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Things seem to be settling down with the boys and you wanted to finally meet their families and improve your relationship. But who knew the sudden appearance of two strangers can change everything.
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"That was a great movie." You stretched your limbs. It was a typical stay in day with the boys. The weather was gloomy outside so you all settled for a nice movie together. When the credits rolled, they decided it was time for a late lunch, which was going to be kimchi fried rice.
"I can make stir fried pork!" You smiled.
"Are you sure you can cook? You can relax, you know?" Jin wrapped his arms around your waist. The boys were still cautious over your health since you did suffer from broken ribs and a concussion.
"I have recovered and am feeling good as new. Please, let me cook?" You asked and Jin nodded his head.
"If you feel unwell, you can stop any time alright? Or if you need help, just tell any one of us." Yoongi ruffled your hair and you saluted playfully.
"Hyung! Make sure you put lots of cheese!" Jungkook reminded loudly.
"Yeah, yeah." Yoongi rolled his eyes. Jungkook grinned and slung his arm around your shoulders, nuzzling his cheek against yours lovingly. You giggled as he hair tickled your skin. He pulled away to pour himself some juice from the fridge, offering you a sip. You shook your head as you mixed the sauce in the pan. Jungkook pouted.
"Why are you rejecting me?" He whined.
"It's just juice, Koo. But fine." You gave in, taking a sip. Only then did he give a proud smile, patting your head. He left to go game a little before the food was ready.
"Need help?" Hoseok came in.
"Help me get the cooled rice from the cooker." Yoongi said.
"I was asking my mate but sure, hyung." Hoseok gave Yoongi a flat look before grabbing a big bowl and going to get all the rice out. You threw your head back in laughter at their interaction. Hoseok was by your side, reading with two plates for you to put the finished pork dish on.
"Thanks, Hobi." You smiled.
"No problem." He brought the plates out. Looking over Yoongi's shoulder, you watched him toss the rice and sprinkle the cheese on top to let it get nice and gooey. Jin did the same with his frying pan.
"Looks good." You told them as Jin tasted some to get the seasoning right. Yoongi scooped some of his out, blowing it softly before holding it out to you.
"Careful, it's hot." He cautioned.
"It's perfect!" You gave a thumbs up as you chewed. Yoongi chuckled at how adorable you were. You left the kitchen to call everyone else out to eat. The boys all sat in their respective seats and you sat in yours. Everyone dug into the meal happily, having some light chatter here and there. You were just happy to be able to be a part of it.
"Is there anything else you want to do with the remainder of the holiday?" Namjoon asked you.
"I don't really have anything planned. I usually spend holidays alone or working extra shifts. Honestly, this is the first time in a while that I am spending time off with people." You blushed in embarrassment.
"It's okay." Jimin smiled.
"Why don't you guys tell me what you want to do? This is your time off too." You turned the question on them.
"Actually, we were thinking of going to visit our parents." Jin revealed.
"Oh..." You nodded your head as you listened. Of course, they had their families too. Even if you were their mate, they were still sons to wonderful people and had their duty to visit them from time to time. You mentally convinced yourself that you would be fine with them leaving to visit their families.
"What do you say? Are you able to take time off from work?" Taehyung asked you with excitement.
"Wait... You want me to go with you?"
"Of course, silly. Did you think we were just going to leave you?" Yoongi chuckled and you blushed, knowing that you got caught for thinking that way. The boys all laughed lightly.
"We would love for you to meet our families. This is our territory but our parents' territory is actually further down south." Jungkook explained.
"I'm excited to meet your families." You smiled shyly.
That night, you decided to sleep over. Even if you didn't move in with them, you still stayed over from time to time. You laid beside Namjoon as he read his book, a small frown on his face as he focused on the contents. You couldn't help but giggle, making him tear his gaze away from the story and onto you. You stared up at him.
"You look so serious, Joon." You giggled.
"It's an interesting story." He pulled you close to him so you were practically lying on his chest as he stroked the back of your head with his free hand.
"Joon, I'm worried of what all your parents may think... Seeing that I am a human." You expressed your concern. Namjoon looked at you, closing his book and putting it on the bed.
"Jagi, don't worry. Our parents are going to love you. It doesn't matter if you're a werewolf or not. Trust me." He smiled.
"Really?"
"I'm your mate, aren't I? I won't lie to you. Our parents are actually very excited to meet you. They know you are a human. I told you, the moon goddess already had our fates laid out for us. You are meant to be our mate, no one else. Not even our parents can oppose to that." He tucked a lock of hair behind your ear.
"I'm just worried... you know? I want to be a good mate for all of you." You blushed slightly.
"You already are the best mate we could have ever asked for so don't worry about that. You are perfect just the way you are." He kissed your hand, rubbing the back of it.
*THUMP*
"What's that?" You lifted your head.
"Taehyung and Hobi are back from their patrol." Namjoon informed. You nodded, going to the window to see the two wolves standing on the porch. They looked up and met eyes with you, barking and wagging their tails.
"They said 'goodnight' to you." Namjoon relayed. You knew that he was probably mind linking with them. You smiled at the two wolves, waving before stepping away from the window and back into bed, beside Namjoon. He wrapped his arms around you, kissing your forehead. You yawned and snuggled into his warmth.
"Sleepy?" He teased with a light chuckle.
"A little." You blinked.
"Sleep then, jagi. Don't think about anything for now and just relax." He said softly, his dimple popping through. Reaching up, you gave into your urges and gave the dimple a light peck.
The next morning, the boys wanted to go for a picnic. Jungkook, Taehyung, Jimin and Hoseok immediately shifted and ran out the door in excitement.
"Aish, those 4." Jin shook his head and grabbed the basket of food. Namjoon held the cooler box with the drinks while Yoongi held your hand and a bag of clothes for the 4 that left first. The weather was nice and cool from yesterday's rain, with a slight breeze.
"The usual spot?" Jin asked. You nodded. You helped with setting the big picnic mat right by the shining lake.
"(y/n), since you're our mate and you hold a crystal. We wanted to show you something. We're not sure if it will work but we can try." Yoongi led you to the edge of the lake.
"This was how Jimin found out if we were still alive or not." He explained, gesturing to the water.
"What do you mean?" You tilted your head.
"Watch closely." Jin nodded to Taehyung. The wolf placed his noise at the surface of the water and drew a pattern of some sorts. Looking closely, you gasped when the image of 8 crystals appeared in the water, all shining as if they were lying below the surface of the lake. You reached out to touch it but the water just rippled.
"The crystals like this means that we're okay. If the light goes out, it means the person is in trouble... or dead." Namjoon explained.
"Why don't you try it?" Yoongi held your hand in his. He demonstrated the pattern in the air. You dipped your finger into the cold surface of the water and did the same.
"It works..." The boys were all in awe as the image of the 8 crystals appeared.
"We'll always be connected this way." Yoongi wrapped an arm around you. You were so amazed by this magic. If someone had told you months ago that this was all real, you would probably have scoffed in their faces. But with 7 werewolf mates, this was now the normal.
"Thanks for showing it to me. It's amazing." You sat down on the mat.
"It was only right that you knew." Jin patted your head. Hoseok sat beside you, fully clothed.
"When are you planning to go visit your parents?" You asked them as you took some meat and made it into a lettuce wrap. Before you could eat it, Jungkook appeared, whimpering and pawing at your feet.
"Kookie." You whined but gave in, placing the lettuce wrap into his mouth. He chewed and licked your hand.
"We were thinking to go next week? If you're able to take time off from work. The plan is to stay there for 5 days? Or so." Namjoon said.
"I should be able to. I'll send a message to my manager to ask, just in case." You took your phone out to drop May a message. If you were going on a holiday, you would just have to pay back the working hours by not having as many days off when you come back, which you were perfectly fine with, considering it was the holidays.
"Here." Jin made a wrap and held it out to you. You leaned in and let him feed you the wrap.
"Will it be safe to go? I mean, you did say there are still enemies out there." You randomly asked those who were sitting with you.
"It may be safer to go than to stay here. We don't know if those that tried to attack you are rogues or actually a pack. If they are a pack, there's no telling how many of them there are." Hoseok said.
"I understand." You nodded, sighing as you rest your chin on your folded knees. The boys all exchanged worried looks.
"Hey, we won't let anything happen to you, alright?" Yoongi stroked your head.
"I know. I trust you." You hummed with a small smile. After packing up the picnic, the boys all walked you to your home. But when you arrived, you saw a couple outside, waiting for you. You have never seen them before and the boys were all on edge.
"Can I help you?" You held a hand out to the boys to stay back.
"Uhh... You live here?" The man asked, rubbing the back of his neck. He was clearly stunned to see a young girl come up to them, definitely not who they were expecting.
"Yes?"
"We're looking for the old man that lives here." The woman said.
"Why?" You crossed your arms, your eyebrows raised. The two men stared at you then at your 7 mates that stood behind you.
"We're... his friends." The man cleared his throat awkwardly. You knew your grandfather's friends and you were sure that you have never met them before, you haven't even seen them in the pictures your grandfather showed you. Besides, wouldn't friends of your grandfather knew that he passed away years ago? You were a little suspicious of them.
"I don't think so." You called them out on their bluff.
"We must have the wrong house. Excuse us, miss." The man tipped his cap to pulled his partner along with him.
"Stop." You jumped in front of them and they froze in their tracks. They were definitely hiding something and you were not going to let them leave. If they knew something about your grandfather...
"Who are you?" You asked.
"Excuse me?" The woman was a little taken aback by you.
"Sorry about her." Namjoon stepped up, grasping your arm. He knew he had to step in. All the wolves could sense that something was wrong. The couple nodded and left.
"Namjoon! Why did you do that?!" You turned to him.
"I'm sorry, (y/n). I had to step in. That couple... there's something off about them. We all felt it. They aren't your average couple. I know you wanted to find out more information, seeing as to how they came to look for your grandfather but I'm not risking your safety." Namjoon sighed.
"What do you mean 'off'?" You asked.
"They smelled of wolfsbane, a natural wolf repellent. We think they're hunters." Yoongi said.
Hunters? You mean... like the ones that hurt Jimin? The ones who ran you out of your old home?" You frowned, grimacing at the memory of an injured Jimin appearing in your home. The boys all nodded.
"Is my grandfather...?" Your jaw grew slack. Was your grandfather... one of them?
"I'll see you all tomorrow or something." You quickly bid the boys goodbye and ran into your house. The boys all stood there, of course they hoped that their mate didn't descend from a family of hunters. They would definitely be shamed by their parents and the rest of the royal pack. Looking at each other, they grew concerned but returned home for the rest of the day.
"Where is it?" You searched your drawers. Finally, you found what you were looking for. The key to your grandfather's room. Ever since he passed away, you have never entered there.
"Please don't let it be." You whispered as you unlocked the door and entered. Basically, you turned the whole room upside down.
What you were looking for? You didn't know. A clue, a sign, something.
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You didn't even know what time of day it was. Your phone was ringing off the hook, evident that the boys were all trying to get into contact with you. But you never answered. There you sat, looking at the items you laid out on the coffee table before you.
"I need a break." You rubbed your temples and stood up to go make yourself a coffee. Your mind was swirling with so many thoughts that it was giving you a terrible migraine. A knock came on your door.
"Who is it?" You croaked, standing up and heading to the main door.
"It's me." You heard Jimin's soft voice on the other side of the door. Your hand stopped in it's tracks and just rest on the door knob.
"Please open the door, (y/n). We're all worried about you." Jimin whimpered softly, knocking gently.
"I-I'm okay. Don't worry a-about m-me." You tried to sound assuring and confident, resting your forehead against the wooden material. Jimin grew sad, they were all worried what happened with you and now that you even refused to see him scared him even more. Just what did you find out that made you shut yourself away from them?
"(y/n), please. Whatever it is. We can work it out together. No matter what your past is or where you came from, it doesn't change the fact that we love you." Jimin's voice quivered.
"I... just need to be alone for now. I'm sorry." You whispered, hoping Jimin could hear you. He did.
"Okay." You heard his retreating footsteps.
"Why have you hidden this from me?" You looked at the photo of you and your grandfather, throwing an arm over your eyes. Everything was so complicated now. It felt like you were in those stories, where the main character finds out that her whole life was a lie.
Yoongi yawned, running a hand through his hair as he walked down the stairs. He was supposed to go patrolling with Namjoon tonight. When Jimin came home in tears, they knew something was wrong with you.
"Hyung?" Namjoon came down.
"Do you think she's okay?" Yoongi asked as he stared out into the night.
"We'll drop by to see how she is, but not try to go into her house. Seeing that she didn't let Jimin in... Maybe we should just give her some more space." Namjoon said.
"I agree. She just takes all these things on her own. It's like she's afraid of telling us things." Yoongi sighed.
"She has been alone for so long, no one to talk to or share her sorrows with. She's probably not used to having people around her that genuinely care for her." Namjoon slipped his hoodie over his head, tossing it into the house. Yoongi nodded in agreement as Namjoon shifted first, stretching his front limbs followed by his back.
"Hold on." Yoongi stopped when he felt his phone buzz in his pocket. His eyes widened when he saw your name.
"Hello?"
"Y-Yoongi."
"(y/n)! Is everything okay? Why are you whispering?" Yoongi grew panicked and for a split second, Namjoon shifted back, not caring that he was completely naked in the cold night.
"Please come. I-I hear footsteps. O-Outside my home. I'm so s-scared. Please h-help me."
"I'm on my way, love. Stay hidden until we come and pack your things." Yoongi said and hung up. He and Namjoon immediately shifted, their wolves being faster and having more navigation in the night. As they ran, Namjoon mind linked the others to let them know of the situation so they could catch up.
"Namjoon." Yoongi nodded over to two figures that were indeed loitering near the front of the house.
"We'll go round the back." Namjoon said and Yoongi started walking to the back of the house. While waiting for the boys, you had packed all your essentials items.
"Hyung." Jungkook whispered as he ran over. He had not shifted and remained in his human form. Yoongi pointed up to the window.
"Hide. I'll get her." Jungkook said as he heard footsteps approaching.
"(y/n)." Jungkook ran upstairs as quietly as he could and throw open the door. You gasped, thinking it was someone else but when you saw that it was Jungkook, you ran over and hugged him. He cupped the back of your head as you shivered against him in fear. Seeing that you had packed your things into bags, he hushed you.
"The hyungs are downstairs. There are two intruders. The hyungs will distract them while we run out back." Jungkook said.
"Okay." You nodded.
"Wait." Jungkook looked out the window to see the figures gone. But he heard them trying to break in through the front door. Jin and Jimin appeared. Jungkook tossed your bags down to them.
*bark*
"That's our signal." Grabbing your hand, Jungkook led you downstairs and out the back door. Taehyung grabbed you and pulled you into the bushes.
"I'll go help." Jungkook said and shifted.
"We should move." Jin instructed.
"What about the others? We can't just leave them. What if they get hurt or something?" You panicked. Hoseok, Jungkook, Yoongi and Namjoon were facing these people and they could potentially be armed and hurt your boys. Jin hushed you and held your hand.
"Don't worry, angel. They'll be okay." He whispered and pulled you along with them. As you tracked through the bushes, a loud explosion was heard behind you. Your blood froze.
"Go! Go!" Taehyung said and you had a split second to turn around.
"NO!" You wanted to run back but Taehyung lifted you up, carrying you the rest of the way, back to the house.
"Let me go! No!" You cried as Taehyung continued running with Jin and Jimin behind. Your world was spinning and you choked on your sobs. The last thing you remembered was seeing your cabin being engulfed in flames.
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