Chapter Text
Suga looks at Mark and gestures with his head that he needs to talk to him in private.
“Jaebum--” Mark starts as he turns to tell the dragon but the alpha isn’t having it.
“No, I won’t allow it,” The male cuts him off as he grips his arm tightly.
Mark winces at the strength, the others not liking it as they’re already moving closer.
“You’re hurting him,” Jackson growls out as Jinyoung’s eyes become lethal,
“Let him go now,” He demands while the others are surrounding him.
But Mark holds up his free hand, “It’s alright guys,” Mark reassures as he knows the dragon isn’t trying to purposely hurt him.
He’s lost and scared and doesn’t feel in control of his surroundings and those in it.
“I’ll be fine, Jaebum,” Mark reassures the alpha as he focuses his attention back onto him, “I’ll still be within the base, I promise.”
But Jaebum is looking past Mark and towards Suga, “I don’t trust him.”
“I do,” Mark says as he’s not backing down and redirects the dragon’s attention back onto him, “You may not remember it but he’s helped to save you many times. Just like this pack that’s been by your side for years.”
The dragon hasn’t moved an inch since sensing the others surrounding him. His eyes taking each and every one of them in as they’re watching him like a hawk; leader or not. Making it very clear that Mark is the heart of the pack and that they will go against their leader if need be.
Whatever he’s thinking, they don’t know but it seems he’s gonna step down as he lets go of Mark’s arm after a moment.
“I see,” Is all he says as if he’s realizing he can’t approach this way.
For in doing so will only upset Mark further as the omega cares a lot about the people around him.
It seems he might’ve miscalculated some things and not done enough research before making the switch…
“Come back to me,” The dragon insists when Mark is done.
Mark gives a soft smile as he leans forth and presses a kiss to the alpha’s cheek, “I always do.”
The alpha perks up at the small gesture of affection as he not only feels warmth from it, but a nice tingly sensation. He’s not sure if it’s from him feeding off the light or Mark has magical powers but it makes him crave more.
“Another,” The alpha demands and this has Mark smiling wider.
“That’s the alpha that I know,” Mark lets out sweetly as he places another kiss to the male’s cheek.
The dragon lets out a pleased rumble as he feels Mark’s light run through his whole body pleasantly.
It doesn’t last long though for Suga is already interrupting once more,
“I’m afraid I don’t have much time.”
Mark pulls back and looks to Suga as the dragon instantly glares once more with the eyes of a killer.
Ah, it seems this will be a running theme.
Mark moves to Suga’s side and the alpha resists the urge to reach out to pull the omega closer. Fighting with himself to not act like everyone was in danger and to will his urges to protect down so he isn’t detected.
“All of you behave, ok?” Mark asks sweetly even though his eyes are fierce as he’s serious about them all getting along.
The dragon and the group all exchange glances but for Mark they could be civil for the time being.
“Will do!” Youngjae exclaims with his sunshine smile as he crosses his fingers behind his back.
Hearing this makes the omega happy and with that, he leaves the dorm and heads out into the hallway with Suga. And boy are the others already feeling like they’re walking on eggshells. None making a move as they watch what the dragon will do before finding the alpha is heading back to plop down next to Levi’s sleeping form.
Well at least his protective instincts haven’t gone away…
This was proving harder than Suga thought as they continued down the hallway. With each step further away from the dragon, the alpha wants to tell Mark straight away. But would Mark believe him? Or would the spell or whatever this dragon has on him block him? It might even alert the dragon as well…
Shit
Suga looks away from Mark and faces forward as they walk.
“Is everything alright?” Mark asks as he notices Suga kept looking his way as if he wanted to say something.
Suga can’t help but let out a small huff at that one.
“I think you and I both know that it’s far from ok,” He admits and Mark’s body lets go of all the tension.
Mark has always been able to be vulnerable around Suga and over the years, their connection has become one of the strongest.
“It feels like I’ve gone back into the past again.”
Mark’s expression shows sadness as he’s been at a loss on what to do. For even when Jaebum lost his memories, he was still so into him with that never breaking connection between them. Not even if you went further in time to where they had to part and Mark held such secrets. Jaebum never once stopped loving him. Searching for him, holding on. Pushing himself past limits to be with him again.
And though this is his Jaebum, it feels like he’s looking at a complete stranger.
Suga remains quiet as they walk, his hand moving to go into his pocket as he twirls one of his knives.
Mark takes a moment to look up at the ceiling as they continue going in the direction the alpha was leading him towards,
“It just…something feels off, Suga.”
Suga suddenly stops as he wonders if Mark can sense it in a way. Like maybe his heart and mind are fighting one another subconsciously.
“What do you mean?” Suga gently urges as he needs more clues to know how far he can proceed.
Mark seems to be thinking about it before shaking his head and letting out another deep breath.
“I don’t know…I think it’s due to the dream I had of Jaebum,” Mark says as he turns to look at the alpha, “It’s probably just me wishing for things to be as they were so my mind is coming up with scenarios.”
The words settle and Suga feels hope starting to bloom.
Why didn’t he think of that?! The dreams! Duh! Those two connected before through dreams even when their bond and Jaebum’s bite was being messed with.
Suga reaches out and takes Mark by surprise as he grabs the omega’s hand and starts to make a run for it.
Uh?
“Suga? What is it?” Mark is now growing quite concerned as Suga looks like a man on a mission.
“We must hurry! I need to show you something!”
And by something, Suga means a nice herb that’ll help Mark fall asleep so he can hopefully run into Jaebum again…
“I knew that person wasn’t my son!” Vivian is hot and heated.
Jaebum is holding her back as she wants nothing more than to go and end that dragon where he stands right now.
Vector beams away in love as his mate hasn’t changed one bit and is still as feisty as ever.
Ah, the good ole days.
“But father can’t leave this place,” Lilly says as Kyo nods.
“And we don’t know how it’ll affect the switch if we try and kill the dragon before getting Dad out of the Underworld.”
Vivian stills as Jade clicks her tongue.
“They’re absolutely right, Vivian. It could trap Jaebum done here for good and even bring harm to Mark if we don’t go about this cautiously.”
Shannon flips her hair back over her shoulder before placing a hand on her hip, “I say we bring the dragon back to the Underworld and let the two hash it out.”
Sheena grows excited, “Ooo! I like the sound of that too!”
“But Jaebum can’t feed off of Mark’s light right now so what if the other dragon can? He could win if he uses Mark’s light,” Rain brings up casually.
Sheena and Shannon both deflate at that one.
“Well I’m not leaving my son down here!” Vivian exclaims as she refuses to lose another loved one to the darkness.
Jaebum gently squeezes his mother’s shoulder as he wears a grateful expression,
“Guys, I really appreciate it but I’m afraid it’s not gonna be that easy. It doesn’t mean we can’t do the impossible again. The best bet is for me to regain my connection with Mark back and go from there.”
“So we need to have Mom sleep constantly,” Kyo insists as he slams his fist down into the palm of his hand.
“We can’t just have Mom sleep twenty four seven, it would be too suspicious!” Lilly frowns.
“I hate to say it…” Jade starts and Shannon is already groaning as she knows where this was going, “But we might have to take this slow until we can get more people on our side without the dragon’s knowledge.”
Rain tilts his head to the side, “You mean, get the pack one by one?”
Jade nods and Sheena grabs at her hair, “But how are we gonna do that?! Don’t we need Mark?”
“Not necessarily. Yes, it would speed up the process much faster but Jaebum has done just as much for this pack as Mark has,” Jade explains.
Jaebum perks up at this as the others get it and Vivian smiles before patting her son’s hand,
“You’ve come a long way son. All the trials and hardships, you helped form your pack and brought them all together again and again through all the ups and downs. Forming and solidifying your bond with each and every one of them. Both through your panther and your dragon.”
“But unlike before where the pack showed your dragon they were worthy to be of the pack, it’s your turn for your dragon to show them and lead them back on the right path,” Shannon adds as she gets it.
Oh…OH! That means he needs to try and reach them starting now. And the first one that his dragon had been the closest to since the beginning…
“Jinyoung…” Jaebum breathes out and the others nod.
Jade throws in her signature smirk, “I’m sure I can have my son over at the library and you can work your magic there.”
“We should get started right away!” Lilly encourages and the others agree.
“Alright, that’s settled then---” Vivian starts before Jaebum suddenly perks up, his head whipping in a certain direction as if he senses something. “Son?” She calls out before finding the alpha growing super excited.
“My mate!”
It’s all he says before his darkness spreads and down he goes as he passes out.
“Wow!” Sheena exclaims as Rain catches the alpha from hitting the ground.
They’re all worried for a second before they find the alpha hasn't passed out, he was snoring.
“Is this bitch sleeping?!” Shannon exclaims.
Though the others don’t know yet, it’s for a good reason as Markiepooh has fallen asleep and he can’t waste precious time.
He needs to see him again…