RA | YG [✔]

19.

Henry and Taehyun were the most vociferous of their dislike of Hyunjin and Yeonjun going alone but they understood the need to leave Beomgyu with as much protection as possible.

About an hour later, Yeonjun felt the first prickle in his skin before he scented anything, and knew his wolf didn't like whatever he was doing. They were heading up a steep rise and expected to spot the other wolves as soon as they reached the top. "They are close, Hyunjin," he said. "We will see them as we get to the top."

"You can scent them?" Hyunjin inhaled.

"No, but my wolf knows they are there." Hyunjin had the grace to twist his lips in an approximation of a smile. Yeonjun pushed on and heard the horses' hooves coming towards them just as he reached the top with Hyunjin at his side.

Jihoon had been wrong about the number. Yeonjun would have guessed at around thirty maximum, plus an equal number of human guards. It was odd. They seemed to be camped in the middle of nowhere. When the first cry went up, he knew they had been spotted, and he signaled for Hyunjin to stop. Around ten gammas immediately mounted their horses and they all started galloping towards them. Yeonjun fixed his gaze on the one who was leading and with a sigh swung his leg around and jumped down from the horse, passing the reins to Hyunjin.

"Yeonjun..." Hyunjin breathed out but Yeonjuna knew it wasn't in admonishment. There was no warning for him not to dismount; he just whispered Yeonjun's name in shock, as stunned as Yeonjun was resigned. In some part of him, Yeonjun had always known this day would happen.

The lead gamma reined his horse in sharply, his features mirroring the same surprise as Hyunjin's, and without a word, threw his own reins in a replication of Yeonjun's actions, dismounted, and took a step towards him. Head tilted, gray eyes flashing in anger, the wolf stopped and drew himself up.

"Well, well," drawled the werewolf, "aren't you a little far from home, brother?"

Yeonjun stared at Eunseok and the familiar instant anger and bitter sense of betrayal filled his gut. Yeonjun threw back his head and let out a deafening howl. Dominance and power echoed in the powerful sound, never heard before coming from a still-human throat. Yeonjun snapped his mouth closed as birds screeched and flew in complete panic. Hyunjin struggled to keep both horses together, and some of the guards lost theirs as they bolted. Every wolf froze.

"On your knees," Yeonjun snarled the demand, and he was certain every wolf and human heard it. Eunseok's face changed as the wolves dropped where they stood, the humans second behind them.

"W-What?" Eunseok looked around, his bravado dissipating quickly.

"I said kneel." The words directed at Eunseok were no less forceful because they were quieter and as Yeonjun ended with a growl, the ground shook. There was only one wolf left standing except Hyunjin when Yeonjun closed his mouth a second time, and as awe registered on Eunseok's face, Yeonjun tipped his chin up so his tattoo was clearly visible.

Eunseok nearly fell, but then took a step back and dropped to one knee, lowering his head.

Yeonjun stared at his brother, trying to temper his anger. "What are you doing here?"

Eunseok raised his head. "I am a beta to Alpha Sihyuk."

"His beta?" Yeonjun snapped out.

"One of many," Eunseok added hurriedly. "I am responsible for the border with Perse." He hesitated and swallowed nervously. Nearly identical gray eyes stared at Yeonjun. "You are the King?" The disbelief was apparent in his voice.

"Do you doubt me?" Yeonjun snapped back. He couldn't afford to look weak in front of the rest of the wolves.

Eunseok shook his head slowly. "Forgive me," he whispered. "I was stupid—stupid, and incredibly jealous. Our father, even when he was alive, had no time for me, but I had no idea Sungchan was going to stab you. We just wanted to make you sick and look foolish in front of Jaekyung. I was hoping he might name me Alpha-heir." He lowered his head. "And even when you nearly lost your life, you spared mine."