The Monster in the Heart
Werewolf! Maus Riki x female reader
Wordcount â 32k
Warnings: emotional distress, fear of rejection, self-esteem issues, discussion of bullying & body image (reader is described as somewhat plus size), arguing, mild language, slight angst, I think thatâs about it
It's finally time for Maki to find his mate! Hold onto your tissues, because this is a roller coaster. Just one more official part left in this series, I can't believe it. Of course, we still have the special parts left as well, but still, we're coming closer to the end.
Taglist: @voucearse, @nadiakittyy, @evemeri, @petunia05, @yumnyangiexx, @somswib, @mrcarrots, @seodami, @reiofsuns2001, @charlie-sk, @lacedwithmsg, @cherry012309, @mactuna, @mauschim, @dheimyoung-im23, @stayluneatinyengenezen, let me know if anyone else wants to join the taglist for the last few parts!
Featuring Enhypen's Jay, Sunoo, and another secret member đ
Network: @k-records
Please reblog, comment, and like if you enjoyed this!
Yudai/Kei 2. Yuma 3. EJ EJ extra 4. Jo 5. Nicholas 6. Special fic 7. Fuma 8. Harua 10. Taki
Aya = Keiâs mate Miyu = Yumaâs mate Sora = EJâs mate Sana = Joâs mate Rocky = Nicholasâ mate Tara = Fuma's mate Willow = Harua's mate
Miyu, Jay, and Maki sat around one of the corner tables at Koyomi, mugs of coffee and half-eaten pastries scattered between notebooks and receipts as they discussed their newest problem, staffing. Yuma and Rocky sat with them, ready to help. Rocky was already twirling a pen between her fingers while Yuma leaned over her shoulder, eager to design something dramatic.
âI think what we really need is someone who specializes in desserts,â Miyu said thoughtfully. âLila was incredible at baking, and while Makiâs been covering lately,â âHey,â Maki interrupted, placing a hand over his chest dramatically. âMy feelings.â She laughed. âYouâre good,â she continued, smiling apologetically, âbut itâs not quite the same.â Maki huffed, pretending to sulk for a moment before nodding. âOkay, yeah, fair. Iâm way better at cooking than baking anyway. Cakes hate me.â Jay chuckled. âWhat we need is a top-tier baker.â
âAnd what better way to find one,â Jay added, eyes lighting up, âthan a competition?â Miyuâs eyes widened. âThatâs actually⊠genius.â Yuma gasped. âYES. A bake-off.â Rocky was already scribbling ideas down. âSay less. Iâm designing the poster.â And just like that, Yuma and Rocky dove into sketching out ads and flyers, determined to lure in the best bakers in town, and hopefully, Koyomiâs newest employee.
A few days later, Yuma and Rocky finally finished both the poster and the newspaper ad, spreading the designs out across the table when Aya and Harua came by to pick them up. âOh my god,â Sana said, leaning over Yumaâs shoulder, âthese look amazing.â Rocky flipped her hair proudly. âObviously.â Miyu smiled wide, walking over to Yuma and pressing a kiss to his lips. âThank you for this. Seriously.â Yuma hugged her tightly. âIâd do anything for the love of my life.â Nicholas groaned softly but walked over anyway, wrapping his arms around Rocky from behind and kissing her temple. âYou really never disappoint when it comes to designs.â She grinned. âI know.â
Maki and Jay studied the posters carefully, nodding in approval. âThis is perfect,â Jay said. âHonestly, I think this will bring in exactly who weâre looking for.â âYeah,â Maki added, smiling. âThanks, both of you. This is gonna help a lot.â Jay turned to Aya. âThink you can get the ad in next weekâs paper?â âAlready cleared it with my boss,â Aya said easily. âYouâre good.â âSo the competition starts in two weeks,â Rocky said, tapping the date at the bottom of the page. Harua brightened instantly. âThatâs perfect,â he said. âWillow will officially be moved in by then, so she and Sunoo can both be here for it.â Maki laughed softly. âWow. Everything really is lining up, huh?â
~~~
A couple of days later, the pack village was pure chaos. Willow was officially moving in, and Miyu and Jay were receiving applications for the baking competition nearly every hour. Harua was a nervous wreck, pacing back and forth between the cabins, his heart racing at the reality that Willow would finally be here with him all the time, no more five-hour drives, no more distance, no more falling asleep alone. Fuma had been recruited to help haul Willowâs things into Haruaâs smaller cabin, while Tara hovered nearby, insisting on helping with the lighter boxes. Every time she reached for something, Fuma would shake his head and say, âIâve got it,â before lifting something ridiculously heavy like it weighed nothing at all. Tara tried not to look impressed, but she absolutely was, and Fuma definitely noticed, subtly straightening his posture every time he passed her.
Willow, meanwhile, was bouncing with excitement, darting around the cabin and hugging Harua at random intervals. âI still canât believe I live here now,â she said for what had to be the fifth time, her arms around his neck. âI canât wait to start my new job, and get to know everyone better, and just⊠be here.â Harua smiled so wide his cheeks hurt, holding her tightly every time she came close, still half-convinced this was all a dream he might wake up from.
Rocky was all over Sunoo, trying to teach him some simple magic that his body could actually sustain without backlash. âNo, no, relax your shoulders,â she laughed, adjusting his posture, then grabbing his hands again. âYouâre fighting the flow.â Sunoo groaned dramatically but tried again, only to blink in surprise when a faint shimmer sparked between his fingers. âWait, did I do that?â he asked, eyes wide. Rocky gasped, clapping her hands. âYou did! See, I told you, youâre a natural.â Nicholas, meanwhile, was sulking nearby, arms crossed, glaring every time they high-fived, hugged, or held hands to stabilize the spell. âDo you really need this much physical contact?â he muttered. Rocky shot him a grin. âYes.â But honestly, it was kind of worth it, especially when she ran back to him afterward, throwing her arms around his neck and peppering his face with kisses, proudly declaring, âHaving a wizard friend is amazing.â
EJ and Sora stood off to the side, watching the chaos unfold with fond smiles. âItâs nice,â Sora murmured, leaning into him, âwhen everyoneâs just⊠happy.â EJ hummed in agreement, pressing a kiss to her temple. âLetâs hope it stays that way for a while. No more drama, no more emergencies.â Across the yard, Sana laughed as Jo and Taki tossed a basketball back and forth, Jo clearly way better but intentionally missing shots so Taki could win sometimes. âHey, that was totally on purpose,â Taki accused. Jo grinned, shrugging. âWhat? Maybe I just got worse.â Nearby, Kei and Aya walked hand in hand along the path, talking quietly about the future, about the pack, about what came next, neither of them needing answers yet, just each other.
Two weeks passed quickly, and before they knew it, it was time for the first round of the bake-off. In total, seventy-five people had signed up for the competition, filling Koyomi with nervous energy, sweet smells, and the constant clatter of bowls and utensils. Since it was a Friday, Maki was stuck at school and couldnât be there in person, but he trusted Miyu and Jay completely to make good calls. Not everyone lived up to expectations; some desserts were messy, others bland, and a few clearly lacked confidence, but there were also some truly impressive creations. By the end of the day, they narrowed it down to twenty people who would move on to the second round, chosen not just for skill, but for that extra spark of passion and personality that felt right for Koyomi.
That evening, Maki listened eagerly as Miyu and Jay talked through their choices, animatedly describing flavors, techniques, and contestantsâ attitudes while handing him boxes of leftovers to taste. Some desserts made his eyes light up immediately, others were good but not really his style, and a few just werenât his cup of tea at all, but he enjoyed trying them anyway, imagining the faces behind each dish. He found himself growing more and more excited as they spoke, already invested in people he hadnât even met yet. By the time they were done, Maki was practically buzzing, counting down the days until Sunday, when heâd finally get to join in on the judging himself.
Saturday came between the two competitions, and for once, Koyomi was closed, officially âbecause of the bake-off,â but in reality, it gave Rocky the perfect chance to finally reveal what sheâd been secretly working on for weeks. After lunch, she gathered all the girls together, her eyes sparkling in a way that immediately made them suspicious, and told them to follow her to her and Nicholasâs cabin. When they got there, she handed each of them a bag of their own, grinning like she was about to explode if she didnât start talking soon.
Aya was the first to open hers. She reached inside, pulled out a bikini in her favorite color, and froze. Printed across the fabric was a delicate feather pen, subtle but unmistakable, a perfect symbol of her. âRocky,â she breathed, staring at it like it might vanish if she blinked. âYou didnât.â She practically hugged the bikini to her chest before looking up and throwing her arms around Rocky. âThis is gorgeous. I love it. I love you.â Rocky laughed, hugging her back tightly, muttering something about how Aya was easy to design for because she âbasically radiated soft poet energy.â
Next was Miyu. She slid her hand into the bag and slowly pulled out her bikini, eyes widening as she took in the details. It was in her favorite color too, but what really made her stop was the pattern, phases of the moon: a full moon, a half moon, and a small crescent, laid out in a gentle sequence. âOhâŠâ she whispered, fingers tracing the fabric like she was afraid to crease it. âRocky, this is,â She swallowed, blinking a little. âThis is perfect.â She looked up, smiling so brightly it almost hurt, then stepped forward to hug her. âIt even matches how Yuma and I met. How did you?â Rocky just winked. âI pay attention.â
Next was Sora. She reached into her bag and pulled out a swimsuit, blinking in surprise. âOh, I thought itâd be a bikini,â she admitted, but then she actually looked at it, and her breath caught. The silhouette fit her perfectly, elegant and sharp all at once, with asymmetrical straps that crossed over one shoulder and bold cutouts along the sides. It was, of course, in her favorite color. She turned it over slowly, and thatâs when she noticed the cutouts, shaped subtly like slashes from wolf claws. âRockyâŠâ she murmured, a smile spreading across her face. âYou never fail to impress me with your talent, do you?â Rocky grinned, crossing her arms proudly. âWhat can I say? I like a challenge.â
Then came Sana. She pulled out her bikini and immediately froze. It was soft pink with splashes of blue, dreamy and bright, but what made her inhale sharply was the print. âNo wayâŠâ she whispered. It was the exact design of the first painting Jo had ever made for her, the one inspired by her favorite fantasy book, the one sheâd talked about for weeks afterward. Her eyes went glossy as she pressed the fabric to her chest. âRocky⊠this is, this is that painting.â Rocky scratched the back of her neck, laughing sheepishly. âIt took a lot of persuasion to get Jo to hand it over, but I eventually wore him down.â Sana laughed through her smile, shaking her head. âThat sounds like Jojo. Heâs always been ridiculously protective of his art.â
Next was Tara. She hesitated, fingers lingering on the edge of the bag as she watched the others gush and laugh, feeling a little out of place in comparison. The other girls were so confident, so open, and even though Rocky had promised sheâd make something Tara would feel comfortable in, her nerves still buzzed under her skin. But the moment she pulled the fabric out, relief washed over her. It was a swimsuit, with much more coverage than the others, cute instead of sexy, with a small skirt-like layer at the bottom that made her shoulders loosen instantly. Her eyes widened when she noticed the print: tiny wolf pawprints trailing softly from her left shoulder down to her right hip. âOhâŠâ she breathed, fingers brushing over the design. She looked up at Rocky, smiling shyly. âThank you. Really.â It was the first time sheâd ever looked at something like this and not felt uncomfortable in her own skin.
Then Willow eagerly dove into her bag, pulling out the fabric with zero hesitation. âOkay, Iâm ready,â she said, before freezing, and then squealing. âOh my god!â It was a light blue bikini, delicate and soft, covered in snowflake prints that shimmered faintly in the light. The bottom had the same small skirt detail as Taraâs, making it feel both cute and elegant. Willow bounced on her toes, spinning in place. âThis is the prettiest bikini Iâve ever seen,â she declared, clutching it to her chest before laughing and jumping again, the room instantly filling with her excitement.
Sana asked if Rocky had made one for herself too, and Rocky grinned, nodding. âAlready wearing it,â she said casually. âYouâll see it at the pond.â The girls all giggled at that, excitement buzzing through the room as they hurried off to their own cabins to change, slipping into their new swimsuits before covering up with robes and calling out for the boys to meet them by the water. The boys, just as eager, changed into their own swimwear and followed along, laughter echoing through the paths as they headed toward the pond together.
As they walked, Fuma stayed close to Tara, asking for the third time, âYouâre really sure youâre okay with this? We can go later, just the two of us, if thatâs better.â Tara stopped and turned to him, smiling softly but firmly. âIâm sure,â she said, squeezing his hand. He studied her face for a moment before nodding, still not entirely convinced. âOkay,â he said, âbut the second you feel even a little uncomfortable, you tell me, and weâre out of there.â Tara smiled again, warmth blooming in her chest. She thought it was sweet how much he cared, but she also wanted to show him she wasnât as fragile as she used to be.
Nicholas kept trying to peek inside Rockyâs robe, desperate to catch even the smallest glimpse of the swimsuit she was wearing. Since he was the only one who knew what sheâd been designing for the girls, his curiosity was eating him alive. Every time he leaned in or reached out, though, Rocky swatted his hands away, scolding him with a laugh. âNope. Have some patience,â she said firmly, wagging a finger at him. Nicholas grumbled under his breath but obeyed, only half-successfully hiding how eager he was.
Harua walked beside Willow, their fingers intertwined, gently swinging their hands between them as he asked, âAre you excited to see the pond?â Willow nodded eagerly. âYes! Everyone keeps talking about it like itâs some kind of magical place. And swimming in it when thereâs snow everywhere? That sounds unreal.â She turned to the other girls, eyes bright. âHave any of you swum in it before?â Only Aya and Miyu raised their hands, explaining that theyâd been there the longest, but even they had only gone once. That somehow made Willow even more excited; the thought that this was something new they were all about to experience together made her smile wider.
As they reached the pond, Willow stopped in her tracks, smiling in pure awe as steam curled up from the water into the cold air, snow and ice framing it like something straight out of a movie scene. It looked unreal, magical even. Maki was the first to shrug off his jacket, already bouncing on his toes like he might dive in at any second, and Taki followed immediately, grinning as he copied him. Kei scolded them lightly for having zero patience, but Aya just laughed, waving him off. âLet them be kids for once.â
Rocky loosened the knot of her robe and turned to the girls with a grin. âGo.â And just like that, they all slipped their robes off at once. The reactions from their mates were instant and impossible to miss, every single one different, but all intense. Nicholas actually growled, his eyes flashing gold as a slow, satisfied smirk spread across his face. Rockyâs bikini was violet with streaks of gold, a delicate violet flower wrapped in a thin golden chain across the fabric, mirroring the mark on the nape of her shoulder left by Nicholasâs bite. He crossed the distance between them in two steps, pulling her close and peppering her face with kisses. âYou look way too good,â he murmured against her skin. âI donât like that anyone else gets to see this.â Rocky just laughed, threading her fingers through his hair, clearly enjoying every second of his reaction.
Kei couldnât stop smiling, nearly dropping to his knees the same way he had when he first met Aya, staring at her like she was a goddess, which, to him, she absolutely was. âYouâre unreal,â he muttered, shaking his head in disbelief, and Aya laughed, reaching out to tug him closer by the hand. EJ let out a low growl of appreciation too, his eyes bright as he ran his fingers along the claw-mark design on Soraâs side, the shape almost fitting his hand perfectly. âThis was made for you,â he said softly, and Sora smirked, clearly pleased with the effect it had on him. Yuma gently traced the moons across Miyuâs bikini, feeling the fabric beneath his fingertips. âYou look amazing,â he said before leaning in to kiss her, Miyu smiling into it.
Jo, meanwhile, was blushing so hard his ears had practically turned red. He glanced shyly at Sana, then quickly looked away again. âDo you like it?â she asked softly. He nodded, voice quiet but sincere. âYou look really pretty.â Then, after a pause, he added, âIâm glad Rocky used the painting for something good.â Rocky immediately chimed in, grinning. âRelax, Jojo, I gave it back. Itâs not gone forever.â Sana laughed at that, leaning into Joâs side, clearly glowing from both the swimsuit and his reaction.
Fuma lifted Tara straight into the air, spinning her around as she laughed and clung to his shoulders, her giggles echoing through the cold air. âYou look incredible,â he said breathlessly, setting her back down but keeping his hands at her waist. âAnd confident. I love it.â He pressed a kiss to her forehead, softer this time. âHow does it feel?â âAmazing,â Tara admitted, smiling shyly but proudly. âFor the first time⊠Iâm not worried about wearing something like this.â Lastly, Harua was a complete stuttering mess. âI, you⊠you look,â he tried, failing miserably, his hand hovering before gently tracing one of the snowflakes along Willowâs bikini, the symbol making his heart flutter even harder. âI mean, I just, wow.â Willow giggled and leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to his nose. âYouâre adorable.â That finally unlocked his brain. âYou look wonderful,â he said softly, eyes full of awe as he smiled at her.
Maki and Taki called out in unison, âAre you guys gonna keep kissing all day, or are you actually joining us in the pond?â Everyone burst into laughter before slowly making their way into the steaming water, the cold air biting at their skin only for it to melt away the moment they submerged. They stayed there for hours, splashing each other, talking, teasing, and drifting between conversations as steam curled into the snowy sky. At one point, Maki swam closer to Rocky, nudging her shoulder. âHey⊠when I find my mate, will you design something for them too?â Rocky smiled warmly, ruffling his hair. âOf course I will. No one gets left out.â Maki grinned. âWhat about me? You could design something for me too, since youâre way better than Yuma.â âHey!â Yuma splashed him hard in the face, laughing as water went everywhere. For once in their lives, in their pack, everything felt perfect, no worries, no threats, just warmth, laughter, and love.
Once they got out of the pond, all the girls except Sora immediately started shivering, the cold biting into their damp skin. Sora, being a vampire, didnât feel the temperature the same way, but she noticed it instantly, her eyes softening as she watched the others hug themselves. The boys, on the other hand, were completely fine thanks to their werewolf heat. Rocky muttered a spell under her breath, her fingers dancing through the air as violet, shimmering smoke spiraled around them in a small, hurricane-like swirl, drying their hair and clothes while chasing away some of the chill. The boys quickly pulled their mates into their arms, sharing extra warmth before they all started making their way back toward the house and cabins.
Maki and Taki walked a little behind the others, watching the couples laugh and lean into each other, feeling a familiar ache of longing in their chests. They glanced at each other before laughing softly. âAt least we have each other,â Taki said, bumping his shoulder lightly against Makiâs, âfor now.â He went on, musing about how their family kept getting bigger, first Aya, then Miyu and Jay, then Sora, Sana, Rocky, and Jake for a while, then Tara, and now Willow and Sunoo. The pack was growing, mixing with all kinds of species. Maki smiled, nodding. âYeah⊠but I wouldnât change it for the world.â Taki nodded in agreement.
~~~
The night passed quickly, and Sunday arrived sooner than anyone expected. Miyu stood outside Makiâs door, knocking loudly. âMaki,â she called, then knocked again. âIf you donât wake up right now, Iâm revoking your baker privileges.â From inside the room came a muffled groan. âFive more minutes,â Maki muttered, his face buried in his pillow. Miyu laughed, crossing her arms. âYouâve already had five more minutes. And another five. And another.â She leaned closer to the door. âAlso, your alarm has been going off for thirty minutes. I could hear it from the kitchen.â Maki cracked one eye open. âThat sounds⊠exaggerated.â âJay texted me five minutes ago asking where we were,â she replied sweetly. âSo unless you want the vampire to judge without us, get up.â
That did it. Maki shot upright, hair sticking out in every direction. âOkay, okay, Iâm up,â he grumbled, rubbing his face. âWhy is it always illegal to sleep when I actually want to?â âBecause today is competition day,â Miyu said, smiling as she stepped into his room. âAnd youâve been talking about this for weeks.â His expression shifted instantly, excitement replacing the grogginess. âOh, right. The bake-off.â He swung his legs over the side of the bed. âOkay, yeah, no, Iâm awake. Fully conscious. Ready to judge baked goods and change lives.â âMmhm,â Miyu said, unconvinced. âGo brush your teeth before you collapse again.â
A few minutes later, Maki stumbled into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and chugging half of it in one go. âDo we have anything I can eat that doesnât require thinking?â he asked. Miyu slid a sandwich across the counter. âAlready prepared for your morning incompetence.â âWow,â he said, offended, though he happily took it. âYou make it sound like Iâm useless.â âNot useless,â she corrected. âJust⊠not functional before noon.â He laughed through a mouthful of food. âFair.â After finishing the sandwich in record time, he straightened up. âOkay. Iâm ready. Letâs go before Jay decides to replace me with vibes.â
They headed out to the car, Maki practically jogging the last few steps. âI canât believe we actually got seventy-five people, I mean sure weâre down to twenty,â he said, buckling his seatbelt. âbut itâs insane.â âPeople take desserts very seriously,â Miyu replied as she started the engine. âAnd Koyomi has a reputation.â âYeah,â he said softly, smiling to himself. âLila wouldâve loved this.â Miyu glanced at him, her expression softening. âShe would have,â she agreed. âAnd sheâd be proud of you for keeping the baking alive.â He shrugged, a little embarrassed. âIâm still not as good as her.â âYou donât have to be,â Miyu said gently. âYou just have to care. And you do.â
By the time they pulled up to Koyomi, the place was already buzzing with energy. Inside, Jay was moving around behind the counter, clipboard in hand, looking far too organized for a Sunday morning. âMorninâ, vampire,â Maki called as he walked in, greeting him with one of those awkward half-hug, half-handshake things. âYou look suspiciously prepared.â Jay smirked. âSome of us donât rely on panic to function.â âThatâs a lie,â Maki said. âYouâve seen me cook under pressure.â âAnd Iâm still traumatized,â Jay replied dryly.
Miyu laughed as she stepped inside. âAnything left to prep?â she asked, setting her bag down. Jay shook his head. âNope. Stations are set, ingredients are stocked, judgesâ table is ready. All you have to do is sit there, eat desserts, and look important.â Maki blinked. âWow. My dream job.â âTry not to scare the contestants,â Jay added. âSome of them already look like theyâre about to cry.â âIâm very approachable,â Maki argued. Jay glanced at his messy hair and oversized hoodie. âYou look like a raccoon that wandered into a bakery.â Miyu snorted. âHe does.â Maki gasped. âBetrayal. On competition day.â Jay smiled faintly as he handed Maki a clipboard. âCome on, raccoon boy. Letâs go meet the future of Koyomi desserts.â
As people began walking in and finding their places, Maki felt his heart suddenly pick up in pace. It was strange, he was just standing there, leaning against the counter, clipboard in hand, watching contestants nervously adjust aprons and trays. Nothing was happening. Nothing should have been happening. And yet. His wolf stirred. At first it was subtle, like an itch under his skin, but then it grew stronger, pacing restlessly inside him like it was trapped in a cage that was suddenly too small. His shoulders tensed, his fingers curled slightly, muscles tightening without his permission.
âWhat the hellâŠâ Maki muttered under his breath. Jay noticed almost immediately. âYou okay?â he asked quietly, stepping closer. âYou look like youâre about to bolt.â âI donât know,â Maki whispered back. âSomething feels,â The front door opened again. The bell chimed softly, and a young woman stepped inside, balancing a tray carefully in her hands. She was around his age, maybe a year or two older, hair pulled back loosely, eyes bright as she smiled at the room and took in the space like she was genuinely excited just to be there.
The moment Maki saw her, his wolf howled. It wasnât a sound, it was a feeling, a violent, overwhelming pull that slammed into his chest and stole the air from his lungs. His vision sharpened, colors deepening, scents flooding his senses all at once. Her scent hit him next, warm, sweet, something like vanilla and citrus and home, and suddenly the room felt too small, too loud, too close. âOh shit,â he breathed. His eyes flared gold before he could stop them. He turned away sharply, heart pounding, claws sliding out as he clenched his fists at his sides, knuckles whitening as he fought to ground himself.
Jayâs head snapped toward him. âMaki?â he whispered urgently. âWhatâs wrong? Are you reacting to the moon or something?â Maki shook his head quickly, breath uneven. âNo, no, itâs not that, I havenât had trouble with the moon in ten years,â He swallowed hard, voice dropping even lower. âJay.â âWhat?â âMate.â Jay froze. ââŠFuck,â he whispered.
Suddenly everything made sense, the pacing wolf, the tension in his body, the way his instincts were screaming at him to go to her, to protect her, to claim her, to never let her out of his sight. Jay turned instantly to Miyu. âHey,â he said calmly but firmly, âI need you to start the competition without us. Maki and I have to step out for a minute.â Miyu frowned. âWhat? Why?â âNo questions,â Jay said quickly. âPlease.â She hesitated, then nodded. âOkay⊠but hurry back.â
Jay grabbed Maki by the arm and practically dragged him toward the back door. Maki resisted on instinct, his body heavy, his wolf pushing forward, desperate to turn around and go back inside. âEasy,â Jay muttered through clenched teeth, using far more strength than he shouldâve had. âYou are not imprinting in the middle of a bake-off.â âIâm not trying to,â Maki growled. âMy wolf is.â âYeah, well, tell your wolf to chill,â Jay snapped, hauling him through the back door and into the alley behind Koyomi. âBecause if you go back in there like this, someoneâs gonna notice your eyes glowing, and then weâve got a way bigger problem.â
Maki bent forward, hands on his knees, breathing hard. âSheâs in there,â he whispered, like it physically hurt to say it. âJay, I can feel her.â âI know,â Jay said quietly. âI know. But you need to get control first.â Jay studied him carefully. âYou think you can calm down?â he asked quietly. âLike, actually control your wolf?â Maki nodded, dragging in a few deep breaths, pressing his palms against the cold brick wall behind him. âYeah,â he said, forcing steadiness into his voice. âIâm good. Iâve got it.â
Jay hesitated, then slowly reached for the door. âAlright. Letâs try,â The moment the door cracked open and the warm scents of sugar, butter, chocolate, and her rushed out, Makiâs eyes flared gold again. A low, instinctive rumble tore from his chest before he could stop it. âShit,â Jay slammed the door shut instantly, shoving Maki back into the alley. âNope. Absolutely not.â âJay,â âNo,â Jay cut in, pointing at him. âOkay, wolf boy, youâre going home.â âWhat? No, I canât,â Maki protested. âI have to stay, this is literally my job,â âAnd if you stay, youâre gonna wolf out in the middle of Koyomi,â Jay shot back. âWhich, reminder, is a human restaurant full of contestants and customers.â
âI wouldnât,â âYou just growled at a door,â Jay deadpanned. âStrike one.â Maki groaned, running a hand through his hair. âI can handle it.â âNo, you canât,â Jay said flatly. âAnd even if you could, strike two: youâd be biased as hell.â âI wouldnât,â âDonât lie to me,â Jay interrupted again. âYou wouldnât even need to see her baking. Your nose would pick her up instantly and suddenly whatever dessert she made would be âthe best one by far,â even if it tasted like cardboard.â âThatâs not,â âThat is exactly how mates work,â Jay said. âYouâd crown her winner even if she burned water.â Maki opened his mouth, then closed it again, scowling. âOkay, maybe,â âSo,â Jay finished firmly, âyouâre going home.â
âI hate this,â Maki muttered. âI just found her and now I canât even see her.â âAnd that sucks,â Jay said, softer now. âBut it sucks way less than exposing the supernatural or having you lose control in public.â Maki leaned back against the wall, jaw tight, clearly fighting the urge to argue again. âI could still,â âNo,â Jay said immediately. Maki sighed, defeated. âFine.â Jay still didnât look convinced. He pulled out his phone. âActually⊠I donât trust you not to sneak back in.â âWhat?â âYou heard me.â Jay started dialing. âIâm calling backup.â
âJay,â âToo late.â The call connected quickly. âFuma,â Jay said, âyeah, weâve got a situation. Maki just found his mate and is two seconds from losing his mind in the middle of Koyomi.â He glanced sideways at the wolf. âNo offense.â Maki huffed. âA little taken.â Fumaâs voice came through the phone, calm and steady. âGot it. Iâm already in the car. Iâll be there in ten.â Jay exhaled in relief. âPerfect. Thanks.â He hung up and turned back to Maki. âCongratulations,â he said dryly. âYouâre being escorted home by an alpha.â Maki groaned. âThis is humiliating.â âYeah,â Jay replied. âBut at least youâre not humiliating the pack in front of twenty bakers.â
Once Fuma arrived, he stepped out of the car already sighing like he knew exactly what kind of chaos he was walking into. âAlright,â he said, clapping a hand on Jayâs shoulder, âthanks for calling me before this turned into a full-blown incident.â
Jay nodded, gesturing toward Maki. âHeâs following his brotherâs footsteps and going a little crazy.â Fumaâs brows lifted. âAh,â he said. âThat explains everything.â âHey,â Maki muttered. Fuma turned to him, eyes soft but firm. âCome on, pup.â âIâm not aâŠâ Before Maki could finish, Fuma grabbed the back of his jacket and started dragging him toward the car. Maki immediately resisted, digging his heels into the ground. âFuma, wait, no, I can walk,â âYouâre walking,â Fuma said calmly, âjust horizontally.â âThis is humiliating!â Maki protested, trying to twist out of his grip.
âYeah, yeah,â Fuma replied, hauling him the rest of the way and opening the car door. âYou shouldâve seen you at 7 during your first full moon with your wolf awakened. We actually did chain you up back then.â Maki groaned loudly as he was shoved into the passenger seat. âI hate you.â âNo, you donât,â Fuma said, buckling his seatbelt for him before slamming the door shut. âYou love me. Deep down.â Maki slumped in the seat, running his hands over his face. âI feel pathetic.â Fuma paused before getting into the driverâs seat, looking at him through the open door. âHey,â he said gently, âdonât.â
Maki glanced up. âWeâve all been there,â Fuma continued. âLosing control, feeling like youâre not strong enough, not stable enough. It happens. Especially with mates.â âBut Iâve been good,â Maki said quietly. âI am good. I havenât had trouble with control since I was a kid.â âI know,â Fuma said, nodding. âAfter you learned how to handle full moons, you became one of the most stable wolves in the pack. Seriously. EJ brags about it.â Maki blinked. âHe does?â âYeah,â Fuma smirked. âDonât let it go to your head.â
Maki huffed weakly, then looked out the window. âWhat if I never see her again?â Fumaâs smile faded, replaced by something softer, steadier. âYou will.â Maki turned back to him. âYou donât know that.â âI do,â Fuma said confidently. âWe always find our mates. Fate doesnât pull that kind of trick on us.â Maki swallowed. âWhat if?â âShe walked into Koyomi once,â Fuma interrupted gently. âShe can do it again. And when she does, youâll be calmer. Youâll handle it better.â Maki leaned his head back against the seat, staring up at the ceiling. âI hope youâre right.â âI am,â Fuma said, starting the engine. âNow sit tight before I actually start looking for chains.â
~~~
Meanwhile, at Koyomi, the bake-off was in full swing. The restaurant buzzed with nervous energy, the scent of sugar, chocolate, citrus, and warm pastry hanging thick in the air. Miyu and Jay moved from station to station, clipboards in hand, tasting forks ready, exchanging quiet murmurs after each dessert. Theyâd had high hopes for the twenty contestants who made it this far, but it quickly became clear that not everyone had maintained what earned them a spot in the second round. Some desserts were good, even great, but not Koyomi great. Not special. Not memorable. One by one, contestants were gently thanked and sent home, until only five remained.
Those final five were exceptional. Every plate that reached Miyu and Jay was thoughtful, balanced, and beautifully presented, flavors layered with intention rather than flash. The judges took their time now, tasting twice, sometimes three times, discussing texture, technique, creativity, but more than that, they listened. They asked questions, and the way the finalists spoke about baking became just as important as what sat on the plate. One spoke about desserts like comfort, like memories, like love baked into every layer. Another talked about precision and discipline. Another about joy, about how baking felt like breathing. In the end, it wasnât just skill that crowned the winner, but passion, the kind that fit perfectly into Koyomiâs heart and soul.
Miyu and Jay gathered the five in front of the counter, smiling warmly despite the tension in the air. âFirst of all,â Miyu said, âthank you so much for being here. Every single one of you should be proud of what you made today.â Jay nodded beside her. âThis was not an easy decision. At all.â Then Miyu announced the winner, congratulating them with a bright smile and a handshake, letting them know theyâd officially be joining the team, starting Monday at eleven oâclock.
Jay and Miyu cleaned up Koyomi in comfortable silence, stacking plates, wiping down counters, and locking the doors before heading out to the car. As Jay drove toward the packâs little village, he finally explained everything, how Makiâs wolf had reacted the moment his mate walked in, how he couldnât control himself, how Jay had to physically drag him out of the restaurant before something worse happened. Miyu stared at him in shock for a few seconds before letting out a slow breath. âOh my god⊠Jay,â she said softly. âIâm just glad you were there. That couldâve gone so badly.â
Jay nodded, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. âYeah, but heâs probably furious with me now,â he muttered. âI basically kicked him out of his own competition.â Miyu reached over, resting her hand on his arm. âHeâll understand,â she said gently. âMakiâs not stupid. He knows you did it to protect him, and everyone else. Not to be mean.â Jay sighed, some of the tension easing from his shoulders as they pulled into the village.
But the scene waiting for them was⊠not calm. At all. As they parked and got out, the first thing they saw was chaos in the open clearing. Fuma, EJ, Nicholas, and Maki were all in their wolf forms, circling, snapping, shoving, and growling at each other in what looked like a half-fight, half-playful brawl, though Maki, especially, looked furious, his hackles raised and eyes blazing gold. Tara stood a few steps away, hands clasped nervously in front of her chest. âFuma, please donât actually bite him,â she called, clearly worried.
Meanwhile, Sora and Rocky were sitting on a nearby log like this was front-row seating to a sporting event. âTen on Maki,â Sora said casually. âHeâs pissed enough to flip someone.â Rocky snorted. âYouâre insane. Fumaâs winning. He always wins. That man could wrestle a mountain.â Jay blinked. âWhat the hell?â Miyu cut him off, already sighing. âYeah⊠that tracks.â
Yuma walked out of the house the moment he felt Miyuâs presence return, his wolf senses already picking up on her scent. He headed straight toward her and Jay, a soft smile on his face. âHey,â he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. âHow did the competition go?â Miyu stared at him like heâd lost his mind, then pointed past him at the four massive wolves growling and shoving each other in the clearing. âAre you serious right now?â she asked. âThatâs whatâs going on?â Yuma followed her finger, watching as Maki snapped at Fumaâs neck fur while EJ shoved Nico away from him. âOh, that,â he said casually, like this was completely normal. âYeah, Makiâs being stupid.â
Jay blinked. âThatâs⊠not very specific.â Yuma shrugged. âHe started with Fuma, then dragged Nicholas into it by insulting Rocky,â he continued. âThen he bumped into EJâs shoulder really hard and didnât apologize. So now weâre here.â Miyu rubbed her face. âWhy is he like this?â âNo idea,â Yuma said. âBut honestly, itâs better to let them sort it out.â Jay frowned. âShouldnât we stop it?â Yuma shook his head. âNah. If EJ actually wanted it to end, heâd use his alpha voice and itâd be over in two seconds. Sometimes younger wolves just need to⊠get it out.â
They walked over to Tara, who was standing stiffly a few feet away, clearly tense as she watched Fuma dodge one of Makiâs lunges. âTara,â Miyu said gently, touching her arm, âyou donât have to worry. Theyâll be fine.â Tara nodded, biting her lip. âI know⊠I just donât like seeing them fight.â Yuma gave her a reassuring smile. âIt looks worse than it is. Mostly.â They then moved to join Sora and Rocky, who were still watching like it was entertainment. Miyu crossed her arms, glancing between the wolves. âOkay,â she said, âwhat exactly did Maki say to insult Rocky?â Rocky burst out laughing. âHe called my hair annoying,â she said. Miyu stared. âThatâs it?â âYeah,â Rocky shrugged. âI accidentally flicked him in the face with it.â From across the clearing, Nicholas let out a particularly vicious growl as Maki stumbled backward. Rocky pointed at him. âAnd that,â she added, grinning, âwas apparently unacceptable.â
The wolves kept fighting, teeth snapping and bodies slamming together, until eventually EJ and Nicholas stepped out, shaking out their fur and backing away, leaving only Fuma and Maki circling each other in the clearing. Everyone knew why, Fuma had raised Maki more than anyone else, had been there for every rough full moon, every mistake, every lesson about control. If anyone could handle him, it was Fuma.
Fumaâs wolf let out a deep, thunderous growl, baring his fangs in warning. Maki mirrored it immediately, hackles raised, eyes blazing gold, before the two of them collided again, claws digging into snow and dirt as they grappled. For a while it looked evenly matched, strength against stubborn fury, but eventually Fuma used his weight and experience, slamming Maki to the ground and pinning him there. A low, dominant growl rumbled from his chest, his eyes flashing red for a split second before fading back into their usual amber-orange.
Maki turned his head to the side, exposing his neck, submission, surrender, done fighting. Through the mindlink, Fuma told him to go inside and cool off in the shower. Maki didnât argue this time, just pushed himself up and ran behind the house. Fuma shifted behind the shed a moment later, returning in human form wearing sweatpants and a T-shirt, steam practically rising from his skin from how warm he still was.
Several of the girls shivered at the sight, from the cold air, and Tara immediately walked over to him, hands gently checking his arms and neck. âAre you hurt?â she asked quietly, worry written all over her face. Fuma smiled when she found nothing, brushing a thumb over her knuckles. âIâm fine,â he said softly. âPromise.â
~~~
A while later, Maki came back downstairs, finding most of the pack gathered around the dining table. Sunoo was there too now, sitting between Rocky and Willow, deep in conversation about something animated enough that Rocky was gesturing wildly with her hands. Maki hovered near the doorway for a second, shoulders tense, gaze low. He looked⊠shy. Maybe ashamed. He felt stupid for how heâd acted, for letting his wolf take over like that. After a deep breath, he stepped forward.
âRocky,â he said first, rubbing the back of his neck, âIâm sorry for insulting your hair.â Rocky blinked, then laughed, waving a hand. âPlease, I didnât take it to heart,â she said easily, before tilting her head toward Nicholas. âEven if someone else did.â Nico huffed from his seat, arms crossed. âIt was rude,â he muttered, earning another laugh from Rocky. Maki turned next to EJ. âAnd⊠Iâm sorry for bumping into you. And acting like a child.â EJ nodded, calm as ever. âApology accepted.â Then Maki faced Fuma, and this one was harder. His jaw tightened slightly before he said, âIâm sorry for being a pain. And for starting a fight.â Fuma stood up immediately, pulling another chair from the side of the room and placing it next to his own. He patted the seat. âCome on. Sit.â Maki obeyed, sinking into it. Fuma nudged his shoulder lightly with his own. âI get it,â he said quietly. âBut that doesnât mean you get to act however you want.â âI know,â Maki murmured, nodding.Â
After a moment, he looked toward Miyu and Jay. âSo⊠how did things go at Koyomi?â Miyu smiled, relief softening her expression. âThey went really well. We found the person whoâll be handling desserts for the restaurant.â Jay continued, âYouâre actually going to be very happy with the result,â and Maki looked up instantly, eyes wide. âWhat do you mean?â he asked. Jay smiled slightly. âThe person we chose⊠is your mate.â Maki froze. âWhat?â âAnd before you spiral,â Jay cut in quickly, holding up a hand, âher being your mate had nothing to do with the decision. Miyu didnât even know until afterward. She just had, by far, the best desserts and the strongest passion for baking. It was an easy choice.â
Makiâs mouth opened, then closed, his heart pounding. âShe⊠works at Koyomi now?â âStarting tomorrow,â Miyu said gently. âWhich means you need to pull yourself together, because you absolutely cannot go all wolfie at work.â Kei crossed his arms. âIs that really a good idea?â he asked. âHaving him that close to his mate when heâs this unstable?â âIâll be fine,â Maki said quickly. âI already felt the first hit of her scent. Now I can prepare for it. I can control it.â âYeah,â Taki snorted, âprepared to burn the place down.â Maki shot him a glare. âShut up.â
Nicholas leaned back in his chair. âIâm actually with Kei on this one. You didnât exactly scream stable earlier.â EJ sighed. âHonestly, I thought youâd be more like Jo. Calm. Collected. Not⊠utterly stupid.â Harua snickered. âOh, like you were?â EJ rolled his eyes. âOkay, rude, but also fair.â Yuma cleared his throat. âI can take some time off and be at Koyomi tomorrow, just in case anything happens.â EJ considered it for a moment before nodding slowly. âItâs not a bad idea to have someone there. But no offense, Yuma, itâs unlikely youâd be able to stop Maki if it actually came down to it.â Yuma gasped softly. âExcuse you, I took on a rougaru on my own.â Fuma gave him a pointed look. âAnd how did that turn out?â Yuma rubbed the back of his neck. ââŠRight. Not great.â
âI could stay until five,â Kei said. âBut I canât cover the whole night.â Tara leaned closer to Fuma, her voice soft. âMaybe you should be there?â Fuma wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. âBut we were supposed to have date night.â Tara smiled. âItâs fine. I can come too. We can still have a date night, just with some babysitting included.â âHey,â Maki protested, âIâm not a baby.â Sora laughed. âYouâre always going to be a baby to them.â Willow burst out laughing. âHonestly, itâs surprising Makiâs the youngest when my Harua looks like the baby.â âHey!â Harua said immediately. âIâm cool and handsome, not a baby.â âSure,â Willow replied, rolling her eyes teasingly.
Fuma brought the conversation back on track. âI get off work at four tomorrow, so I can be there from five,â he said, glancing at Kei. âIâll take over then.â Jay nodded. âIâll be there the whole time too. Extra eyes canât hurt.â Maki grimaced. âWow. Love the trust.â âYou lost that today,â Nicholas muttered, though there was no real bite behind it. Maki sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. âYeah, yeah. Fair.â Then he looked around the table. âCan we⊠maybe, possibly⊠talk about literally anything else now?â Sana perked up immediately. âActually, yes. I have a project for uni,â she said, turning to Aya and Harua. âIâm supposed to write a short story, or well, short and short, haha, but it has to be around twenty thousand words, and I have no idea where to start.â Ayaâs eyes lit up. âOh, I love long-form stuff. Iâll help you.â Harua nodded enthusiastically. âSame. We can brainstorm together.â
Jo shifted in his seat. âIâm working on a project too,â he said quietly. âI have to make a story painting, like a series of smaller paintings that tell one story. Iâm doing a Red Riding Hood-inspired one.â Willow tilted her head. âIs that because⊠You know, wolves?â Jo shook his head quickly. âNo. I picked it because it was Sanaâs favorite story when she was a kid.â Sanaâs eyes softened instantly. âJoâŠâ
Sora turned to Taki. âHowâs uni going? Any more trouble lately?â Taki shook his head. âNot really. Itâs actually gotten a lot better since Jo came running in last time. I mean, we all know heâs harmless, but⊠he doesnât exactly look harmless to other people.â Jo blinked. âI donât?â âNot when youâre mad,â Taki said with a grin. âSo I think the bullies decided they donât want to deal with you again. Theyâve backed off. For now, at least.â Nicholas laughed. âGood job protecting your brother, Jo.â Jo instantly turned red, ducking his head and half-hiding in Sanaâs shoulder. âStop,â Rocky swatted Nico lightly on the arm. âLeave the poor boy alone.â
Miyu shifted her attention to Maki. âWhat about you? Howâs school?â Maki shrugged. âI canât wait to be done in a few months. Iâve already been in school way too long.â He shot a pointed look at EJ. EJ immediately raised his hands. âHey, not my fault! Fuma told me the wrong age, okay? So I accidentally registered him in the wrong year.â âAnd thatâs how I took first grade twice,â Maki deadpanned. The table burst into laughter. âClassic Fuma,â Aya said, shaking her head. Harua snorted. âHe still forgets my birthday.â Fuma frowned from across the room. âThat was one time.â âNo,â Nicholas said. âThat was several times.â Fuma groaned while everyone laughed even harder.
Miyu stood up and walked over to him. âCome on,â she said gently, tugging at his sleeve. âLetâs make dinner.â Maki squinted at her. âAm I even still trusted in the kitchen?â he asked, sulky. She nudged his shoulder with her elbow. âI didnât offer you a job at my restaurant for nothing. Now stop acting like a child and come on.â He grumbled something under his breath but stood up anyway, following her into the kitchen. Once inside, Miyu leaned back against the counter, crossing her arms as she looked at him. âI know it feels weird right now,â she said softly, âbut you have to understand why theyâre reacting the way they are. Theyâre not trying to punish you. Theyâre doing this because they love you.â
Maki sighed, running a hand through his hair. âI know that. I do. I just⊠canât help feeling upset anyway.â âThatâs okay,â Miyu replied immediately. âTwo things can be true at the same time.â She smiled at him, bumping her hip lightly against his. âBut youâve gotta shake off the disappointment and show your best side. How else are you supposed to make your mate fall for you?â Maki froze. ââŠWow,â he muttered. âNo pressure or anything.âÂ
âNow come on,â Miyu said, clapping her hands together. âShow me what youâve got. What are we cooking? Make it impressive.â Maki pretended to think deeply, tapping his chin before suddenly turning serious. âAlright. You asked for it.â He moved around the kitchen, pulling ingredients from the fridge and cabinets, the familiar rhythm of cooking easing something tight in his chest. Miyu leaned against the counter, watching him with a small smile. âI see garlic, herbs, and, are you planning on seducing someone with this meal?â âObviously,â Maki replied dryly. âItâs my specialty.â She laughed, and for the first time that day, he felt like himself again. The kitchen slowly filled with warmth, steam, and the smell of something rich and comforting, and before they knew it, the night passed in easy conversation and shared laughter.Â
Eventually, everyone drifted off to bed, only to wake far too soon to Monday morning and the usual rush of work, school, university, and everything in between. Aya stood by the door as Kei grabbed his jacket, kissing him softly. âGood luck with Maki today,â she said with a teasing smile. Kei laughed. âI never thought heâd be the problem child.â âHeâs not a problem child,â Aya replied, brushing her thumb along his jaw. âHeâs just a wolf. Just like you. And honestly, most of you boys have pretty tainted records when it comes to meeting your mates.â Kei winced. âOkay, fair.â He leaned in to kiss her again, but before he could say anything else, Harua burst out the door. âSorry, Iâm late!â he called over his shoulder. Willow ran after him, pulling on her jacket. âBye everyone!â she shouted, already half out the door, excitement in her voice as she rushed off for her first day at the veterinary clinic.
As Rocky and Nicholas stepped outside, Rocky stretched her arms above her head and laughed. âWe seriously need a better morning system. Every day here feels like controlled chaos.â Nicholas smirked, wrapping an arm around her waist. âControlled is generous.â Fuma and Tara followed soon after, and Fuma raised his voice toward the house. âJo, Sana, Taki! If youâre not out here in thirty seconds, Iâm leaving without you!â âRude!â Sanaâs voice echoed from inside, followed by hurried footsteps.
Yuma stumbled out behind Rocky and Nicholas, yawning wide enough to show fangs. âIâm not built for mornings,â he muttered. âI need at least three more hours of sleep before I can function.â Nicholas nodded seriously. âSame. Whoever invented mornings was an enemy to supernatural beings.â Just then, Sana, Jo, and Taki burst out of the main house, backpacks half-zipped and shoes barely tied. âWeâre ready!â Taki called, nearly tripping on the last step as he jumped into the backseat. Fuma shook his head, laughing, before turning to Tara and pulling her into a quick kiss. âIâll be back after work to pick you up before we head to Koyomi.â âIâll be here,â Tara said softly, hugging him once more before stepping back.
One by one, engines started, cars pulling away down the road, until the village grew quiet again, leaving only EJ, Sora, Kei, Miyu, Tara, and Maki in the house. A few moments later, Miyu came down the stairs, arms crossed, already exasperated. âOkay, either EJ or Kei needs to help me wake Maki up. Heâs impossible today.â EJ laughed from the couch, where heâd been sitting with Sora. âSay no more.â He stood, cracking his neck. âIâll handle it.â
After EJ finally managed to drag Maki out of bed, Miyu clapped her hands together. âAlright, we should head to Koyomi early and meet Jay. I want all of us there when the new employee arrives; sheâs met me and Jay, but not Maki yet.â Tara smiled from the doorway. âGood luck,â she teased. Miyu laughed, leaning in to hug her. âThanks. See you later.â She waved at EJ and Sora before turning toward the door. âCome on, boys.â Kei grabbed the keys. âIâll drive.â Maki groaned softly but followed anyway, still half-asleep as they piled into the car. The ride was quiet, the kind that only existed before caffeine and breakfast, but Makiâs foot kept tapping nervously against the floor, even if he didnât quite know why yet.
~~~
When they reached Koyomi, Jay was just pulling into the parking lot, keys already in hand as he jogged up to the door. âPerfect timing,â he said, unlocking it. âWeâve got about thirty minutes before (Y/n) arrives.â Maki blinked. â(Y/n)?â Jay glanced over his shoulder with a grin. âYeah. Your mate.â Maki froze. Jay laughed. âHer nameâs (Y/n).â Maki repeated it softly under his breath, testing how it felt on his tongue. ââŠPretty,â he whispered, a small smile tugging at his lips.
Kei leaned against the counter, glancing between Jay and Miyu. âSo, what can I help with today? Iâm here until five, might as well be useful.â Jay smiled. âIf youâre up for it, you can help with serving. Monday lunches get pretty wild around here.â âPerfect,â Kei said, rolling up his sleeves. âPoint me where you need me.â Maki moved into the kitchen, grabbed a crate of vegetables, and set them on the counter, trying to focus on the familiar rhythm of prep work. Kei followed him in, leaning against the doorway. âYou okay?â Maki huffed out a breath. âNervous.â Kei smiled softly. âYouâll be fine. Just remember to breathe.â
Right then, there was a knock on the door. âIâve got it,â Miyu called, already heading over. The moment the door opened, Makiâs wolf stirred, pacing hard in his chest, his senses sharpening all at once. He heard her voice before he fully saw her. âHi,â she said warmly. âIâm here for my first day.â Miyu beamed. â(Y/n)! Come in, come in.â Jay greeted her next, shaking her hand, and then Kei turned toward the kitchen, lifting his chin at Maki. âHey, come out here.â
Maki swallowed, clenching one hand into a fist at his side to keep control, then stepped forward. His heart was pounding so loudly he was sure everyone could hear it. She turned toward him, smiling, and for a second, his brain just⊠stopped working. She held out her hand. âHi, Iâm (Y/n). Nice to meet you.â He took it gently, careful not to grip too hard, her warmth sending a jolt straight through him. âMaki,â he said, hoping his voice didnât sound as shaky as it felt. âUh, nice to meet you too.â
(Y/n) glanced between the three of them, eyebrows lifting. âWait⊠is there a fourth owner I didnât know about? Iâm pretty sure the sign only has three names on it.â Miyu laughed first, Jay quickly joining in, and Kei stepped forward, offering his hand. âKoga Yudai, but you can call me Kei. Iâm not an owner,â he said, smiling, âjust Makiâs big brother. Iâm here to help out today.â âOh,â (Y/n) said brightly, shaking his hand. âNice to meet you!â Maki almost growled. He covered it with a cough instead, turning his head sharply. âUh, sorry. Might be coming down with something.â Miyu shot him a pointed look. âYou'd better get it under control,â she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear. âTotally fine,â he said quickly, straightening. âSuper fine. Healthy. Thriving.â
Jay snorted, and Miyu shook her head before turning back to (Y/n). âCome on, letâs show you around.â They walked her through the restaurant first, Miyu gesturing to the dining area. âLunch rush usually hits around noon, sometimes earlier if the office crowdâs restless.â Jay opened a door toward the back. âStorage is here. Dry goods on the left, refrigerated on the right. Deliveries come Mondays and Thursdays, Maki usually handles checking inventory.â âOh?â (Y/n) said, glancing back at him. âSo youâre the organized one.â Maki shrugged, a little shy. âSomeone has to keep Jay from ordering twenty kilos of chocolate at once.â Jay scoffed. âIt was on sale.â
They moved into the kitchen next, Miyu explaining where everything was kept, pointing out ovens, mixers, prep stations. âYouâll mostly be on desserts, but we all rotate and help out with everything if itâs needed. If you ever need help, just yell.â âLiterally,â Kei added. âThis place gets loud.â (Y/n) laughed. âGood to know.â
As they started pulling out ingredients and setting up stations, the kitchen slowly filled with motion and warmth, the kind that came from shared work and easy conversation. Maki stayed close without hovering, handing her bowls and utensils when she needed them, trying very hard to act normal while his heart raced every time she smiled at him.
(Y/n) glanced up from where she was washing her hands, curiosity lighting her eyes. âSo⊠how did you three end up opening a restaurant together anyway?â Miyu and Jay exchanged a look, both smiling, though there was a faint ache behind it. âWell,â Miyu began, leaning against the counter, âJay and I opened Koyomi before we ever met Maki.â âWay before,â Jay added with a nod. âJust the two of us, barely sleeping, burning half our first attempts at everything.â
Miyu laughed softly. âThen I started dating one of Makiâs brothers, and through that, I got to know him. One day, he cooked for the, uh, family, and I remember thinking, why is this teenager better than half the chefs I know?â Maki scoffed lightly, cheeks warming. âThatâs exaggerated.â âItâs really not,â Jay said. âSo we offered him a job. He started helping out in the kitchen, and somehow⊠that turned into this.â He gestured around the restaurant. âNow heâs one of the owners.â Maki shrugged, a little bashful. âGuess I just never left.â
Jay hesitated, his smile softening. âWe also⊠had another employee. Our baker. She had to quit, unfortunately, which is why we were looking for someone new.â (Y/n) nodded, understanding. She smiled brightly, âIt kind of sounds like something out of a fairy tale. Strangers meeting, finding each other, building something together.â Miyu laughed. âA very chaotic fairy tale.â âYeah,â Jay added, grinning. âWith more burns.â Maki smiled to himself, glancing at (Y/n). âBest kind, though.â
~~~
The hours passed surprisingly peacefully. Kei kept a close eye on Maki, subtle but constant, and while he did see him stiffen from time to time, his wolf scent spiking in short bursts, Maki managed to rein it in every single time. It always seemed worse whenever (Y/n) came closer to him, leaned over his shoulder to ask where something was, or brushed past him in the kitchen, but even then, he stayed grounded, breathing through it instead of losing control. At least he wasnât fully wolfing out, and that alone felt like a small miracle.
Eventually, the clock crept closer to five, and right on cue, Fuma arrived with Tara, ready to take over from Kei. Fuma leaned against the counter, looking around the busy kitchen. âSo?â he asked quietly. âHowâs it going?â Kei smiled, relieved. âHonestly? Really well. Heâs acting like the Maki we know again, not the feral gremlin from yesterday.â Maki shot him a glare. âHey.â Fuma laughed softly. âGood. Iâm glad.â Then he turned to Kei, clapping a hand on his shoulder. âGood luck with your photoshoot tonight. Evening shoot, right?â âYeah,â Kei said, sighing. âSpecial one, too. Iâll need it.â âDonât mess it up,â Maki added dryly. Kei grinned. âSays the guy who almost burned the restaurant down with his emotions yesterday.â
As Kei left, (Y/n) came back into the kitchen from the back, tilting her head slightly when she noticed two unfamiliar people standing there. âUm,â she said, glancing between them and Maki, âdo you often have guests in the kitchen area?â Maki chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. âNot usually,â he said, pointing first to Fuma. âThis is my brother, Fuma.â Then he gestured to the woman beside him. âAnd thatâs Tara, his girlfriend. Theyâre here for date night, but wanted to stop by and say hi.â Fuma laughed lightly. âYeah, we kind of invade this place a lot. There are a lot of us, and weâre all close with Miyu and Jay, too. Comes with the territory.â (Y/n) smiled and walked over, offering her hand first to Tara, then to Fuma. âIâm (Y/n), itâs nice to meet you both.â âNice to meet you too,â Tara said warmly, squeezing her hand.
Fuma grinned, shaking her hand firmly before turning to Maki with mock seriousness. âI hope this oneâs treating you well,â he said, nodding toward his brother. âAnd making you feel welcome.â Then he looked back at (Y/n). âIf heâs not, youâre welcome to come complain to me.â Maki spluttered. âHey!â (Y/n) laughed. âGood to know I have backup.â
Tara smiled brightly. âIâm really looking forward to trying your desserts,â she said, her eyes lighting up. (Y/n)âs smile widened at that. âI hope I live up to the expectations,â she replied, half nervous, half excited. Fuma sent a quick mind link to Maki, Weâll be out at a table, just let me know if you need help, before he slipped an arm around Taraâs waist and followed Jay out of the kitchen toward their seats.
(Y/n) turned back to Maki, curiosity written all over her face. âSo⊠just how many brothers do you actually have? Iâve met Kei, Fuma, and then thereâs the one Miyuâs dating, but Iâm guessing thereâs more.â Maki laughed softly. âThere are nine of us total, me included,â he said. âAnd seven of us have girlfriends now. Plus Jay and Sunoo, who are basically family too.â (Y/n)âs eyes widened. âWow⊠youâre like a whole army.â âYeah,â Maki said with a grin, âyou could definitely say that.â
A while passed in comfortable silence. Maki focused on tending to a few of the savory dishes while Miyu worked on others, and (Y/n) was baking like a madwoman, whisking one batter after another, opening and closing the ovens, decorating pastries with quick, practiced hands. Jay glanced around the dining room, surprised at how full the restaurant was for a Monday evening. Lunches were usually busy, sure, but nights rarely were. People mustâve been curious about the new baker.
When Miyu stepped away for a moment, and Jay got busy seating more guests, (Y/n)âs attention drifted to Maki. He stood at the counter reading through a recipe, scribbling small notes in the margins, brow furrowed in concentration. He was undeniably handsome, attractive, well-built, completely her type, and she found herself wondering if he was one of the two single brothers or if he already had a girlfriend. But the thought of asking him directly made her stomach twist, so she kept quiet, stealing glances instead as she worked.
Hours passed, and soon enough, the restaurant closed. The last customers trickled out, chairs were flipped onto tables, and the warm hum of the kitchen slowly faded into a comfortable quiet. Miyu leaned against the counter for a moment, stretching her arms, before her eyes drifted to Maki. He was still standing by the sink, scrubbing a pan a little slower than usual, shoulders slumped, eyes heavy.
She frowned slightly. âYou okay?â she asked, drying her hands on a towel. âYou look wiped.â âIâm fine,â Maki said automatically, though he rubbed at his face as if trying to wake himself up. âJust⊠tired in my head.â Miyu tilted her head. âYouâve been here all day. You usually only work full shifts on weekends, and even then, we open later. This is basically torture for a teenager.â âIâll survive,â he muttered. âPromise.â She crossed her arms, unimpressed. âAnd youâll survive school tomorrow too?â âIâll be fine, mom,â he teased, shooting her a tired grin. Miyu laughed and lightly smacked his shoulder with the towel. âStop it.â
At that moment, the kitchen door swung open, and Fuma and Tara stepped inside, both still bundled in their coats, faces warm and happy from dinner. Tara was the first to speak. âThat was incredible,â she said brightly. âSeriously, everything tasted amazing.â âYeah,â Fuma added, nodding. âYou guys never disappoint.â (Y/n), who had been carefully boxing up leftover pastries, looked up, her eyes lighting up. âOh, thank you,â she said quickly, a little shy but clearly pleased. âIâm really glad you liked the desserts. I was nervous about today.â Tara smiled wider. âNervous? You shouldnât be. That chocolate tart was dangerous.â (Y/n) laughed softly. âThatâs the goal.â
Fuma leaned his elbows on the counter, looking between Miyu and Maki. âSo, what can we do to help before we head out? Dishes, trash, sweeping, whatever.â Miyu didnât hesitate. She pointed straight at Maki. âYou can help by taking him home before he collapses into the sink.â Maki opened his mouth. âHey, Iâm not that tired,â but his sentence was cut off by a massive yawn, his jaw stretching wide as his shoulders sagged. Fuma blinked. ââŠSure youâre not.â Tara giggled, stepping closer to Maki. âWow, that was convincing.â âIâm fine,â Maki insisted weakly, blinking a few times as if trying to reset himself. âI just⊠didnât sleep great.â Miyu raised an eyebrow. âYou also worked for eleven hours.â
âAnd cooked through three rushes,â Jay added from the other side of the kitchen, where he was wiping down the prep table. âGo home, chef.â (Y/n) glanced at Maki, a small smile tugging at her lips. âYeah, youâve been carrying this kitchen today. You deserve rest.â That made Makiâs ears warm slightly. âIâm really okay,â âYouâre not,â Fuma said calmly, already stepping behind him and gently steering him away from the sink. âCome on. Doctorâs orders.â âYouâre not a doctor,â Maki muttered. âNo, but Iâm your brother,â Fuma shot back, smirking. âWhich is worse.â
Tara slipped her arm around Makiâs other side. âWeâll walk you home. You look like you might fall asleep standing up.â âI wouldnât,â Maki tried again, only to yawn for the second time in under a minute. Miyu pointed at him triumphantly. âExhibit B.â (Y/n) laughed quietly, watching the interaction with fond amusement. âThanks again for coming in,â she said to Tara and Fuma. âAnd⊠for liking the desserts.â âOf course,â Tara said warmly. âWeâre excited youâre here.â Fuma nodded. âYeah. Anyone who feeds our family this well is automatically appreciated.â Maki looked down at the floor, embarrassed but smiling faintly. âCan we go now before you all keep roasting me?â âYes,â Fuma said, already guiding him toward the door. âSleep first, dignity later.â Tara waved back at Miyu, Jay, and (Y/n). âGood night!â As the door closed behind them, (Y/n) glanced at Miyu with a grin. âHe really does work himself into the ground, doesnât he?â Miyu smiled softly. âYeah. But thatâs Maki.â
~~~
Soon enough, a few days had passed, and life began to settle into something softer, warmer, almost effortless. Maki was no longer under strict observation, having proven more than once that he could control himself around (Y/n) without his wolf losing its mind. The tension that had once coiled tight in his chest slowly unraveled, replaced with something lighter, anticipation, maybe, or hope.
 Willow, on the other hand, seemed to be walking on clouds, talking nonstop about her new job at the veterinary clinic, the coworkers she was already growing attached to, and every animal sheâd met, from skittish rescue dogs to grumpy old cats and even the occasional injured hawk. âAnd then there was this baby raccoon,â Willow said one evening, hands clasped dramatically. âHarua, it tried to bite me, but it was, like, this big.â Harua smiled like sheâd just told him the greatest story in the world. âYouâre literally saving lives,â he said softly. âThat raccoon is lucky you exist.â She laughed, nudging his shoulder. âYouâre biased.âÂ
Maki was much the same, though far less smooth about it. He found himself sitting around the pack house, talking about (Y/n) at every opportunity. âShe asked me to grab flour off the top shelf today,â he muttered one afternoon, staring into space. âAnd then she said, âThanks, handsome.â Just, casually. Like thatâs normal.â Sana covered her mouth, giggling. âMaki, youâre hopeless.â âI almost dropped the bowl,â he admitted. âI panicked.â
Miyu smiled, leaning against the counter. âThen tell her she looks pretty. Itâs not that hard.â âIâll pass out,â he said flatly. Rocky rolled her eyes. âYouâre a wolf, not a Victorian poet. Youâll survive.â Sora smirked. âHe wonât. I give him three compliments before his system shuts down.â Willow added, laughing, âHonestly, itâs kind of adorable.â Aya and Tara mostly just listened, smiling softly. After a while, Tara spoke up gently, âYou know, you donât have to impress her. Just⊠be you.â Aya nodded. âYeah. If sheâs your mate, thatâs already enough.â Maki exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. âI know,â he muttered, then added quietly, âI just really want her to like me.â
Maki did his absolute best to impress (Y/n), offering his help at every possible moment, whether she needed someone to grab something from a high shelf, carry a heavy tray, or reach into the back freezer where it was always freezing. When a delivery came in with massive rice bags, he lifted two at once like it was nothing, flexing a little too obviously as he carried them past her. He pretended not to notice the way her eyes lingered, but inside, his wolf purred smugly. âYou know,â Jay muttered once, watching him, ânormal people use carts.â Maki shrugged. âWhereâs the fun in that?â
He even started doing little knife tricks while chopping vegetables, flipping the blade between his fingers and catching it effortlessly, despite Miyu scolding him every single time. âMaki,â she warned, arms crossed, âyou are not in a cooking anime.â He grinned. âRelax, Iâve got great hand-eye coordination.â (Y/n) laughed from across the counter, and suddenly the scolding felt worth it. (Y/n), for her part, definitely noticed the special treatment. Maki helped Miyu and Jay when asked, sure, but with her, he was always already there, hovering nearby, asking, âNeed help?â before she even had time to struggle. It didnât take long for her to start teasing him about it.Â
âMaki,â she said one afternoon, dramatically staring at a box of sugar. âI donât think I can lift this. Itâs⊠very heavy.â He was at her side in half a second. âI got it,â he said seriously, picking it up like it weighed nothing. She hid her smile behind her hand. âWow. My hero.â Truth was, she absolutely couldâve lifted it herself, but the way his face lit up whenever he helped her made it worth pretending to be a damsel in distress every now and then. And Maki, completely oblivious to her little act, just felt proud that he could be useful, strong, and, hopefully, impressive in her eyes.
~~~
One Saturday, a few weeks into (Y/n) working at Koyomi, it was just her and Maki in the kitchen, with about an hour left before opening. Jay had the day off, and Miyu was out with Yuma on a date but would be back later. The kitchen was quiet in a way it rarely was during operating hours, filled only with the soft hum of ovens and the gentle bubbling of sauces. Maki was prepping dishes that needed time to simmer, chopping vegetables and stirring pots, while (Y/n) had the ovens working overtime, rotating trays of pastries, cakes, and cookies like a well-oiled machine.
Even though sheâd been working there for weeks, Maki realized he didnât actually know much about her beyond the fact that she was cute, talented, and made desserts that haunted his dreams in the best way. Heâd been too busy trying to impress her to actually⊠talk to her. So, while stirring a pot of sauce, he finally worked up the courage.
âSo,â he said casually, as if his heart wasnât beating way too fast, âwhat got you into baking?â She glanced over at him, smiling softly. âHonestly? Itâs not that interesting.â âTry me,â he said, leaning against the counter. âWell,â she started, checking one of the ovens before continuing, âI always loved desserts as a kid. Like, loved-loved them. Cakes, cookies, pastries⊠anything sweet. I was always curious about how they were made, so I started experimenting on my own.â She laughed quietly. âMost of it was completely inedible.â
Maki grinned. âI find that hard to believe.â âOh, trust me,â she said, shaking her head. âI once made brownies so dry my grandma said they could double as coasters.â He snorted before he could stop himself, and she smiled wider at the sound. âBut then,â she continued, âfor my birthday one year, my grandma gifted me a semester in a baking class. And suddenly everything just⊠clicked. I learned the science behind it, the techniques, and how small things change everything. I loved it even more than before.â She paused for a moment, her hands slowing as she piped frosting onto a tray of cupcakes. âI didnât really have a lot of friends growing up. Got bullied a bit. But I didnât mind that much. Baking kind of became my thing. My first true love, I guess.â
Maki felt something warm settle in his chest as he watched her. âThatâs⊠actually really cool,â he said quietly. âYour grandma sounds amazing.â âShe was,â (Y/n) said with a fond smile. He nodded, stirring his sauce again, but now with a soft grin on his face. âIâm glad you found something that made you happy,â he said. âSelfishly, Iâm also glad it led you here.â Her cheeks tinted slightly pink at that, and she pretended to focus very hard on arranging pastries on a tray. âYeah,â she murmured. âMe too.â
(Y/n) leaned against the counter, watching him stir his pot with practiced ease. âOkay,â she said, tilting her head slightly, âyour turn. What got you into cooking?â Maki hesitated for just a second before answering. âMy mom,â he said quietly. âShe taught me a bit before she passed away. I was really young, like⊠four, maybe. So I didnât learn that much, not properly. But cooking always reminded me of her. The warmth, the smells, the way the kitchen felt safe.â He smiled faintly, almost to himself. âSometimes I swear I can still hear her voice in my head. âRiki, stir it well for me.ââ
(Y/n)âs expression softened instantly. âThatâs⊠really sweet,â she said gently. He shrugged a little, embarrassed by the attention. âOut of my brothers, I was always the best cook, so I ended up making food a lot before I met Miyu. But honestly, sheâs the one who really helped me level up. She taught me techniques, flavors, balance, stuff I never wouldâve figured out on my own.â âWhat happened to your mom?â (Y/n) asked softly, then glanced up at him. âAnd your dad?â Makiâs smile faded just a bit. âIâll tell you another time,â he said, not unkindly, just honest. She nodded immediately. âYeah, okay,â she said. âNo pressure.â
The kitchen fell into a comfortable silence again, filled with the sounds of simmering sauces and the soft clink of utensils, but something about it felt warmer than before. (Y/n)âs eyes widened slightly. âWait, did you just say Riki?â she asked, looking at him like sheâd misheard. âI thought your name was Maki.â Maki burst out laughing. âIt is, well, kind of. My actual name is Riki,â he admitted. âBut I have another brother named Riki, too, so that got confusing fast. So now weâre Taki and Maki. We both kept the ki, and the Ta and Ma come from our surnames.â âThatâs⊠honestly kind of genius,â (Y/n) laughed. âAnd very chaotic.â He grinned. âThatâs our family in a nutshell.â
She tilted her head. âWait, so⊠youâre not biological brothers?â Maki shook his head. âNope. None of us is related by blood. We all found each other over the years through different situations. Different hardships.â His voice softened. âWeâre all orphans, technically. But together, weâre a family.â (Y/n)âs smile turned warm, almost fond. âThatâs really sweet,â she said. âHaving that many people to call family.â âYeah,â Maki said quietly, smiling back at her. âIt really is.â
Maki tilted his head slightly, watching her work at the counter. âSo⊠do you like cooking too?â he asked. âOr is baking your whole thing?â (Y/n) laughed immediately, shaking her head. âOh, no. Iâm a disaster in the kitchen when it comes to savory food. Baking? Great. Cooking? Absolutely not.â Maki snorted. âIt canât be that bad.â âIt is,â she insisted, pointing a whisk at him. âI once burned pasta. Like, lots of water, some noodles, and somehow still burned it.â âThatâs⊠impressive,â he said, clearly amused. Then he grabbed a knife and set a carrot and a tomato on the cutting board. âAlright, chef. Show me what youâve got.â She eyed the knife suspiciously. âIf I lose a finger, youâre carrying me to the hospital.â âIâll catch you before you bleed out,â he teased.Â
Rolling her eyes, she took the knife from him and stepped up to the counter, staring down at the vegetables like theyâd personally offended her. Maki noticed the way she hesitated, shoulders tense as she stared down at the carrot like it might attack her first. Without really thinking, he stepped closer, close enough that his chest brushed her back, his arms coming around her carefully, not quite a hug, but close enough that she could feel his warmth. His hands settled gently over hers, guiding the knife, slow and steady, showing her the motion.
âLike this,â he murmured softly, leaning in just enough that his voice brushed her ear. âYouâre doing well.â Thanks to his heightened hearing, he caught the way her heartbeat sped up, quick and uneven, and he saw the blush bloom across her cheeks. His own lips curved into a smile so wide it bordered on embarrassing, something between cheesy and completely lovesick, and he was almost grateful she couldnât see his face as he focused on helping her cut the carrot, pretending that her being this close didnât make his entire world feel warmer.
As he stepped away, (Y/n) lifted a hand to her cheek, patting it lightly as if she could somehow brush away the blush burning there. She muttered, almost under her breath, âYour girlfriend wonât like thatâŠâÂ
Maki blinked. âGirlfriend?â he repeated, genuinely confused. She nodded, still not looking at him. âYeah⊠didnât you say seven of you were in relationships?â âWell, yeah,â he said slowly, lips twitching, âbut I never said I was one of them.â Her ears burned even hotter at that. âOh,â she murmured, clearly realizing sheâd made an assumption. âReallyâŠâ âMhm,â Maki replied, smiling, a little too pleased at the way sheâd jumped to that conclusion. So sheâd been a bit jealous. Good to know. âIâm very single, actually.â
She finally glanced up at him, eyes meeting his for just a second, then the back door opened and closed, signaling Miyuâs arrival. (Y/n) quickly looked away, pretending to focus very hard on her baking as she said, almost too casually, âMe too.â Maki just stood there for a moment, grinning like an idiot, before turning back to his station, heart pounding way harder than it should over two simple words.
Every once in a while, (Y/n) was introduced to another one of Makiâs brothers. After meeting Kei and Fuma on her first official workday, she soon met Yuma when he came to drop Miyu off one morning. His chaotic, dramatic energy had her giggling almost immediately. âYouâre the new baker?â Yuma asked, peering at her creations like they might personally offend him. âWow. Rude. How am I supposed to diet now?â (Y/n) laughed. âIâm sorry?â âNo, youâre not,â he replied, pointing at a tray of pastries. âAnd neither am I.â
Next were Jo and Sana, who came in during a quiet lunch hour to study. (Y/n) found them impossibly adorable, Jo shy and soft-spoken, always half-hiding behind Sana, and Sana loud, bright, and endlessly affectionate. âThese are amazing,â Sana said dramatically, holding up a forkful of cake. âI might cry.â Jo nodded beside her. âY-yeah⊠theyâre really good.â (Y/n) smiled warmly. âThank you.â
Then came Harua, Willow, and Sunoo, visiting together for the first time. Willowâs eyes practically sparkled as she tasted the desserts, and Sunoo looked like he was having a religious experience. âOh my god,â Willow breathed. âI think I just fell in love with cake.â Sunoo nodded seriously. âThis is life-changing.â Maki tried not to look too smug about it.
After that, Nicholas and Rocky came in, loud, bickering, and somehow clearly obsessed with each other at the same time. (Y/n) noticed the tattoo peeking out from under Rockyâs shirt and complimented it. âI love your tattoo,â she said. âItâs gorgeous.â Rocky beamed. âThank you! And you must be the famous (Y/n) weâve heard so much about.â (Y/n) blinked, then glanced at Maki, teasing. âOh? So someone talks about me?â Rocky grinned wider. âOh, all the time.â Maki immediately looked away, pretending very hard to be busy with literally anything else, while (Y/n) laughed, warmth spreading through her chest.
Next came EJ and Sora. EJ was kind and gentle, with a calm presence that made people feel safe almost instantly, while Sora was loud, wild, and unapologetically herself, bouncing between conversations and teasing EJ every chance she got. Somehow, they fit together perfectly. âThese desserts are insane,â Sora said, leaning against the counter. âIf I gain five pounds, Iâm blaming you.â EJ smiled softly. âWorth it.â (Y/n) laughed. âIâll take full responsibility.â
After they left, (Y/n) leaned against the counter beside Maki, watching them disappear out the door. âYour brothers are all really handsome,â she said casually, then added, âbut their girlfriends? Completely out of their leagues. Iâve never seen so many pretty women in one town.â Maki laughed. âYeah,â he said, nodding. âTheyâre in a league of their own.â Then, before he could overthink it, he added, âBut so are you.â The words surprised both of them. (Y/n) froze for half a second before her cheeks warmed. âOh, no,â she said quickly, shaking her head with a small laugh. âIâm not nearly as pretty as they are. Iâm just⊠average. At best.â She shrugged it off like it didnât matter, turning back to her baking, but Maki felt something twist uncomfortably in his chest. How could she not see it? The way her smile lit up the room, the way her eyes softened when she focused, the way she laughed like she meant it. He wanted to tell her. Show her. Make her understand. He just didnât know how yet.
Lastly, (Y/n) got to meet Aya and Taki, along with Kei, whom she had already met. Taki was a whirlwind of energy, loud, chaotic, and constantly moving, but undeniably kind, while Aya was poetic gentleness personified, soft-spoken and warm, almost ethereal in the way she carried herself. Aya smiled as she introduced herself, and (Y/n) tilted her head. âWait⊠I recognize your name, but I canât place why.â âI write for Kyomei Magazine,â Aya said. (Y/n)âs eyes widened. âOh my god, youâre a reporter? You wrote that piece on the sanctuary! I loved that article; it made me cry.â Aya laughed softly, clearly touched. âThank you, that means a lot,â she said. âMaybe someday Iâll get to write something about you, too.â (Y/n) blinked. âMe?â âAbsolutely,â Aya said with a gentle smile. âAnyone who makes desserts like yours deserves a spotlight.â
~~~
As Maki and (Y/n) were doing dishes, while Jay and Miyu cleaned up by the tables, Maki finally found the courage to ask, âUm⊠would you maybe want to come see my place tomorrow?â (Y/n) paused, glancing over at him. âYour house?â âYeah,â he said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. âItâs nothing fancy, but⊠the snowâs starting to melt, and thereâs this pond nearby. Itâs kind of hard to explain, but itâs really nice.â She smiled, intrigued. âA mysterious pond, huh? Yeah, Iâd like that.â Relief flooded through him, and he tried not to grin too hard. As they said goodbye that evening, Maki scribbled down his address on a scrap of paper and handed it to her. âCome whenever you feel like it,â he said. âIâll be there.â âLooking forward to it,â she replied, tucking the paper into her pocket.
On the drive home with Miyu, Maki didnât stop talking about what he should wear, what food he could make, and whether he should clean his room twice or three times. Miyu laughed, shaking her head. âJust be yourself,â she said. âShe already seems to like you.â Maki smiled dopily out the window. âDoes she?â he murmured, more to himself than to Miyu.
After his brothers promised to behave when (Y/n) came around, Maki went to bed buzzing with anticipation, thoughts racing, wanting to see her again, to make her smile, to hold her, to make her feel just how special she was to him, even if she didnât know why yet.
~~~
Morning came far too quickly, and Maki was already awake, scrubbing the main house like a man possessed. He fluffed the couch cushions for the third time, muttering, âI swear I live with actual gremlins,â as he straightened a crooked picture frame. The front door opened, and Fumaâs voice echoed through the house. âMaki!â âWhat?â he called back, still fixing the pillows. âYour visitorâs here.â Maki froze, then sprang upright, brushing imaginary dust off his shoulders, smoothing his hair with both hands, and jogging out onto the porch. When he spotted (Y/n) walking up the path, he lifted his hand and waved a little too enthusiastically, a bright grin spreading across his face.
(Y/n) waved back, feeling a little shy as she walked toward him. âI didnât expect⊠a whole village,â she said, glancing around at the cabins scattered across the snowy grounds. Maki chuckled. âYeah, itâs kind of unique,â he said, stepping aside and gesturing for her to come in. He waved goodbye to Fuma, who was walking off with Tara to patrol the grounds, though, to (Y/n), it just looked like a couple heading out for a morning stroll.
Inside, Maki gave her a little tour, and she stopped dead in front of the pantry, eyes wide. âThis is bigger than the one at the restaurant.â He laughed. âWell, thereâs sixteen people living here. And until very recently, half of them were hormonal teenagers who ate like black holes.â âThat explains a lot,â she said, grinning. âIâve seen you eat lunch at Koyomi, and you still look hungry every time.â Maki flexed his arms dramatically. âWell, it takes a lot to feed these muscles.â She burst out laughing and gently swatted his arm. âShow-off.â
While Maki was showing (Y/n) around and they began exploring the grounds, EJ received a call from Jay. The alpha immediately got a bad feeling, Jay usually only called him directly when something was wrong. âHey,â EJ answered. âHey,â Jay said, sounding a little too casual. âUh⊠how are you?â EJ narrowed his eyes. âIâm good. You?â âGood,â Jay replied, then hesitated. âUm⊠I kind of have a favor to ask.â EJ sighed. âOf course you do. What is it?â Jay let out a breath. âSo, my⊠kind of younger brother called me. He wants to come visit, but I donât really have space in my apartment. I was wondering if he could stay at the pack house for a few days. Iâd stay there too, keep an eye on him.â EJ dragged a hand down his face. âHeâs a vampire too, isnât he?â Jay sighed. âYeah.â âThis is going to be a mess,â EJ muttered, already regretting this. âIs he going to be a problem?â âProbably not,â Jay said quickly. âI donât like probably,â EJ shot back, then sighed. âBut fine. Anything happens, itâs on you.â âThank you,â Jay said sincerely. âHeâll be there tomorrow.â âGreat,â EJ muttered, before hanging up.
Sora came into their cabin just as EJ hung up the call, immediately noticing the look on his face. âWhatâs wrong?â she asked, tilting her head slightly. EJ sighed. âJay just called. His younger brother wants to visit, and he asked if they could stay here for a few days.â Soraâs eyes lit up a little. âOh! If he said younger brother, itâs probably either Jungwon or Niki,â she said thoughtfully. âIf itâs Jungwon, itâll be mostly peaceful, he adores Jay. If itâs Niki, it might be a bit more chaotic, but honestly, heâs pretty chill too.â EJ stepped closer, resting his hands on her hips and pulling her in, breathing in her scent as his shoulders finally relaxed. âI really hope youâre right.â She grinned. âArenât I always?â He growled playfully in response, leaning down and attacking her face and neck with kisses, making her laugh as she tried to push him away.
~~~
As Maki and (Y/n) wandered along the snowy paths, she glanced around at the cabins, the trees, the wide stretch of land beyond them. âSo⊠how do you all afford this?â she asked. âItâs huge.â Maki chuckled softly. âA lot of it came from inheritance from our parents,â he explained. âThe rest was⊠hard work. Mostly from the eldest four. They sacrificed a lot to take care of us, younger brothers.â âThatâs⊠really sweet,â she said, her voice gentler now. âIt is,â he agreed. âThey still take care of us, honestly. But now everyone helps out, the girls, Jay, even Sunoo, though heâs still new. It actually feels like⊠a real village.â
(Y/n) smiled at that, about to respond when she suddenly slipped on a thin patch of ice. âWhoa!â Before she could fall, Maki reacted instantly, hands gripping her waist as he pulled her back against him. Her breath hitched as she steadied, their faces suddenly inches apart. He could hear her heartbeat spike, fast, startled, mirroring his own. âCareful,â he said softly, smiling down at her. âDonât want you getting hurt.â She nodded, unable to find her voice right away, too distracted by how close he was, his bright smile, the warmth in his eyes, the way his hands were still firmly but gently holding her. Her cheeks heated, and when she finally managed a small smile back, it felt like the world had narrowed to just the two of them.
Maki kept showing her around, the paths winding gently through the trees until steam began to curl into the air ahead of them. When they reached the pond, (Y/n) stopped short, eyes widening. âWowâŠâ she breathed. âIt looks⊠magical.â Maki smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. âYeah,â he said softly. âSomething like that.â Before he could say more, laughter echoed from one of the nearby paths, and Sora, Rocky, and Sana emerged, still mid-conversation. They waved when they spotted them.
âHey!â Sana called. âYou two wanna join us for a swim?â Maki glanced at (Y/n), grinning. âIâm in if you are.â She hesitated, then shook her head with a small laugh. âUh, I didnât bring a swimsuit.â Rocky tilted her head thoughtfully. âYou can borrow one of mine,â she offered. âIâve got tons of old designs. Iâm sure Iâve got something youâd like.â âThatâs really sweet, butâŠâ (Y/n) waved her hands a little. âIâll pass this time.â Maki caught the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her smile didnât quite reach her eyes. He didnât push, just squeezed her hand gently instead. âAnother time,â he said easily, then looked back to the girls. âHave fun, yeah?â âYour loss,â Sora teased with a grin. âThis waterâs amazing.â Sana smiled warmly at (Y/n). âNext time, then.â
As the three girls headed toward the pond, Maki turned back to (Y/n), guiding her along another path. âWe can come back whenever,â he said softly. âNo rush.â She glanced at him, surprised, and a little relieved, before smiling. âThanks.â He just smiled back, heart warm, glad heâd read her right. (Y/n) tilted her head as they walked. âSo⊠what do you usually do when youâre not working or studying?â Maki thought about it for a moment. âHmm. A lot of basketball, mostly,â he said. âMe and some of my brothers play. Nicholas and Jo are by far the best, but Taki, Yuma, Fuma, and I usually join in too. EJ comes sometimes when heâs bored.â âAre you good?â she asked, teasing. He scoffed dramatically. âWow. Straight for the ego.â She laughed. âThat wasnât an answer.â âIâm⊠decent,â he said, grinning. âNot amazing, but itâs always fun, especially having our own court so we can play whenever we want.â âThat actually sounds really nice,â (Y/n) said. âEspecially having your own court.â
Almost on cue, they rounded a corner and the basketball court came into view, a few rogue balls scattered across the concrete. Makiâs eyes lit up. âOh, perfect timing.â He jogged over, scooping one up and spinning it on his finger for half a second before lining up a shot. âWatch this.â He tossed it toward the hoop, holding his breath, and when it swished cleanly through the net, he froze for a second before throwing his hands up. âYes!â he laughed. âAbsolutely intentional.â (Y/n) clapped, laughing. âWow, look at you. So cool.â He gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. âDid you hear that? She said Iâm cool.â
Then he did a ridiculously over-the-top victory dance, complete with finger guns and a little spin, making her laugh even harder. But as he turned back toward her, he noticed the way her nose had gone pink from the cold, and how her shoulders lifted slightly as she tried to hide a shiver. He frowned softly, walking back over. âOkay, nope. Thatâs enough outside for you.â She blinked. âWhat?â âYouâre freezing,â he said gently. âI can see it.â âIâm not,â She paused as another shiver slipped through her, then sighed. âOkay, maybe a little.â Maki smiled, tugging lightly at her sleeve. âCome on. Before you catch a cold and I get yelled at for not taking care of you.â She laughed, nodding. âAlright, alright. Lead the way.â And together, they headed back inside, warmth waiting just beyond the door.
Inside, Maki told (Y/n) to get comfortable on the couch while he disappeared into the kitchen. A few minutes later, he returned with a steaming mug of hot cocoa, carefully decorated with a little smiley face in whipped cream dusted with cocoa powder. âTa-da,â he said proudly, handing it to her. Her eyes lit up. âOh my god, thatâs adorable.â âHey, presentation matters,â he replied with a grin. Then, without making a big deal out of it, he draped a soft blanket over her legs. âWant me to start a fire too?â She laughed, pulling the blanket closer around herself. âThis is already way more than enough, thank you.â âIf you say so,â he said, sitting down beside her, but leaving a respectful bit of space between them, not wanting to crowd her.
She took a sip of the cocoa and hummed softly. âWow. This is really good.â Makiâs ears warmed. âYeah? I mean, uh, good. Iâm glad.â A few minutes later, footsteps came from the stairs, and EJ appeared, running a hand through his hair. âHey, have either of you seen Sora?â Maki looked up. âYeah, she went to the pond with Sana and Rocky.â âOh.â EJ nodded, then hesitated. âWhat about Miyu?â Maki shook his head. âNo idea, but I havenât seen Yuma either, so Iâm guessing theyâre off somewhere being gross and in love.â (Y/n) laughed into her mug. âAre they really that bad?â âYes,â Maki and EJ said at the exact same time. EJ sighed dramatically. Then he nodded at them. âThanks,â and headed back outside.
As the door closed behind him, Maki frowned slightly. âHe looked⊠worried.â (Y/n) glanced toward the door. âYeah. I noticed that too.â âIâll ask him later,â Maki murmured, more to himself than to her, before turning back to her with a softer smile. âYou warm enough now?â She nodded, curling her fingers around the mug. âYeah. Cozy, actually.â âGood,â he said quietly, and for a moment, the room felt warm in more ways than one.
Maki almost told her then and there about the wolves, the bonds, the truth about himself. The words sat heavy on his tongue. But he swallowed them back. Telling her would mean telling her she was his mate, too, and he didnât want her to feel trapped by fate or destiny. He wanted her to choose him, not the universe. He wanted her to fall for him slowly, naturally, because she wanted to, not because something ancient had decided it for her.
So instead, they watched a movie. It was one of those cozy, low-stakes ones, something easy and comforting. At some point, (Y/n) shifted closer without realizing it, her shoulder brushing his arm, and Maki nearly short-circuited. He stayed perfectly still, heart pounding, pretending to focus on the screen while absolutely not doing that at all. She laughed at a joke in the movie, glancing over at him. âYouâre not even watching.â He blinked. âI am.â âYou didnât even react.â ââŠIt was funny internally.â She snorted, shaking her head, and he smiled, warmth spreading through his chest. Too soon, the movie ended, and (Y/n) glanced at the time on her phone. âOh, I should probably head home.â âOh,â Maki said a little too fast, then cleared his throat. âYeah. Yeah, of course.â
Right then, Aya came down the stairs looking for the keys to one of the cars, muttering about how no one used the key hanger. Maki asked her where she was going, she said she was going to pick up Kei from a modelling job. Aya then looked at (Y/n), asking if she was about to head home, (Y/n) nodded, Aya smiled, saying sheâd give her a ride to town, if she could find those damn keys. And so, after the three of them searched and finally finding a pair of keys, it was time for (Y/n) to go home.Â
They stood near the door awkwardly for half a second, neither quite sure what to do with their hands or their eyes. Then Maki took a small breath. âUm⊠can I hug you?â Her lips curved into a soft smile. âYeah.â He wrapped his arms around her carefully, like she might disappear if he held her wrong. She fit against him perfectly, too perfectly, and for a brief moment, he let himself breathe her in, memorizing her warmth, her scent, the way her arms settled around his waist.Â
âGoodbye,â he whispered near her ear. âSee you tomorrow.â Her breath hitched just a little. âSee you tomorrow,â she murmured back, cheeks warm, before pulling away. Aya stood leaning against the door with the keys in hand. âReady?â (Y/n) nodded. âYeah, thanks again.â She waved at Maki as she stepped outside. âBye!â âBye,â he said, probably too softly, watching her walk away like she was something rare and fragile and entirely his favorite thing in the world. And for the first time in a long time, fate didnât feel heavy. It felt hopeful.
~~~
Once Aya returned with Kei, EJ called a pack meeting, his voice carrying through the house until everyone slowly gathered in the living room. It was crowded, bodies on couches, on the floor, leaning against walls, but no one complained. If EJ called a meeting, it meant something serious. He stood near the fireplace, arms crossed, and sighed deeply before speaking. âOkay,â he said. âWeâre going to have a guest.â That alone sent a ripple through the room. âA guest?â Yuma repeated. âWhat do you mean? Like Jay?â
EJ ignored him. âTheyâll be staying a few days. Starting tomorrow.â Maki frowned. âSince when do we let people stay here that arenât family or dating family?â âYeah,â Taki added. âLast time we had unexpected company, things didnât end well.â The room shifted uncomfortably at that memory. Sora stepped forward. âItâs a vampire. From Jayâs and my old coven.â Silence. Actual, heavy silence. ââŠNo,â Harua said quietly. Nicholas straightened instantly. âAbsolutely not.â Rockyâs brows furrowed. âEJ, what the hell?â Maki felt his stomach drop. A vampire inside pack territory, a stranger, no worse, a vampire, was the fastest way to trigger every instinct they had.
EJ raised both hands. âBefore anyone loses their mind, listen. Jay asked me personally.â âThat doesnât make it better,â Yuma shot back. âWho is it?â Aya asked carefully. Sora shrugged. âJay called them his âyounger brother.â I donât know which one it is yet, either Jungwon or Niki.â Blank stares. ââŠOkay,â Taki said slowly. âI have no idea who either of those people are, but I already donât like them.â âSame,â Nicholas said flatly.
Maki glanced at Miyu. âDo you know them?â âBarely,â Miyu said. âI met them once years ago. Like⊠a hello-goodbye situation. Thatâs it.â âSo,â Yuma said, spreading his hands, âweâre inviting a completely unknown vampire into our home. Fantastic.â Sora crossed her arms. âI know them better. If itâs Jungwon, heâs polite and kind, he looks up to Jay a lot, I doubt heâd cause trouble. If itâs Niki, heâs⊠More chaotic, louder in a way yet still calm, heâs not as bound to Jay as Jungwon is, but heâs a good kid. Neither of them is dangerous.â
Nicholas narrowed his eyes. âYou donât get to decide that.â âAnd you donât get to decide who I trust,â Sora shot back. âBut Jay does, in this case.â Kei looked at EJ. âWhy did you agree?â âBecause Jay doesnât ask for favors unless he really needs them,â EJ said. âAnd because he promised heâd be here the entire time. His responsibility.â âAnd if something goes wrong?â Tara asked quietly. âThen the vampire leaves,â EJ said immediately. âNo debate.â âAnd if someone gets hurt?â Nicholas pressed. EJâs eyes hardened. âThen I handle it.â That shut the room up.
Maki shifted. âWhat about (Y/n)? She doesnât know about⊠any of this.â Sora nodded. âJay said heâll tell the kid to not act like a vampire around her, itâs inevitable that theyâll meet, so Jay will prepare the kid for that situation.â Miyu folded her arms. âI get helping Jay. But everyone here has a right to feel safe.â âYou do,â EJ said. âAnd Iâm not forcing anyone to trust him. Iâm asking you to tolerate him, carefully, for a few days.â Taki sighed. âSo whatâs the plan? Vampire probation?â âYes,â EJ said flatly. âGuest room only. No wandering alone. No restricted areas. Jay supervises him at all times.â Nicholas scoffed. âGreat. A babysat vampire.â âBetter than an unsupervised one,â Aya said gently. The room fell quiet again.
~~~
The next day arrived with tension hanging thick in the air. No one slept well. Even the house itself felt restless, doors opening and closing too softly, footsteps pacing instead of walking, coffee brewing stronger than usual. The pack village, usually warm and loud in the mornings, was quiet in that brittle, waiting way. Jay messaged Miyu in the morning, around nine am. Jay: Weâll be there in about an hour. Jay: Thought Iâd warn you so you can wake everyone + eat first. Miyu read the message twice before sighing and rubbing her face. âGreat,â she muttered. âThe vampire countdown has begun.â
She told Yuma, who sent a mindlink, alerting all the wolves, who in turn alerted their mates. Within seconds, doors started opening, voices drifting into the halls, tension already creeping into the air. By the time breakfast was on the table, Nicholas and Fuma were already standing near the counter with crossed arms, both visibly irritated. âI still donât get why you agreed without talking to anyone,â Nicholas said sharply, golden eyes flashing faintly. âThatâs not how this works.â EJ leaned against the kitchen island, jaw tight. âJay didnât exactly give me time to organize a town hall.â
âThatâs not the point,â Fuma cut in, voice low but heavy. âLast time we trusted vampires, people got hurt, we lost people, and we almost lost more.â Rocky stiffened slightly at the table, Nicholasâs eyes shot to her instantly. âAnd Tara almost never became my mate because of them,â Fuma continued, glancing at her briefly before looking back at EJ. âYouâre asking us to invite that back into our home. Into our safe space.â
Nicholas scoffed. âIt feels like inviting the devil for coffee.â âOkay, dramatic,â Sora muttered, mouth full of toast. âIâm serious,â Nicholas snapped. âYou werenât the one watching your mate almost fade away, I felt her slipping.â EJâs expression softened. âI know. And Iâm not dismissing that.â âThen why does it feel like you are?â Fuma asked. âBecause Iâm choosing Jay,â EJ said firmly. âHe fought beside us. He protected us. He bled with us. You really think heâd betray us now?â âThat doesnât mean his brother wonât,â Nicholas shot back.
EJ opened his mouth, but Kei spoke first. âIâm not thrilled either,â he admitted, setting down his mug. âBut I trust Jay. Enough to give this one chance. If something feels off, we shut it down immediately.â Maki shook his head from across the table. âThatâs easy to say when itâs not your mate that almost got taken from us.â Kei turned toward him. âAnd itâs easy to say no to everything when youâre scared.â Maki bristled. âIâm not scared.â âYouâre defensive,â Kei replied calmly. âThereâs a difference.â
Yuma leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. âNo, Iâm with Nico and Fuma on this. This is a bad idea. Period.â âSame,â Maki muttered. Harua glanced between them, fingers twisting in his sleeve. âI donât love it either⊠but Jay wouldnât hurt us. Not intentionally.â Jo nodded softly beside Sana. âYeah⊠he always felt kind.â Taki shrugged. âI hate it, but I kinda agree. Jayâs solid.â Sana looked between the brothers nervously. âI just donât want anyone getting hurt again.â Rocky finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual. âI trust Jay. I donât trust his mystery brother. Those are two different things.â Nicholas immediately nodded. âExactly.â
EJ exhaled slowly. âAnd thatâs why heâll be supervised. Constantly. He doesnât get free roam. He doesnât get alone time. He doesnât get access to anything sensitive.â âAnd if he steps out of line?â Fuma asked. âThen heâs gone,â EJ said immediately. âNo discussion.â Silence followed. Not peaceful, but heavy. Weighted with memories and fear and the kind of protectiveness that only came from almost losing each other.Â
Fuma dragged a hand through his hair. âI still hate this.â âI know,â EJ said quietly. âBut sometimes trusting the right person means risking discomfort. Not danger, discomfort.â Yuma scoffed. âYouâre really trying to sell this.â âIâm trying to keep this family from tearing itself in half before the guest even arrives.â That shut everyone up. Kei sighed. âLook. No one here wants this. That alone should tell us something. But we trust Jay. And if we donât, then what was all that fighting together even for?â
Nicholas looked away. Fumaâs jaw tightened. Maki stared into his coffee. Harua finally murmured, âI just⊠donât want us to become people who never let anyone in.â Taki nodded slowly. âYeah. That too.â Another stretch of silence. Then EJ checked his phone. âFifteen minutes,â he said. No one smiled. No one relaxed. And no one, not a single one of them, felt ready. But whether they were ready or not, the clock was already ticking.
~~~
Fifteen minutes later, Jay and his younger brother appeared at the edge of the pack village. Not with a car. Of course not. EJ, Sora, Yuma, and Miyu were already standing outside, waiting, the cold morning air curling around them. Miyu glanced down the road once more, brows knitting slightly. âI thought theyâd drive,â
A sudden rush of wind whipped past them, snow scattering, and then two figures were just⊠there. Sora burst out laughing immediately. âCalled it.â Jay straightened his jacket like nothing unusual had happened, while the vampire beside him looked around with wide, curious eyes, clearly impressed by the village layout. Soraâs smile widened as recognition hit her. âOh,â she muttered. âOf course itâs you.â Jay sighed tiredly. âDonât start.â
EJ stepped forward, forcing his shoulders to relax, even though his instincts were buzzing under his skin. âJay,â he said firmly, nodding once. âGood to see you.â Jay returned the nod. âYou too. And⊠thanks again. For this.â EJâs gaze shifted to the other vampire, who was already smiling like heâd just arrived at a theme park instead of a werewolf pack village. âAnd you must beâŠâ EJ began, extending his hand. The guy took it instantly, shaking it with far too much enthusiasm, pumping EJâs arm up and down like they were best friends already. âYang Jungwon!â he said brightly. âJayâs little brother. Well, not actually brother, but emotionally brother. Spiritually brother. Found family brother.â
Jay groaned softly behind him. âYouâre already embarrassing me.â Jungwon turned around. âI literally said nothing weird.â âYou never stop talking,â Jay muttered. Miyu smiled politely, though her eyes were sharp with curiosity. âIâm Miyu. Welcome.â Jungwon beamed at her. âWow, youâre pretty. Jay, your friends are hot.â Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. âPlease stop.â Yuma blinked. ââŠI donât like him.â Sora snorted. âYou say that, but give it ten minutes.âÂ
Jungwon finally noticed her properly and gasped. âOh my god, Sora?â She grinned. âTold you heâd recognize me.â He stepped closer instantly, pointing at her. âJay talks about you all the time.â âI literally do not talk about her that much,â Jay protested. âYou talk about her constantly.â Sora laughed. âHeâs lying, I donât even talk to you that often.â EJ cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the situation. âWell. Welcome to the pack village. Youâll be staying in the guest cabin near the tree line. Rules will be explained shortly.â
Jungwon nodded enthusiastically. âLove rules. Very into boundaries. Big fan.â Yuma muttered, âThat makes one of us.â Jay rubbed his face. âI already regret this.â Jungwon gasped dramatically. âWow. Iâve been here thirty seconds.â EJ glanced at Jay. âYou sure about this?â Jay sighed, looking at Jungwon, who was now crouched to touch the snow like heâd never seen it before. âNo,â he admitted. âBut here we are.â Jay sighed again. âI told you I hoped I wouldnât regret this.â Sora laughed softly. âToo late.â
Inside, Fuma and Nicholas were both on full guard. Fuma sat in one of the chairs near the dining table, Tara curled tightly in his lap, his arms wrapped around her almost possessively. His wolf refused to calm unless she was close, closer than usual, closer than necessary, but Tara didnât protest. She understood. Truthfully, she was nervous too. She knew sheâd heard both Jungwonâs and Nikiâs names during her time with Heeseung, fragments of conversations and half-memories surfacing now that a vampire from Jayâs old coven was under their roof. She couldnât picture their faces, but that almost made it worse. She just hoped neither of them carried pieces of her past with them. Fuma pressed a quiet kiss to her temple. âYou okay?â he murmured, low enough that only she could hear. Tara nodded, resting her forehead against his shoulder. âYeah. Just⊠on edge.â âMe too,â he admitted. âBut Iâve got you.â
Across the room, Nicholas had claimed one of the armchairs, Rocky sitting sideways in his lap, his arms locked around her waist like iron bars. A low growl rumbled constantly in his chest, not loud enough to draw attention, but unmistakable, a warning more than a threat. When Jo wandered a little too close, Nicoâs eyes flicked up instantly, golden flash beneath dark lashes. Rocky sighed softly. âNico, Iâm fine. I can handle myself around a vampire.â âNo,â he said flatly, tightening his hold just a fraction. âAbsolutely not.â She leaned her head back against his shoulder, rolling her eyes. âYouâre being dramatic.â He huffed. âItâs either this or I lock you in our cabin.â ââŠThatâs not comforting.â âBut effective.â Rocky stared at him for a moment, then laughed under her breath, finally relaxing into his chest. âYouâre ridiculous.â âAnd youâre staying right here,â he muttered, pressing a kiss into her hair, his growl easing just slightly, but not disappearing.
After EJ showed Jay the cabin theyâd be staying in and went through the rules with Jungwon, no wandering alone, no blood drinking, no acting like a vampire around humans unaware of the supernatural, and only those already in the main house were allowed to know what he was, Jungwon nodded along obediently, hands raised in mock surrender. âOkay, okay,â he said lightly. âYou can chill out. I wonât cause trouble. If Jay says youâre good people, then youâre good people.â EJ sighed, not entirely sure whether that made him feel better or worse, and Jay didnât look much more convinced either. Still, rules laid out and understood, they headed back toward the porch of the main house.
Just before stepping inside, EJ paused, turning to Jungwon. âThere are two wolves in particular who are probably going to be⊠hostile toward you.â Jungwon tilted his head. âBecause of Heeseung and Sunghoon?â EJ nodded once. Jungwonâs expression softened, the joking edge fading. âYeah. I get that. What they did was messed up.â He shoved his hands into his pockets, shoulders lifting in a small shrug. âThatâs traditional vampire culture, though. Old rules, old thinking. But Iâm not traditional.â Jay glanced at him, surprised. Jungwon gave a crooked smile in return. âSeriously. Iâm not here to hurt anyone. I just want to hang out with my brother for a few days.â EJ studied him for a moment longer before exhaling slowly. âLetâs hope that stays true.â
As they stepped inside, it was immediately clear that Jungwonâs senses were overwhelmed by the sheer number of different scents filling the house, his eyes widening slightly as he took a deeper breath, trying to ground himself in the chaos of werewolves, witches, humans, and vampires all sharing the same space. Kei and Aya were the first to step forward, Kei offering a polite smile as he introduced himself as the eldest of the pack and gestured to Aya at his side, calling her his mate. Jungwon took in Keiâs height, feeling inexplicably small in comparison, but still smiled and introduced himself back, voice steady despite the nerves buzzing under his skin. Next came Harua and Willow, with Sunoo hovering close beside them, all three greeting him warmly, and Jungwon returned the hellos easily, his shoulders relaxing just a fraction at their friendliness.
After them came Sana and Jo, and Jungwon once again felt dwarfed by Joâs height, though the wolfâs shy demeanor softened the intimidation instantly, making Jungwon think they might actually get along pretty well, especially when Sana stepped forward brightly and shook his hand without hesitation, chatting like this was the most normal thing in the world. Then came Taki, who did his best to look cheerful and welcoming, though Jungwon could read the nerves in his posture and scent, recognizing the tension for what it was without holding it against him. Lastly came Maki, whose introduction was short and stiff, lacking any hint of a smile, and Jungwon felt an unexpected chill run down his spine, the youngest wolf was intimidating not just in height and build, but in the sharp, guarded energy he radiated, making it painfully clear that Jungwonâs presence here was anything but welcome.
Finally, EJ cleared his throat, the sound sharp enough to cut through the tension, sending a pointed glare first at Fuma and then at Nicholas, silently demanding they introduce themselves already. Fuma shot him a look right back, his eyes flashing amber twice in warning before he finally spoke, voice clipped and cold. âFuma,â he said simply, tightening his arm around Tara. âAnd this is my mate, Tara.â Jungwon nodded quickly, definitely feeling the weight of the wolfâs presence, but he still offered a polite smile. âHi. Nice to meet you,â he said, hoping his voice didnât betray how intimidated he felt.
Then it was Nicholasâ turn. His growl deepened, low and rumbling, sending a shiver straight down Jungwonâs spine, but before he could even speak, the girl in his lap beat him to it. âIâm Rocky,â she said brightly, clearly amused by the tension. âIâm a witch.â Then she pointed her thumb back at Nicholas. âAnd this is my grumpy mate, Nico. Or, well, Nicholas.â Jungwon blinked, then laughed softly despite himself. âNice to meet you,â he said, smile widening a little as he looked at her. Nicholas only huffed, arms tightening slightly around Rocky, but the growl faded, at least for now.
After the introductions, Jungwon ended up sitting down on the floor in the living room with Harua, Willow, Jo, Sana, Sunoo, Jay, Sora, Miyu, and Yuma, a loose circle forming as someone dragged out a stack of board games from the cabinet. âOkay, absolutely not Monopoly,â Sora said immediately, dropping down cross-legged. âI refuse to ruin friendships today.â Sunoo laughed. âYou say that like itâs not already doomed.â âHow about this one?â Willow asked, holding up a brightly colored box. Jo leaned over to read the title. âThat one takes like three hoursâŠâ âPerfect,â Sana said brightly. âWeâre stuck inside anyway.âÂ
Jungwon watched them for a moment, then smiled a little. âYou guys always like this?â âOnly on days that end in Y,â Yuma replied dryly, earning a snort from Jay. Despite the awkward start, things stayed mostly⊠civil. Jungwon laughed when he was supposed to, followed the rules, even when Sana explained them twice, and somehow managed to beat Sunoo in the first round. âThatâs suspicious,â Sunoo said, narrowing his eyes. âNo way youâre that lucky.â Jungwon lifted his hands. âBeginnerâs luck. I swear.â
Across the room, however, the tension hadnât gone anywhere. Fuma leaned against the wall, arms crossed, jaw tight. Nicholas sat rigidly in an armchair, eyes tracking Jungwon every time he laughed. And Maki stood near the doorway, silent, shoulders stiff, his wolf clearly restless beneath his skin. EJ noticed. He sighed quietly, rubbing a hand over his face, then glanced at Kei. âI need backup.â Kei nodded once. âYeah.â Aya caught the shift immediately. âHey,â she said gently, clapping her hands. âTara, Rocky, come with me. Taki too.â Taki blinked. âMe?â âYes, you,â Aya said with a soft smile. âBefore you stress yourself into another dimension.â Taki relaxed instantly. âThank you.â Rocky slid out of Nicholasâ lap, muttering, âTry not to start a war while Iâm gone.â âNo promises,â Nicholas grumbled. Tara squeezed Fumaâs arm. âPlease donât punch anyone.â Fuma exhaled through his nose. âIâll behave.â
Aya led Tara, Rocky, and Taki toward the basketball court, mostly just to give them something to do, and somewhere to be, while the tension inside cooled off. Meanwhile, EJ motioned sharply. âFuma. Nicholas. Maki. Outside. Now.â Maki stiffened. âWhat?â âNow,â EJ repeated. Kei followed behind them as support, hands in his pockets but posture alert. They moved around the back of the house, far enough away that raised voices wouldnât carry inside. The moment they were out of sight, EJ turned on them, arms crossed, expression hard. âAlright,â he said flatly. âWeâre talking. And weâre starting with why three grown wolves are acting like territorial teenagers over someone who hasnât done a single thing wrong.â
Nicholas didnât even wait for EJ to finish speaking. His eyes flashed gold, a low growl ripping from his chest as his fangs slipped out slightly. âYou donât get it,â he snapped. âWe almost lost you because of a vampire. Yeah, you survived, congratulations, but that doesnât erase the fact that you nearly died.â EJ stiffened, but Nicholas wasnât done. âAnd Rocky,â he continued, voice rougher now, raw. âShe nearly burned herself out freeing Tara from Heeseung. I almost lost her, I almost lost my mate, Euijoo. Sunghoon tried to kill you, Sora, hell, he tried to kill all of us. People got hurt. We lost Lila. We lost Jake. Our home turned into a battlefield.â His jaw clenched. âThe only vampire weâve ever met who didnât destroy something was Jay. He helped us. He healed Yuma. He fought with us. We donât know anything about this Jungwon, so no, I donât trust him.â
Fuma nodded sharply, eyes glowing faint amber. âAnd you donât know what that felt like,â he said to EJ, voice low but heavy. âYou chose not to accept Sora at first, that was your choice. I didnât get one. I was kept from my mate by a brainwashing vampire. I watched Tara suffer while I couldnât do a damn thing about it.â His fists clenched. âSo yeah, Iâm not exactly excited about welcoming another one into our home.â Maki stepped forward then, quieter, but no less serious. âLila was my friend,â he said, voice tight. âShe was kind. Gentle. And we had to send her away because of all that mess. She was hurt because of us. Because of vampires.â His eyes dropped briefly before lifting again. âI donât want to risk that happening again. Especially not now.â His jaw tightened. âNot when I just found my mate.â
The air went heavy with silence, thick with old wounds and memories that hadnât healed as much as any of them pretended. Kei shifted beside EJ, finally speaking. âNo oneâs saying your fears arenât valid,â he said calmly. âBut acting hostile from the start doesnât protect anyone, it just makes things worse.â EJ dragged a hand over his face, exhaling slowly. âI know what youâve all been through,â he said quietly. âI lived through it, too. I nearly died, too.â His eyes lifted, meeting each of theirs in turn. âBut Jay trusted him enough to bring him here. And Jay has never once betrayed us. Not even when he had every reason to walk away.â
Nicholas scoffed. âThat doesnât mean Jungwon deserves that trust.â âNo,â EJ agreed. âBut it also doesnât mean he deserves your hostility.â Fuma looked away, jaw tight. âSo what, weâre just supposed to pretend everythingâs fine?â âNo,â EJ said firmly. âYouâre supposed to not start a war before one exists.â Maki muttered, âHard to do when history keeps repeating itself.â EJ turned to him. âAnd you, especially you, need to cool it. You were openly hostile to him inside. He hasnât done anything. And youâre already on thin ice after the other day.â
Maki bristled. âI wasnât,â âYou were,â EJ cut in. âAnd I get why. But you donât get to let your fear turn into aggression. Not here.â Maki looked away, jaw tight. âI just donât want to lose anyone else.â The words hit harder than anything else heâd said. For a moment, no one spoke. Finally, EJ softened his tone. âNone of us do. Thatâs the point. Which is why we donât burn bridges before we know whatâs on the other side.â Kei added quietly, âWeâre not asking you to trust him. Just⊠tolerate him. For now.â Nicholas growled under his breath but didnât argue. Fuma sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. âFine. But if he steps out of line,â âHe wonât,â EJ said immediately. âAnd if he does, heâs gone. Thatâs the deal.âÂ
Maki nodded reluctantly. âIâll behave.â Nicholas shot him a look. âTry harder than that.â Maki huffed. âSays the guy who growled at him like he was about to bite his head off.â âTempting,â Nicholas muttered. Despite everything, Kei let out a quiet snort. âGreat. Progress.â EJ exhaled slowly. âGood. Then letâs go back inside before someone assumes weâre planning a coup.â Fuma muttered, âFeels like one.â But he turned toward the house anyway. And slowly, reluctantly, the tension began to loosen, just a fraction.
Meanwhile, Aya asked how Tara and Rocky were feeling, since they were the most affected by the vampireâs visit. Rocky took the basketball that Taki tossed her and shot it toward the hoop. It bounced off the rim, but she barely reacted. âHonestly? I donât feel much,â she said, shrugging. âJungwon wasnât involved in what happened. And when I walked through Taraâs memories, I never saw him. Heeseung kept her close constantly, so if Jungwon wasnât there, he probably wasnât part of that mess. Maybe he really is more like Jay. You know. Not an asshole.â
Tara took the next ball when Taki handed it to her. She aimed carefully and managed to score, smiling faintly before the smile faded again. âIâm⊠not great,â she admitted quietly. âBut itâs not really Jungwon. Iâm just scared some hidden memory of Heeseung is going to surface and wreck me out of nowhere.â She hugged her arms around herself slightly. âAnd Fuma isnât helping. Heâs supposed to ground me, but right now heâs just making me more anxious because I donât know if heâs going to stay calm or suddenly start a fight.â
Taki chimed in, saying he kind of felt the same. Fuma was always calm and in control, but the brother he was seeing now made him anxious, too, and that wasnât great, since his wolf was finally coming to the surface. He admitted he was scared that if he got too anxious, he might shift and lose control. Aya pulled him into a small hug. âItâs okay. Iâm sure EJ and Kei can talk some sense into them.â Rocky joked, âOtherwise, Iâll just spell them.â Tara laughed lightly at that, just as the boys came back around the house. Aya called them over, saying she mostly needed Fuma and Nico. They walked over, while EJ and Maki went inside, and Kei followed Fuma and Nico as the two grumpy wolves joined the girls.
Aya crossed her arms gently. âI think Rocky, Tara, and Taki should tell you how theyâre feeling.â Rocky went first, repeating what sheâd told the others, ending with a pointed look at Nicholas. âIâm not helpless, and I donât appreciate you making me feel like I am.â Nicholas smiled awkwardly, finally realizing how heâd been acting. Tara took a deep breath. âFuma⊠I am anxious,â she said quietly, âbut not in the way you think. And you're acting like youâre about to snap at any second? Thatâs actually making it worse.â Fuma froze, looking down at the ground. âI⊠I didnât realize I was doing that,â he muttered. âI thought I was protecting you.â âI know,â Tara said softly, stepping closer. âBut right now, I just need you to calm down. If youâre okay, then Iâll be okay too.â She hugged him, and after a second, he wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. âAlright,â he promised. âIâll calm down.â âAnd if you donât,â she added lightly, âIâll make you sleep in the dog house.â That made him huff out a laugh. âCruel.â âYou deserve it,â she teased, smiling, and with that, his wolf finally settled.
Taki shifted awkwardly before speaking up. âUh⊠I kind of feel the same, actually. Youâre usually so calm, Fuma, and seeing you like this makes me anxious too. And thatâs⊠not great, considering my wolfâs finally waking up.â Kei immediately stepped closer to him. âHey,â he said gently, âif you start feeling overwhelmed, come to me. Iâve got you, okay?â Taki nodded, relieved. âThanks. I appreciate that.â Aya looked between all of them, crossing her arms. âSo,â she said, tilting her head, âare we good now? Can we maybe stop glaring at the guest like weâre about to eat him?â Rocky snorted. âPlease. I was two seconds away from casting a calming spell on all of you.â Fuma groaned. âThat was not necessary.â âI disagree,â she shot back. Nicholas rubbed the back of his neck. âOkay, okay. Point taken.â Aya smiled. âGreat. Then letâs go back inside and try being decent hosts for once.â Everyone nodded, and together, they headed back into the house.
Soon enough, it was time for Miyu, Jay, and Maki to head to Koyomi, which meant Jungwon had to come too, since he wasnât allowed out of Jayâs sight during his visit. That was the rule. Jungwon practically bounced as they walked toward the cars. âIâm excited,â he said brightly. âJay hasnât cooked for me in forever. I miss your food.â Jay snorted. âYouâre about to be disappointed. I mostly just host now, seating people, taking orders. Miyu and Maki handle the cooking, and now (Y/n) does all the baking. I only cook on days when Maki or Miyu are sick or have school.â âOoo,â Jungwon said, eyes lighting up. âA bakery genius? I already like this place.â Maki kept quiet, walking beside them with his hands in his pockets. He half-expected Jungwon to ask about Lila, where sheâd gone, what happened to her, but he didnât. No reaction, no questions. It looked like Rockyâs spell really had worked on everyone outside the pack. Still, Maki couldnât help the tight feeling in his chest. He didnât love the idea of Jungwon being around (Y/n). He glanced at Jay, then at Jungwon, forcing his shoulders to relax. Get it together, he told himself. Heâd promised EJ heâd behave. But even so⊠he was still unhappy about the whole thing.
Once they reached Koyomi, Maki could tell (Y/n) was already there, her scent was strong and sweet, wrapping around him the second he stepped inside. The smell of fresh-baked cookies filled the restaurant, warm and comforting. Miyu blinked at the trays on the counter. âHow long have you been here?â she asked. âIt looks like you baked half the menu already.â (Y/n) laughed, glancing at the clock. âUm⊠maybe three hours? Or four? I kind of lost track.â Maki smiled softly, thinking you couldâve texted me, I wouldâve come early just to keep you company, but he kept it to himself, not wanting to come on too strong.
(Y/n)âs eyes drifted past him, landing on the unfamiliar face behind Jay. She tilted her head. âDid you suddenly get another brother you forgot to tell me about?â Everyone laughed. Jungwon stepped forward easily, offering his hand. âNot a brother, friend of Jayâs. Sort of a younger brother, though. Iâm Jungwon.â (Y/n) smiled and shook his hand. âNice to meet you, Iâm (Y/n).â Maki felt the low instinctive urge to growl rise in his chest, but he forced it down, jaw tightening instead. Jungwon caught the shift immediately, the tension in Makiâs shoulders, the flash of something feral in his eyes, and calmly took a step back, hands lifting slightly in surrender. âDonât worry,â Jungwon said lightly, glancing between them. âNot here to cause trouble.â (Y/n) blinked, confused by the sudden awkwardness. âUh⊠okay?â Maki cleared his throat, forcing a smile. âYeah. Heâs⊠visiting.â
~~~
The night passed quickly after that, and then a few more days slipped by just as fast. Jungwon stayed firmly in his lane, careful not to break any rules, and somehow, without trying too hard, he even became friends with most of the pack. Nicholas had opened up to him quicker than anyone expected, and while Fuma was still wary, heâd settled into something resembling polite tolerance.
Now it was Friday, and Maki had the day off from school again. The night before, heâd asked (Y/n) if she wanted to hang out before work, and Miyu and Jay had immediately offered to cover lunch so they could have extra time together. Maki had nearly short-circuited from happiness. So now they were walking through town, side by side, hands brushing occasionally but neither quite brave enough to grab the otherâs yet. âAnd then,â Maki was saying, gesturing wildly, âthe math test yesterday was brutal. Like, genuinely offensive.â
(Y/n) laughed. âOffensive?â âYes. Iâm pretty sure it personally attacked me.â She smiled. âI get that. Math was never my thing either. I liked art and English way more.â âYeah?â Maki glanced at her. âMineâs PE.â She groaned softly. âOf course it is.â Rolling her eyes. âWhat? That hurt,â he teased. âWhy donât you like it?â (Y/n) shrugged, gesturing vaguely at herself. âLook at me. I donât exactly look like someone who loves sports. And my classmates made sure to remind me of that.â Maki stopped walking. She took two more steps before noticing and turning back. âWhat?â He looked at her, brows furrowed, genuinely confused. âWhat are you talking about?â She blinked. âAbout⊠me not being sporty?â âNo,â he said, shaking his head. âAbout you talking about yourself like that.â
She shifted awkwardly. âI mean, itâs just true.â âIs it?â he asked softly. âBecause I donât see it.â She laughed a little, uncertain. âThatâs sweet, but,â âNo, Iâm serious.â He stepped closer, hands in his pockets like he didnât trust himself not to reach for her. âYou donât look like someone who hates sports. You look like someone who just didnât get treated right.â Her smile faded, replaced with something quieter. âYou donât have to say that.â âI know,â he said. âI want to.â She studied his face for a moment, then looked away, cheeks warm. âYouâre really bad for my self-esteem issues, you know that?â He grinned. âGood. Iâll bully them out of existence.â She laughed again, softer this time. âYouâre ridiculous.â âOnly for you,â he said without thinking. They both froze. Makiâs ears burned. âI⊠I mean,â (Y/n) smiled, eyes dropping to the sidewalk. âYeah,â she said quietly. âI noticed.â
They walked in comfortable peace for a while after that, drifting into lighter topics, favorite movies, embarrassing childhood stories, and the weirdest things customers had ever asked for at Koyomi. Eventually, hunger caught up to them, and they ducked into a small cafĂ© near the park. âIâm ordering dessert,â Maki announced confidently, scanning the menu. (Y/n) glanced up. âMaki, I really donât,â âNon-negotiable.â She sighed. âIâm serious, I,â He leaned across the table, lowering his voice dramatically. âOkay, but⊠what if we just share something?â She hesitated, then smiled despite herself. âYouâre impossible.â âEffective,â he corrected.
They ordered, ate their lunch, and when dessert arrived, they dug in together, two spoons and one plate, accidentally bumping hands and laughing about it. It was nice. Easy. Normal. Then the door opened. A group of guys around their age walked in, loud and careless, the kind that took up too much space without realizing it. Maki barely noticed at first, until he felt (Y/n)âs posture stiffen beside him. She didnât say anything, but he followed her gaze. Two of the guys were looking at her. Not just glancing, staring. Whispering. Snickering. Makiâs jaw tightened. âTheyâre just idiots,â he muttered under his breath, mostly to himself. (Y/n) tried to smile. âItâs fine.â But it wasnât.
The group ordered quickly, or maybe picked up something theyâd already called in about, and as they turned to leave, one of them slowed near their table. He looked (Y/n) up and down with open disgust. âHit the gym, you pig.â The spoon slipped from her fingers, clattering against the plate. Maki felt it before he thought it, heat flooding his chest, his vision sharpening, the world narrowing down to one target. His eyes flashed gold, and he had to squeeze them shut for half a second, forcing it down. (Y/n)âs hands were shaking. âHey,â Maki said softly, immediately standing, stepping in front of her without thinking. âWhat did you just say?â
The guy scoffed. âRelax, man. Iâm just being honest.â âApologize,â Maki said, voice low and dangerous. The guy laughed. âWhy? She deserves it.â That was it. Maki didnât even remember deciding; his fist was already moving. He struck the guy square in the chest, pulling his strength at the last second, but even restrained, the impact sent him flying backward into another table. Chairs scraped loudly across the floor, people shouting in surprise. âHoly shit!â âWhat the hell?!â (Y/n) gasped, standing up. âMaki!â
The guyâs friends spun around instantly, eyes wide before turning furious. âWhat the fuck did you do?!â One shoved Maki in the shoulder. Another grabbed at his shirt. Maki stumbled back a step, teeth gritted. Normally, he could have thrown all of them off in seconds, but he couldnât use his full strength. Not here. Not with humans. Not with (Y/n) watching. âBack off,â he growled, hands clenched at his sides, shaking with the effort not to shift. âHe had it coming.â âYeah?â one of them snapped. âYou wanna go?â They surged forward all at once. Behind him, (Y/n)âs voice shook. âMaki, please,â He turned his head just enough to meet her eyes. âHey,â he said quietly, even as fists grabbed at his shirt. âIâve got you. Okay?â
Then the first punch came from the side. The guys dragged Maki outside before anyone could really react. âMaki!â (Y/n) shouted, standing from her chair, her heart hammering in her chest as she ran out after them. She froze, hands clenched around the edge of the table, watching helplessly as they shoved him into the alley beside the cafĂ©. Every few seconds, one of them landed a hit, a punch to his ribs, a blow to his shoulder. âStop,â she whispered, tears burning behind her eyes. âPleaseâŠâ Then one of them swung harder, catching his cheek. She saw his head snap to the side. Blood dotted the pavement.Â
That was enough. Something shifted in Maki. He stopped holding back. With one sharp movement, he threw the guy gripping his jacket straight into the wall. Another rushed him, Maki caught his wrist and twisted, sending him stumbling back with a yelp. A third tried to tackle him, but Maki barely moved, just shoved him away hard enough that he fell flat on his back. âWhat the hell?â âDude, what is he?!â The group hesitated now, fear flashing across their faces. Even five against one, it was obvious they werenât winning. âForget it,â one of them muttered. âLetâs go.â They backed away, then turned and ran.
Maki stood there, chest heaving, hands trembling, not from pain, but from how close heâd come to losing control. âHey,â he said quickly, turning to (Y/n) as she rushed toward him. âAre you okay?â She didnât answer right away. Her eyes were wide, fixed on his face. âYouâre bleeding,â she whispered. Before he could stop her, she reached up, thumb brushing gently along his cheek. The blood wiped away. But there was no cut. No broken skin. Nothing. Her breath caught. âMaki⊠how?â His heart dropped into his stomach. He opened his mouth, closed it again, panic scrambling his thoughts for an excuse, makeup? lighting? adrenaline? But nothing felt right. Nothing felt fair to her.
âI,â he exhaled shakily. âGive me a few minutes. Please. Iâll explain. I promise.â She stared at him, confused and shaken, but nodded slowly. âOkayâŠâ He squeezed her hand once before turning back inside. The cafĂ© was buzzing with voices, people staring, the staff clearly rattled. Maki walked straight to the counter. âIâm so sorry,â he said quickly. âThat was my fault. Iâll cover whatever damages there are, tables, chairs, anything.â The barista blinked. âUh,â âSeriously,â he insisted, pulling out his wallet. âI didnât mean for any of this to happen.â After making sure everything was paid for, and adding extra, just in case, he grabbed his jacket and (Y/n)âs bag from their table.
She was waiting by the door, arms wrapped around herself. âReady?â he asked softly. She nodded, though her expression was tense. They stepped outside together and started walking toward Koyomi. The silence between them felt heavy. (Y/n)âs fingers kept twisting into the strap of her bag, her eyes flicking toward him every few seconds like she wanted to ask something but didnât know how. Maki noticed. âI swear,â he said quietly, breaking the silence, âIâll explain everything. I just⊠didnât want to do it in there.â She swallowed. âOkay.â But her heart was racing, and she couldnât shake the feeling that whatever he was about to tell her⊠was going to change everything.
Once they reached Koyomi and stepped inside, Jayâs head snapped up immediately. âMaki,â he gasped, eyes locking onto the dried blood on his cheek and the corner of his lip, then down to his red knuckles. âWhat the hell happened?â Maki glanced at (Y/n), then gave Jay a small shrug, the kind that clearly said Iâll explain later, itâs about her. Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. âOf course it is,â he muttered, then waved him toward the back. âGo. Clean up. Now.â Miyu turned at the sound of the door opening and closing, as she looked up, she froze.
âMaki.â Before he could react, she grabbed him by the collar and yanked him down to her height. âDid you seriously get into a fight?â she snapped, hand immediately moving to his face. âIâm fine,â he said quickly. âNo, youâre not,â she shot back, gripping his jaw with one hand and his collar with the other, turning his head left and right. âHold still.â âI said Iâm,â âMaki,â she warned, eyes sharp, âif youâre bleeding in my restaurant, youâre dead.â He huffed. âNot bleeding anymore.â âThatâs not the point.â She checked his cheek, his lip, then his knuckles. âWhat did you punch?â ââŠA guy?â Her eyes narrowed. âOne or more?â ââŠYeah.â âMaki.â âI said Iâm fine, but yeah, there were a few guys.â She released him with a frustrated sigh. âBathroom. Now. You are not working like this.â âYes, maâam,â he muttered, already backing away. âTwo minutes.â He disappeared down the hall.
(Y/n) slumped against the counter the second he was gone, exhaling shakily, her hands trembling just enough that she had to clasp them together. Miyu turned to her immediately, concern softening her expression. âOkay,â she said gently. âWhat happened?â (Y/n) hesitated, then sighed. âSome guys came into the cafĂ© we were at. They were⊠staring. Then one of them said something to me when they were leaving.â Miyuâs jaw tightened. âWhat kind of something?â (Y/n) swallowed. âHe told me to âhit the gym, pig.ââ Miyuâs eyes darkened. âOh.â
âI dropped my spoon,â (Y/n) continued quietly. âAnd then Maki just⊠stood up. Told him to apologize. The guy doubled down, and then,â She gestured helplessly. âHe punched him. And then the rest jumped in.â Miyu sighed, rubbing her temple. âYeah⊠that tracks.â (Y/n) frowned. âYouâre not surprised?â âNot really,â Miyu admitted. âMakiâs always had a⊠strong reaction to people being cruel. Especially to people he cares about.â (Y/n)âs heart twisted at that. âHe didnât even hesitate.â âNo,â Miyu said softly. âHe wouldnât.â
(Y/n) looked down at her hands. âAnd then⊠his face was bleeding. But when I wiped it away, there was nothing there.â Miyu froze. ââŠNothing?â She shook her head. âNo cut. No mark. Just gone.â Miyu stared at her for a long moment, expression unreadable, then let out a slow breath. âOkay.â âOkay?â (Y/n) echoed. âThatâs it?â Miyu gave her a small, reassuring smile. âThatâs it, for now. Maki promised heâd explain, didnât he?â ââŠYeah.â âThen let him,â Miyu said gently. âHeâs not the kind of person who lies when it matters.â (Y/n) nodded, though her stomach was tight with nerves.
Just then, the bathroom door opened. Maki stepped back into the kitchen, face clean now, hair still slightly damp from splashing water on it. The blood was gone, but the tension hadnât left his shoulders. Miyu pointed at him. âSit. Youâre benched until I say otherwise.â âYes, coach,â he muttered, sliding onto one of the stools. She turned back to (Y/n). âYou good?â (Y/n) nodded slowly. âI think so.â Maki glanced between them, then said quietly, âHey⊠can we talk? Like. Somewhere private.â Her heart skipped. ââŠYeah.â Miyu watched them for a second, then waved a hand. âStorage roomâs empty. Go.â Maki stood, hesitating just long enough to make sure (Y/n) was actually following him, she was, before leading her toward the back. The door shut behind them. The silence felt heavier than anything that had happened outside.
(Y/n) leaned against a wall, looking at Maki, expecting an explanation, even more so as she now looked at his clean face, without any traces of a cut or bruise. âHow?â she asked quietly. Maki leaned against the opposite wall, taking a deep breath. âDo you want the full and honest truth,â he said, âeven if it might shock you, even if you might hate me after?â (Y/n) nodded. âI want the truth. No matter what.â Maki nodded. âOkay.â Then he closed his eyes, letting his wolf eyes glow gold, his fangs sliding out, before opening them again and meeting her gaze.
She gasped. âMakiâ Her hand flew to her mouth as she stared at his eyes, then at his teeth. He almost whined when her scent shifted, fear flooding the room. He took a step closer instinctively, but she shook her head, and he instantly stepped back. âMonster,â she whispered. His heart shattered. âIâm not a monster,â he said softly. âIâm just a werewolf⊠though to you, that might be the same thing.â (Y/n) asked if this was a trick. Maki shook his head. âNo. I would never do that to you. Iâd never lie about this.â
She looked shocked, unable to process it. Suddenly, she grabbed a glass from the shelf beside her and threw it at him. He caught it instantly, with speed and precision. Maki stared at the glass in his hand as his wolf retreated, his fangs disappearing, his eyes fading back to their warm human brown. His chest ached, his wolf felt the rejection immediately. She hated him. She feared him. And he didnât know how to fix it. (Y/n) watched as his eyes returned to the ones she had found herself loving, the playful Maki sheâd grown to enjoy being around. But she still saw a monster standing in front of her, holding the glass she had thrown. She turned and walked toward the door. âPlease donât tell anyone,â Maki said quietly. She stopped, her hand on the handle. âI wonât.â Then she opened the door and left him there alone. Maki fell to his knees, clutching the glass to his chest as a few tears slipped down his cheeks.
Miyu turned when she heard the storage room door open and close, expecting to see (Y/n) and Maki walk out together, hand in hand, smiling. Instead, only (Y/n) stepped out, silent tears streaming down her face. She brushed past Miyu quickly. âI, I need to go home,â she whispered, not stopping, not looking back. âHey!â Miyu started, but the girl was already at the door. It swung shut behind her, the bell chiming softly. Miyu stood there for a second, chest tight, her instincts screaming that something had gone very, very wrong.
She turned sharply and pushed through the kitchen doors into the restaurant, spotting Jay and Jungwon near the counter. âJay,â she called. Jay jogged over immediately. âWhatâs wrong?â Her voice dropped. âI need you to take over the kitchen for a bit.â He frowned. âWhy? What happened?â âMaki,â she said quietly. That was all it took. Jayâs expression shifted instantly. âWhat about him?â âI donât know yet,â she admitted. âBut (Y/n) just left crying, and heâs still in the storage room.â Jay exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. âShitâŠâ Jay nodded. âGo. Iâve got it.â Then, more gently, âLet me know if you need anything.â
Miyu walked down the hallway toward the storage room, her steps slowing the closer she got. Her heart ached before she even opened the door, that quiet, sinking feeling that came whenever one of her pack was hurting and she couldnât fix it fast enough. She opened the door carefully. âMakiâŠ?â Her breath caught. He was on the floor, knees pulled to his chest, arms wrapped tightly around himself, or around something. When she stepped closer, she saw it was the glass. He was clutching it like it was the only thing keeping him grounded, shoulders shaking as silent sobs tore through him. âOh, babyâŠâ Miyu whispered.
She crossed the room quickly and dropped to her knees in front of him. âHey. Hey, look at me.â He didnât. His eyes stayed on the floor. âMaki,â she said again, softer this time, her hand hovering before gently resting on his arm. âTalk to me. What happened?â His lips trembled. For a moment, she thought he wouldnât answer at all. Then, barely louder than a breath, he whispered, âShe⊠she called me a monster.â Miyuâs chest tightened painfully. âOh,â she murmured. âOh, MakiâŠâ He squeezed the glass harder, knuckles whitening. âI showed her. I told her the truth. And she,â His voice cracked. âShe was scared.â
Miyu swallowed hard, blinking fast. âOf course she was,â she said gently. âSheâs human. This world is a lot, even for the strongest people. That doesnât mean she hates you.â âBut she looked at me like I wasnât, like I wasnât me anymore,â he whispered. âLike I was something else.â Miyu shifted closer, her knees brushing his. âYouâre still you,â she said firmly. âYouâre still Maki. Youâre still my annoying little brother who steals snacks and pretends he didnât. Youâre still the boy who cares too much and loves too hard. Nothing about that changes.â
His breathing stuttered. âShe threw this glass at me,â he muttered. âI caught it, and then my wolf justâŠâ He shook his head. âIt went away. Like it didnât want to be there anymore.â That made her heart ache even more. She reached out, gently prying the glass from his hands and setting it aside. Then she cupped his face, forcing him to look at her. His eyes were red, lashes wet, face completely broken open. âYouâre not a monster,â she said softly but clearly. âYouâre a werewolf. And youâre one of the kindest people I know.â He let out a shaky breath. âShe was scared of me.â âI know,â Miyu said. âAnd that hurts. I wonât pretend it doesnât. But fear doesnât mean rejection. It means shock. It means she needs time.â He didnât answer, just crumpled forward, pressing his forehead into her shoulder.
Miyu wrapped her arms around him instantly, holding him tight. âItâs okay,â she whispered into his hair. âIâve got you. You donât have to be strong right now.â His fingers twisted into the fabric of her shirt as he finally broke, sobbing openly. Miyu closed her eyes, rubbing slow circles into his back. After a moment, she pulled out her phone with one hand and typed quickly. Maki. Koyomi. Now. She hit send. Then she tightened her hold on him, rocking him slightly. âYouâre not alone,â she murmured. âYou hear me? Not now. Not ever.â
Somewhere deep in the pack bond, she felt it, the sharp, wrong emptiness where Makiâs wolf had retreated. And almost immediately after, the familiar pull of another presence rushing closer. Fuma was already on his way. Fuma ran in the second he reached Koyomi, breath uneven, eyes scanning the restaurant until they landed on Jay. âWhereâs Maki?â he demanded. Jay didnât hesitate, pointing down the hallway. âStorage room.â Fuma was already moving.
His chest felt tight, from Miyuâs text, from the strange, hollow pull heâd felt in the pack bond, but nothing prepared him for what he saw when he opened the door. Maki was in Miyuâs arms on the floor, shoulders shaking, face buried against her as he cried. âHey,â Fuma breathed, his voice breaking instantly. He crossed the room and dropped to his knees beside them. When Maki looked up, eyes red and wet, Fuma didnât see the nineteen-year-old in front of him. He saw the five-year-old boy heâd found wandering alone, crying for parents who never came back. The kid heâd carried home. The kid heâd raised. The kid who trusted him with everything. Miyu loosened her hold, letting Maki fall forward into Fuma instead. Fuma wrapped his arms around him immediately, pulling him close. âIâve got you,â he murmured, pressing his forehead to Makiâs hair. âIâm here.â Maki clutched at his shirt like he used to when he was little, sobs shaking through him.
They stayed like that for a long moment, the room quiet except for Makiâs breathing slowly evening out. Eventually, Miyu stood. âI need to get back to the kitchen,â she said softly. âDonât leave him alone.â âI wonât,â Fuma promised. When the door closed behind her, Fuma looked down at Maki. âTalk to me.â Maki swallowed hard. âThere was a fight⊠at the cafĂ©. Some guys said stuff to (Y/n). I lost it.â His voice cracked. âShe saw me heal. Then I told her the truth. About being a werewolf.â
Fumaâs jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing, letting him continue. âShe was scared,â Maki whispered. âShe called me a monster.â Fumaâs arms tightened around him. âOh, MakiâŠâ âI ruined everything,â he choked. âShe looked at me like I wasnât me anymore.â âNo,â Fuma said firmly, pulling back just enough to look at him. âYou didnât ruin anything. You were honest. That takes courage. And fear doesnât mean hate, it means shock.â Maki shook his head weakly. âIt didnât feel like that.â âI know,â Fuma said softly, brushing his thumb over Makiâs hair. âBut this isnât over. Not even close. Itâs going to be okay. Weâll fix this. Somehow.â Maki leaned into him again, exhausted, broken. Fuma held him tighter. âYouâre not alone,â he murmured. âNot now. Not ever.â
After another thirty minutes, Fuma finally spoke. âLetâs go home.â Maki nodded, too tired to answer. They said goodbye to Miyu, Jay, and Jungwon. Jungwon looked at Maki a little longer than the others, sensing something was wrong, more than that, he noticed he couldnât feel his wolf at all, but he didnât say anything. He knew this wasnât the time. After the drive home, Maki collapsed onto the couch, completely exhausted. EJ walked over, clearly about to ask what happened, but Fuma shook his head slightly. âNot now,â he said quietly. âHe doesnât need questions. He needs rest.â EJ nodded in understanding.
Still, he recognized the look on Makiâs face, the exhaustion, the pain. Rejection. Or at least, his wolf believed heâd been rejected. What worried EJ was how fast it was happening. It had taken him days to reach that state. For Maki, it had only taken an hour. As Maki fell asleep on the couch, Fuma and EJ gathered the whole pack, except for Miyu, Jay, and well Jungwon, who were still at Koyomi.
Fuma explained everything, from the fight at the cafĂ© to (Y/n) seeing Maki heal, to the storage room, ending with, âWe need a plan. Fast. Or we might lose him.â Silence fell over the room. Fuma turned to the girls. âAny ideas? You might understand her side better.â Aya frowned, thinking. âI get how shocking it is⊠but not like that. I was already in love with Kei when I found out.â She shook her head. âSame with me,â Sana said softly, and Willow nodded in agreement. Rocky crossed her arms. âMaybe someone should talk to her. But that could also make it worse. She might feel betrayed that no one warned her.â
Sora sighed. âHonestly? I think the only one who can fix this is Maki himself.â Everyone looked at her. âHeâs the one she trusts. Heâs the one she feels close to. From her perspective, the sweet guy she likes suddenly got into a violent fight and turned out to be⊠this. Of course she freaked out.â The room went quiet again. Tara stepped forward, voice quiet but steady. âI felt the same way she probably does now. The first time Heeseung told me about the supernatural, I was confused⊠hurt⊠angry⊠scared. All of it.â She swallowed. âI think the only reason I adjusted back then was because of the mind control. But I remember feeling like I needed time. And proof. Proof that he wasnât a monster, no matter what the stories said.â
She looked down at her hands. â(Y/n) probably feels the same. She needs to see that Maki is still Maki. He was always a werewolf, the only thing that changed is that now she knows.â The room fell quiet. Everyone looked at Tara, surprised that sheâd spoken up, but it made sense. It was logical. And it was the best plan they had. Fuma pulled her into his side, kissing her temple and whispering, âThank you.â Now all they could do was wait for Maki to wake up, and help him figure out what to do next.
Three hours later, Miyu returned to the village, having been too worried about Maki, so she left Koyomi to Jay and Jungwon, who promised to help, but stay out of the kitchen, or else he might burn the restaurant down. Yuma met her the second she stopped the car, pulling her into a hug and kissing her temple. âHey⊠how are you?â âIâm fine,â she said softly, hugging him back. âHowâs Maki?â Yuma hesitated. âNot great.â Miyu sighed, tightening her arms around him. âI figured. The way (Y/n) reacted was bad.â She pulled back slightly. âShe threw a glass at him.â Yumaâs eyes widened. âShe did what?â âYeah,â Miyu murmured. âFuma didnât tell you?â He shook his head, frowning. âNo⊠he didnât.â âMaybe he forgot,â Miyu said quietly. âOr maybe he didnât want to make it worse.â
Inside, Maki was awake, but barely. His eyes were dull, unfocused, his skin pale. He looked like someone whoâd been sick for weeks, drained of everything. When he tried to speak, his voice came out rough and strained, like his throat was raw. Every wolf in the room could feel it. Makiâs wolf was suffering. It was a feeling far too familiar, the same one theyâd felt with EJ, back when heâd refused to accept Sora. Sora tried to use her healing powers on Maki, but nothing worked. The only remedy to a mateâs rejection was their acceptance, and his mate didnât even know sheâd rejected him. Rocky and Sunoo tried combining their magic, hoping to spark something in him, anything, but it was like everything they did just bounced right off. âShould we call (Y/n)?â Sana asked quietly. âItâs only been a few hours, but maybe we should check on her, too.â Aya shook her head. âNo. She wonât be feeling this. Sheâs human, sheâs in shock, probably confused, but sheâs not dying. She needs time. And space.â She looked back at Maki. âTomorrow, we can think about talking to her. For now, our priority is him.âÂ
Tara sat beside Fuma on the couch, close enough that their knees brushed, but even that small contact didnât seem to ground him. His leg bounced relentlessly, hands clasped together so tightly his knuckles had gone pale. His jaw was clenched, eyes fixed on nothing in particular, like he was replaying every moment of the last few days in his head. âI shouldâve been there,â he muttered suddenly. âI shouldâve warned him. Prepared him. I knew this could happen.â His voice cracked with frustration. âHeâs nineteen, Tara. Heâs a kid. And I let him walk straight into this alone.â She reached out, placing her hand over his fists, gently forcing his fingers to loosen. âFuma,â she said softly, âlook at me.â
He didnât at first. His breathing was shallow, uneven, chest rising too fast for someone who hadnât moved in twenty minutes. âFuma,â she repeated, firmer this time. He finally looked at her, eyes wild with guilt. âHeâs breaking,â he whispered. âI can feel it. His wolfâs shutting down and I,â His voice dropped. âI raised him. This is on me.â Tara shook her head immediately. âNo. Itâs not.â She slid closer, pressing her forehead to his temple. âYouâve done everything you could. You always do everything you can. But you canât protect him from every kind of pain.â He let out a rough breath. âI was supposed to protect him from this.â âYou couldnât,â she said gently. âNo one could. Not even EJ. Not even Miyu. This was always something only Maki could face.â She pulled his hands apart and laced her fingers through his. âAnd he didnât fail. He told her the truth. That took courage.â Fuma swallowed hard, his grip tightening around her hands instead. âAnd look where it got him.â âRight now?â she said quietly. âIt got him hurt. But that doesnât mean it ends here.â
He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. âI shouldâve seen the signs. I shouldâve told him to wait. Or told her myself. Or,â His breathing hitched. âI shouldâve done something.â Tara moved, sitting sideways on his lap without asking, arms wrapping around his shoulders, pulling his face into her neck. âHey,â she murmured. âHey. Stop.â He froze at the contact, then slowly sagged into her, forehead pressed to her collarbone. âThis isnât your fault,â she whispered. âThings go wrong sometimes. Even when everyone does their best. What matters isnât what you shouldâve done, itâs what we do now.â His arms came around her tightly, like he was afraid if he let go, heâd fall apart. âI donât know how to fix this,â he admitted, voice muffled against her shoulder. âYou donât have to fix everything,â she said softly. âYou just have to be here. For him. And right now, for yourself.â
He pulled back just enough to look at her, eyes red, tired. âHow are you so calm about this?â She shrugged lightly. âI donât know. Iâm not calm. Iâm scared too.â She brushed her thumb under his eye, gently. âBut Iâve learned that panic never helps. And⊠before Heeseung, I was studying psychology. Maybe some of thatâs still buried in my brain somewhere.â He gave a weak, breathless laugh. âOf course you were.â She smiled faintly. âGuess itâs finally useful.â He pulled her back into him, holding her tighter now, like she was the only thing keeping him upright. âYouâre amazing,â he murmured into her hair.
The night passed in restless silence. No one slept properly, doors creaked, footsteps padded through hallways, and every few hours someone checked on Maki, who lay awake on the couch staring at the ceiling, his wolf silent inside him. The house felt wrong without its usual warmth. Breakfast wasnât much better. Maki barely touched his food, pushing his eggs around the plate while the others sat scattered around the kitchen, all tense in their own ways. Even Jungwon seemed subdued, for about five minutes.
âI have an idea,â Jungwon said suddenly, brightening. âWhat if I sneak up on (Y/n), scare her, and then Maki shows up and saves her? Instant hero moment.â Makiâs head snapped up. âNo.â His voice came out harsher than he meant to, but his wolf didnât stir behind it, and that somehow made it worse. âYou donât have to growl,â Jungwon said quickly. âI was just suggesting,â âNo,â Maki repeated, quieter now. âAbsolutely not.â âThatâs a terrible idea,â Sana said immediately. âAnd traumatizing,â Sora added. âSheâs human, not a side quest,â Aya muttered. Jungwon lifted his hands. âOkay, okay, but technically, she wouldnât even know it was me. I can shapeshift.â Everyone blinked. âYou can what?â Sunoo asked. âNot animals or objects,â Jungwon clarified. âJust⊠face shape, hair color, stuff like that. Enough to be unrecognizable.â
Nicholas tilted his head thoughtfully. âI mean⊠that might actually,â Rocky smacked his shoulder. âNo. We donât scare people into liking us.â Nicholas winced. âOw. Okay, fair.â Maki stayed silent, shoulders tense, eyes fixed on his plate. Willow noticed. âHey,â she said gently, turning to him. âWhat do you want to do? Because right now it kind of feels like weâre all deciding for you.â
He hesitated. âI⊠donât know,â he admitted quietly. âI donât want to pressure her. I donât want her to feel trapped or scared or like she has to forgive me.â Aya leaned forward. âYou donât have to pressure her. But you should talk to her. Just⊠talk. Let her see youâre still you.â Maki swallowed. âWhat if she doesnât want to see me?â âThen you respect that,â Aya said softly. âBut at least sheâll know you tried. And she deserves the truth, not silence.â The table fell quiet after that, everyone looking at Maki. He nodded faintly. âOkay,â he said. âIâll talk to her.â
~~~
The next day, Maki woke up before sunrise and walked to (Y/n)âs apartment, Miyuâs text with the address burning in his pocket like it might disappear if he didnât keep checking it. He felt awful, emotionally, physically, in every way possible. His wolf was fading, and so was he. Even walking felt heavier than it should have, as if gravity had doubled overnight. Still, he made it. He could hear her inside before he even reached the door, soft footsteps, a cupboard opening, the quiet clink of something being set down. His hearing still worked, at least. Seemed like the only part of him that did anymore.
He stood there for a moment, staring at the door, chest tight. She could see him through the peephole. She might not open. She might tell him to leave. But he had to try. He lifted his hand and knocked. Inside, everything went quiet. He could hear her stop moving, like she was thinking about who it could be. Then her voice came through the door, tight and distant. âI donât want to talk to you, Maki.â His chest ached like something had cracked open inside him. He knocked again, softer this time. âPlease,â he said, voice low, rough around the edges.
He could hear her steps now, closer to the door. Not opening it, just standing there. âI just⊠I just need one minute,â he said quietly. âThatâs all. One minute.â Silence. He rested his forehead against the door, eyes closing. âPlease,â he whispered again, barely loud enough to reach her, praying to the moon sheâd give him the smallest chance, just enough to explain. Suddenly, he heard the lock click. He straightened immediately, pulling away from the door just as it opened. She stood there, looking up at him, and he could tell instantly sheâd been crying; her eyes were red, glassy, exhausted. There was still fear in them, a tremor she couldnât hide, but it wavered when she took in how bad he looked, like someone barely standing upright, like a walking corpse.
âCan I⊠come inside?â he asked quietly. (Y/n) wanted to say no. She really did. But something in her also wanted answers, wanted to understand, so instead she stepped aside, letting him pass. Inside, she gestured toward the couch. He sat down slowly. She took the armchair across from him instead, keeping her distance. Silence settled between them. Maki tried to speak, but every breath felt heavy, like pain crowded his throat the second he tried to push words past it. He stared at the floor, hands clenched together, searching for the strength to start.
âIâm sorry,â he said. That was his start. Heâd spent the entire night thinking about what to say, replaying conversations in his head, but now that he was actually here, sitting in front of her, his mind was empty. He wanted to say the right thing. He just didnât know what the right thing was. Her first question caught him so off guard that he started coughing. âDo you eat people?â she blurted out. âIs that why you work at the restaurant?â Maki shook his head frantically, trying to say no through his coughing fit. When he finally got it under control, he looked at her, baffled. âNo. Why would you ask that?â She shrugged. âSome werewolves in fiction do that.â He sighed softly. âYeah, some are portrayed that way. But in reality, werewolves protect humans. Mostly from vampires. Though⊠Itâs not as bad as it was a couple of centuries ago.â
âOkay,â (Y/n) said slowly. âDoes Miyu know?â He nodded. âYeah. Yuma too. Heâs my brother, and a werewolf. Actually⊠all of my brothers are.â She nodded, processing that. âThat makes sense,â she murmured, then looked back up at him. âThen why didnât you tell me before? Why did you let me go almost two months without knowing?â Maki took a deep breath, bracing himself before answering. He said that he wanted to tell her, he really did, he just didnât want to scare her. He never meant for her to find out like that. But telling her he was a werewolf also meant telling her something else, and that was what scared him most.
She frowned. âWhat do you mean?â âCan I⊠explain that later?â he asked quietly. (Y/n) sighed, frustration flashing across her face, but she nodded. âFine.â Then she asked, âDoes Jay know?â Maki nodded. âYeah. Jay is,â He hesitated. âUm. A vampire.â (Y/n) shot to her feet. âWhat?â âHeâs a vampire,â Maki said quickly, clearing his throat, âbut heâs nice. Heâs Miyuâs best friend. He saved her from a rogue vampire years ago, and theyâve been close ever since.â âSo heâs not going to try and drink my blood?â she asked sharply. Maki shook his head. âNo. Jay only drinks animal blood, and not by killing them. He has a contract with one of our meat suppliers. They think itâs for the restaurant, but itâs not.â (Y/n) nodded slowly, sitting back down. âOkay.â
(Y/n) asked why Maki had been so friendly to her. âIâm friendly to everyone,â he said. âThatâs not what I mean,â she replied. âWhy did you treat me differently from Miyu? I assume sheâs human, too. Why were you always helping me? Did you think I couldnât do things on my own? That Iâm fragile?â âNo,â Maki said immediately. âThatâs not it at all. I was doing that because I was⊠kind of flirting with you. Iâm not great with words, so I thought if I helped you out, maybe youâd like me.â âWhy?â she asked quietly. âWhy would someone like you,â she gestured to his body, âlike someone like me?â Then she gestured to herself.
Maki felt frustration twist in his chest. Had she really not understood? He said, âWhy wouldnât I like you?â finally finding some strength in his voice, like his wolf felt the hurt in hers and wanted to prove her wrong. âBecause no one likes me,â she said, anger and hurt bleeding into her voice. Her eyes glossed over as she continued. âSince I was ten, Iâve been alone. No friends. No one wanted to be friends with the loser girl who spent all her time baking and eating everything herself because she had no one to share it with. So I gained weight. And anyone whoâs ever shown interest in me only did it for a dare, or as a joke. So why should I believe you would actually like me?â
Maki stood up from the couch and walked over, sinking down onto his knees in front of her. He gently rested his hands on her knees. âI donât see you that way,â he said softly. âI see the person who lights up a room. Your laugh is contagious; it makes my day better even when itâs been terrible. Youâre warm and kind. Youâre passionate. Youâre cute when youâre deciding how to decorate a cake. Youâre beautiful when you smile. Your eyes sparkle when you talk about baking or your favorite movie.â His voice wavered slightly. âI see a beautiful young woman who can only make my life better.â (Y/n) stared into his eyes, searching for a lie, anything, but she found nothing. Slowly, she lifted her hands to his cheeks, leaned in, and kissed him.
He reciprocated in a heartbeat, reaching up with one hand to cup her cheek, his thumb brushing gently under her eye as if he could wipe away every tear sheâd ever cried. The kiss tasted salty from them, soft and desperate all at once. When they finally pulled apart, he rested his forehead against hers. âPlease donât talk about yourself like you donât matter,â he whispered. âLike you donât have any worth. Because you do. You matter so much. Especially to me.â He stayed there on his knees, not wanting to move away from her.
(Y/n) frowned slightly, her hands still resting on his shoulders. âWhy do you look⊠terrible?â He sighed, shoulders slumping. âBecause I canât push this off anymore. Itâs time I tell you the full truth. I wouldâve yesterday, but⊠I didnât get the chance.â She looked down at the floor, remembering the word sheâd thrown at him, monster, but she stayed quiet, letting him speak. âDo you know how in Twilight,â he started carefully, âJacob imprints on Renesmee?â She nodded slowly, confused. âYeahâŠ?â âWell,â Maki continued, âreal werewolves have something similar. Itâs not called imprinting; itâs called a mate bond. Every werewolf has one person theyâre destined to fall in love with. The only person they can ever truly love.â His voice dropped. âAnd if that person rejects them⊠the werewolf loses their life.â
âThe way you reacted yesterday,â he said quietly, âit felt like rejection. So my wolf⊠kind of started dying. Which means I am too.â He swallowed. âThatâs why I came here today. To try and fix this. To ask you to give me a chance.â (Y/n)âs eyes widened as she stared at him. âSo⊠Iâm your mate?â Maki nodded. âYeah. Sorry, I didnât really clarify that part. You are.â âWait,â she said suddenly, panic creeping into her voice. âYouâre dying?â He nodded, then quickly shook his head. âWell⊠it kind of depends on what you say now.â She blinked, trying to process everything. âSo thatâs why you didnât tell me you were a werewolf?â
He nodded again. âIf I told you that, youâd find out about my brothers. And then about the mate bond. And then Iâd have to tell you all of this way too early. I never wanted to pressure you into anything.â Her shoulders sagged. âIâm⊠sorry. For calling you a monster. It was just⊠a lot.â He gave a small, tired smile. âI get it. I probably reacted the same way to Jay when I found out he was a vampire.â He paused. âAnd Jungwon, too. Heâs a vampire as well. That was only like⊠a week ago.â
Maki stood up slowly, feeling a little stronger, his wolf stirring just beneath the surface, not fully awake, but breathing again, alive in a way it hadnât been since yesterday. He looked at her, rubbing the back of his neck. âIâm sorry for springing all of this on you,â he said quietly. âAnd for starting that fight yesterday. Itâs just⊠hearing people be mean to you drives me insane. And even more when you talk like you donât matter.â His voice softened. âWhen youâre everything to me.â (Y/n) wiped away the last tear clinging to her lashes, letting out a shaky breath. âI was⊠impressed,â she admitted. âNo oneâs ever stood up for me like that. No one except my grandma. She was the only one who really cared.â
She looked down at her hands. âSo I think⊠over the years, I just got used to being treated badly. I locked myself away. Itâs easier to be alone by choice than to give someone the chance to leave you.â Her voice wavered. âAnd yesterday⊠I think I saw a chance to run from you. Because what I was really afraid of was accepting that you care. That you actually like me.â She glanced up at him, eyes shining. âSo it was easier to call you a monster. Because if I chose to run, then you couldnât be the one to hurt me.â Maki reached out a hand. She hesitated only a second before taking it, letting him pull her to her feet. He drew her close, close enough that she leaned into his chest, tilting her head up to meet his eyes. âI would never hurt you,â he said softly. âNot intentionally. Never.â That familiar voice crept into her mind, heâs lying, youâre not good enough, but she pushed it away. It was scary, and she still didnât know what came next, but she chose to trust him. âI know,â she whispered.Â
Maki exhaled like heâd been holding his breath for hours and wrapped his arms around her tighter. âAre you⊠okay with it?â he asked. âMe being a werewolf and all.â She thought for a moment. âItâs still shocking,â she admitted. Then her lips twitched. âBut kind of fun too. Do you, like⊠act like a dog?â Maki sighed dramatically, hugging her tighter. âI wouldnât say that,â he muttered. âBut the girls definitely would. They say all of us act like dogs.â (Y/n) laughed softly into his chest. After they sat down on the couch together, (Y/n) asked softly, âAre all the girls human?â Maki shook his head. âNope. Aya, Miyu, Sana, Tara, and Willow are human. Soraâs a vampire, Rockyâs a witch, oh, and Sunooâs a wizard, although heâs not one of the girls.â (Y/n) blinked and laughed. âThatâs⊠a lot.â He chuckled. âYou get used to it.â
She shifted slightly beside him. âDo you think theyâll like me?â Maki turned toward her, smiling. âThey already do. A lot. Theyâve been really open to everyone whoâs joined the pack.â Then he paused. âAlthough, fair warning, Rocky will probably attack you with fabric swatches and outfit ideas. Itâs easier to just go along with it than try to say no. The witch always gets her way.â (Y/n) laughed. âYeah, I noticed. She was pretty pushy when we met at the pond.â Maki laughed with her. âTrue, but her heartâs in the right place.â
They sat on the couch talking for an hour or two, eventually ending up cuddling. (Y/n) lay against Maki, her back to his chest, her head resting on his shoulder, his arms wrapped around her waist, his chin resting lightly atop her head. He never wanted to move. She was telling him about the first time she tried making her own recipe and how catastrophic it turned out, too much baking soda, a bitter cake, and an oven she had to scrub for nearly a week. Her hands moved animatedly as she talked, making him smile softly into her hair. Maki was back to his original warmth and strength, no longer fading, his wolf finally calm and alive again as she accepted the mating bond. She might not have said it out loud, but she didnât need to, her actions were more than enough.
Eventually, when she checked the time, she shot out of his arms, loudly saying they were going to be late for work. Maki said it was fine, that Miyu and Jay wouldnât be angry. (Y/n) turned to him, slightly offended, saying she cared, she took work seriously, and she thought he did too. Maki stood up straight, jokingly saluting. âYes, maâam, I do.â She threw a few things at him, telling him to pack them into her bag by the door. He caught every single one, stuffing them neatly inside while she rushed to the bathroom to change out of her pajamas and into work clothes. Right then, Fuma sent him a mindlink. How is it going? Itâs okay. Weâre good, Maki replied. Fuma sighed in relief. See you later.
As (Y/n) came back, Maki smiled and reached out one hand, waiting for her to take it. After slipping on her shoes, she did, laughing as she said she never thought heâd be so clingy. He started to pull back, about to apologize, but she stopped him, tightening her grip. âI like it,â she said. âSo donât stop.â He laughed, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. âGood. I wonât. I can be even clingier if you want.â She laughed. âLetâs start with just this.â
As they walked toward Koyomi, (Y/n) suddenly stopped. Maki turned to her. âDid you forget something?â She shook her head. âWait, if I accept all this mate business⊠does that mean I have to move?â Maki shrugged. âWell, everyone else did, and weâve got space, but you donât have to unless you want to. And we can wait. You donât have to move tomorrow.â She laughed, shaking her head. âNah, letâs pack my bags tonight. I hate that apartment, itâs awful, moldy, and run-down. Iâve been looking for somewhere new, but nothingâs ever in my budget.â Maki laughed. âPerfect timing then,â he said as they kept walking.
Once they reached Koyomi, Miyu, Jay, and Jungwon were already there, opening up. Miyu smiled the moment she saw them holding hands, while Jungwon waved enthusiastically, then frowned when neither of them waved back. (Y/n) noticed. âIs that⊠normal vampire behavior?â Jay sighed, then laughed. âNo, thatâs just a Jungwon trait. He loves attention and gets jealous easily, but heâs harmless.â Miyu turned to (Y/n). âAre you okay with everything?â (Y/n) nodded. âYeah. Itâs still a lot to grasp, but Iâm okay. And⊠sorry about yesterday.â Miyu waved her hand. âItâs fine. Whatâs the supernatural world without a little drama?â
Jay smiled. âAlright, letâs get to work. The whole pack is coming by in a few hours, so we need a lot of food and cakes. Plus, weâve got a big reservation for a ten-year-oldâs birthday party.â âYes, boss,â Maki said with a chuckle as they headed into the kitchen, all of them getting to work, (Y/n) baking, Miyu and Maki cooking, Jay and Jungwon setting up tables. Once the pack came by, Fuma felt a wave of relief crash over him when he saw Maki smiling, laughing, and looking like himself again. His shoulders finally relaxed from the tight, tense position theyâd been stuck in since yesterday. Tara leaned in beside him, her voice soft but smug. âSee? I told you heâd be fine.â Fuma let out a breath he didnât realize heâd been holding and leaned closer to her. âYouâre really good at this stuff. Maybe you should find a job where you can actually use that brain.â Tara smiled. âYeah⊠maybe.âÂ
Kei glanced over at Sana and Jo. âSo, how are the projects going? I havenât heard much.â Sana straightened a little. âTheyâre actually going really well. Aya and Harua have been helping a lot, correcting things and teaching me stuff.â Jo nodded. âYeah. I turned my paintings in yesterday. Iâm really happy with them, especially after Rocky helped me find this perfect red quilt. I used it as Red Riding Hoodâs hood; it was a bit extra, but Iâm hoping it gets me an A.â Nicholas laughed. âI canât imagine being that good at school.â Taki groaned dramatically. âSo youâre saying I inherited this horrible school brain from you?â Nicholas gasped, clutching his chest. âWow. Rude.â Then he laughed loudly, and EJ added, âYou shouldâve spent more time with me instead. Iâm the smart one.â Taki rolled his eyes, but smiled anyway, the easy warmth of the pack finally back where it belonged.
Harua joked as he sat beside Taki, âGuess itâs your turn next,â nudging him lightly. Taki sighed. âYeah⊠lucky me,â he muttered, clearly not thrilled. Sora tilted her head. âWhy? Isnât finding your mate supposed to be a dream?â âOf course it is,â Taki said, rubbing his face. âBut Iâm still a broken wolf. Sure, Iâm better, but Iâm not healed. How am I supposed to find my mate when Iâm not even whole?â Rocky crossed her arms thoughtfully. âMaybe thatâs exactly what you need. The mate bond might be the missing piece. It was for me, it got rid of my oracle side.â Taki opened his mouth, clearly considering it⊠then scoffed instead. âMaybe my life isnât some stupid fairy tale.â Yumaâs voice sharpened. âJust because youâre worried doesnât mean you get to be an asshole.â Taki looked away. âSorry,â he muttered. Willow leaned toward Harua, whispering, âIs he always like this?â Harua shook his head quietly. âNo. But heâs got his reasons.â She nodded, understanding.
A moment later, Miyu, Maki, and (Y/n) came out of the kitchen and joined the group. Maki cleared his throat slightly. âUm⊠everyone, this is my mate.â (Y/n) smiled nervously, and the room immediately filled with grins, clapping, and overlapping voices. âWelcome to the family!â âAbout time!â (Y/n) laughed, cheeks warming, while Maki squeezed her hand, finally looking completely at peace.
~~~
A few days later, the whole pack was helping (Y/n) move from her apartment to the packâs village, though Rocky was less focused on lifting boxes and more focused on taking (Y/n)âs measurements. âArms up. No, higher. Turn. Okay, now favorite colors?â Rocky rattled off, tape measure snapping lightly against her fingers. âWarm tones or cool? Linen or silk? Structured or flowy? Actually, donât answer yet, I need vibes.â (Y/n) blinked. âI,â âAnd patterns! Florals? Plaid? Solids with personality?â Rocky gasped. âOh my god, I can already see the outfits.â Meanwhile, everyone else was actually moving.Â
Once (Y/n) finally escaped the witchâs clutches, she found Maki near the doorway and immediately wrapped her arms around him. âI canât believe everyoneâs helping,â she said into his chest. âThis feels⊠unreal.â He chuckled, arms circling her easily. âThis is just how a pack is. When one of us needs help, everyone shows up. No questions asked.â She leaned back, looking around the apartment.
Jo and Kei were carrying her couch out the door like it weighed nothing, chatting casually as if they werenât lifting half her living room. Harua and Willow were carefully wrapping her paintings in bubble wrap, Willow labeling each one neatly. Nicholas and EJ were dismantling her dining table, Nicholas dramatically groaning about missing one screw while EJ laughed at him. In the kitchen, Aya, Miyu, Sora, and Sana packed silverware and porcelain with surprising efficiency. Tara and Fuma taped shut boxes of clothes, Fuma handing Tara labels while she organized them by room. Outside, Yuma and Taki stacked boxes into cars and trailers with practiced ease, making sure nothing would tip or shift. Rocky suddenly called from the hallway, â(Y/n)! Important question, do you emotionally identify with these curtains, or are we burning them metaphorically?â (Y/n) laughed. âI think itâs time to get back to work.â Maki smiled. âBe careful,â he said lightly, before bending down to grab a few boxes and carrying them out after her.
By the time the sun dipped low, painting the windows orange and gold, the apartment stood empty. Boxes gone. Furniture gone. Echoes replacing what had once been clutter. All that remained⊠was the cleaning. Everyone stood in the middle of the living room, staring at the dust outlines where furniture had once been. Nicholas broke the silence first. âSo⊠whose apartment was this again?â âIt was mine,â (Y/n) said dryly, hands on her hips. âAh,â he nodded. âRight. Tragic.â Taki flopped dramatically onto the bare floor. âI vote we leave it. Builds character.â Aya gave him a look. âIt builds a fine.â Fuma rubbed the back of his neck. âWeâve been lifting things all dayâŠâ âAnd I just did emotional labor,â Rocky added, holding up her tape measure like evidence. (Y/n) laughed. âYou interrogated me about fabrics.â âExactly. Exhausting.âÂ
Rockyâs eyes suddenly lit up. âOh.â Everyone groaned in unison. âNo,â Yuma warned. âAbsolutely not.â âYes,â Rocky countered, already rolling up her sleeves. âThink about it. One small spell. Efficient. Elegant. Sparkly.â âItâs never just small,â Harua muttered. Rocky ignored him, spinning toward Willow. âI canât do it alone, though. Iâll need stabilizing magic.â Willow tilted her head, considering. âSunoo?â âSunoo,â Rocky confirmed. Willow was already pulling out her phone. âOn it.â
Ten minutes later, the front door burst open, and Sunoo hurried in, slightly out of breath. âI came as fast as I could. What are we blowing up?â âNothing!â (Y/n) squeaked. âHopefully,â EJ added. Rocky clapped her hands. âOkay! Focus. Cleanse-and-polish charm, layered with minor restoration. Sunoo, you handle the energy flow, anchor me.â Sunoo grinned. âIâm on it.â They moved to the center of the apartment. Rocky closed her eyes, violet light beginning to swirl around her fingers. Sunooâs magic shimmered into existence, soft baby blue, almost mist-like. The air hummed. Dust lifted from the floor in spirals. Stains faded. Smudges vanished from windows as if erased by invisible hands. The faint scuffs along the walls smoothed over, paint brightening. For a moment, the apartment glowed, violet and blue weaving together like northern lights. Then the light faded. Silence.
Everyone blinked. The place looked⊠Spotless. Cleaner than it had any right to be. (Y/n) slowly turned in a circle. âI think itâs cleaner now than when they built it.â Sunoo brushed imaginary dust off his shoulder. âYouâre welcome.â Rocky beamed proudly. âMagic housekeeping services, available on request.â Aya walked into the kitchen, ran a finger along the counter, and inspected it. âNot even a speck.â Nicholas whistled. âWe should start charging.â Taki stood up, stretching. âSee? I said we shouldnât clean. The universe handled it.â âThe universe being Rocky,â Yuma corrected. Rocky bowed dramatically. Fuma clapped his hands once. âAlright. Itâs done.â There was a moment, quiet and soft, as (Y/n) looked around the now-empty apartment. The place that had held years of loneliness. Of baking alone. Of quiet nights. It didnât hurt as much to leave it now. Maki stepped up beside her, gently brushing his fingers against hers. âYou okay?â he asked softly. She nodded, squeezing his hand. âYeah. I think I am.â
Jo suddenly raised both arms. âPizza?â âYes,â several voices answered immediately. âPizza and celebration at the pack house,â Miyu declared. âAnd Sunooâs invited,â Willow added. Sunoo gasped. âAn official invite? I feel honored.â âYou earned it,â Rocky said. âMagical janitor privileges.â âAnd Jay and Jungwon,â Aya added casually. Nicholas smirked. âJungwon practically lives with us already.â It was true. The younger vampire had been staying with them for far longer than just âa few daysâ; heâd been helping at Koyomi, lounging on the couches, laughing too loudly at night. Somehow, without anyone formally saying it, heâd just⊠become part of it. And no one minded. He was kind. A little dramatic. Very affectionate. Surprisingly helpful. Mostly harmless.
âLetâs go before I collapse,â Sana said. They all filed out together, laughter echoing down the hallway. (Y/n) took one last glance at the apartment, then turned away without regret. Her hand stayed firmly in Makiâs as they walked toward the cars. Toward the pack house. Toward something new.
~~~
As the snow melted away and spring flowers slowly bloomed through the grass, new beginnings followed close behind. The pack was growing, not just in numbers, but in warmth, in laughter, in the quiet certainty that none of them were alone anymore. While mate bonds could be messy, emotional, and terrifying at times, fate always seemed to know exactly what it was doing in the end.
Maki found his mate. (Y/n) found someone who loved her, truly, gently, and in doing so, she found something else too: friends, family, belonging. Things sheâd never truly had before. Their story was only just beginning. Just like the flowers waiting beneath the soil, there was so much more to come for all of them.Â
~~~ The End ~~~
And thatâs the end of this part!Â
How do we feel? Do we love it, hate it?Â
We got to meet Jungwon as well, fortunately as a friend and not a foe.Â
Next up is obviously Taki, as many of you suspected, he will be the one ending this series since his story has been building throughout the entire series. I hope youâre excited! Do you have any theories about how heâll meet his mate? Or what will happen? I love seeing you guys theorize!Â
Please give me name suggestions for Makiâs mate! I feel like Iâm running out of ideas for names!
















