Soul Devour | SOPE

Chapter 2

The cracking sound of the fire was heard as we sat down in front of it. Winter was almost here and the cold weather was getting worse every night.

Jimin sat close to me, and by close I mean hugging my left arm leaning his head on my shoulder, blaming the cold so he could get warmer as if the fire didn't help. I am not a touchy person but Jimin never cared about it.
I was content even though, he is my little brother and I won't say it in words but I missed him dearly. I haven't seen him in eight long  years and I was kind of scared that he wouldn't want anything with me.

Sure when I left, when I was forced to leave we were closer than anyone. He was almost eighteen when I left so that time he needed me most especially after our parents died four years former. I still remember how he cried and begged me not to leave, how at the last minute he came running to me hugging the life out of me and saying he will never forget and will always wait to my return.

I was relieved seeing the pure happiness in his eyes and hearing the joy in his voice when we talked.

"You still the warmest person I know," he said rubbing his cheek on my shoulder, "feels so good." I chuckled starting at the fire.

"How long did it take you to get here?" He asked.
"Not long as I thought, almost a week." I answered.
He lifted his head suddenly "where is your horse?"
"I don't have a horse," I looked at amused when he let go of my hand and looked shocked "you WALKED all this way without a horse?!"

"Well, I ran part of the time," I said
"You're insane, what are you a demon? Why would you do that to yourself?" He said looking in my eyes.
"Horse has four legs I have four legs," I said shrugging.
He looked down on my lap then up to my face scrunching his nose, "eww gross hyung,"

I laughed and shouldered him, " Im a werewolf Jimin, I can run on all my FOUR legs," I smiled at him when his mouth formed an 'oh' surprised expression "therefore horse is no needed."
"So you can shape-shift? To your liking? Without being mated?" He asked intrigued
"Yes I can," I paused for a moment when I saw his eyes waiting for me to continue "I trained a lot and it wasn't nice nor easy, but it was worth it, so yes I can shape-shift to my liking, Im not depending on anyone. Especially not a mate."

He nodded and hugged my arm again.
We starred at the fire and at the dark night, each of us occupied with our own thoughts.
I was happy to leave the place I was in for all those years, I never once called them 'pack' cause it wasn't my place nor my home. I yearned to be back home with Jimin that is the one and only thought that gave me strength.

The place I was, the people I was with were not close to humans, they were full on letting their inner animal take control almost on every single thing they always said they are werewolves for a reason and not just humans, therefore the walked majority of the time in their human form but acted on their primate instincts, but shape-shifting willingly was a must to everyone in the pack. They would break you and build you up again so they could break you again and again in order to reach a breaking point where they can help you redesign your brain and your body and emotions control.

"Im sorry hyung," I heard him saying lowly.
I raised an eyebrow moving a bit back to look at him
He looked me in the eyes "for going through what you didn't choose, for protecting me and all of us," he said his eyes filled with tears "Im sorry I couldn't protect you, I am so sorry." My heart ached when a tear fell from his eyes.

"No need to be sorry Chim, if I had to go back time I would do this all over again." I wiped his tear away "I would gladly do whatever it takes to protect you, past present and future. Never forget that."

He hugged me and I held him tight knowing he needed the emotional support and I was willingly holding him close to me.

He wiped his cheeks and smiled at me, "you know beside the head alpha there's another few people who can shape-shift like you," he then leaned in and whispered "one of them is an omega."

I laughed "is it Taehyung?" I asked remembering his best friend or how they liked to call each other 'soulmates'

He shook his head, "nope, I will meet you to him when we'll be back."
I hummed. "How did you even know I was coming back?" I asked
"You're my brother I will always feel you," he shrugged
I side eyed him when he smiled, "ok I might or might not heard the head alpha talking about preparing a cabin for you." I laughed at him "ok what about the brothel? How'd you know I'll be there?" I asked
"I didn't, I figured it was the only place on your path that you can use as a cover if the weather gets rough, so I waited hope you'll get there."

"Still so smart huh?"
He smiled but got all serious of a sudden.
"I though you were going to kill this poor whore,"
I looked at him not saying a word.
"The brothel manager was so scared for her since it was her first night in, every person there could feel her fear."
I got frustrated again, "is there a question here?"
He eyed me saying "were you going to kill her? And why? Are the rumors true?"
"Still so curious and full of questions huh," I paused "What rumors?" I asked
"About you. Being a ruthless killer machine. Whoever crosses you is doomed." He said as if quoting something. Hearing this gave me a small feeling of pride, twisted pride.

I sighed knowing this had to be said, "I was frustrated, it was my first and last time in a brothel," I paused clearing my throat "Not that it matters. I've changed Chim. I had no choice. Some things became my nature. I am ruthless and excellent warrior I am used to my words being followed. I am cold broken bastard and I have absolutely no mercy for my enemies. I hate when people disobey me." I said trying to be soft but nonetheless make sure my message is delivered.

He took a breath "do you have a lot of enemies?"
"Anyone who isn't you is an enemy." I said with no hesitation.
"That's twisted but I'm kind of glad to hear that. Thank you I think?" He said chuckled.
I looked at the stars feeling the warmth of the fire dying out.

"It might take time but I hope you can help me gain some of my humanity back," I said causing him to look at me worriedly. "Hyung.."
"I don't mean to saddened you, it is what it is. I want you to know that."

He inhaled and looked up at the stars.
After a moment of silence he said "you can count on me hyung, I will do everything I can."
"I know. Now let's go to sleep it's too late and I want to get there early as possible." I got up and turned off the fire, he dusted himself off and walked to the tent waiting for me.

I looked around the camp listening to everything in the forest, smelling my surroundings, alert to the little things. I followed him inside the tent content there was nothing suspicious.

We lay down head to head, I was closing my eyes when he spoke.
"I am so indecisive," Jimin said when we got under the covers.
"About what?" I asked a bit sleepy.
"Should I be the big or the little spoon??"

_____

So things are going the way ai wanted!
Jimin is the best brother ever.
And I wouldn't mind myself for someone like Hoseok to protect me 🙋🏻‍♀️✨

See you in the next chapter 👋🏼🫶🏼