The Moonstone (3/?)
Title: The Moonstone (3/?)
Pairing: Sehun/Luhan, Chanyeol/Baekhyun, Kai/Kyungsoo, Kris/Tao
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Wolf!AU, drama, mpreg, M/M , M/F
Warnings: Some violence and dubcon/noncon scenes
Disclaimer: They are not mine, obviously.
Summary:: Luhan's the most beautiful and cherished omega in the pack. Comparing to Sehun he's as weak as a child, as easily breakable as a baby deer - and more desirable than any treasure a man can ever possess.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Sehun feels like he's walking in a dream, hearing voices he's not supposed to hear and seeing things he knows aren't real but are happening in front of his eyes nonetheless.
There's a carpet of autumn leaves that smell of fresh blood, and delicate feet - Luhan's feet, his senses tell him - stomping lightly in the fog. His silhouette is blurry and unreal, getting further and further away from him, and even though Sehun's instincts scream danger he gives chase anyway.
Decay fills his nostrils.
''Luhan!'' he tries, but he can't hear his own voice and the other man is so far away that a second after Sehun can't spot him in the thick fog anymore. He screams his name, over and over again.
Kyungsoo bites his lip, eyes wide with worry. ''Tao...is he alright?''
Sehun is thrashing around in Zitao's iron grip, clawing at his arms and neck in fury and screaming Luhan's name until his lungs are too sore to even take a breath. Kyungsoo steps closer to them and puts his hand on the silver-haired male's forehead. ''It's really strange,'' he continues when Tao doesn't reply. ''Everyone gets a little...or more than a little mad when omega is in heat, but this is just scary.''
''He's no less scary than Luhan when I was to watch over him several hours ago,'' Tao says, careful not to press on Sehun too hard, although it's not easy when the other man struggles so much. He's nowhere near weak, and from now on he will only get stronger and more deadly - equipped with everything he needs to fight for and protect his future partner. ''I'm worried about them both.''
Kyungsoo nods. Luhan holds a special place in his heart just like Baekhyun; they are friends and always look after each other in time of need - it's a given. Kyungsoo is the type to get sick with worry about other pack members even when the situation doesn't really call for it, so right now he can't contentrate on anything else besides Luhan's and Sehun's well being.
''I'll go check on him,'' Kyungsoo decides, but a second later his expression turns guilty. ''Will you be okay in here?'' he adds, a little ashamed of the implication that the rest of the pack might pose any threat to Tao. It's highly unlikely.
''Don't worry. We have special talents for taking care of problems like this, me and Suho.''
In Tao's case, his special talent being probably breaking bones, but Kyungsoo is not really worried about him hurting anyone in the pack. Before he leaves, however, his eyes flicker to Kai's sitting posture, the younger boy panting heavily in the other corner of the hut.
''Hold on in here.'' he says playfully.
Even though Kai doesn't lust over Luhan nearly as much as Xiumin or Sehun do, the smell is still powerful enough to make him weak in the knees and pretty helpless.
He feels truly sorry for Sehun.
''It ain't easy.'' he retorts, winking at Kyungsoo. ''I don't like feeling crazy, you know? Sanity is underrated.''
The shorter boys laughs a little and Kai has to admit that happy Kyungsoo is one of his favorite things ever. ''I bet. But don't worry, you can try next year.''
''Try what?'' Kai asks a little too quickly, but he blames his current stupidity on unusual circumstances. His pulse is racing and he thinks he can see something deep inside Kyungsoo's dark orbs, something unnerving and mysterious that wasn't there before. But he can't be sure - it may as well be his own mind playing trick on him.
''Oh well... I mean...you will be mature soon. You can try your luck with Luhan next time he goes in heat ,right?'' Kyungsoo says and Kai isn't even sure why he's immediately feeling disappointed with the answer he receives. After all, what the other boy said is nothing but true.
''Right.''
Kyungsoo gives him another small smile and leaves.
------------
''How are you feeling?'' Kris asks, patting Luhan's wet hair. ''Better?''
Luhan hasn't moved since Xiumin left, lying bonelessly on the sweat-soaked cot. His mind is much clearer now - although it isn't necessarily a good thing after all that happened - and his thoughts, unsurprisingly, all over Sehun once again. He shakes them off.
''Yes.'' he lies after a while, realizing that he still didn't answer Kris' question. ''All better.''
Luhan's surprised that his voice doesn't come out venomous at all. If anything, it's resigned. And sad.
''You know that soon I'll have to call someone else in here, don't you?''
What is Sehun doing right now? Probably getting crazy over my heat, too. It doesn't mean anything though. Everyone is.
Luhan doesn't want to think about him now that he's covered in another man's fluids, but no matter how hard he tries to gather his thoughts and focus on something else the familiar face appears in his mind vividly, as handsome as ever.
''Look what I found.''
''What? A flower?''
''It's not just any flower.''
''Oh? And what makes it special?''
''It's the same shade of red your hair turned a few days ago.''
Sehun chuckles at him and, before Luhan manages to protest, tucks the flower behind his ear. ''Knew it.'' he smiles, satisfied.
''It's just a flower,'' Luhan says, although it doesn't make much sense even in his own ears. He's sure he's blushing for whatever reason, so he quickly turns away from the other male and pretends to gaze at the lake.
''And hey, my hair is no laughing matter, you little cub.''
''I'm not laughing. I'm just saying...'' and then Sehun leans closer to him, so close that his lips almost touch Luhan's ear. ''That you two beautiful things have a lot in common.''
''Luhan, did you hear me?'' Kris' voice snaps him out of his thoughts. ''I said that soon I'll have to call someone in here again.''
Just when Luhan's about to open his mouth and protest the door open.
''Am I interrupting anything?'' Kyungsoo asks shyly, sliding inside the room. Upon hearing his voice Luhan first stirs, then hastly grabs and unrolls a blanket that was supporting his head a moment ago. He knows he looks disgusting and it's all just too embarassing.
Kyungsoo notes that they both look knackered. Luhan has deep bags under his eyes, face stained with tears and freshly forming bruises. There's something dark in his expression, like he's just been through hell and more, now hanging somewhere between despair and rapidly fleeting hope.
''I think Sehun is hallucinating,'' Kyungsoo blurts out, unable to keep it in himself any longer. ''Kris, I know I shouldn't have come here, but I'm really, really scared. I've never seen anyone acting like this, like...I don't know.''
Luhan stares at Kyungsoo wide-eyed. There's a rush of panic in his body and he's desperate to do something, anything, but as he tries to lift himself up Kris hisses at him in warning. ''Damn it.'' the leader mutters. ''I'll go see him. Can you stay with Luhan until I call Chen to attend to him?''
Kyungsoo's big, round eyes move to rest on Luhan and his breath catches in his throat when the red-haired male shakes his head and mouths : 'please no'.
Then he looks at Kris again. The leader doesn't seem to have noticed Luhan's sign.
''I...'' Kyungsoo gulps. It would be a misunderstanding to say that he's afraid of Kris. He is absolutely terrified of him, but...nothing makes much sense anymore and Luhan looks so distraught that he just can't abandon him. ''Sure. But, say...maybe...how about I just stay with him? For the night?''
Kris gives him a look of sheer disbelief.
''You?''
''Well...he looks really tired,'' Kyungsoo struggles to come up with something convincing, but now that the red-haired male gazes at him with eyes full of hope he knows there is no other way but to get him out of this. ''Of course I won't...I won't be able to satisfy him as an alpha surely would, but I believe I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make him feel better.'' he lies, hoping Kris won't see right through him. ''And he looks too weak to be mounted again so soon, so...''
He stops himself before he starts babbling and there's a horrifying moment of silence in which Kyungsoo can feel an uncomfortable drop of sweat sliding down his back.
He almost cries of relief when the leader finally gets up and asks, ''Are you sure?''
After Kris leaves it takes Luhan less than a second to forget about his current state of undress and throw himself in Kyungsoo's arms.
------------
Yixing and Xiumin dash through the forest like two shadows, fur shining in the moonlight. What was supposed to be their usual patrol, as each night at least two members of the pack are in charge of securing borders of their territory, turned into a frantic chase after some ghost of a person Yixing swore he had saw.
''I can't smell anyone,'' Xiumin pants, still running. ''Are you sure?''
Yixing nods.
''But what did you see? What are we chasing?''
''A wolf.''
Xiumin knits his brows. It's not like he doubts Yixing's senses, the other man being exceptionally sensitive to any fleeting sign of life after all, but he just finds it highly unlikely that a long wolf would infiltrate their territory like that and then run away leaving almost no trace. Why would he? And how?
''I don't think...'' he starts, but Yixing covers his mouth with his hand in a flash. ''Quiet. Can you see that?''
Xiumin blinks. Right in front of them, probably less than kilometer away, a fire is burning.
------------
Kyungsoo spends the whole night by Luhan's side, grateful to the gods for listening to his pleads and making the other male finally fall asleep. However restlessly he lies, Luhan at least has a chance to regain some of his strength.
And even lost in his feverish nightmare, he breathes out Sehun's name like it's the only thing he knows.
''You look much better today.'' Kyungsoo smiles at him the next morning when the other boy finally opens his eyes. ''I, um... cleaned you up a little when you were asleep, I hope you don't mind.'' he blushes and points at a bucket full of water standing nearby.
Luhan blinks a few times. He still feels hot and uncomfortable, but it isn't nearly as awful as yesterday has been. He glances at the bucket and then at the black-haired boy's devoted face and warmth fills his heart when he realizes just how much Kyungsoo did for him.
''Thank you. Thank you for everything.''
The other male reaches out to pat his shoulder. ''It's nothing. After all, we all play in team here.''
Luhan bites his lip at that. Do they? ''About yesterday...'' he starts, but Kyungsoo cuts in, gently.
''Actually, that's what I wanted to talk with you about.'' the other boy says, expression apologetic. Luhan feels awful for causing them all so much trouble, especially Kyungsoo whom he egoistically robbed of the right to watch over alphas - possibly someone he likes, although Luhan doesn't know much about Kyungsoo's love interests - when all other omegas did, and Kris, who had to stick with a male in heat while he should have been with his rightful mate. ''When you were sleeping, I had time to think.''
''Think about what?''
''Luhan...'' Kyungsoo says seriously, a little too seriously to his liking. ''You and Sehun are both acting like you are already mated. That's why he is so madly determined to reach and protect you, and you to protect yourself...by pushing away everyone else than him.''
The red-haired boy feels his cheeks burning with shame. He is so pathetic, making everyone worry over nothing and fighting stupidly while he should have just listened to Kris.
''We didn't mate. If that's what you're saying.'' Luhan denies quickly, horrified that Kyungsoo may actually think they broke one of the most principal laws. ''He's not of age yet, and we never really talked about it either.''
''I know, I know,'' Kyungsoo reassures, arranging Luhan's body so that the other male can rest his head on his lap. He runs his hands through the boy's red hair, massaging his scalp delicately in an almost motherly manner. ''I'm not saying this because I doubt you. It's just something...something no one can understand I guess. And we are all worried about you, especially Kris. As a leader, he feels responsible for your fears and anxiety...when you were sleeping I went to the other hut to check on them and get something to clean you with. He didn't get a wink for sleep.''
Luhan doesn't say anything to this.
They spend the rest of the day almost in complete silence, Kyungsoo respectively trying to lull Luhan into sleep and massaging his tense body with gentle fingers. When the sun sets down and the red-haired male starts feeling dangerously restless again, clawing at the blankets and breaking into sweat, Kyungsoo struggles not to lose his head.
''What should I do?'' he whispers frantically, hugging Luhan's upper body. ''The reason why Kris made Xiumin mount you was because you are likely to lose your senses if you are left alone like that...Luhan, what to do? Should I call someone?''
The other boy shakes his head furiously. ''No! No...don't. Don't let anyone enter. Not until this is over.''
''I can't.''
''Kyungsoo, please...just, do something, anything? Anything is better than Xiumin...or someone else...''
The black-haired boy licks his lips in nervousness. He can't start panicking, not after they've come that far.
''Alright. Alright, okay...'' he mutters, eyes fixed on Luhan's shivering form. No one taught him how to act in a situation like this, when an omega goes in heat and needs to be mounted yet cannot. What to do? What should he do? ''Do you trust me?'' he asks suddenly, because well, he can't think of anything else but...this.
Rain starts pounding at the small window.
''Yes.'' Luhan answers without hesitation and Kyungsoo nods, pushing the other male off of himself gently and laying him on his stomach.
Kyungsoo gets down on his knees next to him. ''I'll finger you. Is that okay? I don't know if it helps at all, but...I don't know what else do to.''
Luhan gasps a little but gives a small whimper of consent anyway. It's far from being easy or pleasant for either of them, but somehow they make it through the longest of nights.
When the sun rises again over their sweaty bodies, Luhan's heat is finally over.
------------
There is this one characteristic face expression people make at those who rob them of the most precious thing in their lives - a look of utter contempt mingled with pain, disgust, and something much, much darker than mere hatred.
It's not at all about brows knitted with fury or lips whispering curses.
''You hurt him.''
It's about this one fleeting glance that calmly promises you death.
''I'm...sorry?'' Xiumin stops in his tracks, freezed by a cool voice coming from somewhere off to his left. He looks around sheepishly, but in his human form he is almost blind at night, unable to distinguish shapes. Not like he needs to see clearly right now, but still - the feeling of vulnerability makes him shiver in the desolate darkness, sanity slowly draining. ''Sehun, is that you?''
They just returned from their hapless patrol with Yixing, the other man rushing to inform Kris about the mysterious man they chased and fire burning at the very verge of their land, and Xiumin decided to keep away for a while longer, reluctant to join the rest of the pack. Strolling around didn't clear his mind, though, and now he just truly regrets his decision.
''Your voice is so quiet, almost like you're afraid of me. Most curious.''
Xiumin blames his rapidly sweating hands on the fatigue, swearing under his breath. He has nothing to be afraid of, he tells himself, Sehun isn't even mature. And he has no right to claim Luhan.
''Forgive me if I don't know what you're talking about.'' he manages. ''I just did what I was told to do, that's all. No harsh feelings.''
Xiumin doesn't even have time to blink before his back hits something hard and uneven, probably a tree. He lets out a short cry. ''Cut it out.'' Sehun growls into his ear and from the corner of his eye he catches a glimpse of white fangs bared in warning. ''Or I will just kill you right now.''
Xiumin stills. He can't be serious, can he? ''Are you mad? Get off me.''
This isn't happening, it's not possible. Would Sehun really risk so much just to punish him? And punish him for what? There is no way he knows what actually happened between him and Luhan. Isn't the ugly wound he left on his cheek earlier enough?
One thing is clear, though. The silver-haired man is much stronger than Xiumin expected. And it's not good at all.
It happens in a flash, razor-sharp teeth clasping around his throat and a hand yanking at his hair, almost breaking his neck in an iron grip. White spots start dancing before Xiumin's eyes as he feels the blood pouring down, and down...
''Please...'' he wails weakly, body weak under Sehun's. ''Stop.''
And just when he thinks that this is the end and he's dying gracelessly , so close to home and yet not close enough, the pressure lessens and he's able to draw a pained breath. He looks Sehun in the face then, that blank, emotionless face he was so afraid to see, and it's his own death he recognizes in the other man's eyes.
''Is that how he was begging you?'' Sehun leans closer and horror overwhelms Xiumin's senses. ''Telling you to stop? And not to hurt him?''
''Look, I-''
''I know you made him suffer. And if I find out that you tormented him on purpose, I'll tear you apart. It's a promise.''
The shorter man doesn't know when Sehun got so precise and deadly - or how the hell did he find out about the way he handled Luhan - but now that he's left coughing blood in the darkness, he knows he can't let this oversight become his bane.
------------
As soon as Luhan leaves the hut Baekhyun attaches to him like a koala.
''I'm so happy you're alright, Lulu!'' he shouts, and the other boy can't help but smile, embracing him back.
''Of course I am,'' he says, playfully rustling his hand through Baekhyun's soft hair. ''No need to worry your pretty head over me.''
''Oh, but I was worried. We all were.''
''I'm sorry. I won't make it happen again.''
Luhan really means it. Baekhyun looks at him wide-eyed, looking so young and innocent that the red-haired male wants to crush him in a hug again. ''I promise.'' he adds instead.
''You better!''
They laugh for a while and Luhan feels his worries washing away slowly. ''By the way,'' he says a moment later, eyes smiling. ''You smell nice. I didn't think so much will happen during my...absence. Congratulations.''
The other boy just grins.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Pairing: Sehun/Luhan, Chanyeol/Baekhyun, Kai/Kyungsoo, Kris/Tao
Rating: NC-17
Genre: Wolf!AU, drama, mpreg, M/M , M/F
Warnings: Some violence and dubcon/noncon scenes
Disclaimer: They are not mine, obviously.
Summary:: Luhan's the most beautiful and cherished omega in the pack. Comparing to Sehun he's as weak as a child, as easily breakable as a baby deer - and more desirable than any treasure a man can ever possess.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4
Sehun feels like he's walking in a dream, hearing voices he's not supposed to hear and seeing things he knows aren't real but are happening in front of his eyes nonetheless.
There's a carpet of autumn leaves that smell of fresh blood, and delicate feet - Luhan's feet, his senses tell him - stomping lightly in the fog. His silhouette is blurry and unreal, getting further and further away from him, and even though Sehun's instincts scream danger he gives chase anyway.
Decay fills his nostrils.
''Luhan!'' he tries, but he can't hear his own voice and the other man is so far away that a second after Sehun can't spot him in the thick fog anymore. He screams his name, over and over again.
Kyungsoo bites his lip, eyes wide with worry. ''Tao...is he alright?''
Sehun is thrashing around in Zitao's iron grip, clawing at his arms and neck in fury and screaming Luhan's name until his lungs are too sore to even take a breath. Kyungsoo steps closer to them and puts his hand on the silver-haired male's forehead. ''It's really strange,'' he continues when Tao doesn't reply. ''Everyone gets a little...or more than a little mad when omega is in heat, but this is just scary.''
''He's no less scary than Luhan when I was to watch over him several hours ago,'' Tao says, careful not to press on Sehun too hard, although it's not easy when the other man struggles so much. He's nowhere near weak, and from now on he will only get stronger and more deadly - equipped with everything he needs to fight for and protect his future partner. ''I'm worried about them both.''
Kyungsoo nods. Luhan holds a special place in his heart just like Baekhyun; they are friends and always look after each other in time of need - it's a given. Kyungsoo is the type to get sick with worry about other pack members even when the situation doesn't really call for it, so right now he can't contentrate on anything else besides Luhan's and Sehun's well being.
''I'll go check on him,'' Kyungsoo decides, but a second later his expression turns guilty. ''Will you be okay in here?'' he adds, a little ashamed of the implication that the rest of the pack might pose any threat to Tao. It's highly unlikely.
''Don't worry. We have special talents for taking care of problems like this, me and Suho.''
In Tao's case, his special talent being probably breaking bones, but Kyungsoo is not really worried about him hurting anyone in the pack. Before he leaves, however, his eyes flicker to Kai's sitting posture, the younger boy panting heavily in the other corner of the hut.
''Hold on in here.'' he says playfully.
Even though Kai doesn't lust over Luhan nearly as much as Xiumin or Sehun do, the smell is still powerful enough to make him weak in the knees and pretty helpless.
He feels truly sorry for Sehun.
''It ain't easy.'' he retorts, winking at Kyungsoo. ''I don't like feeling crazy, you know? Sanity is underrated.''
The shorter boys laughs a little and Kai has to admit that happy Kyungsoo is one of his favorite things ever. ''I bet. But don't worry, you can try next year.''
''Try what?'' Kai asks a little too quickly, but he blames his current stupidity on unusual circumstances. His pulse is racing and he thinks he can see something deep inside Kyungsoo's dark orbs, something unnerving and mysterious that wasn't there before. But he can't be sure - it may as well be his own mind playing trick on him.
''Oh well... I mean...you will be mature soon. You can try your luck with Luhan next time he goes in heat ,right?'' Kyungsoo says and Kai isn't even sure why he's immediately feeling disappointed with the answer he receives. After all, what the other boy said is nothing but true.
''Right.''
Kyungsoo gives him another small smile and leaves.
------------
''How are you feeling?'' Kris asks, patting Luhan's wet hair. ''Better?''
Luhan hasn't moved since Xiumin left, lying bonelessly on the sweat-soaked cot. His mind is much clearer now - although it isn't necessarily a good thing after all that happened - and his thoughts, unsurprisingly, all over Sehun once again. He shakes them off.
''Yes.'' he lies after a while, realizing that he still didn't answer Kris' question. ''All better.''
Luhan's surprised that his voice doesn't come out venomous at all. If anything, it's resigned. And sad.
''You know that soon I'll have to call someone else in here, don't you?''
What is Sehun doing right now? Probably getting crazy over my heat, too. It doesn't mean anything though. Everyone is.
Luhan doesn't want to think about him now that he's covered in another man's fluids, but no matter how hard he tries to gather his thoughts and focus on something else the familiar face appears in his mind vividly, as handsome as ever.
''Look what I found.''
''What? A flower?''
''It's not just any flower.''
''Oh? And what makes it special?''
''It's the same shade of red your hair turned a few days ago.''
Sehun chuckles at him and, before Luhan manages to protest, tucks the flower behind his ear. ''Knew it.'' he smiles, satisfied.
''It's just a flower,'' Luhan says, although it doesn't make much sense even in his own ears. He's sure he's blushing for whatever reason, so he quickly turns away from the other male and pretends to gaze at the lake.
''And hey, my hair is no laughing matter, you little cub.''
''I'm not laughing. I'm just saying...'' and then Sehun leans closer to him, so close that his lips almost touch Luhan's ear. ''That you two beautiful things have a lot in common.''
''Luhan, did you hear me?'' Kris' voice snaps him out of his thoughts. ''I said that soon I'll have to call someone in here again.''
Just when Luhan's about to open his mouth and protest the door open.
''Am I interrupting anything?'' Kyungsoo asks shyly, sliding inside the room. Upon hearing his voice Luhan first stirs, then hastly grabs and unrolls a blanket that was supporting his head a moment ago. He knows he looks disgusting and it's all just too embarassing.
Kyungsoo notes that they both look knackered. Luhan has deep bags under his eyes, face stained with tears and freshly forming bruises. There's something dark in his expression, like he's just been through hell and more, now hanging somewhere between despair and rapidly fleeting hope.
''I think Sehun is hallucinating,'' Kyungsoo blurts out, unable to keep it in himself any longer. ''Kris, I know I shouldn't have come here, but I'm really, really scared. I've never seen anyone acting like this, like...I don't know.''
Luhan stares at Kyungsoo wide-eyed. There's a rush of panic in his body and he's desperate to do something, anything, but as he tries to lift himself up Kris hisses at him in warning. ''Damn it.'' the leader mutters. ''I'll go see him. Can you stay with Luhan until I call Chen to attend to him?''
Kyungsoo's big, round eyes move to rest on Luhan and his breath catches in his throat when the red-haired male shakes his head and mouths : 'please no'.
Then he looks at Kris again. The leader doesn't seem to have noticed Luhan's sign.
''I...'' Kyungsoo gulps. It would be a misunderstanding to say that he's afraid of Kris. He is absolutely terrified of him, but...nothing makes much sense anymore and Luhan looks so distraught that he just can't abandon him. ''Sure. But, say...maybe...how about I just stay with him? For the night?''
Kris gives him a look of sheer disbelief.
''You?''
''Well...he looks really tired,'' Kyungsoo struggles to come up with something convincing, but now that the red-haired male gazes at him with eyes full of hope he knows there is no other way but to get him out of this. ''Of course I won't...I won't be able to satisfy him as an alpha surely would, but I believe I have a few tricks up my sleeve to make him feel better.'' he lies, hoping Kris won't see right through him. ''And he looks too weak to be mounted again so soon, so...''
He stops himself before he starts babbling and there's a horrifying moment of silence in which Kyungsoo can feel an uncomfortable drop of sweat sliding down his back.
He almost cries of relief when the leader finally gets up and asks, ''Are you sure?''
After Kris leaves it takes Luhan less than a second to forget about his current state of undress and throw himself in Kyungsoo's arms.
------------
Yixing and Xiumin dash through the forest like two shadows, fur shining in the moonlight. What was supposed to be their usual patrol, as each night at least two members of the pack are in charge of securing borders of their territory, turned into a frantic chase after some ghost of a person Yixing swore he had saw.
''I can't smell anyone,'' Xiumin pants, still running. ''Are you sure?''
Yixing nods.
''But what did you see? What are we chasing?''
''A wolf.''
Xiumin knits his brows. It's not like he doubts Yixing's senses, the other man being exceptionally sensitive to any fleeting sign of life after all, but he just finds it highly unlikely that a long wolf would infiltrate their territory like that and then run away leaving almost no trace. Why would he? And how?
''I don't think...'' he starts, but Yixing covers his mouth with his hand in a flash. ''Quiet. Can you see that?''
Xiumin blinks. Right in front of them, probably less than kilometer away, a fire is burning.
------------
Kyungsoo spends the whole night by Luhan's side, grateful to the gods for listening to his pleads and making the other male finally fall asleep. However restlessly he lies, Luhan at least has a chance to regain some of his strength.
And even lost in his feverish nightmare, he breathes out Sehun's name like it's the only thing he knows.
''You look much better today.'' Kyungsoo smiles at him the next morning when the other boy finally opens his eyes. ''I, um... cleaned you up a little when you were asleep, I hope you don't mind.'' he blushes and points at a bucket full of water standing nearby.
Luhan blinks a few times. He still feels hot and uncomfortable, but it isn't nearly as awful as yesterday has been. He glances at the bucket and then at the black-haired boy's devoted face and warmth fills his heart when he realizes just how much Kyungsoo did for him.
''Thank you. Thank you for everything.''
The other male reaches out to pat his shoulder. ''It's nothing. After all, we all play in team here.''
Luhan bites his lip at that. Do they? ''About yesterday...'' he starts, but Kyungsoo cuts in, gently.
''Actually, that's what I wanted to talk with you about.'' the other boy says, expression apologetic. Luhan feels awful for causing them all so much trouble, especially Kyungsoo whom he egoistically robbed of the right to watch over alphas - possibly someone he likes, although Luhan doesn't know much about Kyungsoo's love interests - when all other omegas did, and Kris, who had to stick with a male in heat while he should have been with his rightful mate. ''When you were sleeping, I had time to think.''
''Think about what?''
''Luhan...'' Kyungsoo says seriously, a little too seriously to his liking. ''You and Sehun are both acting like you are already mated. That's why he is so madly determined to reach and protect you, and you to protect yourself...by pushing away everyone else than him.''
The red-haired boy feels his cheeks burning with shame. He is so pathetic, making everyone worry over nothing and fighting stupidly while he should have just listened to Kris.
''We didn't mate. If that's what you're saying.'' Luhan denies quickly, horrified that Kyungsoo may actually think they broke one of the most principal laws. ''He's not of age yet, and we never really talked about it either.''
''I know, I know,'' Kyungsoo reassures, arranging Luhan's body so that the other male can rest his head on his lap. He runs his hands through the boy's red hair, massaging his scalp delicately in an almost motherly manner. ''I'm not saying this because I doubt you. It's just something...something no one can understand I guess. And we are all worried about you, especially Kris. As a leader, he feels responsible for your fears and anxiety...when you were sleeping I went to the other hut to check on them and get something to clean you with. He didn't get a wink for sleep.''
Luhan doesn't say anything to this.
They spend the rest of the day almost in complete silence, Kyungsoo respectively trying to lull Luhan into sleep and massaging his tense body with gentle fingers. When the sun sets down and the red-haired male starts feeling dangerously restless again, clawing at the blankets and breaking into sweat, Kyungsoo struggles not to lose his head.
''What should I do?'' he whispers frantically, hugging Luhan's upper body. ''The reason why Kris made Xiumin mount you was because you are likely to lose your senses if you are left alone like that...Luhan, what to do? Should I call someone?''
The other boy shakes his head furiously. ''No! No...don't. Don't let anyone enter. Not until this is over.''
''I can't.''
''Kyungsoo, please...just, do something, anything? Anything is better than Xiumin...or someone else...''
The black-haired boy licks his lips in nervousness. He can't start panicking, not after they've come that far.
''Alright. Alright, okay...'' he mutters, eyes fixed on Luhan's shivering form. No one taught him how to act in a situation like this, when an omega goes in heat and needs to be mounted yet cannot. What to do? What should he do? ''Do you trust me?'' he asks suddenly, because well, he can't think of anything else but...this.
Rain starts pounding at the small window.
''Yes.'' Luhan answers without hesitation and Kyungsoo nods, pushing the other male off of himself gently and laying him on his stomach.
Kyungsoo gets down on his knees next to him. ''I'll finger you. Is that okay? I don't know if it helps at all, but...I don't know what else do to.''
Luhan gasps a little but gives a small whimper of consent anyway. It's far from being easy or pleasant for either of them, but somehow they make it through the longest of nights.
When the sun rises again over their sweaty bodies, Luhan's heat is finally over.
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There is this one characteristic face expression people make at those who rob them of the most precious thing in their lives - a look of utter contempt mingled with pain, disgust, and something much, much darker than mere hatred.
It's not at all about brows knitted with fury or lips whispering curses.
''You hurt him.''
It's about this one fleeting glance that calmly promises you death.
''I'm...sorry?'' Xiumin stops in his tracks, freezed by a cool voice coming from somewhere off to his left. He looks around sheepishly, but in his human form he is almost blind at night, unable to distinguish shapes. Not like he needs to see clearly right now, but still - the feeling of vulnerability makes him shiver in the desolate darkness, sanity slowly draining. ''Sehun, is that you?''
They just returned from their hapless patrol with Yixing, the other man rushing to inform Kris about the mysterious man they chased and fire burning at the very verge of their land, and Xiumin decided to keep away for a while longer, reluctant to join the rest of the pack. Strolling around didn't clear his mind, though, and now he just truly regrets his decision.
''Your voice is so quiet, almost like you're afraid of me. Most curious.''
Xiumin blames his rapidly sweating hands on the fatigue, swearing under his breath. He has nothing to be afraid of, he tells himself, Sehun isn't even mature. And he has no right to claim Luhan.
''Forgive me if I don't know what you're talking about.'' he manages. ''I just did what I was told to do, that's all. No harsh feelings.''
Xiumin doesn't even have time to blink before his back hits something hard and uneven, probably a tree. He lets out a short cry. ''Cut it out.'' Sehun growls into his ear and from the corner of his eye he catches a glimpse of white fangs bared in warning. ''Or I will just kill you right now.''
Xiumin stills. He can't be serious, can he? ''Are you mad? Get off me.''
This isn't happening, it's not possible. Would Sehun really risk so much just to punish him? And punish him for what? There is no way he knows what actually happened between him and Luhan. Isn't the ugly wound he left on his cheek earlier enough?
One thing is clear, though. The silver-haired man is much stronger than Xiumin expected. And it's not good at all.
It happens in a flash, razor-sharp teeth clasping around his throat and a hand yanking at his hair, almost breaking his neck in an iron grip. White spots start dancing before Xiumin's eyes as he feels the blood pouring down, and down...
''Please...'' he wails weakly, body weak under Sehun's. ''Stop.''
And just when he thinks that this is the end and he's dying gracelessly , so close to home and yet not close enough, the pressure lessens and he's able to draw a pained breath. He looks Sehun in the face then, that blank, emotionless face he was so afraid to see, and it's his own death he recognizes in the other man's eyes.
''Is that how he was begging you?'' Sehun leans closer and horror overwhelms Xiumin's senses. ''Telling you to stop? And not to hurt him?''
''Look, I-''
''I know you made him suffer. And if I find out that you tormented him on purpose, I'll tear you apart. It's a promise.''
The shorter man doesn't know when Sehun got so precise and deadly - or how the hell did he find out about the way he handled Luhan - but now that he's left coughing blood in the darkness, he knows he can't let this oversight become his bane.
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As soon as Luhan leaves the hut Baekhyun attaches to him like a koala.
''I'm so happy you're alright, Lulu!'' he shouts, and the other boy can't help but smile, embracing him back.
''Of course I am,'' he says, playfully rustling his hand through Baekhyun's soft hair. ''No need to worry your pretty head over me.''
''Oh, but I was worried. We all were.''
''I'm sorry. I won't make it happen again.''
Luhan really means it. Baekhyun looks at him wide-eyed, looking so young and innocent that the red-haired male wants to crush him in a hug again. ''I promise.'' he adds instead.
''You better!''
They laugh for a while and Luhan feels his worries washing away slowly. ''By the way,'' he says a moment later, eyes smiling. ''You smell nice. I didn't think so much will happen during my...absence. Congratulations.''
The other boy just grins.
Chapter 2
Chapter 4