- KIM JONGIN -

Kyungsoo's steps slowed upon seeing me. I caught him pulling his riding hood closer to his body as if it could prevent the cold from seeping right through him. The afternoon breeze is colder in the forests and the darkness is faster to creep. The smoke is almost gone now and by the looks of it, the rest of the pack already left the forest. For good.

I stepped towards the wooden bridge. "I'm sorry for leaving without a word," I called out just when he's about to reach the bridge's other end. "It was an... emergency."

"I know," Kyungsoo mutters, nodding his head. The wide red hood is hiding most of his face and I can't see much of his reaction. Just like before, he's carrying a basket of fruits and he's wearing his old worn out boots and the red riding hood that is so red it looks like fresh blood. The wood creaks under our feet as Kyungsoo walked towards me, his eyes wide and curious. "May I know what happened?" he slowly looked around. "And what are you doing here?"

"Baekhyun was... attacked." I answered, slowly reaching out to push hid hood lower so I could see his face. Kyungsoo's face flashed pure worry but I beat him to saying anything. "But he's fine now. Don't worry."

He very slowly nodded his head but he still looks worried. "Is he inside?" he asked and his brows are creased together. "Can I see him?"

"They're asleep."

Kyungsoo's frown deepened. "What? They?"

"Oh," I shrugged. "Chanyeol's inside, too."

There are beads of slowly appearing on Kyungsoo's forehead and I slowly wiped them with my hand. He stares up at me, meeting my eyes and never daring to look away. It's quite unimaginable now that everything started with me meeting him and falling in love with him. Looking at this 'little' creature, who would have thought he could cause large disasters? I felt a smirk appear on my face with the thought.

"What's so funny?" Kyungsoo asked, frowning. "Did something good happen?"

I smiled at him. "You're here, right? I think that's something good."

Kyungsoo bit his lip to stifle a grin. "Well." he nodded slowly. "It's good to know you're super fine." His frown slowly vanished to be replaced by a look of relief and a small smile appearing on the side of his lips.

"I am." I beamed and then I remembered everything that happened and all the consequences of our choices. My face fell and I added, "I guess..."

"Why?" Kyungsoo breathed and I felt his hand rest on my shoulder. "Is everything okay, Jongin?"

I looked into his eyes and I can't lie to him. I just can't. "No." I breathed and even my own voice sounds afraid and shaky. "I don't think everything's fine. At all."

"Jongin, what happened?" he asked, firmer this time. "Tell me."

To be perfectly honest, I don't know where to begin. I don't know what to actually say and explain to him. My mind is filled with emotions and questions I just can't comprehend for now. How could I actually tell him that it's him, that everything started in him? How could I tell him that everything and everyone left us? How could I tell him everything's falling apart now?

I looked at Kyungsoo and I could feel my face dropping into that kind of pain I am keeping for some hours now. The firm emotion I've been putting up crumbled into dust and a sob escaped my lips. All I did was wrap my arm around his waist and pull him as close to me as possible. I buried my face into his neck, crying like I never cried before. Kyungsoo let out a surprised gasp as he hugged me back, dropping the basket he's holding beside our feet.

Everyone is gone. I only realized that now.

"Jongin..." Kyungsoo whispered on my ear as he soothes me by caressing my hair and down to my back. He's all I have right now. He's the only one who's not leaving and who is too innocent to be actually running away from me. He's the closest thing to normal right now and I can't let him go.

I can't kill Do Kyungsoo even if it's what I have to do right now. Even if it's the only way to gain back  my pack.

"Don't leave me." I murmured against his neck and my tears flowed to his shoulder, dirtying the red cloth under my face. "Don't, Kyungsoo. Please, I'm begging you." I tightened my arms around him until I could feel his heartbeat against mine, until I'm afraid he couldn't breathe.

"What are you saying?" he asked, slowly shaking his head. "I'm not going anywhere. Not again."

And I started to tell him everything. Every single thing that happened.

Kyungsoo went inside the cottage to check on his Grandmother and Baekhyun. I was left outside, insisting on watching the forest for us. He didn't complain and he gave me a quick kiss on the cheek -- which made me smile despite myself -- before going inside.

When Kyungsoo stepped out of the cottage, his red riding hood is gone and he gave me a small smile as he settled on the grass just beside the pond. I moved towards him, wiping my hands on my pants before sitting beside him. Kyungsoo pulled his knees to his chest, hugging them together with a sigh.

"Baekhyun's losing a lot of blood," he said, glancing at me. "Will he be fine?"

"I believe we could replace our own blood." I muttered with a frown. When the cold wind blew, I scooted closer to Kyungsoo so he could feel my warmth. I felt him lean towards my bare arms and I fought the urge to wrap one arm around him. "How about you? Are the Hunters still watching your back?"

With that, Kyungsoo's head jerked to my direction and I'm too close we almost kissed. "The fire," he breathed. "There was a fire and they fled from the house, following the smoke." Kyungsoo's eyes are wide with remembrance and I immediately knew the fire he was talking about.

A sigh escaped my parted lips. "They burned our house down." I explained. "Then they left."

Kyungsoo's face is a mixture of disbelief and wonder. "But why? I can't believe they could do that! Jongin, a pack should be your own family right? You can't hurt your family. You're supposed to love them." His innocence makes him too charming I could kiss him now.

"It's not like that with us, Kyung." I said and it's the truth. "Living with a pack means survival, allies, and power. It's not always about making family or... friends."

"But Chanyeol and Baekhyun are family." he argued. "Even Sehun..." Kyungsoo hopelessly looked around but when he can't see any sign of the grey furred wolf, he looked down and gave a small sad smile. "You hoped they could understand."

"But they didn't." I said. "I can't blame them."

"Is it me?" Kyungsoo suddenly whispered. "Did I make you do that rule?"

Then again, looking at him, I can't bear myself to lie. "Yes." I whispered back. "You're part of the reasons. But... it's not really like that, Kyungsoo. I just want a change."

"It's not bad," he murmured. "Your want for change, I mean."

"I thought I was doing the right thing."

"You are." Kyungsoo smiled. "It's not your fault they're narrow-minded and selfish."

I tried to return the smile but I feel quite numb. "The prophecy is another thing," I said and I slowly looked away so I couldn't see his face turn painful. "They want me to kill you." I shouldn't be saying this. I know I shouldn't be discussing such things with Kyungsoo but part of me wants to hear him say he's not going to kill me, that he would always choose me.

Kyungsoo's hand went to mine, pulling my fingers in front of him and staring at them. "You could always kill me and I would never mind."

My fingers tightened around his. "You know I could never do that." I whispered.

"I will allow it." Kyungsoo said with a slight pout. "If it means you'll get everything back."

"You are everything right now, Do Kyungsoo. How could you not see that?"

Kyungsoo bit his lip, looking at me with fearsome eyes. "I think I don't like the feeling of having your world revolve around me." he whispered. "It feels like I could do something and I could break you into a million pieces."

I chuckled. "Yeah. You could basically do that, Love."

"And wow. That's a really, really big thing because my own world revolves around a certain werewolf who's supposed to kill me." Kyungsoo grinned. "What do you think about that?"

"I think..." I licked my lip, grinning. "I think we're meant to be."

Kyungsoo smiled and he slowly rested his head on my shoulder. "If you didn't fall for me that very night, do you think I'll be dead by now?"

"Honestly?" I raised a brow.

"Honestly." he nods.

"I think not." I admitted. "Because we could be alive in another life and I'll be loving you still."

Kyungsoo grinned. "That's really sweet, Kim Jongin."

"Hm." I nodded. "But not as sweet as your lips."

And I did kiss him again. If that's what you want to know.

* * * * *

Good nightttt~

xoxo