The Alpha's Mate

{14}

As Heeseung stepped out of his father’s office, he paused in the hallway, the weight of the conversation still pressing on his mind. He hadn’t expected to see anyone waiting for him, but there, on the couch just outside the office, was Jaeyun. He was sitting quietly, his hands folded in his lap, eyes drifting around the room, but he seemed a little lost in thought.

Heeseung’s expression softened as he took in the sight of Jaeyun. For a moment, all the stress and pressure from his father's words seemed to fade away. Seeing Jaeyun, the person who grounded him in ways he didn’t expect, was a reminder of why everything else mattered so much.

“Hey,” Heeseung said gently, walking over to Jaeyun. “What are you doing out here?”

Jaeyun looked up, surprised but smiling softly when he saw Heeseung. “I figured you’d come out eventually,” he said. “Thought I’d wait for you.”

Heeseung sat beside him on the couch, their knees brushing against each other as they settled in. “How was your talk with Hansel?” Heeseung asked, curious but also grateful that his sister seemed to like Jaeyun.

Jaeyun chuckled lightly. “She grilled me a bit, but nothing too serious. She’s nice, though. A lot like your mom.”

Heeseung smirked. “Yeah, she has her moments.”

For a moment, they sat in comfortable silence, but Jaeyun’s gaze turned a little more serious as he glanced over at Heeseung. “You okay? You look… tense.”

Heeseung hesitated, not wanting to burden Jaeyun with everything his father had just told him. But at the same time, Jaeyun was his mate now, and this was something they would face together.

“My father and I were talking about… the future. About you becoming Luna,” Heeseung admitted, his voice low. “He’s worried. He thinks there are going to be challenges, and he’s not wrong.”

Jaeyun’s expression shifted, a hint of concern creeping in. “Challenges because of me?”

Heeseung immediately shook his head. “No, not like that. It’s just… there’s a lot expected of me as Alpha. And when you become Luna, people are going to expect a lot from you too. My father just wants to make sure we’re both ready.”

Jaeyun sat quietly for a moment, processing the weight of Heeseung’s words. He understood that this wasn’t just about their relationship—it was about the pack, their roles, and the responsibilities that came with them.

“I know I’m not fully prepared yet,” Jaeyun said, his voice steady but thoughtful. “But I’m willing to learn. To stand by your side and take on whatever comes. I didn’t choose this lightly, Heeseung.”

Heeseung smiled softly, feeling a sense of reassurance from Jaeyun’s words. “I know. And that’s why I believe in us. No matter what challenges we face, we’ll handle it together.”

Jaeyun reached out, gently taking Heeseung’s hand. “Together,” he echoed.

The weight on Heeseung’s shoulders felt lighter now. With Jaeyun beside him, he was ready to face whatever lay ahead.

As Heeseung and Jaeyun stood up from the couch, they shared a quiet but meaningful look before heading downstairs. Jaeyun felt a mix of emotions—nervousness, excitement, and determination. Heeseung’s words had reassured him, but he knew there was so much more to learn about becoming the Luna of the pack. He wanted to be ready, not just for Heeseung but for the pack as well.

When they reached the kitchen, Heeseung’s mother, Hana, was busy cleaning up from dinner. She glanced up as they entered, her warm smile returning at the sight of Jaeyun and Heeseung together.

“Heading home already?” she asked, her voice gentle.

Jaeyun hesitated for a moment, gathering his thoughts before speaking. “Actually, before we go, there’s something I wanted to ask you.”

Hana raised an eyebrow, intrigued. “What is it?”

Jaeyun took a deep breath, stepping closer. “I want to learn how to be a proper Luna,” he said, his voice steady but filled with resolve. “But I don’t want anyone else to teach me—I want you to train me. I feel comfortable around you, and… I trust you.”

Heeseung’s mother looked at him in surprise, her eyes softening as she processed his words. A moment of silence stretched between them before her expression turned thoughtful, a small smile playing at the corners of her lips.

“I’m honored that you’d ask me,” Hana said, her voice sincere. “Being a Luna is no small task, but if you’re willing to learn, I’d be more than happy to teach you.”

Jaeyun’s face lit up with relief. “Thank you. I just… I know I have a lot to learn, and I want to do it right.”

Hana stepped closer, placing a comforting hand on Jaeyun’s shoulder. “You have the heart for it, Jaeyun. That’s the most important thing. I’ll help you with the rest.”

Heeseung watched the interaction, his heart swelling with pride for both his mother and Jaeyun. Seeing them connect in this way, and knowing that Jaeyun was so determined to be the best Luna he could be, only deepened his admiration for his mate.

“We’ll start slow,” Hana continued, her tone reassuring. “There’s a lot that goes into being a Luna—leadership, understanding the needs of the pack, and most importantly, standing beside Heeseung. But you’ll learn it all, and I’ll be here every step of the way.”

Jaeyun nodded, grateful for her support. “I’m ready.”

Heeseung’s mother smiled again, her eyes filled with warmth and pride. “Good. Then we’ll begin soon.”

As they prepared to leave, Jaeyun felt a renewed sense of purpose. With Hana guiding him and Heeseung by his side, he was ready to face whatever challenges came his way as the future Luna of the pack.