to recognize over the years. a few voices lower, someone moves their legs in so he can pass. one of the freshmen instinctively straightens up halfway through pulling his shirt over his head.
his duffel hangs off one shoulder. sweat drips slowly from his temples, sliding down the side of his neck before disappearing into the dark collar of his shirt. his whole body feels heavy today, and not even in the satisfying wayâjust fucking heavy. his shoulders ache in that deep, irritating way that suggests recovery isnât catching up anymore, and lately sleep hasnât been doing much except making him conscious again.
itâs fine. everything had been feeling vaguely wrong for a while now, anyway.
yeonjunâs already on his way out when he brushes past him, shoulder bumping his with enough force to be annoying but not enough to start anything. âhave a wonderfully peaceful night,â he mutters with that unbearably cocky, punchable grin.
any other day, sunghoon mightâve shoved him into a locker.
instead, he dropped his bag beside the end of the bench, and listened to the wood creak underneath his weight. the freshmen lingering nearby begin moving almost immediately. one shifts two lockers down, and another grabs his things and suddenly remembers he has somewhere else to be. by the time sunghoon looks up from his phone properly, half of them have disappeared entirely.
he watches one hesitate after accidentally making eye contact. the kid immediately looks away, picks up his shit, and leaves.
sunghoon looks back down. god, his shoulders hurt.
the muscles between his shoulder blades have been tightening more lately. sleepâs been shit. practice feels slower. finals are making everyone stupid. nobody can pass properly anymore, or communicate once theyâre on the ice. everything seems held together by routine and whatever miscroscopic amount of discipline he can force onto everyone else.
whatever. itâs manageable, he thinks. everything always is, if youâre strong and willing and miserable enough. eat properly, sleep properly, train properly, study properly. repeat until wanting anything else becomes inefficient or a distraction, until itâs ordinary and until enough days pass that discomfort isnât discomfort anymore, and simply morphs into the default.
maybe thatâs why the past few weeks have felt stranger than anything elseânothing has gotten easier. his schedule has been become even more hellish than before, his muscles still ache and everyone expects more from him; but thereâs been this stupid, absurd sense of anticipation stitched quietly into the gaps of his day.
heâs excited for something. for someone.
he checks his phone when he has nothing to do. sleeps later, thinks about conversations while stretching or when someone says something that you mentioned in passing. none of it means anything, at least individually, but it feels so a embarrassingly noticeable once he becomes aware of it together.
ââŠiâm serious, though.â
his thumb stills over his lockscreen. sunghoon doesnât look up immediately, because the sentence barely reaches his ears at first. locker room noise tends to sound a lot like static after practice, but then your name slips, and suddenly every other sound becomes painfully irrelevant.
thereâs a burst of laughter from somewhere to his left.
ây/n? yeah, i know. sheâs prettier than i thought.â
sunghoonâs hand had been unlocking his phone without thought, thumb dragging upward automatically before freezing halfway. his forearm rests against his thigh, veins standing out faintly beneath skin flushed warm from practice, and he only notices after a second that his wrist has gone rigid enough to make the tendons ache.
the fabric of his jersey sticks unpleasantly against the centre of his back, where it hasnât dried yet.
âfuck, i still remember that dress.â
âsheâs fine as fuck, seriously,â someone snorts. âwonder if sheâd let me tap. you think?â
âdonât be a fucking asshole,â sunghoon hears, the laughter echoing and bouncing off the walls suggesting that nobody is really bothered by this except him. âyouâre not in her league, man.â
more laughter. sunghoon doesnât think heâs ever been this pissed off before, truly, because now his fist is balled so tight that his knuckles are starting to pale. his ears are beginning to ring, and all his body decides to do is amplify the voices of his teammates who decided youâd be the centre of their attention tonight.
someone tosses their towel onto the bench heâs on. makiâs finally out, he notices, quieter now that heâs packing his things up.
âwho knows if sheâs desperate⊠might have a chance.â
âshut the fuck up!â
sunghoon rolls one shoulder once and immediately regrets it. something pulls underneath his shoulder blade where he took a hit earlier. his body feels strangely swollen after practiceâmuscles tight and full and unpleasantly warm under skin that suddenly feels too small to sit comfortably in. his thighs ache where they press against the edge of the bench, palms still feeling vaguely raw from his gloves.
the conversation goes on, and he tries not to listen. realistically, these men would never get anywhere near you. he wouldnât let them, but thatâs besides the point. willingly giving this his attention would only lead to something he canât take back, and he knows it.
âyou got her number?â
âthink i do. we were in the same freshie group.â
wonderful.
his tongue is pressing against the inside of his cheek, and his jaw is ticking. he swears if he bites down any harder that a tooth might shatter, but sunghoon does his best to keep his eyes trained on the screen in his hands.
someone says something else, but he doesnât even remember what. he only remembers the feeling of his jaw hurting, the edge of his phone case digging into his palm, and the slow, annoying feeling of anger coursing through his veins.
itâs hot in here. sunghoon feels it allâanger, resentment, the guilt and embarrassment, too, because he really wants it to stop. he really, really needs it to. thereâs something deeply unpleasant in having to listen to a group of people talk about you like this is all you are, that your face and body, no matter how gorgeous it may be, is your most interesting feature.
do these people know you the way he does?
they donât. they never could.
park sunghoonâs throat suddenly feels dry in a way water wonât, canât fix. his shoulders stay tense while his gaze drags over your messages and something inside him twists. itâs obvious that this was never supposed to become anything, and that a relationship built on a lie would crumble before he could begin enjoying it.
itâs just⊠one late-night call becomes another, then another, and another. somewhere between protein shakes and assignments and practice schedules, he moves everything aside for you, and realises he wants you more than anything heâs ever wanted in his life.
âcould you guys just shut the fuck up?â
the words leave his mouth before he gets the chance to think about them. the social repercussions donât even matter anymore, nor were they even factored in to begin with. his voice doesnât come out loud, which somehow makes it worseâit stays low and level and entirely lacking in visible irritation, like heâs asking somebody to pass him a bottle instead of telling half the room to stop talking.
the effect is immediate, anyway.
conversations taper off unevenly until the entire room is quiet. somebody lets out a laugh that cuts itself short halfway through, and somewhere behind him, a locker closes gently.
sunghoon only realises heâs spoken after the silence reaches him, and suddenly, his own breathing sounds louder than before. his shoulders ease by a fraction and his fingers loosen around his phone, just enough for him to feel the imprint left across the centre of his palm from holding it too tightly.
nobody says a thing. sunghoon doesnât even know who was speaking anymore. that detail doesnât seem important nowânot compared to the things that were said, and definitely not compared to what had slipped out of his own mouth immediately after.
park sunghoon sits in the locker room with sweat cooling against his skin, realising something he spent the next two weeks trying very hard to negotiate with.
he wants you.
slowly, surely, quietly, he wants you.
at some point, it felt easier not to think about; topped with all the things he already has to deal with, accepting this fact is not particularly beneficial for him.
fourteen days after thatâtodayâheâs done with practice again, same old, same old; walking into locker rooms that are hyperaware of his existence, everyone treading on egg shells until he gets out of the place and into his car.
he knows people noticed. yeonjun had asked if he was alright on the walk over to the parking lot and tried unusually hard not to sound like he was asking. no grin nor stupid comment attached, itâs plain, awkward concern delivered badly enough that sunghoon knew it was real.
âyou good?â
what the fuck is he supposed to say to that?
that heâd heard your voice three hours ago, spent the entire session replaying the shake in your voice, and wanted to rip his heart out of his chest?
that the only time he was so sure of someone, heâs already fucked it up?
itâs his fault that he couldnât answer and instead settled on walking away. park sunghoon heard you on the phone three hours ago and knew heâd be thinking about it the entire sessionâbut now that heâs actually getting into his car, on the way to see you, his heart is beginning to pound harder.
his shoes scrape quietly against the asphalt of the parking lot as he walks. his duffel drags his shoulder lower on one side, dark blue hoodie sleeves rolled up to his elbowsâsunghoonâs hand reaches into his pocket automatically and wraps around his keys before he even gets to the car.
the text came at 7 in the evening. you spent the previous 3 hours wondering where it went wrong, recalling every word exchanged, every misunderstood conversation that you dismissed in the moment. itâs incredibly easy to move past things in the heat of the things, you realiseâit just seems silly now, almost childish, that you let those things slip past you.
you left the house in a random zip-up, shorts riding up your thighs with every forward step you took. thereâs an annoying little hill you need to climb to get to this park, obscured by dark green trees and stray cats that rub against your legs if you stand still for too long, and youâll usually start panting by the 2 minute mark.
once you finally reach the top, itâs unmistakable. an old playground swing, a plastic slide, and a bench that sat directly behind the big, interactive structure modelled after a sunflower. your feet feel heavy as you move, slippers scratching against the concrete, and you accidentally kick a few pebbles as you walk.
this feels like a waste of your time. heeseung messaged around thirty minutes ago, and heâs still nowhere in sightâeventually, youâre hunched over the park bench table, hands in your hair, trying to get this nausea to alleviate itself.
so what if lee heeseung decided he wanted nothing to do with you? the magnitude at which this is affecting you is starting to seem ridiculous. you keep telling yourself that a boy shouldnât matter this much, that talking means nothing, and that modern love is nothing but a cruel endeavour that youâre constantly gambling on. so what if you lose, you think, but the feeling of your heart spilling out of your ribs is pressing so deep into your heart that itâs killing you.
your fingers are pressing into the bridge of your nose again. the streetlamps feel warm over your head, slipping through your fingers when you run them over your face. you think you must look horrible right now, but so does everyone elseânever mind that the occasional parkgoer jogs past and stares you down: that is what you choose to tell yourself.
some kid walks by with her mom, pointing at the slide, and it almost makes you laugh when she hesitates before saying ânoâ.
just as the thoughts begin to tone down, swirling less and less, you catch a familiar figure in your peripheral: tall, broad, sleeves bunched at the elbows and dark brown hair falling over his eyebrows, looking as tired and miserable as the day you saw him a week ago.
this canât be real.
the yellow light washes over his face and bathes him in a warm, almost greenish light. the moment he steps into focus, youâre already on your way upâstanding next to the bench, hands shaking like you canât quite believe this is actually happening.
ây/nââ
three steps later, youâre already on your way out.
what follows is immediate: park sunghoon, tired, red eyes, lounging a big ass bag on his shoulder, jogging towards you with a stride so big that it almost scares you. you canât bear to look at him like this, like heâs actually hurt over what heâs done, even if you donât specifically know what it is yet.
everythingâs blurry as you move. you canât feel your stomach, and it took you more than a reasonable amount of effort just to turn away and start walking. you can hear him, faintlyâsunghoon calling out your name, as familiar as every night before this one, as sweet and genuine as it had always beenâbut has it really, though?
âis this some fucking joke to you?â
your voice cracks on the very last word, embarrassingly enough. as if the tears running down your cheeks wasnât enough shame to carry around, sunghoon has to hear you like this. vulnerable and hurt and wanting answers.
ây/n, please. just stop walking away from me,â he pleads, out of breath from how far heâs been trailing you. the downhill slope isnât that far away from here, and you can see a few couples taking a night strollâas if the universe insists on rubbing it in your tear-stained face. âlet me explain.â
âwhat is there to explain?â
you werenât stupid. it feels like a cruel insult that sunghoon thinks you even need an explanation; he was heeseung. youâd been calling, texting, falling for someone completely different, and the worst part is that it doesnât even fucking matter in the way he thinks it does.
âi wanted to tell you,â sunghoon blurts out, and the moment it leaves his lips, your feet suddenly stop working. itâs like your heels are anchored to the ground by something invisible, urging you to turn aroundâeverything in his voice screams for you to do just that, to face him, to see how hurt he is by the lie he chose to tell. ây/n, please.â
you canât. you just canât.
itâs incredibly corny. this whole scene just seems like a big fuck-you from the universe, dragged straight out of a drama, because god knows you were never deserving of something so beautiful and easy. love had to strangle itâs way out of your hands, somehow. itâs to a point where thereâs people staring, whispering as they pass you two.
âyou know what? i wouldnât even have fucking cared, anyway.â you sighed, blinking to get your vision to clear up. âyou didnât even have to lie to me.â
sunghoon is stunned at that. his whole body feels cold, locked in place, and his heartâs pounding so hard that he can hear the blood rushing in his ears. by the time you eventually do turn around, his throat is already constricting, dry and tight, looking down at youâhand running through your hair, glassy eyes staring into his. the guilt weighs heavier now, sinking itâs claws into his neck, so deep that he can feel it nick his heart.
âwhat?â
he needs to rip it out.
sunghoon genuinely feels like his guts are going to spill out. your eyelashes are wet with tears and he can tell youâre trying your best not to burst into tears, and he hates himself for being the reason for it; he has to dig his fingers into his palms just so he can stop himself from reaching out for you.
selfishly, for a second, he lets himself memorise your face. he thinks itâll be the last time he sees it. thereâs something about youâeven when your cheeks are red and your eyes are swollen with hurt, that he wants to see it all.
sunghoon wishes he could undo everything. perhaps, if he had just went up to you that friday night, underneath the stairs with his best smile and most polite greeting, heâd been able to hate himself a little less, and possibly not hurt you at all.
this is what he gets, isnât it?
itâs a shame.
âi really liked you.â you sniffle. your eyes are deliberately avoiding his. sunghoonâs never leave your face. âheeseung or not, doesnât even matter now, does it?â
for a second, sunghoon genuinely thinks he misheard you.
the streetlights blur, morphing into bright lines in your vision, and somebody laughs somewhere downhill. a bicycle rolls past, a dog barks behind you, and it is just unbearable how you have to focus on all these sounds just so you can distract yourself from the uneven breaths of your own body.
âi liked you too, y/n.â
sunghoon genuinely forgets how to breathe. his chest expands automatically, but the air never seems to reach his lungs, caught somewhere between his ribs and throat where everything suddenly feels too tight.
all this time, he thought he knew exactly how tonight would go. youâd tell him to fuck off, to stop following you, and he thought he would. it started off like that: the walking part, the not-being-able-to-look-at-him-without-crying. he prepared for it, every night, leading up to this one: imagined you laughing in his face, telling him to leave, to never call again, but this barely fits the mould.
every time he convinced himself that honesty could wait one more day because he needed more time, needed the timing to be better, needed to figure himself out firstâall of it feels rotten, so useless and meaningless now.
you stand there with tears drying on your cheeks, eyes swollen and exhausted, and all he can think about is how much easier this could have been for you if heâd just been honest from the beginning. he shouldâve never answered, nor should he have went with it when you started getting a little bolder. he shouldâve never gone this far to feed his own selfishness.
park sunghoon doesnât deserve to stand here and watch you cry over him.
âyou couldâve told me.â
his fingers curl against his palms until his nails bite crescents into skin. he barely feels the sting. somehow, hearing you say it doesnât feel relieving at allânot in the way he imagined it would, during all those nights where he let himself think about impossible things before forcing himself to sleep. he thought this moment, if it ever existed, would feel warm. he thoughtâmaybeâthereâd be this stupid sense of vindication buried underneath the guilt, a ugly selfish satisfaction that would prove he wasnât completely insane for wanting you.
all he finds is more guilt, painted by a crystal clear picture of what couldâve been.
the image arrives all at once and itâs unbearable in how ordinary it is. walking up to you that first night instead of watching from a distance. introducing himself properly, and a few weeks later, heâs sitting across from you at some stupid coffee place after class. heâd be seeing his contact under his actual name and listening to you complain through his speakers without feeling his stomach drop every time you said âheeseung.â such painfully normal things that people do every day without thinking, and somehow they feel impossibly far away now, like heâd reached out and ruined them before they even had the chance to become memories.
his hand comes up to his face and presses hard against his mouth. youâre sniffling so much that your nose is beginning to redden. he notices the cuts on your lips, probably from biting down on them, and all he can see is you in the library, far away and out of reach.
âi should have told you,â he acknowledges. it doesnât do anything to alleviate the pounding headache you have. âi thought that if you didnât knowâfuck, i donât know. i thought you wouldâve liked me better like that⊠if you didnât know.â
âhow the fuck does that make any fucking sense?â
for the first time today, youâre looking at him. his eyes are red around the edges, the skin underneath them looking darker than normal and his lashes look damp under the streetlights. thereâs something almost unbearable about it, the way he looks more exhausted than guilty, like heâs been carrying this around for weeks and would be the one bearing most of the pain.
still, despite it all, you want to wipe the tears away.
âi wasnât lying,â his lip trembles slightly, âwhen i said that everyoneâs scared of me. that nightâfuck, i saw you, y/n. i knew you wouldnât look at meââ
âwhat the fuck? really, what the fuck?â you cut him off, voice tapering off into that high, disbelieving tone. âhowâjust how? how did you think this would turn out, sunghoon? did you think weâd live happily ever after when iâwhen we spent months talking like that?â
youâre breathing wrong. everything feels so wrong. all of this feels so impossibly fucking wrong. you need to go home.
he flinches at your response. your eyes burn with all the movement in your peripheral, and your chest tightens with every passing second. you laugh, and it sounds horribleâsmall, breathless, like the sight in front of you is simply too baffling to process properly.
sunghoonâs mouth opens, but nothing comes out. you stare at him, expecting something, anything, but the words refuse to make it past his throat.
âwhat the fuck is wrong with you, sunghoon?â
there is something painfully tragic about walking away from a good thing. honestly, if you tried hard enough, you could probably forgive him. you could pretend he never lied to you, and that everything he said after that first lie wasnât a lie, either. you could pretend he was honest and truthful and all those good things, but the thing about pushing it down is that it always bubble back up eventually.
both things can be true: that itâll always come back, and youâll always believe that sunghoon couldâve been it.
ây/nââ
âdonât. just donât fuckingâdonât. donât call me, donât do anything. i canât, i just canât right now.â
you never really knew heeseung at all, now that you think about it. you remember being a freshman and watching him shoot hoops by the cafeteria one sunny tuesday morningâjiwon mentioned how cute he looked, and perhaps as some act of politeness between two newly introduced friends, said that the two of you would look good together. even now, you think that if heeseung had ended up being exactly like sunghoon, you still wouldâve fallen.
but that would mean you never fell for heeseung at all, doesnât it?
with sunghoon here, standing in front of you, all you see is the hardworking, ambitious, weirdly terrified boy you got to know. you see him in front of his computer thinking too hard, and you see him looking surprised that you smiled at him. it feels strangely dissonant that this will be the last time you get to stand this close to him, or that itâll be the final time you hear his voice.
âyouâre such a coward.â
you donât know what he says after that, because you turn and walk away so quick that anything he mumbles next falls a step too short behind you. the words feel so bitter on your tongue, and you still taste it even as you walk past that one broken street lamp around fifteen feet away, lingering by the time you step into your apartment.
when you walk into your bedroom, you stay by the door a little longer, shoulder pressed against the wooden frame.
ironically enough, you left your phone behind. face down, still plugged to the wall.
then, almost as a final act in this depressing film, you slump over and slide to the floor, crying over something that shouldnât matter as much as it does.
it takes you a while to crawl into bed.
you blame the exams. thatâs definitely why youâre too exhausted to speak to jiwon, despite the multiple texts from three hours ago detailing your predicament. now that sheâs practically begging for you to pick up, three hours later, you just canât.
instead, you scroll. scroll and scroll and scroll, through chats and messages that have nothing to do with heeseung, now that you know the truthâand as you do, a message pops up at the bottom.
the sun rises another day. it spills into sunghoonâs room in familiar strips of gold, slipping through the blinds and cutting across the walls in uneven slants that make the dust visible. tiny particles drift through the light lazily, suspended in the air and blinding enough that he has to lift a hand over his eyes instinctively, staring through the gaps between his fingers and pretending, stupidly, that if he stays still long enough, heâll somehow fall back asleep.
he doesnât.
his shirt is still where he threw it last night, half across the room and gathering dust in the middle of the floor. his once-superbly-clean desk is a mess, in the same way his room is latelyânever dirty enough to clean, yet tidy enough not to notice.
his notes are spread all over. heâs pretty sure he shouldâve stapled and organized them a long, long time ago, but he honestly could not care anymore. thereâs that charger hanging halfway off the edge of his bedside table, a half-empty glass collecting warmth from the morning air, and his hockey bag remains unopened by the door from last nightâs practice. he finds it amazing that he still manages to attendâjust spectacular that nobody can tell how terrible heâs feeling, and even more so, miraculous that heâs able to do his job the same.
and, his curtains. left open for septemberâs autumn, long after that quiet summer when he still had you to call.
park sunghoon spends a little longer staring at the window once his eyes stop hurting from the brightness. the sunlight shifts slowly over his sheets as the minutes go by, reaching his hands where they rest against his stomach, and warm enough that it still reminds him of you.
the first thought he has is that heâs being selfish.
itâs embarrassing, honestly, how little heâs done in a month and how exhausting it all still feels. all he does is wake up, lie here, go to practice, come back, and sleep. heeseungâs always got someone new over, jake and jay are physically incapable of doing anything quietly, and sunoo, jungwon, and riki are too afraid to ask why he never speaks at dinner anymoreânot that he did much of that to begin with, anyway. he chooses not to believe them when they say he seemed happier when the sun stayed out longer.
a month is barely enough time to break a habit, but itâs long enough that nobody asks anymore. there were those few weeks back in july where heâd let a laugh slip in front of his brothers and didnât feel immediately disgusted by the sound of it afterwards. he supposes you brought out that side of himâthe one that doesnât need to act all perfect and gorgeous and saintful. at some point, he even let himself eat a tub of ice cream because riki asked nicely enough for him to stay and watch a movie. it didnât feel difficult then, of course.
yeonjun stopped trying to irritate him after a while, probably realising it wasnât possible. now, he just avoids it out of pity instead, and sunghoon knows it. nobody says it out loud, but they all look at him differently these days; like heâs become quieter in a way they canât quite fix, and they donât know whether to drag him out of it or leave him there in this pit heâs chosen to bury himself in.
he shuts his eyes, and it doesnât help. all sunghoon sees is that fucking library, and you, standing between metal shelving under the evening sunâsquinting and pouting, warm cheeks and messy hair from running your fingers through it all day, and back then, sunghoon wanted nothing but to do the same. that stupid expression you made, pretending like your eyes werenât watering from all the dusty books and the harsh light hitting your irises, too.
he sees himself telling you to sit on his side, your smile, and how he almost froze up then and there.
all the brains in the world and none of it did anything for him then, and even less now. he spent years believing everything had a formulaâthat if he worked hard enough, controlled enough, became enough, things would eventually make sense and fall into place. but there was nothing logical about wanting to sit in uncomfortable, sticky heat because it touched your skin first, or remembering the exact way your eyebrows moved when you were confused, or missing somebody so intensely that even morning light starts feeling like fate; there was nothing sensible in falling for someone that makes him act so unpredictably.
âlisten, dude. you gotta get the fuck up.â
sunghoon doesnât realise how badly his neck aches until he turns away from the window. the movement pulls uncomfortably down his shoulders, stiff from sleeping wrong and doing absolutely nothing for days that didnât involve practice. to his right stands lee heeseung, leaning against the doorframe with one eyebrow raised, looking mildly offended by the fact that somebody could sleep until ten in the morning.
âthis is pathetic, do you realise that?â he sighs, pushing himself off the frame and strolling into sunghoonâs room with that same easy, unaffected energy heâs always had. carefree in a way that feels irritating today, and familiar in a way that reminds him too much of you. for a brief second, sunghoon sees itâthe appeal. why you looked at him first, and why it was easy to do so. âman. you donât even run in the morning anymore.â
âget out,â sunghoon mumbles, rolling over onto his side. his skin is cold where it leaves the sunlight and the sheets feel warmer than they should, sending a brief chill down his spine. âi am not in the mood to deal with you.â
âdeal with me?â heeseung lets out this dramatic breath of disbelief and sunghoon hears the familiar squeak of his desk chair protesting under sudden weight. wheels scrape softly against the floor before rolling closer and closer until heeseungâs annoyingly charismatic face enters his peripheral. âeveryoneâs been dealing with your moping, hoon. it gets obvious when itâs six instead of seven after, like, two daysââ
âokay.â
âokay?â heeseung repeats immediately, eyebrows lifting. his elbow lands on the arm rest and his chin settles into his hand. âokay.â
sunghoon shuts his eyes. the silence feels like summer all over again.
âdo you wanna tell me why the fuck youâre being all weird?â
heeseungâs voice softens slightly. not enough to make a big thing out of it, because god knows how bad sunghoon would freak out and punch him in the mouth for thatâbut itâs enough to show the concern building up over the past few weeks.
sunghoon opens his eyes again, and somehow, seeing and hearing it for himself only annoys him more. sure, he knows itâs ridiculous and childish and just unfair, but he canât help himself.
heeseung shouldnât be worried. nothing happened to him. he didnât stand in the park and watch you walk away, and he didnât spend a month replaying every conversation, trying to figure out which version of him you liked moreâand he did not ruin anything.
he swallows and stares at the windows again, drifting away from heeseungâs face.
the sunlightâs moved further away.
âiâm fine,â sunghoon saysâhis voice comes out flatter than intended. regardless, he does nothing to make himself sound any more convincing, and even if he did, he knows heeseung would see right through it.
the chair squeaks again as his friend leans further back, an unconvincing scoff being the only thing that leaves his lips. a soft thud as the backrest hits the wall, sunghoon wouldâve glared at him any other dayâbut now, he canât seem to find the energy.
âyâknow, for someone who spent years acting all emotionless,â heeseung mumbles under his breath, âyouâre shit at pretending like you donât have them.â
itâs a decibel too loud to be accidental. sunghoon canât even get angry now, because he knows better. after all this time, he really doesâhe knows better than to get angry at anyone else but himself.
he doesnât answer. heeseung watches him for a little longer, head tilting slightly as his eyes drift over sunghoonâs face, lingering around the redness in his eyes and the exhaustion dragging down his expression. thereâs a brief moment where he looks like he wants to say something and thinks better of it.
ââŠyou know, i still think what you did was insane. i still donât get why you didnât just tell her.â
sunghoon closes his eyes. heâs not trying to avoid it, believe himâheâs spent majority of his days holding the guilt against himself, on his shoulders, feeling it weigh down on his chest for days a time. he doesnât necessarily disagree.
âyou talked to someone for months, pretending to be somebody else, and expected that to work?â
sunghoonâs jaw almost shatters from how hard heâs clenching it. he imagined you saying those same words to him, at some point. your gentle smile behind his eyelids seem to be one of many things preventing him from beating the shit out of the guy.
lee heeseung notices it, and canât help but sigh. âyou looked happier, hoon. really.â
sunghoon wishes he just went back to sleep. he doesnât know what good this is doing him, reallyâheâs aware of it. itâs lying everywhere, the proof scattered around like meaningless scraps: his reduced sleep, terrible appetite and unwillingness to see any girl that isnât you.
he knows better than anyone how happy he was.
âdidnât know what it was at first,â he says. âthought you made it to the olympic lineup or something. shitâs no joke.â
heâs not even looking at sunghoon anymore. âi know it when i see it. checking your phone every five minutes, laughing more. then you came home looking like someone fucking died.â
heeseung scratches at the back of his neck, but sunghoon looks away before he can utter the last word.
âdo i know her?â
âno.â
sunghoonâs answer is immediate. too quick not to raise his other eyebrow, apparently. heeseung notices, and sunghoon notices that heeseung noticesâbut both never look each other in the eye.
ââŠokay.â heeseung mutters. his eyes drift around the room instead, trying to keep themselves occupied, if only for the sake of not looking too long at his miserable, bed-ridden friendâs face. his fingers tap idly against the armrest once, twice, before stopping altogether.
âyouâre making this way worse for me, heeseung,â sunghoon deadpans, hand coming up to rub at his eyes. the scene feels oddly intimate for someone who still doesnât know half of what sunghoonâs done. âitâs getting on my nerves.â
âgood.â
sunghoon shoots him a look. heeseung just smiles, soft and underpainted with concern that hurts him to even acknowledge. for all the effort sunghoonâs spent making himself difficult to readâfor all the years of swallowing things whole and convincing himself that if nobody saw him, then nothing could really touch himâheâs still shocked that people notice when things go bad.
after a few, quiet minutes of sunghoon wishing for heeseung to vanish into thin air and heeseungâs incessant staring, he speaks again.
ââŠyou going to sunooâs thing this weekend?â
he completely forgot about that. sunghoon blinks slowly, the memories coming back to him nowâhe remembers, vividly, your voice on the phone, rambling about the stupid thing for five minutes.
you sounded ridiculously excited. obvious now why that was, it still feels just as bitter as it did back then. âwhat?â
he knows what. he doesnât know why heâs acting like he doesnât have a clue what heeseungâs saying.
âsunoo was freaking out yesterday,â he laughs to himself, head tipping back slightly as the chair rocks under him. one foot drags absentmindedly against the floor while his fingers hook around the edge of the armrest. âsaid he only needs two more people before he reaches the donation limit. i wonder how long the queueâs gonna be.â
sunghoon can vaguely predict where this conversation is going. his eyes narrow a little, and thinks heâll genuinely kill lee heeseung if he even suggests going to that ridiculous event. if anybody came up and asked him for donations, heâd give it. fine. whatever. just not while publicly exchanging his dignity for itâ
âyou should go.â
of course.
sunghoon stares at him, blank-eyed with lips pressed together so tightly they almost disappear.
heeseung looks back for exactly half a second before exhaling through his nose, rolling himself backwards in the chair, spinning once and pushing himself off the wall with one foot.
âokayâlisten. you need it, man. youâre acting like the love of your life just died, and shit, sitting around and waiting to stop missing her isnât gonna fix anything.â
sunghoon lets out a quiet laugh through his nose. humourless, if anything. his hand drags slowly down his face, pressing hard enough over his eyes that little bursts of colour bloom behind his eyelids, like he could wipe the exhaustionâor the irritationâstraight off his skin. âyou donât know what youâre talking about.â
âah-ah,â heeseung immediately lifts a hand and wiggles his weirdly long index finger right in sunghoonâs face. nothing productive is going to come out of this conversation, sunghoon realises, so he just decides on shutting up for the rest of the conversation. âi know you keep acting like she already decided on hating you. itâs fine, yâknow, if she does.â
heeseung sighs before slapping his palms against his thighs. he gets up in one, swift motion. âdonât you think she has every right to, sunghoon?â
his throat tightens.
âiââ
âshut up,â heeseung cuts him off instantly. âyouâre such a control freak, it weirds me out. how did sooha even deal with all that?â
sunghoon is already pushing himself up from the bed. he will hang lee heeseung out to dryâupside down, in nothing but his boxers on this cold, dry autumn day.
though, by the time sunghoon actually manages to sit upright, heeseungâs already halfway out the door. with his hand still clasped around the metal doorknob:
âif she hates you, you should probably let her say that herself.â
the door shuts before sunghoon gets the final word.
he sits there, just for a moment. blanket pooled at the waist, room quiet except for a heater that doesnât work very well. outside, thereâs leaves scraping against the roof and sunghoon just stares at the closed door like it might open up again, with a completely different approach or words that wonât scare him the way heeseungâs did.
thereâs something cruel about time. unstoppable, immovable, and somehow always aware of when you want it to move faster. it stretches itself thin when you need relief and collapses in on itself when you want more.
summer had always felt like thatâgolden and lazy and unbearably alive through the heatâbut this year, it moved strangely, like someone had pulled all the warmth out and left only an afterglow.
your routine had gone to shit.
you slept at four in the morning, most days, and woke up at around eleven. lunch only happened when there was enough to get by in the fridge, and if your air-fryer was clean enough from the night beforeâjiwon often had to drag you by the ear to make that happen. half your laundry stays unfolded, because god knows where you disappear to in the middle of folding it, and the books from a month ago still stay.
there are hours spent doing nothing, and yet, the exhaustion lingers. stays in your bones, fusing with you, and refusing to leave.
the worst part isnât even that you miss park sunghoon, either. itâs how often you reached for him, that being without him feels as significant as loss.
how ironic, considering you never had him to begin with.
youâre curled up on your couch, cheek squished up against the fabric and your knees tucked to your chest. oh jiwon is somewhere in this apartment with youâyouâre not exactly sure where, but the soft banging of pots is enough to make a guesstimate.
âwhatâre you doing?â you yell, half-heartedly because youâre still aware enough to acknowlege your neighbours. âjiwon?â
she doesnât respond. probably something about dinner, you think. the show on tv is loud enough for her voice to fade into the background, anyhow.
summer break ended some time agoâand with it went the warmth and heat and fuzziness that came with the man on the other end of the line. autumn arrives eventually, cruel in the way all inevitable things are, forcing you and everyone else to spend a little longer indoors because of the increasing cold. september is especially vicious; the air is sharper now, thinner, and you stop walking through that park altogether because every bench and every couple under those stupid yellow streetlamps reminds you too much of him.
for a guy that claimed to be so mundane, he sure takes up an absurd amount of your headspaceâeven now, even after more than a month of waiting and leaving and forcing yourself not to say things you wouldnât be able to take back, he still lingers.
you still doubt yourself, and you still hear his voice afterwardsâsteady, certain, monotonous and so lovingly boringâpulling you back up before you spiral too far.
the silence fills your room like a slow-moving plague, settling into corners and underneath your blankets and against your walls until eventually, you start relying on old conversations to fall asleep.
you remember his laugh before his face, and you loved him before you saw his eyes. thereâs something pathetic in that, you think, almost gullibleâthat after everything, after all the anger and humiliation and crying and weeks spent convincing yourself that this should not matter as much as it doesâyou still soften at the thought of him.
you hate that. you hate that he lied to you, and somehow, still ended up becoming so woven into parts of your lifeâenough for it to feel impossible to pull apart.
you hate it all, but never him.
âheeello?â
you blink before seeing jiwonâs legs standing right in your line of vision. blocking the subtitles, more like it.
she stares down at you from above with one eyebrow raised, afternoon light shining behind her head, casting her face into shadow in a way that feels unnecessarily threatening for someone holding an empty pot.
âwhat are you doing? get out of the way.â you squint, shifting ever so slightlyâand completely uselesslyâto get a full view of the text on screen. your head tilts one way, then the other, as though changing the angle will somehow let you see through her body.
she narrows her eyes and tilts her head, hair falling over her shoulder fluidly. she does that motion where sheâs about to hit you with the pan, but you flinch hard enough for her to laugh and lower it down. âwelcome back! have fun spacing out? iâve been asking what you want for dinner, for like, five minutes.â
jiwon follows your line of sight and twists around, just enough to get a proper look at the tv, rolling her eyes before her mouth pulls strangely to one side.
ââŠyou know you watched this last night, right?â
of course she knows that. cons of sharing a netflix account with your best friend, and co-habiting with her for the past month.
your eyes drift back to the screen and the episode progress bar, sitting near the end and thereâs already that stupid little preview box hovering in the corner asking whether you want to continue to the next episode. you donât remember a single thing that happened, and canât find the energy to recall.
you let out a long sigh and prop yourself up properly against the sofa, blanket bunching around your waist. jiwonâs folding her arms now, a slight frown on her face, and you dislike it immensely.
ââŠwhat?â
she stares at you for another second before walking over and dropping onto the other side of the couch, pulling one leg up beneath herself.
ââŠokay,â she says slowly, looking at you in that way people do when they already know the answer. âare we gonna keep pretending youâre okay or am i finally allowed to ask? will you blow up on me again, orââ
âjiwonââ
âitâs fine, yâknow,â she babbles on, immediately waving the hand holding the ladle, before circling around the coffee table. she drops down right next to you with enough force to make the cushions dip. pulling one leg underneath herself, she points dramatically to the apartment around her. âi can just stay here forever, cook forever, and clean forever. itâs alright!â
you stare at her, then glance at the pot, and finally, at the folded laundry sitting on the armchair.
you pinch at the bridge of your nose.
ââŠi didnât ask you to do all that,â you mutter under your breath, eyes dropping back to the paused show. your fingers knead at the skin there once, twice, before your hand drops into your lap. you let out another sigh and lean your head back against the sofa. âiâm fine by myselfââ
jiwon turns immediately. her eyebrows pull together, and her jaw almost goes rigid. âi do it because i care about you. donât make me regret it.â
sheâs already looking away afterwards, fiddling with the sleeve of her hoodie, and reaching over to adjust the blanket pooled around your legs.
your head hurts. the room is too quiet, again, without that show playing, or the music blasting on the home speakers.
how is it that the missing piece in your life is shaped exactly like park sunghoon?
summer. so useless, and yet, you were so alive.
âlisten.â jiwonâs voice cuts through your thoughts. you turn, and sheâs twisted sideways now, one leg tucked under herself and chin resting against her palm while her other hand reaches over to steal the remote. she clicks it twice before deciding against turning anything on again.
âabout that thing this weekendââ
your jaw hangs. âare you kidding?â
jiwonâs eyes widen immediately. she sighs, both hands dragging down the sides of her face before slapping against the backrest of the couch.
âokay, i know we agreed to go together to the charity event, and all the different booths and shit like that, but my dadâs finally in town again, and i justââ
you wave your hand quickly, once before she can finish, eyes not leaving the screen as your fingers start picking at the seam of the blanket. âoh, yeah, no. iâll just skip. itâs all good.â
jiwon turns properly this time. her forehead creases. ââŠwhat? what about the money?â
you shrug one shoulder and scratch absentmindedly at a loose thread near your knee. âit comes back. itâs all good. if itâs that big of a deal to you, ask your dad to apple pay me.â
jiwon stares at you for a second too long before setting the remote down, scooting across the couch in one smooth movement until her knee bumps against yours. she squints slightly, head tilting as she searches your face. âokay,â she says slowly, one hand reaching over to pinch the fabric over your thigh. ânot funny.â
you squeal, and she just grumbles.
then, she nudges your knee with hers again. âbut seriously,â she says, shoulders relaxing as she turns more towards you and props her elbow against the backrest, âyou need to get the fuck outside.â
you let out a quiet laugh. âyouâve been stuck with me this entire time. we need to go outside.â
jiwon shakes her head immediately and sits up straighter, her fingers slipping off the blanket and flat against your forearm instead. âno,â she says. âthatâs not what i mean.â
you look away, and she notices. of course, she notices.
her thumb taps once against your skin before she lets her hand drop.
ââŠi know youâre avoiding seeing him,â she mutters, eyes drifting briefly around the apartmentâthe dishes, the curtains that havenât been opened properly all week, the same hoodie youâve worn thrice in a rowâbefore settling back on you. she presses her lips together and reaches over to smooth the blanket over your knee again. âbut youâre throwing everything away for that.â
you donât say a thing. you feel like a coward. you feel like a liar. you feel like a lot of things, but jiwonâs looking at you like youâre not.
ââŠyouâve been talking about that stupid fundraiser since february,â she continues. âyou made me pay thirty dollars to get matched with strangersâŠ. among other things. youâll pay me for that, right?â
she realises, a second too late, that youâre not laughing.
you look away, eyes locked on something outside the window. you canât really tell with how your vision begins to blur. she waits for a response, but when it becomes clear she isnât getting one:
âyou wanted to go.â
your hand comes up and presses against your mouth.
you remember sitting in the library during finals with your laptop open, and your notes everywhere and thinking about it between lectures. your brain would drift whenever revision got unbearable, and suddenly, youâd be imagining what youâd wear and whether heeseung would actually come, and if heâd be as nice as everybody said he was.
it felt harmless then. stupid and harmless. a little reward waiting at the end.
you remember texting jiwon about it. making jokes, pretending not to care.
but now, you remember another thing.
you remember sitting in the exact same library with someone only two feet away. you remember somebody asking if youâd eaten, and somebody telling you to stop being perfect. somebody remembering your schedule better than you did. somebody finding you in that secluded corner, where the world didnât exist beyond it, if only for a few hours.
you remember leaving that library and not thinking about lee heeseung at all.
your thumb presses harder against your lip. youâve been biting at a piece of dead skin on your cuticle unconsciously. âthatâs embarrassing.â
jiwon frowns.
ââŠi donât think i actually wanted him.â
she doesnât interrupt.
you keep staring at the television instead, eyes tracing shapes that stopped moving minutes ago. your fingers keep smoothing over the blanket stretched across your lap, flattening the same crease over and over until the friction starts irritating your palms. eventually, your thumb catches on loose thread and you pick at it absentmindedly, winding it once around your finger before letting it snap back. ââŠi think i just liked wanting something. he was hot, yeah, and people liked him.â
âthought maybeâŠâ you bite down on your bottom lip. âi donât know. maybe if somebody like that liked me back, then that would mean something.â
everyoneâs always told you that you had terrible luck.
you remember teachers saying things like thatâs unfortunate and friends joking that your life always sounded a little too dramatic to be accidental. wrong place, wrong timeâmissing buses. getting sick before things you cared about, liking people that didnât like you back. liking people too late. liking people wrong. liking people at all.
âproving that iâm not all that unlikeable...â you mumble. âbut iâm just as unlucky as everyone says.â
it was never that serious to complain about. it mostly served itâs purpose as comedic relief in other peopleâs lives, but as one knows, after the age of sixteenâeverything just seems self-deprecating instead of humorous.
âyou like him.â
jiwonâs voice is slightly too quiet for it to be a declaration. she says it softly enough that you could pretend you didnât hear, or so that you could roll your eyes and say obviously not and sheâd just let you.
you try to think about all the reasons why you donât, and why you canât. you think about lying, about the trust, about the humiliation and about standing in the middle of the park, crying like that in front of someone who played you like a puppet.
and still, you do not say a thing.
âi thinkâŠâ she starts quietly, eyes dropping to where your hands meet before lifting back to your face. âit doesnât actually change anything. the one you like is still sunghoon, y/n. no amount of thisâwhatever this is that youâre doingâis going to change that.â
âyou fell for who he was. the name was irrelevant, wasnât it?â
jiwon watches you for a while after that, shoulders sinking further into the couch. she studies your face, one hand disappearing into the sleeve of her hoodie while the other stays resting over the blanket draped across your legs, fingers absentmindedly playing with yours.
she glances at the television onceâthe paused menu, your reflection sitting small and folded into yourself against all that dead blue lightâand exhales quietly through her nose before shifting closer to you.
âcan i say something else that might piss you off?â
you keep your eyes forward, rubbing your thumb over the edge of the blanket. âwhat?â
jiwon squints at you for a second before nodding once, slowly, like sheâs 99% sure you will get pissed off anyway at the statement sheâs going to make.
âokay. i think youâre being unfairânot to him, though. just yourself,â she says. âiâve been watching you do this thing for a month now. you keep saying heâs bad for you.â
you look down. she notices, of course.
âmaybe he is. probably. whatever,â jiwon mutters under her breath, trying to remember what point she was trying to make. âbut i donât think thatâs why youâre cancelling on mââ
âyou cancelled, by the way.â
âstill. youâre just scared that all those feelings will come back, or that theyâll be completely gone, and itâs scary.â sheâs looking forward now, too. she finds it harder to be serious when sheâs looking at you in the eye. âit was real, right? everything?â
right.
you hum in acknowledgement, low and partially absent, eyes still fixed somewhere near the bottom corner of the television where the subtitles would usually sit. jiwon watches your face for another second too long, before taking it as permission to continue. honestly, sheâs a little surprised you havenât mauled her yet. a month ago, she wouldâve gotten a cushion launched at her head by now.
âthe more like you pretend he isnât real, the more itâll hurt,â she sighs. âyou can forgive him, or donât, iâm not gonna tell you what to do like weâre fifteen again. oh, that was a really bad time for both of usâow!â
your fingers dart out before you can stop yourself, pinching the soft skin above her knee hard enough for her whole body to jolt sideways with a startled squeal. she swats uselessly at your hand, rubbing furiously at the spot through her sweatpants before shooting you the most deeply offended look she can manage.
âcould you just listen to me for once?â she groans, collapsing dramatically into the couch cushions. âiâm trying really hard to be wise here.â
you roll your eyes, but the corner of your mouth betrays you anyway.
âthere it is,â jiwon points immediately, grinning so wide it almost irritates you. âsee? youâre capable of experiencing joy!â
âiâm about to experience violence.â
âthatâs my girl!â
she laughs to herself before the smile gradually slips away again, replaced by something more serious. her fingers fold together in her lap, thumbs rubbing absentmindedly against each other as she stares down at them for a moment, gathering whatever was left of her courage. when she looks back up, thereâs none of that usual teasing left on her face.
âlook,â she sighs. âiâm not trying to convince you that what he did wasnât awful, because it was. i wanted to punch him just from hearing about it, and i still kinda do.â
she wrinkles her nose. âbut i also watched you spend almost your entire summer waiting for him to call. you kept pretending you were watching movies when you were really staring at your phone, and you even stopped walking through that park because every bench reminded you of him.â
your throat tightens.
âyou don't have to forgive him,â she continues, shaking her head slowly, reaching over to brush a strand of hair away from your face. âhonestly, maybe you never will. maybe you shouldn't. but i don't think hiding from the world is the same thing as moving on, y/n.â
you keep your eyes fixed on the ceiling, on the little crack running along the corner where the paint has started to peel. âwhat if i see him,â you mumble, barely louder than the hum of the fridge from the kitchen, âand i still want him?â
jiwon's expression doesn't change. she takes a moment before her mouth parts slightly, just enough to answer. âthen you'll know.â
"and if i don't?"
she shrugs gently, her hand lingering over yours for another second, thumb brushing your knuckle once before it falls back into her lap. she looks almost sad when she says it. "then you'll know that, too."
the apartment falls quiet again. somewhere outside, a car door slams, and a few birds chirp before scattering into the clouds. someone's drilling something in the apartment above you. someone's yelling something in the street. the world keeps going, indifferent and loud, the way it always does when you seem to be
âokay.â
jiwon watches you for a second longer, like she's checking the word for cracks. she must not have found any, or perhaps a few too many to name, because she just lets it go.
by the time you reach campus, the fundraiser is already in full swing.
the entire quad has transformed overnight into something almost unrecognisable. white canopy tents stretch across the lawn in neat, uneven rows, their fabric flapping in the wind whenever the cold september breeze decides to pass through.
handmade banners hang crookedly above each stall, painted with far too much enthusiasm and not nearly enough artistic abilityâbright acrylic letters bleeding into one another, beneath glitter and shiny lettering that catches the afternoon sun every time somebody walks past.
âcome visit booth 6!â âfree drinks at booth 52!â âstand a chance to winââ
somewhere off to your left, somebody is aggressively advertising homemade brownies through a megaphone that crackles every other sentence, while another group has somehow convinced the jazz society to play live beside the engineering departmentâs robotics display. the music overlaps with laughter, conversations, applause and the occasional groan from somebody losing money at one of the carnival games, until it all melts together into any introvertâs worst nightmare.
jiwon, as foretold, is busy smiling, shaking hands and pretending to enjoy the company of the stepfather sheâs complained about for the better part of four years, leaving you to fend for yourself amongst a sea of strangers. youâre beginning to wonder if any of this was even worth not paying her the thirty dollars for bailing. you couldâve been at home instead, cocooned underneath your duvet with instant noodles balanced precariously on your stomach while you binged that stupid show she keeps interrupting halfway through every episodeâbut apparently you did not need to be âsixty dollars broker,â and allegedly, according to her, âexposure builds character.â
students drift through the walkways in slow, uneven currents, weaving around one another with paper cups warming their hands and tote bags slipping from tired shoulders. autumn has only just begun settling over campus, leaving enough warmth in the afternoon sun to coax everyone outside while the breeze nips at exposed skin, carrying with it the smell of caramel popcorn, burnt coffee, fried food and fresh paint that still hasn't completely dried on half the handmade signs.
every few steps, someone brushes your shoulder without meaning to, and another laughs so loudly it echoes between the buildings. the quad feels impossibly alive, like the entire student body had been holding its breath for weeks and finally remembered how to exhale.
you've just realised how long it'd been since you'd seen campus like this.
exam season had stripped everything bare. the library became the centre of everybody's universe, swallowing entire afternoons until the only sounds left were pages turning, keyboards clacking and chairs scraping softly against carpet. everyone looked permanently exhausted beneath fluorescent lighting, surviving almost exclusively on caffeine and blind optimism, and now they're outside again.
clubs are recruiting first-years with embarrassingly enthusiastic chants, and the fourth-year students are pretending they aren't equally interested in the free tote bags.
autumn seems to bring something different into the air. meanwhile, summer, as you've known it, was spent mostly indoors or at the corner store fifteen minutes from campus, where you'd stand in front of the instant noodle shelf for far longer than necessary before carrying the same cup outside to eat on the outdoor seating. there were a handful of evenings where you'd glance up every time a dark-haired guy walked past, stomach flipping before common sense caught up with you. there were even more where you caught yourself wondering whether park sunghoon had ever been here before, whether he'd ever stood in front of the same vending machine deciding between two drinks, whether he'd look out for you the same way you did.
every single time, you wanted to walk straight into incoming traffic for even entertaining the thought. it's ridiculous. he literally lives on campus.
you spend quite a bit of time walking around the place. the sun isnât too brutal at this time of day, and for once, you donât dread seeing a bunch of people you knowâthereâs moments where you make eye contact with an old friend, a new acquaintance or someone whoâs friends with someone you know, and they wave like theyâve known you for years. your feet begin to hurt by the end of the hour, and when you look down, you realise youâre holding an overpriced sea salt latte, a bag of homemade cookies, and a doodle of you a second-year student made for $5.
thereâs a few flyers in your bag, too. you donât even remember being interested in crocheting, but alright. somewhere along the way, youâve lost the map that some student union members handed you when you first walked in, and for fifteen blissful minutes, you convinced yourself that youâve never been to this part of the quad before.
it works. for a while.
youâre patting your jeans down. perhaps you folded it or crumpled it together with receipts or other useless junk from the day, but itâs literally vanished. nevertheless, your feet are carrying you to unknown places, through thickening crowds and high-pitched laughter that feels impossible to distinguish which direction it originates from.
somebody almost knocks your latte out of your hand. you almost cuss him out, before he whispers a âsorry!â and joins a snaking queue, spilling onto the footpath.
âmy god.â
youâre back at sunooâs booth. pastel pink, covered in ikea string lights that are certainly not suited for outdoor use, the banner above spelling exactly what you signed up for: soul searching.
it sways gently overhead, now slightly lopsided after surviving what looked like several hours of relentless traffic. whoever had decorated the booth this morning had given up on maintaining any sort of orderâheart-shaped balloons floated at uneven heights, paper cupid arrows had started peeling away from the tent poles, and one of the volunteers was hurriedly taping another handwritten sign across the front of the table.
queue full! please scan the qr code to join the line! we'll text you when it's your turn âĄ
"honestly," somebody behind you mutters as they walk by. "this is way better. nobodyâs standing for two hours.â
âright? iâm hoping they move me to the front,â their friend responds. âi bought the early ones too⊠i feel so fucking desperate. at least weâre in the line at all.â
you glance towards the front, almost absentmindedly. they werenât wrongâthe line that had wrapped halfway around the quad earlier had disappeared entirely, replaced instead by clusters of students with phones in hand. theyâre hopping around and comparing wait times while volunteers hurried between the very few tables available, trying to answer stupid questions before the next wave arrived.
you did pay for this. your latteâs gone warm, anyway, and the condensation is starting to drip down onto your sleeves. might as well find out whether your ticket's even still valid.
the qr code sits laminated against the edge of the registration table, surrounded by little hand-drawn hearts and stars that look suspiciously like sunoo's work. you fish your phone out of your tote, thumb hovering over the camera app for just a second before lifting it. you step closer to get a clearer view, tongue poking at your cheekâ
"hold on.â
you glance up, blinking slowly until sunoo comes into focus. heâs dressed in all sorts of shades of pink, from hot to muted to pastel, and his cheeks have hearts face-painted onto them.
ây/n! you actually came!â
he breaks into a wide grin, so wide that it almost scares you. for a brief moment, you wonder if this is even the kim sunoo you know, considering he was never too worried for your attendance when the fundraiser was first brought up.
before you can even say hello, he's already leaning across the table, volunteer lanyard swinging forward as he peeks at the ticket confirmation on your screen. you hadnât realised itâs already loaded, displaying the âearly-birdâ status right at the top. in bold, like it wasnât humiliating enough just being here.
âi paid, soâŠâ
he circles around the table.
âexactly!â his finger points at your phone. âearly bird. youâre lucky!â
you nod slowly, like you understand where this conversationâs about to go. truth be told, you donât, so in order to hide the confusion, your eyes dart around to avoid his.
"âŠearly-bird participants get priority once they join the queue.â
strange. the other laminated sign your eyes land on, which is pasted right behind sunooâs head, conveniently says otherwise.
âiâm pretty sure thatâs not how it worksââ
âit literally is.â sunoo declares, with such effortless confidence that you mightâve believed him if not for the piece of paper taped up behind him. he still wears that smile, his cheeks rounding in a way that makes it dangerously easy to nod along, right until one of the volunteers at the registration table slowly lifts his head and looks over.
he deadpans. âsunoo.â
âwhat?â
ââŠsince when?â
kim sunoo doesnât even bother turning around to answer his fellow volunteer. you suppose being the organiser has its perks, because he simply says, âsince today! operational changes are needed, arenât they?â
all the guy can do is sigh and rub at his temples.
âgreat!â sunoo beams, already uncapping a marker with his teeth before flicking the cap into his palm. he hunches over the clipboard, the tip squeaking furiously across the paper in quick, decisive strokes, barely pausing to breathe before thrusting it back against his chest. âcongratulations, y/n!â
you narrow your eyes. âon what?â
âyouâre next!â he tears a small ticket from the pad with a sharp riiiip, stamps it against the clipboard with far more force than necessary, then slides it into your hand like heâs finalising an important legal transaction.
âsunoo, thereâs literally people waiting behind me.â
sunoo merely raises an eyebrow. he tilts his head, peering past your shoulder with enough curiosity that, against your better judgment, you glance back too.
you donât know whether to laugh or cry.
a queue of complete strangers is, in fact, staring directly at the two of you. some look mildly confused, others openly entertained, but most are just pissed off. one guy even checks his phone, like heâs trying to figure out whether heâs somehow joined the wrong line, and how he, too, could join âpriority-accessâ.
âhuh."
when you turn back around, sunooâs already smiling again, not a shred of shame anywhere on his face. âyouâre making this up, arenât yââ
a volunteer pulls the canvas flap aside for you with an overly enthusiastic smile, hair sticking to his forehead from the (presumably) constant back and forth sunooâs making him do. for such a small booth team, the place is surprisingly put-together, and the online queue isnât glitching out the way other boothâs are. you had to admit that you were somewhat glad you came.
âgood luck,â he whispers, to which you reply with a confused expression before walking in.
the noise disappears almost immediately.
the bustle outside dulls into a soft, muffled hum behind layers of canvas, leaving the tiny booth wrapped in an unexpected sort of quiet. sunlight filters through the cream-coloured fabric overhead, warming the little space in soft patches until everything inside glows honey-gold.
it smells faintly of vanilla and paper, with the lingering sweetness of somebodyâs perfume clinging stubbornly to the air from the last pairing. you wonder where they went to after their five minutes of alone timeâdid they go to grab coffee? did he say something to piss her off, and she stormed out early? is that why sunooâs giving you priority?
you stop just after the entrance.
âoh.â
itâs⊠actually kind of nice.
someone had gone through an embarrassing amount of effort decorating the place. ivy vines wind around the tent poles alongside more tiny string lights, and battery-powered candles flicker lazily in the centre of a small round table dressed with a cream linen cloth.
a little glass jar is overflowing with folded paper stars. it sits between two untouched bottles of water, and it almost makes you wonder how much money they poured into this thing, before you remember that they probably went over the donation limit a long, long time ago.
somebody had even scattered fake rose petals across the tabletop, though several had already drifted onto the flimsy plywood beneath the chairs.
thereâs only two seats. complimentary seat cushion, too, also pink and plaid. you sigh, seeing how it was already squished flat from all the people sitting on it before you, but you make your way regardless. the amount of walking youâve put yourself through has done no justice to your feet, anyway.
the first thing you notice is that whoeverâs sitting across from you is going to bump your knees, unless he happens to be significantly shorter.
you donât really mind it. the tent is only so big, and god knows how they even managed to squeeze a table through that narrow entrance. still, itâs enough to make you silently hope he isnât particularly tall, either.
you let out a quiet breath through your nose.
beside the battery-operated candle sits a neat stack of laminated cards bound together by a stainless steel ring, each one printed with colourful lettering and tiny doodles tucked into the corners.
⥠conversation starters âĄ
you already know this is going to be terrible. who the hell pitched this?
#5 whatâs your most irrational fear?
too intimate.
your fingers flip through the stack, anyway. thereâs an identical set resting on the opposite side of the table, presumably waiting for whoever draws the short straw across from you.
#8 if you could relive one day of your life, which would you choose?
too deep. nobody thought these through. you keep flipping, snorting under your breath every few cards.
#10 whatâs your biggest regret?
#11 when did you last cry?
#12 do you fall for looks, or personality?
your smile fades before you realise it had even appeared at all. another prank by the universe, you suppose.
the cards settle back onto the table with a soft tap. your hands find their way to the armrests, tapping against the wood, anything to stop thinking about the guy youâre not supposed to be thinking about.
outside, somebody cheers loud enough for it to seep through the canvas walls, followed by another chorus of laughter that slowly dissolves back into the fundraiserâs usual chatter. you glance instinctively toward the entrance, expecting the fabric to move.
nothing. the chair opposite you remains empty, and no oneâs walking through that tarp.
you check your phone. itâs been three minutes.
youâre drumming your fingers lightly against the edge of the table now, watching the fake candle flicker. the tiny plastic flame sways with every movement of the air-conditioning fan someone had hidden near the ceiling of the tent, convincing enough that you almost forget it isnât real.
the things you do in pursuit of love, you think.
itâs almost funny, now that youâre sitting here.
you remember signing up for this thing with only one person in mindâsomeone you barely knew, someone you had no right to like because of all the missing pieces your imagination had so generously filled in. back then, this booth felt like a shortcut. maybe youâd sit across from lee heeseung, maybe heâd smile at you, maybe the universe would finally decide to do you one favour in this unlucky life of yours.
there was a point where you thought you knew your type. the kind of guy that seemed so easy to trip and fall on your face for. maybe it was that new yearâs party, when you caught him standing at the front of the house with a cigarette between his fingers, the street light catching against his jaw while everyone else laughed somewhere behind you. maybe it was those tuesday mornings outside the cafeteria. maybe it was the words of everyone around you, but either way, you never really heard his voice, or stood close enough to know how he laughed, what he sounded like when he was tired, or whether he was a better listener than talker.
distance has a funny way of disguising itself as depth. you mistake wondering for understanding, admiration for affection, until one day youâve built an entire person out of scattered glances and second-hand stories. maybe that was all the crush had ever beenâa collection of assumptions, stitched together by not knowing enough.
perhaps, it was never about lee heeseung at all.
park sunghoon is a fucking headache. he lingers in every inconvenient corner of your life, occupying your thoughts long after he shattered your heart and broke your trust that summer night. itâs almost cruel how thoroughly heâs rooted himself into your memoryâhis voice still finds you before your own thoughts do, his quiet laugh still sneaks into your head whenever something stupid happens. you remember the thoughtful pauses before heâd answer your questions, the accidental sincerity he always seemed embarrassed by, and the unwavering certainty with which heâd tell you that you were capable of things you never believed you could do yourself.
despite the lies, the betrayal, despite everything. despite the way he looked at you that night, like he couldnât bear to lose you, and still let you walk awayâyou realise that there isnât a single part of you that wishes it had been lee heeseung from the beginning.
the canvas shifts.
at first, itâs nothing more than a shadow moving across the pale canvas, followed by the dull scrape of shoes against packed grass outside. somebody murmurs somethingâa volunteer, probablyâand another voice answers too quietly for you to make out.
your heartâs beating out of your chest. the last time you felt like this, it was january first, and also three in the morning.
the flap rustles once before stilling again, as though whoeverâs on the other side already regrets doing this. you let out a quiet laugh through your nose, watching the silhouette hesitate in the narrow entrance where the fading warmth of september collides with the dry chill of the portable air-conditioner humming somewhere overhead.
the afternoon sun outlines him first. heâs tall, broad, holding a bouquet of flowers in his right hand. he turns halfway around to mumble something behind him, and through the gap in the canvas, you catch a glimpse of someone suspiciously resembling sunoo. whatever he says earns him a sharp slap between the shoulder blades and an exaggerated shove forward, the bouquet wobbling dangerously in his grip before he manages to catch it against his chest.
your fingers are still tracing the laminated edge of one of the conversation cards when the canvas finally parts. he stumbles through the entrance, muttering what sounds like an embarrassed complaint under his breath, one hand instinctively reaching back to steady the flap before it swings shut behind him.
you only realise who he is when he looks up.
the sleeves are shoved up to his elbows like they always are, but he looks better than the last time you saw himâcleaner, less wrecked, like heâs actually been sleeping well now that youâre not around. his hair has grown out just enough to fall over his eyebrows, and despite everything, despite the month thatâs wedged itself between the two of you, you remember every single feature on his face, and just how much you missed it.
thatâs when you realise that a month and a half is nearly not enough time to forget.
for one impossible second, relief blooms before your brain catches up to your body.
the world seems like itâs flipping upside down, now. park sunghoon freezes, like he wasnât expecting either; your pulse is slamming against your ribs so violently that you swear he must be able to hear it. you can hear your blood rushing in your ears by the time you stand upâchair screeching violently against the plywood as you shove yourself backwards, the legs offering some resistance before jerking free with your force.
your knees collide with the underside of the table hard enough to send the fake candle wobbling between the two of you. itâs tiny, plastic flame is flickering, almost mocking.
every instinct you have screams the same thing: leave.
sunghoon notices (of course he does), and something inside his expression crumbles just enough for you to feel like youâve been stabbed in the heart.
his shoulder sinks by barely an inch, the hand which holds the bouquet to his stomach now dropping to his side. he doesnât move any closer, too afraid to even breathe audibly, just standing by the entrance with the afternoon light outlining his familiar silhouette.
his eyes are soft, a gentle smile painted across his face, as though heâs trying to show you how much it hurts not seeing you for so long.
youâre just like how he remembers. golden light on your face, diffused now from the tentâs shade, bright eyes looking up at him the same way it did in the summer. perhaps itâs because of his dreams that this doesnât feel as shocking as heâd thought itâd beâthat one evening in the library between bookshelves replays like a highlight reel behind his eyelids, and in a way, he thinks itâs helped with his what little sleep he's managed to get recently.
and, in the same vein, he looks everything like the boy you've spent the last month trying to forget.
ââŠyou.â
your voice is barely a whisper. sunghoon swallows, and his lips part once before closing again. you want to scream at him, maybe even punch him in the face. with that sad look on his face, you think he might even let you.
ây/n.â
you donât hesitate. the moment sunghoon sees you grabbing your things, ready to turn around and leaveâhe speaks again, rushed with a tinge of desperation.
âplease. five minutes, itâs all i need.â
what could he possibly say that would undo all of this?
park sunghoon bites down on his bottom lip, trying to stop it from trembling. youâre staring at him with glassy eyes, hands shaking from either anger or just pure despair, waiting for an answer that might not even fix anything at all.
your shoulders stay angled towards the exit, eyes not meeting his. youâre afraid that if you look at him properly, you'll remember everything all over again.
âi'm sorry, y/n.â
you shouldâve left as soon as you saw that frame in the sunâas soon as your heart sank and your mind briefly flashed to sunghoon.
silence stretches between the two of you. youâre somewhat thankful for the loud noise outside that helps dampen it. the laughter sounds impossibly far away from where you stand.
ânot because i got caught lying to you.â his fingers tighten around the bouquet, knuckles paling beneath flushed skin. âi think about it every day. it never leaves.â
your molars grind together until your temples start to pulse. the muscles in your jaw ache from holding back everything that wants to come spilling out, and you realise, belatedly, that you're digging your fingernails so deeply into the canvas strap of your tote that the fabric has started to wrinkle beneath your grip. youâre blinking the salt away, too, trying not to let it drip down your cheeks. âwhy did you do that to me, sunghoon?â
your voice comes out quieter than you intended. itâs nothing short of humiliating. sunghoon stares at you for a little while longer, and it really does feel like his heartâs being ripped out of his ribcage all over again. thereâs nothing nice about seeing someone you love in tears, much less because of you.
âi didn't think itâd go far.â his voice is barely above a whisper now. âthatâs not an excuse. i know it isnât. i realised that really early on.â
his thumb catches on the edge of the brown paper wrapped around the flowers, smoothing the same crease over and over until it begins to tear.
âi just...â he laughs quietly through his nose, and it breaks somewhere in the middle. âi was terrified, y/n.â
your breath catches. you just canât understand. every word from him feels like relief and a new betrayal all over again, and for a moment, you wonder how youâre still standing here. thereâs half of you that feels glad that he cares enough to show up againâand another that never wants to see his pretty face again.
âthe only lie i ever told you,â he continues, finally forcing himself to meet your eyes, âwas that i was lee heeseung. everything else was real. all the calls, conversations, every second i spent listening to your voice.â
sunghoon says it like a confession. like an intimate secret heâs yet to admit to anyone else but you, because truly, he hasnât. itâs stupid how long heâs allowed this to suffocate him.
âi was scared of how much i wanted you, and i let it go on, because it was the best thing thatâs ever happened to me. i didnât want to lose you, and i acted selfishly because of that.â
âyou couldâve told me from the beginning.â your hand comes up instinctively, thumb dragging beneath your waterline before another tear has the chance to fall. you sniffle once, sharp and involuntary, and sunghoon feels it somewhere behind his ribs. âyou could have. do you have any idea how humiliating that was?â
the words roll off your tongue before you can think twice. âi made myself look like a fucking idiot in front of you.â
sunghoon's breathing falters. his grip tightens around the bouquet until the brown paper crumples loudly in the silence, stems bending awkwardly beneath his fingers. he can't bring himself to look away from your faceânot when your eyelashes are clumped together with tears, not when the skin beneath them has gone raw from how hard you're rubbing at it.
âi know.â
his voice barely survives the distance between you.
âevery time i think about you,â he swallows hard, the muscles in his throat straining around the words. âi think about everything you trusted me with, and all i can remember is that i stood there and let you keep believing me.â his eyes fall to the floor for the briefest moment before finding yours again, impossibly guilty. âyou deserved better than that.â
âi put you through so much,â park sunghoon adds, his voice so quiet you're forced to listen for it. âi was selfish. i convinced myself that if i told you the truth, iâd lose you, even if i deserved to.â
his thumb smooths absently over another crease in the bouquet's wrapping paper. âevery day i waited after that, for the right time, for when it was easiest for meâit just got harder, and then it got impossible.â
he exhales shakily. âthere was never going to be a good time. i knew that.â
you stare at him, at the bouquet he'd probably spent too long choosing. you imagine how out of place he must've looked picking those out, asking the store owner which ones would be good, knowing nothing about flowers, buying whatever was recommended to him without a second thought.
and then you're looking at the circles beneath his eyesâbetter now than they were before, but still there, still belonging to a boy who somehow looks exactly like the person you spent all summer missing, and the person who broke your heart in the very same breath.
âyou couldâve told me,â you whisper again, the words catching somewhere behind your teeth. your fingers curl helplessly around the strap of your tote until the rough canvas digs into your palm. âyou couldâve walked up to me that first night. i wouldâveââ
another tear slips free before you can force the last word out. your breath catches violently in your chest, chin dropping toward your collarbone as a broken sob tears through you before you have the chance to swallow it back.
sunghoon moves before he thinks. the bouquet lands forgotten against the table with a muffled rustle, baby's breath spilling over the edge of the table as he closes the distance between you in two hurried strides. his hand comes up instinctivelyâhalfway to your face, halfway to your shoulder, he doesn't even know anymoreâbefore stopping inches from your face.
"...y/n."
sunghoon freezes. fingers trembling, not knowing if he's allowed to be this close to you again, not knowing if he gets to touch you just because you're crying. nevertheless, his hand curls slowly into a fist before falling uselessly back to his side.
your shoulders shake harder.
you clap a hand over your mouth as if that'll somehow muffle the sound, but it only turns each breath into something more desperate and more painful. tears slip between your fingers anyway, dripping onto the backs of your knuckles before disappearing into the sleeves of your top.
sunghoon feels sick. everything is telling him to touch you, to hold you, to do everything he can to rid you of the tears staining your face. wiping your tears away with his thumb and all, like how heâs imagined doing a hundred selfish times over the phoneâto tell you itâs okay.
somethingâs siphoning all the air out of his lungs. "...i'm sorry," sunghoon whispers again, voice splintering under the weight of the words. "iâm sorry, y/n. please, donât cry, please.â
thereâs a tiny part of you that wants to lean into him. instead, you let out something between a laugh and another sob. you drag the heel of your palm beneath your eyes, every tear replaced by another before you can finish catching your breath. vision blurry as you stare down at sunghoonâs shoes, he shuts his eyes.
âi didnât care,â you sigh. âi wouldnât have cared.â
your ears don't catch the quiet sniffle that escapes sunghoon. his own vision has long since blurred, tears gathering stubbornly along his waterline until the fairy lights overhead fracture into soft, indistinct halos. he doesn't bother wiping them away, not when you're crying like thisânot when every broken breath that leaves you sounds like something he's carved into your chest with his own hands.
âi fell for you, hoon.â you look up at him then, your eyes swollen and shining beneath the warm fairy lights strung across the ceiling of the booth. tears cling to your lashes, catching the light every time you blink. âyou couldâve told me.â your voice cracks again, almost pleading. âyou could have.â
the words seem to find every hollow place inside him.
his shoulders, already drawn painfully tight beneath the navy hoodie, sink another inch, the tension draining from them so suddenly he almost folds into himself. his hand, still hovering uncertainly between the two of you, curls instinctively before slowly uncurling again. this time, he doesn't stop.
fuck it.
park sunghoonâs touch brushes your cheek so lightly you barely feel them at first. gentle, like he doesnât know quite how to handle youâwarm and careful and everything youâve ever needed.
his palm settles against the side of your face, thumb sweeping gently beneath your eye to catch the tear before it slips past your jaw. your skin burns beneath the touch, not because it hurts, but because you've missed it without ever knowing what it felt likeâit's unbearably familiar for something entirely new.
you donât mean to lean into him, but your body does it anyway.
for the smallest moment, your cheek rests against his palm, and the breath sunghoon lets out is so quiet that it almost disappears beneath the hum of the air-conditioner overhead. a sigh escapes him, almost as if he canât believe how much heâs hurt youâand before you break into a sob again, you speak.
âmaybe...â you whisper, voice shrinking beneath the weight of the thoughtâof park sunghoon and you, of that stupid new year's party, of library afternoons and late-night phone calls and every version of the future that never got the chance to exist. âmaybe weâd be fine. maybe weâd be happy, if thatâs what you even wantedââ
âit is.â
there isnât a trace of hesitation.
sunghoon's thumb stills against your cheek as fresh tears spill over his own, his forehead dipping just enough that he's looking at you from beneath damp strands of dark hair.
âitâs all iâve ever wanted,â he mutters. âyou are all iâve ever wanted.â
park sunghoon has never been a decisive person.
it sounds contradictory when you consider everything he's responsible for, but those decisions were never really decisions at all. hockey is straightforward once you've watched enough game tape, drilled the same movement until your muscles remember it better than your brain does, or spent enough hours on the ice for instinct to replace hesitation. there is always a coach standing behind the glass with a whistle around his neck, always someone older, better, more experienced to tell you where your feet should be and how to fix what you've done wrong. school isn't much different. people call him gifted, but sunghoon knows discipline has always done more for him than talent ever could. if you study enough, if you sacrifice enough sleep, if you repeat something often enough, eventually the answer reveals itself.
life has always rewarded certainty. show up, work harder, do betterâand there is comfort in that. an almost mechanical predictability to it all, completely untouched by human emotion.
but you have never worked like that. this, whatever this isâit has never operated on that principle.
sunghoon has known he loves you for longer than he's been willing to admit it aloud. what he hasn't knownânot for a single day since you walked away from him beneath that streetlampâis whether seeing you again would heal the wound or rip it open all over. every version of the future he imagined ended differently: maybe you'd scream at him, maybe you'd ignore him. maybe you'd look at him with the same quiet disappointment that had followed him into every waking hour for the past month. there was no correct answer to memorize, no strategy to rehearse, and no amount of discipline capable of guaranteeing that he wouldn't lose you all over again.
he even tried searching for it.
three in the morning, phone balanced against his chest, he'd typed every variation of lied about my identity and fell in love that he could think of into reddit, reading through strangers' catastrophes until the sun came up. none of them sounded quite like his, and none of them ended with an answer worth believing. heâs pretty sure 75% are engagement bait.
there wasn't a guidebook for getting back the only girl he'd ever loved. there was, however, an annoyingly persistent lee heeseung.
his friend spent the better part of yesterday refusing to let him back out, talking over every pathetic excuse sunghoon came up with until there were none left to hide behind. sunoo only agreed to squeeze him into today's schedule after extracting the promise of unlimited access to his card for food deliveries over the next month, grinning so hard throughout the negotiation that sunghoon briefly considered leaving on principle alone. jake had sat through the entire story for the first time without interrupting once, only burying his face in his hands whenever the second-hand embarrassment became physically unbearable. jay, jungwon and riki had been considerably less diplomatic.
yes, he'd fucked up. spectacularly.
yes, there was every possibility you'd never want to look at him again.
no, none of them blamed you for it.
they still told him to come anyway. because if you were going to reject him, then he deserved to hear it from youânot from the version of you he'd spent the last month inventing inside his own head. park sunghoon is not every sure if heâll ever move on from it, from you, though he sincerely hopes he doesnât have to.
âi canâtâi canât hate you, hoon. i tried so hard, and it never worked, so what do i do now?â
the words seems to knock the air from his lungs.
sunghoon's thumb stills against your cheek. even now, even after hearing the words, he can't let himself believe them immediately. his thick eyebrows draw together in quiet disbelief, lashes still damp, mouth parted around a breath that never quite leaves him.
âi think about you so much it hurts.â a laugh escapes you, exhausted more than amused, and you shake your head as tears gather at your chin. when you look up at him, the expression in your eyes drives something sharp straight through his chest. âi just don't know what to do.â
your fingers find his wrist without thinking, curling around it lightly. beneath your touch, his pulse stutters wildly, and sunghoon has the absurd, terrifying thought that if you hold him there any longer, you'll feel exactly how badly he's falling apart.
âi still want you,â you whisper. âso tell me, what do i do?â
sunghoonâs face crumples with relief, so sudden that it almost looks like pain. his shoulders shake before he even realises he's crying again. he presses his lips together, turning away for a second as a breathless, disbelieving laugh slips through his nose, and when he looks back at you, his eyes are wet and helpless and impossibly soft.
every sleepless night and every terrible decision has led park sunghoon here, standing in front of you and bracing for an ending that was never truly his to decide. you are the only thing he has ever looked at and thought, i might not get this back if i lose it, and that realization terrifies him more than failure ever could.
everything else feels survivable. the carefully constructed life he's spent years maintainingâhe could lose all of it and eventually claw his way toward something new. he knows himself well enough to believe that, and well enough to know that you are different.
the mere thought of you turning around and walking away again is enough to hollow him out from the inside. it followed him into quiet rooms and sleepless mornings, into practices and lectures and every place he tries to forget you. for the first time in his life, there is something he cannot outwork, outthink, or outrun.
and still, even now, that something is standing here with tears on her face and her hand wrapped around his wrist, asking him what to do.
sunghoonâs wiping uselessly at his eyes. âi don't know,â he admits. âi donât know what youâre supposed to do.â
your chest immediately drops. thereâs that churning feeling again. you pick up on every movement of his, from the way his eyes never leave yours to how he canât seem to speak up.
âi spent months trying to decide that for you, and look how that turned out,â another shaky breath leaves him, and his shoulders shudder with it. âif you want to yell at me, do it. if you want time, take it. if you wake up tomorrow and realize listening to me was a mistake, iâll understand.â
sunghoon looks into your eyes. somewhere between the apologies and confessions, the distance between you has disappeared without either of you noticing. your knees almost brush, breaths mingling in the tiny booth, warm enough to fog the already close air between you. the fake candle flickers quietly in your peripheral, behind the abandoned bouquet and scattered conversation cards.
he blinks, just once, watching your eyes soften as they stare back at his. they never leave him, and theyâre not searching for answers anymore.
âbut if you're asking me what i want,â sunghoon mutters, taking a deep breath in. âi want you. i want you to let me stay, and i want it to be your decision.â
âyou hurt me.â you swallow. âforgiving you doesn't magically make all of that disappearâbut iâm tired. iâm really tired of being scared.â
âso this is my decision,â you step closer until the space between you disappears entirely. âstay.â
oh, park sunghoon is certain, now.
certainly, for the first time, he cares about someone other than himself, more than his stupid hockey games and ridiculous quizzes that heâd ace regardless if he studied or notâ
certainly, the girl he loves is here, in front of him. her heart is in his hands and heâs trying not to crush it, because hurting her means hurting himself. sheâs uncomplicated, and sheâs beautiful, even in this kind of light, even with tears running down her faceâlooking at him like heâs all sheâs ever asked for, despite everything heâs done.
certainly, he loves you.
all of you.
your arms find sunghoonâs waist with a familiarity that steals what little breath he has left. the movement is so instinctive neither of you seem to think too much about it. sunghoon's hand remains against your cheek for one lingering heartbeat, before his other joins it, cradling your face with impossible care, thumbs brushing absently beneath skin still warm from tears.
the space between you disappears altogether.
your arms slide further around his back, bunching the fabric of his hoodie between your fingers, the last of the tension leaves his body in one long, shaking breath. sunghoonâs own limbs slip around your shoulders, drawing you against his chest so gently it almost hurts, his chin resting lightly atop your head as though heâs afraid that if he lets go now, youâll disappear all over again.
âi love you, y/n.â
the confession comes easier than he expectedâtrue, almost painfully so, for far too long.
you tighten your hold around him, your cheek pressed against the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.
âi love you, too, hoon.â
for a second, park sunghoon forgets how to breathe.
all those nights spent lying awake, replaying every conversation until sunriseâevery version of this moment he'd imagined, every argument he'd had with himself, every impossible outcome he'd tried to prepare forâthey dissolve so quietly that he almost doesn't notice them leaving.
the questions that had followed him for weeks no longer demand answers. the guilt is still there, the hurt is still there, and he knows neither of them will disappear overnight, of courseâbut for the first time in months, park sunghoon knows one thing for sure:
he does not care, and he will keep loving you despite it all.
the fundraiser slowly forgets about the two of you.
by the time you step out of the little booth, thereâs an insanely long queue that wonât stop staring at you and sunghoonâa bouquet sits in the crease of your elbow, and the man by your side is smiling so wide that itâs borderline embarrassing. he might as well put a sign on your head.
the sunâs begun sinking lower behind the engineering building, bathing the pathways in that familiar honey-gold light that always seems to arrive when you and sunghoon are together. conversations swell around you as students drift from stall to stall with paper bags hanging from their wrists and half-melted ice cream in their hands. somewhere behind you, sunoo lets out an aggressively theatrical cheer before somebodyâjungwon, if you remembered correctlyâsmacks him hard enough to shut him up.
neither of you acknowledge it.
park sunghoonâs hand finds yours instinctually. heâs not even looking at you to see if youâre fine with it, but it doesnât matter anyway. your fingers intertwine with his, warm and steady and weirdly tightâyou glance down and feel the heat rushing up your cheeks.
ââŠyou know,â you mumble, watching your joined hands swing gently between you as you walk down the wide path. âi think this is technically our first date.â
sunghoon blinks. date? you? you and him? on a date?
the crowd has thinned out considerably, but when you glance back towards the familiar pink tent, the queue is somehow still moving. students continue drifting in and out of the little canvas booths, phones in hand as volunteers wave them forward one pair at a time. sunoo catches your eye from behind the registration table, arms folded dramatically across his chest as if he's personally responsible for the greatest love story in university history. you can't help but to smile, and sunoo notices immediately. with an exaggerated roll of his eyes, he flicks his wrist in a half-hearted shooing motion before waving the two of you away.
you laugh under your breath.
ahead of you, the fundraiser is slowly settling into the evening. a handful of student union members balance precariously on folding ladders, looping warm string lights from one streetlamp to the next until little pockets of golden light begin blooming across the walkways. conversations soften as the afternoon crowd disperses, replaced by the quieter rhythm of people lingering instead of rushing somewhere else. somebody nearby is packing away handmade jewellery while another stall is still desperately trying to sell the last of their brownies to anyone willing to make eye contact.
your hand is still in sunghoon's. neither of you talk.
âoh.â
you glance sideways. heâs staring ahead, eyebrows pinched together in the sort of concentration that seems excessive for something this simple.
you snort. âthatâs all you have to say?â
âi'm thinking,â sunghoon murmurs, finally allowing himself a quiet chuckle. his thumb absently brushes against the back of your hand before he looks over at you. âdoes this mean i have to pretend i don't already know everything about you?â
âi wouldn't say everything...â you mumble, nudging his shoulder with yours before looking away a little too quickly. you don't have to see his face to know he's smiling. you can feel it somehow, in the way his gaze lingers a second too long, in the quiet that stretches between you while he leans ever so slightly closer, just enough that the warmth radiating from his hoodie brushes your arm.
âyou blush really easily.â
âi do not!â your eyes widen, yet, still refusing to meet his.
âyou're so pretty, y/n,â sunghoon says before he has the chance to psyche himself out of it. the compliment leaves him with such effortless certainty that it almost catches him off guard. âso cute when you're shy. blushing like that in front of me...â he continues, the corners of his mouth lifting into the smallest grin. âi don't think i've ever seen anything prettier.â
you squeeze his hand so hard he almost laughs again.
âgod,â you mutter, finally daring a glance at him before immediately looking away again, cheeks burning beneath the string lights overhead. âyou're still so annoying!â
the fundraiser eventually disappears behind you. after sunghoonâs insistence on sharing an overly-sweet milkshake, his hands are full with paper bags, filled to the brim with overpriced homemade desserts and a few too many keychains. neither of you remember who suggested leaving firstâat some point, the booths become smaller in the distance, and the chatter fades into little more than background noise.
there isnât really a destination. there doesnât have to be, you both know thatâbut it helps with the conversation. it flows easier than any of you expect, familiar, curious and gentle in the same way itâs always been.
you stop by a convenience store because sunghoon insists youâre hungry. allegedly, your stomach rumbled on the walk here, so he rushes into the store so fast that there isnât enough time to protest. the high-school part-timer stares at him weirdly as he wordlessly pays for both ramyeon cups, spending the next five minutes pretending not to hear you complaining about it.
you eat, anyway. sunghoon canât help but take a picture, too. you almost hit him on the head for that.
an hour later, the walk to your apartment is slower than it needs to be. autumn has finally settled over the city, the breeze cool enough to make you tug your sleeves over your hands every few minutes. leaves skitter across the pavement whenever the wind picks up, collecting around your shoes before scattering around them again, and somewhere overhead the sky melts from gold into a dark, deep blue.
you pass through that same parkâcyclists pass every now and then, bells chiming politely before disappearing further down the winding path, elderly couples taking a night stroll with plastic bags hooked around their fingers. the atmosphere is completely different now, though nothing tangible has really changed.
the two of you keep walking. sunghoon feels like he's going to explode from the amount of dessert you'd somehow convinced him to share with you, but the weight tugging at his shoulders feels lighter now. maybe it's because your hand is folded so naturally into his that neither of you have thought about letting goâor the fact that you managed to get rid of all those bags, thanks to him.
âit's nice to talk to you,â you murmur after a while, your gaze lingering on the river instead of him. the city stretches across the water in ribbons of gold and white, every reflection trembling with the movement of the current. âwithout the phone. easier to hear you.â
another breeze rolls against the river, cool enough to send little ripples across the water and lift loose strands of your hair across your face.
âuuuuhuh, iâm sure.â sunghoon smiles at you, easy-going and so reassuring it makes your pulse race. âkeep pretending like we didnât meet how we did.â
âthe hell?â
you glance at him. all he does is squeeze your hand onceâthen, the corners of his mouth lift into that small, effortless smile.
your heart gives an embarrassingly obvious thump. you let out a laugh before you can stop yourself, ducking your head almost immediately as warmth rushes into your cheeks. âdonât look at me like thatââ
âlike what?â
sunghoon stops walking. your footsteps falter a beat too late.
your hands are still joined, the sudden halt tugging you backwards before you can catch yourself. you stumble lightly into his chest, the front of his hoodie brushing against your sleeves as his fingers tighten instinctively around yours to steady you. your free hand lands against the warmth of his ribs, and for one, disorienting moment, all you can hear is the wind behind you and the quiet hitch in his breathing.
sunghoon looks down. you're close enough now that the warm lights stretching across this dim path catch in his eyes, turning the dark brown almost amber beneath the glow. a strand of your hair has fallen across your cheek again, flowing in the breezeâand sunghoon, stupidly, reaches up without thinking.
his knuckles brush your skin firstâthen his fingertips. they slip carefully beneath the loose strand, tucking it behind your ear with a tenderness that makes your chest ache. it lingers for a moment longer than necessary, five seconds too much just to move a strand of hair away, and his thumb rests lightly against your temple as though heâs trying to memorise the shape of your face underneath his touch.
oh. you canât tear your eyes off of him.
park sunghoon looks like someone you could know forever. a gaze so gentle that youâd think heâs known whoever heâs looking at for a thousand yearsâa touch so tender that itâs unbelievable that heâs never loved anyone else.
the smile tugging at the corners of his lips dissolves into something almost disbelieving. sunghoonâs forehead dips, just enough so that your face comes into full focus, and the space between you disappears disappears so gradually that neither of you seem to notice how your noses almost brush.
his breath ghosts over your lips. warm, nothing like the cold air thatâs enveloping you both. sunghoon hesitates for a momentâeven now, he wonders just what heâs done to deserve this. he wants you to choose, and you do.
closing the distance, your lips find his with all the gentleness of someone coming home after being gone for too long.
for one impossible, weightless moment, the whole world seems to narrow until it is nothing more than the warmth of your mouth against his. the quiet rush of wind rolling off your skin, your hand tightening ever so slightly around the fabric gathered at his chestâevery sleepless night, every apology, every version of this moment he'd rehearsed alone in his room dissolves the instant you kiss him back.
park sunghoon's convinced nothing has ever felt this right.
you're soft against him, kissing him with the same quiet hesitation you've carried all evening, as though you're still afraid that pressing yourself any closer might shatter whatever fragile thing the two of you have only just managed to rebuild. meanwhile, sunghoon melts into it like he's been starvingâhe holds himself back for only a heartbeat before months of missed chances quietly unravel between you, his hand sliding around your waist with a tenderness so instinctive it almost startles him. he gathers you closer, careful enough to let you pull away whenever you want. you do not.
instead, your fingers slip from the front of his hoodie to the back of his neck, threading into the soft hair resting there. the movement draws the smallest, almost inaudible breath from him, and before he realises he's doing it, he's smiling into the kiss.
itâs contagious. youâre smiling now, too.
your lips part around a tiny, breathless laugh, and the sound is enough to make a smile form on his face. sunghoon leans in again without thinking, chasing another kiss, only for the movement to catch you off guard. you stumble back half a step, dragging him with you by the collar of his hoodie until the both of you have to force yourselves to stand properly.
your foreheads bump together as his arm tightens instinctively around your waist, trying to stop you from losing your balance.
âdo you kiss all your girlfriends like this, sunghoon?â
âdonât piss me off,â his arm loosens from your waist for half a second, just enough for you to stumble before he catches you immediately, pulling you back against his chest with an annoyed sigh. âi donât kiss anyone else.â
âi couldâve died right here. do you even care about me? should i just die right now?â
you stop right in front of your building. the path is uneven here, the road tilted upward; the automatic doors slide shut behind somebody leaving, and the chime hums softly before settling into silence again.
âsooha,â you smile. the blush that infects sunghoonâs face spreads like a wildfireâyouâre the one teasing now, after an entire day of his antics. âyou had a thing with her, iâm guessing?â
âwell, i wouldnât call it a thing,â sunghoon sighs, thumb rubbing against the back of yours. he swallows before looking at you again. âiâll be honest with youâwe were hooking up.â
he watches your expression carefully for a shift. anything that'll tell him you were upset, or lividâanything at all. he swore he wouldn't blame himself if you were. how would he have known that the love of his life would waltz right in thirty minutes after sooha's exit?
sunghoon adds on a little too quickly. âit was before you.â
âhow long?â you ask, tilting your head. curiosity, it seems, but these are dangerous waters that sunghoonâs treading. based on past experiences, his partners (can he even call them that?) never took to well to a previous acquiantance.
sunghoon almost considers lying, just to make himself sound better, before deciding against it. he's never been too good at that anyway. âon and off. a few months, maybe. nothing that meant anything.â
he exhales through his nose, something between a laugh and a wince. âi know. i wasn'tâi didn't handle it well. i never called it anything, and i never made her think it was anything, but i also never stopped it when i probably should have.â he pauses, âthatâs my fault.â
it's such a sunghoon answer. blunt and completely unflattering to himself, a lack of an attempt to soften it into something easier to hear. you almost want to laugh at how little effort he puts into making himself look good, like it hasn't occurred to him that he could, and youâd never be able to prove otherwise.
you nod, trying to hold your laugh in at the sight of his face. he looks like he's just seen a ghost, no matter how much he tries to hide itâlips pursed together instinctively, eyes wide and scanning yours for any hint of anger. âokay. good to know.â
you give his hand a small squeeze before beginning to loosen your fingers from his, only enough to shift your grip more comfortably. âi appreciate the honesty.â
sunghoon keeps staring. âthat's it?â
âwere you expecting more questions, hoon?â you can't help but smile now, your free hand covering your mouth in an attempt to hide how adorable you find him. âi didn't know you back then. you were still staring at me weird from the stairs.â
âi was not staring,â sunghoon shakes his head, a stray strand of hair falling loose over his brow with the motion. âyou were staring. iâm surprised heeseung didn't notice.â
your jaw drops, mouth falling open in mock offense. "excuse me?"
âwhatever. itâs over now, right?â sunghoon sighs, dragging a hand down his face in dramatic disapproval, fingers pausing briefly over his eyes like he's shielding himself from the sight of your face. "not really trying to share you with him."
âyou're so annoying!â you shove at his shoulder, and he barely rocks with it, solid where he's standing, biting back a grin like he's tryingâbadlyâto look unaffected.
sunghoon's mouth curls into a smile that reaches his eyesâdark in this dim light. he's still taller than you despite standing a few steps higher, your face now level with his, close enough that you can count the individual strands of hair falling loose over his forehead.
his hair is still a mess from the wind, and from your fingers ruffling through the strands earlierâsticking up at odd angles he clearly hasn't bothered to fix, like it hadn't even occurred to him. his cheeks are still faintly red, yet to fully fade since you first touched his skin, and his ears are airbrushed with a soft pink he probably has no idea is visible.
you hope no one else has ever gotten to see it on him before.
it's quiet. no dogs this time, for some reason. itâs just the low hum of the streetlight above you, buzzing faintly, flickering once before steadying again. an occasional cricket announces its presence somewhere in the bushes lining the building, and beneath that, nothing. though, thereâs just your own heartbeat, loud and unreasonable in your ears, and the sound of sunghoon breathing, slow and careful like he's trying not to disturb whatever this is.
sunghoonâs hand is still loosely wrapped around yours, thumb tracing an invisible circle over your knucklesâitâs not quite a habit yet, but close to being one, you can tell. you can feel the calluses along his palm, rough from what you assume is hockey, a strange and grounding kind of proof that this is real, that he's real, standing this close to you at almost midnight with his heart clearly in his throat.
and then, thereâs you. even in this horrible, fluorescent lightingâthe kind that makes everyone look a little sickâyou look undeniably beautiful to him. almost glowing, or maybe he's just sleep-deprived enough that his eyes are playing tricks on him. either way, he thinks, quietly and with helplessness, that he has never wanted to kiss someone this badly in his entire life.
his gaze drops, just briefly, to your mouth. then back up, like he's asking permission before he's even said anything at all.
âcan i kiss you, y/n?â
the question is so earnest it hurts. his voice is breathy, needy, everything that you could possibly ever need in a man right in front of you. you feel like if you fall for itâanswer him right now, that your life ends here, because this is a trap, or a dream, or all of it at once.
youâre already leaning into him, tilting your head until your noses are brushing each otherâs. sunghoonâs breathing so heavily that you feel it against your bottom lip, teasing, just asking for that final push.
one of his large hands settle at your waist. waiting. always waiting.
the kiss is slower than the last one. a little more desperate, maybeâyou feel sunghoonâs large arms wrap around you again, tighter now, tongue swiping against your bottom lip, moving you as he pleases just so he can get the most of you.
you taste like him.
the thoughtâs driving him crazy. you've already confessed everything worth confessing tonight; now, there is only the quiet luxury of learning each other properly, without distance, without static, without the countdown of a call timer reminding either of you that morning would eventually come.
itâs messy in the way that two people are when theyâre starving for each other. borderline greedy, too much tongue and then not enough at all, your hands running along the upper part of his back as you keep him anchored to you. sunghoonâs lips feel so perfect when theyâre against yours, he genuinely believes that this is what heâs been chasing for all twenty-four years of his life.
every time one of you pulls back to breathe, the other closes the distance again without thinking, as though separating has become something your bodies no longer understand. your fingers wander instinctively over the broad line of his shoulders before settling against the back of his neck, keeping him close without ever needing to ask.
sunghoonâs hands remain anchored at your waist, warm through the fabric of your clothes, thumbs tracing absent little movements that make your pulse flutter for reasons you can't quite explain.
ânot here, hoonââ you mumble against his lips before he pulls you right back in. so annoying. sunghoonâs lips crash into yours again, still just as curious, palm flat against the small of your back.
âhm?â the sound vibrates softly between you before he finally relents, resting his forehead against yours instead. one of his hands slides carefully along the curve of your side until it settles once more at the small of your back, holding you as though he'd forgotten any other way to stand. â...tell me where, then.â
you shake your head once, trying very unsuccessfully to compose yourself before meeting his eyes again.
youâre huffing, trying to catch your breath when your hands fall to his chest. the guy is looking at you with the most feverish smile, eyes narrowing because he knows heâs got you flustered.
âupstairs,â you murmur, barely louder than the evening breeze slipping between the apartment buildings. your fingers fist at his hoodie. âcome upstairs.â
park sunghoon likes to think that heâs good at sex.
thereâs nothing complicated about it, really. he knows heâs good at most things.
his bodyâhe knows itâs the kind most people would kill for, the kind other men spend half their lives trying to build. of that, heâs well aware. hockey, school, laundry, cooking, smiling and talking as if nothingâs ever the matter. heâs reduced it to a science: technique, precision, mastery, painstakingly perfected.
the data is there. they scream, they cry out of sheer pleasure, they moan like no one else exists but him, but park sunghoon. he predicts it in the same way he knows heâll get that perfect score, and make that one âluckyâ shotâitâs calculation in itâs most unsurprising form.
human bodies are scientific. their anatomy is roughly similar, so he knows if he moves just like this, whispers just like that, sheâll fold. sheâll crumble underneath him like itâs her first time ever sleeping with a man, clinging onto sunghoon like what heâs doing is some lost art among the modern male.
thereâs significant amounts of advice online to tell him how to please a woman. itâs not rocket science applying these concepts in practice, as heâs doneâand sure, itâs done himself favours. there were nights where sunghoon couldnât believe that heâd ever quit hook ups, but soon realised that thatâs just how his brain works: that thatâs just what the dopamine rush whispers into your ears as you cum for the third consecutive time.
there is a nice predictability in sex. itâs instinct, and where there is instinct, there is nature and nature is almost always studiedâeven if itâs an utter waste of time, stress relief aside.
though, when he finds himself stumbling into your apartment, kicking off his shoes and slide his hoodie off his back while simultaneously trying to keep his lips on yours, he finds himself wanting time to slow itself down.
just something about you, he thinks. that look on your cute face, staring at him like you didnât know what to do with the heat pooling between your legs; you stumble against him a few times while you both try to find your way to your bedroom, shoulders nudging against light switches and shoving a few chairs out of place. your laundry is still on the couch from this morning, you noteâbut when sunghoon puts his hand on your jaw, forcing you to look at himâthe reminder fades completely.
âwhat am i going to do with you?â sunghoon grins, letting his ass fall to the edge of the bed. sitting up, his hoodieâs discarded somewhere by the entryway, and the only article of clothing left being his jeans. his hands roam your bodyâup and down, before looping around your waist and pulling you between his spread legs. âso pretty.â
you whimper when his hands begin sliding underneath your top. âcan i, baby?â
itâs almost pathetic how fast you nod. your hands rest on his shoulders, eyes locked on the way he leans closer to your belly. sunghoonâs slender fingers move up your warm skin, now burning hot under his touch, and eventually, he lifts your shirt completely.
âyou sure about this, y/n?â sunghoon looks up, pupils blown with his cheek resting against your bare stomach. âwe can stop. whatever you wanna doââ
ân-no,â you sigh, watching sunghoonâs eyes blink up at you, so dazed. âi want you, hoon.â
he hums at your response, turning his head so his lips touch the skin of your belly. theyâre still wet from your earlier kisses, pressing nice and slow until he reaches from your belly button to your ribcage. truthfully, sunghoonâs mind has already gone to mush at the mere scent of you: the sweat from the day and your perfume blending into one, the heat from your body, that he just canât help but to start leaving hickeys along the exposed area.
âiâll make you feel so good, y/n,â he mumbles against your skin. âbut you gotta be good for me. you can do that, canât you?â
oh. heâs that kind of guy.
somethingâs flipping in your stomachâsimmering low, intense, nothing like youâve ever felt before. you stare down at him, face visibly flushed from the way heâs touching you; your knees almost buckle upon hearing his voice, and sunghoon canât help but let a chuckle out at that in between kisses.
âcanât hear you. speak up for me.â
you swallow, feeling sunghoonâs hands exploring furtherâuntil his thumbs are right on your nipples, bypassing your annoying bra, rubbing gentle circles, smiling up at you like heâs done nothing too crazy.
ây-yeah, i can,â your voice comes out a tad too soft for his liking, evidently, because his little grin fades into something more displeased.
sunghoon stands up instead, large hands hooking around the hem of your shirt and helping to pull it off of you. your arms point to the ceiling, naturally, letting the fabric part from you with a gaspâthe cold air hits your skin, and the wet imprints of kisses on your stomach feel even icier now.
he moves back to your stomach, taking in your scent; itâs even more potent now when youâre bare like this. curiosity gets the better of him once his nose bumps against your bra, his hair nuzzling against your chest as one of his hands move to unclasp it. effortless.
âsunghoon, stop teasing,â you whine, watching him lean back. sunghoon pulls your bra off of you on one swift motion. itâs an understatement to say that you were prettyâjust gorgeous when youâre naked in front of him like this.
he ignores you. asshole.
sunghoonâs fingers hook around your skirt nextânot quite pulling it down just yet. then, almost as if youâve done something wrong, he stands up.
you forget how huge he is for a second. when the dim warmth of your lamp hits him, you lose your breath completely. every muscle is highlighted in orange, the definition outlined by shadows that leave you wanting, and itâs like air is caught in your throat from how unfairly good he looks.
âiâll ask again,â sunghoon mutters, hands back down to your waist, and then your hips, and then heâs flipping you over onto the mattress. âyouâll be good for me, wonât you?â
whatever. fuck it.
all sense of reasoning leaves your body at once. sunghoon cages you between his arms, staring into your eyes, and the look in them sends pure electricity through your veins. he looks hungry, thirsty, like he needed you right now or heâd die.
and still, he waits for an answer.
âiâll be s-so good, hoonie, i promise.â
the nickname doesnât leave a bad taste in his mouth anymore. itâs been a while since heâs heard itâbut when it comes from you, god, it sounds like itâs dripping in honey and coaxing him into whatever trap you laid out for him.
âgonna fucking kill me,â he rasps, pulling away before pressing a kiss to your cheek, down to your jaw, then to the patch of skin underneath your earlobe. the feeling of his warm tongue sliding against your skin makes you shudderâcombined with his fingers pressing into your back, feeling every inch of skin, savouring the feeling of you;
when sunghoon first walked in, he noticed how unbearably you your room was. decorated in posters of your favourite bands, little trinkets here and there that he has no clue how you keep organized. his eyes glazed over your desk, your laptop, your lamp, and everything that you chose to keep that would now remind him of youâright now, your legs are wrapped around his hips, heels digging into his ass while he grinds nice and slow against the warmth of your pussyâfeeling right through your panties, skirt tossed somewhere in the corner of the room.
what was most interesting about your room was that mirror in the cornerâperhaps he was a pervert for wondering, only for a moment, if you had ever touched yourself in front of that very reflection. he could imagine your legs spread in desperation, knuckles deep in yourself as you chased whatever high you terribly wanted.
did you think of anyone? did you get off to the sound of his voice? though, most importantly, would you let him ruin you in front of that little mirror of yours?
âcan i take this off?â he whispers into your ear, hands roaming down from your neck and to the lace around your pantiesâyou nod again, and the chuckle that escapes his lips only sends shivers down your spine.
your legs fall to the side of his thighs, leaving you bare and spread in front of his eyes. âwhat about you?â
sunghoon literally laughs in your face. âbe patient, baby. havenât even gotten you nice ân loose yet.â
your breath hitches at his vulgarity. the image pops up behind your eyelids: sunghoonâs long, pretty fingers buried somewhere deep in you, curled at the perfect angle and prodding at that one spot that makes you sees starsâhow long would it take for him to get there? would he even know how to?
famous last words, as they say. it takes four minutes for sunghoon to have your thighs pinned to the mattress, three to have the tip of his index and middle fingers inside of you and two to get you whimpering like a hot, pathetic mess.
maybe just one to get you soaking his wrists.
âwhatâs wrong, baby?â sunghoon pouts. his eyes are glimmering in the dark, the tiny light left outside reflecting off his irises. in this atmosphere it just seems like a mockery. âtoo much for my pretty girl? she canât seem to get enough, though.â
and then his eyes flick down to where you suck him inâglistening, disgustingly sloppy and wet where you take every inch like it was always meant to be yours. itâs times like these where you truly believe fate is real; because thereâs just no way you were this close to going your entire life without thisâwithout sunghoonâs fingers buried knuckle deep into you.
âh-hoon, ughâfuck!â you squeal when he curls his fingers just right, and he just watches, an eyebrow raised like you were some intriguing specimen. just a body underneath his touch, poking and prodding and spreading you as wide as he can, as best as he can. everything he does seems to illicit some reaction from you, too amusing for him to stop. âplease, gonna cum, iâm gonna cum, nghââ
âso quick?â sunghoon sighs, kissing his teeth. âgod, youâre so cute. must be too much, then?â
and then, he slows down. ripping your delicious orgasm right from your useless fingers.
ân-noooo,â you drawl, nails clawing into sunghoonâs veiny forearms as he nods slowly, expecting a coherent answer. what a mistake, as if you could even think straight right now. âitâs notâitâs not, fuck, i can take it.â
sunghoon chuckles, head tilting up just enough to get your pretty face in full view. âreaaally? need my permission to cum, too?â
your stomach flips at the way he says itâlow and sultry and teasing, like he knows exactly what heâs doing to you. rearranging your guts with his hands alone, whispering these ridiculous things to you, expecting zero reactions. is he stupid? has he lost it?
âyou trying to snap my fingers off? relax, baby. canât have that.â
the humiliation washes over you rather quickly, but disappears just as fast when you feel every muscle in your body beginning to lock up. the words canât even find themselves, too lost in your mushy brainâeverything narrows down to the man with his hands between your legs, pumping his stupidly long fingers in nâ out, watching you lose every piece of sanity you have left.
âwhoâd have known. such a sensitive girl,â and his thumb brushes against your swollen clit with just enough pressure to have you twitching, but never to cross that final, potentially fatal line. âdo you always cum this fast?â
sunghoon sighs dramatically. if you couldnât see his face, youâd have assumed that he was irritated with youâbut your eyes havenât left his, nor the red in his cheeks and his slightly parted lips, groaning whenever you buck your hips against his palm, feeling the friction of your clit against his skin. they occasionally glance down at the tent in his pants, fighting against tight cloth to be freed, twitching and already forming a dark, wet patch where his tip would be.
âoh my god,â you moan, gripping tight around his wrists. thereâs a part of you that just wants to sit up and grind against his hand yourself, but thatâd be much too embarrassing to live with. âcanâtâcanât, i j-jus⊠canât, please, hoonieââ
the words ring a bell that he canât quite recall, is what he would say if his memory was absolutely terrible. the man remembers exactly when and where you said those terrible, terrible things, under a streetlamp and in a park he had never seen before; so sure that heâd never see you again, and now, here you are, losing your mind and at his mercy.
âoh.â sunghoon grins. cocky little bastard. âyou close? gonna make a mess on hoonie? câmon, soak me. wonât stop âtill you do.â
thereâs something utterly perverted about him tonight. hoonie was never an exclusive nickname, of courseâgeneric by all means. sooha had taken great pleasure moaning and whimpering that exact term a hundred-something nights ago, and sunghoon swears that he mustâve been in a completely different body then. wonders how he ever let the name reach his ears without gritting his teeth, but now that youâre here⊠itâs like a completely different world has opened before his eyes, and his cock has never, ever been harder.
how could he have fucked anyone else when you existed? how could you have slept with other people when he was right there? the selfish thought invades his sick brain as fast as he feels his cock swell up.
never-mind that. this is way more importantâthere comes a point during sex where all the pleasure folds in on itself and magnifies by tenfold, becoming itâs own force, taking over your nervous systemânothing matters. sunghoon doesnât matter. your pride definitely does not matter.
so itâs not really your fault, is it? couldnât possibly be, even if youâre sitting yourself up (with an unreasonable amount of effort) and grinding your hips against his large, calloused hands, and whining like a bitch in heat against his mouth. even less so now that sunghoonâs letting youâhis breath is taken from him when your tongue slides against his, wet and soft and everything he needs to get that pretty cunt fluttering around his digits.
âmy filthy girl,â he moans between kisses, his warm breath ghosting against your glossy lips. your arms are running up and down his shoulders and finding a place to stay anchored, and when they finally do, sunghoon doesnât wince one bit when your nails dig in, out, and in again. âjust look at you, fucking yourself stupid on my fingers.â
you donât hear him. genuinely. itâs all buzzing and static and you feel yourself starting to shake from the hip up. you shudder when he flexes his fingers, and itâs like everything youâve ever done has led to tonight, every choice, every mistake.
âh-hoonie, âm sorryâfuck, need more of you,â you press a searing kiss to his bottom lip, almost missing completely and letting your mouth fall open against his anyway. your breath feel like fire against his skin, and sunghoon can only groan when he feels your walls spasming around his slender fingers. âplease, iâll be so good.â
sunghoon does that same, amused grin on his face, just watching you pant underneath him. the expression only reminds you of that night: you in the kitchen, and him, watching you from the front door on new years eve.
the corner of his lips turn upwards and itâs nothing short of pure perversionâtongue poking at the inside of his cheek, face red with heat crawling up his neck, and an eyebrow cocked up. âare you actually begging me right now? while youâre riding my hand like this?â
you nod your head, frantic. of course youâre fucking begging. itâs been an entire lifetime of teasing and sunghoonâs still dangling the idea of fucking you in your face, just revelling in your visceral and absolutely humiliating reactions.
your mindâs going blank. every thought diverges into park sunghoon and every desire has his stupidly handsome face plastered onto it. your stomachâs so tense that itâs starting to hurt, and you feel lightheaded from how often your breath gets taken right from youâso close, and yet, still so far.
âyes, pleasepleaseplease, iââ
âgod, youâre greedy,â sunghoon mumbles under his breath, using his free hand to push you backwards. your spine hits the mattress with a recoil, and the springs creak just enough to muffle the pathetic whine that slips off your lips. âjust an ungrateful girl. fine, then.â
and then, thereâs nothing. just that mind-numbing feeling of having your body be sent to heaven, only to be denied at the pearly gates.
your heartâs pounding at the sight of him: warm, glistening skin under the dimness of your lamp, chest heaving as he pulls his fingers out from your slick entranceâit feels increasingly, unbearably empty as he retracts his ridiculously long digits. sunghoon does nothing but enjoy the view, eyes glazing over the way your body twists and turns at his cruel punishment.
âcome on. again.â
who does he think he is, really? you kiss and make up, and in the same day, he makes you beg for a little gratification? does he have any idea what he put you through? to be truthful, you could go on and on about how he doesnât deserve any sort of control over youâ
âplease, hoonie. iâll take everythingâfuck, just fuck me already.â
fuck it. you donât care. it doesnât matter that park sunghoon is toying with you. you need him, you need all of him, you need every inch of skin that heâs willing to give and every word heâll spit at you.
park sunghoon isnât exactly inexperienced with sex. he knows that intimacy is one of manâs greatest discoveries, and itâs only natural that he participates in it. as one does. whatâs not normal is that heâs never felt this before: this insatiable, lustful heat simmering in his core, making his cock twitch before itâs even been touched.
god, you look so perfectâspread bare beneath him with inner thighs soaked in your own juices, whining and pleading and begging for a taste of him, as if he wasnât holding himself back already. youâre truly the greediest, just taking and taking even if he tries to take his time.
thereâs blood lingering in his mouth and the metal feels sharp on his tongue, and still, he continues biting on his lip. sunghoonâs eyes never leave yours, hands coming down to unbuckle his belt with a single handâthe other pins your knees open, and while you squirm under the pressure, you never quite gain the courage to defy.
when sunghoon finally leans forward, the scent of him is enough to overwhelm your nervous system; he grunts when your arms wrap around his neck, and your nose nuzzles against his neck like it has nowhere else to go. a deep breath in and itâs like youâve never felt more alive than now.
âthis enough for you?â
he picks up on everything. from the way your eyes never stay on his for too long, to the way you twitch when he presses his briefs right against your cuntâyour breathy moans in his ear as he leans in close, and how quickly you stain the spandex with your slick, mixing with his sticky pre.
âthis should be fine, right? my girl can cum juuust like this.â sunghoonâs voice is the only thing cutting through the fog in your head. itâs spinning so much that gripping onto him is serving as the only anchor to your consciousness. your nails drag along this trapezius, sinking into the superficial skin, waiting for a reaction that never comesâinstead, all he can offer is a mocking smile, fangs bare and taunting.
his hips are teasing. he moves them slow, taking his time with every drag of up and down, the fabric sliding between your pretty folds and swollen clit; thereâs a brief second where he feels the tip of his cock slide into you through the barrier of clothing, only to slip free when he slides up again.
âso perfect,â sunghoon whispers into the conch of your earâyou donât realise what heâs said until you feel his sharp teeth gliding against your helix, before he finally nips at it. âyouâre so perfect, baby. made for me, arenât you? canât believe i almost let you go.â
sunghoon thinks about how ridiculous he must look right nowâhumping your poor cunt like heâs in heat, holding himself back for reasons beyond him, whispering these obscenely intimate things in your ears like he doesnât want to fuck you right this second. the strain on his cock is getting too much; bloodâs rushing down, heâs aching, and he doesnât know how much longer he has left before he flips you over and has your ass slapping against his skin.
âhoon, fuck, iâm gonna cum,â you say, bucking your hips up just once. wrong move. âplease, donât fucking stopâit feels so good.â sunghoonâs head turns in your direction, nose brushing against your cheek before his mouth meets yours again. he doesnât care that they donât latch properly, nor that heâs practically drinking in your saliva, or that heâs gonna cum just from feeling the friction between your bodies. all sunghoon truly cares about is that youâre holding him like heâs all you truly need in this world.
âyeah? just from this?â sunghoonâs hand comes up to grip at your jaw, thumb and index pressing deep into the flesh of your cheeks. his body feels heavy on top of you, quick little movements doing the most to get you both over the edgeâand though he still seems a little more composed than you, it all goes to shit when your fingers graze the sides of his ribs. âfuckâdo it. cum for me, please, y/nââ
his hands run up your arms until his fingers are tracing your palms, slithering between your own, before finally interlacing. sunghoonâs pressing sweet kisses to your jawline as you moan into thin autumn air, feeling the vibrations of his groans against your throat; he moves at a frenzied pace, chasing friction that wonât ever compare to being buried tip to cervix, but itâs all he can get right now.
âiâm fucking cumming, hoon, oh my godââ
twenty seconds. twenty seconds is all he needs to have you gushing all over the spandex of his briefs, and twenty-five is all you need to chase his lips because you know youâll scream if you donât. perhaps around thirty for him to stop feeling like the room is spinning, and him along with itâyour tongues meet and circle on anotherâs again, moans clashing between desperate attempts to slow down, and itâs only sixty for him to finally hook his thumbs around his boxers and shove them down his thighs.
thwap.
sunghoonâs heavy in a way you canât say out loud. words get caught in your throat, with nothing but a pathetic hitch in your breath being audible. heâs so unbelievably pretty, flushed a deep red from the relentless teasing heâs put you through, serving as confirmation that heâs wanted this as much as you have.
he stares for a minute, catching his breath, before his hand reaches for youâspreading your folds wide between his fingers, watching it glisten under the orange light, almost sparkling if he could look close enough. the sheets below are soaked with youâa large, wet patch thatâs darker compared to the rest of the pink duvet.
âthought about this pretty pussy for weeks,â sunghoon lets his saliva collect in the well of his tongue, before spitting a thick glob riiight onto your entrance. âand now youâre aaaall mine. arenât you, baby?â
sunghoon looks up just as the name rolls off his tongue. you look absolutely wrecked, hair tangled in places where you didnât even know it could get tangledâtear stains running down your face and highlighting the flush on your cheeks so well. your eyes are wide, caught between staring at his leaking cock and his expectant eyes, shifting between the two every now and then;
a reverent sigh leaves you when sunghoon begins pumping himself, nice and slow using his hand, spreading the pre all over his hardened length. sounds of wet slick echo through the room as he strokes, just enough to get himself wet, before his knees shift forward and heâs finally, finally letting himself touch you without a stupid barrier.
âgonna stuff this pussy full,â sunghoon hisses through his teeth. âpump you full of my cum, fuck, i canât hold back anymoreââ his right hand wraps around the base of his cock, the back of your knees brushing against his thighs as he pulls you flush against him. youâre still heaving by the time he taps his mushroom tip against your folds, running it along the wetness of it, once or twice before aligning himself with you.
âyouâre so⊠annoying,â you huff, eyebrows pinched together, watching his jaw go slack at how warm you feel even from the outside. sunghoonâs stomach is in knots, anticipating the moment he finally sheathes himself all the way, how youâd probably claw at his skin from the sheer stretchâ
park sunghoon is thick. so undeniably heavy and dizzying, pushing past your walls, and as much as you clench and squirm around him, they offer no real resistance. your pussy takes him in like it needs himâsquelching when he bottoms out at last, big arms caging your relatively smaller head between themâall the air in your lungs feels like itâs being siphoned out.
who the fuck is this big? when was the last time youâve had something this huge inside of you?
âo-oh my fucking god,â his eyes screw shut for one, weightless second, before they shoot back open. he stares down at where you two finally meet, your velvet walls fluttering around him so warmly, a desperate whimper clawing itâs way out of his throat thatâs interrupted by a messy kiss.
âso perfect, baby, youâre so perfect,â he mumbles against your swollen lips, hips at a standstill because he plain refuses to moveâconvinced that heâll cum as soon if he so much as shifts his weight. âwish you could see your face. so pretty when youâre taking me.â
âyouâre⊠fucking⊠crazy,â you whisper against his mouth before your hands tangle in his hair; they bunch around the dark locks, pushing his lips against yours again, and he laughs between the sloppy attempts to lock your lips togetherânoses bump and his forehead thuds against yours. âjust fuck me, please, hoon.â
âlook at what you do to me,â he sighs, his warm breath sending shivers down your spine. borderline addictive the way you wriggle underneath his touch, like you know his size would knock you out cold, but you still beg through small movements. âall your fault, isnât it? and you keep asking for more. just a needy little slut for me, huh?â
and then his hips retractâpulling out halfway, your cunt still weeping from the reduced contact. he looks back down, hair falling over his forehead, marvelling at the way his cock glistens with you. so utterly filthy.
you whimper when you feel the emptiness. his veins slide against your gummy walls as he pulls out agonizingly slow. âdonât wanna hear you complaining tomorrow morning, then.â
sunghoonâs pace is slow at first. gentle, sweet thrusts that still manage to make you see starsâheâs too afraid to hurt you, too busy savouring in the sweet moans that sprinkle in his name every once in a while. he feels hot, every bone in his body begging for him to hurry and stuff you full of his cockâbut how could he? youâre taking him so well just like this, and all he wants is to drag every second out longer, until he dies blissfully happy in this pussy of yours.
âfuck, mmnghââ and the man slams his lips against yours as his fingers find yours again. you wonder just how many times youâve managed to kiss tonight, but the thought immediately wipes itself clean when he angles his hips so deliciously right that you feel him all the way in your throat.
âshit, i canâtâyouâre too fucking big,â the sound of your breath shakes, too much for his brain to compute, and something primal claws at his sick brain until all heâs thinking about is folding your knees up and bullying your cunt âtill itâs red. you moan into nothing, hands running over every hard-earned muscle in his back, eyes screwing shut because looking at him feels like a perverted form of self-torture. âfuck, you feel so good, hoonie.â
âyeah?â and sunghoon literally feels every thread of sanity snap when you say his name again. âfuck, look at me thenâwanna see your pretty face.â your thighs shake with every slap of wet skin, his heavy body shifting the bed closer to the wall as he pounds and pounds and pounds. his hands move the damp strands of hair out of your eyes, ensuring the perfect, unobstructed view.
you mewl, all sweet and so coaxing when he presses an innocent kiss to your cheek. itâs wet and salty on his tongue, but sunghoonâs smiling so wide that you think he mustâve truly fucking lost it completely.
âwant you harder, hoonânot enough, please,â you whisper against his mole. thereâs just something in the way youâre batting your eyelashes at him that he thinks is sending his nervous system into overdrive, but itâs irrelevant now. your pleas sound like honey to his ears, but the one singular thought that keeps circling his mind is if youâll be able to take him like that.
his hands slide back down, stopping right where your tits areâhis thumb grazes the hardened bud before he begins to palm at the mound of flesh. âf-fuckââ
âgod, canât hold myself back anymore,â sunghoonâs nose nuzzles against your neck and he takes his time breathing in your scent. the smell of your shampoo lingers, now masked mostly by sweat and fading perfume, and it faintly reminds him of a familiar library where all he could focus on was you, you, you.
you, beautiful you. you whoâs underneath him now, pleading with him to give you what you wantâstill so naive, still so unaware, asking for things you have no idea what to do withâyou, who bats her eyelashes with a curiosity he doesnât know how to address, not without showing you.
he licks a long stripe along your jaw, rutting into you a little faster now. sunghoonâs hands find their way to the sides of your head; rationality has long left him, and his brainâs all foggy with visions of you. he wonders if he could take you just as well on the counter, on the desk, or by the window, and he just gets needier.
heâs getting sloppy and his brainâs all fuzzy. heâs not even sure what the rush is; when thereâs someone else in his bed, he almost always finds it easier to take his time. teasing, foreplay, whatever the fuck you wanted to call itâhe realised that the reactions he got were much more visceral.
but nowâgod, he needs you to cum around his cock as soon as possible.
âf-fuck, nghâpussy was made just for me,â he mutters under his breath, pushing himself upâhe towers over you like this, lowlights bathing his skin in warmth all over again as his arms wander down to your waist, then your hips, and then to the back of your knees. âw-whatâs wrong, hm? gotta speak up, baby. let me hear you. all that talking was just for show, huh?â
âf-fuuuuhâhoon, please, t-too muchââ
âah-ah, take it like the good girl you are,â his eyebrows knit together in focus, and a bead of sweat rolls down his face, down his chin and drips right onto the valley of your breasts. ây-yeaaah, see? just like that.â
youâre choking on a sob by the time he folds your knees upâbrutal, to say the least. your tits get squished by your thighs as he pins your legs up, sunghoonâs rough fingers wound tight around the soft flesh, bullying his way into your poor cunt.
the sounds echoing through the room might as well be featured in a porno. your moans mix until itâs an amalgamation of yeses, gentle sobs, and sunghoonâs relentless teasing. every thrust knocks the wind out of you, your hands clawing at his wrists and leaving red streaksâbut the pain barely even reaches himâthe only thing on sunghoonâs mind is how gorgeous you look underneath him, taking every inch like itâs what you were born to do, moaning the name he spent so long hating;
âf-fuck, i love you, love fucking this pussy so muchââ he hisses through his teeth, eyes zeroed on the way your eyes roll every time he buries himself to the hilt. your head tilts back, throat bobbing as you swallow back embarrassing moan after embarrassing moanâsunghoonâs making it difficult with the way he presses against your belly with one hand, the other holding your left thigh up. âshit, baby, you can be louder than that, canât you?â
oh, fuck park sunghoon. fuck this stupidly huge cock drilling itâs way through you, and fuck this ridiculously gorgeous man who has you biting back screams, fuck everything, fuck how good you feelâyour vision is clouding, stars exploding behind your eyelids every time you shut them, and all you can do is just sit and take it. âs-sunghoon, a-ahâslow down, iâm gonna fucking cum againââ
he kisses his teeth, now resorting to grinding his hips against yours. the angle is new, almost beautiful in itâs discovery. his hands are too curious, before settling on the fat of your ass, palming and fondling and treating it like his personal stress-toy untilâ
smack.
the moan you let out on contact is nothing short of humiliating. his palm smooths over the handprint, now blooming red right before his eyes, and your brain actually short-circuits for a second.
âfuck,â sunghoon laughs, mocking, rude and mean all in one. âyou into that shit?â
the sting sends electricity through your body. sunghoon pulls his hips back just enough, before sliding back between your pretty folds so slow that it actually makes you gasp. every single time he pushes himself back in, itâs like you have to get used to it all over againâthe stretch never becomes familiar, always melting your brain and forcing every coherent thought you have to mere nonsense.
âgod, youâre such a fucking slut,â sunghoonâs head tilts back momentarily, his hair falling with the gravity and sending little drops of sweat down his neck and onto his back. his heartâs beating all wild now, cock aching for more friction, more force, more of you; so greedy and full of desire, bringing his hand up to land another harsh blow to your ass.
âa-ahâhoon!â you hiss, but you never really try to stop it. you squirm, hips jerking with every slap he decides to give you, but sunghoon knows your cunt tells a different tale: your pussy clenches around him so tight that itâs suffocating him, just begging for his load, and itâs driving him insane. ât-too rough, i canâtâslow down, fuck, youâre gonna break the bed in halfââ
itâs true. the frameâs creaking upon each thrust, headboard slamming against the walls, but why would sunghoon care? fuck, heâll buy you a whole new bedroom if he has to, so long as you just let him have you like this for a little longer.
âdonât give a shit, haaâiâll buy you a new one, mm? fuck you again âtill we break that one too. bet youâd want that, wouldnât you?â he grins, and the corner of his lips turn up sharply when he sees how utterly fucked out you look. thereâs this familiar expression heâs seen on other girlsâwhen sunghoon proves to be too much for them to handle, and they end up tapping outâbut itâs none of that on you. no matter how much you cry that you canât take it, you cling onto him like the only thing you know, want, and need is him.
âanswer me.â
and the coil in your stomach begins to tighten almost instantlyâyou donât even realise that his hands have made itâs way up to your jaw, thumb and index pressing into the bone. a small squeal escapes your throat, and there it is again; that innocent look written all over your face, making sunghoonâs stomach do somersaults. his grip gets firmer with each passing second, before you finally manage to speak:
ây-yes, fuck, need itâi want it, pleasepleasepolease, sunghoon!â
itâs times like these were sunghoon really is convinced heâll never quit sex. not when thereâs a woman like you, with a pussy like this, with a voice so sweet that it makes his chest ache and his cock drip pre. itâs quite a confusing matter, actually, considering heâs never been one to talk too much during the actâthat shit just leads nowhere, and feelings get confused by the time he comes down from his high, but god, he doesnât think his mouth can stop at this rate, not when itâs you heâs buried in.
âyeaaah? gonna cream all over me, baby? make a mess all over this cock, come on.â sunghoon nods feverishly, both hands pinned to the undersides of your knees now, pushing you deeper and deeper into the mattress. your mind tries to catch up, but the pace at which he moves is too relentless for any real thought to form.
his hair falls over his face when he leans forward, just enough to press his full weight down on you. sunghoonâs washboard abs tense every time your nails claw at his chest and just thinking felt weirdly impossible now. your mindâs reduced to slush, ears ringing with wet smacks and constant grunts from the man above you. thereâs an occasional moan that slips from him, to which he realises, far too quickly, turns you on more than youâd (probably) ever be willing to admit. mental note for the next time he decides to rearrange your guts, he supposes.
sunghoon glances down again. just for a moment. in the past twenty seconds thatâve passed, you both donât realise how close youâve got, damp foreheads pressed against each other in something sweet in the midst of all the roughness. his grunts have transformed into something else completelyânow laced with need and breathy pleas, begging.
âthere we go, yeahâcum on my cock, please, baby. iâm so fucking closeââ
âi love you.â
the words almost kill him.
something seems to have snapped almost instantaneously. park sunghoonâs lips crash into yours with newfound fervor, and every muscle in his body seems to be operating on the sole purpose of getting you to come undone. heâs so fucking tired, trulyâbut the pain fades and all the soreness in his muscles from yesterdayâs practice is irrelevant now.
âyeah? you love me?â his pussydrunk face is the only thing in view, a small gasp slipping when he feels you clench down on him. his hips begin to stutter, jerk, pace faltering. his eyes stare into yours through the gaps in his damp hair, waiting for an answer. âfuck, say it againâplease.â
âi love you, sunghoon,â you whisper, almost sultry, your voice barely reaching his ears but ghosting against his lips anyway. âi-i love youââ
a starving man he proves to be. his lips lock with yours again, and this time, they never really leave. his tongue swirls around yours, drinking up every sound that you have to offer, still rutting into your cunt like he needs to fuck a whole new generation into you. your core tenses up so much that you think youâre gonna pass out from the impending orgasmâall sunghoon does is moan into your mouth, fingers intertwining with yours as he abuses your pussy with ruthless strokes.
âi love you, y/n,â the words are so sweet it makes your head spin. it doesnât correlate at all with the obscene view beneath you, his soaked pelvis and your thighs pressed up against your stomachâyour hole squelches with every roll, now much messier and haphazard, and the high is so close that you can almost taste it on the tip of your tongue. âthatâs it, baby. let it out for me, just like that.â
so cruel.
âc-cumming, fuck, iâm gonna cum, hoonââ
a revelation comes to sunghoon as soon as your walls begin spasming around his lengthâsunghoon has never had sex this good. you get impossibly tighter, and your moans are broken up by your lungs trying to take in more air. you sob when it hits, almost blinding in itâs entirety as sunghoon continues fucking you through it, feeling how you soak him from the inside and how it gets disgustingly easy to pound into you when youâre this wet.
âfuuuck, o-oh my god,â a guttural sound claws itâs way out of his throat. his forehead dips again, lips still glossy and tasting just like you, entranced by the way your pretty lips part in a silent scream that ends as a loud gasp. âyouâre so fucking tight when you cum, shitââ
sunghoon is gone. just chasing his own release, sloppy thrusts making your juices splurt everywhere; your moans amplify and youâre barely holding your sanity together by the time you come back from whatever plane of reality you decided to visit. his thumb digs into the dip behind your knees, still trying to push his cock deeper into you, tip grazing your cervix every now and thenâgod, itâs pure filth. youâre half convinced that you might have to take the stairs tomorrow if you want to avoid your upstairs neighbour.
humans are truly just animals. sunghoon proves just as much with how frantic he is to spill himself inside of you. truthfully, the thought is stirring him on more than heâd like to admitâwhich is kind of scary, if he thinks too long about it. itâs a shame that heâs incapable of that right now, because all he manages to babble is:
âplease, y/n, can i? let me cum inside of you, please, pleaseâshit, need to fill you up, wanna see it dripping out of you all fucking night, please.â
and you, as drunk on him as he is on you, nods like itâs all youâve ever needed in life.
sunghoonâs hips snap against your ass, eyebrows knit in frustration and lips parted to let an animalistic groan out. you take it, all of it, from the way he kisses you like he wants to eat you up, to the way he thumbs at your clit because he just needs you to unravel with him again. selfish as he is, he canât have this aloneânot when you look so beautiful breaking.
it takes ten seconds for you to cum for the second time, and him, eleven. itâs all heat and lust and pure hunger condensing into one, singular moment, where he buries himself to the hilt and spills months worth of holding back.
your walls pulse around him. your clit throbs unapologetically under his restless thumb, still circling nice ân slow as if you werenât already gasping for air as it is. his dick almost feels like itâs getting bigger, twitching as it shoots load after load, hot and thick as it paints every crevice.
god, what the fuck. sunghoonâs panting when he finally collapses on top of you, the soreness from yesterday creeping up on himâthough he has reason to believe it may be more of your doing. his face buries itself into your neck, not before his hands finally let your thighs loose, dropping right next to his, and for a minute, the two of you simply lay there.
sunghoon breathes you in again, slow enough that the scent of you settles somewhere deep in his chest. your arms slip around his neck without hesitation, fingers disappearing into the soft hair at the nape of it while your lips find his forehead in small, absent kisses that feel less like affection and more like habit. he lets out a quiet sigh against your shoulder, eyes falling shut as warmth spreads through him in steady waves.
âyou smell good today.â
he lets himself believe, just for now, that it can stay this way, though it is probably foolish. if he were being honest, every sensible part of him should still be waiting for the other shoe to drop, for you to wake up and realise you've chosen the wrong person, for the guilt he's carried around for months to finally become heavier than whatever it is you've found in him. even after all of it, all youâve dragged each other throughâyouâre still here, trusting him with your body.
confusing, he thinks. youâre so confusing.
âhoon,â you mumble against his skin. he hums in response. âyouâre being weirdâoh my god. stop sniffing me, iâm getting ticklish.â
he hums against your skin before taking another deep breath in. âdonât care.â
before you, none of this would have unsettled him. there had been other people, other nights, other attempts at filling the empty spacesâand it had been good. he had learned very early that casual was easy to survive because it demanded so little of himâhe could leave before morning and return to his life unchanged, carrying nothing home except the faint smell of someone elseâs perfume and the relief of having avoided being known. it never bothered him. if anything, he preferred it that way.
âcan we wait a little longer?â
âdidnât know you were into cockwarming. youâre sick in the head.â you sigh dramatically, earning a groan from sunghoonâhe shifts his weight slightly, hissing when he feels you squeeze around him again.
âjust give me a minute,â he answers. âneed to remember my first with you. should we take a selfie?â
you fist at his hair and sunghoon winces. âfuck, i was just kidding.â
four in the morning.
the clock on your nightstand blinks the numbers back at you in soft, white light, stubborn and familiar. nine months ago, that hour belonged to a stranger's voice crackling through your speaker and a crush that felt enormous simply because it was all imagination.
you remember lying awake with your phone pressed against your cheek, convinced the boy on the other end of the line was someone else entirely, and now the room is quiet enough to hear the city breathing beyond the windows.
sunghoon shifts against you, cheek warm where it's pressed to your chest, his hair a soft mess beneath your fingers. when he tilts his head up, tiredness still clings to him around the edges of his eyes, but they find yours immediately, like they've learned the route by heart. there is something almost unfair about itâthat the boy who once hid behind another person's name now looks at you with such terrifying honesty.
âcan you get off of me now?â
sunghoon lifts his head just enough to look at you, cheek still resting against your chest, dark hair falling messily across his forehead. he considers the question with suspicious seriousness before leaning over to press another lazy kiss against your collarbone. âno.â
luck and fate. such intangible concepts, but the feeling creeps up on you regardless. the universe seems unusually generous now, which scares youâafter everything thatâs happened, after all the ways the two of you managed to hurt each other before finding your way back, it feels dangerous to believe that happiness could be this simple.
and stillâsomething tells you that this feeling might be yours to keep, anyway, so long as you keep choosing for it to.
sunghoon shifts closer, his voice rough with impending sleep as he presses his face into the warmth beneath your jaw. âi love you, y/n.â
when your eyes flutter open the next morning, the blinds are only half-shut, thin ribbons of sunlight slipping through the gaps and painting pale gold across the floor. there's a t-shirt bunched around your waist that definitely wasn't there when you went to sleep, and your hair is sticking to your cheek in a way that immediately informs you that youâve slept in way too long.
you stretch with a quiet groan, arms reaching above your head until your shoulders pop pleasantly, then roll onto your left side in search of the cooler side of the bedâbut instead, youâre greeted by more warmth.
for a brief, sleepy second, you wonder if autumn has somehow changed its mind overnight. is it summer again?
but then, you see him.
park sunghoon is sprawled face-down across your mattress like somebody dropped him there and forgot to pick him back up. one arm is flung over the edge of the bed, the other trapped beneath your pillow, and his dark hair sticks out in every possible direction. sometime during the night, he'd apparently migrated until three-quarters of his body occupied your side of the bed while you clung to the remaining sliver.
his bare back is outlined by faint shadows of the morning, still unfairly sculpted while knocked out cold. it annoys you, just a little, but enough that you briefly consider stealing the blanket back out of spite.
instead, you stay where you are and watch him.
you watch the slow rise and fall of his ribs beneath your fingertips, the tiny hitch in his breathing every few breaths, and the way one hand twitches occasionally against the mattress as though he's still reaching for you in his sleep.
you lean forward until your lips brush the warmth of his shoulderâbut the words you whisper there are too soft for him to hear.
âi love you too, park sunghoon.â
he sleeps through your confession, completely unaware of the smile that finds your face as you settle next to him again. your heart slows just a fraction, calming when your breathing unconsciously matches the rhythm of the man beside you.
time seems to slow itself down. the morning birds are quieter than usual, the grandmother across the street has spared the neighborhood her daily yelling, and when you look over at your calendar, there is nothing waiting for you there.
for a love this gentle, the universe has chosen to be unusually generous.
kitty!jay who always manages to find the warmest spot in the room, and somehow, itâs almost always you. if youâre sitting down, heâll just quietly curl up against your side without saying anything, resting your head on his shoulder or tucking himself into your chest. he swears down heâs only there because itâs much more comfortable, but everyone knows he just likes being close to you :3
kitty!jay who absolutely loves slow mornings. heâll always wake up before you do, but instead of getting out of bed, heâll lie there quietly watching you sleep for a few minutes before gently brushing your hair away from your face. when you finally wake up, heâll softly mumble, âmorning, baby,â eyes sparkling with affection :3
kitty!jay who pretends he doesnât want attention, but the second you stop petting his hair, heâs subtly leaning back into your hand. heâll never ask you to keep going, instead heâll just shift just enough that your fingers naturally end up running through his hair again. the tiny smirk he tries to hide gives him away every time :p
kitty!jay who loves just sitting in silence with you. you could both be doing completely different things for hours, barely speaking, and heâd still consider it quality time. every now and then heâll glance over just to make sure youâre still there before quietly going back to whatever he was doing. heâs almost proud that you guys are able to spend time together like that, that youâre comfortable enough with him to understand without words what he wants and needs, and that you two can enjoy each otherâs presence without having to fill it with meaningless small talk
kitty!jay who has a habit of silently appearing beside you. one second youâre alone making tea, the next heâs leaning against the kitchen doorway with his arms crossed, watching you with the softest most unguarded expression. when you ask how long heâs been standing there, heâll just shrug and mutter, ânot long,â every single time, even when you both know heâs quite clearly been there for several minutes, content to just stare at you :p
kitty!jay who gets quietly possessive in the smallest ways. if youâre sitting with someone else, heâll casually take the empty seat beside you without saying a word, resting his knee against yours under the table. itâs never obvious enough for anyone to comment on, but you find it impossible not to notice the way his jaw ticks and his brows furrow as he presses his thicker thigh firmer against yours
kitty!jay who acts like your (often relentless) teasing doesnât affect him, rolling his eyes and giving you the most unimpressed look imaginable. then, five minutes later, youâll catch him smiling to himself because he keeps replaying whatever you said. he hates (loves) how easily you make him laugh and get him flustered
kitty!jay who looooves when you play with his hands. heâll pretend not to notice while you absentmindedly trace little shapes over his knuckles, but inside heâs completely melting. eventually, heâll just turn his hand over so your fingers naturally lace together, still acting like itâs not intentional
kitty!jay who always seems to know when your social battery is running low. before you even say anything, heâs quietly asking if you want to step outside for a few minutes or offering to leave early with you. he never makes you explain yourself, he just notices, and quickly pulls some bullshit excuse out of his ass to spew to the rest of his friendsÂ
kitty!jay who isnât overly affectionate in public, but heâll always find tiny excuses to touch you. brushing imaginary lint off your sleeve, fixing your necklace, resting a hand against your back as you walk through a crowd. all small gestures, but they make you feel safer every single time, even more so when you start to notice how intentional he is with them, despite acting otherwise
kitty!jay who gets so comfortable around you ridiculously quickly. heâll steal your blanket without realizing, insist on you wearing his hoodies (âthey just look so much better on you, sweetheartâ), shift you completely so youâre resting your legs on his lap while watching a movie, then look genuinely confused when you point out how clingy heâs being. âno, iâm not,â heâll insist, completely serious
kitty!jay who instinctively looks for you whenever something funny happens. even if youâre across the room, his eyes immediately find yours because your reaction is always the one he wants to see most. if youâre already giggling, heâll end up laughing even harder, his eyes bright with affection as he takes in the sound of your laughter like itâs the last time heâll hear it, noting the way your body racks with each stifled giggle as you bury your face in your hands :p
kitty!jay who never notices how much his voice changes when itâs just the two of you. around everyone else, itâs steady and teasing, always paired with a sarcastic comment or a smug little grin. but the second youâre alone together, all of that quickly slips away. his shoulders loosen, his guard drops without him realizing, and his voice falls into this quiet, almost sleepy murmur that barely carries across the room. youâll find yourself leaning in closer just to catch what heâs saying because somewhere along the way he stopped feeling like he had to fill the silence. he never realised he did it until jake pointed it out, face smug and eyes narrowed as he wiggled his finger at jay. jay just shrugs, denies it, and mutters something about him âhearing things,â despite the way he knows heâll immediately slips back into that softer voice the next time youâre alone together :3
kitty!jay who gets impossibly more gentle whenever youâre upset. he doesnât crowd you with questions or rush you into talking, instead, heâll jus quietly make his way over until heâs sitting beside you, close enough that his shoulder brushes yours. heâll ask what happened once, softly, and if you arenât ready to answer, he wonât push. heâll simply nod, reach for your hand if youâll let him (you always do), and stay. if you start crying, his whole expression softens. his brows knit together as he instinctively pulls you against his chest, one hand rubbing slow circles over your back while the other gently cradles the back of your head. âbaby, iâve got you,â heâll murmur, his voice low and calm. he doesnât care if you cry all over him or sit there in silence for half an hour. as long as youâre in his arms, heâll stay exactly where he is until youâre ready to let go :(
kitty!jay who remembers every tiny thing you mention. you cannot get anything past him if itâs even remotely to do with you. your favourite drink, the snack you couldnât find once, that random flower you pointed out months ago⊠it all sticks with him. then one day heâll casually hand you the random chocolate bar you tried once (and loved) months ago, without saying anything, like he doesnât go well out of his way to try and remember every detail about you on purpose :3Â
letâs go to HELLLUGHHH
aka nsfw under divđł
kitty!jay who is totally a butt guy⊠in every way. heâs grabbing handfuls if heâs got you in doggy, the crack of his hand against your soft skin reverberating around the room as his thrusts pick up. even just walking around the apartment, heâs groping you at any given moment, pawing at your sweatpants as the tent in his gets bigger. you try (and fail) to mask at least some of the fondness in your eyes at his ministrations, but you just canât help it, especially not when he gets so desperate just from a few touches in passing :(
kitty!jay who literally canât help himself from purring when he gets inside your wet heat, the vibrations only spurring you on as he nuzzles against your neck, harshly contrasting the way he pinches your nipples and shamelessly gropes at your chest as you ride him, temporarily stopping his ministrations to bite and suck at your neck, his throat still humming loudly :p
kitty!jay whoâs so big on foreplay that it becomes like torture for you. heâs content to just have you sat on his lap for hours as he nips at your bottom lip, tongue darting out to brush over it before you can even flinch. he sucks little bruises onto the bottom of your neck, ignoring your whines that itâs âchildishâ and instead opting to just start biting down on another spot, kneading at your ass or gently rubbing your clit through your panties as he does so. and youâre literally never safe⊠even on long drives heâs got a hand on your thigh, slowly inching up as you squirm in discomfort, actutely aware of the heat now pooling between your legs. you clench them on instinct, only to be met again with his beaming smirk, finding it harder to hold himself back now that he knows heâs got you right where he wants you. i bet heâs an ear nibbler tooughghghg
kitty!jay who likes to mark his territory by cumming all over your tits, pulling himself out of your tight throat to grab at your chest instead, sticking two fingers in your mouth to keep you satiated as he manhandles you where he wants you. heâll look you dead in the eyes when cumming, jerking himself off with one hand as fast as he can whilst still maintaining eye contact and pushing his long fingers further down your throat. he cums with a groan all over your chest, gaze fond as he looks down at you, his beautiful girl :(
kitty!jay who doesnât realise his size until youâre silent beneath him, face buried in your pillows, back arched. he leans down to tap you gently on your waist, still bottomed out inside of you, just to hear a muffled and whiny âcanât take it, jay, sâ too big,â as you drool over the bed, eyes teary and gaze far away. heâs almost scared at how fast a grin spreads across his face âyou can be good for me, baby, canât you?â he coos in return, forcing mock sympathy, relishing your whimpers and moans when he reaches a hand around to rub at your puffy clit :(
kitty!jay who just canât help himself, who loves you so much he just has to have every part of you, brushing his thumb over your puckered hole as a small pout forms on his face at your twitching and whining. even after so many years he canât believe he gets to have you like this, spread and willing to take whatever heâll give you, heâs sooo lucky n youâll never let him forget it :3
kitty!jay who gets off on you getting off. when heâs inside your wet heat, he can only cum after knowing you have, and itâs not even just a pride thing, itâs just that youâve ruined him as heâs ruined you. heâs so used to the way you clamp around him as you squeal, heâs so used to the creamy ring of combined fluids that forms around the base of his cock, how can anybody expect him to be able to get off without seeing that first? even if heâs not inside, when heâs buried between your legs instead, he feels immense satisfaction when you finish on his tongue, grinding down on him while simultaneously trying to arch away from him as he harshly tweaks your nipples, comparable even to his own orgasm (so much so that he has to look down and check he hasnât cum in his pants like a teenager) heâs so down bad for you :(
kitty!jay who (shamefully) feels jealous of the toys you have to use when heâs away. realistically, he knows itâs his fault for leaving you frustrated for a week or two while heâs on a business trip, but he still canât stop the annoyance bubbling up inside of him when you shyly recall how you got off over the phone. he ignores the tent in his pants to mumble back, âbut, âs not better than mine, right?â rolling his eyes at how pathetic he sounded as he said it. but itâs not his fault he just misses you so much, and deep down he knows he can never be replaced, that heâs ruined you for any other other guy to come (god forbid), but he still needs to hear you say it :(
kitty!jay who is such a sucker for cockwarming. if heâs frustrated after a long day thereâs nothing he wants more than to come home and feel you sink yourself down on him, content to just lie back as you nuzzle at his neck. he sees it as the most intimate thing!! typically, heâs hesitant to pull out anyways, so sometimes heâll just keep himself buried inside you, falling asleep with you wrapped up in his arms, cock still nestled between your legs :3
pairing :: sim jaeyun x fem!reader
warnings :: eventual smut, excessive fluff, praise kink, pathetic jake, groping, size diff, non idol au, established relationship, switch!jake (?), degradation, breeding kink, slight somno, sub!jake, belly bulge, dry humping, big dick jake, oral sex
word count :: 2k
a/n :: @ puppyjake honestly love you to death kid youâre a good kid honestly ALSO this is not proofread pls ignore any errorsđ
puppy!jake who follows you around without even realizing heâs doing it. you get up to grab a glass of water, and somehow thirty seconds later heâs wandered into the kitchen too, rubbing the sleep from his eyes. if you point it out, heâll blink at you in confusion before looking around like heâs only just noticed where he ended up. âhmâŠÂ i guess i did.â heâs not even trying to so blatantly trail after you, he just likes being wherever you are, and his feet seem to know that before his brain does :3
puppy!jake who somehow always ends up touching you whenever youâre together. maybe itâs his knee resting against yours, his arm draped lazily behind your shoulders, or his head slowly finding its way into your lap while youâre watching something. he doesnât even think about it anymore; being close to you feels as natural as breathing. if you shift away to grab something, heâll purposely scoot impossibly closer again a minute later
puppy!jake who absolutely lights up whenever you praise him. even something like just telling him he did a good job, has him trying (and failing) to hide the boyish grin spreading across his face. heâll duck his head, scratch the back of his neck, mumble an embarrassed âthanks,â as his cheeks flush profusely :p
puppy!jake who greets you like youâve been gone for months every single time you come home, even if youâve literally just left an hour ago to buy groceries. the second he hears your keys in the door, heâs already standing up with the biggest smile plastered onto his face, bounding up to shamelessly grope at you while using the excuse that he just wants to see what youâve bought home :3
puppy!jake who has theee cutest habit of nudging your hand whenever he wants attention while youâre busy. if youâre reading, scrolling on your phone or working on your laptop, youâll suddenly feel his shoulder bump yours or his forehead gently press against your arm. if you absentmindedly scratch his hair without looking, heâll just smile to himself, (almost) completely satisfied. if you donât notice⊠you can expect an exaggerated sigh, closely followed by another, firmer nudge, nudges that wonât let up until heâs satisfied with the attention you give him
puppy!jake who gets genuinely excited over your interests as if theyâre his own. mention a movie, a hobby or a random fact you like once, and heâs bringing it up days later because he spent time learning about it. not because he suddenly became obsessed with it himself, but because seeing you talk so passionately about something makes him happy. literally nothing makes him smile more than asking you a question and watching your face light up while you explain to him the nuances in whatever it is thatâs got you so excited
puppy!jake who loves more than anything to be intertwined with you as much as he possibly can be. he frequently pulls you into his lap, arms tight around your middle, head bent down to nuzzle into your neck as he gently kisses down your pulse point. if not, somehow half his body will end up draped over your legs or your lap, despite your protests about how heavy he is. heâll mumble âyouâre just extra comfortable,â into your bare stomach as he toys with the hem of your (his) shirt, head in your lap as his lips graze your torso :p
puppy!jake who gets sad whenever youâre sad. heâs not always sure what the perfect thing to say is, and sometimes heâll stumble over his words trying to make you feel better. so instead, he opts to simply stay. heâll sit beside you in silence, rubbing slow circles over your back, holding your hand if youâll let him, and quietly reminding you that he isnât going anywhere until youâre okay, even if it takes hours :(
puppy!jake who sends voice notes instead of texts whenever he can because he likes the idea of you hearing his voice. they usually start with whatever he actually wanted to tell you before turning into him laughing halfway through, getting distracted by something he saw, or remembering another story. some of them end with an absent-minded, âokay⊠i miss you. bye,â before he hangs up, realising heâs forgotten to tell you that youâre out of milk, the whole reason heâd opted to send a voice note in the first place :3
puppy!jake who gets distracted halfway through telling stories because heâs more interested in making you smile than finishing the point. heâll start explaining something that happened during work, somehow end up doing impressions of everyone involved, and then completely lose his train of thought because you let out a soft giggle. âforgot what i was talking aboutâŠâ heâll mumble under his breath, face flushed as you coo at him :p
puppy!jake who completely melts whenever you scratch the back of his neck or run fingers through his thick brown hair. you can literally feel his shoulders relaxing beneath your hand as he leans further into you without thinking. after a few minutes his eyes start drooping, his replies become quieter, and eventually heâs asleep before the movie is even halfway over, still holding tightly onto your hand :(
puppy!jake who naturally drifts closer whenever youâre walking together until your shoulders brush. eventually your hands bump together, and heâll glance at you for a second before shyly hooking his fingers around yours, still feeling bashful after being with you for years. after that, he absentmindedly swings your joined hands as you walk, smiling to himself without even noticing heâs doing it. of course, you notice though, and reach up to plant a chaste kiss to his flushed cheek :p
puppy!jake who smiles into every kiss, even non-sexual ones. every single time you pull away, heâs already looking at you with this ridiculously fond expression, cheeks just a little pink. sometimes heâll let out the tiniest laugh, almost like he still canât believe this is real
puppy!jake who becomes even clingier whenever heâs exhausted. if you try getting out of bed before him, heâll instinctively wrap both arms around your waist and pull you back down without even opening his eyes. âfive more minutesâŠâ heâll mumble into your shoulder, voice all sleepy and rough, tightening his hold just enough to make escaping impossible, even though he knows youâd never want to escape :3
letâs go to hellđł
aka nsfw under div
puppy!jake who desperately ruts against the bed while heâs eating you out, sometimes just thrusting into the air if thereâs nothing for him to hump. he gets impossibly harder when you point it out, interrupting his frantic making out with your pussy by tugging on his hair, cooing at your needy mutt, warning him that if he carries on, you might not give him the chance to fuck you (which he knows is a lie), but he still does his very best to force his hips still :(
puppy!jake who has the leakiest cock :( he drips precum so much that thereâs almost always a cute little wet patch on the front of his boxers when you peel off his sweatpants. you canât help but coo at your leaky boy, prompting his face to flush an even deeper shade of red, a sharp whine slipping out of him before he can stop it
puppy!jake who has theeeee most sensitive tip. like of all time. all you have to do is brush your thumb across it and heâs reeling, a drop of precum now running over your fist wrapped tight around his length. he lets out little hisses when you gently kitten-lick his slit, tears brewing already at the stimulation
puppy!jake who lives in a perpetual state of horniness, doing his best to pretend heâs not hard when youâve only just ran your fingers through his hair. so pathetic, he thinks to himself, brows furrowed, as he wraps his arms tighter around your middle and tries to focus on the movie youâve put on, hoping you donât notice anything poking you :(
puppy!jake who occasionally tries to taunt you back, but finds out that he really cannot tease you for too long at all because at the end of the day the only thing he wants is for his pretty baby to feel good⊠he feels the need to make up for his feeble attempts at teasing, and he does so by going down on you for hours, although he doesnât really consider this to be an apology because he enjoys it just as much as you do :3
puppy!jake who has (almost) never ending stamina. heâll only stop when he knows you canât take anymore, and even then, as you drift off, you can still feel him semi-hard against your back. youâd told him early on in your relationship that he could use you to take care of his issue, but heâd never really gotten used to that. instead, he typically opted to gently rut against you for a while, stifling his whimpers as he groped your tits from behind, tears pooling in his eyes as he came in his pants, his face buried in your neck. he sniffled and adjusted himself, deciding heâd just clean himself up in the morning, n maybe tell you about it just so he could hear you call him your needy pup
puppy!jake who didnât initially realise his size, rutting into you desperately without prep. to be fair, you didnât expect him to be so fucking huge, but he was already inside now, grinding into you as he finally bottomed out. you grasped desperately at his face from beneath him, grinning at his watery eyes before telling him to slow down, to let you get used to him. you saw the guilt immediately forming in his eyes but kissed it away, guiding his lips to yours as you joined in a sloppy kiss, a mixture of his and yourâs spit now running down your chin as you smirked through it, nipping at his bottom lip to let him know he could continue :3
puppy!jake who fucks you faster and harder when heâs close, mewling at the sight of your fucked out expression mirroring his. he plants his big hands on either side of your waist as he lets out a sharp whine at the sight of your belly bulge, imprint of his dick visible as he bottomed out inside you, instinctively pressing down on it, making you both moan in unison. âm so fucking deep, baby,â he groans at the sight, trailing one hand down to your clit to trace circles on it as he picks up his pace, because he canât cum unless you do first
puppy!jake who just cums so much. fucking it all back into you in the name of filling you up how you like it, whimpering as you drag him down to your mouth to whisper how good of a dad heâd be. âwould you like that jakey? âcan give you your own little pups,â he lets out a strangled little sob at the thought :(
puppy!jake whoâs tongue lolls out when heâs fucking you good, first creeping out of the corner of his mouth as he concentrates, to involuntarily fully sticking out, eyes screwed shut as his hands tighten on your hips
puppy!jake, who at the start of your relationship, completely short circuits when you jokingly call him a good boy. heâll freeze mid-sentence, blink a few times, then splutter out the rest of whatever he was chatting about, his voice noticeably breaking as he tries his absolute hardest to appear unbothered (youâve used it against him every day since)
END OF THE LINE ⊠ë°ì±í PARK SUNGHOON [ PART 01 ]
if you're gonna break me in two â masterpost â do what you gotta do
GENRE + PAIRING âź college au. ice hockey player!fratboy!sunghoon x fem!reader. PART 01 WC 29.3k
SYNOPSIS âź youâve been crushing on lee heeseung for most of your college life â long enough that you were beginning to crack. one blessed night, when a girl at a party slips you his number, it feels like fate finally taking pity on you. what follows is a slow, intoxicating unraveling â late-night calls, perfect pick-ups, subtle flirts youâd expect from a charming guy like him. so why is it that when you finally wave at him on campus, he looks genuinely confused?
CONTENT WARNINGS âź explicit themes, includes smut so +18 only. themes of mental illness sex as a coping mechanism self esteem issues angst with happy ending miscommunication skinship physical intimacy inferiority complex featuring enhypen slowburn pining
AUTHOR'S NOTE âź hi!! thank you so much for waiting on me. this fic was such an ambitious idea of mine that i had no idea if i would be able to pull it off.. but after 6 months of typing n gathering feedback from my wonderful friends (veevee, annabanana, and mona to my minju + many more) i was able to do just that <33 hoonyn have such a special place in my heart, even though i worked on other fics while fleshing out this one, this project always got me the most excited (and also the most frustrated lmfao). anyway!!!! i had to split it up into two because of the block limit... VERY SORRY about that it's like 52k ish total? i got lost in the plot and just enjoyed my time writing, so that's why...... i hope it lives up to your expectations! i love U aaallll enjoy the word vomit ++ taglist at the end of the fic <3 thank u and see u in part 2 veryy sooonnn
REBLOGS APPRECIATED â THANK YOU FOR READING
everyone always told you that you had terrible luck. this applied to most things: friendships, competitions, meeting a friendâs parents, even.
but love? oh, love was where it stung. this was somehow more painful than everything else, because while you could flaunt at least one instance where a friendship didnât explode in your face, or a parent actually liked you, or you won a gold starâyou could never say you hit it off with a guy, ever.
perhaps the men of this generation were simply too terrible for this to ever be a matter of luck. it felt more like a rigged casino: every bet placed in good faith, every hand played carefully, and still you walked away lighter, bled dry all the same.
you werenât desperate. no. far from it. you did everything right. you waited, chose the boys who made you feel safe instead of reckless, who offered steadiness instead of the dizzy thrill everyone else swore by. you could say, with a quiet sense of pride, that you followed the rules and played it by the book. hell, even after all that, every guyâs true colours somehow emerged victorious by the end of it: they just want sex, sex, or sex.
the truth was that deep down, you didnât want anything to do with it. even if it was indeed the sexiest, biggest, smartest guy on campus⊠there was only one guy you set your sights on. just one, with the light brown hair and charming smile, shooting hoops at the basketball court by the cafeteriaâlee heeseung.
though, the problem was simple: youâd never actually talked to the guy. this couldâve been easily solved if you shared even one class, but of course, heâd signed up lateâevery elective already full, while you, being the good student you are, had locked your choices in the moment the portal opened.
the second solution, proposed by oh jiwon herself, was rejected the instant it left her mouth. you were sprawled in her dorm room on a normal saturday nightâyou, legs spread indecently across the tiny couch sheâd smuggled past security in first year, and her, upside down on the bed, hair brushing the floor.
âwhy donât you just bump into him and knock all his books down?â she muttered, teeth chomping down on a stack of (probably) expired bbq-xtra-hot chips.
oh, heeeell no. what the fuck was this? a poorly produced drama plotline?
âwas he born yesterday?â
the third option, though, felt a little more⊠dignified. it came to you on a random thursday evening, when the rain felt a little too heavy and you were wishing that lee heeseung would swoop in and hold a $5 umbrella over your heads.
replaying the events of the day in your head as your boots sloshed in muddy puddles, kim sunooâs annoyingly pretty face comes into view.
âthe fundraiserâs gonna be so busy this year, goshâŠâ
yes. indeed, it will.
the annual fundraiser organised by the student relations club. you remembered being ridiculously excited for it last yearâaround the same time youâd first started noticing heeseung. after some careful âasking aroundâ, youâd learned he was attending, too. and, as if the universe was personally apologising to you for your tragic love life: he was trying his luck at the blind date booth.
what a sweet guy. donating his hard-earned money to charity and putting himself out there? he had your heart in his hands, and you came to understand that his was the target of many others.
so, it was obvious what had to be done. you signed up the moment sunooâthank the angels for himâlet the information slip. itâs nothing short of fate that you shared an elective with him; it took a bit of coaxing and more than a few judgmental looks, but by that sunny wednesday afternoon, good had prevailed in the world.
itâs safe to say you did not get lee heeseung as your date. instead, you endured a miserable twenty-minute speed dinner listening to a stranger ramble about his league rank. ouâd never been more thoroughly turned off in your life.
the house smells like weed and alcohol, and also everything that you should not be doing on a thursday night. you got the call from jiwon in the middle of your assignment, head half buried in your hands as the glow from the laptop screen burned your retinasâitâs twelve midnight now, and you have class in eight hours, but the impending sleep deprivation still beats handing in sloppy work.
the house belongs to the frat heeseungâs in. sigma alpha eta, if you remembered correctly. itâs three stories tall, tacky, and reeks of soju and everything wrong with the male species. youâre not even sure if the place ever gets cleaned, but considering itâs full of rich mamaâs boys, theyâve probably hired someone to deal with the mess for them.
âwhat the fuck is going on?â
oh jiwonâs staring at you like youâre the one who dragged her here. you scan the room for no one in particular (lie), and when you turn backâ
sheâs gone.
âwhoâs ready to party?!â
the dj is embarrassingly bad. like, physically painful to listen to. the bass is cranked up so high it rattles the floorboards, vibrating straight through your bones. you cringe, already picturing the culprit: some frat guy who bought a $100 mixing set off amazon last week and now calls himself âup and comingâ.
everyone you know seems to be here. youâd brushed shoulders with ahn yunjin and danielle on the way in, only to watch them dart toward the porch with a joint already lit.
you snake your way through narrow hallways packed wall-to-wallâoverlapping conversations, smoke blown straight into your face, bodies pressing in from every side as you aim for the kitchen. instead, you stumble into the living room. leather couches are occupied by unconscious adultsâdrunk, high, or some lethal combination of bothâbathed in warm overhead light that all but promises brutal hangovers tomorrow.
it seems like the party started long before you got here. where the hell did your jiwon go, anyway?
your feet start to move again, carrying you mindlessly through the first floorâyou cross the hallway, take a turn into another doorway, and finally stumble upon the kitchen; itâs less crowded, with fewer drunk people and comparably quiet in contrast to whateverâs waiting for you outside the threshold of that door. your eyes are hesitant, oddly enough, though you know why.
parties like this usually mean hookups. and when hookups are involved, lee heeseung is the first name that comes to mind. the guyâs practically a walking targetâespecially in his own frat house, swarming with every girl whoâs been blessed enough to know the name.
this whole situation feels like a ticking time bomb. your chest tightens. how long before someone else gets to him? how long before you turn a corner and see his face buried in someone elseâs neck? 10 minutes? 10 seconds?
âhellooooo!â
and as fast as the thoughts come, they go; head snapping toward the sound, locking onto oh fucking jiwonâstanding there, smiling innocently, as if she hadnât abandoned you to die in the crowd.
âwhere the fuck have you been?â you sigh, hands running through your hair, like youâd just spent a whole day looking for her. to be fair, time moves weirdly in places like this.
ârefilling!â she hiccups. âsee?â she tips her red cup to show a dubious mix of jack and coke.
sheâs tipsyâno surprise there. jiwonâs always been a lightweight. still, she manages to wobble over and hop onto the marble island, scooting back until her legs dangle comfortably. she looks down at you with glassy, sparkly eyes.
âsooo⊠heeseungâs place, huh? didnât know their frat was so fancy. they literally have wine older than my grandparents in here.â
you roll your eyes and drag a stool out from under the island. it screeches against the tile, making you wince, before you climb up onto it.
âyouâve been snooping in their alcohol?â you giggle, shaking your head in mock disapproval. youâll have to look through it later, too. âyouâre a shit guest.â
âguest is always right!â jiwon babbles, before abruptly sneezing. the action makes you flinch. âoh⊠sorry. anyways,â
you cross your arms, waiting. sheâs halfway to blackout, but you humor her anyway.
âfundraiser!â she slurs. âheeseungâs in the pantry. think heâs lookinâ for chips. i dunno. he was with sunghoon, and then i ran into him while lookinâ for more sojuââ
and itâs like the universe wants to show you how much it wants you to stay in this lifetime, as a form of divine mercy, or something similar to an apology, because lee heeseung slides the pantry door open and waltzes right out with chips tucked under his armpit, as he munches on something else. your eyes follow him, and so does everyone elseâs, and naturally they trail towards the slightly shorter man behind him.
park sunghoon. the guy with the ridiculously sharp, thick eyebrows, a staring problem, and close to half of the campusâs female population wanting to lick his boots. thereâs often two responses to the question âwhoâs the cutest guy on campusâ, and many of your peers often utter one or the other: heeseung, or his colder counterpart, sunghoon.
you took an economics class with him last year, and thank god you didnât hit the lottery and end up in the same group, because youâd heard⊠things. too many things. stories about him tearing into a girlâs work so viciously, she had to beg the professor to let her switch groups with sunoo (itâs strange, how he seemed to be in almost every class you took, now that you think about it).
youâd never talked to him, or anyone from that little group, really, aside from kim sunoo. you knew sim jaeyun was popular over in the engineering block; all brains and good looks, apparently. nishimura riki was another name you heard in passingâalways surrounded by a crowd whenever he danced with his crew in some random corner with a giant mirror. as for jongseong and jungwon⊠you didnât even want to think about the things people said. absolutely vile in nature.
it seems like the whole lot of them were heartthrobs, in every sense of the word.
itâs just⊠park sunghoon?
that guy didnât deserve half the glowing reviews he got.
you were half convinced that if people had star ratings floating above their headsâcomplete with scrollable commentsâheâd be inflating his own with burner emails.
park sunghoon. 5 stars. wow, this guy is sooooo hot and rich! â nothoon12345. he just looked like the kind of guy who did that kind of thing.
okay, maybe you were being a little harsh, considering youâd never actually spoken to him. still, it felt telling when even other men talked shit about him: apparently being both the most disliked and the most respected player on the ice hockey team was impressive enough to land him the captain title.
he walks a few steps behind heeseung, his own bag of chips in hand. you donât realise youâre staring until his gaze snaps towards you as he passesâa look equal parts smug, disgusted, and painfully punchable.
âwhat the hell is that guyâs issue?â
âstop looking at him,â jiwon waves you off, swinging her feet. her heel accidentally thuds against the wood. âheeseung's right there.â
your eyes flick back to heeseung, now hovering near the front door, greeting the flood of people streaming inâtonightâs barely started, but somehow, you feel ten times heavier than when you walked in.
lee heeseung, leaning casually against the wall, all perfect teeth, perfect hair, perfectly charming face⊠and park sunghoon, just a step behind him, stiff, scanning the crowd until his gaze finally locks on you.
before you can tear your eyes away, he cocks his head and gives you a smileâall mockery, all challenge, like he just told a joke youâd never understand. you shift your weight on the stool, cross one leg over the other, but your eyes stay zeroed on him.
âi donât like that sunghoon guy,â you mutter, dragging a hand through your hair and pretending to look elsewhere.
oh jiwon rolls her eyes, snorts, and leans her weight back on the counter. âyouâd be surprised how many people wanna get in his pantsââ
âdonât. talk. to. me. about. park. sunghoonâs. pants.â you snap, stabbing a finger toward her chest for emphasisâshe giggles at the action, and you do, too. though your eyes flick back, just once, toward where he was.
but when you do, heâs gone. no sunghoon, no heeseung. just the occasional partygoer opening and closing doors, the sound barely registering to your ears through the shitty music.
itâs one in the morning, and the party seems to be at itâs peakâthereâs no one else coming through the front door, and itâs more packed than you could imagine; youâre leaning against the staircase with a cup swirling in your hands, only having taken two sips out of it. jiwonâs still next to you, chatting to a guy youâve never seen before.
you look at him, then at her. unimpressive, if anything. youâre turning to look at your cup again and the feeling hits, sudden and sharp as it claws at your chest: you feel extremely out of place, even in a house full of people and possibility. people shove their way past you and you hold your cup tight to your chest as it happens. you barely hear anything with the laughter, chatter, and music all at once.
your eyes drift toward the windowâyunjinâs with someone else; danielle mustâve left earlier. you scan the room again, half-heartedly looking for a familiar face to talk toâsunoo, maybe, even if the guy doesnât really think youâre normal. or for park sunghoon, perhaps for some explanation as to why heâd looked at you like that earlier.
âlooking for hee?â
that voice. too close. it sends shivers down your spine, every hair standing before your neck snaps to your leftâjiwonâs gone, and so is that guy, instead replaced by a girl you know all too well.
sheâs smiling at you with her lips curled in a way that makes your stomach dropâunsettling by its very nature. the lights strobe across her face, red and white, purple and blue, painting her in something eerie as her expression lingers, sharp and all-knowing.
âwhat the fuck do you want?â
she laughs softly, hands coming up to her face to cover her mouth like sheâs some gentle, kind creature thatâs come to save the day. kim soohaâs always been like that. ever since high school, ever since youâve been bestowed the honour of knowing how ruthless she gets when she wants to be.
her hair falls over her face before she moves to tuck it behind her ear.
god, you want to slap her. some things never change, no matter how many years pass.
âyou need to learn how to relax. youâve been staring all night,â she sighs, leaning her back against the wall as she talksâlike you two are friends, always have beenâand that this is the most normal conversation ever. âyouâre definitely looking for heeseung, arenât you? i got a shortcut, if youâre interested.â
you donât answer. youâve learnt itâs best to shut your mouth instead of lie, because with girls like sooha, the snake always bites first.
your mind flashes, briefly, to the image of him again: light brown hair falling over his face, his genuine smile as people poured in from the front door, eyes squinting as he spots a good friend from a few feet away. your eyes had never truly left him, until you caught park sunghoon staring daggers at you right behind.
and, strangely, itâs never found him again since.
âlisten, i have his numberâitâll save you a looot of trouble.â
you donât realise youâve turned away from her until you glance back. her smile widens as you meet her eyesâglinting with something dangerous, like this isnât truly all there is to her offer.
kim sooha is not about goodwill and donating to charities. the charity would have to return her 110% before she could ever consider doing so; in this case, the charity seems to be you.
âwhat do you want?â
and it feels like youâve just sold your soul to the damn devil with how bright her face gets. like a child on christmas morning, unwrapping a brand new toy. wellâyou suppose youâre a toy, too, in this.
she reaches into the back pocket of her jeans, the jingle of her phone charm barely cutting through the kendrick lamar song thatâs causing the floor to vibrate. you wonder how long until someone calls the cops on this placeâitâs too loud, too much, and you donât even want to think about what the second and third floor looks like right now.
âone click, and iâll send it to you.â
you scoff, breaking the eye contact to take a sip of the peach soju in your hands. you almost roll your eyes before remembering that this was sooha you were getting in bed withâone wrong move, and sheâs retracting, and youâll be left to awkward waves and stuttered helloâs at the fundraiser three months from now.
âmy jacketâs upstairs, and i need you to get it.â
if you werenât confused before, you definitely are now.
âyour fucking jacket?â you repeat, and it almost comes out as a laugh. she doesnât think itâs funny, though, because sheâs quick to fire back a response:
âi donât want to bump into whoever youâre gonna bump into. not in the mood. consider it a gift from me,â she pokes a finger at your collarbone, âto you.â
you flinch, her sharp nail making you stumble back, just a little. her eyebrows raise as you tilt your head towards the stairs, watching you glance up and towards the flight of stairs above your headsâthereâs people moving up and down, and it just doesnât clickâwhy not someone else?
âso⊠are you doing it? donât have time to sleep onââ
you chew on the lining of your cheek. something isnât right. sheâs looking at you like she doesnât care if her jacket actually makes it back to herâall that matters is that you fall into whatever sheâs setting up.
âfine. keep your fucking word when i get back down here.â
the smile that spreads across her face makes your heart drop straight to your ass. you donât like thisânot the feeling of being a step behind, not the way it feels like sheâs holding something over you.
but⊠like she said. itâs not as if you have a whole day to sit on your ass and think it through.
âyou should know by now. i always do,â she sings, voice lilting and smug, watching as you turn away and head for the stairs. âthank you, dear [name].â
you pause at the bottom, fingers curling tighter around your cup as you glance upward. bodies move through the hallways aboveâlaughing, stumbling, disappearing into rooms that smell like sweat, alcohol and poor decisions. the music thumps faintly through the walls, distorted here, like a heartbeat that doesnât belong to you.
your head feels light, almost dizzy, but you go anyway. one step. then another. your shoes stick slightly to the floor as you climb, each step feeling heavier than the last.
âthis yours?â
your head cocks up, eyes locking onto a familiar faceâpark sunghoon, standing at the top of the staircase, with a leather jacket haphazardly folded into his hands. it looks expensive when itâs under this kind of light, and knowing sooha, it probably is.
âyup,â you say, the word coming out more clipped than you intend. reluctant, waryâbut who the hell could blame you? the guy whoâs been staring all psycho and weird, treating you like an out-of-earth entity is holding onto the one thing you need to finish this amazing deal. âthank you!â
heâs tall. towering. with you two steps below him, heâs giving himself a stiff neck just looking at you. his face gives nothing awayânot surprise, barely any curiosity, perhaps slight irritation. more than anything, thereâs that unreadable calm, like heâs not only three steps ahead of whatever this is, but also skies above it.
your arms reach out to grab it from him, but sunghoonâs quick to retract his hand. he dangles it in front of you, an eyebrow raised, still staring as if you were some kind of odd specimenâyou blink a few times, waiting for him to say something, anything.
âiâd watch out if i were you.â
his voice is low, nearly lost beneath the bass thudding through the floor below. itâs flat enough that it barely registers as a voice at all.
but just why the hell is he telling you this? park sunghoonâs talking like he knows kim sooha personally.
really, if you had to pick between the two of you⊠youâd have to consider yourself the expert.
âo⊠kay?â you mouth, the word barely audible over the bass thrumming through the walls.
for a moment longer, he just looks at you, then lowers the jacket into your hands. you donât manage to thank him, because youâre turning around before you can even utter another word.
nothing else matters right now. youâre praying that by the time you reach the bottom of the stairs, sooha will be thereâphone in hand, ready to send those digits your way, just like she promised.
though, even if she isnât, youâre not entirely sure what youâd do about it. thereâs no backup plan. youâre definitely not asking sunooâbecause youâre not an idiot with a weird obsession with lee heeseung (lie), and youâre not that desperate to talk to him (lie), enough to corner one of his closest friends and expose yourself completely (truth).
well⊠you guess youâve already done so by poking around about the fundraiser, but his number is crossing the line. apparently.
you square your shoulders and keep walking, clinging to the thought that this will all be worth it once lee heeseungâs finally a button away, instead of thirty meters and 6 men apart.
âyouâre quick with it,â sooha yells over the song playing, now a remix of some chainsmokers single. roses, a classic, which also means people are starting to get oddly energetic despite it reaching two in the morning.
you watch her eyes flick down to her phone, the screen lighting up her face as she brings it to her chestâtyping, swiping, pausing just long enough to be irritatingâuntil your own phone vibrates against the back pocket of your shorts.
âthanks a bunch, y/n.â she says lightly. âalways so obedient.â
your jaw tightens. you donât bother respondingâjust thrust the jacket into her abdomen, harder than necessary. kim sooha doesnât take it personally, she never does. the flare of your nostrils, the way your fingers curl like youâre holding yourself backâthatâs more than enough to make her night.
a sweet, disingenuous smile blooms across your face, as if to say: âno problem, bitch.â
she slips past you, shoulders barely brushing, already headed for the front door. just before she disappears, you catch itâthe smudged eyeshadow, the eyeliner dragged unevenly beneath her eyes, foundation streaked down her cheeks like she hasnât bothered to check herself in a mirror.
for a fraction of a second, you find yourself worryingâfor her, and for yourself. youâve never once seen sooha with makeup this (for lack of a better word) bad; sheâs always immaculate, flawless, even if that bruises your ego to admit out loud.
which means there are only two possibilities: sheâs just fucked someone and realised, far too late, what a mistake it wasâor her heart has just been torn into a million tiny, irreparable pieces.
you donât take much time to dwell on it, before you tear your eyes away from soohaâs figure slowly fading into the distance. her boots clack against the concrete pavement before it comes to a stop, and for a moment, she just standsâuntil a car pulls up and she ducks her head to fit into it.
what the hell was that?
the front door slams shut from someone else pulling it closed, the sound cutting clean through the music, and your head turns instinctively toward the staircase.
park sunghoon.
the second floor is quieter, stripped of the flashing colours and strobe lights below. in that softer, warmer glow, park sunghoon comes sharply into focus.
heâs leaning over the railing, forearms bearing his weight. an empty soju bottle hangs loosely from his hand, head bowed, expression obscured by shadowâalmost like heâs staring straight down at you.
heâs annoyingly gorgeous. his side profile is so lethal that you think if not for his shitty attitude and tendency to stare at everyone sideways, heâd be a model.
you catch yourself wishing heâd just fuck off and do that instead.
your breath catches in your throat. youâre not really sure whyâbut your body makes the decisions for you tonight, thoughts of sunghoon quickly dissolving as fast as they invaded, feet carrying you toward the front door.
sleek wood and cold metal doorknobs in all their unassuming glory. itâs an exit. a way out of the noise, the lights, and the man upstairs who feels far too aware of your existence.
you move. fluid, deliberate, like this was always the plan.
sunghoonâs gaze tracks you as you slip through the crowd, hair brushing shoulders, bodies pressing in too close. the lights repaint you with every stepâpink, purple, redâuntil you glance back once, just for a second, and the colours smear into something unreadable.
when you finally cross the threshold of the front door, your body is hit with cold wind; unsurprisingly, thereâs scattered groups of people across the front yard, smoking and drinking in their quiet bubbles. you inhale the relatively cleaner air, deep, slow, until it settles in your lungs and youâre spared from the remnants of vape flavours and fruity alcohol.
the music dulls behind you, but the vibrations still reach your feet nonetheless.
you sigh, a hand dragging through your hair, before you make your way towards a stone pillar, only to lean your weight against it. you didnât realise how quiet it could be, after almost two hours in that god forsaken partyâthe quiet chatter doesnât make your head spin out here and the occasional laugh isnât as annoying as the screams inside.
thatâs when you see him.
lee heeseungâsmokingâwith that guy from engineering. jake sim.
the cigarette is pinched between his fingers, and he takes slow drags like itâs the only thing anchoring him to this messy, overgrown scene. jakeâs rambling beside him, hands flying as he retells some story you canât hear, and heeseung just nods along, offering the occasional laugh that reassures his friend that he finds it equally as funny.
everything feels slowed down. time is suspended. his hair slips into his eyes, and every now and then he shakes his head, a small, unconscious motion to clear his vision.
this is kind of creepy. youâre watching lee heeseung smoke at two in the morning from his front porch. you, a year ago, wouldnât have believed this even if someone swore on it.
but not before you bring your phone to your faceâthe blue light stings, almost burns your retinas. you blink hard once, twice, until the haze clears. your thumb swipes into your messages.
kim sooha has kept her word.
sooha (do not reply): +82-xx-xxxx-xxxx 01:53
sooha (do not reply): enjoy yourself! <3 01:53
bitch.
you add the contact while lee heeseung is still laughing in your peripheral vision, smoke curling into the dark, completely unaware thatâthrough totally legitimate and ethical meansâheâs now a button away.
anyone could guess by that stoic look on his face and that gigantic duffle bag he drags around everywhere, that the man couldnât be paid a million dollars to be locked downâthatâs what so little time and too many (non-romantic) commitments does to you.
mondays were the gym. tuesdays, practice. wednesdays, rest. thursdays, practice again. fridays, the gym, and a night run. saturdays and sundays, practice too. he was surprised he even had time to fit kim sooha into his schedule, though, it was not as often as she preferred.
okay, he admits it was just sexâbut an hour or two once or twice a week was already cutting it close.
sunghoon was an ex-figure skater turned ice hockey player, so it was clear what the future held for him: heâs talented, rich, disciplined, a geniusâthe world was his oyster. everyone around him was in his court.
who would he be if he let someone make the rules for him?
you see: park sunghoon couldnât be bothered with the girls throwing themselves at him, or the ones who acted shy. in his eyes, it all ended the same.
they wanted more. he couldnât give more. he didnât want to give more.
kim sooha was no different. of course she wasnâtâpark sunghoon couldnât deny it, because she fit the stereotype of every girl whoâd ever wanted him: bashful, a little self-deprecating, and far too clingy.
at least he had been decent enough to tell her that sex was all it would ever be, and all he could afford to give. but what do you know (park sunghoon always knows), someone ends up wanting more.
the night of the party, around ten, sunghoon found himself holed up in his bedroom trying to finish up a paper before the house had started swarming with people. one moment heâs typing, fingers mashing away at his keyboard as the words flow flawlessly, perfectly, and his mind occasionally drifts to the grade heâd get for this assignment. nothing less than 100, of course. he wouldnât expect anything less from himself.
âhoon!â
and his genius flow is disrupted by none other than jake, peeking his head from behind the doorway, with an idiotic smile painted across his glowing face.
âwhat do you want?â sunghoon mutters, head turning back to the screen of his laptop. jake simâs prsesence usually meant the message wasnât all that importantâif it was, itâd be jungwon up here instead. âiâm busy.â
âsoohaâs here,â he says. âshe wants to see you.â
sunghoon kisses his teeth in annoyance, solely out of instinct, an action which jake pretends not to notice. it only irritates sunghoon even more, reallyâheâd rather jake just be honest with him, instead of pretending to be polite just for the sake of being polite. he knows better than anyone that all of his brothers hate when kim sooha is around, and that hiding it wonât convince park sunghoon otherwise.
for varying reasons.
he recalls that one dinner two weeks ago, when jay told sunghoon to âdo a better job at shutting sooha upâ. he could barely eat the rest of his food.
âplease donât send her up here. iâll be downstairs soon,â and jake is almost ready to turn his pretty face right around and back downstairs to help set up the speakers, before sunghoon asks: âwhy is she even here?â
âhey, youâre the one fucking her, man.â jake shrugs, before he turns around for the final time. sunghoonâs face morphs into one of disgust, weirdly fast, even though the statement isnât exactly falseâstill, it doesnât stop him from wanting to crawl into a hole and die.
thereâs something wrong with him. he canât deny the sex was good, and yes, kim sooha was gorgeous⊠but commitment? staying? forever? that was different.
he remembers when yang jungwon had a girlfriend. those were not good times. definitely. the guy refused to leave his bedroom for two days after they broke it offâand sunghoon, as much as he cared for poor jungwon, couldnât stop thinking about how two days meant two lifetimes of missed productivity.
just how much of an asshole could he be?
so, thatâs precisely why he settles for sex. a dopamine hit to get himself off edge, so heâs ready to stretch himself thin all over again.
lee heeseung says itâs not healthy, but what the hell would he know? heâs too busy drowning in love letters, home-baked cookies, and instagram requests to understand why this is the best option out of any presented to him. the golden boy doesnât know what heâs talking aboutâthe only reason he even bothers giving advice is because of the one, maybe two girlfriends he had in first year, which he seems to think qualifies him as an expert in sweet, innocent, and healthy love.
park sunghoon doesnât even have instagram. itâs a waste of time.
why the fuck doesnât he get cookies, anyway? why donât girls approach him just to talk, instead of trying to grind on his crotch at parties? why doesnât he have someone sweet and steady, sitting in the stands and watching his gamesâwiping his tears when he plays like shit, or being the first one he looks for when he scores an amazing shot?
never mind the way he takes their hand and leads them upstairs. never mind how easily he leans into a strangerâs touch and lets himself pretend it means something. never mind that heâs learned to let names slip past him, unheard, while his gaze drifts instead to the shape of their lips.
never mind all of it.
he tells himself itâs circumstantialâsomething inevitable, something learnt. that he would be different, could be different, if the world around him didnât demand this version of him in return.
lee heeseung gets to commit. he gets to feel it allâthe highs, the warmth, the quiet safety of having someone stay, and he makes it out unscathed, unhurt. he gets to ground himself in knowing that she wonât walk out of that door when shit hits the fan, tooâfuck, he doesnât know anything at all.
footsteps thud from the hallway, but he knows itâs just jay and riki shifting furniture aroundâboards scraping, chairs slidingâenough to rattle the plaster on the walls. jakeâs voice cuts through the mess, yelling at heeseung to find the extra loud speakers jungwon had âborrowedâ for his own use. somewhere upstairs, sunooâs probably napping, blissfully unaware of the chaos below.
sunghoon doesnât mind. five people are more than enough to handle party prep, and he refuses to be dragged into it. the music, the clatter, the erratic shoutsâit all feels like someone elseâs life, a background noise he doesnât need to claim.
instead, up here, he can focus on what matters: finishing his paper, keeping his head down, staying untangled in this mess thatâs about to spill over the entire house in about an hour.
he leans back against the leather of his chair, shoulders finally relaxing, and lets his gaze wander over the room. the house smells like air freshener, a somewhat helpful idea proposed by riki, but the sharp tang in his nose makes him grit his teeth.
for the first time that evening, he almost smiles at the absurdity of it all, the chaos of his brothers trying to pull off another last-minute party. he knows itâll all work out fine, and that this will be the talk of campus until it fizzles out in two weeks, but itâs still ridiculous how these people never learn to plan ahead.
he remembers the last party sigma alpha eta threwâsomeone broke a table, then went swimming naked in the pool. safe to say, jake and him had to track the culprit down the next morning and demand the funds to get it cleaned.
âhoonie?â
a soft click from the front door snaps him out of his thoughts.
he knows exactly who it is.
kim sooha. standing by the dark frame of his door, dressed in something that wouldâve had him weak in the knees if he was some random horny loserâskirt smooth, tight against her skin, a leather jacket framing her small body. itâs too bad that he doesnât give two shits, though.
âyouâve been avoiding me,â she announces, voice sharp yet playful, as if she owns the room that sunghoonâs made his. it irks him.
she leans against the doorframe, one hip jutting out, arms crossed with a face so smug that it makes him want to flip her off. âso, i came early. just to⊠check in.â
he looks back at the screen of his laptop, bright blue light shining in his face, and barely moves another muscle. âyou know where the rules stand. iâm busy.â
âhoonieââ
âtold you to stop calling me that.â sunghoon cuts her off, âi donât need you checking on me, thanks. partyâs not starting for another hour. maybe you can help them prep?â
the words land like a slap. soohaâs jaw tightens, but she forces a smile, refusing to let him see the way it stings.
she steps closer anyway, as if proximity can wear him down, break the walls that are already hardeningâor climb over whateverâs already there.
âcome on. it doesnât have to be like this.â she tilts her head, letting her hair fall over one shoulder, âiâve been asking you for weeks, hoon. iâve always wantedââ
âno.â sunghoon exhales, forcefully slow, as if thatâll help him calm down. âiâve been saying the same shit for weeks. youâre pushing me.â
she takes two steps closer, heels tapping against the shiny wood floor. the space between them closes as she leans over his desk, shadow casting over the dark oak. he feels like slamming his head into itâthe bruise would be less painful than this, the sharp smell of her fruity perfume that sunghoon never bothered to register, but hates anyway now that it finally has.
he never thought heâd have to tell her that he hates the notes of citrus. it didnât matter if she never stayed long enough to get the words out.
âhoonie,â sooha mumbles, hands bracing the surface of his table. âi thought we were getting somewhere.â
âeven after i told you we werenât?â sunghoon shifts his chair backwards, widening the gap just so he could feel like he wasnât going to choke at the smell of her perfume. âknow what? iâm done. canât fucking draw any lines with youââ
âthatâs it? weâre justââ
sunghoonâs jaw tightens, and he leans back slightly in his chair. âi said it was just sex. nothing more. if youâre begging for a hug and some kisses, go somewhere else.â
the silence hangs in the air, thick, impenetrable. for a minute, sunghoon wonders if heâs gone too farâsoohaâs face falters, her sultry smile now replaced by lips that tremble before her teeth bite down on them. she nods once, slow, looking at park sunghoon like heâs driven a ten-foot pole straight through her chest, twisted it, and ripped it back out.
his eyes flick from his laptop screen to her irises. if one thingâs admirable about park sunghoon, is that if he was going to tear you to pieces, heâll have the decency to look you in the eye.
at least, for that final word. itâs about as much emotion as he can manage.
âget out.â
so she doesânods slow, before turning on her heel, the sharp click of her shoes echoing once, twice, until it fades down the hallway.
the door shuts behind her with a quiet finality. sunghoon doesnât watch it close.
the smell of soohaâs perfume lingers in the air, unwanted, and he feels petty for even trying to block it out. after all, theyâve shared a bed before, even if they skipped every prerequisite to get thereâbut it rarely ever felt worth it to him, if at all.
heâs had his fair share of women. heâs always prided himself on being honest about what he wantsâin his mind, thereâs nothing wrong with that, as long as everyoneâs on the same page.
no promises, no expectations, yet it always ends the same way. someone always reaches for more pieces of him than heâs willingâor ableâto give. pieces that have were never there to begin with.
jake tells him heâs lucky. says it with a laugh, like sunghoon should be grateful for the attention, the bodies, the ease of it all. heeseung tries to offer half-assed couch therapy, something about âopening upâ and ânot shutting people out,â advice sunghoon knows was pulled straight out of his assâor worse, his tiktok feed.
god, if he wanted someone to tell him what was wrong with him, heâd just pay someone with a degree five hundred a session to do just that.
park sunghoon is not interested in love. park sunghoon is not interested in love. park sunghoon is not. interested. in. love.
itâs inefficientâunstructured, demanding, and prone to spilling into places it doesnât belong. it asks for time he doesnât have, space heâs already accounted for, pieces of him that are scheduled, measured, calculated and spent elsewhere, where it should be.
he repeats it like a mantra: no one is looking at him and realizing heâs absent more than heâs presentâbecause sooner or later, they always want more, and heâs learnt that itâs better to draw the line early than to watch disappointment set in later.
youâre not very sure where youâre going with this.
thereâs a list of problems so long it could double as a grocery store receipt:
one) how do you even explain that you got lee heeseungâs number, and
two) what excuse do you have to actually talk to him?
still, youâre laid in bed, the glow from your screen washing your face in harsh white light, painting the ceiling in sharp rectangles. your eyes squint, blinking against the burn, as if staring long enough might make this whole thing less terrifying.
itâs nearing four in the morning, and youâre fairly certain the party has been over for hoursâprobably everyone has stumbled home or collapsed on some couch somewhere, except for you, hovering in your room like a guilty ghost.
okay, no. these are excuses, and this is you overthinking, twisting your brain into knots. once you finally text that damn number kim sooha âgiftedâ youâreluctantly, no lessâyouâll either regret it or⊠regret it. either way, thereâs no turning back.
you: hiiiii
creep.
you: hi
ominousâŠ
you: is this heeseung?
too direct.
this isnât working. your thumb hovers over the screen, trembling slightly, and the numbers stare back at you like a puzzle youâre too tired to solve. maybe, if you stare long enough, theyâll rearrange themselves into an opening line that isnât mortifying.
though, instead of the numbers moving, your thumb does.
âshit. shit, shit, shitââ
oh, yes, your butter fingers saved you the trouble of texting him: why donât you just fucking call him, instead? like thatâs so much better, real smooth of you.
riiing. riiing. riiing.
you barely have time to process before the line goes quiet.
the silence swallows you wholeâyour ears ring with it. itâs the kind of quiet that makes you question if youâve suddenly lost all ability to hear.
oh my god. this is hell. youâre either died, or the world has ended, or some black hole just opened up in your room, because itâs too silent for it to be even remotely normal.
âhello?â
the voice on the other end of the line sounds sharp, clipped, like youâve interrupted something importantâor worse, like youâve woken him up.
you canât even fault him for it. itâs four in the morning, after the biggest party this term, and youâre an unknown number calling like youâve lost your damn mind. still, it makes your heart twist a little.
âwho is this?â
itâs not rude⊠not exactly. still, something in your chest sinks because you know what that tone usually means.
you have, roughly, three seconds to justify your existence before lee heeseung hangs up and you become another embarrassing almost in your own head.
maybe one.
âhi,â you mumble, and somehow almost stutterâif thatâs even possible over the phone, with a single wordâit comes out thin, fragile, and utterly useless.
the line goes quiet again, and you genuinely consider slamming your head into the wall just to feel something else other than the tiny voices evil-laughing in your head. âheeseung, right?â
more damn silence.
not the dead-line kind. itâs worse. itâs the thinking kind.
you picture him on the other end, phone held away from his ear, brow furrowed as he debates whether this is worth his time. unknown caller. 4 in the morning. zero context. and itâs some girl who canât even say âhiâ right.
if you were him, youâd hang up. youâd block the number, move on, this becoming nothing but a blip in your already eventful life.
your grip tightens around your phone. âiâsorry,â you rush out, words tumbling over each other now that the damâs broken. âthis is probably really weird, i know. i wouldnât usually call, i swear. i justâi got your number earlier andââ
âearlier?â he cuts in.
thereâs something in his voice nowânot annoyance. interest, maybe. a sprinkle of curiosity edged with suspicion that you werenât exactly authorized to clear.
your pulse stutters. you shouldâve consulted with jiwon before doing something as stupid as thisâor sunoo. hell, even the neighbour next door. anyone wouldâve been better than diving into this unprepared.
âyeah. tonight, at the party.â you say quickly, like saying it fast will make it make more sense. lee heeseung, pleaaaase be hungover. just this once. âyou hosted, right? sigma alpha eta?â
âriiight,â he says slowly, like heâs testing the word on his tongue. âand who gave you my number?â
your stomach drops.
shit.
âuh,â you hesitate, immediately regretting it.
lying feels wrong. lying is wrong, actually, according to everyone everâbut the truth feels⊠way messier.
you werenât going to hang kim sooha to dryâwho knows what sheâll do to you? you canât risk heeseung finding out the lengths you went to for some digits. besides, you practically played fetch with her.
âa friend,â you say finally, wearing a prideful grin on your face, as if anyone couldnât have come up with that ridiculous excuse. âyep.â
âa friend,â he repeats, flatly, like he doesnât believe a single thing coming out of your mouth. âwhat friend?â
you squeeze your eyes shut. god, this is going terribly. divert!
âlook, if this is a bad time, i can hang up. i really didnât mean to bother you, i justââ
âyou already are,â he says, but thereâs something off about it. his tired voice crackles, but it barely sounds angry. almost amused in nature.
you blink. âoh.â
thereâs a heavy breath on the other end. you can hear it clearly, like heâs shifted positions, maybe sitting up now, or turning over in bed. definitely more awake than he was a minute ago.
gosh. youâre imagining bed-hair heeseung now. this isnât good.
âyou usually call people you donât know at four in the morning?â he asks.
âno,â you respond immediately. ânever. absolutely not. this is a first and hopefully, a last.â
that gets himâyou can tell, even without seeing him. thereâs a soft huff through the speaker, not quite a laugh, but close enough to make your chest flutter traitorously.
âso, iâm the trial run?â
you hesitate, then answer honestly, because at this point, what do you have left to lose? your dignity thatâs already been thrown out the window and run over by a car?
âi wanted to talk to you.â
another pause. this one lingers, stretching just long enough to make your fingers tingle around your phone. strangely, it comforts you, the idea that he might hang upâthat this could end cleanly right here, because youâve (smartly, or accidentally) yet to tell him your name.
heâll never have to know if he justâ
âyeah?â he says, quieter now.
âyeah,â you echo, barely above a whisper.
something shifts. you can feel it, even through the lineâthe way heâs genuinely listening now, leaning into every word instead of brushing you off. your heart flutters, warmth blooming from somewhere in your chest (you canât pinpoint it), and lee heeseung seems to be at the center of it all.
âwell,â he says finally, voice way smoother now, like heâs got all the time in the world to offer you. âyouâve got my attention.â
âi do?â you ask, genuinely amazed by yourself. âyouâre not hanging up?â
âdo you want me to?â
âno,â the word slips out before you can stop itâsoft, a little too quick, and much too honest to take back.
for a beat, thereâs nothing, then a breath on the other end of the lineâslow, deepâfollowed by a low sound that might be a laugh, or might just be him exhaling tension.
âyeah,â he murmurs. âi thought so.â
you roll onto your side, sheets whispering against your skin. the ceiling blurs above you, white and featureless, while the rest of the world stays asleepâunaware that something small yet irreversible is happening at four in the morning, right in this room, in your hands.
âso,â he says, âwhyâd you really call?â
your fingers tighten around your phone. your phone peels away from your cheek, and for a brief moment, you just stare at the glow of the screen, at his contactâ*heeseung leeâ*like it might blow up if you lie.
âwell,â you mumble, chewing on the lining of your cheek. âi just wanted to introduce myself.â
âah,â he says. thereâs movement again, like heâs forcing himself to stay awake and hear you out. âdid your⊠friend warn you iâm not friendly at this hour?â
you can almost picture him now. propped up against his headboard, hair a mess from sleep. his arm slipping under the hem of his shirt to scratch absentmindedly at an itch on his lower abdomen. knuckles rubbing hard at his eyes, chasing away the last stretch of drowsiness you interruptedâbefore you called, that is.
âi donât think she mentioned that,â you say, a nervous smile tugging at your lips despite the fact that he canât see it. your knees draw tighter to your chest, arms locking around them like youâre bracing for impact. it feels like there are insects beneath your skinârestless, frantic, crawling along the lining of your stomach. âshe just said you wouldnât hang up.â
âyou trusted that?â his laugh filters through the speaker, low and unexpectedly warm, the sharpness from earlier dulled into something almost fond. âwhat if she gave you a fake?â
âthen i guess i just woke up some random guy at four in the morning,â you say after a second, attempting nonchalance and failing spectacularly. âwhich would be⊠humiliating.â
âhm.â thereâs movement on his end againâfabric shifting, a quiet thud like heâs moving around the room. god, you wish you knew what his room looked like. âso, youâd just apologize and hang up?â
ââŠliterally what else would i do?â
thereâs a pause before he speaks. you can almost hear him think out loud. âdonât know. try harder?â
the words are simple, but they settle heavy in your chest. what the hell does he mean by try harder?
âtry harder?â you repeat, incredulous, a little astonished that the man youâve dreamt up is a little different from what youâre hearing.
âyeah.â his voice lowers a fraction, losing the teasing edge and gaining something steadier. âif you wanted to talk to someone that bad, iâd hope you wouldnât give up after one wrong number.â
your fingers curl tighter around your phone. âyou donât even know why i called.â
âdonât i, though?â
okayâwhat the fuck? youâve moved somewhere closer to your window by now, staring at bright windows, counting the very few amount of people walking around at this hour downstairs. anything thatâll fill the silence between his words and your reply, which your brain has yet to compute.
do not call boys you like at four in the morning. note taken.
âanyway,â his voice sends a soothing relief through your body. âwhatâs your name?â
the question feels strangely intimate.
âwhy?â you deflect, suddenly hyper-aware of how exposed you are. thereâs no going back from thisâonce he knows youâre you, itâs sealed.
you might have to discuss⊠alternative routes tomorrow. there is no way in godâs green earth that youâll be able to face lee heeseung in those hallways once this is done.
âbecause,â he say purposefully slow, like heâs explaining things to a toddler. âif you went through the trouble of getting my number, i should at least know who iâm losing sleep over.â
ây/n.â
okayâflights to antarctica. a new name. a new identity is what you need right now, in order to combat the nerves in your body going into overdrive.
he goes quiet for slightly less than ten secondsâthough youâre not exactly sure why youâre countingâand the quiet literally burns. itâs embarrassing to hear his breathing on the other end of the line, because what does it mean? is he disgusted? is he shocked? is he going to block you, or fall in love with you right now?
âitâs a pretty name,â he says. âhavenât heard it before.â
youâre fighting every urge in you to scream.
this feels oddly reminiscent of that middle school crush you had back when you were 13. itâs all butterflies and shaky hands, and even sweatier palms.
lee heeseungâs voice is silky smooth at this hour. exhaustion creeps up on him like itâs claiming his sleep debt, and you hear it in the tiny yawn that sounds through your speakers. you hoped that not holding your screen to your cheek would aid in the worry that he could hear your nervous breathing.
âwell, weâve never talked directly before, soâŠâ
he hums in response. âwell, itâs almost five.â
âtrying to get rid of me?â you joke, and boy, does the post-flirt-humiliation hitâyour eyes screw shut as you silently mutter a âwhat the fuck?â.
he scoffs, âam i?â with the faintest trace of a smile in his voice. you can hear it well enough without the need to look at himâthough that would be preferableâwhich only sends you further into a delusional spiral.
lee heeseung finds you funny.
you bite back a grin, pressing your lips into a thin line. your cheeks ache. youâre probably flushed tomato red from this conversation alone.
you stand up just to keep yourself busy. sittig still feels dangerous, like if you let your body settle, your mind will only follow.
the fear of focusing too much on himâon the way his voice dips at the end of certain words, on how easily he fills the quiet with that strangely confident toneâcould be catastrophic.
your fingers trail along the edge of your desk, feeling the shallow nicks in the wood, the uneven varnish near the corner. you latch onto the smallest details: the coolness of the surface, the faint tremor in your hand.
anything to keep yourself grounded to the earth, in the very possible case that lee heeseung sends you into orbit.
on the other end, thereâs the muted shift of fabric, like heâs rolling onto his side. you picture him staring at the ceiling, one arm tucked behind his head, the phone resting against his cheek.
âdidnât think youâd be the type to be so responsible.â
âone of us has to be,â he says easily. âyou donât sound like someone who keeps track of time, no?â
us.
the word slides into your chest and sits there, heavy and bright all at once.
us, us, us.
you hook a finger through the metal ring of the keychain hanging from your backpack and start spinning it slowly, watching the small charm catch the faint light from your desk lamp. âi absolutely do,â you protest, but the retort comes out thinner than intended.
âdo you?â he presses, gentle but unrelenting. âyou called me at four in the morning.â
âit wasnât exactly planned,â you mutter.
âimpulsive, then.â
thereâs no judgment in his tone. he talks to you like youâre something intriguing under the lens of a microscope.
you cross your room in slow, restless steps, phone held up to chest-level as if the added distance will somehow steady you. the floor is cool beneath your feet. outside your window, the sky is beginning to pale, the darkness thinning into something bluish and uncertain.
âyou picked up, though. you didnât have to.â
the counter-argument is weak. thereâs a brief pause before he admits, âyeah, so?â
âso, what does that say about you?â
your fingers still against the keychain. your feet stand still across from it, refusing to move until he says something to keep this seemingly empty conversation moving. thereâs a short, succinct moment of quiet that makes you swallow.
and thenâa breath. a faint exhale that sounds nothing like a laugh, but more acknowledgement than anything else.
âi make bad decisions before sunrise. i need my sleep,â he answers. âi got an early morning.â
huh. okay. your eyes are narrowing in suspicion before he can get the last word out. âhow early?â
âearly enough.â
you let it go, though the curiosity lingers. instead, youâre turning around to lean your weight back against your desk, pressing yourself against the solid wood edge, focusing on the cadence of his breathing. âyou donât sound tired anymore."
âthatâs your fault.â
your pulse stutters. âmine?â
âhard to sleep when someoneâs interrogating you.â
you huff out a quiet laugh, but your grip on the phone tightens. âiâm not interrogating you.â
âright.â the sound vibrates low through the speaker. you imagine him dragging a hand down his face, sitting up now, feet touching the floor. thereâs a faint creakâwood under weightâfollowed by the soft scrape of something being nudged aside.
âi should probably end this,â he says after a moment, words slowed. âtomorrowâs going to be brutal.â
rightâheâs crazy popular. probably has a lot going on.
you straighten instinctively. the conversation has shifted into its closing act without warning. âright, yeah. of course.â
âdonât stay up,â he adds, tone a smidge lighter, yet it doesnât quite hide the undercurrent. âyouâll blame me when you miss your alarm.â
âbold of you to assume iâd admit that.â
âyou wouldnât,â he agrees easily. âyouâd just call again. wake me up for the second time to complain, yeah?â
again.
âgoodnight, heeseung,â you say before you can dissect the word further. any longer and you mightâve memorised the oxford definition for it.
a beat. you can hear a snicker on the other end of the line, but before you can say much, lee heeseung beats you to it.
âgoodnight.â
the line disconnects. you remain standing in the corner of your room, keychain still looped around your finger. your heartâs drumming against your ribs as the early light creeps further across your walls.
your mindâs swirling againâitâs sending you further into that rabbit hole that looks a lot like heeseungâs perfect hair and charming smile.
note to self: call lee heeseung again. tomorrow. four in the morning.
the sun is barely peeking above the trees now, as if easing itâs way into the sky. he thinks itâll be fully up by the time he finishes brushing his showerâand thereâs that faint smell of citrus. again. disgusting.
a dull, faint thudding sound comes from downstairs. the sound of glasses clinking together reaches all the way up here; echoing in the dimly lit house.
it must be sunoo. making breakfast, he guesses.
thereâs sunlight diffusing into the room, divided into slits by his white blinds thatâve all but stayed drawn throughout the night. skinâs sunken in under his eyes, partially, as a result of microsoft word creeping itâs way into his routine againâhe supposes he should know better by now, but still. time is short.
his hands trail under his tank, scratching at a small itch under his chest. the metal hanging on the far wall catches the widening morning light, thin ribbons casting fragile shadows against white paint. a golden trophy sits dead centre on his dark oak bookshelf, polished to an almost obnoxious shine.
âfuckâŠâ he groans, dragging both hands through his hair, fingers pressing against his scalp like he can physically push the night out of his system.
the strands fall back obediently, barely disturbedâas if exhaustion has weighed them into submission. thereâs something irritating about that, too. like even his body refuses to reflect the fact that he was up until sunrise.
the weekend usually goes like this: brush. shower. dress. breakfast. run. shower. practice. assignments fit somewhere in between.
he begins to crawl out of his duvet. itâs coldâit always is when itâs this early into dawn. the wind kisses his skin like itâs reminding him of this fact, clinging to him as he drags his feet against the wood floor: slow, lazy shuffles until he actually manages to wake up.
open the door, down the hall, to the right. he passes by rooms, involuntarily listening to the muffled snores through wood as his feet carry him to the tiled room at the end of the hallway. the light in sunooâs room casts shadows at his feet, peeking under the door, which confirms his suspicion: the waffle smell is coming from downstairs.
the door hits the wall with a soft thud. one perk about being the first one up is that the bathroom is almost always spotless.
his toothbrush sits in a black mug, along with six others. itâs a plain white, his name written in permanent marker at the handle. just in case a repeat of five months ago happenedânishimura riki, of course, making that mistake.
toothbrush in the mouth. bristles against teeth. back and forth, left and right, circles. gums. tongue. he stares at the stupid smiski figurine that jake left on the shelf just to give himself an excuse not to look at how tired he is.
and as he spits the mint paste out of his mouthâhis phone vibrates against the marble counter. thereâs water on his screen from putting it face down.
we2fuckincoldđ„¶ (informal gc)
yeonjun (vice): good morning princesses 06:01
yeonjun (vice): rink opens at 6pm 06:02
yeonjun (vice): gameâs coming up. do not be late or our dear captain will not be happy! 06:05
yeonjun (vice): can we all strive for a happy hoonie today 06:05
yeonjun (vice): also send ur fucking food logs bro @nicho 06:07
for fuckâs sake.
he groans, yanking the phone closer, tilting it to shake off the water droplets. the screen lights up his tired face in brief flashes of fluorescence, each message a reminder that the world outside this house has already started without him.
shower. breakfast. run. practice. the ritual is looping in his head, mechanical, familiarâbut today, each step feels like itâs being forced through molasses. itâs definitely the microsoft word.
he squints against the glare, ignoring the faint taste of toothpaste still clinging to his tongue, scrolling past the ridiculous group chat chatter to land on the pinned schedule.
2027 training schedule.pdf
and at the topâhis name, in bold, for everyone to remember, as if he hasnât spent long enough drilling it into his teamâs heads.
âcaptain: park sunghoon/vice captain: choi yeonjunâ
sunghoon leans against the counter, elbows braced, letting the faint vibrations of the phone thrum through his fingers. the early sunlight, spilling in at an angle the shitty blinds canât fully block, makes him want to shut his eyes and go back to bedâjungwonâs interior design choices continue to do him no favors.
he stares at the phone a moment longer, thumb hovering over the text threads he knows he should respond to. teasing from his fellow teammates that they know gets under his skin. stupid morning selfies that no one asked for, because the informal group chat is run by no one but the noisiest.
he showers. heâs downstairs. heâs shoving a spoonful of oats into his mouth, gulping down a protein smoothie like itâs water, and only then is he outside and tying his laces. itâs like heâs fucking teleporting around this place.
something feels off. he almost forgets his apple watch before crossing the threshold called sigma alpha betaâs front door. forty minutes later and the morning air is still damp with dew, the neighbourhood quiet save for the distant hum of traffic that hasnât fully reached itâs potential yet.
the door shuts behind him with a click. heart rate: 93 bpm.
sunghoon begins his run like any other morning. the stretch of his limbs feels mechanical at first, the stiffness in his bones finally relenting after hours spent hunched over his laptop. he jogs in place, letting his blood move, allowing his muscles to remember their morning rhythm.
the street around him is quiet, edges softened by dawnâa stray leaf skitters across the sidewalk and the faint smell of a houseâs breakfast drifts through the wind. everything is ordinary, almost painfully so, except for the faint pull in his chest.
god knows why.
a heavy sigh leaves him, curling into vapour the second it meets the cold. his calves are warm, ready to move, muscles primed for the first push forwardâ
bbrrr. bbrrr. brrrr.
choi fucking yeonjun.
âthe hell?â he mutters, wrist lifting automatically as he taps the flashing green icon. âwhat the fuck do you want?â
thereâs a small, sacred list of things that can truly get under park sunghoonâs skin. missed passes. sloppy drills. people who donât keep their word. anyone who interrupts him. and now, apparently, choi yeonjun calling him at six-fifty in the morning, on a fucking sunday.
âare you on your period or something?â yeonjunâs voice comes through crisp and far too alive. âgood morning, my honey bun.â
âstop bothering me.â
âhow did you sleep, huh? why do you sound so angry? you usually save it for practice, in case you donât remembeââ
the thought interrupts him so abruptly it almost throws off his breathing.
okay, to be fair, it was the assignments first. the blinking cursor, and the way microsoft word has this sick habit of stretching minutes into hours until the sky outside starts lightening without permission. heâd told himself heâd sleep right after submitting. just one more paragraph. one more edit. one more citation.
it sounded a lot like a random girl calling his phone at four in the morning. asking about lee heeseung, no less.
gravel crunches harder beneath his shoes as he picks up his pace without meaning to, breath sharpening on the exhale.
âi slept,â sunghoon says flatly, somehow. his eyes stay fixed on the long stretch of road before him.
he doesnât bother to address that. not worth his time. âiâm running.â
a snort crackles through the tiny speaker. âyeah, no shit. i can hear you trying to outrun your personality.â
sunghoon rolls his eyes, though thereâs no one there to see it. the park path stretches ahead, thin and empty, washed in early gold. right foot over the left, his stride perfect, pace never faltering. âwhy are you psychoanalysing me at seven in the morning?â
âitâs six fifty,â yeonjun corrects. he keeps running. âand itâs only cause you sound like you died yesterday.â
and just what the hell am i supposed to do about that, he thinksâitâs not his fault someone rang him in the middle of the night, asked for his best friend like it was urgent, like it mattered at all. itâs not his fault she ate up the remaining hours of sleep heâd planned to ration carefully. itâs not his fault she sounded so intentâso utterly determinedâto talk to lee heeseung.
his jaw tightens slightly.
itâs also not his fault that she doesnât know anythingâwho she was actually talking to. how easily she let the conversation stretch. how readily she laughed. how she filled silences that wouldâve seemed suspicious to anyone else.
youâre so fucking naive. it makes him sick.
âare you trying to break a record right now?â
sunghoon glances down at his watch. his pace has increased by almost thirty seconds per kilometre.
what exactly was he supposed to do, anyway? interrupt her mid-laugh and tell her sheâd reached the wrong person? tell her sheâd misdialed and should try again? hand her off like a misplaced package?
park sunghoon tells himself he only kept the call going because it was easier, and that it was lateâand most of all, itâll only happen once.
thatâs all.
âsunghoon.â
âwhat?â
âdid you hit your head or something?â
sunghoon exhales sharply through his nose, pace steady, shoulders squared like they always are when he runs. unshakeable. âfocus on your own head.â
yeonjun laughs. âwow. so cold. captain, your bedside manner is terrible.â
âgoodbye, yeonjun.â
he ends the call before the vice captain can squeeze in another comment. silence rushes back in, thick and uninterrupted, save for the steady impact of rubber against pavement. sunghoonâs eyebrows knit together as he continues down the path, watching windows flicker to life in real timeâone square of yellow, then another, then three in a row. the campus is waking up, unaware of the private absurdities that unfolded at the expense of park sunghoonâs rest.
and he wonders, briefly, if you slept soundly after that call.
if you rolled onto your side with a faint smile, phone still warm in your palm, thinking about lee heeseung.
or if he were the one you believed you were talking to, would it have sounded the same?
would you have laughed like thatâwould you have fallen for every word?
the thought is almost amusing.
perfect lee heeseung, who forgets half his deadlines. who shows up five minutes late with an apology grin that fixes everything. who doesnât have to hold a locker room together or pretend his moods donât exist. who can afford to be charming because nothing rests on his shoulders long enough to bruise. and still, you never fucking noticed the difference.
but the thing is this: park sunghoon might as well have his face plastered on billboards, because everyone around him knowsâor thinks they do. they all see him. theyâre all watching him.
a slightly clipped tone. a delayed response in the group chat. half a second too long between reps at practice. they notice. they always notice.
if heâs irritated, the team feels it. if heâs distracted, the drills get sloppy. if heâs quiet, the locker room gets tense. his mood isnât just hisâitâs contagious. spreading like hazardous, passionate wildfire. a fucking plague that everyoneâs afraid to upset.
heeseung doesnât need to think about that, does he?
heeseung doesnât have thirty pairs of eyes scanning his expression the second he walks into the rink. doesnât have rookies straightening their posture when he passes. he doesnât have to calculate the weight of every word because one careless comment could echo for weeks.
how pathetic. sunghoon really has to stop throwing himself into self-deprecating chains of thought in the middle of his morning runs.
you move through the day like youâre on autopilot.
your alarming lack of errands feels like the source of your miseryânothing fills the time well enough. the clock drags its feet out of spite, each minute stretching thinner than the last, and there are simply not enough tiktoks in the world to scroll through until four in the morning.
âŠdoes it even have to be four in the morning?
youâre sprawled across the couch in your apartment, limbs loose, attention even looser. jiwonâs out tonightâdinner with that guy she met at sigma alpha etaâand you waved her off earlier with a distracted nod after sitting through a solid hour of her spiralling about how sheâs ânot sure if heâs the one.â
your fingers tapped impatiently against your phone while she twirled in front of you, once, twice, the fabric of her dress catching in the stale air of the living room. you were slumped against the backrest, head heavy in your palms, fighting sleep that had nothing to do with exhaustion and everything to do with boredom.
âi literally told you my opinion,â it escapes as a groan, your lashes fluttering shut before your head lands against the cushions. âif youâre just gonna keep going back to this dress, just wear this one.â
jiwon looked at you like youâd shot her in the chest. âyouâre just so patient, arenât you?â
your arm drifted lazily toward the glass table, fingers stretching for your phone like a dying man reaching for water. itâs barely out of reach, but somehow still too far.
you hook it toward you at last. the screen lights up: nothing. of course.
and then she continues to talkâsomething about silhouettes, about first impressions, about how boys apparently notice everythingâbut her voice dissolves into background noise. you nod when it feels appropriate. hum when she pauses, look over when she calls your name.
sorry, oh jiwon. you do not have the capacity to give a fuck right nowâlee heeseungâs name is sitting on the top of your call log like a secret, ready to be shown off to the world.
âfine. iâll just wear thisââ
she leaves with her keys jingling down the hallway. you chew your lip like the short-lived guilt might manifest into an apology and hunt her down that corridor, but between you and literally anyone else?
it will be forgiven and forgotten when she returns tomorrow morning, you assume, only because thereâs smuggled condoms in her purseâlike sheâs starring in some coming-of-age film.
the rest of the evening passes in a strange, slippery blur.
youâre cooking dinner at one point, staring absently at the stove while oil crackles in the pan, nearly burning the garlic because you drifted too far into your own head. later, youâre in the shower, steam clinging to your skin while you tilt your face away from the showerhead, replaying last nightâs conversation in fragmentsâthe way he laughed. the pause before he answered certain questions. the tone of his voice when he teased you.
youâre checking your phone again. this is definitely worse than that crush you had when you were thirteen.
a few miles away on campus soil, practice runs longer than it should. park sunghoon has sweat clinging to his skin, darkening the collar of his shirt, tracing the lines of muscle that took years to carve into something worth respecting. every movement feels marginally heavier than usual despite the near-flawless precision of his drills. his turns are clean. his stops sharp. his passes calculated.
still, thereâs just something about today.
he pushes the team harder than usual. he tells himself it has nothing to do with your voice bouncing around in his head like an insufferable little ping-pong ball. absolutely nothing to do with the way you laughed at something he said at four in the morning.
itâs discipline. thatâs all.
thereâs hesitation in the juniorsâ movements. itâs especially obvious in the way they avoid himâquestions rerouted to choi yeonjun instead, who is currently preoccupied with his self-assigned duty of shooting nicholas with two pucks at once for reasons known only to him. sunghoon watches it unfold with a faint twitch of annoyanceâhe has to take off his helmet just to breathe right. sometimes, he genuinely wonders how yeonjun managed to snag vice captain.
eventually, though, the confusion climbs its way back to him like it always does. a hesitant shuffle. a cough. a poorly disguised glance in his direction.
âcaptainââ
his voice cuts through the rinkâs cold air with surgical clarity. he explains every movement, every angle, every adjustment with mechanical perfection. there is no room for misunderstanding when he speaks. there rarely ever is when heâs this worked up.
by the time he gets back to sigma alpha eta, his muscles ache and his head feels heavier than it shouldâhis skull weighing on his spine, every knot tightening in a body that was already rigid to begin with. even if he swears he warmed up enough, his gait still comes out stiff.
he heads straight for the bathroom after tossing his bag onto the floor, haphazardly by the doorframe of his room. the tiled floor is slightly slippery from someone elseâs shower, much to his dismay.
he peels his clothes off, the overhead light catching the sheen of sweat still clinging to his skin. his gaze lingers, unintentional, over the familiar outline of his bodyâsomething he built, piece by piece, over years of repetition and restraint.
itâs taken him so long to get here.
park sunghoon turns slightly, glancing over his shoulder. his eyes squint at the subtle tints of blue and purple, an occasional yellow and familiar reds.
a faint bruise blooms along his backânoticeable enough to catch his attention, but still subtle enough to ignore. his thumb presses into it briefly. it doesnât hurt much, sitting in a valley between his shoulder blade and the deep impression of his spine.
he doesnât dwell. no time. thereâs roughly ten minutes before his eyes have to shut and his cells get to work at repairing the strain he never fails to put himself through.
the shower is quick. burning hot water pelts his shoulders, steam gathering thick against the tiles as the tension in his body dulls into something manageable. afterward, he downs another protein shake, the grainy texture catching in his throat like itâs meant to fill more than just hunger.
then, the sheets rustle as he settles in. tonight feels cooler than usual, though that might have more to do with the window he left wide openâjake sim always made the habit of reminding him to, otherwise, itâd be too stuffy. the blinds sway with the wind, wood tapping lightly against the glass in a steady, hollow rhythm.
no assignments. class begins early tomorrow. park sunghoon needs all the energy he can get if he wants to maintain that stellar gpa of hisâitâs reason enough to shut his screen off and reach for the charger without hesitation.
this is what most nights look like. the temperature shifts by a degree or two. the sounds outside change. the air moves differently. but if he squints, itâs all the same, really. park sunghoonâthe captain, the leader, the one everyone watchesâfalls asleep the same way every night, staring at what heâs built.
his gaze drifts back, almost involuntarily, to his now-dimmed phone. the last item on his mental checklist has been crossed off, but the weight on his shoulders doesnât lift. if anything, it settles deeper, heavier, as the thought of monday presses in.
there will be mondays for the rest of his life. obviously.
itâs sunday nights like thisâquiet, cold, stretching endlessly before themâthat serve as meaningless prologues that do nothing but make park sunghoon feel like the loneliest man in the world, at the top of the chain that heâs tried so desperately to scale.
his eyes shift to the wall instead. an attempt at distracting himself.
medals, trophies, certificates. plaques stacked where thereâs no space left for more.
thereâs boxes shoved beneath his bed, too. filled with the rest of it, or rather, everything that didnât make the cut. almost all of itâs in thereâwrinkled homework from the when he first learned how to write his name coherently, all the way to the year he left his hometown.
itâs taped shut with cheap, barely-there adhesive, the kind that curls at the edges if you look at it for too long. heâs almost certain his mother shoved it in the car, insisted he bring it with him to collegeâsomething about keeping memories close, about not forgetting where he came from. he canât recall how else it wouldâve ended up here, with him, haunting his conscience like a guilty ghost.
sunghoon plugs the cord in, the battery icon flashing obediently on the corner of his screen. that should be the endâ
ding!
his jaw tightens. his tooth almost cracks from how hard heâs gritting them. itâs even more annoying, because his armâs already bent over the table, ready to drop the device on his small night stand.
so god help him, if itâs choi yeonjun asking for the practice footage again, or sending another half-coherent voice note about formations he absolutely should have memorised by nowâ
ding!
sunghoon exhales sharply through his nose and retracts his hand. the attention-aware feature on his phone causes his screen to light up almost immediately, and despite the fact that he was just staring at it moments ago, it burns all the same.
unknown contact.
he doesnât even need to see the name. sunghoon sees the call log from last night, ending at five in the morning, and immediately knows.
y/n l/n: day went great btw 01:21
y/n l/n: not a single yawn 01:21
heâs going to bed. heâs tired, and heâs not definitely past dealing with a girl who doesnât even care that he doesnât sound like lee heeseungâor at the very least, not enough to verify that it is indeed park sunghoon on the other end of the line.
y/n l/n: i know you said 4am but i have class at 8 tmr sooo 01:21
there are a few things park sunghoon would never admit to anyone else. firstly, that heâs terrible at making his own coffee and still gets riki to do it for him. secondly, that he needs to hug his ridiculously large, sausage-shaped pillow to fall asleep, or he wakes up worse than usual.
and thirdâ
that heâs genuinely listening to a random girl on the phone, without slipping in a quiet, so are you coming over or not? somewhere between her sentences.
it doesnât feel like a decision. thereâs something settling into place, clicking in his chest before he has a real chance to question his own intentions. the words come out easily, slipping off his tongue and past his lips like water, because thatâs what this isânatural, for reasons beyond him.
sunghoon lies back with one arm tucked behind his head, the other holding his phone loosely against his cheek. moonlight spills into the room through the half-open blinds, stretching across his ceiling like it has nowhere else to go. he knows he shouldâve closed them earlier, but the thought passes without consequence, dissolving somewhere between the moment your name lit up his screen and now.
his hair falls in soft streaks across his forehead, long since dried from the aggressive towel action heâd put himself through not even half an hour agoâsomething he refuses to think about too meticulously, especially not in relation to the notification that had pulled him back to his phone.
incoming call from y/n l/n.
thereâs a dull ache pressing at his temples, insistent, like itâs trying to remind him of something heâs choosing to ignore. he knows better than this, he really does. in the same way he knows that you think heâs someone else entirely.
he breathes, slow and deep like itâll undo all the knots in his muscles. itâs strange that itâs working now, compared to all the times where he got a sports massage after practice with no real effect, and he wondersâno matter how absurd it isâthat if itâs your voice thatâs making him so, so sleepy.
on the other end, you never hesitate. you answer him with a kind of ease he isnât used to, words flowing like thereâs nothing in the world worth holding back. thereâs something almost intimate in itânot intentional, barely meaningful, but there all the same. like two people who have already decided, somewhere along the way, that they belong in each otherâs space.
the thought comes uninvited.
is this what couples do?
it makes him want to shut his eyes and forget he ever had it.
your voice carries through the line with the same unfiltered simplicity that heâs already starting to recognizeâlight, animated despite the hour, spilling from one thought to the next with barely any pause. thereâs a lack of calculation in the way you speak, a clear absence of consideration in what words were okay to say, and what details were appropriate to omitâin which there were none. you even told him about your ten minute doomscroll session on the toilet midway through biochemistry.
it fills the silence before it can exist. itâs not like heâs not used to the noiseâheâs surrounded by idiots who canât keep their mouth shut, and god, has he wished for years that everyone around him would just be quiet for at least ten minutesâbut when your soft, sweet voice rings in his ears, heâs not even sure what heâs feeling.
the realistic part of him, however useless he may be now, knows that everything is a lie. thereâs you, rambling to him solely because you think he is the man you have that miserable crush on, and then thereâs him: feeding your delusions, for his own selfish intents, as if that makes him any less dumber than you.
youâre talking to him because you think heâs someone else. because youâve attached yourself to a version of a person that doesnât exist on this end of the line.
he lets it happen, anyway.
sunghoon shifts against his pillows and the mattress dips slightly beneath his weight. the room remains dim, lit faintly by the fluorescent lighting radiating from his screen, probably killing off all his melatonin receptors by nowâthe dull wash of streetlight slips in, occasionally cut off by a passing car through half-open blinds. the air moves lazily, wind brushing past his skin, cooling what little heat still lingers from his shower.
his responses lag. he lets you talk. itâs intentional at first, an easy excuse for something he can fall back on. you seemed like the type who didnât need much prompting, anywayâyour words come in soft bursts of laughter, half-finished thoughts and tangents that circle back around before he can fully follow them. it should be difficult to keep up with, but as with everything thatâs occuring, itâs unknown to him why it isnât.
somewhere along the way, it stops being passive. thereâs things that heâs noticing that he doesnât want to notice. hearing things that he never means to. itâs lodged into his brain thatâs already fighting for more storage spaceâyour tone that shifts when youâre about to say something embarrassing, or how you rush through it a little faster, before doubling back as if to justify it. thereâs pauses that arenât quite pauses, just brief breaths where he can almost picture you thinking, deciding whether to keep going or jump to the next part of your day.
he remembers that party. he remembers how your hair fell on your face, and in the moment, sunghoon thought youâd just be passing in his already busy lifeâhe finds it extremely irritating that he can recall almost every mundane feature on your face as if you were the most beautiful girl heâd seen. that dress that you probably found deep in your dresser and didnât bother to smooth out, or that cup in your hand thatâs barely holding any liquor. you were there for someone, after all.
he stood at that stairwell, watching, as if you were someone he couldnât approach. pleaseâif lee heeseung wasnât the one you already set your sights on, he bets he could have you in his bed that very night.
if only he hadnât froze.
youâre not anyone meaningful to him. youâre not supposed to take up what precious space he has for himself, and yet, here you are, barging into his life like you demand his attention.
itâs not like heâs any better, honestly. he knows that much.
âi was wondering if i should call, yâknow,â you mumble through his phoneâs speaker. he raises an eyebrow, as if you could see it. âitâs really late. donât you have class tomorrow, too?â
âi do,â sunghoon sighs. he makes a conscious effort to stop himself from sharing which. âall day.â
unknown to park sunghoon, youâre lying upside down on your pink duvet, hair falling over the edge of your bed. youâre acting like you have no real responsibilities or hour long classes tomorrow morning, and that energy is somehow infecting him, too.
his grip around the phone shifts, thumb brushing absentmindedly along the edge of his thick case. the thought of telling you who he really is comes and goes without fully forming, though the feeling that claws at his ribs is quieter than guilt. itâs not sharp enough for him to address just yet.
you say something. he doesnât catch all of it, only the way your laughter follows right after. sunghoon almost thinks you must love hearing your own voice with how giggly you are.
nevertheless, it pulls something out of him before it can be stopped. a responseâlow and tired in nature, slipping into the conversation as if he didnât spend the past ten minutes wondering if anything heâll say will give him away.
and still, you respond, picking it up without hesitation, folding his words into yours like itâs the most natural thing in the world.
âi didnât even realise the time until i checked my phone,â you lie. âiâm sorry if you were just kidding yesterday⊠and didnât want me to actually call. i wasnât sure.â
âitâs fine, really.â sunghoon murmurs, voice low and threaded with sleep. âbut you really shouldâve called earlier. iâm about to knock out.â
thereâs a soft scoff on your end, fabric shifting faintly. sunghoonâs ears pick that up, too. âyou picked up anyway, didnât you?â
he doesnât respond to that, and the silence continues. itâs not empty or uncomfortable, filled with something else that simmers under his skin. he lets it stay.
you donât push, instead humming like youâve already moved on. you talk more about your day, admitting to things that you probably shouldnât, voice drifting back into that easy rhythm that makes him want to turn over and shut his eyes for the night. âi kept checking my phone like something interesting would happen today, butâŠâ
ânothing did?â he asks, eyes half-liddedâhis eyelashes feel heavier now.
âwellllâŠâ you drag out the word slightly, a hint of a smile tucked into it, like sunghoon couldnât already hear the teeth in your voice. âiâm telling you about my day now, so i guess it all worked out.â
he exhales softly. his finger comes up to his face to rub at his nose, and he sniffles before responding, âthatâs a really low bar.â
âiâm being honest,â you admit, voice dipping just slightly, unaware of the cliff youâre driving yourself off of. âyou seem like someone whoâs always busy.â
he supposes, in a sense, he is. just not in a lee heeseung way. âiâm not that busy.â
thereâs a hint of disbelief in your laugh that fades quickly. it gives way to something more curious, and all it does is ease the conversation into something quieter and more fluid. your voice lowers as words blend together, and sunghoon finds his shoulders caving into his chest.
he shifts against the pillows, letting the weight of the night settle into his tired limbs. you wrap around him like a thread pulling tautâhe doesnât need to respond immediately; the words coming from you are enough to fill spaces heâs left behind.
sunghoon blinks slowly. âyouâve got me wrong.â
âyeah, now that i think about it,â you whisper. âi donât think i know enough to be right.â
park sunghoon rarely gets nervous, if ever. there were a few times in fifth grade that heâd gotten a tummy ache before going up on stage, or in middle school when he had to give a presentation on the cultural history of korean calligraphy. he supposes the habit just vanished, because by the time he turned sixteen and played in his first hockey match, it never manifested again.
thereâs a relief that comes with finding your coping mechanism. sunghoon never really examined why he would feel like throwing up before getting in front of a bunch of strangers, but he understood, even if on a very basic level, that hockey took that away from himâitâs the smooth slide of his skates against ice that tends to narrow down the world to just him, where nothing and no one else matters.
heâs not exactly sure why that is; reflection wasnât really his thing. he knew it when his teacher would set him aside from other kids and ask âhow are things at home?â, to which he had no answers.
as long as it works, right?
still, itâs here now. that feeling of his heart dropping straight through his mattress, and his stomach churning something that refuses to let him speak.
âi feel like iâve just been yapping,â you say. you arenât wrong. itâs barely your fault, though he canât really tell you that.
sunghoon swallows, throat dry and constricting around nothing. the grip he has on his phone tightens momentarily before easing again, his gaze darting around the room like heâs searching desperately for answers thatâll magically manifest.
he could say something. he should. something vague would be good. easy to follow up with, or be mysterious about. slightly personal so you donât pry too much, that doesnât let this tip any further than it already has.
and yetâthe words donât come. it barely makes it past his throat.
sunghoon exhales and the sound is almost lost against the line. âitâs getting late.â
itâs been âgetting lateâ for the past two hours. his voice sounds worn, and he blames no one but himselfâfor letting his schedule fall apart like this, and still picking up the phone anyway.
and you, being the unsuspecting, naive girl you areâhumming softly as if to tell him you understand. âyeah, i guess so.â
park sunghoon tears his screen away from the warmth of his cheek. only now does he realise how long itâs truly been; the absence of his warm device and the presence of cold wind hitting his face helps him remember how absurd this is.
he looks at the duration of the call, now barely over two hours.
the number sits there, steady and indifferent, as if it doesnât account for the way time had slipped past him without resistance. as if it doesnât mean anything at all.
for a moment, he just stares at it, his thoughts lagging behind the reality of it. two hours of listening, of responding, of letting himself exist in something that shouldnât have been this easy.
this should end here.
sunghoon brings the phone back to his ear, the warmth returning in a way that feels almost deceptive now. he blinks once, twice, before clearing his throat. âgoodnight, y/n.â
âgoodnight, heeseung.â
the line cuts. sunghoon lies still in his white sheets, the duvet crinkling softly beneath his weightâthough it feels heavier than it should, like itâs dragging him deeper into the earth. he stares blankly into the space above him, eyes fixed on nothing, as if he canât quite register the way the room seems to close in, inch by inch.
outside, the world goes on, completely unaware.
cars pass. lights flicker somewhere beyond his window. time moves the way it always doesâsteady, indifferent to him, and for a fleeting moment, he wishes he wasnât in this body.
the thought comes quietly, almost absurd in its simplicity. the thought that he could step out of himself and into someone elseâsomeone forgettable, someone ordinaryâsomeone who doesnât carry the weight of expectation so tightly wound around his chest. he imagines it briefly, the ease of it: letting tomorrow belong to someone else.
letting the responsibilities, the precision, the constant awareness slip from his grasp for just a day.
just once where he doesnât have to move like he knows exactly what heâs doing, or carry himself like someone people look up toâlike someone who has everything under control, when the truth is that heâs no different from anyone else. just one fucking day is all he asks.
it was niceâthe two hours sunghoon got to pretend like he wasnât sunghoon. he could say it was almost natural, which only unsettles him even more.
he shifts slightly against his sheets, and the loud rustle only anchors him further into the reality heâs in. he blinks slowly before letting his eyelids shut, and almost as if to say âyouâre never living this downâ, your face appears right behind them.
here you are, reconstructed behind his shut eyes like youâre something worth rememberingâit's your perfect hair. your eyes that dulled the lights strobing in your face. that dress that looked weirdly good on you.
you only see kim sunoo once a week. thereâs careful planning that goes behind the days leading up to psychology of mass mediaâitâs the only hour you can get any intel, if at all, due to the convenient fact that sunoo likes to be the first to leave and last to arrive.
in reality, itâs just you showing up earlier than necessary, and lingering a little longer than you should in hopes that youâll catch sunoo again.
you have one question. just one. he wonât mind, would he?
the lecture hall is still half-empty when you slip in, and the fluorescent lights actually burnârows of seats stretching out in that familiar, uninspired gradient of grey and black. there are a few scattered groups that have already settled in, most of them slumped over their desks with jackets thrown over their heads. the sound of keyboard clicking echoes, bouncing off the sterile walls, and you do your best to tune it out.
it takes two minutes for kim sunoo to walk in, beige tote slung over his shoulder, stride light and easyâhe always looked put together despite the hour. there were times you considered if he was a vampire, considering how he never looks tired, but the thought never sticks long enough to matter.
he slides into his usual seat without much ceremony, setting his bag beside him before pulling out his macbook. thereâs a faint glow of white casts over his face, highlighting the smoothness of his skin, and it feels ridiculousâthat split second when you feel a little jealous of him.
fifty five minutes left.
you move before you can think too hard about it, because you already know how that ends. your sneakers thud softly against the carpeted floor as you make your way down the steps, gaze flickering briefly around the roomânot because thereâs anything to actually be wary of, but because it feels like there should be.
as if anyone here could read your mind, and as if theyâd even care enough to judge you for it. the thought lingers in the back of your mind all the same.
you slow just a fraction as you near his row, like the sensible part of your brainâs giving you one last chance to turn around and act like the normal girl who doesnât care that much. thereâd be some grace in taking that empty seat behind him and pretending like the thought of snooping around lee heeseungâs love life never crossed your mind at allâbut it has to happen, and unless the gift of time travel is suddenly bestowed upon you, your ass is about to meet the plastic chair beneath you.
the chair creaks softly under your weight, the sound swallowed almost immediately by the low hum of the room. everyoneâs blissfully unaware of the humiliation youâre about to put yourself through, though it somehow makes your courage muster a little easier.
âyouâre staring at me.â
sunooâs voice is monotonous. he doesnât bother to spare you a look, because in truth, he doesnât need to turn his head to see the way youâre burning holes through his.
âiâm not.â
he scoffs, though he means nothing spiteful of it. as much as he hates to admit, you were one of the nicer seatmates he had this year. âyou are.â
âokay, well,â you begin, hands coming up from under the long, laminated wooden desk in front of you. you press them together, like thatâd make things less awkwardâyour fingers fidget just for the sake of doing something other than staring at sunoo. âi was thinkingââ
âabout me?â kim sunoo smiles, still not looking at you. the corner of his lip is lifted up in something similar to genuine amusement, but it does nothing to help the embarrassment thatâs stabbing at your nerves. âyouâre blunt, [name].â
âha ha,â you mock. sunoo canât help but giggle at that. âthe posters. outside. i saw them.â
ah. he sees what this is about.
soul searching ⊠booth 35, level 1, outside block A
friday, 10th september 2026, 1pm-8pm
â€ïž love life in shambles? wanna meet new people? come visit our booth to find your perfect match!
â€ïž a quick questionnaire, a curated pairingâone conversation might change everything. rumour has it that the first person you meet⊠might just be the one.
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the promotional poster that you stumbled upon was one of many pasted across campus. there were a few that jiwon mumbled to you about this morning, over the phone, and while you canât exactly recall the exact details of the conversation, you just know it made her reconsider attending. it was obvious in the way she kept asking, âshould i?â followed by âi donât know, maybe i shouldâ, circled back with âiâll think about itâ.
it was for, roughly, five seconds that you wondered just how many girls would be lining up for it as well. you remember standing there a little longer than necessary, eyes skimming over the bold lettering like it was supposed to mean more than it did. the paper had been slightly wrinkled at the edges, tape barely holding it against the wall like it had been put up in a rushâbut it was bright, unapologetically pink, and you almost grimaced at the thought of other people stopping to stare at it the same way you did.
youâd already decided you were going to go.
scanned the qr code right then and there, shamelessly, in the middle of the hallway on the way hereâthumb hovering for less than a second before pressing submit, like hesitation would somehow make it worse.
the soulmate part, thoughâthat stuck, unfortunately. it clung in a way that was irritatingly persistent, like gum pressed into the grooves of your thoughts. not because you believed it, necessarily, but because it was the kind of idea that refused to leave once it had somewhere to sit.
âsoâŠ. details?â you ask, a bright and inviting smile plastered onto your cheeks. âis heeseung going for sure? how does it even work?â
kim sunoo shrugs, typing briefly into his laptop before looking at you. âitâs a fundraiser booth. students sign up and get paired at random. i think, like, five seniors found their husbands here a few years back, and itâs been a myth ever since.â
you blink. âwaitâso the first person you meet thing, thatâs real? the soulmate shit?â
âyeah. havenât you seen how many campus couples made it because of us? itâs really weird.â
soulmates. itâs all bullshit.
people talked about fate like it was something clean and predictable, like they didnât sit behind the steering wheel of their own life. itâs as if someone or something invisible was guiding themâlike there was a line drawn somewhere out there with your name on it, waiting for you to follow it without question until it led you to the right person.
youâve never experienced it that way. if anything, your history with relationships feels like the opposite: bad timing, poor judgement, moments that almost worked until they didnât. near misses are dressed up as something meaningful, but conversations fizzle out just when they start to feel like they might matter.
nothing stayed. nothing was ever meant to. you, having a soulmateâin that senseâit felt extremely unlikely.
it isnât in a dramatic, self-pitying wayâitâs the same way you understand that most things in life donât fall neatly into place without sustained effort and consistency. relationships arenât something pre-built that you stumble into, perfectly right and accommodating despite yourself, and theyâre definitely not something you keep just because the universe decided you should.
couples will look you in the eye and tell you theyâre meant to be, like it was written somewhere long before they ever met, but they barely talk about the parts where they almost walked away, or the moments where instinct told them to leave and they didnât. the hesitation. the doubt. the very real option of not choosing each other.
fate, soul ties, forever. there are a lot of excuses people make when they donât want to admit their own fault in something. itâs easier to dress things up as something inevitable than to acknowledge the effort it took to keep it goingâor the moments where it almost didnât.
do people just like pretending that they donât have a say in what they do?
sunoo pauses, shifting his dark hair from his eyes before glancing at you. âdo you think itâs cringey? saeri told me to remove that part of the poster⊠but i didnât. itâs the charm of our booth, i think.â
âi donât think so,â you lie, adrenaline humming through your veins. it is kind of corny, but who would admit that to himâkim sunoo probably doesnât need more people hating on his poor slogan choices, and the more you act like it was a wise move, the better the chance you get paired with heeseung once he realizes you signed up. âi think itâs⊠uhm, plausible.â
anything but asking him directly, though.
âanyway,â sunoo glances back at his screen. microsoft word fills the entire monitor with graphs and figures youâre sure are from jiwonâs econ class. âi think everyoneâs coming, except sunghoon. that guyâŠâ
you raise an eyebrow. this is the first youâve heard of him since that party two weeks agoâat this point, he almost feels like a hallucination. âsunghoon? whatâs his deal?â
âheâs not a relationship guy. i think he knows itâd be a waste of time to sign up and make the girl feel like shit for five minutes straight,â sunoo sighs, leaning into his palm as if this were the harsh reality heâs learned to accept. âhe cares, but has no idea how to show it. heâs like a three year old.â
you nod slowly, like you understand. you donât.
though, somethingâs happening in your body thatâs reminiscent of sunday night. itâs that odd, simmering sensationâproof. it flickers at the edge of your mind like a fuzzy memory, echoing that same low, lingering pull that sat right in the centre of your sternum.
sunooâs cheek leans back into his palm, his eyes following professor choiâs figure thatâs just strolled in. itâs your queue to shut the hell up and start preparing your materials for class, but it sets something else off.
you try, briefly, to chase it. to trace it back, to link it to something tangible and real and concrete. a face, a voice, a moment that would justify the way it settles into you so easily, but it slips through your fingers just as quickly, dissolving before it can really take shape.
âi see,â you hum. âwell, iâll come. donât worrââ
the text comes while heâs brushing his teeth. his hairâs a mess as he stares into himself, eyes flicking down to the sink where some of his toothpasteâs fallen off his toothbrushâyour voice is replaying in his head like a sick alarm, though he knows that itâs only because heâd hung up the phone only two hours ago.
sunghoon found himself silently praying that practice was cancelled. it was unlike him; the way he lingered in his sheets and had to take a deep breath before getting up. he dragged himself to the bathroom, hand swiping at the towel rack outside the doorâhoping that he didnât take jakeâs by mistake, and begging (to whom?) that he wouldnât need to use it.
snu hockey boys â26 âžïžđ
yeonjun: practice is cancelled 06:32
yeonjun: coach has an emergency but pls send your food logs by 2200. whoever misses = double ur distance tmr 06:32
yeonjun: rink is still open tho 06:32
he took one good look at his to-do list this morning and resolved that he was going to the library. heâs fully convinced that if he lets his assignments pile up any more, his professors will start to think heâs slipping. god forbidâas if the boy hasnât gotten less than a a in years.
we2fuckincoldđ„¶ (informal gc)
nicho: guys pls stop eating by the benches too the janitors r gonna beat us :( 06:45
yeonjun: u guys cant fucking control yourselves can you 06:56
park sunghoon moves through the early dawn like he usually does, except that he walks right past the folded jersey and duffle bag already sitting on his desk. he lets himself slouch a little as he walks downstairs; the tiredness is already seeping in despite the constant self-correction.
itâs going to be a long day of cramming if he wants to get anything done, clearlyâso he decides on unplugging his laptop charger, folding it neatly into the small zipper of his backpack, and leaving the house without his running shoes packed.
heâs still stretching when he hears the shuffle of footsteps outside. itâs too early for any one of his brothers to be upâon weekdays like this, park sunghoon was always the first to get moving, followed by jay in another hour.
itâs only six. nobody else gets up at six.
sunghoon reaches for the strap of his backpack as he makes his way towards the doorâslightly ajar, swaying faintly with the draft, about to shut itself. itâs only when heâs a step away from the frame that he catches sight of lee heeseung walking past.
lee heeseung doesnât get up until eleven.
reaching for the metal knob, sunghoon pulls back the door with more force than heâd like to admit, only to see heeseungâalready at the top of the stairs, leaning lazily against the railing like the early hour means nothingâplaid boxers slung low on his hips, hair flattened in odd directions, and the faint imprint of wrinkled sheets still pressed into his back.
he just watches. doesnât want to ask. the answer is already written across heeseungâs body in fading purples and reds, scattered along his neck and arms, threaded between the pale, healed superficiality of old scars.
instead, park sunghoon makes his way towards the stairs as well, with a backpack slung over his shoulder and an undeniable tiredness in his bones. he passes his dear friend before making his way down the flight of wood steps, feet thudding against the floor, eyes occasionally glancing towards the big entryway before him.
thereâs a girl by the front door, half-crouched as she slips her shoes back on. her hair is messy in an unmistakable way, fingers combing through it as she balances herself against the wall using her other hand. she doesnât look up, too preoccupied with fixing herselfâitâs the last thing on her mind, and all she wants is to fit her heel into the mary janes sheâs got sitting outside.
she pulls the metal handle, and looks back up at lee heeseung. nothing else is said, not even a wave, nor does he dismiss her presenceâhe just watches her warm smile curve up.
it feels like heâs walked in on something intimate. heeseung has a faint smirk that sunghoon was never able to wear when sooha was around, no matter how satisfied she made him feel, and heâs wearing that look of comfortable, guilt-free laziness that he recognises in the mirror every morning, after he hangs up on you.
sunghoon walks into the library like he owns it. professional poker face and all, heading straight for that seat by the windows that arenât facing east, so the sun doesnât burn his face off. just how he likes it.
the air-conditioning hits his skin and the lights above him are bright enough to sting. itâs enough to keep him awake for the next few hours, combined with the warm black coffee swishing around in his tumbler as he takes his time setting his stuff down.
a few stares and silent whispers are expected as he passes by the busier sections. he takes his usual seatânot many people know about it, due to the fact that itâs shoved so far away in isolation, miles from the bathroom and entrance, but park sunghoon appreciates this fact. nobody is around to stare at him sideways while he does his work, and there wonât be any eyes that refuse to leave his when he finally looks up.
the large, wood-laminate six-seat table was completely empty, and spotless. no coffee stains or broken sockets, and completely cut off from student civilization.
he settles into a bright orange chair by the window, where his face is obstructed by a large pillarâthe sun warms his hands up as they pull his laptop out, already booted up from the night before, on the microsoft word home screen.
he groans when he sees at least three empty documents, all of which he meant to start yesterday. of course, that was the plan prior to your call, and sunghoon swore heâd at least try to multitask, if only not to feel the guilt later on. itâs obvious that he canât do that anymore.
his slender fingers slide over the touchpad, navigating to his most urgent assignment for economics.
the cursor blinks at the top of his toolbarâitâs waiting for him to click something, anything, and he almost does. it circles around the add text box and darts away again, to open chrome. park sunghoon is staring at his screen like itâs a foreign, alien-sent object.
once upon a time, this wouldâve sufficed. a quiet corner, an uninterrupted day, and his laptop on full-charge. work and productivity comes easily to someone as hard-working as him, and when thereâs nothing else competing for his attention. compartmentalization is an incredibly common skill, but sunghoon is different, in the sense that he could live two separate lives in a single day, if need be.
though, these days, concentration feels far rarer than heâd like to admit.
the sound of soft, carpeted footsteps approaching barely registers in his ears. heâs too focused reading over the same one line heâs writtenâhis name and student id numberâto shift his eyes elsewhere.
his peers pass through this section all the time. not many, but enough for it not to be alarming. this was still a public space, after all.
his eyes remain fixed on the screen as he reaches for his tumbler, taking a slow sip of coffee. outside, the sky is finally brightening into that familiar golden, instead of a depressing, cold blue. few students pass by the large glass panels, some in clusters and others alone.
this is simple enough. all he has to do is write. sunghoon has the brains for this, the attention span, and overall capability to complete this useless assignmentâso he adjusts himself further into the chair and begins skimming through the brief for what feels like the tenth time since itâs released. itâs all market trends, consumer psychology, something about forecasting models by the time the words begin to blur together.
the caffeine isnât circulating fast enough. he reaches, sips again, and draws a deep breath in through his nose. halfway through his second paragraph, a chair thuds quietly against the carpeted floor, before the faintest âshitâ is heard.
libraries are full of idiots. nobody can even drag a chair out properly anymore, apparently. now that the sound has derailed his train of thought, sunghoon canât help but to flick his dark brown irises up, locking right onto you.
for a second, he genuinely wonders if his sleep deprivation has evolved into hallucinations.
of all the tables and empty seats scattered across four. fucking. floors.
park sunghoonâs grip tightens slightly around his black, metal rimmed tumbler, an action you thankfully do not notice. this corner of the library is so damn meaningless to himâbut now that youâre here, itâs like this is all heâll ever remember, all heâll ever associate with the place.
the moment of recognition doesnât last very long. surprisingly, it doesnât send panic through his bloodstream, nor does it get his heart bursting out of his chestâthough, he can still feel it pounding a little harderâinstead, itâs just vague acknowledgement written all over that pretty face of yours, reserved for familiar faces.
park sunghoon. hockey captain guy. heeseungâs friend, the one who unintentionally stared at you sideways that one friday night (that heâll never forget).
âoh.â
the tension binding his shoulders tight is loosened, just a fraction. the tiny sound leaves your mouth quietly, though it sounds nothing like shock, and itâs more to yourself than to him.
âhope you donât mind if iââ
sunghoonâs response comes out rougher than intended. âno.â
you smile in response, and god, sunghoon wants to fucking drive a ten foot pole into his chest at the sight of your cheeks puffing up. thereâs a faint flush on your cheeks from walking in the morning sun, and he notices a few blemishes on your skin as the sun almost blinds youâhe can tell itâs getting into your eyes because youâre squinting. âyou can sit here.â
you almost choke by the time sunghoon realises what heâs just said. âwhat?â
âitâs hot on that side.â
thereâs three chairs on his side of the long, dark side of the table. itâs oddly poetic how heâs sat in the dark and youâre standing across from him, bathed in that golden sun like itâs your rightful place, and how he canât help but have you next to him, even now, even selfishly.
fortunately, you save him the humiliation of walking away or just planting your ass down in the sun. you circle around the table, keychains on your backpack jingling as you do, and pull out the plastic chair two seats away from him.
perfect. itâs enough distance for him to pretend like youâre not even there. your gaze flickers between him in the corner of your eye, to the span of other empty seats in front of you. why the hell are you even here?
thereâs a moment where he thinks youâre going to change your mind, get up, and walk away without looking back. itâs mostly due to the fact that you havenât even set your things down yet, organised your stationery or even took out your sleek, plastic-shielded macbook. sitting next to park sunghoon when there was an entire eight-seat table like, ten feet away made most people nervous.
and still, when he turns (or merely pretends to by reaching for his tumbler again), he realises youâre far from nervous, and instead very confused.
your eyebrows are still raised in slight confusion, and youâre scrambling to find a pen you lost somewhere deep in your bag. flecks of dust float in the air, and one lands right on the top of your headâshining so beautifully in this terribly congested space, warmth bouncing off the dull carpet and reflecting back onto your face, dusting your skin like it knows how exactly to make him weak.
you donât notice, but he does. park sunghoon is noticing everything, and for suddenly, painfully, and very unpredictably, he realises why people write songs about these kinds of feelings.
âdo you need something?â
god, youâre so pretty. your eyebrows lift slightly, out of genuine curiosity (or perhaps concern, with the way sunghoon is staring at you⊠he canât find a fault), and those lips of yours look so effortlessly perfect, soft, a faint sheen veiling it thanks to the lip-balm chained to your backpack zipper.
âno.â
and itâs like heâs slammed the door on you again.
again?
youâre not sure why you dwell on it too much, actually. most of the evening is spent staring at blank documents, because this module unfortunately included math, and for some odd reason, lee heeseung was always good at math despite being an arts major. heâd know what to do, and for a good minute you wonder if you should just call him right now.
you pause for a moment before your attention slips away from him again. turning back to your bag, hands still searching for something you apparently cannot find, your fingers moving with growing frustration through compartments that seem to hold everything except what you actually want.
sunghoon should probably mind his own business now, yet instead, heâs glancing over your shoulder and at your empty document.
he turns back to his laptop, slightly, or pretends to, lifting his tumbler just enough to give himself something to look at that isnât you. in doing so he finally catches the full spread of your movement as you settle in, pulling your laptop out, then your charger, then your pencil case, then a small pouch that seems to contain an entire separate ecosystem of items, all of which you organise with a kind of quiet determination that feels oddly intimate to witness.
your brow furrows as you dig deeper into your bag, hand disappearing and reappearing empty more than once, and he notices the way your mouth presses into a line of mild frustration that never fully escalates into anything outright upset, just plastered there as an expression of someone mildly inconvenienced by their own decisions.
somewhere between your second and third attempt at finding whatever it is youâre looking for, your phone appears in your hand, screen lighting up briefly before you unlock it. sunghoonâs attention shifts almost against his will because the movement is too familiar now, even to him, with something he shouldnât be aware of.
your thumb hesitates over the contacts screen. lee heeseung.
his eyes are beginning to strain with how hard heâs trying to make himself appear unsuspicious. you hover over his contact, before looking back up at your empty document, and then down again. hesitantly you settle for resting your phone atop the mahogany, letting the screen darken on the words âlee heeseungâ, then typing your very first words.
the mistake on your screen comes predictably. thatâs not to say sunghoon thought you were stupidâitâs only honest for him to say many people messed up the way you did. careless, happens when you havenât spent the days prior drilling these kinds of theorems into your head. his eyes were starting to hurt, squinting, trying to see how to help you.
the guilt creeps up on him, unexpectedly. he just canât.
itâs unfortunate that sunghoon already knows exactly what heâd do if he were sitting right next to you, looking over your shoulder properly instead of pretending not to while still catching every mistake you make.
unfortunate that the assignment in front of him is something he could finish in less than an hour if he actually tried, something so mindless it doesnât even deserve the amount of attention heâs currently refusing to give it, and yet he keeps sitting there anyway as if the decision is more complicated than it actually is.
âswap your x and y values.â
sunghoon has never in his life packed his things so quickly. heâs already moving before he fully processes what heâs done.
his chair scrapes back lightly against the carpet as he gathers his things in motions so quick it almost feels automaticâlaptop closing before his assignment is anywhere near complete, tumbler shoved into his bag without care for whether it spills or not.
youâre still looking at him when he straightens, your brows drawn together slightly as you glance down at your screen again, scrolling back to where you left off.
your expression only changes the moment you realise what he said was correct. the mistake is exactly what he pointed out, sitting there so obviously wrong now that it feels almost insulting that you didnât see it earlier.
sunghoon slings his bag over his shoulder too quickly, the strap wrong-side up, before he quickly settles it in place. he doesnât look at you directly again, even though he can feel your attention still on him.
there is no explanation he can give that wouldnât make it worse. no version of this situation exists where staying longer feels safer than leaving immediately, because the longer he sits here, the more likely it becomes that something small will slip.
you will notice. it may be something in the way he speaks or pauses or breathes that does not belong to heeseung at all. he knows you will put it together, because these are things he notices about you, unwillingly.
so, he leaves.
sunghoonâs footsteps are steady as he moves between tables, fiddling with his car keys between his slender fingersâuntil he reaches the aisle where the library opens up toward the exit.
only then does he allow himself one brief glance back.
youâre looking at him, still. like you havenât decided whether youâre supposed to stop or keep watching, eyes slightly wider than they were a moment ago, as if youâre still catching up to the fact that he actually spoke, actually stood up, and actually left without giving you anything close to an explanation.
itâs not like he owed you one, anyway. right?
thereâs a faint crease between your brows now, nothing like frustration, instead softened into something that makes his heart twist and do all sorts of things against his ribs. itâs not an exaggeration to say that heâs never felt such a feeling, and itâs even more of an understatement when he says it scares him.
he almost trips over his jeans when he crosses the threshold of the library, out into the pavement and in front of the carpark.
sunghoon needs to go home. he needs to get his shit together and go to practice, like how heâs always done in the months before this, and how heâll continue to doâand yet, god knows why he canât even drive out of the lot, instead heâs glued to his seat with his feet planted on the mat like itâll kill him if he stepped on the gas pedal.
sunghoon is already outside the library by the time heâs back in his own body, aware that heâs moving.
the air hits him colder than expected. sharp against skin still warmed by the inside of the building, and for a moment he just stands there, half between steps, like his body has forgotten what it was supposed to do next. the carpark stretches out in front of him in clean, repetitive lines, familiar enough that it should be automatic, but nothing about his movements feels familiar anymore.
âfuckââ
sunghoon almost trips when he steps down the last curb, not because he isnât paying attention, but because his body is slightly ahead of his thoughts and neither of them are aligned with anything resembling control. he corrects himself quickly, hand tightening briefly around the strap of his bag, and continues forward in a way that would look normal to anyone watching from a distance.
sunghoonâs car is where it always is. he gets in, sits his ass down, and doesnât move.
the engine is not on yet, keys resting in his hand without being inserted, and his foot stays planted on the mat as if there is some unspoken rule that says starting the car will make something irreversible happen. he stares at the steering wheel for a long time without really seeing it, jaw set in a way that suggests focus but is really just restraint.
that look on your face is so easy to remember. park sunghoon knows he has to tell you, if thereâs any chanceâany at allâthat he gets to look at you like that again.
a curse, truly, because now he knows what it feels like to be so close to you, to have such a feeling strike him so deep, lodging itself in his chest; whenever your face pops up uninvited in his peripheral, or in his daydreams, or on his cell. almost humiliating and actively consuming his sick brain.
the honesty might not even make you stay, and it probably will not make the confession nobleâit feels ridiculous to him, almost absurd, because the only thing keeping him tethered to his car mat is the replay of your face in his mind: so painfully uncomplicated that he canât stand the thought of touching it with borrowed hands and stolen time.
he can still picture the way you looked at him across that table, brows faintly drawn together in confusion, not because you were intimidated or nervous or trying to figure out if sunghoon was really as the rumours say, but because you genuinely did not understand why he had stood up and left.
no expectant eyes, no carefulness, barely any fear. frowned when you were confused and smiled when something amused you, all with the kind of ease that feels so natural on you that he doubts you even notice it yourself. it is the sort of thing most people take for granted, he thinks. the sort of thing people are lucky enough to have for so long that they stop recognizing it as freedom.
sunghoon only notices because he does not have it.
hockey captain, top student, dependable, intimidating, disciplined, the guy could make his own dictionary with the obnoxious amount of adverbs attached to his image. almost every room he walks into seems to demand something from him before he even opens his mouth, and somewhere along the way he stopped questioning it. teammates watch his reactions before deciding how to react themselves. juniors reroute questions through other people because they are too nervous to ask him directly. professors talk to him like they actually have expectationsâclassmates wait for him to know the answer. even the fraternity treats him like a fixed object, something solid and predictable that will always be exactly where it is supposed to be.
then, thereâs you. all perfect hair and soft lips and weirdly adorable frustration carved onto your face, sitting beside him with a pen between your fingers with the other hand on your keyboard. your entire life is on the verge of spilling out your mouth whenever you talk, completely unaware of how rare it looks from where he stands, saying things because you want to say themâbecause itâs funny, even if itâs meaningless, even if it contributes nothing of value to the conversation.
you call when you miss him, you laugh at his unintentionally self-deprecating humour, you ask questions when you donât know. you get sad, you cry on the phone, and you get so ridiculously angry about such trivial matters, that he canât help but smile at his screen.
for one brief, stupid, and careless moment in that library, sunghoon thinks he wanted to stay because you were pretty.
the thought survives all of five seconds. pretty girls are not exactly rare, but the feeling stirring in his chest and the warmth spreading through his body definitely is.
barely any of it has to do with the curve of your smile or the sunlight caught in your hair. instead, it had everything to do with the feeling of being around you, the uncomplicated nature of it all, and the subtle identity crisis where he did not have to be a captain, student, impressive or disciplined.
you will probably leave him, he thinks. the only other option seemed much too cruel, even for him, stripping that choice from you.
ever since you moved into your apartment, youâve been trying to build a routineâsomething efficient and optimal, taking up the least amount of time and effort, while maximizing the amount of tasks done.
the first few weeks were horribleâevery small decision felt disproportionate and too time-consuming. thereâs ten minutes you couldâve used to get ready for bed that you spent cooking dinner, which you shouldâve made prior to leaving the house, bla bla bla. you knew it was bad when the sequence after unlocking your door alone was enough to irritate you: whether to eat first or shower, how long to wait before brushing your teeth so you wouldnât scrub your enamel off. it was stupid, the amount of thought you poured into things that were supposed to be automatic, but you couldnât help it. everything had to fall into place in this busy life of yours and serve itâs rightful purpose.
there were too many small decisions like that. too many things to get right.
maybe thatâs why this feels so off. because thereâs nothing to figure out, and no reason for it to happen so often.
thereâs no adjustment period, no careful slotting of time or reshuffling of habits. he just fits into the spaces youâve already made. itâs incredibly mundane and underwhelming in the way it happens.
for now, heeseung calls you almost every damn night, and you feel weirdly normal about it.
it starts on a random thursday. then itâs saturday, then monday, then tuesday. somewhere along the way, it stops being a coincidence or convenience.
by wednesday, youâre calling him to help you pick out an outfit for a department event, holding up different tops to your mirror like he can somehow see through the line. youâre describing the colours, the cut, every minute detail, assuming his imagination could keep up with your rambling.
on thursday, youâre complaining about how much you hate psych, words spilling faster than you can filter them. by the time friday rolls around, heâs the one callingâsomething about needing help with an assignment, though it diverges quickly into him venting about a useless groupmate in his behavioural economics class.
it morphs into something consistent, though, still strange regardless.
you couldâve sworn lee heeseung took his electives in art culture this year. yet, with the way heâs talking about stock markets and all rationality being lost on the modern day consumer, it sounds like heâs well-versed with the contents.
âyou ate an entire block of cheese for dinner?â he repeats back to you. now that youâve retold the entire process of cooking dinner, down to the amount of parmesan cheese you used, hearing it repeated back to you makes it sound a little insane. âyou couldnât just salt it?â
âare you judging me?â you giggle, turning over in your sheets. the fabric twists with you, cool against your skin and your joints protest almost immediatelyâyour right shoulderâs starting to cramp from how long youâve been hunched over on your side.
you let out a quiet sigh into the air. âit was a better choice. tasted good, so⊠i donât see any problem.â
thereâs a pause on his end. you fidget as you waitâpicking at your cuticles, long overgrown and in desperate need of a maintenance check, even cracking your knuckles just to fill the silence.
âi think thatâs the issue,â he huffs. your shoulders finally relax at the sound of himâlacking any true judgment despite his words.
thereâs faint rustling that crackles through your device, and for a minute, you imagine how he must look like right now: laid up in bed in some old jersey, shorts barely hanging onto his hips from how lazy he is to tie the drawstrings tighter. the nightâs winding down and youâre still here, with him, like this is an absolute must-do before your eyes shut.
and the routine must repeat tomorrow, of course. not that youâre complaining.
the rest of the conversation flows without much resistance. lee heeseung talks about his afternoon run that seemed to piss him off a great deal, because he got a call from choi yeonjunâsomething about being five minutes late to the gym and how heâs clearly not committed.
âoh. youâre friends with him? isnât he in a completely different department from you, though?â you mumble, hoping that it doesnât come off as bluntâyou very well could have missed this detail in your earlier conversations. *â*how do you guys get to the point of going to the gym together?â
âheâs been bothering me ever since freshman year.â heeseung responds, âseriously. i donât know how i havenât strangled him yet.â
you chew on your bottom lip, searching for a response. the silence stretches just a little too long, and something about it starts to itchâlike youâve asked the wrong question and youâre pushing somewhere you shouldnât.
âah,â you say finally. âi see⊠heâs really popular, so iâm not surprised.â
âyeah, he is. it gets annoying as fuck when he brings his girls to lunchâŠâ heeseung mutters under his breathâyouâre toying with the string of your hoodie, if only to make yourself feel less awkward. thereâs another long and excruciating pause before you finally decide to push the conversation in another direction:
âare you going to that fundraiser?â your voice comes out softer than intended. you can only hope that heeseung doesnât make you repeat yourself. âsunooâs⊠one. you know.â
âsunooâs oneâŠâ he repeats back to you, slower. the concept almost sounds abstract to him. âno. not my thing.â
not his thing.
youâre back to fiddling with your fingers again. suddenly, the drawstring of your sweats seems more interesting than anything else you can hear from the other end of the line.
his voice fizzles out. you hear him, yesâhis tired, monotonous voice crackling through the speaker reaches your ears and lands straight in your stomach. between short breaths and awkward pauses, you hyperfocus on the wind howling past your thin curtains.
âoh,â you manage after a moment. the word escapes weakly, scratching at your throat before you clear it up. âthought you were. my bad.â
you donât realise how sweat-slicked your palms are until your phone almost slips from your hand. you turn over in bed, just to save your eyeballs from the sting of streetlights hanging outside your windowâitâs almost three in the morning, and despite that dreadful fact, cars are still honking like they own the neighbourhood.
âshut up,â you laugh. âwhatâs that supposed to mean?â
a quiet huff escapes through the line. your free hand traces the hem of your blanket, now tangled between your legs, serving no real purpose.
âit just sounds like something youâd be into.â heeseung states without a hint of laughter or a smile. âtrying new things, even if theyâre childish and embarrassing.â
âwellââ
âitâs not a bad thing.â
you donât respond immediately. a soft hum of acknowledgment is heard through the deviceâitâs barely triumphant or teasingâlike he understands the reasoning behind why youâre throwing yourself out there, unknowingly, to him.
you roll onto your back again, tucking your arm over your belly. the cottonâs cold from the absence of your body against it, pillows still damp from your wet hair and impatient self; phone pressed awkwardly against your cheek, the heat almost battles that of sunday mornings.
speaking of, you havenât experienced in itâs entirety for the past few weeks.
âwhy donât you try it, then? it could be fun.â you murmur, eyes screwing shut at the instant the words rolled off your tongue. âsorry. you donât have to⊠if you find it weird.â
his laugh makes your heart rate stutter, then spike.
itâs sweet. genuine. warm and unrehearsed in itâs charm, filling the dimness of your room and settling right under your ribs. your face burns up like youâve just swallowed something hot, and the heat blooms right in your abdomen and crawls up your neck ridiculously fast.
ârelationships arenât my thing.â
lee heeseung says it like itâs already been decidedâsomething fixed and immovable, written in bold or carved into a rock somewhere far beyond him. existing outside of his control, predetermined, and heâs made peace with itâitâs simply the way things areâthough the heavy sigh that follows betrays him, outlined faintly with something that sounds nothing like acceptance.
the past few weeks have unfolded into something more than they shouldâve. conversations stretching deeper than expected, softening and melting into quiet teasing that feels almost familiar, like youâve known each other your entire lives.
âreally?â your lips canât help but to curl slightly upward. âyouâve never dated?â
ânever had time for that. iâm not the best with affection. people talk to me like theyâre scared of me, that kind of thing. even at that stupid party, i just drank by myself upstairs.â
perhaps your memory is failing you, then.
itâs strange, in hindsight, how most of your attention that night had never really stayed where it was supposed to. you remember the first few times you saw lee heeseungâhis best friend following shortly afterâand your gaze always seemed to lag behind who you claimed to like.
just how did those two end up together?
your seniors used to tell you to look forward to college. new place, new faces, new prospectsâlike the world finally opens up and hands you options you didnât know you had. one day, youâre trapped in a classroom from seven to six; the next, youâre weaving through a campus that doesnât know you yet, trying to decide who you get to be in it.
lee heeseung made it easy to know. he was the kind of person people noticed without trying. effortless in a way that felt almost unfairâhair falling exactly how it should, skin catching the light like it was always meant to. youâd pass by his friend group and hear him before you saw him, laughter loud and uncontained, a basketball tucked under his arm like it never knew how else to store itself. he fit into everything so naturally that it almost felt like the world was his and his alone.
it made sense to like him. and even then, your attention seemed to strayâslipping quietly and slowly just past him.
sunghoon hangs behind like it pained him to be around other people. always a little removed and distant enough to not involve himself in the conversation but not to turn around and walk away unnoticed; broad shoulders angling themselves slightly away, eyes flicking over other people like it physically pained him to see other humans.
itâs small, useless things. the way heâd shift his weight from one foot to the other when conversations dragged on and he was tired of it. his hands would stay tucked into his pockets like he didnât know what to do with them otherwise. watching more than he spoke, like he was just slightly out of sync with everyone else.
youâve only ever seen him laugh once*.* it was weirdly off-timed and the rest of his friends laughed only three seconds later. you wondered if all of heeseungâs friends were as strange as that, or if it was just him.
itâs weird, actually. thinking about it now, you realise you remember more about park sunghoon than you should for someone you never consciously paid attention to. his name seemed to be the last piece to his mysterious identity, no thanks to oh jiwon.
âiâm sure thatâs not true.â
âit is,â he says. âi try to stay, but things donât work out. rarely ever do.â
you raise an eyebrow. âwork out? so you almost dated?â
âi show up. i do what iâm supposed to. it just stops feeling like something i want to be in after a while.â
âso you just dip?â you question.
ânot all at once. i get scared. i pull back and i cancel things that i already fought to fit into my schedule,â he pauses. âi say itâs nothing. they donât press much after that.â
you hum. the line goes quiet for a few seconds. youâre trying hard not to bombard him with every invasive question on your mind: whoâs your most recent girlfriend? how long ago was the relationship? why do you run away?
he continues regardless.
âpeople get frustrated with me,â he mutters. âi canât even handle my own emotions. i run from my issues and go on pre-workout to deal with my baggage. nobody sane does that shit.â
âheeseungââ
the name slips from your tongue like a mistake. you bite down on your bottom lip as if that would stop the words from echoing into his ears, somewhere, miles away.
âyouâre the only girl that doesnât treat me like that. i still donât get it.â
just where did all these thoughts come from? there's weeks of conversations that stretched until midnight. unfiltered words that you silently agreed to keep between you two. your heartâs begun to match the rhythm of his voice, unintentionally, from the moment he picks up the phone to the second he cuts the line. somewhere between your first call to now, youâve gotten to know himâitâs exactly why you canât blame the confusion bubbling in your head or the pit in your stomach that only seems to sink deeper.
âarenât you scared of me, too?â
and here you were, thinking that the answer was abundantly clear. he cuts himself off when you want to start rambling. he finishes your sentences when youâre falling asleep. he asks what ridiculous, unhealthy dish you cook up for dinner every single day without failâso why does he still sound like that?
you shift slightly against your sheets, phone pressed a little tighter to your ear as if proximity could make sense of it. âi donât get it,â you admit quietly. âwhy would anyone be scared of you?â
thereâs a pause on the other end. it doesnât feel empty. things rarely ever do when youâre on the phone with him; it feels more like heâs weighing whether to answer honestly, soften the blow or leave it alone entirely. âthis is what i mean, [name].â
you frown. thereâs a shuffle of feet upstairs, thudding against your ceiling, which momentarily distracts you. itâs almost four in the morning and nothing feels any clearer than it did ten minutes ago. âwhat?â
âyou donât care,â he continues. âsimple.â
he doesnât bother to explain further. he hasnât bothered to say much at all, actuallyânot in a way that should make sense to you or anyone that knows the name heeseung. still, you understand it anyway, in that vague, unspoken way that two people manage to do, where language feels slightly too slow for whatâs already being felt, and too shallow to tell the other person what you really mean.
thereâs a hollow kind of discomfort sitting low in your stomach. youâve learned by now that this is usually a warning sign, even if you donât always know what itâs warning you about.
youâve never had particularly good luck with these things, anyway. whatever invisible logic governs timing, people, attachmentâit has never seemed especially fond of you.
you exhale softly, pulling your blanket higher over your shoulder, as if that might settle something internally. your gaze drifts to the empty space beside you, unoccupied, waiting in a way that feels louder than it should at this hour.
âwhat donât i care about?â
your voice comes out as a whisper, unintentionally. the sound barely makes it past your lips, weak and soft like itâs embarrassing that you even thought about saying it and just plain humiliating that you let it out. either way, heeseungâs answering it seconds later.
âwhat people say about me,â he sighs, âi like it better like that.â
you donât really know what he means by thatâyour hair scratches against the cold, crisp pillowcase under your head as you turn over anxiously. lee heeseung was very known, yes, but the way the words land just feels so⊠odd.
sniffling when he speaks again, the responses that follow never reaches your ears.
thereâs something almost childish in how irritable you get in the days leading up to exams. youâve never learnt to move past it, and soon enough, the people around you eventually adapted to the sensitive storm that is you, minimally three days before a major paper.
three rules:
one) do not disrupt y/n l/nâs naps;
two) do not text, call, or approach first, and
do not ask how studying is going. the answer is never changing: itâs bad, iâm going to fail, my life is over.
okay, to be fair, these rules were not as strict as they sound. most of the time, people are already cooped up in study rooms and occupied with their own revisionâclearly much too busy to talk to anyone else, much less you. so, when your entire friend group goes awol, you do nothing but let it happen.
though, there is just one person that remains.
lee heeseung, sounding entirely too relaxed over the phone with a blender going somewhere in the background, because heâs making his second protein shake of the day. he doesnât sound very⊠worried about the approaching three-hour exam.
your feet are folded together, criss-cross on your office chair as you hunch over your desk. your room is pitch dark, save for the bright, white light radiating from your study lampâsprawled over the surface of your cheap table is rewritten notes, scribbled equations and the occasional bible verse (for good measure).
âyou sound upset,â he says.
âoh, do i, now?â
you almost drop your phone at that. youâve been silently panicking for the last forty minutes without realising youâve been breathing like that, and talking like this. youâve spent even more time, close to five hours on this laptop thatâs crying for you to shut it down, on lectures that you shouldâve watched weeks back.
thereâs a pause on his end, something shifting in the backgroundâcupboard, blender stopping, maybe him leaning against the counterâand when he speaks again, itâs slower. âwhich one are you on?â
âtwenty,â you say.
âhow many left?â
âtwelve,â you admit, already hating how it sounds when spoken out loud. somehow, all hope seems lost when you utter that forsaken number, despite it being (very) obviously displayed on the top left of your screen for the past few hours. ââŠfuck.â
this morning felt like hell. youâre sure your eye-bags have magically darkened themselves in the past few hours, and for a minute, you grimace at the thought of having to show up to school like that every damn day, all because youâre too tired to seem put together. breakfast was skipped, which was unfortunate, cause the guilt of preparing a heavy lunch only made the stress worse. heavy eyelids blinking open, slow, regretful for every delayed hour of sleepâlimbs still tangled in cold sheets like it physically pained you to leave.
the sun bled through your blinds, warm over your ankles and blinding you through your eyelashes. you walked around the house in nothing but your underwear, even forgetting your slippers under the bedframe; there was only one thing on your mind. that much stayed consistent today, with the only variable factor being lee heeseung on the phone.
you didnât think heâd call. schedules do that.
âitâs manageable,â his voice crackles through the speaker, and then thereâs the sound of a cupboard slamming shut, along with the soft shuffling of⊠something. you actually consider hanging up on him, just for a brief moment. âhow many topics?â
to be honest, youâd half-expected heeseung to tease you. laugh, even. maybe even tell you to stop being so dramatic, to answer his texts, and that he doesnât understand why youâre freaking out over a dumb testâbut here you are, and here he is, telling you that you have it figured out.
âfour. itâs over,â you answer flatly, staring at the lecture list like if you looked hard enough another topic might spontaneously disappear. âitâs actually so over.â
âitâs not, y/n.â
heeseungâs voice stays annoyingly level. the speaker crackles with something that sounds like a spoon scraping against plastic and the jealousy almost gives you whiplash. heâs making a fucking protein shake while youâre stuck here memorising lecture slides on two-times speed and slowly developing permanent neck damage.
âyou said your paperâs next tuesday. if thereâs four topics left and you stop rewriting things you already know, youâll finish tonight and still have time to revise.â
your head hits the table before you even realize youâve moved. forehead pressed into paper, warm skin sticking slightly against cheap ink and printer sheets, you let yourself rot there dramatically. with your phone right beside your face, his voice sounds clearer than beforeâtoo clear, actuallyâand it feels vaguely humiliating, how quickly your chest warms when he talks like this.
you let out a long breath instead of responding, eyes drifting downward toward the floor beneath your desk. thereâs crumpled paper scattered near your chair. a few sticky notes had missed the bin entirely and ended up attached to the outside of it instead, clinging there stubbornly like even they didnât want to commit to failure.
heâs talking like he knows you.
âhowâd you knowââ
heeseung cuts you off with little trouble. âyouâve told me. pretty sure you can cut some lectures out, since youâve been learning them for the past few weeks.â
you donât answer. you narrow your eyes at his response, because who the hell is that observant? he doesnât even need to confirm your schedule anymoreâhe just talks and cuts you off, knowing heâs completely right, because he listens that intentlyâbut god.
he has no idea how warm that makes you feel.
on the other end of the line, heeseung walks back upstairs with his phone trapped awkwardly between his cheek and shoulder, head tilted enough that his neck would probably hurt later. his laptop balances in one hand, tumbler in the other, and his steps slow unconsciously as your breathing filters through the speaker.
his room looks exactly the same as always.
his duffel is already packed for practice tonight despite being excused for finals week. the afternoon sun catches against the medals mounted along his wall and reflects across his desk in strips of gold, schedule taped beside his wardrobe. his calendar is updated three weeks in advance, with a single day blocked out for the day you end your exams.
his eyes drift over the reminders stuck to his wall, and heâs reminded of itâthe reason why he decided he was still going to practice today.
studying isnât enough, clearly, if heâs still on the phone with you.
he already decided that heâd wait. finals week meant distance. finals week meant no showing up unexpectedly and no making this worse than he already has. finals week meant letting you breathe and not letting himself confuse temporary loneliness for something else, and finals week also meant not sinking deeper into you.
itâs just two weeks.
two weeks, and then, heâll tell you.
âdo you think iâll do okay?â you mumble, so soft that you almost donât hear yourself. itâs so quiet that you can hear the exact moment his fingers stop clicking against his keyboard, and so intense that the second he answers, your heart begins to pound.
you donât think much of it when you tell heeseung where youâll be tomorrow, or rather, today. truthfully, you havenât been thinking much at all latelyâunless you count the thirty-second ponder about lunch options earlier this morning.
finals week does something deeply unfortunate to people. everybody becomes uglier in small, socially acceptable ways, because everyone around you just⊠gets it. hair goes unwashed for an extra day, clothes repeat twice, thrice in a row, and eyebags sink further in with no substantial effort to conceal them. entire friend groups, including yours, quickly dissolve into delayed replies and weak promises to hang out after exams, because who the hell wants a mass social gathering after four all-nighters?
your room starts becoming unbearable by day four. thereâs something fundamentally wrong with spending twelve hours in one placeâany longer and you mightâve begun associating your digital lock chime with impending doom.
the second you sit at your desk, your chest tightens automatically. itâsm like your brain immediately morphs the cute wallpaper around you into blank rows of seats, and your ears only hear mindless scribbling, despite the cheerful music blasting through your headphones.
by the time noon comes around, youâve scarfed down every grain of rice from your takeout containerâdragging your feet and will to live through your apartment, searching for your purse before leaving.
itâs wednesday. the sun is shining on you, warm and consequentially irritating as the sweat begins to pill on your temples. they roll down your cheek in fat beads, and it almost serves as motivation for you to get your ass into that library as soon as possible.
your macbook is pressed against your side, tote slipping down your shoulders every few minutes, only to be caught by the crevice of your elbow. thereâs an iced coffee from last night, standing in for your mid-day snack; and, as if you hadnât eaten just an hour ago, your stomach rumbles in defeat.
the library doors open as you stomp against the carpeted sensors. the cold air hits your face hard enough that you nearly stop walking, but you settle for a deep, relieving sigh before turning left and speed-walking down those winding corridors built out of metal shelving.
your body already knows where to go nowâpast the noisier floors, up the stairs, away from printers and bathrooms and groups of students pretending to study while giggling about their situationships at full volume. roughly fifty-six seconds later, your consciousness kicks back in full gear, and youâre dumping your things down onto a familiar table before immediately realizing that you forgot your fucking charger.
âare you fuckingââ
oh, well. problem for future you. worse comes to worst, youâll scare some freshman away with your horrendous, sleepless eyes and unusually wide smile and steal theirs.
libraries distort time as well as they force you to keep track of it. hours behave well in the quieter corners, but if youâre somehow in urgent need of completing an assignment, they start speeding themselves up. itâs exactly why youâre chanting mantras to yourself now: studying isnât urgent at all. this exam will not kill me! yes! i already know everything there is to know!
afternoon becomes evening rather quickly. suddenly, your water bottle is empty, your iced coffee splits into two separate layers of cloudy water and room temperature caffeine, and the light crawls across the carpet so much that your chair is no longer in the same patch of sun you sat down in.
you stopped checking the time thirty minutes ago. notes multiply, hair becomes tangled at the back of your neck, and your spine hurts. you spent forty minutes writing notes on a lecture, not realizing itâs a replay.
sometime later, when your legs are beginning to feel like tv static, movement catches in your peripheral and your eyes lift automatically before your brain even has a chance to catch up.
âsunghoon?â
my god. just stand up and run into his arms, why donât you?
his reaction comes a fraction of a second later. despite the prior brain lag, youâre suddenly thinking about his faceâsunghoon looks different outside of wherever you usually see him. less assembled, with a ridiculously large hoodie hanging loose around his frame, which only makes him look even bigger from where youâre sitting; thereâs shadows beneath his eyes that soften his face unexpectedly.
his hair looks horrible. his sweatpants are dragging against the floor, too. sunghoon looks exhausted, and his gaze hangs low, until you call out for him, that is.
the corners of your lips curl upward before you even realise itâs happening. his expression doesnât change much, but the faint raise of his thick eyebrows tells you enough. his eyes flick toward the empty chairs around you, and you almost assume that you weirded him outâgreat, heâll walk away nowâbut all sunghoon does is return a soft, supposedly meaningless smile in your direction.
thereâs that brief moment, where people who know each other silently debate whether acknowledging the otherâs presence is necessary in publicâand then he gives you a small nod, right before he takes his laptop out and sits right in front of it.
two seats away from you. like last week. if you hadnât met the man before, you wouldâve thought he wanted to kill you with a face like that. eyebrows knit together in frustration, typing furiously at his keyboard like it owed him twenty bands, tapping his foot against the carpet like he was thinking about something deathly important.
cuteâwait, what the fuck, said you, around fifteen times over in the past two hours.
you become aware of him in entirely useless ways. he drinks water without looking away from his screen, sometimes even types with one hand as the other holds that tumbler to his lips. he cracks his knuckles at every given opportunity, and his fingers hover over the keyboard occasionally when he thinks. you leave for more coffee, come back, go to the bathroom, and heâs literally still there.
at one point, you look up because your neck hurts, and caught yourself stretching. fucking stretching, left to right, just for an excuse to get a full view of his side profile. in that tiny, meaningless moment, you witnessed him rub his eyes and immediately return back to typing his unfinished methods section.
itâs strangely comforting that park sunghoon is there for you to look at. oddly. it helps with the whole âiâm the only one in this universe, itâs all a simulationâ delirium.
regardless, at around six, the words on your screen are beginning to morph into one big demonic face, and every letter on your keyboard just resembles an egyptian hieroglyphic. words are decorative, english is just a bunch of made up gibberish, and you need to get out of this plastic seat before you melt into itâso after rereading the same paragraph four times, absorbing nothing (shocker), your eyes begin to ache and decide: changing tasks will fix all these worldly pains you have.
the âchanging tasksâ arrives in the form of a reference nook your professor mentioned. standing, stretching, youâre doing it all before disappearing into the shelves.
itâs warmer here than it is at the tables, somehow. perhaps itâs the way the sun is setting now, and itâs getting all in your eyes and in your hair, just like it did this morning. though, when you turn towards the closest, wide-set window, your breath almost gets taken away at the blend of pinks and oranges that colour the sky.
you see this sunset almost every day. still, it doesnât take any of the beauty away.
dust catches in the overhead light, paling in comparison to the golden hue that the light is bathing the room inâthe smell of old books penetrates your nose in a way that makes you think about middle school. you drag your fingers across rows of spines, reading titles under your breath, stepping slower in each aisle because your brain refuses to remember the authorâs name. you bet sunghoon doesnât struggle with things like that.
âbehavioural psychology⊠where the fuck even is that?â
following a mini mental breakdown, park sunghoonâs brain decides not to accomodate a single molecule of information until he gets up and got his blood moving.
there was only so much economics and statistics a person could consume before words stopped behaving like language and started looking like numbers flipped around. his screen brightness had been lowered twice, and his coffee had gone cold sometime around fourâthe sleeves of his hoodie were pushed halfway up his forearms and there was a faint imprint from resting his cheek against his knuckles for too long, which he finds immensely humiliating.
he closes the document, opens it again, reads the same words over and over, and realises he wonât get anything done like this; so his eyes leave the screen for the first time in twenty minutes and settle automatically on the empty seat in his peripheral.
his head back turns so fast that he almost curses at himself.
and, to make things extra embarrassing, his mind starts to weigh the odds of whether youâre about to leave, or if youâre just gone for another break. scanning your side of the desk, taking in your untouched water bottle, open laptop and tangled wired headphonesâyouâre somewhere nearby, a conclusion he unwillingly comes to.
sunghoonâs fingers drum once against the tumbler before he remembers there was a book he wanted earlier. or needed. something vaguely related to an assignment heâd been putting off. either way, he stands, pushes in his chair halfway, and makes his way into the shelves.
it really does feel different in here. the high-pitched clacking of mechanical keyboards is muffled, almost muted behind these thick walls of books, where light filters in through strips and catches every speck of dust floating around. he turns once, twice, passing business ethicsâuntil he finally reaches behavioural psychology, and stops dead in his tracks.
itâs not even about the book. if he remembered correctly, the one he was looking forâs two floors down, but thisâhere, in front of him, on this floor, was you.
sunghoon ducks into the next aisle like heâs guilty. he presses his back lightly against the endcap of the shelf, as though the solid structure might help him reset whatever just short-circuited in his brain.
this is ridiculous. heâs in a library. on a weekday. trying to study. and yet, somehow, his entire nervous system has decided that walking in a straight line is suddenly the most difficult thing in the world.
he exhales, before trying to occupy himself by looking for something similar to what heâs studying for another module. he stands still for a second longer than necessary, fingertips running against this one book which he canât bother to know the name of, and all it does is feel like a weak alibi.
business psychology is a popular section. lots of students with sunghoonâs major share modules, hence, explaining why the other book heâs pretending to need isnât even here. it also explains why the fuck his eyes keep gravitating towards you, through tall-enough gaps, locked on your concentrated face and frustrated pout.
every interruption in his life, somehow, becomes framed with you. a horizontal slit between two rows of books, a deliberate architectural hesitation, tall enough to fit even the thickest and tallest of publications out thereâand you, existing between it.
itâs closer than before, not in distance but in clarity. the kind of proximity that does not require physical reduction to feel intimate. the light falls differently here, angled through a window he cannot fully see, softening the edge of everything it touchesâyour tip of your nose, the ends of your hair, and the faint movement of your hand as you adjust your page.
you look so beautiful. nothing has changed. he knew it when he saw you sitting in front of him today, he knew it when you walked into this place last week, and he knew it when he saw you at that party, wearing a dress that seemed so inclined to his attention and a smile that made all the flashing colours pale in comparison.
and, most of all, he knows it now. a fool he is, for thinking that these feelings would fade.
sunghoon tries to locate himself properly in the task he came forâsomething about organisational theory, a phenomenon he can usually reduce into clean frameworks and exam-ready structure. his hand has been resting against the spine of the book for the past twenty seconds, fingers curled just enough to suggest intent, but nothing in him is actually compelling the pull.
the thought arrives with a sharpness that feels almost physical, like pressure behind the ribs.
park sunghoon wishes he could redo college from the start. not in the abstract, as nostalgia or regret type thing, instead with specificityâclean edits to timing, tone, and presence. a revision pass on himself. one that would let him stand a few steps closer to you now, without feeling like the distance between yourselves is self-inflicted.
his thumb shifts minutely along the bookâs spine. the motion is absent-minded, almost mechanical.
once you know who he really isâstrip away whatever version of him youâve only seen in passing corridors and half-glances at the long oak tableâwill you stop looking for him?
fuck. he doesnât even care enough to stop looking at you. hair falling over your face, your lips blowing air to get the tiny, annoying strands to stop itching your nose.
selfish. selfish, selfish, selfish. thatâs all he is.
the sun is unforgiving, blazing hot rays beating down on your back as sweat trickles down your shoulder bladesâeverything about today seemed relentless, exam included. around you, people are already decomposing the paper in clusters: comparing answers, laughing too loudly, swearing theyâre finished in voices that sound almost celebratory. someone says question 47 was impossible. someone else says it was free marks. you keep walking.
thereâs that feeling when you finally press submit on a paper. not relief exactlyâmore like your body forgetting what to do after operating at full capacity for too long. to be truthful, there were multiple times where you thought you were fucked throughout the exam, and then youâd look at the bottom of your screen and see: 21 out of 80 questions saved.
you really, sincerely thought handing in that empty thing was better than typing whatever you studied. no matter how hard you worked these past few weeks, there was always that irritating, sly little voice whispering into your ear that it was for nothing. that all those late nights, colour-coded notes, skipped breaks and panic-induced productivity spurts would collapse into one single, defining moment that you were never going to catch up.
somewhere around the second hourâafter your eyes started blurring and the timer at the corner of the screen felt less like a clock and more like a countdown to executionâyou broke. quietly, of course. you had enough tact not to lose your shit in front of a hundred other students in the same venue.
you understood less than you thought. you shouldâve started earlier. youâre embarrassing yourself.
you just stared at question 22 for three minutes straight and felt your throat tighten because suddenly, everything became impossible at once. reading felt impossible. thinking felt impossible. even moving your cursor felt weirdly impossible. you literally just bought it yesterday, because you were convinced the one you always use would die.
fuck everything, you thought, until some other voice started talking to youâin that calm, gentle demeanour that youâve gotten used to over months. low and amused in tone when he said, âwhyâre you so hard on yourself, y/n?â
last night, he was on the phone with you. you remember lying flat on your bed with your notes open but untouched, your lamp the only thing still awake in your room. coffee wasnât doing it, or maybe it was just the fact that it was your sixth cup today; heâd called later than usual, and somehow the conversation drifted away from exams, and shifted more toward your incessant need to be perfect, despite and in spite of the circumstances.
âwhat do you mean?â
moonlight spilling in through thin curtains, the thrum of public transport and dogs taking late-night walks with owners who talk too loud on the phone. no one knew where you were, no one cared what you were doing, but it didnât matter. he knew. he cared.
you donât even remember how the conversation got there, either. was it some joke about failing? one too many of those were made, now that you think about it. it wasnât even self-pitying, eitherâall casual in the way that people talk, repeating the same thing enough times that it sounds like truthâbut then he went quiet and said, âyou talk like youâve already decided on fucking it up.â
you remember laughing. whatever, because what do you do when someone says something so accurate? what the hell do you say when someone sees right **through you?
âi just have bad luck in these things.â
he laughed. fucking laughed. it was this short, incredulous breath through his nose like he couldnât decide whether to be annoyed or amused. âyou study all day, every day, and act surprised when you know the material.â
you frowned automatically. âwellââ
âno,â he interrupted. âyouâre smart. hard working. youâre trying, and i donât think you should dismiss those efforts.â
âbutââ
âi have to get back to work,â he breathed into the phone. his voice dropped slightly at the end, words softened by distance and whatever position heâd shifted into. you could hear movement through the phoneâthe subtle crackle of fabric, the hollow acoustics of a room that sounded emptier than yours. âget some sleep before your exam. goodnight.â
no good-lucks, no youâll-do-wells, no last minute reassurance that would only soothe your nerves for ten minutes before youâd spiral again. last night, it had seemed cruel. not in the obvious senseâhe wasnât mean nor dismissiveâbut there was something irritatingly unsympathetic about the way he refused to give in to you. youâd left that call mildly offended, convinced he was sick of hearing you talk like that. sick of your catastrophizing, sick of your weird habit of turning every achievement into an exception and every mistake into evidence. sick of you.
yet, now, walking towards your car with the heat sitting heavy against your skin and your student id still peeking out the pocket of your jeans, it seemed more like belief.
in you, that is. almost as if that you doing terribly had never come across his mind, occurring as a possibility.
you recall staring at your ceiling, phone falling face flat to your mattress, face flushed with embarassment and annoyance that only seemed to erupt when it came to late replies and slightly off-sounding tones. itâs almost exclusive to himâyou were never that great at reading rooms, after all.
your car keys twirl around your index finger, a different spring in your step now that the bitter taste of last night has dissolved completely. youâll call him tonight, later, maybe once your foot crosses the threshold known as your front door, or once you step into the car. youâll tell him about the exam, about how there was a moment where you genuinely considered submitting half a paper because, somehow, failing after trying felt more humiliating than failing without trying.
youâll tell him that his stupidly calm voice somehow survived twelve hours and a three-hour exam. that while you were sitting there spiralling and preparing to abandon the entire thing, you remembered the way he said itâlike he knew, understood, and reached for you when you abandoned yourself.
youâre already halfway through mentally composing the conversation when movement ahead catches your attention. someoneâs walking towards you from the opposite direction, feet dragging against concrete in a way that would usually annoy, but instead of diverting your attention to the phone in your pocketâyou look up.
you recognize him immediately. lee heeseung.
weirdly enough, you havenât seen him up close around campus for the past three months. you assumed it was probably because he was just that busyâyouâd seen his figure in the distance, but by the time you caught up, heâd be gone. there were tons of excuses that he made up on the phone, too, earlier into your relationship: personal projects, mostly, though the details were always lacking.
perfect hair. perfect face. perfect stride. even now, people notice him as he walks past. conversations soften for half a second, eyes lifting instinctively and following his pace before returning to wherever they were before. heeseung moves through it without acknowledging anything, shoulders relaxed, expression neutral, looking exactly like someone whoâs long stopped recognizing attention as something unusual.
you straighten automatically, lifting your hand, almost waving, but not quite yet. heeseung doesnât even need to see it in motion for him to look right into your eyes.
his expression shiftsâsomething adjacent to confusion, an eyebrow raised as if to say, where do i know you from?
GENRE/CW: smut, fluff, attempt at humour, porn with plot, down bad jake, unprotected sex (wrap it before you tap it), lots of kissing, cunnilingus, dry humping, fingering, spit kink, edging, marking, multiple orgasms, crying. mentions of nicknames, jungwon needs to be saved, lmk if i missed anything!
WORD COUNT: 26.7k words!
SYNOPSIS: There are a few things to note about Jake, starting with how heâs a shameless flirt, twoâno rejection is harsh enough to stop him from trying (his friends call it his foolishness, but heâs been plenty successful, courtesy of his face), and three, once he falls, he falls completely.
A/N: hihi loves <3 not sure what this is but i js wanted to post sumn on my birthday, also cause i love jake <3 all likes, comments, reblogs are highly appreciated! it keeps me motivated! iloveyou all and happy reading <3
Travel companies are a hoax.Â
Relatively speaking, when someone books a holiday with their friends, they donât do it to be ushered into a group of random people because they purchased the same package.Â
âIt wasnât even mentioned on the website,â Jungwonâs voice chimes in, and rightfully so.Â
Maybe the problem could have been bigger had you been stuck around some judgmental families or a group of old men maybe, but your merciful fate said otherwise as you observed the flock moving and chatting in whispers amongst each other.Â
Well, it certainly is a group to look atâyou with Jungwon and Karina, had claimed a shaded corner near the welcome drinks table. Across from you, a trio of guys who looked like they stepped out of a cologne advert and were laughing loudly. Then there was the loudest bunchâfour people who seemed physically incapable of lowering their volume, currently arguing over who got the bigger room when they were all the same size.
Perfect, just what you needed. But hey, at least they were easy on your eyes, because you did come here to feast your eyes a little (a lot).Â
Your tour guide was a jolly man called Chris, he kept on bouncing on his feet as if he was the one on the trip actually, âso nice to have you here! Lovely to see a group full of enthusiasm!â He said, making grand gestures.Â
Jungwon pursed his lips to prevent a laugh from escaping, which turned into a yelp when you all got shoved into the lobby where more champagne is being served. The next hour is supposed to be like a mixerâget to know each other activity of some sort without any plan.Â
Chris basically yeets everyone toward a long table loaded with champagne flutes and suspiciously bright (?) tropical snacks. âShare fun facts, become besties!â He cheers before vanishing.Â
The three groups eye each other like rival gangs at a peace treaty signing that no one actually wants, it was clear that no one knew about this setting but oh well, you suppose it could be peaceful and civil if everyone tries. It did start that way with everyone introducing themselves, before it turns into an icebreaker attack by this guy named Hyuck, his friend Beomgyu vlogging everything for no apparent reason.Â
So much for things being peaceful, though you are humoured enough when their friend Ningning smacks them on the back of their heads. Yeah, you will be befriending her soon.Â
On the other hand, three guys were still trying to make sense of things, because obviously, no one expected to get dressed for the pool only to get roped into a low budget gathering. Jake wasnât complaining though, none of them were actually, they looked rather jolly coming across beautiful females, especially Jake who keept glancing your way with a smirk.Â
Sunghoon on the other hand was actually attentive as Jay explained the basics of how he can connect his phone to the hotel Wi-Fi. Karina nudged you to look at his biceps, which kept on flexing with each movement of his and you both exchanged a knowing smileâthat man was your designated eye candy for the trip now.Â
âYouâre drooling,â Jay deadpans, which is much directed towards Jake, âcanât you behave for once?âÂ
âCanât blame him,â Hoon adds, much to Jayâs dismay whoâs trying his hardest to not make his friends appear ill mannered on the very first day. Â
âWhat did I tell you guys about treating women with respectââ
Jake shoved his hand on Jayâs mouth, having heard the same lecture thrice in the airplane where he tried to garner the attention of a flight attendant, to no avail. But thereâs a few things to note about Jake, starting with how heâs a shameless flirt, and two, no rejection is harsh enough to stop him from trying. His friends call it his foolishness, but heâs been plenty successful, courtesy of his face.Â
You catch all of this from the corner of your eye while pretending to scroll on your phone. The dude is clearly on a mission. And unfortunately for him (and hilariously for you), that mission now has a target, you.
Chris eventually rounds everyone up like lost ducklings and marches the whole chaotic group number 3 towards the pool area. Now, this is exactly what youâd paid for, the sun is blazing, the kind of perfect summer heat that makes the water sparkle like itâs showing off. You ditch your cover-up, settle into a lounger with Karina on one side and Jungwon on the other, and finally let yourself relax. God knows you three need it, especially after the brutal week you all had at work.Â
Jungwon shared his strawberry with chocolates, and you graciously took some, meanwhile the other guys didnât waste much time in showing off their bodies. Jay pulled his shirt off first, revealing a surprisingly toned chest as he stretched his arms overhead with a sigh. Sunghoon followed quietly, peeling his shirt off in one smooth motion and tossing it onto a chair like it was nothing. Jesus, the man was carved. No wonder Karina had nudged you earlier, a low whistle leaving your mouth as Karina too took off her sunglasses and ogled.Â
Jake, of course, made a whole production out of it. He grabbed the back of his shirt with one hand and tugged it off slowly, like he was in a damn commercial, shaking his hair out after. He caught you looking (again) and shot you a quick, cocky little smirk, flexing his arms not-so-subtly as he stretched.
You just raised an eyebrow and looked away, biting back a smile. So heâs the delusional kind, interesting.Â
The deck was loud and alive, probably scaring off some families who too were planning on having a peaceful vacation. Hyuck and Gyu had already started their swimming competition, the one who manages most laps wins apparently, splashing around like idiots while yelling trash talk at each other.
You were still chewing your strawberry when two girls from their group wandered overâNingning and Yunjin, both looking a little fed up with the noise.
âHey,â Ningning offered a warm smile, plopping down on the lounger right next to Karina like sheâd known you forever, âmind if we crash here? The boys are being a lot and we need a chill zone before I lose it.â
Yunjin sat beside Jungwon, flashing you a bright, friendly grin as she kicked her legs out, âIâm Yunjin. You guys look way more relaxed over here. Plus your snacks look better than whatever the guys are hoarding.â She leaned in a little, voice soft and sweet, âyour swimsuit is adorable, by the way.â
Ningning nodded, bumping your arm lightly in that casual, already-friends way. âYeah, and you three seem normal. Weâve been stuck with Hyuck and Gyu since the airport and I need actual conversation before my brain melts.â
You laughed, already liking them both, âY/N. And please stayâwe were literally just saying the same thing. Welcome to the so called safe zone.â
The four of you clicked fast. Karina started swapping little complaints about the surprise group thing, Jungwon shyly passed around more chocolate strawberries, and the conversation flowed easy. Ningning had this dry, funny vibe that had you all giggling within minutes, while Yunjin was genuinely sweet, asking about your jobs and what you were hoping to get out of the trip.Â
You were mid-laugh at Ningningâs impression of Gyu hyping up the swimming race when Jake decided it was his moment.
He came strutting past your lounger, shoulders back, towel slung cockily over one shoulder, abs out and glistening a little under the sun. He was clearly feeling himself after that dramatic shirt removal, oh and worse, he caught you looking his way.
His whole face lit up with pure, delusional triumph. He stopped right in front of you, not even paying attention to where your eyes were, and did the most ridiculous thing youâd ever seenâslowly wrapping the towel around his waist like a shy maiden protecting her virtue, while still flexing his abs at the same time.
âWhatâs up, princess?â He called out with a smirk, âcanât keep your eyes off me, huh? Câmon, I donât mind, you can stare.â
Wow, youâd seen your fair share of men who reeked of confidence, but this was new. Maybe you didnât appreciate his insinuation of you staring his way, or simply his cockiness, so you rolled your eyes.Â
You slowly pushed your sunglasses up into your hair, tilted your head, and gave him the most bored, deadpan stare you could muster.Â
âSorry?â You said flatly, loud enough for everyone nearby to hear, moving your hand in a gesture that basically screams move aside.Â
Then you proceeded to point your finger right past his shoulder, and it was rather adorable how Jake seemed like a confused little burrito with the towel still wrapped around him as he managed to turn around, his face showing clear implications that heâd be betrayedâbetrayed by none other than one of his best friends.Â
The sight was nice he supposes, Sunghoon in all his glory, casually knocking out pull-ups on the poolside rig like it was the most normal Tuesday activity, back muscles doing their thing without him even trying. The man looked like a sculpture that had decided to work out, a Greek god if you must.Â
Jakeâs expression went from cocky to completely short-circuited in half a second. His mouth opened, closed, then opened again like a fish that just realized it was on dry land. The towel slipped a little lower on his hips but he didnât even notice. His cheeks flushed this cute, embarrassed pink that spread all the way to his ears.
Jay, who watched the scene unfold, could only muster a slow shake of his head with this long, exhausted sigh. God, he was cute when he did thatâthe whole gentleman looking guy with a sharp jawline thing really worked for him. You caught yourself staring a beat too long before snapping your eyes back to the main disaster.
âOh my god, you absolute menace,â Karina wheezed, already tearing up from laughing.
Jungwon tried to hide behind the bowl of chocolate strawberries but his shoulders were shaking so hard he almost dropped the whole thing. Ningning and Yunjin slow-clapped, leaning over to bump your shoulder with a grin.Â
Jake still hadnât recovered. Then, in classic Jake fashion, he tried to save face the only way he knew howâwith maximum drama and zero brain cells. He spun around dramatically and launched himself backward into the pool like he was auditioning for the Olympics. But, it was not Olympic worthy, much to his dismay. Jake showcased what youd possibly call the most tragic belly-flop youâd ever witnessed in your entire life. Arms windmilling, legs kicking everywhere, the splash so big it drenched you, Karina, Yunjin, and half the loungers like someone had set off a mini tsunami.
When he finally popped up, gasping and coughing, hair plastered to his forehead in wet, messy clumps like a sad golden retriever whoâd been denied walkies, the girls around you completely lost their minds. Karina was cackling so hard she had to hold her stomach. Ningning was slapping her thigh. Yunjin leaned into Jungwonâs shoulder trying to breathe through her giggles.
Jay had decided to abandon this big dog and stay by Hoon, telling him exactly what went down on the other side of the pool, and well, Hoon could care less about Jake acting like a loser when he learns that youâd be staring his way.Â
Regardless, Jake paddled straight over to the edge of the pool right in front of your lounger, folded his arms on the warm tiles, and looked up at you with those big, wounded puppy eyes. Water dripped down his face, but there was this reluctant, sheepish little grin starting to fight its way through all the humiliation.
He groaned, but like weâve established, he didnât give up, âIâm Jake, by the way, and I think you just murdered my ego in front of my friends, thatâs not too fair, is it?â
You smirked down at him, wiping a few stray droplets off your thigh with the back of your hand. Maybe there were a few good things about Jake too, like his accent, and how he looked soâdramatically endearing in all his loser glory.Â
âY/N,â you introduce, tilting your head and taking another sip of your piña colada just to be extra, âhonestly, you did that to yourself, and letâsâmaybe not assume that every girl looking in your general direction is dying to see your abs. But hey, points for the splash.â
Jake bit his lower lip, eyes narrowing in that playful, competitive way even while he was still dripping wet and thoroughly humbled. He tilted his head right back at you, tongue playing with the piercing he had on the right side of his bottom lip.Â
âOh, this isnât over,â he promises, and you wonder how he even got this confidence back within seconds, ânot even close. Youâre gonna be staring at me for real by the end of this trip, I swear, consider yourself seduced.âÂ
You raised an eyebrow, letting the silence stretch just long enough to make him squirm a little under your gaze, but he took that time to appreciate the beauty of your eyesâwhich led him to staring at you, shamelessly. Even Hyuck and Gyu had stopped to see this man make a fool out of himself.Â
âWeâll see about that, Jake.â
He grinned then, and there you gave him another ten points for having a pretty smile, okay maybe he wasnât bad to look at. He kept the smile, pushing off the edge and swimming backward a bit, still looking at you like youâd just become the highlight of his entire vacation.
You leaned back, the girls still giggling and teasing around you, sun warm on your skin, and tried (and completely failed) to wipe the stupid smile off your face.
Jay shook his head again from a few feet away, muttering something that sounded suspiciously like âabsolute idiotâ while shooting you a quick, amused little glance that made your stomach do another tiny flip. Good lord, being surrounded with such fine men was definitely not for the faint hearted. This trip was already a mess.
But damn if it wasnât the funniest one youâd ever been on.
Turns out, a nap was exactly what you needed to get rid of jet lag, and it worked wonders, leading to the group being more energetic than before and deciding to have dinner together at this Italian restaurant they managed to find in the vicinity.Â
It was a beautiful open terrace spot filled with the scent of garlic bread and wood-fired pizza. Amongst all this, the chatter felt normal like you were all good friends already, but you opted to sit next to Karina regardless, and you were about to sit down when Jake appeared out of nowhere, aiming straight for the empty chair on your right like a man with a mission. He was already sliding in with that cocky little smirk when you planted a hand on his chest and gave him a firm push back.
Quite frankly, it is rude, but itâs also funny to see Jakeâs face when heâs presented with rejection of any sort. Jungwon seems to have been on the same wavelength as you, sitting down on your leftâthe place which Jake wanted.Â
âWhyâs he always around you?â Jake raises a brow, and Jungwon seems to lean closer to you, head touching your shoulder.Â
âTake a wild guess?â Jungwon not so helpfully asked, making it very hard for you to control another chuckle which was threatening to escape.Â
It was comical, really. Jake was also very gullible and not good at catching lies, resulting in his eyes going wide, âwaitâheâs your boyfriend?â He shrieked, and took a step back.Â
Jungwon nodded, ever the problem maker, and wrapped his arm around you with an adorable pout. Everyone else had stopped to observe Jakeâs reaction, and also caught on to the simple fact that Jungwon was acting with you, but another thing about Jakeâhe can be oblivious towards the very obvious things. Gullible, yeah.Â
âOkay, uhââ Jake doesnât really get to complete his sentence because Sunghoon pulls him back and into a chair, sandwiched between Jay and him, sitting right across from you with a defeated sigh.Â
Even Hyuck and Beomgyu point out how Jake appears to be a sulky puppy, golden retriever to be more precise, and he only throws two balled up tissues their way, which somehow ends up hitting the target. Then, he goes back to playing with the food on his plate while watching you chat with Yunjin and eating your share of pasta.Â
âAre you getting the tingles again?â Jay muttered as he stared at Jake.Â
âI am not spiderman,â he sighs, though he was getting a tingle indicating that something is not right.Â
âYou certainly do have reflexes for it,â Sunghoon adds before turning to wink at the pretty waitress who slid her number his way. Classic Sunghoon.Â
Jake did end up trusting his reflex, though his ways were concerning. He saw the opportunity when you were indulging in a deep conversation with the girls about the new Met Gala outfits, leaving Jungwon behind with Jay, whoâd somehow managed to befriend the younger man.Â
One second Jay was walking ahead and explaining the origin of Pizza, and the other second he looked back to see that Jungwon had disappeared. Jake was responsible for it, of course, heâd dragged the poor boy into the alleyway despite his protests. Hyuck popped in his head the very moment Jake decided to open his mouth.Â
âYou swing both ways?â Hyuck asked with a smirk, âif yes then join me and Gyu tonightââ
Jakeâs face was red as he pushed Hyuck out and returned his focus back on Jungwon, who was hissing like a cat (?), but yeah Jake had more important matters to discuss.Â
âAre you actually dating her?â He managed to ask with a croak.Â
Jungwon gave him an unimpressed look, âthatâs what you dragged me for? Donât tell me you fell in love with her at the first fucking sight?â
âHey! Iâm just curious. Whatâs wrong with love at first sight anyway?â Jake scoffed.Â
Jungwon only rolled his eyes and proceeded to walk out, only to yelp as Jake put him in a light headlock. The conversation after that was interesting to say the least, leaving Jungwon pissed as he made his way towards your room, which was right across his room.Â
You opened the door, and Jungwon wordlessly extended a piece of paper your way, âhuh?â You took it from his hand.Â
âGod, I swear you always attract crazies,â Jungwon complained, âdo you have a thing for eccentricities?âÂ
Well, you couldnât deny that. The piece of paper had a number scribbled on it, and an equally messy writing that said, youâre single so we can mingle ;).Â
Zero points for pickup lines truly. You had to apologize to Jungwon and hand him your favourite gummies for the torture he went through in that alleyway, and he was happy saying oh jelly! Despite it all, you felt your face heating up, Jake was truly a dork, and now you had to entertain his advances throughout the trip.Â
It was adorable too. So, yeah maybe you should get your taste in men checked.Â
Once Jungwon had retreated to his room for the night, you washed up and changed into your pajamas, mind still fixated upon that pout Jake held as he stared at you throughout the dinner without even blinking. You stood outside in the balcony, staring at the night sky which was blanketed with starsâsomething you couldnât find in the city on a usual basis.Â
âPretty, isnât it?âÂ
You almost flinched, because of course itâs Jakeâs room right next to you, with his balcony practically attached to yours. He looked beautiful in the moonlight, you could give him that much, yes. Hair a little tousled, a pathetic smile on his face that he deemed to be flirty.Â
âCouldnât sleep either?â He asked, leaning on the railing with his hand cupping his face, âor did you just miss me already?â
You let out a quiet scoff, turning back to the stars like they were far more interesting than the walking golden retriever next to you, âbold of you to assume I was thinking about you at all.â
âLiar,â he grinned watching the twitch of your lips, âyou were smiling at dinner every time I looked over. I counted. Seven times.â
âI was smiling because Jungwon kept kicking me under the table trying not to laugh at you.â You shrugged, trying your best not to look his way.Â
He clutched his chest dramatically, like youâd shot him, âouch, right in the ego. Even after I gave you my number? Câmon I was waiting for a call, or a text.â
You finally turned his way, leaning closer so his breath hitched, eyes dropping to your lips because he couldnât control himselfâyou looked so beautiful like this, especially in your comfy pajamas.Â
âItâs been like half an hour, chill,â you chuckled.Â
âA lot can be done in thirty minutes, yâknow? Like kissing and falling in love and making babies.â
You raised your brow, âokay, letâs say I did text you, and it would take you two minutes to come to my room, then itâd take seven minutes for you to even initiate a kiss, twelve minutes to fall in love and another six minutes to talk about it. So, youâre saying you last three minutes in bed?âÂ
Jakeâs eyes widened comically, âwhatâno! I have good stamina, I can last all night and have youââ
He rambled, and you simply stared at the grand hand gestures that accompanied him in the midst of him trying to tell you how he can fuck you so good youâd lose your voice. You nodded alongside with an amused expression to humour him, but he kept on going explaining his tongue skills and how foreplay is important in a relationship, what?
âOh god,â you mumbled, grabbing his t-shirt and pulling him closer, which did cause him to stumble and press harder against the railing, but did he care? Certainly not when your lips brushed his enough to move his lip ring, âarenât you getting way ahead of yourself?â
He breathed out a chuckle, wrapping his warm fingers around yours over his t-shirt, âjust getting started. Call it future planning, and trust me, I can do way better than three minutes. Let me prove it?âÂ
You probably would let him, but not so easily, opting to tease him more with your hand sliding up, letting your thumb press against his plush lip where the piercing rested. No one had done that to Jake before, and you could physically feel the shiver that went through him at the touch.Â
His breath caught sharp in his throat, a quiet, surprised âshitââ escaping before he could stop it. The cocky grin faltered, eyes widening as his grip on your hand tightened. His chest rose and fell faster, cheeks flushing deeper under the moonlight. It was cute how he looked stunned, a little dazed.Â
You tilted your head, still pressing the piercing just enough to make the ring shift against his lip, âcat got your tongue now, Jakey?â
He let out a shaky breath, eyes half-lidded as he stared at you, âfuckâyouâre actually evil,â he muttered, voice suddenly rough and way more breathless than before, âdo that again and Iâm not waiting for breakfast. Iâll climb this railing right now.â
You only leaned in to press a soft kiss right on top of his lips, however it wasnât really a kiss when your thumb prevented the touch to happen entirely. Jake was fucked, god he truly was fucked. It was evident that you were not the shy kind, however he also did not expect such display of boldness. He also swore he fell in love a little and it didnât take him twelve minutes by any means.Â
On the other hand, your control was hanging by a thread and you couldnât really blame yourself when the man in front of you had such nice, kissable lips. It is hard to even find men with such features so it really canât be helped. Control, however, is the key.Â
âRelax, Sim,â you whispered, almost reminding yourself to calm down as well, âyouâre not climbing anything tonight.â
He let out a soft laugh, resorting to placing a peck on the pad of your thumb and holding your hand there, eyes fixated on you, taking in how you bit your bottom lip, âcanât blame a man for trying. Contrary to popular belief, I truly am trying to control myself.â
âGood, keep it up,â you murmured, managing to pull back with your fingers tracing his jaw in the process. Damn, he really is good looking now that youâre actually focusing on him.Â
His eyes followed the movement, âyouâre making it difficult, yâknow?â He called out your name again before you could pull back entirely, âiâll behave, okay? Just have breakfast sitting next to me tomorrow, please?â
He watched your face scrunching into a thinking one, âhm, are you gonna pay for the ice cream later then?â
âDeal,â he spoke in a heartbeat, a full blown smile gracing his face, âso worth it.â
You couldnât help but smile at how quick he was to agree, âfine, donât make me regret it.â
âWouldnât dream of it, hope you get dreams of me though,â he said, âcause I know iâll see you in mine.â
You shook your head as his laugh followed you inside right as you shut the door, leaving him outside.Â
The breakfast was going to be interesting.Â
When Jake asked for you to sit next to him, he did not expect Sunghoon to be sitting on your other side.Â
Of course everyone had gathered for the breakfast together, it was included in the trip package, so skipping it was baseless. Okay, maybe him sitting there wouldnât have been as bad had Sunghoon just managed to shut up and not divert your attention. But no, he was cracking jokes (which werenât funny) and you were laughing. Might as well have laughed at Jakeâs misery. To add on to it, Jungwon and Karina were glaring his way from across the table. A possible reason would have been him cornering Jungwon last night and tickling him till he confessed that you, in fact, are single.Â
Either way, he had to get your attention back somehow, and Jake did promise to behave but promises are meant to be broken, right?Â
Breakfast was basically over, plates were being cleared, chairs scraping, everyone already stretching and chatting about the private boat tour that started in twenty minutes. Perfect timing, Jake decided. While the group was half-standing and distracted, his hand snuck under the table and landed high on your bare thigh, fingers giving a confident little squeeze, and you almost choked on your last sip of cranberry juice.Â
Jake didnât even glance at you, pretending to be deeply invested in whatever Jay was saying about the snorkeling schedule and how he hoped the boat would be a good budget one. But that smug, tiny smirk tugging at his lips? Dead fucking giveaway.
Sunghoon, still mid-sentence on your other side, paused, âyou good?â
âYep,â you bit the inside of your cheek, âjust realized that breakfast is done and some people have zero sense of timing.â
Jake didnât mind the jibe as his thumb started tracing lazy circles, âwhat? Canât I say good morning properly now?â He leaned closer so only you could hear, âtook me a while to get your attention.â
âYeah, long enough for everyone to stand up,â you pointed out towards Beomgyu who was recording everything (again) and waitâwas he zooming in on Jakeâs hand?
He was whispering for sure and you caught some words including, ââday two, Jake has finally initiated physicality under the table like a horny teenagerââ It was then when Ningning smacked the back of his head and grabbed his phone to delete the recording.Â
Jake, the absolute menace, didnât even flinch. He just gave your thigh one last affectionate squeeze before finally pulling his hand away, all innocent smiles, âwhat? Iâm being romantic. Breakfast is over, technically. No rules broken.â
You shoved his shoulder, glancing at how veiny his hands were, clenching around nothing. Great, now your body had started reacting to him, âyouâre so dead later.â
âPromise?â He whispered, eyes sparkling.
âOh god,â you mumbled, getting up and linking arms with your best friends as you made your way towards your room to change and grab a bag full of essentials for the day. Maybe there was something in that juicy concoction because your skin was still tingling where Jake had touched (groped actually) you.Â
In midst of your thoughts being full of Jake, you managed to change into a swimsuit and cover-up, and stuffed your bag with sunscreen, towels, a waterproof phone pouch, and snacks. The concept of time felt weird because one second you were in your room, and the next second Hyuck and Jungwon were dragging you, and you were on a boat. Oh wow, they really did have a great budget given how decent the price was for the trip package.Â
The private yacht was honestly prettier than the picturesâsleek white hull, wide shaded deck with plush loungers, a small bar already stocked with fresh fruit platters and chilled drinks, and water so turquoise it looked edited, almost. As much as you were skeptical about the group merging, you sure were enjoying watching Karina barking sunscreen orders like a drill sergeant, Ningning and Yunjin claiming the best tanning spots upfront, Beomgyu already setting up his vlog rig, and Hyuck hyping everyone up with a speaker blasting summer hits (he was playing Justin Bieber).Â
And then Jake came into view as if heâd been waiting to spot you (he was), offering his hand with a deeply exaggerated bow, âmilady, allow me to assist you to the bar. Your safety is my utmost concern.â
You werenât sure whether to laugh or comment upon his theatrics, so you simply took his hand as he walked you for like, ten seconds. He didnât let go just yet, eyes shamelessly taking your outfit in and only a lewd whistle was left for the scene to be considered as a harassment case.Â
âEyes up here,â you said with a raised brow, truly basking in his attention because, come on, who wouldnât want this especially on a trip? Â
âCanât help it,â he said, voice dropping into that flirty rasp as he finally released your hand, though his gaze stayed glued to you a second longer.
With a shake of your head, you sat down on the bar stool which was attached firmly to the floor, Jake followed like a magnet as Jungwon looked at him, not impressed still, before going back to sharing his chipotle with Jay. He was about to claim the seat next to yours to finally talk to you without much disturbance.Â
Before he could, you patted the stool on your other side and called out sweetly, âHoon! Come sit with me?â
Sunghoon, who had been quietly leaning against the railing a few feet away applying sunscreen to his ridiculously toned arms, looked up. A slow, amused smirk spread across his face the second he realized what you were doing. Now, Jake was his friend but he wasnât gonna miss an opportunity to tease him, and so he sauntered over and dropped into the seat youâd offered, long legs stretching out comfortably.Â
âYou canât be serious,â Jake almost whined, mouth hanging open.Â
You only stifled your laugh, âwhat are you planning on drinking?â
He leaned an elbow on the bar, gaze flicking over you appreciatively, âwas thinking of some vodka shots, wanna take them with me?â
âIm literally standing right here,â Jake announced his presence, voice pitching higher with disbelief. Jake was shirtless too, he had abs too, and pretty good arms heâd say, which had been appreciated plenty by other girls for being veiny, so why werenât you looking at him?Â
Sunghoon didnât glance his way, flagging the bartender, âthree vodka shots please, One for each of us. Unless Jakeâs too busy pouting to join.â
Jake made a strangled noise, he was very close to throwing Sunghoon off the boat. Imagine being cockblocked by your own best friend, deliberately at that. The shots were served in no time, and Jake just took the other seat next to you, planning on other ways to woo you. He had been rejected by people before, yes, but to this extent? Especially after that kiss (wasnât a kiss) last night?Â
Sunghoon smoothly slid one of the chilled shot glasses your way the second they arrived. His fingers brushed yours on purpose when he handed it over, oh he had nice hands too, âbottoms up, pretty.â
Jake was highly considering pushing Hoon into the water, even more so when he clinked his glass against yours, completely ignoring Jake, then threw his shot back with that annoyingly cool, effortless tilt of his head, groaning like an uncle for some reason. You followed suit, tasting the slight sourness of the liquid, which was pleasantly satisfying on your tongue and throat, ânot bad.â
Before Jake could comment upon it, Karina came to your rescue, appearing out of nowhere with Ningning and Yunjin flanking her like bodyguards, âwe are stealing her. She came on this vacation with me.â
Ningning didnât even wait for permissionâshe grabbed your arm and started pulling you off the stool with surprising strength, âletâs go.â
Yunjin looped her other arm through yours, grinning wide, âsorry, boys. Sheâs ours for the next forty minutes. Go play with your little ducklings or something.â
You did look back for a second and the sight was genuinely funny with both guys on the floor, Jake had successfully pulled Hoon down into what appeared to be a very weak fist fight, all giggles and laughter. Silly silly boys. Jake looked cute, okay?Â
The girls didnât even give you a chance to enjoy the show. Karina yanked you forward harder, laughing. âNope, eyes front, babe. No more watching those idiots roll around like toddlers.â
âItâs actually funny though, weâve been watching you guys and it feels like everyone has this unspoken agreement to make this trip insufferable for Jake, but he should not be around you this much,â Yunjin added with a chuckle.Â
You couldnât lie, you could already feel a soft spot building in you for the man, âitâs so easy to mess with him.â
It was easy to sit down with them and just chat about their lives. You did learn that Ningning and Yunjin worked in the fashion industry, and how their company paid for this trip, and their flatmatesâHyuck and Beomgyu, simply tagged along.Â
âSo, do you like him?â Jungwon asked, Jay lurking behind him like a worried dad.Â
âItâs not even been two days, câmon,â you mumbled, eating another grape and wow, it was sweet, âheâs entertaining for sure, and kinda cute when heâs not hovering around like a menace.â
Jay let out a low chuckle, crossing his arms, oh his biceps, âthatâs one way to put it. Iâve known Jake since we were kids and Iâve never seen him this worked up over someone. Itâs actually kind of funny to watch.â
Karina raised an eyebrow, still rubbing sunscreen on her arm, âfunny or concerning?â
âBoth actually,â Ningning chimed, âfrom what iâve seen, Y/N seems to enjoy him making a fool out of himself.â
Jay shook his head with a chuckle, sitting next to you, âyeah, just go easy on him though. Heâs harmless, really.â
Jake had decided it was the right time to make an appearance, âI can hear every single word by the way.â
âSo you did hear the part where we said you shouldnât be around her?â Yunjin grinned.Â
Jake only looked at you, ânah, I only focused on the praises, and Iâm very glad to learn that someone finds me cute.â
âYouâre impossible,â you added but there was no bite to it.Â
âImpossible to resist,â he says, and everyone groans in unison, but Jake doesnât mind when he gets to see you smile, or laugh, or just see you in general really.Â
Either way, you all managed to converse in a civil manner, talking about the new Toy story movie coming up and how Jake resembled Woody. Also, Jay was really fun to talk to, he seemed to have knowledge about everything, almost like a walking encyclopaedia, dropping random facts about the reef they were about to snorkel and the history of the islands. The conversation flowed easy, the sun warm on your skin, the boat rocking gently underneath you.
Time passed quickly like that, and you saw the cove coming into view, and Chan came into view, how did he even get on here? He greeted everyone with the same enthusiasm, grabbing masks and fins to go snorkeling. Everyone was quick to discard their cover ups, and jump into the water which was slightly cold, and you jumped in with the girls, who were quick to explore the surroundings.Â
It was as if you were floating on liquid glass, taking a deep breath before ducking your head under the water, which led you to a different world altogether. Soft corals in every shade of purple, pink, and orange swayed gently with the current. Schools of tiny neon fish darted past in perfect formation, flashing silver and yellow. Bigger onesâparrotfish, angelfish, ones you didnât even have names for, cruised around beautifully. You felt calm, water was always a calming presence for you. Between your usual work and getting no time for yourself, youâd almost forgotten how it feels to just breathe.Â
Ironically, you felt like you could breathe under water, savouring every breath, every moment of it. And to no oneâs surprise, Jake wanted to savour his with you. He appeared by your side, which shouldnât have been a surprise, especially when you caught him looking at you from behind the masked goggles, eyes crinkling at the corners. He gave a small nod, then pointed down and to the right with one hand.
A little octopus was tucked into a crack in the coral, skin shifting colors as it tried to disappear. You tapped his arm to get his attention and pointed at a pair of electric-blue fish chasing each other around a brain coral. Jakeâs grin was obvious even with the mouthpiece inâhe nodded hard, then did this smooth little roll underwater, showing off without trying too hard. You couldnât help watching him more than the fish for a second, because he seemed like a really good swimmer, almost like he lived in water.Â
Soon enough, you kicked towards the surface to breathe again, yanking the mask off for a bit with Jake before you both joined the group yet again to explore further, and it was lovely, you didnât wish to leave.Â
However, your legs were starting to ache from all the kicking and your fingers were properly pruney by the time Chris started yelling from the boat that lunch was ready. You surfaced one last time, pulling your mask off and taking a deep breath of the warm air.
Jake came up right beside you, hair slicked back, water running down his face. He looked at you for a second, âbest part of the trip so far,â he said quietly, and he was aware that there had been others around, but for him, it felt like he was exploring another world solely with you.Â
You nodded, still a little breathless at the honesty in his tone, âyeah, same.â
âReady to go back?â He asked with a crooked smile, as Hyuck swam past him woohooing.Â
You nodded, âhm, kinda tired now.â
Jake laughed under his breath and fell in beside you as you both started kicking toward the boat. Karina and Ningning were floating a little ways off, arguing over who found the prettiest fish. Sunghoon was just chilling on his back like a human raft. The whole cove felt alive with noise and laughter.
And when Jake felt your eyes on him, he smirked, âI see now youâre looking my wayââ
He should have kept his mouth shut, because it led to a very unfortunate situation where Jake got stung by a jellyfish.Â
âOwâfuck!â Jake yelped, yanking his mask off so fast it nearly flew into the water, âsomething just stung me! Shit, it burns!â
You turned toward him instantly, âwait, what?â
âItâs right hereâon my leg!â He was already paddling harder toward the boat, half swimming, half flailing, even though he was a strong swimmer and couldâve easily made it on his own, but to Jake it almost felt like a shark had taken a bite out of him.Â
Karina started cracking up so hard she swallowed water, âJake, itâs a baby jellyfish! Chill the fuck out!â
Ningning and Yunjin were losing it too, âoh heâs got the worst luck ever.â
Jay, who had been floating a little further out, kicked over fast with this long-suffering sigh you were starting to recognize as his default Jake-mode, âalright, move over,â he said, grabbing Jakeâs other arm while you kept hold of the first, âstop flailing like youâre in the Titanic, man. Youâre making it worse.â
âIâm not flailing, Iâm dying!â Jake whined, but he let the two of you tow him anyway, legs still kicking dramatically like he was trying to outrun the sting, âit feels like itâs spreading, oh god.â
âItâs not spreading,â Jay deadpanned, voice calm but clearly fighting a laugh, âyouâve had worse paper cuts. Y/N, you got him on that side?â
âYeah, I got him,â you said, trying not to crack up as Jake leaned into you with a pout, jutting his bottom lip out.Â
Between the three of you, you basically wrestled Jake up the ladder like a very dramatic, very wet sack of potatoes. He collapsed onto the warm deck the second his feet hit wood, sprawling out with a theatrical moan, water pooling everywhere.
âItâs the worst pain of my life,â he groaned, clutching his calf. âI can feel it going up my leg. Someone call my mom. And maybe kiss it better just in caseââ
âAbsolutely not happening,â Jay said, already grabbing the first-aid kit the crew had left out. He knelt down and dabbed some vinegar on the tiny mark with the patience of someone whoâd done this a hundred times, âItâs barely even red, youâll survive.â
You dropped down beside Jake, still dripping, and poked the speck gently, âitâs literally the size of a dot. Youâre such a baby.â
âStill hurts,â he muttered, but his eyes went all soft when he looked up at you, shifting enough to rest on your lap
Chan shrieked from somewhere, âno, no, noâI canât have a guest dyingââ
âHeâs literally okayââ
ââwhat do we do, someone needs to pee on it.â
Wait, what? Jake froze and everyone stopped to stare at the man who was pacing around thinking that Jake was dying (he was okay). The silence lasted for a second before everyone started laughing, and Jake leaned in further to hide his embarrassment.Â
Beomgyu, who had been filming the whole time, lowered his phone just enough to grin at you. âY/N should do it. Sheâs the one heâs been chasing all day. Makes sense, right?â
Jungwon, who had just climbed up the ladder, deadpanned without missing a beat, âwhy? So she can mark him up as hers?â
You burst out laughing so hard you had to cover your mouth. Jakeâs head was still in your lap, and he let out a loud, dramatic groan, covering his face with both hands.
âI hate every single one of you,â he said, voice muffled, âit fucking hurts, okay? And youâre all justâsuggesting piss therapy.â
Jay shook his head, capping the vinegar bottles, âweâre not peeing on anyone. Itâs already looking better. Youâll be fine in ten minutes, you big idiot.â
Jake peeked through his fingers at you, eyes all big and pitiful even though the corner of his mouth was twitching, âyou hear that? Iâm wounded and theyâre bullying me. Youâre my only ally here.â
You brushed some wet hair off his forehead, realizing that you didnât mind his dramatic ass as much. It was rather funny because Jake was indeed still a stranger, you didnât know much about him other than the fact that he was loud, shameless, and somehow really fucking good at making you laugh even when he was being an absolute idiot.
âYouâre the one who jinxed yourself by bragging two seconds earlier. Karmaâs fast, huh?â
He let out a soft laugh, âcanât complain much when it led to this,â he smirked, clearly enjoying the warmth your thighs offered, and he squished his face further into it, content with the setting.Â
Only for Jungwon to drag him away from you.Â
Doesnât it feel like youâre astral projecting when walking on the warm sand while the breeze flows through with a tinge of coldness? Because thatâs exactly what you were feeling at the given moment.Â
Jungwon was walking beside you, shrieking and hissing like a cat each time the cold water touched his feet. Everyone was spread out indulging in their own activities after the lunchâwhich had been peaceful for a change. You even learned that Hyuck is an amazing singer and Jay is an amazing guitarist as they did an impromptu performance, and Jake hummed alongside them.Â
When Jungwon jumped again, you laughed and pulled him further away from the water, âitâs cold as fuck,â he whined, hopping sideways now.Â
âYouâre the one who wanted to check the water temperature,â you pointed out with a chuckle, still holding onto his arm so he wouldnât bolt back toward the dry sand like a startled cat.
Jungwon dramatically flung himself against your side, âI changed my mind, i hate the ocean, i hate everything wet and cold. Why did I think this was a good idea?â
You shook your head, glancing back to notice how Jake was walking a little behind the boys, almost side by side with Karina, brows a little furrowed as if engaged in a deep conversation of some sort. He kept on nodding, serious for once, though his fluffy hair made it seem adorable regardless. You looked forward again before he could catch you staring his way.Â
A few minutes passed like that as Jungwon made you click his pictures so he could post and boast about this vacation, and the beautiful sunset view, of course. Jungwonâs expression changed as if he already got the phantom feeling that he would be mistreated again, which wasnât wrong actually because Yunjin and Ningning jumped out of nowhere and dragged him away despite his weak protests.Â
âWe need him for a second,â Karina giggled and grabbed his phone from your hand before rushing away.Â
âWhat nowââÂ
To say you were confused would be an understatement, especially with the winks they sent your way. Oh, so this was related to Jake. The man had immaculate timing, because he fell in step with you right that second, turning you around so youâd stop looking at Jungwon. You were about to ask him whatâs going on, but he was quick to hold up two ice cream cones with a smile.Â
âI believe I owe you an ice cream,â he shrugged casually.Â
It was your favourite flavour. And to your absolute delight, it was just what youâd been cravingâsomething about having a cold treat in chilly weather, yâknow?
âHowâd you know?â You asked, genuinely surprised, reaching out to take it.
Jakeâs fingers brushed yours as he passed it over, the cold from the cone mixing with the warmth of his skin for a second. It was such a small thing, but enough for you to notice how soft his fingers were.Â
âTook a wild guess,â he said, shrugging like it was nothing, but the corner of his mouth twitched like he knew heâd been caught.
You narrowed your eyes at him, and then realized. Well, the timing of Karina winking and the girls dragging Jungwon away was arguably the dead giveaway, âyou asked Karina, didnât you?â
Jakeâs grin turned guilty, he didnât even try to lie, âmaybe.â
âYou asked my best friend?â
âHad to make sure I got it right,â he said, bumping your shoulder lightly as you started walking again, a small smile stretching at the cute gesture.Â
The sand was cooler now under your feet, the breeze carrying that nice evening chill against your sun-warmed skin. Another thing you learned about Jake, that he kept his promises despite this one being a small promise. Another ten points for that, and five points for the flavour, which seemed heavenly on your tongue, making Jake stare at you, mind definitely elsewhere. Donât get him wrong, he was more than happy to be the recipient of your smile, but he was only a man, eyes dropping to your mouth, the way your tongue licked a streak off your lower lip.Â
You raised an eyebrow, âwhat?â
He only leaned, thumb brushing against the corner of your lip where the cream had smeared. Good lord, your breath hitched and a shiver pathetically traveled down your spine. You blamed it on the cold.Â
âYou had some right here,â he murmured, voice lower than before. His thumb lingered for half a second longer than necessary, the pad of it warm against your skin, before he slowly pulled it away.
You swallowed, âyou couldâve just told me.â
âCouldâve,â he agreed, eyes finally lifting to meet yours, there was a lazy smirk on his face, âbut then I wouldnât have had an excuse to touch you.â
You clicked your tongue, trying to play it cool even though your pulse had kicked up, âsmooth, Sim.â
You took another deliberate lick of the ice cream, letting your tongue linger just a little longer than necessary, and watched his throat bob as he swallowed.
âEvil,â he muttered, almost to himself, âyouâre actually evil.â
You smirked, licking your lips slowly, âyou started it by staring like you wanted to eat me instead of the ice cream.â
Jake let out a breathless laugh, running a hand through his messy hair, only if you knew, âcan you blame me? Youâve been torturing me all dayâfirst with the swimsuit, then saving my life from that jellyfish, now thisââ he gestured vaguely at your mouth, âIâm only human, Y/N.â
âKeep talking like that and Iâm throwing the rest of this cone at you.â
He grinned, but his eyes were still dark, still fixed on your mouth like he couldnât help it. The two of you kept walking until the wooden railing along the path came into view. Without saying anything, you hopped up and sat on it, legs dangling toward the sand. Jake followed right after, dropping down beside you so close that his thigh pressed warm against yours. Others had retreated back to the resort, and somehow they thought it was a good idea to push the narrative of you and Jake actually being a thing by the end of the trip.Â
Were you complaining? You arenât too sure. To be fair, you didnât wish to ponder about the future, so living in the moment was the only option, and it wasnât all that bad, because though he was clumsy, his smile and advances (creative ones) made it better, another story to add to your journal.
So, eventually you decided to humour him and gather some random information, âfavourite colour?â
Jake was caught off guard, tongue shoved deep in the cone as he stared up, âuhâblue?â
âFavorite late-night snack?â
âRamyeon. Why are weââ
âBiggest turn-off in a person?â
Jake let out a surprised laugh, âyouâre really doing this right now?â
You just raised an eyebrow, waiting, licking another stripe of ice cream while keeping eye contact.
He rubbed the back of his neck, looking equal parts amused and flustered, âUhâpeople who donât like dogs. I donât know, this feels like a trap.â
âSo if i say iâm a cat person, youâll stop chasing me around?â You challenged and you swore he looked like a puppy now.Â
âProbably not,â he admitted, âiâd suffer in silence knowing you wonât like my pet.â
It was so apt for Jake to be a dog dad, and you were sure youâd like his pet. You only laughed at his pouty expression while Jake took in your beauty, enjoying his time with you way more than he expected. Of course, Jake was used to being around women, but then he never chased them like this, not because he had ego, god no, but because he never found himself wanting to get to know them, not like he wants to learn about you.Â
You kept going, âfavourite movie snack?â
âPopcorn with way too much butter,â he confessed, and before you could speak up again, he continued just so he could take the lead, âyou ever let someone go down on you so slow it feels like theyâre trying to memorize every inch?â
Oh my god. Out of everything that couldâve come out of his mouth, you did not expect that, granted the conversation was still light hearted and you werenât sure how to deal with the duality of this man. He could only stare at your parted lips as if he wanted to find the answer himself. Jake knows heâs mostly clumsy and the kind people donât take seriously, but he wasnât lying when he said heâs good in bed, which also includes the dirty talk, so the point still stands.Â
He leaned closer, âcause iâve been thinking about it since the balcony last night. Wondering how youâd sound, how youâd taste, how long youâd let me stay there before your legs start shaking.â
Those filthy fucking words. Youâd only read them in fanfics or books as such, wondering if youâd be the recipient of it someday, not knowing itâd be on a beach, during the sunset on your trip with a stranger who was more than open and willing to provide you with such pleasure.Â
Jake only continued, knowing well of the effect he had on you now, âtell me, hm? Are you the type to grab my hair and pull me closer, or the type to try and stay quiet until you canât anymore?â
How he kept on saying it so naturally was a mystery to you, but you did know that if youâd stay here for a second longer, youâd probably pounce on him, or worse, beg him to show you. Which is why you jumped up, surprising Jake who watched you.Â
âRace you back to the resort!â You shouted, already bolting down the path, cheeks burning and laughter bubbling out of you from pure flustered panic.
Oh Jake was delighted, a big smile gracing his face as he got the exact reaction he wanted out of you, âfuckâget back here!â He screamed, already sprinting after you, sand flying under his feet.Â
He was fast, faster than youâd expected, which was a dumb assumption given how athletic he appeared to be. You heard him closing in, his laugh getting louder, closer, until suddenly his arm wrapped around your waist from behind. You let out a surprised squeal as he lifted you clean off the ground like you weighed nothing, spinning you around as his bright laugh rang right in your ear.
âGot you,â he said, still chuckling as he set you back down, but he didnât let go right away. His arms stayed looped around you, chest pressed to your back, both of you breathing hard from the run.
He swore you fit perfectly in his arms, and you bit your bottom lip, enjoying the warmth of his embrace. He finally loosened his hold, stepping back just enough to look at you, eyes bright and full of that same mischievous warmth.Â
âNext time,â he added, tapping your nose lightly, âIâm not letting go so easy.â
âWho says thereâs a next time?â You asked, a little breathless.Â
Jake only leaned in, thumb gently pressing against your lower lip the same way youâd done to him last night. His eyes stayed locked on yours, âI do.â
He was tempted to do this without the interruption of his thumb, to actually feel the warmth of your lips, to taste the lingering taste of ice cream on you, but he contained his need, opting to press his plush lips upon yours but not fully touching, simply a hint of brush against yours. Regardless, you both closed your eyes for that split second, letting it linger for a while while your heart raced with this newfound warmth.Â
A few seconds later, he pulled back just enough to rest his forehead against yours, thumb still lingering on your lip.
âNext time,â he whispered, emphasis on the absolute confirmation of it, âI wonât stop at almost.â
He stepped back with that bright, cocky grin, eyes sparkling like he knew exactly what heâd just done to you.
âRace is over, baby,â he smirked lazily, âand I win.â
You were no stranger to Jungwonâs childish antics and his over protectiveness when it came to his friends. It was clear in the way he practically acted like a bodyguard, or well, a blanket as he wrapped himself around you, escorting you towards the jeep just to make sure Jake doesnât hover around you again.Â
Poor Jungwon had been tortured too much, between Jakeâs relentless flirting and the way the golden retriever had spent the entire previous day finding new and creative ways to get under your skin (and hands on your waist), Jungwon had apparently decided enough was enough. He clung to your side like a koala with separation anxiety, dramatically shielding you from any potential Jake-shaped threats as you walked.
âHeâs not going to kidnap me,â you sighed, trying to drink your coffee, but Jungwon made it impossible for you to move.
He sneered, âhe literally did that yesterday.â
âIt was just to give me ice cream, câmon,â you sighed, and immediately grinned as he loosened his hold so you could take another sip.Â
âAt the cost of me being dragged away! God forbid i want to spend time with you and Karina on our holiday,â he whined, staring back to glare at Jakeâwho almost tripped.Â
It was a rather bright morning with everyone chattering excitedly about the waterfall, amongst other activities that Chan had planned for you all. Everyone was in various stages of hike-readyâloose clothes, backpacks slung over shoulders, sunglasses on, the easy lazy energy of people who had nowhere to be except exactly here.
âMale loneliness epidemic canât be that badââ
âI can hear you, yâknow,â Jake called out cheerfully as he jogged to catch up, âcan you not plot my demise this early in the morning? Thatâs cold, Jungwon, I thought we were friends.â
That earned him a glare, âyouâre the enemy.â
âYâknow they say itâs better to keep your enemies close, alsoâhey, princess! You look beautiful,â Jake started and you bit your inside of the cheek to prevent a laugh from escaping.
Thankfully, youâd reached the jeeps that waited for the group in the driveway with coolers and extra water bottles stacked in the back. Chris was doing his usual enthusiastic headcount as if it was a school trip while everyone started piling in without much order.
You climbed into the middle row of the second jeep first, sliding toward the window. Sunghoon immediately dropped into the seat right beside you, stretching his long legs out âmorning, this seatâs mine now.â
Before Jake could even make a move to claim the spot on your other side, Karina slid in smoothly from the other door and settled on your left, flashing you a wicked little grin as she adjusted her sunglasses. Now, Jake did try to follow, but Jungwon was faster. He grabbed the back of Jakeâs t-shirt with both hands and started dragging him backward toward the first jeep like an angry mother cat.
âNope. Absolutely not,â Jungwon declared loudly, âyouâre riding with me, menace. Iâm not letting you sit next to her for twenty whole minutes of thigh-touching and whispering. Boundaries, Jake. Weâre enforcing boundaries today.â
Jake let himself be dragged, laughing the entire way, but he twisted around dramatically to look at you, âiâll be there soon, donât miss me too much,â he screamed as the door slammed shut behind him.
It was a bumpy ride, full of investigation from Karina, meanwhile Sunghoon tried to click a few selfies butâhe almost appeared to be a grandpa (?) with how he handled his phone.Â
âLetâs click one together to torture Jake,â he mumbled, holding the phone way too far from his face like he was trying to read a menu in the dark, âcome here, heâs gonna lose his shit when he sees this.â
The photo came out perfect but Sunghoon wasnât even done there, âyeah I should post this, itâll ruin his whole day.â
âIsnât he supposed to be your friend?â Karina asked with a laugh.
âThis is how friendship works,â Sunghoon shrugged, taking his shades off to show how serious he was, and truly, it was kind of funny.Â
By the time the jeeps pulled up at the trailhead, the air was already warm and heavy with the smell of wet leaves and flowers. Everyone spilled out stretching and complaining about the ride. Jake was waiting near the path like heâd been counting down the seconds, and the second he spotted you he was already walking overâuntil Sunghoon casually showed him the phone screen.
Jake stopped mid-step. His eyes narrowed at the photo, then flicked to Sunghoon, then back to you. It was evident he was trying not to pout, yet he couldnât resist smiling when he saw a gentle, teasing smile on your own face. Yeah, he wasnât going to let Jungwon or Sunghoon steal you away anymore.Â
âWow, okay,â Jake said, letting out a dramatic breath as he walked over, âI get kidnapped by Jungwon for one ride and you guys are already taking couple selfies?â
Sunghoon slipped his phone back into his pocket with a lazy shrug, âwhat can I say? We make a cute trio.â
âYeah, yeah, rub it in,â Jake muttered, but the corner of his mouth was twitching. He reached for your hand without hesitation, lacing your fingers together, âyou having fun torturing me or what?â
You squeezed his hand once, looking elsewhere on purpose, âa little bit.â
Jungwon was about to intervene (again) but thankfully, Jay grasped his attention (Jake thanked the lords) to talk about the latest F1 race, the two of them started walking ahead, deep in conversation, which gave you and Jake a moment of peace.
Then again, there wasnât any peaceful time with Beomgyu around, who zoomed in specifically to click pictures of your intertwined fingers, and giggles from the girls who truly believed that you and Jake would be together by the end of the trip. Whatever happened to summer flings, oh and by the way, this wasnât even a fling so far.Â
The hike began in earnest after that. The trail wound lazily through dense, sun-dappled jungle, the air thick with the scent of damp earth, blooming orchids, and distant salt from the sea. Sunlight filtered through the canopy in shifting golden coins, painting dappled patterns across the dirt path. Jake never once let go of your hand. If anything, his grip grew more secure as the trail narrowed, his thumb occasionally brushing slow, absent circles against your skin.
Regardless of how that little action made your heart flutter, you ended up in a conversation with Hyuck, and Jake didnât mind the fact that you werenât paying attention to him, only because you werenât pulling away from his touch either. The trail eventually opened into a small clearing where a fast, silver-veined river cut across the path. The only way forward was a precarious line of moss-slicked stepping stones, water rushing white and cold around them.
Chris clapped his hands with his usual boundless energy, âokay letâs do buddy system! Cross safely everyone!â
You practically witnessed Jakeâs eyes sparkling, his bottom lip bitten as he crouched down. Ignorance must truly be a bliss because this man wanted to carry you to the other side, on a path that was full of moss and slick.Â
âYou cannot be serious, Jake, thatâs fucking dangerous!â You exasperated.Â
Right then, as if to prove you wrong, Jay passed by you both with Jungwon on his backâand he appeared way to jolly, moving way too much for Jayâs liking but he managed, somehow.Â
âSee?â Jake grinned up at you, eyes bright with mischief. âEven Jayâs doing it. Just trust me, okay?â
You opened your mouth to argue again, but Jake was already rising smoothly, hands locking beneath your thighs before you could properly protest. The cold spray misted your skin as he stepped onto the first stone with deliberate care. His back was warm against your chest, steady despite the treacherous surface beneath his feet. Halfway across, he turned his head just enough for his cheek to brush yours.
âEnjoying the ride?â He asked, trying to mask his own enjoyment.Â
You muttered something under your breath about reckless golden retrievers, but you didnât tell him to put you down. Instead, your arms tightened slightly around his shoulders, and Jakeâs answering chuckle vibrated through both of you. When you finally reached the other end, he was gentle to put you down, however not letting go of your waist.
âWhat?â You raised your brow, amused yet again while also reeling with aftershocks of his strength.Â
âPretty,â he mumbled with his lazy smile.Â
Your smile widened, a finger reaching out to boop his nose, which surprised him, even more so when your lips brushed his ear, âyouâre prettier.â
Jake tries to maintain his composure but it seems as if you donât make it an option for him, as if his blush canât be helped with that gentle smile of his. Itâs such a lovely colour on his face, causing your own smile to turn gentler, well, before Karina coughs loudly and drags you away, again, much to Jakeâs dismay.Â
He doesnât intrude again, not when you settle into another deep conversation with the girls and smile wider. Jake assumes that heâs simply gone mental with how endearing his stare is towards you, not having felt this level of devotion (thatâs what he names it) for anyone before.Â
As he continued to dote on your beauty, Jay and Sunghoon came up from behind to grab him and drag him a bit far to have some man to man talk, whatever that meant honestly?Â
âBitch, are you in love?â Jay asked bluntly the second they were out of earshot, arms crossed while Sunghoon leaned against a tree with that signature knowing smirk.
Jake sputtered, cheeks flaring even redder, âwhat? NoâI mean, maybe? Shut up, itâs too early to say so.â He ran a hand through his hair, glancing back toward where you were laughing with the girls.
âWhatever happened to weâll fuck like thereâs no tomorrow on this trip?â Sunghoon questioned next, now walking forward as the waterfall came into view.Â
âLast time I checked, you guys havenât been getting laid either, and iâm a changed manâ Jake deadpanned.Â
The boys stopped, staring at each other with a sigh, and the only way to divert attention was to tease Jake yet again, âyeah, youâre basically cooked. Canât believe youâre in love on a vacation when youâve never even had a girlfriend before.â
âHeâs never been with a girl before?âÂ
You didnât mean to eavesdrop by any means, but their voices carried just enough on the breeze as you walked a few steps ahead with the girls. You bit your lip to stifle a laugh, pretending to be very focused on adjusting your swimsuit strap under your top. Jakeâs flustered sputtering was adorable.
Before the teasing could escalate further, Jakeâs eyes locked onto yours across the small distance. A mischievous glint replaced the embarrassment in a heartbeat. He broke away from his friends mid-sentence and jogged over to you, grabbing your hand with zero warning.
âCâmon,â he grinned, clearly to distract you from his non-existent exes, âenough talking. Letâs make this memorable.â
You barely had time to yelp as he tugged you toward the edge of the rocks overlooking the deep pool beneath the main cascade. The waterfall roared beautifully ahead, mist sparkling in the sunlight, âJakeâwait, what are youââ
âTrust me!â He laughed, squeezing your hand tighter. Without another second of hesitation, he jumped, pulling you with him.
Like youâd said before, there was never a boring moment with Jake because now, you both were jumping off the low cliff together and into the turquoise water with your arms wrapped around each other and a big splash. The shock of the cold made you gasp as you surfaced, laughing breathlessly. Jake popped up right beside you, hair plastered to his forehead, eyes sparkling with pure delight as he shook the water out like a happy dog.
Chris was horrified to say the least, âwhat the fuck are you two doing?â His voice boomed from above, poor man looked as if he was one second away from fainting, âthis is not the designated jumping zone! Oh god, my guests are in danger. My blood pressureââ
Sadly, no one was interested in safety. In fact, they were riled up seeing the scene and were more interested in following suit. Hyuck and Beomgyu immediately followed, cannonballing in and creating even bigger splashes. Ningning and Yunjin were giggling as they jumped more carefully, while Karina dragged a shrieking Jungwon along. Even Jay and Sunghoon jumped in, shaking their heads at Jakeâs antics but clearly entertained.
Jake, when he swam closer with that wicked, playful glint in his eyes, âcold?â He teased, voice low as his gaze shamelessly dropped to where your wet clothes clung to your body, âor is that just me making you shiver?â
You splashed him right in the face, âkeep staring like that and Iâll drown you myself, Sim.â
He wiped the water off with a dramatic gasp, then grinned like an idiot, shaking his hair out again and sending droplets flying toward you, âworth dying for. Have I mentioned how fucking good you look all wet?â His tone was pure mischief, but the way his eyes lingered a second too long sent a spark of heat through you despite the cold water.
Before you could retort, Hyuck yelled, âChicken fight! Losers buy dinner!â
Jakeâs eyes lit up, âyouâre riding me,â he declared, not even bothering to word it well, already ducking underwater so you could climb onto his shoulders. His hands gripped your thighs firmly as he stood, way steadier than he had any right to be. The position put your core right against the back of his neck, and you could feel every shift of his muscles.
âHands lower, pervert,â you warned, tugging his hair lightly, making him groan, or was it a moan?
The chicken fight turned into glorious warfare. Jake moved with surprising agility, laughing as he dodged Beomgyu and Hyuckâs clumsy attempts to unseat you. You clung to his head, thighs squeezing around his shoulders for balance, he looked rather pleased with that, both of you shouting and splashing like children who had discovered freedom for the first time. Water flew everywhere, rainbows shattering in the spray, until Hyuck finally toppled backward with a dramatic yell and the game dissolved into breathless laughter.
Eventually, Chris started rounding everyone up, his cheerful energy now laced with mild panic as he took in the state of his groupâdripping and entirely too pleased with themselves.
âOh noâoh no, no, no,â Chris muttered, eyes wide as he surveyed the scene, âyouâre all soaked. The jeeps, the seats are gonna be a mess I swear.â
The trek back was a soggy, hilarious affair. Everyoneâs clothes clung uncomfortably, shoes squelched with every step, and the jungle path felt twice as long when you were leaving a trail of water behind like a pack of mischievous river spirits. Jungwon kept complaining about his ruined socks, while Karina, Ningning and Yunjin were already planning how to salvage their hair.
Jay, being the gentleman he is, came up to you, âlet me carry your bag,â he offered, hand already extending to grab it from you.Â
Before you could even respond, Jake huffedâan actual, audible huff, and snatched the bag from where it had been slung over your shoulder, âI got it,â he said quickly, already speeding up a few steps ahead like he was on a mission, âno need, Jay. Iâm stronger anyway.â
Jay raised an eyebrow, clearly amused, âpossessive much?â
âProtective, big difference,â he spoke, not bothering to turn around, clearly interested in speed walking all of a sudden.Â
You could only stare, because Jake was odd. He was odd in this endearing way that made you wanna squish his cheeks and tease him to no end. No, no. You need to contain yourself instead, and so you did (you tried, at least). Lunch became an impromptu picnic on a sun-warmed outcrop overlooking the seaâslightly damp sandwiches, sweet mango slices passed hand to hand, and you wondered just how much storage Beomgyuâs phone had to be clicking these many pictures.Â
It was a good day, a great day even, almost cinematically inspirational for the ones who were a sucker for positive vibes and slow motion captures of laughs and smiles, because thatâs how everyone feltâyou more than others with that one smile constantly being in front of you. What a pretty fucking man.Â
By the time you reached the resort, the sun had done its work. Everyone was finally dry, hair wild from the wind, bodies heavy with that good kind of exhaustion that comes from a day well spent. The group split off toward their rooms with tired goodbyes and loose plans for dinner.
You had barely stepped out of your bathroom after a well deserved warm shower when a soft thud was heard coming from the balcony. You tightened the towel around your chest and padded over, still dripping a little. Jake was already there, one hand braced on the railing, looking ridiculously at ease in a loose black tank and shorts, hair messy from the wind. The second he spotted you, his face lit up.Â
He reached for the handle of the sliding glass door and gave it a gentle tug. Locked, you didnât move to open it, in fact, you watched him try with amusement.Â
âCâmon, let me in for a sec,â he said, grinning as he pressed his forehead lightly against the glass, âIâm not even dripping water anymore.â
You leaned against the doorframe on your side, arms crossed, ânice try. You can stay right there.â
âGosh, still so hostile towards me? And here I thought we were getting somewhere,â he mumbled in fake sadness, eyeing you up and down, knowing he was going to start mumbling praises mindlessly, âyou look good, fresh out of the shower, pretty, yeah.âÂ
âFlatteryâs not getting the door unlocked, Sim.â
He pouted, âalright, fine. Stay in there then, but meet me downstairs in thirty? The others are probably gonna drag everyone to that overpriced restaurant, and I donât wanna share you tonight.â
You raised an eyebrow, biting back a smile, âwhy should I ditch them for you?â
âBecause Iâm more fun,â he said simply, like it was obvious, âand I wanna walk around with you without Jungwon glaring holes in my head or Beomgyu taking pictures every two seconds. Justâyou and me.â He paused, tilting his head, âsay yes. Iâll even let you pick the weirdest souvenir.â
You didnât answer right away, just watched him through the glass. He waited, patient for once, eyes steady on yours, but he wasnât all that patient when he stepped closer, right up against the door, and pressed his lips to the glass in a soft, lingering kissâright at your eye level, mumbling please. When he pulled back, he gave you that crooked little smirk, already stepping away toward the railing like he was about to hop back to his own balcony.
Oh Jake Sim, he was too good at this, and if you didnât know any better, youâd assume heâd been in multiple relationships before. You smiled, biting your lip hard, and before he could turn fully, you leaned in and pressed your own lips to the exact same spot on the other side of the glass. The faint fog of your breath bloomed there for a second.
Jake caught it. His eyes widened, then crinkled with the biggest, dumbest grin youâd seen all day. He touched two fingers to his mouth, pointed at you, and laughed quietly as he swung one leg over the railing.
âThirty minutes,â he called back, âdonât stand me up, princess.â
Jake was nervous, however he was also good at hiding his nervousness, but can you blame him when you knocked his breath away each time you smiled his way. Just like now.Â
Youâd changed into a breezy sundress that caught the warm evening breeze, and every time you glanced over at him with that easy, teasing smile, Jake felt his chest tighten in the best possible way. He kept his hands in his pockets, playing it cool, but his heart was doing laps.
Maybe he was overthinking, testing his luck if you must, but he wished to kiss you tonightâconsensually of course. Heâd been riding the high of your almost kisses from the past few days, those charged little moments that left him replaying them in his head like a loop. But he wasnât about to push. Not when things felt this good already.
The path to the night market wound along the edge of the resort, lanterns flickering softly overhead. Jake stole another glance at you, the way the dress swayed around your legs, and cleared his throat.
âYou sure youâve not done this before?â You asked, bumping his shoulder as you walked.
He blinked once to break his train of thoughts, âdone what?â
âNever had a girlfriend before,â you shrugged, âcause you sure know what youâre doing.â
âIs that to say youâre my girlfriend?â Jake smirked all up in your face.
That earned him a roll of your eyes, âblasphemous accusation. I didnât even mean it that way, you know it.â
Jake clicked his tongue, âwell, Iâve never had a relationship before, I only know how to charm people, just as iâve been charming you.â
âWho says Iâm charmed?â You shot back, challenging him.Â
He opened his mouth with some retort ready, but you were quick to tease him further, âwhatever happened to your plan of fucking a new girl each night here, hm?â
Now, that caused Jake to almost trip over nothing, âwhatââ
âJay told me,â you shrugged with a chuckle, âand câmon, Iâm not judging you, I lowkey wished the same for meâwell, before you decided to ruin it.â
âMe?â He stopped dead in the middle of the path, eyes wide. Did you really wantJake as much as he wanted you?
âYeah,â you said, concealing your laughter to be as serious as you could muster, âI wanted to fuck Hoon.â
Oh absolutely not. Jake didnât hide his disdain as he furthered away from you, âout of everyone, you wanted my best friend, seriously? That sucks to hear.â
Behind all those smiles and laughter, Jake was a bit insecure, granted he forced himself in your life, forced himself to be there so youâd notice him without much knowledge of what you truly wanted. Did he mix up your signals? Got too much into his head or lucid dreamed it all?
You hurried after him and caught his wrist, âhey, wait.â He slowed but didnât turn around right away, so you stepped in front of him, and gosh he was actually clenching his jaw and looking elsewhere, almost like throwing a tantrum. Regardless, you wanted to clear things up.
âYouâre such a baby.â You went up on your toes and kissed his cheek softly, letting your lips stay there for a second, feeling his body loosening up at your display of affection, yet he didnât turn around right away, eyes fixed off to the side.
You didnât let go. Instead, you cupped his cheek gently, turning his face toward you, âcâmon, look at me.â Your thumb brushed his skin, âit was a stupid joke. You know, it lasted not even an hour when you jumped into the pool. I spent the whole day with you, didnât I? Laughing my ass off, letting you carry me across that river like some dramatic prince, almost kissing you like three different times already. I saved your ass from that jellyfish, not Hoon. Remember that?â
Jakeâs jaw unclenched a little. The corner of his mouth twitched, fighting a smile and you took it as a yes. He was internally cooing at how adorably you took it upon yourself to reassure him when he damn well knew it was a joke, so he let you continue.Â
âExactly,â you beamed, âso why the hell would I want anyone else when Iâve got you being all golden retriever and annoying in the best way?â You leaned in closer to his ear, âyouâre the one I keep saying yes to, dummy.â
That finally cracked him. A real smile broke through, small at first, then that full crooked one you loved, eyes softening as he looked at you properly, âyouâre actually the worst,â he muttered, but there was no bite left in it.
Before he could say anything else, you rose up again and kissed him properly on the cheek one more time, dangerously close to his lips, your mouth brushing the edge of his in a teasing almost. Jakeâs breath hitched.
He gave in completely then, wrapping his arms around you in a tight hug, pulling you flush against his chest like he wasnât planning on letting go anytime soon. His chin rested on top of your head for a moment, âIâm not letting you go tonight,â he murmured against your hair, you could already imagine him pouting, ânot to Hoon, not to Jungwon, not to anyone. Youâre mine for the rest of this market, yeah? Maybe longer.â
You laughed softly into his shoulder, hugging him back just as tight, âpossessive much?â
âCanât be helped,â he said, squeezing you once more before loosening just enough to look at you, that recipient of that smile back in full force
You grinned and the two of you started walking again, his arm staying firmly around your shoulders like he needed the contact. The jealousy had melted away, replaced by that warm, clingy energy you were starting to get addicted to.
Jake steered you toward the food stalls, still a little extra touchy. You loaded up on fried chicken, chili-lime corn, and of course, ice cream. Eating while walking got messy fast, full of stolen bites and quiet laughter.
At the dart stall he got stupidly focused, âbet I win you that giant turtle.â
He missed most shots. You laughed so hard you had to hold onto him. One lucky throw got him the silly blue octopus keychain instead.
âDr. Otto,â you named him proudly, âI like this better anyway,â you chimed, making Jake chuckle.
âYou like spiderman?â He asked, already greedy to know more about you.
You nodded, popping another spoonful of ice cream into your mouth, âyeah, since I was a kid. Something about swinging around the city looks fun as hell.â
Jakeâs eyes lit up like youâd just handed him the best gift ever, âno way, me too! I used to watch the old movies on repeat. My brother and I would fight over who got to be Spider-Man when we played.â He bumped your shoulder gently, his hand lingering on your lower back as you walked. âGuess Iâm dating a nerd now. Good to know.â
You raised an eyebrow, fighting a smile, âdating? Bold assumption, Sim.â
He only shook his head with an endearing smile, walking alongside you. It wasnât anything fancy, but you both didnât need fancy, it was the company that mattered, and right now, you couldnât have asked for a better one.Â
The conversation kept flowing as you wandered deeper into the market. Jakeâs hand stayed on your lower back most of the time, warm and steady, thumb occasionally tracing small circles through the thin fabric of your sundress. Every little touch sent a quiet spark through you.
You stopped at a small jewelry stall where delicate shell necklaces and charms caught the lantern light. Jake picked up one with a tiny starfish pendant, holding it up to your collarbone without putting it on. His fingers brushed your skin, light but deliberate, sending goosebumps down your arms.
âLooks pretty on you,â he mumbled mindlessly, causing your lips to twitch up, âit pulled me towards it, just like youâve been pulling me since the day one.â
Your lips parted at how proud Jake was at that line, not even realizing how cheesy it sounded. At the end of the day, you were more than happy to indulge in his whims and fancies, âyouâre really going all in tonight, huh?â
He bit his lip, tongue playing with his piercing as he paid for the necklace without thinking twice, stepping closer. He fastened the necklace for you, nimble fingers careful against the back of your neck. His breath ghosted warm over your skin as he leaned in, lips brushing the shell of your ear for a second, âlooks perfect on you.â
You turned to face him fully. The air between you felt thicker, charged. You reached up and adjusted the starfish so it sat right, your fingers brushing his chest. âThank you,â you whispered, voice softer. For a moment you just stood there, close enough that you could feel the heat radiating from him, the phantom feeling of all those almost-kisses making your pulse race.
In hindsight, moments like these made everything feel effortless. Canât be helped when he looked at you like that.
Eventually the crowd thinned and you reached the wooden railing where the market met the beach. Waves rolled in dark below, fairy lights twinkling behind you. Jake leaned beside you at first, then pulled you in front of him, arms wrapped around your waist from behind, chin resting on your shoulder. Fuckâyou liked it. You liked the heat he held in his body and heart, you liked how solid and warm he felt pressed against your back, like he was anchoring you to the moment.
His breath tickled your ear as he murmured, âthis is nice. Just you and me and the ocean, no one interrupting for once.â
Maybe he shouldnât have spoken up so soon, jinxing his peace in the process as your phone started ringing, causing him to groan and for you to stifle your laugh. The caller ID displayed a cat emoji, it was Jungwonâs call.Â
You answered with a sigh, âhey, Won.â
âWhere the hell are you?â Jungwonâs voice came through sharp âweâre all sitting at dinner and Karina said you vanished right after your shower, Jake is missing too. Did Jake kidnap you again? I swear to god, if that idiot isââ
Jakeâs arms tightened around you instantly. You could feel his smirk against your shoulder before he even moved. He dipped his head and pressed his lips to the side of your neck in a warm kiss. The cool metal of his lip piercing brushed your skin first, sending a shiver racing down your spine. Your eyes drifting close at the feeling of Jake, and you swore he was out to kill you.
âIâm fine, relax,â you said, trying to keep your voice steady, âIâm just at the night market. Itâs loud out here, sorryââ
Jake didnât give you a chance to finish. He kissed lower, open-mouthed and slow, sucking gently right below your ear. You wondered why did he have to be so skilled with his mouth, making you breathe harder with barely two kisses.Â
âWhat was that?â Jungwon asked immediately, suspicion thick in his tone, âY/N, are you okay? Is he with you right now?â
âNothingâjust tripped on the sand,â you managed, but your voice was already breathier. Jakeâs nimble fingers spread across your stomach, pulling you tighter against him as he found that sensitive spot again and sucked harder, his piercing dragging teasingly with every movement.
A tiny, involuntary whine slipped out of you.
Jungwon went quiet for half a second,âwas thatâoh my god. Heâs doing something, isnât he? I fucking knew it. Jake, if youâre listening, Iâm going to murder youââ
You tried your best to not react, to not embarrass yourself further, you really did try, but Jake had a point to prove. He moved to the curve where your neck met your shoulder, lavishing it with filthy, open-mouthed kisses. He sucked deep enough to leave marks, one of his hands slipped just under the hem of your dress, fingers tracing the expanse of your hip. A proper, breathy whimper tore from your throat before you could bite it back.
Before Jungwon could scream again, you mumbled breathily, âgotta go, talk later.â Another gasp left your lips as you hung up.Â
The second the call ended, the night air felt ten degrees hotter. You spun around in Jakeâs arms so fast it made your head spin, âyou absolute fucking menace,â you hissed, clearly looking fucked out, and Jake swore he could get used to this.Â
His grin was lazy as he licked the piercing slowly, eyes blown black with want, âlooked inviting, couldnât stop myself,â he rasped, âyou sound so fucking pretty when youâre trying not to fall apart for me, fuck.â
Before he could say anything else, you shoved him back hard against the railing. Your hands fisted in his shirt as you attacked his neck with the same filthy hunger heâd shown you. Your mouth latched onto the warm, salty skin under his jaw, sucking hard, tongue swirling as you marked him right back. Jake groaned deep in his chest, the sound guttural and raw, one hand flying to grip the back of your head, fingers threading tight in your hair.
You kissed lower, open-mouthed and desperate, sucking bruises along the strong column of his throat. When you reached the junction of his neck and shoulder you bit down, then soothed it with long, wet strokes of your tongue. Jakeâs hips jerked forward, pressing his hard cock against your stomach with a low, wrecked moan.
You both shouldâve been thankful it was an empty area, not that you cared anymore, but to focus on anything else was a bit tricky at the moment.Â
Jake groaned, âyouâre gonna kill me, baby.â
You pulled back just enough to hover right in front of his lips. Your mouths were so close that every ragged breath mingled. His pupils blown wide, cheeks flushed dark. The thick outline of his cock throbbed against you through his pants. That phantom feeling of all the almost-kisses burning between you felt so carnally torturous you could barely think straight. Yeah, you were both completely fucked.
You stayed right there, teasing, your mouth so close but never quite closing the gap. Jake made this desperate, broken sound in his throat, leaning in like he was dying for it. You pulled back just enough, smirking against the edge of his lips, your fingers slipping under his shirt to rake your nails lightly down his abs.
âPayback,â you whispered, voice husky and dripping with want.
Jakeâs eyes fluttered shut for a second, a low groan rumbling in his chest as your nails dragged over his skin. His hands flexed hard on your waist, hips pressing forward once more so you could feel exactly how affected he was. Then you stepped back, both of you breathing hard, faces flushed, lips swollen.
Jake ran a hand through his messy hair, trying to pull himself together, âJesus Christ,â he mumbled, eyes never leaving yours, âyouâre really gonna kill me.â
It almost felt like an edging session with how many almosts youâd managed to have so far, but it also made things interesting.Â
You bit your lip, feeling the heat in your own face, your thighs still pressed tight together, âcome on, we should head back before Jungwon actually comes looking with that taser heâs got.â
âHeâs got a taser?âÂ
âWell, letâs not ask why,â you chuckled, letting Jake interlace your fingers with his.Â
The walk appeared peaceful for the onlookers, who were completely oblivious to your inner turmoil. You just prayed it wouldnât reach to the point youâd drag Jake into your bedroom yourself, like some horny rabbit. Regardless, you both were good at pretending and that led to some normalcy where Jake learned more about you, your job, the little cat you have, the food you like, the drinks. Basically, everything one discusses on their first date. Was this a date? It felt like one.Â
Jake was beaming, swinging your hands together with his boyish smile when he realized that you lived one hour away from him, already planning on meeting you once you go back (you didnât wish to leave this place), but his enthusiasm warmed your heart, enough that you werenât opposed to the idea of continuing whatever this was after the trip.Â
âYour lips are swollen,â you pointed out, wondering how they even got so plump and kissable.Â
Jake touched his lips, âif you keep pointing shit like that then Iâm not gonna make it back to the resort without dragging you into the trees somewhere.â
The words sent another pulse of heat through you, but you both kept walking like everything was perfectly fine. Like your panties werenât ruined and his pants werenât tented.
âYouâd like that too much,â you teased, glancing sideways at him. The fairy lights were behind you now, but the flush on his cheeks and the way his jaw kept tightening were impossible to miss.
âWay too much,â he murmured, pulling you closer to him.Â
âJake, weâre supposed to be walking back normally, remember? Pretending weâre not both stupidly turned on right now,â you managed to let out.Â
Jake glanced at you, eyes dark, âyeah? Howâs that going for you?â His thumb stroked the back of your hand, sending sparks up your arm.
âTerribly,â you admitted with a breathless laugh, âyouâre hard, arenât you?â
He groaned softly, rubbing the back of his neck with his free hand, âpainfully. And youâve got my marks all over your neck. Looks fucking good on you, by the way.â
The walk back felt endless in the best and worst way. Every brush of shoulders, every shared glance, every quiet laugh carried heavy tension underneath. Jake kept stealing looks at your lips, at the necklace heâd given you resting against your collarbone, at the way your dress moved against your thighs. You couldnât stop staring at the fresh hickeys youâd left on his throat, the way his tank top clung to his chest, the obvious bulge he kept adjusting when he thought you werenât looking.
By the time you reached your rooms, thankfully not running into Jungwon, Jake looked at you expectantly. Your heart was racing, and god knows every cell within you was aware that youâd grown to like Jake more than you intended.Â
You stepped closer, rose onto your toes, and pressed a soft, lingering kiss to his cheek, right at the corner of his mouth.
âGood night, Jake,â you whispered against his skin, letting your lips brush there for a second longer than necessary. Your hand rested on his chest, feeling how fast his heart was pounding.
He nodded, swallowing hard. His eyes were dark, lips parted like he wanted to say something importantâmaybe stay, maybe fuck this, come here, maybe something even more dangerous. But nothing came out as he just stared at you, jaw tight, that desperate hunger written all over his face.
You gave him one last small smile and slipped inside, closing the door behind you. The second you were alone, you leaned against it, trying to catch your breath, body still buzzing.
Barely two minutes passed before you heard the soft thud on your balcony. Then a knockâhesitant at first, then firmer, and it kept on going as you walked over, heart hammering, and slid the glass door open along with the curtains.
Jake stood there, breathing hard, hair messy from the wind, eyes wild. He didnât wait for an invitation. The second the door was open wide enough, he stepped inside, cupped your face with both hands, and slotted his lips against yours like heâd been starving for it. You didnât think twice before kissing him back just as fervently, feeling the warmth of him, the cool metal of his piercing, the lingering taste of ice cream on his lips. It felt perfect, igniting a hunger within you.Â
His mouth moved against yours with raw need, tongue sliding hot and demanding past your lips as he backed you further into the room. A low groan rumbled in his chest when you kissed him back just as fiercely, your hands fisting in his shirt, pulling him closer.
One of his hands slid into your hair, tilting your head exactly how he wanted while the other gripped your waist, pressing your body flush against his. You could feel how hard he still was, thick and insistent against your stomach as he walked you backward until your back hit the wall.
When you moaned into his mouth he lost it a little more, hips rolling forward, grinding against you with a broken sound that went straight between your legs.
He pulled back just enough to breathe, forehead pressed to yours, both of you panting.
âCouldnât fucking wait,â he rasped, ânot another second.â
âDonât stop then,â you whispered, pulling him into another kiss, lips parted as he sucked into your mouth hungrily, your hands roaming under his tank top, nails dragging down his back.
âLet me stay the night,â he begged against your skin, âiâll be good, jusâ wanna kiss you, hold you.â
He leaned in again before you could answer, and you laughed breathlessly into his mouth, and he was savoring every second.
âJakeââ
Another kiss, softer but no less hungry.
âI promise,â he murmured, lips brushing yours with every word, âjust you and me in that bed. My arms around you, kissing you right here.â He pressed his mouth to the corner of your lips, âand here,â another kiss, deeper, âall night if you let me.â
You were trembling against him, heat pooling low in your belly, âokay,â you whispered, âstay.â
The relief in his eyes was instant. He kissed you hard, lifting you effortlessly so your legs wrapped around his waist as he carried you toward the bed. He laid you down gently, crawling over you without breaking the kiss, his body settling between your thighs.
For the rest of the night, he kept his wordâmostly.
You had consumed your fair share of holiday romance movies before, and each time you were left wondering how anyone could fall for someone within such a short span of time. Thatâs probably the beauty of human connectionsâthe universe just pokes your heart and says, yes, thatâs the one.Â
Jake was pretty sure he felt that in his bones, though the initial strategy was to seduce you, he somehow managed to make an absolute fool out of himself each time, and yet you stayed with him with that pretty smile of yours, causing him to stay undeterred on his mission.Â
Regardless, now that the sunlight had managed to creep in your room, and your eyes had adjusted enough to find Jakeâs sleeping figure clinging onto you, you didnât know what to feel. He was beautiful in the ways the poems are beautiful to readers. It scared you, how he wore his heart on his sleeve, how he didnât hesitate to provide you with his undivided attention, how he simply wanted and basked in your attention.Â
It was the inevitable outcome really, especially because Jake stayed true to his word and didnât go beyond kissing despite how much he craved it. He kissed you as if he couldnât breathe without breathing you in, and somewhere along the lines, he managed to drift into dreamland with his lips pressed against yours. You had to maneuver his head to rest against your neck instead, and even through the sleep, he managed to snuggle closer as if youâd been his home all this while.Â
Now, looking at him, you canât help but trace his features with the tip of your finger, starting from his eyebrows, down to his pretty cheekbone, and the perfect slope of his nose. Your actions were soft, well timed so as to not disturb him, yet it was hard when you traced his bottom lip, the piercing that you still feel the ghost of on your lips.
With a deep breath, you moved your hand back only for Jakeâs fingers to wrap around your wrist and bring it back. You gasped softly at how fluffy he appeared, smiling faintly as he pressed a lingering kiss on the pad of your thumb, urging you to cup his cheek with a smile and you complied without much hesitation. No words were exchanged, no promises of what was to come, but the actions were enough for your mind to solidify that it was more than a holiday fling.
It was the perfect morning.Â
For Jungwon, it was borderline preposterous. While Jake was beaming, chomping on his omelette on the other table with the guys, Jungwon and the girls had managed to arrange yet another interrogation session with you, this time demanding answers for the hickey(s) on your clavicle. The answer was obvious, but itâs the details they wished to gather.Â
âYou couldâve informed us,â Jungwon huffed, tearing the bread into two and offering you one, âabandoning us on a holiday, wow!â
âI donât understand how you still treat her like a kid when sheâs always around doing one night stands,â Karina deadpans, successfully making Jungwon huff, but thatâs the least of her worries. Wiggling her eyebrows, she leans in, âwas he good? Is he big? Does he moan?â
You almost choked out a laugh at how serious they were, even Yunjin and Ningning had leaned in now, as if you were giving out classified information.Â
âWe literally just kissed, and yes his lips are as soft as they look, and no the piercing doesnât hurt me, and yes he gave me those hickeys, and no we didnât go beyond that, and yes he moans,â you answered, and they seemed satisfied at how you managed to answer all questions without them even asking half of them.Â
Ningning sighed dreamily, âitâs so romantic! It would have been better if you were with a girl, but I guess heâs as pretty as one,â your whole group looked his way and he almost choked and still managed to smile, making you chuckle, âas long as youâre happy. Oh youâre growing up so fast.â
Karina shakes her head at Ningning, âitâs not even been a week since we met,â and then smiles, âbut iâm glad we did.â
Yunjin chuckled, âyou guys are like my sisters already.â
While this adorable conversation went on, you looked back at Jake, who was struggling as Beomgyu and Hyuck opened up a few buttons of his shirt to tease him about the possessive marks youâd left all over him. This group was truly hilarious.Â
After that, you didnât find much time to be around Jake, much to his dismay, as you and Karina got ready together for the day. The group reconvened at breakfast with Chris dramatically announcing the plan for the final full day.
âWater sports extravaganza, babies! We got Jet skis, banana boats, parasailing, the works. Last day means we go out with a bang!â Everyone cheered, already buzzing with energy despite the slight hangovers from last nightâs chaos (theyâd gone clubbing).
Jakeâs eyes found yours across the table immediately, that bright, hopeful grin breaking through even as Jungwon tried to wedge himself between you two on the walk to the vans, âyouâre riding with me on the jet ski, right?â Jake called out, ignoring Jungwonâs glare.
âObviously,â you shot back, and the way his whole face lit up made your chest feel warm.
The beach was breathtakingly beautiful, full of energetic people who probably had the same plans to enjoy their own holidays. Somehow, you managed to look into Jakeâs eyes, they were so expressive, shining bright in a way that you felt pretty under his gaze. Jay had told you that Jake dotes on you, not caring about the timeframe you shared here, he was gone. And maybe, so were you.Â
It didnât take much time for your group to go and rent out everything, while Jake stood on the side doing mental gymnastics before dragging Jay and whispering something in his ear, joining his hands in a pleading action, which caused Jay to sigh. So, when Jay came over to distract Jungwon and take him away, you werenât shocked, but amused.Â
Jake wasted no time, grabbing your hand with undeterred enthusiasm and practically dragging you toward the jet skis. âFinally,â he muttered under his breath, that sweet desperation bleeding into his voice as he helped you onto the back of the bright red machine. His hands lingered on your waist a second longer than necessary, thumbs pressing into your sides like he needed the contact to stay grounded.
âMissed me already?â You teased, âwe literally slept together.â
âNot enough,â Jake breathed out, âmaybe if you touched my face for longer,â he drags out, making you roll your eyes. But hey, Jake loved that feeling, loved your gentle caressâit was something heâd never felt from anyone before.
He helped you sit on the Jetski, not that you needed help, he simply wanted an excuse to touch you. Then, he swung in behind you, pressing his chest firmly behind you as he reached around to grip the handlebars, arms bracketing you completely, locking you in his own little world.Â
âReady?â He asked, lips brushing your ear.
You nodded, turning around to see Karina and Hyuck smirking, you only winked their way, âyeah, letâs go.â
 The engine roared to life, and the sudden burst of speed had you laughing as the jet ski cut through the sparkling water, wind whipping your hair and salt spray cooling your skin.
For a while he just drove, letting you enjoy the rush, but you could feel the tension in his body, the way his thighs bracketed yours. Eventually he slowed the jet ski in a quieter stretch of water, far enough from the groupâs screams that their shouts were just distant echoes.
âTurn around for me,â he murmured against your ear, your breath hitching with how you felt it down your spine.Â
You shifted carefully, swinging your legs over so you were facing him, knees on either side of his hips. Jakeâs hands settled on your waist, steadying you as the jet ski bobbed gently on the waves. He leaned in, resting his forehead against yours, eyes half-lidded and so close you could count the droplets clinging to his lashes.
âBeen wanting to do this since we left the room,â he breathed. His thumbs traced slow circles on your hips, sending warmth pooling low in your stomach, âyou have no idea what you do to me. Call it astral projectionâlike my soul leaves my body every time you smile at me like that.â
You laughed softly, but it came out a little breathless, âyouâre so dramatic.â
âOnly for you,â he chimes in with a crooked grin, nose brushing yours, âmerciful fate, I suppose, that you ended up on this trip with me. Otherwise Iâd still be wondering what it feels like to have you this close.â
âLetâs not think about that,â you mumbled, âcause iâm here, with you.â
His hands slid higher, wantonly possessive as they traced up your sides under the edge of your life vest. The kiss that followed was slow and deep, full of desperation and all the tension that had been building since last night. His lip piercing dragged cool against your bottom lip as his tongue slipped into your mouth, one hand cupping the back of your neck to tilt your head exactly how he wanted.
When you moaned softly into the kiss, Jake groaned in response, pulling you closer until your chest was flush against his. The jet ski rocked beneath you with the gentle waves, but neither of you cared. His forehead stayed pressed to yours even when the kiss broke, both of you breathing hard, lips brushing with every exhale.
Youâd lost the count of how many times Jake had kissed you already, but it was never enough, never.Â
The distant shouts from the group eventually pulled you both back to reality. Jake helped you turn around again, arms wrapping securely around your waist as he drove back toward the main area, his chin resting on your shoulder and lips occasionally brushing your neck just to make you shiver.
When you rejoined the others, the group was already hyped up and moving on to the next activity. Beomgyu and Hyuck were wrestling over who got to drive the banana boat while Chris yelled instructions no one was listening to. You did feel bad for Chris, so you ended up listening and he spoke with his hand on his heart, touched.Â
âBanana boat time!â Karina called, waving you over, whispering urgently about the movie-esque stunt you and Jake pulled. Jungwon immediately appeared at your side like a loyal shadow, grabbing your arm. âYouâre sitting with me,â he declared, shooting Jake a pointed look, âsafety reasons.â
Jakeâs jaw tightened for half a second, but he forced a grin, âsure, man. Safety first.â The petulant resolve in his eyes said otherwise.
The banana boat was pure chaos. You ended up sandwiched between Jungwon and Jake somehowâJungwon on your left looking determined to protect you, Jake on your right with his thigh pressed firmly against yours. The second the boat started speeding, everyone was screaming and laughing, gripping the handles for dear life.
Every sharp turn sent the whole group sliding. Jake used every opportunity to wrap an arm around your waist, steadying you while his fingers slipped under the hem of your life vest, tracing warm circles on your skin. Jungwon kept trying to wedge himself closer, muttering, âdonât you dare let go of the handle, Y/N.â
You were laughing so hard your stomach hurt, water spraying everywhere as the boat whipped around. Jake leaned in during one particularly wild turn, lips brushing your ear, âthis would be a lot more fun if it was just us,â he murmured, voice low enough that only you could hear.
When the boat finally flipped (as banana boats always do), Jake made sure to pull you up first, hands lingering on your waist in the water, bodies pressed close for a second longer than necessary while Jungwon sputtered nearby, wiping water from his face and Yunjin dragging him away.Â
The rest of the afternoon blurred into more water sports. Parasailing had you and Jake soaring high above the ocean together, wind in your hair, his hand tightly holding yours as he whispered how he didnât want the trip to end. Chicken fights in the shallows had you on his shoulders again, thighs clamped around his neck while he gripped you steady, smug every time you helped take down another team. Flyboarding attempts turned into comedic disastersâBeomgyu failed spectacularly, providing endless entertainment for everyone.
Through it all, Jake stayed close, finding excuses to touch you, to pull you aside for quick kisses when the group was distracted, his glances making heat pool low in your stomach. By the time you were going back, Jungwon was clinging onto your left arm, Jake mirroring him on the right. Beomgyu capturing every bit of it with the biggest smile he could muster.Â
The group trudged back to the resort, everyone was exhausted, sunburned, salty, and glowing with that particular brand of vacation happiness that bordered on melancholy. You barely had time to rinse the sea from your skin and slip into an acceptable dinner dress before a knock sounded at your door. Jake stood there, looking unfairly devastating in a crisp white button-up with the sleeves rolled to his forearms, hair still slightly damp and tousled, a small bouquet of wildflowers in hand.
You tried not to show your excitement but failed miserably. He had been clear that he wished to dine with you, alone. So by default, you ended up telling Karina to make sure Jungwon doesnât follow, and sadly, Sunghoon had caught Jake as he was getting ready. The chances of them appearing there were high now, yet you didnât know what Jake had planned.Â
âYou lookââ Jake took a deep breath as you leaned against the doorframe, urging him to continue, ââyou, uh, fuckâso pretty. You look beautiful.â
The words tumbled out of him like heâd been holding them in all day, raw and unguarded. His eyes traced over you slowly, from the way the dress hugged your figure to the faint marks heâd left on your collarbone, lingering there with a flicker of possessive heat. He stepped closer, offering the wildflowers with slightly shaky hands.
âYouâre gonna kill me tonight,â he added, âIâve been thinking about this since the jet ski. Just us.â
You took the bouquet, the sweet scent of the flowers making you smile up at him, âyou donât look too bad yourself, Sim. Ready to finally have me alone?â
He looked rather hungry as he spoke, âmore than ready.â
He extended his hand, and when you placed yours on top of his, he lifted it up to kiss your knuckles. You swore if he kept on doing this, youâd have to kidnap him and take him home with you. The walk was quiet, also because Jake appeared to be nervous, glancing your way every few seconds to sense any sort of discomfort.Â
The path wound down toward a secluded curve of the beach, lanterns flickering like fireflies caught in the palms. The distant hum of the resort faded behind you, replaced by the rhythmic hush of waves and the soft rustle of leaves. Jakeâs thumb kept stroking the back of your hand in slow, absent circles, his grip warm and steady despite the slight tremor of nerves.
When the spot came into view, your breath caught. A small table had been set intimately in the sand, draped in soft linen and illuminated by strings of fairy lights woven through the palm fronds overhead. They cast a warm, golden glow that danced across the waves like scattered stars. Your favorite dishes from the trip waited along with a chilled bottle of wine. Soft music played faintly from a hidden speaker, something gentle and romantic that blended seamlessly with the oceanâs murmur.
âOh my god,â you whispered in awe. Jake had managed to arrange this in the midst of the busy day you had, and you were truly rendered speechless.Â
When Jake realized that you, in fact, liked it, he proceeded to pull your chair out for you, helping you get comfortable before he proceeded to sit right across from you. Well, he wished to sit right next to you, but then he wouldnât be able to look at your face, which would be a problem, so he chose to be right in frontâwhich appeared to be another problem simply because now he couldnât hold your hand comfortably or kiss you.Â
Jake couldnât remember the last time heâd felt so clingy, so handsy. Of course, his friends can attest that he likes to hug, likes to cuddle, but in a romantic aspect, Jake had never gotten a chance to do so. So he stared, almost as if he was gravitating towards you, and how you styled the necklace heâd gotten for you. He had to bite down his smile seeing the accessory adorn your neck.Â
It was only then he realized that he should probably get up and serve you wine, your eyes following his moves. It felt like the old movies that did not have audio, the storyline being purely based on acting and how much their actions can convey. Now, it was your turn to stare at how serious Jake was, passing you your drink, pushing your plate towards you and filling it up with small portions of dishes, also keeping a bottle of water on the side, and coconut water just in case you didnât wish to consume alcohol.Â
Thatâs how Jake was fundamentally at his coreâaffectionate and kind, the guy who had somehow managed to become the subject of your affections in such a short span of time. When he finally saw how you sat with sparkly eyes, your face resting on your palm, he almost felt shy.Â
âWhatâs wrong?â He asked, finally sitting down again, while also asking you to proceed to eat first.Â
You stare at him for a moment longer, âyouâre just beautiful,â you whispered, and he froze, not expecting any compliments, especially being called beautiful.Â
âWhereâs this coming from?â He chuckled, but the faint pink on his ears completely betrayed his nonchalance.
You shrugged, âjust saying.â It was true though, and before he could start stuttering, you managed to stab a piece of pasta and extend your hand as he helplessly stared at it with his pulse spiking, because how did such a small gesture make him so nervous.Â
He did proceed to eat it, pointedly looking into your eyes, the intimacy of the moment wrapping you both in a warm bubble. Only then he started to act like his own self with a point to prove. You had fed him, so he made it his personal mission to do the same tenfold.Â
âYouâre just feeding me,â you chuckled, and he nodded with painful seriousness.Â
âOf course, thatâs what Iâm here for,â he replied earnestly, making you fall for him a little more, âbesides, thatâs the whole point of dinner.â
âYou have to eat as well, baby,â you mumbled with a smile, watching the exact second he realized that youâd used an endearment for him.
So, Jake did what he had to since he couldnât bear the distance anymoreâhe dragged his chair towards you and plopped down right next to you with a huff, gulping as he stared at you, âyouâve got somethingââ
He didnât bother pointing it out, simply leaned in to kiss the corner of your mouth, swiping his tongue with a gentle caress to clean the sauce. Your eyes drifted close at the sensation, because each kiss with Jake felt like a new feeling altogether, âJake,â you breathed out, grabbing his arm.
âYeah,â he whispered against your lips, not pulling back in sweet desperation of breathing the same air as you.Â
However, a very obvious flash caught your eyes, and Jake didnât have to know who was behind it, so he groaned, dropping his head on your shoulder as you turned your head to look at the source of your disruption.Â
It was a sight trulyâBeomgyu half-crouched behind a palm tree, phone raised like a spy on a mission. One by one the rest emerged from their terrible hiding spotsâJungwon looking guilty, Karina and Ningning giggling behind another tree, Hyuck with a triumphant grin, Sunghoon leaning casually against a rock, almost acting as one, and Jay trying to drag everyone inside but to no avail.
Much to Jakeâs dismay, you laughed and they took it as an invitation, suddenly sprinting towards your table, minus Jay who was walking with a headache forming.Â
âYouâve got to be kidding me,â Jake groaned yet again, wrapping his arms around your waist possessively, pulling you closer as the group swarmed in with zero shame, dragging extra chairs and stealing plates (where did they even get that from?), âI hate every single one of you right now.â
And just like that, Jakeâs perfect dinner date with you turned into a group karaoke session.Â
It took five minutes and several pinky promises that appeared to be more serious than the unbreakable vow before Jake succeeded to monetize your time by offering these idiots his card and permission to use it at the bar.
Heâd also tamed Jungwon with a private conversation that apparently went well enough for Jungwon to walk over to you stiffly and give his blessings (what was that about?). Overall, you were thoroughly entertained watching Jake go around and try to make sure the night worked out well while you chatted with girls.Â
âHeâsâactually so lovely,â youâd mumbled with warmth, and they pulled you in a hug.Â
Karina got emotional, âiâm so happy for you, you deserve the best,â sheâd murmured softly, Yunjin and Ningning nodding alongside. But then they proceeded to treat you like a kid and talk about protection, and so youâd grabbed Jakeâs hand and pulled him away from the group, which by the way, continued to scream your way in crazy enthusiasm about how to spend the night together.Â
âRun,â Jake mumbled, grabbing your hand and pulling you away. You only chuckled and followed him along with butterflies in your stomach, as if youâd turned into your teen self and were experiencing your first hand holding session with your crush.Â
âThis feels more like a chase than a date,â you breathed out, finally stopping.Â
Jake only gave a tired smiled, âI swear, these idiots wonât let us live in peace,â he muttered, pulling you closer with a serious look, âI just wanna spend time with you.â
âNow you can,â you whispered, letting him rest his head on your shoulder yet again.Â
âAt this rate we wonât go beyond kissing,â he groaned and you almost laughed at how wounded he sounded, âI havenât even touched your erogenous zones yetââ
You pulled away, horrified, âyou did not just say thatââ
âWhy not? I didnât wanna sound crudeââ
âSo whatâs next? You call your dick a phallus?â You teased, amusement swirling in your eyes and it was Jakeâs turn to be appalled.Â
âWhatâno!â Jake burst out, eyes wide with mock horror as he clutched his chest like youâd just insulted his firstborn,âI have standards. Itâs called a cock, thank you very much. Or Jake Jr. on special occasions.â
You snorted so hard you nearly choked on your own laughter, doubling over on the narrow trail. The rest of the group had finally disappeared, leaving the two of you alone (finally) in your hallway.Â
âJake Jr.,â you repeated with your brow raised and a slow nod, âplease tell me you donât actually call it that in bed. Iâll drown myself in the next river.â
He stepped closer, that signature cocky grin returning full force, âonly if youâre very, very good and ask nicely. Otherwise itâs just the reason youâre gonna walk funny tomorrow.â
âLike you have been? You look cute all blue balled,â you poked his chest, still grinning.
Jake clutched the spot like youâd wounded him mortally, âwow, iâm being insulted instead of being rewarded?â
Lord help you, youâd grown to actually love his dramatics, and how he had no trouble taking jokes upon himself, furthering them even with nothing but wide smilesâreally fucking pretty smiles, âyouâre such a saint,â you whispered, pulling him back and closer.
âA very horny, very patient saint who just wants to spend time with you without an audience. Is that too much to ask?â
You fished your keycard out, waving it teasingly in front of his face, âthen stop monologuing and get inside before someone sees us.â
He practically vibrated with giddy energy as the lock clicked open. The second you were both through the door he kicked it shut, spun you around, and pressed you gently against it with a bright, infectious laugh, âfinally. No Jungwon, no Sunghoon, no Gyu vlogging our every move. Just you and me.â
You looped your arms around his neck, matching his smile, âpoor Jake Jr. must be thrilled.â
Jakeâs cheeks flushed with that happy, horny glow as he nuzzled into your neck, peppering it with quick, silly kisses that made you squirm and giggle, then he mumbled your name with such warmth, you couldnât help but look into his eyes lovingly.Â
âI really like you,â he confessed, looking ready to attack you.Â
You canât get enough, you really canât, âshow it then, Jakey.â
With your head falling back against the door, Jake wastes no time in sucking a mark on your neck. He wants to mark every bit of you, claim every inch of you. His mouth is hot and eager, sucking hard enough to pull a breathy laugh from your throat that dissolves into a moan when he grinds his hips forward, letting you feel exactly how thrilled his now half-hard cock is.Â
âFuckâfinally,â he laughs against your skin, the sound giddy and wrecked at the same time, like he still canât believe he gets to have you like this. His hands roam everywhere, sliding under your dress to squeeze your ass, pulling you tighter against him as he rolls his hips in slow, teasing circles, âbeen dying to do this without someone fucking interrupting us.â
You tug his hair, yanking his mouth back up to yours, and the kiss that follows is long and messyâopen-mouthed and desperate, tongues sliding wetly, teeth clacking when you both grin too wide mid-kiss. Thereâs nothing elegant about it, simply pure, giddy hunger. You consume each other, licking into each otherâs mouths like youâre trying to taste every laugh, every teasing word from the entire trip. Jake groans happily when you suck on his tongue, that little piercing cool against your own.
He tastes like sugar and salt from the beach, and he kisses like heâs been holding back for daysâwhich he has. You still canât get enough. Your hands push his shirt up and off, nails dragging down his back as he shoves your dress higher, palms greedy on your thighs. Every touch makes you both laugh breathlessly, little giggles breaking through the moans because he keeps making these delighted, happy noises every time his fingers find a new inch of skin. He is happy and not shy to show it.Â
âYou want me?â Jake murmurs hotly, trying to coax you into confessing something thatâd sooth his nerves.Â
He looks undone, a man at your command, lips parted and swollen and so very inviting. You feel drunk, licking into his mouth, âneed. I need you.â
The reaction was instantaneous because how can Jake not obey you? He wants to see you cry out of pleasure, to reduce you into a puddle just for him. Nevertheless, his hands travel right up, tracing up your thigh, hand splayed enough to avoid the spot where you needed him the most, only travelling all the way up your backbone, tracing it with his knuckles as you leaned into him further, letting him wander freely.Â
He unclasps your bra with a flick of his fingers, the fabric loosening under your dress, and lets out a low, shaky exhale when his palms slide beneath it to cup your bare breasts.
âFuck,â he breathes, thumb brushing over your nipple until it tightens under his touch. He pushes the dress higher, bunching it around your ribs so he can mouth at your chest through the loosened bra, tongue hot and insistent, sucking one nipple into his mouth while his hand works the other. The cool metal of his piercing drags over sensitive skin with every slow swirl of his tongue, making your back arch sharply.
âYour body is burning,â you gasped, carding your fingers into his hair.Â
Jake hummed against you, the sheer possessiveness of his hold grounding you, âfucking feel feverish, all because of you,â he mumbled, nipping at your sensitive nipples.
Your eyes stayed locked on his face, one of his hands wrapping around your thigh to hold you in placeâit was then you realized youâd been squirming, arching and urging him to take more of you, offering yourself on a silver platter if you must, âalready? What will you do when you fuck me, hm?âÂ
Jake smirks, pinching your nipple in a manner that had you moaning openly, a sound so heavenly in the midst of an act so sinful. He watches the way your body reacts, eyes dark and fixed on your face like heâs memorizing every flicker of pleasure. âWhen I fuck you?â he repeats, voice low and rough, thumb still rolling the sensitive peak slowly. âIâm gonna take my time with you first, spread you open and use my mouth until youâre dripping down my chin and begging for more.â
Your cunt clenches around nothing, your control slipping. Jake only pushed your thighs apart to accommodate for the intrusion that was to happen.Â
âThen,â he continues, the words vibrating against you, âIâll slide in so fucking deep you feel me for days. Slow at first, so you can feel every inch, then harder when you start falling apart around me.â He nips at your nipple, then soothes it with his tongue. âI want to watch your face the whole time. Want to hear exactly how you sound when you fall apart on my cock.â
His hand on your thigh tightens for a moment, then begins to roamâsliding slowly upward, fingers tracing the soft skin of your inner thigh, brushing teasingly close before moving higher. He cups you over your panties, feeling how soaked the fabric is, and lets out a low groan against your breast as his palm presses firmly, rubbing slow circles right where you need it.
Youâre breathing fast, fingers twisted in his hair, hips shifting restlessly. Jake lifts his head just enough to look at you, lips wet and swollen, eyes burning.
âSounds good to you, hm baby?â He murmurs, voice hoarse, thumb still circling your nipple, âor do you want me to be more specific?â
You knew it, you knew Jake was good at talking, especially in the bedroom. The words so utterly filthy, almost as if you were dreaming of this, but no. Jake was real, and smitten with you, absolutely ready to please your whole being and soul, because that would bring him just as much pleasure if not more, âkâkeep going, fuckââ
Jake stood up straight, lips brushing yours, âthe sky looks pretty, doesnât it?â He offers, confusing you to no ends at how the conversation shifted to that.
âWhat?â You let out a broken sigh, his grip on your pussy tightening in a squeeze.
âWe shouldnât miss it, baby,â he chuckles, pulling you into him, and suddenly, you were being lifted up and carried toward the open balcony doors. The cool night breeze hit your heated skin as he stepped outside with you wrapped around him, your legs locked at his waist, dress bunched high around your hips.
He pressed your back against the cool metal railing, the ocean stretching out dark and endless below, the sky above scattered with stars. One arm stayed wrapped under your ass, holding you up effortlessly, while his other hand stayed between your thighs. Eventually, you sat down on the thick and sturdy railing. It was only then Jake stepped back to admire you.Â
âFuck, look at that view,â he murmured, unbuttoning his shirt as you appreciated the view right back.Â
To Jake, he saw a painting. The dark blanket of sky twinkling with stars all around, moon brightening up the sky. From Jakeâs angle, it was right behind your head, making it appear like a halo, âyouâre so damn stunning,â Jake found himself breathing hard, your disheveled state doing it for him, sitting there with legs spread, dress bunched up, bra halfway down revealing your tits heâd left bites all over.Â
Perfect. You were perfect, carved out perfectly to fit into Jakeâs arms, his hands, his fucking heart. You shivered at how dark his gaze was, or maybe the chilly winds, you didnât know anymore. He bit his lip so hard he tasted metal.Â
He stepped back in, hands sliding up your thighs, spreading them wider on the railing. The cool breeze made you shiver as his warm palms contrasted against your skin. Without another word he leaned in and consumed your mouth, tongue sliding against yours like he was trying to taste every moan youâd ever made for him, you only licked the blood off of him. His fingers hooked into the waistband of your panties. In one sharp tug he tore the lace apart, the sound of fabric ripping cutting through the night air. You gasped against his mouth, breaking the kiss.
âJakeâsomeone could see us,â you whispered, voice shaky with both panic and arousal, glancing toward the other balconies. You were sure there had been other couples who did this, but for you, being semi public and so bare was a first.Â
He only chuckled, like the possibility amused him more than it worried him, âlet them,â he murmured, nipping at your bottom lip, âlet them watch how fucking pretty you look when I touch you.â
He pulled you down from the railing, spun you around in one smooth motion, and pressed your front against the cool metal. His open shirt fell against your bare back, the warm skin of his chest and stomach flush to you, heat bleeding through the thin fabric of your bunched-up dress. One arm wrapped around your waist, holding you tight, while his other hand slid between your legs from behind.
âFuck, youâre soaked,â he groaned into your ear, two fingers gliding through your folds before pushing inside you in one smooth thrust. He curled them immediately, finding that spot that made your knees weak, âlook at the view, baby. Look at the ocean while I fuck you with my fingers.â
You moaned, head falling back against his shoulder as he started pumping slowly, your hand grabbing his arm to hold on to something, fingers digging in so deep, your nails left crescent marks all over.Â
The cool railing pressed into your hips, his open shirt warm against your back, the contrast making every sensation sharper.
âThatâs it,â he whispered hotly against your ear, fingers thrusting faster, thumb finding your clit and rubbing tight circles, âI want you to remember exactly where you were when I made you cum for the first time, yeah?â
You whimpered, hips rocking back against his hand, the wet sounds of his fingers moving in and out of you mixing with the distant waves, âJakeâ fuck, itâs too much, someoneâs gonna hearââ
âGood,â he groaned, biting down gently on your earlobe as he curled his fingers harder, âlet them, theyâd thank me for it, such pretty moans for me, fucking hell. Youâre clenching around me so fucking good, baby. You like this? Being fucked open right here where anyone could look up and see you falling apart for me?â
âYesâgod, yes,â you gasped, one hand gripping the railing, the other reaching back to clutch his thigh. âDonât stop.â
Jake groaned, pressing his hard cock against your ass, grinding slowly as his fingers kept thrusting, âI can feel how close you are,â he rasped into your ear, voice filthy, âcmon, baby. Let go all over my hand while you stare at the ocean. I want to feel you soak my fingers.â
His words, the steady thrust of his fingers, the way his open shirt kept brushing your bare backâit all pushed you over the edge. You came with a broken moan, thighs shaking, cunt pulsing around his fingers as pleasure crashed through you in heavy waves.
Jake didnât stop, fucking you through it with slow, deep strokes, murmuring praise against your neck until you were trembling and breathless against the railing, âso fucking good for me,â he whispered, kissing the side of your throat as you came down, thighs still twitching around his hand. He slowly eased his fingers out, bringing them to his lips and licking them clean with a low, satisfied groan. Then he turned you around, cupped your face, and kissed you deepâletting you taste yourself on his tongue as he walked you backward into the room.
The moment you crossed the threshold, the urgency took over. You stumbled together, lips locked, hands roaming. Your hip knocked into a side table, sending a glass and a small lamp crashing to the floor. Neither of you cared. Jake kicked the debris aside with a laugh against your mouth, pushing you further until the back of your knees hit the bed.
You fell onto the mattress together, still kissing, tongues sliding hot and messy. Jake sat up just long enough to shove the rest of your dress up and off, tossing it somewhere behind him, âyouâre so needy,â you chuckled.Â
Your bra followed next, âyeah, fuck iâve been waiting.â
His fingers were quick and eager as he finally stripped you completely bare as if he was possessed, âthen wait a little more.â
You didnât let him stay in control for long. The second he leaned back down, you pushed at his shoulders, flipping him onto his back beneath you. Jake let out a surprised but delighted sound as you straddled his hips, your bare cunt pressing against the hard bulge in his pants.
âFuck,â he groaned, hands instantly gripping your waist.
You didnât answer with words. Instead, you leaned down and dragged your mouth across his chest, kissing and licking every inch of warm skin. When you reached one of his nipples, you sucked it into your mouth, tongue swirling before you bit down gently. Jake hissed, hips bucking up against you.
You moved to the other side, sucking harder, leaving a dark mark right above his heart. Then lowerâyou dragged your teeth and tongue across his abs, sucking possessive bruises into the defined lines there, marking him the way heâd marked you.
âShit, baby,â he rasped, one hand sliding into your hair, âyouâre gonna leave marks all over me.â
âGood,â you whispered against his skin, sucking another bruise just below his ribs, âI want everyone to see them tomorrow.â
You sat up slightly and slid your hand down his torso, palming the thick, hard outline of his cock through his pants. Jake groaned deeply, head falling back against the pillows as you rubbed him slowly, feeling him throb under your touch.
âFuckâyour hand feels so good,â he breathed, hips rolling up into your palm, âbeen so hard for you all day. You have no idea.â
You squeezed him through the fabric, stroking him firmly as you leaned down to kiss him again, âI think I have some idea,â you murmured against his lips, squeezing him a tad tighter, âyouâve been pressing this against me every chance you got.â
He was flushed the prettiest shade of pink. No touch, no kiss had made him feel this fucked out before, and you were just getting started, sitting up on him with a fucking goddess bestowed upon him to bless his body. He groaned, eyes shifting to the night stand, a bottle of red wine kept there, âbaby, Iâm thirsty,â he bit his bottom lip, âwonât you help me?â
You followed his line of sight to see what he was hinting at, wondering if he wanted to drink wine before furthering the act, only for him to stare at your mouth, followed by your cunt, licking his lips to insinuate the meaning behind his words.Â
âYouâre such a freak, Sim Jaeyun,â you breathed, half laughing, turned on beyond belief, âjust how many people have you done this with?â
Jake only chuckles, grabbing your thighs and switching positions in a second, towering over you now, âyouâd be the first, if you let me, my love.â
You narrowed your eyes, but he didnât let you ponder much as he chased your lips again. It was admirable how Jake couldnât, for the life of him, stay away, as if addicted to the feeling of your lips, or maybe just you. Heâs a simple man, he knows what he wants and goes for it.
âTell me you donât want it and i wonât do it,â Jake offered like the gentleman he is, his eyes however, not so gentle.Â
You shifted onto your back against the rumpled sheets, heart hammering a wild staccato as you drew your knees up and parted your thighs in deliberate invitation. He knelt between your spread legs like a man at the altar. His hands, large and veined, smoothed reverently up the insides of your thighs, thumbs pressing into the soft flesh until your muscles quivered beneath his touch. His dark eyes tracked every movement, lips parted, tongue darting out to wet them as he watched you reach for the bottle of deep crimson wine.
âGod, youâre really going to do it,â he breathed, voice rough with awe, âlook at youâso fucking good for me.â
You held his gaze as you tilted the bottle, letting the first slow, chilled stream pour into the warm valley between your breasts. The wine traced a decadent path down your sternum, pooling in the delicate dip of your navel before splitting into teasing rivulets. A shiver tore through you at the stark contrast, making your breath catch in a soft, needy gasp.
Jakeâs hands gripped your thighs tighter, thumbs pressing deep into the flesh as he leaned in closer, mouth hovering just above your dripping core. He waited, eyes locked on the glistening trail with predatory focus, every muscle in his shoulders coiled with anticipation, watching the ruby wine cascade directly over your cunt. The first cool drop kissed your swollen folds, sliding languidly between them.
The second it reached there, his mouth was there. A deep, guttural moan tore from his throat as he slurped the wine straight from your pussy, tongue dragging broad and slow through your slick heat, chasing every crimson droplet mixed with your arousal. The obscene sound of him drinking you down sent a violent jolt of pleasure up your spine.
âFuckâJaeyun,â you moaned, back arching sharply off the bed. Your fingers tangled harshly in his hair, hips rolling instinctively against his face as he devoured you. His tongue plunged inside you, curling, stroking, then flicked up to circle your clit with precision that made your thighs tremble uncontrollably.
You poured again, slower this time, watching the wine flood over your pussy and drip down to your ass. Jake groaned in pure bliss, the vibration traveling straight to your core as he sealed his lips around your clit and sucked hard, two thick fingers sliding deep into your clenching heat without warning.
âShitâyes, just like that,â you gasped, voice breaking, âgod, you look so fucking pretty drinking from me.â
He pulled back just enough to speak, lips shiny and stained dark red, eyes glassy with lust, âpour more, I want to drown in you, I need to.â
Your hand shook slightly with arousal as you obeyed, tipping the bottle once more. The chilled stream hit your clit directly this time, making you cry out sharply. Jake was readyâmouth open, tongue extended, catching every drop before sealing his lips around your throbbing bundle of nerves again. His fingers curled relentlessly against that perfect spot inside you, stroking with devastating rhythm while he drank you down like fine wine.
âThe housekeeping will be horrified tomorrow,â you managed between broken moans.Â
Jake chuckled darkly against your cunt, âIâll apologize to them in person,â he rasped, voice wrecked and dripping with filthy promise as he thrust his fingers deeper, faster, âmaybe Iâll even let them watch how beautifully you fall apart for me. But right now?â He sucked your clit hard, then released it with a wet pop, âfocus on me, princess. Let me ruin this pretty pussy with my tongue until you forget every name but mine.â
And he was successful truly, because you couldnât remember any other name. His name was the only one on your lips, breathed out in a chant as if it were a mantra.Â
He poured the next stream himself this time, controlling the flow so it dripped slowly over your clit while his mouth followed instantly, slurping and licking with renewed hunger. The sight was too hot, the feeling too intense for your body to not react. Your orgasm hit like a tidal fucking waveâback bowing, thighs clamping around his head as you came with a sharp, breathless cry, pulsing hard around his fingers while he drank every last drop of wine and release like a man starved.
Even as you trembled through the aftershocks, Jake kept licking softly, savoring you, eyes never leaving your face. Your body was still humming, every nerve singing as he gentled his mouth against your oversensitive folds, pressing slow, open-mouthed kisses along your dripping slit like he couldnât bear to part from you. A soft, broken whimper escaped your lips when his tongue flicked one last teasing stripe over your clit before he finally lifted his head.
Jake crawled up your body, his chest brushing against your wine-slicked breasts as he settled between your thighs. One large hand cupped the back of your neck, tilting your face to his while the other traced lazy, possessive patterns over your hip and waist. His lips found yours instantly, wine-drenched. He licked into your mouth with the same devotion heâd shown your cunt, tongues sliding together in a slow, filthy dance that left you dizzy.
âYou did so well for me, yâknow?â He whispered, âfucking perfect for me, just for me.â
âJust for you,â you confirmed in a breath, staring at the man whoâd made you cum so easily, granting you the best orgasm youâd ever had.Â
âGonna ruin you for everyone else,â he promises in a chaste kiss. Â
âJakeââ you breathed against his mouth, rolling your hips up to chase his touch, âI need more, I need you.â
A smile curved his lips as he sat back on his heels, eyes locked on yours with molten intensity. Without breaking the gaze, he shoved his pants and boxers down his thighs, kicking them aside impatiently. His cock sprang freeâthick, flushed a deep red, the head glistening with precum and veins standing out prominently along the impressive length. It twitched under your hungry stare.
Jake wrapped a hand around the base and leaned forward again, pressing his forehead to yours. He dragged the heavy head of his cock through your soaked folds in one slow, deliberate stroke, coating himself thoroughly in your cum. The slick, obscene glide made you both groan.
âNever got so hard for anyone before, it fucking hurts,â he groaned, his tip nudging your clit with every pass. One hand gripped your hip hard enough to bruise, the other braced beside your head as he rolled his hips in teasing circles, the thick head catching at your entrance before sliding back up.
âDonât make me wait then, yeah?â You all but begged, trying to sound confident but your voice gave it away.Â
âPatience has never been my virtue,â he murmured, leaning down, claiming your mouth in a slow kiss while he dragged the heavy, flushed head of his cock through your soaked folds one final time, coating himself thoroughly in your slick and the remnants of wine.
âPleaseâfuck,â you groaned as he pushed inside, stretching your entrance with a burning, delicious pressure that made your breath hitch sharply. Jake groaned low in his throat, the sound vibrating against your lips as he paused, letting you feel every ridge and vein as he worked the thick head inside with shallow, careful rocks of his hips.
âShhâeasy, baby,â he whispered, rubbing soothing circles on your clavicle, his breath warm against your parted lips.
You exhaled shakily, fingers digging into his shoulders as the thick head stretched you open, âyouâre too fucking big.â
âI know,â he murmured, pressing a slow, deep kiss to your lips, âIâve got you. Just relax for me.â He rocked forward gently, feeding you another inch. The stretch burned sweetly, your walls yielding reluctantly even as you dripped around him. Jake groaned softly into your mouth, the sound raw and intimate, âfuckâyouâre gripping me so tight. So warm inside.â
You moaned quietly against his tongue, legs tightening around his waist, âdeeper,â you whispered when he paused, âI want all of you.â
Jakeâs breath hitched. He kissed you again, slower this time, as he pushed forward, sinking another thick inch, âyouâre taking me so well,â he rasped, forehead pressed to yours, âfeel how deep Iâm going?â
He did, hips rolling in a measured glide until the last thick inch disappeared inside you. When he bottomed out, pelvis flush against yours, balls pressed tight to your skin, a shared shudder ran through both of you. The fullness was obscene, a heavy pressure that made your cunt flutter wildly around his entire length.
âJesus,â Jake whispered, voice wrecked, mouth claiming yours in a filthy kiss full of tongue and teeth, âyouâre squeezing me, baby.â
You rolled your hips experimentally, drawing a guttural moan from him. âMove,â you demanded softly against his lips, âI need you to fuck me.â
He started with devastating controlâlong, luxurious drags of his cock that pulled almost completely out before sliding back in to the hilt. Each thrust stirred your insides, the thick head dragging along every sensitive ridge within you. The wet, obscene squelch of your arousal coating his shaft grew louder with every plunge.
âLike this?â He groaned low, one hand sliding down to grip your ass, tilting you open wider for him. âFeel how easily youâre sucking me back in every time I pull out?â
âYes,â you gasped, meeting his rhythm with rising urgency, nails scoring down his back, âharder, Jaeyun. I want to feel you tomorrow.â
His pace quickened, hips snapping with more force. The bed creaked beneath you as he drove deeper, pounding into that spot that made white-hot sparks explode behind your eyes. Sweat slicked your bodies where they joined, the lingering scent of wine mixing with raw sex in the air.
He brought you to the edge once with relentless precision, faster thrusts, thumb circling your clit until your thighs quaked and your moans turned sharp and desperate. Then he slowed to a torturous grind, keeping his cock buried deep while circling his hips, rubbing firmly against that devastating spot without mercy.
âNot yet,â he breathed against your mouth, stealing another deep kiss, âI want you aching for it. Feel how your cunt is trying to pull me deeper even now?â
You whimpered, hips chasing his, body trembling with need, âplease, Iâm so close.â
âI know,â he murmured, voice dark with lust as he kissed along your throat, sucking a mark into your skin, âhold it for me. Just a little longer.â
âSo fucking mean,â you whined, actually whined and Jake found immense pleasure in that.Â
âYou have no idea how good you sound when you whine like that,â he murmured, voice low and rough, dragging his teeth lightly over the fresh mark heâd left, âall breathless and so frustrated because I wonât let you have it yet.â He kept that cruel, grinding rhythm, cock buried to the hilt, hips circling in slow, deliberate presses that rubbed relentlessly against the spot that made your vision blur. Every rotation sent sparks racing up your spine, keeping you balanced on that agonizing knife-edge.
Your fingers twisted into his hair, tugging hard enough to make him hiss, âoh my god,â you gasped, hips rolling desperately against him, chasing more friction, âyouâre enjoying this way too muchââ
Jake chuckled softly, the sound vibrating through his chest into yours. He captured your mouth in a messy kiss before pulling back just enough to speak against your lips, âguilty. The way your body keeps tightening around me, like itâs begging even when your mouth is complaining.â He gave one sharp thrust, then returned to the torturous grind, âtell me exactly how it feels.â
You shuddered, âfeels so good, Jakey, want more.â
His eyes darkened with satisfaction, âgood girl,â he whispered, rewarding you with a series of deeper, faster strokes that had the bedframe protesting. He pushed you right to the brink againâhips snapping, thumb working your clit with devastating precision until your back arched clean off the mattress and your moans turned into broken, high-pitched gasps.
You let out a genuine sob of frustration, nails raking down his back, âJake! I fucking swearââ
He kissed the corner of your eye, licking up your tear, âone more time,â he promised, voice strained with his own restraint, âI need to feel you right on the edge like this. So close I can taste how badly you want to cum.â
He built you up again, slower this time, drawing it out until every nerve in your body felt electrified. Your skin was fever-hot, slick with sweat, the remnants of wine sticky between your pressed bodies. When you were shaking uncontrollably, walls fluttering wildly around his thick cock, he finally gave in.
âTurn over,â he said suddenly, voice rough with urgency, âface down. I want that ass in the air while I fuck you properly.â
You barely registered the command before his hands were on you, strong and decisive. He flipped you onto your stomach and yanked your hips up high, pressing your chest and face into the pillows. The position left you utterly vulnerableâback deeply arched, knees spread, cunt exposed and dripping. Jake knelt behind you, spreading your cheeks with both hands so he could watch as he lined up and drove back in with one powerful thrust.
The new angle punched the air from your lungs. He felt even thicker, reaching impossibly deeper, the head of his cock dragging against places that made your toes curl and your fingers fist the sheets.
âFuckâthis is insane,â you moaned into the pillow, pushing back against him.
Jake groaned loudly, hands gripping your hips hard enough to leave marks as he started a brutal rhythm. âThis is what I wanted,â he panted, watching mesmerized as his glistening cock disappeared between your cheeks with every thrust.Â
He fucked you with long, punishing strokes, the wet slap of skin on skin filling the room alongside your muffled moans. One hand slid up your spine to press between your shoulder blades, keeping your chest pinned down while the other reached around to rub your clit in firm, relentless circles.
You were babbling into the pillow, words slurring together, âright there. Iâve never felt anything like this.â
âNeither have I,â he admitted, voice breaking on a groan as he leaned over you, chest to your back, hips snapping relentlessly.Â
He kept you suspended on that final edge longer than before, slowing whenever you got too close, grinding deep while whispering filthy observations against your ear. Your thighs were soaked, sheets ruined beneath you, body trembling violently from the prolonged denial.
When he finally let you cum, it hit you like nothing before, pure unadulterated pleasure, just the greatest feeling ever. Your walls convulsed around him in powerful, rhythmic spasms, a raw, shattered moan tearing from your throat as pleasure flooded every cell in your body. Jake fucked you through it without mercy, hips stuttering but never stopping, drawing out every last wave until you were a quivering, gasping mess.
Only then did he pull out.
With a guttural groan he flipped you onto your back again and knelt between your spread legs. His fist flew over his swollen, dripping cock, eyes locked on your flushed, pulsing pussy. Thick, hot ropes of cum erupted across your skinâpainting your swollen folds, your sensitive clit, and your mound in messy, glistening streaks. He stroked himself through every pulse, milking out every drop until you were thoroughly marked and shining with him.
You lay there utterly spent, chest heaving, body limp and buzzing. Jake collapsed beside you, pulling you into his arms, pressing slow, tender kisses to your damp forehead and swollen lips as you both fought to catch your breath.
Minutes passed in heavy, satisfied silence, your fingers lazily tracing patterns on his chest. Then you felt itâhis cock, already twitching and hardening again against your thigh.Â
âJake, what the fuck?â You asked, horrified.Â
Jake let out a low, breathless laugh against your neck, nipping the skin gently, âcâmon, Jake Jr. likes you.â
âNo, absolutely not. Iâm tired,â you huffed, though your body said otherwise as you pushed back against him, âbesides, we still have half a day tomorrow.
Jake gasped, losing character as if offended, âhalf a day? You do realize that iâm not gonna leave you alone for like, forever, right?â He implored more than anything, turning you towards him.
Maybe you wanted to hear that, maybe thatâs why you even worded it out so clearly. His eyes were softer now, the intense lust easing into something gentler as he brushed damp strands of hair away from your face. One hand cupped your cheek, thumb stroking tenderly along your jaw while the other rested possessively on your hip, thumb tracing small circles on your skin.Â
You leaned in, pressing a slow, lingering kiss to his lips, âyeah,â you whispered against his mouth, and for once, you really wanted it to work out, âI want that too.â
A slow, genuine smile spread across his face, the kind that made his eyes crinkle at the corners. He pulled you closer, wrapping you in his arms, his fingers trailed soothingly down your spine, grounding you as your breathing finally evened out.
But then that familiar hunger crept back into his touch. His hand slid lower, squeezing your ass as he pressed his now fully hard cock against your thigh again.
Some seemed as if an animal had scratched him, you being the animal in this situation.Â
Standing across the deck, Jake was putting on another performance with his towel slung low around his hips like some bashful maiden guarding virtue (again) while shamelessly flexing every line of his torso. The same ridiculous confidence, the same dramatic flair. Only now it landed differently.Â
When he caught you staring, he let out a bemused smile. How the turn tables. He abandoned the group mid-sentence and walked straight toward you, shorts slipping dangerously low on his hips with every step.
âWell, well,â he drawled when he reached your lounger, âyouâre finally looking at me.â
You tilted your head, letting your eyes drift deliberately over his marked-up chest, âmaybe I like what I see now.â
Jakeâs playful mask slipped for a moment, revealing absolute molten adoration in his gaze. He leaned down, one hand bracing on the back of your lounger, the other gently catching your chin.
âDonât say things like that unless you want a crazy, obsessive boyfriend.â
Ah, the label. Was it early? You couldnât say much, granted whatever went down on this trip wasnât exactly a slow burn. So, you didnât bother answering with words. Instead, you reached up, fingers brushing one of the marks youâd left on his skin.
That was enough.
Jake closed the distance and kissed you all saccharine in its sweetness. It wasnât the frantic hunger of stolen nights, but something quieter, heavier with promise. His lips moved against yours like he was savoring every second, thumb stroking your jaw with tender reverence.
When he finally pulled back, forehead resting against yours, you only smiled at him.Â
