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Chapter Text

The healer's tent was a place that looked like it was on fast forward. Two healers rushing from one cot to another to tend to the sick ones. No one expected the winter to hit this early. None in the village was prepared to wake up with the world colored white and throats itchy and scratchy. 

"Lixie pass me the cough herbs." Felix heard his mate loud and clear as he gently placed the cold rag on a older beta's forehead. He dashed to the supply closet, grabbing the right amounts of different leaves and walked over to the place where they divided for the pups. He barely stepped inside as he heard his mate trying to shush a feverish pup.

Felix chuckled, taking the child from his mate and handed the herbs to Chan. The pup in is hand shouldn't be more that four... maybe five. A very cute pup, even though he was slightly flushed with sudden winter fever. He patted the pup's back and let out a light wave of soothing pheromones. Both to the pup and his tense alpha. "You need to calm down Channie. We do this last year too remember." Chan sighed but visibly relaxing under his Lixie's attention. "Just because we did it before, it doesn't mean it hurt less to them suffering. They are too young Lixie." Felix nodded, he knew that feeling.

The day started with a yell of distressed omega mother, carrying her sick pup. Chan and Felix barely rolled up the tent when they heard the scream. Chan was the one to bolt to the burning and whimpering in their mother's arms, as Felix went to mix some fever herbs. No longer later Chan moved into the pup section, placing them on the softest cot. Oh!  The pup's fever is high. Felix concentrated the herbs before giving it to Chan. Chan nodded at him, a silent thank you, as he coaxed the pup into drinking his meds.

And since then, everyone in the village came to the tent. Few for some quick relief for the cold and few had to be stayed as their fever was high enough to be concerning. Chan had taken care of the pup. Usually it would be Felix, he adored the pups till his chest felt like it would burst with warmth. But since there were more number of omegas today, it felt rightful for Felix to stay with them. The alpha's in his kingdom were possessive.

Felix placed the now sleeping pup in his cot and took some time admiring Chan as he gently treated the pups. He was so lucky to having Chan calling him his. There were days were omegas would drool over Chan, but Felix never felt jealous, in fact he was proud. He would link his arms with his alpha and think,  he was the one in million who got to have an alpha tat was strong and soft, protective and territorial. Not many were like that.

His memory drifted back to the day when they first met. 

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It was mid spring as a very young, close to presenting, Felix was in the wild to restock his parent's hut. His father was a male omega, who was also a healer and his mother was a female alpha who serves at the army. He was so proud of his parents, both serving to help and protect the nation. Since his mother would end up staying in the royal palace for most of the year, he spent his time with his father, helping him with herbs and learning something about healing everyday. He was twelve years old when he first successfully cleared a simple case of flu. The happiness he found in it was compared to nothing.

Now at the fresh age of eighteen, he was officially his father's only disciple. Taking his work very seriously. As he was picking up the last flower, making his basket that hung on his shoulders full, he turned to leave until he heard a low growl. His back locked up, his feet froze. Not with fear. No. But with how familiar yet stranger the sound was. It took a few more seconds of freezing did he realize that it was his mother's growl.

Another growl ripped, fearful, protective and waring followed by a whimper. His heart clenched at the whimper. Never in his life did he heard his mother whimper, that too out of pain.

Felix bolted towards the sound, instincts screaming to reach his mother and tend her. The closer he got to the sound, more growls erupted, not his mother's but others'. Other alphas were there. Their pheromones hit Felix, though unpresented, made him feel dizzy. He skied to a stop to see his mother in the center of a clearing, surrounded by alphas' who looked like soldiers from an unknown kingdom. 

His mother was protecting a boy, barely older than Felix as he clutched to his mother's armor, eyes wide and terrified as he saw for any chance to run and call for help. But Felix didn't care about the boy now, his focus was on his mother. Her protective instincts on full fire as she pressed against the boy, trying to shield him from the alphas. 

Her armor was half torn. Her prided sword nowhere in sight. Her head a leaking wound, a bruise on both of her shoulder, hair a mess and a actively bleeding wound, deep into her stomach. Felix gasped. His first instincts was to howl for his father and the villagers, but then it would alert the alphas around his mother. Felix hands shook not knowing what to do as he stayed behind the tree where he skidded a halt to.

One of the alpha growled and launched himself on his wounded mother, growling and bared teeth. His mother growled back as she knocked the alpha with trained fighting skills, yet not leaving the side of the boy. His mother whimpered again, clutching her side of the wound. The boy's arms placed gently over hers as she barely smiled at him. 

Maybe that did it. Felix rummaged through his herbal pack, quickly pulling out three dark greened leaves, a white flower and red flower and crushed it with his hand. Once the texture came out he applied it on the roots of the tree he was hiding. The paste should trick the scent of a feral alpha. It should.

And it did. After a couple of minutes the air was stinking of angry pheromones of a feral alpha. The alphas around his mother gave a warning growl, but seeing the scent not losing it's intensity, the retreated. Once the alphas left he saw his mother crumple to the ground as the boy yelled in panic trying and failing to support her body. Felix didn't waste another second as he took his herb bag and rushed towards his mother. 

"MOM!!!" Felix yelled as he reached for his mother. He whimpered and kneeled beside her side, taking of his shirt and balled it into her side. She was barely conscious. The adrenaline seemed to wore of, removing the mask and showing Felix how dire the situation was. He immediately took his mother's head into his lap and rummaged through his bag again. He didn't realize he was crying until he felt cold hands brush his face. 

"You've grown into a young man baby..." Him mother croaked out, hiccups breaking between her words. Felix shook his head and clutched the hands of his mother in a death grip. As if willing her to stay back, trying to not let her go. 

"It's okay my baby. It's okay." Felix was full on sobbing now. "Please mom... don't go yet. I just got you back." Felix pressed his forehead onto his mother's, his tears streaming from his cheeks into his mother's. "You promised- you promised you would be there for my presentation mom. Please please stay- don't go. please." He begged. more than he ever did in his entire life. "I'm sorry baby. I'm sorry." That made him cry more, this time in panic as he went back in searching for something that could make his mother stay. That could change the situation.

"My sweetie. I need you to do something for me. OK." His mother's voice was barely above a breathe, and Felix shook his head. If accepts her need, she'll leave. He doesn't want her to. "My baby. I need you to protect this boy Okay. I need you my baby. I-" Her breathe hitched, her hand dropped that was gently gripped Felix's cheek. His head snapped towards her, her eyes fluttering close. Felix didn't even know what possessed by he let out a high pitched mewl, yelling and begging for someone to find them. "My baby omega... I'm so proud of you my little love..." Her eyes closed.

Felix's heart seized for a long second. A feeling of something precious being forcefully ripped from him was so overwhelming. e looked at his mother's face, eyes closed, slick with sweat and she no longer smelled home. She smelled lost, something Felix failed to protect. A scream tore from his throat that vibrated the entire forest. He kept shaking his mother's body, begging and yelling at the same time until the boy pulled Felix into a long hug.

The boy's name was Chan- Bang Chan. Felix's father took him in after he explained the sudden assassination in the central market blew up the place and Felix's mother saved him from them. That his family was already killed by them. A twinge of anger swelled into Felix's chest. If this boy didn't meet his mother would have been alive, alive and happy. But he saw his father getting up and hugged the boy. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to cause any of this. I'm sorry she's not here because of me." Felix's father let out a fresh wave of soothing pheromones, his vanilla mixed with jasmine filled the air. "She always puts others first. It's alright Chan-ah." 

Felix didn't talk with Chan for a week, avoiding him. He spent his most of the days in his father's healing tent, trying to recreate his mother's pheromones. Only to end up crying his heart out, seeking for his mother. His father would always carry him back to the house and tuck him under his bed. 

One fine day, he was having breakfast with his father when Chan came out of his room, spending his three day rut inside the guest room. Yes, Chan was an alpha, that didn't change anything about Felix's perspective on him. If anything he grew angrier. As an alpha he must have protected himself. Isn't that what alpha's are, strong and powerful. Just as Chan approached the table, Felix abruptly stood up and left the dinning room only to be stopped by his father's voice. "Felix sit back. Now."

So he did. "It's been two moths Felix. He has no fault in this. It was your mother's decision to protect him. Let go of that anger little love." Felix's father asked gently, taking Felix's hands into his. Felix scoffed and gave a subtle glare to Chan sitting beside him. "He is an alpha dad." Felix stated as a matter of fact. "Young and just presented. It was only his third rut baby. That makes him-" Felix cut off "makes him still a pup at strength. I- I know. It's just- I don't know." Felix said, eyes swelling again. His father is pulled Felix into a side hug. "You're copping baby. But blaming someone who has no control is not good." Felix nodded into his neck.

"I'm dying too Lix-ah." His father said. Felix pulled pulled back abruptly. Cause what? "Bond sickness little love." His father completed. Felix stood up and yelled directly into his dad's face "Wy do everyone try leaving me huh? Why? If this is what it is then let me die too. We will be together again." Felix father's eyes widen in shock "Shut up Felix do you even know what you are talking about?" Felix wiped his tears harshly "Why should i be the one to see the only people who loved me, leave me. What did I do to deserve it?" He cursed out, his knees going weak, buckling into his weight.

His father wasn't fast enough. But Chan was, he caught Felix before he could hit the ground and Felix's hand clenching around his shirt. Felix cried out "Why is everyone leaving me alone?"  A hesitant question.

"You are never alone Lix-ah... Never." His father said, noticing how Chan's arms was protective around Felix's waist and another soothing his hair. Something Felix's mom did when she was courting him. But the beauty is, they still don't know it. But their hearts did. Until Chan let's the guilt go, and Felix accepts the reality, they will not know. 

Felix's father died two years into his mother's death. The bond sickness finally killing him. Felix presented as an omega right after the three months mark of his mother's death. His father helped through it. he must have been painful and needy but he was angry, angry how his mother wasn't there to crease his hair, wasn't with him to sing his pain away. All he could think of her and cry about the loss of her cinnamon tinted with lily scent. Protective and warm.

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Felix was snapped out of his trance when he heard a wail of another pup. He saw Chan rushing towards them. Giving a slight peck on Chan's cheek he walked out of the pup section and continued to tend over the remaining omegas and betas. 

And now every time he remembers about his parents, he doesn't feel sad, he doesn't feel angry or despair but love and different kind of completeness as he glances at Chan one last time before closing the flaps of the pups tent.

Chapter Text

By the time moon stood high in the sky, the chaos in the tent reduced to a great extent. A lot of omegas and betas were sent home with strict orders of taking rest, Chan sent more than half of the pups with their parents, other half were stuck for the night. 

Better safe than sorry.

Chan had been arranging the closet of the pup section, double checking if they had everything in case of emergencies. He was counting the fever portions when he felt slender arms encircle his waist. He didn't have to turn back to see who it is. The hands were very familiar around his waist, the soft and small fingers nibling his sides, almost like a cat making biscuits.

"What is it Lix? Missed me?" Chan asked, his voice dripping love and beyond. He felt a head nod on his shoulder, arms tightening just a little. Chan squeezed the palms around his waist, an unspoken promise of that he's here. That he has no intention leaving his omega.

Chan twisted himself in the hold of the younger. Once facing him, he gently cupped Felix's face and placed a feather-like kiss on his head. The kiss lingered a second long, making Felix smile into the affection. He was so tired, running from one cot to another, mixing varieties of medicines, exhausting himself enough to make him purr when Chan lifted him off the ground. He instinctively curled against Chan chest, his skin warm and real.

Chan sat on one of the empty cot by the window. The moonlight shimmering on them making Chan admire how much the blonde hair shimmered under it. It made him look ethereal like this, and Chan doubted if he really wasn't an incarnation of the moon goddess herself. He pushed back a stray strand of blonde hair and tucked it against Felix's ear, earning a pleased purr and content sigh al together from his mate.

 Chan sat like that for god knows how long, doing nothing but humming a faint song and admiring Felix in his arms. He felt content, complete even. He was so lost in his own world that he didn't hear the front door of the tent flap open, nor did he notice heavy footsteps against the floor until they halted right infront of Chan. 

Chan, after picking up the scents of various alphas among a beta and omega, gave a warning growl and hid Felix's face in his chest. His hold tightening around Felix protectively as he bared his teeth to the trespassers. He was yet to look at the faces of the group.

"Ch- Channie-hyung?" Chan stilled at the voice. He knew it. No matter how much he wanted erase the voices. The People. It still lingered at the back of his mind. The memories cruelly taunting him until he mated Felix and now they are here, just to make his nightmare real. To shatter the peaceful and complete life he built with Felix. Far away from jealousy and cruelty.

With tense posture, Chan tugged Felix into the cot. Covering him with blankets since it was a winter night. He made sure none of them could take a glance of Felix, he will never show them his happiness. After placing another soft kiss on his mate's head, he walked out of the tent. 

The trespassers followed him, though all of them wanted to rip the blanket and see who was under it. Especially the omega.

Once they came out, a tense silence took over. The oldest alpha from the group took a step forward. Cautious with how much tense Chan is he started to talk. "The king died Channie-hyung. It happened today afternoon, after the lunch." He spoke and waited for a reply. But Chan was still back facing them. His shoulders just as tense. 

The omega tried. "Hyungie, the kingdom needs you." He pushed out longing pheromones, directed to Chan. With that Chan scowled and turned to face them. His wolf eyes were out, glowing red with barely contained anger.

"Oh! now the kingdom wants me? What happened when they tried to kill me? What happened when they tried to make me disappear of the face of earth? What happened when all of you walked me right into my death hole? How will the kingdom need me if I died years ago?" Chan took a step closer to the omega with each question. Towering him and his companions as he shown them his poorly concealed anger. "Answer me Lee Minho-ssi."

Minho shuddered at his Chan calling him with his full name. He tucked his head down, appearing to be small, ready to submit to the raging alpha in front of him. The alpha from previous yanked Minho back. He was shorter than Chan, but hand broad shoulders to hide Minho. 

"Please don't talk to your pack like that hyung." the alpha asked, more like begged only for Chan to growl again. "Pack!? I'm screaming at people who back stabbed me. Pack stands for each other. They don't leave or kill each other." Chan spit out the words, he noticed how all of them looked hurt by his words, but he didn't care. Because they didn't care. 

Another tense silence took over, before Chan broke it. "How did you find me?" He asked, his mind already searching for reasons to ask Felix to move to another place since this was no longer safe for any of them. 

"we preserved your scent for tracking hyung. The court declared you were dead, but Minho-hyung was head on saying it was false. We waited until things settled. And once it was done, Seungmin-ie was searching every part of the kingdom for nearly three years." The beta said. He took a tentative step towards Chan only to be forced back by a teeth barring growl.

"Yeah. The court was right. That day, I died. This is a new me. A rebirth. So just leave and never- I say never come back again. Am I clear?" Chan asked, and he was about to Turn and leave to the tent only to be stopped by Minho's words.

"Are you really angry with me or are you not coming back with us because that omega managed to lure you into him?" Minho spoke, his voice a mix of anger, jealousy and desperation. Chan halted on his track. The scent blockers did nothing now as his anger basically burned it down to askes. He tuned back, walked slowly towards Minho until he stood right in front of him. His red eyes blinding the omega's eyes sight.

"Talk shit about me. I'll forgive you. Try to kill me I'll let you leave alive. But another word against my mate, you've chose hell over luxury." That was all. With that, Chan turned and left. Paying no mind to Minho's yells to comeback, no attention Hyunjin's broken apologies.

When Chan re-entered the tent, Felix was curled against the blanket, the moonlight still shimmering on his delicate features. Just like that, all the anger, all the tension eased out of his body, replaced with love and fierce devotion and protectiveness that would burn the world.

He sat on the edge of the bed and creased his mate's cheek. He has to get them out of the village, probably the country itself. They don't need his past coming to him to ruin his future with Felix. They don't need all the royal casualties to wreck them back into darkness. And Chan he was afraid to leave Felix.

Not because of his own pain.

But the pain that Felix might feel.

Afraid he won't survive another person he loved would leave him.

Afraid Felix will be forced into the same darkness as before if someone manages to separate him from Felix.

It could come true.

It will as long as his past knows where he is.

Chapter Text

The next day Felix woke up in the cot, snuggled against Chan’s chest. He smiled as his omega purred at the proximity. Felix snuggled even closer into his alpha’s arms, leaving a content sigh.

That made Chan to wake up from his sleep, he pulled Felix closer, and placed a sweet peck on his lips. “Good morning sunshine.” Chan greeted, his voice grave from sleep.

Felix sighed happily again and nudged his face into his mate's nape, eagerly taking in the scent of rain and sandalwood. In return Chan greedy sucked in Felix’s scent, the honey mixed with vanilla making him salivate.

Chan started to prep a few kissed on the nape, finding their mating mark he let out a possessive growl and licked over it, his canines grazing over it.

Chan occasionally growled into the kiss and Felix sighed happily, letting small rumbles in his throat. Chan flipped Felix, now on top of him as he kissed him even more deeper, their touches clashing.

Felix dipped his hands lower, wanting to feel a knot, probably beg for it only to jerk away when he heard a couple of oppressive knocks on their tent door.

He was tempted to ignore it, his instincts begging him to spend some tike with his alpha, but the knocks grew more persistent.

Afraid someone was sick, he slowly parted his lips. Chan chased them only for Felix to giggle and push the older away. Chan grunted and followed Felix to the door like a list puppy.

Felix opened the door, half expecting a fainting omega supported by their mate but no, someone he didn’t meet was there. An omega he figured.

The omega was beautiful in all the ways. Perfect jaw line, black hair looming over his eyes and a sharp nose. His eyes though, were something Felix never seen. It carried vulnerability and strength all in one pair of black orbs.

Felix was so lost in admiring the omega that he missed how tense Chan became when he threw the door open. He was snapped out when a hand was laid over his hips, protective and growled at the omega.

That’s when he noticed. The omega wasn’t alone. He had a pack. A huge one that too. 3 alphas and two betas. No wonder. He was very beautiful.

“Why are you here?” He was again snapped out of his drooling haze at Chan’s growl filled words, yanking Felix behind him in one swift motion.

“We are here to talk, representing the royal court and its orders.” The omega said. His voice was controlled neutral, letting no amount of emotion sweep through. Felix peeked from Chan’s shoulder.

Felix knew if Chan was mad, then they were bad. It takes a million reason for Chan to get angry. If he was growly and all worked up then it means they have sinned something.

But the others seemed so friendly, what would’ve they done. Maybe Chan was angry because they were royals. He never actually like anyone who was associated with the royal.

Except his mother. Ofcource.

“Can we enter the tent?” before Felix could answer Chan growled again, barking a very venom filled no. But the omega wasn’t faced by it.

“Chan-ssi, disrespecting the court representatives is a punishable offense. Your MaTe could suffer in your stance.” The omega spoke. Felix felt a shiver run down his spine. Cause what? Now all the beauty and charm was gone as Felix only saw a cold, royal person.

Chan stiffened there, his hands itching to shove the entire pack outside the village. But Minho raised his eye brow. Cooking his head as if asking Chan to dare to keep his wrong hands on him.

Before Chan could do anything drastic, he flushed out calming pheromones, making the tension in Chan’s body ease up a bit. He turned to Felix, who in return squeezed his hands, letting him know they would handle it.

Chan opened the door a bit wider, his jaw clenching as he did and gripped the door tightly, his knuckles turned white. Felix led the pack inside and asked them settle down. The omega was the first one to enter with grace and made himself comfortable in the tent. The betas followed him taking a seat either side and the alphas stood behind him, scary and strong.

Chan was infront of Fmuch your supposed mate told you about his pastx again blocking the sight from the pack. The omega snickered at him, the tone was rather angry and possessive than annoyed.

Felix frowned.

“I’m Lee Minho, the pack omega and the general advisor of the kingdom.” Minho nodded at them, Felix also introduced himself “I’m Lee Felix, the owner of the medical tent and this is my mate Chan.” Felix said, motioning his hand towards Chan.

Everyone in the room nodded.

Minho took a deep breathe, he looked at Chan, more like stared at him. His gaze cold and taunting. “Felix-ssi I don’t know How much your supposed mate told you about himself, but he isn’t some ordinary person.” Minho spoke, Chan growled by the time Minho finished.

Felix clamped his hands to his alpha, trying to calm him down as the Minho continued to speak “Chan is the son of the ruler of this kingdom. Son of king Bang. Bang Chan. He is also expected to take the throne since his highness passed away.” Chan launched himself forward towards Minho before Felix had the chance to stop him.

But before he could touch him, the alphas from the back stopped him, sinking their claws into Chan’s delicate shoulder in order to keep him down.

And no one touches Felix’s mate like that. Felix gave a warning growl, Chan stilled, whimpered once and came back to where he was.

“We won’t give much of details. It would be appreciated if Chan was sent to the kingdom to do his duties. A kingdom without a king is steadily moving to its destruction.” This time it was a beta who spoke.

Felix took in deep breathes before making an eye contact with the slender, intelligent looking beta. Felix didn’t even ask for the name. He turned hot on his heels and got out of the tent, wanting space to just wrap his head around the fact that Chan was the crown prince.

The last thing Felix heard was a muffled angry curse as Chan hurried to follow Felix. He heard Chan yell his name behind him only halted once he was inside their home. He heard Chan shut the door of their house and noticed how his scent changed into desperation.

“Why?” Felix questioned. His voice quivering slightly as his chest felt tight.

“Lixie, please. I didn’t mean hide it-“ Chan started but then stopped when he suddenly felt a small pair of hands hitting his chest, though there was no pain.

“But you still did. Why?” Felix asked again, this time there was tears in his eyes.

“Because I didn’t expect people who wanted me dead to suddenly come back and ask me to return to a place that planned to killed me. When the court declared I was dead, they were right. I died pixie, I cut off all my ties with the royals, I changed my scent so they wouldn’t track me but fuck, I really don’t know why they are here now.after everything.” Chan said, the desperation bleeding in his tone. He felt Felix going still, his muscles tense but he gripped into Chan’s shirt, his tiny palm curling tightly near his chest.

For a second there was nothing but silence, and then came Felix’s voice, soft and scared.

“Will you leave me too…” he asked, his voice nothing but sadness and fear that made Chan’s heart twist in ways he didn’t it could.

“No! Never Lixie. I will Nev3r leave you. Not now not ever.” Chan answered immediately, no hesitation and firm in his words as he pulled Felix into his arms ever more closer.

“But the kingdom…” Felix trailed off, knowing Chan would pick it up .

“I don’t care about people who wanted me dead. I don’t care about a palace that has luxury and death.” Chan said, he stroked Felix’s hair as he murmured reassurances to him.

“I love you Chan” Felix muttered, hiding his face into Chan’s neck.

“Love you too my omega” Chan replied both stood there in each other’s embrace.

Chapter Text

The evening started to fall, giving a golden bliss to the room where Chan and Felix laid cuddled against eachother. Chan had his arms wrapped around Felix's waist, securing his place against Chan's chest.

Felix let out content purrs and sighs every now and then. The heartbeat of his mate had him grounded to the reality he is living in. He was also aware, if he had let their wolves out, Chan's large black wolf would have been contrast to Felix's small, white-golden wolf. Their tails wagging at the same pace.

Felix couldn't help but spiral back to Minho's words. He knew what would happen to a kingdom without a king, without it's soul protector and guider. He knew it would crumble to ashes, to ruins. 

It would also leave to millions of life loss.

Loss of packs.

loss of pups.

loss of parents and rise of or[phans like him.

Felix hated it. A mistake of certain selfish people should not cause the peace and happiness of a family. Parents shouldn't die because Chan is heads on for not leaving Felix.

He doesn't want to be the reason of creating new parentless pups like him.

"Hyung..." Felix called out tentatively.

Chan hummed to Felix's call. He knew that tone. The tone that made Chan want to burn the whole world down just to get to what Felix asked him for. He also knew he only calls him 'hyung' when he is so sure Chan is going to reject whatever Felix is going to ask for.

But Chan isn't his strongest soldier.

Felix hesitated, loss for words he wanted so desperately ask for. Chan waited, whatever it was, if it made Felix hesitate then it surely was a very big matter to be discussed on.

"What's the matter love?" Chan asked, now grooming Felix's hair gently as his puffs of exhales fell on Felix's delicate neck.

"I want you to go back to the palace." Felix blurted out, his tone void of any emotion. Controlled neutral. Chan stiffened beside him. His scent spiking in anger and disbelief as his moment halted, fingers unmoving on his head.

"No." A firm tone. The first time Chan has ever declined Felix's wish, Felix's order to him. But with this matter he is not going back to the place that chased him and killed him. He pressed himself against Felix making his decision clear in words. 'I'm not leaving you.'

Felix sighed and sat up, ignoring the grumbles and growls of his alpha. He gently cupped Chan's face, forcing him to hold a eye contact. "I'm asking you to go back to the palace hyung. to rule and protect the innocent. Not to forgive anyone if you are not ready." Felix spoke with a voice that declared sincerity, that spoke he was speaking for the helpless ones. Not the greedy certains.

"I'm not leaving you." The sentence came out final, raw in ways Felix never knew it was real. Chan's voice had a mix of emotions, fear, despair, love and something more... protective.

"You are not leaving me hyung. I know you would come back, to me. Back here once you trust someone who is generous enough to be the king." Felix said as his fingers around Chan's cheek started to crease the worry frowns. 

"I trust you to come back. It's not like I have other people to wait for Channie." The last tone cracked a little without Felix trying, it bled sadness.

Chan growled again, thins time more of a pleading in order to make his mate not to be sad. "I'm not leaving anywhere. This is why i won't go. You'll be sad Lix. I know you would. And I can't stay away for a second knowing you are sad and I'm  not with you." Chan answered. His voice had an edge as Felix found it difficult to counter it.

Cause Felix knows, Chan understands him better that himself.

Felix sighed in frustration. He desperately wants Chan to go. He doesn't want the other pups to lose their parents. Their full, happy family.

"I don't want any one else to go orphan hyung." Felix whispered.

Chan tilted his head in confusion. 

"I was lucky to have you hyung. So lucky that i that the moons every night. But if there is no king, the kingdom will ruin. Millions will lose their lives and many pups will have no guidance hyung. Not everyone will have a Chan in their life." Felix desperately ranted to Chan, tears already threatening to fall.

Chan wiped the tears before the could fall, he let a sigh of understanding and pulled Felix closer. Wrapping his arms securely and protectively.

After a moment of silence.

"I'll go." Chan said.

Felix nodded, already planning his last days with his alpha, already cooking dishes Chan loved when he made them... especially for him. But...

"I'll go if you go too." Chan said, no room for arguments, no room for disagreements.

"But hyung, the tent-" Felix started panickly but Chan shushed him gently.

"If I'm the king then I'll have the power to assign someone here Lixie, but I'll go if you go. I'm not leaving you behind." Chan said firmly.

Felix could only nod. A part of him was elated he would always be with Chan. But another part of him was scared, scared about the royalty, about it's cruelty.

Scared about the pack.

Scared about Minho.

Without them knowing, there were shadows near them. They forgot that now, walls have ear and shadows could listen. Every bit of their conversation was heard, they were discovered, and they were noticed.

"I'll get you back hyung. I promise. I'll tell you everything you need to know." One of tye shadow whispered.

"Minho hyung, will Chan hyung ever forgive us?" Another shadow spoke, another familiar catastrophe.

"Don't know Sungie, but that's Chan hyung, even though now he has a mate, a gorgeous one that too, I for a fact know that somewhere in his heart, we live too" Minho answered back. His voice hopeful and expecting.

"Part one of our plan. Success." Minho whispered into the dark.

Chapter Text

It was early morning, the birds chirped softly even in the harsh winter. The sun was dimly lit through the window. The bed creaked softly as Chan rolled to the side in an attempt to find Felix and pull him closer like he did every other morning.

Chan frowned when his hand hit the cold, empty mattress instead of his personal sunshine. He grunted as he opened his eyes and sniffed the air deeply for Felix’s sweet vanilla and honey mixed scent.

There was no trace of his scent.

That means he was gone. For a very long time.

If it was any other circumstances, Chan wouldn’t panic the way he is now, but the pack was here. They were capable of anything and everything. They were cruel enough to kill him, one they claimed to love. Felix, he was a stranger for them.

With one fearful whimper Chan flopped off the bed and stumbled to door, having just woken up and running immediately made him lose his balance a bit.

He opened the door, the cold air of the winter hit him immediately but he ignored it. He ignored everything as he desperately sniffed the air for Felix’s scent.

Chan was frenzied, he immediately ran towards the tent, it wasn’t far away just a tad down their house, a good five minute walk. He scrambled there and stumbled in to find more than half of the medicines being emptied. If he were in a better headspace, he would have noticed but now his entire focus was on ‘find Felix. Mate missing.’

Chan ran out of the tent, he faced Minho and Jisung outside the tent’s main door, looking baffled at Chan’s expression, a mix of fear, anger, desperation, instincts and protectiveness.

Chan let a low growl seeing them there, well dressed and ready to travel back. And again Felix wasn’t nowhere near his sight. His jaw and fist clenched impossibly tight.

Chan was about to stalk towards Minho, ready to rip his head off for coming back and messing his perfect life.

Then.

Laughter.

Familiar. Deep and warm.

Felix.

Chan’s head never turned that fast his entire life. He himself was surprised he didn’t sprain his neck with the speed he used. His fist clenched a little bit more at the sight.

There. Felix stood, with an empty basket, surrounded by… hyunjin and seungmin?

Chan let out an angry and protective growl as he sprinted to Felix. Once he reached Felix, with one swift moment he yanked Felix behind him as he bared his teeth towards the betas of the pack.

Both of them took a step back as Chan’s usually damp forest scent, burned into anger. Behind them another growl erupted, which made Felix whimper at the dominance of another alpha and cling to Chan a little closer.

Chan didn’t have to turn to see who it was. He knew that voice. Even though he wanted to forget and bury it, he was never successful. It lingered in the back of his mind like a cruel reminder of his mistakes.

His first pack mate.

Han Jisung. Son of the most feared scholar. No crime would go past his meticulous eyes, no criminal had escaped from his sophisticated knowledge. But his own son chose to kill someone who he claimed to love.

He wonders if Jisung’s dad knows about this matter.

Then came Changbin, son of the greatest warrior. He was his best friend at first, learning the art of sword together. Laughing and sharing their clothes. Until Changbin chose to take part in the plan of killing him.

Then came their youngest, unpresented yet determined. Joining in the field of bows and arrows. His fox like eyes always say its prey in its perfect, vulnerable state until his weapon would take it down. Maybe that helped him to fool Chan, his cuteness and violence. A deadly combination.

Hyunjin and Seungmin were already a pair when they joined the pack, Hyunjin chose to study foreign languages and basic first aid as Seungmin was pursuing the complex of scent and wolf nature.

Both of them together were a powerful force, powerful enough to have deceived Chan.

And Chan was naïve, very trusting of all these strangers, falling in love and hoping to have a future, only for them to strike him down, break him into pieces and forced him to bury his old self.

He could also distinguish Minho’s soothing pheromones as Jisung’s growls reduced into faint rumblings.

Nothing is more crueler than missing the scent of someone who wanted you dead. No one is more unlucky that Chan for crawling back into hands that pushed him to his death.

Minho was his last pack mate, the son of his father’s strongest alliance. Their meeting was something Chan would have cherished, something he would have told his future pups in the most romantic way.

.

.

.

Years ago.

The palace was sparkling with candles and expensive, designer dresses. Famous scholars To great kings and his father’s friends were all present for this ceremony.

Ceremony because Chan presented as an alpha.

He presented as an alpha not more than a week ago and different omegas and few betas where already fawning over him, touching even if he politely rejected it.

Although he wanted to growl and snap his canines.

He has to be demure and mindful, the perfect prince. It was times at this did Chan hate being the prince, his discomfort was not taken seriously and his disapproval was mocked like it was a joke.

He was really happy that he had his pack when he presented, everyone minus Jeongin, since he was still unpresented and nothing but a pup. A ferocious one. Yet all that happiness and fulfillment has been disappeared into air with this dumb party.

Why would you go around and publicly announce that he was an Alpha. He has a pack, goddamnit.

“Hyung? You look like you would be anywhere else that here. Hating this that much.” It was Seungmin. He was dressed in the prettiest set of white suit with gold embroidery flowers all over his chest. His hair tousled down, falling over his pretty eyes as he spoke with the most softest and sweetest voice.

The whole pack wanted to be here, but then they were all assigned different tasks and Seungmin was the one who had enough time to accompany Chan out of his awkward moments with weird omegas.

Chan didn’t answer. His long sigh was enough for Seungmin to chuckle and coo at the newly presented alpha.

Seungmin presented as a beta a month before Chan’s presentation. And Chan envied his easy presentation. It was nothing compared to Chan’s intense need to knot a omega and to breed them. Nothing like waves of arousal hit him every hour. It was pure hell.

Not to mention his alpha was very protective growling at anyone that was not his pack and if anyone from the pack did entered they didn’t- couldn’t leave until Chan was knocked out enough for them to escape his death grip.

Overall, his was sweaty, needy and growly with a permanent tent in his pants for a whole week. While Seungmin’s was barely cramps and a fever for two days.

Yup. Chan hates subgenders.

Chan had enough. He stood up, almost knocking over yet another attention seeking whor- omega. Wanting some air, he stepped out of the ball room and entered the garden.

It was quiet, expected since it was almost midnight. Chan watched the moon, high and alone surrounded by billions of stars. He wondered if the moon goddess has mates, since the moon was always alone. Surrounded by pretty stars, yet somehow never matching the beauty of the goddess herself.

Chan’s eyes lowered from the sky to the nearby lake. His breathe hitched when he saw a very calm being beside the small pond of water. From feels of distance, he could stoll smell the faint smell of lavender mixed with rose and cinnamon.

Wow.

Without realizing he was moving, Chan inched closer to the assumed omega. His instincts, his alpha was screaming MINE, a million times a second it drowned out everything.

Chan was about to place his hand on the omega’s shoulder only to let put a painful yelp. His outstretched hand was caught in lightning speed, sound upward and was tackled to to the ground with a sharp knife on his throat. Chan breathing stilled.

It all happened in one moment, Chan’s defense training went useless. Eventhough he could still push past the strength of the omega, he couldn’t.

Chan’s eyes traced over the delicate yet strong features of the omega, clear pale skin, big black orbs shining under the moonlit sky, hair long enough to fall over his eyes, which Chan wanted to badly to brush them off until the omega fell asleep on his chest. Perfect sharp jaw and equally perfect sharp nose, full plump lips that made his heart thud with anticipation.

Wow.

“You’re beautiful.” Chan muttered loudly, the omega’s eyes widened a bit, definitely not expecting a compliment from someone at his knife point.

“what?” Chan melted into that melody voice. It was as soothing as Seungmin’s, maybe a bit more stronger and rough. But just as soft.

“You’re beautiful.” This time Chan said it with confidence.

Slowly, recognition was drawn into his features as he pulled his knife back, and offered a hand to Chan to take it. Chan took the offer. His big hand almost , entirely swallowed omega’s small ones.

Chan blushed at it.

Chan’s hand lingered for a second more before the omega yanked his hand. “So prince Chan.” The omega spoke and Chan nodded his head eagerly and aggressively.

The omega chuckled, a faint pride overtook his chest as his alpha howled happily inside his head.

“Could see you’re still newly presented. Instincts are still raw Mr. Prince. I’m Minho. Son of Lee Jeonwonk of kingdom Aesteris.” Minho extended his hand again with a smile.

Chan took the hand and smiled back, practically buzzing with happiness since he overheard the alliance of joining the borders of the both kingdom.

Which means…

Minho is going to stay.

.

.

.

Present time

“Where did you go Felix? Why didn’t you Tell me where you were going? why didn’t you wake me up?” Chan growled at Felix.

Chan never gets angry at Felix, never snaps at him. Felix is his precious, his love and heart. Snapping at him would drown him in guilt.

But this wasn’t anger, this was fear. Fear losing the only thing that had him tethered to the Earth. To live and laugh.

Felix tensed and before he spoke “Felix wanted to clear a few medicines in the tent and give them to the villagers since we will be leaving in the afternoon. He didn’t wan Them go to waste. Hyunjin and Seungmin accompanied him just in case.” Jeongin answered. His voice low, just enough Chan to hear.

Then came Minho’s voice.

“Whatever the reason is hyungie, snapping at your mate is cruel.” There was a slight taunt in his tone, but majorly concern.

Chan snapped his eyes shut, turning to face Feliyou’re e went down on both the knees and wiped the tears falling from his eyes. “As much as I hate those words are from him sunshine, it’s true. Whatever the reason was, it doesn’t give me the reason to snap at you. I’m sorry Lixie. Will you forgive your stupid alpha this once?” his voice reduced to softness to begging.

Felix nodded, hugging Chan and inhaling his calming forest scent. Chan wrapped his hands around Felix’s waist and pulled him closer, kissing his crown of the head.

A throat cleared.

“Let’s start moving. You’ll be attending your coronation today and will be announced officially to the kingdom after rest.” Changbin said, making an eye contact with Chan.

Chan face turned to stone, his eyes burned as he stared at Changbin. And then his voice came, final and declarative “I will be the king if Lixie takes the throne too.”

Minho chuckled at that. A dark meaning behind it.

“Oh hyungie. I guessed. And to inform you, Felix’s coronation as the Luna will also be held today, right by your side, for the position of the queen.”

…

What...

"What!?" Chan question came hesitant, doubtful and full of bewildered distrust.

He has thought that Minho was greedy for the throne, convinced the reason he plotted against Chan.

Will this put Felix's life in danger? Is Chan walking his mate down his own death statement?

Sensing Chan's hesitence, Hyunjin stepped forward "Hyung, there are a lot of things to explains. But I need you to believe that we mean no harm to out omega." He said, his voice quivered at the end.

Accepting Felix as theirs was really a challenge. But the morning betas spent it with Felix they realized why Chan was head over heels for this little one.

"Mine. Not yours, never yours." Chan said, adding a growl and a squeeze on Felix’s waist.

From the corner of his eyes he could see Minho getting worked up. Jealous? Maybe no. He was probably angry someone is threatening his throne again. 

Right?...

Chan cleared his throat this time and tugged Felix closer as he stiffly guided Felix to the carriage. Keeping an eye out for the pack.

"When I'm not around, please don't talk with them... don't even stay alone in a room with them." Chan asked, cupping Felix’s cheeks as he placed a soft kiss on his lips.

Felix melted there, clutching the shirt of his alpha and purred into the kiss. Once they backed off to catch their breathe "Sorry alpha, I didn't mean to scare you. I just, you were sleeping well and you never sleep well so I thought of distributing the remaining meds since it would be a while for another healer to arrive." He said connecting their forehead and creased Chan's nape. Providing the exact comfort Chan needs.

Just as the backed away and felix leaned into Chan, his back pressing against his chest, Minho entered, followed by Jisung and others. 

"Tsk. Public display of affection." Minho spat. His voice dangerously neutral, only enough to say he wasn't happy or thrilled about it.

Chan bit back the urge to growl at him. It's a waste, since Minho wouldn't even be faced by it.

Always the cocky one.

"At the palace, not everything you see and hear are the truth. Not everything that plays out is real. Not everyone with kind smiles and polite gestures are trustworthy." Seungmin said, his voice highly directed to Chan as if hinting something.

Like you.

Chan suppressed the words inside his throat and gave a stiff nod, beside him Felix looked like he wanted to ask more questions, but he once glanced at Chan and sinked back into Chan's arms.

And as such the carriage started to move.

The journey to their battle, as a pack or not, has started.

Moon goddess, all I hope is you to keep a watch on my mate when I'm not beside him...

Moon goddess, all I ask is for hyung to be with us, and for all the anger to turn into love...

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...

Chapter Text

Jisung always kept track of Minho's heats. Always kept him safe from the world at his most vulnerable time. Always ensured they were in a safe space before he let Minho get into his vulnerable, omegan form. 

So when he noticed the sudden increase in Minho's temperature, the faint sickeningly sweet smell that started to float in the carriage, the sweat that accumulated in his forehead and back, Jisung knew it started. Minho was in pre-heat, and they were no where what was called a safe space.

Minho already started to scratch his neck, the sweat gland and his mark. Jisung heart twisted painfully as he gathered a whimpering Minho into his arms. With the gentlest touches he could use, Jisung propped Minho against his chest. The rest of the pack forming a barrier to obstruct the view from their alpha... and his? their omega.

"It's okay hyung. Just a little longer. We'll reach the palace. Hold on please..." Jisung whispered into Minho's sweat slicked hair, trying to scent him just right, not too less to be useless, not too much for instict flare up, pushing Minho further into his heat.

Minho whimpered at the words, clutching onto Jisung's hand, so strong it would bruise. His words were slurred, few tears mixing with the sweat that streamed down his cheeks. "...Chan... please... Chan..." Minho slurred. Jisung's eyes watered. His chest tightening further as he gently squeezed Minho, burying the elder's face in the crook of his neck releasing calming chocolate and coffee directed to Minho. 

"It's okay hyung. It's okay." Jisung didn't know what else to say. Soon Minho went limp in his hold, conscious but too tired to even blink his eyes open. Once the omega's body sagged further, Jisung let go of the mating bit and brushed his cheek. "Sleep hyung. I'll wake you up later." Jisung creased his thumb over the omega's pale and hot cheeks. His eyes never leaving the closed eyes of Minho's.

The rest of the ride, Jisung didn't let go of Minho, keeping him secured in his arms. Brushing of the stray of hair that fell on his face and scenting his every once a while. With heart full of worry and desperation, Jisung waited until they reached the palace.

.

.

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When they reached the castle, Jisung made Minho lean on him, holding his weight entirely. Jisung ignored the worried gaze of Felix- scratch that, he ignored Felix entirely as he helped Minho to their personal room, the pack room. Changbin followed them right away. "Hyung call Sana-ssi. Minho is going into a full heat." He almost yelled, Changbin was quick on his feet, sprinting through the corridors until the medical wing came into view, shouting for the older omega. 

"Sana noona, noona. Hyung... hyung." Changbin didn't even finish what he wanted to say, stood there trying to  catch his breathing, but Sana emerged from the curtains, face white with tension and carrying a small medical kit.

"Let's go." Sana replied, a mix of urgency and sympathy bleeding through her tone. Changbin nodded. Trying to slow down his pace to escort the omegan doctor respectfully into their room.

The doors opened, and the sight shattered his heart. The freshly baked bread scent was twisted, burnt and wrong. Minho was crying and thrashing, his yells and wails echoed through the thick walls. Jisung's arms was bleeding, sharp and deep creascent marks oozing the dark red liquid. But his eyes were fixed on Minho, his hands on Minho's shoulders trying to keep him to the bed. 

"Oh no." Sana whispered under her breathe. Quickly making her way to Minho, who just gave heart wrecking scream. His hands abandoning Jisung's arms and making their way to his scent gland, to his mating mark.

"Don't let him. You know the rules." Sana said, or yelled. Her voice barely audible over Minho's shouts of pain as Changbin jumped on the mattress and helped Jisung to hold a wildly thrashing Minho away from his bond. 

Right on time, Hyunjin and Jeongin came rushing with water and rag clothes. Sana was mixing few powders and liquids. Minho let out a ugly sob, squirming, trying to get his hands free from Jisung and Changbin. "LET ME GO. Please. It hurts. LET. ME. GO." Minho yelled, trying again, failing.

Sana quickly poured the liquid into Minho's mouth. It seemed to be bitter as Minho's face screwed into disgust and almost threw up, if Jisung didn't cover Minho's mouth with hands, forcing the omega to gulp down the bitter liquid. 

Minho clawed at Jisung, blindly letting his instincts guide him. Jisung immediately latched on the wrist, bringing it closer to his heart and whispering soothing nonsenses into his ears. Minho's cries reduced to whimpers and sniffles. Hyunjin and Jeongin took this distraction and wiped the sweat and tears of his face, placing cooling towels on his scent glands to get down the temperature. 

Minho buried his face into Jisung's neck, greedily inhaling the chocolate and coffee scent, letting it wash over him, soothe him and calm him. His fingers twitched as he fisted the royal clothing of Jisung. "Channie..." and then Minho passed out, still holding onto Jisung, still in his delirious heat.

Jisung's eyes watered at the state Minho is. He looked up, in futile attempt to contain his tears. But they flowed, Sana sighed. Changbin placing firm hand on Jisung's shoulder as the betas hugged him. Through all this Jisung didn't let go if Minho. How could he...

How could he when Minho thought he was Chan...

"I don't know if loving Chan hyung is a blessing or a curse Binnie hyung." Jisung mumbled lowly, trying not to wake Minho. While wiping Minho's neck with a damp cloth as he let out another wave of pheromones.

"Anything that is pure and innocent hurts Sungie. We'll be alright." Changbin answered, his eyes never leaving Minho, watching the gentle rise and fall of his breathe. He gently stroked Minho's hand.

"It's good the bond is not glowing... yet." Hyunjin muttered, his hands twitching as if wanting to gain a sense of control over the situation that's been going on for more than four years. Jisung nodded, his fingers brushing over the swelling mark. "It will soon." He whispered into the silence.

The door creaked open. No one had to look up to know who came in. The calm and grounding ocean scent filled the room. "Is everything alright?" Seungmin asked softly. Suddenly conscious about the curled and tucked omega in Jisung's arms.

"It's.. intense than usual." Jisung answered, looking at Sana for answers. "Do you know why? The last time it was this intense was before I..." Jisung trailed off. Sana sighed, pausing her works on preparing another medicine as she looked up at Jisung, then Changbin then looking anywhere but them. Something sick crawled under their skin.

"We all know this is a result of Chan-ah's disappearance right. His wolf must have made peace with the fact that Chan would never come back, must have accepted it. But now. Chan is in touching vicinity and he is not able to be with his believed mate, I think that is why it's getting worse." She paused, her fear filled eyes locking into Jisung. "His wolf is recognizing the mating mark was not Chan's, and if Chan doesn't mate him as soon as possible, Minho would slowly start to reject the current mark." She said, her voice shaking as the same time as her hands.

Seungmin gasped. "No. No no no no no. That can't happen. That shouldn't happen. If a wolf, rejects the mark then- then- it- I-" stuttered, his scent bittering. Minho whined and closed in closer at Jisung as Hyunjin hugged the distressed beta. "I know Minnie, I know... but we won't let that happen yeah. We will be there before it's too late ok? Trust me, trust us and trust yourself Minnie." Hyunjin said, his voice soothing as he tried to calm the beta.

"I've done my part Changbin-ah. Just convince Chan on mating Minho alright. Give me a call if it gets any more worse." Sana said, bowing to the rest of the pack and gave one last side hug to Changbin before turning to leave the room. Changbin nodded at her and then sighed.

.

.

.

It's been hours since Sana departed. Everyone was positive that the coronation ceremony was ended. Minho has yet to wake up. And as expected the mating mark started to glow. Not blindingly, just a like flickering candle. Jisung stroked the mark anyways. Seungmin tried to wake Minho up, to eat and keep him hydrated but Hyunjin stopped him. Shaking his head as his eyes said 'Hyung doesn't need food right now Minnie-ah. Let him sleep.' So Seungmin let him be.

The silence was both calm and torturous. Minho whimpered, once then fell back into Jisung's arms. Quiet and still. No sound, the only moment being his slow and deep rise and fall of his chest and the flickering glow of his mark.

Then the door burst open.

Changbin tensed, Jisung let a low growl covering Minho as much as possible. Jeongin already halway with his sword. Until...

Until they saw Felix.

Felix.

"Felix?" Changbin asked, trying to figure why Felix is even here. How Chan let him wander of alone. Let him be with them. Alone.

Felix face was flush and slick with sweat. His legs trembling as if he equipped all his energy just to meet them. His hands clasped together tightly, like they would fall out if he didn't hold them. "Changbin hyung I- I- heard-" Felix was cut as a high pitch whimper then a loud wail filled the room. Felix's eyes widen when his gaze fell on the omega mostly shielded by Jisung.

"Minho hyung?" Felix whispered. His eyes taking over the way Minho's body was covered and drenched with sweat, his face a shade he never seen before, paler than any omega in heat should be. What made Felix's heart to stop, his legs going weak, almost buckling under the sudden and violent fear that almost buried him was the exposed mating mark.

It was glowing.

"Bond sickness." Felix muttered, everyone in the room stilled. All the eyes falling onto Felix, wide and fearful. Felix breathing stuttered, his scent soured. His breathing suddenly became ragged and fast, too shallow to fully take in a breathe. Suddenly there were arms around him. Strong and long, reminding him of Chan.

"It's okay Felix hyung. It okay. Deep breathes. Minho hyung is sensitive to scents right now. I need you to calm down enough to get your scent into control. please." The warmth of eucalyptus surrounded him. Felix pressed his cheek against the broad shoulder and willed his breathes to steady. Finally, he masked all the panic filled scent of his with his calming one. Felix sighed and pulled away, reluctantly.

Jeongin stepped back, when he lifted his head to meet Changbin though, if eyes could kill, he would've died there, burned into ashes.

"What are you doing here Felix? How did Chan hyung let you come here?" Changbin questioned. His voice colder than intended, his muscles tensing scaring Felix as he tucked his head down, trying to not meet the gaze of a possibly angry alpha who is in a very protective instinct.

"I- um- Chan hyung doesn't know I'm here." Felix muttered softly, almost proud he didn't stutter more than once infront of a domineering alpha. 

Changbin snickered. "Then you should leave, before hyung barges in and accuses us for luring you inside." Again he didn't mean to be rude, but one reason or another, if Chan refusing to forgive them then Felix is one of a major reason. Chan hyung has a mate, and that being on of them made Changbin want to skin the omega alive.

"I can't Changbin hyung. Not when Minho hyung is like this." Felix tried again, this time stubborn and final. His voice giving away the tone he used to speak with stubborn alphas who never cared about their omega mates.

"We don't need your pity Felix-ssi. You may leave." Changbin said. Neither backing off. Changbin's angry pheromones filled the room, making Felix almost whimper at the spiciness in his scent. Felix was about to answer but was cut off with a scream that made goosebumps break over the ski, Felix flinched before his attention went back to Minho. Now Minho was shaking, his fingers digging intoJisung's that was laid protectively over the side of Minho neck. Felix gasped as he realized.

For some reason Minho is trying to rip of the bond.

Felix was no longer infront of Changbin, he bolted towards the bed, sliding beside Minho as he ignored the warning growl from Jisung. He took a deep breathe and released some of Chan's pheromones to soothe Minho. Instantly, Minho calmed down. Just like that. He abandoned Jisung and clawed his way to Felix, burying his nose on the crook of Felix's neck just above the mating mark as he took in deep breathes. Felix circled his arms around Minho's waist, hoisting him closer. The room was dead silent apart from the deep breathes from the older omega.

Any omega would feel territorial if someone gets closer to their mating mark, but Felix, his heart felt light just by knowing it was providing the comfort Minho needs desperately. Looks like everyone else in the room understood it too.

"Mine..." Minho whispered, licking a stripe over the mark, everyone in the room tensed but Felix smiled and brushed the hair back and replied in the softest tone the pack has ever heard "Yes hyung. That is yours and I will give it you sooner than later. Just hang on." Felix's voice quivered at the end. Blinking back the tears as he faced the pack.

"How...?" Felix questioned. Suddenly he was with his father, on the full moon night where he lost his father in the cruelest way possible, the bond sickness. Now know one of Chan's pack, his pack, suffering the same burned him inside out.

It was Seungmin who spoke. He stepped forward taking a deep breathe. His eyes never straying away from the omega cuddle pile as he clenched his hands "When the court declared Chan hyung was dead... Minho almost went feral." All the air was sucked out of the room. "Jisung and Jeonginnie managed to calm him down before anything drastic happened. I won't go into details but Minho hyung isn't the cold one everyone knows rather he is someone who love someone the hardest." Seungmin sniffled so Hyunjin took over.

"Then Hyung's first heat came over. It wasn't like the previous one. He wasn't needy or slicking up. He was sweating, flush with a temperature higher than fever. He won't stop repeating the words 'Channie hyung isn't dead'. That's when Sana noona came over. She diagnosed him wit bond sickness." Hyunjinanswered. By this time, Felix had his tears flowing freely, dripping sluggishly on Minho's shoulder.

"But Channie is not dead! Then how- that doesn't make sense." Felix argued back, his grip on Minho tightening just a little and Minho for once purred slowly. The room fell silent until Jisung burst into tears. His cries were loud, ugly sobs. Changbin took him into his arms and rocked him silently letting his soothing charcoal and pepper scent wash over the other.

"That's been a while, like after Chan hyung disappeared Minho hyung never purred. Not even while sleeping." Changbin commented as another wave of despair washed over Felix as he rocked Minho along with Changbin.

"Jisung had to mate him during his heat. Selfishly hoping it would increase hyung's life time. But then during his next heat, intensity of the bond sickness reduced. Seungmin hyung spent day and night in the library before discovering about pseudo bond sickness. It's very similar to bond sickness, but it doesn't kill you. Just comes with the same pain on every heat." Jeongin finished.

Felix took a few seconds for that to sink in, to believe that Minho was so in love Chan that when Chan was announced dead, not only did he get feral, but he also suffered- he's also suffering multiple bond sickness.

"But then why now?" Felix asked, if it was a duplicate then it shouldn't be so severe, so painful and intense, "Sana noona said Minho hyung 's wolf was starting to believe Chan was really gone, that he won't come back. Was getting itself ready to let Minho out of the suffering, but the moment Miho hyung laid his eyes on Chan, all his wolf- basically all of us want to throw ourselves into his arms, stay there till the world ends and bask into his fresh forest scent." Changbin answered. "But now, Minho hyung saw the mark on your neck and realized the mark on his wasn't the same. Heard Chan call you out as his mate and figured the mark doesn't belong to Chan, that he  doesn't belong to Chan. So his wolf is starting to reject it. Triggering a bond rejection." Changbin answered again.

Felix gasped so loud, his body visible gave a frightened tremble. "What!? That- That's so cruel! He would, he would die. That can't happen." Felix almost yelled, but one whine from Minho made him regain his self control over his scent and voice. "Only, only if Chan mates him he would survive." Felix answered softly, stroking Minho's hair as he felt the older finally doze off. 

Felix settled Minho between Jisung and Jeongin, he quietly stood up and left the room, his mind running a million thoughts a second. He forgot the purpose of even daring to meet them after Chan's final decision. He knows he smells like Minho, he knows he reeking his scent of warm smoke. Yet he didn't hesitate to enter his room.

Chan was already there, going through bundles of scrolls when he caught a whiff of Minho's scent, he growled immediately. Until he lift his head and saw Felix, saw his mate reeking of the scent of someone who planned to kill him. Chan's first emotion was anger until he saw the trembles in his mate's shoulders, the wetness in his cheeks the red eyes locking into Chan before he ran and threw himself in his arms and cried, cried until there was no more energy to do so. 

Chan was taken aback by the intensity of his cries. Of course Felix cried often but this loudly and distressed, he heard it the last time they buried his father. Chan immediately wrapped his arms around the omega, rubbing soothing circles and murmuring words that didn't reach past Felix's ringing ears. Chan rocked him gently, running a soothing hand over his hair and scenting him. 

"Lix you're scaring me love, what's wrong hmm? did anyone say or do something?" Chan asked, his worry increasing by the minute. His protective instinct was so strong he forgot the traces of Minho's scent on Felix anymore. "I can't Channie. But I will, just at the right time." Felix said, worst of his cries died, making him floaty and dreamy in his mate's arms surrounded by the protective layer of Chan's scent.

"Then sleep my love, just sleep." Chan said and so did Felix, worry for Minho still lingered, but he decided against it.

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.

Three days. It took three days for Felix to meet Minho again. The pack was stubborn for not letting felix meet Minho, said it was too risky if Minho get's used to Chan's scent on him. In these three days, Felix tried asking the servants and the soldiers about the pack and about the thing of they were trying to kill Chan. No one spoke a word.

When Felix met Minho, it was in the royal gardens. Minho looked so much better than when he lastly saw him. The color returned to his face, he also looked so much stronger and healthier that made Felix's heart ache in all the good ways. He approached Minho.

Now or never.

"Hyung I need to talk to you." Felix started, voice small and hesitant.

He saw Minho stiffen infront of him. Minho didn't even turn back to look at Felix and that broke a little part of his heart. "About what?" The voice came cold and neutral, nothing like he spoke with him outside the palace. Felix almost flinched at that tone.

"I heard someone speaking about their plan on killing Channie, so it wasn't you. So just wanted to ask why-" Felix flinched back when suddenly a knife was placed on his neck, the cold metal meant nothing compared to the coldness in Minho's eyes. The knife dug deeper drawing a thin line of blood.

"...Hyung?" Felix questioned and winced when the knife dug deeper, Minho's eyes never leaving his.

"One word and you won't be saying the next." Minho warned, his eyes rained fire before pulling the knife back and wiping Felix's blood on Felix's royal gold silk cloth. When their eyes met again, Felix definitely flinched back. "I told you omega. We tried to kill hyung. We made a mistake, a sin and now we are begging him to forgive us. Truth or not, you must believe this." Minho took a step forward and Felix took a step back. "Next time, don't try to distinguish between truth and lie. You will get burned alive." With that Minho turned to leave. But Felix yelled. "I believe what I want to hyung. You cannot force me into believing lies that are obvious." Felix yelled.

Minho shrugged and walked away.

Felix winced as a cold air brushed through his throat, burning the cut as he glared at Minho angrily. Not for hurting him. He believed- he knew there must be a reason for that. but for treating him like child and saying him what to believe and what not to. Oh Chan is going to be so mad...

I will believe it wasn't you hyung...

Chapter Text

The courtroom was reduced into whispers and explanations. Almost like a schooling class. And Chan focused more on not dozing of instead Hongjoon explaining about their neighbouring kingdoms.

It was boring.

Chan was also restless. Being away from Felix was never easy. His alpha always attached to his mate's omega. Now being away from that familiar scent of home, his alpha was clawing under to search for his mate.

His alpha begged Chan to find his omega to keep himself fresh, to keep him away from the pack.

From Minho.

But he can't. He has duties now. Duties he ran away from.

His sub conscious registered Seonghwa taking over as Hongjoong stiffly headed out.

"The eastern kingdom is Asterias is our best alliance. The kingdom is ruled under Kim Namjoon and his mate's which flourishes with medicine- 

Seonghwa was abruptly stopped by the door bursting through. Chan flinched at the sudden intrusion. His thoughts completely filled by his mate, so much his senses didn't register the soldier.

The beta soldier was trembling, immediately on his knee as he greeted Chan. His shoulder was so tense, Chan thought the tendons would rip off.

"Rise. What happened?" Chan ordered. His hands already flying to his sword.

The beta rose, Chan minutely noticed the sudden interest of Minho's father. Dokyun.

"Your highness, Luna was a- attacked." Beta blurted out.

Chan heard him, loud and clear in the silent court room. Yet he was convinced he misheard him. His knuckles whitened as his grip suddenly tightened around the sword.

Chan jumped off his throne, immediately infront of the tense Beta. "Where?" The question sounded like a threat. The beta shrieked from Chan's gaze, staggering a step back as Chan's angry pheromones started to fill the room.

"The me- medical wing." The beta answered, mire like whispered and moved out of the way when Chan strided out of the room. Hongjoong's pack and Dokyun following him.

Chan's grip on the sword never loosened as his mind played away the worse of the scenarios in existence. He shook his head in a pitiful attempt to hide his tears.

The two guards infront of him bowed, immediately opening the door for their ruler.

Chan entered. His breathes coming out as painful pants. He frantically scanned the room, desperate to see his mate. Alive and well.

Oh gods, let him be alive.

Then, Chan saw him. He saw Felix, at farthest end of the room.the freckles he adorned beautiful were now mere ink spots on his pale strikes face. His lips were chapped, shoulders slouching as if he was tired and exhausted. And his neck-

God his neck was wrapped in the thickest of the bandages, a bowl of red liquid just beside him.

"FELIX!" Chan yell caught all the attention in the room. The workers immediately bowing as he sprinted towards Felix.

Before Felix could even register the call, his face was cupped in strong hands. The smell of rain forest twisted with fear hit him so strong he whimpered and tried to scent back, only to whimper again.

Chan immediately cupped the dry, sweat dried cheek. Brushing the tears tracks and the freckles with a softness only reserved for Felix.

"Felix. Lix! Moons, what happened?" Chan muttered as he traced the bandages earning another painful whimper from his mate.

"Your highness. Luna came here with a slit throat. Not deep enough to sacrifice anything. Nothing life threatening. Just a wound deep enough to bleed. However, his scent gland was scratched a little in the process and I would suggest to keep His highness away from scent Your highness." Chan registered the words until it said it wasn't life threatening. After that...

Anger.

Blind rage.

Right under his protection, someone was bold enough to make his mate bleed in his kingdom.

Funny, how this same kingdom tried to kill him too.

"Who? Who even dared to even think of keeping their filthy hands on my mate?" Chan questioned. His eyes boring into the thick bandage around Felix's neck. A hand delicately pressed behind Felix's neck, and the other clutched the sword mercilessly, already half way out.

"I- I'm not sure but the guards were talking that the royal omega was with Luna..." the healer trailed off, suddenly the world turned red to Chan. The blood seeped into his eyes, white hit rage burned through his entire body.

Minho.

Lee fucking Minho.

"I need the royal pack in the court. Now." Chan ordered. The guards scurring away to find the pack.

"Minho tried to kill your mate, right under your care. Tch. How daring." Dokyun muttered lowly. 

Something in tge tone made Felix restless. He grabbed Chan's arms and tried to stop him. "Chan-" He tried, really but "No. I gave you chance and you trusted them. Them of all people. They will face consequences Felix." Chan muttered ferociously.

Felix tugged Chan's cloak again, trying to stop him but Chan was already hot on his heels. Felix had no other option but to tag along. Jogging to keep up with his mate's long, fast strides.

.

.

.

The courtroom was dead silent. You could hear the faint boots of multiple people approaching the door. Chan picked the scent of the pack from afar, bristling and curling his fingers around his sword, trying to contain his anger, the desire to chop their limbs and feed to the rabid dogs.

The door opened, Chan's gaze lifted from the floor. Felix beside him twitched and squirmed, eyeing Chan desperately so he wouldn’t do anything to them.

Changbin and Jeongin were at the start, Minho two steps behind them with Jisung, finally the Betas - hyunjin and Seungmin two steps behind on either side.

Chan gulped hard. The formation, that was...

.

.

.

One day, years ago...

"Changbin is good with sword and Innie is good with arrows, you two will be at the front. Between then, about two steps back will be Minho. Sungie will stay beside him. Seungmin and hyunjin behind Minho and Sungie on either side about two steps back." Chan excitedly said. He placed himself furthermore behind Seungmin and Hyunjin.

"Hyung, you our pack alpha. You must stay in the front. Why would you go back?" Jisung whined, Chan found it cute. Cute for a really well defined alpha.

He chuckled.

"That's right baby. I'm your alpha. And  it's entirely why I'm at tge back. Uh-huh let me complete." Chan answered as Changbin tried to oppose.

"When I'm at tge end, I can have my eyes on all of you. And by that, I can be at ease making sure all of you are out of harms way. If anything happens, I can guide you, from the back, as you guys fight. Besides, most ofbthe attacks are planned behind our backs." Chan explained, plopping himself on the harsh ground of the practice field.

Minho grumbled "Then why am I in the middle of the spider web?" He cooked his eyebrows up, plopping beside Chan as Jisung trailed behind him.

Chan chuckled loudly. The others settling down in a circle. "Because, you are my baby. And babies need the best protection." Chan pinched Minho's cheek. Minho scoffed and swatted his hand like a buzzing bee.

Chan pretended to be offended. "Did you forget I decked your ass on the ground on our first meet." Minho glared playfully at him.

The pack burst out into giggles and laughter.

"I can so damn well kill you alpha." Minho added and sassed his hair out of his face.

Chan chuckled, then a evil grin plastered on his face before throwing himself on the omega. "Oh can you? Too bad I'll haunt you in your dreams." Chan said, crushing the omega under his weight.

Minho yelped and squirmed but ultimately gave up and wrapped his arms around Chan’s waist. "Big bad wolf wanted cuddles like a little pup. Innie's better than you." There was only fondness in there.

"Hmm... if I can be with you, I'll gladly be your pup." Chan answered, burying his face deeper into Minho's neck and scenting him. 

Jisung whined as he joined the scenting, one by one everyone joined the scenting session. And Chan, he would trade anything just to stay with them. Like this, happy and in eachother's arms.

.

.

.

Present time...

I can so damn well kill you alpha.

He thought it was a playful jab. Their inside joke. Chan took too much time in realizing it wasn't. It was already too late.

Chan's jaw clenched as Minho stood infront of him, tall and confident. As if he didn't try to kill his mate. Didn't try to kill their Luna. There was no guilt, no fear. Nothing, his face was awfully neutral.

"I'll ask this once Royal Omega Lee, did you try to kill Felix?" Chan asked, his deadly voice filled the silent room.

Minho's eyes met Chan’s, something vulnerable passed, too fast to catch "No." He answered, his voice didn't even tremble. Didn't quiver. Didn’t show any emotion to begin with.

Chan's jaw clenched again, he felt Felix's soothing rubs on his shoulder, trying to calm him down.  Chan couldn't. Everytime Felix's bandaged throat came to his view all he could remember was 'I failed to keep the promise to you dad Felix.' 

"I'll ask in another way, did you hurt my mate?" The same tone, he saw Changbin bristle a little.

"Yes"

Chan was in his feet, his sword out as he lunged towards Minho. Minho didn't even take a step back, barely feared or tensed. That pushed Chan towards the edge. 

Before Chan could attempt to cut Minho's head off,  a pair of hands grabbed him. Felix distressed cry echoed, asking, begging, him to stop.

Chan growled at the person holding him back. All his inner alpha could focus was Minho, standing alive after making his mate bleed while he was still alive.

"Chan. STOP!!! You shouldn't hurt him. You'll be arrested for that." Hongjoong. Chan recognized. Also stilled at the new information.

Because what?

Chan looked at him, rage and confusion mixing in his features as he walked towards Hongjoong. "You'll explain me this instant, why shouldn't I kill this filthy omega for touching my mate." Chan questioned, his voice rising with each word.

"Your father, our late king, proposed a law over his death. The pack is as powerful as the ruler. No matter what they do, they won't be punished or arrested. And no generation can recharge or dismiss the law. The only difference between you and the pack is that you can make new rules and laws but they can't." Hongjoong explained calmly. 

Chan could feel the blood boil. The urge to curse at his father grew stronger by the second. "Even if they attempted to kill the Luna." His voice was low, shoulders trembled with barely contained rage.

"Unfortunately." Hongjoong said, shooting a glance to the pack subtly asking them to retreat. But Chan was too busy processing what he learned to notice that.

Felix sighed in relief. Crashed to his throne, breathing heavily from the relief. His face giving a small smile as the thought of them out of danger eased his inner wolf.

"Everyone out." Felix ordered. Chan knew that wasn't for him, he stayed rooted where he was. Hongjoong patted his shoulder and left, followed by other royalties.

Dokyun muttered "Such a shame. Even after hurting the Luna, Minho is still out, free and happy." Felix felt the urge to curse and scowl at the old alpha. 

There was also something about him that settled wrongly in his chest. The first thing in his list to do find who this alpha really is.

Minho wasn't happy and he sure as hell isn't healthy.

But he will be. All Felix has to do is get Chan to mate Minho.

And for that, he has to find who in the palace had tried to kill Chan.

As everyone went out, Felix was left with a hyperventilating Chan. He rushed to his distressed mate, keeping his whine at the bay as not to reopen the wound.

"Channie..." Felix cupped the flushed cheeks of his mate. Burying his face in his chest, Felix whined as angry pheromones and burning forest surrounded him.

Chan took a few deep breathes, steadying his scent and dropped the sword to the ground. He shakily ran his fingers through Felix's hair, shuddering as Felix purred.

"I was so scared." Chan whispered, tears dripping and wetting Felix's shoulder as he tightened his grip on his mate.

"I know." Felix said. Gently stroking Chan's biceps.

"Chan, I need you to know that Minho hyung didn't try to kill me." Felix whispered, stiffened when Chan let out a warning growl. "No. Listen. This wound I feel like it's a warning not a threat. Hyung I don't have evidence yet, but you have to believe me." Felix almost begged.

"Why? Why do you trust him so much. So much you trust him over me." Chan asked, somewhere between sad and angry.

"Remember the red blood pendant my father gave you." Chan nodded. "I saw that with Minho. My mother's pendant, My mother gave he red blood pendant to Minho hyung. Channie you know my mother won't five that without trusting, by that I mean, soul trusting someone." Felix explained. Chan looked at him confused, anger, sadness and fear melting away as confusion clouded. 

"What?" Chan asked.

Felix shook his head "I don't know when she gave him her pendant or for what reasons, but if she gave him, Channie you know he isn't a murderer you think he is."

One more word and you won't be alive.

Yeah. That's wasn't a threat.

It was a warning.

And Felix understood.

Chapter Text

The clashes of blades and grunts of wolves echoed the private training field. Just two wolves. An alpha general and an omega prince.

"You've gotta be faster omega. People will wait for you to slow down." The alpha muttered, bringing her sword over her head and slicing the air.

The omega dodged it, blocking the brutal strength of an alpha with his speed and swiftness "Don't worry alpha, I won't fall without giving a tough fight." He grunted.

The alpha growled and took a step back, assessing her attack plan as she suddenly surged forward, sword cutting the air.

The omega locked their eyes, running forward to directly tackle the attack. Eyes focus on the alpha's face.

A sudden smirk bloomed on the neutral features of the strong alpha. The omega was distracted by it. And in that one swift second, the alpha twisted her body, knocking the sword off the omega’s hand and twisted them back with her sword on his tender neck.

The omega’s breathe hitched, kneeling down with his chin up as the sword was firm on his neck.

"You've lost pup." The alpha stated "a warrior without their weapon is equal to a body without heart." She stated, letting the sword drop from the throat as they breathed heavy.

"I hope I gave a bit of fun though general." The omega spoke, grunting as he stood up. Muscles aching as the fight and adrenaline started to fade.

The alpha hummed, placing the sword back on her armor and offered a glass of water to the exhausted omega. "I'm surprised, honestly. It was very different from fighting an alpha and a beta. You've got the stealth and the brain. And a strength like no other alpha. It was honor to combat you prince Lee." She sat down on the hard ground and faced him, waiting for him to continue.

The omega clicked his tongue "Please, don't call me that General Lee. I've told you from the start to call me Minho." Minho said annoyed.

"Only if you stop addressing me a 'general' pup. Call me omma... or noona." The alpha cringed at the word noona herself.

Minho chuckled, leaning to the alpha "Noona is for younger people omma..." the alpha smiled warmly at the pup, her heart a bittersweet ache.

She nibbed at her pendant, remembering her mate and her pup, still unpresented, back in the farthest village from the capital. She looked up at the peaceful sky, a smile that gave longing and love all the same.

Minho noticed and understood. He longed for his mother too. A mother who left him after his birth. A mother who should've been the first omega he would bond too. A mother who should've guided him through his first heat. But he left, when he was still a pup and could do nothing but wail in his father’s arms for warmth.

But Minho couldn't blame him. His mother, who was already mated to a pack alpha, was abducted by his father just because he loved him, just because he was beautiful. No denying, his mother was surely the pretties of omega he had seen.

He never brought himself to hate his father too.  Because love can make someone crazy.

Mentally shaking his head, Minho plopped his head on his omma's shoulder. "Thinking about freckles again?" He asked tentatively. Soothing out her hard armor with his thumb.

The alpha was silent for few second, Minho saw the resilience to be strong on her features "You know when I first met Sunmin, I knew then that it was he or nobody. I didn't even know what subgender he was, saw him surrounded by a bunch of playful pups with pretty flowers in his hand... With those sparkles in his eyes and that stupid smile that still makes my heart race and makes me soft... I just wanted him to be mine, to protect, love and cherish..." 

A pause. A gulp. 

Minho waited.

"...I was training for my royal exams then. He came in like the light to guide me through it. Then I started courting him. Traditionally. Gave him my scented clothes for his heat nests, drowning in my scent so he was out of danger. We just fell into a routine. We just fit in right. I asked if I could mate him, if I had the worthiness of marrying him, if he would be happy if he married me... since I would stay here more often with him. Without a doubt, without hesitence he accepted. Just like that. Like he trusted me with everything and anything he ever had."

Minho stayed quite, his heart already heavy with how emotional the alpha is getting talking about her mate.

"After our wedding night, after I mated him... permanently. I felt I didn't need anything else. I felt like- I just need to stay with him, day and night. Till I see tge last moon of my life. But it isn't life if it goes happily is it? After two months of our mating, Sunman announced he was pregnant. My wolf was elated screaming in and out, howling with happiness after knowing about our pup was on the way. But I held the letter from the royal court... a letter of admission and acceptance. That I have to join in a week, else lose the opportunity entirely."

A small teat slipped of her, Minho whimpered quietly, wiping it off the strongest alpha's cheek.

She smiled at him. Sad and loving.

"...here, once the training starts, you aren't supposed to leave for two years. My greatest regret was the time Minho. It wasn't being here, it wasn't mating him, but the time. I should've have waited more and should've mated him sooner, since I didn't I missed my mate giving birth, missed my pup babble his first words, and his words were 'mama'-"

Minho hissed sadly at the heaviness in her voice.

"-missed his first steps, missed all of my early motherhood. But that was seventeen years ago. Yet, now everytime I go... little love grows taller, more prettier... just like my first love- Sunmin. Everytime, Sunman greets me with a smile, let's me come back with a smile, with hug that says 'go alpha, I have our pup'. Neither of them asked anything from me. Since three years, little love didn't ask when I'll be back again or can't I stay a day longer. Just let me go with the same smile. But the last time I visited them... little love asked me to be there for his first heat, for his presentation. And Minho, that was the first thing my pup asked from me."

She cried a little harder there, but took a deep breathe to steady he emotions. Minho scented her gently, not too much, just enough to ground her.

"I was elated Minho, I was the happiest. I didn't think twice, didn't think if I would be put on emergency duty on that period. Didn't think if there would be a sudden war, I just promised him. I promised the one thing my pup, my little love ever asked me... I promised to guide him through his presentation." She answered, honestly Minho thought how her husband to be the strongest omega just like his alpha. Protecting himself, going through the heat all hy himself, even after being mated, that was both fascinating and unbelievable at the same time.

He thought if he would have the same relationship. Same level of understanding with his pack... with his Chan.

She turned facing Minho, tapping her fingers on his cheeks, pulling him out of his perfect future dream. "Channie is a much more of a better alpha, so pup no matter what, do not lose him to heartbreak." She smiled warmly at him, Minho smiled back.

"I never had a mother... but now I have one and I'm going to follow her words." Minho said, she chuckled lightly and placed a tender kiss on his forehead.

"But omma, you never mentioned little love's name." Minho whined, curling into her embrace more.

"Oh... Sunmin gave him the prettiest name too. It's Fe-"

"General Lee Yuri, the court has requested your presence now." A beta guard cut her of. Minho shrieked out of her embrace, the motherly warmth leaving him as he grumbled faintly.

"On my way." Yuri answered. Placing another kiss on Minho's head, she dusted off her dress and armor before retreating into the castle. 

.

.

.

"Omma... your pendant is really beautiful." Minho noticed the dark red pendant falling over her delicate neck.

The water sounds on the river by stilled for Yuri, her hand grazing softly over tge pendant. Minho caught the change faster than expected, faster before she could mask her protective stance.

"I'm sorry omma. It's okay if you don't want to explain. I was- it was beautiful and I saw it frequently and I was curious-" Minho rambled excuses, pouring our words and sentences that could be relevant of a reason.

Yuri chuckled at his panic, she placed her palm over his back. She rubbed his back soothingly, sitting down as she gazed the full moon. "No pup, it's okay. This... it is Sunmin's courting gift for me. So I'm quite possessive of it. You'll know when prince Chan gives you one." She said, Minho nodded. But yet the pendant looked more than a ordinary one... something like ancient and history.

Yuri sensed it. "Sunmin is of Jeon clan, the clan that is expertised in medicine and war arts. A clan where omegas are worshiped for their sacrifices, just to provide a pup to carry the genes of them. This pendant, it's called the red blood pendant. It's mostly superstition but it is normally believed that, mates who wear it will never, I say never will be parted. No matter how far they are, how much they hate each other, or whatever circumstances are. They will always be mates until this is with each other." Yuri completed, her eyes trailing over at Minho’s, looking fondly at him.

"You are no less of my little love pup. But I would want to give this to him. As a mother I missed all his first, bit I want this to be his. His first, real gift from me." Yuri completed as she cupped Minho's cheeks. Minho shook his head.

"Omma, I would never desire something so personal to you. I am already delighted enough that you consider me as your pup, and I also want that to be little love's. He deserves it." Minho said, squeezing back the strong, alpha hands cupping his cheeks.

Yuri nodded. Minho laid on her lap. Eyes starting to close as he gently combed his hair. Under the moonlight and starshines, Minho hoped this would always stay with him.

This peace and completeness.

.

.

.

Minho's heart was on fire, panic and guilt swirled inside in storms, swallowing his sense of sanity. He should've never trusted him, he should've never listened to that snake.

Darting through the hallways, which were a mess of violence and blood, his eyes searched two alphas.

Chan and Yuri.

He should've never listened to him.

He never regretted his naivity before, but now he regrets being a fool. Regrets believing the poison just because it was sweet. 

His lungs burning as he slammed across the soldiers. Running to the king and queen. Relief washed over when the familiar gates of the royal chambers struck his vision.

He pushed it open, hoping there would be a hundred soldiers protecting their rulers. But skidded into a sudden stop. The force knocking the air out of his lungs.

There, there they lay the king and queen.

Chan's father and mother.

His in-laws.

Unmoving. Still. Blood soaking through the royal silks. Flame smoking at the edge of the curtains. The fingers around the sword, something that was supposed to be strong was now slack. 

Eyes closed and chest... that was supposed to rise and fall, was now painfully flat.

Minho let out a guttural scream, as he rushed to the fallen king and queen. He pulled the queen into his arms, checking the pulse on her wrist, finding nothing he switched to the neck.

His chest was inhaling for three, falling and raising rapidly. He hoped, by some miracle that the queen would wake up. She was dearest of all. Dearest to all.

Especially to Chan. 

To him.

And to the pack.

Cold. Ice cold. No pulse. A train of sobs escaped him, begging tge queen to open her eyes. Just once. Just to tell her he loved her. "Your highness please. Please open eyes, how can this happen? Whom will I ask blessings from? Wake up please, just once, just once and I'll never let you go please..." he cried out, hugging the lifeless body of the queen as he sobbed his pain off.

His breathe hitched, he sat there for a couple of minutes. Holding the gracious body of the fallen queen. His senses acknowledged all the yells and cries, but his eyes were fixed on the sword on the king's hand.

He gently placed the queen on the side of her alpha and took the king's sword. Wet with blood, his eyes hardened. His loss making him stronger. Because now, he had two things left - Chan and Yuri.

He is not letting them fall.

He will not fucking bury them with everyone else.

The sword stealth in his hand and marched to out the room, out the corridor. Tearing anyone into half as they obstructed his vision. His warrior omega on display, his eyes bright yellow, though he saw red and felt white hot rage growing inside him. Silent but ready to erupt.

Grief twisting into rage, he sliced another guard down. And another. Until-

"MINHO!!!" The voice called him, the voice stunned him from slicing another person into half. The voice that lulled him into sleep. That gave him a taste of motherhood. That made him melt into a pup.

Yuri. His omma was calling him.

He jerked to turn behind him. He watched as Yuri sprinted to him. She snatched the pendant out of her neck mid run. Her eyes determined to reach him. 

Minho’s eyes trailed from the hard warrior features to the damp red spont on her armor. No. Please no. His breathe hitched again. And again. Until he was enveloped into the arms of Yuri, strong and solid and still warm.

He sobbed there. Once. Before Yuri handed him the red blood pendant. Her eyes streaming already. Resigned and defeated but still stubborn. 

Minho stared at it. As if it offended him. Like it was his death sentence. Then, without a warning, Yuri crushed him into her hug again, whispering a trembling "sorry" before sprinting back.

Minho’s mind was yelling, his wolf was thrashing to follow her. But the small pendant weighed more than a ton in his hand. He blinked hard, stood in a middle of a smoking field. Bloody bodies around him. Yet the pendant weighed more than anything now.

His legs gave out. Hitting the hard ground he whimpered, his wolf howled inside him. It took Minho to trust one wrong man for him to lose everything. Just in one day.

He clutched the pendant harshly in his hands. He could hear HyunJin calling him. The yells getting closer until long arms enclosed him. Until sobbed out into the beta's arms. Until Jisung was also there, trembling and face wet with tears. His armor half bloody from the violence.

His vision blackened, his wolf gave one last howl, one last call for his love, as darkness wrapped in his embrace.

And that day, he lost his mate, his mother, his family.

His everything.

A piece of him died there.

.

.

.

Minho was at the edge of his room, his armchair rocking as he wore his royal cloak. His hands grazing the red blood pendant.

After seeing the blind rage of his alpha, just because he had hurt the mate of his, Minho didn't know if he wanted to believe Chan would love him the same.

Though he wanted to hate that omega. The omega that stole his Chan, his alpha, Minho was quite not successful in it. He always wondered why.

But today, as he saw the red blood pendant on Chan's chest, it was clear. It all made sense.

The same stupid stubbornity. The same kind of unconditional love. The same kind of unwavering kindness. It made sense.

Minho wished it hasn't, because now killing Felix wasn't an option. Getting rid of Felix, is not a plausible idea.

The door clicked open, Jisung's steady pheromones filled the air. Minho didn't even turn to greet him. 

Jisung sat beside Minho, on the bed a few feet away.

Silence wrapped for a long second until Jisung exhaled sharply.

"What are you thinking Min?" Jisung asked, his hands twitched to hold his mate but stopped. Knowing Minho, he doesn't wants to be touch now. He wants to be heard.

"We can't kill Felix." Minho stated. Flat and emotionless. As if saying it was causing him more confusion that lessening it.

"What? But hyung-" Jisung was surprised. Shocked. Back when they discovered Chan was mated int he village. They planned on killing Felix on the first full moon after they have arrived here. But now...

"We can't kill him Ji." It was more of a fact, an information than a suggestion. 

"Why?" Jisung was on the verge of snapping at Minho. On the verge of his anger taking over. His wolf wanted to snarl at the statement, for not clearing the only obstacle to obtain his alpha.

"Because this... was supposed to be his." Minho answered, the pendant dangling as he showed it to Jisung. His face was still calm, neutral.

Suddenly, all the anger vanished. All the rage twisted to painful realization. It made sense, but he doesn't want to believe it.

"Hyung don't- its not possible." Jisung muttered, he had to yell but he couldn't. His eyes trailed over the pendant. Then at Minho’s steadyfast expression. 

This can't be happening.

Minho let put a small, sad smile. The one he gave years ago. The one at the massacre.

"It is Ji. And it's already happening." Minho answered. A few tears slipped from Jisung’s face as his scent soared a bit.

"Why are we always fight for love against the love, hyung... will we atleast win this time?" The question hung low and heavy. It sinked into the noise creating a fragile silence.

Minho broke it.

"I don't know Ji. Because all the time, the person I wanted to protect was the same person I'm trying to kill now. And after knowing, I can't. I just cant Ji. His mother sacrificed her life for Chan and now Felix is here, with him, as his mate. The least we can do to rest her soul is by protecting her little love." Minho said. Jisung gasped as the unspoken, hidden secret was finally said out.

"Felix is little love." Minho whispered, his grip on the pendant tightened a little more.