𝐌𝐲 𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚 | 𝐌𝐱𝐌 | 𝐦𝐩𝐫𝐞𝐠)

𝐌𝐲 𝐄𝐭𝐞𝐫𝐧𝐚𝐥 𝐨𝐦𝐞𝐠𝐚 | 𝟙𝟶

ᴊɪ ʜᴏ |

 After waiting what felt like decades, the silence finally broke as someone entered the safe place. The man's dark hair was damp with sweat, and his clothes were torn in places, but he moved with an unwavering resolve. He knelt down before Sophia, his head bowed low in respect. The quiet tension in the room seemed to throb as we all waited for him to speak.

Sophia, her voice firm but calm, asked, "Is everything cleared?"

The man lifted his head slightly, meeting her gaze. "Yes, Luna. We held our ground, defending as best we could. They fought hard... but then, out of nowhere, they retreated. Every last one of them."

A collective breath released from everyone in the room, a subtle wave of relief that washed over us all.

"There are some heavy injuries," the man admitted, his expression darkening with the weight of the news. "But... no lives were lost on our side. We were lucky."

Sophia closed her eyes for a brief moment, a small, grateful smile tugging at her lips. "Thank the Moon Goddess," she whispered, her voice soft. Then she straightened, regaining that quiet strength she always carried. "I want every injured member tended to immediately. And prepare a team to scout the area and make sure they haven't left any traps or surprises."

The man nodded, rising to his feet with a respectful bow before exiting as quickly as he had arrived.

Noah broke the silence, his voice barely above a whisper. "Why would they retreat like that? It doesn't make sense." He glanced over at Sophia, the question hanging in the air.

Sophia shook her head, her gaze distant as she considered it. "Rogues don't typically act with strategy," she murmured, more to herself than to us. "They're driven by instinct, by hunger. They fight until they're exhausted or defeated. For them to retreat suddenly... there has to be a reason."

"Do you think they'll come back?" I asked quietly, voicing the fear that had lodged itself deep within me.

Sophia paused, then nodded slowly. "It's possible," she admitted. "But we'll be ready. They won't catch us off guard again.

Just then, the quiet creak of the door made us turn, and another figure entered. It was Luca, his face streaked with dirt, his eyes sharp and watchful. He gave Sophia a quick nod before his gaze settled on Ren and then on me.

"Mom," he began, his voice calm but laced with urgency. "Dad wants to see you... and he told me to bring Ji-ho and Noah as well."

Sophia's expression shifted, a hint of apprehension flickering in her eyes before she nodded. "Then let's go. We need to know what's happening."

Ren stirred slightly in my arms, letting out a soft sigh, but he remained blissfully asleep. I glanced down at him. I didn't want to wake him. His peaceful face, framed by soft, dark hair, looked so delicate, so innocent. Part of me wanted to shield him from every harsh truth waiting beyond these walls.

Sophia reached over and gently brushed a stray lock of hair from Ren's forehead. "Let's take him with us," she said, her voice warm yet resolute. "He'll be safer with us.

With that, everyone turned toward the door, the weight of the night's events hanging over us as we left the small, safe haven we'd found. The hallway was dimly lit, and shadows seemed to cling to the walls, giving the whole place an almost surreal stillness. 

The tree trunk door creaked open again, revealing the cold, dark winter night beyond. The wind whipped through the clearing, sharp and unforgiving, sending a chill through me as we stepped outside. The ground was frozen, and the scent of pine and earth mixed with the metallic tang of blood. All around us, warriors moved quietly, carrying wounded comrades with care. Their faces were lined with exhaustion, but their movements were steady, each one embodying the silent strength of the pack.