The Lunar Vanguard (SunSun)

Chapter 16: The enchanted kingdom

The following morning, Sunoo awoke to the sound of playful bickering echoing through the halls outside his room. He blinked groggily, trying to make sense of the raised voices. The sun was already shining through the curtains, casting a warm glow over the room. After a moment, Sunoo swung his legs out of bed and padded over to the washroom, quickly freshening up before stepping out into the common area.

As he entered the room, his gaze was immediately drawn to an elegant setup—a space filled with luxurious chairs and couches, all arranged around a table that looked as if it had been plucked straight out of a palace. The aroma of breakfast hung in the air, but what caught Sunoo’s attention was the scene unfolding by the fireplace.

Sunghoon and Heeseung were engrossed in a chess match, though it was anything but peaceful. Sunghoon was leaning forward, his brow furrowed with intense concentration, while Heeseung lounged back in his chair, a smug grin on his face.

"You're cheating!" Sunghoon accused loudly, his eyes narrowing at the board.

Heeseung chuckled, clearly amused. "How could I possibly be cheating? It's just strategy, Sunghoon. Maybe you’re just not as good as you thought you were."

Sunghoon’s eyes widened in disbelief. "Strategy? You’ve moved that knight three times in a row! I’m not blind, Heeseung!"

Heeseung’s grin only widened. "It’s called 'playing the game,' Sunghoon. Maybe you should try it sometime instead of sulking like a pup."

Sunghoon groaned in frustration, running a hand through his hair. "This isn’t a game anymore. You’re just trying to mess with me!"

Heeseung’s laughter filled the room as he moved his rook with a flourish. "Maybe, but it’s working, isn’t it?"

Sunoo stood there, watching them with a soft smile on his face. It was a side of Sunghoon he rarely saw, this playful, almost childish demeanor. Sunghoon, usually so composed and serious, was now sulking over a chess game, his cheeks slightly flushed with frustration. Sunoo found himself loving this new side of his alpha, a side that wasn’t afraid to let loose and bicker like a child.

His heart swelled with affection as he continued to watch Sunghoon. This was possibly the loudest he’d ever heard Sunghoon fight, and it was over something as simple as chess. Sunoo couldn't help but think how lucky he was to see this side of him, a side that was usually hidden away behind the responsibilities he bas in the pack.

A loud thud pulled Sunoo out of his thoughts, and he turned to see Jungwon flat on his back on the floor, looking both shocked and indignant. Towering over him was Wonyoung, her arms crossed and a mischievous grin on her face. She was clearly using her magic to keep him pinned down, much to Jungwon’s dismay.

"Yah! That’s not fair!" Jungwon shouted, struggling against the invisible force holding him down. "We didn’t agree on using magic!"

Wonyoung smirked, leaning over her brother. "Bro, you’ve gone weaker in the wolfies’ world. I thought you’d at least put up a fight."

Jungwon’s eyes narrowed, his pride clearly wounded. "I’m not weak! I’ve just been busy, okay? I haven’t had time to practice."

Wonyoung’s laughter was light and teasing as she let him go, allowing Jungwon to scramble to his feet. "Busy? You mean running around with your pack and forgetting all about us?"

Jungwon huffed, brushing off his clothes as if to regain some dignity. "I didn’t forget about you. I just... I’ve had a lot on my plate!"

Wonyoung arched an eyebrow. "Uh-huh, sure. Keep telling yourself that. You know, if you hadn’t run off to play with wolves, you might’ve actually stood a chance against me."