𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧

Chapter 3

Wonwoo woke with the mother of all hangovers, blinking in confusion at the strange alpha staring back at him.

“Huh?”

“Wonwoo?”

He knew that voice. With great effort, he turned his head.

“Minghao?”

The beta’s look of concern melted into a smile. “Hey, there. Glad to have you back in the land of the living.”

Wonwoo glanced down, realizing Minghao was holding his hand. Wait, was that blood?

“What’s going on?”

“Maybe you could tell us,” the beta said. “Mingyu found you outside. You pulled a damsel-in-distress move and passed out on him.”

“Oh. Sorry,” he offered to no one in particular. He tried to sit up, groaning when his head and body ached in symphony.

“Take it slow,” the alpha—Mingyu—said, but leaned back and let Minghao help him upright.

“How are you feeling?” Minghao asked, watching him closely.

“I, um…” How was he feeling? His stomach rumbled loudly. “Starving,” he admitted.

Minghao made a sound that wasn’t quite a laugh. “Your blood sugar agrees with you. Mingyu…?”

“I’ll see what I can find in the kitchen.”

The alpha stepped out, and Wonwoo watched him go, his mind working sluggishly. “Who is he?”

“Mingyu,” Minghao said, a touch of impatience in his tone.

“He’s the guy who found you outside and carried you here.”

“Oh.” That was embarrassing.

“Alright, soldier. Out with it. Any injuries to report?”

Wonwoo felt his face heat at Minghao’s tone. It brought him right back to his training days. He wiggled his toes and did a quick check. “I’m not hurt.” Tired, cold, and damp, but injury-free.

“Uh-huh. And the rest?”

Minghao’s expression brooked no argument.

“I’m pretty worn out,” he admitted. “Been on the road for a week. Ran out of food a few days back. Been on foot since yesterday.”

“You do look done in,” Minghao murmured, brushing a strand of hair from his forehead. “And muddy to boot.”

The door opened, but it wasn’t Mingyu returning. It was Seungcheol, carrying an armful of wood which he set down next to the fireplace.

Wonwoo sat up a bit straighter, his cheeks heating.

“Hi, Seungcheol.”

“Wonwoo. It’s been a while.”

He ducked his head and took a breath before forcing himself to lift his chin and make eye contact. It was hard, after everything, but he couldn’t show fear or weakness.

“I need a place to crash. Can I stay here?”

A look of surprise crossed the alpha’s face as he folded his arms and glanced Minghao’s way.

“We weren’t planning on kicking you out.”

“You need to eat,” Minghao said, interrupting their conversation. “And then rest. Questions can wait.” He looked to Seungcheol as he said it, and the alpha nodded once, turning to the fireplace.