Destiny Makes Eight

A Head Alpha's Worry

Hongjoong was in the sitting room with paperwork out on his desk and an open book balanced on his knee. He could see out into the garden where Seonghwa and Yeosang were sitting on a blanket underneath one of the trees. The two of them preferred the warm spring days to the harsh winter and would spend as much time out in the garden as they could. Hongjoong smiled as he watched Seonghwa put a flower crown he’d been braiding on top of Yeosang’s head. The younger smiled and reached up to touch it only to have his hands gently swatted away and met with Seonghwa’s pout.

Yeosang had been getting better at letting the others touch him. Seonghwa especially never made him anxious or nervous. Hongjoong guessed it was because of their shared sub-gender. It could also be because Seonghwa was the Luna of their pack. His natural tendency to nurture and care for the others always made him a warm and safe place for the younger pack members to seek out when they needed it. Yeosang was also more comfortable around Wooyoung due to their childhood friendship. He didn’t dislike any of the others. Jongho, San, or Mingi. None of them gave him a reason to, but Yeosang had come from a family that treated him like a novelty. Like he was property to be sold rather than a rare male Omega who should have been cared for and adored. Hongjoong wasn’t surprised to find him with touch adverse reactions. It had taken a while for San to get used to it but he was amazing with Yeosang now. The younger Alpha just had a lot of compassion and love to give and it had hurt him before when one of their Omegas didn’t want him near him.

Hongjoong glanced at the large grandfather clock on the other side of the room. It ticked quietly, almost imperceptible even when the room was in silence. Mingi and Wooyoung should be returning soon from their shopping trip to the town. Seonghwa’s heat was due to start any day now, and Yeosang always seemed to follow right after. The two of them having synced up about a year after Yeosang joined their pack. It was easier on the both of them to have someone to share it with. Especially those first few cycles where Yeosang was terrified to let anyone near him. Seonghwa, had been the only one able to even get close and comfort him.

Hongjoong frowned at the memories he had been recalling. He hadn’t been there, hadn’t lived through that life. But it still angered him to this day, the things that Yeosang was having to relearn. There were times he regretted not doing more when Wooyoung had begged for help with his best friend. But looking at him now, Yeosang looked happy and in a much better place mentally. He was skittish still on occasion, but he had taken a liking to cuddling up with the rest of the pack at bed time. He would almost always situate himself between Hongjoong and Seonghwa or Wooyoung. He said that he felt safest there and Hongjoong couldn’t help the swell of pride in his chest each time.

“Pardon the intrusion, Master Hongjoong.” One of the gate guards stood at the entrance to the sitting room. It didn’t have doors, so there wasn’t one to knock on. Hongjoong had been too caught up in watching the two in the garden to hear him come in. He felt a sense of something being wrong and turned quickly to look at the man who’d called his attention.

“What’s happened?” Hongjoong asked. He stood up and left his book on the chair, not bothering to place his bookmark between the pages. Mingi and Wooyoung were now close enough for him to feel their emotions through their Bond.

“I was told to ride ahead and tell you; they’ve brought someone back with them. I don’t know the details, Master, but he’s injured. There was an attack.”

Hongjoong didn’t finish listening to the guard talk. He hurried from the sitting room and down the hallway. “San, Jongho!” He called out for the two Alphas he knew were nearby.