Chapter Text
Jeongin knew he had no chance; never had one to begin with but it didn't make it hurt any less. He wanted to shift into his wolf and howl his anguish into the air. But he couldn't. Because then people would know. He would know and Jeongin couldn't stand that thought. He didn’t want his hyung to feel guilty over something that couldn’t be controlled.
Jeongin had always admired and looked up to Chan growing up. The older alpha the one who had taken him under his wing, becoming his mentor and training him in the art of hunting. Chan had always mentioned how special Jeongin’s nose had been since he was a pup, how if he trained it he would grow to become one of the best hunters their pack had ever seen.
With Chan’s help, Jeongin honed his skills and managed to achieve that goal at a very young age. And somewhere along that journey, when Jeongin was maturing into his wolf and learning about himself, his admiration for Chan had turned into something more.
Something different.
Something deeper.
He had always found Chan attractive, most everyone did. It was difficult to not get caught up in Chan’s entire being even once, even if platonically. He was always a steady, warm presence that everyone gravitated towards in one way or another. Jeongin was just one of the many who had fallen for Chan’s charms. His alpha drawn to Chan’s scent and entire being like a moth to a flame.
But quickly enough, that attraction had taken a turn into something a lot more complicated. Because Chan treated him as a wolf he could talk to and rely on, someone he could share his thoughts and worries with. Someone he could be vulnerable around. Paired with his impossibly big heart, his inner thoughts, and the way his mind worked, Jeongin’s heart had never stood a chance.
So Jeongin had fallen. Irrevocably and indisputably.
He had never said anything, how could he have? Chan had never showed any signs of having feelings for him, was quick to compliment all their close friends and treat them like they were all special to him. And yeah, okay, Chan treated Jeongin a little more fondly but that was because Jeongin was the youngest in their little friend group and everyone dotted on him just a little more.
So Jeongin loved Chan fiercely but silently, doing his best to hide his feelings and behave as usual. He felt from afar and in his own space, going on runs and focusing on his job as a hunter to let the growing aggressiveness of his wolf out.
He strategically kept himself from Chan when he felt he was on a breaking point, never allowing the other alpha to see him like that, lest he asked questions Jeongin would, could, never answer.
It mostly worked, but there were times that Chan unknowingly caused his alpha to stir; to whine and growl and demand Chan look at him.
Just like now that Jeongin was forced by his own masochistic tendencies to watch as Chan approached the beautiful wolf from one of the visiting packs. Jeongin imagined how they would probably talk about the mating hunt, his wolf’s hackles rising. He felt the need to make Chan stop courting the omega and give his attention to Jeongin instead.
Thankfully, Jeongin has had enough of those instances to know how to control his scent and his wolf: A deep breath, a great distance and eyes averted. Granted, he couldn’t avoid them forever, not if they declared their mating tonight.
Theoretically, he knew Chan would one day mate with someone, but thinking about it as a possibility and having it happen were two very, very different things.
Jeongin’s nose twitched, a full breath in bringing a scent he was so familiar with he ached to have it all over him, to have it merge with his own.
Jeongin could walk away. Chan wasn’t close enough yet and Jeongin hadn’t actually acknowledged his approach so he could just, slip away.
Seeing Chan after he was so happily conversing with the visiting omega didn’t sit well with Jeongin, made him want to whine and howl. But he couldn’t, he had no right over Chan, could just be the close, younger friend that acted mostly older than his age.
He could be a great friend. Hell, he was and always has been a great friend to Chan and that would never change. Not when he made things official and mated with the omega. Not when they decided to live together. Not when they started a family.
Jeongin felt something in him break a little at these thoughts, but something else bloomed because in unrequited love he could be, but above all else, he wanted Chan’s happiness. If that wolf made Chan happy then Jeongin would give them his blessings and be the best support for them wherever they needed him.
However, he wouldn’t be able to do that if he couldn’t even face Chan at the beginning stages of their courting.
Jeongin stayed rooted to his spot, finally turning his head towards the approaching alpha’s direction. Chan’s smile got wider when Jeongin met his eyes, making Jeongin smile in reflex.
God, Chan was so fucking beautiful it hurt Jeongin to look at him.
That smile stayed on his face the whole way to where Jeongin was resting on a bench a little away from the huge bonfire in the middle of the clearing. The sun had set a couple of hours ago, the fire now casting light to the forest. The shadows on Chan’s face made him devastatingly striking and Jeongin’s heart yearned.
Closing his scent off, Jeongin managed to get himself under control just as Chan reached him.
‘’Hey!’’ The tone was light, lively. Chan and the visiting omega weren’t even together yet and his hyung was already so happy. Jeongin could only hope, and dread, that happiness multiplied as time passed.
‘’Hey.’’ His tone was less enthusiastic, his control not having reached his throat yet but he would get there.
Chan came to stand in front of him, close enough that he hid everything else from view. How fitting, having his vision taken up by Chan when all he could see has been him for a long time now.
‘’Can I join you or are you waiting for someone?’’
Jeongin wanted to laugh at the question but knowing it would hurt Chan stopped him from doing so.
Waiting for someone.
Right.
Jeongin didn’t answer, just jutted his chin at the spot next to him as invitation, shoulders shrugging like he had no care in the world.
Chan sat down with a little huff, getting comfortable on the bench next to him. Jeongin saw him stretch his legs out, palms on either side of him on the bench, mirroring Jeongin.
‘’Are you excited for the hunt?’’ Chan asked, usually the one to start conversation between them.
Jeongin had to swallow his self-deprecating scoff down before answering.
‘’Not really.’’
Chan’s scent reached Jeongin’s trained nose immediately, alerting him on its change. He had no chance to catch any undertones of it before Chan was reining it in. He was probably disappointed that Jeongin wasn’t sharing his excitement.
‘’Why not? No one caught your eye?’’ Chan prodded.
Jeongin wanted to laugh. This was going great.
‘’Not really.’’
This time Jeongin was waiting for the change in scent, nose trained on it. It held a hint of sadness and frustration.
Chan cared deeply for his friends, Jeongin knew that. As he also knew that Chan had always wanted the best for Jeongin. Even if the best was something only Chan could be and something Jeongin could never have.
‘’Don’t worry about me, hyung. There is always next time. I am sure I will find someone at some point.’’
More sadness. Chan smelled like he was hurting. He hadn’t even tried to hide it this time.
Jeongin wanted to reassure him more, wanted Chan to focus on his own hunt, his own happiness.
‘’What about you? Excited I assume?’’ Jeongin, turned out, was a glutton for pain.
There was hesitation now, Chan taking his time before answering.
‘’I… I thought so.’’ Chan didn’t sound that certain anymore. Jeongin was expecting pure happiness to burst out of Chan. Expected the alpha to rave over his potential mate, his excitement for what could be.
Now it was Jeongin’s turn to be worried, Chan’s lack of any good feeling surprising him so much he couldn’t keep his scent under control. Worry the most prevalent undertone, it reached Chan’s nose instantly. Jeongin saw his nostrils flare, head turning towards Jeongin's direction.
Chan opened his mouth to speak but Jeongin beat him to it, body turning to the side to face Chan fully. "Did something happen? Things have been looking great between you two."
Jeongin watched Chan’s face intently, needing to catch any changes in expression, needing to know how to best help Chan.
It didn't seem necessary because Chan wore his confusion clear as day on his face. "Huh? Us two? Us who?"
"What do you mean who?’’ It was Jeongin’s turn to be confused. ‘’Hyung, everyone knows you are courting Minho."
Jeongin watched as Chan opened and closed his mouth, no words coming out until a noise did, something between protest and denial.
"What? How? What?"
"Why are you denying it? It's going to be official soon enough, no? You are planning on m-mating tonight."
Jeongin tried, he really did. But he still couldn't get the word out first try, tongue stuck like it refused to speak it into existence.
‘’Okay, this is getting ridiculous,’’ Chan’s exasperated words gave Jeongin pause, body tensing as all his senses focused on Chan. ‘’Jeongin, I am not mating with Minho.’’
‘’W-What? But I thought- everyone said… what?’’ Jeongin had no idea what was happening.
Seeing his complete shock, Chan scooted closer, scent turning soft, warm. Jeongin felt himself relax instinctively; his wolf too attuned to Chan’s not to.
‘’Jeongin-ah, I don’t know why people thought that I was courting Minho when he has made it more than obvious that he was planning to mate to an alpha from his own pack.’’
‘’I don’t understand.’’ Jeongin’s voice was small, his world shaken up by Chan’s words.
‘’I don’t want Minho, Jeongin. I-uhm- I actually wanted to talk to you about something before the hunt began. But then, I came here and you, uhm, you really didn’t look like you were in the mood to talk. At all.’’
Hearing Chan stumble over his words was so strange to Jeongin. It had Jeongin anticipating the worst. Like Chan admitting that he had feelings for someone other than Minho, someone Jeongin knew well. Jeongin didn’t think he could handle Chan dating one of their mutual friends.
‘’Talk to me about what?’’ Jeongin could hear the apprehension in his own voice clear as day.
‘’Uhm, okay. Okay, uhm, this is much harder than I thought it would be…’’ Chan was nervous, Jeongin could hear it but smell it just as much. It transferred to Jeongin easily, his hands gripping the edge of the bench tight enough to hurt.
‘’What is going on, hyung?’’
Chan averted his eyes, scent a mix of emotions. Jeongin had a hard time focusing on one. His first instinct was to lean in, to comfort Chan in any way he could. He let his scent out a little, trying to soothe the other alpha. His own alpha was whining in his head, not liking seeing Chan like that. Chan was always sure of his words, a confidence like no other when he spoke.
‘’You can talk to me about anything, hyung, you know that.’’ Jeongin assured him, conviction behind every word. Jeongin saw Chan take a deep breath, his exhale a soft laugh. It seemed like he was finding his confidence, his scent evening out to his usual strong but warm one. Just like the man himself.
When their eyes met this time, Jeongin felt his breath catch, the emotions in Chan’s eyes holding Jeongin captive.
‘’I actually wanted to ask you if you, uhm, well, you see, I really like you, like really really like you, and uhm I kinda sometimes thought that you could feel the same way so uhm, I wanted to ask if you wanted to uhm, like, hunt for me. If-If you feel the same of course and yeah if you want to uhm… yeah, that’s about it.’’
Chan’s words barely made any sense to Jeongin. Did Chan just confess to him? What the actual fuck was going on?
His utter bewilderment must have shown because Chan was quick to fill the silence. ‘’Okay, I can see you either didn’t register any of what I just spewed at you or you really didn’t expect any of it. I can understand that, I just uhm, thought you should know?’’
Jeongin blinked once, slowly, so slowly he realised he was doing it, his vision actually darkening for the amount of time it took for him to open his eyes again.
‘’Did you just- you can’t like- hyung, what the actual fuck?’’
"Uhm, I am sorry?" Char's defeated tone finally snapped Jeongin out of his thoughts.
He saw how Chan had leant away from him, putting more space between them than they had ever had. It made Jeongin’s heart hurt, his wolf whining with the need to fix this.
"No, no, please don't be sorry. I am the one who has to apologise. I just- like- oh my God. I honestly can't process any this.’’
‘’I can give you time? To like think about how you feel about everything I said? I just wanted to let you know cause yeah, I thought it was time and also there's the hunt so I thought - but yeah my alpha couldn't wait - but of course you don't have to like, uhm, do anything about that. I am sorry if this was too sudden but yeah…’’
‘’Too sudden?" Jeongin couldn't help but huff out. ‘’Hyung, I was literally trying to stop myself from howling in pain from just the thought of you talking to Minho. And then you not only say that you don’t like the omega, but you, you confess to me. Like, I don't know if this is even real anymore.’’
"Oh, uhm, yeah… I can understand your confusion but I actually thought you knew about my feelings. It felt like I was not doing anything to hide them. I won't even touch the whole Minho thing, because it's kind of ridiculous to even think that I would be mating him. Not with how in love I am with you.’’
Jeongin's brain came to a very sudden and comical stop; his eyes widened, and he was certain he stopped breathing. Cause see, the meaning behind Chan’s words hadn’t actually registered, his brain too overwhelmed by all the new information and the speed with which Chan was uttering it. But this one, this one hit him straight to his lungs.
"Y-you're in love with me?’’ Jeongin whispered, too afraid to speak louder in case the spell broke.
‘’Yeah..." Came Chan’s almost reluctant admittance.
Jeongin couldn't stop his scent from exploding, happiness spreading with it. Pure, unadulterated happiness. It, understandably, made Chan's eyes snap back up to him.
Jeongin knew he was smiling like crazy, heart beating wildly in his chest, and he bit his lip to stop the triumphant howl his wolf longed to let out.
Chan’s lips quirked up slowly, a little hesitant to follow Jeongin.
"Uhm, I take it you're okay with it?" Chan asked, shy.
"More than," Jeongin reassured him. ‘’God, hyung, I never thought…fuck, there are so many things I want to say, and ask but I am in love with you too. Like, so in love with you it hurts.’’
Chan’s scent went wild with emotions at Jeongin's words, his usual tamed scent so out control Jeongin could feel stares on them. He paid them no mind, sole focus on the man in front of him.
"Really?" Chan asked and Jeongin was so quick to reassure him.
"Really, really. Like, so really." He sounded ridiculous, and it would have made him laugh any other time, but all he could think of now was that Chan was in love with him.
Jeongin’s eyes were drawn to Chan's lips as they bloomed in a big smile, allowing his dimples to show. God, Jeongin wanted to ruin him equally as much as he wanted to smother him and protect him. Chan must have caught the changed tone of his scent, eyebrow quirked as a shy smirk took over his smile.
‘’Yeah?"
Before Jeongin had time to respond a loud horn echoed in the clearing, demanding their attention. It was the horn meant to gather everyone close to the fire as the hunt was about to begin.
Jeongin looked at Chan with wide eyes, not having expected their conversation to be cut short at such a crucial moment.
Chan’s mouth opened but with a shake of his head he closed it again. Jeongin’s eyes fell to his lips again, the thought of how inviting they looked penetrating his mind.
A soft rumble made Jeongin tear his eyes away from Chan’s lips to look at the alpha. Chan was looking at him, red tint in his eyes. With a twitch of his nose Jeongin realised why: his scent was laced with a hint of desire that must have woken Chan’s alpha. Jeongin’s wasn’t far behind, not when he smelled Chan’s desire mix with his own.
Jeongin could feel his eyes turning slightly red as he stared at Chan, their gazes locked intensely, the atmosphere getting heavier with their pronounced scents.
A sudden reminder of what the night was about hit Jeongin like a truck, his scent intensifying to almost an unhinged level as his alpha slipped past his control.
Chan’s scent followed suit, rumble becoming deeper, more pleased.
Jeongin wanted to scent him, wanted to mark him so bad.
He had not realised he had leant forward to do so until he felt Chan’s breath on his face. It made Jeongin snap into reality, eyes widening as he put some distance between them.
Chan raised his hand when Jeongin moved, like he wanted to prevent him from doing so, but he stopped himself, arm falling on his bent leg.
Jeongin took a deep breath and tried to get himself under control again. He toned his scent down and shut his eyes until he knew they would be back to normal before opening them. Finally, he looked at Chan, a bashful smile on his lips.
Chan gave him a shy smile of his own, hand rubbing the back of his neck. Jeongin didn’t need his wolf senses to know Chan was a little bit embarrassed at the loss of control over his scent. Jeongin didn’t, couldn’t, blame him, not when he was one who had instigated everything.
‘’Let’s continue this later?’’ Jeongin knew they had a lot discuss. Nothing concrete coming out from their conversation other than their feelings for each other. And even those were rushed. It was enough for now, but not nearly enough for later.
Chan agreed with an eager nod.
With another shared smile and look, they got up from the bench and walked towards the fire, splitting ways a few steps later.
Jeongin made for his friends, easily recognising them in the crowd and joining them soundlessly. Thankfully, they had been too far away to witness Jeongin’s and Chan’s whole scene. Jeongin intentionally didn't greet them, waiting for his chance to spook them.
With so many wolves gathered around, it was difficult to distinguish scents. Jeongin found great satisfaction in that.
Sure enough, Hyunjin’s shriek followed not long after. "Fuck! Where did you come from?"
"I have been literally standing here for the past five minutes." He stated flatly, watching amused as Hyunjin spluttered, looking between the rest of their group for support.
"Don't worry, love. None of us knew he was here." Changbin placated, making Hyunjin smile beautifully. They made such a nice, healthy pair. Jeongin was so happy for them. If a little disgusted at how gross they acted from time to time.
A sudden burst of laughter drew Jeongin’s eyes to the centre of the fire. Instinctively, Jeongin knew Chan was somewhere in that group, his aura calling to Jeongin’s whole being, asking for his attention.
Sure enough, Chan was standing in front of the fire with the rest of the chosen leaders. Jeongin couldn't help the way his smile threatened to bloom at the sight of the alpha in his element. Chan looked so reliable, so kind and patient but still dependable and able. So much for keeping his feelings in check.
Jeongin knew he wasn’t the only one taken with the alpha; Chan had this innate ability to magnetise, to draw in everyone’s eyes with just his aura. It made Jeongin’s wolf stir, a possessive growl building in his throat.
Just the thought of anyone approaching Chan with more than friendly intentions had Jeongin wanting to bare his teeth, the need to mark Chan as his so the whole world knew more powerful than ever.
Jeongin had to grit his teeth to not let his thoughts show, their earlier confessions doing nothing to mollify his wolf. He saw his friends giving him questioning looks, but he didn’t pay them any mind, eyes focused on Chan as he tried to placate his alpha.
Thankfully, one of the elders started speaking, a hush immediately falling around them to show respect for her words. Jeongin’s wolf finally shut up, allowing him to look away from Chan and focus on her.
She was welcoming the visiting packs, thanking them for their peaceful join. She went on talking about the mating hunt, how sacred it was to wolves, how no one should ever join it maliciously; they were allowed to have fun, play around, chase each other and run. But if they ever forced themselves upon an unwilling partner there would be hell to pay. Her aura and scent showcased exactly what would happen should anyone disregard that one law.
Then a bright smile chased away the threat and the wolves around them followed her cue easily, scents exploding with eagerness.
Jeongin's eyes roamed around, loving the picture his kin made: fire dancing on their bodies, fire in their eyes as they awaited the final signal.
His attention turned to Chan, expectedly, once again. He found the alpha already looking at him, eyes warm but intense.
Jeongin's wolf howled in his mind, a shudder rippling through him. He allowed himself to stare back-now that he could- eyes challenging.
The atmosphere was getting to him, making his alpha rise to the surface more than ever. Making him reckless. It was the only reason why he smirked the way he did. The only reason why he tilted his head slightly to the side, giving just a peak of where the mating bite would go.
Chan's eyes burned, his nostrils flaring as if he was inhaling rapidly, trying to catch Jeongin's scent. It wasn't possible; not with the distance and the many overwhelming scents around them. But Jeongin found himself broadcasting his scent a little bit more anyway, trying to make it reach Chan.
Maybe it did, maybe it didn't.
Jeongin didn't have time to find out because the elder was giving an end to her speech and all hell broke loose.
"Let the hunt commence!" She cried; head thrown back as she sang a howl to the moon.
The sheer energy of the wolves around him brought Jeongin such joy. The excitement and anticipation were palpable, the song the wolves made as they howled with the elder giving Jeongin chills. He added his own voice to the mix as he joined his kin.
The melody died down slowly as more and more wolves shed their human skin. Some ran into the forest, some trotted, some playfully jumped.
His friends bid him goodbye as they joined the hunt, happily chasing each other.
Jeongin stood still, eyes narrowing when he felt a loaded gaze on him. He knew whose it was without having to look and Jeongin let him get his fill before finally turning towards the alpha.
Chan was standing in place, staring at Jeongin like he was waiting for something. Jeongin just stared back, not giving an inch. Chan continued looking, wolf on the forefront, eyes now blazing red in challenge. Jeongin’s alpha was quick to react to the challenge, slightly taking over Jeongin’s rational thinking.
He was on edge, anticipating what was to come.
They were on a standstill until more and more wolves ran to the forest, leaving just a handful around. It was probably why Jeongin was able to pick up the shift in Chan's scent: excitement, arousal.
Jeongin tensed and Chan smirked, head tilting to the side, enough to give Jeongin a clear view of where he could bite down. Jeongin’s sanity all but left him, a growl leaving his lips as his eyes zeroed in on the expanse of neck, almost salivating at the thought of biting down, of making Chan his.
Chan smiled cockily, satisfied, like he expected Jeongin's reaction, like he wanted it.
And then Chan spoke, Jeongin’s senses so focused on him he heard the words clear as day even with the distance between them.
"Catch me if you can, little alpha."
With one last cocky smirk, Chan was gone, running into the forest as a wolf, howl clearly calling out for Jeongin in challenge.
And Jeongin…
Jeongin finally snapped.
All that control he had been exercising trying to keep his wolf down, all those feelings that have been boiling inside him finally exploded in a mixture of scents.
In a second, Jeongin was on four legs, howling his acceptance of the challenge as he went after Chan.
Let the hunt commence.