Destiny Makes Eight

Nice to Meet You

To say Mingi felt suffocated with affection was a bit of an understatement. He had only been awake for a few hours and Seonghwa had already scented him twice. Once before breakfast and again afterward. His body ached horribly but it wasn’t like anything had been broken. Even Yeosang was being a bit more clingy then usual. Well, in Yeosang’s case, it was more sitting in close proximity than actual physical contact, but Mingi noticed the change regardless. He made a mental note to never get injured when Seonghwa was in pre-heat again. While the affection was nice and comforting, there were times he just wanted to be left alone to breathe. And the added stress and worry that he knew Seonghwa felt because of him didn’t help.

So, after his second scenting where Seonghwa straddled his lap and left him smelling almost more like the Omega than himself, the Beta snuck away from the pack bedroom and down the hallway. Hongjoong had gone into the town earlier that morning, skipping breakfast altogether. The Head Alpha wasn’t about to let the incident go and couldn’t be talked out of it. He left San and Jongho in charge of making sure the stranger didn’t leave the west wing room where the doctor had bandaged his wounds. Yeosang had been nervous since he left but his shy nature kept him from seeking comfort elsewhere. Thankfully, Wooyoung was always attentive and noticed. Which drew Seonghwa’s attention toward the other Omega as well.

Now that he had a chance to stretch his legs, Mingi found himself wondering about the man who had helped he and Wooyoung in the alley. Regrettably, Mingi hadn’t gotten much chance to see him other than his height which rivaled his own. Even in the carriage, Mingi had been more focused on Wooyoung and the bleeding wound. The thought made the Beta even more curious as he wandered down the hallway and toward the West Wing. Hongjoong had explicitly stated he didn’t want Seonghwa or Yeosang to go near the man. For their protection as well as keeping them hidden. Both understood and easily accepted it. Yeosang even preened under the protectiveness of his Alpha. An adorable sight to see, Mingi had to admit.

When Mingi reached the West Wing, he found one of the guards walking down the hallway. The man straightened his shoulders and bowed his head to Mingi without a word. He righted himself then stood to the side so the Beta could walk past him uninterrupted. He waited against the wall, in case Mingi would need anything. The guard was fully aware of the stranger in the house. Of his injury and his lack of scent. Which meant, they had no idea what he was. There was an inherent risk to having an injured Alpha in the mansion with two Omegas close to their heat.

Mingi didn’t seem deterred though as he knocked on the door to the room he’d been told the man was resting in. There wasn’t an answer but Mingi didn’t really expect one. He slowly opened the door and poked his head inside. The doctor must have left to get some rest or gather more supplies. Mingi quietly walked inside the room and slowly crept closer to the bed. He could see the tall stranger laying on his back with the blanket pulled up to his chest. His hands were laying next to his sides on top of it. The man’s face still seemed pale but he looked better than he did the last time Mingi had seen him.

As Mingi drew close to the bed he noticed the man’s features were softer than he expected. His cheek bones were prominent yet still appeared soft. The way his lips formed a perfect cupid’s bow in his sleep. His brows were furrowed as if he were in pain and Mingi frowned. He sat down in the chair next to the bed and reached out one hand on instinct. He slowly took the man’s hand and held it in his own. The man’s palm was warm and a little rough. It made Mingi wonder where he’d come from. His hair seemed to have become a little unkempt and overgrown, but the chestnut brown color looked beautiful regardless. His bangs clung to his forehead, sweaty from fever. The man breathed a little deeper and his brows seemed to relax when Mingi held his hand.