The Alpha's Mate

{11}

As Jaeyun and Heeseung walked out of the house, the morning sun gently bathed them in warmth. Despite the nerves still bubbling inside him, Jaeyun felt a sense of resolve growing. He wasn’t entirely ready to face this new chapter, but with Heeseung by his side and the reassurance that his friends weren’t too far away, he knew he could handle it.

Heeseung led Jaeyun to his car, the sleek black vehicle shining under the sunlight. Jaeyun hesitated for a moment, his eyes wandering back to his surroundings—the familiar path leading to his home, the trees lining the driveway, and the quiet neighborhood he had always known. Everything felt surreal, as if he was on the verge of stepping out of one life and into another.

Heeseung, sensing his hesitation, placed a hand on his shoulder. “You’re doing the right thing, Jaeyun. This is your life, your decision. You’re not leaving everything behind—you’re moving forward.”

Jaeyun nodded, taking one last deep breath before getting into the car. As the engine roared to life and they started driving away, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of bittersweetness settle in his chest. He looked out the window, watching the scenery blur by, his thoughts drifting to Sunoo, Jungwon, Taki, and Ni-ki. They had been through so much together, and the idea of not seeing them every day left a hollow feeling inside him.

Heeseung glanced over at him as they drove. “You want to stop by and see them before we go?” he asked, his tone gentle, understanding the conflict Jaeyun was feeling.

Jaeyun’s eyes widened slightly in surprise. He hadn’t expected Heeseung to offer that. “I… can I?”

Heeseung smiled softly. “Of course. I want you to be at peace with this. You can say goodbye properly, and remind them that this isn’t the end.”

Jaeyun felt a wave of gratitude wash over him. Heeseung was giving him exactly what he needed—a chance to make this transition easier, to feel like he wasn’t completely abandoning his friends. “Thank you,” he said, his voice filled with relief.

Heeseung changed directions, driving toward Sunoo’s house first. As they pulled up, Jaeyun’s heart raced with a mixture of excitement and nerves. It wasn’t goodbye forever, but it still felt like a big moment.

Sunoo was already outside, having sensed Jaeyun’s arrival. His bright eyes softened as he spotted Jaeyun stepping out of the car. “Jaeyun!” he called, rushing over with that familiar, infectious energy.

Jaeyun smiled despite the lump forming in his throat. He opened his arms, and Sunoo immediately wrapped him in a tight hug. “I’m going to miss you,” Sunoo whispered, his voice thick with emotion.

“I’m going to miss you too,” Jaeyun replied, his voice trembling slightly. “But it’s not forever. I’ll visit, and you can visit me. It’s just an hour away.”

Sunoo pulled back slightly, looking at Jaeyun with a determined smile. “You better visit. I’ll be counting the days.”

Jaeyun laughed softly, his chest feeling lighter. “I promise.”

One by one, they stopped by Jungwon, Taki, and Ni-ki’s houses. Each goodbye was filled with laughter, reassurance, and promises to see each other soon. It wasn’t as sad as Jaeyun had feared—his friends were supportive, excited for him even. They knew this was a big step, and they were happy to see Jaeyun taking control of his own life.

By the time Jaeyun got back into Heeseung’s car for the final drive to his new home, his heart felt lighter. He had said his goodbyes, but they didn’t feel final. He had something to look forward to—a future where he could see his friends, visit his old home, and still be a part of their lives.