The Alpha's Mate

{6}

Jaeyun stood at the edge of the pack’s gathering area, watching from afar as Heeseung moved among the others with his usual air of confidence and authority. His heart pounded in his chest, and his hands trembled slightly at his sides. It was his 18th birthday—the day everything was supposed to change—but Jaeyun felt more uncertain than ever.

Heeseung, the Alpha of the neighboring pack, had always caught Jaeyun’s attention. Strong, fierce, and undeniably intimidating, Heeseung wasn’t like anyone Jaeyun had ever known. But that was the problem. Heeseung’s reputation preceded him—an Alpha known for his aggressive nature and ability to take control of any situation. Jaeyun had seen it firsthand in the way Heeseung handled conflicts, in the sharpness of his commands, and in the way everyone fell silent when he entered a room. There was power there, but there was also something terrifying.

Jaeyun’s parents had left their mark on him, emotionally and physically draining him throughout his childhood. They were controlling, manipulative, and demanding—never allowing him the space to be himself. The thought of stepping into a bond with someone like Heeseung, who could potentially dominate his life the way his parents had, sent chills down Jaeyun’s spine.

“I can’t do this,” Jaeyun whispered to himself, eyes fixed on the ground as he tried to steady his breathing.

Sunoo, who had been chatting nearby with Jungwon, noticed Jaeyun’s distant expression and walked over. “Are you okay?” Sunoo asked softly, concern written on his face.

Jaeyun shook his head. “It’s Heeseung… I’m scared.”

“Of what?” Sunoo frowned. “He likes you. You know that, right?”

“That’s the problem,” Jaeyun muttered. “He’s aggressive, Sunoo. What if… what if he’s like them?”

Sunoo’s expression softened. He understood. Jaeyun had never spoken much about his past, but Sunoo knew enough to realize that Jaeyun’s fear wasn’t just about Heeseung—it was about the trauma his parents had caused him.

“You’re not your parents, and Heeseung isn’t them either,” Sunoo said gently. “But I get it… it’s hard to trust after everything.”

Jaeyun looked up at Heeseung again, his stomach twisting with uncertainty. Maybe Sunoo was right. Maybe Heeseung wasn’t like his parents. But the fear was still there—deep and unrelenting. And Jaeyun wasn’t ready to take that leap, not when the possibility of losing himself again was so real.

"I need more time," Jaeyun whispered.

Sunoo nodded, placing a comforting hand on Jaeyun’s shoulder. “Take all the time you need. No one’s rushing you.”

Heeseung looked up and immediately spotted Jaeyun standing a little distance away. That same glow surrounded him—the same radiance that had caught Heeseung’s eye the day before. Jaeyun had always had this quiet aura, something that pulled Heeseung in, even though Jaeyun himself seemed completely unaware of it.

With purposeful strides, Heeseung started walking toward him, his eyes fixed on Jaeyun. There was something about the way Jaeyun held himself today, a nervousness in his posture, as if he was lost in his thoughts.

As Heeseung approached, Jaeyun looked up, locking eyes with him. The intensity in Heeseung’s gaze made Jaeyun’s heart race. Heeseung was always so sure of himself, so powerful in his presence, and Jaeyun couldn’t help but feel small in comparison.

“Jaeyun,” Heeseung said, his voice low but filled with something softer than usual. “I’ve been looking for you.”

Jaeyun swallowed, trying to steady his breath. “I—uh—just needed some air.”

Heeseung tilted his head slightly, studying him with those sharp eyes. “Are you okay?”

Jaeyun wanted to say yes, to tell Heeseung that everything was fine, but the words wouldn’t come. He felt trapped between his feelings and his fear, unsure how to handle the situation.

Heeseung stepped closer, his presence commanding but not forceful. “You don’t have to hide from me, you know,” Heeseung said quietly. “I’m not here to hurt you.”

Jaeyun’s eyes flickered with hesitation, but something in Heeseung’s voice—a softness, a sincerity—made him pause. Maybe Heeseung wasn’t as dangerous as he thought. But still, the fear lingered. Could he really trust this Alpha who was known for his aggressive reputation?

“I’m just… not ready,” Jaeyun whispered, barely loud enough for Heeseung to hear.

Heeseung’s gaze softened, his strong features easing into something more understanding. “That’s okay,” Heeseung replied, his tone gentle but firm. “I can wait, Jaeyun. I’ll wait for as long as you need.”

The words surprised Jaeyun, and for a moment, the fear loosened its grip. Maybe, just maybe, Heeseung wasn’t what he had feared all along.

Heeseung took a deep breath, his gaze still locked on Jaeyun. "Walk with me?" he asked, his voice calm but insistent. He needed to talk to Jaeyun, to understand what was going on behind those eyes filled with fear and uncertainty.

Jaeyun hesitated for a moment but then nodded, falling into step beside Heeseung as they made their way toward the quieter edge of the pack's territory. The air was cool, and the soft rustle of leaves filled the silence between them. Jaeyun could feel Heeseung’s presence next to him—strong, protective, but not overbearing.

After a few moments, Heeseung spoke. "I can see something’s weighing on you. If you want to talk, I’m here."

Jaeyun’s heart pounded as he tried to find the words. He had kept so much of his past locked inside, but something about Heeseung’s calm presence encouraged him to open up, despite the fear that lingered.

"It’s my parents," Jaeyun began quietly, his voice trembling. "They… they weren’t good to me. Controlling, demanding, always pushing me to be someone I wasn’t. They drained me—emotionally, physically. I was never enough for them, and they never cared about what I wanted."

Heeseung’s jaw tightened as he listened, but he remained silent, letting Jaeyun continue.

"I’m scared," Jaeyun admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "I’m scared that if I accept you… it’ll be like them all over again. That you’ll control me, hurt me the way they did. And I… I don’t know if I can survive that again."

Heeseung clenched his fists, his mind racing as Jaeyun spoke. He could feel a surge of anger rising within him, not directed at Jaeyun but at the people who had caused him so much pain. His heart ached as he imagined the torment Jaeyun had endured at the hands of his parents. They had broken him, stripped him of the confidence and happiness he deserved, and Heeseung couldn’t stand the thought of it.

In the depths of his mind, a darker, more primal instinct surfaced—an urge to protect Jaeyun at all costs. And if that meant eliminating the source of his pain—his parents—Heeseung was more than willing to do it. The thought of confronting them, of making them pay for what they had done, burned in his chest. He would do anything to make sure no one ever hurt Jaeyun again.

But Heeseung pushed those violent thoughts aside for now. This moment wasn’t about vengeance; it was about Jaeyun. He couldn’t let his anger cloud the situation.

Instead, Heeseung softened his voice and reached out, gently placing a hand on Jaeyun’s arm. "Jaeyun, I’m not your parents. I will never be like them. You are not something to control or to break. You’re… everything to me."

Jaeyun looked up, eyes wide and unsure, but there was a flicker of something else—hope, perhaps—in the way he met Heeseung’s gaze.

"I’ll protect you from them," Heeseung continued, his voice steady but filled with an underlying intensity. "No one will ever hurt you again. I promise."

Jaeyun’s breath hitched. He could feel the sincerity in Heeseung’s words, but there was also an edge to his tone, something dangerous lurking just beneath the surface. Heeseung’s protectiveness was fierce—too fierce, maybe—but for the first time, Jaeyun felt like someone truly cared enough to stand up for him.

Maybe Heeseung wasn’t like his parents after all.