Archive of Our Own

“How’s the rut treating you, Alpha-nim?”

A vein bulged from Rumi’s temple at the sound of that nickname and the familiar infuriating voice. She hugged herself tighter. “Mira.”

“Badly then.” The Beta welcomed herself into the bedroom, stepping onto the wood, and holy shit it reeked everywhere of dark amber. Disgusting. “Very badly.”

“Get out.”

Mira’s lips curled up and she moved to the corner of the room. Each step she took seemed to make the Alpha puff up further. Almost battle-ready.

Interesting. 

And the black-haired girl nestled in the fluffy chair was even more interesting.

But that earned her a deep, thunderous rumble from the Alpha. A warning to quit looking at what she kept safe there.

Oh boy.

“Don’t get your braid in a twist, leader. I was just checking on sunshine here,” Mira stuck a bag of Zoey’s favorite chips out as a peace offering, which Rumi took warily. She sighed in exasperation, then looked at the maknae. “How’s she treating you, turtle-lover?”

“Huh?” Zoey snapped her headphones off, stopping her jamming. She set her notebook down at the sight of her best friend. “Oh, hey Mira!”

“So,” Mira drawled, eyeing their leader over. Steel gray orbs met obsidian ones. “Need me to kick this Alpha’s ass?”

“What?” Zoey’s light brown ones crinkled with her laugh. “No, no, she’s just being a little protective. Don’t worry.”

“A little?” She watched as their leader inspected the chip bag like airport security. Rumi’s dark amber scent spiked—overshooting—as she scented it before handing it to an adoring Zoey. “…Sunshine you’ve got a half-demon guarding you like a dragon with gold.”

The Beta’s crisp juniper scent flared colder to stabilize Rumi’s volatile one.

“It’s actually disturbing.”

“I think it’s kinda cute,” Zoey giggled, looking up at her leader with sparkling eyes. The eldest acted as if she didn’t hear them but her patterns shimmered a shy pink. “Who needs a bodyguard when you’ve got a big strong Alpha?”

“Hm.” Rumi’s inner alpha practically wagged its tail if it had one. “I’m just standing here.”

“Yeah. Ready to murder anyone who comes close,” Mira stepped inside the odd pillow fort shit, and hovered over the Omega. “What if I just took her—” She picked the giggling maknae up like a cat. “Like this?”

That made Rumi bare her fangs instinctively, borderline snarling at the Beta. “Put. Her. Down.”

Ooooo. 

Must’ve struck a nerve there.

“Whatever you say boss.” Mira couldn’t help a smirk as she set the youngest down. “But maybe you should worry about getting her food. Aren’t you hungry, Zo?”

“Oh yeah, totally.” Zoey immediately went along with the lie. “Let me—”

“No, no, I’ve got it,” Rumi assured, rushing for the door in a blip. She whistled at the demon tiger on her bed. “Guard Zoey while I’m gone, Derpy.”

He purred in acknowledgment, moving to stand in front of the fort.

It took everything for Mira not to burst out laughing. “Sure. Trust the tiger more than your best friend—yup, she's gone.” 

Birdy landed on her shoulder, twittering, almost rolling his eyes from exasperation. Who knew Rumi could be so protective?

Mira did.

How many times had she nearly gotten mauled to death the past couple months for roughhousing Zoey?

“Don’t worry,” Zoey waved it off affectionately. “Ru is harmless. Just let her have this one.”

“And you’re seriously okay with her being so…” Mira leaned against the tall bookshelf Rumi had somehow managed to move for the fort. How should she phrase this? “…Fucking possessive?” 

The maknae frowned a bit. “She’s not possessive. She just wants to protect me, that’s all.” The frown only deepened. “Besides, you’ve seen how she’s been the past couple days.”

It was true. Everyone had seen it. 

Since the rut began, Rumi had been even more restless than she normally was. She’d pace, mutter, sweat, tremble—everything.

At least, until the Omega got within eyesight.

Not that it was much.

It couldn’t stop the restlessness. The eyebags were undeniable and they’d caught her drinking an entire pot of black coffee. Skipping meals. Organizing everything in every order possible. 

Gosh, she’d even stand outside Zoey’s door at night, guarding, rather than asking to come inside. Sometimes patrolling the penthouse.

Finally, on the third day, Zoey invited her into her room and that was when the Omega realized it helped if she was close. It was the only thing that could get Rumi to sleep.

“So I don’t mind. Her instincts are just funky right now, and she’s always been really protective anyway.” Zoey shrugged, scribbling in her notebook again. “It’s no biggie.”

For someone who was being treated like glass with the value of a blood diamond, she was admirably calm.

Figures.

Because Zoey liked the attention.

“Just checking.” Mira tilted her head as she caught a whiff of how strong Zoey reeked of Rumi. Wait. “I—Zo, are you letting her scent you?”

That made Zoey’s cheeks burn. “…Yeah.”

Mira stared at her like she was insane. Because what the actual fuck? Scenting another human being was probably just as intimate as having sex.

To most people anyway.

Clearly not these idiots.

“You know what that means, right?”

A sigh echoed in the room. “It doesn’t mean anything. She still hasn’t said what she’s feeling.”

Mira pinched the bridge of her nose. She glanced to her left where the door was to check if Rumi was there. Heavens, what a fucking idiot their leader was.

How long would Zoey have to wait to hear it?

Part of her still couldn’t believe Rumi Ryu would ever want a weirdo like her. 

The Omega sunk into the soft chair, covering herself in the scented blankets the Alpha had given her. At least Zoey got to pretend she was Rumi’s, even if it was just for a little while.

“I’m sorry, sunshine. Hang in there.” Mira scratched under Birdy’s beak for a moment. “Shit will get better someday.”

That was when the lead singer entered again, carrying a plate of fruit and kimbap, swift as a general. She glared at how close Mira was to Zoey.

“Alright, alright,” Mira strolled past her, making sure to shoulder check the Alpha just to fuck with her. “I’ll see myself out. Have fun—but not too much. I don’t want to hear that.”

They both blushed.

Hilarious.

Rumi handed the younger girl the plate as Derpy took his leave, “Here.” 

“Thanks…”

Then, the Alpha got to work adjusting the weighted blanket she’d used for the roof of the structure. It’d only been a day since she’d set it up, and there were still a few flaws.

It had to be perfect. 

She pinned it tighter to the bookshelf and window, dragging the wood as if it were nothing, before fluffing the pillow walls. It’d cost a small fortune to find pillows this large, as well as a call to Bobby to pick them up from the store.

There was no way she’d leave Zoey.

Finally, she smoothed everything in place, and took her stand right outside the fort. “You have everything, right, Zo? Do you need anything else?”

“Nope!” Zoey called, mouth stuffed. “All good here, Ru!”

“Okay.”

For a while, she shifted on her heels, drumming her fingers on her thigh, and scanned the room over for the tenth time that hour.

What if there were intruders or something?

‘You just don’t want to look at her.’

Shut up.

Of course I do.

“—Aren’t you gonna come inside Ru?”

Oh.

The lead singer peeked inside the structure, finding the maknae blinking up at her. “Do you want me to?”

“…Yeahhh,” Zoey drawled. It was almost a lie, not because it wasn’t true, but because it was for Rumi’s sake. “Definitely. It’s cold in here.”

“That’s not good,” the Alpha set the empty plate down, climbing in carefully behind her, getting under the cover Zoey lifted for her. She curled around the Omega. 

It—it was just to make sure Zoey wasn’t cold.

Not because every instinct preened at the opportunity to be close. Of being able to shield and protect Zoey.

Another alpha rumble — part growl, part hum — thrummed from her chest, rising and falling with her breathing, exposing just how much her instincts leaped. She pressed closer without thinking.

This wasn’t enough to make the strained feeling in her ribs go away—there was only one way to ease a rut—but still.

It made everything a little better.

Zoey could feel Rumi struggling to find a comfortable spot, shifting every minute, like there was no angle that felt right.

A comforting purr curled from the Omega, and Rumi immediately rumbled with more resonance, answering the rhythm instinctively.

Zoey.

Zoey was here.

After a while of their instincts oscillating together, Zoey turned around in her arms. Because still, Rumi couldn’t relax all the way. She smiled at her leader. “Hey superstar, how are you on this fine afternoon?”

“Good.” 

“Okay, but how are you really?” Zoey reached up and brushed a strand of lavender hair back. The braid was coming apart. “Be honest. You know I can tell when you lie, miss Ryu.”

“I know, I know…” Rumi sighed. They’d grown closer—especially after the Gravesite Incident—and unfortunately Zoey could smell a lie at this point. Well, maybe that was fortunate. “I feel tired, but I can’t sleep. I can’t relax either, regardless of how much I want to. But I’ll be fine.”

Zoey brushed the patterns on her cheekbones. “Yeah, I know you will. I just worry cause I love you, you know that right?”

Even in the midday sun, there was no missing the way Rumi’s markings flared alive like rainbow fire.

They always lit up like nebulas whenever Zoey said it.

But Rumi never said it back. Couldn’t.

Not until she told Zoey what she’d planned for months.

For now, all she could do was pull the shorter girl close, and wordlessly, began rubbing the gland on her neck over Zoey’s. A deeper, heavier rumble started up as Rumi nuzzled, brushing the corners of her lips on Zoey’s skin to spread her scent. Just as her instincts demanded her to do so. 

And Zoey said nothing. Never protested.

Just let the Alpha scent her thoroughly. Because if this meant Rumi felt better, then what the heck else mattered?

But it did take everything in her not to purr back. If she had, then she might as well have put up a giant neon sign for the rutting Alpha that said: claim me. And like, not some PG kind of claim. The kind that Zoey sometimes thought of when she laid in bed—

Woah.

Back it up a little.

That was when Rumi climbed over her, pinning her deep into the cushions without realizing, dragging her gland more vigorously. The loud vibrations coming from her was a blatant sign that the Alpha’s instincts were overjoyed at Zoey’s willingness to accept a claim.

It should’ve bothered Zoey.

She should’ve told Rumi to stop and get off of her. After all, they weren’t mates or even girlfriends.

But maybe… maybe she could be Rumi’s.

Maybe Rumi Ryu could be hers.

“Hmm…” Rumi murmured, feeling her muscles relax more and more as she scented the black-haired girl. “Zoey…”

Crap.

A slow purr slipped from the Omega’s throat, vibrating underneath Rumi’s lips, and both of their cores filled with heat. 

Their cheeks only burned further when Rumi pulled away to stare down at the lyricist. The maknae couldn’t handle the endless oceans of Rumi’s eyes. “Heh. Sorry about that…”

“It’s alright.”

If it weren’t for the specialized boxers Rumi wore for ruts, then Zoey would’ve seen she was very much erect. Or how any touch from the maknae had her riled up in an instant. 

Only Zoey could do that to her, and she loathed it.

It shouldn’t happen.

Except right now, all Rumi did was gaze into Zoey’s honeyed eyes, and imagined saying the seven words she’d rehearsed a thousand times.

‘Tell her before you lose her.’

Quiet.

…But Zoey did look so beautiful like this.

She leaned down a bit, considering for a moment just closing the distance—

“Um, Rumi?”

“O-oh,” The Alpha shot up and out the structure like lightning. Her braid whipped behind her as she whirled, focusing on her bed as if it might save her the embarrassment. “Sorry about that—I don’t know why I—I’m just going to drink some water—”

“Hey girls!”

Rumi stood fully at attention, stiffer than a board. She tucked a hair back. “H-hi Bobby! What is it?”

“I just wanted to remind you girls about tonight—”

What on God’s green Earth?

“...Did you build this den?”

Rumi blinked. “A what?”

“Who did you build it for—” Oh. Zoey peeked her head out the small fort curiously, shooting a smile to the manager. Wait a minute. He carefully—tentatively—poked the situation, “Uhhhh… so you didn’t build this?”

“Oh. You mean my structure,” Rumi corrected as if that were a better description, or a sane one at that. “Yes, I built it. All by myself.”

“Cool. Very cool.”

The older Beta picked his jaw up off the floor. Because Alphas didn’t build dens unless it was for one very specific reason. For a specific person.

Their mates.

Or, at least, the person they were courting.

“Anddddd you know what this is, Zoey?” He tried. She blinked at him too, confuzzled as heck. “Nevermind—ignore me.”

Right. Youngsters didn’t know about courting or mating rituals anymore. Bobby had just happened to have grown up in a very old-fashioned home.

Lovely.

“I was just coming to remind you girls about the celebration tonight in the Sky Lounge,” He stated, doing his absolute best not to lose his mind. The manager grabbed his phone to show them the invite. “Don’t forget it’s a little formal. A ton of people from the industry are coming for Huntrix’s 900 million mark.”

“Whoo!” Zoey shook Rumi’s shoulder as if she hadn’t known about their record break already. “We’re just so amazing like that, right unnie? I can’t wait to party!”

Bobby chuckled, stuffing his phone away in his suit jacket. “It’s not that kind of party Zoey. No party animals tonight.” The maknae immediately booed, leaning against her leader. “But anywho, Rumi, I think you should sit this one out.”

“Sit it out?” The Alpha brushed a few loose strands of hair out of her face. “Why?”

Was that even a question?

People didn’t go out much during their ruts or heats unless it was absolutely necessary. It was overwhelming for everyone involved.

“It’s best to just stay up here. Let Mira and Zoey handle this one,” Bobby repeated. His coffee bean scent flared to steady the smoldering dark amber in the air. He wasn’t sure why the Alpha was so distressed. “You don’t have to worry, Rumi. Everyone will understand why.”

“I—no.” Rumi’s inner alpha clawed inside her ribs, adrenaline filling her veins. She had to. “No, I’m going.”

The older Beta shared a look with the maknae. “Rumi, really, it’s best you stay up here. Your pheromones are…” He didn’t want to say it. Maybe it was the demon blood worsening it, but…  “A little much. You might cause just a tiny bit of panic.”

Well, that was the nicest way to put it.

Only Zoey could withstand the burn of myrrh. And Bobby understood precisely why. 

“Fine,” Rumi relented. She squared her shoulders, unconsciously trying to look taller. “But Zoey isn’t going either.”

“What?” The other two said in unison. They stared in shock before the manager spoke up. “Um, and why is that?”

“There’s no need for her to be there.”

“Errr—I kinda do, Ru,” Zoey chuckled a bit tight around the edges. Since when did the lead singer not understand idol life and etiquette and all that crap? “I mean, I’m not gonna let Mira go alone, and I don’t really have an excuse either—”

“No,” Rumi reiterated. Sweat crept in at the thought. What if something happened to the Omega? The one person who never left her? “You’re not going there.”

The maknae blew a breath at her black hair, beginning to feel like a caged animal. “But why, Rumi?”

“Because I—I can’t protect you there, Zo.”

“Ru, I don’t need you to protect me. We’re literally Demon Hunters.” How many times had they trained together? Fought hordes together? “And it’s just a formal party with a bunch of crew and big-wigs.”

Bobby pulled at his turtleneck, shrinking a bit at the way Rumi’s scent spiked. It was getting stuffy, and a warning to get the hell out. He shuffled towards the door. “...So I’ll see you there?”

“Yup, count on it—”

“I said no.”

Everyone went still. The half-demon stood there, heaving, patterns slithering in magenta hues. Gold flickered in her left eye like embers of a fire. One that was burning Zoey too. And the Omega narrowed her own eyes, feeling a small scratchy growl at the back of her throat.

What she’d said finally began to register for Rumi. What—what was she doing?

“...Don’t worry Bobby,” Zoey glowered with her teeth out. She folded her arms as she looked the half-demon over. “We’ll catch you there.”

“Okay…” He glanced at the Alpha sympathetically. It made sense. Rumi’s instincts believed Zoey was her mate, and she was in rut. It was a miracle the half-demon had even let him enter the room. “I’ll see you girls. Let Mira know about this, okay?”

“Yep.”

The second the door closed, Zoey shifted her gaze away to pick her stuff up from the ‘den,’ as Bobby called it. She’d have to look that up online later. “Let’s get ready, Ru. I’ll let you use some of my super strong suppressant cream.”

“We’re not going—”

“I don’t need my best friend telling me what I can’t and can do,” Zoey snapped. She grabbed her stuffed turtle and notebook, passing the startled Alpha. “So don’t talk like that. And second, I don’t need you to protect me like I’m some pretty pink princess. How many times have I saved your butt?”

“Yeah, I–I know that Zo, I just—” The Alpha opened and closed her mouth repeatedly. “I know you’re strong. But I just want to—”

“You don’t have to protect me. I don’t want you to,” Zoey opened the bedroom door, not bothering to look back. She muttered bitterly under her breath, “Not like you’re my Alpha anyway.”

But Rumi heard it.

And her heart ached.

Shit.

Her shoulders drooped down with every step she heard Zoey take down the hall. Until the door slammed. What was Rumi thinking? What gave her the right to protect Zoey?

What gave her the right to think Zoey even needed her to begin with?

‘She doesn’t. You’re too weak to protect her. You can’t even speak your mind.’

Shut up.

Rumi stood there for a while, staring at her fluffy socks, counting the threads before ultimately moving. 

Guess she had to get ready for this celebration.

The Alpha undid her braid, because there was no point in a lost cause, running a brush through the lavender strands. Months ago she’d never have let it down. Not anywhere others could see.

But Zoey taught her how.

She saw herself in the bathroom. It was because of Zoey she could even look in the mirror. And it was because of Zoey she could even speak at all. None of the progress she made could’ve been done without the lyricist.

But for some reason, Rumi could never say it.

Even after everything.

‘You’re taking too long. It’s pathetic.’

“I told you to shut up.”

Rumi slid on a silk blouse and smoothed a leather jacket over it. She checked her extra-firm boxers were in place, making sure to tuck herself as she pulled her trousers up. The belt that slithered around her waist felt agonizingly tight.

Bobby was sadly right. 

Ruts were stupidly uncomfortable for going out, and her heightened demon senses only worsened it. But the idea of fighting Gwi-Ma himself was more appealing than leaving Zoey’s side.

No way.

When she caught the Omega in the hall as she exited, the Alpha exhaled sharply. Because the backless Versace dress Zoey wore should’ve been considered a public hazard.

Heavens.

She was so gorgeous.

“Wow,” Rumi breathed out, doing her best not to goggle at her. “You look beautiful, Zo.”

The lyricist looked elsewhere with a pout. “Hmph.”

Oh. Right.

“Hey,” She said softly, fidgeting with her jacket. “I—I’m sorry about earlier. I didn’t mean to make it sound like you were weak. You’re the opposite, Zoey. I just…” 

Say it. 

“I care about you. A lot.”

Her muscles clenched as if preparing for a blow.

“Oh.” Zoey blinked before a flush creeped into her cheeks. It was silly for her heart to flutter at that, but dang it. Stupid feelings. “Well, just don’t forget I’m a strong girl too, okay?” 

“I won’t.”

That made the maknae smile a bit. “Alright, then we’re cool. Don’t sweat about it too much—actually speaking of sweat…”

She placed the small teal tub in Rumi’s hands. “For your glands.”

“Thanks,” The Alpha leaned on the sofa, reaching up to swipe the cool minty cream all over the sides of her neck. Then her wrists. A bit at the corners of her mouth. “How strong is it?”

Zoey walked over to join her. “It’s the strongest, bestest one they can legally sell.” She tapped her nails against the back of the couch, awaiting Mira’s arrival from her room. “You know how strong my scent is normally, so heats? Yeah. Ultra strength it is.”

That was true.

There was yet to be a scent as stubborn as Zoey’s, which was especially impressive for an Omega.

“Alright losers,” Mira called from down the hall, strutting out with more confidence than she should’ve. Because the big ass fur coat she wore was insane. “Let’s go.”

“Erm, actually, tonight we’re winners.” Zoey skipped towards the elevator, meeting up with the Beta. “And what the heck is this, unnie? How many birds did you murder for this?”

“Tigers, actually.”

Derpy meowed sadly from down the hall.

“…Not demon ones.”

“She wasn’t being serious, Derps!!” Zoey smacked the choreographer’s arm. “We would never wear actual animal skin.”

Mira looked at Rumi’s jacket. “So what's leather then?”

“…Most animal skins.”

Before they could speak again, the lead singer was dragging them both into the golden elevator. Nightfall was coming. “Let’s go guys.”

As the machinery hummed, the Omega smoothed out a crease in Rumi’s shirt and the Alpha murmured a bashful “thanks.”

The little display stopped at 65.

The golden doors opened to a spacious, plush lounge, decorated in dark hues. Large window panes took up most of the walls, capturing a perfect view of Seoul’s twinkling skyline. As they strode forward, the floors reflected their figures. 

Bouts of people—executives from Sunlight Entertainment, managers at Huntrix, sponsors, collaborators—all the influential individuals crowded the soft couches. Caterers bustled around with orders from the bar or those popular pop drinks Mira fucking despised.

Well, Mira despised everything about this but Rumi warned her to play nice. Neither of the younger girls wanted to deal with business or idol jargon, except they didn’t have much of a choice.

Luckily for them, the lead singer was the one who did the talking—with hey’s and thank you’s and chit chat—slowly guiding them towards their manager at the corner. Mira mumbled that it was impossible to find the short ass guy if not for his coffee scent.

“Don’t disrespect Bobby like that, grumpy pants,” Zoey chastised, smacking Mira’s shoulder to leave a stinging mark. “He’s insecure, meanie.”

“My bad.” 

Whether she meant it or not, Zoey wasn’t sure.

Bobby beat them to it though, ambushing them from out of nowhere. “Hey girls!”

The trio instantly grinned. “Hi Bobby!”

“Your timing is perfect! I want to introduce you to a special someone,” Bobby announced, pulling a young man in a crisp grey suit with him. He patted his back. “This is Park Ha-joon from the up and coming boyband ‘Summer Lotus.’”

The black-haired man bowed slightly, a charming smile adorning his face. “It’s an honor to meet you three.”

“Woah!” Zoey’s eyes brightened. And Rumi didn’t miss how she jumped on her heels. “It’s nice to meet you too—but Summer Lotus? As in the Summer Lotus?” 

“Yes, maknae, you haven’t gone deaf just yet,” Mira remarked, dry as ever. She draped an arm around the shorter girl as she sized Ha-joon up. “Heard your guys’ stuff before. It’s sick.”

“Thank you,” He answered politely. “It’s truly an honor that Idols like yourselves have heard of us.”

“Well Mira’s right!” Zoey chirped, giving a signature grin to the young man. “I think it’s so cool how you guys mixed shoegazing with Kpop. It’s unlike anything I’ve ever heard before—in the best way!”

Wait. 

How did Zoey know so much about them?

“Actually, Ha-joon here is the main producer,” Bobby chimed in enthusiastically. “He writes almost all of their discography, and even choreographs some of it too.” 

That made Mira and Zoey’s brows go up, respecting the hard work, though Rumi could only notice how Ha-joon kept his attention on Zoey. A growl would’ve begun if she didn’t focus on Zoey too.

Then, Bobby turned his attention to the lyricist, “He’s been bugging me for months about getting your contact information.”

“Hold the phone,” Zoey blurted, eyes widening as she looked between the two male Betas. “Is this the Ha-joon you were telling me about recently? About the collab?”

“Yeah! He’s the one.”

What?

Collab?

Wait—what—

A pink flush covered Zoey’s face. “You really like my lyrics that much, huh?”

“Of course,” He answered without missing a beat. His smile pulled up into a genuine grin, flashing his fangs softly. “I’ve been listening to your work since you got started on youtube. It really helped inspire me to start up Summer Lotus.”

“Seriously?” Zoey fidgeted with her rings, touched that someone appreciated her work that much. That she actually could impact someone’s life. The shy flush worsened. “Well—I’m super happy to hear that! So you’re hoping to work together right?”

Rumi’s stomach dropped. Not from fluster this time. Something that made her chest tighten, until Mira subtly grabbed her shoulder to ground the half-demon. Both of the older girls shared a look.

“Yes,” the young man asserted, smiling politely at the group. “Actually I was hoping to discuss the collab idea for a bit. Would everyone mind if I steal her for a moment?”

Bobby lit up at the opportunity, “That’d be perfect!” He quickly gestured to one of the plush couches in the Lounge. “You two go on and get to know each other a bit. We can flesh out details later.”

“Go for it, man,” Mira answered, letting go of the maknae, meanwhile the Omega paused but smiled the same as him, “Sure!”

Except, Rumi nearly pulled her back. “H-hold on—”

But Zoey slipped from her fingers, and Mira quickly caught her by her jacket. She shook her head at the lead singer, and Bobby worriedly looked at the Alpha.

Appearances.

Sympathy filled him, understanding Rumi’s instincts were on fire, but her pheromones were spiking. “Hey, Rumi, maybe you should head back upstairs to the penthouse,” he urged. It wouldn’t take long until others noticed. “Your rut is—”

“No,” Rumi nearly growled. Her jaw clicked hard, but she exhaled slowly through her nose. If she wanted to stay close by, she needed to loosen up. “I’m going to get a drink.”

Neither one dared stop her.

It was probably for the best.

At the bar, Rumi awkwardly hopped onto the stool, too busy staring at the black-haired Omega and Beta from the other room. They weren’t even close, nor did they seem to be flirting—but her instincts didn’t care. They still howled inside her ribs.

And her heart still squeezed.

Because what were they talking about that had Zoey’s eyes sparkling?

What had her lighting up and rambling in the way Rumi adored?

And why did she look at him with the same excitement she looked at Rumi with?

She had to force herself to look away when Ha-joon took out a mini journal and Zoey burst into giggles, revealing her own journal that she kept on her at all times. 

They… seemed to have a lot in common.

“Chuck…” Rumi sighed, biting her cheek for a moment. She stared at all the bottles on the shelves. Something strong. She needed something strong. “Get me some bourbon on the rocks, please.”

“On it.”

Once he slid over the drink, Rumi shot it down, not even wincing the slightest at the burn. She swirled the ice in the crystal-like glass, watching it shimmer and refract off the bar lighting. Rumi asked for a refill not even a minute after the first.

It wasn’t going to do much if anything at all. 

Her demon metabolism burned up everything rapidly, meaning she was practically resistant. To the point Rumi wondered if there was a point in drinking.

‘Look at that.’ The hisses grew louder in her ears, and Rumi’s eye twitched. She gripped the glass stiffly until it nearly shattered. ‘Do you see now?’

See what?

‘Where did all that waiting get you? Was it worth the one person who could’ve loved you?’

Rumi gripped her scalp, leaning hard on the counter. She raked lines down to her ears as if that might make the whispers go away. 

I don’t want to hear it.

The soft pop music overhead did nothing to drown it out. 

She glanced at the Omega for a split second. Seeing her scribble down notes in her journal now, having scooted right beside Ha-joon.

‘You lost her.’

I didn’t. 

They’re both very talented writers, and they’re just discussing a collab. 

That’s all.

‘Are you certain?’ It mocked hot across the back of her neck. ‘Because it seems like all the ‘laters’ have slipped from your fingers.’

“Chuck, please get me a bottle of soju,” Rumi blurted out, smiling tautly at him. She stopped for a single beat before correcting herself. “Two bottles actually.”

“Two bottles?” The bartender threw a rag over his shoulder. “Are you planning on drinking with a group?”

“...Yeah.”

Definitely.

The second Chuck handed her the bottles, she quickly chugged one down before he could turn again. As if it were nothing but a single shot. Rumi just needed to get intoxicated for once, okay? To forget that the girl with star-speckled eyes was speaking to someone else.

‘Alcohol won’t let you escape this.’

Shut up!

There’s nothing to escape—Zoey doesn’t like him!

Another cap popped and Rumi took a long swing, glaring down at the green glass of the soju. Her reflection stared back at her, and this time she could hardly stand to see it. 

What the hell was she doing here all alone? Since when did she drink her problems away?

There was nothing to worry about.

Zoey met him half an hour ago!

‘You—’

That was when a hand on her shoulder made her jolt. 

“—Hey, you good?” Mira questioned, voice gentler than usual. Her eyes looked straight into hers as if seeing through them. “You seem stressed. Maybe depressed.”

Rumi scoffed at the joke. “How?”

“I can smell your bitter ass scent.”

“Funny. Real funny.”

Humor was the last thing on her breath. Mira noticed the empty soju bottle, then the one Rumi held tightly in her hand as if it were the only thing keeping her together. “...You finally getting wasted, leader? Thought I wouldn’t live to see the day.”

Rumi didn’t answer at first. Completely ignored her.

All it took to understand was to follow the lead singer’s line of sight to their maknae. To the lyricist sipping on a soju seltzer, enjoying herself.

“...She’s not into him,” Rumi whispered, voice hardly a rasp. However, she never did take her gaze off the two like Zoey might disappear if she did. “She couldn’t be into him, right?”

“Maybe.” Mira almost considered softening it, but this was the brutal wake-up that Rumi needed. “Guess you’d never know since you can’t seem to tell her shit.”

That made the Alpha grimace. But the Beta wasn’t wrong.

Ha-joon had told Zoey how much he admired her minutes into meeting the lyricist.

How he felt.

Yet Rumi, who understood for months, could never get the words past her tongue.

“...Do you think she’s into him?”

There was no need to speak.

The message was brutally clear in Mira’s stormy gray eyes. In the silence that followed.

Rumi had waited too long.

And maybe Zoey had finally given up waiting for her.

Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, worse than the alcohol at the back of her throat.

“You snooze, you lose,” Mira said bluntly, patting both of Rumi’s shoulders. She adjusted her coat, acting as if she genuinely believed her words. But Mira knew who Zoey’s heart belonged to. “Sucks to suck. Anyways, I came to say that I’m heading the hell out. Me and Taerin are going back to her place.”

“What?” That made Rumi snap out of it, whipping her head around to gape at the Beta. “You finally asked her out?”

“Yup,” Mira boasted, a bit too smug for the redness in her pale cheeks. “We’re about to get our game on right now.”

“Gross.”

“Maybe. But you’re no angel either, leader-nim. You think I haven’t noticed you stare at Zoey’s ass?” the choreographer shot back just to see Rumi’s fluster. “Anyways, can’t keep a lady waiting. See you later—”

“Wait!” 

“...What?”

“I just—” Rumi stopped, etchings rippling with magenta. “How did you know it was the right time to ask?”

“Oh. I didn’t,” Mira admitted. She put her hands in her pockets with nonchalance, as if it were nothing. “Just got the vibe, and went for it.”

“That’s it?”

The incredulousness in her voice almost made Mira laugh.

“Yeah. Sometimes you just gotta take a leap of faith. That’s all it is, Ru.”

A leap of faith.

With that, Mira left her there to think, and Rumi looked at Zoey once again. The other two were still chatting, but this time something else filled the Alpha’s chest. Something made her focus only on Zoey, and not the Beta next to her.

He didn’t matter.

Only her.

And Rumi had to do something. No more waiting.

Or…

Maybe she shouldn’t.

The half-demon looked down at her hands, glaring at the right one where the tips of her claws had emerged. Was this really what was best for Zoey? Or was it selfish?

Maybe Zoey deserved someone who could tell her how much she meant to them.

Maybe she deserved someone who wasn’t dangerous.

‘How pathetic,’ it hissed—nearly snarled—in her head. ‘You’re just going to give up the girl you love because you’re afraid?’

‘After she would’ve crossed the world to save you?’

Her fists clenched in her lap. The markings on her skin charged up—a glimmering crystalline rainbow now. It was right. What the hell was wrong with her?

How long had she planned this? 

Rumi had set up an entire trip to Gapyeong—timing the moon phase, reorganizing their schedules in secret, investigating spots—just so Zoey could see the Milky Way again. The constellations she’d fallen in love with. Just so Rumi could say some simple words and make it “special.” And now, because things hadn’t gone her way, she was just going to give it all up?

Was she just going to give up on Zoey?

‘Are you really the brave Hunter you think you are?’

Yes. I. Am.

And I won’t let her go until she lives knowing just how much she means to me.

No matter what.

At last, the opportunity presented itself when the maknae stood up, excusing herself from the composer for a moment. Rumi quickly downed the rest of the second bottle to burn the nerves.

When Zoey crossed the lounge to the restroom—

Rumi moved.

The door shut behind the lyricist, sealing the loud chatter and pop music outside. She made her way to the sinks at the back. Classical tunes trilled through the marble bathroom and Zoey hummed to the smooth violins.

Any music was good music to her ears!

That was when the bathroom door opened again, closing with more force than when she’d come in. It wouldn’t have made her perk up if it weren’t for the soft crackle of spice that simmered in.

Rumi.

A warm smile appeared as she reached for the soap dispenser. “Hey Ru! Haven’t seen you since the party started.” She looked at herself in the mirror as she ran her hands under the sink. Dang. Her lips definitely needed a touch-up. “How are you feeling?”

“Good.”

But the hint of something acrid in her scent panged the chord in Zoey’s chest. The maknae glanced over to see Rumi leaning against the bathroom’s exit. 

Face dangerously blank.

Huh.

“So, how are you liking the party?”

Only the sound of the sink spraying down filled the bathroom. Zoey quit washing her hands as the silence stretched. What the heck was going on?

“Um… so I’m guessing you aren’t a fan then?”

Still nothing.

All Rumi did was stare at her through her eyelashes, roving her eyes over Zoey. Cheeks flushed. And the intensity of her midnight black eyes made Zoey’s cheeks flush too. The seltzer in her veins didn’t help. Okay. 

Just put the lip gloss on you weirdo.

“Um…” Zoey swiped the brush over her lips, smacking them together if only to focus on literally anything else. “So what have you been up to then, Ru?”

And she nearly jumped—because Rumi suddenly wasn’t by the door anymore, but instead on the opposite side, leaning on the sinks.

“Nothing like you.” Rumi took a few steps toward her, slow and calculated, brushing her hand on the marble. “You’ve been enjoying yourself.”

“What? I—” Zoey cleared her throat, slightly taken aback at the way Rumi’s patterns slithered with light, sparking magenta. “I mean I’ve just been talking to Ha-joon. He really wants to do some tracks and Bobby says—”

All words went out the door as Rumi neared her. The lead singer stopped in front of her, leaning in, dipping her head toward her gland. Then inhaled slowly. 

What was Rumi—

After a moment, a frown curled the Alpha’s lips down. Her breath hit the shell of Zoey’s ear. “You smell like him.”

The lyricist stiffened as she caught the undertone of alcohol. Something familiar. 

Soju. 

And everything made sense now. No wonder Rumi’s pupils were so dilated.

Guess they were both tipsy.

But wait…

Zoey frowned too. Okay, she was a lightweight, but for Rumi to get tipsy the half-demon had to have drank at least two soju bottles. Like, bare minimum. 

So there was no way she did it by accident.

“Um, are you okay, Ru? Did something happen?” She almost reached out to touch the Alpha. “I’m always here if you wanna ramble or anything?”

But Rumi just leaned against the marble counter once more. She ran a hand through her loose hair. “…Do you like him?”

“…What? You mean Ha-joon?”

Rumi watched her carefully. “Yeah.”

“In what way are we talking?”

Nothing again. 

Zoey shut her lip gloss, fidgeting with the tube. What was Rumi getting at? Did her leader mean like like? 

“Um—Ha-joon’s really nice and chill, so he’d be great to collab with for sure. And I wouldn’t mind doing it. His music style is different so we might be able to expand our fan base.”

“That’s…” Rumi’s nails dug into her jacket. “That’s great to hear, Zoey.”

But the way the scent of myrrh intensified despite the suppressant begged to differ. Zoey wasn’t sure what she’d said wrong.

“I—I don’t like him a huge ton though. He’s not really my type of—”

“I don’t like him either.”

“Oh.” Zoey’s brows knitted together. That was startlingly fast—probably the quickest response from Rumi that night. “Why?”

That was when Rumi moved toward her again, close enough for Zoey to feel the warmth radiating off of her. And the lipgloss clattered to the ground. 

But the Alpha never pushed her.

Just held her there, under her gaze, as one orb flickered a golden hue. “Because I can’t stand when you smell like someone else.”

What—what was that supposed to mean? Zoey’s heart thudded hard against her ribs. “Someone else? I—who am I supposed to smell like then?”

In their chests, both of them knew the answer, but neither could they bring themselves to speak it. So, the half-demon hugged herself again.

Ugh. How ridiculous.

There was no reason for Zoey to smell like her. They weren’t together, because Rumi couldn’t spit the words out. 

It was her fault.

“Just—” Rumi sighed through her nose. “Just like yourself.”

‘Quit lying. She’s yours, and you want her to smell like you.’

Quiet.

But despite Rumi’s inability to speak it, Zoey understood more or less what she meant. 

His scent needed to go.

“Well, guess you’re right, unnie,” Zoey’s mouth moved before she could understand what she was saying. “M-maybe—only if it makes you feel better, of course—you can scent me. Y’know, like, to get rid of his?”

“Hm.” Rumi’s left eye blew alive, a full brilliant yellow, eclipsed by the slit pupil. She leaned down into Zoey’s space. “That sounds like you’re saying you’re mine.”

“I—what?” The Omega found herself pulled into the Alpha’s arms and all air left her lungs. She shakily placed her hands on the older girl’s chest. “Rumi…”

The Alpha took a deep breath, but despite the alcohol, her heart still thundered. 

Say it. Now.

“I-I’ve been planning on this for months, Zo. I didn’t want to do it here but… I can’t keep living like this.”

Stars. Why was it so difficult to look Zoey in her big brown sparkling eyes?

“This isn’t because of him,” Rumi added. Never did she want this to feel as if it were an accident or a bout of jealousy. So, she brought Zoey closer, burying her face in the crook of her neck. Just to let Zoey feel her there. “And it’s not the rut.”

“Rumi…” Zoey gripped the leather jacket under her fingertips, shaking just the slightest. “What are you saying?”

For a moment, the Alpha couldn’t answer. 

“I…”

She licked her lips to wet them as if that might get the words out.

And it did.

“I want to be with you, Zoey.”

There.

That was it. Those were the seven words.

Please tell me I’m not too late.

They stood there, motionless, for a while. Long enough that Rumi pulled back to look in Zoey’s eyes. Long enough that a whole musical score passed and Zoey still hadn’t answered. Long enough that Rumi’s markings dimmed to blue. 

Did—did Zoey not feel the same way? 

Did she miscalculate?

Maybe Zoey didn’t want to be hers. Maybe Ha-joon had truly won her over. 

Maybe Rumi really had missed her chance—

Something gentle brushed her lips, and it took a second to realize Zoey had pressed hers to her. Shy. Barely there.

Then, she moved back in Rumi’s slack grip. A widening grin pulled at her features. “…What took you so long?”

And Rumi couldn’t hold back anymore. 

They hummed as the Alpha kissed the Omega, clutching her tight as if there’d never been anything more refreshing in her life. Like she’d never touched a drop of air, and Zoey’s lips were a breath of ocean wind.

Rumi pushed her into the sinks, tilting her head with the need to connect with Zoey.

“Mmm…”

A resonant rumble tumbled out of her chest as the kiss grew hotter—faster and messier. “Stars Zoey…” Everything that she’d been smothering came flooding out. “I want you. I want you so badly.”

“Rumi—”

The lead singer grabbed her thighs, hoisting her up, wrapping Zoey’s legs around her waist. Everything inside her begged to take the maknae before she could leave. She pressed her lips down the soft column of the Omega’s throat. “I need you so badly.”

“Ru…”

Never had Rumi sounded so desperate. Not since the Gravesite Incident.

And never had she been so riled up. Not thinking, the Alpha pinned her against the wall and rolled her hips, pushing the bulge in her pants into Zoey’s core. Oh. The Omega blushed furiously as the rutting Alpha nipped at her scent gland, pressing the thick ridge in her trousers to her sensitive button.

A bolt of pleasure licked up Zoey’s spine and she inhaled shakily.

Holy crap—Rumi was really excited.

Like hard.

And she didn’t even seem to understand because she was too invested in scenting the Omega. “R-rumi—hold on, we’re still in the bathroom—like in public—”

A hum was the only answer she got, and more grinding that stole her breath. Was Rumi actually letting herself want something? Without running? She got her answer when Rumi bit a little too hard.

All it took was one bite and Zoey would be hers.

‘Show them who she belongs to.’

“Hey,” Zoey warned, pushing the Alpha back, pretending her heart didn’t skip a beat at Rumi’s hooded, two-toned eyes. “You gotta calm down, Ru. We’re still at the party—” 

“Hm, hm, hmmm!” A staffer hummed to the beat of the pop song, bopping her head as she entered the bathroom. Only to immediately pause at the smell of a rutting Alpha and the too-sweet scent of an Omega.

The crew member spotted Huntrix’s lead singer tidying her hair, then the maknae reapplying lip gloss. Breathing heavily. Pretending to be focused.

Definitely not doing anything.

…Okay. She was no fool.

Rumi and Zoey heard the door shut again. They exhaled the breath they’d been holding and the Omega smiled, dimpled and sly.

“You think she believed us?”

“Probably not.”

She wiped the lipstick smear at the corner of Rumi’s mouth. “Oh well then.”

They could both hear the loud rumbling coming from Rumi. The Alpha couldn’t stop it anymore. To Zoey, it had to be the most adorable thing she’d seen since sea turtles. Because this super scary Alpha was rumbling sweetly for her. A humming that said I’m gone for you.

A smile started up and she cupped Rumi’s cheeks. Zoey’s thumb rubbed under the eyebags barely hidden under Rumi’s concealer, and the half-demon leaned into it. The rut was still draining, Zoey could tell, and the chord in their chests coiled tighter as they got closer.

Maybe they could finally be together.

“How about we can go back to one of our rooms to—” She cupped the bulge, squeezing it just to hear the Alpha’s breath hitch. “Take care of this. What do you think, unnie?”

The answer was the loudest rumble yet.

Welp. Guess that was a very enthusiastic yes.

‘srry Bobby, pls tell Ha-joon srry & excuse Rumi and me from the party :( she wasn’t feeling good cuz the rut, so we left’

‘Thanks tons :) ily’

They slipped out the bathroom, sneaking off to the stairs no one ever used, and psshhh, ten floors? Easy. Except, Rumi swept her into her arms, supporting her legs and back, rushing up the stairs like lightning. 

“Eager much, Ryu?” 

“Whatever…”

For the record, Rumi didn’t almost fall as Zoey licked up the column of her throat. She just skipped a step.

By the time they reached the penthouse, fighting the keypad entrance, Rumi had considered just taking Zoey in the stairwell. 

But there was one reason she didn’t—and it was a miracle she even remembered. The Alpha dropped the Omega into her nest when they made it inside, then rushed to her own bedroom. She threw her nightstand drawer open.

Okay.

This was it.

She stuffed the velvet box in her pocket.

“I—” Zoey tried speaking as Rumi presented her the rings in the bedroom. Contraceptive rings. She took the silver one with a teal soul gem. “How long have you had these?”

“…Couple weeks now.”

“Well, you’re pretty confident then, miss Ryu,” Zoey joked. Wow. How prepared had Rumi been all this time? “You haven’t even taken me to dinner and you’ve been prepping to have sex for forever.”

“What?!” Rumi sputtered, blushing crimson red. She tried taking the rings back from the Omega. “No—I just—I was just making sure I was ready for anything if and when something happened. Not because I expected to be intimate soon.”

“Mhm. Totally. And I totally don’t steal your ramyeon when you’re not looking.” Zoey placed the ring on her index finger, letting a piece of her energy seep into it. The ring and her eyes glowed for a moment as it took effect. It fit just right. 

It really was perfect. 

But she noticed the shame on Rumi’s face. “Awww unnie, I was just teasing.” 

Still the older girl kept frowning. 

So, the maknae stood from the bed, placing a drawn out kiss on her cheek. She slid the matching ring on Rumi's finger for her. “I actually think it’s really thoughtful. You even got us one that’s exactly my taste!”

That… still didn’t change Rumi’s perversion. Honmoon knows how many times she’d pictured Zoey in the shower.

‘How pathetic.’

“Besides, you wanna know a secret?” Zoey pulled the Alpha by her collar to whisper in her ear. “I’ve been thinking of you for monthsss.”

When she felt the rumble again, she kept going.

“And guess what? If you weren’t so meticulously prepared all the time, then we wouldn’t be able to do this.” She slipped her hand in Rumi’s trousers, teasing the overheated length. That earned her a thick growl. Zoey found herself pinned to the mattress, and Rumi crashed their lips together.

There was no way she’d be letting go anytime soon.

They shared breaths, tasting the alcohol on their tongues, hearts dancing together. But that made the maknae remember her earlier concern. She nudged at the Alpha to stop. “Hey… why do you smell like alcohol?” Zoey tucked some of her strands back as the lead singer’s hair fell over them. “You don’t really like drinking.”

As Rumi’s rosewood scent dimmed, she knew it was deeper than just getting some buzz. 

“...I thought I lost you.”

“Lost me?”

“I thought I waited too long, and you were moving on without knowing what I’ve always felt.”

Zoey’s heart squeezed but she leaned up to brush their lips together. “And that is?”

“How grateful I am that you’re alive.”

“...Rumi.”

The lead singer said it so simply. Like it was natural, factual, and totally not impactful. Zoey could tell with how the half-demon just looked at her innocently. 

Maybe it was because no one in high school ever wanted her around, or maybe she was just some oversensitive Omega. But to her, it meant that maybe she wasn’t as weird as she thought she was. Maybe she was someone that people wanted around.

Because Rumi wanted her.

This time, Zoey was the one who couldn’t take it anymore.

She kissed her hard, eager, needing Rumi to be with her. Zoey pulled the Alpha’s leather jacket off, then unbuttoned her blouse, then the bra rapidly. But Rumi’s confidence faltered as Zoey quit kissing to look her over. To trace the demon patterns with her fingers in the places light never reached. They branded every inch of her body until there was no escaping it.

…Why was Zoey staring?

“I—don’t worry about them Zo. They’re not important.”

“Maybe.” Zoey’s thumb brushed over the ones on her collarbone. Adoration sparkled in her pools of brown. “But they’re beautiful.”

That resulted in a pulse of rainbow in the markings. 

There was no way Zoey could ever know just how much that meant to her.

The half-demon connected their lips softly for a moment. Almost a thank you. She kissed the corner of Zoey’s mouth, then down the trail of her freckles. To where Zoey’s gland was.

She was going to make sure Zoey’s time with her was perfect.

Zoey deserved it.

For a minute, she lavished her neck with attention, reaching one hand to pull the Omega’s dress skirt up. All the “research” she’d done told her that Rumi had to make sure Zoey was well lubricated before doing anything. 

Okay. Rumi could do that.

So, pretending both their scents weren’t fluttering, she pulled Zoey’s underwear down and the Omega lifted her hips. When the Alpha came back up to kiss her dizzy, pressing her fingers against her clit, Zoey moaned into her mouth. 

Even though every instinct inside Rumi begged to mate with the black-haired girl already, she didn’t stop until Zoey’s thighs trembled and her voice keened with her name, “Rumi…”

The sweet marshmallow scent of the Omega went molten and syrupy in the air from heat and excitement — both unbearable and intoxicating as her slick dripped out in abundance.

More than enough to make Rumi pant as Zoey’s arousal sharpened everything. After days of this rut with no rest, the need to connect nearly made her collapse. Every muscle locked up, and her fangs were on fire.

‘How long will you wait to take what’s yours?’

But what if Rumi hurt her?

What if Zoey wasn’t ready and Rumi just forced herself inside selfishly?

No.

So, Rumi bit down on the sheets next to Zoey’s neck to soothe herself and continued rubbing circles to push the Omega to her second climax. Except, Zoey pulled her to look at her. “Hey, are you okay? I—you’re really tense, and you smell like you’re… scared.”

“I’m—I’m not scared.”

Zoey, still catching her breath, pecked her lips. “It’s okay if you are, you know? It’s my first time too.” One of her lopsided grins overtook her face, and her small omega fangs made Rumi’s heart swell. “Maybe we can be afraid together. Just as long as we’re together.”

“I’m… I’m afraid I’ll mess up, and end up hurting you.” 

“You won’t, Ru. You never have,” Zoey assured softly. Then, she flipped onto her belly, blushing from head to toe, and presented her entrance for the Alpha. “Here.”

“I—”

“I want you, Ru,” Zoey admitted, trying to reach behind herself to pull her dress zipper down. “And you’re allowed to want things too, y’know? So don’t just do stuff to please me.”

There was nothing Rumi could’ve responded when her voice was utterly wrecked, so she reached for the zipper to undo each tooth, exposing more freckled skin. What had she done to deserve someone this sweet?

How had she gotten so lucky?

“I know you said you look beautiful in this, Zo, but…” The eldest slipped the dress off completely to leave Zoey bare, and her eyes wandered over the younger girl. “I always think you look stunning.”

“Hopefully the good attractive kind of ‘stunning,’ right?” The maknae beamed to herself. “Not the shocking ugly kind?”

Rumi grabbed her hips, positioning them up slightly, and pulled Zoey close. The belt buckle clinked as she pulled her pants off. “How about I show you instead?”

Woah.

“Is that an ounce of confidence from the great Ryu?”

The half-demon screamed internally, cursing her dumb rut bravado, but she fisted her cock and rubbed her pre-cum over it. “Shut up…”

A painful knot throbbed near the base, and Rumi placed her cock square at Zoey’s entrance, heart doing cartwheels as she glimpsed at her folds. “Are you ready, Zo?”

“Super duper ready.”

“Just—just tell me if you want to stop. Ever.”

Zoey spread her legs a little to make it easier for Rumi. “Mhm. Gotcha.”

Wait—

Her heart jumped as the tip began pressing in. Uhhhh—Rumi’s girth was way bigger than she thought it was. Zoey tried turning, unknowingly shifting her hips away, glancing over her shoulder—

Rumi gently pinned her in place. “Keep still for me.”

It wasn’t angry. Wasn’t even domineering like some Alphas.

Just firm.

And holy moly that was so frickin’ hot. Like, way more than she had any right to be.

So, Zoey did as told.

At last, Rumi pressed her hips forward, plunging inside firm and unwavering. “Stars—”

A guttural groan reverberated in Rumi’s throat as she sheathed her cockhead inside. Sweat flowed and she pulled Zoey’s hips closer, pushing more of herself inside those tight lips.

Fuck, she wanted more—

“W-wait, Rumi—”

The gasp rattled her still. Rumi stopped instantaneously. “A-are you okay?”

“Just hold on—”

Shit. Did she go too fast? Was it not the right time—

They both winced as Zoey clenched hard around Rumi in an attempt to adjust. But slowly, the Omega relaxed enough to draw in some air and breathe in the Alpha’s soothing scent, “Wow—holy crap, you’re bigger than I expected…”

“Oh. Cool.”

Cool?

For Honmoon’s sake, just bury her. Please just kill her.

“I, uh—deep breaths Zo,” Rumi directed, if only to ignore the fact that she’d said the dumbest possible thing while making love. She leaned down, bracing her arms next to Zoey’s sides, kissing down the path of freckles painted like constellations. The lead singer slowly pushed deeper, whispering against her spine, “You’re doing great.”

And she could feel the Omega relax more at the words. Wow. Guess those romance novels were right. 

Maybe Zoey was into those kinds of lines.

A grin appeared on her face as she sank in further, feeling both relief as Zoey's wetness soothed the burn, and pride as the Omega moaned softly. “There you go, baby.” Rumi kissed the top of her silky black hair. “Just like that, Omega. Let me in. So good for me—”

“PFFFT!” Zoey burst out giggling, clasping a hand over her mouth. “Oh my gosh—Ru—what are you saying right now?!”

What.

“Stop that. I-I was trying to be romantic!” Rumi’s pink pepper scent spiked in embarrassment. Fucking hell. She pressed her head between Zoey’s shoulder blades. “You don’t like it?”

For a moment, Zoey had to bite her tongue, hearing how mortified Rumi was. She just couldn’t help a couple giggles. “Okay, Alpha,” the maknae teased much to the lead singer’s dismay. She turned to look over her shoulder. “You know what I like?” 

“What?”

“My Rumi.”

A shy rose pink shimmered in the dim lighting of the room. Zoey smiled at the color of the markings. “And I think she’s way sexier than some smut mumbo jumbo,” she huffed affectionately. “I can tell you’re forcing it, and I just want you, Ru.”

“I—alright.”

Because what else could Rumi have answered?

“Okay. You can keep going, baby.”

“Shut up…”

Finally, the last inches sunk inside the Omega, and sighs were pulled from both their chests. Pleasure swirled through their heads, and it wasn’t hard to see the glow of Rumi’s markings shifting and flowing like rivers on the walls.

“You feel amazing, Zo…”

The Omega breathed hard at the stretch, feeling fuller than she had her entire life. “You do too.”

As Rumi pulled out, then plunged back in slowly, her instincts began to take over. She shifted, smearing their slick skin together, to angle her cock better. The half-demon still listened through the haze to Zoey’s crescendo of moans, but it didn’t take long to find a rhythm that served them both.

Not when they belonged together.

Not when they got lost in the warmth of the other.

Their sweetened spiced scents filled each other’s lungs ‘til even every inhale was bliss, and Rumi pushed down against Zoey completely, rolling her hips harder than before. Until the thrusts matched the beat of their hearts.

Heavens…

Every time Rumi slid inside, Zoey could feel it in her—in every nerve ending of her body—in a way she could hardly describe. Never had she imagined it would be this way. It was almost surreal. How Rumi’s angelic voice whispered praises and assurances in her ear. How Rumi blanketed her from behind, both keeping her in place and made her feel protected. 

When had she felt safer than this?

Under the heat of Rumi’s chest, and every toned muscle, and her honeyed vocals—

And without a warning, the fire coiled too tight in her core, and everything went white again.

“Mmm—ungh!” The cry escaped her throat as a wave of pleasure crashed through her, making every sense go haywire—Rumi’s thick scent, her weight, the panting above her, the length buried inside—it was all too much all at once.

The Alpha had to focus on literally anything else but the walls clamping down on her cock — distracting herself with the sight of Zoey’s soft skin, and black hair, and the sheen of sweat Rumi knew was because of her efforts—

Okay. That wasn’t better.

But then her gaze fixed to her right hand and bile almost crawled up her throat. She hadn’t realized the purple claw had emerged, cutting deep into the mattress. It could tear through rock. Through the girl she loved.

Dangerous.

For a second, she almost wanted to stop right there. After all, Zoey had enjoyed herself already. However, Rumi only leaned down again and kissed the back of the Omega’s head, feeling the soft hair under her lips. 

Because a memory had reached her.

‘You’re like a kitty, Ru!’

The half-demon dug her claw securely into the mattress, moving her hips slightly to help Zoey from her high—or whatever those books said to do—and she let out an anchoring chest-deep vibration for the maknae. A shaky purr answered, a sign the Omega was overwhelmed, but trusted the Alpha.

I don’t know why you don’t leave.

But I don’t want you to.

“You okay, Zo?”

“Y-yeah.”

Finally, the spots in Zoey’s vision dissipated, and she flopped down into the sheets. What the hell was that? Rumi was literally the one in rut, and yet Zoey had finished twice now!

“S-sorry…”

“Don’t be.”

Curse Rumi for being so amazing.

“...Am I doing good?”

A sarcastic “what did you think” almost rolled off Zoey but she could hear the insecurity in the question. “...Phenomenal. But you know what would be even more amazing, superstar?” An infuriating smirk split her face as she glanced back. “If you knotted me, Alpha.”

An exasperated groan left Rumi, but she began bucking her hips again, starting up a more quick, desperate pace. “You’re not gonna let that go, are you?”

“You literally called me Omega like some porn video—”

A particular thrust pressed the tip of her cock against the spongy spot inside Zoey, and Zoey nearly came apart again. She clutched the sheets. “P-please just knot me already. I don’t know how much more I can take.”

“Okay, I’ve got you, Zo. I’m here.”

Same thing Zoey told her at the Gravesite.

It didn’t take long—not with how Zoey clenched so perfectly around her, or the sweet sounds emanating from her—for Rumi’s body to tremble. Tension coiled impossibly tight and her knot throbbed in agony.

“I-I’m almost there.”

“Same…”

Rumi’s eyes locked onto the junction between Zoey’s neck and shoulder. And she gravitated towards it. “Can I—can I bite you?”

“Y-yeah,” Zoey whimpered, nearing her own peak at the mere thought. “Please…”

‘Take her,’ it hissed. ‘Now!’

For once, Rumi listened to it.

With a low growl, the half-demon leaned forward and bit down on Zoey’s neck, sinking her double fangs deeper than she meant to. Too deep. A whine left the Omega, squirming from the burn as Rumi’s canines pierced further.

It hurt, but pain mixed with ecstasy as their bond threaded together.

That was when finally—finally—Rumi thrusted harshly, popping her knot inside, punching the air out of their lungs. Zoey gasped loudly as it swelled fully to lock them together. It pushed against her walls, putting pressure on her clit, and for the third time that night, the Omega squeezed hard around Rumi.

“Rumi!”

The half-demon let go of her shoulder to groan. “Zoey—”

Thick hot ropes spurted out of her cock, shooting inside Zoey’s velvety walls. Her toned abs clenched as she flooded the Omega with her release, everything kept inside by the swollen knot. Spasms wracked them together, and Rumi had never felt this good.

As the final waves of white-hot liquid filled Zoey, every instinct calmed at the claiming, and finally the rut lifted. For the first time since this hell began, Rumi went slack and she collapsed on top of Zoey. 

Stars.

If someone told her this was how the night ended, Rumi wouldn’t have believed that she’d confessed in a damn bathroom.

But it didn’t matter.

Because they were together.

They flopped over onto their sides, catching their breaths, utterly spent from mating. The knot pulsated between the two and the Alpha twitched inside the Omega. Rumi softly licked the mark on Zoey’s shoulder to soothe the stinging pain.

It was… definitely deeper than a temporary one should’ve been. 

Her canines had pierced far past the skin, and she could imagine it wasn’t exactly pleasant. “I’m sorry if I bit you too hard. I’m… I forgot how sharp my fangs are.”

There her demon half went causing pain again.

But how could she have been so careless? “I—I’m not sure if it’s permanent or not.”

“It’s okay, Ru. I’m just happy I get to be yours, honestly, and…” Zoey shyly murmured the next part. “And I wouldn’t mind if it was permanent.”

The softest, most tender rumble vibrated out of Rumi’s chest, a reverberation that melted at the edges. And Zoey’s soft melodic purr flowed strongly, blending together with Rumi’s rumble until it reached a perfect harmony.

How could Rumi admit how much all this meant to her?

Actually. Yes, she could.

“I… I wouldn’t mind it either.”

Their sounds vibrated through their entire bodies at the thought. Rumi wrapped her hands around Zoey’s waist.

Hers.

“I’m not sure if I said it clearly earlier but…” Zoey smiled, her hands caressed around the ones on her belly. “I want to be with you too, Ru.”

Simple.

Yet enough to make Rumi grin crooked and fanged. She pressed more slow adoring kisses on the mate mark.

“So… the infamous Rumi Ryu is my girlfriend?” Zoey’s strawberry scent popped. “Huh. Has a nice ring to it, doesn’t it, girlfriend?”

“Mhm.” Rumi pecked the shell of Zoey’s ear, making the younger girl giggle. It tickled. She finally settled down, her thumb rubbing circles on that scar above Zoey’s hipbone. “It does.”

It was hard to believe but…

“And Zoey Choi is mine.”

“That she is,” the maknae sighed fondly, almost a laugh. Zoey looked over her shoulder to the Alpha utterly at bliss. “…Hey Ru?”

“Hm?”

“You know Ha-joon—or literally anybody—could never even get close to how much I love you, right?”

If it was possible, Rumi would’ve pulled her closer, but they were already connected as much as possible — to the point they nearly merged. There was no fear left that Zoey would leave. She never had, even when she saw the worse of her. When Rumi had nothing left to give. 

What was left to do was utter the words. 

“I know, Zo.” She squeezed the younger girl from behind, even as her claw caressed soft skin. “I love you too, 나의 햇빛. I’m—”

A yawn interrupted her words. Exhaustion weighed her eyes down. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner.”

“But I always have.”

“I wanted you to know that.”

With that, Rumi’s breath evened out, and there was no helping the tears that filled Zoey’s eyes. Nae haetbit? 

My sunshine?

A sniffle left her, and she reached down to bring Rumi’s claw to her chest. She kissed her knuckles.

Guess she hadn’t been wrong. The older girl did love her all this time, even if Zoey wondered sometimes.

Rumi really, truly loved her.

Then, she reached for her phone before covering their chests with a blanket, angling the camera to show them both in bed and the dark red mark on her neck. There was something super important that had to be done.

She sent the selfie to Mira with the caption: ‘Guess what?’

And a minute later, Zoey got a reply.

‘About time.’