"The pack is under attack. We need to move. Now." He says in a rush.
"Will we get there in time? It's not exactly right around the corner. We might get there and..."
"All the more reason to leave now. Now, let's go. We can't waste any more time."
Bang Chan takes my hand, and we rush as fast as we can back to the packhouse. The entry hall to Bang Chan's estate is a scene of chaos and carnage.
"No..."
A handful of wolves lie brutally wounded at the base of the main stairs, liquid crimson pooling beneath them.
"My God..." I look around in horror.
"So kind of you to join us, (Y/N)."
Hyunjin stands at the top of the stairs, leering down at me.
"I started the party without you. Hope you don't mind."
Raising his fist, I see he's clutching someone by the hair: Felix. It's clear from the numerous wounds dotting his body that he's on his last legs.
"Hyunjin! Let Felix go right now!" I shout in anger.
"But we're just getting started. You're no fun." Hyunjin chuckles sarcastically.
"Let him go and I might not kill you." I threat.
"And let him miss out on all I have planned?"
"Shut up and fight me, Hyunjin."
Felix does his best to land a blow on Hyunjin.
"Want to get right to it? Fine."
Hyunjin moves with blistering speed, meeting Felix's charge and hitting him hard in the side. A sickening crack sounds out as my friend drops to the ground.
"Felix!"
"Your bastard!"
Bang Chan charges forward, but two wolves move to block his path. Snarling, Bang Chan fights to get past the two wolves , but he isn't capable.
"I'm going to enjoy this."
Hyunjin slams Felix up against the window, cracking the glass with the force of his thrust.
"(Y/N)..."
Felix struggles under Hyunjin's firm grip. Then, Hyunjin raises a hand, grasping a broken shard of glass.
"No! Felix!"
I charge forward, letting my rage and adrenaline take hold before giving over to them entirely. I shift in a brilliant display of fur and fangs as I slam into Hyunjin full force. With a mighty snap of my jaw, I dig my fangs into Hyunjin's shoulder, tasting blood as I break his skin. Hyunjin drops Felix. He scrambles to his feet, moving forward to help me.
"No. Get out of here. You're too hurt."
While I can't speak those words in this form, the flash of determination in my lupine eyes says it all.
"Fine, but if things change, I'm coming back for you. Thanks, (Y/N)." Felix runs.
With a burst of strength, Hyunjin throws me backwards, rising to his feet with a hideous snarl.
"Not a bad hit, girlie. Maybe you'll prove yourself a good match for me yet."
I shift back, meeting Hyunjin's furious glare.
"Not if I tear you apart first."
Before I can say anything else, another cry of pain echoes through the entry hall.
"Get off of me!"
O.de is backed deep into a corner, three enemy wolves closing in on him.
"O.de!!"
O.de's mate, Yeonwoo, runs for him but Hyunjin knocks her out fast with a bloody laugh.
"This all could have been avoided if you'd just come quietly, (Y/N). Now you've gone and forced me to do something nasty." Hyunjin says with an devilish grin.
"This is between you and me."
"Oh, but hurting your friends is the only thing that seems to get you to listen."
I charge forward, but Hyunjin moves to block my path. His body stretches and grows, before finally his wolf form takes shape before me. Suddenly, Bang Chan leaps forward, shifting mid-air to sink his fangs into Hyunjin's fur. I move to help Bang Chan but his golden eyes flash with a clear message: Don't.
"Bang Chan, let me help you."
The sleek black wolf shakes his head, squaring off with Hyunjin. With my path now free, I sprint for the wolves cornering O.de.
"Stop!"
They turn to me with snapping, snarling jaws.
"(Y/N), stay back. It's not safe for you."
Something churns in my stomach then. Not quite fear and not quite rage.
The fight was started because of me. So, I'll be the one to end it.
It feels like the calm before the storm. The kind of hurricane that leaves ruined ships in its wake. My eyes flash blue, and words seem to form on their own in my mouth: a command ushered from somewhere ancient inside myself. Something like...an Alpha command.
"Hey, assholes... Attack Hyunjin!"
The three enemy wolves stop in their tracks and slowly turn on Hyunjin, as though something immensely strong has commanded them.
Whoa.
Then, they lunge at Hyunjin, sinking their teeth into his fur as he tries to bat them aside. Hyunjin shifts back down to human form, his face contorted in rage and confusion.
"Why are you three listening to her? She's not your Alpha." he roars in confusion.
"Yeah? Then why did they listen to her?"
O.de tries to sit up, clutching a wound on his side. He flashes a rebellious grin.
"You felt her words in your bones. Just like me." O.de grins.
"(Y/N), you did that?" Bang Chan stares at me, mesmerized.
Hyunjin swears.
"Enough of this! Kill that loud mouth. Now."
Hyunjin's Alpha command pounds through the room with the force of a tidal wave. His three lackies turn back to O.de, their teeth bared.
No. I'm not letting him win. I won't let him hurt any more of Bang Chan's family.
I fight through the exhaustion, rising to my full height and forcing out one final command.
"All of you...kill your leader."
I feel my words rocket through the bodies of dozens of wolves. They shiver under the weight of my command...and turn on Hyunjin.
"What? Don't you--don't you dare!"
The wolves stalk Hyunjin, baring razor-sharp teeth and the threat in their eyes.
"Better run, Hyunjin. They look hungry." I chuckle.
"You bitch!"
Hyunjin turns tail and charges off at a sprint.
His wolves lunge at him, chasing him out of the packhouse and into the woods.
"I wonder if they'll actually kill him." I ask.
"They won't be able to. But they'll definitely injure him and chase him all the way back to his camp."
Bang Chan turns back to me, awestruck.
"You saved us, (Y/N). How were you able to--?"
"I don't know. The words just...came out."
Bang Chan appraises me silently for a moment. Then, he pulls me into a sweeping hug, burying his face in my hair.
"Thank you."
The silence that follows Hyunjin's carnage is palpable. Wounded members of Bang Chan's clan line the floors, and those still standing try their best to tend to their fallen.
"Bang Chan, this is all my fault."
I say as my grin disappears.
"No. None of this is your fault. It's--"
"No! O.de!"
I rush to the next room where O.de is draped across the table. Yeonwoo cradles him in her arms a pool of red spreads quickly over his torso.
"No! O.de, come on. Get up. Please, get up." she begs crying.
"Hey, come on, no tears. I...I did good, okay?"
Bang Chan and I rush to O.de's side, even as JYP, the clan doctor, pushes past Yeonwoo.
"Out of my way, he needs treatment. Now."
He peels back O.de's clothes to reveal a deep gash in his side.
On any ordinary human, injuries like this would be fatal. Maybe the doctor really can save him, maybe there's some shifter magic I don't know about.
Still, the look on the doctor's face doesn't look good.
"JYP, there has to be something I can do. Herbs to gather, or I can help him to the hot spring." He shakes his head.
"Leave this to me. The only thing that can save O.de now is surgery."
All I could think about is this was all my fault. Hyunjin wouldn't have been here at all if I'd just agree to be his mate. JYP carries O.de away. Yeonwoo stands and turns to me, a serious look in her eye. I'ts not just her. The whole pack seems to be watching me now, appraising me from across the entry hall.
"Yeonwoo...Hyunjin will pay for this. I'll find him and I'll make him hurt. I'll kill him for what he's done. I'll--"
"Stop."
Yeonwoo cuts me off. And then, all at once, she pulls me into a crushing hug.
"Thank you. Thank you for helping when you did. If you hadn't been here, it would have been so much worse."
"What?" I ask.
"What you did with the wolves...commanding them with your voice..."
Felix, Yeonwoo, even I.N...they all step forward, looking at me with newfound respect.
"You saved us, (Y/N)." Felix smiled.
"Saved you? We all fought equally." I said look at everyone in the room.
"No, (Y/N). You charged head-first into the battle with no regard for your own safety. I know we've been hard on you in the past but you've proven yourself." Lee know says as he puts a hand on Han and I.N.
"You're one of us!" I.N cheers.
"As long as our Alpha agrees?"
All eyes go to Bang Chan. He stands tall amongst his people, his sharp eyes trained directly on me.
"Yes. It's time we bring (Y/N) into the pack properly."
The gathered shifters cheer and applaud. I.N runs up to me and takes my hand.
"Come on!" He says jumpingly.
"What's going on?" I ask, looking at Bang Chan.
"It's time for your initiation. Time for you to well and truly become a member of our pack."
I'm finally being accepted into the pack. Officially. I.N drags me upstairs to my bedroom, where Han is already waiting with two garment bags on the bed.
"So, what's happening exactly?" I ask.
"Our Alpha has declared you worthy of an initiation. Which is no small thing."
Han puts a hand on my shoulder, a twinkle in his kind eyes.
"I'm not sure human society has an equivalent to this, (Y/N). It is a ritual conducted under the full moon that binds you to each of us on a spiritual level." Han informs me.
"Like a real family?"
"Yes. But you have to look the part, for starters."
I turn to see Bang Chan leaning against the door. But when I get a good look at him, I almost forget to breathe. His slick, lean body is adorned in the finery of his people. Leather straps wrap tight across his bulging pecs.
"These dressings here..."
He walks deeper into the room, running a hand over the garment bags.
"These were made by my great, great grandmother. Passed down for ceremonies such as this." He informs me.
"Really? So they are special to you?"
"Very. They've only been worn by the women in my family." he smiles.
"What?"
"Each family passes down ritual clothing, worn by a wolf on the day of their initiation." Han adds.
"I get to have my initiation in five years!" I.N grins from ear to ear.
"So, Bang Chan...you want me to..."
"Wear the clothes promised for my family?"
He comes close, tucking a stray hair behind my ear.
"Yes. If you'll accept them."
I open the bag to take a look at the dress promised to his family. I thread my fingers through the leather dress, smoothing it down over my body.
After slipping the dress on, I noticed how it fits like a glove. Like it was made specifically for me.
"Well?"
Bang Chan, Han and I.N all stand with their backs turned.
"You can turn around."
When they do, they all sharply inhale.
"You look..." Han to stunned to finish.
"So pretty..." I.N helps his dad.
Bang Chan is silent for a long moment. He steps forward drinking in every inch of my figure in his ancestral clothing.
"The last time I looked at this was when my mother showed it to me. She told me about the day she wore it. And told me one day I'd be able to pass it on to someone special."
I stare at him, unable to move. He brushes a soft hand over the leather of my skin, tickling my skin.
"She was right."
Ducking, I hide the heat that rises in my cheeks. Bang Chan takes my hand.
"Come on. It's time."
He leads me downstairs, out of the packhouse, and through the dark forest until we come to our destination. A roaring bonfire licks the night sky as the gathered pack turns to me upon arrival. Hushed whispers fill the air as the pack stares at me.
"What are they looking at?" I whisper to Bang Chan.
"You."
The crowd parts, forming an aisle for me to walk down. Bang Chan squeezes my hand.
"Are you ready?" Bang Chan asks.
"I was born ready."
Bang Chan smiles.
"I guess you were."
He leans down, whispering against my ear.
"Once you've undergone this ceremony, your connection to this pack will go deeper than anything you've ever experienced. You'll feel what we feel, know what we know, and truly be one of us. And of course, as my mate, our bond will be the deepest of all."
He laces his fingers with mine, his grip steady and warm.
"You'll feel me like you never have before."
"That sounds wonderful."
He lifts my hand to his lips, kissing it lightly.
"You don't know the feeling of family until you've been through something like this."
He leads me down the aisle, closer to the bonfire. The other pack members surround me in a familiar circle. The fire rises higher and higher as the pack looks up and begins to howl, readying for what's about to happen. Bang Chan pulls out a small bowl of sweet-smelling ointment. Then, carefully, he begins to anoint my forehead.
"I want you to close your eyes and listen to the howling of your kin. Feel the coming moonlight. Think on how it guides each of us. And most importantly, let the pack in."
I do as instructed, feeling the stars and moon. The cacophony of howls begin to turn to melody. The spot where Bang Chan placed the ointment begins to tingle, and soon, my whole body does. Then, all at once, I've overcome with sensations brand new to me. Bang Chan smiles reassuringly before raising his voice, drawing everyone's eyes directly on me.
"(Y/N), by the light of the full moon, do you hereby accept your place in this pack? Will you join us, stand with us, fight with us?"
A rush of longing course through my veins as I meet Bang Chan's gaze.
"Will you become one of us, forever more?"
"Alpha, I do accept my place in this pack."
The grin on Bang Chan's face could light up the whole forest. Then a burst of energy flows through me. My skin tingles from my fingertips to the very center of my heart. I've suddenly acutely aware of every gathered wolf. Of every breath they take, of every heartbeat. This pack. My pack... My family. I don't realize it right away, but tears begin to fall down from my glowing blue eyes. Tears of joy. The sensation overwhelms me and I sway my feet.
"Easy, I've got you."
Bang Chan holds me tightly, and for a moment, I sense exactly how he feels as he holds me in his arms. Pride and desire, with a hint of nervousness buried deep below the brash confidence. Then, just as suddenly, I feel the whole pack, the excitement and fervor rising around me.
"You're one of us now, (Y/N). Well and truly."
On Bang Chan's words, the whole pack cheers and howls, rushing close to embrace me as their newest member.
"Welcome, (Y/N)." Han cheers with a hug.
"I always knew you'd be family!" I.N cheers with jumps.
Bang Chan raises a hand to the rest of his pack with a smile.
"And now, we feast!"
The wolves let out a howl of joy as platters of meat and fruit are brought out. Bang Chan turns to me then.
"We had your human carnival food. Now it's my turn. Are you ready to feast like a wolf?" he asks.
"Well of course, I'm ready!" I say with excitement.
"Then let's eat."
I'm presented with a brilliant display of meat and crops, all hunted and grown from within Bang Chan's forest. Each bite is more delicious than the last, and I find myself stuffing down double what I thought I'd be able to eat.
"I've never eaten this well in my life before."
As the feasting wraps up, Han lifts I.N from his seat at the table.
"Bed time, mister."
"Aw!" I.N whines.
"Bang Chan, can't he stay a bit longer?" I ask.
"What comes next isn't exactly appropriate for pups."
I open my mouth to ask why, when the thrumming rhythm of drums fill the air. Bang Chan stands, holding his hand out to me.
"Come on, you're the guest of honor here tonight."
As I stand, Bang Chan spins me fast. I gasp, and land with my palm against his bare chest. He smirks.
"Let's see if you're as good on your feet as you are with your fists."
"Oh yeah? You might have to lead." I giggle.
"Oh, have I finally found something (Y/N) isn't immediately a natural at? Don't worry, I'll guide you through it."
The heat of the fire and the music around me begins to seep in, creating air of frenzy that only pushes me closer to Bang Chan. The other wolves begin to dance around me, swaying sensuously against one another.
"Come here."
Bang Chan's hands move to my waist and our bond ignites as he begins to rock against me, pulling back before drawing in close once again. I feel more of him than ever before. Every ridge of muscle, every thrust and turn of his hips. And now, with my sealed place in the pack, I feel the pounding heat inside him, too. The hunger he feels for me.
"Dance with me, (Y/N)."
His grip on my body tightens, desire coursing from his touch.
"Okay."
A smile creeps up on Bang Chan's face. I wrap my arms around his neck, and he presses himself against me. I can feel Bang Chan's heat, his need, in every movement of his body, the two of us intertwining as one. He whispers against the shell of my ear.
"Are you leading? Or am I?" He asks with a giggle.
"I am following your lead."
"Well, don't worry."
Bang Chan moves his hips with mine, guiding me against him with his strong hands. His teeth graze my ear.
"I'm good at taking charge."
I can't enough of this. Of him. The two of us twirl around one another, both lost entirely in the frenzy of each other. Bang Chan thrust me away, then pulls me back close, my body grinding tightly against his.
"God, (Y/N)..."
He says my name almost like a curse, almost like a plea. His hands travel lower... I feel where his hands long to go. Where he longs to feel me.
"Bang Chan..."
I whisper his name back, and rock hard against him in invitation. He huffs. Then, his hands slide lower...lower...until he takes firm hold of my ass. I bury my face in his shoulder to keep from swearing out loud. His large, strong hands grip me, squeeze me, feeling every inch of me for the first time. Our bond burns bright. Neither of us has to say what's happening. Our bodies are speaking loud and clear. Bang Chan gasps into my hair, and I feel him grow hard against me. It's never felt like this with Bang Chan before, and over something as simple as a dance. What's coming over me? Bang Chan, for all his mind-melting movements, seems as though he's struggling just as badly as I am.
"Bang Chan?"
It's just then, as the music begins to quiet, that an eerie red glow begins to splash over the bonfire.
"Is the moonlight...red?"
The pack all look to the sky, a blanket of awe falling over the crowd.
"Yes. It's a red moon. I've never seen one rise during an initiation." Bang Chan says while looking at the moon in awe.
"Does that mean anything important?"
"It means we're in for a wild night..."
All around me, I can see the pack members begin to act differently, as though some otherworldly force has overtaken them. Some grind up against each other, while others pull each other into passionate kisses before running off into the woods. Soon, in groups of twos and threes, almost everyone's abandoned the bonfire, leaving me and Bang Chan alone.
"What's happening?"
Bang Chan stares at me with a heat that rivals that of the blazing fire, a heat that echoes something growing within me.
"When a red moon rises, the desire, the need to mate is stronger than ever."
Sure enough, as his words fall over me, I feel that desire within myself course like it's very own heartbeat.
"Do you feel it, (Y/N)?"
Something is drawing me closer to Bang Chan, almost as if my body is begging me to close the gap. To take him. He steps closer to me, the shadow of flames dancing over his flesh.
"Do you feel it? Because I do. I want you, (Y/N)."