TOAO | MW [✔]

Ten.

Seokmin's animal shelter smelled very much like the undeniable scent of animals. Wonwoo could hear the sounds of many different kinds as well; the mewl of kittens, the bark of dogs, the yipping of wolves that sounded so familiar now, and the smaller scrabbling noises of other animals he couldn't identify by sound alone. Mingyu guided Wonwoo inside in his usual way, offering his elbow to guide him properly. It still gave him butterflies when the alpha led him so naturally. It was probably one of his favorite things about his alpha.

"Seokmin! Hey!" Mingyu called over the din of many animals.

"Gyu! Just a sec." Wonwoo heard a voice he could only assume was Seokmin's call back.

There was a lot of noise that sounded like kennels being shut and locked, then jogging footsteps headed toward them. Wonwoo caught the other alpha's scent as he stopped in front of them. He smelled like green tea and leather. Wonwoo could tell he was really tall by the way his voice came from up high, his voice was a lovely smooth timbre.

"Seokmin, this is Wonwoo, my omega. Won, this is Seokmin," Mingyu introduced.

Wonwoo held his hand out and felt it clasped in a larger, calloused one.

"Your omega? I didn't know you were even seeing anyone." These words were obviously aimed toward Mingyu, but when he spoke again it was clear he was talking to Wonwoo. "It's nice to meet you, Wonwoo. I'm glad this knucklehead finally found someone who will put up with his crap."

This made the omega laugh as his hand was released. There was a sound of a soft shuffle as if they were pushing each other. They were obviously close friends, which made sense. There were few things as powerful in forging a friendship than war.

"Don't listen to him. He doesn't know what he's talking about," Mingyu laughed.

"Is that so? Then can you remind me who still holds the record for most disciplinary laps at Parris Island? Because I'm pretty sure it's you," Seokmin retorted.

"Screw you. You were involved in that too. The only reason you weren't running beside me is because I'm not a fucking snitch."

Wonwoo was giggling at the childish behavior. He had never seen this side of his alpha before.

"My record is clean. It's not my fault that you got caught."

"What did you do?" Wonwoo asked with a giggle.

"Well...there was this one drill sergeant that was a real dickhead. He was terrified of spiders though...and we may or may not have snuck a tarantula into his shower and caused him to run naked and screaming through the barracks."

Wonwoo burst into laughter, a hand coming up to cover his mouth. "You didn't."

"He definitely did, and he was punished soundly for it."

Wonwoo was caught up in a burst of laughter that wouldn't stop. He tried to suppress it but it just kept coming until his face was hot and his hands were clutched at his aching stomach. He couldn't remember the last time he'd laughed like that, and as he finally regained himself, he could hear the alpha chuckling along with him. As his laughter finally eased and just a few bubbles of laughter popped up here and there, he pressed his cool hands to his warm cheeks.

"Sorry. I don't know why that just tickled me," Wonwoo said, turning his hands and using the backs to cool his flushed face next.

Mingyu smiled as he looked at his omega, then glanced at his friend who was looking at him with raised brows. He pointed at Wonwoo silently and gave Mingyu a double thumbs-up. He mouthed back the words 'I know' and nodded.

"So, are you guys ready to meet the wolf?"

The mood sobered quickly at the question, reminding them of the reason they'd come. Mingyu offered his elbow again, ready to guide him.