The Lunar Vanguard (SunSun)

Chapter 18: The Cost of Survival

Sunghoon stood outside the door of the room where the ritual was taking place, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. His wolf, Ben, was restless inside him, pacing back and forth in agitation. Every few seconds, Sunghoon's gaze flicked to the door, his heart pounding in his chest. It had been hours since Sunoo had entered that room, and the silence that followed was unnerving.

The weight of the unknown gnawed at him. Sunoo had been through so much already-what if this ritual was too much for him? The thought of Sunoo suffering any more pain made Sunghoon's blood run cold.

Heeseung appeared beside him, his presence bringing a brief moment of comfort. Heeseung's expression was calm, but there was an undercurrent of concern in his eyes as he studied Sunghoon's tense form.

"He's strong, you know," Heeseung said gently, leaning against the wall. "Sunoo's been through a lot, but he's survived it all. Jake told me alot about him and from the few days I knew him for, I'm sure he'll be okay."

Sunghoon nodded, but the anxiety gnawing at him didn't ease. "I know he's strong, but... I just hate that he has to go through this. I hate that I can't be in there with him, protecting him.".

Heeseung sighed, crossing his arms over his chest. "I get it. But some battles, he has to fight on his own. It doesn't mean you're not protecting him. Just by being here, by being ready for him when he comes out, you're doing what you can."

Sunghoon ran a hand through his hair, frustration bubbling up inside him. "He has been alone his whole life. Now he needs me. I need to be in there, holding him, making sure he's okay. I can't just stand here while he's in pain."

Heeseung's gaze softened as he placed a reassuring hand on Sunghoon's shoulder. "I know it's hard, but you have to trust that he'll come out of this stronger. You'll have your chance to hold him soon enough."

Minutes turned into hours as they waited, the tension between them growing thicker with every passing moment. Sunghoon's nerves were fraying, the need to see Sunoo and make sure he was safe gnawing at his insides.

The quiet was deafening, each tick of the clock sounding like a hammer against his heart. Then, suddenly, a loud, painful scream pierced the air. Sunghoon's blood froze as he recognized the voice-Sunoo's.

The sound of his omega's scream sent his wolf into a frenzy, a white-hot rage surging through his veins. Without thinking, Ben surged to the forefront, taking over Sunghoon's body. He lunged at the door, pounding on it fiercely as he called out Sunoo's name, his voice hoarse with desperation.

"Sunoo! Sunoo, I'm here!"

Sunghoon's fists hit the door with all his might, but it didn't budge, held firmly in place by magic. The barrier only fueled his anger, the possessive instinct of a true alpha roaring to life inside him. How dare they keep him from his mate? How dare they let his omega suffer alone?

"Open this damn door!" Sunghoon shouted, his voice thick with fury and fear. "Sunoo! Can you hear me? Answer me!"

But there was no response, only the oppressive silence that followed. Ben growled inside him, a low, menacing sound that echoed through Sunghoon's mind. His wolf was ready to tear through anything and anyone to get to their mate, the need to protect and comfort Sunoo overwhelming every rational thought.

'Ben, calm down,' Sunghoon tried to reason with his wolf, though his own voice trembled with the effort to keep his emotions in check. 'We have to stay in control. We'll get to him, I promise.'

But Ben's fury was relentless. They're hurting him! Our mate is in pain, and we're just standing
here?

Sunghoon clenched his fists, his nails digging into his palms. 'I know, but we'll be no good to him if we lose control. We have to think-'