⚔︎ Double Edged Swords ⚔︎

Fear

Hansol enters his threshold and notices some mail that's been left for him. He sighs and grabs it, entering the apartment. He tosses his items and let's everything sink into his body, all the information and exhaustion playing a huge role of the night.

After showering, about to get ready for sleep, he notices a black envelope in the pile of white ones. The oddity immediately leaves him suspicious and begins to examine it. There's a familiar symbol stamped onto the flap of the envelope, but he can't recall where he's seen it. Nine small stars forming into a figure eight.

He opens it and begins reading; the greeting isn't even the worst part.

Good evening, Mr. Chwe of the Masquerade,
We want you to rely our decree upon turning in Joshua Hong and the alpha serums you have stolen from O.W.E. This all comes in a matter of two days. If you hand over what we desire, then we won't pick on the weak link of your team, destroy your territory, and we'll return someone in one piece. Unharmed is not guaranteed, however.

A call comes in, startling the young alpha. He quickly grabs his phone, heart starting to pick up when the ID caller is Jeonghan.

"Hello?" He hears a relieved gasp come from the other line.

{Hansol- thank god you picked up! You forgot to call and that had me worried-} His tone is full of fright and Hansol knows something else came up.

"Jeonghan, I received a letter and... they're asking for a tribute for Joshua and the serums..." He hears the omega curse and something crashing. He presumed the omega had just broke another table.

{Shit! What else is in that letter?!}

"Um... they said they'll return someone but it's not guaranteed that they'll be unharmed but they'll come back in one piece- wait— did someone not call you back?!" The alpha didn't think too much, all to confused and tired to comprehend the new situation.

{Don't... Don't get too worked up okay, we can't have anyone loose their composures, all right?} Hansol takes a deep breath.

"Yes."

{Seungkwan hasn't picked up my calls— I called him about five times and I'm worried something happened, but now that you mentioned someone in the letter— it has to be him! They're keeping him hostage," He hears the older's voice become watery, devastation ensuing.

The words are seeping through the alpha's brain, anger pursuing his inner wolf who growls in anger and disbelief.

"We have to look for him!" He quickly responds, trying to repress the secondary instincts.

{We can't— we have no idea where he is! Plus, it's too dangerous. Return to the base tomorrow morning. Don't do anything rash!}

"No way." Hansol feels his blood boil at the orders. The man he had fell for is held hostage, and likely going through torture at any point. The thought breaks his heart, letter crumbling beneath his hold.

{Listen to me, Hansol!} The omega yells through the phone and the growl behind his voice shuts the younger up. {I can't let anyone else get hurt nor targeted... my best friend's life is being treated like some reward! Stay at home and come back tomorrow. Do you understand that if no one complies to orders, we can die?} Hansol remains silent which allows the older to continue. {I know how much Seungkwan means to you, but you have to remember that he means as much to you as to me, everyone on this team has a special place in my heart and I can't describe the feeling of losing my precious family. So please- just for once- don't act on your own without orders.} Hansol's throat feels like it's been contacted, finding it hard to swallow when he tries finding his words to reply.