The Alpha's Mate

{9}

Jaeyun stood in Heeseung’s embrace, his heart pounding against his chest. He was still afraid, but something about the way Heeseung held him made him feel safe, like the world outside could wait. For the first time, he didn’t feel like he had to face everything on his own.

Heeseung pulled back slightly, just enough to look at Jaeyun. "We’ll tell your parents together," he said, his voice steady but gentle. "No matter what they say or do, you have me. You’re not alone anymore."

Jaeyun nodded, feeling the weight of Heeseung’s words settle in his heart. He had spent so much time hiding his fears, afraid of being vulnerable, of being hurt again. But with Heeseung, things felt different. It wasn’t just about being strong or weak—it was about trust.

"When do we go?" Jaeyun asked quietly, his voice still uncertain but stronger than before.

Heeseung took a deep breath. "As soon as you’re ready. I won’t rush you, but we can’t wait too long. My pack needs to know about you, and we need to settle things with your parents before they find out on their own."

Jaeyun’s mind raced at the thought of facing his parents, of telling them he was leaving, that he had found someone who saw him differently. His parents had always controlled him, using their authority to keep him in line. But this time, it was different. Heeseung was different.

"I’m scared," Jaeyun admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "But I don’t want to live in fear anymore."

Heeseung’s gaze softened, and he reached out to gently cup Jaeyun’s face, his thumb brushing lightly over his cheek. "I know," he said softly. "But you’re stronger than you think, Jaeyun. I see it in you, even if you don’t see it yourself yet."

Jaeyun felt his throat tighten with emotion. Heeseung’s words were unlike anything he had ever heard from anyone, especially his parents. He wasn’t being told to toughen up, to hide his fear. Instead, Heeseung saw him for who he was—scared but willing to try.

After a moment of silence, Jaeyun nodded. "Let’s do it. I’ll talk to my parents."

Heeseung’s eyes lit up with a mixture of pride and relief. He gave a small nod, then took Jaeyun’s hand again, as if to remind him that he wasn’t alone. "We’ll go tomorrow," Heeseung said. "I’ll be with you every step of the way."

Jaeyun took a deep breath, his heart still pounding but steadier now. Tomorrow, everything would change. He would finally face his parents and make his own choice, not for them, but for himself. And for the first time, he felt ready to take that step—with Heeseung beside him.

"Okay," Jaeyun whispered, his voice filled with newfound resolve. "Let’s do it."

Jaeyun's heart raced as he and Heeseung walked up to his parents, their imposing figures standing tall with disapproving glares. His mother’s eyes narrowed, her lips pressed into a thin line, while his father clenched his jaw, barely containing his anger. They had warned him about associating with Heeseung, yet here he was, standing beside the very Alpha they disapproved of.

His father, fists trembling at his sides, looked ready to lash out, his eyes filled with fury. Heeseung’s presence was the only thing stopping him from delivering the punishment Jaeyun feared—a harsh beating for disobedience. Jaeyun’s father knew better than to ruin his reputation in front of another Alpha, but the tension was palpable. The air was thick with unspoken threats and the weight of disapproval.

"What is this?" Jaeyun’s father growled, his voice low and dangerous. "We told you to stay away from him, Jaeyun. And yet, here you are, defying us. You’ve humiliated us with your disobedience."

Jaeyun felt the familiar knot of fear tighten in his stomach, but Heeseung’s hand squeezed his own, grounding him. Heeseung stood tall and unflinching, his presence radiating quiet strength as he faced Jaeyun’s parents. There was no hint of aggression, but a calm confidence that said he was not afraid of them.

Jaeyun’s mother stepped forward, her eyes cold. "You think you can just do whatever you want, Jaeyun? We raised you better than this. What are you doing with him?"

Before Jaeyun could respond, Heeseung spoke, his voice even but laced with authority. "Jaeyun isn’t a child anymore. He’s my mate, and I came here today to inform you that he will be joining my pack as Luna."

Jaeyun’s parents stiffened at Heeseung’s words. His father’s fists clenched even tighter, but he said nothing, his jaw grinding with barely restrained fury.

"And you think you have the right to take him?" his father spat, glaring at Heeseung. "We raised him, we decide what’s best for him."

Heeseung’s gaze didn’t waver. "With all due respect, Jaeyun is an adult now. He can decide what’s best for himself."

Jaeyun’s father took a step forward, his eyes burning with anger, but Heeseung remained calm, his body subtly shifting to stand protectively in front of Jaeyun. There was no hostility in Heeseung’s posture, but the message was clear—he wouldn’t allow Jaeyun to be hurt, not by anyone.

"You won’t control him any longer," Heeseung added, his voice steady. "I won’t let you."

Jaeyun’s heart pounded, torn between fear and relief. For so long, he had been trapped under his parents’ control, their harsh expectations suffocating him. But now, with Heeseung by his side, he felt a glimmer of hope. He wasn’t alone anymore, and for the first time, he had someone standing up for him.

His father’s eyes flickered with rage, but he knew better than to attack Heeseung outright. As much as he wanted to assert his dominance, doing so would not only ruin his reputation but risk a conflict with another powerful Alpha.

"You think you can take him away from us?" his mother hissed, her voice sharp. "He’s our son. You’ll regret this."

Heeseung’s gaze hardened. "I’m not here to argue. I’m here to tell you that Jaeyun will be joining my pack, and I will protect him from anyone who tries to hurt him—whether that’s you or anyone else."

Jaeyun’s father’s face darkened, but he stayed silent, the weight of Heeseung’s words sinking in. He knew that this wasn’t a fight he could win, not against an Alpha like Heeseung. The tension was suffocating, but Heeseung didn’t back down, and neither did Jaeyun.

"Jaeyun made his choice," Heeseung said firmly. "And I’m here to make sure you respect it."

For a moment, there was nothing but silence, the crackling tension hanging in the air. Then, slowly, Jaeyun’s father stepped back, his eyes narrowing as he looked between Jaeyun and Heeseung.

"This isn’t over," his father muttered through gritted teeth, his voice low with barely restrained anger. "But you’ll regret defying us, Jaeyun."

Jaeyun felt a tremor of fear run through him, but Heeseung’s hand on his shoulder was steady, a reminder that he was no longer alone in facing his parents.

"We’ll see," Heeseung replied, his voice calm but firm. "But for now, Jaeyun’s coming with me."

With that, Heeseung turned to Jaeyun, nodding slightly as if to say, It’s time to go. Jaeyun looked back at his parents one last time, a mixture of fear and defiance in his eyes. Then, without another word, he followed Heeseung, leaving behind the life he had always known, ready to step into something new—something of his own choosing.