Samhain

chapter twenty three: within the den

a/n - implied explicit themes; uncensored ver is on ao3

Wooyoung wakes up to a suffocating heat in the air.

He has spent a day or so huddled inside one of the wolf pack's dens, one of many that are situated deep within the woods in a round halfway-underground room. The dens are small houses designed to contain the pheromones and scents of heats and ruts within their walls, far enough away to prevent hormonal cycles from disrupting the pack.

The first day was boring. The goddess was true to her word. Wooyoung spent the hours following the ceremony in immense pain, but it went by quickly, only lasting a few hours after the bite.

He doesn't remember exactly what happened after he blacked out. The only thing he remembers is the pain. He spent the entire day yesterday in and out of sleep, letting his body recover from transforming so violently.

Yeosang visited him regularly, leaving behind various snacks and treats each time he left. He removed the bandages on Wooyoung's neck last night, astonished by how quickly Hongjoong's bite mark healed.

San had been inexplicably fussy about Wooyoung's condition, making Yeosang travel back and forth almost ten times in one hour. He gave Wooyoung the blanket he used in his cabin, some biscuits, and even sent some of his crystals.

Wooyoung never thought to question why Yeosang was the only member of the pack allowed to check on him. The beta brought him food, made sure he stayed hydrated, and monitored his well-being.

But other than feeling incredibly exhausted, Wooyoung didn't have very many symptoms immediately after the ceremony. He wasn't very hungry, either. Yeosang kept bringing him food. He insisted that he needed to eat to prepare for when he presents.

For the most part, he was doing fine, aside from the butterflies in his stomach every time San sent Yeosang to his den with something new. Really, Wooyoung was fine. He thought the worst part was over. He had no idea what all of the fuss about this 'presenting' thing was about.

Today, he found out.

Today, Wooyoung is on fire.

Wooyoung gasps for air as his eyes shoot open. He peels his sweaty body off of the bed and kicks away the damp sheets that cling to him. A wave of heat rolls through him, settling in his stomach like lead.

He didn't notice the wetness between his legs until he tried to stand. A deep ache in his thighs makes him wobble unsteadily and tumble to the floor. Dizziness sweeps through his thoughts and a sharp pain in his abdomen takes over, radiating from his gut to the very ends of his fingertips.

Wooyoung groans and curls in on himself. What is this? He thought the painful part was over. Why is it happening again?

"Hey, San wanted me to bring you — oh no."

Wooyoung yelps and slides away when he sees Yeosang rush to his side. The only emotion he can process is danger and anxiety. Stress eats at him, and he's terrified to go through so much pain after everything he's already been through.

Yeosang scrunches his nose as if he smells something sour. Sensing Wooyoung's distress, he approaches slowly, delicately setting a breakfast tray of fruits and simple foods next to his head.

"It's me. It's Yeosang. You're safe. Can you hear me?" Yeosang asks, and Wooyoung gives him a shaky nod before doubling over in pain again.

"It's okay." Yeosang avoids touching him, carefully lowering his nose to Wooyoung's neck. "I see. Interesting. Shhhhh, Woo. You're okay."