Namjoon POV:
"Can I get you anything else?" My voice was polite and kind as I spoke to the customer in front of me, a female snake hybrid with bright green scales on her cheeks and neck.
The customer shook her head. "No thank you. I eat enough of the pastries here as it is so I probably shouldn't eat any more." I laughed at her response then gave her the total before turning around to make her espresso.
After I handed over her drink and she left the counter, Owen came over to my side. "How's it going with the mate problems?" He gestured towards Taehyung who was seated at a table, drinking a hot chocolate and enjoying his break. Owen's astuteness continuously amazed me and I just gave him a look of surprise. "Yeah. I know all about it."
I shrugged my shoulders, not really sure how to respond. "It's not bad, but it's not great either. Y/N talked to Jimin a couple of days ago and I guess things went well. He asked for a chance and she was willing to give it to him, to let him into her heart."
Owen grinned. "I expected he would come around sooner or later. There's only so long that you can resist your female mate. And with someone as sweet as Y/N? It was bound to happen sooner rather than later."
Nodding my head in agreement, I looked over at Taehyung, who was scrolling through his phone, a small smile on his face. Turning my attention back to Owen, I asked the question that had been bothering me. "How do you know so much about hybrids?"
Owen's smile turned sad and his eyes went misty. "My best friend growing up was a hybrid, a Siberian Husky guy with the blondest hair I had ever seen. He had one brown eye and one blue eye and I used to think it was the coolest thing ever."
Sensing that there wasn't a happy ending to this story, I said nothing. Owen had been nothing but kind to me and I wanted him to know he could confide in me, trust me.
After a moment, Owen continued. "Right after I graduated college, I got a call from Easton's parents. He... he had been attacked coming home from the grocery store he worked at. They... they beat him then left him for dead." A tear slipped down Owen's cheek and my heart broke for my boss, my friend, the man who had showed me so much kindness. "He... he passed away before I could make it to the hospital to say my goodbyes. I rushed there to see him, but by the time I got there, he ... he was gone."
Owen's story shattered my heart and I wished things could be different, but I knew it was the things that Y/N went through every day. She saw the worst abuse cases, the worst neglect and when the conditions and injuries were too bad, she watched them die in front of her, holding her hand and finding comfort in the last moments of their lives. Those were the ones that hurt her the most. Knowing that no matter how tirelessly they worked, it was never enough. She dedicated her life to helping hybrids, saving hybrids and when it didn't work, it broke her.
Jin told me that she was the reason that they could be buried in the plot in the cemetery. When Y/N's parents died, they left her a sizable fortune. She used that money to pay for the burials because otherwise their ashes would be discarded. Instead, she used the money to pay for either a burial in the unknown hybrid plot at the cemetery or a burial and a headstone for the ones who had a known name. She had told Jin on more than one occasion that if they couldn't be treated right in this life then at least she would give them a proper sendoff. I had seen the after effects of their deaths and it was just another indicator of the size of my female mate's heart.
A hand on my shoulder pulled me from my thoughts and I turned to see Taehyung standing there, his eyes worried. I had been so caught up thinking about Y/N, Owen's friend, and the other lost hybrids that the scent of my mate didn't even register until he touched me. "You alright Joonie?"
"Yeah. I'm okay." I wrapped an arm around Taehyung, feeling the softness of his golden wings as they brushed against my arm. "It's nothing to worry about."
Taehyung studied me for a moment then nodded before turning to Owen, a smile on his face. "I'm done with my break. Do you want me back at the register?"
"Yeah. The customers love you so I would rather have you there than working in the back. We'll leave that spot for Carlos."
Taehyung and I both laughed. Carlos was a grumpy Chihuahua hybrid that snapped at anyone who got too close. He was moody but an excellent baker so Owen kept him around. However, Carlos mainly worked in the kitchen since he didn't like dealing with people, humans or hybrids. Similar to Jin, he had a rough childhood and was taken away from his parents when he was little. He was adopted out to a family who took good care of him and encouraged him to try new things. Carlos realized he loved baking and ended up going to culinary school after high school.
Moving to stand behind the register, Taehyung gave me a bright smile. "How... how is Y/N?" His question was uncertain, almost as though he were afraid of asking, afraid of me telling him to mind his own business and keep away from the human, but I did neither of those.
"She's good. She spent some time with Jimin a couple of days ago." it had been good for both of them, helping to encourage the bond between them to grow and flourish. Although Yoongi was still a little hesitant about letting Jimin and Jungkook in, I was hopeful that things would get better, that we could all live happily together.
Taehyung sighed. "Yeah. I know. Minnie told us about it. I guess Jungkook came home and found them kissing on the sofa." A smile appearing on his face, Taehyung continued. "Kook seems to think he made her feel like she shouldn't be there, like he was mad at her."
"Um... well she did mention she thought Kook might be mad at her since she was kissing Jimin. Y/N said she almost felt like she was doing something she wasn't supposed to be doing." Y/N had told us about it, Jin and I trying to reassure her that things were fine, that Jungkook wasn't mad at her, but it still made her worry.
Hurriedly shaking his head, Taehyung looked concerned. "No. Kook's not mad at all. I think he was a little jealous since he wanted to be the one kissing her, but he wasn't mad."
"That's good to know. With... with things finally starting to come around, the last thing we need is someone getting upset. She wants... I think Y/N really wants to make it work with all of us, wants us all to be together. She was afraid of Jimin, and I mean really afraid of Jimin, but now when she talks about him, she gets that soft look in her eyes like she does when she talks about the rest of us." The idea of everyone coming together the way it should have been from the beginning made my heart happy and I wondered if there was anything I could do to help, anything to make it better.
From the look on Taehyung's face, I could see it was what he wanted to. "How are things going with the panther at the shelter?"
At the mention of Emery's name, I could feel my chest tighten in anger. "I fucking hate that cat. Y/N had lunch with him yesterday and I guess he spent the whole time telling her how happy he is that he is mated to her, that he can't wait to see where it goes, for them to be together."
Taehyung rolled his eyes, but I could see the uneasiness behind it. "Is... is he really her mate?"
I shook my head in denial. "No. Both Dr. Sehun and Jin say it's not true, that Emery is lying about it." I could see the tension in his frame when I mentioned Sehun and I knew he was still a little uneasy about the doctor. It was something we all felt, but we knew we had to trust Y/N. I patted Taehyung on the shoulder then kissed his cheek, not sure how else to reassure him that things were going to be okay, that it was all going to work out in the end. It was hard for me to reassure him when I didn't really know myself how to make it better.
The bell of the door chimed, pulling our attention back to our job and I grinned when the scent of chocolate covered cherries filled the room. Y/N had just come in with Sehun, her smile bright enough to light the room. "Hi Joonie! Hi Tae!" She waved at the two of us then pointed to Sehun. "Sehun and I were just visiting Chase and I needed some coffee."
Taehyung gave her a shy smile as she spoke, his eyes lighting up when she said his name. "Hi Y/N. Did you want the caramel macchiato today or the caramel crunch Frappuccino?"
Y/N grinned as he spoke. "You really are good at remembering orders, aren't you?" Taehyung blushed at the praise, but I could see he was happy at her words.
Taehyung ducked his head, trying to hide his pink cheeks. "Um... sometimes but I always remember what you order." His blush deepened at his admission and I wanted to squeal at their cute interaction. Sehun coughed awkwardly and Taehyung turned towards him. "Uh... and for you?"
"Just a black coffee." Sehun's smile was wry since he ordered the same thing every time. I didn't know if Taehyung really forgot the doctor's order or if he was simply uncomfortable now that he knew who Sehun was to Y/N. I wanted to hug Taehyung and reassure him that Sehun wasn't going to steal Y/N away, that she was ours but I just patted his shoulder.
After getting their drinks, Y/N kissed my cheek then stroked one of my ears. "We've got to get going, but I'll see you tonight." Turning to Taehyung, she gave him a smile. "Maybe we can get lunch this week?"
Taehyung's smile brightened and the look on his face was as though he had been given the world. "Yes. Of course. Any day you want." He stumbled over his words in his eagerness to get them out and I couldn't help but grin.
"Okay. I'll call you." Saying their goodbyes, Y/N and Sehun left the coffee shop, chatting animatedly as they walked out the door. I turned to Taehyung, who looked a little embarrassed.
"I'm... I'm trying not to be, but I... I get so jealous when he's with her." Taehyung sighed and I knew the situation was uncomfortable for him. "I know who he is to her and I get it, but they're so close."
Taehyung's words made me realize why it was so hard for him. He didn't have the closeness to Y/N that we do so seeing his mate be close to someone who isn't her mate was challenging and I understood it. Hopefully once things improved, he would feel better about it all. Until then, I would reassure him as best as I could since that's really the only thing I can do.
Hoseok POV:
"Fuck Hobi! Right there! Harder please!" I dug the heel of my hand into Jin's back, trying to work out the knot in the muscle. He let out a low groan when I hit the right spot. After a few minutes, I moved my hands and he sat up, a grin on his handsome face. "Thanks. Remind me next time to wait for help before trying to lift a patient."
I laughed at his words then nodded. "Gotcha. Other than the sore back how was work?"
Jin's smile faded a bit and I knew it must have been something to do with Emery. "Fucking panther trying to move in our mate again. It's fucking pissing me off and I don't know what to do about it."
Jin's words were tense as he spoke and I knew exactly how he was feeling, what he was thinking. Ever since Emery told Y/N that she was his mate, the damn cat has been trying to get close to her. She's done her best to keep it public and never let herself be alone with him, but I know she is struggling with the situation. She doesn't want to assume he has bad intentions because of the way hybrids have historically been mistreated, but at the same time, she has to think about the ways he has been making her uncomfortable.
Leaning back on the sofa, I moved closer to Jin's side, some of the frustration leaving me when he wrapped his arm around me and held me tightly. The whole situation was a shit show, but just the feel of my mate's arm around me was enough to help me feel a little bit better, a little bit more at ease. I just had to keep telling myself to trust Y/N, that she wouldn't do anything silly, that we weren't at risk of losing our mate. She was exceedingly loyal and I had to remember that. She wouldn't put our relationship with her on the line, especially not for someone that very clearly had a hidden agenda.
The scent of chocolate covered cherries grew strong as our female mate came down the stairs. Her damp hair was pulled out of her face, her face clean and shiny, and she had pulled on a pair of flannel pants and one of Jin's t-shirts. The sight of her in Jin's shirt was enough to know that she had a rough day since it was something she did when she needed comfort. I held out my arm to her and she hurried over to my side, snuggling close to me.
"Can't you come to work with me everyday sweet boy? Your hugs always make me feel better." Y/N sighed as she relaxed against me and I could feel the tension and the stiffness slowly leaving her frame. "Then I can hug you whenever I want to."
Jin gave her a look of mock hurt. "What about me? I work with you everyday. Aren't my hugs good enough?"
Y/N laughed, the sound musical and filling my ears, making me smile along with her. "Of course Jinnie, but you work there. We can hire Hobi on as a comfort person."
Nuzzling my nose against her neck, I wrapped my tail around her wrist. "You mean like a therapy dog?"
Snorting at my words, Y/N shook her head then pinched me. "No silly. You're not a dog!"
"Dog. Fox. Close enough."
"The day you start barking is the day we will realize you've lost your mind." Jin's voice was dry and when I looked over at him, I could tell he was trying to hold back his smile. "It would be as funny as when Yoongi hissed at the waffle maker for burning him."
We all snickered at the memory. When we had first moved into the house, Yoongi had wanted to make breakfast for us all. We had sat in the kitchen chatting while he made waffles. Y/N had come in, bringing in her intoxicating scent, and when she kissed Yoongi's cheek, making him blush, he had burned his finger on the waffle maker. Reacting in pain and frustration, he had hissed at the offending machine like an angry kitten. The rest of us had howled in laughter while Y/N babied the embarrassed tiger. When she had finished taking care of his finger, they had continued making breakfast together, Yoongi reveling in the attention she had given him.
The laughter of my mates filled my heart, pushing down some of the uneasiness I had been feeling over the last few days. Between the shit with Emery and the strained relationship with our three youngest mates, I was feeling more stressed out than usual. The relationship with Y/N and Jimin had gotten considerably better though. When she returned home the day she visited with him, his scent had clung to her, the tangy key lime pie mixing with her chocolate covered cherries. She had blushed when she admitted that they had kissed. I wanted to cheer at her words, knowing that was one of the first steps in repairing their damaged bond; Jimin inviting her into their space had been the first. I knew Jimin was in love with her and had been for a while. It had taken time for him to admit it, not only to himself, but also to anyone else.
"Hobi?" My sweet mate's voice broke through my thoughts and I turned my head to look at her. "Do... do you really think Jimin is sincere? I... I'm only asking because you are the one that sees him everyday. I want to let him in, but... but I'm afraid to."
Pulling her closer, I nodded my head. "I do. He... he talks about you and how much he regrets not giving you a chance from the beginning." I wish I could tell her how Jimin really feels about her, but I know it's not my place. He needs to be the one to confess to her, to tell her the truth about what he wants from her. It would mean that much more coming from him.
I could hear the soft sigh of relief from Y/N and knew right away that I had at least relieved some of her worries. She wanted to know that Jimin was sincere about it all and I'm happy she reached out to me. I just hoped that the two of them could eventually fix the tension that still existed between them.
***
Later that evening, I was lying in bed thinking about everything that had been happening with my mates when a soft knock on my door had me sitting up. The door cracked open and the scent of chocolate covered cherries filled my nose. Not waiting for her to speak, I held out my arms. "Come here little mate and snuggle with me."
I could hear Y/N's hurried footsteps across the room and I couldn't help but grin. She climbed into my bed, wrapping her arms around me immediately. I nuzzled my face against her neck, letting her scent cover me. It was so exquisite that I couldn't stop myself from letting the tip of my tongue slip out to taste her skin. As I nibbled on her neck, her soft sound of pleasure filled the room, making my cock harden instantly. Moving my lips to hers, I kissed her, plunging my tongue between her parted lips, loving the feel of her tongue against mine, her mouth sweet with a hint of mint toothpaste. Wrapping an arm around her, I let myself get lost in the scent that was just she.
As I continued to kiss her, I snaked my hand down her flannel pants, finding her already wet for me. Loving how responsive she is, I circled my fingers around her clit before sliding one into her. My name left her lips in a moan, a sound that made my cock weep with need for her. She slipped her hand into my shorts and wrapped her soft fingers around my shaft, stroking the head of my cock with her thumb and I almost came right then and there.
Another swipe of her thumb over my head had me jerking in response, but I moved back from her. "Nuh huh little mate. When I cum, I want it to be when I am buried deep inside you."
Y/N let out a soft sound of agreement and when I moved away from her to strip off my clothes, she hurriedly did the same, dropping the discarded garments to the floor. Some nights I liked to take my time with her, strip her slowly out of her clothes and kiss every inch of her body. However, this time, I just needed to be inside of her. I needed to feel that tight, hot, wet heat around me, squeezing me the way only she knew how to do.
Climbing back into the bed, I kneeled between her thighs, running the head of my cock up and down her entrance before slowly pushing in. Once I was buried to the hilt, I leaned forward, resting on my elbows, wanting to be close to her, wanting to feel her body pressed against mine. Capturing her lips with mine, I kissed her again, smirking against her lips when she gave an impatient little wiggle, a silent sign that she was ready for me to move.
Pulling back, I thrust back into her, a moan escaping her lips as I hit the spot inside her that made her legs tremble and her body tighten around me. I stopped when I was buried in her again, enjoying the sensation of being so close to her, having her in the most intimate and personal way possible. I repeated the motion of driving back into her and stopping there, loving the way she would whine in displeasure from me not moving. I did it again and a fourth time before setting a punishing pace that I knew would push her over the edge quickly. With each drag of my flared against her sensitive walls, she would let out the sexiest moan and it took everything I had to not cum too fast.
As her breathing began to get heavier, my name combined with curses and I knew she was close. So close that the next thrust pushed her over the edge and she was cumming around my cock, her body clenching down around my cock tightly, sending me tumbling over the edge after her. With a final moan of her name, I was cumming deep inside her her body, ropes of thick cum shooting from me and filling her up. The hybrid part of me wished she wasn't on birth control because I wanted more than anything to fill her up with my pups, watch her belly get round as my babies grew inside. I wanted to protect her from harm, bring her ice cream at 3 AM and rub her feet after a long day. I wanted to snuggle a tiny little hybrid baby that had my fuzzy ears and her beautiful eyes, a baby that we could nurture and teach, one that would always know love and family.
After a moment, I pulled my softening cock from her body, wincing as it dragged along her walls. I gave my legs a moment to steady themselves then grabbed a cloth from the bathroom, coming back into the room to gently clean her up. Once I was done, I pulled her t-shirt back on over her head, wanting to take care of her.
I dropped the cloth on the floor and lay down next to my mate. I pulled her close to me, kissing her lips. "I love you my little mate."
Y/N nuzzled her nose against mine and I smiled at the cute gesture. "I love you too my Hobi." With her arms around me, I fell asleep, drifting off to a beautiful dream.