WARNING: THIS CHAPTER CONTAINS, SLIGHT MENTAL TRAUMA, PANIC ATTACKS AND PROFANITY. PLEASE READ WITH CAUTION ⚠️
Taehyung's POV
The shock I felt was overwhelming, to say the least.
Why was she going against everything we've been taught? As hybrids, our purpose has always been crystal clear - to serve humans obediently and to seek their approval and attention.
Yet here she stood, challenging the very foundation of our existence. She advocated for our freedom, for the recognition of our worth as equals in a society that had always viewed us as mere possessions.
I couldn't help but question her motives. Was she naive, idealistic, or perhaps just brave beyond measure? And where did that leave the rest of us who had long accepted our subjugated status without resistance?
Lost in contemplation, I was taken aback when she appeared before me, concern etched across her features.
"Taehyung, are you alright? You seemed lost in thought," she inquired, her eyes reflecting a genuine worry that tugged at my emotions.
In that moment, I longed to seek solace in her embrace, to share the turmoil brewing within me. For I was far from okay, and the realization of our oppressed existence weighed heavily on my heart.
Being owned and exploited had been our norm – a perpetual cycle of submission that had stifled any flicker of rebellion within us. The dream of freedom, of being recognized and respected, had seemed like a distant, unattainable fantasy.
But her words, her actions... Perhaps they held the promise of a new dawn, a ray of hope amidst the darkness of our existence. Maybe, just maybe, today marked the beginning of a revolution long overdue.
As uncertainty mingled with hope within me, I couldn't help but wonder,
Was this really a path we desired to tread, one filled with unknown challenges and risks? Or was it a leap into a future where our voices could finally be heard, our identities no longer defined by the chains of servitude?
The answers eluded me, shrouded in the complexity of our reality. And as I stood there, grappling with conflicting emotions, one thing became clear – the winds of change were blowing, and we stood at the precipice of a choice that could redefine our very existence.
Heaven's POV
After carefully observing them, I realized that their appearance was not necessarily extravagant, but it was the emotions they displayed that caught my attention.
I could sense that they held great potential within them, waiting to be unlocked and showcased to the world.
I felt a strong determination to help them harness the talents and capabilities that lay dormant within them. They deserved a chance to shine and I was determined to make that happen.
In order to make them feel more comfortable and cared for, I called one of my guards to bring them some fresh clothes. It didn't sit right with me to see them in their current state, and I wanted to provide them with a sense of dignity and respect.
Shortly after my request, there was a knock on the door. I welcomed my guards into the room as they entered with multiple bags of clean, brand new clothes.
Their promptness and attention to detail reflected the level of care and professionalism that I expected from my staff.
"Ms. Valentino, here are the clothes you requested. They are clean and brand new, just as you specified," one of the guards informed me. I expressed my gratitude towards them and instructed them to also prepare seven double beds for our guests.
I began to envision the transformation that awaited them once they were given the necessary resources and support.
With determination and a compassionate heart, I was ready to guide them towards their full potential and help them realize the greatness that I saw within each of them.
I could feel several pairs of eyes on me as I stood there, commanding attention from them but I shrugged it off like it was nothing.
“Okay, uhm, how about you all take a shower, dress up, and wait for your beds,” I said with a warm smile, trying to make them feel comfortable in this new environment.
They didn't budge, their expressions a mix of surprise and disbelief. Well, this was just the beginning for them. They were about to get pampered in ways they never imagined.
I caught Jimin's eye, and when he quickly averted his gaze, I raised an eyebrow in confusion.
“Jimin?” I called out softly, making him tense up before slowly meeting my eyes again.
I gave them a piece of advice, emphasizing the importance of holding their heads high and never showing submission to anyone. I wanted them to be confident, to never let anyone look down on them.
Taehyung was the first to stand up, a glimmer of determination in his eyes as he approached me, trying to break free from his ingrained habits.
It was progress, even if it was just a small step forward.
“Thank you mas-- H-Heaven, I promise that on behalf of me and my pack, we will try not to show submission and break through our conditioning,” Taehyung's voice was firm, filled with determination to change.
I couldn't help but smile at his dedication. It was going to be a journey for them to embrace their true nature, and I was ready to guide them every step of the way.
As their protector and their link to the Valentino family, I made it clear that they were safe under my watch. No harm would come to them, not now, not ever.
“I'm glad, but let's not forget the practical stuff. Could you guys shower and dress up, please?” I added, feeling a bit awkward at the prolonged exposure to naked bodies.
The scene was chaotic as they frantically tried to locate the bathroom.
Their confusion was evident as they scurried in different directions. I couldn't help but chuckle at their adorable bewilderment, finding amusement in their predicament.
Not wanting them to endure any more embarrassment, I took it upon myself to guide them to the bathroom, offering a sense of relief amidst the chaos.
As I directed them, I made sure to inform them about the specific toiletries I had prepared for their use.
Understanding the sensitivity of their skin to human products, I had purchased hybrid-friendly soap and body lotion, keeping their well-being in mind. New toothbrushes were also made available in the cupboards for their convenience.
To further put them at ease, I encouraged them to choose clothing from the bags I had set out, assuring them that they could change after they had showered.
However, it came as a surprise to me when I discovered that they had never used a shower before. My heart went out to them as I realized the foreignness of such a mundane activity for them.
It saddened me to think that they were unfamiliar with the concept of taking a shower, highlighting the stark differences between our species.
The fact that something as basic as personal hygiene could be a new and potentially overwhelming experience for them tugged at my heartstrings. It served as a poignant reminder of the privileges I often took for granted.
After demonstrating how to operate the shower, I left them on their own, granting them the privacy they deserved.
Retreating to the living room of the suite, as I waited for the beds.
As I sat in the living room, my thoughts lingered on the cultural and physical barriers that separated us, prompting a sense of empathy and compassion for their vulnerable state.
~One Hour Later~
T
he boys were now clean and dressed, they looked absolutely breathtaking.
I mean, if they were good-looking before, now they were on a whole other level of beauty, they could pass for models.
They were all rocking simple, casual outfits, but they somehow managed to make them look so stylish and chic. I couldn't help but admire how effortlessly cool they all looked.
"Okay, now that you guys are all clean and dressed, who's hungry?" I asked them, feeling excited about our little mealtime.
Hoseok timidly raised his hand without meeting my eyes. It was adorable how he was trying to be subtle about it.
"Yes, Hobi, what can I get for you?" I inquired, trying to make him feel more comfortable.
His reaction was priceless. His eyes widened, cheeks turning a cute shade of red as he stammered out his request.
"C-can I get w-what you're having, mas– Heaven?"
Gosh, he was just too precious.
"Aww, Hobi, sweetheart, you don't have to be so polite. Order whatever you want, and I'll make sure you get it. And if you want to have the same as me, that's totally fine too. Same goes for all of you, alright?" I reassured them with a warm smile.
Seeing them all nodding in agreement made my heart melt. They were just too adorable for words.
I wasted no time in calling Min-Soo for some food delivery, and just like that, he was at our doorstep in no time. Seriously, did this guy have superhuman speed or what?
"Hello, Min-Soo. My hybrids and I are hungry. Where's the restaurant?" I asked him, my voice coming out emotionless but eager, ready to fill our bellies.
"I'm sorry miss Valentino but the kitchen is closed and will only be open at seven in the morning" He said.
The restaurant is closed, which is beyond frustrating. I mean, who closes a restaurant at such a crazy time? Especially when they host late night events, which end at two in the morning.
Annoyed at the inconvenience, I dismissed Min-Soo with a sharp word and closed the door firmly behind him. Turning back to my hybrids, I noticed they were all staring at me in bewilderment.
What? Did I say something?
“Are you guys okay?” I asked, my tone unintentionally brusque.
But they all silently stared at me.
Weird.
Until it clicked.
"Oh, sorry, I hate insolence, it gets on my nerves," I remarked, deflecting the intensity of the situation with a casual shrug.
"Hello? Yes could you please bring in some food…" I talked to my guards as I took time to ask the boys what they want before hanging up.
In the faint light of the room, I couldn't help but notice the stark contrast between the boys' imposing muscular bodies and the visible outline of their ribs, a telltale sign of malnourishment.
It tugged at my heart, a reminder of the struggles they must have faced.
As I stepped further into the room, their gazes bore into me, making her feel incredibly small despite my own confidence.
It wasn't just their sheer size or height that intimidated me, it was the way they stood in a rigid, almost defensive formation, like a wall closing in around me.
The hybrids seemed to exude a certain unpredictability that kept me slightly on edge.
Feeling the tension in the room, I tried to break the silence,
"As we wait for our food, why don't we do something?"
Jin, the lion hybrid, approached me with measured steps, his presence commanding attention.
There was an unspoken intensity in his voice that gave me pause, a hint of something hidden beneath the surface.
"What should we do?" His voice was laced with an unidentifiable undertone that sent a shiver down my spine.
I found herself faltering, unsure of how to interpret the weight behind his words.
Locking eyes with Jin, I noticed the darkness that seemed to swirl within them, a silent mystery that left me unsettled.
I realized then that he had been unusually quiet since our encounter began, a fact that added to his enigmatic aura.
Just as the tension peaked, a disruptive cough cut through the thick atmosphere, jolting us back to reality.
In that fleeting moment, the veil of darkness that shrouded Jin's eyes lifted, revealing a hint of vulnerability beneath the facade of strength.
What was that? It seemed like he was trying to figure something out, I could feel it.
The raw and undeniable fear.
Was he testing me, by trying to intimidate me?
Confusion and curiosity warred within me as I tried to make sense of the sudden shift in dynamics.
"C-can you please scratch my e-ears" Jin's bashful request was just the tip of the iceberg in the dynamics among the hybrids.
The way he timidly approached me with that innocent look in his eyes, contrasting with the powerful aura he previously exuded, was quite a sight to behold.
As I gently ran my fingers through his hair and scratched his ears, the pure joy that washed over his face was undeniable.
The way he leaned into my touch, seeking more closeness, was endearing beyond words. It was a reminder of the simple pleasures in life that these hybrids had been deprived of for so long.
"Have you never been given pets?" I asked slightly amused.
He shakes his head no and that breaks my heart.
The fact that he and probably the rest of the boys had never experienced such a simple form of affection before was both heartwarming and heartbreaking.
It made me realize just how much they had missed out on in terms of basic care and love.
Observing the eagerness in the eyes of the other hybrids, I couldn't help but feel a sense of responsibility weighing on me.
I had spent countless hours studying about hybrids, their behaviors, needs, and desires.
Hybrids, as I had learned, were not just creatures to be feared or controlled. They were beings capable of deep emotions, forming bonds, and seeking out the warmth of touch and affection.
It was a side of them that many failed to see, overshadowed by their predatory instincts and fierce appearance.
So, when the other hybrids clamored around me, their eyes pleading for the same attention and care that Jin had received, I couldn't help but laugh at the sudden rush of demand for pets and cuddles.
It was a stark reminder of just how starved they were for these simple acts of kindness.
Without hesitation, I welcomed them into the circle, giving each of them the ear scratches and pets they had been longing for.
The way their eyes lit up, their bodies relaxing under my touch, was a testament to the power of affection and care.
In that moment, surrounded by these powerful yet vulnerable beings, I knew that I had found my purpose.
To be the one who would give them everything they had been denied, to show them that in a world filled with darkness, there was still light and warmth to be found in simple gestures of love and kindness.
I noticed only six of them came to me, their fluffy fur shimmering in the dim light of the room. They wagged their tails, eager for attention and pets.
I looked around and saw the seventh one standing alone in a corner, his eyes fixed on us but his body language distant, almost wary.
After I had finished giving the last hybrid his pets, I walked toward the seventh one cautiously.
"Hey, are you okay?" I asked, a hint of concern creeping into my voice as I approached him.
He seemed a bit shaken, but his expression remained neutral.
"Yes," he replied, his tone firm but not unkind.
I sensed something beneath the surface, a tension that made me worry for him even more. "Are you certain? You don't seem..." I trailed off as he suddenly cut me off, his voice sharp and accusing.
"I SAID I'M FINE! YOU DON'T NEED TO PRETEND THAT YOU CARE ABOUT ME OR ANY OF US!!" He exclaimed, his words cutting through the room and capturing the attention of the other hybrids.
His outburst caught me off guard, his voice starkly different from the gentle tones I had heard before. I felt a surge of confusion and a tinge of hurt. Why did he think I was pretending?
“What are you talking about?” I managed to ask, my voice barely above a whisper in the tense atmosphere.
His words came rushing out, filled with anger and pain.
"Oh, cut your bullshit, no human is nice. You all are just sick solipsistic, power-starved, sex-hungry beings that want to use hybrids to feel superior. I know all of this is solely a ploy for us to trust you, only to betray us in the end and inflict unimaginable suffering on us!"
Tears streamed down his face, his anguish palpable in the room. I stood there, struck by the intensity of his accusations and the depth of his despair. His words stung, painting a picture of humanity that I couldn't bear to see reflected in his eyes.
As the weight of his words settled around us, I realized the importance of listening, truly listening, to his pain and fears.
This wasn't just an outburst, it was a cry for understanding and empathy in a world that had shown him nothing but cruelty and distrust.
I took a step closer, a silent promise in my heart to prove him wrong and to show him that not all humans are the monsters he believed us to be.
The situation was heartbreaking, to say the least. It was evident that he wasn't just dealing with anger or frustration, no, he was battling deep-rooted pain, scars that ran far beneath the surface.
His anguish transcended mere emotions, it was a haunting blend of hurt, fear, and utter terror.
And who could blame him, or any of them for that matter?
After enduring such torment for an extended period, even the most joyful individual can find themselves in the shadowy depths of despair.
The quiet ones, those who bear their burdens in silence, are not exempt either, eventually, the weight becomes too much to bear.
It all boils down to a matter of endurance, of how much one can bear and for how long. For him, for all of them huddled in that dimly lit room, they had reached their breaking point.
The seams of their collective resilience were unraveling, frayed threads of composure coming undone in a tumultuous display of raw emotion.
As I cautiously approached him, offering a gesture of comfort, he recoiled, a pained scream tearing through the heavy air.
"NO, NO, NO, BACK AWAY FROM ME," his voice cracked with anguish, the words punctuated by gasps for air.
His desperate plea to keep his distance, to spare him from further distress, echoed off the walls in a wrenching crescendo of agony.
"DON'T TOUCH ME, PLEASE, I'M SO TIRED OF THIS!! PLEASE, DON'T DO IT, D-DON'T DO I-IT."
The desperation in his voice was palpable, a visceral reminder of the turmoil festering within his shattered psyche.
I could see the torment etched in every line of his face, the anguish that had driven him to this precipice of despair.
With a gut-wrenching cry, he twisted his fingers into a tight grip, his knuckles white with strain. His back pressed against the unforgiving wall, he sank to the floor, the weight of his suffering bowing him down to the ground.
A lump formed in my throat, a bitter taste of helplessness settling in the pit of my stomach as I bore witness to his unraveling.
The sight was almost too much to bear, a tableau of anguish that seared itself into my mind's eye.
He was a man besieged, haunted by ghosts that only he could see. What unspeakable horrors had he endured, what demons lurked in the darkest recesses of his mind?
My heart ached for him, a silent cry of empathy for a soul adrift in a sea of pain.
As he began to scratch at his skin, the telltale signs of a panic attack setting in, my heart clenched with a sense of impending dread.
The frantic energy that coursed through him, the feral need to escape his own skin, painted a stark portrait of a mind in turmoil.
In that moment, all I could do was bear witness, a silent sentinel in the face of a storm that threatened to consume us all. The air was thick with unspoken anguish, a heavy shroud of despair that cloaked us in its suffocating embrace.
As I took the risk and wrapped my arms around the hybrid, a wave of emotions and thoughts flooded my mind.
The danger of being so close to a hybrid such volatile tendencies lingered in the back of my head, but my concern for his well-being overshadowed any fear I felt.
The bond that seemed to have formed between us, seven males and myself, appeared almost predestined, as if our meeting was written in the stars.
To outsiders, my actions might seem irrational or even foolish, but deep within me, there was an unexplainable pull towards these individuals.
Their vulnerabilities and struggles tugged at my heartstrings, compelling me to protect and nurture them. The connection I felt with the hybrid in my embrace was undeniable, despite the risks involved.
As he held me tightly, I could sense his turmoil and pain. It was a moment of raw emotions, where words seemed inadequate.
Yet, I found myself making promises, vowing to shield them from any harm that may come their way. My voice quivered with determination as I declared my commitment to safeguard their autonomy and ensure they led a life free of suffering.
"It's okay, sweetie," I whispered, the weight of my promise heavy in the air.
"I swear on my life that no harm will befall you or any of the others. Your life, your choices – no one will infringe upon them. I will earn your trust and build a shield around you, protecting you from the darkness that once plagued your existence. Your future is bright, and I will not allow anyone, including myself, to cast a shadow over it."
In that moment, my resolve solidified, fueled by a mix of defiance and solemnity.
I knew the path ahead would be fraught with challenges, but my conviction to safeguard these individuals was unwavering.
With every beat of my heart, I vowed to be their protector, their guardian, standing firm against any threat that dared to approach them.
And as we stood there, locked in an embrace that transcended words, I knew that this was just the beginning of a journey filled with unwavering loyalty and unbreakable bonds.
The male's once tense demeanor visibly softened, though he still clung onto me tightly, burying his face into the crook of my neck. The desperation in his actions was palpable.
Glancing around, I realized that the others, who had been ominously silent until now, were all watching us intently. Despite their stoic expressions, the fear and weariness in their eyes betrayed their facade of indifference.
Turning my gaze back to the hybrid, I felt a shiver run down my spine as he held onto me with a fierce grip. His sudden intake of breath as he whispered in a low, guttural voice sent a chill down my spine.
"Noona"
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Words: 4k!
Hey, lovely readers!
I hope you're all doing well and enjoying the story so far. I'm eager to hear your thoughts on this latest chapter.
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Sending love and inspiration your way,
Author-nim.