𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚́𝐧 || 𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐥

Chapter 2

Jeonghan clung to Junhui as the alpha, Seungcheol, stalked back toward the house.

“If you’re staying,” the alpha called over his shoulder, “breakfast’s in twenty.”

As soon as he was out of sight, Jeonghan tugged hard at Junhui’s arm. “Let’s go.”

“Go where?” his brother asked, sounding exasperated.

“We have no money, no food, and no work. Hell, you don’t even have shoes, Jeonghan.”

He’d been barefoot when Junhui had come for him, and shoes weren’t exactly in their budget.

“But we can’t stay here.”

“You heard what he said. Work, food, and a roof over our heads. We don’t exactly have the luxury of turning that down.”

“But…” What if the alpha wanted more?

“It’s only for a few weeks. It won’t be more than that. I’ll try to pick up work in town or on the farms nearby, get a bit of money together. We just need a little more time, Jeonghan.”

“We can’t trust him.”

“I’ll be right there beside you the whole time. If he tries anything, he’ll have me to deal with.”

Jeonghan knew he wouldn’t persuade Junhui to leave now that his brother had made up his mind. Reluctantly, he followed him back into the house, Junhui stopping to grab his discarded clothes.

Seungcheol was setting something up on the kitchen counter.

He’d taken the time to dress, wearing pants and a T-shirt.

“What’s the verdict? Staying or leaving.”

Jeonghan wished Junhui would change his mind, but he knew it was a futile hope.

“Staying,” his brother said firmly, his arms folded.

Seungcheol’s gaze moved past him to Jeonghan, and he wanted to hide from those piercing eyes. “And you?”

He inched closer to his brother, wishing he could use him as a shield. “Staying, sir.”

The alpha turned his gaze away, throwing an offhand remark over his shoulder. “Seungcheol. It’s my name. Use it.”

He went back to what he was doing, which turned out to be unfolding a small camp stove.

“I’ll look at the generators later; they probably need fuel. This’ll do for now.”

Jeonghan and Junhui had been thankful for a roof over their heads and running water. When they were lucky enough to have food, they ate in their shifter forms. Once or twice, Jeonghan had cooked over the fire in the living room, but it was awkward, and he’d singed his fingers more than once.

“There’s a blue bag in the hall with food in it. One of you want to get that for me?”

It was clear he meant Jeonghan. Anything to do with food, and fetching and carrying it, was an omega’s job.

He slipped out into the hall, finding two bags right by the door, along with a bedroll. It wasn’t a lot of belongings, but then, the alpha had said himself that he wasn’t planning on staying. How long would it take to get the place ready to be sold? Two or three weeks? Maybe a month?

“How’s that food coming?” Seungcheol shouted through the doorway.

Jeonghan realized he’d taken too long, lost in thought. He grabbed the blue bag and hurried back to the kitchen, breathless by the time he got there. Somehow, he knew that wasn’t right. He shouldn’t be tired running the short distance from the hall to the kitchen.