Passion and Power

Chapter 15

Minji apologized repeatedly, and explained to Hanni that she had no choice but to deal with Taehyung herself and get him back where he needed to be, hopefully without police involvement in order to minimize the risk to Taehyung and to KCorp. Who knew what he would do, and Minji knew her mother was right to be afraid for him. He was so unpredictable, and the Seoul PD didn't handle unpredictable well.

Minji was able to sneak Hanni out of her building through her own elevator so that she wouldn't be observed by Taehyung. She told Hanni she didn't want to risk having her exposed to the escaped mental patient.

Before Hanni could slip away Minji gripped her wrist and held it, forcing Hanni to look into her eyes.

"I hope you know how much I hate seeing you go." Minji took an exasperated breath. "I really have no choice."

"Of course I know that, Minji.' Hanni said with a reassuring smile. "Your brother needs you. And after all - family first."

Hanni watched as Minji's expression became even more regretful.

"Thanks for an unforgettable weekend, Minji." Hanni said, bringing Minji's fingers to her lips and kissing them in what she hoped was a reassuring way.

She felt Minji's other hand move behind her head and pull her forward roughly for a brief but passionate kiss before releasing her and stepping back firmly.

"Good-bye, Hanni."

Hanni felt her omega deflate at the sound of resignation and finality in her voice.

"Bye..." Hanni said, swallowing back many other words that strained to get out. She knew she was still being heavily influenced by hormones, and that Minji needed to help her brother as soon as possible. She kept her eyes on Minji's until the elevator doors closed and she could see her no more. She stood looking at the closed doors for a few moments before she moved outside into the cool air of the city and forced herself not to glance back.

***

Hanni slipped into Danielle's apartment as quietly as possible. After raiding the fridge she was able to slip into her bed without waking Danielle and quickly knocked out.

Many hours later she awoke to her sister calling loudly to her. She took a deep breath, her subconscious seeking Minji's scent. She immediately felt the absence and rolled over, trying to escape to the peace of sleep.

"Hanni, it's almost time for practice!" Danielle yelled. "You slept the whole day - are you sick?"

Hanni rolled onto her back and leaned up on her elbows, blinking slowly at Danielle, who was standing in the doorway. She tried to rouse the energy she needed to get to practice at a breakneck pace.

"God, Hanni." Danielle had come into the room and sat down on the bed."What the fuck happened to your neck?" Danielle gasped, reaching to touch the dark bruise at the base of her neck near her shoulder. "And what the hell happened to you, you left the party alone?!"

"Didn't you get my texts?"

"Sure, that you weren't coming home, but where the hell were you for...the entire weekend!?"

Danielle inhaled deeply. Her face scrunched up in disgust. "Hanni, you reek of alpha. You've got to get up and get into the tub to soak it off. And you don't have much time..."

Once Hanni submerged in the tub Danielle resumed her questioning until Hanni finally spoke up.

"Danielle...it's a long story..."

"Well, suppose you tell it..."

"I will, but...I have to get ready and try to get focused right now. Coach is going to kill me if I'm late. Especially after she gave us the whole weekend off." Hanni scrunched her eyes against the sudden, harsh reality pulling her out of her dream state and recovery from the sensory overload of her heat weekend with Minji.