The Alpha's Mate

{10}

As the next day arrived, Jaeyun’s nerves were stretched thin, his anxiety mounting as the reality of his situation hit him. He was leaving. Leaving everything behind—his friends, his home, and the life he had always known. The weight of it all threatened to overwhelm him, and he could feel the edges of a panic attack creeping in, his chest tightening and his breathing becoming shallow.

Heeseung noticed the change in Jaeyun immediately. Without a word, he stepped closer and gently rested a hand on Jaeyun’s back, guiding him to sit down. “Breathe, Jaeyun,” he said softly, his voice calm and steady. “You’re not alone in this. Take it one step at a time.”

Jaeyun tried to focus on Heeseung’s voice, but the thought of leaving his friends—Sunoo, Jungwon, Taki, Ni-ki—was too much. They had been his support, his family, for so long. The idea of being away from them, even for a short time, made his heart race.

“I-I’m going to leave them behind,” Jaeyun stammered, his voice trembling. “What if… what if I can’t see them again? What if things change between us?”

Heeseung crouched down in front of Jaeyun, meeting his gaze. His eyes were soft but determined. “Jaeyun, you’re not leaving them forever. Jay’s pack is just an hour’s drive from here. You’ll see them as much as you want. Nothing’s going to change between you and your friends unless you let it.”

Jaeyun blinked, trying to let Heeseung’s words sink in. “An hour?” he repeated, his voice shaky but hopeful.

Heeseung nodded. “One hour. You’ll be able to visit them whenever you need to. You’re not losing them, Jaeyun. You’re just taking a new step in your life—and they’ll still be there for you, just like they always have.”

A small wave of relief washed over Jaeyun, loosening the tightness in his chest. He wasn’t losing his friends. He wasn’t leaving them behind forever. An hour wasn’t that far, not when he thought about it. He could still visit, still be a part of their lives.

“Okay,” Jaeyun whispered, his breathing finally evening out. “I think I can handle that.”

Heeseung smiled, relieved to see Jaeyun calming down. He reached out and gently squeezed Jaeyun’s hand. “You’re going to be okay. And I’ll be with you every step of the way.”

Jaeyun nodded, still nervous but feeling more grounded with Heeseung’s reassurance. The fear wasn’t completely gone, but knowing that his friends were still within reach made everything seem a little less daunting.

Heeseung stood up and extended his hand to Jaeyun, offering him a soft, encouraging smile. “Ready?”

Jaeyun took a deep breath and accepted Heeseung’s hand, standing up with him. “Ready.”

Together, they walked toward the future, one step at a time.

Short chapter