TWM | MW [✔]

19.

Wonwoo felt a rush of fear when he woke, but Mingyu's arm was around his waist, the alpha's nose pressed against his neck. He was warm, and he was safe, and he was...

"Fuck," Mingyu muttered, shifting around on the bed.

"What's wrong?"

"My hip's killing me. Hurts to breathe," the alpha grumbled, his breath tickling the nape of Wonwoo's neck. "How are you feeling?"

"Sore, but safe." The pain from his injuries was dull and distant.

"Safe is good. We'll work on the rest."

"Should I get Hyunseob? Maybe he can help."

Mingyu's arm tightened around his waist, holding him in place. "I'm okay. Better for having you here. Go back to sleep. It's still early."

The next time he woke, bright light filtered in through the hut's window. It was after midday, later than they usually rose. He had turned over in his sleep, his face nestled in the crook of Mingyu's arm.

The alpha was awake and watching him.

"Hi."

"Hey."

He took in the lines of pain across Mingyu's face.

"That bad, huh? Let me get Hyunseob."

Mingyu pressed a hand to his arm with a shake of his head. "I'm okay."

"You're not."

"I'm healing."

Wonwoo narrowed his eyes in suspicion at that, nudging Mingyu's shoulder so that he could get a better look at his injuries. He peeled back the bandage covering the claw marks across the alpha's chest and winced.

"It's still bleeding."

Mingyu pushed his hand away and fixed the bandage back in place. "It's fine."

"You're a werewolf. You shouldn't be healing this slowly."

The alpha avoided his eyes. Wonwoo could guess at the many reasons why he wasn't healing supernaturally fast—not enough food, not enough sleep, long days and nights guarding the boundary. And then last night he'd taken on a fight to the death that had very nearly killed him.

"How can I help?" he asked.

Mingyu's shame faded, a smile on his face. "Just be here. Your scent is as good as morphine." The alpha took an exaggerated inhale, the smile slipping from his face as a growl escaped his lips.

Wonwoo sat up straight, alarmed.

"Mingyu?"

"I'm fine," the alpha said tightly. "It's fine."

"No, it isn't. What...?" He sniffed himself lightly, a question on his lips. "It's him, isn't it? You can smell him on me."

"Don't worry about it. You're mine. No matter whose scent is on you." Mingyu scrubbed a hand across his face, wincing when his fingers contacted the claw marks marring his cheek.

But just the thought of it made Wonwoo sick to his stomach.

"No. I need to get him off me. I need—" He climbed over Mingyu and slipped off the bed, thumping heavily onto the floor. Before the alpha could move, he pushed to his feet, using his arms to shield his body self-consciously. "I'll take a shower, scrub until he's gone."

"Wonwoo."

Mingyu sat up and reached for him. He tried to backpedal but the alpha was quicker. His arms were caught in a gentle grip, Mingyu stopping his escape.