𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧

Chapter 12

Mingyu knew when they left the house that afternoon that they might be running into trouble. Dark clouds hung heavily in the sky, promising rain at any moment.

“Minghao says the storm won’t start until three,” Wonwoo said doubtfully, following his gaze. “We have time.”

“Then let’s not waste it.” Mingyu took off running, hearing Wonwoo shout after him and give chase.

He liked to push the omega, knowing how much better Wonwoo felt when he was tired out. It wasn’t that he wanted Wonwoo to avoid his feelings, more that he knew Wonwoo needed space to deal with them. He couldn’t handle it all at once—his anger got the better of him, and that only fueled his fears.

Wonwoo caught up quickly. He was already pretty fit, but it wasn’t always that easy to keep up with an alpha’s speed and stamina. He gave it his best try, though, every time.

Unlike Minghao, who went at his own pace regardless of whatever anyone around him was doing, Wonwoo had a competitive edge that Mingyu liked to challenge. It brought out the best in the omega.

They left the orchard and started their circuit of the orchard wall. Wonwoo was panting hard, running flat out.

Mingyu prepared to slow down and give him a chance to catch his breath when there was a flash of lightning and a crack of thunder above them. The skies opened and rain poured down. Within seconds, the deluge had soaked them both.

“Do you want to turn back?” Mingyu shouted. They weren’t quite at the halfway point yet. Retracing their steps was the fastest way home.

“We’re already wet,” Wonwoo retorted. “What’s another bucketful of rain?”

The storm was right overhead and going nowhere quickly. They ran on, Mingyu grimacing at the squelch of his feet in soggy shoes. It was going to be a pain drying them out. Luckily, he had a second pair. The driving rain made it hard to see where they were going, and the wind kept whipping branches into their path. They slowed their pace as they picked their way through the trees. The path turned and they were heading downhill. Ahead of them, a bright flash of lightning struck a tree, sending a huge branch crashing to the ground. They both ground to a halt, staring at it.

“We should get under cover,” Mingyu shouted. “It’s not safe.”

The trees were sparse here, which meant they couldn’t use them for shelter since they were at risk of being struck just like that one.

“The old cottage,” Wonwoo called, pointing through the trees. Mingyu could just make out the edge of the building where it stood against the orchard wall.

“Go. I’ll be right behind you.”

Wonwoo took off at a dash, and Mingyu followed, ducking inside the broken door of the long-abandoned building. It was dull inside, partly thanks to layers of dirt on the broken windows and partly because of the storm above.

“So much for three o’clock,” Wonwoo grumbled, wringing out his wet clothes.

“Well, at least we have shelter. And we weren’t under that tree when half of it came crashing down to earth.”

“Always looking on the bright side, huh?”

There was an edge to Wonwoo’s voice that Mingyu didn’t like.

Another clap of thunder and Wonwoo jumped, peering uneasily out the moss-strewn window.

“You don’t like storms?”

“Who does?” The omega continued to stare out, his arms wrapped around his stomach.

“I like to watch them. Preferably from a safe distance, warm and dry indoors.”