The Alpha's Mate

{23}

Before Wonyoung could retort, Sunghoon took a deep breath, gathering his resolve. “Oh, and just to make things clear,” he said, his voice steady but tinged with a hint of defiance, “Sunoo and I are dating, by the way.”

The impact of his words was immediate. Wonyoung’s eyes widened in disbelief, as if she couldn’t process what she had just heard. For a moment, her mouth hung open, caught between denial and rage. “What? You can’t be serious!” she sputtered, disbelief morphing into fury. “You’re just saying that to hurt me!”

“No, I’m not,” Sunghoon replied, his expression unwavering. “It’s the truth. We’re happy together, and you need to understand that this is my life now.”

The air around them crackled with tension as Wonyoung processed this new information. Her mind raced, and Jaeyun could see the gears turning as she grappled with the reality of Sunghoon moving on from her. The anger that had fueled her bravado faltered for a moment, revealing a flash of vulnerability that only made her seem more dangerous.

“Don’t think this changes anything!” she finally spat, her tone shrill and desperate. “You’ll regret this, Sunghoon! You’ll see!”

Jaeyun felt a surge of pity for Wonyoung; it was clear she was struggling to maintain her facade of confidence in the face of reality. But he couldn’t allow that pity to linger. This wasn’t just about her anymore; it was about protecting their own.

“We’re not scared of you,” Sunoo said, stepping up beside Sunghoon, his voice strong. “You don’t have power over him or any of us anymore. This is our choice, and it’s final.”

Wonyoung glared at them, her frustration palpable. “You’ll all regret this. Just wait.” With that, she turned sharply on her heel and stormed away, her pride taking a hit as she retreated.

As the tension began to dissipate, Jaeyun turned to Sunoo and Sunghoon, relief washing over him. “Are you both okay?” he asked, concern lacing his voice.

Sunoo nodded, though his expression was still serious. “I will be. I just can’t believe she showed up here. I thought I’d left that part of my life behind.”

Sunghoon sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. “I didn’t expect her to come back, either. I thought I’d moved on, but clearly, she hasn’t.”

“You guys handled that really well,” Jaeyun said, offering them a reassuring smile. “Wonyoung is just trying to stir up trouble, but she won’t succeed as long as you stick together.”

Heeseung stepped forward, placing a supportive hand on Sunghoon’s shoulder. “And remember, you have all of us behind you. We’re your pack now.”

Feeling the weight of the moment lift, they exchanged looks of understanding, and Jaeyun felt a sense of camaraderie in their group solidify. No matter the challenges ahead, they would face them together. And with that, they all took a collective breath, ready to move on from the encounter and enjoy the rest of their day.

As Heeseung, Jaeyun, Sunoo, and Sunghoon arrived home, the warm glow of the setting sun cast a golden hue over the front yard. However, the moment Heeseung stepped through the door, he noticed his parents waiting for them by the entrance, their expressions a mix of excitement and anticipation.

“Mom, Dad, what’s going on?” Heeseung asked, a hint of curiosity lacing his voice.

His mother, radiant with a smile that seemed to light up the entire room, stepped forward. “We have some wonderful news!” she exclaimed, her enthusiasm infectious.

Heeseung exchanged a quick glance with Jaeyun, who raised an eyebrow in question. What could possibly warrant such excitement?

His father chimed in, “We’ve decided to host a celebration this weekend! We want to welcome Jaeyun properly into the pack and introduce him to everyone.”

Jaeyun’s heart fluttered at the thought. A celebration? He had only just begun to feel like a part of the family, and now they wanted to announce him to the entire pack? “You don’t have to do that,” he started, feeling a mix of gratitude and apprehension. “I don’t want to be a burden or anything.”

“Nonsense!” His mother waved her hand dismissively. “You’re not a burden, dear. You’re part of our family now, and we want to show you off!” She paused, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Besides, it’ll be a great way for everyone to get to know you and for you to feel at home.”

Heeseung stood beside Jaeyun, pride swelling in his chest at his parents’ kind gestures. “Mom, Dad, this means a lot to us. Thank you for welcoming Jaeyun so warmly.”

“Of course!” His father grinned, nodding in agreement. “We’ve also arranged for some fun activities. There’ll be games, music, and plenty of food. We want everyone to have a good time!”

Jaeyun felt warmth spread through him at the thought of such a celebration. “That sounds amazing,” he said, allowing himself to smile. “I really appreciate it.”

“Just wait until you see what we have planned,” His mother continued, excitement bubbling over. “It’s going to be unforgettable!”

“Sounds like you guys have been busy,” Sunoo remarked, trying to hide his own excitement. “I’m in if there’s food involved!”

As they continued to chat, the mood in the room lightened. The earlier tension from Wonyoung’s unexpected visit faded into the background, replaced by the joy of being surrounded by family and friends.

Later that evening, as Jaeyun prepared for bed, he couldn’t shake the excitement. The idea of being celebrated by the pack filled him with a sense of belonging that he had longed for.

Heeseung lay beside him, sensing the mix of emotions swirling within his mate. “Are you okay?” he asked softly, brushing his fingers gently against Jaeyun’s arm.

“Yeah, I just can’t believe this is happening,” Jaeyun replied, looking up at Heeseung with wonder. “I feel so lucky to be a part of this family.”

Heeseung smiled, his heart swelling at Jaeyun’s words. “You deserve it, Jaeyun. You’re already part of us, and I want everyone to see that.”

With those words, Jaeyun felt a deep sense of gratitude wash over him. As they drifted off to sleep, he felt a warmth surrounding him, the promise of acceptance and love, and he knew that no matter what challenges lay ahead, they would face them together.

The next few days passed in a flurry of preparation for the celebration. Jaeyun found himself bustling about the house, helping Heeseung’s parents arrange decorations, plan the menu, and organize activities for the pack. He was nervous but excited, reveling in the camaraderie and support from everyone around him.

As the day of the celebration approached, the house transformed into a vibrant and inviting space, filled with laughter and the tantalizing aroma of delicious food. Jaeyun felt himself growing more comfortable in his new surroundings, grateful for the opportunity to create lasting memories with Heeseung and the pack.

On the morning of the event, the sun rose brightly, casting a golden glow over the preparations. Jaeyun stood by the window, gazing out at the bustling activity in the yard. Families were arriving, laughter echoed through the air, and he felt a rush of excitement mixed with nerves.

As the door swung open and the first guests entered, Jaeyun turned to Heeseung, his heart racing. “Are you ready for this?”

Heeseung chuckled, placing a reassuring hand on Jaeyun’s shoulder. “As ready as I’ll ever be. Just remember, it’s about having fun and celebrating you.”

Taking a deep breath, Jaeyun stepped forward, ready to embrace this new chapter in his life. With Heeseung by his side, he felt invincible, ready to face whatever came next.