Twilight ||| Oneus

~~19~~

Youngjo, as always, was forcing himself to be the strong one of the pack.

The scene playing out inside the tiny hut was a devastating one to witness.

There was Leedo, laying across his furs, covered in a sheen of sweat, taking labored breaths as he slept. Obviously, it wasn't a peaceful rest as his body fought hard to rid of the venom coursing through his veins. His eyebrows remained knitted. Dongju laid beside him, refusing to uncurl from his position up against his alpha, keeping their fingers intertwined. Occasionally, he'd reach over and brush some of the fallen, soaked strands of hair off of Leedo's forehead before trailing the tips of his fingers lightly over his masculine facial features.

Their relationship was anything but traditional or natural, but instinctually, Donju can't bear the thought of something happening to the alpha that had claimed him. It would be like losing a piece of himself.

Hwanwoong squeezed Youngjo's hand, and Youngjo was reminded of the night of his miscarriage. That night, he had the same feeling that Dongju must have at the moment. Nothing is worse than the fear of potentially losing your mate. Even if Leedo and Dongju aren't mated, the bite on Dongju's neck still connects them in an otherworldly way. Losing your mate is like losing your lifeline. He wouldn't survive it.

Then there was Keonhee, who shuffled in and out of the small space, checking on Leedo every so often. He was busy tending to a medicinal mixture brewing over the fire pit outside while he carefully watched Leedo's symptoms. As he worked, he kept his brows knitted from the stress of the situation. He was frustrated because he didn't know what to do. None of them did.

He hasn't been working with medicine for very long, and he's completely clueless as to what to do with a venomous bite. He's tried sifting through the few healing books he's collected from the marketplace, but he ultimately comes up with nothing helpful.

Youngjo doesn't mean to put that kind of pressure on the beta's shoulders, but out of all the pack members, he's the only one who seems to know a lick about any of it. So at the moment, he can't help but rely on Keonhee's knowledge, little experience, and efforts.

When the air became too thick, the pack leader needed to step out of the crowded hut to get some necessary air. His chest suddenly felt tight, like he was suffocating. Hwanwoong creased his brows in concern when he tugged away, but Youngjo only kissed his temple in reassurance before exiting.

As soon as the crisp, cold air of the night touched his skin, Youngjo felt himself gasping for breath. He rushed over to the side of the hut and squatted on the ground, placing his head between his knees, taking intensely deep gulps of air.

It was his guilt that was suffocating him. The past month's events filter through his mind.

After Leedo had made a couple poor choices, Youngjo was quick to lose all of his faith he had put into the other alpha. He was quick to anger, and unwilling to listen. He was quick to push Leedo aside, and he wasn't acting like a good leader to the person that was supposed to be his right-hand man. He had failed Leedo.

And if Leedo didn't make it through this, he'd never be able to beg for his forgiveness. Youngjo doesn't think he could handle the weight of that.

He opened his eyes to see his tears that he didn't even know he was shedding dripping onto the ground between his feet. The moon reflected brilliantly off of them in mockery. Youngjo doesn't cry often, but once he's started, it's hard to stop it. The sobs wrecked through his body, leaving a heavy pain on his chest. He clutches the fabric of his shirt over his heart, not leaving his squatting position.

This goes on for minutes until Youngjo flinches when someone places a hand on his shoulder, though he had sensed Hwanwoong coming near. His lover's faintest touch immediately soothed him a tad, allowing him a moment to properly catch his breath, but his chest still felt tight.