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Solitude sucked the life out of Yoongi, pain and sadness clung to the walls of his house, days passed slowly, and the clock hands seemed to be moving backward when he wasn't looking.
Though there were other times when days passed in a blur and Yoongi didn't notice the changes in the season, how the leaves were falling and the temperature was dropping. He woke up and followed his routine, and at first he found solace in it, but lately he was sick of tending the bed or doing the dishes, of living to work and working to live.
Of being alone.
He was deeply sad and depressed because he didn't have a mate that could console him after he lost part of his heart. No one was there for him; no parents, no friends, no partner to offer him their shoulder to cry on while tragedy shook him to the core. Yoongi was left crumbling, lamenting the loss of the kitten litter he was carrying.
It was the most terrible thing that had ever happened to him. No pain or hardship could compare to what he felt when he knew his babies weren't with him anymore. The grief had consumed his every thought, affecting him so badly that he refused to leave his house.
Today, he forced himself to do it. He needed the fresh air.
Leaving his clothes behind, Yoongi was walking in his cat form. He hadn't adopted it since the life that was in his belly passed away, too sad to be in the form that connected him more to his most natural and raw instincts. After shifting, the lack of weight on his stomach felt weird and he was slightly confused by it, because where were his kittens? Having to confront the reality of his loss was a terrible second hit.
But he had to get better.
Yoongi was following a small path, adventuring into the woods. It was easy to lose track of time, catching some birds and a little mouse just for the fun of it, not noticing how the sky was getting darker and the woods became denser. His whiskers sensed the rain that would soon come and he was about to head back when he heard the sound of something roaming in the bushes.
The cat hybrid stilled, raising his hackles. He was in the position to attack, ready to pounce on whatever was hiding there. However, what came out of the bushes astonished him. It was a skinny brown baby bunny.
They seemed lost, and the cute tiny thing couldn't be more than one month old. They were a baby and apparently alone. How could that be? Didn't rabbits live in groups to enhance their survival? Yoongi wasn't sure if they were a hybrid or not and yet he approached them slowly, making himself smaller, hoping to look non-threatening. The bun spotted him and looked and smelled terrified, but didn't move.
This was prey and Yoongi a predator; it was instilled in them to be wary, to fear him. Yoongi wasn't going to hurt them. How could he let them know that without scaring them further?
The cat hybrid meowed, knowing it was kind of useless, yet wanting the bunny to know he was a friend. The baby looked ready to flee. It wasn't working. Yoongi sat and kept meowing. Nothing. He lay on the ground then, exposing his belly, being vulnerable to any attack just to gain their trust.
Even though the communication was flawed they seemed to understand Yoongi wasn't a threat because they got close to him, really close. So close that Yoongi could tell he was a boy and there wasn't a trace of his mom's scent on him. That was weird. Maybe he was really lost, or worse, abandoned. That would be devastating.
Would a mother be that cruel?
Yoongi couldn't leave him here. But what if he took him with him and someone came for him?
The bunny cuddled to him and looked up, looking for comfort. He was so scared Yoongi truly felt bad about his situation. He thought that if he shifted to his human form he could scare him further so he remained a cat and picked up the bunny by the scruff with his teeth, as if he were his kitten.
The bunny screamed and Yoongi immediately let him go. The baby stayed away from him, having been caused discomfort and pain judging by the panic in his scent. Yoongi didn't know what was wrong since that's how mothers picked up their young! But maybe rabbits didn't do it that way, and then the hybrid reasoned that to the bunny he was a bigger predator, holding him like someone that wanted to kill him would.
Yoongi didn't know how to apologize so he just offered his paw. After a few seconds the baby forgave him, rubbing his little face on him.
He was too adorable.
Oh. The strings of Yoongi's heart were pulled. And it hurt. He missed the babies he didn't get to have so badly. He was thankful he could barely cry when he was in cat form, otherwise the poor bunny would be soaked in his tears.
He was planning on taking him to a safe place, maybe to a hybrid doctor or shelter to figure out what he was and where his parents were, if he even had them. But luck was not on their side, and it started raining hard. In a matter of seconds they both were awfully wet.
Oh, how much Yoongi hated the rain!
He led the way, walking quickly, learning to not carry the bunny by the scruff. Though weak, the bunny was following him closely and thankfully Yoongi found a tree with a hole where they could hide from the storm. Because by the looks and intensity of it, this was not the type of rain that would subside soon.
The day he finally left the house this happened! He cursed his luck once again, but then made eye contact with the tiny bun that was slightly trembling, and didn't regret going out. If he hadn't, who would've helped the cute thing?
He would've been eaten by the wolves. That thought was deeply unsettling.
Ugh, the feeling of his fur being wet was disgusting. Yoongi started grooming himself and the bunny watched him somewhat curiously. He stopped. The bun was wet too and looked ugly like that.
He shouldn't do it... but his maternal instincts were strong around something strikingly helpless so he began licking the brown fur. The bunny shied away at first, though after realizing that Yoongi was not going to eat him he let him groom him.
He stayed quiet, like a good boy, until Yoongi deemed him clean and pretty. The baby hummed happily.
Some of his reactions came off more human than animal, so the cat hybrid again wondered if he was a hybrid. He also wondered if the bun was hungry.
His last question was answered in a moment when the bunny got close to Yoongi's tits and he sniffed, knowing there was milk in there. Yoongi stiffened. That milk was for his kittens but now he didn't have them. It had been two weeks and yet it still pained him as if it had happened today.
The wound was fresh and he knew that it was going to be something that he would carry with him forever.
Suddenly, his tit was bitten. He meowed, angry, but looking at the starved, thin bunny desperate for food softened him. He couldn't be mad at him.
He let the bunny drink mindlessly, though it was strange and the little teeth biting him hurt. He worried about his milk not satisfying him, or having the nutrients he needed, not being enough... Yoongi wished it wasn't raining so he could get him food.
What did small bunnies eat anyway? Grass? Carrots?
The feeding ended quickly, in less than five minutes. Yoongi wanted to ask if he liked it. It was stupid.
He was stupid. He couldn't forget that this was not his kitten, it was just a poor bunny he found that must have a family.
However, he did remember someone saying that mother rabbits weren't very close to their litter and showed little maternal care; they ignored their young, didn't lay with them, and left them unattended and alone for long periods of time. Or maybe Yoongi was using their natural behavior as a justification and to feel better about himself for not attempting to locate their nest and stealing her bunny.
No, he hadn't. And if that were the case, perhaps he would be a better mother. He really wouldn't be like a mama rabbit at all. He would be with his kittens all day, making sure they were fed, safe, and happy.
And yet no matter how good he'd be, he didn't have them.
Again he felt like the world was crumbling.
However, this time he wasn't alone. The bunny was here to keep him company, if momentarily, snuggling next to him and seeking his heat. Yoongi accidentally purred.
The bunny startled and what big eyes did he have! As vast as the stars at night. It was like nothing the cat hybrid had ever seen.
Yoongi didn't stop purring and the baby got used to it, falling asleep quickly. He was so cute he would name him Jungkook. That was a name he liked. One that he had thought of for one of his kittens.
He hugged Jungkook, terribly sad as he watched the rain. At least now they had each other.
No, that was a dangerous thought. He couldn't keep the bunny. Cats and rabbits did not mix well together. Cats ate rabbits. It was how the world worked.
But if Jungkook were to be alone, just like he was, would it be that strange to take him with him? Wouldn't he be doing something good, taking the helpless baby under his care?
Yoongi fell asleep thinking about it.
When he woke up it wasn't raining anymore but what awaited them was infinitely worse. There was a pack of wolves watching them.
The black wolf growled as soon as they made eye contact and Yoongi hissed back, making himself look bigger and protecting Jungkook with his body. The bunny had awoken and the cat hybrid could just tell that he was frightened.
As he analyzed the situation his own terror was increasing. They were trapped in the tree's hole; it was impossible to escape. There were three or four wolves and they were huge, with big sharp teeth and claws that could tear you apart in a second. But Yoongi wouldn't go down without a fight, he'd keep Jungkook safe even if he lost his life trying.
No one was going to harm his baby.
The wolves stared at him and the cat was going to attack when the biggest wolf shifted before his eyes, losing its black fur and turning into a handsome human. He was naked, only his wolf ears and tail remaining. Nudity wasn't an issue in their society, especially in the wilderness, so Yoongi wasn't scandalized because of it.
His heart was beating against his ribcage, having come back to his chest. The pack being hybrids was better than them being feral animals guided purely by survival instinct but Yoongi still couldn't let his guard down. Just like there were good hybrids, there were also bad ones.
"You are a shifter too, aren't you?" the man asked. "I'm Namjoon."
Yoongi meowed, nodding his head. He wasn't going to shift until all of them did. As a cat, he was faster and could scratch and bite if necessary.
"Come with us," he added.
Yoongi shook his head. Were they crazy? He would never trust a stranger. Suddenly, another of the wolves shifted into a slim tan man with a perfect nose.
"We will not hurt you. Or the bunny."
The cat hybrid did not move. Jungkook was behind him, the smart bun intuiting that he had to follow his example and obey.
"Rain will come back soon and you aren't close to any place where you could find refuge if things get rougher," the first man said. "We have shelter, fire, and food."
Yoongi perked up.
Food. Jungkook may need food. And how long would it take him to go home in this horrible weather with the baby beside him? And he was hungry too, tired, needing a nice fire that kept him warm. But he didn't know these wolves–it wouldn't be smart to blindly follow them.
"Please shift so we can talk," the last and only white wolf said after leaving that form, all of them giving him space. "My name is Jimin."
Yoongi did, leaving the hole slowly, making sure Jungkook was inside and there was no way the wolves could get to him. Poor thing must be confused. The cat hybrid didn't even know if he had seen people like them before, and he was too small to know what they were. What he possibly was.
"I'm not going with you," he said, the cold and humidity hitting him stronger in his human form. He hugged himself. "We're fine."
"There are other packs in the territory since we are at the border. We will not let you go alone," the tallest hybrid, Namjoon, declared. The cat hybrid gulped; if that was true he and Jungkook were in trouble.
"That is not something you get to decide. Go back where you came from and–"
"You won't be able to protect the bunny alone," the tan man interrupted. "We know the forest."
After that, Yoongi clenched his jaw. He was hesitant and both options sounded dangerous. What should he do?
"We don't want anything bad to happen to you," Jimin murmured. "Please, let us help."
Sincerity could be heard in his voice. If they wanted to attack them, they would've done so already, and they would've easily won. Yoongi made a decision and he hoped he didn't regret it. He shifted back to his cat body and collected Jungkook, starting to walk. The wolves shifted too, taking the lead but taking smaller steps to not leave them behind. The bun was skittish around them as any prey would be but Yoongi hoped he knew he'd be defended.
They walked for ten or fifteen minutes, passing a small stream, a sketchy path, a desolate meadow by the beginning of winter, trees, and more trees. A gray wolf offered to carry Jungkook to go faster, but Yoongi didn't trust them, so they kept a slow pace even if the bunny was tired.
They stopped in front of a small cabin just when it started drizzling. The cat hybrid stepped into it, overwhelmed by all the potent scents, and shifted to human, keeping Jungkook close to his chest. He was worryingly cold. The bunny was looking at him confused but then sniffed him, recognizing his scent and nuzzling his neck.
"Do you live here?" Yoongi asked, teeth chattering.
It was a rustic place but with solid walls and a roof that shielded them from the cold, and it looked lived in, with a fire in the middle that he was eyeing pretty obviously.
"Let's go sit around the fire," Namjoon said, noticing it. "And yes. This is our den during the winter. We move between the seasons."
Interesting. The hybrid had heard that some hybrids rejected modern life and preferred to live on the outskirts of the city to be more in contact with their animal side. For him, it was a strange and crazy decision.
Yoongi almost sighed with relief when he got to sit on a comfy cushion near the glowing and powerful flames. His hair was still wet and Jungkook's fur was no better. The bunny seemed to enjoy the intensity and novelty of the fire, staring intensely at it. He was so cute that Yoongi left a little kiss on his head, warming him up with his hands too.
"Guys, I was worried. Wait, what is that scent?"
A new man appeared. He was beautiful and clothed, which made Yoongi recall his own nakedness, looking down. A wolf gave him a thick tunic to cover himself and he thanked him, bowing slightly.
He could tell Jungkook was scared in between so many humans. Yoongi rocked him in his arms, wishing he could do more to comfort him.
"We found a cat and a bunny shifter," the wolf that hadn't introduced himself yet responded. "They were freezing so we offered them shelter for the night."
The man blinked. "Hello, I'm Seokjin."
"Yoongi," the cat hybrid whispered. He cleared his throat, speaking louder, "Yoongi."
He hoped to not catch a cold. He had to be healthy to go back home and take care of little Jungkook.
"Was your hunt successful?!" someone called out, coming from where the rooms seemed to be. The bunny, of course, startled at the sudden noise.
"No, Taehyung-ah," Jimin replied, firm but fond. "We didn't get to do it and please lower your voice."
"Aw, that's a bummer. I really wanted to eat hare," the new wolf shared as he came into the room. The rest of the wolves tensed and Yoongi felt uncomfortable. Maybe this was a mistake.
How many of them lived here? What if they got hungry and wanted to eat them?
"Oh, goodness! Who are they?" 'Taehyung' asked, finally noticing them. "Is that a baby bun?"
Yoongi nodded and then sneezed. Meanwhile, Jungkook hid from everyone. Yoongi didn't blame him for being so scared; he was surrounded by big predators and his species had to be constantly aware of danger.
"He's really cute," the gray wolf commented.
"Please bring Yoongi-ssi some of the chicken soup we had for lunch," Seokjin said before standing up.
They heated the food in a big pot and the smell was enough to have Yoongi salivating. He was starving. He sat down to eat, practically inhaling the food since he hadn't eaten anything since the morning, with Jungkook safely tucked in his lap.
The wolf that had left came back with a wool blanket and he wrapped it around Yoongi, bringing a small piece of cloth for Jungkook.
"Thank you," the hybrid murmured, chewing a piece of bread. They were all looking at him and he blushed, wondering what they were thinking of him.
"What does the bunny eat?" Seokjin asked.
"Milk. And grass," Yoongi answered, though he wasn't sure.
The wolves shared a look. They must believe he wasn't a good mother and that bothered him more than it should.
"He ate earlier," he clarified.
"It would be a good time to introduce ourselves," the biggest wolf said. "As I told you before, I'm Namjoon, the alpha of the pack."
"Alpha?"
He had heard that word before but never in a positive context.
"It means he's the one who leads the pack, makes the important decisions," another wolf explained. "By the way, I'm Hoseok."
"Taehyung, but you can call me Tae," the one wolf that had wanted to eat hare told him. Yoongi made a reminder to be extra wary of him.
The rest of the pack repeated their names and they also shared their ages, Yoongi discovering he was the second oldest after Seokjin. They used the honorific system as well and the cat hybrid shouldn't have assumed they didn't just because they lived in the forest. He felt dumb but they assured him it was a common misconception.
Yoongi finished his bowl. "Thank you so much. It was really good." And it had warmed his belly.
"You're welcome," Jimin responded, smiling softly. Then, his face changed. "What were you doing so far from human land?"
Yoongi frowned.
"We are humans. Hybrids, technically."
Namjoon shook his head, "We are shifters. We consider hybrid a derogatory term."
Looking at them, he found them all agreeing. What strange ideas these men had. Yoongi had vaguely heard of them years ago, but he never paid it any special attention. To him, those were extremists.
"Hybrids have rights now. It's not like it was before," he murmured, uncomfortable.
"We are young but we’re educated. We know about the new laws and the end of slavery," Taehyung said through his teeth.
Yoongi furrowed his brows. "Ownership."
"Slavery," the wolf stubbornly corrected.
Those words were making the cat hybrid upset and at the same time his eyes felt heavier. He couldn't drop his guard but his feline biology and the different, strong emotions of the day were taking a toll on him. He was dying to rest and he wasn't able to hide it.
"Would you like to lie down?" Namjoon asked after he yawned two times in a row. "We don't have what city folks would call a proper bed, but–"
"I don't mind. I can sleep wherever in my cat form," Yoongi murmured.
"Okay, please get comfortable."
Yoongi did so, curling near the embers in a ball with Jungkook in the middle. Hoseok dropped a less thick blanket over them and Yoongi meowed quietly. His sleep would be light, his senses alert in case they needed to run.
As expected, he woke in a couple of hours and when he tried to feed the bunny once more he didn't seem to be hungry so they went back to sleep. The next time he woke the house was silent and the first rays of light were peeking through the window. Yoongi had a small headache and a runny nose, the sound of the hard rain hitting made him anxious instead of calm. They wouldn't be able to leave for a while.
He and Jungkook slept a little more, Yoongi waking up because the baby had bitten his sensitive tail. He hissed in a warning and immediately felt guilty when Jungkook flinched. To make it up to him, he let him play with his waving tail.
It was endearing to watch him having so much fun.
Yoongi figured it was a good time to get up after Jungkook drank his helping of milk. He shouldn't feed him anything else until he was sure Jungkook could digest it. When they went back to the city he'd turn into a bunny hybrid expert.
He shifted to human and saw tiny black balls behind him. Oh, Jungkook didn't know how to go, how to ask.
"Baby. Baby, listen. Bathroom is outside."
The bunny's nose twitched in response and Yoongi had no idea what that meant. He cleaned up with a sigh, using a broom and some cardboard he found, and then took care of his business with Jungkook following his every step, of course, and doing the same. Yoongi hoped he had learned.
When they were back, some of the wolves were up.
"How did you sleep?" Namjoon asked. He was in their tiny kitchen, drinking some hot beverage.
"Well. Thank you for letting us stay." Yoongi sat down, leaving Jungkook on the table and the bunny shied away, not relaxed in the wolf's presence.
"It's not a problem for us," Hoseok said, joining them with a drink for himself and one for Yoongi.
Though kind, what he said wasn't true. They now had more mouths to feed and it was winter, so the food was scarce already. They were extremely generous and he voiced it, the wolves brushing it off and saying it was nothing.
Yoongi saw the rest of the pack appear one by one. Seokjin cooked a modest yet tasty breakfast; bread with blackberry jam and fresh honey. It was a peaceful morning until they started to ask questions.
"You are from the city, right?" Taehyung asked. Yoongi nodded.
"But I came by walking so it's not that far."
"So Jungkook, where did you find him?" Hoseok inquired quietly.
The cat hybrid tensed, and if he was in his cat form there wasn't a doubt he'd raise his hackles. "Why are you asking me that? He's mine," Yoongi raised his voice, eyes daring them to say something. "He's my kitten!"
He wasn't going to lose another one. He wasn't. Jungkook hid in his hands and Yoongi brushed his fur a little too hard, face red.
The wolves looked surprised. Jimin reached out to touch him but then reconsidered it and just said, "Okay, okay. Please, Yoongi-ssi, calm down."
"I am."
"We don't want to take away your kitten, Yoongi," Namjoon spoke, injecting a dose of authority in his voice. "We were just curious since you come from the city and look in good shape while Jungkook is very thin…"
"We are concerned," Seokjin added.
"Well, don't be," Yoongi snapped. "I'm responsible for him and soon he'll be a healthy bun."
They didn't refute him.
He didn't trust them enough to tell the truth, but he sprinkled some facts here and there so they'd know the cat hybrid was serious about taking care of Jungkook, even if they didn't share blood. That he was a good mother.
For some reason it was really important to him to be perceived as nothing but that.
Taehyung handed him some honey. "Did you two get lost?"
"Yeah," he lied, sniffing. "And I want to go back home. How long is this storm going to last?"
"A couple of days at best, a week at worst," Hoseok answered. Yoongi's face fell.
That was too much time. What would he do locked in a small cabin with a bunch of strangers that could eat his baby? He had to go. It didn't matter how bad the weather was, his priority was to keep Jungkook safe.
"Stay with us," Taehyung offered, giving him a square smile. "You're sick and we'll take care of you."
"Why?"
No one was that kind. Did they have hidden intentions?
"You do well being suspicious because you don't know us," Namjoon said. "We aren't savages. If we see someone who needs help, we help them. Especially if they have a small child."
Child. They believed Jungkook was a hybrid too. Wolves had a superior sense of smell and at this point, there was no denying it.
How would they be able to help him and cure his cold? They lived in a primitive small house and had no access to medicine or proper medical care. He instantly regretted that train of thought. Who was he to judge how others live their life? He was lucky they had extended a hand in his time of need.
"We wouldn't hurt your baby," Jimin murmured, eyes like the ones of a puppy hybrid. "I know you think we could devour him but he's not a part of our diet."
"But… don't you eat bunnies?" Yoongi hesitated. Seokjin took a sip of his tea.
"Rabbits, yes, among other things like deers and elk. Animals, not shifters. We are in essence carnivorous so we need it to survive, but we are not cannibals."
Yoongi had feline DNA in him so he was also considered carnivorous, but it was rare for him to catch prey, kill, and eat it. He grew used to buying the food he needed, heavily leaning on more human foods.
"In the city there are special processed foods for hybrids," he commented. "Meat too."
Taehyung chuckled. "It's not the same, it's about hunting and feeling stronger and healthier when we feed in our wolf form. We know not everyone will understand our mindset, though."
"The point is that we like Jungkook and would never hurt him," Hoseok promised. The rest of the wolves nodded in agreement.
Was it naive of him to believe them? They seemed like earnest, good people.
"And talking about Jungkook… Where is he?" Seokjin asked.
"In my–"
Yoongi stopped. Jungkook wasn't in his lap. He stood up abruptly and looked around with fear sinking in his stomach. How had he lost the bunny already? His soul came back to his body when he spotted Jungkook in a corner, chewing on some papers, tearing them up with his tiny teeth.
"Kitten! What are you doing, baby? You can't do that! Don't ever scare me again," the cat hybrid scolded him gently. "Mama doesn't like when you disappear."
He sighed, softening when Jungkook looked at him with his huge galaxy eyes. Oh no, the baby had ruined those papers. Yoongi faced the wolves.
"I'm really sorry! I'll pay you back. I have money and–"
"It's okay, Yoongi-ssi," Namjoon cut him off, looking at him differently. "It's just a dumb book I don't care much about. I'm not upset."
Yoongi felt relieved.
"I still have to pay for it. And, um, you can call me hyung. All of you."
"And you can do it too," Seokjin offered. They all were so nice, Yoongi was a little shy under all the attention.
"So, you'll stay?" Jimin asked like he didn't know the answer.
"Yes. We'll leave when the weather is better. I don't want Jungkookie to get sick."
With a sore throat and a good feeling in his heart, the cat hybrid lay down and shifted. He kept Jungkook entertained, playing with him, keeping him from destroying more property, and licking him when he got tired, so happy to groom him and make him look like a clean kitten. The bunny licked him back and the cat hybrid smiled inwardly, affection exploding and warming him more than fire ever could.
Little Jungkook's energy was renewed after a while and he jumped around like crazy with everyone watching him, endeared. Yoongi, with the limited knowledge he had about that species, believed that meant he was happy.
They napped again near the fire with Jungkook snuggling under him, wanting to be hugged. He was adorable. Yoongi had only had him for a day but he already loved him so much.
"He purrs," someone murmured.
Yoongi lifted his head and lazily gazed at them, wanting to tell me that he heard them last night growling and howling. But he kept quiet and went back to sleep, still reluctant to rest while they stayed awake.
Apparently, wolves didn't need as much sleep as rabbits and cats did. Taehyung explained that it depended on what they ate and that they took lots of power naps, especially after feeding for hours on a fresh kill. Yoongi eventually got to see them cuddling in a pile, sleeping on top of some blankets.
Wolves were beautiful, had majestic, shiny fur and magnetic eyes, causing them to be one of the most trendy hybrids. Yet they were as loved as they were feared because of their strength and the rumored impulsive and murderous behavior.
Yoongi believed in giving all hybrids a chance and he recognized it was hypocritical how he acted when he met them. He knew better now.
The rain was incessant; through the window the sky was dark and the clouds angry, however, he had begun to think that he was in good company. During each meal the wolves shared their rations with him, always keeping him fed and warm. Safe. Yoongi's cold was fighting with his antibodies, stubborn but surely leaving with the special care he was getting.
That afternoon Taehyung came to him with a hot mug in his large hands.
"What is this?" Yoongi asked, accepting it.
"A special tea I prepared for you. It contains herbs that help with your sore throat and the coughing. I know it's not endorsed by medical science but I promise you it works just as well as pills."
"You didn't have to. I… I don't want to inconvenience anyone or get them sick."
Taehyung tsked. "Don’t worry about us, hyung. We are used to harsh winters and have thick coats to protect us. Even in human form, our immune system is excellent."
"I don't consider myself delicate but I've been kind of weak these past months, and lost a lot of weight," Yoongi confessed, blowing the hot tea. He took a sip, almost scalding his tongue. It was bitter. "So I really appreciate this."
"Weak? We can't have that! We'll feed you so your cute cheeks fill out again," Taehyung said, smiling.
Cute? Had the wolf indirectly called him cute? That was a huge compliment coming from a man as handsome as him.
He drank the rest of the tea while having a nice conversation with the wolf, excessively sweating later but hearing that was the desired effect that would kick out his germs.
At night, Yoongi's frustration arose when Jungkook repeatedly dirtied the floor. Potty training him was arduous work and it obviously wasn't working. Cats instinctively hid their waste to not be found by other predators, but rabbits didn't. Yoongi tried to take him outside often but the bunny kept disposing wherever he wanted.
"Damn it! You can't do it here, Jungkookie."
Patience was a virtue mothers ought to have and practice.
"Is there a problem?"
Yoongi didn't startle, having heard the faint steps of someone coming close to them.
"Bun doesn't know he can't poop anywhere. And he does it all the time. I constantly have to pick up after him," he explained, sighing.
"Maybe you have to show him," Jimin suggested. Yoongi blinked, not impressed. "Or I can build him a litter box, the hyungs must have some tools we can borrow."
Minutes later Yoongi and Jungkook watched the pretty wolf work, the sound of cutting, hammering, and transforming wood into a perfect little litter box was the only thing they could hear. Jungkook didn't like the noise so Yoongi covered his tiny ears, only stopping when Jimin was filling the box with dirt. The curious bunny was peeking behind his palms and went to sniff the shifter. He tried to touch Jungkook but the cat hybrid stepped in before he could.
They weren't allowed to.
"Oh, sorry," Jimin whispered, looking discouraged. Yoongi regretted being so aggressive in his actions.
His maternal instinct made him kind of irrational.
"It's okay. I think he likes you."
Jimim smiled cutely. "Yeah? That's nice to know. I love babies." He stood up, looking at his creation. "Okay, this should work for now."
"Thank you so much," Yoongi expressed. He was touched that the wolf took the time to help them.
"Anything for this baby. And his mama," Jimin responded, winking.
Yoongi hoped he didn't blush too hard.
Another night passed with Jungkook having sudden bursts of energy. They were tolerable, though Yoongi had to be extra careful the bunny didn't chew on the pack's stuff. The good news was that after a few tries he had started to use his litter box and Yoongi was so proud of him.
He soaked in the feeling, wondering how many wonderful experiences raising Jungkook would bring him. The bunny only had him and Yoongi would never abandon him. Having him was a blessing to his suffering soul, however, that didn't mean that he would stop thinking about his little angels and how they never got to live the life they deserved.
Yoongi had failed them. But he wouldn't fail Jungkook.
The rain stopped, or to be precise, turned into hail. The temperatures were drastically dropping so some of the wolves went out at dawn to hunt because meat was scarce.
The cat hybrid had to just wait and see, which he didn't exactly like. He was used to staying home for weeks but never without any responsibilities. The pack seemed to enjoy having him sitting on his bum and not doing anything, constantly telling him to only worry about resting. Yoongi had rested enough.
"I thought wolves were nocturnal," he said, getting up before they left.
"We are crepuscular, we're more active at sunrise and sunset," Seokjin illustrated.
"What can I do to help? Can I go with you today?"
"Cats hunt?" Seokjin teased. Yoongi snorted.
"Small animals, yes. But I don't think I'll ever be able to hunt rabbits again and I doubt you'll like mice and birds."
"We feed from those animals sometimes but let's leave the hunting to Hoseok and the maknaes. They had been meaning to go out. Go fetch water with me from the river before the snow comes."
Yoongi nodded but walked to Hoseok either way, telling him he wanted to accompany them.
"You're not in good condition," the wolf objected, frowning. "Ask me when you feel better."
Yoongi pursed his lips. He knew Hoseok's words came from a place of care but he didn't want them to think him useless or ungrateful.
"I'm fine."
"You are recovering. And it wouldn't do us any good for Jungkook to catch a cold, would it? It's a miracle he didn't get sick after that rain." Hoseok stared at the bunny sleeping in his hands. Yoongi didn't go anywhere without him.
The shifter's tone was sort of condescending and Yoongi hated that.
"I want to contribute. I don't like to feel like a burden."
Hoseok's face softened. "You are not a burden, hyung. You could never be a burden but I can see that you don't believe me. How are your kitchen skills?"
"Pretty good."
He knew how to cook and the hybrids he dated always said his food was amazing.
"Then you can help Jin hyung prepare the meals. Or you can clean the den with Tae or if you can sew, you could teach Jimin and make new garments for us or yourself with animal fur."
"Okay."
Those options sounded nice. It would give him a chance to be busy and pay back their generosity.
"Hey, hyung," Hoseok called. Yoongi turned back. "What I said, I meant it. You and your kitten are welcome in our home."
Something in the way he talked had the cat hybrid avoiding his gaze. What was wrong with him? The wolf was just being his usual kind self, he was not implying anything else.
Seokjin came up to him and he watched the younger wolves leave. "Are you ready to go?"
"I don't know if I can separate from Jungkook," Yoongi replied sincerely.
"I think Jungkookie likes Jimin, they can definitely stay for an hour and play together." Seokjin must've seen something on Yoongi's face because he added, "Of course, if you don't feel comfortable, bring him with us."
"How?"
"Um, I guess we need to make clothes so you can carry him around."
They improvised and tied a wide and long scarf on the cat hybrid's body so the bunny could stay close to his mother and also be warm. Jungkook was awake, with his little head out and looking at the outside world as they walked to the river. It was freezing but thankfully they had some spare shoes for Yoongi.
"I saw you talking to Hoseok. He said no?" Seokjin guessed. Yoongi shrugged.
"He may as well have told me I was incompetent."
The wolf stopped. "No, Yoongi. You are… You look much smaller than us. I think our instincts are begging us to take care of you, to protect you and your young."
"As if I was your little brother?"
Seokjin laughed in a very peculiar way. "It's far from that, Yoongi. You have no idea."
There was obviously more to it, but dwelling on it wouldn't do the cat hybrid any good. He wouldn't see these people again. They brought water for the pack in huge vessels, Seokjin telling him they wanted to build a well near the cabin to save themselves the trip.
Yoongi watched the maknaes and Hoseok come back in their wolf form, their fur soaked, and with half a deer in their bloody jaws. It was a good catch even if they'd only have fresh meat for a couple of days since they ate so much. They didn't bring hares or rabbits and Yoongi was grateful for it; he didn't want Jungkook to fear them when they were making progress.
The bunny didn't see them eating it either, just got glimpses of Seokjin in his human form storing some of the meat to cook for Yoongi later.
The cat hybrid saw them shift and eyed Hoseok's toned torso painted in blood. He was handsome. When he felt his face grow hot he moved to another room where he found Namjoon writing. He observed him in silence, for some reason mesmerized by how confidently he held the pen.
A moment later the wolf looked up and Yoongi felt like prey instead of a predator. He shuddered.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt," he murmured.
"It's okay," Namjoon responded with a dimpled smile. "You can be pretty sneaky."
"My steps are light, I'm part cat after all. What are you writing?"
"Just my personal thoughts.. some poetry, lyrics, even a few letters for some city friends. Whatever comes to my mind."
Yoongi hummed, then remembered the mess his kitten made. "Don't tell me Jungkook–"
"No, no. He is fine." Namjoon stood up. He was very tall and broad. "Earlier I was thinking… about your friends and family. They must be desperately searching for you. It's unfortunate we can't contact them from here."
Yoongi laughed without humor. "Don't worry. No one is looking for me." He kissed his baby's soft fur. "Jungkookie is all I have."
His whole world.
Namjoon looked like he wanted to ask more questions but ultimately he said: "I understand. This pack is my only family and I'd protect them with my life."
The bunny in his lap was restless so Yoongi placed him on the ground and Jungkook immediately started to explore, sniffing and rubbing his chin in objects, digging (though this was not the place for it) and hopping around the room. Yoongi was so content to see him coming out of his shell.
"He just doesn't get tired," he murmured, apologetic.
"Bunnies are playful and need a lot of attention since they are a highly social species," Namjoon commented. "He feels safe now."
"Yeah?" Yoongi said, not wanting to reveal how little he knew about the baby he had adopted.
"Yes. Rabbit shifters have a lot of ways to communicate before they are old enough to turn human. If a bunny likes you they’ll lick you, will rub their face on you or nip at you," the wolf shared. Yoongi had the sense that he was incredibly smart. "They also hum when they're happy. Oh, and the chinning."
"What's that?"
"Rabbits are territorial, and they rub their chin—where their scent gland is—on objects and people to mark them as theirs. That helps them relax because they feel more at home."
That information was helpful, and Yoongi kept it stored in his heart, knowing Jungkook did all those things with him. But there was one thing he wasn't sure about.
"How do you know if they love you?" Yoongi asked, hoping the alpha didn't hear the vulnerability in his voice.
Namjoon stayed quiet for a minute.
"Jungkook loves you a lot, you are his mother," he said softly, as if seeing right through him. Was Yoongi that easy to read? "Your baby displays trust and love every time he lies down next to you."
Yoongi gulped the lump in his throat, changing to cat form to avoid Namjoon seeing his watery eyes. He collected Jungkook and cuddled him, a fond wolf watching over them, and then shifting too to play with them. Yoongi felt warm.
Over the next couple of days and with the care of the pack, the cat hybrid was one hundred percent healthy, and even gaining weight at the same pace as Jungkook.
He did take Hoseok's suggestion and helped Seokjin and Taehyung around the den as snow began to fall and cover the trees and paths. Yoongi did his new chores as he kept an eye on his baby, who had decided he liked to stare at Jimin and bump him with his head. Jungkook just wanted to play and the wolves always humored him.
When the stars were shining bright Yoongi was lighting up the candles to keep working on his new clothes. He had enough time to teach Jimin how to sew and make some gifts for the pack with the skins they had saved.
It had been a long while since Yoongi had socialized so much and with so many different people. Every day he shared conversations with them, never too long, never too personal, but still meaningful and providing the human connection he didn't know he was seeking.
The wolves were charming and knew when to push or backtrack, and soon Yoongi shared some details about his life in the city while asking them about their lifestyle. He was awfully curious about why they chose the forest when it was so much harder to sustain themselves here.
"For me, you live a life full of struggles," Yoongi said, sitting on the couch. "No electricity, gas, or drinking water. No bathroom."
"We have everything we need even if it takes more effort to get it," Seokjin affirmed. He was petting Jungkook gently, sending him to sleep.
"With time you get used to it," Hoseok added. Yoongi pouted.
"But why?"
"It was a pretty natural transition for us," Namjoon answered. "Other packs have done it as well to be away from the pressure of living in society and the ridiculously high standards for young adults. We care about surviving, loving, and being happy."
A simpler life, with simpler responsibilities. Yoongi, who took odd jobs he hated and more often than not was short of money, could get behind that. However, giving up all the luxuries that he grew up with for mental peace was a radical exchange for him.
The door opened abruptly and Jimin and Taehyung entered the den, immediately falling to wrestle and roll on the ground, shifting to wolf form.
"Why are they fighting? What's wrong?" Yoongi questioned, tensing. He saw big teeth and sharp claws. "Are they angry?"
Hoseok laughed. "They're not angry, they are just having fun."
That didn't look like fun to him, their playing seeming quite violent. Yoongi guessed it was one of those drastic cultural differences between species. "Oh. I got confused because we cats would only act that way when we want to hurt the other or assert dominance."
"If we ever had a serious fight, you'd know it," Namjoon commented.
"Guys, stop it," Seokjin ordered. "You're scaring Jungkookie!"
Yoongi looked at him. Jungkook's ears were flattened against his body so the cat hybrid ran to him, hiding him in the crook of his neck where he knew the bun felt safe.
After Seokjin's words, Taehyung and Jimin shifted and apologized for frightening Jungkook. The wolves were whispering in each other's ears now, cheeks blushed and hair wild, too close to be only friendly. They were together.
Yoongi stared at how Seokjin and Hoseok were holding hands and the way Namjoon was oozing love when he looked at them. The cat hybrid felt stupid for not realizing they were all in a polyamorous relationship. In his defense, this was the first time he recalled them acting this affectionately.
They had probably toned down the skinship so as to not discomfit him and Yoongi was thankful for it. It was great they were a happy, committed pack and yet he wasn't excited to see it.
That night didn't see a lot of snowfall. Yoongi was wide awake, mind too loud to rest so he watched his baby sleep and looked around, missing the wolves near them. He knew they needed their privacy but it was strange to not have them around.
Why couldn't he stop thinking about them? Nothing had changed.
Because of the pack's big appetite, the next morning they were ready to go hunting again. This time Yoongi would accompany them and reluctantly he left Jungkook with Namjoon and Jimin. It was hard to part ways with his child but he knew he was in good hands.
"I heard you wanted to come with us," Taehyung said. Yoongi shrugged, the cold wind feeling good on his skin.
"I'm a bit tired of staying inside."
The wolf nodded.
"You needed fresh air." His animated tone changed to a more careful, quiet one. "I think I should tell you that last time we found a rabbit nest. It had rabbit fur and grass. A group of bunnies most likely lived there but when we arrived it was empty."
Yoongi barely acknowledged it and changed the topic quickly.
In his head, there wasn't a reality where Jungkook's biological mother appeared and took him away from him. And he would rather not think about it.
They walked for an hour and a half. To make things easier they should've turned into their animal forms, but when Yoongi suggested it the wolves brushed it off and said they could hunt in human form too. To be honest, it seemed like they were more interested in talking to him than in creating silence to lure a potential prey.
"Are you cold?" Seokjin inquired. They were all wearing thick furs but Yoongi was still shivering. Hoseok gave him his coat.
"There you go, kitty."
"What did you call me?" Yoongi raised a brow.
The wolf turned pink, his mates laughing quietly.
"Goodness, I'm sorry if I offended you it's just–most of the time a shifter in his human form doesn't resemble the animal side, but you do."
"You think so?"
"Yeah, the shape of your eyes, mouth, and button nose. You look like a pretty kitty."
Yoongi giggled, a mushy feeling sticking to his chest and spreading quickly. Hoseok was just joking or being extra kind, he couldn't possibly believe that.
"You are saying nonsense."
"The guys will agree with me," Hoseok assured. And they did, going on about how they had never seen anyone like him.
"What does being a shifter mean?" Yoongi asked, his face red. He needed to divert the attention from himself.
They were deep in the forest, their voices a whisper not louder than the wind.
"For us, it's being connected to our animal side. To our wolves," Seokjin responded as they crouched down behind the bushes. They had seen something. "To get rid of that human desire to dominate nature and destroy it, and instead, appreciate it."
Their way of living aligned with a lot of Yoongi's thoughts. He didn't reject modernity and liked progress, but he despised the way of obtaining it.
Taehyung stood behind him and Yoongi got chills. There was a boar looking for food.
"To call yourself a shifter is to acknowledge the oppression our ancestors lived in for decades and reclaim an identity that was exploited."
"To be a shifter is to stop pretending to be something that you aren't," Hoseok finished, before shifting and pouncing on the animal.
Their responses left Yoongi deeply impressed and it was hard to concentrate on their task at hand, but in the end they came back with two boars, happy with their conquest. The cat shifter forgot the cold and the falling snow as they talked and laughed, admiring the wolves' impressive hunting skills and basking in the warmth of their smiles.
His happiness halted when they arrived at the cabin and he saw Jimin and Namjoon outside, arguing. Yoongi's maternal instinct kicked in, warning him his baby was in danger.
"Where is Jungkook?! Where the fuck is he?" he yelled.
They were startled, not able to meet his eyes, guilty.
"Hyung, I–We. He disappeared a few minutes ago," Jimin rushed to explain, voice shaky. "I opened the door and he sprinted, probably searching for you."
"How dare you lose him?!" Yoongi cried, a horrible sob clogging his throat. "How incompetent can you be?!"
His kitten was so small, and the forest so big, dark, and full of hungry and bloodthirsty predators. Jungkook could be scared, lost, cold. He could be hurt, thinking Yoongi had abandoned him, needing his help, wounded, or worse… No. Not again.
Nature couldn't be that cruel. Yet Yoongi knew it was unforgiving.
A worried Seokjin touched his arm in a gesture of support but the hybrid rejected it. "Calm down, Yoongi, please. We'll go look for him and we'll find him. Namjoon and Hoseok have excellent noses."
But Yoongi didn't listen and he didn't stay to see if they finally moved. He shifted, following Jungkook's scent trail, heartbeat pounding in his head. He was furious with the pack, and with himself for being a bad mother and allowing this to happen, destroyed by the prospect of never seeing his child again.
He promised he'd take care of Jungkook.
While lamenting and internally crying for what his neglect caused, his nose took him to a small field that smelled like a baby rabbit. Like his baby rabbit. Yoongi heard a noise that couldn't be anything but his bun screaming and he looked up, terrified to see him being surrounded by a pack of wolves.
If he didn't react they would eat Jungkook. How would he fight them and win?
Without more time to think of a plan of action, Yoongi stepped into the field and bravely decided to change their focus to him. He shifted, his human body ten times bigger and stronger than his cat one but still much smaller than a wolf. The fear he would've normally felt was gone because Jungkook needed him.
The wild wolves, that Yoongi was now sure were pure animals, turned to him, showing their teeth and ready to attack him. But he didn't care, his eyes trained on the tiny brown bun.
A chilling howl stopped the cat shifter from being assaulted. Yoongi didn't have to look to know that it was Namjoon, that the huge and intimidating pack leader had been behind him with every step, waiting for the opportunity to emerge. New growls joined him, Hoseok and Seokjin having his back, with Jimin and Taehyung appearing to the sides, cornering the other pack.
The alpha growled and it seemed like they were communicating because the other wolves retracted, staring at the bunny for a second and presumably thinking such a small prey wasn't worth the battle. They left the place and Yoongi's soul came back to his body.
He knelt in the snow, not caring about being naked and cold, and Jungkook came to him. He didn't hesitate and Yoongi was so touched he didn't hide from him, overjoyed that the bunny trusted him. He cupped him in his hands and after inspecting him and seeing he wasn't hurt he brought the trembling bunny to his chest, his whole body shaking with the force of his cries.
"My baby!" Yoongi said as hot tears fell down his cheeks. "I'm so sorry, please forgive me. I'll never leave you alone again."
Jungkook thumped with his back legs, a signal that he felt threatened.
"It's me, Jungkookie, your mommy. You'll be okay, bun. We're safe."
He petted him, slowly calming him down until the bunny licked him. The wolves shielded them, not shifting, still alert after such a dreadful scare. Despite being a baby and having just lived a traumatic experience, Jungkook didn't show fear of them. He knew them by their scent and also felt safe around them and that's why Yoongi didn't move when they got closer and their big bodies tried to cover them from the snow.
Upon feeling better Yoongi stood up on numb, frozen legs and thanked Namjoon for basically saving them. Jimin shifted and he bowed low enough to be considered a reverence.
"It's my fault he went missing. Please, forgive me," he murmured, ashamed.
Yoongi caressed his hair. "It's okay, pup."
He was exhausted and in his heart there wasn't space to hate these wolves, only to love them. If it weren't for them, perhaps Yoongi and Jungkook would've never made it out alive.
Twenty minutes later they were back home, seated around the fire, Yoongi with more layers of clothes and blankets than he'd ever had. The wolves were worried about his health, and wanted to prevent him from catching another cold. His nose was red and his toes desensitized, yet the cat shifter was only filled with immense relief because Jungkook was out of danger.
"I want to apologize again."
Yoongi bit his lip, conflicted. Of course the wolves were at fault but he knew it wasn't done on purpose and they were regretful.
"Me too, hyung. Jimin was not alone. I apologize for not being careful enough," Namjoon declared. "Jungkook is just a baby, he shouldn't be alone for a second. And I'm the leader of this pack, it's my job to protect everyone in it." Yoongi glared at him and he seemed to realize what he said because he added, wide-eyed, "And our guests."
"I won't say sorry for yelling at you. I was worked up. I accept your apology though," Yoongi murmured, a heavy weight dragging him down. "I shouldn't have gone hunting. This was my fault."
Seokjin didn't agree.
"Hey, no. It was on us. Even if you are a mother you have the right to have some time for yourself."
Yoongi had been here for about ten days, and every single second of that time he had spent it beside Jungkook. It still hadn't been enough to prevent this.
"What hyung said is true. We failed you and we failed Jungkookie," Taehyung lamented, eyes getting wet. Namjoon hugged him.
"We would've never forgiven ourselves if a tragedy occurred."
"Let's be grateful we got there in time," Hoseok commented after an unbearable silence that made Yoongi's skin crawl. Not even when he met the wolves had he been this uncomfortable.
"What were they doing in our territory anyway?" Jimin asked, gaze fixed on the sleeping bunny.
"I don't know," Seokjin responded. "But I'm sure they stopped because the bunny was covered in our scent. They recognized it."
Namjoon nodded. "Things could've gotten aggressive."
"That means you can protect your pack…" Yoongi took a sip of his herbal tea, mind racing, and heart urging him to talk. "I found him. I found him just a few hours before you found us.
"He was completely alone and didn't smell like his mother. He was cold and thin and I had just–Jungkook. I named him Jungkook and decided to take him with me because it was unlikely he would survive alone."
"You are so kind," Taehyung whispered, giving him compassion he didn't deserve.
"No. It was selfish of me to take him and act as if he were mine."
"He is yours. You have bonded, you are his mother," Namjoon proclaimed, like he really believed it.
Yoongi was reluctant to accept it.
"Maybe the rabbit that brought him into this world left him, maybe they didn't care, maybe they were... killed," Hoseok murmured, making eye contact. His expression was kind. "Whatever happened, Jungkook is with you now. You saved him, hyung. It was fate."
A couple of tears escaped. Yoongi couldn't articulate a sentence, afraid he'd break down again.
"We'd like it if our scent was on you," Jimin said shyly, surprising him. "Just in case something like today happened again."
Yoongi guessed that made more sense than the wolves wanting him to smell like them. Those ideas made his heart beat faster and his thoughts spiral. It wasn't right. He was being delusional, however, he couldn't resist the tempting offer.
He was starving for contact.
"You can scent me."
Jimin got close to him first in his huge wolf form. He rubbed his neck on Yoongi, impregnating him with his aroma. Seokjin followed, equally as eager, and then the rest of the pack. The cat shifter was overwhelmed, a little drunk on their touch and possessive scents, cheeks dusted pink.
Once done, Hoseok took a deep breath back in his human form.
"Do I smell nice?" Yoongi teased, swallowing a yawn. He was so tired, but going to sleep meant leaving Jungkook unprotected.
"You smell like pack."
Not knowing how to reply, Yoongi shifted to cat form, cuddling with his son. Seokjin covered them with a blanket, hand tentatively touching his head, marveling at how soft his fur was. The cat shifter was embarrassed by how much he liked it.
"Rest, Yoongi. This time, we won't disappoint you."
The evening passed with Jungkook and Yoongi napping, only waking up when they were hungry. As he breastfed the bun, Yoongi noticed the mood was less somber than earlier. He didn't mind that the wolves were staring, after all this was a natural thing to do.
He cleaned Jungkook's litter and then they moved to the kitchen. The pack had skinned the boar and Seokjin had made a delicious stew. Yoongi sat down to eat, giving Jungkook hay to chew.
"I'm sorry if this question is rude," Namjoom started, once their meals were finished. "But how can you feed Jungkook? I mean, you're producing milk?"
Yoongi took a deep breath. Today they were being honest and it was time he spoke of it with a friend, because he saw them as friends now.
"I was pregnant with a litter." Yoongi didn't have to say it, but as understanding and a deep sadness settled on their faces he wanted to tell them. "I woke up one day and I was bleeding. Next thing I knew my kittens were gone, all of them."
"Oh no," Jimin gasped, about to cry.
"We are so sorry for your loss. May your babies have found peace," Seokjin murmured, holding his hand. Yoongi squeezed, not protesting when their fingers were interlocked.
He needed this. Losing his kittens had ripped him apart and somehow telling his story to people that cared about him patched him up, even if a little.
"I was alone. My days were dull and I ached for someone to hold me and tell me the future would be okay," Yoongi sniffed.
"Where's the bastard?" Namjoon growled, eyes dark and dangerous. "Why wasn't he with you?"
"He–never knew. It happened one night when I was desperate to feel the touch of another. That night was meaningless to me until I knew of their existence and I wanted them with all my heart, not even for a second thinking of getting rid of them."
"So you were alone after the miscarriage," Taehyung concluded.
Yoongi nodded, not wanting to open his mouth because he'd cry. He must look so pitiful but he didn't wish to hide.
"We're so sorry, kitty," Hoseok murmured, taking his other hand. "I can't imagine how stressful and painful that was for you."
"I think I wanted to die."
It was the first time he said it out loud. The first time he admitted it to himself. He had been so deep in the depressing hole that was sucking his will to be alive that only a brown baby bunny coming into his life was capable of pulling him out of it.
"Now though… I want to live. I want to grow old and watch Jungkook grow up." Yoongi smiled sweetly.
"You are a very strong person, hyung," Jimin told him, seeming like he wanted to get closer but respecting his boundaries.
They were so good to him.
That night was one of the coldest of the year. Yoongi was shivering, the fire had died long ago and his body heat wasn't enough. There was also the thunder that Jungkook dreaded and woke him up every few minutes. The cat shifter was meowing quietly, trying to lure him to sleep but the bunny was restless.
Namjoon approached them holding a candle. "Hey, you guys can come to snuggle with us. We are big and warm."
Yoongi shifted to human.
"I don't think it's appropriate…" he wavered. It was a barrier he hadn't dared to cross.
"Of course it is. You are cold, you seek warmth. That's how it works."
He was right. His reservations were rooted in human norms that held no importance in the forest.
Yoongi walked to a room he had never been to before and he saw something similar to a bed, with lots of blankets and pillows. It looked comfy. All of them were lying there in wolf forms, with Hoseok, Taehyung, and Seokjin sleeping. Yoongi sat next to them, laughing when Jimin–who he recognized from his eyes–licked his face. Jungkook knew it was him too and he accepted the playful licks, though his tongue wetted his front legs and he rubbed them on his face to clean himself. Adorable.
"Baby is not afraid," Yoongi whispered in awe. Namjoon gave him a smile that made his eyes shine with endearment.
They shifted, the alpha accommodating them so Yoongi, curled into a ball and covering Jungkook with his tail, slept on top of them, safe and sound, with five big wolves safeguarding their dreams.
In the morning Yoongi stirred awake, enveloped by strong paws. He blinked, seeing the pack was complete, none of them wanting to get up and miss the cuddling time. The cat shifter locked eyes with Taehyung, the wolf as beautiful as he was in human form. They couldn't formulate words but at this moment they didn't need it.
Jungkook chinned all the pliant and joyful wolves, rubbing his scent on them, claiming them as his. Yoongi was as concerned as he was charmed by it. The bunny shouldn't get attached to them. And neither should he. Yoongi had never known the warmth of a family, the acceptance and unconditional love of a pack. He had never woken up to a delicious aroma and nice food, to people asking you how you were feeling, to hugs and cuddles.
If he was honest with himself he didn't wish to leave.
The weather was getting better, though, at least nice enough for Yoongi to consider going back home. The wolves didn't mention it, always finding excuses for Yoongi to stay longer and he allowed it, a naive part of him wishing those long hugs and hand holding meant something to them.
But they weren't interested. They hadn't said it or even hinted at it.
"It's time I go back to the city," Yoongi declared, after more than weeks of staying in the cabin.
He didn't know if Jungkook would like it there, but he was young enough to get used to most environments so the shifter wasn't too worried. What troubled him was the bunny missing the wolves. Maybe it was better to leave as soon as possible to avoid the heartbreak.
The wolves tensed and shared a secret look.
"That's what you want?" Seokjin asked, sad lines on his face. Yoongi didn't understand.
"That's what I have to do. I have a life, responsibilities."
"You are the protagonist of your own story," Hoseok responded, in between a hurt yet hopeful expression. He was the one holding Jungkook. "You can leave, we'd never impede it, but know that you have a home here. Both of you."
A home? Was Yoongi misinterpreting what they were saying?
"You told me Jungkook was all you had. It doesn't have to be like that, you have us," Namjoon said.
"What do you mean?" he whispered, too easily broken to dare and feel a glimpse of hope.
"You are beautiful," Taehyung blurted out, blushing. "You are the prettiest shifter we've had the grace to see."
Oh?
"Your white fur is so fluffy and you have such a pretty tail," Jimin added. "And we are dying to touch it."
"You are such a good mother and an excellent cook, you made clothes for us selflessly and went hunting because you are so hardworking, and your voice is deep and so gentle," Seokjin babbled, ears red. "We'd really like it if you stayed with us."
Yoongi let out an incredulous laugh. "You don't mean that."
"We do," Hoseok assured. "We like everything about you; your softness, patience, and quietness. We admire your strength and good heart and are absolutely smitten with how inside your tough walls there's a soft person that only wants to give love and be loved."
"We are so in love with you," Namjoon finished, walking until he was in front of him. "We want you to be ours."
Yoongi stayed quiet.
He was astonished and barely breathing. After being invisible and lonely for most of his life it was hard to wrap his head around such a wonderful love confession. And it didn't come from one person, but five.
Five people loved him. And he loved them back.
When his waist was touched he didn't move, afraid this was a dream and he'd wake up. The wolf didn't push him to talk, but he did lean in, giving him the option to turn his face. Instead, Yoongi got on his tiptoes and their lips met in a kiss that was so soft the shifter was levitating.
Too shy to look at the rest of the pack, he called them with his hands. Hoseok didn't waste time and left the bunny sleeping on a pillow, pulling Yoongi into a deep kiss.
"Your tongue–" he muttered, amazed.
"It has little spines. I hope it doesn't bother you that much."
"They feel good. You feel good, kitty."
"Please, keep kissing me," Yoongi begged.
They did so, his lips never left unattended, Seokjin taking his mouth gently while Taehyung and Jimin kissed like eager puppies, biting his lips and gripping him like they never wanted to let him go. Yoongi very much liked that.
"So you want to be with us? Stay with us?" Taehyung asked, thumb on his lower lip. Yoongi looked up, unsure.
"I'm a cat shifter and you are–"
To be with someone from a different species wasn't frowned upon but it certainly wasn't the most conventional thing.
"You are all we could ever want in a mate. For us, there is no one else," Namjoon confessed. "I know this may seem fast but in our hearts, there's no doubt what we feel is real."
"It's fast by human standards," Yoongi replied with fire in his voice. "But we are shifters."
Their instincts played a part in how they experienced love and attraction, and it would never be separated from them. He could tell the wolves were pleasantly surprised by the use of the term. They seemed proud.
"You've shown me how gentle love can be. It doesn't have to be explosive or complicated, it is comfort and gentleness. It's making mistakes and forgiving, helping with a smile because you want to make your partner happy."
"Yoongi…"
The wolves kept kissing him, more hands touching him and Yoongi was starting to feel hot. He felt their desire and impatience with every kiss and caress of their fingers, listening to how they had been thinking about him, were hungry for him since they began to interact and only fell deeper when they knew his soul.
They said other things too, things that had Yoongi squirming and throbbing. Things that he would be too embarrassed to repeat.
"I'll need–I'll need herbs to not get pregnant," he said, hating the shock on their faces. "I'd be so happy to carry the proof of our love. I want to but I'm not ready. Maybe I will never be," he added, suddenly afraid of rejection.
But he encountered none of that.
"You don't have to apologize. We understand, hyung," Hoseok affirmed. Yoongi shook his head because they didn't.
"I'm damaged. I couldn't–"
"No, that wasn't your fault, love," Seokjin cut him off, cupping his cheek. "Our Yoongi is perfect. And we have a child already, we have Jungkook."
An arrow shot straight to his heart, the fondness in their eyes shining as they glanced at the baby and watched him sleep. Parental love.
"You'll take care of Jungkook as your own?" Yoongi said, tears prickling his eyes. Jimin nodded.
"He is a part of you, but we also love him and want to raise him because of who he is, because it would be impossible not to adore him."
"We'll love and protect him with our lives," Namjoon swore.
And Yoongi knew it was true. He was the luckiest shifter ever.
Jimin kissed him, thick lips plushy and demanding. Hands small but greedy. Yoongi was giddy, the lust in the air clogging his thoughts and wetting the back of his thighs. The wolves could surely smell it.
"Jungkookie is here…" he murmured when his asscheek was kneaded.
"Sorry," Taehyung said, retracting. "It's hard to keep my hands to myself when you smell like that."
Hoseok smiled easily. "We don't have to do anything, hyung. We'll be ready whenever you are."
"No!" Yoongi said quickly, perhaps too quickly. "I do want to… It's just difficult to stay away from him after what happened."
Namjoon picked up the bunny in his palms and Jungkook woke up and blinked a few times, only to then go back to sleep. "We can leave him in the small room sleeping. There is no way he could escape, plus you are here, he wouldn't want to."
"I–"
"Or one or two of us can watch over him while the rest are with you and then we swap," Seokjin suggested.
Yoongi considered the idea but it wasn't like he wanted it to happen. They decided to keep Jungkook in the tiny room, one he had already explored and was familiar with. They left him with items that belonged to them and reeked of their scent and things to chew on in case he woke up.
He wondered if he was a bad mother for wanting an hour to himself and his lovers. However, his worries were kissed away as he lost his clothes and touched their sculpted chests and arms. They made him feel comically small and he enjoyed it way too much.
He never imagined he'd have the heart of five men, that they'd desire him and would look at his naked pale skin and thin thighs as if they wanted to devour them.
Once again, Yoongi felt like prey. His cat side didn't particularly like it but he paid it no mind, spreading his legs for them.
Namjoon was the first one to join him. As the highest in ranking he had that privilege.
He dragged his lips from Yoongi's mouth to his neck, leaving hickeys there. Wolves seemed to have a fascination with that body part but he wasn't complaining, especially when Seokjin came later, as the oldest in the pack, and feasted on his nipples.
Yoongi's nipples couldn't be sucked too hard or milk would come out, but they were so sensitive that the brush of a tongue heated his belly and produced more slick.
He was moaning, almost meowing, not used to so many mouths on him. When a warm breath hit his soaked folds and little length, he tensed. Hoseok's dark hair appeared between his legs and he looked up, eyes ravenous and with a question in them. Yoongi gave him a tiny nod, suppressing the need to tell him he wasn't shaved when he clearly didn't give a damn about that.
"Ah, that feels good…" he whimpered. His center was being kissed and licked, pleasured beyond limits.
Hoseok was stretching him with his fingers, sucking him off, making sure he was ready to take them. Suddenly, there was a thick cock in his hand and Yoongi stroked it, feeling a weird bump in the base.
"You can knot," he said, like a revelation. "Does it hurt?"
Yoongi had never been with a shifter that did that. He had never been with more than one person at the same time. He had never had sex with somebody that loved him. Today he was having a lot of first times.
"Trust us, kitty. It'll feel good," Taehyung said, adopting the nickname Hoseok had given him.
"Am I enough to please you?" Yoongi wondered, realizing it was impossible to pay attention to all of them.
Jimin looked scandalized.
"We will please you! You are our moon."
That was a really heavy and beautiful sentence to say while Yoongi was delirious as he got fingered. He appreciated it, of course, but he couldn't respond. It wasn't necessary, they knew where his heart lay.
"We'll make you feel so good," Hoseok added, kissing his belly. Yoongi shivered.
They spread his legs farther and Jimin hovered there, hands gripping Yoongi's ass and separating his cheeks. He was drenched and with the addition of the wolf's tongue on him, he was ready to be mounted.
Lust was pumping in his blood, blushing his body a pretty pink and making him twitch under their heated gazes. Jimin and Taehyung kissed his mouth while Namjoon pushed his cock into his cunt without any fanfare. He was big, the biggest Yoongi had taken. It seemed like cat shifters didn't compare in that department to wolves.
"Look at him," Seokjin said.
Yoongi was flushed, body being worshiped like never before. He'd be covered in love bites when all of this ended.
"Gorgeous hyung takes us so well," Taehyung praised, using Yoongi's hand to get off.
Every part of him was busy; palms, mouth and pussy, getting kissed or fucked. He was swimming in an ocean of bliss, walls opened by his lover's girth as he was told what a pretty kitty he was.
"He's tight," Namjoon murmured, thrusting into him and pulling sinful moans out of his lips.
"Big…" Yoongi whispered, dazed.
"Aren't you a good kitty?" Hoseok teased.
He was fucked by the pack one after the other, both soft and feral. Guided by their instincts and their hearts, they made the cat shifter feel like the most precious being. No one had loved him as passionately as they did, no one had made him tip over the edge again and again until his flesh was delicate and his limbs quivered.
Yoongi came back to his senses, groggy and sweaty, in between a pile of sticky bodies snuggling together. His new mates were generous and passionate and more importantly, didn't forget to remind him how loved he was.
"We want to make you happy," Seokjin whispered, kissing his shoulder.
The cat shifter smiled and closed his eyes, satisfied.
"He's purring," he heard someone murmur.
It was rare that it happened in human form but that just meant that Yoongi was extremely happy. All of them wanted a piece of him, not momentarily but forever.
Staying in the forest was a huge change from city life, however, he had nothing to lose and everything to gain. Of course he went back to his old house and brought some things along with him to make his stay more comfortable and nice—Yoongi had adapted to them, it was only fair they adapted to him—but he wouldn't change what he had for anything in the world.
His days were peaceful, full of sunshine even during the harsh winter. With his wolves and his son, he had nothing to be afraid of.
•••
It had been five years since Yoongi had moved in with the pack.
He was doing the tasks that were assigned to him, and they didn't feel like chores because it was a joy to cook for everyone. All of them liked human food and enjoyed the variety of it, Jungkook learning to eat dishes that would keep him healthy in both forms.
They were living in a new cabin, one slightly more modern, bigger, and closer to the city in case of an emergency, but still far enough to not be bothered by humans. It was a compromise on their part.
Taehyung came into the kitchen, gave him a strange look, and out of nowhere dropped to his knees.
"Tae, not here," Yoongi whined, grinning. "I'm busy cooking."
But the wolf wasn't looking for sex. He sniffed his belly, looking at him as if hung the stars in the sky. "There are pups in you."
Yoongi dropped the wooden spoon and they immediately went to tell their mates the happy news. It took right after he stopped taking his tea. They were ecstatic, kissing and hugging him, touching his belly with reverence.
Then, happiness was clouded by the dark feeling that oppressed his chest. What if he lost them?
"I'm scared," Yoongi whispered, eyes glossy. Namjoon back hugged him, wide chest reliable and strong.
"We know, my love. We'll be here for you."
"We can go to the city, get you good doctors," Jimin proposed.
"No. The miscarriage of my kittens happened because of natural reasons. The doctors said my womb was healthy." It had been horrible for him to go through that alone. Now, he had them. "I want to have the puppy-kittens here, naturally, with you."
"Puppy-kittens?" Hoseok questioned.
Yoongi blushed, averting his gaze.
"Wolf babies are called pups and cat babies are called kittens…" he explained.
They looked at him absolutely delighted.
"That's the cutest thing I've heard," Seokjin said, pulling Yoongi into his lap. "We'll have the cutest puppy-kittens."
Months passed and he got bigger, back hurting often and feet sore. It was harder than his first pregnancy and yet he thought he was incredibly blessed. He could feel his babies moving inside of him, kicking, wonderfully alive.
It was time to tell Jungkook what would happen. He was a very energetic child with big starry eyes and the cutest bunny teeth.
"I have to stay in bed for a few days, my love, and I won't be able to tuck you in to sleep."
"Why?"
Yoongi smiled. Jungkook was at that age where he asked the reason for everything.
"Remember when I told you that you would have siblings soon? Well, they're coming and I need to rest, but you don't have to worry because your daddies will be with you."
"So the babies are coming?"
"They are."
Jungkook was silent for a minute, absently sucking on his thumb. "Mama?"
"Yes?" Yoongi asked, patient.
"You'll want me still?"
His heart was weeping, that thread of voice so vulnerable the cat shifter wondered if he had been too busy with the future babies and had ignored his little bun. That was unfathomable.
"Of course, my precious bunny. You will always be my firstborn, my miracle. I love you."
"I love you too," Jungkook replied, hugging him tightly.
The upcoming weeks were hard, but Yoongi managed to give birth to four healthy shifters. They were mixed, some only kittens or pups, others both. The pack was in love with them, including Jungkook who was now a big brother and was taking his role very seriously.
They were an unconventional family made up of one cat, five wolves, a bunny and four puppy-kittens, with angel kittens watching over them, but it was theirs.