Chapter Text
They were halfway through to the royal palace and Felix twisted with nerves with where he was sat with Chan possessively had his hand over his waist, keeping him locked in.
Not to complaint but he was getting really sore, staying in the same position.
He also noticed that everytime, Minho so as twitched in his place, Chan tensed like he was going to pounce on the poor omega.
Felix didn't like it.
No reason but he didn't just like they way Chan fought so hard with himself just to keep the omega away, who was once his entire world.
It was around the dawn, the temperature dropped even further as the night fell.
Another two more meals and he'll reach the place he hated. A place where he lost his mother to.
Chan shrugged his wolf fur coat, wrapped it around Felix's shoulder. Felix noticed the way his eyes subtly gave a glance at Minho, then to the pack, clenched his jaw and looked away.
Felix sighed internally.
The carriage jerked to a halt, throwing Felix off-guard, almost toppled forward if Chan didn't grip him tighter as he tensed suddenly even more alert.
He squeezed his mate's hand before he could even think of growling and accusing them.
He could hear a faint rush of water. They must stopped to relax before resuming the rest of the journey. Felix never felt this more grateful.
Without even waiting for Chan, Felix jumped of the carriage, stepped onto the ground and bathed in the dark orange hue of the dawn.
Chan grumbled and followed Felix, they reached the small stream no very far from the carriage, but enough distance to have some privacy.
Felix sat by the rock as Chan stood stiffly behind him, keeping an eye out in the carriage "You can relax Chan. They don't look as cruel as you mentioned." He tried.
Chan growled and instantly wrapped his hands around his omega, "I felt the same way Lix, back in the years. Almost lost my life, lost Mrs. Lee in the process of their deceiving act. I can't lose you Lix." His voice was merely a whisper on his neck, his warm breathe achingly contrast to the biting cold.
"Channie..." Felix whispered "Minho looks and acts like he would give up the world to protect you." He said, tilting his neck to give better access as Chan trailed kisses down.
"That's wrong." Chan stated stubbornly as he licked the mating bite on his neck. His forest scent flared with possessiveness "Mine." He said.
Felix whimpered and wrapped his hand around Chan's neck bringing him closer. Burying his nose as he breathed deeply and greedily into his scent.
Chan's hand kneaded the flesh around his hips and trailed kisses on his neck.
Felix sighed dazed but stopped when the scent of another alpha hit him. The scent was more of a announcement before their appearance. Felix chastity pushed Chan just as Jeongin's eucalyptus and camphor scent wrapped further.
Chan held a very anger filled eye contact with Jeongin. But Jeongin just looked at Chan, longing and sad.
Felix wanted to hug the poor boy.
"We need to return to the carriage hyung. If we reach the castle faster maybe you could rest before the ceremony." His voice quivered a little. His fingers twitched as he wanted to run and hug Chan.
Felix isn't sure, but he thinks Jeongin's eyes watered a little as Chan broke the eye contact, looking away.
Felix nodded and tugged Chan with him. They followed Jeongin.
The got into the carriage again, but the air changed around them. Felix immediately noticed that Minho was extremely pale. Sweating and whimpering into Jisung’s neck as Seungmin and Hyunjin tried to block their view with their lithe bodies.
Chan twitched in his place as a the first whimper finally reached their ears. Jisung was scenting him heavily, grooming him and trying his best to keep Minho from moving, yet not hurting him in any sense.
Jisung seemed to whisper something, grazing his teeth over Minho’s neck as the omega went limp, but conscious since Felix could see Minho's fingers trying to grasp something, anything.
Minho's royal cloak was off his shoulder a bit, his back leaning completely against Jisung. When Jisung took his hand of Minho’s neck, Felix caught the glimpse of a mating mark. Felix's hand flying over his instinctively.
The mark didn't look like Chan's. It was smaller and paler. More like freckles than marks. He glanced at Chan noticing the way he kept his concentration and mind away as he stared blankly over at the entrance of the carriage as it moved slowly. Not even sparing a glance at a possibly sick Minho.
Minho was marked. He was marked and that wasn't Chan.
Then who was it...
And the night settled.
.
.
.
They reached the castle late into the morning. Felix was twisting in hunger, nibbling Chan’s skin with his teeth from where he was cuddled close the previous night, like a child.
He was so close to whining embarrassingly for food.
Chan though, didn't seem to mind as Felix kept nibbling his skin. Rather he stroked lazily on his arm trying to contain his mate's hunger for a while more.
Once they reached, Seungmin immediately took them to the royal diner. It was more of a brunch, hence no royals were there to share the meal with them.
From the corner of the eye, he saw Jisung escort Minho the other way, Changbin immediately following them. Jeongin has went in entirely other direction as Hyunjin stopped half way with them, infront of a huge entrance.
Seungmin started to plate for them, Felix tried so hard not to help him since Chan was throwing warning daggers at him for even thinking of being kind.
Felix sighed again, his thoughts drifting to Minho. Did he fall sick? Is he alright? Who mated him? He thought Minho loved Chan then-
He was pulled out of his thoughts by a gentle creasing on his thigh. He looked up to see a worried Chan. how can someone change their mood so fast.
They stared for a bit before Felix shook his head and gave him a small smile "Just nervous." He murmured.
Chan smiled half sadly and half understandingly.
Atleast their breakfast was peaceful or as peaceful as it could be. They didn't speak like they always did back in their comfort home. The only sounds were the clinking of the dishes and chewing of meat.
It seems Seungmin’s presence was keeping Chan tight lipped.
Felix doesn't know how many more times he's going to sigh.
Seungmin also plated another plate but didn't eat. Felix wasn't sure of that was for himself or for Minho, though Felix could make out worry undertones in his features.
He hoped it's the later.
After an awkward breakfast with his own mate, they were escorted to the royal bedroom. That's what Seungmin addressed their personal room as.
Once they were alone, Felix sagged into the wall. The tension from just entering the palace was draining. They didn't even meet any of the royals yet, Felix doubted if he could. And they were soon going to take the throne.
Fuck him.
Chan saw it, ofcourse he did and quickly swiped Felix into his arms and approached dthe bed.
Felix nuzzle his nose into the junction of his shoulder and neck and inhaled deeply. His eyes watered. "It already feels like I'm failing hyung. I don't think I'm the right choice." Felix whispered.
Chan grip tightened around him, a hand rubbed his shoulder as he felt himself being rocked gently "you are not failing Lixie. You are adjusting, and adjusting takes time." Chan tried to reason out.
Felix shook his head, still nuzzle deep into his neck "At the table right now I couldn't even talk to you. You know how our meals normally are. Its the only time we forget the stress from the tent and relax and now even that was snatched from us.
Chan scented him, having no answer and knowing it is how their life is going to be, starting this minute. "I'll still hold you Lixie, I'll still have you near me. If things get too much, I'll be there to remind you why you are still here, still with me."
Felix shuddered as the warm forest scent wrapped him "Maybe Minho-hyung is more capable of taking the throne hyung." Felix didn't mean to say it out but his scent drunk self couldn't stop before it was too late.
Chan stilled, tensed and growled lowly. "That omega, that wolf and that person is not going come anywhere near me, or you." Felix felt the raw hate for the first time.
Felix nodded since he didn't know what else to do.
They stayed like that, peaceful. Until Felix forgot they were in the palace and had a ceremony to attend, a throne to take over. And Chan, he kept rocking, patting and creasing Felix until he started to purr.
A knock disrupted the silent peace that Chan threaded around them.
Chan stiffened, forcefully pulling Felix put of his headspace. Chan subtly moved Felix behind him, trying to shield him if it were the pack again.
The door opened, Felix was hit with an entire different mixture of scents. Felix tried to peak over Chan's stilled shoulder to find a new pack of eight gorgeous men.
Of course not more than Chan.
"Hongjoong..." Chan whispered, Felix caught the underlying tone of fondness and misery. He exchanged glance between the alpha in the front and his mate.
Suddenly, the pack howled in happiness and sadness all at once. Felix was taken back when the alpha hugged Chan and Chan returned the hug.
"Alpha. Channie. Hyungie. Chan, oh my God. You're alive. Oh moons" the alpha cried out, checking Chan, maybe for injuries as Chan chuckled. The sound wet and sad.
"I'm ok Hongjoonie. See. I'm alive and okay." Chan muttered, pulled him into a hug as the rest of his pack shredded tears.
Felix felt very awkward as he subtly tried to back away to give them space until the omega hugged Chan. Felix saw red.
He immediately growled and pushed the omega away from his alpha, climbed on his lap and bared his teeth as he scented him heavily. The room fell quiet.
Chan chuckled and rubbed the back of Felix's neck to soothe him. "It's okay baby, Seonghwa is like a brother to me. He is already mated to Hongjoong. No worried yeah." He tried.
Felix sagged still keeping his grip on Chan though.
"Oh My stars, this is your mate? Channie he is super cute." Anothe romega muttered, not Seonghwa though. A blush crept on Felix's cheek. As the room cooed making Felix whine and hid his face in Chan's neck.
"Can I adopt him?" Another omega spoke. Voice dripping playfulness and excitement. Which only made Felix whine again.
Chan only chuckled. So this is a good pack. Maybe he could apologise and make them his friends.
Felix lifted his head, turned to the omega he growled earlier at and bowed a little "I'm sorry for acting rude. I don't know why I did that." Felix apologized only earning a small chuckle of fondness.
"Hongjoong-ah, he is absolutely adorable. If you don't give me a pup like him, I'm going to kick your ass." The omega- Seonghwa said. Felix blushed harder.
Hongjoong clapped his hands, his tone a bit serious "Alright, let's officially introduce ourselves to the future Luna and then let's get them ready for the coronation."
Felix climbed down Chan. Both of them stood infront of the pack as they started to introduce themselves.
"I'm Hongjoong - pack alpha"
"I'm Seonghwa - pack Luna"
"I'm Yunho - pack beta"
"I'm San - Second hand to pack alpha"
"I'm Yeosang - pack omega"
"I'm Jongho - youngest and beta healer"
"I'm Mingi - right hand to Hongjoong"
"I'm Wooyoung - everyone's favorite omega and you dad to be."
Wooyoung said with a teasing glint yearning a smack from Seonghwa and a faint 'Forget him.'
Felix chuckled, which made Chan chuckle as a domino effect the pack chuckled.
"We manage the sea trades and foreign affairs of this kingdom. Of your kingdom his highness." Hongjonng bowed, with a hand on his chest and a knee bent, his pack followed.
Felix squeaked and rushed to their Luna "Don't do this it feels really weird. A wrong weird. You're older than me."
Wooyoung again cooed "Yup I'm absolutely adopting you."
Felix whined making the room burst into laughter again.
This felt lighter, he felt lighter.
.
.
.
"His highness and your highness are arriving to the main palace." The guards yelled, Felix nerversouly clamped his hand to Chan's, apart from Chan squeezing his hand back, his face was neutral.
How are you so normal with this Chan? I'm crashing out here.
They were styled and dressed by the Hongjoong pack. They did an amazing job. Chan was dressed up in black and red clothing, his hair slicked back making his jaw more prominent.
Felix himself was styled beautifully, a white fabric embroyded with cold. His blonde hair tried back into a bun, few strands falling over his face.
Chan stared at him for more than a while, only resisting because of the presence of Hingjonng and his pack.
Now, they were walking steadily towards the throne. Placed in the higher ground were two beautiful chairs. One bigger than the other but just as magnificent. Carved with redwood and decorated with rubies and emeralds. Richer than anything else in the palace.
Chan has not let go of Felix the entire time. Firmly holding him in his personal space, even as the climbed the stairs leading to the thrones.
There, infront of then stood an old beta. Dressed modestly and eyes holding knowledge. "Welcome to the land of happiness and wealth, the southern's most powerful kingdom, the Levanter's newest King and its Luna." The beta read out loud enough for everyone in the court to hear.
Yells of approval and joy filled. Felix also caught a few faces froze in shock and disbelief as they stared at Chan intently as if trying to make out if he was a dream, a ghost or a reality.
Felix smirked a real proud feeling spreading across his chest.
The beta handed then a scroll. Chan took Felix hands in his and read the scroll loudly. His voice echoing through the walls of the main palace.
"I, son of Bang DoaChan and Bang InSeo, am honored to inherit the privileged throne and promise on the kingdom's happiness to not misuse its power for any personal reasons. I, Christopher Chan Bang, will protect my people and its prosperity and strive forward in improving the present resources. I further express my gratitude to all my people, my soldiers and scholars for trusting me with this highest position and responsibility of protecting and cherishing the kingdom."
The room again erupted into happy noises and hearfilling howls, Felix smiled proudly, all the doubts and fears melting as Chan sat on the throne.
The beta from earlier approached Felix, extending a crown and a sword placed on the red silk cover platter. He blinked confused at him.
"The Luna should place the crown on his highness head. Ot must have been lord Minho but since he is not available at the moment, we proceed with his present mate." Felix nodded, strangely he didn't feel any jealousy towards Minho. Looking back, he never did.
The cold metal of the crown and its decorated gems grazed his fingers as he delicately lifted it placed it on Chan's head. The room was filled with happy noises for the third time the day.
Later that, Felix sat on his own chair, just beside Chan's as a few omega servants draped a magnificent cloak on him. The cloak was awfully similar to Mimho that he wore in the carriage but Felix didn't comment on it.
The later parts, Felix zoned out. A lot of royals congratulating them, as he just bowed along with Chan receiving the gifts he never bothered to care about.
.
.
.
The ceremony was over. It was dinner time, Felix was exhausted enough to even sit in a room full of royal strangers and not even have his mate to himself during the meal time.
So he requested for someone to bring it to their room.
He strolled through the corridors, trying to memorize the pathways and also discovering few until few frustrated voice stopped him.
"How is he alive? Didn't you make sure he was dead?" Someone yelled, Felix hid behind the vase as he eavesdropping their conversation.
"I did my lord. Even we are perplexed how he is here." A trembling soldier replied.
...Who?
"Bullshit. He was supposed to be dead. It was perfect. The plan was perfect. How did Chan manage to escape in one peace." The so called lord yelled back, Felix couldn't see his face as he was backfacing Felix.
About Chan... so it was... them???
"Minho had survived a bondsickness. Bondsickness. Which means he has died. How did he even, how HOW." The lord growled, Felix didn't hear the rest of the conversation. He wagely hear a cry of pain before he bolted towards the chambers were the pack stayed.
if he killed Chan, then the pack didn't right? Minho suffered a bondsickness, because Chan was dead or the illusion of it, which means they mated but the mating mark was different.
He needed answers. Desperately so.he pushed his way to the pack's personal chamber.
Please. Please don't be whatever Chan think is real. Please make my belief on you to be true...