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It all happened too quickly. In fact, Bang Chan only realized what was happening after it had already begun. Changbin was on the floor, his face dripping with sweat from the choreography and tears from the abrupt heat that had suddenly knocked him down.
Chan was certain that Changbin’s heat wasn't due for another two weeks.
Every single day, the leader checked the group calendar to ensure no member's cycle would clash with their schedule. If a conflict arose, he would notify the managers immediately to cancel or postpone that member's activities. The leader had no doubt that just that morning, he had seen Changbin's upcoming cycle on the calendar, he distinctly remembered taking a deep breath and jotting the date down on a post-it note to hand to a manager the following week.
So, why?
Why was Seo on the floor now, his scent, which Jisung always described as hot chocolate and cinnamon, spreading rapidly through the room?
But the strangest part, aside from the leader failing to notice it sooner, was that Minho apparently had noticed. The older omega was on the floor, holding Changbin in his lap.
That wasn't the weird part, though, the weird part was that Lee was snarling, his eyes glowing a bright, fierce gold at anyone who dared to step close.
"Hyung..." Jisung murmured, taking a tentative step toward the two figures in the middle of the stage. But at the sound of the older omega’s deep, warning growl, Han immediately stepped back, hiding behind Felix, who was standing nearby.
Bang Chan blinked, his mind racing to process the situation. He quickly realized the other boys were staring at him, waiting for their leader to tell them what to do.
But while Chan was trying to think, one of the staff members approached the stage.
Chan recognized her as one of the wardrobe coordinators who made sure their outfits were perfect. She was an incredibly sweet beta who smelled like fresh herbs, and he remembered that Minho always joked around with her while she adjusted his clothes. She seemed completely confident that the redhaired boy would never hurt her, but Bang Chan accelerated his pace toward her, cursing himself for forgetting her name in his panic to stop her.
She was heading right into the corner where Minho clearly felt cornered and threatened.
It happened in a flash.
Chan threw his arm out at the exact moment Minho noticed the staff member.
Minho snarled, lunging to strike her face with his sharp claws. Chan yanked her back with all his might, pulling her away from the omega. Minho stopped growling and pulled Changbin’s feverish body even closer against his chest, as if fearing someone else might try to tear them apart.
"My pup!" Minho bared his teeth at the staff member, who was now trembling in Chan’s arms, her breath coming in short gasps.
Okay, Chan thought.
Never in his life had he heard Minho use his omega command voice on anyone. He could feel all the other members shudder, stepping backward and bowing their heads toward the floor in submission.
"Everyone out!" Chan ordered loudly, directing his gaze toward the production crew behind the cameras. "Only our pack stays here," he added, releasing the woman, who scrambled out of his arms and left without a second thought.
"Chan, I don't think this is a good idea..." the manager started to protest, but he was instantly cut off when the leader flashed his crimson alpha eyes at him.
"Only my pack!" Chan said.
He didn't even need to use his alpha voice to show he meant business, everyone in the room knew Chan never spoke to the staff that way.
"We'll monitor from the cameras. If anything happens..." the manager tried to finish.
Chan nodded to show he understood, but immediately turned his back on him. He had much more important things to worry about, like the overwhelming scent of fear radiating from his members.
Within seconds, they were alone.
"Hyunjin, find one of the production fans and aim it toward Bin." Bang Chan ordered, shedding his own jacket. "All of you, take off a piece of clothing." None of the members hesitated, quickly removing an item.
Chan spread his jacket on the floor, and it didn't take long for the members to realize what their leader was doing. In just a few minutes, Chan improvised a nest using a clothing item from each member, grabbing a stage cloth to make it softer, but not before scenting it himself to make sure no outside odors lingered. Within seconds, the fan began blowing a cool breeze in their direction.
Hwang returned to the group, and Felix guided him to place his clothing item into the nest.
"Alright, everyone circle around the nest. Hold hands and breathe deeply. Do not let your scents betray your fear.
It might be better if you close your eyes so he don't intimidate you."
"But what if—" Seungmin began, but the eldest cut him off.
"Has Minho ever hurt any of you?" Chan asked. The members' eyes widened, and they quickly shook their heads. "And do you think I would ever let anything happen to you?" Again, they shook their heads, and Chan instantly felt the sharp spike of anxiety drain from their scents. "Good. Then trust your hyungs, okay?"
The members gathered on one side of the nest, linking hands and focusing entirely on keeping their scents as calm and soothing as possible.
Chan then walked toward the pair, watching the golden eyes track his every move.
He stopped a meter away and dropped to his knees.
"Minho..." A low growl rumbled through the room, and Chan couldn't help but offer a small, gentle smile. "Are you protecting Binnie?" Minho huffed, pulling Seo even tighter against him.
Changbin's face was buried in the omega’s neck, his hands trembling as they gripped Lee’s shirt. "You noticed he wasn't well, didn't you?" Chan asked, though it was purely rhetorical. But for the first time, Lee spoke to him.
"Too many alfas..." Minho muttered, his brow furrowed in distress.
Chan immediately understood the younger man's reaction.
"You're protecting Bin from the strange alfas?" Minho huffed again, giving a sharp nod, and Chan’s smile widened. "What an incredible head omega you are. Protecting your omega from other alfas. I’m so proud of you, omega." For the first time, the golden glow in Minho's eyes faded, and Chan knew he was getting through to him. "What about me? Do you need to protect Binnie from me?" Chan watched Minho look at him, his brow still furrowed.
"I don't want anyone near my pup, Bang Chan," Minho stated. Chan had to bite his tongue to keep from laughing, even when completely overwhelmed by his instincts, the oldest omega in the pack still loved to defy him. But the leader kept his expression serious.
"Our pup. But I won't touch him, omega. He is your first pup, and I know you just want to keep him safe." Chan said softly, meeting Minho's gaze. "We made a nest for Bin. Will you take him there and check if it's appropriate?" Minho looked at Chan, then glanced sideways at the nest behind him. After huffing one more time, he nodded.
"But only I touch him!" Minho insisted. Chan nodded in agreement.
"Whatever you think is best, omega." Chan stood up, stepped back, and sat down next to Jeongin at the edge of the nest, wrapping his arms around the youngest and feeling him instantly relax at the presence of their pack alpha.
Minho stood up carefully, drawing a pained, muffled whimper from the omega in his arms.
"Shh... it's going to be okay." Minho whispered softly. Hearing the sheer tenderness in Lee's voice made Chan's chest tighten with affection.
Minho walked over to the nest and knelt before it, one arm securely locking Seo against his chest. With his free hand, he rubbed the fabrics, inhaling deeply to check for any unapproved scents.
Suddenly, Minho’s shoulders dropped. Chan could see the nest was finally working its magic on him, and the familiar scent of the pack was helping him unwind. The eldest omega gently settled Bin's trembling body into the center of the nest, shed his own jacket, and tucked it right beside Seo. The younger omega shivered, took a deep breath, and finally stopped crying.
Minho gently stroked the younger omega's cheek.
"You're safe, sweet boy. We're going to protect you, and you'll be home soon."
We.
Chan smiled. The word didn't just affect him, the other members, who still had their eyes closed, felt it too. They instantly opened their eyes, breathing a collective sigh of relief.
"I'll go get the van ready so we can head home." Seungmin whispered to Minho, slipping away with Felix, who offered to help. Minho gave a small nod.
"I'll grab some water bottles and towels for the ride," Hyunjin said, disappearing before anyone could object, with Jisung close on his heels.
"I'll let the manager know everything is under control and that you'll call him later, hyung," Innie said, slipping out of Chan’s embrace to follow the others.
"I'm sorry about..." Minho began as soon as he was certain they were completely alone, but Chan cut him off, stepping closer.
"You have nothing to apologize for, Minho. I'm incredibly proud of you." Chan watched as Lee looked down, suddenly flustered and unsure of how to react. "I'm so happy I chose the best head omega for my pack." The leader stepped closer to the redhead, his hands gently brushing stray locks of hair away from his face. "You did an amazing job protecting our pup, hm?"
The alpha’s hands slid down to the smooth skin of the other's neck, feeling the tense muscles melt under his touch as Lee closed his eyes. "Come here." Chan pulled Lee flush against him. He didn't even have to ask, Lee instantly bared his neck, pulling the alpha down toward his scent glands. The older omega completely relaxed the moment Chan nuzzled against them, his sharp, anxious scent bleeding into something soft and warm.
"The best omega." Chan murmured, pressing a soft kiss directly over the gland. Minho gasped softly, letting his entire weight slump against Chan’s shoulder. "Go ahead and sleep. I'll take care of you and our pup, okay?"
Pulling back slightly, Chan saw the redhead breathing easily, his eyelids heavy as he fought a losing battle against sleep. He gently laid him down next to Bin. Chan smiled as the younger omega immediately wrapped his arms around the elder, burying his face securely back into Minho's neck.