"I'm angry." I had just opened my eyes
I recognized the ceiling of the Jade pack house and lowly said those words. I had so many questions and none were answered. Tempting them worked somehow, only to be told that I basically had to stay away from them.
What did they mean by working for the underworld?
I sat up my body aching as I was alone in the guest room. A small piece of paper folded next to a jar of water with some painkillers made me awkwardly scoot over.
'Melody, I'm going to go to work. Since you worked an extra-shift yesterday, I let you take today's off.
Moreover, you have to do some homework or assignments don't you not?
I will answer your question if I can I promise.
I know that you must be angry at your mates for the moment, but don't be too much. I met with Namjoon and there are things you don't know. Rest a bit. Your meal is in the fridge and you're more likely to be alone at home right now.
Trust us.
JB.'
I folded the paper again and decided to go to the library to do the said assignments. I quickly texted the girl in our group chat to tell them I was back at the Jade pack house and perfectly fine.
Relief was clear in the texts.
I took a warm shower and decided to tie my hair for once. Grabbing my bag and the necessary homework, I decided to head to the library: I was feeling awkward alone in a home that wasn't mine.
Even though the Jade pack was family, I remember how calm Jaebum was when Namjoon was in. I hadn't seen particular anger in the other's eyes either. I had assumed that it was because they knew each other through the Army.
But there was some chance I was wrong.
Letting the door lock itself, I took one step outside the mansion when a man dressed all in black appeared in front of me. Standing there, silently and looking straight forward.
"Yes?" I awkwardly mumbled
"I'm ordered to take you out and to watch out for you each time you step out of the mansion. My name is Joshua. Miss Encarta." He introduced himself
"And may I be aware on who gave you that order?" I asked crossing hands over my chest
I had a small idea on who.
"Boss" he answered simply
I breathed deeply as I almost rolled my eyes at the man. He showed me his paper and the order of mission he received. From the few times I had seen Namjoon writing at the base, I could clearly tell that it was him.
"I wanted to go to the library, to study." I whispered "Please call me Melody by the way."
"I'm afraid I can't do that Miss." He said
He really had military discipline.
"Call Namjoon then." I asked
He grimaced before dialing a number and handing me the phone. When I answered there was a silence, I told whoever was on the other side to tell Joshua to call me by my name or I would be very uncomfortable and handed the phone back to Joshua. He was a fox hybrid. A black fox hybrid from my guess. I had no time to ask him because he asked me to follow him to the car.
"We're not going to the library." I said noticing that he headed quite opposite to the direction of it.
"Boss asked me to drive you to him. Miss Melody." He complied looking in the rear mirror
Arriving in front of a huge mansion made me frown even more. I could see maids and butlers and I quietly wondered if I hadn't mistaken Joshua's boss for one of my mates. I was lead to a study and it was quite amazing.
I remember my phone call with Grandma the day before and I smiled lightly: she told me that I should wait for them. I had to do what I wanted to do without overcrowding them and take what they give me.
The fact that I was in their home because they looked out for me at the Jade Pack and sent a driver for me. A driver and more specifically a bodyguard. With their profession it wasn't really bizarre, but I was still surprised when I saw Joshua.
Telling him to call his boss was on the spur of the moment, I never expected the hybrid to actually do it. The mansion was really astonishing. I remembered talking to Namjoon about the old Victorian style and how Built-in reminded me of the French architecture. Those designs were everywhere.
In the study: a huge library on the side and it was an older style which I absolutely loved. It made me remember the library in that old church. I traced my finger the long of the different books recognizing some of them I read back at the base before someone interrupted me.
"My name is John. Butler of the Bangtan family. I will be responsible for your stay here Miss Melody. Do you need any refreshments? Snacks? A laptop has been put to your disposition and has already all the data previously present on your old laptop."
The man was a fox hybrid too. In his 40s at least, he looked stern and serious. I could also notice despite his very neutral manner of speaking, the distaste in his voice. Not everyone liked human of course, but I could somewhat feel that it was directed towards me in particular.
Maybe the behavior of the guys changed when I came back... I couldn't be really sure.
"Thank you very much for guiding me here. I will just study and you don't need to...give me anything. Thank the master of the mansion for the laptop." I said politely bowing to the man
The slight surprise in his stance didn't surprise me. I slowly smiled at him noticing that Joshua and another man were standing there. John followed my eyesight and introduced the two men once again.
"Joshua. Jeonghan." Both men stepped forward "They are my sons." He said
"I see. It is nice to meet the three of you and Joshua it is nice to see you again. I will stay in here and study so I don't think there is much to watch over for, but...suit yourself I guess."
He nodded and stood back at his position next to the door. John told me there was a small bathroom on my right and disappeared. His voice held incomprehension more than anything else, but I couldn't blame him.
Seating on the comfortable chair, I awkwardly opened my backpack and decided that I had to focus on my assignment. For now, I wanted to graduate and studying was unfortunately an inevitable step to me getting my degree.
Jin was watching her.
He had asked Joshua and Jeonghan to leave her alone as he arrived. She was engrossed in her studies that she didn't even notice him here.
He didn't want her to notice.
He had seen the frown on the old fox's face.
Next to him, Namjoon stepped forward and stood behind the girl taking a look at her assignments. The amount of focus the girl has was surprising. She hadn't been impolite and they expected a little more resistance for her to enter the mansion. Using the laptop that Yoongi had prepared for her, made them happy.
Yet, it had been hours and it was time for a well-deserved break.
"Melody." Jin's voice was firmer than wished
Startled, I raised the eyes from my economic business essay and was surprised to see Jin softly looking at me. I felt even more surprise when I felt a presence behind me.
"You're good." Namjoon's voice was proud
I widened my eyes as I looked at them.
"I was scared for a second that it wasn't you who sent Joshua." I whispered
The situation seemed illogical.
With the talk they had the night before, they were supposed to avoid each other like the plague. I stretched myself, not feeling really stressed as I looked around the room always my conversation with Grandma in mind.
"It's Jimin's study." Jin said
I looked around, but didn't find any trace of the Snow Panther's personality. This office seemed too serious for him. Even if, the playfulness I got to know him with was gone since I met him again.
"He doesn't come here often." Jin said answering my silent question.
"He doesn't?" I wondered surprised "But it's so beautiful here. I really like it." I said standing up
Jin hummed as he watched the girl walking around. He preferred her like this, wearing a simple sweater, some sneakers and a jean. She looked cute and fit the area.
She fitted with them.
The realization of that made his heart clench.
They had all tried standing away from her. It started with Jimin disappearing at night, Taehyung and Yoongi often following behind him. He always followed her. He knew her exact schedule. What she loved eating and what she didn't like eating. You could call it obsession and it wouldn't be wrong: but they were all like that.
This study was made for her by Jimin.
He knew she would like it.
"You need a break." The puma hybrid coughed
"Are you taking care of me right now Jinnie?"
The nickname made Jin's heart skip a beat as he cleared his throat before walking outside the office. Smiling eagerly, I followed suit looking at Namjoon who nodded and followed from behind. It was different to see those wearing casual clothes rather than strict mafia like outfits.
The hybrid mafia.
"This mansion is really...it's really like in a fairy tale." I whispered looking at the paintings
John appeared out of nowhere, making me flinch slightly as he glanced at Jin and Namjoon. The old man had never seen a casual smile on either of the man's face, but right now he could tell they were fond of the human.
Extremely fond.
He had prepared a few snacks of course and this old man was excited to see the younger master's reaction to her. He knew Hoseok and Yoongi were in the kitchen near the largest cinema room so he advised them to go there. Namjoon gave him a knowing look but the old man didn't react in anyway.
He had seen his young masters defreeze and actually have some emotions since they had been in contact with this human. He had to ask more information to his son about her. About the kind human who thanked and bowed her head to a hybrid.
"Oh" My voice was loud in the kitchen
"What is she doing here?" Hoseok growled pointing to me
"She was studying in Jimin's office. I called her here." Yoongi answered
So it was him on the phone.
"Could have said something on the phone. I thought it was Joon." I mumbled
"No it was me." Yoongi said "Sit, you've been studying for three hours without a break."
"I did?" I said surprised looking at the time on my phone "Whoa, might come here more often if I can focus like that." I said walking around the huge kitchen.
Hoseok looked extremely tensed and I didn't blame him. This was their home. Nonetheless the delicious smell coming from Yoongi's shoulder attracted me too much to not get closer. I stand on his other side and glanced at the waffles cooking. I wondered quietly how he knew I had been studying for so long.
Yoongi wouldn't tell her that he had been connecting his phone to the camera in Jimin's study and looked at her working. All her expressions, the time she found the solution and when she was frustrated: her face changed all the time.
She was happier.
She was their strong little survivor.
"What are you making?" I asked
"Can't you see its waffles?" Hoseok spat as he glared at me
"I can see that." I said ignoring his harsh tone and keeping eye contact with him
He shifted uncomfortable as I didn't look away from him. Arms sliding under my armpits and lifting me on the kitchen counter turned my attention from one panther to another. Yoongi made me sit on the kitchen counter just next to where he was cooking and he cut a small piece of waffle that had already been cooked and held the fork in front of me.
I brushed my hair to the side and bend slightly forward. He fed me, I was overly excited inside my head but decided to keep calm.
Yoongi could tell she was happy, her heartbeat skyrocketing and just like Jin he liked the scene in front of him.
"It's so good." I said out loud
It was really delicious. I didn't know if the mate bond was affecting the taste, but it was really good. A glass of water appeared beside me as Hoseok put it there scoffing and standing opposite to me.
"Thanks Hobi." I said and I could see his ear straightened as his tail stilled
I didn't look into his eyes. Hoseok was feeling a lot of emotions when he heard the familiar nickname. He wanted to lock her somewhere and cuddle with her, mark her and protect her from the world. Yet it wasn't that easy.
She wouldn't like being locked up and he didn't want her to be in his world.
She would be tainted.
She would suffer.
However, they had promised themselves.
Never again.
"Don't call me Hobi." He whispered his heart hurting badly
I ate another bite of food and looked at Hoseok again.
"If you hug me then I won't."
His eyes stilled on me and it was suddenly very silent. He took one step forward then another. Yoongi wasn't saying anything as I watched Hoseok standing in front of me. His expression didn't reveal anything as I opened my arms and pulled him into a tight hug. His nose on my scent gland and I could feel his taking a sharp inhale as his hands raised up on their own and encircled my back.
"Hugs are the best." I mumbled holding Hoseok close
He didn't say anything and just raised his head. His face was so close to mine that the whole mood turned into something much more intimate than just a hug. His tail brought my chest closer to his as my hands stayed still on his shoulder.
I wouldn't force it.
Hoseok looked at his human mate: she was such a sin. The light makeup and her rosy lips smelled like the cherry chaps tick she had been using since they saw her again. Her big eyes were now an enchanting purple swirling with golden flecks as her cheeks had reddened a bit.
She was just...so beautiful and so cute.
Jin clearing his throat broke the moment as I blushed harder and pulled my hands off Hoseok. He on the other hand didn't strand faraway as he just turned around his back leaning against my chest. Yoongi continued feeding me and Hoseok at the same time.
I could see Jin and Namjoon watching us as they drank some coffee. I put my hands on Hoseok's shoulder and began massaging them. He was stiff, but then relaxed slowly. At one point, he grabbed my hand and pulled them around his neck. Intertwining our fingers, I couldn't see his face but I enjoyed it.
"You were studying Economics right?" Namjoon coughed
"Yeah, I have an exam soon, but there are some concepts that I don't get yet..." I hummed disappointed "Although I covered most of it, if I want to graduate early, then I have no choice but to get everything in quickly."
"You want to graduate early? Why?" Jin asked
"Jaebum is giving me the cafe." I shrugged "He said that he took this cafe as a break from his old job but now that his bosses are back it's time for him..." Then something clicked in my mind.
Jaebum seemed to know Namjoon. Vice versa. How did Namjoon get the address so quickly? The Jade pack worked for them.
"Since YOU are back I must add." Giving him a small smile
The Jade pack being in the mafia was equally as surprising as Bangtan being there. Who was I to judge?
"Solar is going to work there for you?" Jin asked disregarding my tone
"Hwasa, Solar and Wheein yeah." I sighed
"Snake hybrids? Wouldn't that scare the people away?" Namjoon remarked
"No, Hwasa works there when I'm not and Wheein is a cooking chef. We already texted a lot about the possibilities of the new cakes I want to sold there." I answered "Most of the clients are hybrids and used to Hwasa. If they are not and are rude, I'll just call the hybrid police on them. I don't stand for such stupid behaviors." I huffed
Anti-hybrids like my adoptive parents were idiots. Fundamental idiots.
"You learned management from Jaebum then?" Hoseok hummed
"Yeah. He was a really good teacher, because I was terrible at the beginning. I was very...let's say...scared." I hummed
"Scared?" Yoongi asked
"I flinched at each loud noise. I couldn't talk properly to people. I was a huge mess." I had written about it in the letters and that's how I had gotten all my stress out. Writing pages and pages to my mates, to feel better and to ask them.
"You handle yourself well now." Jin said "I saw you work and you do it perfectly." He complimented
I shyly smiled at him. I enjoyed this moment. Talking with them, being close to my mates and it was only that I wanted to know more about them and I couldn't. John appeared in the corner.
"Master Jimin. Master Taehyung and Master Jungkook are back." He hinted
At his words, Jungkook arrived in the kitchen and he was also in sweats.
But he was shirtless. I saw the scars.
I don't remember him having so many scars moreover it was hard for hybrids to get scars, because they healed quicker than humans. My scent must have been hidden by the good smell of the waffles and Hoseok. The latter let my hand ago and stepped away from me. Jungkook was quiet as he looked at me and I could see how vulnerable he was.
First surprised and frozen, then he had quickly slipped his hoodie on.
"Welcome back." My voice was lower tainted by surprise and concern
"What are you doing here?" he asked
"I asked Joshua to bring her here. I texted you about it." Yoongi answered for me
"That doesn't answer my question. Jimin Hyung is going to-"Jungkook started annoyed
"What about me?"