#slightly plus size reader

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.

“I think what we really need is someone who specializes in desserts,” Miyu said thoughtfully. “Lila was incredible at baking, and while Maki’s been covering lately,” “Hey,” Maki interrupted, placing a hand over his chest dramatically. “My feelings.” She laughed. “You’re good,” she continued, smiling apologetically, “but it’s not quite the same.” Maki huffed, pretending to sulk for a moment before nodding. “Okay, yeah, fair. I’m way better at cooking than baking anyway. Cakes hate me.” Jay chuckled. “What we need is a top-tier baker.”

“And what better way to find one,” Jay added, eyes lighting up, “than a competition?” Miyu’s eyes widened. “That’s actually… genius.” Yuma gasped. “YES. A bake-off.” Rocky was already scribbling ideas down. “Say less. I’m designing the poster.” 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, Koyomi’s 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. “Oh my god,” Sana said, leaning over Yuma’s shoulder, “these look amazing.” Rocky flipped her hair proudly. “Obviously.” Miyu smiled wide, walking over to Yuma and pressing a kiss to his lips. “Thank you for this. Seriously.” Yuma hugged her tightly. “I’d do anything for the love of my life.” Nicholas groaned softly but walked over anyway, wrapping his arms around Rocky from behind and kissing her temple. “You really never disappoint when it comes to designs.” She grinned. “I know.”

Maki and Jay studied the posters carefully, nodding in approval. “This is perfect,” Jay said. “Honestly, I think this will bring in exactly who we’re looking for.” “Yeah,” Maki added, smiling. “Thanks, both of you. This is gonna help a lot.” Jay turned to Aya. “Think you can get the ad in next week’s paper?” “Already cleared it with my boss,” Aya said easily. “You’re good.” “So the competition starts in two weeks,” Rocky said, tapping the date at the bottom of the page. Harua brightened instantly. “That’s perfect,” he said. “Willow will officially be moved in by then, so she and Sunoo can both be here for it.” Maki laughed softly. “Wow. Everything really is lining up, huh?”

~~~

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 Willow’s things into Harua’s 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, “I’ve got it,” 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. “I still can’t believe I live here now,” she said for what had to be the fifth time, her arms around his neck. “I can’t wait to start my new job, and get to know everyone better, and just… be here.” 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. “No, no, relax your shoulders,” she laughed, adjusting his posture, then grabbing his hands again. “You’re fighting the flow.” Sunoo groaned dramatically but tried again, only to blink in surprise when a faint shimmer sparked between his fingers. “Wait, did I do that?” he asked, eyes wide. Rocky gasped, clapping her hands. “You did! See, I told you, you’re a natural.” Nicholas, meanwhile, was sulking nearby, arms crossed, glaring every time they high-fived, hugged, or held hands to stabilize the spell. “Do you really need this much physical contact?” he muttered. Rocky shot him a grin. “Yes.” 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, “Having a wizard friend is amazing.”

EJ and Sora stood off to the side, watching the chaos unfold with fond smiles. “It’s nice,” Sora murmured, leaning into him, “when everyone’s just… happy.” EJ hummed in agreement, pressing a kiss to her temple. “Let’s hope it stays that way for a while. No more drama, no more emergencies.” 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. “Hey, that was totally on purpose,” Taki accused. Jo grinned, shrugging. “What? Maybe I just got worse.” 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 couldn’t 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 contestants’ 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 weren’t 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 hadn’t even met yet. By the time they were done, Maki was practically buzzing, counting down the days until Sunday, when he’d finally get to join in on the judging himself.

Saturday came between the two competitions, and for once, Koyomi was closed, officially “because of the bake-off,” but in reality, it gave Rocky the perfect chance to finally reveal what she’d 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 Nicholas’s cabin. When they got there, she handed each of them a bag of their own, grinning like she was about to explode if she didn’t 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. “Rocky,” she breathed, staring at it like it might vanish if she blinked. “You didn’t.” She practically hugged the bikini to her chest before looking up and throwing her arms around Rocky. “This is gorgeous. I love it. I love you.” Rocky laughed, hugging her back tightly, muttering something about how Aya was easy to design for because she “basically radiated soft poet energy.”

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. “Oh…” she whispered, fingers tracing the fabric like she was afraid to crease it. “Rocky, this is,” She swallowed, blinking a little. “This is perfect.” She looked up, smiling so brightly it almost hurt, then stepped forward to hug her. “It even matches how Yuma and I met. How did you?” Rocky just winked. “I pay attention.”

Next was Sora. She reached into her bag and pulled out a swimsuit, blinking in surprise. “Oh, I thought it’d be a bikini,” 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 that’s when she noticed the cutouts, shaped subtly like slashes from wolf claws. “Rocky…” she murmured, a smile spreading across her face. “You never fail to impress me with your talent, do you?” Rocky grinned, crossing her arms proudly. “What can I say? I like a challenge.”

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. “No way…” 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 she’d talked about for weeks afterward. Her eyes went glossy as she pressed the fabric to her chest. “Rocky… this is, this is that painting.” Rocky scratched the back of her neck, laughing sheepishly. “It took a lot of persuasion to get Jo to hand it over, but I eventually wore him down.” Sana laughed through her smile, shaking her head. “That sounds like Jojo. He’s always been ridiculously protective of his art.”

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 she’d 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. “Oh…” she breathed, fingers brushing over the design. She looked up at Rocky, smiling shyly. “Thank you. Really.” It was the first time she’d 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. “Okay, I’m ready,” she said, before freezing, and then squealing. “Oh my god!” 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 Tara’s, making it feel both cute and elegant. Willow bounced on her toes, spinning in place. “This is the prettiest bikini I’ve ever seen,” 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. “Already wearing it,” she said casually. “You’ll see it at the pond.” 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, “You’re really sure you’re okay with this? We can go later, just the two of us, if that’s better.” Tara stopped and turned to him, smiling softly but firmly. “I’m sure,” she said, squeezing his hand. He studied her face for a moment before nodding, still not entirely convinced. “Okay,” he said, “but the second you feel even a little uncomfortable, you tell me, and we’re out of there.” 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 wasn’t as fragile as she used to be.

Nicholas kept trying to peek inside Rocky’s robe, desperate to catch even the smallest glimpse of the swimsuit she was wearing. Since he was the only one who knew what she’d 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. “Nope. Have some patience,” 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, “Are you excited to see the pond?” Willow nodded eagerly. “Yes! Everyone keeps talking about it like it’s some kind of magical place. And swimming in it when there’s snow everywhere? That sounds unreal.” She turned to the other girls, eyes bright. “Have any of you swum in it before?” Only Aya and Miyu raised their hands, explaining that they’d 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. “Let them be kids for once.”

Rocky loosened the knot of her robe and turned to the girls with a grin. “Go.” 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. Rocky’s 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 Nicholas’s bite. He crossed the distance between them in two steps, pulling her close and peppering her face with kisses. “You look way too good,” he murmured against her skin. “I don’t like that anyone else gets to see this.” Rocky just laughed, threading her fingers through his hair, clearly enjoying every second of his reaction.

Kei couldn’t 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. “You’re unreal,” 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 Sora’s side, the shape almost fitting his hand perfectly. “This was made for you,” he said softly, and Sora smirked, clearly pleased with the effect it had on him. Yuma gently traced the moons across Miyu’s bikini, feeling the fabric beneath his fingertips. “You look amazing,” 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. “Do you like it?” she asked softly. He nodded, voice quiet but sincere. “You look really pretty.” Then, after a pause, he added, “I’m glad Rocky used the painting for something good.” Rocky immediately chimed in, grinning. “Relax, Jojo, I gave it back. It’s not gone forever.” Sana laughed at that, leaning into Jo’s 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. “You look incredible,” he said breathlessly, setting her back down but keeping his hands at her waist. “And confident. I love it.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead, softer this time. “How does it feel?” “Amazing,” Tara admitted, smiling shyly but proudly. “For the first time… I’m not worried about wearing something like this.” Lastly, Harua was a complete stuttering mess. “I, you… you look,” he tried, failing miserably, his hand hovering before gently tracing one of the snowflakes along Willow’s bikini, the symbol making his heart flutter even harder. “I mean, I just, wow.” Willow giggled and leaned forward, pressing a quick kiss to his nose. “You’re adorable.” That finally unlocked his brain. “You look wonderful,” he said softly, eyes full of awe as he smiled at her.

Maki and Taki called out in unison, “Are you guys gonna keep kissing all day, or are you actually joining us in the pond?” 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. “Hey… when I find my mate, will you design something for them too?” Rocky smiled warmly, ruffling his hair. “Of course I will. No one gets left out.” Maki grinned. “What about me? You could design something for me too, since you’re way better than Yuma.” “Hey!” 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, didn’t 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. “At least we have each other,” Taki said, bumping his shoulder lightly against Maki’s, “for now.” 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. “Yeah… but I wouldn’t change it for the world.” Taki nodded in agreement.

~~~

The night passed quickly, and Sunday arrived sooner than anyone expected. Miyu stood outside Maki’s door, knocking loudly. “Maki,” she called, then knocked again. “If you don’t wake up right now, I’m revoking your baker privileges.” From inside the room came a muffled groan. “Five more minutes,” Maki muttered, his face buried in his pillow. Miyu laughed, crossing her arms. “You’ve already had five more minutes. And another five. And another.” She leaned closer to the door. “Also, your alarm has been going off for thirty minutes. I could hear it from the kitchen.” Maki cracked one eye open. “That sounds… exaggerated.” “Jay texted me five minutes ago asking where we were,” she replied sweetly. “So unless you want the vampire to judge without us, get up.”

That did it. Maki shot upright, hair sticking out in every direction. “Okay, okay, I’m up,” he grumbled, rubbing his face. “Why is it always illegal to sleep when I actually want to?” “Because today is competition day,” Miyu said, smiling as she stepped into his room. “And you’ve been talking about this for weeks.” His expression shifted instantly, excitement replacing the grogginess. “Oh, right. The bake-off.” He swung his legs over the side of the bed. “Okay, yeah, no, I’m awake. Fully conscious. Ready to judge baked goods and change lives.” “Mmhm,” Miyu said, unconvinced. “Go brush your teeth before you collapse again.”

A few minutes later, Maki stumbled into the kitchen, grabbing a bottle of water and chugging half of it in one go. “Do we have anything I can eat that doesn’t require thinking?” he asked. Miyu slid a sandwich across the counter. “Already prepared for your morning incompetence.” “Wow,” he said, offended, though he happily took it. “You make it sound like I’m useless.” “Not useless,” she corrected. “Just… not functional before noon.” He laughed through a mouthful of food. “Fair.” After finishing the sandwich in record time, he straightened up. “Okay. I’m ready. Let’s go before Jay decides to replace me with vibes.”

They headed out to the car, Maki practically jogging the last few steps. “I can’t believe we actually got seventy-five people, I mean sure we’re down to twenty,” he said, buckling his seatbelt. “but it’s insane.” “People take desserts very seriously,” Miyu replied as she started the engine. “And Koyomi has a reputation.” “Yeah,” he said softly, smiling to himself. “Lila would’ve loved this.” Miyu glanced at him, her expression softening. “She would have,” she agreed. “And she’d be proud of you for keeping the baking alive.” He shrugged, a little embarrassed. “I’m still not as good as her.” “You don’t have to be,” Miyu said gently. “You just have to care. And you do.”

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. “Mornin’, vampire,” Maki called as he walked in, greeting him with one of those awkward half-hug, half-handshake things. “You look suspiciously prepared.” Jay smirked. “Some of us don’t rely on panic to function.” “That’s a lie,” Maki said. “You’ve seen me cook under pressure.” “And I’m still traumatized,” Jay replied dryly.

Miyu laughed as she stepped inside. “Anything left to prep?” she asked, setting her bag down. Jay shook his head. “Nope. Stations are set, ingredients are stocked, judges’ table is ready. All you have to do is sit there, eat desserts, and look important.” Maki blinked. “Wow. My dream job.” “Try not to scare the contestants,” Jay added. “Some of them already look like they’re about to cry.” “I’m very approachable,” Maki argued. Jay glanced at his messy hair and oversized hoodie. “You look like a raccoon that wandered into a bakery.” Miyu snorted. “He does.” Maki gasped. “Betrayal. On competition day.” Jay smiled faintly as he handed Maki a clipboard. “Come on, raccoon boy. Let’s go meet the future of Koyomi desserts.”

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.

“What the hell…” Maki muttered under his breath. Jay noticed almost immediately. “You okay?” he asked quietly, stepping closer. “You look like you’re about to bolt.” “I don’t know,” Maki whispered back. “Something feels,” 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 wasn’t 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. “Oh shit,” 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.

Jay’s head snapped toward him. “Maki?” he whispered urgently. “What’s wrong? Are you reacting to the moon or something?” Maki shook his head quickly, breath uneven. “No, no, it’s not that, I haven’t had trouble with the moon in ten years,” He swallowed hard, voice dropping even lower. “Jay.” “What?” “Mate.” Jay froze. “…Fuck,” 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. “Hey,” he said calmly but firmly, “I need you to start the competition without us. Maki and I have to step out for a minute.” Miyu frowned. “What? Why?” “No questions,” Jay said quickly. “Please.” She hesitated, then nodded. “Okay… but hurry back.”

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. “Easy,” Jay muttered through clenched teeth, using far more strength than he should’ve had. “You are not imprinting in the middle of a bake-off.” “I’m not trying to,” Maki growled. “My wolf is.” “Yeah, well, tell your wolf to chill,” Jay snapped, hauling him through the back door and into the alley behind Koyomi. “Because if you go back in there like this, someone’s gonna notice your eyes glowing, and then we’ve got a way bigger problem.”

Maki bent forward, hands on his knees, breathing hard. “She’s in there,” he whispered, like it physically hurt to say it. “Jay, I can feel her.” “I know,” Jay said quietly. “I know. But you need to get control first.” Jay studied him carefully. “You think you can calm down?” he asked quietly. “Like, actually control your wolf?” Maki nodded, dragging in a few deep breaths, pressing his palms against the cold brick wall behind him. “Yeah,” he said, forcing steadiness into his voice. “I’m good. I’ve got it.”

Jay hesitated, then slowly reached for the door. “Alright. Let’s try,” The moment the door cracked open and the warm scents of sugar, butter, chocolate, and her rushed out, Maki’s eyes flared gold again. A low, instinctive rumble tore from his chest before he could stop it. “Shit,” Jay slammed the door shut instantly, shoving Maki back into the alley. “Nope. Absolutely not.” “Jay,” “No,” Jay cut in, pointing at him. “Okay, wolf boy, you’re going home.” “What? No, I can’t,” Maki protested. “I have to stay, this is literally my job,” “And if you stay, you’re gonna wolf out in the middle of Koyomi,” Jay shot back. “Which, reminder, is a human restaurant full of contestants and customers.”

“I wouldn’t,” “You just growled at a door,” Jay deadpanned. “Strike one.” Maki groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I can handle it.” “No, you can’t,” Jay said flatly. “And even if you could, strike two: you’d be biased as hell.” “I wouldn’t,” “Don’t lie to me,” Jay interrupted again. “You wouldn’t even need to see her baking. Your nose would pick her up instantly and suddenly whatever dessert she made would be ‘the best one by far,’ even if it tasted like cardboard.” “That’s not,” “That is exactly how mates work,” Jay said. “You’d crown her winner even if she burned water.” Maki opened his mouth, then closed it again, scowling. “Okay, maybe,” “So,” Jay finished firmly, “you’re going home.”

“I hate this,” Maki muttered. “I just found her and now I can’t even see her.” “And that sucks,” Jay said, softer now. “But it sucks way less than exposing the supernatural or having you lose control in public.” Maki leaned back against the wall, jaw tight, clearly fighting the urge to argue again. “I could still,” “No,” Jay said immediately. Maki sighed, defeated. “Fine.” Jay still didn’t look convinced. He pulled out his phone. “Actually… I don’t trust you not to sneak back in.” “What?” “You heard me.” Jay started dialing. “I’m calling backup.”

“Jay,” “Too late.” The call connected quickly. “Fuma,” Jay said, “yeah, we’ve got a situation. Maki just found his mate and is two seconds from losing his mind in the middle of Koyomi.” He glanced sideways at the wolf. “No offense.” Maki huffed. “A little taken.” Fuma’s voice came through the phone, calm and steady. “Got it. I’m already in the car. I’ll be there in ten.” Jay exhaled in relief. “Perfect. Thanks.” He hung up and turned back to Maki. “Congratulations,” he said dryly. “You’re being escorted home by an alpha.” Maki groaned. “This is humiliating.” “Yeah,” Jay replied. “But at least you’re not humiliating the pack in front of twenty bakers.”

Once Fuma arrived, he stepped out of the car already sighing like he knew exactly what kind of chaos he was walking into. “Alright,” he said, clapping a hand on Jay’s shoulder, “thanks for calling me before this turned into a full-blown incident.”

Jay nodded, gesturing toward Maki. “He’s following his brother’s footsteps and going a little crazy.” Fuma’s brows lifted. “Ah,” he said. “That explains everything.” “Hey,” Maki muttered. Fuma turned to him, eyes soft but firm. “Come on, pup.” “I’m not a…” 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. “Fuma, wait, no, I can walk,” “You’re walking,” Fuma said calmly, “just horizontally.” “This is humiliating!” Maki protested, trying to twist out of his grip.

“Yeah, yeah,” Fuma replied, hauling him the rest of the way and opening the car door. “You should’ve seen you at 7 during your first full moon with your wolf awakened. We actually did chain you up back then.” Maki groaned loudly as he was shoved into the passenger seat. “I hate you.” “No, you don’t,” Fuma said, buckling his seatbelt for him before slamming the door shut. “You love me. Deep down.” Maki slumped in the seat, running his hands over his face. “I feel pathetic.” Fuma paused before getting into the driver’s seat, looking at him through the open door. “Hey,” he said gently, “don’t.”

Maki glanced up. “We’ve all been there,” Fuma continued. “Losing control, feeling like you’re not strong enough, not stable enough. It happens. Especially with mates.” “But I’ve been good,” Maki said quietly. “I am good. I haven’t had trouble with control since I was a kid.” “I know,” Fuma said, nodding. “After you learned how to handle full moons, you became one of the most stable wolves in the pack. Seriously. EJ brags about it.” Maki blinked. “He does?” “Yeah,” Fuma smirked. “Don’t let it go to your head.”

Maki huffed weakly, then looked out the window. “What if I never see her again?” Fuma’s smile faded, replaced by something softer, steadier. “You will.” Maki turned back to him. “You don’t know that.” “I do,” Fuma said confidently. “We always find our mates. Fate doesn’t pull that kind of trick on us.” Maki swallowed. “What if?” “She walked into Koyomi once,” Fuma interrupted gently. “She can do it again. And when she does, you’ll be calmer. You’ll handle it better.” Maki leaned his head back against the seat, staring up at the ceiling. “I hope you’re right.” “I am,” Fuma said, starting the engine. “Now sit tight before I actually start looking for chains.”

~~~

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. They’d 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 wasn’t just skill that crowned the winner, but passion, the kind that fit perfectly into Koyomi’s heart and soul.

Miyu and Jay gathered the five in front of the counter, smiling warmly despite the tension in the air. “First of all,” Miyu said, “thank you so much for being here. Every single one of you should be proud of what you made today.” Jay nodded beside her. “This was not an easy decision. At all.” Then Miyu announced the winner, congratulating them with a bright smile and a handshake, letting them know they’d officially be joining the team, starting Monday at eleven o’clock.

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 pack’s little village, he finally explained everything, how Maki’s wolf had reacted the moment his mate walked in, how he couldn’t 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. “Oh my god… Jay,” she said softly. “I’m just glad you were there. That could’ve gone so badly.”

Jay nodded, gripping the steering wheel a little tighter. “Yeah, but he’s probably furious with me now,” he muttered. “I basically kicked him out of his own competition.” Miyu reached over, resting her hand on his arm. “He’ll understand,” she said gently. “Maki’s not stupid. He knows you did it to protect him, and everyone else. Not to be mean.” 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. “Fuma, please don’t actually bite him,” she called, clearly worried.

Meanwhile, Sora and Rocky were sitting on a nearby log like this was front-row seating to a sporting event. “Ten on Maki,” Sora said casually. “He’s pissed enough to flip someone.” Rocky snorted. “You’re insane. Fuma’s winning. He always wins. That man could wrestle a mountain.” Jay blinked. “What the hell?” Miyu cut him off, already sighing. “Yeah… that tracks.”

Yuma walked out of the house the moment he felt Miyu’s presence return, his wolf senses already picking up on her scent. He headed straight toward her and Jay, a soft smile on his face. “Hey,” he said, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “How did the competition go?” Miyu stared at him like he’d lost his mind, then pointed past him at the four massive wolves growling and shoving each other in the clearing. “Are you serious right now?” she asked. “That’s what’s going on?” Yuma followed her finger, watching as Maki snapped at Fuma’s neck fur while EJ shoved Nico away from him. “Oh, that,” he said casually, like this was completely normal. “Yeah, Maki’s being stupid.”

Jay blinked. “That’s… not very specific.” Yuma shrugged. “He started with Fuma, then dragged Nicholas into it by insulting Rocky,” he continued. “Then he bumped into EJ’s shoulder really hard and didn’t apologize. So now we’re here.” Miyu rubbed her face. “Why is he like this?” “No idea,” Yuma said. “But honestly, it’s better to let them sort it out.” Jay frowned. “Shouldn’t we stop it?” Yuma shook his head. “Nah. If EJ actually wanted it to end, he’d use his alpha voice and it’d be over in two seconds. Sometimes younger wolves just need to… get it out.”

They walked over to Tara, who was standing stiffly a few feet away, clearly tense as she watched Fuma dodge one of Maki’s lunges. “Tara,” Miyu said gently, touching her arm, “you don’t have to worry. They’ll be fine.” Tara nodded, biting her lip. “I know… I just don’t like seeing them fight.” Yuma gave her a reassuring smile. “It looks worse than it is. Mostly.” They then moved to join Sora and Rocky, who were still watching like it was entertainment. Miyu crossed her arms, glancing between the wolves. “Okay,” she said, “what exactly did Maki say to insult Rocky?” Rocky burst out laughing. “He called my hair annoying,” she said. Miyu stared. “That’s it?” “Yeah,” Rocky shrugged. “I accidentally flicked him in the face with it.” From across the clearing, Nicholas let out a particularly vicious growl as Maki stumbled backward. Rocky pointed at him. “And that,” she added, grinning, “was apparently unacceptable.”

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.

Fuma’s 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 didn’t 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. “Are you hurt?” she asked quietly, worry written all over her face. Fuma smiled when she found nothing, brushing a thumb over her knuckles. “I’m fine,” he said softly. “Promise.”

~~~

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 he’d acted, for letting his wolf take over like that. After a deep breath, he stepped forward.

“Rocky,” he said first, rubbing the back of his neck, “I’m sorry for insulting your hair.” Rocky blinked, then laughed, waving a hand. “Please, I didn’t take it to heart,” she said easily, before tilting her head toward Nicholas. “Even if someone else did.” Nico huffed from his seat, arms crossed. “It was rude,” he muttered, earning another laugh from Rocky. Maki turned next to EJ. “And… I’m sorry for bumping into you. And acting like a child.” EJ nodded, calm as ever. “Apology accepted.” Then Maki faced Fuma, and this one was harder. His jaw tightened slightly before he said, “I’m sorry for being a pain. And for starting a fight.” Fuma stood up immediately, pulling another chair from the side of the room and placing it next to his own. He patted the seat. “Come on. Sit.” Maki obeyed, sinking into it. Fuma nudged his shoulder lightly with his own. “I get it,” he said quietly. “But that doesn’t mean you get to act however you want.” “I know,” Maki murmured, nodding. 

After a moment, he looked toward Miyu and Jay. “So… how did things go at Koyomi?” Miyu smiled, relief softening her expression. “They went really well. We found the person who’ll be handling desserts for the restaurant.” Jay continued, “You’re actually going to be very happy with the result,” and Maki looked up instantly, eyes wide. “What do you mean?” he asked. Jay smiled slightly. “The person we chose… is your mate.” Maki froze. “What?” “And before you spiral,” Jay cut in quickly, holding up a hand, “her being your mate had nothing to do with the decision. Miyu didn’t even know until afterward. She just had, by far, the best desserts and the strongest passion for baking. It was an easy choice.”

Maki’s mouth opened, then closed, his heart pounding. “She… works at Koyomi now?” “Starting tomorrow,” Miyu said gently. “Which means you need to pull yourself together, because you absolutely cannot go all wolfie at work.” Kei crossed his arms. “Is that really a good idea?” he asked. “Having him that close to his mate when he’s this unstable?” “I’ll be fine,” Maki said quickly. “I already felt the first hit of her scent. Now I can prepare for it. I can control it.” “Yeah,” Taki snorted, “prepared to burn the place down.” Maki shot him a glare. “Shut up.”

Nicholas leaned back in his chair. “I’m actually with Kei on this one. You didn’t exactly scream stable earlier.” EJ sighed. “Honestly, I thought you’d be more like Jo. Calm. Collected. Not… utterly stupid.” Harua snickered. “Oh, like you were?” EJ rolled his eyes. “Okay, rude, but also fair.” Yuma cleared his throat. “I can take some time off and be at Koyomi tomorrow, just in case anything happens.” EJ considered it for a moment before nodding slowly. “It’s not a bad idea to have someone there. But no offense, Yuma, it’s unlikely you’d be able to stop Maki if it actually came down to it.” Yuma gasped softly. “Excuse you, I took on a rougaru on my own.” Fuma gave him a pointed look. “And how did that turn out?” Yuma rubbed the back of his neck. “…Right. Not great.”

“I could stay until five,” Kei said. “But I can’t cover the whole night.” Tara leaned closer to Fuma, her voice soft. “Maybe you should be there?” Fuma wrapped an arm around her shoulders and kissed her temple. “But we were supposed to have date night.” Tara smiled. “It’s fine. I can come too. We can still have a date night, just with some babysitting included.” “Hey,” Maki protested, “I’m not a baby.” Sora laughed. “You’re always going to be a baby to them.” Willow burst out laughing. “Honestly, it’s surprising Maki’s the youngest when my Harua looks like the baby.” “Hey!” Harua said immediately. “I’m cool and handsome, not a baby.” “Sure,” Willow replied, rolling her eyes teasingly.

Fuma brought the conversation back on track. “I get off work at four tomorrow, so I can be there from five,” he said, glancing at Kei. “I’ll take over then.” Jay nodded. “I’ll be there the whole time too. Extra eyes can’t hurt.” Maki grimaced. “Wow. Love the trust.” “You lost that today,” Nicholas muttered, though there was no real bite behind it. Maki sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah, yeah. Fair.” Then he looked around the table. “Can we… maybe, possibly… talk about literally anything else now?” Sana perked up immediately. “Actually, yes. I have a project for uni,” she said, turning to Aya and Harua. “I’m 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.” Aya’s eyes lit up. “Oh, I love long-form stuff. I’ll help you.” Harua nodded enthusiastically. “Same. We can brainstorm together.”

Jo shifted in his seat. “I’m working on a project too,” he said quietly. “I have to make a story painting, like a series of smaller paintings that tell one story. I’m doing a Red Riding Hood-inspired one.” Willow tilted her head. “Is that because… You know, wolves?” Jo shook his head quickly. “No. I picked it because it was Sana’s favorite story when she was a kid.” Sana’s eyes softened instantly. “Jo…”

Sora turned to Taki. “How’s uni going? Any more trouble lately?” Taki shook his head. “Not really. It’s actually gotten a lot better since Jo came running in last time. I mean, we all know he’s harmless, but… he doesn’t exactly look harmless to other people.” Jo blinked. “I don’t?” “Not when you’re mad,” Taki said with a grin. “So I think the bullies decided they don’t want to deal with you again. They’ve backed off. For now, at least.” Nicholas laughed. “Good job protecting your brother, Jo.” Jo instantly turned red, ducking his head and half-hiding in Sana’s shoulder. “Stop,” Rocky swatted Nico lightly on the arm. “Leave the poor boy alone.”

Miyu shifted her attention to Maki. “What about you? How’s school?” Maki shrugged. “I can’t wait to be done in a few months. I’ve already been in school way too long.” He shot a pointed look at EJ. EJ immediately raised his hands. “Hey, not my fault! Fuma told me the wrong age, okay? So I accidentally registered him in the wrong year.” “And that’s how I took first grade twice,” Maki deadpanned. The table burst into laughter. “Classic Fuma,” Aya said, shaking her head. Harua snorted. “He still forgets my birthday.” Fuma frowned from across the room. “That was one time.” “No,” Nicholas said. “That was several times.” Fuma groaned while everyone laughed even harder.

Miyu stood up and walked over to him. “Come on,” she said gently, tugging at his sleeve. “Let’s make dinner.” Maki squinted at her. “Am I even still trusted in the kitchen?” he asked, sulky. She nudged his shoulder with her elbow. “I didn’t offer you a job at my restaurant for nothing. Now stop acting like a child and come on.” 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. “I know it feels weird right now,” she said softly, “but you have to understand why they’re reacting the way they are. They’re not trying to punish you. They’re doing this because they love you.”

Maki sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I know that. I do. I just… can’t help feeling upset anyway.” “That’s okay,” Miyu replied immediately. “Two things can be true at the same time.” She smiled at him, bumping her hip lightly against his. “But you’ve gotta shake off the disappointment and show your best side. How else are you supposed to make your mate fall for you?” Maki froze. “…Wow,” he muttered. “No pressure or anything.” 

“Now come on,” Miyu said, clapping her hands together. “Show me what you’ve got. What are we cooking? Make it impressive.” Maki pretended to think deeply, tapping his chin before suddenly turning serious. “Alright. You asked for it.” 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. “I see garlic, herbs, and, are you planning on seducing someone with this meal?” “Obviously,” Maki replied dryly. “It’s my specialty.” 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. 

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. “Good luck with Maki today,” she said with a teasing smile. Kei laughed. “I never thought he’d be the problem child.” “He’s not a problem child,” Aya replied, brushing her thumb along his jaw. “He’s just a wolf. Just like you. And honestly, most of you boys have pretty tainted records when it comes to meeting your mates.” Kei winced. “Okay, fair.” He leaned in to kiss her again, but before he could say anything else, Harua burst out the door. “Sorry, I’m late!” he called over his shoulder. Willow ran after him, pulling on her jacket. “Bye everyone!” 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. “We seriously need a better morning system. Every day here feels like controlled chaos.” Nicholas smirked, wrapping an arm around her waist. “Controlled is generous.” Fuma and Tara followed soon after, and Fuma raised his voice toward the house. “Jo, Sana, Taki! If you’re not out here in thirty seconds, I’m leaving without you!” “Rude!” Sana’s voice echoed from inside, followed by hurried footsteps.

Yuma stumbled out behind Rocky and Nicholas, yawning wide enough to show fangs. “I’m not built for mornings,” he muttered. “I need at least three more hours of sleep before I can function.” Nicholas nodded seriously. “Same. Whoever invented mornings was an enemy to supernatural beings.” Just then, Sana, Jo, and Taki burst out of the main house, backpacks half-zipped and shoes barely tied. “We’re ready!” 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. “I’ll be back after work to pick you up before we head to Koyomi.” “I’ll be here,” 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. “Okay, either EJ or Kei needs to help me wake Maki up. He’s impossible today.” EJ laughed from the couch, where he’d been sitting with Sora. “Say no more.” He stood, cracking his neck. “I’ll handle it.”

After EJ finally managed to drag Maki out of bed, Miyu clapped her hands together. “Alright, we should head to Koyomi early and meet Jay. I want all of us there when the new employee arrives; she’s met me and Jay, but not Maki yet.” Tara smiled from the doorway. “Good luck,” she teased. Miyu laughed, leaning in to hug her. “Thanks. See you later.” She waved at EJ and Sora before turning toward the door. “Come on, boys.” Kei grabbed the keys. “I’ll drive.” 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 Maki’s foot kept tapping nervously against the floor, even if he didn’t 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. “Perfect timing,” he said, unlocking it. “We’ve got about thirty minutes before (Y/n) arrives.” Maki blinked. “(Y/n)?” Jay glanced over his shoulder with a grin. “Yeah. Your mate.” Maki froze. Jay laughed. “Her name’s (Y/n).” Maki repeated it softly under his breath, testing how it felt on his tongue. “…Pretty,” he whispered, a small smile tugging at his lips.

Kei leaned against the counter, glancing between Jay and Miyu. “So, what can I help with today? I’m here until five, might as well be useful.” Jay smiled. “If you’re up for it, you can help with serving. Monday lunches get pretty wild around here.” “Perfect,” Kei said, rolling up his sleeves. “Point me where you need me.” 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. “You okay?” Maki huffed out a breath. “Nervous.” Kei smiled softly. “You’ll be fine. Just remember to breathe.”

Right then, there was a knock on the door. “I’ve got it,” Miyu called, already heading over. The moment the door opened, Maki’s wolf stirred, pacing hard in his chest, his senses sharpening all at once. He heard her voice before he fully saw her. “Hi,” she said warmly. “I’m here for my first day.” Miyu beamed. “(Y/n)! Come in, come in.” Jay greeted her next, shaking her hand, and then Kei turned toward the kitchen, lifting his chin at Maki. “Hey, come out here.”

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. “Hi, I’m (Y/n). Nice to meet you.” He took it gently, careful not to grip too hard, her warmth sending a jolt straight through him. “Maki,” he said, hoping his voice didn’t sound as shaky as it felt. “Uh, nice to meet you too.”

(Y/n) glanced between the three of them, eyebrows lifting. “Wait… is there a fourth owner I didn’t know about? I’m pretty sure the sign only has three names on it.” Miyu laughed first, Jay quickly joining in, and Kei stepped forward, offering his hand. “Koga Yudai, but you can call me Kei. I’m not an owner,” he said, smiling, “just Maki’s big brother. I’m here to help out today.” “Oh,” (Y/n) said brightly, shaking his hand. “Nice to meet you!” Maki almost growled. He covered it with a cough instead, turning his head sharply. “Uh, sorry. Might be coming down with something.” Miyu shot him a pointed look. “You'd better get it under control,” she muttered, just loud enough for him to hear. “Totally fine,” he said quickly, straightening. “Super fine. Healthy. Thriving.”

Jay snorted, and Miyu shook her head before turning back to (Y/n). “Come on, let’s show you around.” They walked her through the restaurant first, Miyu gesturing to the dining area. “Lunch rush usually hits around noon, sometimes earlier if the office crowd’s restless.” Jay opened a door toward the back. “Storage is here. Dry goods on the left, refrigerated on the right. Deliveries come Mondays and Thursdays, Maki usually handles checking inventory.” “Oh?” (Y/n) said, glancing back at him. “So you’re the organized one.” Maki shrugged, a little shy. “Someone has to keep Jay from ordering twenty kilos of chocolate at once.” Jay scoffed. “It was on sale.”

They moved into the kitchen next, Miyu explaining where everything was kept, pointing out ovens, mixers, prep stations. “You’ll mostly be on desserts, but we all rotate and help out with everything if it’s needed. If you ever need help, just yell.” “Literally,” Kei added. “This place gets loud.” (Y/n) laughed. “Good to know.”

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. “So… how did you three end up opening a restaurant together anyway?” Miyu and Jay exchanged a look, both smiling, though there was a faint ache behind it. “Well,” Miyu began, leaning against the counter, “Jay and I opened Koyomi before we ever met Maki.” “Way before,” Jay added with a nod. “Just the two of us, barely sleeping, burning half our first attempts at everything.”

Miyu laughed softly. “Then I started dating one of Maki’s 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?” Maki scoffed lightly, cheeks warming. “That’s exaggerated.” “It’s really not,” Jay said. “So we offered him a job. He started helping out in the kitchen, and somehow… that turned into this.” He gestured around the restaurant. “Now he’s one of the owners.” Maki shrugged, a little bashful. “Guess I just never left.”

Jay hesitated, his smile softening. “We also… had another employee. Our baker. She had to quit, unfortunately, which is why we were looking for someone new.” (Y/n) nodded, understanding. She smiled brightly, “It kind of sounds like something out of a fairy tale. Strangers meeting, finding each other, building something together.” Miyu laughed. “A very chaotic fairy tale.” “Yeah,” Jay added, grinning. “With more burns.” Maki smiled to himself, glancing at (Y/n). “Best kind, though.”

~~~

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 wasn’t 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. “So?” he asked quietly. “How’s it going?” Kei smiled, relieved. “Honestly? Really well. He’s acting like the Maki we know again, not the feral gremlin from yesterday.” Maki shot him a glare. “Hey.” Fuma laughed softly. “Good. I’m glad.” Then he turned to Kei, clapping a hand on his shoulder. “Good luck with your photoshoot tonight. Evening shoot, right?” “Yeah,” Kei said, sighing. “Special one, too. I’ll need it.” “Don’t mess it up,” Maki added dryly. Kei grinned. “Says the guy who almost burned the restaurant down with his emotions yesterday.”

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. “Um,” she said, glancing between them and Maki, “do you often have guests in the kitchen area?” Maki chuckled softly, rubbing the back of his neck. “Not usually,” he said, pointing first to Fuma. “This is my brother, Fuma.” Then he gestured to the woman beside him. “And that’s Tara, his girlfriend. They’re here for date night, but wanted to stop by and say hi.” Fuma laughed lightly. “Yeah, we kind of invade this place a lot. There are a lot of us, and we’re all close with Miyu and Jay, too. Comes with the territory.” (Y/n) smiled and walked over, offering her hand first to Tara, then to Fuma. “I’m (Y/n), it’s nice to meet you both.” “Nice to meet you too,” Tara said warmly, squeezing her hand.

Fuma grinned, shaking her hand firmly before turning to Maki with mock seriousness. “I hope this one’s treating you well,” he said, nodding toward his brother. “And making you feel welcome.” Then he looked back at (Y/n). “If he’s not, you’re welcome to come complain to me.” Maki spluttered. “Hey!” (Y/n) laughed. “Good to know I have backup.”

Tara smiled brightly. “I’m really looking forward to trying your desserts,” she said, her eyes lighting up. (Y/n)’s smile widened at that. “I hope I live up to the expectations,” she replied, half nervous, half excited. Fuma sent a quick mind link to Maki, We’ll be out at a table, just let me know if you need help, before he slipped an arm around Tara’s waist and followed Jay out of the kitchen toward their seats.

(Y/n) turned back to Maki, curiosity written all over her face. “So… just how many brothers do you actually have? I’ve met Kei, Fuma, and then there’s the one Miyu’s dating, but I’m guessing there’s more.” Maki laughed softly. “There are nine of us total, me included,” he said. “And seven of us have girlfriends now. Plus Jay and Sunoo, who are basically family too.” (Y/n)’s eyes widened. “Wow… you’re like a whole army.” “Yeah,” Maki said with a grin, “you could definitely say that.”

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 must’ve been curious about the new baker.

When Miyu stepped away for a moment, and Jay got busy seating more guests, (Y/n)’s 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. “You okay?” she asked, drying her hands on a towel. “You look wiped.” “I’m fine,” Maki said automatically, though he rubbed at his face as if trying to wake himself up. “Just… tired in my head.” Miyu tilted her head. “You’ve 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.” “I’ll survive,” he muttered. “Promise.” She crossed her arms, unimpressed. “And you’ll survive school tomorrow too?” “I’ll be fine, mom,” he teased, shooting her a tired grin. Miyu laughed and lightly smacked his shoulder with the towel. “Stop it.”

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. “That was incredible,” she said brightly. “Seriously, everything tasted amazing.” “Yeah,” Fuma added, nodding. “You guys never disappoint.” (Y/n), who had been carefully boxing up leftover pastries, looked up, her eyes lighting up. “Oh, thank you,” she said quickly, a little shy but clearly pleased. “I’m really glad you liked the desserts. I was nervous about today.” Tara smiled wider. “Nervous? You shouldn’t be. That chocolate tart was dangerous.” (Y/n) laughed softly. “That’s the goal.”

Fuma leaned his elbows on the counter, looking between Miyu and Maki. “So, what can we do to help before we head out? Dishes, trash, sweeping, whatever.” Miyu didn’t hesitate. She pointed straight at Maki. “You can help by taking him home before he collapses into the sink.” Maki opened his mouth. “Hey, I’m not that tired,” but his sentence was cut off by a massive yawn, his jaw stretching wide as his shoulders sagged. Fuma blinked. “…Sure you’re not.” Tara giggled, stepping closer to Maki. “Wow, that was convincing.” “I’m fine,” Maki insisted weakly, blinking a few times as if trying to reset himself. “I just… didn’t sleep great.” Miyu raised an eyebrow. “You also worked for eleven hours.”

“And cooked through three rushes,” Jay added from the other side of the kitchen, where he was wiping down the prep table. “Go home, chef.” (Y/n) glanced at Maki, a small smile tugging at her lips. “Yeah, you’ve been carrying this kitchen today. You deserve rest.” That made Maki’s ears warm slightly. “I’m really okay,” “You’re not,” Fuma said calmly, already stepping behind him and gently steering him away from the sink. “Come on. Doctor’s orders.” “You’re not a doctor,” Maki muttered. “No, but I’m your brother,” Fuma shot back, smirking. “Which is worse.”

Tara slipped her arm around Maki’s other side. “We’ll walk you home. You look like you might fall asleep standing up.” “I wouldn’t,” Maki tried again, only to yawn for the second time in under a minute. Miyu pointed at him triumphantly. “Exhibit B.” (Y/n) laughed quietly, watching the interaction with fond amusement. “Thanks again for coming in,” she said to Tara and Fuma. “And… for liking the desserts.” “Of course,” Tara said warmly. “We’re excited you’re here.” Fuma nodded. “Yeah. Anyone who feeds our family this well is automatically appreciated.” Maki looked down at the floor, embarrassed but smiling faintly. “Can we go now before you all keep roasting me?” “Yes,” Fuma said, already guiding him toward the door. “Sleep first, dignity later.” Tara waved back at Miyu, Jay, and (Y/n). “Good night!” As the door closed behind them, (Y/n) glanced at Miyu with a grin. “He really does work himself into the ground, doesn’t he?” Miyu smiled softly. “Yeah. But that’s Maki.”

~~~

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 she’d met, from skittish rescue dogs to grumpy old cats and even the occasional injured hawk. “And then there was this baby raccoon,” Willow said one evening, hands clasped dramatically. “Harua, it tried to bite me, but it was, like, this big.” Harua smiled like she’d just told him the greatest story in the world. “You’re literally saving lives,” he said softly. “That raccoon is lucky you exist.” She laughed, nudging his shoulder. “You’re biased.” 

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. “She asked me to grab flour off the top shelf today,” he muttered one afternoon, staring into space. “And then she said, ‘Thanks, handsome.’ Just, casually. Like that’s normal.” Sana covered her mouth, giggling. “Maki, you’re hopeless.” “I almost dropped the bowl,” he admitted. “I panicked.”

Miyu smiled, leaning against the counter. “Then tell her she looks pretty. It’s not that hard.” “I’ll pass out,” he said flatly. Rocky rolled her eyes. “You’re a wolf, not a Victorian poet. You’ll survive.” Sora smirked. “He won’t. I give him three compliments before his system shuts down.” Willow added, laughing, “Honestly, it’s kind of adorable.” Aya and Tara mostly just listened, smiling softly. After a while, Tara spoke up gently, “You know, you don’t have to impress her. Just… be you.” Aya nodded. “Yeah. If she’s your mate, that’s already enough.” Maki exhaled slowly, rubbing the back of his neck. “I know,” he muttered, then added quietly, “I just really want her to like me.”

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. “You know,” Jay muttered once, watching him, “normal people use carts.” Maki shrugged. “Where’s the fun in that?”

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. “Maki,” she warned, arms crossed, “you are not in a cooking anime.” He grinned. “Relax, I’ve got great hand-eye coordination.” (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, “Need help?” before she even had time to struggle. It didn’t take long for her to start teasing him about it. 

“Maki,” she said one afternoon, dramatically staring at a box of sugar. “I don’t think I can lift this. It’s… very heavy.” He was at her side in half a second. “I got it,” he said seriously, picking it up like it weighed nothing. She hid her smile behind her hand. “Wow. My hero.” Truth was, she absolutely could’ve 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 she’d been working there for weeks, Maki realized he didn’t actually know much about her beyond the fact that she was cute, talented, and made desserts that haunted his dreams in the best way. He’d 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.

“So,” he said casually, as if his heart wasn’t beating way too fast, “what got you into baking?” She glanced over at him, smiling softly. “Honestly? It’s not that interesting.” “Try me,” he said, leaning against the counter. “Well,” she started, checking one of the ovens before continuing, “I 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.” She laughed quietly. “Most of it was completely inedible.”

Maki grinned. “I find that hard to believe.” “Oh, trust me,” she said, shaking her head. “I once made brownies so dry my grandma said they could double as coasters.” He snorted before he could stop himself, and she smiled wider at the sound. “But then,” she continued, “for 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.” She paused for a moment, her hands slowing as she piped frosting onto a tray of cupcakes. “I didn’t really have a lot of friends growing up. Got bullied a bit. But I didn’t mind that much. Baking kind of became my thing. My first true love, I guess.”

Maki felt something warm settle in his chest as he watched her. “That’s… actually really cool,” he said quietly. “Your grandma sounds amazing.” “She was,” (Y/n) said with a fond smile. He nodded, stirring his sauce again, but now with a soft grin on his face. “I’m glad you found something that made you happy,” he said. “Selfishly, I’m also glad it led you here.” Her cheeks tinted slightly pink at that, and she pretended to focus very hard on arranging pastries on a tray. “Yeah,” she murmured. “Me too.”

(Y/n) leaned against the counter, watching him stir his pot with practiced ease. “Okay,” she said, tilting her head slightly, “your turn. What got you into cooking?” Maki hesitated for just a second before answering. “My mom,” he said quietly. “She taught me a bit before she passed away. I was really young, like… four, maybe. So I didn’t learn that much, not properly. But cooking always reminded me of her. The warmth, the smells, the way the kitchen felt safe.” He smiled faintly, almost to himself. “Sometimes I swear I can still hear her voice in my head. ‘Riki, stir it well for me.’”

(Y/n)’s expression softened instantly. “That’s… really sweet,” she said gently. He shrugged a little, embarrassed by the attention. “Out of my brothers, I was always the best cook, so I ended up making food a lot before I met Miyu. But honestly, she’s the one who really helped me level up. She taught me techniques, flavors, balance, stuff I never would’ve figured out on my own.” “What happened to your mom?” (Y/n) asked softly, then glanced up at him. “And your dad?” Maki’s smile faded just a bit. “I’ll tell you another time,” he said, not unkindly, just honest. She nodded immediately. “Yeah, okay,” she said. “No pressure.”

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)’s eyes widened slightly. “Wait, did you just say Riki?” she asked, looking at him like she’d misheard. “I thought your name was Maki.” Maki burst out laughing. “It is, well, kind of. My actual name is Riki,” he admitted. “But I have another brother named Riki, too, so that got confusing fast. So now we’re Taki and Maki. We both kept the ki, and the Ta and Ma come from our surnames.” “That’s… honestly kind of genius,” (Y/n) laughed. “And very chaotic.” He grinned. “That’s our family in a nutshell.”

She tilted her head. “Wait, so… you’re not biological brothers?” Maki shook his head. “Nope. None of us is related by blood. We all found each other over the years through different situations. Different hardships.” His voice softened. “We’re all orphans, technically. But together, we’re a family.” (Y/n)’s smile turned warm, almost fond. “That’s really sweet,” she said. “Having that many people to call family.” “Yeah,” Maki said quietly, smiling back at her. “It really is.”

Maki tilted his head slightly, watching her work at the counter. “So… do you like cooking too?” he asked. “Or is baking your whole thing?” (Y/n) laughed immediately, shaking her head. “Oh, no. I’m a disaster in the kitchen when it comes to savory food. Baking? Great. Cooking? Absolutely not.” Maki snorted. “It can’t be that bad.” “It is,” she insisted, pointing a whisk at him. “I once burned pasta. Like, lots of water, some noodles, and somehow still burned it.” “That’s… impressive,” he said, clearly amused. Then he grabbed a knife and set a carrot and a tomato on the cutting board. “Alright, chef. Show me what you’ve got.” She eyed the knife suspiciously. “If I lose a finger, you’re carrying me to the hospital.” “I’ll catch you before you bleed out,” he teased. 

Rolling her eyes, she took the knife from him and stepped up to the counter, staring down at the vegetables like they’d 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.

“Like this,” he murmured softly, leaning in just enough that his voice brushed her ear. “You’re doing well.” 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 couldn’t see his face as he focused on helping her cut the carrot, pretending that her being this close didn’t 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, “Your girlfriend won’t like that…” 

Maki blinked. “Girlfriend?” he repeated, genuinely confused. She nodded, still not looking at him. “Yeah… didn’t you say seven of you were in relationships?” “Well, yeah,” he said slowly, lips twitching, “but I never said I was one of them.” Her ears burned even hotter at that. “Oh,” she murmured, clearly realizing she’d made an assumption. “Really…” “Mhm,” Maki replied, smiling, a little too pleased at the way she’d jumped to that conclusion. So she’d been a bit jealous. Good to know. “I’m very single, actually.”

She finally glanced up at him, eyes meeting his for just a second, then the back door opened and closed, signaling Miyu’s arrival. (Y/n) quickly looked away, pretending to focus very hard on her baking as she said, almost too casually, “Me too.” 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 Maki’s 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. “You’re the new baker?” Yuma asked, peering at her creations like they might personally offend him. “Wow. Rude. How am I supposed to diet now?” (Y/n) laughed. “I’m sorry?” “No, you’re not,” he replied, pointing at a tray of pastries. “And neither am I.”

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. “These are amazing,” Sana said dramatically, holding up a forkful of cake. “I might cry.” Jo nodded beside her. “Y-yeah… they’re really good.” (Y/n) smiled warmly. “Thank you.”

Then came Harua, Willow, and Sunoo, visiting together for the first time. Willow’s eyes practically sparkled as she tasted the desserts, and Sunoo looked like he was having a religious experience. “Oh my god,” Willow breathed. “I think I just fell in love with cake.” Sunoo nodded seriously. “This is life-changing.” 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 Rocky’s shirt and complimented it. “I love your tattoo,” she said. “It’s gorgeous.” Rocky beamed. “Thank you! And you must be the famous (Y/n) we’ve heard so much about.” (Y/n) blinked, then glanced at Maki, teasing. “Oh? So someone talks about me?” Rocky grinned wider. “Oh, all the time.” 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. “These desserts are insane,” Sora said, leaning against the counter. “If I gain five pounds, I’m blaming you.” EJ smiled softly. “Worth it.” (Y/n) laughed. “I’ll take full responsibility.”

After they left, (Y/n) leaned against the counter beside Maki, watching them disappear out the door. “Your brothers are all really handsome,” she said casually, then added, “but their girlfriends? Completely out of their leagues. I’ve never seen so many pretty women in one town.” Maki laughed. “Yeah,” he said, nodding. “They’re in a league of their own.” Then, before he could overthink it, he added, “But so are you.” The words surprised both of them. (Y/n) froze for half a second before her cheeks warmed. “Oh, no,” she said quickly, shaking her head with a small laugh. “I’m not nearly as pretty as they are. I’m just… average. At best.” She shrugged it off like it didn’t 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 didn’t 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. “Wait… I recognize your name, but I can’t place why.” “I write for Kyomei Magazine,” Aya said. (Y/n)’s eyes widened. “Oh my god, you’re a reporter? You wrote that piece on the sanctuary! I loved that article; it made me cry.” Aya laughed softly, clearly touched. “Thank you, that means a lot,” she said. “Maybe someday I’ll get to write something about you, too.” (Y/n) blinked. “Me?” “Absolutely,” Aya said with a gentle smile. “Anyone who makes desserts like yours deserves a spotlight.”

~~~

As Maki and (Y/n) were doing dishes, while Jay and Miyu cleaned up by the tables, Maki finally found the courage to ask, “Um… would you maybe want to come see my place tomorrow?” (Y/n) paused, glancing over at him. “Your house?” “Yeah,” he said quickly, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s nothing fancy, but… the snow’s starting to melt, and there’s this pond nearby. It’s kind of hard to explain, but it’s really nice.” She smiled, intrigued. “A mysterious pond, huh? Yeah, I’d like that.” 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. “Come whenever you feel like it,” he said. “I’ll be there.” “Looking forward to it,” she replied, tucking the paper into her pocket.

On the drive home with Miyu, Maki didn’t 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. “Just be yourself,” she said. “She already seems to like you.” Maki smiled dopily out the window. “Does she?” 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 didn’t 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, “I swear I live with actual gremlins,” as he straightened a crooked picture frame. The front door opened, and Fuma’s voice echoed through the house. “Maki!” “What?” he called back, still fixing the pillows. “Your visitor’s here.” 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. “I didn’t expect… a whole village,” she said, glancing around at the cabins scattered across the snowy grounds. Maki chuckled. “Yeah, it’s kind of unique,” 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. “This is bigger than the one at the restaurant.” He laughed. “Well, there’s sixteen people living here. And until very recently, half of them were hormonal teenagers who ate like black holes.” “That explains a lot,” she said, grinning. “I’ve seen you eat lunch at Koyomi, and you still look hungry every time.” Maki flexed his arms dramatically. “Well, it takes a lot to feed these muscles.” She burst out laughing and gently swatted his arm. “Show-off.”

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. “Hey,” EJ answered. “Hey,” Jay said, sounding a little too casual. “Uh… how are you?” EJ narrowed his eyes. “I’m good. You?” “Good,” Jay replied, then hesitated. “Um… I kind of have a favor to ask.” EJ sighed. “Of course you do. What is it?” Jay let out a breath. “So, my… kind of younger brother called me. He wants to come visit, but I don’t really have space in my apartment. I was wondering if he could stay at the pack house for a few days. I’d stay there too, keep an eye on him.” EJ dragged a hand down his face. “He’s a vampire too, isn’t he?” Jay sighed. “Yeah.” “This is going to be a mess,” EJ muttered, already regretting this. “Is he going to be a problem?” “Probably not,” Jay said quickly. “I don’t like probably,” EJ shot back, then sighed. “But fine. Anything happens, it’s on you.” “Thank you,” Jay said sincerely. “He’ll be there tomorrow.” “Great,” EJ muttered, before hanging up.

Sora came into their cabin just as EJ hung up the call, immediately noticing the look on his face. “What’s wrong?” she asked, tilting her head slightly. EJ sighed. “Jay just called. His younger brother wants to visit, and he asked if they could stay here for a few days.” Sora’s eyes lit up a little. “Oh! If he said younger brother, it’s probably either Jungwon or Niki,” she said thoughtfully. “If it’s Jungwon, it’ll be mostly peaceful, he adores Jay. If it’s Niki, it might be a bit more chaotic, but honestly, he’s pretty chill too.” EJ stepped closer, resting his hands on her hips and pulling her in, breathing in her scent as his shoulders finally relaxed. “I really hope you’re right.” She grinned. “Aren’t I always?” 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. “So… how do you all afford this?” she asked. “It’s huge.” Maki chuckled softly. “A lot of it came from inheritance from our parents,” he explained. “The rest was… hard work. Mostly from the eldest four. They sacrificed a lot to take care of us, younger brothers.” “That’s… really sweet,” she said, her voice gentler now. “It is,” he agreed. “They still take care of us, honestly. But now everyone helps out, the girls, Jay, even Sunoo, though he’s still new. It actually feels like… a real village.”

(Y/n) smiled at that, about to respond when she suddenly slipped on a thin patch of ice. “Whoa!” 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. “Careful,” he said softly, smiling down at her. “Don’t want you getting hurt.” 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. “Wow…” she breathed. “It looks… magical.” Maki smiled, rubbing the back of his neck. “Yeah,” he said softly. “Something like that.” 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.

“Hey!” Sana called. “You two wanna join us for a swim?” Maki glanced at (Y/n), grinning. “I’m in if you are.” She hesitated, then shook her head with a small laugh. “Uh, I didn’t bring a swimsuit.” Rocky tilted her head thoughtfully. “You can borrow one of mine,” she offered. “I’ve got tons of old designs. I’m sure I’ve got something you’d like.” “That’s really sweet, but…” (Y/n) waved her hands a little. “I’ll pass this time.” Maki caught the slight tension in her shoulders, the way her smile didn’t quite reach her eyes. He didn’t push, just squeezed her hand gently instead. “Another time,” he said easily, then looked back to the girls. “Have fun, yeah?” “Your loss,” Sora teased with a grin. “This water’s amazing.” Sana smiled warmly at (Y/n). “Next time, then.”

As the three girls headed toward the pond, Maki turned back to (Y/n), guiding her along another path. “We can come back whenever,” he said softly. “No rush.” She glanced at him, surprised, and a little relieved, before smiling. “Thanks.” He just smiled back, heart warm, glad he’d read her right. (Y/n) tilted her head as they walked. “So… what do you usually do when you’re not working or studying?” Maki thought about it for a moment. “Hmm. A lot of basketball, mostly,” he said. “Me 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 he’s bored.” “Are you good?” she asked, teasing. He scoffed dramatically. “Wow. Straight for the ego.” She laughed. “That wasn’t an answer.” “I’m… decent,” he said, grinning. “Not amazing, but it’s always fun, especially having our own court so we can play whenever we want.” “That actually sounds really nice,” (Y/n) said. “Especially having your own court.”

Almost on cue, they rounded a corner and the basketball court came into view, a few rogue balls scattered across the concrete. Maki’s eyes lit up. “Oh, perfect timing.” He jogged over, scooping one up and spinning it on his finger for half a second before lining up a shot. “Watch this.” 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. “Yes!” he laughed. “Absolutely intentional.” (Y/n) clapped, laughing. “Wow, look at you. So cool.” He gasped dramatically, placing a hand over his chest. “Did you hear that? She said I’m cool.”

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. “Okay, nope. That’s enough outside for you.” She blinked. “What?” “You’re freezing,” he said gently. “I can see it.” “I’m not,” She paused as another shiver slipped through her, then sighed. “Okay, maybe a little.” Maki smiled, tugging lightly at her sleeve. “Come on. Before you catch a cold and I get yelled at for not taking care of you.” She laughed, nodding. “Alright, alright. Lead the way.” 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. “Ta-da,” he said proudly, handing it to her. Her eyes lit up. “Oh my god, that’s adorable.” “Hey, presentation matters,” he replied with a grin. Then, without making a big deal out of it, he draped a soft blanket over her legs. “Want me to start a fire too?” She laughed, pulling the blanket closer around herself. “This is already way more than enough, thank you.” “If you say so,” 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. “Wow. This is really good.” Maki’s ears warmed. “Yeah? I mean, uh, good. I’m glad.” A few minutes later, footsteps came from the stairs, and EJ appeared, running a hand through his hair. “Hey, have either of you seen Sora?” Maki looked up. “Yeah, she went to the pond with Sana and Rocky.” “Oh.” EJ nodded, then hesitated. “What about Miyu?” Maki shook his head. “No idea, but I haven’t seen Yuma either, so I’m guessing they’re off somewhere being gross and in love.” (Y/n) laughed into her mug. “Are they really that bad?” “Yes,” Maki and EJ said at the exact same time. EJ sighed dramatically. Then he nodded at them. “Thanks,” and headed back outside.

As the door closed behind him, Maki frowned slightly. “He looked… worried.” (Y/n) glanced toward the door. “Yeah. I noticed that too.” “I’ll ask him later,” Maki murmured, more to himself than to her, before turning back to her with a softer smile. “You warm enough now?” She nodded, curling her fingers around the mug. “Yeah. Cozy, actually.” “Good,” 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 didn’t 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. “You’re not even watching.” He blinked. “I am.” “You didn’t even react.” “…It was funny internally.” 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. “Oh, I should probably head home.” “Oh,” Maki said a little too fast, then cleared his throat. “Yeah. Yeah, of course.”

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 she’d 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. 

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. “Um… can I hug you?” Her lips curved into a soft smile. “Yeah.” 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. 

“Goodbye,” he whispered near her ear. “See you tomorrow.” Her breath hitched just a little. “See you tomorrow,” she murmured back, cheeks warm, before pulling away. Aya stood leaning against the door with the keys in hand. “Ready?” (Y/n) nodded. “Yeah, thanks again.” She waved at Maki as she stepped outside. “Bye!” “Bye,” 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 didn’t 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. “Okay,” he said. “We’re going to have a guest.” That alone sent a ripple through the room. “A guest?” Yuma repeated. “What do you mean? Like Jay?”

EJ ignored him. “They’ll be staying a few days. Starting tomorrow.” Maki frowned. “Since when do we let people stay here that aren’t family or dating family?” “Yeah,” Taki added. “Last time we had unexpected company, things didn’t end well.” The room shifted uncomfortably at that memory. Sora stepped forward. “It’s a vampire. From Jay’s and my old coven.” Silence. Actual, heavy silence. “…No,” Harua said quietly. Nicholas straightened instantly. “Absolutely not.” Rocky’s brows furrowed. “EJ, what the hell?” 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. “Before anyone loses their mind, listen. Jay asked me personally.” “That doesn’t make it better,” Yuma shot back. “Who is it?” Aya asked carefully. Sora shrugged. “Jay called them his ‘younger brother.’ I don’t know which one it is yet, either Jungwon or Niki.” Blank stares. “…Okay,” Taki said slowly. “I have no idea who either of those people are, but I already don’t like them.” “Same,” Nicholas said flatly.

Maki glanced at Miyu. “Do you know them?” “Barely,” Miyu said. “I met them once years ago. Like… a hello-goodbye situation. That’s it.” “So,” Yuma said, spreading his hands, “we’re inviting a completely unknown vampire into our home. Fantastic.” Sora crossed her arms. “I know them better. If it’s Jungwon, he’s polite and kind, he looks up to Jay a lot, I doubt he’d cause trouble. If it’s Niki, he’s… More chaotic, louder in a way yet still calm, he’s not as bound to Jay as Jungwon is, but he’s a good kid. Neither of them is dangerous.”

Nicholas narrowed his eyes. “You don’t get to decide that.” “And you don’t get to decide who I trust,” Sora shot back. “But Jay does, in this case.” Kei looked at EJ. “Why did you agree?” “Because Jay doesn’t ask for favors unless he really needs them,” EJ said. “And because he promised he’d be here the entire time. His responsibility.” “And if something goes wrong?” Tara asked quietly. “Then the vampire leaves,” EJ said immediately. “No debate.” “And if someone gets hurt?” Nicholas pressed. EJ’s eyes hardened. “Then I handle it.” That shut the room up.

Maki shifted. “What about (Y/n)? She doesn’t know about… any of this.” Sora nodded. “Jay said he’ll tell the kid to not act like a vampire around her, it’s inevitable that they’ll meet, so Jay will prepare the kid for that situation.” Miyu folded her arms. “I get helping Jay. But everyone here has a right to feel safe.” “You do,” EJ said. “And I’m not forcing anyone to trust him. I’m asking you to tolerate him, carefully, for a few days.” Taki sighed. “So what’s the plan? Vampire probation?” “Yes,” EJ said flatly. “Guest room only. No wandering alone. No restricted areas. Jay supervises him at all times.” Nicholas scoffed. “Great. A babysat vampire.” “Better than an unsupervised one,” 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: We’ll be there in about an hour. Jay: Thought I’d warn you so you can wake everyone + eat first. Miyu read the message twice before sighing and rubbing her face. “Great,” she muttered. “The vampire countdown has begun.”

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. “I still don’t get why you agreed without talking to anyone,” Nicholas said sharply, golden eyes flashing faintly. “That’s not how this works.” EJ leaned against the kitchen island, jaw tight. “Jay didn’t exactly give me time to organize a town hall.”

“That’s not the point,” Fuma cut in, voice low but heavy. “Last time we trusted vampires, people got hurt, we lost people, and we almost lost more.” Rocky stiffened slightly at the table, Nicholas’s eyes shot to her instantly. “And Tara almost never became my mate because of them,” Fuma continued, glancing at her briefly before looking back at EJ. “You’re asking us to invite that back into our home. Into our safe space.”

Nicholas scoffed. “It feels like inviting the devil for coffee.” “Okay, dramatic,” Sora muttered, mouth full of toast. “I’m serious,” Nicholas snapped. “You weren’t the one watching your mate almost fade away, I felt her slipping.” EJ’s expression softened. “I know. And I’m not dismissing that.” “Then why does it feel like you are?” Fuma asked. “Because I’m choosing Jay,” EJ said firmly. “He fought beside us. He protected us. He bled with us. You really think he’d betray us now?” “That doesn’t mean his brother won’t,” Nicholas shot back.

EJ opened his mouth, but Kei spoke first. “I’m not thrilled either,” he admitted, setting down his mug. “But I trust Jay. Enough to give this one chance. If something feels off, we shut it down immediately.” Maki shook his head from across the table. “That’s easy to say when it’s not your mate that almost got taken from us.” Kei turned toward him. “And it’s easy to say no to everything when you’re scared.” Maki bristled. “I’m not scared.” “You’re defensive,” Kei replied calmly. “There’s a difference.”

Yuma leaned back in his chair, arms crossed. “No, I’m with Nico and Fuma on this. This is a bad idea. Period.” “Same,” Maki muttered. Harua glanced between them, fingers twisting in his sleeve. “I don’t love it either… but Jay wouldn’t hurt us. Not intentionally.” Jo nodded softly beside Sana. “Yeah… he always felt kind.” Taki shrugged. “I hate it, but I kinda agree. Jay’s solid.” Sana looked between the brothers nervously. “I just don’t want anyone getting hurt again.” Rocky finally spoke, her voice quieter than usual. “I trust Jay. I don’t trust his mystery brother. Those are two different things.” Nicholas immediately nodded. “Exactly.”

EJ exhaled slowly. “And that’s why he’ll be supervised. Constantly. He doesn’t get free roam. He doesn’t get alone time. He doesn’t get access to anything sensitive.” “And if he steps out of line?” Fuma asked. “Then he’s gone,” EJ said immediately. “No discussion.” Silence followed. Not peaceful, but heavy. Weighted with memories and fear and the kind of protectiveness that only came from almost losing each other. 

Fuma dragged a hand through his hair. “I still hate this.” “I know,” EJ said quietly. “But sometimes trusting the right person means risking discomfort. Not danger, discomfort.” Yuma scoffed. “You’re really trying to sell this.” “I’m trying to keep this family from tearing itself in half before the guest even arrives.” That shut everyone up. Kei sighed. “Look. No one here wants this. That alone should tell us something. But we trust Jay. And if we don’t, then what was all that fighting together even for?”

Nicholas looked away. Fuma’s jaw tightened. Maki stared into his coffee. Harua finally murmured, “I just… don’t want us to become people who never let anyone in.” Taki nodded slowly. “Yeah. That too.” Another stretch of silence. Then EJ checked his phone. “Fifteen minutes,” 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. “I thought they’d drive,”

A sudden rush of wind whipped past them, snow scattering, and then two figures were just… there. Sora burst out laughing immediately. “Called it.” 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. Sora’s smile widened as recognition hit her. “Oh,” she muttered. “Of course it’s you.” Jay sighed tiredly. “Don’t start.”

EJ stepped forward, forcing his shoulders to relax, even though his instincts were buzzing under his skin. “Jay,” he said firmly, nodding once. “Good to see you.” Jay returned the nod. “You too. And… thanks again. For this.” EJ’s gaze shifted to the other vampire, who was already smiling like he’d just arrived at a theme park instead of a werewolf pack village. “And you must be…” EJ began, extending his hand. The guy took it instantly, shaking it with far too much enthusiasm, pumping EJ’s arm up and down like they were best friends already. “Yang Jungwon!” he said brightly. “Jay’s little brother. Well, not actually brother, but emotionally brother. Spiritually brother. Found family brother.”

Jay groaned softly behind him. “You’re already embarrassing me.” Jungwon turned around. “I literally said nothing weird.” “You never stop talking,” Jay muttered. Miyu smiled politely, though her eyes were sharp with curiosity. “I’m Miyu. Welcome.” Jungwon beamed at her. “Wow, you’re pretty. Jay, your friends are hot.” Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. “Please stop.” Yuma blinked. “…I don’t like him.” Sora snorted. “You say that, but give it ten minutes.” 

Jungwon finally noticed her properly and gasped. “Oh my god, Sora?” She grinned. “Told you he’d recognize me.” He stepped closer instantly, pointing at her. “Jay talks about you all the time.” “I literally do not talk about her that much,” Jay protested. “You talk about her constantly.” Sora laughed. “He’s lying, I don’t even talk to you that often.” EJ cleared his throat, trying to regain control of the situation. “Well. Welcome to the pack village. You’ll be staying in the guest cabin near the tree line. Rules will be explained shortly.”

Jungwon nodded enthusiastically. “Love rules. Very into boundaries. Big fan.” Yuma muttered, “That makes one of us.” Jay rubbed his face. “I already regret this.” Jungwon gasped dramatically. “Wow. I’ve been here thirty seconds.” EJ glanced at Jay. “You sure about this?” Jay sighed, looking at Jungwon, who was now crouched to touch the snow like he’d never seen it before. “No,” he admitted. “But here we are.” Jay sighed again. “I told you I hoped I wouldn’t regret this.” Sora laughed softly. “Too late.”

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 didn’t protest. She understood. Truthfully, she was nervous too. She knew she’d heard both Jungwon’s and Niki’s names during her time with Heeseung, fragments of conversations and half-memories surfacing now that a vampire from Jay’s old coven was under their roof. She couldn’t 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. “You okay?” he murmured, low enough that only she could hear. Tara nodded, resting her forehead against his shoulder. “Yeah. Just… on edge.” “Me too,” he admitted. “But I’ve got you.”

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, Nico’s eyes flicked up instantly, golden flash beneath dark lashes. Rocky sighed softly. “Nico, I’m fine. I can handle myself around a vampire.” “No,” he said flatly, tightening his hold just a fraction. “Absolutely not.” She leaned her head back against his shoulder, rolling her eyes. “You’re being dramatic.” He huffed. “It’s either this or I lock you in our cabin.” “…That’s not comforting.” “But effective.” Rocky stared at him for a moment, then laughed under her breath, finally relaxing into his chest. “You’re ridiculous.” “And you’re staying right here,” he muttered, pressing a kiss into her hair, his growl easing just slightly, but not disappearing.

After EJ showed Jay the cabin they’d 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. “Okay, okay,” he said lightly. “You can chill out. I won’t cause trouble. If Jay says you’re good people, then you’re good people.” EJ sighed, not entirely sure whether that made him feel better or worse, and Jay didn’t 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. “There are two wolves in particular who are probably going to be… hostile toward you.” Jungwon tilted his head. “Because of Heeseung and Sunghoon?” EJ nodded once. Jungwon’s expression softened, the joking edge fading. “Yeah. I get that. What they did was messed up.” He shoved his hands into his pockets, shoulders lifting in a small shrug. “That’s traditional vampire culture, though. Old rules, old thinking. But I’m not traditional.” Jay glanced at him, surprised. Jungwon gave a crooked smile in return. “Seriously. I’m not here to hurt anyone. I just want to hang out with my brother for a few days.” EJ studied him for a moment longer before exhaling slowly. “Let’s hope that stays true.”

As they stepped inside, it was immediately clear that Jungwon’s 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 Kei’s 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 Jo’s height, though the wolf’s 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 Jungwon’s 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. “Fuma,” he said simply, tightening his arm around Tara. “And this is my mate, Tara.” Jungwon nodded quickly, definitely feeling the weight of the wolf’s presence, but he still offered a polite smile. “Hi. Nice to meet you,” he said, hoping his voice didn’t betray how intimidated he felt.

Then it was Nicholas’ turn. His growl deepened, low and rumbling, sending a shiver straight down Jungwon’s spine, but before he could even speak, the girl in his lap beat him to it. “I’m Rocky,” she said brightly, clearly amused by the tension. “I’m a witch.” Then she pointed her thumb back at Nicholas. “And this is my grumpy mate, Nico. Or, well, Nicholas.” Jungwon blinked, then laughed softly despite himself. “Nice to meet you,” 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. “Okay, absolutely not Monopoly,” Sora said immediately, dropping down cross-legged. “I refuse to ruin friendships today.” Sunoo laughed. “You say that like it’s not already doomed.” “How about this one?” Willow asked, holding up a brightly colored box. Jo leaned over to read the title. “That one takes like three hours…” “Perfect,” Sana said brightly. “We’re stuck inside anyway.” 

Jungwon watched them for a moment, then smiled a little. “You guys always like this?” “Only on days that end in Y,” 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. “That’s suspicious,” Sunoo said, narrowing his eyes. “No way you’re that lucky.” Jungwon lifted his hands. “Beginner’s luck. I swear.”

Across the room, however, the tension hadn’t 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. “I need backup.” Kei nodded once. “Yeah.” Aya caught the shift immediately. “Hey,” she said gently, clapping her hands. “Tara, Rocky, come with me. Taki too.” Taki blinked. “Me?” “Yes, you,” Aya said with a soft smile. “Before you stress yourself into another dimension.” Taki relaxed instantly. “Thank you.” Rocky slid out of Nicholas’ lap, muttering, “Try not to start a war while I’m gone.” “No promises,” Nicholas grumbled. Tara squeezed Fuma’s arm. “Please don’t punch anyone.” Fuma exhaled through his nose. “I’ll behave.”

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. “Fuma. Nicholas. Maki. Outside. Now.” Maki stiffened. “What?” “Now,” 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 wouldn’t carry inside. The moment they were out of sight, EJ turned on them, arms crossed, expression hard. “Alright,” he said flatly. “We’re talking. And we’re starting with why three grown wolves are acting like territorial teenagers over someone who hasn’t done a single thing wrong.”

Nicholas didn’t even wait for EJ to finish speaking. His eyes flashed gold, a low growl ripping from his chest as his fangs slipped out slightly. “You don’t get it,” he snapped. “We almost lost you because of a vampire. Yeah, you survived, congratulations, but that doesn’t erase the fact that you nearly died.” EJ stiffened, but Nicholas wasn’t done. “And Rocky,” he continued, voice rougher now, raw. “She 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.” His jaw clenched. “The only vampire we’ve ever met who didn’t destroy something was Jay. He helped us. He healed Yuma. He fought with us. We don’t know anything about this Jungwon, so no, I don’t trust him.”

Fuma nodded sharply, eyes glowing faint amber. “And you don’t know what that felt like,” he said to EJ, voice low but heavy. “You chose not to accept Sora at first, that was your choice. I didn’t get one. I was kept from my mate by a brainwashing vampire. I watched Tara suffer while I couldn’t do a damn thing about it.” His fists clenched. “So yeah, I’m not exactly excited about welcoming another one into our home.” Maki stepped forward then, quieter, but no less serious. “Lila was my friend,” he said, voice tight. “She was kind. Gentle. And we had to send her away because of all that mess. She was hurt because of us. Because of vampires.” His eyes dropped briefly before lifting again. “I don’t want to risk that happening again. Especially not now.” His jaw tightened. “Not when I just found my mate.”

The air went heavy with silence, thick with old wounds and memories that hadn’t healed as much as any of them pretended. Kei shifted beside EJ, finally speaking. “No one’s saying your fears aren’t valid,” he said calmly. “But acting hostile from the start doesn’t protect anyone, it just makes things worse.” EJ dragged a hand over his face, exhaling slowly. “I know what you’ve all been through,” he said quietly. “I lived through it, too. I nearly died, too.” His eyes lifted, meeting each of theirs in turn. “But 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.”

Nicholas scoffed. “That doesn’t mean Jungwon deserves that trust.” “No,” EJ agreed. “But it also doesn’t mean he deserves your hostility.” Fuma looked away, jaw tight. “So what, we’re just supposed to pretend everything’s fine?” “No,” EJ said firmly. “You’re supposed to not start a war before one exists.” Maki muttered, “Hard to do when history keeps repeating itself.” EJ turned to him. “And you, especially you, need to cool it. You were openly hostile to him inside. He hasn’t done anything. And you’re already on thin ice after the other day.”

Maki bristled. “I wasn’t,” “You were,” EJ cut in. “And I get why. But you don’t get to let your fear turn into aggression. Not here.” Maki looked away, jaw tight. “I just don’t want to lose anyone else.” The words hit harder than anything else he’d said. For a moment, no one spoke. Finally, EJ softened his tone. “None of us do. That’s the point. Which is why we don’t burn bridges before we know what’s on the other side.” Kei added quietly, “We’re not asking you to trust him. Just… tolerate him. For now.” Nicholas growled under his breath but didn’t argue. Fuma sighed, rubbing a hand over his face. “Fine. But if he steps out of line,” “He won’t,” EJ said immediately. “And if he does, he’s gone. That’s the deal.” 

Maki nodded reluctantly. “I’ll behave.” Nicholas shot him a look. “Try harder than that.” Maki huffed. “Says the guy who growled at him like he was about to bite his head off.” “Tempting,” Nicholas muttered. Despite everything, Kei let out a quiet snort. “Great. Progress.” EJ exhaled slowly. “Good. Then let’s go back inside before someone assumes we’re planning a coup.” Fuma muttered, “Feels like one.” 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 vampire’s visit. Rocky took the basketball that Taki tossed her and shot it toward the hoop. It bounced off the rim, but she barely reacted. “Honestly? I don’t feel much,” she said, shrugging. “Jungwon wasn’t involved in what happened. And when I walked through Tara’s memories, I never saw him. Heeseung kept her close constantly, so if Jungwon wasn’t there, he probably wasn’t part of that mess. Maybe he really is more like Jay. You know. Not an asshole.”

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. “I’m… not great,” she admitted quietly. “But it’s not really Jungwon. I’m just scared some hidden memory of Heeseung is going to surface and wreck me out of nowhere.” She hugged her arms around herself slightly. “And Fuma isn’t helping. He’s supposed to ground me, but right now he’s just making me more anxious because I don’t know if he’s going to stay calm or suddenly start a fight.”

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 wasn’t 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. “It’s okay. I’m sure EJ and Kei can talk some sense into them.” Rocky joked, “Otherwise, I’ll just spell them.” 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. “I think Rocky, Tara, and Taki should tell you how they’re feeling.” Rocky went first, repeating what she’d told the others, ending with a pointed look at Nicholas. “I’m not helpless, and I don’t appreciate you making me feel like I am.” Nicholas smiled awkwardly, finally realizing how he’d been acting. Tara took a deep breath. “Fuma… I am anxious,” she said quietly, “but not in the way you think. And you're acting like you’re about to snap at any second? That’s actually making it worse.” Fuma froze, looking down at the ground. “I… I didn’t realize I was doing that,” he muttered. “I thought I was protecting you.” “I know,” Tara said softly, stepping closer. “But right now, I just need you to calm down. If you’re okay, then I’ll be okay too.” She hugged him, and after a second, he wrapped his arms around her, pressing a kiss to the top of her head. “Alright,” he promised. “I’ll calm down.” “And if you don’t,” she added lightly, “I’ll make you sleep in the dog house.” That made him huff out a laugh. “Cruel.” “You deserve it,” she teased, smiling, and with that, his wolf finally settled.

Taki shifted awkwardly before speaking up. “Uh… I kind of feel the same, actually. You’re usually so calm, Fuma, and seeing you like this makes me anxious too. And that’s… not great, considering my wolf’s finally waking up.” Kei immediately stepped closer to him. “Hey,” he said gently, “if you start feeling overwhelmed, come to me. I’ve got you, okay?” Taki nodded, relieved. “Thanks. I appreciate that.” Aya looked between all of them, crossing her arms. “So,” she said, tilting her head, “are we good now? Can we maybe stop glaring at the guest like we’re about to eat him?” Rocky snorted. “Please. I was two seconds away from casting a calming spell on all of you.” Fuma groaned. “That was not necessary.” “I disagree,” she shot back. Nicholas rubbed the back of his neck. “Okay, okay. Point taken.” Aya smiled. “Great. Then let’s go back inside and try being decent hosts for once.” 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 wasn’t allowed out of Jay’s sight during his visit. That was the rule. Jungwon practically bounced as they walked toward the cars. “I’m excited,” he said brightly. “Jay hasn’t cooked for me in forever. I miss your food.” Jay snorted. “You’re 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.” “Ooo,” Jungwon said, eyes lighting up. “A bakery genius? I already like this place.” Maki kept quiet, walking beside them with his hands in his pockets. He half-expected Jungwon to ask about Lila, where she’d gone, what happened to her, but he didn’t. No reaction, no questions. It looked like Rocky’s spell really had worked on everyone outside the pack. Still, Maki couldn’t help the tight feeling in his chest. He didn’t 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. He’d promised EJ he’d 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. “How long have you been here?” she asked. “It looks like you baked half the menu already.” (Y/n) laughed, glancing at the clock. “Um… maybe three hours? Or four? I kind of lost track.” Maki smiled softly, thinking you could’ve texted me, I would’ve come early just to keep you company, but he kept it to himself, not wanting to come on too strong.

(Y/n)’s eyes drifted past him, landing on the unfamiliar face behind Jay. She tilted her head. “Did you suddenly get another brother you forgot to tell me about?” Everyone laughed. Jungwon stepped forward easily, offering his hand. “Not a brother, friend of Jay’s. Sort of a younger brother, though. I’m Jungwon.” (Y/n) smiled and shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m (Y/n).” 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 Maki’s shoulders, the flash of something feral in his eyes, and calmly took a step back, hands lifting slightly in surrender. “Don’t worry,” Jungwon said lightly, glancing between them. “Not here to cause trouble.” (Y/n) blinked, confused by the sudden awkwardness. “Uh… okay?” Maki cleared his throat, forcing a smile. “Yeah. He’s… visiting.”

~~~

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, he’d settled into something resembling polite tolerance.

Now it was Friday, and Maki had the day off from school again. The night before, he’d 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 other’s yet. “And then,” Maki was saying, gesturing wildly, “the math test yesterday was brutal. Like, genuinely offensive.”

(Y/n) laughed. “Offensive?” “Yes. I’m pretty sure it personally attacked me.” She smiled. “I get that. Math was never my thing either. I liked art and English way more.” “Yeah?” Maki glanced at her. “Mine’s PE.” She groaned softly. “Of course it is.” Rolling her eyes. “What? That hurt,” he teased. “Why don’t you like it?” (Y/n) shrugged, gesturing vaguely at herself. “Look at me. I don’t exactly look like someone who loves sports. And my classmates made sure to remind me of that.” Maki stopped walking. She took two more steps before noticing and turning back. “What?” He looked at her, brows furrowed, genuinely confused. “What are you talking about?” She blinked. “About… me not being sporty?” “No,” he said, shaking his head. “About you talking about yourself like that.”

She shifted awkwardly. “I mean, it’s just true.” “Is it?” he asked softly. “Because I don’t see it.” She laughed a little, uncertain. “That’s sweet, but,” “No, I’m serious.” He stepped closer, hands in his pockets like he didn’t trust himself not to reach for her. “You don’t look like someone who hates sports. You look like someone who just didn’t get treated right.” Her smile faded, replaced with something quieter. “You don’t have to say that.” “I know,” he said. “I want to.” She studied his face for a moment, then looked away, cheeks warm. “You’re really bad for my self-esteem issues, you know that?” He grinned. “Good. I’ll bully them out of existence.” She laughed again, softer this time. “You’re ridiculous.” “Only for you,” he said without thinking. They both froze. Maki’s ears burned. “I… I mean,” (Y/n) smiled, eyes dropping to the sidewalk. “Yeah,” she said quietly. “I noticed.”

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 café near the park. “I’m ordering dessert,” Maki announced confidently, scanning the menu. (Y/n) glanced up. “Maki, I really don’t,” “Non-negotiable.” She sighed. “I’m serious, I,” He leaned across the table, lowering his voice dramatically. “Okay, but… what if we just share something?” She hesitated, then smiled despite herself. “You’re impossible.” “Effective,” 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)’s posture stiffen beside him. She didn’t say anything, but he followed her gaze. Two of the guys were looking at her. Not just glancing, staring. Whispering. Snickering. Maki’s jaw tightened. “They’re just idiots,” he muttered under his breath, mostly to himself. (Y/n) tried to smile. “It’s fine.” But it wasn’t.

The group ordered quickly, or maybe picked up something they’d 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. “Hit the gym, you pig.” 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)’s hands were shaking. “Hey,” Maki said softly, immediately standing, stepping in front of her without thinking. “What did you just say?”

The guy scoffed. “Relax, man. I’m just being honest.” “Apologize,” Maki said, voice low and dangerous. The guy laughed. “Why? She deserves it.” That was it. Maki didn’t 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. “Holy shit!” “What the hell?!” (Y/n) gasped, standing up. “Maki!”

The guy’s friends spun around instantly, eyes wide before turning furious. “What the fuck did you do?!” 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 couldn’t use his full strength. Not here. Not with humans. Not with (Y/n) watching. “Back off,” he growled, hands clenched at his sides, shaking with the effort not to shift. “He had it coming.” “Yeah?” one of them snapped. “You wanna go?” They surged forward all at once. Behind him, (Y/n)’s voice shook. “Maki, please,” He turned his head just enough to meet her eyes. “Hey,” he said quietly, even as fists grabbed at his shirt. “I’ve got you. Okay?”

Then the first punch came from the side. The guys dragged Maki outside before anyone could really react. “Maki!” (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 café. Every few seconds, one of them landed a hit, a punch to his ribs, a blow to his shoulder. “Stop,” she whispered, tears burning behind her eyes. “Please…” Then one of them swung harder, catching his cheek. She saw his head snap to the side. Blood dotted the pavement. 

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. “What the hell?” “Dude, what is he?!” The group hesitated now, fear flashing across their faces. Even five against one, it was obvious they weren’t winning. “Forget it,” one of them muttered. “Let’s go.” They backed away, then turned and ran.

Maki stood there, chest heaving, hands trembling, not from pain, but from how close he’d come to losing control. “Hey,” he said quickly, turning to (Y/n) as she rushed toward him. “Are you okay?” She didn’t answer right away. Her eyes were wide, fixed on his face. “You’re bleeding,” 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. “Maki… how?” 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.

“I,” he exhaled shakily. “Give me a few minutes. Please. I’ll explain. I promise.” She stared at him, confused and shaken, but nodded slowly. “Okay…” He squeezed her hand once before turning back inside. The café was buzzing with voices, people staring, the staff clearly rattled. Maki walked straight to the counter. “I’m so sorry,” he said quickly. “That was my fault. I’ll cover whatever damages there are, tables, chairs, anything.” The barista blinked. “Uh,” “Seriously,” he insisted, pulling out his wallet. “I didn’t mean for any of this to happen.” After making sure everything was paid for, and adding extra, just in case, he grabbed his jacket and (Y/n)’s bag from their table.

She was waiting by the door, arms wrapped around herself. “Ready?” 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)’s fingers kept twisting into the strap of her bag, her eyes flicking toward him every few seconds like she wanted to ask something but didn’t know how. Maki noticed. “I swear,” he said quietly, breaking the silence, “I’ll explain everything. I just… didn’t want to do it in there.” She swallowed. “Okay.” But her heart was racing, and she couldn’t shake the feeling that whatever he was about to tell her… was going to change everything.

Once they reached Koyomi and stepped inside, Jay’s head snapped up immediately. “Maki,” he gasped, eyes locking onto the dried blood on his cheek and the corner of his lip, then down to his red knuckles. “What the hell happened?” Maki glanced at (Y/n), then gave Jay a small shrug, the kind that clearly said I’ll explain later, it’s about her. Jay pinched the bridge of his nose. “Of course it is,” he muttered, then waved him toward the back. “Go. Clean up. Now.” Miyu turned at the sound of the door opening and closing, as she looked up, she froze.

“Maki.” Before he could react, she grabbed him by the collar and yanked him down to her height. “Did you seriously get into a fight?” she snapped, hand immediately moving to his face. “I’m fine,” he said quickly. “No, you’re not,” she shot back, gripping his jaw with one hand and his collar with the other, turning his head left and right. “Hold still.” “I said I’m,” “Maki,” she warned, eyes sharp, “if you’re bleeding in my restaurant, you’re dead.” He huffed. “Not bleeding anymore.” “That’s not the point.” She checked his cheek, his lip, then his knuckles. “What did you punch?” “…A guy?” Her eyes narrowed. “One or more?” “…Yeah.” “Maki.” “I said I’m fine, but yeah, there were a few guys.” She released him with a frustrated sigh. “Bathroom. Now. You are not working like this.” “Yes, ma’am,” he muttered, already backing away. “Two minutes.” 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. “Okay,” she said gently. “What happened?” (Y/n) hesitated, then sighed. “Some guys came into the café we were at. They were… staring. Then one of them said something to me when they were leaving.” Miyu’s jaw tightened. “What kind of something?” (Y/n) swallowed. “He told me to ‘hit the gym, pig.’” Miyu’s eyes darkened. “Oh.”

“I dropped my spoon,” (Y/n) continued quietly. “And then Maki just… stood up. Told him to apologize. The guy doubled down, and then,” She gestured helplessly. “He punched him. And then the rest jumped in.” Miyu sighed, rubbing her temple. “Yeah… that tracks.” (Y/n) frowned. “You’re not surprised?” “Not really,” Miyu admitted. “Maki’s always had a… strong reaction to people being cruel. Especially to people he cares about.” (Y/n)’s heart twisted at that. “He didn’t even hesitate.” “No,” Miyu said softly. “He wouldn’t.”

(Y/n) looked down at her hands. “And then… his face was bleeding. But when I wiped it away, there was nothing there.” Miyu froze. “…Nothing?” She shook her head. “No cut. No mark. Just gone.” Miyu stared at her for a long moment, expression unreadable, then let out a slow breath. “Okay.” “Okay?” (Y/n) echoed. “That’s it?” Miyu gave her a small, reassuring smile. “That’s it, for now. Maki promised he’d explain, didn’t he?” “…Yeah.” “Then let him,” Miyu said gently. “He’s not the kind of person who lies when it matters.” (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 hadn’t left his shoulders. Miyu pointed at him. “Sit. You’re benched until I say otherwise.” “Yes, coach,” he muttered, sliding onto one of the stools. She turned back to (Y/n). “You good?” (Y/n) nodded slowly. “I think so.” Maki glanced between them, then said quietly, “Hey… can we talk? Like. Somewhere private.” Her heart skipped. “…Yeah.” Miyu watched them for a second, then waved a hand. “Storage room’s empty. Go.” 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. “How?” she asked quietly. Maki leaned against the opposite wall, taking a deep breath. “Do you want the full and honest truth,” he said, “even if it might shock you, even if you might hate me after?” (Y/n) nodded. “I want the truth. No matter what.” Maki nodded. “Okay.” 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. “Maki” 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. “Monster,” she whispered. His heart shattered. “I’m not a monster,” he said softly. “I’m just a werewolf… though to you, that might be the same thing.” (Y/n) asked if this was a trick. Maki shook his head. “No. I would never do that to you. I’d never lie about this.”

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 didn’t know how to fix it. (Y/n) watched as his eyes returned to the ones she had found herself loving, the playful Maki she’d 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. “Please don’t tell anyone,” Maki said quietly. She stopped, her hand on the handle. “I won’t.” 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. “I, I need to go home,” she whispered, not stopping, not looking back. “Hey!” 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. “Jay,” she called. Jay jogged over immediately. “What’s wrong?” Her voice dropped. “I need you to take over the kitchen for a bit.” He frowned. “Why? What happened?” “Maki,” she said quietly. That was all it took. Jay’s expression shifted instantly. “What about him?” “I don’t know yet,” she admitted. “But (Y/n) just left crying, and he’s still in the storage room.” Jay exhaled slowly, rubbing a hand over his face. “Shit…” Jay nodded. “Go. I’ve got it.” Then, more gently, “Let me know if you need anything.”

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 couldn’t fix it fast enough. She opened the door carefully. “Maki…?” 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. “Oh, baby…” Miyu whispered.

She crossed the room quickly and dropped to her knees in front of him. “Hey. Hey, look at me.” He didn’t. His eyes stayed on the floor. “Maki,” she said again, softer this time, her hand hovering before gently resting on his arm. “Talk to me. What happened?” His lips trembled. For a moment, she thought he wouldn’t answer at all. Then, barely louder than a breath, he whispered, “She… she called me a monster.” Miyu’s chest tightened painfully. “Oh,” she murmured. “Oh, Maki…” He squeezed the glass harder, knuckles whitening. “I showed her. I told her the truth. And she,” His voice cracked. “She was scared.”

Miyu swallowed hard, blinking fast. “Of course she was,” she said gently. “She’s human. This world is a lot, even for the strongest people. That doesn’t mean she hates you.” “But she looked at me like I wasn’t, like I wasn’t me anymore,” he whispered. “Like I was something else.” Miyu shifted closer, her knees brushing his. “You’re still you,” she said firmly. “You’re still Maki. You’re still my annoying little brother who steals snacks and pretends he didn’t. You’re still the boy who cares too much and loves too hard. Nothing about that changes.”

His breathing stuttered. “She threw this glass at me,” he muttered. “I caught it, and then my wolf just…” He shook his head. “It went away. Like it didn’t want to be there anymore.” 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. “You’re not a monster,” she said softly but clearly. “You’re a werewolf. And you’re one of the kindest people I know.” He let out a shaky breath. “She was scared of me.” “I know,” Miyu said. “And that hurts. I won’t pretend it doesn’t. But fear doesn’t mean rejection. It means shock. It means she needs time.” He didn’t answer, just crumpled forward, pressing his forehead into her shoulder.

Miyu wrapped her arms around him instantly, holding him tight. “It’s okay,” she whispered into his hair. “I’ve got you. You don’t have to be strong right now.” 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. “You’re not alone,” she murmured. “You hear me? Not now. Not ever.”

Somewhere deep in the pack bond, she felt it, the sharp, wrong emptiness where Maki’s 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. “Where’s Maki?” he demanded. Jay didn’t hesitate, pointing down the hallway. “Storage room.” Fuma was already moving.

His chest felt tight, from Miyu’s text, from the strange, hollow pull he’d felt in the pack bond, but nothing prepared him for what he saw when he opened the door. Maki was in Miyu’s arms on the floor, shoulders shaking, face buried against her as he cried. “Hey,” 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 didn’t see the nineteen-year-old in front of him. He saw the five-year-old boy he’d found wandering alone, crying for parents who never came back. The kid he’d carried home. The kid he’d 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. “I’ve got you,” he murmured, pressing his forehead to Maki’s hair. “I’m here.” 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 Maki’s breathing slowly evening out. Eventually, Miyu stood. “I need to get back to the kitchen,” she said softly. “Don’t leave him alone.” “I won’t,” Fuma promised. When the door closed behind her, Fuma looked down at Maki. “Talk to me.” Maki swallowed hard. “There was a fight… at the café. Some guys said stuff to (Y/n). I lost it.” His voice cracked. “She saw me heal. Then I told her the truth. About being a werewolf.”

Fuma’s jaw tightened slightly, but he said nothing, letting him continue. “She was scared,” Maki whispered. “She called me a monster.” Fuma’s arms tightened around him. “Oh, Maki…” “I ruined everything,” he choked. “She looked at me like I wasn’t me anymore.” “No,” Fuma said firmly, pulling back just enough to look at him. “You didn’t ruin anything. You were honest. That takes courage. And fear doesn’t mean hate, it means shock.” Maki shook his head weakly. “It didn’t feel like that.” “I know,” Fuma said softly, brushing his thumb over Maki’s hair. “But this isn’t over. Not even close. It’s going to be okay. We’ll fix this. Somehow.” Maki leaned into him again, exhausted, broken. Fuma held him tighter. “You’re not alone,” he murmured. “Not now. Not ever.”

After another thirty minutes, Fuma finally spoke. “Let’s go home.” 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 couldn’t feel his wolf at all, but he didn’t say anything. He knew this wasn’t 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. “Not now,” he said quietly. “He doesn’t need questions. He needs rest.” EJ nodded in understanding.

Still, he recognized the look on Maki’s face, the exhaustion, the pain. Rejection. Or at least, his wolf believed he’d 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 café to (Y/n) seeing Maki heal, to the storage room, ending with, “We need a plan. Fast. Or we might lose him.” Silence fell over the room. Fuma turned to the girls. “Any ideas? You might understand her side better.” Aya frowned, thinking. “I get how shocking it is… but not like that. I was already in love with Kei when I found out.” She shook her head. “Same with me,” Sana said softly, and Willow nodded in agreement. Rocky crossed her arms. “Maybe someone should talk to her. But that could also make it worse. She might feel betrayed that no one warned her.”

Sora sighed. “Honestly? I think the only one who can fix this is Maki himself.” Everyone looked at her. “He’s the one she trusts. He’s 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.” The room went quiet again. Tara stepped forward, voice quiet but steady. “I 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.” She swallowed. “I 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 wasn’t a monster, no matter what the stories said.”

She looked down at her hands. “(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.” The room fell quiet. Everyone looked at Tara, surprised that she’d 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, “Thank you.” 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. “Hey… how are you?” “I’m fine,” she said softly, hugging him back. “How’s Maki?” Yuma hesitated. “Not great.” Miyu sighed, tightening her arms around him. “I figured. The way (Y/n) reacted was bad.” She pulled back slightly. “She threw a glass at him.” Yuma’s eyes widened. “She did what?” “Yeah,” Miyu murmured. “Fuma didn’t tell you?” He shook his head, frowning. “No… he didn’t.” “Maybe he forgot,” Miyu said quietly. “Or maybe he didn’t want to make it worse.”

Inside, Maki was awake, but barely. His eyes were dull, unfocused, his skin pale. He looked like someone who’d 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. Maki’s wolf was suffering. It was a feeling far too familiar, the same one they’d felt with EJ, back when he’d refused to accept Sora. Sora tried to use her healing powers on Maki, but nothing worked. The only remedy to a mate’s rejection was their acceptance, and his mate didn’t even know she’d 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. “Should we call (Y/n)?” Sana asked quietly. “It’s only been a few hours, but maybe we should check on her, too.” Aya shook her head. “No. She won’t be feeling this. She’s human, she’s in shock, probably confused, but she’s not dying. She needs time. And space.” She looked back at Maki. “Tomorrow, we can think about talking to her. For now, our priority is him.” 

Tara sat beside Fuma on the couch, close enough that their knees brushed, but even that small contact didn’t 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. “I should’ve been there,” he muttered suddenly. “I should’ve warned him. Prepared him. I knew this could happen.” His voice cracked with frustration. “He’s nineteen, Tara. He’s a kid. And I let him walk straight into this alone.” She reached out, placing her hand over his fists, gently forcing his fingers to loosen. “Fuma,” she said softly, “look at me.”

He didn’t at first. His breathing was shallow, uneven, chest rising too fast for someone who hadn’t moved in twenty minutes. “Fuma,” she repeated, firmer this time. He finally looked at her, eyes wild with guilt. “He’s breaking,” he whispered. “I can feel it. His wolf’s shutting down and I,” His voice dropped. “I raised him. This is on me.” Tara shook her head immediately. “No. It’s not.” She slid closer, pressing her forehead to his temple. “You’ve done everything you could. You always do everything you can. But you can’t protect him from every kind of pain.” He let out a rough breath. “I was supposed to protect him from this.” “You couldn’t,” she said gently. “No one could. Not even EJ. Not even Miyu. This was always something only Maki could face.” She pulled his hands apart and laced her fingers through his. “And he didn’t fail. He told her the truth. That took courage.” Fuma swallowed hard, his grip tightening around her hands instead. “And look where it got him.” “Right now?” she said quietly. “It got him hurt. But that doesn’t mean it ends here.”

He shook his head, running a hand through his hair. “I should’ve seen the signs. I should’ve told him to wait. Or told her myself. Or,” His breathing hitched. “I should’ve done something.” Tara moved, sitting sideways on his lap without asking, arms wrapping around his shoulders, pulling his face into her neck. “Hey,” she murmured. “Hey. Stop.” He froze at the contact, then slowly sagged into her, forehead pressed to her collarbone. “This isn’t your fault,” she whispered. “Things go wrong sometimes. Even when everyone does their best. What matters isn’t what you should’ve done, it’s what we do now.” His arms came around her tightly, like he was afraid if he let go, he’d fall apart. “I don’t know how to fix this,” he admitted, voice muffled against her shoulder. “You don’t have to fix everything,” she said softly. “You just have to be here. For him. And right now, for yourself.”

He pulled back just enough to look at her, eyes red, tired. “How are you so calm about this?” She shrugged lightly. “I don’t know. I’m not calm. I’m scared too.” She brushed her thumb under his eye, gently. “But I’ve learned that panic never helps. And… before Heeseung, I was studying psychology. Maybe some of that’s still buried in my brain somewhere.” He gave a weak, breathless laugh. “Of course you were.” She smiled faintly. “Guess it’s finally useful.” He pulled her back into him, holding her tighter now, like she was the only thing keeping him upright. “You’re amazing,” 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 wasn’t 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.

“I have an idea,” Jungwon said suddenly, brightening. “What if I sneak up on (Y/n), scare her, and then Maki shows up and saves her? Instant hero moment.” Maki’s head snapped up. “No.” His voice came out harsher than he meant to, but his wolf didn’t stir behind it, and that somehow made it worse. “You don’t have to growl,” Jungwon said quickly. “I was just suggesting,” “No,” Maki repeated, quieter now. “Absolutely not.” “That’s a terrible idea,” Sana said immediately. “And traumatizing,” Sora added. “She’s human, not a side quest,” Aya muttered. Jungwon lifted his hands. “Okay, okay, but technically, she wouldn’t even know it was me. I can shapeshift.” Everyone blinked. “You can what?” Sunoo asked. “Not animals or objects,” Jungwon clarified. “Just… face shape, hair color, stuff like that. Enough to be unrecognizable.”

Nicholas tilted his head thoughtfully. “I mean… that might actually,” Rocky smacked his shoulder. “No. We don’t scare people into liking us.” Nicholas winced. “Ow. Okay, fair.” Maki stayed silent, shoulders tense, eyes fixed on his plate. Willow noticed. “Hey,” she said gently, turning to him. “What do you want to do? Because right now it kind of feels like we’re all deciding for you.”

He hesitated. “I… don’t know,” he admitted quietly. “I don’t want to pressure her. I don’t want her to feel trapped or scared or like she has to forgive me.” Aya leaned forward. “You don’t have to pressure her. But you should talk to her. Just… talk. Let her see you’re still you.” Maki swallowed. “What if she doesn’t want to see me?” “Then you respect that,” Aya said softly. “But at least she’ll know you tried. And she deserves the truth, not silence.” The table fell quiet after that, everyone looking at Maki. He nodded faintly. “Okay,” he said. “I’ll talk to her.”

~~~

The next day, Maki woke up before sunrise and walked to (Y/n)’s apartment, Miyu’s text with the address burning in his pocket like it might disappear if he didn’t 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. “I don’t want to talk to you, Maki.” His chest ached like something had cracked open inside him. He knocked again, softer this time. “Please,” he said, voice low, rough around the edges.

He could hear her steps now, closer to the door. Not opening it, just standing there. “I just… I just need one minute,” he said quietly. “That’s all. One minute.” Silence. He rested his forehead against the door, eyes closing. “Please,” he whispered again, barely loud enough to reach her, praying to the moon she’d 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 she’d been crying; her eyes were red, glassy, exhausted. There was still fear in them, a tremor she couldn’t hide, but it wavered when she took in how bad he looked, like someone barely standing upright, like a walking corpse.

“Can I… come inside?” 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.

“I’m sorry,” he said. That was his start. He’d 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 didn’t know what the right thing was. Her first question caught him so off guard that he started coughing. “Do you eat people?” she blurted out. “Is that why you work at the restaurant?” 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. “No. Why would you ask that?” She shrugged. “Some werewolves in fiction do that.” He sighed softly. “Yeah, some are portrayed that way. But in reality, werewolves protect humans. Mostly from vampires. Though… It’s not as bad as it was a couple of centuries ago.”

“Okay,” (Y/n) said slowly. “Does Miyu know?” He nodded. “Yeah. Yuma too. He’s my brother, and a werewolf. Actually… all of my brothers are.” She nodded, processing that. “That makes sense,” she murmured, then looked back up at him. “Then why didn’t you tell me before? Why did you let me go almost two months without knowing?” Maki took a deep breath, bracing himself before answering. He said that he wanted to tell her, he really did, he just didn’t 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. “What do you mean?” “Can I… explain that later?” he asked quietly. (Y/n) sighed, frustration flashing across her face, but she nodded. “Fine.” Then she asked, “Does Jay know?” Maki nodded. “Yeah. Jay is,” He hesitated. “Um. A vampire.” (Y/n) shot to her feet. “What?” “He’s a vampire,” Maki said quickly, clearing his throat, “but he’s nice. He’s Miyu’s best friend. He saved her from a rogue vampire years ago, and they’ve been close ever since.” “So he’s not going to try and drink my blood?” she asked sharply. Maki shook his head. “No. Jay only drinks animal blood, and not by killing them. He has a contract with one of our meat suppliers. They think it’s for the restaurant, but it’s not.” (Y/n) nodded slowly, sitting back down. “Okay.”

(Y/n) asked why Maki had been so friendly to her. “I’m friendly to everyone,” he said. “That’s not what I mean,” she replied. “Why did you treat me differently from Miyu? I assume she’s human, too. Why were you always helping me? Did you think I couldn’t do things on my own? That I’m fragile?” “No,” Maki said immediately. “That’s not it at all. I was doing that because I was… kind of flirting with you. I’m not great with words, so I thought if I helped you out, maybe you’d like me.” “Why?” she asked quietly. “Why would someone like you,” she gestured to his body, “like someone like me?” Then she gestured to herself.

Maki felt frustration twist in his chest. Had she really not understood? He said, “Why wouldn’t I like you?” finally finding some strength in his voice, like his wolf felt the hurt in hers and wanted to prove her wrong. “Because no one likes me,” she said, anger and hurt bleeding into her voice. Her eyes glossed over as she continued. “Since I was ten, I’ve 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 who’s 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?”

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. “I don’t see you that way,” he said softly. “I see the person who lights up a room. Your laugh is contagious; it makes my day better even when it’s been terrible. You’re warm and kind. You’re passionate. You’re cute when you’re deciding how to decorate a cake. You’re beautiful when you smile. Your eyes sparkle when you talk about baking or your favorite movie.” His voice wavered slightly. “I see a beautiful young woman who can only make my life better.” (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 she’d 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. “Please don’t talk about yourself like you don’t matter,” he whispered. “Like you don’t have any worth. Because you do. You matter so much. Especially to me.” He stayed there on his knees, not wanting to move away from her.

(Y/n) frowned slightly, her hands still resting on his shoulders. “Why do you look… terrible?” He sighed, shoulders slumping. “Because I can’t push this off anymore. It’s time I tell you the full truth. I would’ve yesterday, but… I didn’t get the chance.” She looked down at the floor, remembering the word she’d thrown at him, monster, but she stayed quiet, letting him speak. “Do you know how in Twilight,” he started carefully, “Jacob imprints on Renesmee?” She nodded slowly, confused. “Yeah…?” “Well,” Maki continued, “real werewolves have something similar. It’s not called imprinting; it’s called a mate bond. Every werewolf has one person they’re destined to fall in love with. The only person they can ever truly love.” His voice dropped. “And if that person rejects them… the werewolf loses their life.”

“The way you reacted yesterday,” he said quietly, “it felt like rejection. So my wolf… kind of started dying. Which means I am too.” He swallowed. “That’s why I came here today. To try and fix this. To ask you to give me a chance.” (Y/n)’s eyes widened as she stared at him. “So… I’m your mate?” Maki nodded. “Yeah. Sorry, I didn’t really clarify that part. You are.” “Wait,” she said suddenly, panic creeping into her voice. “You’re dying?” He nodded, then quickly shook his head. “Well… it kind of depends on what you say now.” She blinked, trying to process everything. “So that’s why you didn’t tell me you were a werewolf?”

He nodded again. “If I told you that, you’d find out about my brothers. And then about the mate bond. And then I’d have to tell you all of this way too early. I never wanted to pressure you into anything.” Her shoulders sagged. “I’m… sorry. For calling you a monster. It was just… a lot.” He gave a small, tired smile. “I get it. I probably reacted the same way to Jay when I found out he was a vampire.” He paused. “And Jungwon, too. He’s a vampire as well. That was only like… a week ago.”

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 hadn’t been since yesterday. He looked at her, rubbing the back of his neck. “I’m sorry for springing all of this on you,” he said quietly. “And for starting that fight yesterday. It’s just… hearing people be mean to you drives me insane. And even more when you talk like you don’t matter.” His voice softened. “When you’re everything to me.” (Y/n) wiped away the last tear clinging to her lashes, letting out a shaky breath. “I was… impressed,” she admitted. “No one’s ever stood up for me like that. No one except my grandma. She was the only one who really cared.”

She looked down at her hands. “So I think… over the years, I just got used to being treated badly. I locked myself away. It’s easier to be alone by choice than to give someone the chance to leave you.” Her voice wavered. “And 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.” She glanced up at him, eyes shining. “So it was easier to call you a monster. Because if I chose to run, then you couldn’t be the one to hurt me.” 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. “I would never hurt you,” he said softly. “Not intentionally. Never.” That familiar voice crept into her mind, he’s lying, you’re not good enough, but she pushed it away. It was scary, and she still didn’t know what came next, but she chose to trust him. “I know,” she whispered. 

Maki exhaled like he’d been holding his breath for hours and wrapped his arms around her tighter. “Are you… okay with it?” he asked. “Me being a werewolf and all.” She thought for a moment. “It’s still shocking,” she admitted. Then her lips twitched. “But kind of fun too. Do you, like… act like a dog?” Maki sighed dramatically, hugging her tighter. “I wouldn’t say that,” he muttered. “But the girls definitely would. They say all of us act like dogs.” (Y/n) laughed softly into his chest. After they sat down on the couch together, (Y/n) asked softly, “Are all the girls human?” Maki shook his head. “Nope. Aya, Miyu, Sana, Tara, and Willow are human. Sora’s a vampire, Rocky’s a witch, oh, and Sunoo’s a wizard, although he’s not one of the girls.” (Y/n) blinked and laughed. “That’s… a lot.” He chuckled. “You get used to it.”

She shifted slightly beside him. “Do you think they’ll like me?” Maki turned toward her, smiling. “They already do. A lot. They’ve been really open to everyone who’s joined the pack.” Then he paused. “Although, fair warning, Rocky will probably attack you with fabric swatches and outfit ideas. It’s easier to just go along with it than try to say no. The witch always gets her way.” (Y/n) laughed. “Yeah, I noticed. She was pretty pushy when we met at the pond.” Maki laughed with her. “True, but her heart’s in the right place.”

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 didn’t 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 wouldn’t 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. “Yes, ma’am, I do.” 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? It’s okay. We’re 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 he’d be so clingy. He started to pull back, about to apologize, but she stopped him, tightening her grip. “I like it,” she said. “So don’t stop.” He laughed, leaning down to kiss the top of her head. “Good. I won’t. I can be even clingier if you want.” She laughed. “Let’s start with just this.”

As they walked toward Koyomi, (Y/n) suddenly stopped. Maki turned to her. “Did you forget something?” She shook her head. “Wait, if I accept all this mate business… does that mean I have to move?” Maki shrugged. “Well, everyone else did, and we’ve got space, but you don’t have to unless you want to. And we can wait. You don’t have to move tomorrow.” She laughed, shaking her head. “Nah, let’s pack my bags tonight. I hate that apartment, it’s awful, moldy, and run-down. I’ve been looking for somewhere new, but nothing’s ever in my budget.” Maki laughed. “Perfect timing then,” 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. “Is that… normal vampire behavior?” Jay sighed, then laughed. “No, that’s just a Jungwon trait. He loves attention and gets jealous easily, but he’s harmless.” Miyu turned to (Y/n). “Are you okay with everything?” (Y/n) nodded. “Yeah. It’s still a lot to grasp, but I’m okay. And… sorry about yesterday.” Miyu waved her hand. “It’s fine. What’s the supernatural world without a little drama?”

Jay smiled. “Alright, let’s get to work. The whole pack is coming by in a few hours, so we need a lot of food and cakes. Plus, we’ve got a big reservation for a ten-year-old’s birthday party.” “Yes, boss,” 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 they’d been stuck in since yesterday. Tara leaned in beside him, her voice soft but smug. “See? I told you he’d be fine.” Fuma let out a breath he didn’t realize he’d been holding and leaned closer to her. “You’re really good at this stuff. Maybe you should find a job where you can actually use that brain.” Tara smiled. “Yeah… maybe.” 

Kei glanced over at Sana and Jo. “So, how are the projects going? I haven’t heard much.” Sana straightened a little. “They’re actually going really well. Aya and Harua have been helping a lot, correcting things and teaching me stuff.” Jo nodded. “Yeah. I turned my paintings in yesterday. I’m really happy with them, especially after Rocky helped me find this perfect red quilt. I used it as Red Riding Hood’s hood; it was a bit extra, but I’m hoping it gets me an A.” Nicholas laughed. “I can’t imagine being that good at school.” Taki groaned dramatically. “So you’re saying I inherited this horrible school brain from you?” Nicholas gasped, clutching his chest. “Wow. Rude.” Then he laughed loudly, and EJ added, “You should’ve spent more time with me instead. I’m the smart one.” 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, “Guess it’s your turn next,” nudging him lightly. Taki sighed. “Yeah… lucky me,” he muttered, clearly not thrilled. Sora tilted her head. “Why? Isn’t finding your mate supposed to be a dream?” “Of course it is,” Taki said, rubbing his face. “But I’m still a broken wolf. Sure, I’m better, but I’m not healed. How am I supposed to find my mate when I’m not even whole?” Rocky crossed her arms thoughtfully. “Maybe that’s exactly what you need. The mate bond might be the missing piece. It was for me, it got rid of my oracle side.” Taki opened his mouth, clearly considering it… then scoffed instead. “Maybe my life isn’t some stupid fairy tale.” Yuma’s voice sharpened. “Just because you’re worried doesn’t mean you get to be an asshole.” Taki looked away. “Sorry,” he muttered. Willow leaned toward Harua, whispering, “Is he always like this?” Harua shook his head quietly. “No. But he’s got his reasons.” 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. “Um… everyone, this is my mate.” (Y/n) smiled nervously, and the room immediately filled with grins, clapping, and overlapping voices. “Welcome to the family!” “About time!” (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 pack’s village, though Rocky was less focused on lifting boxes and more focused on taking (Y/n)’s measurements. “Arms up. No, higher. Turn. Okay, now favorite colors?” Rocky rattled off, tape measure snapping lightly against her fingers. “Warm tones or cool? Linen or silk? Structured or flowy? Actually, don’t answer yet, I need vibes.” (Y/n) blinked. “I,” “And patterns! Florals? Plaid? Solids with personality?” Rocky gasped. “Oh my god, I can already see the outfits.” Meanwhile, everyone else was actually moving. 

Once (Y/n) finally escaped the witch’s clutches, she found Maki near the doorway and immediately wrapped her arms around him. “I can’t believe everyone’s helping,” she said into his chest. “This feels… unreal.” He chuckled, arms circling her easily. “This is just how a pack is. When one of us needs help, everyone shows up. No questions asked.” 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 weren’t 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, “(Y/n)! Important question, do you emotionally identify with these curtains, or are we burning them metaphorically?” (Y/n) laughed. “I think it’s time to get back to work.” Maki smiled. “Be careful,” 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. “So… whose apartment was this again?” “It was mine,” (Y/n) said dryly, hands on her hips. “Ah,” he nodded. “Right. Tragic.” Taki flopped dramatically onto the bare floor. “I vote we leave it. Builds character.” Aya gave him a look. “It builds a fine.” Fuma rubbed the back of his neck. “We’ve been lifting things all day…” “And I just did emotional labor,” Rocky added, holding up her tape measure like evidence. (Y/n) laughed. “You interrogated me about fabrics.” “Exactly. Exhausting.” 

Rocky’s eyes suddenly lit up. “Oh.” Everyone groaned in unison. “No,” Yuma warned. “Absolutely not.” “Yes,” Rocky countered, already rolling up her sleeves. “Think about it. One small spell. Efficient. Elegant. Sparkly.” “It’s never just small,” Harua muttered. Rocky ignored him, spinning toward Willow. “I can’t do it alone, though. I’ll need stabilizing magic.” Willow tilted her head, considering. “Sunoo?” “Sunoo,” Rocky confirmed. Willow was already pulling out her phone. “On it.”

Ten minutes later, the front door burst open, and Sunoo hurried in, slightly out of breath. “I came as fast as I could. What are we blowing up?” “Nothing!” (Y/n) squeaked. “Hopefully,” EJ added. Rocky clapped her hands. “Okay! Focus. Cleanse-and-polish charm, layered with minor restoration. Sunoo, you handle the energy flow, anchor me.” Sunoo grinned. “I’m on it.”  They moved to the center of the apartment. Rocky closed her eyes, violet light beginning to swirl around her fingers. Sunoo’s 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. “I think it’s cleaner now than when they built it.” Sunoo brushed imaginary dust off his shoulder. “You’re welcome.” Rocky beamed proudly. “Magic housekeeping services, available on request.” Aya walked into the kitchen, ran a finger along the counter, and inspected it. “Not even a speck.” Nicholas whistled. “We should start charging.” Taki stood up, stretching. “See? I said we shouldn’t clean. The universe handled it.” “The universe being Rocky,” Yuma corrected. Rocky bowed dramatically. Fuma clapped his hands once. “Alright. It’s done.” 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 didn’t hurt as much to leave it now. Maki stepped up beside her, gently brushing his fingers against hers. “You okay?” he asked softly. She nodded, squeezing his hand. “Yeah. I think I am.”

Jo suddenly raised both arms. “Pizza?” “Yes,” several voices answered immediately. “Pizza and celebration at the pack house,” Miyu declared. “And Sunoo’s invited,” Willow added. Sunoo gasped. “An official invite? I feel honored.” “You earned it,” Rocky said. “Magical janitor privileges.” “And Jay and Jungwon,” Aya added casually. Nicholas smirked. “Jungwon practically lives with us already.” It was true. The younger vampire had been staying with them for far longer than just ‘a few days’; he’d been helping at Koyomi, lounging on the couches, laughing too loudly at night. Somehow, without anyone formally saying it, he’d just… become part of it. And no one minded. He was kind. A little dramatic. Very affectionate. Surprisingly helpful. Mostly harmless.

“Let’s go before I collapse,” 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 Maki’s 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 she’d 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. 

~~~ The End ~~~

And that’s the end of this part! 

How do we feel? Do we love it, hate it? 

We got to meet Jungwon as well, fortunately as a friend and not a foe. 

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 you’re excited! Do you have any theories about how he’ll meet his mate? Or what will happen? I love seeing you guys theorize!