- DO KYUNGSOO - 

The rain continued outside the cottage and small holes on the roof send drippings on the wooden floor. The breeze is getting stronger and the sun doesn't seem interested in showing itself to us. It's still too dark to see everything but bright enough to see clearly. 

I should be freezing now. But thanks to him. 

"What do you want to know?" Jongin whispered in my head. The giant wolf beside me doesn't even open his mouth to talk. His voice just enters my head and makes me feel like he has his lips pressed against my brain. 

I shifted, snuggling closer as I wrap my arms around my body. When I did, his tail tightened its hug around me, making me grin. "What are you willing to share?" I asked. 

"Depends." came Jongin's muffled reply. The wolf tilted his head, his red eyes watching me. It's like Baekhyun's that day. The only difference is that Jongin's eyes aren't filled with fear. His stares are warmer and softer, like he's watching me gently. 

"Was it a bite?" I asked and his eyes seem to smile, I could almost hear his laugh in my head. 

"No."  Jongin answered. "I was born like this, Kyungsoo." 

I hesitated but asked anyway. "Even Baekhyun... and Chanyeol?" 

The wolf nodded slowly, resting his head on his paws as if tired. I still pain all over but not unbearable like last night. I nearly died, I know. I nearly got raped. I don't know how I could thank Jongin for saving me. I rested my palm just below his ear and started making small circles with my hand, soothing him. Jongin's eyes fluttered close. 

"How did you know about them?" He asked. 

"Baekhyun had some... panic attack when he smelled me, I think." I whispered, watching him. "Glad Chanyeol was there just in time." 

The wolf grunted, displeased. 

"You know he told me something about you guys being together since childhood." I said as I tried to divert his annoyance. He still has his eyes closed and his breath is so warm I'm tempted to hold my hand against his nose. 

Jongin nodded again. "Yes. In a wolf pack, we have the Alpha as the highest rank. The subordinates include the Beta and Omega."  he explained in a slow voice. "When you're not an heir to being Alpha, you're allowed to leave your original pack and look for another one in another location... Find your destined partner, maybe." 

I frowned. "Does that mean you, Chanyeol, and Baekhyun came from another pack away from here? You guys aren't with your original families?" 

With my question, Jongin shifted uncomfortably under me. "No. And yes." he whispered. "Yes. Chanyeol and Baekhyun are not from here. They stumbled into our pack when they were just a few years old. And no. I'm from here, Kyungsoo. Originally." 

"You mean..." I gasped. "You're the Alpha?" 

Jongin doesn't seem to like where my questions are going because he really looks uncomfortable now. His opened his eyes but he's not looking at me. He's staring somewhere in the cottage. 

"Not yet." He answered. 

I decided to not dwell on the Alpha thing though I am quite amazed. I can't believe I'm spending my time with the soon-to-be Alpha of the werewolf pack in our village and he's in love with me. I can't even believe that this is real. 

"How do you choose the Beta and Omega?" I asked instead. 

With that, Jongin's mood seem to lighten. "Easy." He said and I can tell he's grinning. "We reach maturity at twelve. In that age, we could already turn into human and wolf whenever we feel like it. The newly found wolves, those from another packs, will undergo a series of... Tests." 

That made me even more curious and that sent a new wave of questions in my head. I think he's losing me. 

"What tests?" I can't help asking. 

Jongin shrugged and his whole body moves. "Fights." he said. "Mostly fights. The strongest wins and he'll have the opportunity to choose his mate. Anyone he likes. Also, he'll be the Beta. Second strongest is the Omega. Not much privileges." 

"So... who won?" I asked. 

"You guess." Jongin said and his eyes glanced at me. 

I gave him a look. "Don't make me guess." I said, rolling my eyes. "You're losing me and I don't want another wave of confusion, Kim Jongin." 

I heard his chuckle. "The son of an aApha from the west, my friend, Park Chanyeol." He said. "And obviously, he chose Byun Baekhyun as his mate."

"And the Omega...?" I raised a brow. So, Chanyeol and Baekhyun has high ranks in their pack. And not just high, Chanyeol has been the strongest among the other wolves. Quite amazing. 

With my question, Jongin's eyes darkened. "Kris Wu." he hissed. "He's the Omega. Chanyeol beat him during the last test. The fight was... bloody." 

I felt a shiver ran down my spine and Jongin pulled me closer with his tail. 

"Who's his mate?" 

Jongin slowly shook his head. "None." He said in a low voice like he feels a certain pity for the omega. "He likes someone. But Chanyeol already beat him to it. Again." 

My eyes went wide in surprise. I thought wolves already have a certain mate from the day they were born. It was what the books say. It was what the myths tell. 

"Kris knew Baekhyun was in love with Chanyeol that's why he decided to fight for the rank of Beta. In that way, he could force him to be his mate." Jongin explained. "But he didn't win." 

I must admit, that was... heart breaking. 

And then a certain thought occurred to me, sending me back to Jongin's statement a while ago. I almost missed the idea but it made me wonder. 

"You said Chanyeol is also a son of an Alpha." I said, frowning. "How come he's not an heir?" 

Jongin sighed and I thought he's already irritated with me. But then I realized he doesn't like hearing the word 'Alpha', like the word itself stings him. Like he even hates the word. 

"In a pack, only the Alpha could reproduce an offspring." Jongin said in a low voice. "Fertility is a gift to every Alpha's mate. A gift from the Prophet." 

Prophet. What is that? 

"When the mate of an Alpha reproduces, it would always be with a certain number of children. Twelve. They only reproduce once." He continued, throwing me occasional glances as if making sure I'm keeping up. "Father told me, that the child with a birthmark over his shoulder blade would be the chosen heir. It would always be like that. And well... I have that mark." 

I failed to notice that mark when Jongin is in human form. Because number one, I don't go staring at his back when he's naked and number two, the last time I saw him without any shirt on, I am near death and he's busy killing guys. 

"What happened to your other brothers? And sisters?" 

Jongin dropped his head back on his paws. "They were allowed to find another pack, of course. So they all left one day, leaving me. That's how it goes. In that way, we, werewolves, would be diverse. We won't have to settle in one place. We won't have to stick with ourselves." 

I needed a lot of moment to ponder after that. Jongin had told me much. Too much to be perfectly honest, I don't know if I'll be able to absorb everything. He is an Alpha. Chanyeol and Baekhyun are the Beta couple. And Kris, that tall guy with his evil stare, is a brokenhearted Omega who looked like he wanted to kill Chanyeol himself. 

And they're werewolves. 

I've been living with werewolves all this time. 

And suddenly, as I lie down against Kim Jongin, feeling comfortable but overwhelmed with facts, the question dawned on me. I bit my tongue, hesitant to ask such a question. I don't think I wanted the answer and I don't think I'm prepared for it. I tensed. Then shifted. 

"What is it?" Jongin whispered in my head. 

I shrugged. "What?" I asked back but my own voice betrayed me. 

"You want to ask something." Jongin said and it's not a question. "Go on." 

I looked away from his stare. I don't like his red eyes studying me so closely. 

I swallowed and my throat suddenly feels dry. "W-who's..." I started. "Who's your... mate?" 

Jongin didn't even tense under me. "I was following you that night..." he whispered and his voice is too gentle that I'm forced to look at him again. "From that day on, you heard the steps... You felt my presence..." 

I stared back into his bloody red eyes, unable to say anything. 

"I wanted you since then, Do Kyungsoo..." he whispered. "And nothing changed. Nothing will ever change." 

"I'm not like you." I whispered. "I can never be your mate... even if I wanted to." 

Jongin's tail tightened around my waist. "Do you want me back?" He whispered and his voice seemed closer now, and more real. 

An Imprint. Is that how they call it? That certain feeling of fullness in your chest whenever you are close to someone destined to be yours. That chaotic wave of tingling sensation cursing through your body, making you feel so high and weak. That fluttering at the pit of your stomach like the movements of a million butterflies. 

That strong sense of desire to be with someone. To be loved. To be cherished.

I closed my eyes, unable to meet his piercing gaze any longer. Do I want him? Do I want him all for myself? 

Maybe right now, love is a word I cannot fully comprehend yet. 

But to be with Kim Jongin... To be his. It's not something I despise. It is more like something I am meant to succumb in to. 

'We're bound to each other. It's meant to be.' Those were Baekhyun's words. But right now, they speak strongly of my own feelings. They speak strongly of my own desires. 

"I want you..." I breathed, finally opening my eyes. "I don't know how-- But I do. I want to be with you, Kim Jongin."

The fur around me vanished and it was replaced by warm, strong arms wrapping around my waist. Jongin is staring down at me in his human form, his body so close to mine. I know he's stark naked, his pants lie on the floor beside him. But my eyes are glued to his brown ones. 

He touched my face once, running his fingers over my cheek. 

"Do Kyungsoo, I want you to be mine," he whispered, his warm breath over my face. "I want you to be my mate." 

I shivered at the word. "B-But... How?" I breathed. 

And as if answering my question, he pressed his lips on mine.