Hi, Since You Never Walk Alone is an OT7 story, I am assuming that the OC is everyone's mate. But why does no one else feel the bond yet? I saw another reader ask the same, and I am wondering if she's just going to remain Jin's mate but others' unbonded mate. Is that a possibility? Are you going down this that way?
I love the story so far! and I hope the updates happen soon!
Hello, anon 😅
First and foremost, the oc is destined to bond with every member of the pack, gradually and uniquely. This is an ot7 story, and I want to ensure that every member forms a bond with her —not leaving anyone in an “unbonded mate” dynamic. To me, that wouldn’t feel like a true bangtan x reader story. While the bonds will all happen, they will take time and be triggered by different emotions and circumstances.
Jin’s bond with the oc was an extraordinary case, triggered by the dire need to save her from being burned alive by the very wolves who were meant to be her mates someday. If this vampire incident hadn’t occurred, the bonds would have unfolded differently, starting with another member and evolving more like a modern-day polyandrous relationship. Since this is so early in the story, we haven’t yet explored how the oc would have naturally met the pack and bonded with them under normal circumstances.
The essence of the mate bonds as being tied to the Moon Goddess’s divine timing. Each bond is often triggered by a powerful emotion or cause; something that deeply resonates within the wolf’s heart —I imagine most human-wolf bonds happening in airports, right when someone is about to travel away 😅
Jin’s bond was triggered by the desperate need to save her life. Jin’s bond almost represents a cruel irony —that the wolves nearly burned their own mate.
For the future bonds, and giving a sort of spoiler: each of the other wolves’ bonds will also be ignited by a strong emotional connection or moment: a protective instinct, emotional vulnerability, the relief of knowing she’s safe, a friendship deepening into something more, the ache of yearning, or simply pure, selfless love all of which begins with a spark of infatuation that happens once they meet her.
We’ll delve into those moments as the story unfolds. Each bond will have its own timing and its own story, reflecting the uniqueness of the pack and the oc’s relationships with each of them.
In the YNWA universe, mate bonds are an enigmatic phenomenon, deeply tied to the moon’s magic. Revered and sacred, they defy logic and understanding, existing far beyond the grasp of science or reason. Researchers have studied patterns, triggers, and trends, but no definitive explanation for how or why bonds form has ever been discovered. They simply happen as a reflection of deeper truths or needs that transcend comprehension of a simple human/wolf mind. There are certain things that are said to trigger a bond, but if the bond doesn't get triggered, you'd have gone too far with someone who is not your mate. So, trying to trigger a bond is often discouraged. Though, many wolves indulge in healthy amounts of flirting, platonic skinship etc.
For most wolves, bonds develop gradually. They often begin like any human relationship —through attraction, friendship, proximity, or even platonic companionship. A bond might not manifest immediately but could suddenly appear, reshaping the relationship overnight. The connection is like a fine thread, delicate and unnoticed at first, but over time, it can weave into a rope of unbreakable fibers, symbolizing the deepening and strengthening of the bond.
Sometimes, though rarely, bonds defy this gradual process and strike like lightning. A sudden realization, a singular moment of shared vulnerability, or an inexplicable pull can forge an immediate connection. This is what makes Jin’s first-sight bond so extraordinary. In a world where such bonds are almost unheard of, his experience is an anomaly, a sacred event that draws both curiosity and awe. For Jin, the thread didn’t take years to weave into a strong rope; it was already fully formed the moment he laid eyes on the oc.
While this is deeply significant to Jin, the rest of the pack views it differently. They respect the moon’s will and the mystery of its magic. To them, bonds are deeply personal and unpredictable, and Jin’s bond doesn’t necessarily mean the oc will bond with the rest of them. Polyamorous bonds, while more common among packs are just as unpredictable. A single person might bond with an entire pack, or the pack could divide into smaller clusters, each forming separate connections. In some cases, all members of a pack bond with the same person except one; instead, they find another mate.
The process is never rushed or forced. Wolves understand that bonds are not about science or choice but about trust in the moon’s guidance. Proximity, emotional closeness, skinship, and human feelings may encourage bonds to form, but they don’t guarantee them. Bonds happen when—and if—they’re meant to, and wolves know better than to question their timing.
For now, the pack approaches Jin’s bond with curiosity rather than assumptions. His connection to the oc is rare, even sacred: plus, the unfortunate situation of the bond and how they found her makes it hard for them to view it as a sign of an inevitable polyandrous relationship. Instead, they chose to remain open-minded, allowing time, proximity and shared experiences to reveal the moon’s will. As they spend time with the oc, dynamics will evolve, shifting in ways they cannot predict. Bonds will form between the oc and other pack members but Jin’s bond of first sight is gonna remain singular and unique.
From the universe's point of view, it is this uncertainty that makes mate bonds so profound. Whether gradual or instantaneous, they are deeply personal and sacred, bound by magic that no wolf truly understands. They trust in the journey, in the mysterious thread that connects them all, knowing that only time will reveal how their stories are meant to intertwine.
P.S.: I’d love to hear your thoughts on who you think will bond with the oc next! Feel free to share your predictions about the bonding order —who’s next, who follows after, and why you think so. I’m genuinely excited to know your guesses and see how they line up with the journey I have in mind!
I hope you are doing well, lots of love and take care, aksh 💕