winter of orphic love | ot7 poly | ✓

Chapter 12 Where Home Is

"He asked me if silver bullets could kill us," Jimin says in disbelief, talking to nobody in particular. The pack has gathered in the living room, post-dinner, and lounge on the couches with content expressions. Food never fails to ease the stress in their eyes.

Taehyung's arms remain wrapped around the curve of my hips. I am sitting on his lap with my body angled to be resting on his chest, with my legs outstretched on Hoseok's lap. Hobi listens attentively to Jimin while gently massaging my sore legs. Taehyung has tugged my t-shirt sleeve down and lays light, feathery kisses on my exposed shoulder. His full lips against my goosebumped skin are satisfying and the warmth of his body is easing the cold outside from me.

Namjoon strains to adjust his body in the recliner, probably because Jungkook is trying to fall asleep on his lap where there is no room for him. But the twenty-four-year-old man doesn't care if Namjoon's thighs are falling asleep underneath his weight. Namjoon would never force him off; I don't think he has the strength to say no to Jungkook's pretty eyes.

"Humans don't know as much as they probably should," Namjoon answers him.

Jimin sighs and paces across the open space. "I don't know. I just didn't like how they kept asking weird questions." He looks over at me with a hesitant look. "She was asking strange questions," he adds.

"I didn't mind," I said reassuringly. "It's good they asked questions..." Even if they were a bit accusatory. Though I can't blame her for being wary of us. I only hope I was able to educate her on how wolves are supposed to act.

"What did you tell him? About the silver bullets?" Yoongi asks. He lays on the ground with his back against the couch with swatches of fabric spread around him. His small sewing kit lies open with a few stray threads coming out of it. He is working on patching Jungkook's jeans as one of our resident sewing masters.

Jimin shrugs. "I asked him if it could kill him ."

Yoongi suppresses a smile and nods. Then he quietly returns to his work with a focused gaze.

Jin, sitting on the other side of Hoseok, chuckles at the dark joke. His eyes are still hazy with sleep and post-heat. The scent of saturated roses and blackcurrant continuously flows from him in thick, even waves.

"I had to learn what a Luna was when I became one," I add feeling sympathetic for the boy. "It's not like they can take 'werewolf studies' as an elective."

"You seem upset by this," Hobi comments while he watches Jimin with concern.

Jimin pauses in the center of the room and frowns. "It bothered me."

"They're just kids," I say gently.

Taehyung makes a soft noise of disagreement as he pulls me closer to him. I watch him through the corner of my eye, confusedly. "What?"

He shakes his head slightly. Taehyung lowers his chin and positions his mouth beside my ear. But instead of saying anything, he nudges his head against mine with half-shut eyes. The scent of blackberries and mint begins to seep from his body in hypnotizing waves. I search his scent for any sign of sourness but I find none.

"It's over now," Hobi says with a slow nod. "They worked hard for us, and we don't need to worry about it anymore."

Jungkook exhales sharply and a wave of burning amber spreads through the living room. He eases off of Namjoon's lap with a small pout and settles on the ground beside the chair. He moves back and leans against Namjoon's legs instead.

Namjoon massages his thighs and looks over the room. "I think we should start talking about the 15th. Since we're all here, it would be best to start discussing our plans."