Take my hand (And bring me back) (1/4)
Title: Take my hand (And bring me back)
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Chen/Fei (with other from JGMR)
AU: werewolf
Warnings: mentions of tortures (black magic), deaths of minor charas (mentioned), breaking bones, cursing, mentions of eating human flesh
Beta-ed by JustABitDramatic <3
Summary: Kris’ pack rescued Kyungsoo, Henry and new wolf from the hands of black witch. On the very next day Jongdae’s wolf claimed her as their mate. What she will do? How the things with pack and Jongdae will come out?
It’s follow up to “ Just give me a reason (to keep my heart beating)”. It picks up from where first installment of my werewolf au is ending (more or less). It’s better to read first one too, for better understanding, but I won’t force anybody to do it.
All claims as in previous fics - inspirited mostly by Patricia Briggs werewolf series and few other fics (all links in JGMR foreword).
Title is, as in whole au, part from One OK Rock’s song’s lyric “The Beginning”.
Chapter 1
Somewhere above another wave of pain, so strong that she could smell the stench of her own fear, and the murmur of the Witch’s spell, she heard the doors open. At first she ignored it because she was sure it was Witch’s apprentice joining them. But something felt off. Seconds later, she heard a high pitched female shriek and sounds of sudden movements, tossing, shouts and growls. Pity she couldn’t even lift or turn her head to hear the newcomer better. She was too drained after another session of the casting spell in the Circle of Pain - that’s how she called the spell circle in which she was lying with her back to the doors. She couldn’t even properly open her eyes - part of the spell’s effect - unless she wanted her world spinning dizzily.
Well, she was already sure that it wasn’t a friendly tea party currently happening somewhere behind her. Because of the spell, though its effect had lessened but still was working, she couldn’t even understand the exchanged words. All were blurred into a muffled nonsense. She had no idea what kind of freedom the newcomer will bring upon her. By quick death or release.
She felt the exact moment when the spell, which caused her so much pain, was suddenly lifted. Broken, to be exact. With a quick, and not too painful sting, it dissolved into thin air, allowing her to finally breathe deeper and open her eyes. It came with darkness, different shades of shadows, the various scents of the room and the almost overwhelming pain of her damaged body. Suddenly opening her eyes was a bad idea. Her world, just like a washing machine set on the quickest rotation, started to spin and she immediately corrected her mistake and tightly shut her eyes. She concentrated on her strongest sense in a wolf’s body - the sense of smell. She could smell the scent of two newcomers. No, three! Two of them smelled familiar. Wolfish, she realized, but third was very different from the others. Very foreign. Not the Witch’s apprentice though... Before she could dwell more on it, she suddenly felt someone’s hand on her fur. Her self-defense instincts kicked in and she jerked, trying to blindly bite the stranger. She managed throw her muzzle but that was all. Her world, even without opening her eyes, had started to spin again. A kaleidoscope of colors flashed behind her eyelids as the movement drained her completely.
“Shhh. Relax. I won’t hurt you.” Said a voice above her in a soothing, deep whisper. Yeah, sure. How many times had she already heard that from the apprentice? In the background she could hear the Witch’s screams. Despite her dizziness and pain, she tried to move away from the stranger. But with a miserable effect. The screams got louder and suddenly were cut off, followed by another stranger’s voice, but before it could reach her the one standing somewhere above yelled.
“Yixing, come here quickly with your kit!”
She didn’t hear the answer but he probably got it because he screamed again.
“Yixing, his hand won’t fall off anytime soon. You’re needed here now.” Then he turned to her once again.
“Concentrate on my voice, pretty. Don’t move. Wait for a doctor. He’s coming here.” She obeyed his commands, while he delicately petted her like it was most natural thing in the world. Strangely, it soothed her until he patted her more tender places. She whined. “Sorry, pretty. I’m Kris Wu by the way, an Alpha from the nearest city. Leader of a werewolf pack. You’re safe, pretty girl. Me and my pack are here. We won’t let anyone hurt you anymore.” He put his opened hand next to her nose. She inhaled a soothing, werewolfish and dominant fragrance which should have screamed danger but for her it promised safety. She never smelled anything like that before and in seconds all ideas about fighting or even moving evaporated from her mind. She relaxed and pressed her nose farther into the hand.
“Good, pretty girl.” She could hear the smile in his voice. The praise made her strangely warmer inside. Something deep down inside was starting to finally fit together. Like he or his power was the missing puzzle of her werewolf being.
She more smelled than heard another stranger coming into the room. Also a werewolf. The alpha’s hand still didn’t leave her coat, rather petting here, touching there, ultimately soothing her.
“It’s amazing she didn’t become crazy yet.” The alpha said to the newcomer. She whimpered because he touched another tender place and to also show her disagreement to his statement. She was nowhere close to becoming a crazed wolf. Tired, resigned - yes, but not mad. Her will to live still hasn’t left her. Not completely.
“Shhh, he’s our pack’s doctor. He’s also a werewolf and my mate. He will help you.” Kris the Alpha continued. Oh, so werewolf can be in a man-man relationship? And mated? That’s news. Lee clearly skipped or omitted some parts about mating while “teaching” her. Not that he was an expert himself or even talkative for that matter. Also, his descriptions of alphas as “dominant jerks overwhelmed by their power, always asses to the weakest in the pack” so far were amiss. It just confirmed what she already expected. Lee had issues. Well, not anymore; his death solved them all. But she decided to stay at least cautious around new wolves. Just to make sure.
Her thoughts were interrupted by another hand next to her nose. The doctor’s, she assumed. He smelled of werewolf, blood, antiseptic and something reminding her of the Alpha himself which wasn’t a surprise. After all, they were mated. And damn, this man knew how to scratch behind the ear. Like a pro. Even in her current state she enjoyed it, slightly wagging her tail in a small show of her inner happiness. Then he delicately roamed her body with his experienced hands so they didn’t bring her pain. Much.
“She has a lot of minor cuts, wounds and bruises but it’s something she will recover from with enough food. The more pressing ones are her broken ribs, she has two at least. And her back leg. It was broken some time ago and has healed wrongly. It should be broken again and properly set in place. I can do it myself but it has to be done at home and not in her current state.” The doctor said. Holy crap, cuts, broken ribs and a broken leg? That doesn’t sound nice at all! She already knew that as a werewolf, whose existence needed to stay a complete secret to the world, she will never be able to dream big again but with such a leg anything merely connected to dancing will be impossible! Even werewolf healing won’t be able to repair it!
“Don’t panic, Fei. As this doctor has said, most of it can be healed by food. At least we’ll stay alive.” She got reminded by her inner she-wolf.
“Yeah, I know, but what about my ribs and leg? You heard him! My leg needs to be re-broken! The Witch breaking it was hurtful enough and doing this again… She shuddered at mere thought. Also after healing will it be fully useable? I’m not even referring to dancing but everyday walking or running!
“The ribs should be fine on their own after a change or two but we should be fed pretty well. About the leg - we need to ask them. There is still a chance.”
“Should I remind you when we last ate properly?” She answered angrily to her inner wolf. She could almost feel the skeptic wolfish eyebrow (do they even have eyebrows?) rise at her poor sarcasm. But it also reminded her that she didn’t know exactly how much time she’s spend in the Witch’s den. It felt like eternity but she knows better. She counted so far around seven or eight sunrises - it was a moment, almost like a signal, for the Witch to finish her work with her. Apparently black magic doesn’t like the sun very much. Kind of cliché and old-fashioned, if someone wanted to know her opinion.
“This Alpha appears good enough to at least feed us. He promised us safety and we couldn’t hear nor smell any lie in his word, could we? And as an almost immortal werewolf, our time spent here is nothing. Soon it will be just a bad memory.” Her inner wolf brought her back to more current matters.
“I know. I just… Poor her.” She heard the doctor mumbling while carefully patting her. “She doesn’t deserve this.” He was clearly speaking about her, but there was another implication in his words. More like he was speaking from his own experience. She wondered if maybe someone close to him became subject to a witch like her. Or maybe it was him himself.
“No one does, Yixing.” She heard the Alpha replying softly.
After that, her nose was suddenly filled with new scents as other werewolves came into the room. They radiated off different levels of dominancy. Too much, too suddenly. She whimpered again.
“They are my pack, pretty. They came to help us transport you to our van. You’re going to leave this place and stay with us for now.” Kris the Alpha said. Pack, it sounded nice. Lee said that werewolves, besides being all skinship friendly, were also social, as in they need others almost constantly. Again, beside Lee. He was an exception. A loner. But not her. Even as a human she liked being around people and after her Change she always felt that something significant was missing. Lee didn’t even like to touch, so her need couldn’t be soothed. But now? The alpha and doctor have already petted her so nicely, promised to help her, take her to safety and give her food. Yep, food was the most important. Maybe it was high time to find her own pack or at least meet others of her kind. Especially now, when Lee was gone and she was all alone, still not totally comfortable with her new werewolf lifestyle.
With the Alpha and his mate’s pack member’s help, they transferred her onto the blanket which became a temporary stretcher. She shut her eyes even more tightly, preparing for a new wave of pain but there was none. The alpha’s pack members were treating her as carefully as they could. Like a fragile porcelain doll. With all of the adrenaline draining from her veins, mixed with the dizziness of being moved and the assumption of upcoming safety, she was slowly drifting off. When they all were finally leaving the room, she opened her eyes for a few seconds and caught a glance of the Witch curled into herself next to the wall with a man standing above her and a huge werewolf sitting next to him. The latter had a pitch black coat, so unusual for wolves.
“Hell’s hound” She thought. “That’s what she deserved.” She let the Alpha’s mate’s hand bury in her fur, letting the mix of fresh air after so many days of stench soothe her into a light nap.
***
She was constantly drifting in and out of dreamland. The pack members put her into the back of the van, on already prepared layers of soft blankets and rugs. She didn’t remember most of it, the whole trip was blurred. She was thankful for the blankets which soothed slight bumps on the road. They smelled fresh, of some flower detergent. With the Alpha’s constant, soft murmuring about safety in the pack house above her and with both of his hands buried in her coat, carefully and tenderly caressing her, she didn’t even notice when they arrived. Arrived to the pack’s house; their home. Not hers but a place that was safe.
When they opened van’s back doors she finally got a moment to cherish it. Fresh air. Freedom. Besides werewolves, she smelled in close proximity a forest and a lot of sweet water from a lake or some big pond. And no witches. But also no Lee anymore. He wasn’t a perfect mentor, not even a good friend, but thanks to him she was still alive. He Changed her and taught her how to survive. She felt sad about it, but she didn’t cry. She had already shed enough tears back in the Witch’s den for him. Maybe that’s why now she couldn’t even feel her eyes sting, just a dull acceptance of his death. So her happiness of freedom was slightly tinted by it, but nonetheless it was freedom. And fresh air.
Once again, some wolves in their human forms gathered around her and carefully lifted the blanket on which she was lying. Even this slight movement made her dizzy again but far less than at the Witch’s den. Good thing she hadn’t opened her eyes ever since the car stopped. She will have time to roam around later. Hopefully.
With soft and slow steps, the pack members took her to the house which smelled like what a real home should. Full of different people’s scents, foods, spices and warmth. It slightly reminded her of her parents’ house. It was way smaller than the pack’s house but just as cozy and lovely as this one. She whimpered. She missed her parents. And they probably thought that she was killed or kidnapped.
“Shhh. We’re almost there.” She heard the doctor’s voice.
The group suddenly stopped and slightly repositioned themselves. Some doors were opened and with the small click of lights going on they started moving again. Even with her dizzy and hazy mind, she realized that they were descending to the basement level. A basement with probably no windows and only one set of doors. Crap. That didn’t sound good, maybe she trusted the Alpha and pack too quickly. Almost all of her sleepiness evaporated and was immediately replaced with awareness and adrenaline slowly pumping into her veins. She was almost surprised that her tired body was even able to produce any.
Oblivious to her inner panic, they led her through the corridor to the room. They gently laid her on the bed and left. Everyone besides Kris. She slowly opened her eyes. The first thing which came into her sight was a pair of legs, knees to be exact. But she had no energy to lift her head to see her savior properly. Just before the world began to spin, she took in the room not covered by Kris’ body. It had very basic furnishings. The bed, which she was currently occupying, an armchair and a washbasin. It struck her that it looked more like a prison but the light green walls made it less cold. She quickly closed her eyes again to subdue her dizziness.
“So, pretty girl, what do you think about getting a little bit cleaner? It also should get rid of your remnants of the witch’s spells.” Said the Alpha. She whined in agreement. Anything to stop the world spinning.
“I’m taking that as a yes. Give me a sec. I’ll be right back.” He said and left her alone. She didn’t hear any sound of a door closing so she guessed that it was still open. It didn’t take the Alpha long to come back with, she quickly peeked, a medium basin and a cloth. He poured water into it from the washbasin in the corner of the room and came closer to her. With a warmly wet cloth, he started gently cleaning her coat from dried blood and her fear’s stench. It wasn’t much but it helped. And the Alpha was right, her dizziness was slowly subduing.
Soon another werewolf joined them. She recognized his scent; he was sitting close to her in the van. He was the one hissing in pain at the doctor’s treatment of whatever had happened to him. She slowly opened her eyes and was welcomed by the male werewolf almost face to face. Or face to muzzle, in her case. His face was small, still very boyish, with wide eyes and a heart-shaped mouth. He gently smiled at her. He brought with him a plate of raw meat chopped into small strips. Just the smell of it made her mouth water.
“Hi there, miss.” He started awkwardly. “I’ve got something for you.” He sat more comfortably right in front of her muzzle. He looked so young! She took gasp of air. There was something very gentle in his scent. Non-threating. And nothing dominant at all. It screamed “protect me” at her and confused her even more. She tried to look through her knowledge from Lee but she couldn’t focus enough to find an answer.
He gave her his hand to smell. She noticed his wrists were wrapped in bandages. She licked his hands and she reached as far as she could with her tongue to lick also at his injuries. She did it because it strangely felt natural to show immediate affection and concern towards the boyish male. He smiled at her and delicately scratched behind her ear. Nice, is this pack full of pro-scratchers?
“It’s because of the silver chains. But it already doesn’t hurt!” He assured her. “But let’s start properly! I’m Kyungsoo. Do Kyungsoo. I’d like to know your name too but it can wait.” The newcomer smiled at her even wider. “And I’m the submissive of the pack.” He added proudly. After this short intro he started slowly feeding her with the raw strips. Without hesitation, she was gently taking all of the meat from his fingers. Submissive… Right, that’s why she found him different. Lee told her that they were the lowest of low in pack. Some were even treated like doormats for the rest or worst. Clearly it wasn’t the case here.
“And Kris, do you believe it? Kai argued with me, that I should rest rather than do my job! He’s unbelievable!” Kyungsoo started ranting. Even while speaking slightly louder his voice was still strangely soothing. “No wound will stop me doing my job. Especially something so minor like this.” To emphasize his argument, he showed his bandaged wrists to his Alpha.
As Kris’ name was mentioned, he stopped her bath for moment, got closer to the sitting Kyungsoo and with an affectionate smile softly patted the boy’s (because honestly she couldn’t refer to him as a “man”, even in her own head it didn’t sound right!) hair. That was a moment when she for the first time fully saw the Alpha. He looked like a model! With dirty blond hair he looked almost like a foreigner. His face had sharp features but his warm smile towards the younger pack mate brightened it. It was radiating with something she could only label as strong affection or simply love. So yeah, the boy wasn’t even close to a doormat. But with all the touchy-feely side of werewolves wasn’t this too much? The boy clearly wasn’t the doctor whom the Alpha was mated to.
“You know that Kai only wants what’s best for you.” He slowly said to the pouting submissive. “And you both being newly mated isn’t helping at all. Plus, recent situations have made his protective instincts go into overdrive.” Oh, so he was mated too? Also to a man? Even as a submissive? She mentally sighed. Lee’s knowledge was very limited or he omitted a lot of parts. She couldn’t decide which was more likely.
“I know, I know. But still, Kris! After I finally got over all my issues I want to do my job properly!” Kyungsoo answered with still a raised voice. He suddenly turned to her covering his mouth. “Oh, sorry! I shouldn’t be yelling.” He mumbled, cheeks reddening.
“Cute!” She heard her inner she-wolf. She couldn’t agree more.
“But well, just so you know, I’m also kinda new here.” Submissive added with smoothed voice.
“Not so new.” Kris disagreed. “You’re already part of family.”
“Yeah, I know.” Kyungsoo smiled warmly at his Alpha. He leaned into his touch when the older patted his cheek. “But I still remember how it was to be new around here and the pack stuff. I don’t know if you have any experience with it at all, miss.” He continued, but in a second his eyes saddened. “Also, I know what it means to be traumatized. So I want to help you even more.” He added.
She whined. Someone had done something bad to this precious boy. Something so scary that it traumatized him. No-one should hurt such a sweet being! It was almost ridiculous how much she wanted to hug him. He may have been a complete stranger, but her instincts were screaming to protect him no matter what.
None of them saw Kris move, but in seconds his hand was buried in the hair of Kyungsoo’s head, pressing his own face into the smaller’s hair. It looked possessive, dominant and in a strangely cute way.
“Soo.” The Alph purred. This big guy actually purred. Wow.
“I’m fine. I’m already fine. You know it. You and this pack, our pack, rescued me; helped me get over my trauma. Now is my turn to help her.”
She had no idea what happened to him. She also didn’t understand her own growing feelings toward this cute boy but she couldn’t deny them. She licked and nuzzled Kyungsoo’s hand which was still lying next to her muzzle.
“Look. You made her pity me too.” The boy accused his Alpha without true heat in his words, leaning even closer to the bigger body to show his words were a joke.
She wined in protest. It wasn’t pity!
“It wasn’t pity.” Said Kris, echoing her thoughts. “She’s just getting fond of you. Like we all did after our first meeting.” After that and another pat to Kyungsoo’s head, the Alpha retreated to his previous work of cleaning her fur.
Things got little bit tricky when it was time to clean her other side. With Kyungsoo’s help, Kris turned her over with just a few whines of pain because of her too tender ribs.
It didn’t take long until she was briefly cleaned (her fur now flattened and slightly uncomfortable but less smelly and spell-free), and settled into a more comfortable position, being fed the last strips of meat. She couldn’t remember the last time when she felt so sated with food and attention. Her head was comfortably lying on Kris’ lap while the rest of her damp fur was being petted by Kyungsoo who was still sitting on the floor. The peaceful scene was interrupted by a newcomer’s entrance. He brought with him a tray with two plates of steak and two steaming big cups. It smelled like veggies. He gently put it on the armchair because in the room there was no table.
It was the doctor, she realized after taking in his scent. Well, she expected someone older looking and more severe faced. But this man with angelically soft features, a warm smile and gentle hands (which she experienced before) was almost the striking contradiction to his mate, especially when the latter wasn’t smiling. Apparently “opposites attracts” worked for them perfectly.
“Eat and have a break while I check on her.” He shooed his mate and submissive. “Oh, and I talked to Kangta. He and Boa will be here tomorrow morning.”
She didn’t understand the last part but it was followed by Kris’ nod. It wasn’t information for her so she ignored it. After that, the Alpha gently extracted himself from under her head and was replaced by the doctor.
“I think it would be better for you to change, beauty. You’d be able to tell us your story and then we’ll discuss about your leg. Okay?” He looked at her. She licked his elbow and he smiled. “Okay, later then.” And he started to once again check on her wounds and how they were healing after receiving some food.
Kris and Kyungsoo ate silently but quite quickly while she was checked. When the doctor, Yixing, if she remembered right, stood up the plates were already clean. He gathered them and left again while Kris and Kyungsoo took their previous positions. After food, the submissive’s eyes got droopy and his petting got slower and slower. Soon she could hear his even breathing and his hand’s movements completely halted.
Yixing came again, this time followed by another male werewolf and a pile of blankets in his arms. The stranger looked like yet another model but with chocolate skin. He also smelled of dominance, so he was probably quite high in the pack’s rank. The stranger respectfully nodded to the Alpha and smiled slightly at her after he noticed she was watching his moves. He quickly bended and delicately gathered Kyungsoo in his arms, lifting the other boy like he weighed nothing. Kyungsoo mumbled something which sounded vaguely like protests but he quickly snuggled up to the taller.
“Remember, Kai, nothing funny tonight. Soo needs his rest so his body can heal faster.” Yixing reminded to the leaving werewolf. The taller (than the doctor himself) nodded at them and left.
After that, Yixing started to arrange the blankets into a comfortable bed-like pile while Kris still petted her. When the doctor finished he patted the place next to him. She realized it wasn’t at her when the soothing warmth was leaving from under her head. She whined at the loss.
“We will be here for you all night. If there’s something you need or anything wrong, don’t hesitate to wake us up. In the morning, the Alpha of the Alphas will come and decide what to do with your situation.” Said Kris. Who? Alpha of the Alphas? So something like a werewolf king? When higher-ups are coming that never bode well. She whimpered at her own thoughts.
“Relax. He won’t do anything wrong to you. He’ll decide which pack you’ll be put under, because female werewolves are too rare to wander around alone.” He patted her one last time and joined his mate on the blankets.
***
She woke up probably sometime in the middle of night. She didn’t know exactly and because of the lack of windows or clocks she had no idea what hour it was. But she was thankful that just before Kris joined his mate on their makeshift bed, he got small lamp from somewhere and switched it on instead of burying them in the pitch black room. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to survive the latter. In darkness there were too many fresh demons hiding and she wasn’t ready to face them yet.
She felt way better than before. Food had done miracles on her. And she was pretty sure that the petting from the Alpha couple and Kyungsoo also had something to do with it. She felt more rested ever since she was imprisoned by the Witch but she still could use a few more hours of sleep. The only problem was that her body was strangely tingling. She realized that she felt it before too, after the spell was lifted but then it was way more subtle.
“We stayed in wolf form too long and our body demands change. It also will help with our ribs.” Said her inner she-wolf.
“Oh, okay. But we need to do this as silently as we can. I don’t want to wake them up. They also need their rest.” She thought and looked at the sleeping couple. Kris was lying on his side with his back to the lamp but facing both her and Yixing while his mate was sprawled on the most of their bed. It was a weird position but he somehow looked comfortable in it. And cute.
With her inner wolf’s help, she started her change. For the whole time in the Witch’s den she shifted just once. From human to wolf. Which was probably the reason why her change now was much slower but as painful as always. She swallowed almost all of her whimpers to prevent them leaving her mouth and waking up the couple. The change was never a pleasure, with all bones and joints snapping and relocating, but this was complete necessity. Her body demands it as well she needed her human mouth to communicate with the pack.
After she was done, she laid motionless while silently panting. She felt tired enough to slip into dreamland immediately, but an idea occurred her. With the remains of her energy, she moved on all fours to the make-shifted bed in the middle of room. She crawled into the space left between the two males. She didn’t notice it before but it also hadn’t bothered her already sleepy mind; her ribs were itching, but it was nowhere comparable to what she felt before. At least they healed enough to itch, not throb. She quickly found a comfortable position and fell asleep, failing to see the smile curling on Kris’ lips.
***
She slowly came back from her empty dreamland. She was grateful to her luck that this time she was spared from any nightmares. All she could feel was warmth and the newly familiar scent securely surrounding her. She snuggled closer to the source of both which happened to be just before her face. Her nose was pressed to some warm material. She slowly opened her eyes and was welcomed by poorly lightened grey. She blinked and realized that it was a cotton t-shirt on someone’s chest. That someone was no-one other than the Alpha.
And she was in her human form. Oh right, she changed somewhere in the middle of night. Currently, she was lying next to males whom she barely knew. Naked. And he was mated, Alpha of the pack. She didn’t know what frightened her the most - him being so powerful that he basically could do to her whatever he wanted, him already having a mate whom will kill any potential rival (even if she was not!) or her laying there naked and vulnerable (it was a completely different story when she was still in wolf skin). Because of her panic, all the nice memories from the previous night evaporated from her mind. There was no cute submissive boy or any smiles and tender touches. She finally noticed that there was some material lying on top of her, at least partly because almost all of her upper body was still naked. She tugged it under her chin and wrapped it as tightly as she could around her body. Wait, was it the doctor’s coat? Why would he…? Before she could finish her own thought Yixing’s voice almost gave her a heart attack.
“Pretty miss, you’re safe. Here, these should fit well.” He laid next to her a small pile of clothes. His voice was welcoming and soothing. There was no hidden anger, which was strange. She was snuggling up to his mate (she didn’t know for how long he was standing there but she was pretty sure he saw that), shouldn’t he be at least a little disturbed? Without answer to her inner question, she as quickly as she could dressed up. It wasn’t anything fancy - panties, sports bra (this type that no matter what cup you have will fit, which she left beside because her skin on her back and sides were still too tender for any tight fits), a t-shirt (black with a cute curled, white wolf looking like a full moon) and loose cotton gym pants.
Meanwhile, Kris got up like nothing happened (wait, for how long he was awake?!), kissed the doctor on the temple and sat on the bed. When she finished dressing, he patted the place next to him. She knew she had no other choice but to obey his wordless request. She just wasn’t sure if her legs would hold her. After so long in wolf form, balance wasn’t her strong point. Also this freaking wrongly broken leg. She carefully stood up and with hesitation took a few steps forward. The distance wasn’t all that great but enough to make her stumble a few times. Every time, the doctor looked like he was prepared to make step towards her. And every time she slightly shook her head, bit harder into her lips and made another step. She always achieved everything on her own and by her hard work. This time won’t be any different.
She plopped down next to Kris after she finally reached the bed. She made just a several steps but it was enough to tire her out. Soon Yixing joined them on her other side. She felt on edge, not sure what will happen next but somehow, which was probably very naïve of her, she knew deep down that she was safe. Because if so far they hadn’t done anything to her (and in her opinion based on Lee’s knowledge, she should already be killed by the doctor because of “making a pass” at the Alpha) this shouldn’t change, right? And they promised her safety yesterday, right? Kris had this aura of being a man of his words. She hoped her instincts were right with that.
“So what’s your name, honey?” Yixing asked. She didn’t look at him. Neither at the Alpha. She wasn’t stupid nor a newbie to make such a mistake. Looking in the eyes of another werewolf would mean a challenge. And with the Alpha couple? No, thank you very much. So she stared at her own hands playing with the hem of the cute but slightly too big t-shirt.
“I’m Fei.” She answered in a small and hoarse voice, unused for too long. “Where is the woman? The Witch?” Was she dead? Did the hellhound with that funny smelling stranger kill her? There were so many questions running around her mind. It was hard to pick the most important.
“Our friend took care of her. You won’t meet her again. Ever. None of us will.” Kris assured her. Oh, nice euphemism of “yep, she’s dead” or something like that. She was thankful for the lack of details.
“Who are you, Fei? Do you have any family to call?” Asked Yixing. She hesitated for second. Should she say truth? Well, she couldn’t lie - they will see through it immiedietly but maybe she should omit some parts? Lee said that once you’ve became a beast you should forget about your family. For their sake. But since yesterday, almost all of his teachings seemed defective or even wrong. Maybe he was mistaken or this pack was different. Until now they had done nothing wrong to her, quite the opposite.
“What do you think? You understand my own instinct better than myself.” She asked her inner she-wolf.
“So far they only helped us. Provided promised help. It would be polite to answer with the truth.” So it’s decided.
“I’m… I was an exchange student.” Her voice was still embracing an unsteady tone. “But around a month ago,” She was slightly guessing with this timeframe. “I was attacked while coming back to the dorms. It was a robbery. They stabbed me and left me to die.” She shuddered at the memories. Alone in the darkness, bleeding in pain and waiting for the end. Kris patted her knee in reassurance, which helped to gather her thought and focus. “I… I was saved by some guy. At first I thought he wanted to... I don’t know… rape me or something… but instead he Changed me into a werewolf. After that he was teaching me to how change on my own, use my instincts and so on. He told me to call him Lee. But…” She hesitated for second. If her counting of sunrises seen through barn windows were more or less right... “…around a week ago, we both got kidnapped and imprisoned in the Witch’s place.” She shivered at memories flooding her mind and body. “And then she killed him first…” She omitted his constant howling in pain when the Witch ripped from his body chunks of flesh until she got to his throat and… No. She wouldn’t be able to get it past her mouth. “After him she… she went for me… she… stabbed me… cut me… and… and…” Her voice broke and she started to cry. It was too much, memories too fresh. Kris encircled her in his arms and let her sob into his chest. Yixing patted her back. It was both reassuring and confusing. Why so much affection towards a stranger? But right now she appreciated it.
“Honey, we don’t want you to dwell on your traumatic memories but did the witch break your leg too?” The doctor asked. She nodded. “Right now, you won’t be able to walk normally. It’s healed wrongly.” She looked at him but not into his eyes. So she won’t ever be able to be run or even walk normally again? What about in wolf form? The diagnosis was the same as yesterday, but today, after the remains of the spell dulling her mind evaporated, it sounded more final. Cold fright seized through her bones.
“I can fix it and help you to heal correctly but it means we will need to break it again.” Yixing said. She brought her legs up under her chin, even if it caused a strong unpleasant throb in her damaged leg, and instinctually pressed harder into Kris’ body. So there is a chance, but even more pain is the only solution? What had she done to that Witch which made her hunt her even after death?
“Fei, I won’t do anything unless you want me to. And I surely won’t do it right now. You’re too weak for that.” The doctor continued. So she won’t be sentenced to feel pain again immiedietly. Good. She will have some time to prepare herself mentally. She relaxed slightly. “Also, we will have breakfast soon. Would you like to eat with us or should I bring it to you here?” He smiled at her with his dimple showing. Cute, she thought.
This one question holds so much meaning. Yixing gave her the opportunity to meet the other pack members, socialize and become human again while eating at the table. But it also meant to show strangers her current disability, her weakness, and that was against all tactics. The doctor left doors open for rejection, one which won’t be treated as rudeness. But that’s not her way of dealing with problems. She has always faced them straight on, that was what her dad always taught her. And that’s how she will deal with this situation too. She needed to stand on her own again, even if for some time it will be only in a metaphorical way. And this was a great opportunity to finally learn some more about pack dynamics.
“I… I’d like to eat breakfast with you.” She hated how she stammered, but her she-wolf silently but proudly howled at her inner strength.
“You’re brave, Fei.” Kris complimented and petted her hair with a smile curling his lips. She leaned into his touch instinctually. Even in her human body she still acted slightly wolfish. Another proof of being too long in her wolf form. “After breakfast and meeting with Kangta, you should call your family. They probably miss you.” He told her and smiled warmly. Oh, she will be able to talk to her family just like this? What about this hurting your beloved which Lee mentioned before? And what will she tell them? Of course not that she’s a werewolf right now. Lee told her it was a secret protected under a death sentence and she was sure, that no matter how different so far this pack appeared, that kind of major rule was in power here as well. She was opening her mouth to ask about what lie she should say to her parents when the doors opened suddenly and another werewolf in human form stood.
“I’m here to inform you that Kangta and Boa already…” He started not paying attention to their conversation which he interrupted, but suddenly cut his own sentence and breathed deeply. Seconds later, he lunged forward directly at her. Before she could react or even raise her hands in a defensive stance he was stopped by a very quick and swift move of Yixing’s arms’ which completely halted the latter.
She won’t kid, it scared her. The whole newcomer’s reaction startled her. He freaking lunged at her! And she’s seen only him for the first time in her life! Without a second thought, she hugged Kris’ body searching for his help and security. But she couldn’t bring herself to take her eyes off the stranger’s eyes even if that wasn’t very smart move, to provoke him even more. But they were golden, which only meant that his inner wolf was close to the surface or took control over the newcomer’s body, and they were staring directly into her own. Neither promised anything good. With this thought, she quickly sobered and wanted to drop her gaze to avoid any challenge; but she couldn’t! She felt almost hypnotized by them.
“Mate.” He growled. Wait. WHAT? Her inner wolf stirred with interest.
“Are you serious?” Yixing looked at him, completely shocked and baffled.
“First an interracial couple, now this? What’s next?” Kris complained. He sighed loudly. “Jongdae, are you sure?” He addressed his question to the stranger.
“Yes, Alpha.” Newcomer, Jongdae apparently, answered without any hesitation.
“Wolf, give him back complete control.” Kris ordered. He sounded tired but nonetheless firm.
Jongdae blinked few time and the gold from his eyes disappeared, retreating to his natural, dark brown irises. He sharply inhaled.
“Crap.” He said. He probably just realized what his inner wolf had done. “I’m done, aren’t I?”
“Looking for a mate?” Asked Yixing and loosened his hold on Jongdae’s arms. “Of course. She’s here - before your eyes. It’s a blessing. Or it will be if it works out between you two.”
“I was thinking about all the comments and upcoming remarks from our packmates. Especially Kai. But if you put it that way, yeah, this too.” Jongdae said with lopsided smile.
“That’s karma for you.” Said and laughed the Alpha’s mate.
“Do I have any say to that?” She thought, but apparently she thought out loud because the three of them looked at her at once. Yeah, to hell with ‘first think then speak’ rule. Idiot.
“Partly.” Answered Kris. His smile slightly fading at her question. “How much do you know about mating?”
“Not much. Lee wasn’t very detailed about it. He briefly said that it happens when two right werewolves, male and female, meet and decide to be together. More or less like soulmates or like the legend about a red string connecting two people.” She answered honestly. “Well, as I already saw he was wrong about the only female and male part so I assume that the rest also can contain mistakes. And I don’t know the details.”
“Who’s Lee?” Asked Jongdae at the same time as the Alpha sighing loudly. She couldn’t say if it was at other’s question or her poor knowledge.
Kris ignored his packmate and turned to her. “Basically it depends on you and your wolf. Every case is special so not everything works the same for different couples. Your human side will have final word to it. A lot of couples first try dating before going all out. The most basic way to mate is by having sex. It works for most of couples. You can always say no to him but if your wolf recognizes him as your mate it will be harder to resist the natural pull towards him. As I said, it all depends on your decision.”
For this whole time of a short but straightforward explanation, Jongdae sat in the armchair and observed her. It wasn’t offensive but it made her skin tingle a little bit. In her current state it made her very self-cautious. She glanced a few times in his direction, skipping eyes as much as she could, but his face was unreadable.
“So, I have two options - I can give it shot or say ‘no, thank you’ and leave?” She asked to be sure. At last, Jongdae’s face twisted into a grimace. But it quickly disappeared into an expression she couldn’t read. Too fast to give her a chance to interpret it. Was he disappointed? Or was he already planning to take her here and now? The last idea was ridiculous, Alpha clearly said it was her decision to make. Nice and odd at the same time. Women and submissives should be the lowest in the pack’s ranks. Their opinions shouldn’t matter. Another of Lee’s rules was busted. Or this pack was truly special.
“Yes. That’s correct.” Answered Kris.
“As pack’s doctor, I feel the need to tell you that it may or may not throw him off balance with his wolf. And a werewolf without it can become unpredictable. He may become dangerous, mostly to himself. And we aren’t indestructible.” Yixing added.
“Should I make this decision now?” She wasn’t sure if her mind and heart are prepared to make such a decision in blink of eye. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if she would be ever prepared for it. It will be for life and apparently it will take a toll on another being. She wasn’t a cruel person.
“No, of course not, not with everything that has just happened to you. At least about mating. That’s totally up to you. But after breakfast we will meet with the Alpha of Alphas. Just so you know, a long-distance relationship doesn’t work well with us. All I’m asking for is you to think about it.” Said Kris.
“Okay. I will.” She promised and managed to pull a small smile on her lips. She felt that she hadn’t moved them like that for ages.
“Good. You look pretty like this, Fei. Smiling.” Yixing complimented her. She felt her cheeks getting hotter and redder. “But now we should greet our guests upstairs. Because that was what brought you here Jongdae. Am I right?”
“Yes. When I came here Kangta’s car was heard by Sulli who was gathering some flowers by the forest near the road to decorate her table. So probably they’re already here.” He answered with a shrug.
“Okay. Fei.” Yixing turned to her. “Is it okay for Jongdae to touch you? We will need additional hands to help you upstairs. Unless you want to be picked up by one of us. It’s also not a problem.” He continued.
“No, I’d like to stay on my own feet. And touching is okay.” She immiedietly answered. It would be embarrassing to be treated like some damsel in distress before the whole pack and Alpha of Alphas. And also her back was still quite tender. The cuts weren’t bleeding but didn’t heal completely yet.
Yixing smiled at her like she’d done exactly what he expected.
“So let’s go.” Said Kris.
- - - - -
A/N: Welcome back old readers and hello to all new one! :]
Sorry that it took me so long to bring our werewolves back to the action but this year was quite crazy for me (bechelor's thesis is waaay more work than I expected!). BUT! This fic won't as long as JGMR - it will have only 4 chapters posted one per week.
If you want to ask me, talk to me or whatever you want write to me on my account on ask.fm --> HERE!!
As always comments are welcomed :D
Rating: NC17
Pairing: Chen/Fei (with other from JGMR)
AU: werewolf
Warnings: mentions of tortures (black magic), deaths of minor charas (mentioned), breaking bones, cursing, mentions of eating human flesh
Beta-ed by JustABitDramatic <3
Summary: Kris’ pack rescued Kyungsoo, Henry and new wolf from the hands of black witch. On the very next day Jongdae’s wolf claimed her as their mate. What she will do? How the things with pack and Jongdae will come out?
It’s follow up to “ Just give me a reason (to keep my heart beating)”. It picks up from where first installment of my werewolf au is ending (more or less). It’s better to read first one too, for better understanding, but I won’t force anybody to do it.
All claims as in previous fics - inspirited mostly by Patricia Briggs werewolf series and few other fics (all links in JGMR foreword).
Title is, as in whole au, part from One OK Rock’s song’s lyric “The Beginning”.
Chapter 1
Somewhere above another wave of pain, so strong that she could smell the stench of her own fear, and the murmur of the Witch’s spell, she heard the doors open. At first she ignored it because she was sure it was Witch’s apprentice joining them. But something felt off. Seconds later, she heard a high pitched female shriek and sounds of sudden movements, tossing, shouts and growls. Pity she couldn’t even lift or turn her head to hear the newcomer better. She was too drained after another session of the casting spell in the Circle of Pain - that’s how she called the spell circle in which she was lying with her back to the doors. She couldn’t even properly open her eyes - part of the spell’s effect - unless she wanted her world spinning dizzily.
Well, she was already sure that it wasn’t a friendly tea party currently happening somewhere behind her. Because of the spell, though its effect had lessened but still was working, she couldn’t even understand the exchanged words. All were blurred into a muffled nonsense. She had no idea what kind of freedom the newcomer will bring upon her. By quick death or release.
She felt the exact moment when the spell, which caused her so much pain, was suddenly lifted. Broken, to be exact. With a quick, and not too painful sting, it dissolved into thin air, allowing her to finally breathe deeper and open her eyes. It came with darkness, different shades of shadows, the various scents of the room and the almost overwhelming pain of her damaged body. Suddenly opening her eyes was a bad idea. Her world, just like a washing machine set on the quickest rotation, started to spin and she immediately corrected her mistake and tightly shut her eyes. She concentrated on her strongest sense in a wolf’s body - the sense of smell. She could smell the scent of two newcomers. No, three! Two of them smelled familiar. Wolfish, she realized, but third was very different from the others. Very foreign. Not the Witch’s apprentice though... Before she could dwell more on it, she suddenly felt someone’s hand on her fur. Her self-defense instincts kicked in and she jerked, trying to blindly bite the stranger. She managed throw her muzzle but that was all. Her world, even without opening her eyes, had started to spin again. A kaleidoscope of colors flashed behind her eyelids as the movement drained her completely.
“Shhh. Relax. I won’t hurt you.” Said a voice above her in a soothing, deep whisper. Yeah, sure. How many times had she already heard that from the apprentice? In the background she could hear the Witch’s screams. Despite her dizziness and pain, she tried to move away from the stranger. But with a miserable effect. The screams got louder and suddenly were cut off, followed by another stranger’s voice, but before it could reach her the one standing somewhere above yelled.
“Yixing, come here quickly with your kit!”
She didn’t hear the answer but he probably got it because he screamed again.
“Yixing, his hand won’t fall off anytime soon. You’re needed here now.” Then he turned to her once again.
“Concentrate on my voice, pretty. Don’t move. Wait for a doctor. He’s coming here.” She obeyed his commands, while he delicately petted her like it was most natural thing in the world. Strangely, it soothed her until he patted her more tender places. She whined. “Sorry, pretty. I’m Kris Wu by the way, an Alpha from the nearest city. Leader of a werewolf pack. You’re safe, pretty girl. Me and my pack are here. We won’t let anyone hurt you anymore.” He put his opened hand next to her nose. She inhaled a soothing, werewolfish and dominant fragrance which should have screamed danger but for her it promised safety. She never smelled anything like that before and in seconds all ideas about fighting or even moving evaporated from her mind. She relaxed and pressed her nose farther into the hand.
“Good, pretty girl.” She could hear the smile in his voice. The praise made her strangely warmer inside. Something deep down inside was starting to finally fit together. Like he or his power was the missing puzzle of her werewolf being.
She more smelled than heard another stranger coming into the room. Also a werewolf. The alpha’s hand still didn’t leave her coat, rather petting here, touching there, ultimately soothing her.
“It’s amazing she didn’t become crazy yet.” The alpha said to the newcomer. She whimpered because he touched another tender place and to also show her disagreement to his statement. She was nowhere close to becoming a crazed wolf. Tired, resigned - yes, but not mad. Her will to live still hasn’t left her. Not completely.
“Shhh, he’s our pack’s doctor. He’s also a werewolf and my mate. He will help you.” Kris the Alpha continued. Oh, so werewolf can be in a man-man relationship? And mated? That’s news. Lee clearly skipped or omitted some parts about mating while “teaching” her. Not that he was an expert himself or even talkative for that matter. Also, his descriptions of alphas as “dominant jerks overwhelmed by their power, always asses to the weakest in the pack” so far were amiss. It just confirmed what she already expected. Lee had issues. Well, not anymore; his death solved them all. But she decided to stay at least cautious around new wolves. Just to make sure.
Her thoughts were interrupted by another hand next to her nose. The doctor’s, she assumed. He smelled of werewolf, blood, antiseptic and something reminding her of the Alpha himself which wasn’t a surprise. After all, they were mated. And damn, this man knew how to scratch behind the ear. Like a pro. Even in her current state she enjoyed it, slightly wagging her tail in a small show of her inner happiness. Then he delicately roamed her body with his experienced hands so they didn’t bring her pain. Much.
“She has a lot of minor cuts, wounds and bruises but it’s something she will recover from with enough food. The more pressing ones are her broken ribs, she has two at least. And her back leg. It was broken some time ago and has healed wrongly. It should be broken again and properly set in place. I can do it myself but it has to be done at home and not in her current state.” The doctor said. Holy crap, cuts, broken ribs and a broken leg? That doesn’t sound nice at all! She already knew that as a werewolf, whose existence needed to stay a complete secret to the world, she will never be able to dream big again but with such a leg anything merely connected to dancing will be impossible! Even werewolf healing won’t be able to repair it!
“Don’t panic, Fei. As this doctor has said, most of it can be healed by food. At least we’ll stay alive.” She got reminded by her inner she-wolf.
“Yeah, I know, but what about my ribs and leg? You heard him! My leg needs to be re-broken! The Witch breaking it was hurtful enough and doing this again… She shuddered at mere thought. Also after healing will it be fully useable? I’m not even referring to dancing but everyday walking or running!
“The ribs should be fine on their own after a change or two but we should be fed pretty well. About the leg - we need to ask them. There is still a chance.”
“Should I remind you when we last ate properly?” She answered angrily to her inner wolf. She could almost feel the skeptic wolfish eyebrow (do they even have eyebrows?) rise at her poor sarcasm. But it also reminded her that she didn’t know exactly how much time she’s spend in the Witch’s den. It felt like eternity but she knows better. She counted so far around seven or eight sunrises - it was a moment, almost like a signal, for the Witch to finish her work with her. Apparently black magic doesn’t like the sun very much. Kind of cliché and old-fashioned, if someone wanted to know her opinion.
“This Alpha appears good enough to at least feed us. He promised us safety and we couldn’t hear nor smell any lie in his word, could we? And as an almost immortal werewolf, our time spent here is nothing. Soon it will be just a bad memory.” Her inner wolf brought her back to more current matters.
“I know. I just… Poor her.” She heard the doctor mumbling while carefully patting her. “She doesn’t deserve this.” He was clearly speaking about her, but there was another implication in his words. More like he was speaking from his own experience. She wondered if maybe someone close to him became subject to a witch like her. Or maybe it was him himself.
“No one does, Yixing.” She heard the Alpha replying softly.
After that, her nose was suddenly filled with new scents as other werewolves came into the room. They radiated off different levels of dominancy. Too much, too suddenly. She whimpered again.
“They are my pack, pretty. They came to help us transport you to our van. You’re going to leave this place and stay with us for now.” Kris the Alpha said. Pack, it sounded nice. Lee said that werewolves, besides being all skinship friendly, were also social, as in they need others almost constantly. Again, beside Lee. He was an exception. A loner. But not her. Even as a human she liked being around people and after her Change she always felt that something significant was missing. Lee didn’t even like to touch, so her need couldn’t be soothed. But now? The alpha and doctor have already petted her so nicely, promised to help her, take her to safety and give her food. Yep, food was the most important. Maybe it was high time to find her own pack or at least meet others of her kind. Especially now, when Lee was gone and she was all alone, still not totally comfortable with her new werewolf lifestyle.
With the Alpha and his mate’s pack member’s help, they transferred her onto the blanket which became a temporary stretcher. She shut her eyes even more tightly, preparing for a new wave of pain but there was none. The alpha’s pack members were treating her as carefully as they could. Like a fragile porcelain doll. With all of the adrenaline draining from her veins, mixed with the dizziness of being moved and the assumption of upcoming safety, she was slowly drifting off. When they all were finally leaving the room, she opened her eyes for a few seconds and caught a glance of the Witch curled into herself next to the wall with a man standing above her and a huge werewolf sitting next to him. The latter had a pitch black coat, so unusual for wolves.
“Hell’s hound” She thought. “That’s what she deserved.” She let the Alpha’s mate’s hand bury in her fur, letting the mix of fresh air after so many days of stench soothe her into a light nap.
***
She was constantly drifting in and out of dreamland. The pack members put her into the back of the van, on already prepared layers of soft blankets and rugs. She didn’t remember most of it, the whole trip was blurred. She was thankful for the blankets which soothed slight bumps on the road. They smelled fresh, of some flower detergent. With the Alpha’s constant, soft murmuring about safety in the pack house above her and with both of his hands buried in her coat, carefully and tenderly caressing her, she didn’t even notice when they arrived. Arrived to the pack’s house; their home. Not hers but a place that was safe.
When they opened van’s back doors she finally got a moment to cherish it. Fresh air. Freedom. Besides werewolves, she smelled in close proximity a forest and a lot of sweet water from a lake or some big pond. And no witches. But also no Lee anymore. He wasn’t a perfect mentor, not even a good friend, but thanks to him she was still alive. He Changed her and taught her how to survive. She felt sad about it, but she didn’t cry. She had already shed enough tears back in the Witch’s den for him. Maybe that’s why now she couldn’t even feel her eyes sting, just a dull acceptance of his death. So her happiness of freedom was slightly tinted by it, but nonetheless it was freedom. And fresh air.
Once again, some wolves in their human forms gathered around her and carefully lifted the blanket on which she was lying. Even this slight movement made her dizzy again but far less than at the Witch’s den. Good thing she hadn’t opened her eyes ever since the car stopped. She will have time to roam around later. Hopefully.
With soft and slow steps, the pack members took her to the house which smelled like what a real home should. Full of different people’s scents, foods, spices and warmth. It slightly reminded her of her parents’ house. It was way smaller than the pack’s house but just as cozy and lovely as this one. She whimpered. She missed her parents. And they probably thought that she was killed or kidnapped.
“Shhh. We’re almost there.” She heard the doctor’s voice.
The group suddenly stopped and slightly repositioned themselves. Some doors were opened and with the small click of lights going on they started moving again. Even with her dizzy and hazy mind, she realized that they were descending to the basement level. A basement with probably no windows and only one set of doors. Crap. That didn’t sound good, maybe she trusted the Alpha and pack too quickly. Almost all of her sleepiness evaporated and was immediately replaced with awareness and adrenaline slowly pumping into her veins. She was almost surprised that her tired body was even able to produce any.
Oblivious to her inner panic, they led her through the corridor to the room. They gently laid her on the bed and left. Everyone besides Kris. She slowly opened her eyes. The first thing which came into her sight was a pair of legs, knees to be exact. But she had no energy to lift her head to see her savior properly. Just before the world began to spin, she took in the room not covered by Kris’ body. It had very basic furnishings. The bed, which she was currently occupying, an armchair and a washbasin. It struck her that it looked more like a prison but the light green walls made it less cold. She quickly closed her eyes again to subdue her dizziness.
“So, pretty girl, what do you think about getting a little bit cleaner? It also should get rid of your remnants of the witch’s spells.” Said the Alpha. She whined in agreement. Anything to stop the world spinning.
“I’m taking that as a yes. Give me a sec. I’ll be right back.” He said and left her alone. She didn’t hear any sound of a door closing so she guessed that it was still open. It didn’t take the Alpha long to come back with, she quickly peeked, a medium basin and a cloth. He poured water into it from the washbasin in the corner of the room and came closer to her. With a warmly wet cloth, he started gently cleaning her coat from dried blood and her fear’s stench. It wasn’t much but it helped. And the Alpha was right, her dizziness was slowly subduing.
Soon another werewolf joined them. She recognized his scent; he was sitting close to her in the van. He was the one hissing in pain at the doctor’s treatment of whatever had happened to him. She slowly opened her eyes and was welcomed by the male werewolf almost face to face. Or face to muzzle, in her case. His face was small, still very boyish, with wide eyes and a heart-shaped mouth. He gently smiled at her. He brought with him a plate of raw meat chopped into small strips. Just the smell of it made her mouth water.
“Hi there, miss.” He started awkwardly. “I’ve got something for you.” He sat more comfortably right in front of her muzzle. He looked so young! She took gasp of air. There was something very gentle in his scent. Non-threating. And nothing dominant at all. It screamed “protect me” at her and confused her even more. She tried to look through her knowledge from Lee but she couldn’t focus enough to find an answer.
He gave her his hand to smell. She noticed his wrists were wrapped in bandages. She licked his hands and she reached as far as she could with her tongue to lick also at his injuries. She did it because it strangely felt natural to show immediate affection and concern towards the boyish male. He smiled at her and delicately scratched behind her ear. Nice, is this pack full of pro-scratchers?
“It’s because of the silver chains. But it already doesn’t hurt!” He assured her. “But let’s start properly! I’m Kyungsoo. Do Kyungsoo. I’d like to know your name too but it can wait.” The newcomer smiled at her even wider. “And I’m the submissive of the pack.” He added proudly. After this short intro he started slowly feeding her with the raw strips. Without hesitation, she was gently taking all of the meat from his fingers. Submissive… Right, that’s why she found him different. Lee told her that they were the lowest of low in pack. Some were even treated like doormats for the rest or worst. Clearly it wasn’t the case here.
“And Kris, do you believe it? Kai argued with me, that I should rest rather than do my job! He’s unbelievable!” Kyungsoo started ranting. Even while speaking slightly louder his voice was still strangely soothing. “No wound will stop me doing my job. Especially something so minor like this.” To emphasize his argument, he showed his bandaged wrists to his Alpha.
As Kris’ name was mentioned, he stopped her bath for moment, got closer to the sitting Kyungsoo and with an affectionate smile softly patted the boy’s (because honestly she couldn’t refer to him as a “man”, even in her own head it didn’t sound right!) hair. That was a moment when she for the first time fully saw the Alpha. He looked like a model! With dirty blond hair he looked almost like a foreigner. His face had sharp features but his warm smile towards the younger pack mate brightened it. It was radiating with something she could only label as strong affection or simply love. So yeah, the boy wasn’t even close to a doormat. But with all the touchy-feely side of werewolves wasn’t this too much? The boy clearly wasn’t the doctor whom the Alpha was mated to.
“You know that Kai only wants what’s best for you.” He slowly said to the pouting submissive. “And you both being newly mated isn’t helping at all. Plus, recent situations have made his protective instincts go into overdrive.” Oh, so he was mated too? Also to a man? Even as a submissive? She mentally sighed. Lee’s knowledge was very limited or he omitted a lot of parts. She couldn’t decide which was more likely.
“I know, I know. But still, Kris! After I finally got over all my issues I want to do my job properly!” Kyungsoo answered with still a raised voice. He suddenly turned to her covering his mouth. “Oh, sorry! I shouldn’t be yelling.” He mumbled, cheeks reddening.
“Cute!” She heard her inner she-wolf. She couldn’t agree more.
“But well, just so you know, I’m also kinda new here.” Submissive added with smoothed voice.
“Not so new.” Kris disagreed. “You’re already part of family.”
“Yeah, I know.” Kyungsoo smiled warmly at his Alpha. He leaned into his touch when the older patted his cheek. “But I still remember how it was to be new around here and the pack stuff. I don’t know if you have any experience with it at all, miss.” He continued, but in a second his eyes saddened. “Also, I know what it means to be traumatized. So I want to help you even more.” He added.
She whined. Someone had done something bad to this precious boy. Something so scary that it traumatized him. No-one should hurt such a sweet being! It was almost ridiculous how much she wanted to hug him. He may have been a complete stranger, but her instincts were screaming to protect him no matter what.
None of them saw Kris move, but in seconds his hand was buried in the hair of Kyungsoo’s head, pressing his own face into the smaller’s hair. It looked possessive, dominant and in a strangely cute way.
“Soo.” The Alph purred. This big guy actually purred. Wow.
“I’m fine. I’m already fine. You know it. You and this pack, our pack, rescued me; helped me get over my trauma. Now is my turn to help her.”
She had no idea what happened to him. She also didn’t understand her own growing feelings toward this cute boy but she couldn’t deny them. She licked and nuzzled Kyungsoo’s hand which was still lying next to her muzzle.
“Look. You made her pity me too.” The boy accused his Alpha without true heat in his words, leaning even closer to the bigger body to show his words were a joke.
She wined in protest. It wasn’t pity!
“It wasn’t pity.” Said Kris, echoing her thoughts. “She’s just getting fond of you. Like we all did after our first meeting.” After that and another pat to Kyungsoo’s head, the Alpha retreated to his previous work of cleaning her fur.
Things got little bit tricky when it was time to clean her other side. With Kyungsoo’s help, Kris turned her over with just a few whines of pain because of her too tender ribs.
It didn’t take long until she was briefly cleaned (her fur now flattened and slightly uncomfortable but less smelly and spell-free), and settled into a more comfortable position, being fed the last strips of meat. She couldn’t remember the last time when she felt so sated with food and attention. Her head was comfortably lying on Kris’ lap while the rest of her damp fur was being petted by Kyungsoo who was still sitting on the floor. The peaceful scene was interrupted by a newcomer’s entrance. He brought with him a tray with two plates of steak and two steaming big cups. It smelled like veggies. He gently put it on the armchair because in the room there was no table.
It was the doctor, she realized after taking in his scent. Well, she expected someone older looking and more severe faced. But this man with angelically soft features, a warm smile and gentle hands (which she experienced before) was almost the striking contradiction to his mate, especially when the latter wasn’t smiling. Apparently “opposites attracts” worked for them perfectly.
“Eat and have a break while I check on her.” He shooed his mate and submissive. “Oh, and I talked to Kangta. He and Boa will be here tomorrow morning.”
She didn’t understand the last part but it was followed by Kris’ nod. It wasn’t information for her so she ignored it. After that, the Alpha gently extracted himself from under her head and was replaced by the doctor.
“I think it would be better for you to change, beauty. You’d be able to tell us your story and then we’ll discuss about your leg. Okay?” He looked at her. She licked his elbow and he smiled. “Okay, later then.” And he started to once again check on her wounds and how they were healing after receiving some food.
Kris and Kyungsoo ate silently but quite quickly while she was checked. When the doctor, Yixing, if she remembered right, stood up the plates were already clean. He gathered them and left again while Kris and Kyungsoo took their previous positions. After food, the submissive’s eyes got droopy and his petting got slower and slower. Soon she could hear his even breathing and his hand’s movements completely halted.
Yixing came again, this time followed by another male werewolf and a pile of blankets in his arms. The stranger looked like yet another model but with chocolate skin. He also smelled of dominance, so he was probably quite high in the pack’s rank. The stranger respectfully nodded to the Alpha and smiled slightly at her after he noticed she was watching his moves. He quickly bended and delicately gathered Kyungsoo in his arms, lifting the other boy like he weighed nothing. Kyungsoo mumbled something which sounded vaguely like protests but he quickly snuggled up to the taller.
“Remember, Kai, nothing funny tonight. Soo needs his rest so his body can heal faster.” Yixing reminded to the leaving werewolf. The taller (than the doctor himself) nodded at them and left.
After that, Yixing started to arrange the blankets into a comfortable bed-like pile while Kris still petted her. When the doctor finished he patted the place next to him. She realized it wasn’t at her when the soothing warmth was leaving from under her head. She whined at the loss.
“We will be here for you all night. If there’s something you need or anything wrong, don’t hesitate to wake us up. In the morning, the Alpha of the Alphas will come and decide what to do with your situation.” Said Kris. Who? Alpha of the Alphas? So something like a werewolf king? When higher-ups are coming that never bode well. She whimpered at her own thoughts.
“Relax. He won’t do anything wrong to you. He’ll decide which pack you’ll be put under, because female werewolves are too rare to wander around alone.” He patted her one last time and joined his mate on the blankets.
***
She woke up probably sometime in the middle of night. She didn’t know exactly and because of the lack of windows or clocks she had no idea what hour it was. But she was thankful that just before Kris joined his mate on their makeshift bed, he got small lamp from somewhere and switched it on instead of burying them in the pitch black room. She wasn’t sure if she would be able to survive the latter. In darkness there were too many fresh demons hiding and she wasn’t ready to face them yet.
She felt way better than before. Food had done miracles on her. And she was pretty sure that the petting from the Alpha couple and Kyungsoo also had something to do with it. She felt more rested ever since she was imprisoned by the Witch but she still could use a few more hours of sleep. The only problem was that her body was strangely tingling. She realized that she felt it before too, after the spell was lifted but then it was way more subtle.
“We stayed in wolf form too long and our body demands change. It also will help with our ribs.” Said her inner she-wolf.
“Oh, okay. But we need to do this as silently as we can. I don’t want to wake them up. They also need their rest.” She thought and looked at the sleeping couple. Kris was lying on his side with his back to the lamp but facing both her and Yixing while his mate was sprawled on the most of their bed. It was a weird position but he somehow looked comfortable in it. And cute.
With her inner wolf’s help, she started her change. For the whole time in the Witch’s den she shifted just once. From human to wolf. Which was probably the reason why her change now was much slower but as painful as always. She swallowed almost all of her whimpers to prevent them leaving her mouth and waking up the couple. The change was never a pleasure, with all bones and joints snapping and relocating, but this was complete necessity. Her body demands it as well she needed her human mouth to communicate with the pack.
After she was done, she laid motionless while silently panting. She felt tired enough to slip into dreamland immediately, but an idea occurred her. With the remains of her energy, she moved on all fours to the make-shifted bed in the middle of room. She crawled into the space left between the two males. She didn’t notice it before but it also hadn’t bothered her already sleepy mind; her ribs were itching, but it was nowhere comparable to what she felt before. At least they healed enough to itch, not throb. She quickly found a comfortable position and fell asleep, failing to see the smile curling on Kris’ lips.
***
She slowly came back from her empty dreamland. She was grateful to her luck that this time she was spared from any nightmares. All she could feel was warmth and the newly familiar scent securely surrounding her. She snuggled closer to the source of both which happened to be just before her face. Her nose was pressed to some warm material. She slowly opened her eyes and was welcomed by poorly lightened grey. She blinked and realized that it was a cotton t-shirt on someone’s chest. That someone was no-one other than the Alpha.
And she was in her human form. Oh right, she changed somewhere in the middle of night. Currently, she was lying next to males whom she barely knew. Naked. And he was mated, Alpha of the pack. She didn’t know what frightened her the most - him being so powerful that he basically could do to her whatever he wanted, him already having a mate whom will kill any potential rival (even if she was not!) or her laying there naked and vulnerable (it was a completely different story when she was still in wolf skin). Because of her panic, all the nice memories from the previous night evaporated from her mind. There was no cute submissive boy or any smiles and tender touches. She finally noticed that there was some material lying on top of her, at least partly because almost all of her upper body was still naked. She tugged it under her chin and wrapped it as tightly as she could around her body. Wait, was it the doctor’s coat? Why would he…? Before she could finish her own thought Yixing’s voice almost gave her a heart attack.
“Pretty miss, you’re safe. Here, these should fit well.” He laid next to her a small pile of clothes. His voice was welcoming and soothing. There was no hidden anger, which was strange. She was snuggling up to his mate (she didn’t know for how long he was standing there but she was pretty sure he saw that), shouldn’t he be at least a little disturbed? Without answer to her inner question, she as quickly as she could dressed up. It wasn’t anything fancy - panties, sports bra (this type that no matter what cup you have will fit, which she left beside because her skin on her back and sides were still too tender for any tight fits), a t-shirt (black with a cute curled, white wolf looking like a full moon) and loose cotton gym pants.
Meanwhile, Kris got up like nothing happened (wait, for how long he was awake?!), kissed the doctor on the temple and sat on the bed. When she finished dressing, he patted the place next to him. She knew she had no other choice but to obey his wordless request. She just wasn’t sure if her legs would hold her. After so long in wolf form, balance wasn’t her strong point. Also this freaking wrongly broken leg. She carefully stood up and with hesitation took a few steps forward. The distance wasn’t all that great but enough to make her stumble a few times. Every time, the doctor looked like he was prepared to make step towards her. And every time she slightly shook her head, bit harder into her lips and made another step. She always achieved everything on her own and by her hard work. This time won’t be any different.
She plopped down next to Kris after she finally reached the bed. She made just a several steps but it was enough to tire her out. Soon Yixing joined them on her other side. She felt on edge, not sure what will happen next but somehow, which was probably very naïve of her, she knew deep down that she was safe. Because if so far they hadn’t done anything to her (and in her opinion based on Lee’s knowledge, she should already be killed by the doctor because of “making a pass” at the Alpha) this shouldn’t change, right? And they promised her safety yesterday, right? Kris had this aura of being a man of his words. She hoped her instincts were right with that.
“So what’s your name, honey?” Yixing asked. She didn’t look at him. Neither at the Alpha. She wasn’t stupid nor a newbie to make such a mistake. Looking in the eyes of another werewolf would mean a challenge. And with the Alpha couple? No, thank you very much. So she stared at her own hands playing with the hem of the cute but slightly too big t-shirt.
“I’m Fei.” She answered in a small and hoarse voice, unused for too long. “Where is the woman? The Witch?” Was she dead? Did the hellhound with that funny smelling stranger kill her? There were so many questions running around her mind. It was hard to pick the most important.
“Our friend took care of her. You won’t meet her again. Ever. None of us will.” Kris assured her. Oh, nice euphemism of “yep, she’s dead” or something like that. She was thankful for the lack of details.
“Who are you, Fei? Do you have any family to call?” Asked Yixing. She hesitated for second. Should she say truth? Well, she couldn’t lie - they will see through it immiedietly but maybe she should omit some parts? Lee said that once you’ve became a beast you should forget about your family. For their sake. But since yesterday, almost all of his teachings seemed defective or even wrong. Maybe he was mistaken or this pack was different. Until now they had done nothing wrong to her, quite the opposite.
“What do you think? You understand my own instinct better than myself.” She asked her inner she-wolf.
“So far they only helped us. Provided promised help. It would be polite to answer with the truth.” So it’s decided.
“I’m… I was an exchange student.” Her voice was still embracing an unsteady tone. “But around a month ago,” She was slightly guessing with this timeframe. “I was attacked while coming back to the dorms. It was a robbery. They stabbed me and left me to die.” She shuddered at the memories. Alone in the darkness, bleeding in pain and waiting for the end. Kris patted her knee in reassurance, which helped to gather her thought and focus. “I… I was saved by some guy. At first I thought he wanted to... I don’t know… rape me or something… but instead he Changed me into a werewolf. After that he was teaching me to how change on my own, use my instincts and so on. He told me to call him Lee. But…” She hesitated for second. If her counting of sunrises seen through barn windows were more or less right... “…around a week ago, we both got kidnapped and imprisoned in the Witch’s place.” She shivered at memories flooding her mind and body. “And then she killed him first…” She omitted his constant howling in pain when the Witch ripped from his body chunks of flesh until she got to his throat and… No. She wouldn’t be able to get it past her mouth. “After him she… she went for me… she… stabbed me… cut me… and… and…” Her voice broke and she started to cry. It was too much, memories too fresh. Kris encircled her in his arms and let her sob into his chest. Yixing patted her back. It was both reassuring and confusing. Why so much affection towards a stranger? But right now she appreciated it.
“Honey, we don’t want you to dwell on your traumatic memories but did the witch break your leg too?” The doctor asked. She nodded. “Right now, you won’t be able to walk normally. It’s healed wrongly.” She looked at him but not into his eyes. So she won’t ever be able to be run or even walk normally again? What about in wolf form? The diagnosis was the same as yesterday, but today, after the remains of the spell dulling her mind evaporated, it sounded more final. Cold fright seized through her bones.
“I can fix it and help you to heal correctly but it means we will need to break it again.” Yixing said. She brought her legs up under her chin, even if it caused a strong unpleasant throb in her damaged leg, and instinctually pressed harder into Kris’ body. So there is a chance, but even more pain is the only solution? What had she done to that Witch which made her hunt her even after death?
“Fei, I won’t do anything unless you want me to. And I surely won’t do it right now. You’re too weak for that.” The doctor continued. So she won’t be sentenced to feel pain again immiedietly. Good. She will have some time to prepare herself mentally. She relaxed slightly. “Also, we will have breakfast soon. Would you like to eat with us or should I bring it to you here?” He smiled at her with his dimple showing. Cute, she thought.
This one question holds so much meaning. Yixing gave her the opportunity to meet the other pack members, socialize and become human again while eating at the table. But it also meant to show strangers her current disability, her weakness, and that was against all tactics. The doctor left doors open for rejection, one which won’t be treated as rudeness. But that’s not her way of dealing with problems. She has always faced them straight on, that was what her dad always taught her. And that’s how she will deal with this situation too. She needed to stand on her own again, even if for some time it will be only in a metaphorical way. And this was a great opportunity to finally learn some more about pack dynamics.
“I… I’d like to eat breakfast with you.” She hated how she stammered, but her she-wolf silently but proudly howled at her inner strength.
“You’re brave, Fei.” Kris complimented and petted her hair with a smile curling his lips. She leaned into his touch instinctually. Even in her human body she still acted slightly wolfish. Another proof of being too long in her wolf form. “After breakfast and meeting with Kangta, you should call your family. They probably miss you.” He told her and smiled warmly. Oh, she will be able to talk to her family just like this? What about this hurting your beloved which Lee mentioned before? And what will she tell them? Of course not that she’s a werewolf right now. Lee told her it was a secret protected under a death sentence and she was sure, that no matter how different so far this pack appeared, that kind of major rule was in power here as well. She was opening her mouth to ask about what lie she should say to her parents when the doors opened suddenly and another werewolf in human form stood.
“I’m here to inform you that Kangta and Boa already…” He started not paying attention to their conversation which he interrupted, but suddenly cut his own sentence and breathed deeply. Seconds later, he lunged forward directly at her. Before she could react or even raise her hands in a defensive stance he was stopped by a very quick and swift move of Yixing’s arms’ which completely halted the latter.
She won’t kid, it scared her. The whole newcomer’s reaction startled her. He freaking lunged at her! And she’s seen only him for the first time in her life! Without a second thought, she hugged Kris’ body searching for his help and security. But she couldn’t bring herself to take her eyes off the stranger’s eyes even if that wasn’t very smart move, to provoke him even more. But they were golden, which only meant that his inner wolf was close to the surface or took control over the newcomer’s body, and they were staring directly into her own. Neither promised anything good. With this thought, she quickly sobered and wanted to drop her gaze to avoid any challenge; but she couldn’t! She felt almost hypnotized by them.
“Mate.” He growled. Wait. WHAT? Her inner wolf stirred with interest.
“Are you serious?” Yixing looked at him, completely shocked and baffled.
“First an interracial couple, now this? What’s next?” Kris complained. He sighed loudly. “Jongdae, are you sure?” He addressed his question to the stranger.
“Yes, Alpha.” Newcomer, Jongdae apparently, answered without any hesitation.
“Wolf, give him back complete control.” Kris ordered. He sounded tired but nonetheless firm.
Jongdae blinked few time and the gold from his eyes disappeared, retreating to his natural, dark brown irises. He sharply inhaled.
“Crap.” He said. He probably just realized what his inner wolf had done. “I’m done, aren’t I?”
“Looking for a mate?” Asked Yixing and loosened his hold on Jongdae’s arms. “Of course. She’s here - before your eyes. It’s a blessing. Or it will be if it works out between you two.”
“I was thinking about all the comments and upcoming remarks from our packmates. Especially Kai. But if you put it that way, yeah, this too.” Jongdae said with lopsided smile.
“That’s karma for you.” Said and laughed the Alpha’s mate.
“Do I have any say to that?” She thought, but apparently she thought out loud because the three of them looked at her at once. Yeah, to hell with ‘first think then speak’ rule. Idiot.
“Partly.” Answered Kris. His smile slightly fading at her question. “How much do you know about mating?”
“Not much. Lee wasn’t very detailed about it. He briefly said that it happens when two right werewolves, male and female, meet and decide to be together. More or less like soulmates or like the legend about a red string connecting two people.” She answered honestly. “Well, as I already saw he was wrong about the only female and male part so I assume that the rest also can contain mistakes. And I don’t know the details.”
“Who’s Lee?” Asked Jongdae at the same time as the Alpha sighing loudly. She couldn’t say if it was at other’s question or her poor knowledge.
Kris ignored his packmate and turned to her. “Basically it depends on you and your wolf. Every case is special so not everything works the same for different couples. Your human side will have final word to it. A lot of couples first try dating before going all out. The most basic way to mate is by having sex. It works for most of couples. You can always say no to him but if your wolf recognizes him as your mate it will be harder to resist the natural pull towards him. As I said, it all depends on your decision.”
For this whole time of a short but straightforward explanation, Jongdae sat in the armchair and observed her. It wasn’t offensive but it made her skin tingle a little bit. In her current state it made her very self-cautious. She glanced a few times in his direction, skipping eyes as much as she could, but his face was unreadable.
“So, I have two options - I can give it shot or say ‘no, thank you’ and leave?” She asked to be sure. At last, Jongdae’s face twisted into a grimace. But it quickly disappeared into an expression she couldn’t read. Too fast to give her a chance to interpret it. Was he disappointed? Or was he already planning to take her here and now? The last idea was ridiculous, Alpha clearly said it was her decision to make. Nice and odd at the same time. Women and submissives should be the lowest in the pack’s ranks. Their opinions shouldn’t matter. Another of Lee’s rules was busted. Or this pack was truly special.
“Yes. That’s correct.” Answered Kris.
“As pack’s doctor, I feel the need to tell you that it may or may not throw him off balance with his wolf. And a werewolf without it can become unpredictable. He may become dangerous, mostly to himself. And we aren’t indestructible.” Yixing added.
“Should I make this decision now?” She wasn’t sure if her mind and heart are prepared to make such a decision in blink of eye. Honestly, she wasn’t sure if she would be ever prepared for it. It will be for life and apparently it will take a toll on another being. She wasn’t a cruel person.
“No, of course not, not with everything that has just happened to you. At least about mating. That’s totally up to you. But after breakfast we will meet with the Alpha of Alphas. Just so you know, a long-distance relationship doesn’t work well with us. All I’m asking for is you to think about it.” Said Kris.
“Okay. I will.” She promised and managed to pull a small smile on her lips. She felt that she hadn’t moved them like that for ages.
“Good. You look pretty like this, Fei. Smiling.” Yixing complimented her. She felt her cheeks getting hotter and redder. “But now we should greet our guests upstairs. Because that was what brought you here Jongdae. Am I right?”
“Yes. When I came here Kangta’s car was heard by Sulli who was gathering some flowers by the forest near the road to decorate her table. So probably they’re already here.” He answered with a shrug.
“Okay. Fei.” Yixing turned to her. “Is it okay for Jongdae to touch you? We will need additional hands to help you upstairs. Unless you want to be picked up by one of us. It’s also not a problem.” He continued.
“No, I’d like to stay on my own feet. And touching is okay.” She immiedietly answered. It would be embarrassing to be treated like some damsel in distress before the whole pack and Alpha of Alphas. And also her back was still quite tender. The cuts weren’t bleeding but didn’t heal completely yet.
Yixing smiled at her like she’d done exactly what he expected.
“So let’s go.” Said Kris.
- - - - -
A/N: Welcome back old readers and hello to all new one! :]
Sorry that it took me so long to bring our werewolves back to the action but this year was quite crazy for me (bechelor's thesis is waaay more work than I expected!). BUT! This fic won't as long as JGMR - it will have only 4 chapters posted one per week.
If you want to ask me, talk to me or whatever you want write to me on my account on ask.fm --> HERE!!
As always comments are welcomed :D