"(Y/N). You're shifting into a wolf."
I curl in on myself as my insides boil like magma.
"W-what? How is this poss–ah!"
Hyunjin slowly picks himself up off the floor, but I feel dizzy and flushed, my pulse pounding and my eyes flashing blue.
"(Y/N), what's going on?" Jooe asks, frightened and concerned.
I want to reach for her, to explain, but I can't. The pain is almost unbearable.
"Bang Chan…it hurts. I'm burning!"
"Just focus, (Y/N). The pain will go away soon."
I grit my teeth, doubling over again. Bang Chan watches me in panic and awe.
"(Y/N)–" Bang Chan calls my name.
"You bitch…"
Hyunjin begins to advance on me, slow and deliberate as fury rolls off him in waves. But he stops short as I scream, the pain ripping through me and tearing me apart from the inside.
"Ahhh!"
I fall forward…but I don't hit the ground with hands and knees. Instead, I stare at paws beneath me, feel my sleek fur, run my tongue over sharp fangs… As I stare at the ground, at my own paws, I see white fur, soft and pure as snow. I try to stabilize myself, shock rushing through me like an icy river.
"I'm…I'm…"
I couldn't believe what I was seeing.
"Impossible…this shouldn't be happening."
"(Y/N)…"
Time seems to stop. I feel every drop of water in the air as if it's an extension of myself. All of my senses are heightened, overwhelming and powerful. I notice a small wet spot on the floor where a flower pot leaked near Hyunjin. I rush forward, knocking Hyunjin toward the puddle. The water extends, reaches out, and makes him slip. He tries to break free, but the water holds him in place, helpless as I advance.
"How?"
Energized, I give in to my instincts, snarling and lunging for Hyunjin.
"You little…"
Hyunjin bends his head, his eyes glowing bright as his skin ripples like boiling water.
"Fine. Two can play this game, my little mate."
Then, he shifts into his own wolf form, a snarl beast with glowing red eyes. He bares his teeth.
"Hey!"
Suddenly, Jooe steps in front of me, glaring at the wolf.
"Stay away from my friend." she demands.
"Jooe…get out of here!"
But when I try to speak, nothing comes out but a pained growl. Hyunjin snaps his teeth, baring glinting sharp fangs as he stalks toward Jooe.
"(Y/N), move!"
Bang Chan's words shake me and I spring into action, rushing and crashing into Hyunjin before he can reach Jooe. Hyunjin's clawed paw kicks me hard. I lose my footing and slide across the dojo floor. Snarling, Hyunjin straightens and starts advancing on Jooe again.
"Jooe, no! Everything's so different. I don't know what to do. I don't–"
"(Y/N)…listen to me."
It's only then that I notice it; my bond with Bang Chan. Its usual hum heightens to a pulsating tie between us. I feel Bang Chan inside me, reaching me through the chaos.
"You have to listen to me, (Y/N)."
His words ring like a primal truth, roaring inside me. Jooe is backed against the wall now, and Hyunjin is feet away from her, saliva dripping from his jaws.
"Oh, God."
"Listen to me and trust your instincts. They'll guide you."
My breathing stabilizes and everything goes quiet. A soft but commanding voice deep within me tells me what to do next.
I can do this. I can fight him.
I straighten, snarling to get Hyunjin's attention. When his head turns, Bang Chan tells Jooe to run, pushing her to the back room. Then, I rush at Hyunjin, pushing him back and butting my head into his ribs to throw him off. He attempts to wrestle me down, but each time I dodge and push him back with ease and agility.
This is easier than breathing.
My teeth snap at the scruff under his muzzle and he jerks back. Hyunjin retreats slowly, a low growl in his throat.
Now's my chance.
With a growl, I leap forward and sink my teeth deep into Hyunjin's upper shoulder. He squeals as I tear through fur and flesh to the sinew underneath. Then, with a snap, I throw him to the side. He hits the wall so hard it leaves a dent. He scrambles away from me then, and sprints out the door.
"I did it. I…"
As the fresh blood coats my tongue, my vision bleeds red at the edges. Suddenly, rage fills me as an uncontrollable violence shudders through my body.
I want to chase Hyunjin I want to hunt him down and tear him apart.
The rage roars inside me with the need to hunt, the need to kill.
I want to sink my teeth into his flesh and–
I roar with fury as Bang Chan's powerful, dark wolf form slams into me.
"Calm down. The blood is setting you off."
With a jolt, I realize I can hear Bang Chan's voice like this. It rings in my head as if coming from somewhere inside me, swimming in my mind. But the need for the hunt grips at me firmer.
"Get off me! I can't control myself! I don't know what's wrong with me!"
"I know. Try and calm down. This is dangerous."
"I can't!"
Clamping the scruff of my neck in his jaws, Bang Chan pins me down. With a low growl that rumbles in my pinned ears, he uses his commanding Alpha voice to reach me.
"Calm down, (Y/N). Let go of this anger."
In this form, his voice moves like hot honey through my veins as my bond roars to life. The need, the desire to submit is stronger than anything I've ever felt before.
"Submit. Now."
It's all I can think of, clouding my vision and fogging my mind, calming me like ice to a wound. The fog clears as reason seeps back into my body. Bang Chan stands over me, his mouth still wrapped around the scruff of my neck.
"That's it, (Y/N). Find yourself for me."
I let my body soften beneath Bang Chan's
"Good, (Y/N)."
I close my eyes and curl in against Bang Chan. His jaws loosen and I roll over on my back. He gives an approving, soft growl, nuzzling my neck and licking the spot he bit.
"Good. Calm yourself down. You can do it."
My body turns to liquid, molding beneath his as I sink into the ground. He growls in approval, nuzzling my fur and sending waves of foreign pleasure through my body.
It…it feels good to please him.
"There you go. Take a deep breath. The rage is leaving you."
I do as he says, breathing deeply, feeling the anger ebb away. All at once, my hold on my wolf form slips away. It dissolves as I shrink, returning to normal. I collapse with a cry, naked and human again.
"Ah…"
Bang Chan shifts at almost the same second, putting him on top of me, his body as naked as mine.
"(Y/N)? Are you alright?"
The hard contours of his muscular body pins me there, his sweat mingling with my own. We both pant against each other, heat and exhaustion running through us.
"What…what happened…?"
"That's a loaded question."
"Yeah, well I…"
I trail off as I realize our position. With a start, my body reacts as if a wildfire has ignited through my veins.
"Don't look!"
I clap one hand over Bang Chan's eyes and the other over my breasts.
"It's fine. I'm not looking. And even if I was…"
"Just don't!"
Quickly, I scramble to the side of the dojo, hiding behind a door. Bang Chan pulls his clothes back on.
"Hey, why are your clothes still in tact?"
"Practice. I can take them off pretty fast before transforming."
"Well that is a talent I didn't know you had."
"I'll teach it to you. Now that I know you're not an omega."
Not an omega…I really have power.
Bang Chan drifts over to the shredded remains of my clothes.
"So much for these. Do you have any extras around here?" he asks.
"I might. I usually keep a spare change of clothes in my locker."
"Interesting."
Bang Chan's eyes glint mischievously.
"What is that look for?"
"Nothing. I just realized I've never seen you in your own clothes."
"Well, kidnapping someone while they're just coming out of a sparring session will do that."
With a smirk, I turn on my heel and head to the locker room.
Luckily I have something in here to change into.
I hear Bang Chan's low voice from the other room.
"Can't wait to see what your own personal style is, (Y/N)."
I quickly gather my clothes and put them on.
"Well?"
Bang Chan knocks and I open the door to him.
"This is me."
Bang Chan practically does a double-take when he sees me. He traces the curves of my body in my own clothes for the first time.
"What do you think?"
"I never…"
He seems lost for words.
"Never…what?"
"Never imagined you'd look so nice. Like that. I mean."
Clearly flustered, he clears his throat.
"That style makes sense for you, is all I'm saying. You look…really nice."
"Thank–"
Suddenly, a loud thump echoes through the locker room. Bang Chan and I both stop, tensing immediately.
"What was that?"
Another thump, and I realize the sound is coming from the bathroom.
"(Y/N)?"
Oh my God, Jooe. She's still here?"
"Shit. I told her to run, but I didn't think she'd stick so close by."
I rush to the bathroom door, prying it open to reveal Jooe, unharmed as she huddles in a corner of the room.
"Jooe, are you okay?" I asked as I bend down to make sure she's alright.
"Am I okay? I–I don't know. I–"
"Come on, Jooe. Let's get you out of here, okay?"
After some coaxing, Jooe tentatively inches out of the bathroom, keeping her distance from Bang Chan and I.
"(Y/N), what the hell happened? That guy turned into a wolf. You turned into a wolf!"
There's a tremor in her voice when she speaks.
"Well, you see…it's kind of a long story."
"Long story or short story–it doesn't change the fact that you turned into a freaking–"
"Jooe, calm down. It's okay."
But she doesn't listen, shaking her head as she panics.
"I should call the police. I'm going to call the police."
"What?"
But before Jooe can say anything else, Bang Chan steps in, his eyes glowing gold and his voice slicing through the air.
"I don't think so."
His command sends shivers down my spine and Jooe freezes, her eyes glazing over in a trance.
"Bang Chan, what are you doing?" I ask worriedly.
"What I need to do."
"What's happening? What have you done to her?"
Sighing, Bang Chan turns his gaze to me.
"If she tells anyone about what she saw, it could be dangerous for the pack. And for her."
"But she saw everything. We can't change that."
"I can, actually."
His eyes flash and Jooe's eyes close, asleep and standing all at once. He takes a breath, his expression solemn.
"We have to make her forget."
"Is that possible?"
He gives a firm nod.
"It's an old part of our abilities as shifters…a way to keep our identities secret."
He brings his glowing golden eyes close to Jooe's temple. A strange buzzing fills the air around him.
"This is the best way to do it. It will take her pain away."
"Okay, Bang Chan. Take her pain away."
Bang Chan nods, his golden eyes fixed on Jooe's temple. He takes her face in his hands and pulls her close.
"Jooe…"
Bang Chan whispers, and somehow my friend's name reverberates through the room as if spoken at full volume. Her eyes closed, in a complete trance, Jooe bows. Bang Chan speaks against her forehead.
"Wàngjìle yīqiè."
The words are foreign, but somehow I know them. Like I've heard them before. Jooe's head rocks back and she gasps. Then, she opens her eyes and stretches, as though waking from a nap.
"Wh-what's going on?"
"You're the famous Jooe, aren't you? I'm Bang Chan. (Y/N) was just giving me a tour of the dojo and we found you taking a nap in here."
"A nap? In the locker room?"
"Yeah,You do this all the time." I giggle.
"You're right…I do…" she returns a giggle.
She bought in. Good.
"Well, it's getting late. I'm going to head out and get some actual rest. It was nice to meet you…"
"Bang Chan." he smiles.
"Bang Chan. Right."
Jooe waves and as soon as Bang Chan's back is turned, she checks him out and gives me a thumbs up. She dashes off. When I hear the front door close, I breathe a sigh of relief.
"That was close. Thank you."
"My pleasure."
"What were those words you spoke?" I ask with curiosity.
"It's the language of our ancestors."
"Strange. It felt like I almost understood it or–"
A sudden clap of thunder makes me jump into Bang Chan's arms.
"You alright?" he asks, holding on to me.
"I'm more than alright. I'm back in some half-decent clothes, I'm back in the dojo, what's not to be happy about?"
"Maybe your friend's near-death experience and shifting for the first time?"
All of the fake charm and high energy I was exuding deflates at his words.
"Yeah. Now that you mention it, I've had better nights."
"Understandable."
We both head back out into the main room. The paper over the windows shakes. Bang Chan cracks the front door to find a violent storm raging outside. Wind whips the trees and rain lashes the ground.
"Damn. It's really coming down. I think Jooe left just in time." he tells me.
Another crack of lightning slices through the air, stronger than before. The door blows wide open. Bang Chan struggles to close the door, rain whipping against him hard. I unhook a massive punching bag and drag it toward the door.
"Here, Bang Chan, use this."
Bang Chan takes the bag and shoves it in front of the door. The extra weight finally latches it shut.
"Wow. We're really not going anywhere until the storm passes."
Bang Chan shivers. I look down at his shirt, now damp from the pounding rain.
"You must be cold."
"I'm fine, I'll dry."
Bang Chan shivers again.
"I think I know what can warm you up."
I dip behind the front desk and pull out a bottle of whiskey. Bang Chan's eyes go wide.
"You're full of surprises tonight, aren't you?" he chuckles.
"I like to keep things interesting." returning a giggle.
"So I've seen. Every single day since I met you."
Bang Chan takes the bottle and uncorks it with ease. He holds it out to me.
"Open up."
Keeping my eyes trained on Bang Chan's, I open my mouth. He pours a mouthful of whiskey onto my tongue.
"Well?"
I swallow. The heady, syrupy liquid slides down my throat. A warm shudder travels up my neck.
"It's bad luck to drink it any other way. Your turn."
"I wouldn't want bad luck."
Bang Chan hands me the bottle, a smirk in his eyes as he open his mouth for me. Carefully, I pour a generous amount of the golden liquor into his open mouth. He swallows, shuddering when the affects of the whiskey take over.
"Luck never tasted so good."
He takes another sip and sinks onto the mats of the dojo. I sit beside him. Lightning strikes again, flashing to illuminate Bang Chan's chest through his dmp T-shirt.
"This storm reminds me of the night we met."
"Oh yeah? The night you barged in here and tried to "claim" me?" I say sarcastically.
"Hey, I did claim you." he grins.
Bang Chan leans in close, the whiskey lingering on his breath. A challenge flickers in his eyes.
"Dragging me off into the night is not the same as claiming me."
I lean closer to him, answering the challenge in his gaze with one of my own.
"And if you hadn't brought back-up that night I would have kicked your ass." I brag.
"Oh yeah?"
"Yeah."
His eyes glint bright. The challenge is clear: Take him on. I launch from the floor and land on his back. But he quickly spins me around to his front.
"Nice try."
"Maybe you're just where I want you."
With a spinning twist move, I free my foot and trip him. He stumbles.
"See? Don't underestimate me."
Bang Chan looks over at the bottle of whiskey.
"You made me spill."
Then, faster than the lightning overhead, Bang Chan sweeps his foot out and sends me flying onto my back. I gasp, bracing myself to slam against the mat, but I don't. Bang Chan hovers over me, holding me an inch off the ground with impossible strength. He grins.
"Surrender, (Y/N)."
"Surrender? You wish."
Cupping my hand over the back of his neck, I perform a flip that is only possible with years of training. A sharp, excited breath leaves Bang Chan as I slam him to the ground, my body over his.
"Surrender, Bang Chan."
"What's in it for me if I do?"
"You'll get some more whiskey."
"If there's any left after your little attack."
"What's your answer?"
Bang Chan looks down at my mouth.
"I surrender. This time."
I lean in, my gaze dropping to his mouth just in time to catch a sharp inhale.
"Uh, we should probably go to bed." he says hesitantly.
Slowly, I nod. I realize my mouth is open, too.
"Probably for the best."
Neither of us move. We stare at each other, breathing in and out. Then slowly, with a hint of regret, I move to get off of Bang Chan.
"Wait."
He takes me by the hips, his hands strong and firm. Our bond pulses like fire.
"The whiskey. I told you it spilled."
I realized that the liquor is all over my collarbone, golden droplets sticking to my skin.
"Hold still. I'll get it or you."
Bang Chan pulls me down to him, his mouth hot and hungry. I don't dare move. I don't dare breath. Bang Chan's grip is solid on my hips as he closes the gap between us, lightly kissing away a drop of whiskey.
"Mmm." he hums.
The sound he makes is like nothing I've heard from him before. A pleasured, almost pained sound. He drags his tongue over my collarbone and I gasp.
My God. He feels amazing.
As he soaks the mind-bending liquid from my flesh, he leaves a trail of ecstasy in his wake. His mouth is rough yet gentle, as he laps at my throat, my shoulder…
"So good."
Bang Chan breathes the words against me, and my heart skips a beat. As it does, our true mate bond flares bright and hot. Bang Chan pulls back, as though he's singed.
"That was…um, thank you."
"Yeah…you're welcome."
I think I hear Bang Chan groan when I slide off of him.
"The mats are made of bamboo. They should be comfortable to sleep on."
"So they are."
Bang Chan and I stretch out on the mats, closing our eyes. The last thing I remember before sleep takes me is the feeling of his breath against my lips. But the same terrifying nightmare takes hold of me the minute the darkness finds me. The smell of smoke and blood. The crackle of flame. Someone screams my name.
"(Y/N)!!"
Flames lick the canvas tents of my father's encampment.
"(Y/N)!"
I'm running. Someone is dragging me along. I turn to see Taecyeon chasing after me.
"(Y/N)!"
I hear myself scream, "let me go!". I tug on the hand, trying to break free from the person pulling me. Taecyeon reaches for me–"
(Y/N)!!!"
I tug again at the hand pulling me from my father. This time, I hear myself scream something else…
"Let me go, Bang Chan!"
Bang Chan?!
When the figure turns toward me, I see his face. Bang Chan's face. He's younger, but there's no mistaking–it's him. I bolt upright, sweat and tears staining my face. Bang Chan rushes to my side.
"(Y/N), what is it? The same nightmare?"
He reaches for me, but I pull away.
"Bang Chan…explain yourself!" I yell at him.
"Explain? Explain what?"
"This whole time, you knew me when we were kids. You knew exactly what happened to me and you lied!"
"(Y/N), please–"
"No! Why would you keep this from me? What more aren't you telling me?"
He reaches for me again, but I shove him away and spring out of the dojo.
"(Y/N)!"
Rain pounds against me, drenching my hair and clothes. I bolt for the gate–but Bang Chan grabs my waist, holding me fast.
"(Y/N), wait. I did know you when we were children. Is that what you want to hear?"
"Get off me!"
I try to get away, but Bang Chan just pulls me closer, rain clinging to his hair, his full mouth.
"I did know you when we were kids. I took you away from that place."
Even in the freezing rain, his eyes burn into mine. His grip on me is like iron."
"I saved your life, and I'd do it again. Damn the consequences."
"But why?"
Instead of answering, Bang Chan takes my face in his hands…and slams his lips against mine in a searing kiss.