The Lunar Vanguard (SunSun)

chapter 1: Found

At the edge of the Lunar Vanguard's territory, where the dense forest meets the boundary of their land. The evening sky is darkening, with the last remnants of twilight casting long shadows through the trees. The air is filled with tension, the scents of the forest mixing with an underlying sense of danger.

Sunghoon sprinted through the forest, his heart pounding in his chest. The patrol's urgent report of an intruder near the border had him racing towards the location. As he drew closer, the unmistakable metallic scent of blood reached his nostrils, causing his stomach to clench in dread.

His wolf was howling inside him, and he was struggling to keep it under control.

Bursting through the final line of trees, he came to an abrupt stop. There, just beyond the border, lay a figure, crumpled and unmoving. His keen eyes took in the scene: a young man, his clothes torn and blood-stained, his body marked with deep gashes and bruises.

Sunghoon's breath caught in his throat. He had seen many wounded before, but something about this man struck him deeply. Ignoring the danger, he crossed the border and knelt beside him, his eyes scanning for any signs of life.

"Hey," he called softly, his voice a mix of urgency and gentleness. "Can you hear me?"

He didn't respond. His eyes remained closed, and his breathing was shallow and ragged.

A surge of protectiveness welled up in his chest. His raging wolf threatened to seize control of his body. Sunghoon was suddenly ready to destroy whoever had caused this harm, driven by a primal instinct he couldn't fully comprehend.

Sunghoon gently touched his neck, feeling for a pulse. It was faint, but it was there. Relief washed over him, but it was quickly replaced by determination.

Carefully, he lifted him into his arms, noting how light he felt, as if he had been drained of all strength. As he held him close, a strange sensation washed over him. A profound connection, as though their fates were inexplicably intertwined.

"We're going to get you help," he murmured, more to himself than to her. "You're safe now."

As he carried him back towards the pack's territory, he encountered Jungwon -Jay's mate- and Jake rushing to meet him. Their eyes widened at the sight of the unconscious man in his arms, but they quickly fell into step, ready to assist.

"Who is he?" Jake asked, concern etched on his face.

"I don't know," Sunghoon replied, his voice tight with worry. "But he needs help."

"We need to get him to the hospital" Jungwon said, his voice steady. "I'll prepare the healing herbs."

Jake nodded, his expression serious and turned to Sunghoon. "Sunghoon, your eyes..."

The alpha's eyes were switching between their normal brown color and a bright deep red. His breathing wasn't normal either, coming in sharp, ragged gasps as he struggled to contain his emotions.

He nodded, handing the unconscious man to Jake. "I need to leave. I can't control him. He's furious.".

At the hospital, Jungwon had set up a healing area, the scent of herbs thick in the air. Jake laid the man down gently and left the room while Jungwon and the other healers got to work.

Jungwon was a wizard, specializing in healing. Since joining the pack, he had used his abilities to aid them.

It took afew hours before Jungwon came out with concerned and tired expression drawn on his face.

"His injuries are severe," Jungwon remarked. "I can't even imagine what he went through. Even magic was barely effective."

Jake nodded solemnly. "I hope your efforts will save him."

Jungwon glanced back at the room, a mixture of exhaustion and sadness in his eyes. "I did everything I could. Let's hope he fights and wakes up soon."

Looking around with a hint of confusion, Jungwon asked, "Sunghoon hyung isn't back yet?"

"No," Jake replied softly, his gaze drifting towards the window. "I think he's still out in the woods."

Silence settled between them for almost a minute before Jungwon broke it with a quiet question. "Hyung, do you think He is hyung's mate?".

___________________________________

The dense woods within the Lunar Vanguard territory. The first rays of sunlight filter through the canopy, casting dappled patterns on the forest floor. The air is filled with the earthy scent of pine and the faint rustling of leaves in the breeze.

Sunghoon walked deeper into the woods, the crunch of leaves underfoot echoing in the quiet stillness. He needed space, away from the hospital and the others. His emotions were in turmoil, and he struggled to keep control over Ben, his wolf.

The bond between them, usually a source of strength, felt strained. Ben was angry, almost uncontrollable, and Sunghoon couldn't understand why. That boy's injuries had awakened something primal within him. A fierce protectiveness that now threatened to overwhelm his rational mind.

As he walked, he could feel Ben pacing restlessly within him, the true alpha's anger palpable like a storm brewing beneath his skin. Sunghoon leaned against a tree, his breathing heavy as he tried to center himself.

"What's wrong, Ben?" Sunghoon spoke softly, addressing his inner wolf. "Why are you so angry?"

The response came not in words, but in a deep, primal growl that reverberated through his chest. Ben's presence surged forward, a mixture of rage and protective instinct.

Sunghoon closed his eyes, a sigh leaving his mouth. "I understand you're angry, but we have to find balance," he murmured, trying to soothe the restless wolf.

Ben's growl softened into a low rumble, still filled with frustration. "He was hurt, our mate" Ben's voice echoed in Sunghoon's mind, a voice of primal instincts and emotions. "We couldn't protect him."

Sunghoon nodded slowly, acknowledging the truth in Ben's words. "I know, Ben. It tore me apart too". He admitted, his voice tinged with sorrow. "But he's safe now, and we have to trust in Jungwon to heal him."

Being a true alpha gave Sunghoon many abilities. His strength, speed, and senses were all incomparable, and he had a deep bond with his pack. But recognizing his mate without even meeting their eyes was something else entirely. It was a gut instinct from his wolf. Sunghoon knew his wolf was strong, but he felt scared. What if the instinct was wrong?
The idea worried him because finding his true mate was too important to get wrong.

"No, it's not wrong," Ben growled from within him. "Trust our instincts. They've never failed us before."

Sunghoon shook his head, doubt still lingering. "But what if this time is different?"

"It's not," Ben insisted firmly. "I know he's the one. You need to believe in me."

Sunghoon took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "I hope you're right, Ben. This is too important to risk."

He stood there in the quiet of the woods, Sunghoon and Ben, the bond between them deep and complex. They never had anyone else growing up. From the earliest days of their childhood, it was always just the two of them against the world. Gradually, the tension ebbed, replaced by a shared resolve to protect their mate at all costs.

Sunghoon never expected that he would use this word. For so long, his life had been defined by solitude and self-reliance. But now, everything had changed. If that man was really their mate, then He had someone now. He had something to protect, something worth fighting for.

With a final deep breath, Sunghoon turned back toward the hospital. The weight of responsibility pressed heavily on his shoulders, and the worry of what lay ahead made his steps slow and measured.