𝐆𝐮𝐚𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐚́𝐧 || 𝐉𝐞𝐨𝐧𝐠𝐂𝐡𝐞𝐨𝐥

Chapter 16

Jeonghan knew he was in trouble the moment Seungcheol discovered him throwing up in the woods. He ran back to the house, relieved when the alpha didn’t follow right away. Instead, Seungcheol went to help Junhui get things squared away for the oncoming storm. For a few minutes, Jeonghan stood fretting in the middle of the kitchen, torn about what to do. When the alpha did come back, he was going to have questions.

Questions Jeonghan wouldn’t want to answer. He barely understood what was happening to him. Seungcheol, when he realized Jeonghan’s condition, was going to be furious. He’d made it clear he didn’t want any ties, any attachments. And certainly not to Jeonghan. Junhui was going to be angry too. At him, at Seungcheol. He and the alpha might even fight again.

Jeonghan had just ruined the only good thing they had going for them. The orchard was no longer a safe place for him. He needed to get out of there.

It didn’t take long to pack his things. He agonized a little over taking the clothes Seungcheol had bought for him, but the alpha had made it clear that he’d more than worked off that debt. And it wasn’t like he or Junhui could wear them.

Jeonghan took off through the front door, running right into the storm. Within ten feet, he was drenched, his clothes sticking to his skin. He got out through the orchard’s side gate and left the path, heading through the trees. There was no thought of where he was running to, just that he had to get away. It was tough going—he kept losing his footing on the wet earth, sprawling hard across the ground.

Each time, he picked himself back up and kept moving. The river loomed large in front of him, the rushing water loud above the storm. The water level had swelled from all the rain. If the river had been passable before, it would be difficult to cross now. Still, it was his best chance to get away clean; no scent trail to follow. Tucking his bag under his arm, he waded in, the water swirling around him.

Within seconds, it was up to his waist. A few steps later, and it was lapping against his chest. The cold was enough to shock him, making him gasp. Before he was even halfway across, he knew he’d made a mistake. The current was too strong, and he’d never learned how to swim.

As he tried to turn back, his foot slipped on the riverbed.

In seconds, he was under, the water surrounding around him, the world turned on its head. He didn’t know which way was up or down, and his waterlogged body felt so heavy. Thrashing about, his lungs began to burn. He needed air, he needed help. He—

Hands seized him, dragging him upward. He broke the surface, gasping for breath. The world jumped around him, and he caught flashes of gray sky and cloud as he was carried to the bank and settled on the ground. His eyes found his rescuer, and he didn’t know whether to laugh or cry when he saw Seungcheol.

The alpha crouched next to him.

“Are you trying to get yourself killed?”

Jeonghan tried to speak but couldn’t get the words out.

Instead, he coughed and then retched as the water he’d swallowed came back up. He tried to turn his head as strong hands rolled him onto his side, and he spit up what felt like half the river. When Seungcheol eased him onto his back again, he struggled to catch his breath, watching the alpha warily. Why had he come after him? Why couldn’t he just let Jeonghan disappear?

“Let’s get you back to the orchard.”

The words were enough to get him moving, flipping onto his side, trying to get his feet under him.

“Jeonghan.”

“No, I can’t go back. I can’t.”

He had to leave. That was the only way he’d be safe. If he stayed, Seungcheol would figure it out, Junhui would know, and everything would be ruined.

He managed to push to his feet and stagger a few steps, but strong arms caught him around the waist, tugging him back against a broad chest.

“No. Let me go.” He yanked at Seungcheol’s arms, scratched him with his fingernails, but the alpha’s grip didn’t budge.

“Stop it, Jeonghan. Stop fighting me. You’re not going anywhere except back to the house.”

“No,” he cried, ashamed of how weak he was, at how easily the alpha could hold him in place. “Please.”

He struggled harder, but all Seungcheol did was lift him up and put him over his shoulder, carrying him off. No amount of thrashing about or batting his fists against the alpha’s back made a difference. Exhausted, he stopped fighting and gave in. He let himself cry, misery and fear wrapping around him like a shroud.

When they crossed the threshold of the front door, he expected to be dumped on the floor, but Seungcheol’s arms tightened around him. There was a pause, and then he heard the alpha’s voice, clearly not aimed at him.

“I found him. We’re back at the house.”

He was carried up the stairs and into the bathroom, where Seungcheol finally set him on his feet. When the alpha’s hands went to his shirt, Jeonghan stumbled back and shoved him away. “Get off.”

“You’re soaked to the skin and freezing cold. Not to mention covered in mud. We need to get you out of these wet things, get you clean, dried off, and warmed up. Either you undress yourself, or I’ll do it for you.”

There was a tone to Seungcheol’s voice that Jeonghan hadn’t heard since that first day when the alpha had pinned him to the ground. He made no move to undress, crossing his arms protectively over his stomach. He couldn’t let Seungcheol see. If he did, he’d know. The shower turned on, steam quickly filling the room, and still, Jeonghan didn’t move.

The alpha’s hands landed on his shoulders.

“Alright, have it your way.”

He turned Jeonghan around, so he was facing away from him, then his hands grabbed the hem of Jeonghan’s shirt and peeled it off his skin, tugging it over his head. Jeonghan was forced to uncurl his arms, the wet fabric pulling uncomfortably at his skin. As soon as he could, he wrapped his arms around himself again, doing what little he could to shield himself.

“Pants,” Seungcheol prompted.

Jeonghan didn’t move.

The alpha sighed, turning him back around again. When he reached for the button of his pants, Jeonghan tried to step out of reach. He was caught and tugged forward.

“Stop it,” the alpha said sharply. “You’re halfway to hypothermia as it is.”

Jeonghan just stared at the floor and let the alpha strip him, stepping out of his pants and underwear when prompted.

“Let’s get you in the shower, warm you up a bit.”

Could it be the alpha hadn’t noticed? To Jeonghan, the changes were obvious, but maybe not to Seungcheol. Relieved that he might not be in trouble just yet, he let Seungcheol’s hand on his shoulder turn him toward the shower.

But then Seungcheol caught his elbow, stilling him. “Wait. Your arm’s bleeding. Let me take a look.”

“No!”

But it was too late. Seungcheol had already tugged Jeonghan’s arms away from his body and turned him, so they were face to face. Jeonghan risked a glance at the alpha. Seungcheol’s eyes were trained on his swelled stomach.

“What the hell?”

“I’m sorry,” he sobbed, miserable and frightened. “I’m so sorry. I took the pills, just like you said. I don’t know what happened.”

“Damn it, Jeonghan.”

He shied away when the alpha moved toward him. Seungcheol sighed, rocking back on his feet and holding his hands up slowly, palms out.

“One thing at a time, okay? Let’s just get you cleaned off and warmed up. The rest can wait.”

He didn’t take no for an answer, practically lifting Jeonghan into the shower and under the warm water. Jeonghan stood there shivering, letting the water run over him as he sobbed. Even though he didn’t know what he’d done wrong, he knew this was all his fault.