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They stand just at the edge of the village, desolate looks on their faces as the last embers die out into smoke.
“We’re too late,” one of them sighs.
“Search for bodies,” he orders. “The least we can do is give them a proper burial.”
“I’ll trace for the attackers,” another offers. “If we can figure out where they’re headed next, maybe we can stop another incident like this.”
They disperse at the curt nod of their leader, turning over debris for any trace of life and death. They find the elders trapped in the central hut, children tossed to the stake, warriors mangled beyond recognition. It was a gruesome sight, and they mourn for each and every senseless loss.
“Over here!”
He stiffens at Seungcheol's call. Having grown up with the other, he’s aware of every emotion that laces his friend’s tone. He takes a cursory glance at the rest of his group, aware of the tension that rose at his voice. “Keep searching. Once you’ve swept every inch of this village, build a funeral pyre,” he states. “Jeonghan! You’re coming with us.”
They meet Seungcheol at the mouth of the forest, brows knitting together as he sniffs at the air. “This path leads to the river,” he says, motioning his head to one direction.
“So they’re long gone,” Jeonghan assumes. “The fire was already dying when we got here. They got a huge head start and probably crossed that river hours ago.”
“Maybe,” the other replies, turning a worried glance towards Junhui. “There are two different scents. One is distinctly foreign, the other is what makes this village.”
“Hostages aren’t their thing,” he states. “They’re glorified looters with instructions to kill anything that moves.”
Seungcheol and Jeonghan solemnly nod their heads in agreement. “Then we search for more people, and hope that we can give them their peace.”
They inform the rest of the group before setting out, Junhui taking point with the other two at his flanks. With the rise in attacks and hunters always lurking, it doesn’t hurt to take extra precaution.
It wasn’t long before they come across a blood trail, the end of it stopping right at the river, and a prone form left for dead.
Junhui approaches, fingers reaching out for the man’s neck. He stops as he hears a faint growl. “He’s alive,” he exclaims. “Call for the others!”
“No,” comes a weak protest.
“Sir, we can help,” Junhui reasons. “We have a doctor among our ranks.”
“This is where it ends for me,” the other says in between ragged breaths. “But get your doctor, and take them somewhere safe.”
“Them?” Seungcheol echoes.
“A grotto behind the waterfall. Find my family. Keep–”
The man doesn’t finish, the words hanging as he took his final breath.
“Jeonghan.”
Junhui only needs to say his name before the other lifts the stranger unto his shoulders. “I’ll take him to the others,” he says. “I hope you come back with good news.”
Together with Seungcheol, they went in search of the dead man’s grotto, listening to the sound of gushing water as their lead. The waterfall was a ten-minute sprint from where they had found the man, both noting that only the fallen villagers’ scents were in the air. There may be a chance yet, Junhui thinks, silently promising to take care of any survivors as a small consolation for being too late to save the village.
“Let me go in first,” Seungcheol suggests. “If there are survivors, they may go into a frenzy once they get a whiff of you.”
Junhui agrees and stays behind, watching as his friend disappears behind the curtain of water. He waits with baited breath, ears struggling to pick up any sound that would indicate what was hidden within the grotto. He hears yips, soon followed by Seungcheol's relieved laughter. He calls for his friend and waits for the all clear, making his way past the waters as soon as it’s given.
“It’s okay,” Seungcheol says at the pups comfortingly. “He’s my friend. He won’t hurt you.”
Junhui glances at the moving bodies around the other, counting seven children of varying age. His eyes flit around before noticing a small huddle of three at the back of the cave, two men fussing over the third. “Is he alright?”
“He’s been hit badly,” one replies. “The healing has already begun, so he should be safe. It’s just up to his body to catch up now.”
“And the two of you?”
“We’re okay,” says the other, one hand stroking at the unconscious man’s hair. “He saved us.”
“And does he have a name?”
“Wonwoo,” they echo. “He was our alpha’s son.”
It was nearing midnight when they reach camp, ten survivors in tow. Though they were unable to stop the looter pack from decimating another, having found a few wolves alive and well was a bigger success than their other rescue attempts.
Seungcheol groans as he sits on the ground, gingerly laying down one pup after the other. The rest of their pack chuckles, remembering how the beta suddenly found himself playing pied piper to their young refugees. Jeonghan had joked it was because they all recognized how the taller male was just an overgrown child, Seungcheol pouting at the slight.
“One problem, Junhui,” the doctor, another beta, says as the laughter dies down. “We aren’t prepared to take on new additions. We don’t have any vacant huts. And with our two unmated omegas going into heat soon, we barely have enough time to build and get everyone settled.”
Junhui nods his head at Jeonghan, silently asking for help regarding the man astride his back. He shifts as the weight is lifted, eyeing the many sleeping bodies and weary wolves waiting for his decision. “We’ll have to double up for now,” he sighs. “Alphas and betas can share spaces. I don’t want any unnecessary rituals during trying times, so omegas only with other omegas. The children can stay together if they remain shifted, or perhaps split them between two or three people for caretaking.”
He watches as two of their rescues share a wary glance, quietly moving closer to each other. Junhui can easily see the bond between them, a newly mated alpha and omega. Jihoon and Soonyoung. He doesn’t hesitate in offering his hut.
“Thank you for your kindness,” Jihoon starts, “but we don’t want to impose more than we already have.”
Junhui waves him off, saying how they deserve to sleep comfortably after everything that has happened. Although Jihoon relents, he still sees slight hesitation in Soonyoung, the omega eyeing the prone form at Junhui's feet. He catches the other’s eyes, offering a small smile and asking if there was anything wrong.
“Wonwoo,” Soonyoung whispers, glancing around at the pack grounds and noting how everyone else has decided on sleeping arrangements. “Where will he stay?”
“He’ll be with Minghao,” Junhui replies. “They will stay in the medicine hut so rest assured that your friend will be fine. He’s the best doctor within a 3,000-mile radius.”
“He’s also a beta,” Jihoon states. “Wonwoo is an omega.”
“Well that complicates things,” Jeonghan murmurs. “He can’t stay with Seungkwan and Seokmin, what, with their heats about to start. They might bring upon his and we’ll be in bigger trouble.”
“I’ll take a dampener,” Minghao offers. “I do need to keep him under observation. I assume you’ll be on lookout duty anyway,” he says to Junhui before turning to Jihoon and Soonyoung. “He will keep me in line.”
“And in case you’re worried about what Junhui will do,” Seungcheol interjects tiredly, hoisting all the pups in his arms and turning towards his hut. “He managed to carry your omega back here with no fuss. He’s a man of honor. Wonwoo will be fine.”
With that, they retreat to their huts. Jeonghan offers to be on night duty as well, taking two young betas named Jisoo and Mingyu to run the perimeter of their territory. Junhui carefully picks Wonwoo back up, following Minghao inside the medicinal hut. He lays the sleeping wolf on one cot as the doctor takes the dampener as he had promised just moments ago.
“When do you think he’ll wake up?”
“I can’t be sure,” Minghao replies. “The healing process had started before we got to him. I don’t have a way of telling how serious his injuries were prior to that. All Soonyoung said was it was pretty bad, and we don’t know him well enough to know what his judgment of bad is.”
Several beats pass, both men just looking at their sleeping companion, trying to make sense of what to do.
“Curious,” the doctor mutters. “Didn’t they say this one saved them?”
Junhui only raises a brow in question.
“Jihoon is an alpha,” Minghao states, slight awe in his tone. “Yet the omega–”
The doctor trails off and Junhui decides to share the last bit of information he has. “They said he was the pack alpha’s son. The one that Jeonghan brought to the pyre.”
“Oh,” Minghao says sadly. “Do you think he’ll be okay once he wakes up?”
“No,” Junhui answers with somber certainty. “But we will help him, and the rest of his pack, get better.”
Days pass but Wonwoo remains asleep. The medicine hut sees an influx of visitors. Soonyoung fusses around the unconscious omega while Jihoon tries to go further into detail about the fight in the hopes of Minghao figuring out how to help. It’s when the pups come tumbling in, pitiful whines leaving their lips as they stare up at the cot that has everyone’s hearts breaking.
“Wonwoo is like a pack mother,” Soonyoung muses, a sad smile on his face. “His mama always joked that he pretty much forced her into early retirement because he did such a fantastic job at taking care of everyone.”
“He will be fine,” Junhui reassures. “His body is just taking time to recuperate. I’d be more worried if he wakes up too early and ends up feverish.”
“The alpha's right,” Minghao agrees. “If he was to wake before a complete healing process, any lingering injuries may put his life in greater danger. Sleep is his best medicine.”
The pack members take turns watching over Wonwoo, but most of the responsibility still fell on the doctor and the mated pair. Junhui occasionally comes in to check on any progress. If anyone notices how the alpha’s gaze lingers on the sleeping omega, no one says a thing.
The pattern breaks when Seungkwan and Seokmin go into their heats. As unmated omegas, they were to spend their days away from the pack to prevent unwanted claims or influencing others to present their heats. Minghao has the task of making sure the two have food and water. Soonyoung even offers to see to them personally. The rest of the pack splits the responsibility of running perimeter for two areas, the main village and the omega huts. Junhui maintains guard over the center, the strongest alpha ensuring no harm comes to the ones who remain.
The alpha basks in the calmness, hoping that it was one that would last. Leaders from ally packs had informed him about the rogue looters in farther territories, ones with wolves far more prepared to fend off an attack. He breathes a quiet prayer into the wind, hoping that someone doles out the justice they deserve.
A soft whine pulls Junhui from his reverie, quickly spotting a pup pawing at the door of the medicine hut. He smiles to himself as he approaches, picking up the little one with ease. The pup yips and laps at his face. “Hi Chan. I know, I know,” he chuckles. “You want to see him. Just wait a second.”
After a week of no changes, Junhui expects the silence of the medicine hut to greet him. What he isn’t ready for is the scent of fear tinging the air. His gaze moves to the cot, mouth agape in surprise at seeing another pair of eyes looking back.
“Don’t come closer,” Wonwoo gasps, voice breaking from misuse. The omega presses his back against the wall, hands clutching at the sheets, entire stance on the defense.
Junhui tries to school his expression to a comforting one, lacing his tone in warmth as he tries to convince the other that he means no harm. He stiffens as he sees the other’s body shake, anxious that the omega wolf will break through. It’s more about his worries over Wonwoo overexerting himself rather than his fear of a fight.
It’s the pup in his arms that diffuses the tension, excited yips calling for the omega’s attention. Wonwoo looks on in shock as the little one struggles in the alpha’s hold, playfully biting at fingers in an attempt to be put on the ground. Junhui relents and watches as the pup races to the cot, jumping for Wonwoo to pick him up.
The omega quickly scoops Chan into his arms, nuzzling into his small form. His brows furrow in confusion as he picks up both familiar and unfamiliar scents, turning to the silent alpha still crouching by the entry way.
Junhui sees the question in his eyes and answers as softly as he could. “They are fine,” he starts. “The ones with you in the grotto, that is. Soonyoung is helping take care of two omegas in heat. Jihoon is learning the layout of this territory. Hansol and the other pups are napping, as Chan should be.”
Wonwoo's expression has gone from fearful to disbelieving to relieved within the short minute it took to hear about his pack. He doesn’t ask about the rest of his village, already knowing the answer. “Why are we here?”
“Refuge,” the alpha says simply. “If you choose it. I will not make any of you stay if you don’t want to. However, I did make a vow to the heavens that I would take care of a pack leader’s family.”
Tears pool in the omega’s eyes as realization of what the other was saying dawns on him. He looks at Junhui straight on. “Did you give them their honor?”
“We built them a pyre,” the alpha replies. “We made sure to give them the respect they deserved.”
Wonwoo hugs the pup closer to his chest, holding one of few connections he had to his slain pack. “Thank you,” he says tearfully, sobs racking his body. “Thank you.”
Soonyoung and Jihoon rush to Wonwoo's side as soon as news reaches them. Seungcheol herding the pups in the same direction as soon as they all wake. The beta explains that familiarity may help the omega cope better in his surroundings. Junhui nods in agreement, eyeing the mass of bodies surrounding Wonwoo before heading outside.
“Do we have the supplies to build the new huts?” he immediately asks as soon as they exit.
He listens as Seungcheol gives him the full inventory, including some concern regarding not having enough manpower considering the indisposed state of some pack mates. “We may need to wait until Seungkwan and Seokmin break their heats. Otherwise, we run the risk of spreading everyone thinly.”
Junhui accepts the suggestion. Cramming themselves into small living spaces or sleeping shifted under the moon was a small sacrifice to make. They proceed to make lists of things they need to keep the pack running. Housing materials, food, shift assignments – several adjustments had to be done.
The conversation comes to a stop as Jihoon approaches. The look on his face tells Junhui what he means to say without voicing it out, the alpha waving him off dismissively. “You’ve thanked me many times already, Jihoon.”
“I know,” the smaller alpha says sheepishly. “But it bears repeating now that Wonwoo is awake.”
Seungcheol grunts. “That’s another thing though,” he starts. “Where will he sleep?”
Junhui realizes what the other meant. The omega was sure to want to surround himself with the things he knows, but the medicine hut was far too small to house more than two people. Not to mention, Minghao actually needed the space should any member of the pack fall ill.
He eyes Jihoon, silently asking the other what he thought.
“Soonyoung and I have already overstayed in your hut, alpha,” the other says. “We’re sure you want your quarters back.”
“My hut is the biggest one here,” Junhui points out. “I’m sure Soonyoung will want to stick by Wonwoo to help him adjust, and you will not leave your omega’s side. The pups are sure to want to be around as well.”
Jihoon reluctantly agrees, once again saying his thanks for the pack leader’s consideration.
They spend the rest of the day helping Wonwoo catch up, explaining what happened after the senseless attack, taking him around the territory, and introducing him to his new pack. It’s a thought that he struggles to accept, but does so regardless, resolving himself to the reality.
“They are a good pack,” Soonyoung reassures him. “We’ll be okay.”
Wonwoo quickly learns that his old friend speaks nothing but the truth. Though he finds it annoying that they refuse his help in completing pack tasks, arguing about his recovery, he appreciates the concern. Another pack would have put him to work immediately. The omega also ends up smiling when he sees seven pups following a burly beta as if he was a mother hen.
But those moments all happen when there are things to distract him. At night, when he lies awake, it’s a different story. When he’s alone with his thoughts, he thinks about the fate of his pack. He thinks of how his village had suffered, how he’s lost so many of the people he loved, how he never got to say goodbye. He cries himself to sleep at night, but even in slumber, he’s restless. The horrific memories of the attack sends him into nightmares, only breaking free when Soonyoung or Jihoon shake him awake.
The mated pair slips into the huge bed, the alpha and omega on either side, surrounding him just as parents will for a young pup. Wonwoo feels embarrassed but thankful all the same. He burrows against Soonyoung's chest, his nose filling with sandalwood and earth, the warm scents lulling him back to sleep.
The days go on as such, Wonwoo mechanically moving along lest people keep asking him if he was alright. He wasn’t, and he appreciates that they don’t pry but still comforts him when needed. Soonyoung helps him dress on days he finds himself in a stupor, senses becoming more alert as he sniffs the now familiar scent on the shirt.
Soonyoung chuckles slightly as Wonwoo tugs the collar up to take another whiff. “I figured you’d like it,” his friend says. “You sleep better when that scent is around so I borrowed a few for you. Maybe it’ll help get you through the rest of the day, huh?”
Wonwoo offers a small smile in thanks before both omegas step out of the hut to face the day.
They soon learn that new homes are ready for occupancy. The pack has built several across the territory, giving everyone the option to bunk with a friend or have more privacy.
Wonwoo claims one for his own, worrying Jihoon and Soonyoung over the choice. He argues that he can’t very well encroach on their space, especially since they were mates. “And it’s not like I’ll be far away. You can take the hut closest to mine. I’ll be fine.”
If Wonwoo finds Junhui staring curiously at him, he doesn’t say a thing.
Wonwoo finds himself lying awake, unable to fall asleep for one reason or the other, just like the previous nights. He sighs dejectedly, knowing that Soonyoung will poke and prod at his sallow face come morning. Giving up the pretense of slumber, the omega decides to step out of his hut, thinking that a midnight walk may help tire him out.
He gasps in surprise when he finds Junhui near his quarters, alerting the alpha of his presence. “I’m sorry,” Wonwoo says. “Were you on patrol?”
The pack leader nods in affirmation before looking up at the dark sky. “It’s late,” he states. “Why aren’t you sleeping?”
Wonwoo shrugs, not bothering to say why. They both know there’s a tangible explanation to his restlessness, but the omega appreciates how Junhui doesn’t push. Instead, the alpha invites him to the bonfire, asking if he’d like to keep him company on night watch.
They sit side by side in a comfortable silence, sipping on mugs of hot chocolate that Seungkwan had prepared prior to retreating to his hut. Wonwoo pulls his legs up to his chest, arms around them, and curling into a ball. He rests his head on top of his knees and breathes deeply, his exhale coming out as a deep sigh.
“What’s wrong?” Junhui asks.
“The scent’s gone,” Wonwoo replies. “That’s why I can’t sleep.”
The alpha quirks his head in question.
“It’s silly, really,” the omega starts. “I keep smelling sandalwood and earth. It calms me so I can fall asleep. But the shirts Soonyoung gave me only carry my scent now.”
“Why those scents?”
“They smell like my father,” Wonwoo says ruefully. “I remember the first run he took me on. It had rained the previous night and the forest floor was all soft mud and puddles. Mama was so mad because do you know how difficult it is to keep a white coat?” he continues with a light chuckle. “I told her I didn’t want to take a bath because I wanted to smell like papa. I cried the entire time she was scrubbing at me, and then some. Papa held me to sleep that night, telling me I’ll smell like him come morning if I spend it quietly in his arms.”
Wonwoo's breath hitches as he feels a touch against his cheeks, fingers tracing wet tracks, making him realize he was crying. He hastily runs his palms across his face, apologizing for breaking down.
“Don’t say sorry,” Junhui says. “You’re allowed to be sad. I’d worry more if you weren’t. You miss them and that’s okay.”
The omega hiccups, trying to keep his tears at bay.
“Let it out,” the alpha says. “You hadn’t given yourself the proper time to grieve. You were unconscious and suddenly found yourself in a new place with unfamiliar people, everything you know and love left behind. I know you feel like you’ve been a burden to your friends, but you still worked hard to accept this pack for their sake.”
“I really should be thanking you for taking us in.”
“I gave you the choice to stay or leave,” Junhui says in dismissal. “If you opted to go, your pack will follow you. I loathe to think about dealing with Seungcheol saying goodbye to those pups or Seokmin parting with his self-proclaimed other half in Soonyoung. So thank you for deciding to stay.”
A soft laugh bubbles from Wonwoo's chest when the pack leader mentions the beta and omega who had made the transition easier for everyone involved.
“If you need anything at all,” Junhui starts, turning a serious gaze onto the omega. “Just know that there are many people here who are more than willing to help you.”
If Wonwoo shivers under the intensity of the alpha’s eyes, Junhui doesn’t say a thing.
They spend the rest of the night talking, both sharing stories of how they grew up. Wonwoo laughs at all the antics Junhui and Seungcheol pulled as teenagers. And Junhui holds Wonwoo's hand as he speaks of his old home. The omega finally falls asleep after crying many tears, his last conscious thought was the scent of sandalwood and earth surrounding him.
Wonwoo wakes in his hut, no recollection of how he got there. He thinks back to the previous night and flushes, assuming that the alpha had brought him home. He reminds himself to thank Junhui for his consideration later.
He makes his way to the dresser for a change of clothes, stopping short at the pile of shirts he knew weren’t there the night before. He guesses he needs to thank Soonyoung as well for borrowing more clothes for him. He should probably ask about getting clothes for himself. As much as he loved the scent on the shirts, he prefers wearing clothes that actually fit and not hang down to his thighs.
If several pack members eye his clothing as he walks around camp, he pays them no attention.
He comes across Seungcheol and Minghao by the medicine hut, the two betas discussing a need to go into town for supplies. Wonwoo asks if he can accompany them, saying he will need to know anyway should the task fall on him at some point.
The omega shuffles awkwardly as the two eye him from head to toe.
“Do you know what you’re wearing?” Seungcheol asks, a tinge of amusement in his tone.
Wonwoo furrows his brows in confusion, wondering what was wrong. Minghao only shakes his head, a soft smile tugging at his lips to tell him it was nothing. “It’s just a little too big for you,” he reasons.
The doctor agrees to take Wonwoo with him on the errands, leaving Seungcheol to hunt his friend down. The beta finds his target speaking with Soonyoung and Jihoon.
“Are you scent marking him?”
The three wolves turn to him in surprise, both his appearance and the question catching everyone off guard.
Junhui sighs, knowing exactly what his friend was worried about. “No, I’m not,” he answers.
“But he’s been wearing your clothes for the past few weeks now,” Seungcheol muses, expression confused.
“That’s my fault,” Soonyoung interjects. “Junhui's scent is very similar to that of Wonwoo's dad. Making him wear the pack alpha's shirts was the only thing that got him to relax long enough to sleep.”
“Are you sure?” the beta asks, still unconvinced.
“I thought you were the number one proponent of your alpha being a man of honor," Jihoon teases.
“He is! But,” Seungcheol stammers. “Honestly, considering how cozy they were sleeping against each other at the campfire and how Wonwoo looks adorable in Junhui's over-sized shirts... not to mention, you really do need a mate, you know?”
“Seungcheol, please,” Junhui groans. “The three of us are just trying to help him cope.”
“So you care for him,” the beta fires back with a grin.
“I’m his alpha,” the leader reasons.
“Do you mean his alpha leader or his alpha alpha?”
If either of the two friends notice the meaningful glance between Soonyoung and Jihoon, neither of them say a thing.
It takes hours for Seungcheol to shut up, only dropping the topic when Minghao and Wonwoo return from the nearby town. Junhui is thankful for that, though he doesn’t hesitate to get back at his best friend’s jabs by making him run patrol on the outskirts of their territory that night. The beta only takes it as a chance to prove that he was right.
Junhui takes his time walking around the camp, bidding goodnight to anyone he passes before getting his own rest. It’s when he passes Wonwoo's hut that he hears whimpering. Worried, he knocks on the door, asking the other for entry. No answer comes but a desperate cry makes him throw caution to the wind.
He finds the omega thrashing in bed, blindly throwing his fists in the air as if he was defending himself from an enemy. It’s then that Junhui realizes the other was having a nightmare.
He calms his nerves, not wanting the other to feel threatened once he wakes, before approaching the bed. He calls out for the omega’s name, each one getting louder as Wonwoo refuses to wake. Junhui gently grabs at the other’s shoulders and leans in, trapping his flailing arms between their chests. “Wake up.”
Wonwoo comes to his senses with the scents of sandalwood and earth surrounding him. His eyes widen when they focus on Junhui, though he doesn’t push the other away.
“You were dreaming,” the alpha explains, loosening his hold.
“More like a nightmare,” the omega mumbles, trembling at the loss of warmth. “It’s bad enough that I experienced it, now I have to live through it over and over again.”
It doesn’t take a genius to figure out what haunts Wonwoo in his sleep. Junhui sighs, not knowing what to do. All he can offer is a shoulder for the other to lean on, telling him he’s not alone. It’s then that the omega cries, palms covering his face. It was a heartbreaking sight, making the alpha feel helpless.
Junhui draws Wonwoo into a hug, runs fingers through his hair, whispers words of comfort. The omega collapses into his chest, arms falling from his face to wrap around the alpha, sobs wracking his entire body. The pack leader tightens his hold, promising that no harm will come to the other while he’s around.
“Can you stay?” Wonwoo asks several minutes later. “I just–”
“It’s okay,” Junhui interrupts, needing no explanation for the request. “I’ll stay as long as you need me to.”
If they experience the most peaceful sleep of their lives that night, neither of them say a thing the next morning.
The sleeping arrangement happens many times after. More often than not in Wonwoo's quarters, sometimes by the bonfire. There were a few days in Junhui's hut once Soonyoung's heat started and the omega was just too loud for them to sleep through.
If the rest of the pack begins to share knowing smiles, no one says a thing.
That is, until Minghao sees to the pack leader.
“You know I’ve learned to take everything Seungcheol says with a grain of salt,” the doctor starts, “but this one is just too real to pass up.”
Junhui turns a curious glance his way, silently asking what the beta was talking about.
“You are scent marking Wonwoo.” The alpha makes a move to deny it, but Minghao quickly shuts him up with a dab of disinfectant along a deep cut. “You have. There’s no sense in trying to convince anyone you haven’t.”
“It’s probably just my shirt you’re smelling,” comes Junhui's lame argument.
“Alpha, please,” Minghao scoffs. “I’m a doctor.”
“What does that have to do with anything?”
“Scents don’t linger that long on anything in particular. Yes, it may stick to your clothes, but they fade eventually, especially if he wears them often enough. Gradually, the smell that stays becomes his. And if you haven’t noticed, Wonwoo's already bought clothes of his own. There’s no reason for your scent to be on him other than you scent marking him.”
The alpha remains silent, the beta recognizing his friend’s brooding.
“If you’re wondering whether or not you’re doing something wrong,” Minghao starts, “there’s another thing about scent marking that you need to know.”
The tone the doctor uses piques Junhui's interest, wondering what he’s missing in his friend’s knowing smile.
“Scent marks can deter any other wolf who may want to stake a claim, but it can only stay for a short period of time. A scent marking will only linger when the omega accepts the claim.”
The alpha’s eyes widen, face filling with hope.
“Wonwoo has smelled like you for weeks now,” Minghao continues. “Your scent is on his skin even when you’ve been away for days helping another pack’s forces.”
Still, Junhui remains silent.
“He’s been worried sick about you, you know? I imagine he’s pacing somewhere after hearing you’re in this hut.”
“It’s late,” Junhui says blankly. “He should be asleep by now.”
“When does he sleep when you’re not around?” the beta scoffs. “If you're worried that it's because he's only entertaining your dumb advances because of the similarity with his father, stop. We're attracted to scents for more reasons than familiarity. Yours bring a warmth and calmness that he needs," Minghao explains. "And for your information, you smell like peach and orange. I wonder who smells like that.”
The alpha leaves the medicine hut as soon as Minghao finishes wrapping his wounds, rolling his neck tiredly to get out the kinks. He fully intended to go straight to his quarters, hoping to clear his head, only to find himself on the path to Wonwoo's.
He gently knocks on the door, not really expecting an answer considering the hour. But it didn't take long for Wonwoo to open the door, the omega looking soft even in his sleepy state.
Wonwoo rubs at his eyes, taking a deep breath to ask whoever was at his door what they needed. Except he smells sandalwood and earth, and suddenly he’s awake again.
The alpha and omega take the moment to drink in the sight of each other. If happiness shows on their faces at being together again, neither of them says a thing.
“Welcome home,” Wonwoo whispers.
And if Junhui kisses him with all the love he can give, then it’s something they can talk about for the rest of their lives.