The Alpha's Mate

{8}

Jaeyun and Heeseung continued to walk in silence after that, the tension between them no longer as sharp, though still lingering. It was as if something had shifted, a new understanding forming between them. Jaeyun felt lighter, though his heart still beat fast, unsure of where things would go from here. But Heeseung's words had soothed him in a way nothing else had before. Heeseung wasn’t like his parents. He didn’t want to control him or use him. He wanted to protect him.

As they walked deeper into the woods, away from the pack’s gathering area, Heeseung’s eyes occasionally flickered to Jaeyun, but he gave him space. He could feel Jaeyun’s nervous energy, but he was patient. He’d already decided that he would wait as long as Jaeyun needed. The fear in Jaeyun’s eyes hadn’t fully disappeared, but it no longer felt like a barrier between them. There was a crack in that wall now, and Heeseung would make sure to carefully, slowly, widen it—without rushing him, without pushing too hard.

After a while, they stopped near a clearing. The sunlight filtered through the trees, casting a soft glow over the grass. Heeseung leaned against a tree, his hands in his pockets, watching Jaeyun out of the corner of his eye.

“Does it ever get easier?” Jaeyun suddenly asked, breaking the silence. “The… fear of becoming like them?”

Heeseung exhaled slowly, considering the question. He thought back to all the times he had felt the weight of his father’s teachings pressing down on him, telling him that emotions were useless, that weakness wasn’t allowed in an Alpha.

“I don’t know,” Heeseung admitted. “I guess… it’s something I’ve fought with for a long time. My father, he was always so sure that being strong meant shutting everyone out. I didn’t know any other way. But…” He looked at Jaeyun, his gaze softening. “Meeting you… it’s made me realize that maybe I don’t have to be like him. Maybe strength comes from protecting the people you care about, not controlling them.”

Jaeyun’s eyes met Heeseung’s, and for the first time, he saw something raw in the Alpha—something vulnerable that Heeseung hadn’t shown anyone else. It wasn’t weakness. It was strength, a different kind of strength, one that came from caring too much instead of not at all.

“Your father…” Jaeyun hesitated before continuing. “He must’ve had his reasons for being the way he was. But that doesn’t mean you have to follow in his footsteps.”

Heeseung nodded, understanding what Jaeyun was trying to say. “I know. And I’m trying to be different, for you… for myself.”

Jaeyun felt a small smile tug at his lips, a rare moment of warmth in the midst of his lingering fear. “You already are.”

Heeseung’s heart swelled at Jaeyun’s words. He didn’t expect to hear something like that, but it meant more to him than Jaeyun could ever know. Heeseung had spent so long living under his father’s shadow, but here, with Jaeyun, he felt like he could be something more. Someone better.

“I’ll prove it to you,” Heeseung said firmly. “I’ll be the Alpha you deserve—someone who can protect you without controlling you. I don’t want to be like my father. I want to be better.”

Jaeyun stared at him for a moment, letting the words sink in. Heeseung was different from anyone he had known. Despite his intimidating reputation, there was something deeper, something gentle that Jaeyun hadn’t expected. And for the first time in a long while, Jaeyun allowed himself to hope that maybe things could be different. Maybe he could trust Heeseung. Maybe they could build something together that was free from the past.

“I believe you,” Jaeyun whispered, surprising even himself with the quiet confession.

Heeseung’s eyes softened even more. He knew Jaeyun’s belief in him wasn’t easily given—it was hard-earned, built through every crack in the wall they had broken down together. Heeseung smiled, just slightly, but it was the most genuine smile he had shown in years.

“Thank you,” Heeseung said, his voice almost a whisper.

Jaeyun nodded, feeling something loosen in his chest. For the first time, the fear that had controlled him for so long didn’t feel so overwhelming. He wasn’t alone in this. Heeseung was here, and maybe together, they could both find the strength they needed to move forward.

The two stood in the clearing, the sunlight warming the earth beneath them. For now, they didn’t need to say anything more. There was an unspoken promise between them—a promise of patience, of understanding, and of a future they could build together.

Heeseung turned toward Jaeyun, his expression serious, eyes locking onto Jaeyun’s with an intensity that made Jaeyun’s breath catch. The air around them seemed to still as Heeseung took a step closer, his voice low but firm.

"Jaeyun-ah," Heeseung began, his tone softer than usual, but there was an urgency behind it. "I didn’t want to tell you this so soon, but... you have to come with me to my pack."

Jaeyun’s eyes widened, his heart suddenly racing. "What do you mean?" he asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

Heeseung exhaled, running a hand through his hair as he tried to find the right words. "I need you by my side, Jaeyun. As my mate, you’re meant to be the Luna of my pack. They need to know who you are. You belong with me, and... we have to tell your parents."

The mention of his parents sent a chill down Jaeyun’s spine. He felt a familiar wave of anxiety creep up inside him, tightening his chest. His parents—they had controlled him for so long, suffocating him with their demands and expectations. The thought of going back to face them, to tell them about Heeseung, filled him with dread.

"But… my parents," Jaeyun stammered, his voice shaky. "They won’t understand. They’ll try to control everything, just like they always do. What if they don’t let me go?"

Heeseung stepped even closer, gently taking Jaeyun’s hand in his. His grip was strong, reassuring, but not forceful. "I won’t let them control you anymore, Jaeyun. You’re not a child under their control—you’re the Luna of my pack. They’ll have no choice but to understand."

Jaeyun looked down at their hands, the warmth of Heeseung’s touch grounding him. The fear of facing his parents was overwhelming, but Heeseung’s presence soothed him, reminding him that he wasn’t alone in this.

"I’ll be with you," Heeseung continued, his voice steady. "No one’s going to hurt you or take you away from me. We’ll face them together. And after that, we’ll go to my pack—your pack—where you belong."

Jaeyun swallowed hard, his mind swirling with the weight of Heeseung’s words. He had always imagined himself trapped in the shadows of his parents, never daring to break free. But now, standing next to Heeseung, he realized that things could be different. Maybe this was his chance to finally stand up for himself, to choose his own path.

Heeseung squeezed Jaeyun’s hand gently, his gaze unwavering. "Trust me, Jaeyun. We’ll get through this. And when we do, you’ll be by my side where you belong—as my Luna."

Jaeyun looked up, meeting Heeseung’s determined gaze. For the first time in his life, he felt a flicker of hope—a chance to be free from the chains of his past. He didn’t know what the future held, but with Heeseung, he felt like he could face it.

"Okay," Jaeyun whispered, his voice trembling with both fear and resolve. "I’ll go with you."

Heeseung’s expression softened, a hint of relief washing over his face. He gave Jaeyun’s hand one last squeeze before pulling him into a gentle embrace, his arms wrapped securely around him.

"You won’t regret this," Heeseung whispered into Jaeyun’s ear, his voice filled with quiet determination. "I promise."