I Can’t Choose A Bias 🌸 @mirisss - Tumblr Blog

From Ruin To Us

Werewolf! Takayama Riki (Taki) x female! reader

Wordcount ≈ 46.5k

Warnings: mentions of natural disaster, trauma, panic/fear responses, injury, emotional distress, blood (minor), abandonment, I think that’s all, but let me know if I’ve missed anything.

It’s finally (or unfortunately) here, the final part, the final wolf to find his mate. However, we still have a bunch of extras, so this isn’t goodbye just yet. And after reading this one, I think you guys will have a pretty good idea of what one of those extras will be!

Taglist: @voucearse, @nadiakittyy, @evemeri, @petunia05, @yumnyangiexx, @somswib, @mrcarrots, @seodami, @reiofsuns2001, @charlie-sk, @lacedwithmsg, @cherry012309, @mactuna, @mauschim, @dheimyoung-im23, @stayluneatinyengenezen, @nichobby, I hope I haven't missed anyone to the taglist, if I have, I'm so sorry, let me know and I'll fix it!

Network: @k-records

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Yudai/Kei 2. Yuma 3. EJ EJ extra 4. Jo 5. Nicholas 6. Special fic 7. Fuma 8. Harua 9. Maki

Aya = Kei’s mate Miyu = Yuma’s mate Sora = EJ’s mate Sana = Jo’s mate Rocky = Nicholas’ mate, Tara = Fuma's mate Willow = Harua's mate Luna = Maki's mate

Weeks had passed since the snow melted, and spring had fully claimed the forest around the village. Flowers dotted the grass in soft colors, and the trees were bursting with new buds. The sun grew warmer each day, and the wind that once cut through coats and scarves now felt like a welcome breeze. The pack was lively as ever. With the snow gone, construction had begun on a new cabin. The pack kept growing, and the village needed more space. It had started as a simple idea, but now half the pack was involved in some way.

Jungwon had officially asked if he could stay. He liked being around the pack, and especially around Jay. Since he had proven himself harmless (if a little dramatic), everyone had agreed. No one really minded having him around anyway. They were also building another cabin for Sunoo. The wizard was practically living in the village already, showing up nearly every day and only leaving late at night to return to town. Having a place here would make things easier. And, as Harua had loudly pointed out, cheaper.

Fuma stood near the foundation with a clipboard, overseeing everything like a foreman. “That beam needs to be level,” he called out calmly. Jo had drawn the original design for the cabin, sketching it out over several nights until it was exactly what they needed: simple, sturdy, and large enough for a couple of future pack members if necessary. Everyone else helped however they could.

Kei and Yuma lifted heavy beams like they weighed nothing. Nicholas and EJ argued over which screws belonged where while still somehow getting the job done. Aya and Sana painted wooden planks with careful strokes, while Miyu handed out water bottles and snacks to anyone who looked like they might collapse. Harua and Willow worked together measuring pieces before they were placed.

Sunoo stood nearby, occasionally using small bursts of magic to hold things steady while someone hammered. Jungwon mostly hovered beside Jay, pretending to help while actually just watching him. “Jungwon,” Jay sighed, “you’re holding the hammer upside down.” “Oh,” Jungwon said cheerfully, flipping it around. Near the edge of the construction area, Rocky sat cross-legged on a blanket with fabric swatches scattered everywhere, muttering about outfit concepts for the summer. Sora and Tara were looking at furniture online, seeing if they could find anything of interest. And off to the side, Taki stood on the half-built porch frame, hammer in hand. He drove another nail into the wood with a solid thunk. From the outside, he looked fine. Focused. Working hard.

While most of the pack spent their days at the village building the new cabin, Maki and Luna were in charge of keeping Koyomi open and running. With Miyu and Jay helping at the construction site, the café needed someone steady to handle things. So the two of them took over. Between customers, Maki studied behind the counter, textbooks spread out beside the register. He had missed a few classes here and there because of everything that had happened, but he had already proven he could keep up if he put the work in. Luna helped whenever she could, leaning over his notes and quizzing him between baking batches of cakes or kneading dough. And what she couldn’t help with, the rest of the pack made sure to cover.

Tara had become one of the biggest helpers. Everyone had been a little surprised when she first started tutoring him. No one thought she was stupid, of course not, but none of them had quite realized just how smart she was either. She could solve complicated math questions in seconds while the others were still staring at the first line. “Wait,” Nicholas had said once, watching her scribble down the solution almost instantly, “you just… did that in your head?” Tara had shrugged shyly. “It’s not that hard.”

Meanwhile, Maki had still been on step two. But Tara wasn’t just fast, she was patient. Instead of simply giving him answers, she guided him through the steps so he could understand how to get there himself. “Think about what the formula actually means,” she would say gently, tapping the page with her pencil. “If this number changes, what happens to the rest?” Slowly, it started to make sense. Fuma often watched those moments quietly from the side. He felt proud seeing Tara like this, a little bolder, a little more confident. She was letting more of her personality show now, speaking up when she had something to say. Yet she still found her comfort in the quiet moments with him, leaning against his side when things got too loud. And that balance suited her perfectly.

Fuma called out across the construction site, “Jungwon!” The vampire perked up immediately. “Yes, boss?” “We’re missing five planks,” Fuma said, checking the list in his hand. “Same type as before, same length. Can you run to the store?” Jungwon gave him an exaggerated salute. “Yes, sir.” Before anyone could say another word, he vanished in a blur of vampire speed. A minute later, he was back, dropping the planks onto the ground beside Fuma like it had taken no effort at all. Jay eyed him suspiciously. “Did you steal those?” Jungwon looked offended. “Wow. Good to know you think so lowly of your own brother.” Jay crossed his arms. “Did you pay for them?” “Of course I paid,” Jungwon said confidently. “With what?” Jay asked. Jungwon grinned and pulled something from his pocket, waving it in the air. Jay’s wallet. “Your card, obviously.” Jay stared at him in silence for a moment, looking like a man who had just aged twenty years despite being a vampire. Kei burst out laughing when he noticed Jay rubbing his temple. “Welcome to life with kids. Want some of ours?” Jay shook his head immediately. “No thanks. Jungwon is more than enough.” He pointed toward the village road. “And I already deal with Maki most of the time.” Kei and Fuma both laughed. “Fair enough,” Kei said.

Nearby, Taki finished screwing together the wooden frame pieces he had been working on and walked over to Fuma. “What’s next?” he asked, wiping his hands on his jeans. Fuma followed him back to the structure, crouching slightly to inspect the work. He nodded approvingly. “Good job. You lined these up perfectly.” Taki relaxed a little at the praise. “The next step,” Fuma continued, tapping the wooden frame, “is attaching it to the main structure.” He straightened up and called across the yard. “Nicholas!” Nicholas looked up from where he and EJ were arguing over a toolbox. “Yeah?” “Come help Taki lift this into place.”

Building the new cabin took time. Everyone still had their own jobs, chores, and schoolwork to keep up with, so progress happened in pieces, weekends, afternoons, long evenings where someone hammered while someone else painted. But after about a month, the structure finally stood complete. Walls, roof, windows, doors. All that remained now were the smaller details, furniture, some final coats of paint, and the little touches that would turn it into a real home. Still, finished or not, the pack decided it was time to celebrate.

That night, Koyomi was closed. Everyone was home. The village buzzed with activity as the celebration slowly came together. Inside the main house, Miyu and Maki worked side by side in the kitchen, preparing trays of food for a large buffet. Pots simmered, vegetables were chopped, and the smell of grilled meat drifted through the open windows. Nearby, Luna was busy baking, cupcakes, cookies, small pastries, anything sweet she could think of.

Outside, Kei and Fuma were gathering firewood, stacking it neatly beside the firepit they planned to light later that evening. EJ and Nicholas had already started setting up the outdoor grilling area, arguing over where everything should go while pretending they weren’t arguing. Harua, Willow, Jo, and Sana had gone into town to buy snacks, drinks, and anything else they might want for the night. Yuma and Rocky spread blankets across the grass and laid out tablecloths over long wooden tables, decorating the area so everyone would have somewhere comfortable to sit. Not far away, Tara, Aya, and Sora wandered through the fields and along the forest edge, picking wildflowers to bring back for decoration. And closer to the porch, Sunoo, Jay, Jungwon, and Taki dug through boxes looking for games they could bring outside later.

It hadn’t been that long ago that they were only the nine wolves. But now, just over two years later since the first mate was found, they had eleven new members. Twenty in total. An unusual pack, maybe. Wolves, humans, vampires, a witch, and a wizard all living together. But none of that mattered. They were family. They were pack. And nothing could change that.

When everyone returned, the celebration slowly settled around the firepit. The flames crackled warmly as night fell over the village, lighting up faces and sending sparks dancing into the dark sky. Plates were stacked high with food, sweets, and snacks scattered all around them. Blankets covered the grass, and the long tables were filled with everything Miyu, Maki, and Luna had prepared. Tara sat down beside Maki and Luna, glancing around as if waiting for someone. “Where’s Fuma?” she asked. “He’s coming,” Maki said, taking a bite of grilled vegetables. “Probably making sure Nicholas hasn’t set something on fire.” Tara laughed softly, then looked back at him. “How did your test go this morning?” Maki shrugged. “I think it went well. I felt good about most of the questions. Just three that I’m a little unsure about.”

Miyu overheard from across the fire pit and leaned over. “Soon you’ll have more time to study anyway. Once Jay and I can go back to work.” Maki smiled. “I can’t wait for my last exam. I’ll be so happy to finally be done with school.” “Don’t celebrate too early,” Jay called from the other side of the fire. “You still have to pass.” “I will,” Maki replied confidently.

A little further away, Taki lowered himself onto one of the blankets, settling down with his plate. From the outside, the scene was warm and lively, laughter, conversation, and people leaning against each other comfortably. Most of them had found their mates. Fuma and Tara. Maki and Luna. Rocky and Nicholas. Willow and Harua. Sana and Jo. Kei and Aya. Yuma and Miyu. EJ and Sora. Taki tried not to think about it too much. Still… the thought lingered. He felt a bit like an outsider. Not completely alone, though. Jungwon dropped down beside him, holding a deck of cards. “Hey,” he said cheerfully. “Want to play something?” Taki glanced at him, then smiled a little and nodded. “Sure.”

Fuma eventually came over and sat down beside Tara, Maki, and Luna. As he settled, he leaned down and kissed Tara’s temple softly. She smiled and shifted closer, settling comfortably against his side. In the background, music had started playing from someone’s speaker. Kei had already pulled Aya up to her feet, and the two of them were spinning around the grass, laughing as they danced together. Sana saw them and immediately grabbed Jo’s hand. “Come on!” Jo barely had time to protest before she dragged him up as well, and as usual, he simply went along with whatever she wanted, smiling as she twirled him around. Rocky watched them for a moment, then turned to Nicholas. “I want to dance too.” Nicholas sighed dramatically, but stood up anyway. “Of course you do.” She grinned as he took her hand and pulled her toward the others. Soon three couples were dancing together in the firelight.

Nearby, Taki and Jungwon had been joined by Sunoo, Harua, Willow, and Jay as they played a card game on one of the blankets. Jungwon kept accusing Jay of cheating, Jay insisted he wasn’t, and Sunoo kept dramatically announcing every move like it was a life-or-death battle. Not far from them, EJ and Sora sat curled up together on another blanket, watching everything unfold. Sora leaned her head against EJ’s shoulder, smiling softly. “Things are nice right now.” EJ nodded, wrapping an arm around her. “Yeah. Peaceful.” They watched their pack laugh, dance, and argue over cards around the fire. Sora hummed thoughtfully. “Which probably means something is going to happen soon.” EJ chuckled quietly. “Probably.” For a moment, neither of them said anything. Then Sora squeezed his hand. “But for now,” she said softly, “we can just enjoy it.” EJ kissed the top of her head. Together, they watched their family, happy, warm, and home.

~~~

A few days later, everything had settled back into its usual rhythm. Training had resumed for the wolves, and for the first time, they had something new to work with. Vampires. Jay and Jungwon had agreed to join the training sessions, giving the wolves a chance to practice against opponents who were faster and stronger in different ways. It was good for everyone involved, challenging, but helpful. “Too slow,” Jay said calmly as he sidestepped Yuma’s attack with ease. “I hate you,” Yuma muttered, already turning to try again. Nearby, Jungwon moved like a blur, dodging Jo and Harua while laughing the entire time. “Come on!” he called. “You guys are wolves, aren’t you supposed to be scary?” Jo lunged again. Jungwon vanished from where he stood and reappeared a few steps away, grinning. “See? This is why I don’t train with vampires,” Harua complained, slightly out of breath. At the edge of the field, Sora crossed her arms. “I could join too.” “No,” EJ said immediately. She looked at him. “Why not?” “Because you’re not getting punched by wolves.” “I can handle it.” “No.” She narrowed her eyes at him. EJ simply shook his head again.

Across the clearing, Fuma and Nicholas helped oversee the main training, keeping an eye on everyone and occasionally stepping in to correct someone’s form. But Kei had his attention focused elsewhere. “Taki,” he said, standing a few steps away from him. “Ready?” Taki nodded. They had been working for weeks on something important. His shift. For a long time, Taki had struggled to access it fully. But recently, something had begun to change. “Focus,” Kei reminded him. “Don’t force it.” Taki took a breath. His eyes flickered gold. Fur began to form along his arms as his claws extended, his body shifting halfway between human and wolf. The halfway shift. He held it. Not perfectly, but longer than before. Kei smiled slightly. “Good. That’s better.” After a moment, Taki let the shift fade, breathing out slowly. “You’re getting there,” Kei said. “At this pace, you’ll reach a full shift before summer.” Taki wiped sweat from his forehead, feeling both exhausted and hopeful.

A little further away, Rocky and Sunoo practiced magic together. Rocky stood with her hands glowing faintly violet, guiding the energy carefully through a spell circle drawn in the dirt. Her power had returned steadily over time. Not all of it. She knew it never would. Some of that strength had come from the oracle side of her magic, and that part of her was gone now. But she had made peace with that. What remained was still strong, more than enough. She didn’t need to rearrange continents or curse someone’s entire bloodline, she just needed to design and move pots and pans. That was good enough for her. Sunoo stood beside her, focusing as pale blue magic swirled around his fingers. “Careful,” Rocky warned. “Control first, power second.” Sunoo nodded. Thanks to her guidance, he had learned to manage the backlash his magic used to cause. His body no longer collapsed from exhaustion after every spell. He could push further now.

Together, they mostly used their magic for practical things around the village. Helping vegetables sprout in the garden beds. Clearing debris from paths through the forest. Lifting heavy fallen logs out of the way. Small things. Helpful things. Life had settled again. Peaceful. For now.

Meanwhile, Maki grinned as he circled Jungwon, the two of them watching each other carefully. Then Maki suddenly lunged. Jungwon moved quickly, trying to dodge the attack like he had done several times already, but this time he was just a fraction too slow. Maki’s fist connected with his ribs. A clear hit. Fuma smiled proudly from the side as Nicholas immediately called out, “Match!” The rule during training was simple: the moment someone landed a clean hit, the round ended. They didn’t want anyone getting carried away and accidentally hurting each other. “Maki wins!” Nicholas announced. Jungwon pouted dramatically, shoulders slumping. Jay walked over and patted his back. “It was just a training match.” “I know,” Jungwon sighed. “But I still wanted to win.” Maki jogged over to them, still smiling. “You almost had me. It was a hard match.” Jungwon glanced up at him. “Next time,” Maki added, “maybe you’ll win.” That seemed to cheer the vampire up a little.

Nearby, Kei looked over at Jay. “Think Taki can try a round with you?” Jay nodded easily and stepped forward, rolling his shoulders before turning toward the younger wolf. “Come at me.” Taki took a slow breath. Then his eyes flashed gold as he slipped into his halfway shift, claws extending, fur appearing along his arms, his body tensing with the shift in strength. The two of them began circling each other. Everyone else quieted slightly, watching. Then Taki lunged. Jay moved fast, even while holding back his full vampire speed, but Taki kept up as best he could, using every technique Kei had drilled into him. Dodge. Feint. Strike. He tried everything. For a moment it even looked close. But Jay’s experience showed in the end. He slipped past Taki’s last attempt and tapped him cleanly on the shoulder. Nicholas raised his hand. “Jay wins!”

Still, the clearing erupted with cheers. “Nice one, Taki!” “You’re getting faster!” “That was way better than last week!” Taki let his shift fade as he caught his breath, a small smile appearing despite the loss. He still felt frustrated sometimes, because he was slower than the others, a failure. But looking around at everyone cheering for him… He knew one thing for sure. He had the best family he could ever ask for.

~~~

Another few days later (SpongeBob voice 3 days later or something), the morning at the pack house started quietly. Jay sat at the table with a cup of coffee, scrolling through his phone. After a moment, he groaned loudly and slowly lifted his head, turning a sharp glare toward Jungwon across the table. EJ looked between them. “What’s going on?” Jungwon smiled sheepishly, already pushing his chair back. “You know… I actually just remembered something I need to,” “Sit down,” Jay said firmly. Jungwon froze, then slowly lowered himself back into the chair. Sora watched the scene with amusement. “Let me guess,” she said, leaning her chin on her hand. “We’re expecting another visitor?” Jay sighed deeply and nodded. EJ frowned. “What does that mean?” Jay rubbed his temple. “It means Jungwon apparently invited another vampire to visit.”

Jungwon gave a small wave. “Hi.” Jay continued, “His name is Niki. And Jungwon invited him without asking anyone.” EJ slowly turned his head toward Jungwon, his glare very clear. Before he could say anything, Sora lightly smacked his shoulder. “Relax,” she said. “Niki is about as harmless as Jungwon.” EJ looked unconvinced. “That’s not very reassuring.” Jungwon gasped dramatically. “I am extremely harmless!” EJ sighed heavily. “I still don’t like it.” Then he pointed at Jungwon. “You’re the one explaining this to everyone else.” Jungwon slumped in his chair.

At that moment, footsteps sounded from the stairs. Taki appeared, yawning as he walked into the kitchen. His hair was messy from sleep, and he looked only half awake. He didn’t say anything, simply grabbed the bag of food Miyu had prepared for the day from the counter. Then he headed for the door. “See you,” he mumbled, giving a small wave before stepping outside. The door closed behind him. Jay blinked and looked at the others. “Is he always that quiet in the morning?” EJ shrugged. “Sometimes.” Sora smiled slightly. “Other times he’s the loudest person in the house.”

Taki walked down the road toward school, the morning air cool and quiet around him. But his mind was anything but quiet. Even though the bullying had eased a lot over time, the school was still a difficult place for him. Just being there sometimes brought back memories he didn’t want to think about. If he let his thoughts wander too far, if he remembered the way people used to treat him, the whispers, the pushing, the cruel laughs, his wolf reacted. His eyes would start bleeding into gold. His nails would sharpen into claws. His fangs would grow longer. And now that he had finally learned to reach the halfway shift, holding it back had become even harder. The wolf inside him was stronger now. Closer to the surface. Sometimes it felt like it only took one bad moment to pull it free.

Taki shoved his hands into his pockets, exhaling slowly as he walked. He wondered what it would be like to have a mate. Would it really change things the way the others said it did? Would it act like an anchor? His thoughts drifted back to something his mother had told him when he was little. He had barely understood it back then, but the memory was still clear, or as clear as something from when he was four, or maybe just five years old, could be. She had once told him that when she was a young wolf, she struggled with control, too. Her temper, her shifts, her instincts, they were messy and unpredictable. But the moment she met his father… Everything changed. “It just clicked,” she had said softly. “Like something inside me finally settled.” Just thinking about his father made it easier for her to stay calm. Control became simple. Natural. Taki wished it could be like that for him. He wished he could believe that somewhere out there was someone who would make everything feel steady. But he didn’t dare let himself hope too much. Because if there was one thing he had learned growing up… It was that he wasn’t the luckiest wolf in the world.

Lunch used to be the worst part of Taki’s day. The noise, the crowds, the stares, it had once been something he dreaded every single day. But now… it wasn’t so bad. At first, he had been a little uncomfortable about Sana being there. When she first started joining him for lunch, he had worried it meant the pack didn’t trust him to handle things alone. Like he needed someone babysitting him. But over time, that feeling faded. Now he actually looked forward to it. Sana was easy to talk to, warm and cheerful in a way that made the tension in his chest loosen without him even realizing it. Aside from Harua, who was his brother, which was different, she was probably the closest thing Taki had to a best friend.

When he stepped into the loud cafeteria that day, the familiar wall of noise immediately made his wolf stir. Voices overlapping. Chairs scraping. Trays clattering. His wolf bristled inside him, uncomfortable with the chaos. But then he spotted Sana. She was sitting at a smaller table near the side of the room, waving enthusiastically the moment she saw him. She had saved them their usual spot, the one a little farther away from the biggest crowds. She knew he liked having some space. Taki smiled back as he walked over, feeling his wolf slowly settle again. The moment he sat down, Sana leaned forward excitedly.

“You will not believe how rude this girl in my class was today,” she started immediately. “We had to do peer review for our projects, and she just,” Taki chuckled softly as Sana launched into the story. Her hands moved animatedly while she talked, her frustration already halfway mixed with laughter. Listening to her, Taki felt some of the weight of the day lift. The school still felt like a dark place sometimes. But Sana was like a small star in that sky, bright, warm, and steady enough to guide him somewhere safe.

Sana watched him quietly for a moment, noticing the tension in his shoulders, the way his fingers fidgeted with the edge of his lunch bag. “What’s going on in that head of yours?” she asked gently. Taki shrugged, staring down at the table. “The usual stuff,” he muttered. Sana didn’t push. She just waited. Taki sighed after a moment. “It just feels like I’m… walking on eggshells around myself all the time. Like if I mess up even a little, everything could go wrong.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “Sometimes I feel like I’m a liability for the pack.”

Sana didn’t interrupt him once while he spoke. She just listened, letting him get the words out. Only when he finished did she respond. “The pack doesn’t see you as a liability,” she said calmly. “If anyone’s a liability, it’s the other humans and me.” Taki immediately shook his head. “That’s not true.” Sana gave a small shrug. “In a real conflict, we’re pretty helpless.” He frowned. “You’re not.” Sana tilted her head slightly but didn’t argue yet. Taki leaned forward a little, more serious now. “We wolves don’t see you humans like that. It’s the opposite,” he said. “Yeah, you might not be able to do much in a fight, but to have your mate makes you stronger.” He gestured slightly as he spoke. “Even Harua and Jo, who usually hate training, have been participating more lately. They’re stronger now, too. They said it themselves, they didn’t expect the mate bond to give them that much power.” Sana listened quietly. “They’re stronger because they want to protect you,” Taki continued. “That’s what the bond does.” He looked at her firmly. “So no. The girls aren’t liabilities.” Sana smiled softly at him. “Then neither are you.”

Lunch ended too quickly. Sana packed up her things and stood, slinging her bag over her shoulder. “Jo and I will meet you after school,” she said. “I’m not working at the library today.” Taki nodded. “Same place?” “The usual spot.” They split up then, heading to their different classes. The rest of the school day passed faster than he expected. For once, his thoughts didn’t spiral the entire time. Sana’s words lingered in his mind, steady and grounding. Maybe she had actually gotten through to him. When the final bell rang, Taki walked outside and spotted them immediately. Sana was standing near the gate, chatting with her tall mate. Jo looked up and waved when he saw Taki approaching. “Ready?” Sana asked. Taki nodded.

The three of them started the walk back toward the pack village together. It was quiet, comfortable. Jo occasionally added a comment to Sana’s rambling stories, and Taki found himself listening more than worrying. For once, his mind felt… calmer. But the calm didn’t last long. As they approached the village clearing, something felt off immediately. There was tension in the air. And in the center of it all: Jungwon. He stood there with an awkward smile, while several members of the pack stared him down. EJ, Kei, Fuma, and Jay. All looking very unimpressed. As Taki, Sana, and Jo walked closer, it seemed everyone else was already gathered as well. Maki glanced down at his phone and groaned. “Can we get this over with already?” he said. “We’re going to be late for Koyomi. Miyu can’t run the restaurant on her own.” He rubbed his face. “It’s bad enough we already left her for two hours.” Yuma nodded in agreement, clearly unhappy with the idea. “Yeah. My mate’s not overworking because of this.”

Jay sighed and gestured toward Jungwon. “Go on. Explain.” Jungwon swallowed, taking a deep breath as everyone’s eyes settled on him. “So… I was talking with one of my friends,” he began slowly. “Another vampire. And I was telling him how nice it is living here. With the pack. How much fun we have and how everyone gets along,” He hesitated. “And?” Nicholas prompted. Jungwon winced. “And I might have… kind of invited him to visit.” Everyone who hadn’t already heard the news reacted immediately. “What?” “YOU DID WHAT?” “Jungwon!” He lifted his hands defensively. “I promise he’s harmless! Like me!” Jay muttered, “That’s debatable.” Jungwon ignored him and rushed to finish his explanation. “His name is Niki,” he said quickly. “And he’s really fun, I swear.” Then he added the final part even faster. “Oh, and he’s coming tomorrow.”

The clearing went silent for a split second. Then Jungwon immediately darted behind Jay, gripping his shoulders like a human shield. Jay slowly stepped to the side. Leaving Jungwon completely exposed to the group again. Jungwon stared at him in betrayal. “Traitor,” he whispered. EJ stepped forward, arms crossed, his expression serious. “We’ll allow the visit,” he said after a moment. A few people looked surprised. “But only,” EJ continued firmly, “because both Jay and Sora confirmed that Niki isn’t a threat.” Sora nodded calmly beside him. EJ’s gaze hardened slightly. “If he steps out of line even once, he leaves. Immediately.” Around the clearing, the others muttered their agreement. “Fine.” “Yeah.” “I guess.” But no one sounded particularly happy about it. Jungwon looked down at the ground, rubbing the back of his neck. Honestly… He would have preferred if they were angry. Instead, they just sounded disappointed.

Maki, Luna, Yuma, and Jay soon headed off toward the restaurant, needing to get back to Koyomi before Miyu ended up handling the entire evening rush alone. The others slowly began to scatter as well, conversations breaking off as people returned to their usual tasks around the village. But Jungwon stayed where he was. Standing in the middle of the clearing, staring at the ground. Now that the moment had passed, it finally sank in. This… was exactly how everyone had reacted when he first arrived. Suspicion. Tension. Uncertainty. And he had just thrown another unknown vampire into the situation without even asking. He rubbed the back of his neck, realizing now how easily he could have avoided all of this. If he had just asked first. They probably would have said yes anyway.

A hand landed on his shoulder. Jungwon looked up. Taki stood beside him. “Don’t worry about it,” Taki said calmly. “They’ll forget about it before dinner.” Jungwon gave him a doubtful look. “Just… don’t pull something like this again.” Jungwon searched his face. “You’re sure?” Taki nodded. “I know that feeling,” he said quietly. “Disappointing them.” Jungwon’s expression softened slightly. “But as long as you show that you regret it,” Taki continued, “they’ll forgive you.” After a moment, he lightly squeezed Jungwon’s shoulder. “Now let’s go do something fun.” Jungwon blinked. “Like what?” Taki grinned a little. “Grab some swimwear,” he said. “Meet me by the pond.” Jungwon’s face brightened immediately. “Really?” “Yeah.” Jungwon nodded quickly, already backing away toward the house. “I’ll be there in a second!”

~~~

The next day, the atmosphere around the village was noticeably tense. Fuma and Nicholas stood near the edge of the clearing, both a little more rigid than usual. Even though Tara and Rocky had reassured them when Jungwon first arrived that everything had been fine, the wolves still had a lingering instinctive unease about unfamiliar vampires. It wasn’t personal. Just instinct. Maki felt it too. He leaned casually against the porch railing, but there was a sharp alertness in his posture. He had only recently found his mate, and the protective instinct that came with the bond was still strong. Very strong. The idea of an unknown vampire near Luna made him a bit on edge. Luna, however, was the complete opposite. She stood beside him with bright curiosity in her eyes, clearly excited to meet the newcomer. She had enjoyed spending time with the other vampires she’d met so far, and none of them had given her a reason to fear them. Maki had told her everything about what had happened with Sunghoon and Heeseung, so she understood why the others were cautious. But from her experience so far… Vampires had been pretty nice.

Jay stood nearby as well, arms crossed as he watched the road leading toward the village. He was a little uneasy, too. Not because he expected trouble, but because he hadn’t seen Niki in a long time. Sora, on the other hand, had spent far more time with the younger vampire in the past two years than Jay had in nearly five. Still, Jay trusted Jungwon. And Jungwon trusted Niki. So by extension… Jay trusted him, too. Just as Jay opened his mouth to ask Jungwon if he had heard anything about when Niki would arrive, the clock inside the house chimed. One. At that exact moment, a figure appeared at the edge of the village clearing. Everyone’s attention snapped toward him. Jay, Jungwon, Sora, EJ, Maki, and Luna were all outside waiting. The rest of the pack stayed inside the house for now. In the kitchen, Miyu was preparing lunch with the “help” of Taki and Yuma, though at the moment, they were mostly just getting in her way.

Outside, the newcomer stepped closer. Niki was tall. Taller than any of the vampires they had met before. He was about the average height of the wolves, which made his presence feel a little more imposing at first glance. But unlike when they had first met Heeseung or Sunghoon… Niki didn’t carry a threatening aura. Quite the opposite. The energy around him felt calm. Soft. Almost like the scent of chamomile, gentle, peaceful, and kind. Niki raised a hand when he noticed them watching, giving a relaxed wave. “Hi.” Jungwon immediately jogged over to him, clearly relieved to see his friend. He pulled him into a quick half-hug before stepping back.

“Hi,” Jungwon said, grinning. Then he turned and gestured toward the group waiting on the porch. “Okay, introductions.” He pointed first toward EJ. “That’s Euijoo, or EJ. He’s the alpha.” Niki gave a respectful nod in EJ’s direction. Jungwon then pointed to the woman beside him. “You already know Sora.” At that, Niki’s smile brightened a little more, and he waved at her. Sora waved back warmly. Next, Jungwon gestured toward Maki. “That’s Maki. The youngest wolf.” Maki gave a small nod. “But,” Jungwon added quickly, “don’t get on his bad side. He has a mean right hook.” Maki rolled his eyes. Jungwon continued, pointing to the girl beside him. “And that’s his mate, Luna. She’s an amazing baker.” Luna smiled shyly and waved. “And finally,” Jungwon said, stepping aside dramatically, “of course we have Jay.” Jay walked down from the porch steps toward them. “Hey,” he said simply. Niki looked genuinely excited to see him. “Jay! It’s been a long time.” Jay chuckled softly. “Last time I saw you,” he said, “you were still human. And a kid.” Niki laughed. “You barely reached my eyes back then,” Jay continued, looking him up and down. “Now look at you. Vampire and tall as a tree.” “Almost a tree,” Jungwon corrected.

EJ raised an eyebrow at that part of the story. “I thought you had been a vampire for a while,” he said, looking at Niki. Niki shook his head politely. “Oh, sorry,” he said quickly. “And hello, by the way. Sorry for the intrusion.” EJ gave a small nod for him to continue. “I actually grew up at the vampire coven,” Niki explained. “My mother was turned shortly after I was born, so I’ve always lived in the supernatural world, despite being human.” He rubbed the back of his neck a little awkwardly. “So I was raised with them… by them.” Everyone listened quietly. “About three years ago,” Niki continued, “I got badly injured. Really badly.” He glanced down briefly before finishing. “If I hadn’t been turned, I would have lost both an arm and a leg, maybe even my life.” There was a small pause. Niki then looked back up with a light smile. “So… they turned me.” He gestured slightly at himself. “And now here I am.”

Sora gently placed a hand on EJ’s shoulder, making him glance down at her. “Niki’s story isn’t that different from mine,” she said softly. EJ’s expression tightened slightly. Sora continued, “We both had reasons for being turned; there was more to it than just wanting to be a vampire, or being evil.” She glanced at Niki. “Actually… Niki played a big part in convincing Sunghoon to turn me. To save me, Sunghoon might not be the best vampire out there, especially in our eyes, but he was the only one who gave it a chance to turn me, to save me.” EJ stiffened the moment she mentioned how close she had come to dying. For a second, the thought clearly hit him all over again. EJ asked why Niki couldn’t have turned her; he should have been turned before her. “It doesn’t work like that, a newly turned vampire can’t turn someone else, it’s like, the venom that we use to turn others, doesn’t develop until years into being a vampire.”

EJ’s wolf was stuck on the reminder of how his mate almost died before he could meet her, but he forced himself to refocus, turning back toward Niki. “Welcome to the pack village,” EJ said firmly. “While you stay here, you’ll follow some rules.” Niki straightened slightly, listening carefully. “No feeding on humans,” EJ continued. “No fighting. And no stepping out of line.” His gaze hardened slightly. “You don’t go anywhere unsupervised. Got it?” Niki nodded immediately. “Of course.” “If those are the rules,” he added politely, “then so be it.” Sora leaned up and kissed EJ on the cheek. “Stop being so serious,” she said with a small smile. Then she gestured toward the house. “Come on. Lunch is waiting, and the rest of the pack is inside.” Niki jogged lightly to catch up beside her, though he made sure to keep a respectful distance. He knew wolves could be very territorial about their mates, and he had no intention of causing problems.

As they walked toward the house, Sora glanced at him curiously. “Did you ever find your special ability?” she asked. “You hadn’t when I left the coven.” Niki nodded. “I did actually.” Sora perked up. “Really? What is it?” Niki scratched the back of his neck. “It’s… kind of rare, apparently.” “What does it do?” “I can warp shadows,” he explained. Sora blinked. “Whoa,” she said. “That’s actually really cool.” Niki gave a small shrug. “Sure, it’s cool. But it’s not exactly useful.” He glanced at her with a half-smile. “Not compared to something like a healing ability.”

As they walked inside, Niki was immediately hit with a wave of scents. So many wolves, humans, magic, and food. His vampire senses flared for a second as he tried to process everything at once. The pack house smelled warm and lively, but it was also overwhelming compared to the quiet, controlled atmosphere of the coven. In the living room, several people were sitting on the couch. Sana, Jo, Taki, Harua, and Willow all looked up when they noticed the new arrival. They waved. “Hi!” Sana said brightly. “Hey,” Jo added with a nod. Taki lifted a hand in greeting, while Harua and Willow smiled. Sora pointed toward them as they walked past. “That’s Sana, Jo, Taki, Harua, and Willow.” Niki nodded, trying his best to remember the names. That’s… a lot of people. He had a feeling he might mix them up later.

They moved further into the house toward the dining area. There, another group sat around the table: Fuma, Tara, Nicholas, Rocky, Sunoo, Kei, and Aya. Sora repeated the introductions, pointing them out one by one. “And Rocky is a witch,” she added casually. “Sunoo’s a wizard.” Niki blinked. “Good to know,” he said. Then they finally reached the kitchen. Miyu stood by the counter, mixing something in a bowl while Yuma hovered nearby. When she noticed them, she waved enthusiastically. “Hi!” Then she looked down at her hands. “I’d shake your hand or something,” she said apologetically, “but they’re covered in egg.” She pointed at Yuma with the spoon. “Because someone made me mess up.” Yuma raised his hands in defense. “Hey, I just asked a question.” “A stupid one, of course, we have to remove the eggshells,” Niki chuckled at the sight. The house felt so… alive. People talking over each other. Laughing. Teasing. It was completely different from the coven he grew up in. Most of the elders there hated noise, especially laughter. Life in the coven had often been quiet. Ordered. Sometimes even boring. But this… This was chaotic in the best way.

Soon enough, everyone had gathered around the table, plates piled high with food. The pack filled nearly every seat, voices overlapping as dishes were passed around and people reached across the table for bread, vegetables, and whatever Miyu had prepared. Niki ended up seated near the middle. Jay sat on one side of him, while Taki sat on the other. Across the table sat Sora, with EJ on one side of her and Tara on the other. As everyone started eating, Niki glanced around the table, trying to match faces with the long list of names Sora had given him earlier. Okay… Sana… Jo… Harua… Willow… He was pretty sure he had those right. But the other wolves were harder. Two of them in particular kept giving him very intense looks. One of them he recognized as the mate of Rocky, the witch. That had been easy to remember. But the name of Rocky’s mate… That one had already slipped his mind.

The other wolf staring at him was even bigger, with broad shoulders, clearly strong. Either Fuma or Yuma. Niki was fairly certain the buff one was named one of those. He leaned slightly toward Jay, about to ask why those two seemed to hate him. But Jay was already deep in conversation with Maki. “If we add miso to the broth, it could work,” Maki was saying. Jay nodded thoughtfully. “But then we’d need to adjust the salt level.” Seeing they were occupied, Niki shifted slightly toward his other neighbor instead. He leaned closer to Taki. “Hey,” he whispered quietly. “Is there a reason those two wolves are glaring at me like that?” Taki followed his gaze and immediately chuckled. “Oh. Yeah.” Niki blinked. “That’s Nicholas and Fuma,” Taki explained. “They’ve probably had the worst experiences with vampires from your coven.” Niki winced slightly. “They acted the same way when Jungwon showed up,” Taki continued. “You just have to give them time to see you’re not a threat.” He paused before adding, “Or… well… that you’re not going to harm their mates.”

Niki tilted his head. “Wait,” he said slowly. “Were their mates the ones Heeseung and Sunghoon went after?” Taki nodded. “Yeah, that’s right.” Niki leaned back slightly, understanding dawning on his face. “Ah… yeah. That explains a lot.” The tension faded a little after that. Niki and Taki kept talking quietly between bites of food, quickly finding other things to discuss: life at the coven, vampire abilities, the village, and random stories from their lives. Before long, the conversation between them flowed easily.

Once most of the plates had been emptied and the table had settled into comfortable conversation, Sora leaned forward slightly, looking at Niki. “So,” she said, “what have you been doing these days?” Niki shrugged a little. “Not much, honestly,” he admitted. “Mostly just staying at the coven. Gaming… hanging around… stuff like that.” He poked lightly at the last bit of food on his plate. “I haven’t really had many chances to do anything else.” Tara tilted her head thoughtfully. “What would you like to do?” Fuma glanced at her, a little surprised that she had asked. His wolf stirred instinctively at the thought of a stranger staying longer than a simple visit, but when he saw that Tara seemed completely relaxed, he calmed himself again. Niki shrugged once more, a little awkward. “I’ve always liked dancing,” he said. “So maybe something with that.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “But I don’t really know how you’d turn that into… something real.”

Sana perked up immediately. “You could study dance at university,” she said. Niki blinked at her. “Really?” “Yeah,” she nodded. “Then you could work at dance studios. As an instructor, choreographer, background dancer, things like that.” Niki looked genuinely surprised. “I didn’t know that was possible.” Sana smiled. “I’m studying writing,” she explained. “Jo is studying art. Taki is studying acting.” She gestured around slightly. “But we all still take regular classes too, math, history, stuff like that.” Then she added, “There are students at our university studying dance as well.” Niki leaned back slightly in his chair, thinking. Could he actually do something like that? The idea had never really seemed possible before.

Taki thought about Sana’s suggestion for a moment. Then he turned toward Niki. “How about you just come with me to university tomorrow?” he suggested. Niki blinked at him. “Really?” “Yeah,” Taki said with a small shrug. “People bring friends sometimes. As long as you don’t interrupt anything, the professors don’t really care.” He gestured casually. “It’s not a dance class or anything, but you’d at least get a feel for what university is like.” Niki looked interested, but he hesitated. His eyes shifted toward Jay, clearly asking for silent permission. Jay noticed immediately. Instead of answering himself, he leaned back slightly and nodded toward EJ and Fuma. “They’re the alphas,” Jay said. “Their call.” Everyone’s attention shifted to them. EJ took a moment to think it over. Technically, it wouldn’t break any of the rules. Niki wouldn’t be wandering around alone; Taki would be with him the entire time. And… another friend for Taki might actually be a good thing. After a short pause, EJ nodded. “I’ll allow it.” Taki smiled instantly. “Cool.” Niki’s face lit up as well. “I’m excited.” Maki snorted from further down the table. “I have never once been excited about school.” Tara looked at him with a small smirk. “You’ve been more excited since I started helping you study.” Maki pointed at her. “Yeah, because I’m closer than ever to finally being done with school.”

~~~

Not long after lunch, the group slowly began to break apart again. Maki, Luna, Jay, and Jungwon, the usual Koyomi crew, headed off toward the restaurant for the afternoon shift. As they left, Maki was already talking with Jay about the dish they had discussed earlier. Back at the village, the rest of the pack settled into their usual routines. Kei and Aya decided to take a walk around the territory. The weather had grown warmer, the air fresh with the scent of early spring. They walked hand in hand along one of the forest paths. Aya leaned her head lightly against Kei’s shoulder as they walked. “Can you believe we’ve been together for more than two and a half years now?” she said softly. Kei glanced down at her. “It still feels like yesterday,” she continued, smiling to herself, “the first time I met you… and you fell to your knees.” Kei groaned dramatically. “I thought we had put that behind us,” he said. Aya laughed. “No way.”

They continued down the path, the quiet forest surrounding them. As they rounded a bend, Aya suddenly slowed. “Hey,” she said, pointing ahead. Near the edge of the path, a small patch of plants had begun to sprout, green shoots pushing up through the soil. A few buds were already forming. Aya tilted her head. “I’ve never seen flowers grow here before.” Kei looked where she pointed. “Huh?” He crouched slightly to examine them. “Yeah… this spot’s usually bare.” He straightened again with a small shrug. “Rocky or Sunoo probably planted something here. They’ve been adding plants all over the territory lately.” Aya nodded, accepting the explanation.

They continued their walk. After a moment, Aya spoke again. “We should probably start planning Maki’s graduation party.” Kei raised an eyebrow. “There’s still more than two months.” “Exactly,” Aya said firmly. “Which means we should plan it properly. No last-minute chaos.” Kei chuckled softly. “Fair point.” He thought for a moment. “We can gather everyone when Maki’s at school one day,” he suggested. “Plan everything without him knowing.” Aya smiled. “Perfect.”

~~~

That night, the pack house had settled into a quieter rhythm. Most people had gone to their rooms or spread out around the house, relaxing after the long day. In the living room, however, the TV glowed brightly. Taki and Niki sat on the floor in front of it, controllers in hand. They had been playing for a while now. And Niki was absolutely destroying him. “Again?!” Taki groaned as his character was defeated for the fifth time. Niki laughed. “That’s five.” Taki leaned back against the couch, sighing dramatically. He did care about losing… a little. But honestly, he was mostly just having fun. Real fun. The kind he hadn’t had in a long time. For once, his mind was quiet. No constant thoughts about control. No worrying about shifting. No fear of disappointing the pack. All his brain focused on right now was beating Niki in the game, laughing at stupid mistakes, and enjoying the moment. It felt… nice. After a moment, Niki set the controller down. “Want to do something else?” he asked. Taki tilted his head.

“Actually, yeah. What’s your vampire ability?” Niki blinked. “My ability?” “Yeah,” Taki said. “Sora and Jay both have healing, Jungwon has that shapeshifting thing. You must have something too, right?” Niki nodded. “I do.” “What is it?” “I can warp shadows.” Taki frowned slightly. “What does that mean?” Niki glanced around the dimly lit living room. “Like this.” He lifted a hand slightly. The shadows along the wall shifted. Slowly, they gathered together, stretching and bending until they formed a new shape. A wolf. The shadow-wolf moved slightly across the wall as if it were alive. Taki’s eyes widened. “Whoa.” Niki gave a small shrug. “I can manipulate the shape of shadows… and where they appear.” The wolf-shadow stretched across the wall before dissolving back into normal darkness. “I’m also supposed to be able to turn into a shadow and move around like that,” Niki added. “But I haven’t figured out how to do that yet.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “The elders said I’d eventually be able to, though.” “That’s so cool,” Taki said, still staring at the wall where the shadow wolf had been. Niki smiled a little. “Thanks.”

After a moment, he tilted his head curiously. “Can I see your wolf form?” Taki froze slightly. “I’ve never seen a wolf shift before,” Niki added quickly. Taki shook his head. Niki’s shoulders dropped a little in disappointment, but before he could say anything, Taki spoke. “It’s not that I don’t want to,” he explained. “It’s just… I can’t.” Niki blinked, then nodded in understanding. “Oh. Hey, don’t worry about it.” He glanced around for a second before brightening. “Actually, earlier I saw some basketball stuff outside. Wanna play?” Taki chuckled. “Sure. But I’m terrible.” He thought for a second. “Actually, we should ask Jo and Nico to join. They’re really good.” Niki grinned. “I’d love to play with them if they’re up for it.” Taki closed his eyes briefly, sending out a mindlink to the pack. Anyone want to play basketball? The responses came almost immediately. Nicholas, Jo, Yuma, EJ, and even Fuma. Taki blinked in surprise. He hadn’t expected that many people to agree. But he smiled and looked back at Niki. “We’ve got a whole team.” Niki stood up immediately. “Let’s go.” They headed outside toward the small court area near the house.

Not long after, the others joined them. Sana, Rocky, Sora, and Tara came outside too, settling down near the edge of the court to watch. Willow arrived a little later. “Harua’s asleep,” she explained as she sat down beside them. “But I’m not tired yet.” Soon enough, the group split into two teams. The game started quickly, the sound of shoes on the court and laughter filling the evening air. Nearby, the girls chatted as they watched. “So,” Sana asked Rocky, “how has work been lately?” Rocky smiled. “It’s been good.” She tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I just sent in the plans for my newest collection.” Sana’s eyes widened. “Really?” Rocky nodded. “Now I just have to wait and see if the brand approves it.” “And if they do?” Rocky smiled a little bigger. “It’ll earn us a lot of money.”

The basketball game was already in full swing. They had split into two teams. Nicholas, Fuma, Yuma, and EJ on one side. Jo, Taki, and Niki on the other. They had agreed that four against three would still be fair. Jo and Niki had both been very confident in their skills, and while Fuma, Yuma, and EJ were strong wolves, none of them were particularly great at basketball. Nicholas, however, absolutely was. So the teams balanced out well enough. The ball bounced across the court as the players ran back and forth, laughter and competitive shouts filling the evening air.

Nearby, the girls watched from the side. They cheered whenever someone made a good pass or a clean shot. But what they noticed most wasn’t the game. It was Taki. He was laughing loudly, chasing after the ball, grinning like a kid who had forgotten the rest of the world existed. He looked… lighter. Almost childlike. Willow smiled as she watched him. “I don’t think I’ve ever seen him this happy,” she said. Sora, who had been part of the pack longer than most of the girls, nodded thoughtfully. “It shows sometimes,” she said. “Little moments here and there.” Her eyes followed Taki as he ran across the court. “But his mind has been clouded by a lot over the past few years.” She smiled softly. “So it’s nice when his real self gets to come out for a while.”

Rocky watched quietly for a moment before speaking. “I’m not sure why,” she said slowly, “but I have a feeling something big is coming soon.” Tara looked at her. “A premonition?” Rocky shook her head. “No.” “I don’t have visions anymore.” She leaned back on her hands, watching the game. “But… call it a witch’s intuition.” She shrugged slightly. “I just have a feeling.” Then she added quietly, “Though I don’t know anything for sure.”

~~~

The next morning, Niki was already awake. Very awake. He sat at the kitchen table, waiting. Fuma walked in a little while later, still fixing his hair back in place as he reached for the coffee maker. When he noticed Niki sitting there, he chuckled. “You know there’s still another hour before Taki even wakes up, right?” he said as he poured himself a cup. He took a sip before adding, “And another hour after that before he leaves for university.” Niki shrugged. “Sana and Jo already left.” Fuma nodded. “Yeah.” Tara walked in just then, stretching a little as she joined them in the kitchen. “They have earlier classes on Mondays,” she explained to Niki. “Taki starts later.” She smiled slightly. “And he enjoys sleeping in.” Fuma snorted. “They all do.” Tara laughed. “Especially Maki and Nico.”

Then she glanced at the clock on the wall. “Oh, speaking of Maki…” Her eyes widened slightly. “He’s going to be late if we don’t push him out the door in fifteen minutes.” Fuma sighed like a man who had been through this many times before. “I’ll wake him up,” he said, already setting his coffee down. He pointed at Tara. “If you make him a sandwich.” Tara nodded. “Deal.” As she began pulling ingredients out, she turned to Niki. “Could you help me reach that container on top of the fridge?” Niki smiled and stood up easily, grabbing it for her. “No problem.” Just as he handed it over, a loud voice echoed through the house. “GET UP!” Niki jumped slightly. Tara giggled. “See?” she said.

She began assembling the sandwich as she explained. “Whenever Maki has to get up early for work, it’s no problem.” She shook her head. “But school?” She laughed again. “It’s like he’s in a coma. He does not wake up peacefully.” Soon after, another voice echoed upstairs. Niki guessed immediately that it was Luna. “You shut up, and you get up!” she shouted. A loud thud followed. Niki looked over at Tara in confusion. She sighed. “Luna probably pushed Maki off the bed.” Niki nodded slowly, a small smile forming on his face. The pack house was so lively, it felt completely different from the quiet, rigid life he had known at the coven.

A moment later, heavy stomping came from upstairs. With his vampire hearing, Niki could clearly hear someone rushing around while muttering the same word over and over. “Shit, shit, shit, shit,” Fuma walked back into the kitchen just as Tara finished packing the sandwich into the container. “I added an extra bar too,” she said, closing the lid and handing it to him. Fuma nodded. “Thanks.” He held the container out, waiting. Niki watched curiously. A few seconds later, Maki rushed past the kitchen at full speed. He snatched the container out of Fuma’s hand without even slowing down. “Thank you, goodbye!” he blurted in one breath before disappearing out the door. The door slammed shut behind him. Niki blinked. Then he laughed.

Before the kitchen could fall quiet again, another set of footsteps came down the stairs. Taki appeared a moment later, rubbing his eyes and yawning. “Fuma woke me up with all the screaming,” he mumbled. He stretched. “So I might as well eat breakfast before we leave.” Niki’s smile widened. “Good morning.” “Morning,” Taki said sleepily. The two of them began making sandwiches for themselves, grabbing bread and whatever ingredients were still on the counter. Across the kitchen, Tara and Fuma watched them for a moment, both smiling slightly. Then Fuma picked up his coffee again. “Come on,” he said softly to Tara. They headed outside together, ready for their usual morning walk around the territory.

~~~

After breakfast, Taki and Niki spent a bit more time in the living room, playing a few more games on the TV. The matches were just as chaotic as the night before, and once again, Niki won most of them. Eventually, though, the clock forced them to move. “Alright,” Taki said, standing and stretching. “Time to go.” They grabbed their bags and headed out toward the university. As they walked, they talked easily, like they had known each other for years instead of just one day. The conversation flowed from games to life at the coven to random stories about the pack. But the moment they stepped inside the campus building, Niki noticed something had changed. Taki’s shoulders stiffened. His posture became tighter, more guarded. Niki tilted his head. “What’s wrong?” Taki let out a quiet sigh. “School’s… complicated for me.” He hesitated before continuing.

“All my life, because of my wolf… and the trouble I’ve had shifting… I’ve never really been able to blend in with humans.” He shoved his hands into his pockets. “I’ve always been different.” He gave a small, humorless laugh. “And being different isn’t always a good thing.” Niki listened quietly. “I’ve been bullied a lot,” Taki admitted. “Pretty much my whole life.” His gaze drifted toward the floor for a moment. “I never really had friends at school.” He paused before adding something softer. “There was even a time when Kei had to come to my school every day just so I could eat lunch.” Niki blinked slightly. “Because if he didn’t…” Taki continued, “…I wouldn’t eat at all.” They walked a few more steps in silence. “So yeah,” Taki finished. “School’s always been a bit of a trigger for me.” He glanced around the busy hallway. “It’s better now. Since Jo and Sana started coming here, too. They kind of… keep people in check.” “But it doesn’t make the anxiety go away.”

Niki nodded slowly. “I get that.” He thought for a moment. “I wasn’t bullied,” he admitted. “I was kind of… somewhere in the middle. Not really popular, but not invisible either.” He shrugged lightly. “And I was human back then.” He glanced at Taki. “So I probably can’t fully understand what you went through.” Then he added quietly, “But I get why it makes you anxious.”

The first class of the day started easily enough. It was a history of acting class, going through the different ways people had performed throughout the ages. The professor talked about how acting styles had evolved, how older theatrical traditions focused on exaggerated gestures and projection, while modern acting often aimed for realism and subtle emotion. They also discussed what styles were currently most popular in the industry. Niki listened quietly beside Taki. It wasn’t exactly his favorite topic, but he still found parts of it interesting. Overall, it seemed like the start of a normal day. Across the room, however, Taki noticed a few familiar faces. His old bullies. They were watching the two of them. But their attention had clearly shifted toward Niki. Taki figured it was probably because of the unfamiliar person sitting beside him. Someone new. Someone tall. Someone they didn’t know how to handle yet. And for once… that attention meant they were leaving Taki alone.

~~~

Back at the pack village, the morning had settled into a quiet rhythm. Rocky was outside in the garden, carefully watering the vegetables they had planted there. The fresh green leaves swayed gently in the light breeze. Nearby, Nicholas stood beside a pile of logs, chopping them into smaller pieces for later use. The forest around them was peaceful. Especially compared to the chaos that had happened earlier when Maki was nearly late for school. Most of the pack members were scattered across town. Kei was away at a modeling job. Harua and Aya were working at Kyomei. Willow and Sunoo were at the veterinary clinic.

Inside the pack house, Tara sat comfortably on the couch, reading a book while Sora and EJ watched a movie together. Fuma was at work, running a special training session at the town’s gym. Maki was at school. Luna, Miyu, Jay, and Jungwon were at Koyomi. Yuma was at the design studio, putting together ideas for his next piece. And of course, Sana, Jo, Taki, and Niki were at the university. Everything seemed calm. Normal. Until suddenly, “NICHOLAS!” Rocky’s scream tore through the quiet village. Nicholas dropped the axe in his hands instantly and ran toward her without hesitation. Inside the house, EJ paused the movie the moment he heard the scream.

At that exact same time, across town at the veterinary clinic, Sunoo suddenly stiffened. His eyes widened. “Willow!” he called urgently. The two mages felt it at the same moment. A surge. Something powerful. And before anyone could even react, the ground began to shake. Hard. Buildings rattled violently. Dishes crashed inside houses. Cracks split through parts of the ground. An earthquake had hit. No one had expected an earthquake. At the pack house, the shaking came suddenly and violently. “Get down!” EJ shouted. He grabbed both Sora and Tara at the same time, pulling them close and shielding them with his body just as a large bookshelf behind them tipped over. It crashed down onto his back with a heavy thud. “EJ!” Sora screamed. “I’m fine,” he grunted through clenched teeth. “I can handle it. Just, stay down.” Tara clutched his arm, heart racing as the house rattled around them. “As long as you two aren’t hurt,” EJ added, trying to steady himself, “that’s what matters.” Outside, Nicholas had heard Rocky scream. He reached her in seconds, pulling her tightly against his chest as the ground beneath them shook violently. “Nico!” Rocky gasped, grabbing onto him. “I’ve got you,” he said firmly, wrapping his arms around her protectively as the garden soil cracked and shifted beneath their feet.

Across town at the veterinary clinic, Willow was already moving when the shaking started. “The animals!” she said urgently. Cages rattled. Equipment fell. A terrified chorus of barking, whining, and screeching filled the building. Sunoo raised his hands instinctively, magic flaring quietly under his skin. “I’ll handle them,” he said quickly. He focused on the animals, using what magic he could without making it obvious. The cages steadied. The frightened animals were shielded from falling debris. But a loud crash came from the front of the clinic. A window shattered. One of their coworkers cried out in pain. Sunoo flinched. “I,” He wanted to help. He could have helped. But he couldn’t let them see his magic. His hands clenched slightly as he forced himself to stay focused on the animals instead.

At Kyomei, the shaking sent racks of magazines and decorations tumbling. “Aya!” Harua shouted. He rushed to her side, grabbing her and pulling her down behind the counter. “Stay here,” he said, bracing himself between her and the rest of the store as objects fell around them. Aya grabbed his sleeve tightly. “Harua!” “I’m not letting anything happen to you,” he said quickly. Kei would never forgive him if he didn’t protect her. And more importantly, Harua himself wouldn’t forgive himself.

At Koyomi, the kitchen had become chaotic. Pots rattled violently. Glasses fell and shattered. “Out!” Jay shouted immediately. He and Jungwon rushed forward at the same time. “Miyu, Luna, move!” They grabbed both girls, quickly guiding them away from the kitchen and toward the main area where there was less risk of things falling. “Careful,” Jungwon warned as another loud crash came from behind them. Miyu clutched Luna’s hand tightly. “Please tell me the building isn’t going to collapse,” Luna said nervously. “It won’t,” Jay said firmly, though his eyes scanned the room carefully. “Just stay close.” Luckily, the restaurant had been empty when the earthquake struck.

At the university, Jo felt his heart drop. “Sana…” He wasn’t with her. They were in different buildings. He felt so close, yet impossibly far away. He immediately started moving toward the door, ignoring the panicked shouting around him.

At Maki’s school, the entire classroom shook violently. Students screamed. “Maki, don’t!” the teacher started when he moved. But Maki’s instincts had already kicked in. A large crack formed along the wall as part of it began collapsing inward. Several students were directly beneath it. Without thinking, Maki rushed forward. He shoved the crumbling section of wall the other direction with all his strength. The heavy structure shifted away from the students just enough to keep it from crushing them. Dust filled the air. No one seemed to notice what he had done. And Maki silently thanked the universe for that. But his heart was racing. Luna. He needed to know Luna was okay.

At the gym, Fuma froze when the shaking started. “Tch…” His first thought wasn’t for himself. It was for Tara. EJ and Nicholas were there. They would protect her. He knew that. But that didn’t stop the worry twisting in his chest. Yuma had felt the same, knowing Jay and Jungwon were with Miyu, they would protect her, but still, he worried. Kei did too. Wishing he could run to Kyomei and hold Aya close.

And finally, back at the university. The acting building was old. Too old. The shaking tore through the structure like it had no resistance at all. Cracks split across the walls. Chunks of plaster fell from the ceiling. Students screamed as parts of the floor began giving out. “Everyone out!” someone shouted. Niki immediately looked at Taki. And what he saw made his stomach drop. Taki’s breathing had become uneven. His wolf was reacting. Claws were slowly pushing through his fingertips. “Taki,” Niki said quietly. But Taki looked panicked. The fear. The noise. The chaos. It was all too much.

Without hesitation, Niki grabbed his arm and pulled him toward the far corner of the room, away from the crowd. “Come here,” he said quickly. He positioned himself in front of Taki, blocking him from view as much as possible. “Stay here,” Niki whispered. Taki’s claws were still half-shifted. Niki glanced around quickly, making sure no one was looking. Then he looked back at Taki. “Hey,” he said softly, trying to keep his voice calm. “Focus on me, okay?”

After ten long minutes of violent shaking and another smaller wave of rumbling about five minutes later, the ground finally settled. The worst was over. Dust hung in the air across the town. Sirens echoed in the distance. Half the town looked wrecked. Roads had cracked, windows had shattered, and several older buildings had partially collapsed. No one there had ever experienced an earthquake before, so the damage was worse than it might have been in a place prepared for them. News reporters were already everywhere, setting up cameras and broadcasting live as emergency services rushed between locations. “A powerful and unexpected earthquake has struck the region.” “A number of buildings have suffered structural damage,” “Authorities confirm several casualties.” A few lives had been lost. Thankfully, only a handful. Several others were injured, but most of the injuries weren’t life-threatening. It could have been much worse.

~~~

The first thing Kei did once the shaking stopped was reach out through the mindlink. Everyone report in. Are you okay? What about the mates? There was a moment of silence. Then Nicholas answered first. We’re okay, he said quickly. Rocky’s fine. Tara and Sora, too. EJ took a bookshelf to the back, but it’s just a bruise and a small tear. A second later, EJ’s voice appeared as well. It’s nothing. Next came Harua. Aya and I are fine. No injuries. Yuma checked in after that. I’m okay, too. Maki’s voice followed shortly after. I’m fine. Maybe a bruise on my shoulder, but it’s already healing. Jo answered next, his thoughts clearly strained. I’m okay… but I don’t know about Sana or Taki yet. Fuma spoke up. I’m fine as well. Then his tone shifted slightly. EJ… thank you for protecting Tara. EJ responded immediately. Of course. That’s what we do.

There was a brief pause. Then another voice joined the link, Sunoo. They had figured out a way for both him and Jay to connect to the mindlink despite them not being wolves. Willow and I are safe, Sunoo said. Some of our coworkers got minor injuries when a window shattered, but nothing serious. Jay’s voice came next. Everyone at Koyomi is okay. Luna, Miyu, and Jungwon, no injuries. He sighed. But the kitchen is wrecked. Honestly… most of the city looks like that. For a moment, the link was quiet. Then Kei asked the question everyone was thinking. Taki? Silence. Kei tried again. Taki, respond. Nothing. No voice. No thoughts. No response at all. A heavy worry settled over the pack. Jo’s anxiety immediately spiked. Taki? he called again, panic creeping into his voice. Still nothing. They couldn’t reach Niki either. He hadn’t been added to the mindlink yet. And right now, no one had any idea what had happened to Taki or Niki.

~~~

Inside the crumbling remains of the acting department, dust still floated through the air. Pieces of ceiling and plaster had fallen across the classroom, desks were overturned, and cracks ran along the walls like jagged veins. But in the corner, Niki had managed to keep Taki hidden from the rest of the students during the worst of it. He had positioned himself carefully, blocking anyone’s view while Taki struggled with his half-shift. Now that the rumbling had finally stopped, Taki squeezed his eyes shut, forcing his breathing to slow. Slowly… painfully… His claws retracted. The golden glow in his eyes faded. His wolf receded back beneath the surface. And just as he managed to regain control, something else caught his attention. A scent. Taki froze. It was strong. Sweet. Almost like strawberries. He had never smelled anything like it before. His senses sharpened instantly. The scent was unfamiliar… completely new. Yet something about it pulled at him in a way he couldn’t explain. His mind raced. What is that?

The only new person who had been in the room with him was Niki. But this scent, it didn’t belong to him. Taki slowly pushed himself to his feet. Pain shot through his leg, reminding him that it had been hurt during the collapse, but he barely noticed. His attention was completely elsewhere. He began looking around the damaged classroom, scanning every person, every corner. Niki frowned. “Taki?” No answer. “What are you doing?” Still nothing. Taki’s mind was racing. What is this scent? Who does it belong to? Why can I smell it so strongly? Why does it feel like it’s calling to me? His heart started beating faster. Because whatever it was, he felt drawn to it. Soon enough, Taki’s eyes landed on the source of the scent that had been driving his senses wild.

A girl. Or rather, a young woman. She was backed into a corner of the damaged classroom, her arms wrapped around herself as she tried to make herself as small as possible. She was crying. A few other students stood close to her. Too close. Taki recognized them immediately. His bullies. And it seemed they had already found a new target. Taki’s focus locked onto them. At the same moment, Niki noticed them too. He inhaled sharply. Now that he was paying attention, he could smell it clearly as well. The scent of a werewolf. And it was far too strong to belong only to Taki. That girl, she was a werewolf. And worse… She was close to shifting. Those bullies surrounding her were only making it worse.

“Taki,” Niki said sharply. Then louder, “Taki, go!” Taki didn’t hesitate. He limped across the broken floor toward them, ignoring the pain in his leg. The bullies barely had time to react before he shoved between them, forcing them back and placing himself directly in front of the girl. “Back off,” he growled. The bullies stumbled away in surprise. And then, suddenly, the entire room went dark. Not the normal kind of dark. Total darkness. Shadows poured across the room like a thick curtain, swallowing the light until no one could see anything. Except, Taki. His eyes shifted, glowing faintly as his wolf sight adjusted to the darkness. He immediately knew what had happened. Niki. He had warped the shadows, covering the entire room.

The bullies cursed and shouted in confusion. “Hey, what the hell?!” “I can’t see anything!” But Taki ignored them. He turned slightly toward the girl behind him and lowered his voice. “It’s okay,” he whispered gently. “You’re not alone.” The girl slowly looked up at him through her tears. Taki recognized her. (Y/n). They had been in the same classes for three years. Yet he had never known she was a werewolf. And he was almost certain she had never known he was one either. Being this close to her made the scent even stronger. Sweet. Overwhelming. Taki felt his wolf surge forward again, pushing for control. For a moment, his vision blurred as instinct tried to take over, but he forced it back. Barely. Because right now, the worry for (Y/n) was stronger than the fear for himself.

“I’m scared,” she whispered, her voice trembling. Taki understood that feeling better than anyone. Years ago, when he had tried to shift for the first time, he had felt the exact same things. The pain. The fear. The confusion. Wondering why it didn’t work. Why couldn’t he do what the others in his pack could do so easily? And right now, (Y/n) was experiencing all of it. Maybe she didn’t have a pack behind her. But the fear and pain were the same. Taki gently wrapped his arms around her. “Hold on,” he said softly. She immediately clung to him, her arms wrapping tightly around his neck. Taki lifted her off the ground. His injured leg screamed in protest, and he groaned quietly, but he ignored it. If my brothers can do this… so can I. He limped toward the opening of the ruined classroom, carefully stepping over broken desks and fallen debris. Niki hurried over to them, immediately moving to Taki’s side. “I’ve got you,” he said, supporting some of Taki’s weight as they moved.

Together, they managed to get out of the damaged room and into the hallway. Once they were safely out, Niki released his focus. The warped shadows slid back into their normal places. Light flooded the hallway again. Students shouted in confusion as their vision returned. But the three of them didn’t stop. They moved across the campus grounds until they found a quiet, secluded corner away from the crowds and emergency responders. Finally, Taki carefully set (Y/n) down. The moment he did, his leg gave out slightly. “Ah!” He hissed in pain, grabbing his thigh as it throbbed sharply. (Y/n) had calmed a little by now, but fear still filled her eyes. Her breathing was uneven. And when she looked down at her hands, she froze. Claws. Sharp. Not human. Her eyes widened in horror. “I… I don’t understand,” she whispered shakily. “How… how is this possible?”

Taki and Niki exchanged a quick glance. Did she… not know? “What am I?” she asked again, her voice shaking worse than before. Tears streamed down her face, and she still hadn’t really looked at either of them closely enough to notice that they weren’t exactly normal either. Taki slowly reached forward and gently took her hand. She flinched immediately. “Don’t!” she said quickly, panic in her voice. “My claw, hand, I might hurt you.” But Taki didn’t let go. Instead, he carefully laced their fingers together, holding her trembling hand between his. He tried to give her the softest, most reassuring smile he could manage. “You’re a werewolf,” he said gently. “It’s okay. I am one too.” “But… how?” she whispered. That was when she finally looked at him properly. Her eyes widened slightly as she noticed the golden glow in his. He expected fear. Most people reacted that way. But instead, she just looked confused… overwhelmed… searching for answers.

Taki spoke softly. “You were born a werewolf,” he explained. “But you probably didn’t grow up with a pack. Maybe you were adopted by a human family or something like that.” He nodded toward her shaking hands. “So your wolf stayed dormant all these years… until now.” Her brows furrowed as she tried to process everything. “The fear… the danger from earlier,” Taki continued quietly. “That probably triggered it. It woke your wolf up.” She shook her head slightly, still struggling to believe it. “How… how is that possible?” Before Taki could answer, pain shot through his leg again. “Ah!” He groaned, grabbing his thigh tightly. The bone was trying to heal. But something was wrong. It wasn’t setting properly. Which meant it was most likely fractured and out of place. Taki looked over at Niki, breathing a little heavier now. “We need to bring her to the pack,” he said. “But I can’t move like this.”

Niki blinked. “…Taki.” “What?” “Use the mindlink.” Taki stared at him for a second. Then he laughed weakly. “…Right.” Of course, he would forget something that obvious. But before he could reach out to the pack, “Taki!” A familiar voice called out across the campus. Taki’s head snapped up. Jo. And Sana. They were running around looking for them, panic written all over their faces. Niki waved them over quickly. The second Jo reached them, he dropped to his knees and pulled Taki into a tight hug. “We thought we lost you,” Jo said, his voice thick with relief.

(Y/n) trembled when she saw the two new people rushing toward them. For a brief moment, fear spiked in her chest again. But as she watched them, really watched them, she noticed something different. The way they immediately ran to Taki. The panic in their voices. The relief when they saw he was alive. They looked like… family. Or something close to it. And suddenly a strange emptiness settled in her chest. A quiet ache she had never felt before. Is this… what a pack feels like? Is that what my wolf is reaching for? She had never had anything like that before. No pack. No one who understood her. Just confusion and a life that suddenly didn’t make sense anymore.

“Why didn’t you respond earlier?” Jo asked urgently as he pulled back from the hug, quickly looking Taki over. His eyes immediately landed on the injured leg. Taki rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. “I didn’t hear you guys,” he admitted. “A lot happened during the earthquake… and after it.” He shrugged slightly. “I guess the link couldn’t reach me because I wasn’t open to it.” Jo sighed in relief before hugging him again, tighter this time. “Idiot,” he muttered softly. “You scared us.” Then he stood up and looked over at Niki. “You hurt?” Niki shook his head. “I’m fine.” Jo nodded once before speaking into the mindlink. I found Taki. The response from the pack came instantly. He’s alive, Jo continued. But his leg’s injured. Niki’s fine. There was a collective wave of relief through the link. Then Jo added, But we’ve got someone else with us too. A girl. A pause. She appears to be a wolf. That definitely caught everyone’s attention. Questions immediately started flying through the link. Jo sighed. We’ll explain when we get back. It’ll take a while to get to the village.

Meanwhile, Sana had crouched down in front of (Y/n). “Hey,” she said gently. “Are you okay?” (Y/n) still felt completely overwhelmed. Her hands still had claws. Her world had just shattered. But physically… she wasn’t hurt. So she slowly nodded. Sana smiled warmly. “Good. I’m Sana, by the way.” (Y/n) hesitated before answering quietly. “(Y/n).” “Nice to meet you, (Y/n).” Behind them, Jo crouched down and, with Niki’s help, carefully lifted Taki onto his back. Taki winced slightly as his leg shifted. “Sorry,” Jo said. “It’s fine,” Taki muttered. Once he was secure, Jo stood up fully, adjusting his grip as he prepared to carry him all the way back.

Sana gently helped (Y/n) stand as well. “Come with us,” she said softly. (Y/n) looked around the damaged campus. Sirens. Broken buildings. People everywhere. Nothing felt familiar anymore. Then she looked back at the small group in front of her. They at least seemed to know what was happening. And right now… she had nowhere else to go. So after a moment, she nodded. And went with them. The walk back to the pack village took much longer than usual. The earthquake had turned familiar paths into a maze of broken ground, fallen trees, and cracked pavement. More than once, they had to detour around collapsed structures or unstable earth. Jo carried Taki the whole way, refusing to slow down despite the obstacles, while Niki stayed close in case he needed help.

Sana walked beside (Y/n), guiding her carefully over the uneven terrain. By the time they finally reached the pack village, most of the others had already made it back. The moment Kei saw Aya, he rushed straight toward her. “Aya!” He wrapped his arms around her tightly, pulling her against his chest. “I’m so glad you’re okay,” he said, his voice thick with relief. Aya hugged him just as tightly. “I’m okay, Kei. I’m okay.” All around the village, similar reunions were happening. Fuma pulled Tara into his arms the second he saw her. Yuma held Miyu close, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. Maki nearly tackled Luna with how fast he ran to her, hugging her like he never intended to let go. Harua wrapped Willow in a quiet but firm embrace. Nicholas still had Rocky held tightly in his arms; he hadn’t let go since the earthquake began.

Nearby, EJ and Sora stood close together as Sora carefully worked her hands over his back. “You really should let someone else handle the shielding next time,” she muttered as her healing ability worked through the bruise and tear on his back. EJ huffed softly. “And let a bookshelf fall on you instead?” Sora didn’t answer that. Just then, movement at the edge of the village caught everyone’s attention. Jo, Sana, Niki, and Taki, along with someone unfamiliar, were approaching.

“Taki!” Jay called immediately. He and Jungwon both rushed forward. “Careful,” Jo said as they reached him. Together, Jay and Jungwon helped take Taki’s weight while Jo lowered him carefully. “Let me see,” Jay said, already reaching for Taki’s leg. His hands began to glow faintly as he placed them over the injured area, his healing ability activating. Taki sighed in relief almost immediately as the pain began easing. Nicholas had released Rocky the moment he noticed them arriving. Now he walked over quickly, his expression tense as he looked at Taki. “You okay?” he asked. “Yeah,” Taki said. “I’ll live.” Around them, the rest of the pack slowly gathered. Relief spread through the group, seeing that Taki and Niki were safe.

But their attention quickly shifted to the unfamiliar girl standing behind Sana. (Y/n) instinctively shrank back. There were so many of them. Too many strangers. Too many eyes staring at her. Without thinking, she stepped behind Sana even more, gripping the back of her sleeve slightly as she hid from the group. Her claws were still out. Her fangs hadn’t receded. And her golden eyes made it painfully obvious what she was. A werewolf who hadn’t shifted back. And judging by the confusion and fear still written across her face… One who had absolutely no idea about this world she had suddenly been thrust into.

Fuma slowly walked over to the frightened girl, keeping his movements careful and non-threatening. “Hey,” he said gently. “My name’s Fuma.” (Y/n) stayed hidden behind Sana, gripping the back of her sleeve tightly, but after a moment, she answered quietly. “(Y/n).” Fuma gave a small nod. “Nice to meet you, (Y/n). Do you think you could step forward so we can talk?” She immediately shook her head. “I, I can’t.” Her voice trembled. “I’m scared.” Before Fuma could respond, Tara stepped up beside him and gently placed a hand on his arm. “Fuma, honey,” she said softly. He glanced down at her. “You should step back.” Fuma frowned slightly. “Why?” Tara gave him a small smile. “Because she’s obviously terrified,” she said. “And while we all know you’re basically a teddy bear… You don’t always look like one.” Her eyes briefly flicked toward his broad shoulders and muscles. Fuma opened his mouth to ask what they were supposed to do then, but Tara spoke again before he could. “Let me handle this, okay?” Fuma looked between Tara and the frightened girl for a second, then nodded. “Okay.” He stepped back, giving Tara and Sana space.

Tara moved a little closer, though she kept enough distance so she wouldn’t overwhelm the girl. “Hi,” she said warmly. “I’m Tara.” (Y/n) peeked out slightly from behind Sana. “I know you’re scared,” Tara continued softly. “But we’re not going to hurt you.” Sana gently squeezed (Y/n)’s arm. “Tara was scared, too, when she first came to us,” she added. “Just like you. But look at her now.” (Y/n) looked at Tara again. Compared to Fuma, Tara did look much less intimidating. Tara slowly held out her hand. She didn’t move closer, just waited. “You don’t have to do anything right away,” she said. “But if you want… You can come stand with me.” (Y/n) hesitated for a long moment. Everyone around them stayed quiet. No one pushed her. Finally, she slowly reached out. Her clawed fingers carefully wrapped around Tara’s hand. Tara smiled softly but didn’t tighten her grip, just enough to reassure her she was there.

With a small step, (Y/n) moved out from behind Sana. “There you go,” Tara said gently. Then she explained calmly, “Sana and I are human, so we can’t help you with the shifting part.” She gestured slightly toward Fuma. “But Fuma can. He’s a werewolf, too.” (Y/n)’s shoulders tensed again slightly. Tara squeezed her hand reassuringly. “I promise I won’t let go,” she said. “I’ll stay right here the whole time.” After a moment of hesitation… (Y/n) nodded. “…Okay.” And finally agreed to talk to Fuma.

As (Y/n) walked toward Fuma with Tara, her eyes drifted back to Taki. He was sitting on the ground a short distance away, his face twisted in pain. The person kneeling beside him had his hands glowing faintly as he tried to heal the injury. Even from where she stood, she could tell it wasn’t working very well. “He’ll be okay,” Fuma said gently when he noticed where her attention was. (Y/n) tightened her grip on Tara’s hand slightly. Now she was standing only a couple of steps away from Fuma. Tara gave her hand a small, reassuring squeeze. “I’m still here,” she whispered. Fuma crouched down slightly so he wouldn’t tower over her. “Alright,” he said calmly. “What’s happening to you right now is your wolf being active; neither you nor the wolf is aware of what’s going on, so we need to help both you and your wolf to understand, to calm down. You need to guide it back.”

(Y/n) swallowed nervously. “I don’t know how.” “That’s okay,” Fuma said. “I’ll show you.” He took a slow breath, then demonstrated. As the pack watched, his eyes briefly flashed golden, claws extending slightly before he calmly pulled them back again, shifting smoothly between wolf traits and human. “You focus on yourself,” he explained. “Your breathing. Your control. Think about being human again. Picture the claws going back to normal nails, your eyes becoming less sharp, your muscles relaxing around your face, your shoulders, your entire body.” (Y/n) nodded nervously. She tried. Nothing happened. Her claws remained. Her fangs still pressed against her lower lip. “Try again,” Tara encouraged softly. (Y/n) closed her eyes and focused on her breathing. Slow inhale. Slow exhale. It took a few tries. But gradually, her claws retracted. Her fangs shrank back. And the golden glow in her eyes faded until they returned to their normal color. The moment the shift fully settled, the strength seemed to leave her body all at once. Her knees buckled. “Oh!”

Tara quickly crouched with her as (Y/n) collapsed to the ground, exhausted. “It’s okay,” Tara said gently, still holding her hand. “That happens sometimes.” (Y/n) was breathing heavily, completely drained. But she was okay. Across the clearing, things were a bit more tense. Jay frowned as he continued examining Taki’s leg. Something wasn’t right. Nicholas noticed the expression. “What is it?” he asked. Jay leaned back slightly. “Taki’s werewolf healing already kicked in when he got injured in the first place,” he explained. “But the bone didn’t set correctly, especially not since he was walking on the leg.” Taki groaned quietly. “That means the fracture started healing wrong,” Jay continued. “Which is why it still hurts. My healing can’t fix it unless the bone is set properly first.” Nicholas frowned. “So what do we do?” Jay met his eyes. “We have to break it again.”

Taki’s head snapped up. “You’re kidding,” “Are you sure?” Nicholas asked. Jay nodded firmly. “It’s the only way.” Nicholas sighed, turning to Taki. “Sorry, little brother.” Before Taki could even fully process what was happening, Nicholas grabbed his thigh firmly and snapped the bone. A loud crack echoed through the clearing. Taki screamed, the sound tearing out of his throat as his claws instinctively dug into the dirt beneath him. A low growl followed as pain surged through his leg. But just as quickly as it came, it eased. Jay immediately placed his glowing hands over the injury again. “Now it’ll work,” he said. The healing magic flowed through the bone properly this time, knitting it back together the way it should have from the start.

Jo slowly looked around the pack village, taking in the damage. Compared to the city, they had been lucky. The main house was still standing, and most of the smaller cabins were too. But the forest surrounding them had clearly taken the worst of the earthquake. Several trees had fallen, parts of the ground had split, and branches were scattered everywhere. He turned to EJ. “You were here when it hit,” Jo said. “How bad is the damage?” EJ shrugged slightly. “The main house took some hits,” he replied. “We probably lost most of the porcelain in the kitchen based on the sound, and the TV is probably broken since it fell down, and the bookshelf is beyond saving.” He glanced back at the house. “But that’s about all we know so far. We haven’t checked the rest yet.”

Aya exchanged a look with Kei before speaking. “We’ll take a look around the territory,” she said. Nicholas and Rocky nodded in agreement. “And we should check the pond too,” Nicholas added. Sunoo stepped forward. “I’ll come with you,” he said. “Just in case you need some extra magic.” (Y/n), who had been sitting on the ground beside Tara, looked up in confusion. “Magic?” Tara smiled softly. “Yeah… there’s a bit of everything here.” She gently pointed around the group as she explained. “Many of us girls are human,” she said. “But we also have vampires.” She gestured toward Sora, Jay, Jungwon, and Niki. “Rocky is a witch,” she added, nodding toward her. “And Sunoo is a wizard.” Then she motioned toward the rest of the group. “And the rest are werewolves.” (Y/n) blinked slowly, trying to process all of that. “…Oh.” It was a lot to take in. She nodded quietly, even though her mind was still racing.

Nearby, Miyu looked toward the main house. “If the kitchen survived,” she said, “I could make something for everyone.” After everything that had happened, they all looked like they could use something warm. “Comfort food sounds perfect right now,” she added softly. Yuma immediately followed her toward the house. “I’ll help.” Maki stood up too, stretching slightly. “Yeah, I’ll check what’s still usable.” Luna joined them as well. Together, the four of them headed inside, carefully stepping over broken porcelain and fallen objects as they started clearing space and figuring out what they could still use to cook.

~~~

As Aya, Kei, Rocky, Nicholas, and Sunoo walked through the territory, they checked the forest for fallen trees, cracks in the ground, and anything else that might have been damaged by the earthquake. Eventually, they reached the same spot Aya had pointed out earlier that morning. The place where flowers had been sprouting, where the ground was usually bare. Now the flowers had fully bloomed. But something about them felt… wrong. They were large, much larger than normal flowers, and each one was a different color. Deep red, bright yellow, pale blue, dark violet. Their petals seemed almost too perfect, standing tall despite the chaos the earthquake had caused around them. Aya tilted her head. “That’s strange,” she murmured. She began to crouch down, reaching out to touch one of the petals. “NO!” Rocky’s scream cut through the air.

Aya froze instantly, her fingers stopping just inches from the flower. Kei immediately grabbed her arm and pulled her back to her feet, moving her a few steps away from the strange plants. “What is it?” Kei asked sharply. Rocky stepped closer to the flowers, her face tense. “These flowers…” she said quietly. “They might be the reason for the earthquake.” Everyone looked at her. “What do you mean?” Kei asked. Rocky lifted one hand and murmured a quiet spell. A book appeared in her grasp. She opened it quickly, flipping through the pages with practiced familiarity. “I’m almost certain these are magical flowers,” she said as she searched. “Flowers that bring catastrophes to life.” Aya’s eyes widened slightly. Rocky suddenly stopped turning pages. “Aha.” She turned the book so she could examine the illustration and description more closely. “Just like I thought.”

She pointed to the page. “This combination of colors,” she explained, gesturing toward the blooms in front of them, “represents the rumbling of the earth.” She looked up. “In other words… an earthquake.” Kei frowned. “But how did they appear here?” Rocky slowly closed the book. “I’m not entirely sure.” She studied the flowers again. “My guess is they were planted here a very long time ago,” she said. “The magic needed to create these kinds of flowers has been lost for ages.” Sunoo stepped a little closer, examining them carefully. “So why did they activate now?” Nicholas asked. Rocky glanced at Sunoo, then at herself. “…Probably us.” Sunoo blinked. “Us?” Rocky nodded slowly. “These flowers react to magic,” she explained. “They probably sensed ours.” She gestured lightly between herself and Sunoo. “Having both a witch and a wizard nearby might have been enough to awaken them.” She hesitated slightly. “That’s just a guess, though. They could have also been planted with a time spell, only allowing them to bloom just now.”

Rocky looked back at Aya, her expression serious. “The reason I stopped you,” she said, “is because if someone without magic touches these flowers…” She paused briefly. “They turn you to stone.” Aya’s eyes widened. “…Stone?” Rocky nodded. “It’s a defense mechanism,” she explained. “A way to stop people from removing them.” Kei instinctively pulled Aya a little farther away from the flowers. “And if someone is turned to stone?” Aya asked quietly. Rocky’s voice grew even more serious. “Nothing can reverse it.” A heavy silence settled over them. “That’s terrifying,” Aya said softly. Sunoo nodded in agreement. “Yeah,” he said. “It really is.”

He stepped closer to Rocky, glancing between her and the flowers. “Are you sure we can touch them?” Rocky nodded firmly. “I’m sure.” She crouched beside the strange blooms. “I’ve done this before,” she said. “A long time ago.” Sunoo tilted his head slightly. “When I was still a child,” Rocky continued. “Back when I lived with my old coven, before I became an outcast.” Her eyes briefly darkened at the memory. “These flowers appeared near our territory, too. Everyone in the coven helped remove them.” She gently wrapped her hand around the stem of one flower. “You pull them out,” she explained. “Roots and all.” With a firm tug, she dragged the flower from the ground. The roots came free with a soft tear of soil. “And then you burn them,” she added. “That way they can’t reroot somewhere else.” Sunoo nodded. “Got it.” He stepped forward beside her. Together, the two mages began carefully pulling the strange flowers from the earth, placing them in a small pile nearby. A short distance away, Aya and Kei continued walking through the forest, checking the rest of the territory for damage. Nicholas, however, stayed behind. He leaned casually against a nearby tree, though his eyes remained fixed on Rocky as she worked. Keeping a quiet watch over his mate while the two mages removed the dangerous flowers.

Once the last of the strange flowers had been pulled from the ground, Rocky brushed some dirt from her hands and opened the book again. She flipped through a few pages before stopping, scanning the text carefully. “We’ll need to burn the soil,” she said. Sunoo looked at the ground. “Just to make sure there aren’t any roots left.” She tapped the page. “If we destroy them properly, the magic should fade.” Nicholas looked down at the flowers. “I can help carry them,” he offered, stepping closer. Rocky immediately shook her head. “No.” He paused, eyeing them cautiously. Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “Not even after they’ve been pulled out?” “Even then,” she replied. “They’ll still turn you to stone.” She nudged one lightly with the tip of her shoe. “They’re nasty like that.” Nicholas quickly pulled his hand back. “…Good to know.”

Rocky closed the book again. “We’ll burn them in the normal fire pit,” she said. “They’re quite pretty when they burn, it’s like fireworks, in a way.” Sunoo nodded. Nicholas straightened, glancing toward the forest path. “I’ll head back first,” he said. “Let the others know what’s going on.” Rocky nodded. “We’ll follow in a minute. Sunoo and I just need to use a little magic here first, burn any roots that might still be underground.” Sunoo lifted his hand slightly, already preparing a small spell. Nicholas gave them one last look before turning and jogging back toward the pack village.

When he arrived, he immediately noticed that most of the group was still outside. Taki, Jay, Jungwon, Niki, Sana, Tara, Fuma, and (Y/n) were all gathered in roughly the same spots they had been when he left. Taki was still sitting while Jay finished checking his leg. Nicholas looked around briefly. The only ones missing were EJ, Sora, and Jo. “Where are the others?” he asked. Sana glanced toward the row of cabins. “Checking the smaller houses,” she replied. Nicholas nodded slightly, looking toward the cabins where they had disappeared, inspecting the damage the earthquake might have caused.

Nicholas walked over to the fire pit where they had held their party a few days earlier. He began placing logs inside, stacking them carefully before crouching down to start the fire. A moment later, Fuma approached him. “What are you doing?” he asked, watching as Nicholas struck the flame. Nicholas glanced up at him. “Rocky and Sunoo found something out in the territory,” he said. “Magical flowers.” That immediately caught everyone’s attention. “Magical flowers?” Sana repeated. Nicholas nodded as the first flames began to catch on the dry wood. “They’re the reason for the earthquake,” he explained. “Apparently, different colors cause different catastrophes.” The group fell quiet for a moment.

Jay’s eyes widened slightly. “…Those flowers actually exist?” Nicholas looked up at him. “You’ve heard of them?” Jay nodded slowly. “I’ve read about them,” he said. “But only in very old texts, a long time ago.” He shook his head in disbelief. “I’ve been alive for a few hundred years, and in all that time they’ve never appeared. The magic needed to create them was lost long before I was even born.” Nicholas leaned back slightly as the fire began growing stronger. “Rocky and Sunoo are removing the rest of the roots now,” he said. “Then they’ll bring the flowers here so we can burn them.” Jay nodded thoughtfully.

After a moment, Nicholas looked toward the girl standing a little behind Sana. “How are you doing?” he asked gently. (Y/n) shifted slightly, still looking somewhat unsure of where to stand. “I… feel a little better,” she admitted. “Still confused though.” Nicholas gave her a warm smile. “That’s understandable.” Then he turned toward his younger brother. “And you?” he asked. “How’s the leg?” Taki flexed it slightly. “It’s still a bit sore,” he said. “But I’m okay.” Jay nodded from where he sat beside him. “That soreness might last another hour or so,” he explained. “We had to snap the bone again to set it properly.” Taki grimaced a little at the reminder. “And the fracture lasted longer than it should have,” Jay added. “Werewolf bodies aren’t made for that kind of injury. They’re built to heal almost instantly.”

Soon, the fire in the pit had grown into steady flames. One by one, everyone moved closer, sitting down around it. Even though the spring sun was still up, it was slowly drifting toward evening, and the breeze had begun to carry a colder bite through the air. The warmth of the fire was more than welcome. (Y/n) hesitated for a moment before quietly sitting down. She ended up beside Taki. For a moment, she just stared into the flames, her hands resting in her lap. Then she leaned slightly closer to him and whispered softly, “Thank you.” Taki turned his head toward her. “For saving me,” she continued quietly. “And… for everything.” Taki’s ears turned slightly pink. He gave her a shy smile. “No worries,” he said softly. “I’m happy I could help.”

Taki could still smell it. That soft, sweet scent. Strawberries. He didn’t know why her scent reminded him so strongly of it, but now that she sat beside him, close enough that their shoulders nearly touched, it surrounded him. And it made him feel… strange. Not bad. Just unfamiliar. It was warm and comforting, almost nostalgic somehow, yet completely new at the same time. It made his chest feel light, like something bright had settled there, but it also made his heart beat a little faster. Calm and anxious. Safe and nervous. He couldn’t explain it. But when he glanced at (Y/n), seeing her finally smile as she watched Harua and Willow joking around, a small laugh leaving her lips for the first time that day, something inside him settled.

For a moment, everything felt quiet. Peaceful. Complete. One by one, the rest of the pack gathered around the fire. Soon the whole group was sitting in a loose circle around the pit. Miyu came out of the house carrying a large pot. “I managed to make stew,” she announced. Yuma, Maki, and Luna followed behind her, carrying bowls and spoons. They began handing them out to everyone. The warm food was more than welcome after the long, stressful day. Just as everyone settled in, Rocky and Sunoo appeared from the forest path. Sunoo was carrying a bundle of the strange flowers carefully wrapped in cloth.

Immediately the group’s attention shifted to them. “Those are the flowers?” Tara asked. Even from a distance they were striking. Each flower was large, its petals bright and vibrant, every single one a different color. Several people leaned forward in awe. “They’re beautiful,” Sana murmured. Rocky quickly raised a hand. “Beautiful and deadly,” she reminded them. Everyone instinctively leaned back again. Nicholas stood and stepped closer to the pit. “Ready?” he asked. Rocky nodded. Sunoo carefully handed her the bundle. Then, one by one, Rocky dropped the flowers into the flames. The moment the first flower touched the fire, something incredible happened. The flames burst upward in a swirl of color.

Blues, reds, golds, and purples spiraled through the fire like living light. Gasps spread through the group. “It’s like a magic show,” Jungwon whispered. The flames twisted and danced, colors exploding through the air like soft fireworks. Even the air itself seemed to shimmer. Then, as the flowers burned away, something else happened. A low rumble passed through the ground. Everyone froze slightly. But this time, the shaking was gentle. Nothing like the violent earthquake earlier. Slowly, quietly, the earth around them began to settle. Small cracks in the ground pulled back together. Uneven patches of soil were smoothed out. The land itself seemed to relax. When the rumble finally faded, the territory looked far more stable again. There were still fallen trees and signs of damage from the earlier quake, but the ground itself was no longer broken and uneven. Rocky let out a quiet breath. “It worked.”

As the last of the strange flowers burned into nothingness, the colorful flames slowly faded back into ordinary fire. The rumbling beneath the ground stopped completely. For the first time since the earthquake, everything felt calm. Around the fire pit, everyone ate the warm stew Miyu had made, the quiet chatter of the pack filling the evening air. Taki sat beside (Y/n), slowly eating from his bowl. After a moment, he leaned a little closer to her. “Do you… want to go home tonight?” he asked gently. “Or stay here?” (Y/n) looked down at her bowl for a moment. “I’m not sure,” she admitted quietly. She shifted slightly, pulling her legs a little closer. “Home is supposed to be my safe place,” she said. “But right now… I’m kind of scared to go there. I don’t know how much damage there is to my home.” Her fingers tightened slightly around the spoon. “I don’t even know what I am anymore,” she added softly. “Finding out I’m a werewolf today… It’s just a lot.” She glanced around the circle. “But being here… with all of you… it makes me feel a little better.”

Before Taki could respond, Sora spoke from across the fire. “You’re welcome to stay,” she said with a gentle smile. Everyone looked toward her. “We have the space,” she continued. “And wolves are meant to have packs.” She gestured lightly around the group. “That’s probably why you feel safe here. Even if you’re not part of the pack yet, your wolf can still feel that you’re surrounded by other wolves.” Sora shrugged lightly. “And honestly, what’s one more person in our already huge family?” A few soft chuckles spread through the group. (Y/n) hesitated before asking, “But… what about the damage from the earthquake?” EJ answered this time. “Most of the damage was actually in the main house,” he said. He scratched the back of his neck slightly. “And that was mostly our own fault.” Everyone looked at him. “We never secured some of the shelves and cupboards properly,” he admitted. “So the bookshelf collapsed, a lot of the porcelain broke… and the TV is probably gone too.”

He shrugged. “The smaller cabins were built more carefully though. Only a couple of frames were damaged in two of them.” “That’s all?” (Y/n) asked, surprised. “Pretty much,” EJ said. (Y/n) looked around the group again. Everyone was watching her with calm, welcoming expressions. She smiled shyly. “Well… if it’s really okay…” Her voice softened slightly. “I’d like to stay tonight.” Immediately, several of them chuckled. “Of course it’s okay,” Miyu said warmly. Willow leaned forward slightly. “You can borrow some of my clothes to sleep in,” she offered. “Or some of mine,” Sana added with a smile. (Y/n)’s smile grew a little brighter as she looked at them. Their kindness felt almost overwhelming. She had only met them hours ago. And yet… Something warm settled in her chest as she watched them talk and laugh together. She found herself wondering quietly, Is this what it’s like… being part of a pack?

~~~

As the sun slowly disappeared beyond the horizon, the warm colors of evening fading into night, the pack began winding down for the day. It had been too long. Too chaotic. Between the earthquake, the damage around town, the strange flowers, and (Y/n)’s sudden arrival, everyone silently agreed that the rest of the night should be for rest. Tomorrow they would deal with whatever aftermath the earthquake had left behind. People slowly began heading toward the cabins and the main house. (Y/n) followed Willow and Sana inside, the two of them guiding her through one of the smaller cabins. “You can borrow whatever you want,” Willow said as she opened a drawer. “We’ll find you something comfortable.” “And something for tomorrow too,” Sana added, pulling a shirt from a shelf. “No one expects you to go home tonight.” (Y/n) nodded quietly, still feeling a little overwhelmed, but grateful.

Meanwhile, outside the main house, Rocky, Sora, and Aya stood together on the wooden porch. The evening air had grown cooler, but the firepit still glowed faintly in the distance. For a moment, they watched the others scatter toward their cabins. Then Sora spoke. “I’m not the only one thinking that (Y/n) could be Taki’s mate… right?” Rocky let out a soft giggle. “No,” she said. “I thought that too.” She leaned lightly against the porch railing. “It’s possible neither of them understands it yet, though,” she added. “Both of them have… complicated relationships with their wolves.” Aya nodded thoughtfully. “And the way Niki described what happened in the classroom,” she said, “that definitely sounded like how some of the boys reacted when they first met their mates.” Rocky hummed in agreement. Before they could continue the conversation, the door behind them opened. Kei stepped out onto the porch. He looked between the three of them with a teasing smile. “Are you girls out here gossiping?” Aya turned toward him, raising an eyebrow. “And what if we were?” Kei chuckled as he walked over. He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, pulling her close and kissing her temple lightly. “Then I’d say that’s dangerous,” he joked. Aya snorted softly.

Kei glanced toward Rocky and Sora again. “Actually,” he said, “could I steal the two of you for a moment?” Rocky tilted her head. “For what?” “I need to discuss something with you,” Kei replied. Aya shrugged casually, slipping out from under his arm. “Sure,” she said. “I’ll go find someone else to gossip with.” She gave them a playful smile before heading down the porch steps, leaving Kei alone with Rocky and Sora. Sora and Rocky both looked at Kei expectantly, waiting for him to explain what he wanted to talk about. But Kei didn’t speak immediately. Instead, he looked… nervous. Unusually nervous. He rubbed the back of his neck, glancing briefly toward the yard as if making sure no one else was nearby. Then he cleared his throat and leaned a little closer to them.

“I… wanted to ask for your help with something,” he said quietly. Sora tilted her head. “With what?” Before Kei could answer, Rocky suddenly straightened. Her eyes widened slightly in realization. “You want to propose to Aya, right?” Kei froze. He stared at Rocky like she had just shattered the moon above them. For a moment, he didn’t say anything. Then, slowly, he nodded. He looked absolutely terrified. Sora and Rocky immediately squealed. “That’s so sweet!” “Oh my god!” “Shhh!” Kei hissed quickly, waving his hands at them. “You’re going to let the whole village hear you.” They both clapped their hands over their mouths, trying to contain their excitement. Kei let out a breath and leaned against the porch railing. “I’ve been thinking about it for a while,” he admitted. “But after today… after the earthquake…” He looked down for a moment. “Being away from her while that was happening made me realize something.” He looked back at them. “I can’t wait anymore. I need to do it now.”

Rocky’s expression softened immediately. Without another word, she flicked her wrist. A small notebook and pen appeared in her hands in a brief shimmer of magic. She flipped it open like she was preparing for an official meeting. “Alright,” she said seriously. “What do you need help with?” Kei chuckled nervously. “Well… step one is figuring out Aya’s ring size,” he said. “I can’t exactly ask her directly, so I need to know before I get the ring.” Rocky nodded immediately, already scribbling something down. “Done,” she said. “Give me two days. Three tops.” Kei blinked. “Seriously?” Rocky grinned. “Please. You’re talking to a witch, and I’m a designer, the girls are used to me going to take random measurements all the time.” Sora nodded in agreement. Kei smiled in relief. “I knew you two were the right people to ask.” Then his expression turned serious again. “But no one else can know,” he added quickly. “Not yet. Not even Nico or EJ.” Sora and Rocky exchanged a look. Then both of them nodded. “Don’t worry,” Sora said. “We’ve got it covered,” Rocky added. “Your secret is safe with us.”

Meanwhile, inside the main house, Nicholas was sitting on the couch with Niki. The room was dimly lit, most of the others having already gone off to their cabins for the night. Nicholas leaned forward slightly, resting his elbows on his knees. “I wanted to thank you,” he said. Niki looked at him. “For what?” he asked. “For what you did for Taki today,” Nicholas replied. “In the classroom. Protecting him, helping him get out of there… all of it.” Niki gave a small smile. “I just did what anyone would have done.” Nicholas shook his head slightly. “Not everyone would have handled it the way you did.” He hesitated for a moment before continuing.

“And I also wanted to apologize,” he added. “For how I treated you when you first arrived.” Niki raised an eyebrow slightly. “I shouldn’t have been so hostile,” Nicholas admitted. “I judged you before I even knew you. That wasn’t fair.” Niki waved a hand lightly. “It’s alright,” he said. “You were protecting your family.” Nicholas smiled at that. “Well,” he said, standing up from the couch, “I’m glad you’re here with us.” Niki returned the smile. “Thank you.” Nicholas stretched slightly before heading toward the stairs. “I’ll see you tomorrow,” he said. “Sleep well.” “You too,” Niki replied, giving him a small wave. Before long, the entire village had grown quiet. The lights in the cabins and the main house slowly went out one by one, and eventually everyone settled into sleep after the long, exhausting day.

~~~

The next morning came quietly. Soft sunlight filtered through the trees surrounding the village, the air still cool from the night before. Luna was one of the first to wake up. Beside her, Maki was still sleeping heavily, sprawled across the bed without the slightest sign that he would be waking up anytime soon. Luna sighed softly, amused. “Figures,” she muttered. Carefully slipping out of bed so she wouldn’t wake him, she stepped outside, deciding to get some fresh air before the rest of the village started moving. The morning was calm. When she walked toward the fire pit, she noticed someone already sitting there. (Y/n). She was sitting on one of the logs surrounding the pit, her hands folded in her lap as she stared toward the rising sun. Luna approached slowly. “Hey,” she said gently. “Mind if I join you?” (Y/n) looked over at her. “Sure,” she said quietly. Luna sat down beside her. For a while, neither of them spoke. They simply sat there in the quiet morning, watching the sunlight slowly spread across the sky.

After a few minutes of silence, Luna glanced at (Y/n). “How are you doing?” she asked gently. (Y/n) shrugged slightly, her eyes still on the ground. “I don’t really know,” she admitted. “I’m still… in shock, I guess.” Luna let out a small chuckle. “Yeah,” she said. “I can understand that.” (Y/n) looked over at her. “You can?” Luna nodded. “I haven’t been in this world very long either,” she explained. “Only two or three months.” (Y/n)’s eyes widened slightly. “Really?” “Really,” Luna confirmed. “And when I found out Maki was a werewolf… I didn’t exactly take it well.” (Y/n) tilted her head. “What happened?” Luna sighed softly and looked down at the dirt beneath her feet. She nudged it with the tip of her shoe.

“Well,” she said slowly, “I called him a monster… and threw a glass at him before running away.” (Y/n) blinked in surprise. “What changed your mind?” Luna thought for a moment before answering. “Honestly?” she said. “I don’t think I ever truly believed he was a monster.” She looked up toward the trees surrounding the village. “I’d known Maki for a while before that. And he’d always been… sweet. Kind.” She paused. “It was my own fear that made me push him away.” (Y/n) listened quietly. “My fear of being rejected,” Luna continued. “Of being different. Of everything changing.” She gave a small smile. “He was never the monster,” she said. “My fear was.”

For a moment they sat quietly again. “But being here,” Luna added, gesturing lightly toward the cabins around them, “with the pack… it’s changed how I see the world.” (Y/n) glanced around the village. “I’ve learned a lot about myself,” Luna continued. “And I’ve learned to love myself more too.” She looked back at (Y/n). “There’s no one more welcoming or loving than this pack.” (Y/n) slowly looked down at her hands resting in her lap. “I still can’t believe it,” she murmured. “That I’ve lived for more than twenty years without knowing I was a werewolf.” She shook her head slightly. “It’s a lot to take in,” she said quietly. “Finding out you’re… a supernatural creature.”

“I can only imagine,” Luna replied softly. They fell into silence again for a little while, the quiet morning filled only with birdsong and the rustling of leaves in the trees. After a moment, (Y/n) spoke again. “What’s it like?” she asked. Luna glanced at her. “Being mated to someone?” Luna smiled a little. “Well,” she said, thinking about how to explain it, “as a human, it’s not that different from just being very, very in love.” (Y/n) listened carefully. “It’s different for the wolves,” Luna continued, “and for the vampires too. They’re the ones actually affected by the mating bond.” She nudged (Y/n) lightly with her shoulder. “If you’re curious, you could always ask the guys. Or maybe Sora,” she suggested. “They feel the bond much more strongly than any of us humans do.”

(Y/n) hummed quietly, her gaze drifting upward. A few birds were flying across the pale morning sky, their wings catching the sunlight. “I’ve always felt a little… different,” she said slowly. Luna didn’t interrupt. “Even before yesterday,” (Y/n) continued. “Compared to most people my age.” She looked down at her hands again. “I never really worked out or trained, but I was always stronger than most of my classmates.” She gave a small, uncertain laugh. “And during PE… when we had to run, I was always faster. I had more stamina than most of the guys too.” She paused. “I never understood why.” Her fingers curled slightly. “But now I do.” She exhaled slowly. “It was my genes,” she said. “My werewolf ones.” Luna’s expression softened. She gently wrapped an arm around (Y/n)’s shoulders and pulled her into a side hug. “It’s okay to be confused,” Luna said quietly. (Y/n) leaned into the warmth of the hug. “And it’s okay if you’re not fine with all of this yet,” Luna continued. “Finding out something like this changes a lot.” She squeezed her shoulder reassuringly. “It’s okay to want to cry,” she added. “Or scream.” Her voice softened even more. “It’s better to feel those things than to shut yourself down.”

“Thank you,” (Y/n) said quietly. Not long after, the door to the main house opened and Fuma and Tara stepped outside. When they noticed the two girls sitting by the fire pit, they walked over. Tara smiled. “It’s unusual seeing you up this early,” she said to Luna. Luna chuckled. “Yeah, I know. I just felt like it today.” Tara smiled warmly at that. Fuma looked toward (Y/n). “Good morning,” he said. “How are you doing?” (Y/n) gave the same small shrug she had earlier. “Still… kind of in shock.” Fuma nodded in understanding. “That’s fair,” he said. “It can be hard to wrap your head around all of this.” He gestured lightly toward the village. “But we’re here to help you, if you need it.” (Y/n) nodded, grateful. Then Fuma reached for Tara’s hand, their fingers lacing together naturally. The two of them began walking toward the forest path.

Luna watched them go for a moment. “EJ is the alpha of the pack,” she explained to (Y/n), “but Fuma is technically also an alpha.” (Y/n) tilted her head slightly. “He does a lot of the patrolling around the territory,” Luna continued. “Something he does every morning.” She smiled a little. “And ever since he found Tara, she goes with him.” (Y/n) watched the couple disappear between the trees. “That’s sweet,” she said softly.

A few moments later, another cabin door opened. Sana and Jo stepped outside, and not long after them Harua and Willow followed. The four of them spotted Luna and (Y/n) by the fire pit and walked over. Sana crouched slightly beside (Y/n). “How did you sleep?” she asked gently. (Y/n) hesitated before answering. “Not super well,” she admitted. “But… it was fine.” Sana nodded understandingly. Harua looked around the village briefly before speaking. “Have either of you seen Taki?” he asked. Luna shook her head. “No.” (Y/n) did the same. “I haven’t either.” Harua frowned slightly. “He spent the night in our cabin,” he said, “but he was gone when we woke up.” Luna blinked. “Already?” Harua nodded. “It’s weird,” he continued. “Taki never gets up first if he doesn’t have to.” He glanced toward the forest, confused. “And he definitely didn’t have to today.”

Luna nodded toward the forest. “Fuma and Tara just left for patrol,” she said. “If Taki’s out somewhere, they’ll probably find him.” Harua nodded slowly, but the tension in his shoulders didn’t disappear. “I know,” he said. “I’m just… a bit worried. I have a bad feeling.” Willow immediately wrapped her arms around him from the side, resting her head lightly against his shoulder. “It’ll be fine,” she said softly. “You’re overthinking.” Harua let out a small breath, leaning into her for a moment. Then (Y/n) spoke up quietly. “Do all of you have some sort of… sixth sense about things like that?” Harua tilted his head slightly. “Well,” he said, “both yes and no.”

He gestured vaguely toward the forest. “Rocky and Sunoo definitely do, since they’re mages. But the pack doesn’t have it in the same way.” (Y/n) listened carefully. “When you’re a wolf in a pack,” Harua continued, “you share a special bond with everyone else in it.” He tapped his chest lightly. “Through that bond, we can tell if someone dies. Or if they’re alive. We can’t really tell if someone is hurt unless it’s life-threatening.” Willow nodded along. “And sometimes,” Harua added, “the bond can make us feel when someone’s in trouble. But it’s not very clear. More like… a bad feeling.” (Y/n) slowly nodded.

“I’m not sure,” she said quietly, looking down at her hands. “But I think I might be feeling something like that too.” Everyone looked at her. “I woke up like I’d had a nightmare,” she explained. “My head was hurting. That’s why I came outside.” She glanced toward the trees. “But it felt like… I was supposed to meet someone.” Luna frowned slightly. “But I didn’t,” (Y/n) continued. “Not until you came out.” She hesitated. “And I still have that feeling. Like I’m supposed to find someone.” For a brief moment, silence fell over the group. Jo slowly lifted his gaze and met Harua’s eyes. Neither of them said anything. But the look they shared was enough. They needed to talk. Somewhere (Y/n) couldn’t hear them.

Just then, the door to one of the cabins creaked open again. Maki stumbled out. He looked far less like a werewolf and far more like a zombie, his hair messy and his eyes barely open as he shuffled forward. Without even looking around, he walked straight toward Luna. When he reached her, he wrapped his arms around her shoulders from behind where she sat by the fire pit, burying his face against her neck. “Come back to bed,” he mumbled sleepily. “It’s too early.” Luna giggled. “It’s like ten.” “Mmm,” Maki murmured, tightening his arms around her slightly. “Too early.” (Y/n) watched the interaction quietly. Her gaze drifted from the two of them to the others nearby, Harua standing with Willow still holding onto him, and Jo beside Sana. There was something about the way they all moved around each other so naturally. The casual touches, the quiet comfort. (Y/n) felt something stir in her chest. It was a strange feeling. Maybe envy. Or maybe something closer to longing.

Before she could think about it too deeply, more doors around the village began opening as the rest of the pack slowly woke up. EJ and Sora stepped outside together, talking quietly. Kei followed shortly after with Aya at his side. Yuma and Miyu came out next, Miyu still tying her hair back while Yuma yawned beside her. Nicholas and Rocky joined them soon after, Rocky carrying a mug of something warm in her hands. Then came Jay, Jungwon, Niki, and Sunoo. Within minutes, the yard was filled with the entire pack. Well, almost the entire pack. Fuma, Tara, and Taki were the only ones missing. Fuma and Tara were easy to explain since they had already left for patrol. But Taki… Taki was still a mystery.

Nicholas crossed his arms slightly, looking around the area. “It’s strange,” he said. “Taki never wakes up this early.” Kei nodded in agreement. “Especially if he doesn’t have to.” Jay glanced toward the forest. “If you want,” he offered, “Jungwon and I could run around the territory and check. With vampire speed we’d be back in a few minutes.” Jungwon nodded in agreement. But EJ shook his head. “No,” he said calmly. Everyone looked at him. “Taki probably just has a lot on his mind after yesterday,” EJ continued. “He might not have slept well.” He glanced toward the forest line. “He’s probably just out on a mental health walk.”

(Y/n) listened quietly as the others talked, but something in her chest felt tight. EJ’s explanation didn’t sit right with her. He’s probably just out on a mental health walk. For some reason, deep inside, she felt that wasn’t true. Taki wasn’t just walking around. Something about the feeling from earlier, the strange pull in her chest, the sense that she was supposed to meet someone, was still there. But she stayed silent. Why would she know better than people who had known Taki his entire life?

A moment later, Jo cleared his throat. “Hey,” he said quietly to the other wolves. “Can we talk for a second?” Harua nodded beside him. “Just the wolves.” The request made EJ, Nicholas, Maki, Kei, and Yuma glance at each other before nodding. Without questioning it, they followed Jo and Harua a short distance away from the others. The girls stayed behind near the fire pit, talking quietly among themselves. Once they were far enough away, Jo spoke first. “It’s about (Y/n),” he said. EJ frowned slightly. “What about her?” Harua rubbed the back of his neck. “She told us something earlier,” he explained. “She woke up because she had a bad feeling.” Nicholas raised an eyebrow. “A bad feeling?” Jo nodded. “She said it felt like she was supposed to meet someone. Like she was supposed to find someone.”

The group went quiet. “But she doesn’t understand it,” Harua added. “Her wolf is still half asleep. It probably can’t communicate with her properly yet.” Kei crossed his arms, thinking. “So what are you suggesting?” Jo exchanged a look with Harua. “We think,” Jo said slowly, “that (Y/n) and Taki might be mates.” Nicholas’ eyes widened slightly. “That would explain some things.” The others looked at him. “Rocky told me yesterday,” Nicholas continued. “She suspected the same thing.”

EJ exhaled slowly. “If that’s true…” he murmured. The group waited for him to continue. “If they are mates,” EJ said, “it could explain why both of their wolves have been struggling.” Kei tilted his head slightly. “You think they’re connected?” EJ nodded. “They might be triggering each other,” he said. “Taki’s wolf has been awake for years, but he’s struggled with shifting. And (Y/n)’s wolf stayed dormant for over twenty years.” Yuma frowned thoughtfully. “If they’re mates,” he said, “maybe their wolves were waiting for each other.” For a moment, that idea hung in the air. Then Maki spoke. “But that doesn’t make sense.” Everyone looked at him. “If they were mates,” he said, “Taki should have known by now.” The others slowly nodded. “That’s true,” Nicholas said. “His wolf is awake. It’s been awake for years.” “And mates recognize each other,” Kei added. Silence fell again. Finally EJ sighed. “Then they probably aren’t mates.” Even as he said it, though, the uneasy feeling among them didn’t fully disappear.

While the boys were still talking a short distance away, Rocky glanced toward Sora. She gave her a small, subtle signal. Now. Sora caught it immediately and gave the slightest nod in return. Rocky clapped her hands lightly to get the girls’ attention. “Hey,” she said casually. “I actually need your help with something.” The girls looked over at her. “What kind of help?” Willow asked. Rocky smiled as she held up her hands. “I’m thinking about designing some jewelry for a possible new line,” she explained. “But I need some models first.” Sana tilted her head. “Models?” “Yeah,” Rocky continued smoothly. “Mostly rings and smaller pieces. But for that I’d need your ring sizes and stuff like that so I can make things that actually fit.” The girls exchanged glances. “That sounds fun,” Luna said immediately.

“Yeah, I’m in,” Willow added. Sana nodded too. “Sure.” Miyu shrugged with a smile. “Why not?” Rocky smiled brightly. Everyone agreed quickly. Everyone except (Y/n). She had stayed quiet through the whole conversation, assuming the idea was meant for the others. After all, they all clearly knew each other much better than they knew her. She didn’t think she was included. But then Rocky turned toward her specifically. “What about you, (Y/n)? Want to join too?” (Y/n) blinked in surprise. For a moment she hesitated. Part of her wanted to say no, mostly because she still felt out of place among them. But when all the girls looked at her expectantly, she didn’t quite have it in her to refuse. So she just nodded. “Okay.”

Rocky beamed. “Great!” Without wasting time, she gently grabbed Aya’s hand. “I’ll start with you,” she said. Sora watched the interaction with a small satisfied smile. Perfect, she thought. It worked. Beside her, Miyu noticed the expression immediately. She nudged Sora’s shoulder lightly. “Why are you smiling like that?” Sora quickly tried to hide it. “Oh, nothing,” she said casually. “I’m just happy.” Miyu narrowed her eyes slightly. “You’re lying.” Sora sighed quietly. Miyu crossed her arms. “So?” Sora glanced briefly toward Rocky and Aya before looking back at her. “You’ll find out soon enough,” she said. “But for now,” she added quickly, “I can’t say anything.” Miyu studied her for another moment before nodding slowly. “Well,” she said. “It better be good.” Sora grinned. “Oh,” she replied. “It is.”

While Rocky began taking Aya’s measurements, the others were still gathered outside. The boys eventually walked back over from where they had been talking, rejoining the group near the fire pit. Sana glanced toward (Y/n). “Do you want to go home?” she asked gently. “We could come with you. Help you check the damage and everything.” (Y/n) shook her head almost immediately. “No,” she said quietly. For a moment she didn’t explain further, but when Sana looked at her with quiet concern, she sighed softly. “I have two roommates,” she said. “They’re in the same class as me.” The girls listened carefully. “They saw me yesterday,” (Y/n) continued. “My eyes… the claws…” Her voice dropped a little. “I doubt they’ll let me back there.” Sana didn’t say anything. Instead, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around (Y/n). Luna joined the hug a second later. Neither of them spoke. They just held her.

(Y/n)’s shoulders trembled slightly as a single tear slipped down her cheek. After a moment, Luna spoke softly. “It’s okay to cry,” she said. “If the boys are bothering you, we can send them away.” (Y/n) quickly shook her head. “No,” she said. “It’s not that.” She took a shaky breath. “The boys aren’t the problem.” Her eyes dropped to the ground. “I just… feel so lost.” Maki, who had finally woken up enough to properly follow the conversation, stepped forward. He stopped in front of her and slowly crouched down on his heels so he was closer to her height. “You might be lost,” he said gently. (Y/n) looked up at him through her tears. “But you found a pack.” His voice was calm but certain. “And we won’t abandon you. No matter what.” The others watched quietly as he continued. “We’ll stick by your side,” he said. “If you’ll allow us to.” He gave her a small smile. “We’ll teach you everything about our world.” He shrugged slightly. “Even if it takes thirty years.” A few of the others chuckled softly at that. “But we won’t give up on you,” Maki finished.

That was when the tears (Y/n) had been holding back since yesterday finally broke free. She leaned fully into Sana and Luna’s embrace, crying quietly as the weight of everything she had been carrying poured out. Maki gently leaned forward and wrapped his arms around the group as well. A moment later, Jo stepped in and joined the hug too. No one tried to stop her tears. They simply held her there, letting her cry, letting her release the fear and confusion she had been carrying. And slowly, through the warmth of their arms around her, (Y/n) began to understand something important. She didn’t have to pretend to be strong anymore. Not here. Not with a pack to fall back on. With them, it was okay to be weak.

The moment felt calm. Too calm. Then suddenly, a loud howl tore through the forest. Everyone froze. Heads snapped toward the trees. “Was that Fuma?” Miyu asked, startled. Yuma shook his head immediately. “No,” he said. “Too soft.” His expression grew serious. “That wasn’t an alpha’s howl.” While the others tried to identify the sound, (Y/n) stood completely still. Because she hadn’t heard a howl. She was sure of it. Instead, she had heard something else. Someone shouting her name. Her heart began to beat faster. A second howl echoed through the forest. And again, she heard it. Her name. Calling out to her. Her breath caught in her throat. Who is that? Why are they calling me? She looked around at the others, but no one else reacted the way she had. So she stayed silent. Maybe she was imagining it. Maybe she was going crazy.

Before anyone could say anything else, movement burst from the forest. Tara came running out from between the trees. Everyone jumped to their feet. She was breathing heavily, almost gasping for air. And there was a deep cut across her arm. Jay’s eyes widened immediately. “Oh no.” His gaze snapped toward Niki and Sora. Blood. As the youngest vampires, he wasn’t sure how well they could handle it. EJ reacted instantly, pulling Sora close and holding onto her tightly so she wouldn’t focus on the scent. Jay turned to Jungwon. “Hold Niki.” Jungwon nodded and grabbed Niki’s arm firmly. Meanwhile, Sunoo rushed over to Tara. “What happened?” he asked urgently. Tara was panting so hard she could barely speak. “Fuma,” she gasped. She struggled to breathe. “Wolf, needs help,” The sentence barely made sense. But Kei and Nicholas had already heard enough. Both of them were moving before she even finished. They took off toward the forest at full speed. “Maki! Yuma!” Kei called over his shoulder. The two wolves immediately ran after them.

Jo and Harua stepped forward, but Nicholas’ voice carried back through the trees. “You two stay!” If whatever had hurt Tara came closer, someone needed to protect the others. So they stayed. Jay moved to Tara and carefully took her injured arm. “Hold still.” A soft glow spread from his hands as he began healing the wound, removing the scent of blood before it could become a problem for the vampires. Everyone slowly gathered closer around the fire pit. Tension filled the air. But (Y/n) hadn’t moved at all. She was still standing exactly where she had been. Frozen. And the longer the silence stretched, the more something strange began to happen. A dull pain appeared in her side. Then her arm started to ache. A sharp sting ran through one of her legs. She frowned slightly, confused. The pain slowly spread through her body in small bursts. As if something somewhere else was hurting. But she had no idea why.

Just a minute earlier, deeper in the forest, Fuma and Tara were finishing the last stretch of their morning patrol. The forest had been unusually quiet since the earthquake. Too quiet. Fuma slowed slightly, his senses on high alert. Then a bush nearby rustled. Instantly, Fuma stepped in front of Tara. He inhaled sharply, sniffing the air. Wolf. But the scent was unfamiliar. Before he could figure out who it belonged to, a massive wolf burst out of the bushes with a vicious snarl. It lunged straight at them. Fuma barely managed to dodge the swipe aimed at him, but Tara wasn’t as lucky. A claw caught her arm as the wolf flew past, tearing a deep cut into her skin. Tara cried out in pain. Fuma’s head snapped toward her. “Tara!”

The wolf spun around, snarling again. Tara clutched her arm, already backing away. She knew what that look on Fuma’s face meant. He needed to fight. Which meant she needed to run. “Go!” Fuma shouted. And she did. Tara turned and sprinted toward the village as fast as she could. Behind her, she heard the sound she knew well. Bones shifting. Muscles expanding. Fuma’s wolf burst free as he transformed, meeting the attacking wolf head-on. The two wolves crashed together violently. Growls and snarls echoed through the forest as they fought. Fuma was bigger. Stronger. He should have been able to overpower the other wolf quickly. But something was wrong. The other wolf fought like it had lost its mind. Feral. Wild. It didn’t fight like a trained wolf from a pack. It fought like an animal that had completely lost control. That chaos made it difficult for Fuma to predict its movements. Claws scraped against fur. Teeth snapped dangerously close to flesh.

Then suddenly, movement between the trees. Kei arrived first, Nicholas right beside him, with Yuma and Maki close behind. They took in the scene in an instant. Fuma battling the wild wolf. Without hesitation, Kei and Nicholas shifted. Their transformations were fast and practiced, and seconds later two more wolves joined the fight. With three wolves against one, the balance finally tipped. They surrounded the feral wolf. Nicholas lunged first, biting down on its side. Kei attacked one of its front legs. Fuma clamped his jaws around the back leg. The wolf thrashed violently, snarling and snapping as it tried to fight them off. But the coordinated attack was too much. With Yuma and Maki ready to jump in if needed, the three wolves pressed their advantage. Another bite. Another hit. Finally the feral wolf staggered. Its legs gave out. It collapsed heavily onto the forest floor, chest heaving as its stamina finally gave out. For the moment, it was subdued.

Without warning, (Y/n) collapsed. She dropped to her knees, clutching her side as a scream tore from her throat. It was raw. Agonizing. Everyone froze in shock. “(Y/n)!” Sana cried, rushing toward her. Jay was already moving, dropping beside her as she writhed in pain. “Hey, hey, I’ve got you,” he said quickly, placing his hands near her side, trying to assess the injury. But then, he frowned. Confused. There was nothing there. No wound. No blood. No swelling. Nothing. Yet she screamed like she was being torn apart. “I don’t,” Jay started, clearly thrown off. “There’s no injury,” Another scream cut him off.

Rocky and Aya came running out from the house, startled by the noise. “What’s happening?” Aya asked urgently. EJ looked just as confused. “We don’t know,” he said. “She just fell and started screaming.” Rocky didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward and grabbed (Y/n)’s arm, her expression turning focused as she began casting a spell. Her eyes flashed white. For a brief moment, she saw it. Taki. On the ground. Screaming in pain. The vision snapped away just as quickly as it came. Rocky gasped and pulled back sharply, clutching her own hand in pain as the magic recoiled. Jay immediately reached for her, using his healing to ease the strain. “What did you see?” EJ asked. Rocky looked up at him, her expression shaken.

“I’m not completely sure,” she admitted. “But I think… (Y/n) and Taki are connected.” She swallowed. “I’m almost certain they’re mates.” A murmur spread through the group. “But not like the others,” Rocky added quickly. “This is… stronger.” EJ frowned. “What do you mean?” Rocky hesitated for only a second. “It’s possible they’re what’s called twin flames.” The words made the air feel heavier. “Their souls aren’t just bonded,” she explained quietly. “They’re one and the same.” Everyone went silent. Rocky glanced back at (Y/n), who was still trembling in pain. “So if (Y/n) isn’t actually injured…” she continued. Her voice dropped. “Then it means Taki is.” “And she’s feeling all of it too.”

A beat of silence. Then Tara’s voice broke through, shaky but urgent. “The wolf,” she said, looking toward the forest. “The one that attacked us.” EJ’s head snapped up. And suddenly, it all clicked. Taki. His wolf. He had never fully shifted before. He had no control. And his scent, would be completely unfamiliar. EJ’s eyes widened in horror. “They don’t know,” he said. “They wouldn’t recognize him.” His voice dropped. “They think he’s a rogue.” A heavy, sickening realization settled over everyone.

Out in the forest, Kei, Nicholas, Fuma, Yuma, and Maki, they weren’t fighting an enemy. They were attacking their own brother. Jungwon didn’t hesitate. The moment everything clicked, he took off. He didn’t wait for permission, didn’t say a word, he just ran. As a vampire, his speed far surpassed the wolves, and within moments, he reached them. The scene made his stomach drop. Taki, still in his wolf form, lay motionless on the ground. But even without being a wolf, Jungwon could tell, he was in pain. A lot of it. Yuma and Maki looked up as Jungwon approached, confusion written all over their faces.

“What are you doing here?” Yuma asked. The older wolves, Kei, Nicholas, and Fuma, remained in their wolf forms, watching him closely. Jungwon didn’t waste time. He pointed straight at the unfamiliar wolf. “That’s Taki.” Silence. Even in their wolf forms, he could tell they thought he’d lost his mind. But Jungwon didn’t explain. Didn’t argue. “We need to move,” he said urgently. “Now.” He stepped closer. “Bring him to Jay.” A beat. “(Y/n) is feeling all of his pain.” That made Maki and Yuma freeze. “What?” Maki asked. “How is that even,” “I’ll explain later,” Jungwon cut him off. “We don’t have time.” That was enough.

Nicholas, still in his wolf form, slowly approached the fallen wolf. Carefully, he sniffed him. At first, all he could smell was something unfamiliar. Wild. Wrong. But then, deep beneath it, there it was. Faint. But unmistakable. Taki. Nicholas froze. A wave of guilt hit him like a punch to the chest. Had I just… hurt him? My own brother? Jungwon noticed the hesitation and stepped closer. “We can fix this,” he said firmly. “But only if we move. Now.” That snapped Nicholas out of it. He nodded. Without wasting another second, Nicholas, Kei, and Fuma ran behind a cluster of trees, shifting back into their human forms. Moments later, they returned, dressed only in shorts, but ready.

Together, Fuma, Nicholas, Maki, and Jungwon, carefully lifted Taki’s wolf form. It took all of their strength. But they carried him. Fast. Back through the forest. Back to the pack. As soon as they broke through the trees, the others rushed forward. Jay and Sora didn’t hesitate. They dropped beside Taki immediately, hands already glowing as they began healing him. Energy flowed rapidly from them into his body. Slowly, very slowly, Taki’s body began to respond. And at the same time, across from them, (Y/n)’s screams faded. Her body relaxed slightly, though she still clutched her side, breathing heavily. The pain hadn’t disappeared completely. But it was easing. Which meant one thing. Taki was finally being healed.

After his injuries were healed, Taki’s body began to move again, slowly. Unnaturally. It shifted and twisted like it was trying to change back, like his body wanted to return to human form, but something was stopping it. Something was holding him back. He wasn’t fully conscious. Not in control. Across the clearing, Fuma rushed over to Tara, immediately checking her arm, his hands gentle despite everything. “Are you okay?” he asked. Tara nodded quickly, wrapping her arms around him. “I’m fine… just shaken.” Fuma held her tightly for a moment, grounding himself in the fact that she was still there. Still safe.

Not far from them, EJ knelt beside (Y/n), who was still on the ground. She looked lost. Completely lost. Her breathing had steadied, but her eyes… they were distant, unfocused, like she wasn’t fully present. “I don’t understand…” she whispered. “Why did it hurt? What happened? Why me… why now…” EJ tried to comfort her, his voice calm, steady, but it barely seemed to reach her. It was like she was trapped in her own thoughts. Her own fear.

A few steps away, Sunoo and Rocky sat surrounded by open books, pages flipping quickly as they searched for answers. Niki stood with them, scanning through another text, his brows furrowed in concentration. “Anything?” Sunoo asked. Rocky shook her head. “Nothing definitive.” Niki exhaled softly, eyes still on the page. “There’s no clear way to confirm it,” he said. “Not like this.” He glanced over at Taki… then at (Y/n). “Normally, the wolf would know.” Rocky nodded. “But her wolf just woke up yesterday,” she added. “And Taki… isn’t even conscious.” “So we’re stuck guessing,” Sunoo muttered.

Willow, who had been standing nearby, hugged her arms slightly. “How rare is it?” she asked quietly. Niki flipped a page, then paused. His eyes scanned a specific paragraph before he read aloud, “A twin flame soul connection only occurs about once every millennia.” That made everyone still. He continued. “For it to happen, two souls must be born at the exact same time… and be gifted the same blessing from the moon.” “The same… ‘tear of the moon.’” Silence settled over them. Willow blinked. “So… super rare?” Niki looked up. Then nodded. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Super rare.”

Aya walked over and gently sat down beside (Y/n). EJ looked up at her and gave a small, grateful smile before stepping away, giving her space. So far, (Y/n) had seemed more at ease with the girls, it made sense to let them take the lead. Aya carefully placed her hand over (Y/n)’s. “Hey,” she said softly. “Can you hear me?” (Y/n) blinked, her distant gaze slowly focusing as she looked up at Aya. She nodded. “Yeah…” Aya gave her a reassuring smile. “Can I ask you a few questions?” Another slow nod. “Okay.” Aya hesitated for just a moment, choosing her words carefully. “When’s your birthday?” (Y/n) frowned slightly. “I… don’t know exactly,” she admitted. “I was adopted, I know that.” The others nearby quieted, listening. “My adoptive parents told me I was found in early May,” she continued. “Just a few days old.” Her fingers tightened slightly in her lap. “So my birthday is probably sometime at the beginning of May. But I don’t know the exact date.”

Aya nodded gently, encouraging her to continue. “I’ve always celebrated on May 11th,” (Y/n) added. “That’s the day they adopted me.” Aya gave a small smile. “Okay… and the year?” “That I know,” (Y/n) said. “2005.” Aya nodded again, then looked over at Rocky and Sunoo. “Does that help?” Rocky didn’t hesitate. “Yeah,” she said. “It does.” Sunoo nodded in agreement. “It points more and more toward the same conclusion.” (Y/n) looked between them, confusion clear in her eyes. “What does that mean?”

EJ stepped back in, crouching down so he was at her level again. “You know how Sora is my mate?” he asked gently. (Y/n) nodded. “And how every wolf has a mate?” Another nod. EJ took a small breath. “We think… you and Taki are mates.” (Y/n)’s eyes widened slightly. “But more than that,” he continued, “we think you might be something called twin flames.” She stared at him. Uncomprehending. EJ softened his tone. “It means your connection is stronger than a normal mating bond,” he explained. “Much stronger.” He gestured lightly toward her. “That’s why you felt his pain earlier.” (Y/n) just looked at him. Silent. Like he had just spoken in a language she didn’t understand at all.

“But how?” (Y/n) asked, her voice small, fragile against everything she had just heard. EJ exhaled softly, shaking his head. “To be honest… we don’t know,” he admitted. “We’re trying to figure it out.” He glanced over at the wolf lying still on the ground. “But right now… I have a feeling Taki needs you.” (Y/n)’s gaze followed his. The wolf was big, far bigger than she had imagined. Powerful, even while unconscious. But instead of fear, something else stirred in her chest. A pull. Strong. Unavoidable. Like she was meant to be there. “How?” she asked again, quieter this time. EJ stood, then held out his hand toward her. “Come with me.” She hesitated. Just for a second. Then she placed her hand in his and let him pull her up.

Together, they walked over. “Someone be ready with a blanket,” EJ called. “If he shifts.” “I got it,” Jo said, already holding one. EJ nodded, then sat down beside the wolf. (Y/n) followed, her movements slower, more uncertain. “Sit,” EJ said gently. She did. “Now… put your hand on him. Carefully.” (Y/n) swallowed, then reached out. Her fingers brushed against the fur. Soft. Softer than she had expected. She let her hand rest there for a moment… before slowly dragging her fingers through it. And then, a spark. It rushed through her like a quiet surge of energy. Her whole body warmed, not burning, not overwhelming, just… right. Comfortable. Like stepping into something that had always been hers.

Her breath caught. As she continued to stroke the fur, something shifted. Her vision sharpened. Her hearing followed. Every sound became clearer, the wind through the trees, distant breaths, the subtle movement of bodies around her. The ground beneath her felt different too. Alive. Connected. Like she could feel it, not just touch it. She looked up at EJ. And froze. For a moment… it was like she saw him twice. Him, as she knew him. And behind him, a shadow. No. Not a shadow. A presence. A large, proud wolf stood where he sat, mirroring him, existing with him. It wasn’t threatening. Not at all. It felt… warm. Welcoming. Like it was looking at her and saying, You belong here.

(Y/n)’s breath trembled slightly. Everything felt different. Stronger. Clearer. Like something inside her had just… woken up. EJ didn’t say anything. He simply gestured back toward Taki. (Y/n) swallowed, her focus returning to the wolf beneath her hand. Her fingers were still buried in his fur, still tracing slow, careful movements. “I… I don’t know what to do,” she admitted softly. Her voice trembled, but she didn’t pull away. “But I know you called me before. I heard you.” A few of the others exchanged glances. “You’re not alone,” she continued, her voice a little steadier now. “I’m scared too… but we can figure this out. Together.”

The air felt different. Heavier. Charged. “Just… come back, okay?” she whispered. “I have so many questions…” A subtle shift. Barely noticeable at first. But the others felt it. “He’s stirring,” someone murmured. EJ’s eyes sharpened slightly. “Keep talking,” he said gently. Nearby, Miyu’s expression softened. She knew this. This exact moment. It mirrored her own past, sitting beside Yuma, speaking into the silence, hoping he could hear her, feel her. (Y/n) kept going. “I always saw you in class,” she said, a small, shaky smile forming. “Even when you thought no one was looking.” Her thumb brushed lightly over his fur. “You’re a great actor… I noticed you, a lot.” Another shift. Stronger this time. “Maybe… maybe that was the bond,” she said. “Even before I knew.” Her voice dropped slightly. “And yesterday… when I was scared… you came for me.” Her grip tightened just a little. “You carried me to safety.”

A sudden, sharp crack split through the air. (Y/n) gasped, instinctively pulling back, “It’s okay,” EJ reassured quickly, placing a hand gently over her eyes. “He’s shifting back.” More cracks followed. Bones realigning. The wolf’s form shifting, compressing, changing, then stillness. “Jo.” “I got it.” Fabric moved quickly as Jo stepped in, covering Taki’s human form with the blanket. After a moment, EJ slowly removed his hand. (Y/n) blinked, her vision adjusting. Taki lay there. Human again. Still. Too still. Her breath hitched. A tear slipped down her cheek as she reached for him, her fingers wrapping around his hand. “I’m here,” she whispered. “Don’t worry… I’m right here.” For a second, nothing. Then, a faint squeeze. Weak, but real. (Y/n)’s breath caught. He wasn’t awake. But he felt her.

“We should probably move him inside,” Sunoo said, glancing up at the sky. “Why?” Kei asked, following his gaze. “It’s going to start raining soon.” A few of them frowned, looking up. There were only a handful of clouds, nothing that would normally signal rain. But no one questioned it. Mages knew things. In ways the others simply couldn’t. “Great,” Rocky said brightly, clapping her hands once. “Then I can continue taking measurements for my jewelry collection.” Nicholas raised a brow, looking at her. “Since when are you doing jewelry?” “Since a few days ago,” she replied casually. He chuckled. “Then you better make me something too. Not just the girls.” Rocky walked up to him, reaching up to pat his cheek. “We’ll see, wolf boy.” Nicholas playfully snapped his teeth in the air near her hand. “Careful,” he warned lightly. She only grinned. Then they both leaned in, sharing a quick, familiar kiss. Sora watched them, shaking her head with a fond smile. “Neither of you are ever going to grow up,” she said. “You’ll always be like this.”

Rocky only shrugged, completely unbothered, before turning and grabbing Miyu’s hand. “You’re next.” Miyu laughed as she was pulled along. “Yes, ma’am.” The two disappeared inside, still chatting. Meanwhile, Fuma stepped forward, carefully lifting Taki into his arms, making sure the blanket stayed securely around him. “Let’s go,” he said quietly. EJ stayed close to (Y/n), gently helping her back to her feet. “Easy,” he murmured. She still looked overwhelmed, a little unsteady, but she nodded. “I’m okay…” EJ gave her a reassuring look before guiding her along. “To the infirmary,” he said. “He’ll be more comfortable there.” (Y/n) didn’t argue. She stayed close to him as they followed the others inside.

Behind them, the wind began to pick up slightly, and not long after, the first faint drops of rain started to fall. Inside the infirmary, everything felt quieter. Softer. EJ pulled out a chair for (Y/n), placing it gently beside the bed as Fuma carefully laid Taki down, making sure the blanket stayed in place. As soon as he was settled, (Y/n) reached for his hand again, her fingers wrapping around his without hesitation. EJ glanced at her, his expression gentle. “Do you want anything? Water, tea, food, snacks… anything?” She shook her head lightly. “No… I’m okay.” He nodded, not pushing. “Do you want someone to stay with you? Or… do you want to be alone with him?”

(Y/n) hesitated, thinking it over for a moment. “I think… I’d like it if someone was there.” “Of course,” EJ said softly. “How about Luna or Sana?” (Y/n) nodded. “That’s fine.” With that, EJ and Fuma stepped out, closing the door behind them. Outside, the rain had already begun to fall, harder. Luna and Maki were still sitting on the porch, watching it. They both looked up as EJ and Fuma approached, pausing when they heard what was asked of them. Without hesitation, they agreed, standing up and making their way to the infirmary.

Back in the infirmary, the door opened again. (Y/n) looked up, offering them a small, grateful smile as they entered. They returned it, but didn’t say anything. Not yet. Instead, Luna and Maki settled down on the floor a little distance away from the bed. Their fingers intertwined naturally, and Luna rested her head against Maki’s shoulder, the two of them sitting in comfortable silence. The room stayed quiet. Only the faint sound of rain tapping against the windows filled the space. (Y/n) found herself glancing back at them every now and then. Each time, something stirred in her chest. A small tug. A feeling she didn’t fully understand. Something warm… but aching. And when she turned back to Taki, still unconscious, still unmoving, that feeling grew stronger. Clearer. Like whatever connected them was pulling tighter, gently but insistently, reminding her, she wasn’t just sitting beside him. She belonged here.

Meanwhile, in the main house, the mood was much lighter, at least on the surface. Rocky moved from person to person with surprising efficiency, notebook in hand, jotting down measurements as she went. Rings, bracelets, even the occasional wrist measurement, she made it all seem casual, like it truly was just for a new jewelry line. And while Aya’s measurements had been the most important, Rocky didn’t stop there. If anything, she leaned into it more. Laughing, teasing, making small comments as she worked, anything to keep suspicion far, far away. And really, it wasn’t a bad idea to have everyone’s sizes. Kei might not be the only one thinking about that kind of future. Not in a pack like this.

A little further away, on the back terrace, Sora sat beside Kei, her legs tucked under her as she leaned slightly toward him. “So,” she said, lowering her voice just a bit, “details.” Kei glanced at her, already looking mildly stressed. “I told you,” “You told me the idea,” Sora cut in, smiling. “Now I want the vision.” He sighed, running a hand through his hair. “…I was thinking the pond.” Sora’s eyes softened immediately. “That’s actually really cute.” “It’s the most romantic place we have,” he muttered, a bit defensive. She nudged him lightly. “I’m agreeing with you, idiot.” He huffed quietly, then continued. “I thought… maybe flowers. And candles. Like, forming a heart shape.” Sora’s smile widened. “And?” “I’d stand in the middle,” he said, a little more hesitant now. “And when she walks over… I’d just, ask.”

There was a brief pause. Then Sora hummed thoughtfully. “Okay, yes, it’s a little cliché,” she admitted. Kei groaned. “But,” she added quickly, “it’s also very Aya-coded. She’s going to love it.” That seemed to ease him, just slightly. “…You think so?” “I know so.” Before she could say more, footsteps approached. Aya. Almost instantly, both Sora and Kei straightened a bit, the air between them shifting as if nothing had been said at all. Aya smiled as she reached them. “What are you two talking about?” Sora didn’t miss a beat. “(Y/n) and Taki,” she said smoothly. “We were just wondering how we can help them.” Aya’s expression softened at that. “Yeah… that’s a lot to take in.” Kei nodded along, playing his part. “Especially the twin flame thing.” Aya sat down beside him, clearly none the wiser. Sora watched her for a moment, then stood up, brushing her clothes off lightly. “I’ll leave you two,” she said casually. “I was going to find Euijoo anyway.” Aya nodded. “Okay.” And just like that, Sora slipped away, hiding a small, satisfied smile as she went. Step one was already in motion.

~~~

After a few long, quiet hours, something finally changed. Taki stirred. It was subtle at first, a small shift, a faint tightening of his fingers, but (Y/n) felt it instantly. Her grip on his hand tightened as she leaned forward, her breath catching. “Taki…?” His brows furrowed slightly before his eyes slowly opened, unfocused and heavy, like he was waking from something far deeper than sleep. For a moment, he just stared at the ceiling. Disoriented. Everything felt… wrong. Or maybe just distant. Like his body wasn’t fully his yet. “…What…” his voice came out hoarse, barely above a whisper. “What happened…?” (Y/n)’s eyes filled with relief so fast it almost overwhelmed her. “You’re awake…” Her voice trembled, and she had to bite back the urge to cry again. Taki turned his head slightly, his gaze landing on her. And then, something settled. He didn’t understand it. Didn’t understand why she was there, why she was holding his hand, but it felt right. Comforting. Like she should be there. Like she always had been. Even if he couldn’t remember.

Before he could say anything else, Maki’s voice suddenly cut through the room. “Oh, he’s awake.” And just like that, reality came crashing back. Taki’s eyes widened slightly as awareness hit him all at once, his body tensing under the blanket. “…Wait,” Maki, completely unbothered, added: “You’re naked, by the way.” Silence. Then immediate embarrassment. Taki froze, gripping the blanket instinctively. “…Why would you say it like that,” he muttered, voice strained. Maki just shrugged, already turning toward the door. “I’m gonna get the others.” And with that, he left, far too casually for the situation he had just dropped on Taki. The room fell quiet again.

Taki avoided eye contact for a second, clearly trying to process everything at once, his body, the situation, the fact that he apparently had no clothes on, but then his gaze drifted back to (Y/n). Still holding his hand. Still there. “…You stayed?” he asked quietly. Before she could answer, the door burst open again. Nicholas and Kei rushed in, both visibly soaked from the heavy rain outside, their clothes clinging slightly, hair dripping onto the floor. “Taki!” Nicholas didn’t hesitate for even a second. He crossed the room and pulled him into a tight hug. “I’m sorry,” he said immediately. “I’m so sorry, I didn’t know it was you, I,” Taki blinked, caught off guard, his body stiff at first before slowly relaxing into the embrace. “…It’s okay,” he said, voice softer now. “I don’t even remember it.” And that was true. The past few hours were nothing but fragments. Blurred. Broken. Like a dream he couldn’t quite piece together.

But still, he hugged Nicholas back. And for some reason, he felt… relieved. He didn’t fully understand why. But something in him had been tense before. Unsettled. And now, with his brother there. With (Y/n) beside him, that feeling eased. Everyone else arrived only minutes later. The infirmary, which had been quiet for hours, suddenly filled with people again. Sana stepped forward first, holding a folded set of clothes. “Here,” she said, handing them to Taki before glancing around the room at the others. “At least someone here has a functioning brain.” A few of them chuckled awkwardly. With a bit of help sitting up, and with everyone politely turning their backsm Taki managed to change, pulling the clothes on beneath the blanket before finally sitting upright on the bed. The movement made him wince slightly, his muscles stiff and sore.

Jay stepped closer immediately, going into healer mode. “How are you feeling?” he asked, carefully checking him over again. His hands hovered over Taki’s arms and shoulders, scanning for any remaining injuries, but there were none. Taki shifted a little, testing his body. “…Sore,” he admitted. “But otherwise… I think I’m okay.” He paused. “At least I think I am.” Jay nodded slowly, satisfied for the moment. Then EJ spoke. “Okay,” the alpha said, his voice steady but serious. “There’s a lot we need to talk about.” The room immediately quieted. Everyone’s attention shifted toward him. Taki looked at EJ too, confused but attentive, waiting for whatever explanation was coming. But nothing could have prepared him for the words that followed.

“We’re not entirely sure how it happened,” EJ began carefully, “but somehow, you shifted into your wolf form.” Taki’s brow furrowed. “We don’t know how long you were like that,” EJ continued. “But when we found you… you were completely feral.” The room felt heavier with every sentence. “You attacked Fuma and Tara,” EJ said. “And it took Fuma, Nicholas, and Kei to subdue you.” Taki stared at him. His brain trying, and failing, to process it. Before he could even respond, EJ added the next part. “And while that was happening… we discovered something else.” A brief pause.

“We believe you and (Y/n) are mates.” Taki blinked. “…What?” But EJ wasn’t finished. “Not just mates,” he said. “Twin flames.” That was the moment Taki’s brain completely short-circuited. He stared at EJ like the alpha had just grown a second head. “What?” he said again, this time louder. His gaze darted around the room, from EJ, to Nicholas, to the others, finally landing on (Y/n). Still sitting beside him. Still holding his hand. His mind reeled. “…Did all of this,” he said slowly, disbelief flooding his voice, “happen a few hours ago?”

A few of them let out small, almost disbelieving chuckles. “Yeah,” someone confirmed. Taki dragged a hand down his face, staring at nothing for a second before muttering under his breath, “…what the fuck?” EJ chose to ignore that. Instead, he stayed focused. “Do you know when you shifted?” he asked. “Or how it happened?” Taki exhaled slowly, trying to piece it together. “It’s… blurry,” he admitted. “I didn’t sleep well. I kept waking up, tossing around… then I finally fell asleep, but,”He paused, frowning. “I had a nightmare.” “What about?” Kei asked quietly. Taki shook his head. “I don’t remember,” he said. “I just know it felt… wrong. Like something bad was going to happen.” His fingers tightened slightly in the blanket. “I woke up after that. Went outside for some air and then…” He went quiet. “…nothing.” The room stilled. “I don’t remember anything after that.”

Fuma, who had been standing a bit behind the others, finally spoke. “I do.” Taki’s head snapped up. And just like that, the memory hit, not clearly, not fully, but enough. The attack. Tara. Fuma. Taki’s expression shifted immediately, guilt washing over him as he dropped his hand from his face. His eyes landed on Fuma, and then flicked to Tara, noticing how Fuma stood just slightly in front of her. Protective. Instinctive. It made sense. “I…” Taki swallowed. “I’m sorry.” The words came out quieter than expected. “I didn’t… I didn’t know it was you. I didn’t even know it was me.” Tara shook her head gently. “It’s okay,” she said. “You didn’t mean to.” Fuma didn’t answer right away. His jaw tightened slightly, his instinct still lingering, still protective, still wary. But then Tara nudged him. Not gently. And when he glanced at her, she gave him a look. Firm. Unyielding. Fuma exhaled. “…It’s okay,” he said finally. It wasn’t as easy for him to say it as it had been for Tara. But he meant it. Or at least, he was trying to.

EJ crossed his arms slightly, his expression thoughtful but firm. “Right now,” he said, “we need to figure out what’s going on with your wolf… and how it connects to (Y/n).” Taki nodded faintly, though his mind was still racing. His gaze drifted back to her. (Y/n) hadn’t said much during all of this. She was quiet, her eyes fixed on their intertwined hands, her fingers lightly curled around his like she was afraid to let go, but also unsure if she should be holding on at all. She looked… overwhelmed. Sad, maybe. Shy. And he got it. Because he felt it too. This was a lot. Too much, too fast. But as he looked at her, really looked, something felt… off. Not wrong. Just… not what he expected.

His brothers had always described it so clearly. A pull. A certainty. A voice in their head, their wolf practically screaming mate the second they saw her. But Taki, felt none of that. No voice. No overwhelming instinct. No sudden sense of “this is the missing piece.” Just… quiet. Confusion. And something softer. Something he couldn’t quite name. His brows furrowed slightly. “…Why do you think that?” he asked, looking back at EJ. “That we’re mates?” EJ didn’t answer immediately. Instead, he glanced at Rocky. The witch stepped forward slightly, arms loosely crossed as she spoke.

“Even yesterday,” she began, “I had a feeling.” Taki looked at her, listening. “From what you and Niki described, what happened after the earthquake, it already sounded like the beginning of a mate bond. The calling, the pull, the instinct to find someone.” She tilted her head slightly. “And then this morning… (Y/n) woke up early too. She went outside because she felt like she was supposed to meet someone.” Taki’s eyes flickered slightly. “Probably you,” Rocky added. She continued before he could respond. “When you howled,” she said, “everyone else heard a howl.” A small pause. “She didn’t.” That made Taki’s attention sharpen. “She heard her name.” Silence settled over the room again. “And when you were unconscious,” Rocky went on, softer now, “nothing worked… not until she got close to you.” Taki’s gaze slowly shifted back to (Y/n). “It was her presence,” Rocky finished, “that brought you back. That made you shift back into your human form.” Another pause. Then, “All of that,” she said, “points to a mate bond.” The weight of her words lingered in the air. Heavy. Unavoidable. And yet, Taki still wasn’t sure. Because even with all that… He still didn’t feel what he was supposed to feel.

Before anyone could continue pulling apart theories and connections, Miyu suddenly clapped her hands together lightly. “Okay, before we do anything else,” she said, cutting through the tension, “we all need to eat.” A few heads turned toward her. “It’s been a long day,” she continued. “Taki hasn’t eaten, and neither has (Y/n).” That seemed to ground the room a little. Yuma immediately pulled her into a quick hug, smiling. “You’re always thinking of us.” Miyu huffed slightly, though there was a hint of a smile on her lips. “Someone has to.” Aya nodded in agreement from nearby. “She’s right,” she added. “Without us, you’d all starve and walk around naked all the time.” A few quiet laughs followed, the tension easing just a little. But not completely.

(Y/n) slowly let go of Taki’s hand. The moment their fingers separated, something in her expression shifted, subtle, but there. Her eyes trembled slightly, like she hadn’t expected the loss of contact to feel that… strong. Like something had just been pulled away from her. Taki felt it too. A strange, uncomfortable wrongness settled in his chest as her hand slipped from his. It was quick. Easy to ignore. And as Nicholas stepped in to help him up, “Careful,” he said, steadying him. “Can you walk?” Taki’s focus shifted immediately. He nodded, testing his weight as he stood, only to wince slightly at the dull pain in his leg. “Yeah… I think so.” And just like that, the feeling was pushed aside. Forgotten for now. But not unnoticed.

Luna had seen it. Both of them. The way (Y/n) reacted. The way Taki paused, even if just for a second. She didn’t say anything. Didn’t interrupt. This wasn’t the moment. But she made a quiet mental note. She’d talk to (Y/n) later. When things were calmer. Because whatever this was, it wasn’t simple. And (Y/n) was clearly feeling it more than she was letting on.

As they made their way back toward the main house, the atmosphere had shifted. Not lighter, exactly, but steadier. Niki and Jungwon had somehow managed to fall into step with Harua and Yuma, the four of them joking about something completely unrelated, their laughter breaking through the lingering tension. It was easy, natural. Jay watched them from a short distance, a small smile on his face. Seeing them get along like that, it mattered to him. These boys, his brothers in everything but blood… and this pack, this place, it had become something just as important. Because Miyu was here. And wherever she was, that was where he’d stay.

At the back of the group, Luna gently reached for Maki’s wrist, slowing him down just enough so they fell behind the others. He glanced at her, a little curious. “What?” Luna hesitated for a second, then asked quietly, “What do you think about Taki and (Y/n)?” Maki frowned slightly. “What do you mean?” Luna glanced ahead, making sure no one was close enough to overhear. “I mean… all of this,” she said. “I saw her back there. How much it’s affecting her.” Her voice softened. “I just… wanted your input. As a wolf. Are you feeling anything? Noticing anything?” Maki went quiet, actually thinking about it. After a moment, he spoke. “Well… since earlier,” he said slowly, “I can feel more of a presence from her.” Luna looked at him. “Like her wolf?” she asked. He nodded. “Yeah. It’s faint, but it’s there. Like it’s starting to wake up.”

Luna hummed softly, processing that. “But other than that…” Maki added, shaking his head a little, “I don’t know. Nothing clear.” They walked in silence for a few steps after that. Then Luna gave a small nod. “Mm.” Maki glanced at her again before speaking, a bit more certain this time. “Hey,” he said, nudging her shoulder lightly, “it’ll work out.” She looked at him. “If they’re mates,” he continued, “then fate already decided that.” A small pause. “There’s a path for them. They’ll find it.” Luna didn’t respond right away. But she laced her fingers with his, squeezing his hand gently. And together, they followed the others back home.

In the kitchen, Miyu moved like she always did, quick, efficient, completely in her element. She reached for a few things before pausing, glancing over her shoulder. “Maki?” she called. “Where’s my co-chef?” A second later, he appeared in the doorway, a grin already on his face. “Here, ma’am,” he said, giving her a dramatic mock salute. “Ready for duty.” Miyu laughed, shaking her head. “Good. Go grab some meat and vegetables from the pantry fridge.” “Yes, chef,” he replied, turning on his heel and heading out again. Once he was gone, Miyu leaned slightly out of the kitchen. “(Y/n)?” (Y/n) stepped in, hovering a little by the doorway. “Yeah?” Miyu gave her a soft smile. “Is there anything you don’t like? Or anything you’re craving?” (Y/n) hesitated, then shrugged lightly. “I’m… not really hungry right now. But I’m fine with whatever.” Miyu studied her for a second, then nodded. “Okay. That’s all I needed.” (Y/n) gave a small nod in return before stepping back out.

The moment she left the kitchen, the noise of the house settled around her. Voices. Laughter. Quiet conversations. Everyone was… with someone. Niki and Jungwon still joking with the others. Jay was talking with Luna. Sana and Jo talking softly. Nicholas and Rocky close together. Aya not far from Kei. Fuma with Tara. Willow and Harua. Taki was sitting, listening to Niki and Jungwon joking around. Ej and Sora looking at the wall where the bookshelf had fallen, discussing the need to buy a new one, and a new tv.

Her gaze drifted slightly. Everyone had their person. And she, didn’t. The realization hit harder than she expected. For the first time in years, being alone didn’t feel peaceful. It felt… Terrifying. Her arms wrapped around herself instinctively, like she could hold herself together, like she could replace the warmth she suddenly missed. The absence felt loud. Too loud. “…Hey.” (Y/n) looked up. Luna stood a few steps away, her expression gentle. “Can we talk?” (Y/n) hesitated for only a second before nodding. “Yeah… okay.” Luna gave a small smile, then gestured for her to follow. They stepped out onto the terrace, the cool air brushing against their skin. Rain poured steadily from the sky, the sound of droplets tapping against the roof above them filling the silence. They sat down on a pair of chairs, side by side. For a moment, neither of them spoke. They just listened to the rain.

Luna kept her eyes on the rain as she spoke, her voice soft, almost blending with the steady sound of droplets against the roof. “I’ve had a hard time making friends… all my life,” she began. (Y/n) didn’t interrupt. She just listened. “I was mostly on my own,” Luna continued. “For a long time, my grandma was my best friend.” A small, almost bittersweet smile tugged at her lips. “No one really wanted to be friends with the girl who only baked cookies and cakes. I was the ‘loser’… the one people didn’t want to be seen with.” Her fingers traced lightly along the armrest of her chair. “And after a while… I got good at being alone.” A pause. “Really good.”

The rain grew a little heavier. “I told myself I didn’t need anyone,” she said. “Because if you don’t let people in… they can’t walk out.” Her voice dipped slightly. “If I ran first, no one could hurt me.” (Y/n)’s arms tightened slightly around herself. Luna glanced at her for just a second, then looked back at the rain. “That’s why I was terrified when I found out I was Maki’s mate,” she admitted. “Because suddenly… I had something to lose.” Another pause. “Someone to lose.” Her voice softened even more. “And that meant I could get hurt. Really hurt.”

Silence settled between them again, but it wasn’t empty. It was full. Honest. “I’m saying all of this,” Luna went on, turning slightly toward (Y/n) now, “because I see you.” (Y/n)’s gaze flickered. “I see how much you’re hurting,” Luna said gently. “I see how you’re trying to hide it.” A small, understanding smile. “The smile… the ‘I’m fine’… pretending like everything’s okay, because it’s easier than letting people see the truth.” (Y/n)’s eyes stung slightly. “I did the exact same thing,” Luna added quietly. She shifted a little closer, not too much, just enough. “But you don’t have to do that here,” she said. Her voice was steady. Soft, but certain. “You don’t have to pretend.” Another pause. “With us… with me…” Luna’s expression softened even more. “You’re allowed to not be okay.”

Luna let her words settle before speaking again, her voice quiet but certain. “Your wolf is speaking to you… isn’t it?” (Y/n) turned to her immediately, eyes wide with shock. “How did you know?” she asked. Luna gave a small, knowing smile, her gaze drifting back to the rain. “I wasn’t completely sure,” she admitted. “But Maki said he could feel a presence around you… your wolf.” She paused for a moment. “And… I saw your face earlier. When Taki asked why everyone thought you were mates.” Her voice softened. “There was pain there. The kind you don’t fake.” (Y/n)’s lips parted slightly, but no words came out. “So I figured,” Luna continued gently, “either you felt the bond… or you feel something for him.”

Silence stretched between them. Then (Y/n) bit her lip. Her hands trembled slightly in her lap, fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeves as if grounding herself. “…Earlier,” she began, her voice barely above a whisper, “when EJ told me to touch Taki… when he was in his wolf form…” She swallowed. “I felt something.” Luna didn’t interrupt. “I felt a spark,” (Y/n) said. “And then… warmth. It spread through my entire body.” Her brows furrowed slightly, trying to put it into words. “It wasn’t like a fever. It was… comforting. Like something was waking up inside me.” Her breathing grew a little uneven. “And then everything changed.” She looked down at her hands.

“My eyesight got sharper. My hearing too… everything felt stronger. Clearer.” A small pause. “I could see it,” she said quietly. “What Maki mentioned.” Luna tilted her head slightly. “The wolves,” (Y/n) explained. “The presence. It’s like… there’s something behind all of you.” She hesitated, searching for the right words. “Like a shadow. But not in a bad way. Just… there. Your wolves. Standing behind you.” Luna’s expression softened, listening carefully. “And then…” (Y/n)’s voice dropped even more, “I heard it.” A beat. “A voice.” She pressed her lips together. “It was low. Quiet. But clear.” Her fingers tightened. “It said… mate.”

The word hung in the air between them. Luna didn’t move. Didn’t speak. But her eyes softened even more. (Y/n)’s breath hitched slightly. “But when Taki didn’t feel it…” she continued, her voice cracking just a little, “when he didn’t react at all,” Her hand moved to her chest unconsciously. “Everything just… hurt.” Her fingers pressed lightly against her shirt. “My heart felt like it stopped,” she whispered. “Like something just… snapped or disappeared.” Her shoulders tensed. “My chest got tight, and I couldn’t breathe properly and I didn’t even understand why.” Tears gathered in her eyes, but she didn’t let them fall. “I still don’t understand any of this,” she admitted, her voice small now. “This world… what I am…” A shaky breath left her. “But at the same time…” Her gaze dropped again. “I don’t feel like I belong in my old world anymore either.” Another pause. Quieter this time. “…But I don’t feel like I belong here either.” The rain filled the silence that followed. Soft. Endless. And for the first time since she started speaking, (Y/n) didn’t try to hide how lost she truly felt.

Luna didn’t hesitate. “You do belong,” she said softly, but with certainty. (Y/n)’s gaze flickered slightly. “Trust me,” Luna continued, “every single person in this pack has felt like they didn’t belong here at some point.” She gave a small, almost nostalgic smile. “I did. Rocky did. Miyu, Sora, Tara… all of the boys. Jay, Jungwon…” A small pause. “…Taki most of all.” That made (Y/n)’s chest tighten slightly. “We’ve all struggled,” Luna said. “We’ve all been lost in our own ways. But then… we found each other.” Her voice softened. “In the pain. In the confusion. In the mist.” She glanced at (Y/n). “And somehow… we became stronger. Happier.”

The rain continued to fall steadily around them. “I know it’s not something you can feel in a second,” Luna added gently. “I’m not expecting you to suddenly believe me and feel at home.” A small shake of her head. “I just… don’t want you to end up hurting even more.” (Y/n)’s brows furrowed slightly. Luna hesitated. Then she continued. “When I first… kind of rejected Maki,” she admitted, “he got really sick.” (Y/n)’s eyes widened slightly. “Sick?” she asked quietly. Luna nodded. “For wolves… rejection isn’t just emotional,” she said. “It’s physical. It’s deadly.” The word lingered. “Rejection means death.”

(Y/n)’s breath caught. “EJ went through it too,” Luna added. That made (Y/n) look up. “…Sora rejected him?” she asked, disbelief clear in her voice. She couldn’t imagine it. Not with how they looked at each other. Luna shook her head. “No,” she said. “It was the other way around.” (Y/n) blinked. “EJ didn’t accept Sora at first,” Luna explained. “Because she’s a vampire.” A small pause. “And it went really far.” Her voice lowered slightly. “Maki told me… EJ almost died because of it.” Silence. Heavy. “I don’t want that for you,” Luna said gently, turning fully toward (Y/n) now. “If your wolf said Taki is your mate…” She reached out, placing her hand over (Y/n)’s. “Then it’s true.” A beat. “Wolves don’t get that wrong.” (Y/n)’s lip trembled. “So now…” Luna continued softly, “it’s not about if it’s real.” “It’s about helping Taki’s wolf see it too.”

That was it. That was the final push. The tears (Y/n) had been holding back finally spilled over, slipping down her cheeks as her shoulders began to shake. Everything, the fear. The confusion. The pain. The loneliness. It all came crashing down at once. She turned toward Luna without thinking, like her body just knew where to go. And Luna was already there. She pulled her into a gentle embrace, one arm wrapping securely around her shoulders, the other resting soothingly against her back. “It’s okay,” Luna whispered softly. “You’re okay.” (Y/n) held onto her, finally letting herself cry fully, not holding anything back this time. And Luna stayed. Holding her. Grounding her. Doing everything she could to make sure (Y/n) felt it, that she wasn’t alone. Not anymore.

~~~

About thirty minutes later, the quiet of the rain was suddenly broken. “FOOD IS DONE!” Maki’s voice echoed loudly from inside the house. Almost instantly, chaos followed, voices, footsteps, laughter, everyone rushing to the kitchen like it was the most important event of the day. (Y/n) had stopped crying a few minutes earlier. Now, she and Luna just sat there, side by side, listening to the rain and the distant noise from inside. “…Feel like going in?” Luna asked gently. (Y/n) hesitated, then gave a small shrug. “I’m… starting to feel hungry,” she admitted. “It smells really good.” A small pause. “But I don’t think I’m ready to face Taki yet.” Luna nodded in understanding and stood up. “That’s okay,” she said. “Wait here, I’ll get us plates and come back.”

She turned toward the door, but before she could even take a step, it opened. Maki stepped out, already holding two plates filled with food, a grin on his face. “Way ahead of you.” Luna couldn’t help but smile. Of course he had noticed. She took the plates from him. “Thanks,” (Y/n) said softly, looking up at him. “For thinking of me.” Maki shrugged lightly, like it was nothing. “Always,” he said. Then he glanced between them. “Mind if I join you? After I grab my own?” (Y/n) gave a small nod. “That’s fine.” “Cool,” he said, already turning back inside. Luna sat back down beside (Y/n), handing her the plate. “Go on,” she said softly. “Eat.” (Y/n) picked up the chopsticks, hesitating for just a second before grabbing a piece of meat. She took a careful bite. And paused. The flavor spread instantly, rich, warm, perfectly cooked. Tender in a way that made it almost melt.

Something in her chest shifted. It was comforting. Familiar. Her eyes softened slightly. It reminded her of something, a memory. A younger version of herself, sitting at a table after a long, difficult first day at a new school. Feeling out of place, alone, unsure of everything. And then going home, to find her adoptive mother in the kitchen. Cooking. Waiting. A plate of steak set in front of her, warm and comforting. Safe. Loved. (Y/n)’s grip on the chopsticks tightened just slightly. The taste, it felt like that. Like home. Like love. And for the first time since everything happened, she felt a small piece of that warmth again.

A couple of minutes later, the door opened again. Maki stepped back out, this time with his own plate in hand. He grabbed a chair and sat down across from them, smiling as he started eating. His eyes flickered toward (Y/n). He noticed it immediately, the way her expression had softened, the quiet focus as she ate, the small comfort settling into her features. It made him smile a little more. That’s it, he thought. That’s what he and Miyu always aimed for. Not just food, but comfort. Something that made people feel safe, even just for a moment.

He scratched the back of his neck slightly. “Sorry if I ruined your moment or something,” “You didn’t.” (Y/n) cut him off gently. Maki blinked. She looked at him, a little more steady now. “We had our moment,” she said. “This is just… a new one.” A small pause. “And maybe it’s a good thing you’re here.” Maki tilted his head slightly. “Oh yeah?” he said, taking another bite. “How can I help?” (Y/n) hesitated. Her fingers tightened slightly around her chopsticks as she glanced at Luna, silently asking for help.

Luna understood immediately. “She told me something,” Luna said, looking at Maki. “Her wolf is more awake than we thought.” That got his attention. “It… spoke to her,” Luna continued. “It said mate, about Taki.” Maki’s chewing slowed slightly. “But Taki doesn’t seem to feel it,” Luna added. “At all.” A small pause. “So now we need to figure out how to help him realize it.” Maki leaned back slightly in his chair, thinking. “…Huh.” He took another bite, quieter this time, more focused.

Then he nodded slowly. “Okay… I can think of two possibilities.” Both girls looked at him. “First,” he said, pointing slightly with his chopsticks, “it could be a disconnect between (Y/n) and her wolf.” (Y/n)’s attention sharpened. “It’s been dormant for, what, over twenty years?” he continued. “That’s a long time. So even if it’s waking up now, it might still be… hidden, in a way.” He shrugged lightly. “Hard for others to sense. Hard for bonds to fully form.” Luna nodded slightly, following his reasoning. “Second,” Maki went on, “the issue could be on Taki’s side.” That made (Y/n)’s chest tighten a little. “You all saw what happened earlier,” he said. “That wasn’t normal.” His expression grew a bit more serious. “It didn’t look like Taki shifting.” A small pause. “It looked like something taking over.”

Silence settled for a moment. “For me,” Maki added, tapping his chest lightly, “my wolf and I… we’re the same.” He smiled faintly. “Just two bodies, same mind.” Then his expression shifted slightly. “But Taki…” he exhaled, shaking his head a little, “it’s different.” He looked between them. “It almost feels like he’s one person… and his wolf is another.” (Y/n)’s grip tightened slightly. “Like they’re not connected,” Maki finished. “Not really.” The rain continued to fall around them, steady and soft. “And if that’s the case…” Luna murmured. Maki nodded. “Then his wolf might know she’s his mate.” A small pause. “But he doesn’t.” (Y/n)’s heart skipped. Because that, somehow, hurt even more.

Maki shifted slightly in his seat, tapping his fingers lightly against the table as he thought. “I’m… not really sure how to fix that,” he admitted after a moment, glancing between Luna and (Y/n). “The connection between a wolf and their human side, it’s instinctual. It’s supposed to just… be there.”

Luna hummed quietly, resting her chin against her hand. “But if it’s not,” she added, eyes thoughtful, “then there has to be a reason. Something blocking it.” Maki’s expression brightened just a little. “Rocky,” he said. “If anyone knows something about this, it’s her. She’s always buried in those old magic books. There’s probably something in there about wolf bonds, or… disconnections.” (Y/n) nodded slowly, though uncertainty still lingered in her chest. The idea of digging into something that deep, something that personal to Taki… it felt heavy. “We can ask her tomorrow,” Luna said gently, offering her a small reassuring smile. “No need to involve everyone tonight. Let’s take this one step at a time.” (Y/n) let out a quiet breath, some of the tension easing from her shoulders. “Yeah… okay. Tomorrow sounds good.”

Silence settled over the table for a few moments after that, softer this time. The kind that wasn’t uncomfortable, just… full. The three of them finished the last of their food, the faint clink of cutlery the only sound between them. Then (Y/n) shifted slightly in her seat, fingers curling into the fabric of her sleeve. “There’s… something else,” she said hesitantly. “I wanted to ask for help with. But I don’t really know how to…” Maki and Luna both looked up at her immediately. “What is it?” Luna asked gently. (Y/n) exhaled slowly, her gaze dropping to the table. “I need to go back to my apartment,” she said. “To my roommates.” She paused, swallowing before continuing. “I need to get my things.”

A small, bitter smile tugged at her lips. “Because I’m… pretty sure they’re not going to let me stay there anymore. Not after what they saw.” Her fingers tightened slightly. “And I know wolves aren’t monsters,” she added quickly, almost defensively. “But to them… I’m sure there’s no difference.” Maki’s expression softened instantly, a hint of concern flickering in his eyes. He leaned forward slightly. “Hey… you don’t have to go back there alone,” he said. Then, after a brief pause, “Actually… you don’t have to go back there at all.”

(Y/n) blinked, looking up at him. “If you’re okay with it,” Maki continued, glancing briefly at Luna before looking back at her, “we could ask Jungwon for help.” “Jungwon?” she echoed, confused. Maki nodded. “Yeah. He can shapeshift. Not perfectly, but… enough. He could probably turn into you, go to your apartment, and grab your things with someone else there to help.” Luna’s brows lifted slightly in realization. “That way,” she added, “you wouldn’t have to face them. Not while you’re still… dealing with all of this.” Maki gave a small nod. “You’re vulnerable right now. The last thing you need is more stress.” He offered her a small, encouraging smile. “We can handle it for you. If you want us to.”

(Y/n) nodded, a quiet wave of relief washing over her. Just the thought of going back there, facing those looks again, the fear, the confusion… it made her chest tighten. She wasn’t ready. Not yet. Maki tilted his head slightly. “Want me to get him right now?” he asked. (Y/n) shook her head almost immediately. “No… we can do it tomorrow.” Her voice softened a little as she glanced between them. “For now, can we just… stay here? Please.” Maki nodded without hesitation. “Yeah. Of course.”

He reached over, his fingers finding Luna’s hand under the table, giving it a gentle squeeze. He glanced at her with a small smile, pride clear in his eyes. She had handled everything so calmly, so gently. Exactly what (Y/n) needed right now. Luna squeezed his hand back before letting go, then leaned back slightly, a playful glint appearing in her eyes as she looked at (Y/n). “Oh, fair warning,” she said, her tone lightening. “If you stay here, Rocky is absolutely going to use you as a mannequin.” (Y/n) blinked, then let out a small laugh. “Yeah… I kind of figured,” she admitted. “After the whole jewelry situation.” Luna chuckled. “That was just the beginning.” (Y/n) tilted her head curiously. “Is Yuma the same?” Maki snorted softly, leaning back in his chair. “Both yes and no,” he said. “He’s not as… persistent as Rocky. And most of the time, he only bothers Kei and Nico about it.”

“Because they’re the models,” Luna added with a small grin. “Exactly,” Maki nodded. “Yuma only turns to the rest of us if those two reject him. Which,” he added, “happens more often than you’d think.” Luna laughed quietly. “Kei runs the moment Yuma starts talking about outfits.” “And Nico just pretends he didn’t hear him,” Maki said, shaking his head. (Y/n) smiled a little more at that, the tightness in her chest easing just enough for her to breathe a bit easier.

They ended up sitting there for nearly an hour, the rain continuing to fall in a steady rhythm against the roof and windows. It filled the quiet spaces between their words, soft and constant, almost comforting. Sometimes they talked, sometimes they didn’t, letting the silence settle naturally between them. At some point, (Y/n) shifted slightly, pulling her knees closer to her chest. “How did the pack even form?” she asked quietly. “You’re all so young… but it feels like you’ve been together forever.” Maki glanced at Luna for a second before answering, his expression softening. “We didn’t all start together,” he said. “Most of us… lost our original packs. Our families.” He told her of the vampire attacks. Maki nodded. “Yeah. After that, everyone kind of… found each other over time. Piece by piece. No one planned it, it just… happened.”

(Y/n) was quiet for a moment, letting that sink in. Then her gaze returned to him. “Who found you?” Maki smiled faintly, something warm and fond flickering in his eyes. “Fuma,” he said without hesitation. “I was five. Just… wandering around in the forest.” He let out a small breath, like he could still picture it clearly. “And then this thirteen-year-old shows up and just… decides I’m his responsibility now.” Luna smiled softly beside him. “Since then,” Maki continued, his voice quieter now, “he’s basically been my dad. He protected me, kept me alive… even when it was just the two of us.” He glanced down at his hands. “It took a while before we found the others. Before he had help.”

(Y/n)’s expression softened. “That must’ve been really hard.” Maki shrugged lightly. “I mean… I know that now.” He gave a small, almost sheepish smile. “But back then, I didn’t. I was too young.” His gaze drifted slightly, thoughtful. “Fuma made sure of that. He… never let me see how bad it really was. He always smiled, acted like everything was fine.” Luna’s hand found his again, giving it a gentle squeeze. “Even though he was tired,” Maki added quietly. “And hurting. And probably scared out of his mind.” A small silence followed that, heavier than the ones before.

Then (Y/n) spoke again, her voice softer this time. “Do you think that’s why I was adopted?” Maki looked up at her. “Because vampires attacked my biological parents too?” she continued. “Do you think… they hid me away?” Maki hesitated for a brief moment, choosing his words carefully. “It’s… likely,” he said gently. “If they knew you were in danger… they might’ve thought the safest thing was to send you somewhere the vampires wouldn’t look.” Luna nodded slightly. “Somewhere normal. Somewhere human.” Maki’s expression softened. “They probably wanted to protect you. Even if it meant… not being with you.” (Y/n) looked down at her hands, her fingers loosely intertwined, as the sound of rain filled the quiet again.

Luna shivered slightly as a stronger gust of wind swept through the porch, making the rain tap a little louder against the wood. Maki noticed immediately. “Okay, yeah, that’s our cue,” he said, already pushing his chair back as he stood. “We should head inside before someone catches a cold.” He reached down, offering his hand to Luna first, helping her up with an easy familiarity. Then, to (Y/n)’s surprise, he turned to her and held out his hand as well. “Come on.” She hesitated for just a second before placing her hand in his. The moment their skin touched, something warm flickered inside her chest. Her wolf stirred. Not in fear. Not in confusion. But… excitement. It was subtle, but she could feel it clearly this time, a soft, eager presence, like a tail wagging somewhere deep inside her. And when she glanced up at Maki, she felt it again, his wolf. It wasn’t overwhelming, not like before. Just… there. Warm. Open. Welcoming. Just like EJ’s had been earlier. A small smile found its way onto her lips as she let Maki pull her up gently.

The three of them stepped back inside, the warmth of the house wrapping around them almost instantly. The contrast to the cool rain outside made (Y/n) exhale softly, her shoulders relaxing. The pack was scattered around the house, each group wrapped up in their own little world. In the living room, Jungwon, Niki, Sunoo, Jay, Taki, Harua, Willow, and Sana were all sitting on the floor in a loose circle, a board game spread out between them. Voices overlapped in playful arguments, Jungwon dramatically accusing someone of cheating while Sunoo insisted he was just “strategically misunderstood.” Taki sat among them, quieter than the others, but still engaged, a small smile tugging at his lips as he watched the chaos unfold.

Behind them, Jo was stretched out on the couch, sketchbook resting on his knee, pencil moving steadily across the page. He barely looked up, completely absorbed, though his ear seemed tuned to every word being said in the room. Off to the side, EJ and Sora were standing near the wall where the bookshelf used to be, a measuring tape stretched between them. Sora pointed at something while talking, her brows slightly furrowed, while EJ shook his head, clearly disagreeing. “That won’t fit,” he said. “It will if we move the table,” Sora argued. “We’re not moving the table.” “You’re no fun.”

At the dining table, Fuma, Tara, Miyu, and Yuma sat close together, voices low. Papers were spread out in front of them, but the moment Maki, Luna, and (Y/n) stepped in, the group reacted almost instantly. Yuma slid one of the papers over another. Miyu gathered a small stack. Tara shifted slightly closer to Fuma, and Fuma calmly placed his hand over the remaining page, covering it. Like nothing had been there at all. (Y/n) blinked, catching the movement, but no one said anything. And then she noticed, Kei, Aya, Nicholas, and Rocky were missing. Though, judging by the faint creak of floorboards from above, they were probably just upstairs. The house felt… full. Loud. Warm. Alive. And for the first time since everything had happened, (Y/n) didn’t feel like she was standing on the outside of it.

As soon as the group in the living room noticed them, Niki’s head snapped up. “Oh! Finally,” he called out loudly, grinning. “Do you guys want to join?” Luna and Maki both instinctively glanced at (Y/n), giving her the choice. She hesitated for just a second, her fingers curling slightly at her sides. Then she took a small breath, steadying herself. “Yeah,” she said, nodding. “Let’s do it.” Luna tilted her head, studying her. “You sure?” (Y/n) met her gaze and nodded again, a little more firmly this time. “Yeah. I am.” Maki smiled softly at that, and without another word, the three of them moved over to join the others.

“Finally!” Sana beamed, immediately patting the space beside her. “Come on, join my team!” (Y/n) let out a small laugh, the tension easing just a bit as she sat down next to her. Sana didn’t hesitate, pulling her into a quick, warm hug before letting go again. “I’ll explain everything,” Sana said excitedly, already gesturing toward the board. “It’s super easy, I promise. Okay, so basically,” She launched straight into the rules, her words quick but clear, pointing at different pieces as she talked. (Y/n) leaned in slightly, listening, a small smile lingering on her lips as she tried to follow along.

Across from them, Taki watched quietly. His gaze lingered on her for a moment longer than it probably should have. He remembered what the others had said earlier. The looks. The way they’d glanced between him and her, like they had already decided something he hadn’t even considered. Mates. The word echoed faintly in his mind. He studied her a little more carefully now. She looked… relaxed. Not completely, but more than before. There was something soft about her expression as she listened to Sana, nodding along, letting herself be pulled into the moment. Taki swallowed slightly. He’d be lying if he said she wasn’t pretty. She was.

And more than that… he respected her. He remembered seeing her in class, the way she acted, how easily she slipped into emotions, how real it all felt. She was talented. Someone he admired, even if he’d never really said it out loud. But… His brows knit together slightly. He didn’t feel it. Not the way the others had described. No pull. No instinct screaming at him. No overwhelming certainty. Just… normal. He looked away, his fingers absently fidgeting with one of the game pieces. Is she really my mate? He didn’t think so.

~~~

Night passed quietly, the house eventually settling into sleep, and before long, morning came again. This time, most of the pack had gathered in the main house, voices low but filled with energy, like something important was about to happen. The only one missing, Maki. Luna had been tasked with keeping him busy… or, if possible, asleep. Kei stood near the center of the room, glancing around at everyone before clapping his hands together once. “Okay,” he said, a small smile already forming. “Maki’s graduating soon.” A few quiet cheers and excited murmurs spread through the room. “And,” Kei continued, “we’re throwing him a party. But,” he raised a finger slightly, “he cannot find out about it.”

“Obviously,” Yuma said, already stepping forward and holding up a stack of papers. “Which is why we started planning yesterday.” He waved them slightly. “These are just rough ideas, nothing set in stone yet.” Miyu leaned forward a bit, nodding. “Luna already agreed to bake the cake,” she added, “but she can’t be here to help decide flavors or design right now, since she’s busy keeping Maki distracted.” “Or unconscious,” Jungwon muttered under his breath. “Preferably distracted,” Fuma said dryly.

A few chuckles passed through the group. From there, the room filled with overlapping ideas. “We could decorate outside,” “No, inside, it’s safer,” “What about lights?” “Music, definitely music,” “Food, lots of food.” In the middle of it all, (Y/n) sat quietly on one of the chairs, her hands resting in her lap as she watched. Listened. Observed. It was… easy to see. The way they talked over each other without getting annoyed. The way they built on each other’s ideas instead of shutting them down. The small smiles, the teasing, the quiet understanding between them. They were excited. Not just about the party, but about celebrating him. All of them, in their own way, trying to make it perfect. Because they loved him. Because they loved each other. (Y/n)’s chest tightened slightly as she watched, something warm and aching settling deep inside her. And once again, she found herself wishing… that she belonged to it too.

About an hour into the planning, just as the energy in the room was starting to settle into something more concrete, a quiet ping echoed from several phones at once. Yuma checked his screen first, eyes widening slightly. “He’s awake,” he muttered. Kei glanced over. “Already?” Yuma nodded, holding up his phone. “Luna says they’re on their way. Like… right now.” The room shifted instantly. Papers disappeared. Chairs scraped softly against the floor. Conversations cut off mid-sentence as everyone scrambled to make the space look normal again. “Hide that, no, not there,” “Why would you put it there?!” “Act natural!” “You act natural,”

By the time footsteps approached the door, the room had settled into a suspicious version of calm. The door opened, and Maki stepped in, Luna right behind him. “Why is everyone so quiet?” Maki asked immediately, narrowing his eyes slightly. “No reason,” Fuma replied smoothly. “Just existing,” Yuma added, far too quickly. Maki looked unconvinced. Before he could question it further, (Y/n) stood up and walked over to them. “Hey,” she said, offering a small smile. “Can you help me with something?” Maki blinked, attention shifting to her. “Yeah, of course. What is it?” “Can you… help me talk to Jungwon?” That caught his interest immediately. “Oh, yeah, sure,” he said, straightening slightly, his focus now completely on her. “Let’s go.” Luna watched the interaction, then glanced briefly toward (Y/n), understanding flashing in her eyes. As (Y/n) turned away, Luna mouthed a quiet thank you. (Y/n) just gave a small, subtle nod.

Maki was already walking ahead, more awake now, curiosity pulling him forward. He made his way over to where Jungwon was standing. “Hey,” Maki said. “Can I borrow you for a minute?” Jungwon looked up, glancing between him and (Y/n) before shrugging lightly. “Sure.” He stood and followed them out onto the porch, the door closing softly behind them. The cooler air greeted them instantly, a contrast to the warmth inside. Luna joined them a second later. Maki leaned against the railing slightly. “Okay, so,” he started, glancing at (Y/n) to let her explain. (Y/n) took a small breath before summarizing the situation, explaining about her apartment, her roommates, and why she didn’t feel safe going back herself.

Jungwon listened, arms loosely crossed, his expression thoughtful. When she finished, he hummed quietly. “Okay… yeah, I get it,” he said. “That makes sense.” He paused for a moment, then added, “I’m not sure if I can shapeshift into you though.” (Y/n) blinked slightly. “Why not?” Jungwon scratched the back of his neck. “I’ve never tried shifting into a girl before,” he admitted. “I mean, I can shapeshift, but it’s usually people I’m familiar with. And… well…” He gestured vaguely at her. “You’re new.” There was a brief pause. Then he grinned. “But,” he added, a bit more confidently, “I’ll absolutely try.”

Jungwon rubbed the back of his neck, thinking for a moment before looking at (Y/n) again. “Okay, but I need to… take some measurements first.” Maki blinked. “Measurements?” “Not like that,” Jungwon said quickly. “It’s more like… I need to get a feel for certain things. My ability copies details, but I kind of need a reference. Like, feeling someone’s hair.” (Y/n) narrowed her eyes slightly. “Why do you need to feel my hair?” Jungwon immediately raised both hands in defense. “Hey, no weird stuff, I promise,” he said quickly. “It’s just… the texture, the color, it helps me replicate it properly. It’s weird, I know, but that’s just how it works.”

There was a brief pause. Then (Y/n) nodded slowly. “Oh… okay.” She stepped a little closer, still a bit unsure, but willing. Jungwon moved carefully, surprisingly focused now. He gently took a strand of her hair between his fingers, running it lightly between them, like he was memorizing the texture. His expression shifted, eyes narrowing slightly in concentration. Then he stepped back, crouching just a little to compare their heights, before lightly placing his hands near her shoulders, not grabbing, just gauging the width. “Okay…” he muttered. “A bit narrower…” He then reached for her hand, turning it slightly in his as he compared sizes, adjusting his own fingers against hers. Maki watched, arms crossed, trying not to laugh. “You look like you’re building a character in a game.” “Shut up,” Jungwon muttered. After a moment, he stepped back fully, rolling his shoulders once. “Alright,” he said. “I think I’ve got it.”

The others grew quiet. Jungwon took a slow, steady breath, then closed his eyes. For a second, nothing happened. Then, his body shifted. It started subtly. His frame shrank slightly, his posture adjusting as his height decreased. His shoulders narrowed, his build changing just enough to match hers. Then his hair, it began to grow, strands lengthening unevenly at first, like it couldn’t quite decide where to stop. The color shifted too, flickering between shades before settling closer to hers. But it wasn’t smooth. It glitched. For a moment, his features blurred, shifting in and out, like his face couldn’t quite hold one form. His jaw softened, then sharpened again, then softened once more. His eyes flickered, color adjusting, shape refining.

Luna instinctively reached for Maki’s arm, gripping it slightly as she watched. “Is that supposed to happen?” she whispered. “I… don’t know,” Maki muttered back. Jungwon’s expression tightened slightly, like he was concentrating harder, pushing through it. Then, finally, everything settled. He opened his eyes. And the three of them stared. Because Jungwon was gone. Standing in front of them now was (Y/n). Not perfect, there were small differences if you looked closely. Something slightly off in the eyes, the posture just a bit too confident to fully match her. But at a glance? It was her. Jungwon looked down at himself, turning his hands over, then glanced up at them. “Well?” he asked. Maki blinked slowly. “That’s… kind of creepy.” Luna let out a small breath. “But really impressive.” Jungwon grinned slightly. “Good enough to fool your roommates?” he asked. (Y/n) stared at him for a second longer, then nodded slowly. “…Yeah,” she said. “I think so.”

Jungwon let out a breath before his form shifted again, his features blurring slightly before snapping back into his usual self. He rolled his shoulders and shook out his arms, like he was trying to get rid of a lingering feeling. “…That feels weird,” he muttered. “Being a girl.” Luna snorted softly. “Just wait until you have to wear girl clothes.” Jungwon groaned immediately, dragging a hand down his face. “Don’t remind me,” he said. “But… I’ll deal with it.” He glanced at (Y/n), offering a small shrug. “If it helps, I’ll go through the pain.” Maki let out a quiet laugh before turning to (Y/n). “How much stuff do you actually need to get?” (Y/n) hesitated, her fingers lightly fidgeting with her sleeve. “Um… my clothes, mostly,” she said. “And like… my charger, some personal things.” She paused, her expression faltering slightly. “Technically, I should take my bed and furniture too, but… I don’t know if that’s realistic.” Her voice softened. “Maybe I’ll just leave it.”

Maki nodded thoughtfully, then glanced at Luna. “Do you still have the boxes from when you moved in?” Luna nodded right away. “Yeah, Fuma and EJ told me to keep them in the storage shed. Just in case we needed them again.” “Perfect,” Maki said, a small, determined smile forming. “Then we’ll grab those, get a few of the others to help, and just move everything.” He waved a hand slightly. “No stress. We’ve basically perfected the whole ‘moving someone in here’ thing by now.” Luna laughed softly. “Sadly true.” Maki looked back at (Y/n). “We’ll handle it. Don’t worry.” For a moment, (Y/n) just looked at him. Then her smile wavered slightly, her eyes growing a bit glossy. “…Thank you,” she whispered.

~~~

Soon enough, Jungwon had been dressed in a set of the girls’ clothes. He stood stiffly in the middle of the room, tugging awkwardly at the fabric like he didn’t quite know what to do with himself. “Why are these so… fitted?” he muttered, clearly uncomfortable. Niki, on the other hand, was having the time of his life. “Oh my god, this is amazing,” he laughed, doubling over slightly as he snapped yet another picture on his phone. “Hold still, no, no, look more natural!” “This is me being natural,” Jungwon shot back, glaring at him. Sunoo snickered quietly nearby, while Luna tried, and failed, to hide her smile. “Okay, enough,” Fuma said, though there was a faint amusement in his tone. “Focus.” The room gradually settled as everyone gathered, attention shifting to him. He went over the plan one more time, making sure everyone knew their role.

“Alright,” he said, glancing around. “Tara, Nicholas, Rocky, Sana, Jo, you’re with us. Niki, Sunoo, Maki, Luna, same with you. We go to the apartment.” He looked at Jungwon. “You lead.” Jungwon nodded, adjusting his sleeves slightly. Fuma continued, “Aya, Sora, Willow, you stay here with (Y/n). Keep her safe.” Aya gave a small nod, her expression serious. “And the rest of you,” his gaze shifted, “Kei, Harua, EJ, Yuma, Jay, Taki, Miyu, you’re heading to Koyomi. See if the kitchen can still be saved after the earthquake.” A few exchanged glances, then nodded in agreement. With that, the groups split.

The drive to (Y/n)’s apartment was quiet, a subtle tension settling over the group the closer they got. When they finally stopped just outside the building, Jungwon took a slow breath. “Alright,” he murmured. Then, he shifted again. Once again, his form changed, features morphing until (Y/n) stood in his place. He rolled his shoulders slightly, like he was settling into the form. Rocky stepped forward next, raising her hand slightly as a faint shimmer of magic flickered at her fingertips. “Hold still,” she said. Jungwon did. The magic wrapped around him subtly, barely visible, before fading just as quickly. Rocky tilted her head, listening for a second. “Okay… talk.” “…Hello?” Jungwon said. It sounded like (Y/n). Not perfectly, there was a slight difference, something just a bit off, but it was close enough. Rocky nodded. “Good. If anyone notices, just cough a bit. Say you’re sick.” Jungwon gave a small nod. “Got it.”

There was a brief pause as everyone looked at each other. Then Fuma stepped forward, his expression calm but alert. “Stay close,” he said quietly. “We don’t know what we’re walking into.” With that, they headed inside. None of them knowing exactly what to expect. As Jungwon slid the key into the lock, his hand hesitated for just a second. He took a slow breath, steadying himself. You’ve got this. The door clicked open. Carefully, he stepped inside. The apartment looked… normal. Quiet. The faint sound of a TV filled the space. But the moment he stepped into the living room, all three girls sitting there turned to look at him. Or rather, at who they thought was (Y/n).

Jungwon forced a small, casual wave. “Hi…” They didn’t wave back. They just stared. Then one of them scoffed. “Why are you here?” The tone was cold. Sharp. Jungwon blinked once, quickly adjusting. “Uh… I’m here to get my things.” A brief pause. Then another one of them shrugged. “Good.” “Yeah,” the third muttered, already turning her attention back to the TV. “About time.” Just like that, they lost interest. Jungwon stood there for a second longer, processing, before glancing down slightly. …Good thing she’s not actually here. His grip on the door tightened briefly before he stepped aside, opening it wider. “I have some people helping me,” he said, trying to sound as natural as possible. “So, uh… sorry for the noise while I grab my stuff.” “Whatever,” one of them replied without even looking. That was all the permission they needed.

One by one, the others slipped inside, each carrying boxes, their movements quiet but efficient. Jungwon stepped further in, leading the way, mentally going over everything (Y/n) had told him. The layout. Her room. Where things were. “Down the hall,” he murmured softly. They followed. The moment they stepped into her room, there was a brief, unspoken pause. It felt… personal. Like stepping into something that wasn’t theirs. Photos. Clothes. Small details scattered around that painted pieces of her life. For a second, no one moved. Then Luna exhaled quietly. “Alright… let’s be careful.” (Y/n) had given permission. They reminded themselves of that as they got to work. Still, it felt like an invasion.

Tara, Rocky, Sana, and Luna focused on the more personal things, folding clothes neatly, gathering smaller items, carefully placing everything into boxes without disturbing more than necessary. Sana paused briefly at a small object on the desk, then gently placed it into a box with extra care. “Don’t forget this,” she murmured softly. Meanwhile, the boys handled the heavier tasks. Maki and Nicholas carefully lifted pieces of furniture, moving them with practiced coordination. Jo and Sunoo worked together to disassemble what they could, keeping things organized so it could all be put back together later. Niki, despite the situation, still found moments to whisper jokes under his breath, though quieter this time. Jungwon stayed near the doorway at first, keeping an ear on the living room, making sure nothing felt off. Every sound from outside made his shoulders tense slightly. But the girls out there stayed quiet, focused on their TV. So, slowly, steadily, they packed up (Y/n)’s life. Piece by piece.

Meanwhile, at Koyomi, the moment they stepped inside, the air felt… heavy. Miyu froze just a few steps in. Her eyes scanned the space, taking in the broken wood, the fallen shelves, the scattered pieces of what used to be carefully arranged. The kitchen, their kitchen, was barely recognizable. Her breath hitched. Yuma noticed immediately. Without saying anything, he stepped closer and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her gently against him. “Hey… it’s okay,” he murmured softly. “We’ll fix this. We will.” Miyu nodded against his chest, her hands gripping his shirt slightly as she tried to keep herself together. “Yeah…” she whispered, though her voice trembled. “Yeah, we will…” But her eyes stayed on the wreckage.

Jay stood a bit further in, unmoving. His gaze was fixed on the kitchen. On what was left of it. They had worked so hard for this. Long nights, constant exhaustion, pushing through things most people would’ve given up on. Every detail had meant something. And now… It was gone. His jaw tightened slightly, his hands clenching at his sides before he forced himself to breathe. Kei and EJ moved carefully through the space, stepping over debris, crouching down to shift broken pieces aside. “Maybe this can be saved,” Kei started, lifting something, only to pause. EJ shook his head slightly. “It’s too damaged.” Kei sighed, setting it down again. They kept looking, though. Checking. Hoping. But with every piece they moved, it became more and more clear, there wasn’t much left to salvage.

In the background, Taki stood still, watching. His eyes moved between them. Miyu. Jay. The others. And something felt… off. Or maybe, too much. The sadness in the room wasn’t just something he saw. He felt it. Sharp. Heavy. Pressing against his chest in a way that made it harder to breathe. Miyu’s grief, raw and overwhelming. Jay’s quiet devastation, buried but just as deep. It was stronger than usual. Like something inside him was more open than before. More sensitive. He shifted slightly, his brows furrowing as he tried to understand it. Jay finally spoke, his voice low but steady, even if it took effort. “We’ll have to call the insurance company,” he said. “See what they can do.” He glanced around again, exhaling slowly. “But… realistically, we might have to cover most of it ourselves.”

The words hung in the air. Miyu’s breath broke. The weight of it all finally crashed down on her as she slowly sank to the floor, her knees giving out beneath her. Tears spilled over before she could stop them. Yuma followed her down instantly, keeping his arms around her as he pulled her closer. “Hey… hey, it’s okay,” he whispered, though his own voice was softer now, heavier. Miyu shook her head slightly, burying her face against him as the tears came fully. “We worked so hard…” she choked out. “I know,” Yuma murmured, holding her tighter. “I know.” His hand moved gently over her back, trying to soothe her, but there was a tightness in his chest too. Because he understood. Completely. If it had been his life’s work… if everything he built had been shattered like this, he’d be just as devastated.

Back at (Y/n)’s apartment, the work went faster than expected. Her room wasn’t very big, and she didn’t have much to pack, which made things easier. Still, they were thorough. Careful. Three hours later, everything was done. Boxes were stacked neatly in the trailer, a few more secured in the trunks of the cars. The room itself looked… empty now. Clean. Like no one had ever lived there. Luna took a slow look around, arms folded slightly. “That should be everything…” “Check the bathroom one more time,” Fuma said. They did. Drawers, cabinets, behind the door. Nothing. No trace left.

One by one, they made their way out, the weight of it all settling quietly over them. Jungwon lingered by the door for a second before turning back toward the living room. “…There,” he said, voice steady. “I’ve moved all my stuff.” “Mmh,” one of the girls responded absentmindedly, eyes still glued to the TV. No one even looked at him. Jungwon’s hand tightened slightly around the strap of the bag he was holding. Then he turned, just as he reached the door, “Nice to be rid of the freak.” The words were quiet. But not quiet enough. Jungwon froze for half a second. Something in his chest twisted, sharp and immediate. His fingers curled slightly, an urge rising to turn back, to say something, to do something. But… He knew it wouldn’t matter. So instead, he opened the door. And walked out.

The moment it closed behind him, his form shifted back, his features snapping into place as himself again. He exhaled sharply, jaw tightening as he rolled his shoulders, like trying to shake off the feeling. Rocky stepped closer, lifting her hand slightly as the faint shimmer of magic faded from around him, removing the voice spell. “You did good,” she said quietly. Jungwon nodded, though his expression remained tense. Beside them, Luna’s gaze shifted. “Maki?” she said softly. He stood a little stiff, his jaw clenched tightly, his eyes darker than before. “What’s wrong?” she asked. Maki exhaled slowly through his nose. “They said something,” he muttered. “Right before we left.” Luna’s brows furrowed. “What?” “…Doesn’t matter,” he said, though his tone made it clear it did. Jo scoffed from behind them, clearly having heard it too. “Honestly? Good riddance,” he said, crossing his arms. “She shouldn’t have to be around people like that anyway.” A few quiet murmurs of agreement followed. No one disagreed. There was a shared understanding now. A quiet, protective kind of anger.

Without another word, they began loading into the cars. Doors shut. Engines started. And soon enough, they were on the road again, driving back toward their little village. By the time they returned, the others were already back. The atmosphere in the house felt… different. Heavier. Maki and Luna barely had time to step inside before they found Kei and EJ. “Well?” Maki asked. Kei exchanged a glance with EJ before shaking his head slightly. “Not good.” EJ sighed, running a hand through his hair. “The kitchen’s basically destroyed. There’s not much we can save.” Maki’s expression fell slightly. “Jay’s on the phone with the insurance company right now,” Kei said. “We’re hoping for something, but…” he trailed off. “…It’s unlikely,” EJ finished quietly. A small silence settled between them before Maki nodded.

Tara stepped forward after a moment, gently shifting the topic. “Maki,” she said, “do you want to go through your homework for the week?” He blinked. “Now?” “Well,” she smiled lightly, “you’ve missed two days already because of the earthquake.” Maki let out a small breath, shrugging. “Yeah… might as well.” As they started heading off, (Y/n) made her way over to Luna and Sana. “Hey,” she said softly. They both turned to her. “Thank you,” she continued, her voice genuine. “For everything. Today, and… before that too.” Sana’s expression softened immediately. “Of course.” Luna smiled warmly. “You don’t have to thank us.” (Y/n) shook her head slightly, her eyes glancing briefly toward Jungwon. “Still… thank you.” Jungwon gave her a small nod from where he stood. “Anytime.”

A quiet warmth lingered in the moment. But not everyone felt steady. Taki stood a bit further back. Still. Too still. Something felt… wrong. Or maybe not wrong, just off. Like he wasn’t fully there. Like he was watching everything from a step outside his own body. The voices around him sounded slightly distant, even though he knew they weren’t. The movements, the conversations, it all felt just a little disconnected. He frowned slightly, trying to ground himself. But then, his gaze landed on (Y/n). And something shifted. It was small. Subtle. But there. A pull. Faint. Barely there. But different. His breath caught slightly. The world around him sharpened. Scents that had faded into the background suddenly rushed forward, clearer, stronger. The air felt… alive. And around her, it was like everything changed. Like the space near her burst into color, vivid and overwhelming, like fireworks flickering just beneath the surface of his vision. He blinked, his heart beating a little faster. What…? He didn’t understand it. Didn’t know what was happening. But as he kept looking at her, he realized one thing. He didn’t want it to stop.

~~~

Rocky lingered near the hallway, her eyes flicking briefly toward the living room where Sora was animatedly talking to Aya, clearly keeping her occupied. Good. With a small, satisfied nod, Rocky slipped over to Kei, gently tugging at his sleeve. “Hey,” she murmured. Kei glanced down at her. “What is it?” She quickly pressed a small folded paper into his hand. “Everything you need is on there.” Kei looked at it, then back at her. “Everything?” Rocky nodded. “Her size, whether she prefers gold or silver, design style… all of it.” For a second, Kei just stared at her, impressed. “…You’re sure she didn’t suspect anything?” he asked quietly. Rocky tilted her head, a playful smile forming. “Do you underestimate me?” Kei let out a soft chuckle, bowing his head slightly in mock respect. “Of course not, oh great one.” Rocky laughed under her breath. “Don’t worry. As far as Aya knows, I’ve just been rambling about random ideas because I’ve never designed jewelry before.” Kei shook his head, smiling as he carefully folded the paper again and slipped it into his pocket. “Seriously… thank you.” Rocky gave a small shrug. “Just make it good.”

Before they could rejoin the others, Nicholas’ voice cut in from the side. “…Okay, what are you two planning?” They both turned. Nico stood there, arms loosely crossed, one brow raised as he looked between them. “I’ve seen you two together way too much lately,” he added. “That never ends in something normal.” Rocky’s smile turned a little more mischievous. “It’s a secret.” Nico narrowed his eyes slightly. “Rocky.” “You’ll see soon enough,” she said lightly. He held her gaze for a moment longer before exhaling. “Is it at least not dangerous?” Rocky hesitated for half a second, just enough to be suspicious, before answering, “It’s for Maki’s graduation party.” Nico blinked. “That’s it?” “Well,” she added, “it’s just between me and Kei.” There was a pause. Then Nico shrugged. “Alright.” He turned away like that was enough for him. Rocky watched him go, then let out a quiet breath. “…That was close,” she muttered. Kei smirked slightly. “You handled it.” She shot him a look. “Obviously.”

~~~

(Y/n), Sana, and Luna sat gathered around the firepit, the soft crackling of flames filling the quiet between their voices. The warmth flickered across their faces as they leaned in slightly, the evening air cool against their skin. “So…” Sana started, resting her chin in her hand. “How do we make him realize?” (Y/n) groaned softly, dragging her hands over her face. “If you figure that out, please let me know.” Sana perked up suddenly. “What if we just,” she made a quick hitting motion with her hand, “bonk him on the head with a pan or something? Maybe a concussion would knock some sense into him.” Luna blinked. Then laughed. “I think that would do the opposite,” she said, shaking her head. “Pretty sure we’d just make him forget even more.” Sana pouted slightly. “Worth a try.”

(Y/n) let out a small laugh despite herself, but it faded quickly as she looked back into the fire. Luna’s expression softened as she turned to her. “Okay, this might sound a little… underwhelming,” she said carefully, “but I think you just need to spend more time with him.” (Y/n) glanced at her. “Talk to him,” Luna continued. “Be around him. Let things happen naturally. Maybe he just… needs time to understand.” She gave a small shrug. “Boys can be a bit slow sometimes.” Sana nodded in agreement. “Very slow.” (Y/n) sighed, leaning back slightly as she looked up at the sky.

“Yeah…” she murmured. “I figured that’s what I’d have to do.” She swallowed lightly. “It sounds easy when you say it like that, but… it’s terrifying.” Her fingers curled slightly in her lap. “Honestly, I think I’d prefer the pan idea.” Sana snorted. “But…” (Y/n) continued quietly, “I know I can’t just sit around and wait for it to happen while hiding from him.” Luna and Sana exchanged a look before both leaning in, pulling her into a quick, warm hug. “You’ve got this,” Luna said softly. “Go get your man,” Sana added with a grin. (Y/n) huffed out a small laugh as they pulled away. “Okay, okay…” She took a breath and pushed herself to her feet. As she started walking, her heart picked up speed, each step feeling heavier than it should. Then, that voice again. Soft. Familiar. Mate. She paused for half a second. Then, quieter this time, We’ve got this. (Y/n)’s lips curved into a small smile. “…Well,” she whispered under her breath, “at least one of us is confident.” And with that, she kept walking.

Taki stood a little off to the side, talking quietly with Jungwon and Niki. Or at least, Jungwon and Niki were talking. Taki was only half present, his mind still drifting in that strange, disconnected feeling. Niki was the first to notice her. His words slowed, then stopped entirely, his eyes shifting past Taki. Jungwon followed his gaze. Taki frowned slightly. “What?” Then he turned. And saw her. For a second, everything else faded. It happened again. That same shift. That same overwhelming awareness. It was like the world dimmed just enough for her to stand out, like there was a light behind her, soft but blinding at the same time. It framed her in a way that didn’t make sense, something almost unreal, like she didn’t fully belong to the same space as everything else. Like she was… An angel.

Taki’s breath caught slightly. (Y/n) stopped a few steps away from him, her hands fidgeting lightly at her sides. “Can we talk?” she asked. Taki nodded immediately. He didn’t trust his voice. Jungwon and Niki exchanged a look but said nothing as Taki stepped away with her. They walked. Neither of them really knowing where they were going. The forest stretched around them, quiet except for the soft crunch of leaves beneath their feet. (Y/n) kept moving forward, trusting that if she went too far, he would stop her. He didn’t. So they kept going. Until finally, she stopped. Turning to face him. Taki stopped a step away, meeting her gaze. For a moment, neither of them spoke.

“I know you don’t feel it,” (Y/n) said quietly. Her voice was steady, but there was something fragile underneath. “But my wolf…” she let out a small, almost disbelieving breath. “which I still can’t believe I’m saying, my wolf is sure.” Her eyes searched his. “It can’t be wrong.” A pause. “Right?” Her voice softened. “So why don’t you feel it?” Taki’s chest tightened. He broke eye contact, his gaze dropping to the ground. “I don’t know,” he admitted quietly. His hands curled slightly at his sides. “I want to. I want to understand it, to feel what you’re talking about, but I just…” He exhaled, frustrated. “I don’t.”

There was a sharp edge to his voice now. “I hate it,” he added under his breath. “I really do.” Silence settled between them again. (Y/n)’s gaze dropped, her fingers twisting together. “…Are you disappointed?” she asked softly. “That I could be your mate?” Taki’s head snapped up immediately. “No,” he said, almost too quickly. “No, of course not.” He shook his head, stepping a little closer without realizing it. “You’re… amazing,” he said, the words coming more easily than he expected. “You’re kind, and strong, and,” he hesitated slightly, “I admire you. I really do.” His voice softened, more uncertain now. “I’m just…” He struggled to find the right word. “…indifferent,” he finished quietly. “Because I don’t know if it’s real.” His gaze met hers again, conflicted. “If we really are mates… shouldn’t I feel it too?”

It hurt. More than she expected. Each word he said felt like something pressing against her chest, tightening, making it harder to breathe. But before she could retreat into that feeling, something else pushed forward. Her wolf. It was subtle at first, like a nudge. Then stronger. Urging. Insisting. Speak. (Y/n) straightened slightly, her gaze locking onto his. It almost didn’t feel like her anymore, like she was stepping into a role, saying lines she didn’t know she had.

“But you do feel it,” she said, her voice firmer now, rising slightly. “I know you do. Or at least your wolf does.” She held his gaze, waiting. Taki’s brows furrowed, frustration flickering across his face. Why was she yelling at him? Didn’t she understand he was trying? “I don’t know how to get it through to you,” he snapped back, his voice sharper than before, “that I don’t feel anything.” The words hit harder this time. “And I don’t know why you’re being so blind,” (Y/n) shot back, her voice cutting through the space between them. Something in Taki snapped.

His jaw clenched tightly, a low tension building in his chest as his fangs slowly extended, pressing against his lip. His vision sharpened, the world around him becoming clearer, more intense, his eyes shifting from brown to gold. “I’m not blind,” he said, his voice lower now, more controlled but edged with something dangerous. “I’m just being truthful.” (Y/n) let out a sharp, frustrated sound, half shout, half something breaking loose inside her. And then, it happened. A crack. Then another. Her body jerked slightly as bones began to shift, snapping and reforming in rapid succession. Muscles twisted and stretched, her frame dropping as the transformation took over completely.

It was fast. Violent. Uncontrolled. Within seconds, she wasn’t standing there anymore. A wolf stood in her place. Her fur bristled, chest rising and falling heavily as she bared her teeth at him, a low, rumbling growl vibrating from deep within her. This wasn’t hesitation. This wasn’t fear. It was a threat. Clear. Direct. And Taki froze. Because for the first time, there was no doubt. She wasn’t holding back. Taki’s body tensed, instincts taking over as he prepared himself to fight. His muscles coiled, his senses sharpened further, every detail of the forest suddenly painfully clear.

But before he could move, a voice. Do you still feel nothing? Taki froze. It wasn’t spoken out loud. It was in his head. His eyes widened slightly as he stared at the wolf in front of him. (Y/n)…? Had she already figured out how to use a mindlink? “I…” he said out loud, his voice unsteady. “I don’t know. Everything just feels, wrong. Weird.” You’re just afraid to feel. The words echoed through him. Taki blinked. “Afraid?” he repeated, almost scoffing. But the moment the word settled. Something shifted. A shiver ran down his spine, sharp and sudden, like something breaking through a wall he didn’t even know was there. And then, memories. They crashed into him. The attack. Blood. Chaos. Screams. His first pack. Euijoo and Nicholas grabbing him, pulling him away, their voices urgent as they ran for their lives. His legs barely keeping up, his heart pounding in terror.

His parents, the sound of their screams. The image of his mother’s face, blurred, distant, like something he could never fully reach again. Gone. Then, another memory. More recent. Euijoo again. On the brink of death. All because of something similar, because of hesitation, because of fear, because of not accepting what was right in front of him. The weight of it pressed down on him, suffocating. What if it happens again? The thought wasn’t quiet. It roared. What if she was his mate? What if he let himself feel it, and then lost her? How much would that hurt? Would it break him the same way? Worse? His breath grew uneven. What if I never connect with my wolf? The thought slipped in, quieter, but just as sharp. What if I’m incomplete? What if I’m not good enough for her? What if I fail? What if I disappoint everyone?

His hands trembled slightly at his sides, his golden eyes flickering with something deeper now. Fear. Not of her. But of everything that came with her. As the thoughts spiraled, faster and louder, Taki’s knees gave out beneath him. He hit the ground, hands clutching his head as if he could hold everything together, as if he could stop it from splitting apart. His breath came in uneven gasps, chest tight, heart racing too fast. It felt like something was cracking him open from the inside. The fear. The memories. The what ifs. It was too much.

But then, he felt warmth. Arms wrapped around him, sudden and grounding, pulling him out of the storm just enough to breathe. A voice, soft but steady, right against him. “It’s okay…” Taki’s body tensed for a second before slowly, hesitantly, he lifted his head. His vision was blurred with tears, but through it, he saw her. (Y/n). Back in her human form. Holding him. She was crying too. “It’s okay,” she whispered again, her voice trembling but firm. “It’s okay to be scared… but we have to face it. Together.” The word together lingered. Taki blinked, his breathing still uneven, but something inside him shifted again.

He was aware, somewhere in the back of his mind, that she wasn’t wearing anything. But it didn’t matter. Not right now. Because all he could focus on was the warmth. The way she held him like she wasn’t going to let him fall apart. The way it felt, safe. A voice. Clear. Deep. Mate. It repeated over and over again. Taki’s breath caught. His eyes widened slightly as something clicked into place, something that had been just out of reach finally settling where it belonged.

Slowly, he pulled back from her, his hands still slightly trembling as he shrugged off his jacket and held it out to her. She blinked, then let out a small, breathy sound. “Oh, thanks.” She took it quickly, pulling it around herself, wrapping it tightly before looking back at him. Once she was covered, she reached out, offering him her hand. Taki hesitated for only a second before taking it. She pulled him up gently. “I saw… everything,” she said quietly. “Heard every thought you had.” Before he could react, she stepped forward and hugged him again. “I’m scared too,” she admitted, her voice muffled slightly against him. “But I’m more scared of being alone.” Her grip tightened just a little. “After coming here… after everything changed so suddenly…” she swallowed. “I don’t want to be alone again. It terrifies me.” She pulled back just enough to look at him. “Lone wolves don’t do well, right?”

Taki didn’t hesitate this time. He pulled her closer, arms wrapping tightly around her as his body shook with quiet sobs. “I’m so scared…” he kept repeating, his voice breaking over and over again. “I’m so, so scared…” (Y/n) held him just as tightly, one hand pressing gently against the back of his head, the other around his shoulders, grounding him. She could feel it. Every ounce of fear. Every lingering piece of pain. It flowed through him, raw and unfiltered, and somehow… she felt it too. “It’s okay,” she whispered softly. “I’m here.” “I’m sorry,” Taki choked out. “I’m so sorry… for not knowing, for not feeling it sooner…” He pulled back just enough to look at her, his eyes still wet, his voice trembling.

“You’re my mate,” he said. The words came out like a realization. Like a truth finally spoken. “You’re my mate,” he repeated, again and again, like he needed to say it until it fully settled inside him. (Y/n) smiled softly, her chest warming, something deep inside her responding to those words. It spread through her, filling every corner, steady and bright. After a while, Taki felt it too. The shift. The warmth. Love. Relief. Happiness. It washed over him so suddenly that it almost made him dizzy. But, it wasn’t his. He blinked, confused for a second, even as tears kept falling down his cheeks. “…This is you,” he whispered. (Y/n) nodded slightly, her own eyes glassy. “It goes both ways,” she said softly.

She reached up, gently wiping away his tears with her thumb, smiling through her own. And something in Taki just… gave in. Before he could think, before he could stop himself, he leaned in. And kissed her. It was sudden. Unplanned. But it felt necessary. Like something he had to do. (Y/n)’s eyes widened slightly in surprise as she felt his lips against hers, the moment catching her off guard. But only for a second. Then she melted into it. Her eyes slowly closed, her body relaxing as she kissed him back. The tension, the anger, the frustration, it all faded. Her eyes returned to their normal color, her fangs retracting as everything settled. Leaving behind only, warmth. Relief. And something steady, something certain. Love.

When they finally pulled away, the world felt… still. Too still. They just stood there, close, eyes locked on each other, both breathing a little unevenly. Neither of them spoke. Neither of them moved. It was like everything had changed, and they didn’t quite know what came next. Taki’s hand was still lightly holding onto her arm, like he wasn’t ready to let go. (Y/n)’s fingers hovered near his, unsure whether to pull away or hold on tighter. Neither of them chose. Not yet. Then, someone cleared their throat. Both of them startled slightly, turning their heads at the same time. EJ stood a few steps away, arms loosely crossed, watching them.

There was something different in his expression. Understanding. But also… something else. Something like quiet amazement. His gaze lingered on Taki for a moment longer. Because for the first time in years, Taki’s wolf was there. Not distant. Not faint. But strong. Present. Alive. Just like it had been before everything was taken from him. Before they were just children running from something they couldn’t fight. EJ exhaled softly, a small smile tugging at his lips. “…Come on,” he said, turning slightly. “Let’s head inside, you two.” He started walking without waiting. (Y/n) and Taki glanced at each other again. This time, there was no hesitation. Their hands found each other naturally. Fingers intertwining. And together, they followed.

As they reached the porch of the main house, Sora was already there, like she had been waiting. In her hands, a blanket. She stepped forward immediately, offering it to (Y/n) without a word. (Y/n) blinked, then took it with a small, grateful smile, wrapping it around her waist, securing it over Taki’s jacket. “Thank you,” she murmured. Sora just nodded, her gaze flicking briefly between the two of them. (Y/n) looked back toward EJ. “How did you know?” EJ paused, glancing over his shoulder. “I felt it,” he said simply. “The moment your wolf broke free.”

His eyes settled on her, thoughtful. “Your presence…” he continued slowly, “it’s strong. Stronger than most.” There was a brief pause. “On par with someone like Kei,” he added. “And he’s close to being an alpha.” (Y/n) blinked, surprised. EJ’s gaze softened slightly. “Or maybe,” he added, “your emotions were just that intense… that you called out to more than just Taki.” A quiet understanding settled over the space. Because whatever it had been, it had changed something. Not just for them. But for all of them. EJ glanced between them, his gaze sharp but calm. “I take it… you’re both fully awake and connected now, right?” (Y/n) and Taki exchanged a quick look before nodding. “Yeah,” Taki said, his voice still a little unsteady. “I think so… just,” he let out a small breath, almost laughing under it, “still in shock.”

Almost unconsciously, his hand searched for hers again. (Y/n) didn’t hesitate. She took it, fingers intertwining with his, giving a gentle squeeze. Grounding him. EJ noticed, a small smile forming on his lips. “I’m glad,” he said simply. Then his expression shifted, a bit more practical now. “But it’s getting late.” They both looked at him. “We got an email earlier,” he continued. “The schools are reopening. Everything’s ready again.” Taki blinked. “Already?” EJ nodded. “Which means all of you who are students… go back tomorrow.” There was a brief pause as that settled in. “So,” EJ added, “you should both get some sleep.” Sora leaned slightly against the doorframe, arms loosely crossed. “Niki’s going with you again,” she said. “He didn’t really get to experience a proper day last time.” From inside, a faint voice called out, “I’m excited this time!”

Sora smiled faintly. “Miyu and Luna also said they’ll make you something good for lunch.” (Y/n) shifted slightly, her grip on Taki’s hand tightening just a little. “…Are you sure I should go?” she asked quietly. EJ stepped closer. He placed a hand on her shoulder. For a moment, everything felt still. Then, his eyes shifted. Bleeding red. (Y/n) froze instantly under his gaze, her body going rigid as something instinctual told her not to move. He studied her. Carefully. Then his gaze flicked to Taki, his eyes still glowing as he examined him the same way. The air felt heavier for those few seconds. Then, it was gone.

His eyes returned to brown, his expression softening again. “I don’t see any concerns,” he said calmly. “You’re both in tune with your wolves now.” He glanced between them. “That means you should have control.” (Y/n) let out a breath she didn’t realize she was holding. “Oh,” EJ added casually, “and I’ll have Fuma nearby. Just in case anything goes south.” Taki huffed lightly. “That’s… reassuring.” EJ smirked faintly. “It should be.” Then he stepped back, gesturing toward the door. “Now go. Get some rest. Tomorrow’s going to be… interesting.”

~~~

And just like that, time slipped through their fingers. Days passed quickly, too quickly, like someone lazily flipping through the pages of a calendar. The sun rose and fell in a steady rhythm, the moon following faithfully each night, until the air itself began to change. Summer was coming. Faster than anyone expected. And with it, two plans, quietly building in the background. Maki’s graduation party. And Kei’s proposal. With only two days left until graduation, the pack was starting to struggle to keep everything a secret. Conversations had to be cut short when Maki walked in, decorations hidden at a moment’s notice, plans whispered instead of spoken. But somehow, they had managed. So far. And Kei had managed to keep his plan hidden, with the help of Rocky and Sora.

Koyomi had been rebuilt, too. The damage had been bad, but the insurance had covered most of it, taking a weight off everyone’s shoulders. The kitchen stood strong again, filled once more with the sounds of life, of cooking, of laughter. Maki had been glowing ever since. “I can’t wait to finally start working for real,” he had said more than once, stretching lazily after finishing homework. “No more of this useless stuff.” And yet, despite all his complaints, he had been working harder than ever, determined to finish strong.

Taki and (Y/n) had found their rhythm too. At school, they were inseparable. Acting together, eating together, walking between classes side by side, like it had always been that way. And when they got home, training. Every single day. Until dinner. Learning. Pushing. Understanding their wolves, their connection, how to move together instead of separately. It wasn’t always easy. But it was working. More than working. EJ, Fuma, Kei, and Nicholas had all noticed. And they were impressed. “Again,” Fuma had said one evening, arms crossed as he watched them circle each other. They moved in sync. Not perfectly, but close. Close enough to feel it. When they attacked, it wasn’t random anymore. It was coordinated, instinctive, like they could predict each other without needing words. And when they faced Jay, in a training match. They won. Not easily. Not without effort. But they won. Jay wiped a bit of blood from his lip afterward, staring at them with a mix of surprise and pride. “…Okay,” he muttered. “That was actually good.” And coming from him, that meant everything. Because he hadn’t gone easy on them.

“Alright, you two, head inside,” EJ called out, crossing his arms as he watched them. “Dinner will be ready soon.” Taki and (Y/n) nodded, both smiling a little, still slightly out of breath from training as they turned and headed inside to change. Jay stepped up beside EJ, watching them disappear through the door. “To think how much they’ve grown, huh?” EJ let out a quiet hum, his gaze lingering. “Yeah… feels like yesterday Taki still had the roundest cheeks,” he said with a small smile. “He was so small.” There was a brief pause. “And now…” EJ exhaled softly. “He’s all grown up.” Jay smiled at that, something warm in his expression. “They’re a wonderful pack,” he said. “I’m proud… and honored to be a part of it.” Before he could say anything more, Fuma and Nicholas stepped up behind him, each placing a hand on one of his shoulders. “We’re happy to have you here,” Fuma said simply. Nicholas nodded in agreement. “Wouldn’t be the same without you.” Jay let out a small, quiet laugh, the tension easing from his shoulders.

Kei nudged EJ lightly with his elbow. “They’ve all grown a lot,” he said. “All of them.” He glanced toward the house. “And to think… most of this started because Harua wanted to write stories.” EJ chuckled under his breath. “It’s strange,” he admitted. “How something so small turned into… all of this.” Euijoo let out a soft laugh of his own. “It really is,” he said. “They’re all adults now.” His gaze softened slightly. “And somehow… they survived everything.” A quiet understanding settled between them. Fuma’s expression shifted, more thoughtful now. “I still see Maki as that five-year-old I found in the woods,” he admitted. “Running around, scared out of his mind…” He paused. “…Maybe I don’t always want to admit he’s grown up,” he added quietly. “That he doesn’t need me like he used to.” No one interrupted. Fuma exhaled slowly. “Sometimes it’s easier to hold onto the past,” he said, “because the future feels… uncertain.”

Jay glanced between them, then spoke again, lighter this time. “What do you all think about Niki staying?” They looked at him. “He’s been asking me for a while,” Jay continued. “If he could stay here. Like Jungwon did.” There was a brief pause. Then EJ sighed, though there was a hint of a smile behind it. “Niki was accepted the moment he helped protect Taki and (Y/n) in that broken drama classroom,” he said. “He just hasn’t realized it yet.” Jay blinked. Then smiled, relief clear on his face. “Good,” he said softly. “I quite like having my two younger brothers around.” Fuma smirked slightly. “You’re getting soft.” “Shut up,” Jay muttered, though he was still smiling.

~~~

The next two days flew by in a blur. And before anyone really had time to process it, it was here. Graduation day. Maki was practically bouncing the moment he woke up, energy radiating off him in a way none of them had ever seen before. “I’m finally graduating!” he said, grinning so wide it almost looked like it hurt. Even as he grabbed his things, he kept talking, barely able to stand still. “No more homework, no more teachers telling me what to do,” “Don’t get too excited,” Kei teased from the side. “Real life is worse.” Maki rolled his eyes. “Let me have this moment.” A few laughs followed as he made his way to the door. “Good luck!” Luna called. “Don’t trip on stage!” Niki added. “Shut up!” Maki shot back, though he was still smiling as he stepped out.

The second the door closed, chaos errupted. “Okay, go, go, go!” Everyone moved at once. Decorations were pulled out, streamers hung, signs placed up across walls and doorways. Tables were arranged, food prepared, last-minute touches added wherever they could. “Higher, no, higher!” “It’s falling, someone hold that!” “Where’s the banner?!” “Check the kitchen!” Time felt like it was slipping through their fingers, but somehow, they finished, just in time. After a quick rush to get ready themselves, they piled into the cars, the drive to the school just a little faster than it probably should’ve been. “Don’t get us pulled over,” Fuma muttered. “No promises,” Yuma replied.

They made it. Barely. Settling into their seats just as the ceremony continued, watching as names were called one by one. Then, “Maus Riki, Maki.” He stepped up. Confident. Smiling. And for a moment, everything else faded as they watched him walk across that stage, accepting his diploma. Fuma’s gaze didn’t leave him. Not once. And though he quickly wiped at his eye, pretending nothing happened, a tear had slipped through. Maki turned, diploma in hand, scanning the crowd until he found them. His smile widened even more. “I did it!” he called out, holding it up proudly. Taki grinned, lifting both thumbs up in response. “Finally!” Niki whispered loudly. Luna laughed softly beside him.

Behind them, Miyu had already started crying, her shoulders shaking slightly as she tried to wipe her tears. “My little brother…” she mumbled, voice thick with emotion. “He’s all grown up…” Yuma wrapped an arm around her, pulling her closer as she cried into his shoulder, smiling softly despite it. “He did good,” he murmured. “He did amazing,” she sniffed.

Not long after, they were back in the cars. Maki sat with them this time, still holding his diploma like it might disappear if he let go. “I can’t believe it,” he kept saying. “I actually did it.” “You did,” Luna smiled. “Barely,” Kei added. Maki nudged him. “Don’t ruin it.” Laughter filled the car as they drove back. Back home. Where everything was waiting. The decorations. The food. The surprise. And none of them could quite hide their excitement as they got closer.

As they neared the village, Luna leaned over and gently tied a blindfold around Maki’s eyes. “Hey, what?” he laughed, reaching up instinctively. “Why?” “Just do it, please,” Luna said, her voice soft but insistent. Maki paused for a second. Then smiled. “…Alright,” he said, letting his hands drop. “I trust you.” And really, how could he not? Not when she was looking at him like that. The cars came to a stop, and carefully, they guided him out, hands steady on his arms as they led him toward the house. “Careful, step,” “I’ve got you,” Luna murmured. Maki chuckled under his breath, his curiosity growing with every step. They stopped. For a brief moment, everything went quiet. Luna slipped away from his side, moving quickly to join the others. Maki tilted his head slightly. “Okay… now I’m definitely suspicious.” “Just wait,” Niki whispered, barely holding back his grin.

Out on the porch, everything was ready. Fuma and Kei stood at the front, holding up a large sign that read Happy Graduation Day!. Behind them, Yuma and Harua stood with confetti cannons in hand, fingers ready on the triggers. The rest of the pack gathered around, some holding gifts, others near the table where Luna’s cake sat proudly in the center. And among them, (Y/n). She stood beside Taki, his hand warm in hers, her fingers intertwined with his. For a moment earlier, she had felt a little out of place. Like she was stepping into something that had existed long before her. But Taki had squeezed her hand, smiling softly. “He’d only care if you weren’t here,” he had said. “You’re part of the pack. You’re supposed to be here.” And just like that, she believed it. So now, she stood there, smiling, heart steady, waiting with everyone else.

“Okay!” Nicholas called. Maki reached up, pulling the blindfold off. And the second he did, “Surprise!” The shout echoed around him as Yuma and Harua fired the confetti cannons, colorful bursts filling the air around him. Maki blinked, then broke into a wide, bright smile, laughter bubbling out of him as he took it all in. The decorations. The people. The effort. The love. “…You guys,” he laughed, shaking his head slightly, overwhelmed in the best way. “You actually did all this?” “Of course we did,” Luna grinned. “For you?” Niki added. “Obviously.” Maki looked around at all of them, his chest tightening, not with anything painful this time. Just, warmth. Pure, overwhelming warmth. “…I love you guys,” he said, still smiling as he stepped forward into it all.

The party carried on, laughter and music filling the air as the evening settled in. Cake was passed around, plates quickly emptied as everyone gathered closer, some sitting, others standing, all talking over each other in that familiar, chaotic way. Maki sat in the middle of it all, surrounded by gifts. “Okay, okay, this one next,” Niki urged, practically leaning over his shoulder. Maki laughed, shaking his head as he opened another box. Inside were neatly folded clothes, simple, clean, but clearly well-made. He picked up one of the shirts, turning it slightly before pausing. “Y&R?” he read aloud, brows lifting. “What brand is that?” Across from him, Yuma and Rocky exchanged a look before chuckling.

“Ours,” Yuma said casually. Maki blinked. “Wait, yours?” Rocky grinned. “We haven’t officially launched it yet,” she admitted. “But we decided a few days ago to start our own brand.” Yuma nodded. “And those,” he gestured to the shirts, “are the first pieces.” Rocky leaned forward slightly. “Special edition.” Maki looked down at the shirt again, then back at them, a smile slowly spreading across his face. “…That’s actually so cool,” he said. “Thank you.” “Wear it well,” Yuma smirked. “I will,” Maki nodded.

As the night deepened, someone got the fire going, and soon the scent of grilled meat and vegetables filled the air. People moved around, some taking over the cooking, others grabbing plates, laughing, talking. Music played from somewhere nearby, and a few had already started dancing, Niki dragging Jay along, despite his complaints. “Stop resisting!” Niki laughed. “I am resisting!” “Not enough!” Luna and Miyu watched, laughing softly, while Jay shook his head from the side, though a small smile betrayed him. The energy was light. Joyful.

But not everyone was in the center of it. Off to the side, Rocky and Sora exchanged a quick glance. Kei had just stepped away, sent off on some vague excuse that no one questioned. Perfect. “No one’s noticed yet,” Rocky murmured, keeping her tone casual as she turned back to the others, deliberately pulling a few into conversation, keeping attention away. Sora nodded slightly before slipping away. She found Aya not far off, watching the others with a soft smile. “Hey,” Sora said, stepping beside her. “Want to go for a walk?” Aya glanced at her, a little surprised. “Right now?” “Yeah,” Sora shrugged lightly. “It’s a bit loud here.” Aya looked back toward the party for a second… then nodded. “Okay.” And just like that, the two of them walked away from the noise, their steps quiet as they moved toward the path leading into the forest. Their conversation started light. Easy. Talking about small things, anything and everything, and so the next plan quietly began to unfold.

~~~

Kei adjusted his sleeves for what felt like the hundredth time, his breath steadying as he looked around. Everything was in place. The candles flickered softly, their warm glow dancing in the evening air, while the magical flowers Rocky had given him shimmered faintly in pink hues, their light almost ethereal. Together, they formed a perfect heart around him, glowing gently in the dimness. It felt surreal. Like something out of a dream. And there he stood in the center, dressed neatly in his suit, hands slightly tense at his sides as he waited. He heard footsteps. Faint, but unmistakable. They were getting closer.

As Sora and Aya approached the pond, Aya slowed down, her brows knitting together. “…That’s weird,” she murmured. The area ahead was glowing. Soft light flickering through the trees, reflecting off the water in a way that definitely hadn’t been there before. Sora stopped walking. “You should go check it out,” she said gently. Aya turned to her. “What? Why aren’t you coming?” Sora gave a small shrug. “I’ll just use my vampire speed and check around the grounds. Make sure nothing strange is going on.” Aya tilted her head slightly. “…That’s already strange.” Sora smiled faintly. “Exactly.” There was a pause. Then Aya sighed lightly. “Alright… but don’t disappear on me.” “I won’t,” Sora said. And with that, Aya continued forward alone.

Step by step, the light grew brighter. Warmer. Until finally, she saw him. Standing there, surrounded by that glowing heart. Her breath caught. “…Yudai?” she called softly, her voice filled with confusion and something else, something softer. “What’s this?” Kei turned toward her fully, his expression gentle, but there was a nervousness in his eyes that he couldn’t quite hide. He stepped forward slightly, extending his hand toward her. “Come here,” he said quietly. Aya hesitated for just a second before stepping closer, placing her hand in his. He helped her inside the heart, their fingers lingering together for a moment longer than necessary. Kei took a deep breath. Steadying himself. Because now, he had to speak.

Kei’s grip on her hand tightened slightly as he began, his voice soft, but steady. “Aya… you’re the love of my life,” he said, his eyes never leaving hers. “Literally the only one I’ve ever loved… and ever will love.” Aya’s breath hitched, tears already welling in her eyes. “For a little over two years now,” he continued, a small, almost disbelieving smile tugging at his lips, “you’ve had my heart. And I’m so happy you accepted me… despite me being a wolf… and having such a crazy family.” Aya let out a quiet, teary laugh, squeezing his hand. Kei exhaled, his expression turning more serious. “When the earthquake hit a few months ago…” he paused, his voice faltering just slightly, “I thought I lost you.” Aya’s tears slipped over, silently falling down her cheeks. “And I realized…” he swallowed, steadying himself, “there are still so many things I want to do with you. So many things I want to say.”

He took a small step back. “So… just like the first time I saw you, when I practically fell to my knees for you,” A soft, breathy laugh escaped her. Kei smiled faintly. “I’m going to do it properly this time.” And with that, he lowered himself onto one knee. Aya’s hands flew to her mouth, her breath catching completely now. Kei held out a small box, opening it to reveal the ring, the soft glow of the flowers reflecting against it. “Aya…” he said, his voice quieter now, but filled with everything he felt. “Will you marry me?” For a moment, there was nothing. Just silence. Aya stood there, tears falling freely, her chest rising and falling as she tried to speak. Her hand trembled as she reached for his. She nodded quickly, almost desperately, as if she couldn’t get the words out fast enough. “Yes,” she choked out. “Yes, of course, yes.”

Relief flooded Kei’s face instantly. He stood up, his hands slightly shaking as he slipped the ring onto her finger, fitting perfectly. Aya let out a small, broken laugh through her tears, looking down at it for half a second before throwing her arms around him. He caught her easily. And then, they kissed. Soft at first. Then deeper, full of everything they hadn’t said, everything they almost lost. Around them, the magical flowers suddenly burst, petals shooting into the air like confetti before drifting down in a soft, glowing pink rain. It surrounded them, clinging to their hair, their clothes, the moment itself. Like the world was celebrating with them. Not far away, hidden among the trees, Sora stood quietly, a small smile on her lips as she held up a camera, carefully recording everything. Every word. Every tear. Every second. A secret she and Rocky had planned, one more memory to keep forever.

As they slowly pulled away from the kiss, Aya let out a soft, breathless laugh, her fingers immediately lifting to look at the ring. It caught the light beautifully. “…So,” she said, glancing up at him with a knowing smile, “Rocky isn’t designing jewelry, huh?” Yudai, laughed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I might’ve… asked her for help.” Aya raised a brow. “And Sora,” he added quickly. “They both helped plan everything. Including getting your ring size.” Aya’s smile widened, a quiet giggle escaping her as she intertwined their fingers. “I should’ve known,” she murmured. Then, without hesitation, she gently tugged him along. “Come on,” she said softly. “Let’s go back.” She glanced at him, her expression softening even more. “I love you.” Kei’s face lit up completely, a dopey, lovestruck smile spreading across his lips as he followed her. “I love you too.”

As they returned, the sound of the party reached them again, laughter, music, the crackling fire. Rocky and Sora were the first to notice. Both of them immediately straightened, sharing mischievous smiles. Then everyone else turned. And as Aya lifted her hand, the ring catching the firelight, the reaction was instant. “What?!” “No way,” “Are you serious?!” “You’re engaged?!” Miyu gasped, hands flying to her mouth, while Nicholas blinked, then slowly turned his head toward Rocky and Sora. “…So that’s why you two were acting weird,” he said. Rocky just grinned. Sora tried, and failed, to hide her smile. Miyu rushed forward next, grabbing Aya’s hands, eyes already teary again. “Let me see!” “It’s beautiful, oh my god,” The group quickly crowded around them, voices overlapping, excitement bubbling over as they celebrated the news.

A little away from the chaos, by the fire, Taki and (Y/n) sat side by side. Their hands were still intertwined, resting between them as they watched everything unfold. Taki leaned slightly toward her, pressing a soft kiss to her temple as the flames danced in front of them. “…That’s gonna be us someday,” he said quietly. (Y/n) glanced at him, a teasing smile forming. “Oh?” she hummed. “Are you so sure I’d say yes?” Taki pulled back slightly, feigning offense, placing his free hand dramatically over his chest. “Do you not love me, my dear?” he said in an exaggerated posh tone. (Y/n) raised her chin slightly, matching his tone perfectly. “It is not I who decides, my love,” she replied, just as dramatic. “It is the moon.” There was a pause.

Then, they both broke. Laughter spilled out of them, light and easy, as the tension melted into something warm and familiar. Taki leaned in again, this time pressing a quick, soft peck to her lips. And for a moment, with the fire crackling, laughter in the background, and the future stretching out ahead of them, everything felt exactly right.

“Alright, everyone up!” Niki suddenly shouted, clapping his hands together. “We’re dancing. This is a celebration!” A collective groan spread through the group. “I just sat down,” “Give me five minutes,” “Nope!” Niki cut them off, already grabbing Jungwon’s arm and pulling him up. “No excuses!” “I didn’t agree to this!” Jungwon protested, stumbling slightly as he was dragged along. “You’re agreeing now!” And somehow, no one could really refuse him. One by one, they got up, laughter already creeping in as the music got louder, the energy shifting again. Soon enough, everyone was moving.

Some, like Niki, Jungwon, and Jo, actually danced seriously, their movements sharp, controlled, almost impressive. The rest? Not so much. They danced however they felt like, goofily, carelessly, bumping into each other, spinning, laughing. At one point, Fuma stepped back, and tripped. Completely. Over the same root that had been there the entire night. He caught himself just in time, muttering something under his breath, only for Sunoo, not even a minute later, to do the exact same thing. Same root. Same stumble. Same expression. For a second, there was silence. Then, laughter exploded around them. “Not you too!” Niki wheezed. “I hate this place,” Sunoo muttered, though he was laughing too.

A little to the side, but still part of it all, Taki and (Y/n) danced together. Not perfectly. Not seriously. Just… together. Taki had one hand holding hers, the other occasionally gesturing dramatically as he sang along to the music, except he didn’t actually know the lyrics. So he made them up. Loudly. Confidently. Completely wrong. “And then you, uh…shine like a… potato in the niiiight,” (Y/n) burst out laughing. “That’s not even close!” “It fits the vibe!” he defended, spinning her lightly. She laughed again, the sound bright, unrestrained, wider than anyone had seen from her before.

And it was real. Completely real. Because despite everything, the confusion. The fear. The doubt in the beginning, she knew now. She loved him. Truly. And she didn’t want anyone else. Didn’t want to be anywhere else. Here, with him. With them. They had time. Years ahead of them to grow stronger, to understand each other fully, to build something even deeper. But right now, none of that mattered. Because in this moment, with music playing, laughter echoing, and his hand in hers, she was exactly where she was meant to be. And so was he. They didn’t look back. They didn’t look forward. They just stayed, right here. Together. In love. And completely, effortlessly happy.

~~~ The End ~~~

OMG, this is a long one! There’s so much going on, but I love it, I hope you guys did too! What are your thoughts? Did you shed a tear or two? There’s so much going on with Maki and Kei, too, in this one, but it was needed. Hence also why it is so long. But I also wanted to build up a lot for Taki and his mate’s connection. And we got to meet Niki! Now, I just need a name for Taki’s mate to use in the special parts.

I think I spent like 10 hours a day and 2 weeks writing this one. I was dreaming about how to continue writing, sometimes waking up in the middle of the night, grabbing my phone to write down what I had just dreamed.

But with this one, the official series is complete. I can’t believe it. I want to thank everyone who has read this series, and especially all of you who reblog and comment, or send an anon ask. Hearing what you guys think is so important; it gives me more motivation to keep writing! So, I really want to thank all of you for supporting this series, from beginning to end. I love all of you! 😭💕🥰🥹

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