Hoseok
We finally arrived at the house just when the first rays of dawn began to show. For a moment, we stood in front of our new house. It wasn’t as big as her mansion in the forest, but it was still very big, especially to people like us who have spent years sleeping outside.
I was curious and wanted to ask her about it, but I heard her conversation with Yoongi last night. It’s one of the perks of being a werewolf – really, really good hearing. She seemed to had suddenly got scared and tensed – as if her mind got plagued by horrible memories. Thankfully, Yoongi knew exactly how to calm her down. I had heard her say how she was not ready so I decided not to ask anything and let her say when she felt like it.
After spending some minutes in awe, Junsu ushered us inside. He gave the key to Alina and then helped us bring the boxes inside. Junsu seemed like an incredible person and it was not a surprise that he and Alina were friends. Something told me, that he will become a close friend of ours too, especially because he had no pack of his own except for his wife. Who knows? Maybe our pack could grow.
After we brought everything inside as we went around the house. The house was actually quite beautiful with amazing décor. There were four bedrooms, one of them bigger than the others. The main bedroom which was going to be Alina’s room had a large ensuite bathroom with it. There was also another bathroom upstairs. Downstairs, there was a moderately large kitchen and then an open space for the dining and living room. There was a grand piano along with an area that looked like a cinema. At the back of the house, there was a medium sized pool and a beautiful back garden.
The boys and I all decided to partner up for a room, even if we knew we would be alternating. Namjoon and Jin were paired up as were Jungkook and Jimin. I was paired with Hoseok while Taehyung was paired with Alina. It felt only fair that those two would be together after what they went through together.
By the time we finished unpacking everything, it was time for lunch. We all gathered in the kitchen while Jin, Yoongi and Alina were preparing some food.
‘So, what do you think of the house?’ Alina asked. She was more than curious, I could tell as much. It was as if she wanted reassurance that we were happy with it. If only she knew this was more than we could ever hope for.
‘It’s amazing princess,’ Namjoon said, unable to hide his smiles or dimples. ‘I don’t remember the last time I had a place I could call home,’ he said and she nodded.
‘Yeah, I know,’ she said with a sad sigh. She shook her head and forced a smile, a clear indication that she was trying to not be sad and lift the mood. ‘Food is almost ready. Remind me to thank Junsu. He really went all out on stacking the fridge and cupboards,’ she said.
‘He definitely did,’ Jin said. ‘There is so much food and I saw some cookbooks that I want to have a good look at,’ Jin said getting excited.
‘Of course you do Jinnie,’ Yoongi said, laughing a little. Jin’s cheeks went red as he looked down.
‘Yah, don’t tease him. We all know you love cooking just as much as he does, even if you grumble three times more,’ I said, earning a glare, while the youngest three laughed as they watched the exchange.
‘Instead of teasing and bickering, why don’t you help set the table, hmm?’ Alina asked, her voice steady and strong.
‘Alina’s right, come on, let’s go,’ Jungkook said as he stood up and reached for the cupboards. He stared taking out plates while I went to grab some bowls. I heard glasses clanking together and I turned to look and see Namjoon struggling to hold eight glasses.
‘Um Joon, are you sure about, um carrying those?’ Jimin asked, sounding somewhat nervous. Not that I blamed him. Namjoon was a strong wolf. One of the strongest actually. He was also fast and smart but he was the most horrible clutz, often breaking things.
‘Actually no, Chim, can you help me?’ Namjoon admitted as his dimples showed again. Jimin laughed and nodded as he took four of the glasses and the two disappeared into the dining area.
‘Cute,’ I heard Alina mumble while she smiled. ‘Food’s ready. Hobi, do you think you can help us carry these?’ she asked.
‘Of course my love,’ I said as I approached her. I kissed her cheek as she switched off the stove. I grabbed a hand towel and took the hot pot with me there.
‘Wow I feel so full, I don’t think I can move,’ Taehyung said, laughing as we had settled in the living room after clearing everything.
‘You can say that again. I feel like my pants are about to burst,’ Namjoon said as he rubbed his belly, making us laugh.
‘Ow don’t make me laugh. My tummy hurts,’ Jungkook added. ‘Really though, thank you for such an amazing lunch guys,’ he said as he looked at Jin, Yoongi and Alina.
‘I’m glad you got to eat well. I promise this won’t be the last time either. You won’t go hungry or without a roof or clothes again, I promise,’ she said, sounding determined.
‘Having you and each other is all we’ll ever truly need. Anything else is secondary,’ Yoongi said while I nodded to her.
‘You know, I told you a bit about me. I’m an orphan and a writer which basically sums up my whole life. I want to know about you,’ she said while we exchanged looks. She cleared her throat and fiddled with her fingers. ‘That is um, if you’re comfortable with sharing,’ she said, sounding suddenly unsure of herself.
‘We are. I guess, I could start,’ Namjoon offered as we all nodded. Somehow, having him speak first helped all of us. ‘So, um, I know you see me as the sort of leader of the pack, but I am actually a Beta. I used to belong to another pack until our pack got attacked by a rogue pack when I was thirteen. They um, they were stealing the women and girls to… well, mate and reproduce. I had been injured but not killed. I ended up alone until I met Jin,’ Namjoon explained.
‘I’m actually a Delta, so sort of like third rank,’ Jin began as Alina nodded. ‘Like Namjoon and yourself, I am also an orphan. My mother died when she was giving birth to my sister. They both died and dad, he took it really badly. He loved me but he let himself get consumed by work until he was killed by a hunter. That pack, they respected me but it never felt like home,’ Jin explained and Alina nodded.
‘Yeah, as much as I loved my own pack, it never felt like I truly belonged, especially since I wasn’t a wolf,’ Alina said.
‘Did they give you a hard time about being different,’ Jimin asked but Alina shrugged.
‘A few who were my age but they soon learned not to mess too much with me. Truth be told, I trained with them and I had magic so they never dared take things too far. Plus my father was an Alpha so they did not want to make him angry,’ she explained. ‘What about you Hoseok?’ she asked, turning to me.
‘Well, like Jin, I’m also a Delta. I was um, actually kicked out of my pack,’ I said, scratching the back of my head. She looked at me and smiled, almost as if to say she had no judgement. ‘I hated the idea of being used to fight. My pack, it wasn’t a bad pack but they often tended to get into unnecessary fights, even with other packs. When I refused to fight, they kicked me out,’ I explained while she nodded. ‘Then I met Yoongi and I realized we were soulmates and I began to have someone truly worth fighting for,’ I said.
‘I’m a Beta like Namjoon and like him too I was an orphan. I never got to know my parents or my pack. I was abandoned, but I never knew the real reason. Luckily, a witch took me in and helped me understand myself and how to deal with my wolf side, but when she died, I found myself alone until I met Hoseok. I felt the need to protect him at all cost,’ Yoongi explained while I felt my heart swell with love.
‘So Namjoon met Jin and you met Hoseok,’ Alina said, nodding to herself. ‘Makes sense why you share the closest bonds. I mean I know you all love each other and there is one huge bond, but it also feels like there are smaller bonds as well, like more intimate,’ she said, sounding almost unsure of her words.
‘You’re right baby, about everything. We do have some bonds that are a little bit more intimate in the sense that there were stronger bonds but we all love one another and we all love you,’ Namjoon said as she smiled.
‘And I love you too. My heart knew that the moment I met you,’ she said with a smile. ‘What about the three of you?’ she asked, looking at the younger three.
‘I’m a Delta and like Hoseok, I was kicked out,’ Jungkook began. He cleared his throat and sat up straighter. ‘I was one of the younger ones. I was impulsive and overprotective, especially of the Omegas and the pups. I refused orders from the Alpha ones during a battle. He had told us to abandon the Omegas and pups so we could preserve our pack. I refused and stayed which then led me to being kicked out for disobedience,’ Jungkook explained.
‘Damn you were kicked out for being good and kind,’ Alina said, making a face. Jungkook chuckled but shrugged.
‘I’m okay with it. It led me to the best thing that could have happened when I met these two first and the others,’ he said.
‘I guess um, it’s my turn,’ Jimin said sounding hesitant. I felt my heart squeeze because although all our stories are unfortunate, Jimin and Taehyung may have had the worst.
‘It’s okay Chim. Take your time. You’re safe here,’ Yoongi said, in his usual caring voice. That boy who seemed to sometimes be cold and distant had the purest of hearts.
‘Um, so I’m an Omega and like Jungkook said, Omegas tend to be weaker, we’re at the bottom of the ranks, just above the pups,’ Jimin said with a nervous chuckle.
Jungkook cringed as he looked at Jimin. ‘You know I didn’t mean it like that, right?’ Jungkook whispered to which Jimin nodded.
‘I know but it’s useless to deny it. It’s the truth after all,’ Jimin said. ‘Anyways, um my mother was the Luna of the pack but she had cheated on the Alpha with a human, which resulted in me – the * son of the Alpha,’ he explained. ‘I became the punching bag of the Alpha and the other members. I was beaten, mocked and ridiculed. I was not allowed to train with them which resulted in me becoming even weaker. I was sometimes starved as well, not allowed to take food with them. That was until Taehyung came into the picture,’ Jimin said as he eyed Taehyung.
All eyes were on him now and I could see a thin layer of sweat on his forehead. His hands were balled in fists as his body shook slightly. His heart rate had increased as he looked down.
‘Tae,’ Alina called out, her voice soft like that of an angel. He turned to her and I could see his eyes slightly brimmed with tears. ‘You don’t have to say if you’re not comfortable. Goddess knows I did not tell you everything,’ she mumbled as she looked down as well. I remembered what happened last night on the boat as well but I did not want to pressure her.
‘No, no you deserve to know my background too,’ he said, giving her a small smile. Jimin approached him as he sat down next to him and took his hand in his.
‘It’s okay Tae. She’ll understand,’ Jimin said softly as we all nodded in agreement. He took a deep breath as he looked at Alina.
‘Remember how Namjoon said that he appears as the leader but he is a Beta, not an Alpha?’ Taehyung asked.
‘Of course,’ Alina said as she nodded and scooted closer. Taehyung licked his lips as if readying himself to say the story.
‘I’m the only Alpha in our pack,’ he said as she nodded, almost as if it did not surprise her. ‘I was born in one of the most vicious packs – the Red Sun pack,’ he said.
‘I heard of them,’ Alina said quietly when he paused to gauge her reaction. She did not show horror or disgust as he might have expected her too.
‘My father was cruel and violent. Like Jimin, I was beat up a lot. I would be punished whenever I did something wrong or refused to listen to my father. He trained me until my bones would break. He forced me to fight the Omegas until they were hurt and bleeding. He wanted me to be like him so one day I would take over,’ Taehyung explained.
She closed her eyes as she shook slightly before she looked at him. ‘As I was growing up, I felt those Alpha instincts that were starting to consume me. I was becoming cold and distant. I shouted at wolfs that were below me in rank. I… I,’ he stopped as two tears ran down his cheeks.
‘It wasn’t your fault Taehyungie,’ Yoongi said from the other side of him. ‘You were raised like that but it doesn’t mean you are like that, because you’re not,’ Yoongi reminded him.
‘I…sometimes, I could not control myself and I would hit them. Then, one day, there was the Beta. She was a girl, just two years younger than me. She was supposed to be my Beta in the future when I took over. We were joking around and she was teasing me. I got angry and lost control and swiped at her face,’ he said as more tears fell.
Alina looked at him, a look of understanding and pity on her face. She reached for him and he flinched slightly but relaxed. ‘You did not mean to do it,’ she said softly.
‘No, of course not but I did. My father was actually proud of me, can you believe that?’ he asked as he scoffed. ‘I realised I did not want to be my father. I refused to be. So, I ran away. I ran – fast and hard, away as much as I could. I was hunted by my own father until I managed to lose them and that’s how I came across Jimin,’ he said, finally breaking into a smile.
‘I was doing the washing duty for my pack. I was at the lake and some members surrounded me. They um, pushed me into the lake and were forcing me under. The next I thing I know was that I heard a loud, scary roar and saw him in his magnificent form. He attacked them but did not kill them and then we took off running,’ Jimin said.
‘A couple of days later, I met them and we realised our soulmate bond, so we stuck together until one day,’ Jungkook said with a big smile, ‘about eight years ago, we met with the rest in a clearing,’ Jungkook said.
‘That must have been amazing huh?’ Alina asked with a smile of her own. ‘I’m glad you found one another. I know you’ve had eight years together before I came along and I hope I don’t * things up—’ Alina began.
‘You won’t,’ Jin said quickly. ‘You’re the missing piece we’ve been waiting for,’ he said.
‘We’ve been happy together but we never felt complete, until we saw you,’ I added.
‘Our destinies are entwined in one. It’s written in the stars because we’re meant to be,’ Yoongi said.
‘We’re finally complete with you. We’re not just soulmates, but we’re a family,’ Jimin said.
‘And family sticks by each other, always. We may fight and have disagreements, but we’ll always be each other’s home,’ Jungkook added.
‘And I know we’ve been together for eight years and it might be scary. You might think that now we’re used to being one another and you might question where you fit in, but the truth is, you fit right in the middle of us, as if you were our very beating heart,’ Namjoon explained.
Alina seemed to almost be getting too emotional and I could not help but smile. I looked on as Taehyung knelt in front of her and took both her hands in his. ‘They’re right Alina. I know you’re used to being alone and I know you’ve gone through some * you haven’t talked about yet, but we’re here for you, now and forever because we love you and we want to be with you,’ Taehyung said.
‘I love you too, all of you,’ she said as she hugged Taehyung. We all moved so that we could all group hug. I smiled, feeling the love and energy in the air. This, this was our new beginning.