𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧

Chapter 6

Mingyu’s words hadn’t quite gotten through to Wonwoo, or so he thought when he saw almost nothing of the omega for the next three days. Now and then, when he trained with Junhui, he sensed eyes on him, but he never spotted Wonwoo among the trees.

On the fourth day, the morning cool but bright, he dodged a punch from Junhui and caught sight of Wonwoo in the shade of a nearby tree. He was in human form this time and wearing sweatpants instead of his normal jeans. Mingyu didn’t read anything into that, turning his attention back to Junhui and ensuring he was focused on what they were doing. Inattention was dangerous, even if they were only practicing.

“You’re coming on in leaps and bounds,” he told the young alpha as they sat side by side, catching their breaths.

Junhui shrugged. “Doesn’t feel like it from where I’m standing.”

“Ah, the folly of youth. You want everything to happen yesterday. Progress comes slowly. You build on it each and every day. That’s how you grow skills that last the test of time.”

“Youth?” Junhui raised an eyebrow. “You’re only a few years older than me.”

That was true enough, but when it came to life experience, they were chasms apart. Mingyu had seen and done things that people like Junhui probably couldn’t imagine. Which was a good thing. He wouldn’t wish the horrors of war on anyone. And for someone like Junhui, who had a lifetime of pent-up anger to get under control, the army would have been a death sentence.

“Four years is a lot when you’re our age. Even more when you’re younger. When you’ve lived a little longer, seen a bit more of the world, you’ll understand.”

Junhui stood and stretched. “Sometimes, my world feels like it doesn’t extend beyond the walls of this orchard. For Jeonghan, it feels safe. But I can’t help feeling like I’m trapped in a cage.”

As Junhui said it, he caught sight of Wonwoo and frowned unhappily. “Didn’t realize we had an audience.”

“What, you don’t like having someone to show off to?”

Junhui rolled his eyes at Mingyu’s teasing. “Yeah, yeah. I’m going for breakfast. You coming?”

“Later. Save me some coffee, okay?”

The alpha muttered something under his breath and stalked off, throwing another look Wonwoo’s way. Mingyu waited until he was out of earshot before slowly getting to his feet.

“What did you think?”

Wonwoo affected a bored look, glancing up at the trees.

“He fights like an alpha. Heavy on the aggression, light on skill.”

“And me?”

That dragged the omega’s eyes back to his, his gaze intense.

“You move like you know what you’re doing.”

Mingyu nodded his acceptance of the comment and gestured Wonwoo toward him. “Care to let me get the measure of you?”

Wonwoo stayed where he was for one long moment, and Mingyu could almost see the urge to turn tail and run. But the omega overcame it and forced himself out from between the trees to stand opposite him. He rocked on the balls of his feet, his hands clenched into fists, his shoulders tense.

“Tell me about your training while we warm up.”

There was no use trying to fight right then, with Wonwoo ready to bolt at the first sign of danger.