Chapter Text
Seonghwa adjusted his bookbag over his shoulder; he had made a point to not wear anything too enticing, knowing full well how his ex could be. He had a plan: walk in, hear him out, walk right back out easy. His shoes tapped out his sure steps against the highly polished linoleum in the lobby; he felt out of place within the high-end hotel. But at least there were a lot of people. He pushed through the doors to the coffee shop and stopped as he took in the scent of sage and rose and then, a minute later, apples and cinnamon. he let it wash over and through him. He blinked a few times to clear his sight. What the hell was that? His brows furrowed as his omega's purrs echoed through his mind. Whatever the case, it helped to ground him and pull his shoulders back while lifting his chin as he walked over to the alpha sitting at the back table.
He dropped into the chair without a word. Feeling the alpha gaze on his every move, and just like that, he was prey in the sights of a predator. His skin crawled while he fought everything within him not to squirm uncomfortably under the stare. Or let the fear that gripped his chest and made it hard to breathe show through his scent or face.
“You look good, doll,” Cameron drawled, the sound of his voice bringing back memories ones that were better left in the dark- his jaw clenched at the term of endearment. There had been a time he loved hearing it. Now not so much.
“Thanks.” He said evenly. Proud that his voice didn't shake.
“I ordered for you, hope you don’t mind.” Seonghwa's eyes shot up to his; the alpha knew exactly how much Seonghwa did, in fact, mind.
“You shouldn’t have bothered; I don’t plan on staying long.”
“Somethings never change,” the alpha remarked.
“What, do you mean by that?”
“Just that you're still the same cold, unfeeling, heartless…Omega. That you were years ago.” He said, leaning back in his chair like he thought he won something or that the insult hurt. It didn’t. Seonghwa had heard far worse, mostly from the same person sitting across from him.
“Just get to the point.”
“My point is that this little game you’ve been playing needs to come to an end.” Seonghwa bit the inside of his cheek to keep from smarting off. While beginning to develop a plan for escape while the alpha went on. Seonghwa had ignored his omega instincts once, and it almost got him killed; he wouldn’t make the same mistake twice.
“It’s time to come home and accept my bond. I won't offer it again.” He said, trying to reach for Seonghwa's hand that rested on top of the table. He pulled back before the other could touch him. The thought of his touch, along with his scent, was making Seonghwa sick. Oh fuck he knew that look all too well; yes, his ex was right about one thing. Something never change. Seonghwa rose.
“We’re done here,” he said, his voice firm. Even as the other rose and moved far quicker than Seonghwa remembered. Grabbing a tight hold of his upper arm, causing him to wince at the grip. While the alpha steered him for the coffee shop doors.
“Make a scene, and I’ll make sure everyone believes you're an insane Omega that needs the help of your alpha mate to get home.” His ex hissed low into his ear. Fighting his rising panic because that was what he was relying on right now. Seonghwa slowed his racing heart. He couldn’t let his ex take him to a second location; he’d learned the hard way what would happen. He allowed his ex to pull him into the middle of the lobby. Counted then twisted his arm in a painful move that, if not for the years of self-defense classes, that had his ex's name written all over them for why Seonghwa needed it in the first place. Would have most likely broken his own arm. The move worked, though, and his ex was forced to let go of him. He then spun and kicked him hard between the legs just for good measure; it also helped to buy Seonghwa some more time.
Seonghwa didn't stand around watching as his ex fell to the floor, hissing and growling, all of which were vows of pain. Which faded as Seonghwa took off running, glad he was wearing tennis shoes. Say what you will, but at least he was a fast learner. He slipped into the elevators right as the doors closed; he didn’t know why, but he felt a need to get to the eighth floor, so that was the level he pressed. Knowing that his ex wouldn’t be far behind him. Seonghwa's eyes locked on the numbers as they ticked up. Before the doors opened, to a hall lined with rooms on either side. He hesitated a breath before stepping out and hitting every level before letting the door close again.
Panic and fear still flooded his scent as he spun in place, trying to think. Not sure what to do next as his plan went as far as making it to the elevators. Having no time to be unsure, he allowed his Omega to lead him. Taking off at a run as the sound of the stairway door banging opened fill the hall. No longer thinking, but running solely on his Omega instincts, he didn’t have the time to question why his feet rooted themselves in place in front of a door numbered 1024. His ex’s shouts were getting closer, and he knew that if he caught him, then it would be very likely that Seonghwa wouldn’t live to see the next day. He didn’t feel how hard he was knocking on the door. His desperation was his one driving force. The door swung open, and he quickly darted under the arm of the form that blocked the doorway right in time to feel the air shift next to where he was just standing.
“What the?” A deep voice muttered, shock clear in his tone. Seonghwa’s hands shook as he fisted the tail end of the other's white T-shirt from behind. Eyes closed tight.
“Please, I need help.” He whispered, not sure that it was loud enough for the Beta to hear. A breath past where Seonghwa was sure that the Beta might just toss him back out in the hallway.
“Sorry, man, my mate is having a day. We had a fight, and well, you know how Omegas can be.” Cameron's voice filled the still air, causing Seonghwa to flinch involuntarily, hoping that the Beta didn't feel it. But Seonghwa got his answer when the Beta's body shifted to block Seonghwa’s more fully while reaching an arm back behind in reassurance. He took a breath for the first time since he broke free from Cameron. The scent of sage and roses filled his every breath, along with the comforting feeling of home. The scent tugged at Seonghwa's memory, but he was too panicked right now to place the scent; all he knew was that this Beta would protect him.
“You need to leave this floor; no one is allowed up here.” The Beta said, his tone ice cold. Even the sound of it sent chills through Seonghwa, but he was willing to guess his chills were different, as the feeling that shot through him was not out of fear, not one bit.
“I get that; just let me have my mate, and I’ll be out of here.”
“That’s not what I said.” The Beta countered. Seonghwa didn’t need to see around the Beta’s back to know the look that his ex was giving. The same gaze that forever haunted his nightmares.
“I was just trying to be nice, man. If you keep blocking me from my mate. Then I will be fully within my right to protect what is mine.” He hissed, fuck. Seonghwa didn’t want this Beta to get hurt. He seemed like a good man. He slowly started to let go of his shirt. This wasn’t this Beta's fight; it was his, and he was the fool who agreed to meet in the first place, knowing full well the type of person and alpha that his ex was.
“Do not move.” The Beta growled, which caused Seonghwa to freeze. He didn’t know that Betas could growl, like alphas, or that it would have the same effect on his body. He let out an involuntary whimper at the feel of the Beta being pulled closer to Cameron, most likely by the front of his shirt. Seonghwa's ears picked up on the echo of a door from deeper within the room. His breath caught a moment later as four alpha scents joined him and the Beta.
“I would really suggest you take your hands off my pack member.” An even voice said. Why did Seonghwa feel so at ease? Shouldn't the four unknown alphas raise his fear, not ease it?
“Look, I have no problem with your pack member. I’m just here to get my mate. Don’t you think this has gone on long enough, Seonghwa?” Cameron hissed. Again, the minute he addressed him, he couldn’t help but flinch. The Beta pushed back into him, forcing him to take a few steps deeper into the room, still keeping his body in front of his. The air shifted as two of the Beta’s Alphas stepped up. The Alpha that smelled like Amber and Pine was still back deeper in the room. Not letting himself be known to his ex. Seonghwa would question how he knew that the alpha was there, but his ex didn’t. Later, if he got out of this.
“How many warnings did my Beta give you?” the even-toned alpha asked.
“It doesn’t matter; that is my mate. You can’t keep mates away from each other.” Cameron growled; a dark giggle filled the air.
“Mate?” the even-toned alpha remarked.
“Yes,” Cameron answered, though he sounded a bit thrown off by the giggle from the other alpha that had yet to say a word. Seonghwa, on the other hand, loved the sound. Longed to hear it again. The air shifted a little next to him.
“May I?” A soft voice asked, musk and leather followed by the scent of Alpha. Seonghwa tilted his head to show his neck more. With this alpha standing so close, he was able to hear his soft gasp. Not from the sight of a mate bite but from him showing enough trust to bear his vulnerable neck to an unknown alpha. The alpha’s finger lightly brushed over the smooth skin. Before he took a step back, Seonghwa lead into the back of the Beta more. Not even knowing that he was seeking him in that form.
“I will only tell you one more time: leave this floor.” The even tone alpha said.
“I’m not going anywhere without my mate.” Cameron hissed.
“Falsely claiming an Omega as your mate is a crime.” The Alpha that giggled snapped. Seonghwa's sight hazed a little at the sound. God, he wanted to hear it again to make the Alpha never stop talking. He shook his had trying to clear those thoughts.
“It’s not a…” the Alpha cut him off.
“It is, when you state it to the Omega’s actually pack and mates.” The Alpha growled. That was smart to use his ex’s own lies back at him. Seonghwa guessed this was the closest that he would ever feel to having a pack come to his aid. It made him wish for things that he could never have.
“This isn’t over. I'll be back, Seonghwa,” Cameron vowed before his footsteps faded and the door shut behind him; the echoes of locks sliding into place followed closely after. The amount of relief that flooded through Seonghwa had his legs giving out. Strong arms wrapped around him, keeping him from hitting the ground. His head rested against a chest as he was carried deeper into the room.
“Thank you,” he breathed. A rumble was the only answer he got. He was placed on a soft bed, close to the headboard so that he could rest his back against it. This whole time he had kept his eyes closed because he feared what he would find when he opened them. The bed shifted as someone moved onto it, not touching just beside him. He took a deep breath, then opened his eyes. Oh, this was far worst then what he thought.
The alpha that had checked his neck was on his knees next to the bed; his eyes rose to the blond hair before locking onto the brown eyes, which brought to mind the Energy of a golden retriever right beside him. The even-toned alpha was still over by the main door, his back against it. His light brown hair was just long enough to cover his forehead. Seonghwa rolled his lips, sure that if he could get the alpha to smile, his face would transform into a cute bear. The Alpha that had remained back stepped out of the shadow of the bathroom doorway and…good god, he was built and toned like it was his personal mission to protect his pack. His black hair was wet, huh? Guess he interrupted the alpha's shower. His was dark brown.
Lastly, his eyes took in the alpha that had giggled. Who stood at the foot of the bed, his arms folded over his chest. His red hair was cut short and messed in an intentional way. A dark, deadly look within his eyes. Seonghwa's heart raced as he looked to the side and to the Beta that he had touched and held on to. That was now lying beside him.
Oh god,
He was also blond, but his whole face said he was safe and innocent, right down to the small smile he offered. His chest tightened, and his vision began to darken; he didn’t even know that he was repeating that he was sorry over and over again. All he knew was that he needed to get out of there so that he wasn’t putting them in any more danger. Oh God, what if Cameron fingered out who they were? He could ruin their lives; Seonghwa needed to leave, try to lessen the fallout. No wonder lead alpha was so angry. He just needed to leave; he didn’t even remember leaping from the bed and racing for the door, only to have an unmoving arm wrap around his middle, lifting him from his feet and up against the front of a toned body. Seonghwa fought; no, he needed to leave so that they would be safe.
“Everyone out!” Hongjoong's voice boomed out a deep order that the others couldn’t ignore. Seonghwa waited for the arm to follow the lead alpha's order. But it remained firmly in place. After a minute, he sagged into the hold, suddenly very tired.
“Are you done?” Hongjoong asked. Oh, guess that was why the arm didn’t let go. The lead alpha didn’t have to follow his own orders.
“I’m…” he started but was cut off by a deep growl.
“If you say your sorry one more time, or that you need to leave to keep us safe, then so help me,” Hongjoong remarked, moving back over to the bed. Still not letting Seonghwa go, the lead alpha sat, with him still locked within his hold, just with him now in his lap. Trapped, like Seonghwa was, it should make his fear rise. But all that he felt was warm and safe.
“I…I didn’t…I wasn’t trying to…” He stopped. God, why couldn’t he find his words?
“Hush, just breathe for a moment, just a moment,” Hongjoong instructed, his tone soft. Seonghwa took a deep breath of embers and cedar wood. Without meaning to, his nose found the side of Hongjoong's neck right where his scent gland was, and the scent intensified. Rubbing his cheek over the spot, Seonghwa wasn’t even aware he was doing it. Hongjoong’s arms tightened around him, holding him closer. Seonghwa didn't see the look of complete possessiveness that filled the lead alpha's eyes while rumbling his approval of Seonghwa's actions.
“That’s better, your safe. No one will dare to touch you.” Hongjoong stated. Seonghwa's whole body melted into the lead Alpha’s embrace. His mind fought the words, knowing that they couldn't be believed, but his body had other plans.
“Not safe…he’ll find out who you all are…” he muttered, fighting the pull of sleep.
“Let him come, dove,” Hongjoong said softly, his tone holding something deadly.