𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧

Chapter 15

Mingyu asked him a few probing questions over the next day, but Wonwoo wasn’t yet ready to admit what he’d done. It was tempting sometimes just to blurt it out and share the burden with someone. Mingyu, being so steady and calm, would make it easy. But Wonwoo feared that the truth would be a step too far, would change how the alpha saw him. In his darkest moments, he worried that Mingyu, Seungcheol, and the others would cast him out and leave him to fend for himself. Or worse—surrender him back to the army to face up to his crimes.

It was their second outing in the space of a few days, and Mingyu was driving again. Wonwoo had been itching to get behind the wheel, but as Mingyu had rightly pointed out, drivers got a heck of a lot more scrutiny at traffic stops than passengers. In the unlikely event they were pulled over, he was safer out of the driver’s seat. The sun was setting as they arrived at their destination—an adventure maze. It was marketed to kids and families during the day, but in the evenings, it was adults only and shifter friendly.

Mingyu had called ahead, checked their busiest nights, and booked them in for midweek. It was the night of the full moon which, with clear skies above, would afford them good light for their adventures.

“Now,” Mingyu said as they pulled into the near-empty parking lot. “Your choice—human or shifter.”

Wonwoo was torn between the two options. “Which would be better?”

Mingyu grinned. “Shifter, definitely. They’ve got all sorts of passages that humans can’t fit through. We’ll have lots more fun.”

“Okay, then,” he agreed, responding to the alpha’s enthusiasm. “Shifters it is.”

He followed Mingyu to the entrance, trailing the alpha closely when he noticed a few people in the parking lot watching them. Best he played meek omega to his alpha.

People tended to lose interest once they realized he was taken. Mingyu held the door open for him, and Wonwoo stepped inside, scanning the interior. It was all warm wood and colors that reflected nature. He could almost smell the forest, despite the fact that they were indoors.

“Welcome,” a guy called, waving them over to a desk.

“First time?”

“First of many, we hope,” Mingyu said, ushering Wonwoo along. “We’ve heard good things.”

“Excellent. It’s always nice to know our reputation precedes us.” He scanned the computer screen next to him.

“Mason, right? Party of two?”

“That’s right.” The alpha held out a hand. “It’s Mingyu.”

“Welcome, Mingyu. And you are…?”

“Wonwoo.”

“You picked a great evening to come. The annual barbecue party is happening over at the community hall, so this place is quiet as a library. No one else booked in.”

“What about the group in the parking lot?” Wonwoo asked, trying not to sound worried.

“Just finished up. They don’t want to show up at the barbecue too early. It’s not fashionable for teenagers to be on time, or so I hear. Now, are you having the human experience or…?”

“We’d like to try the shifter maze,” Mingyu said. “It’s a clear night, and if this place is going to be quiet...”

“Great choice. You won’t need these, then,” the man said, gesturing to the belts with flashlights on them. “You can go ahead into the changing rooms through the blue door. There are lockers with combination locks. Use the instructions on the wall to set them, stow your clothes in there, and then follow the automatic doors that lead out into the maze. If you run into any trouble, there are glow-in-the-dark assistance points. You’re never too far from one. We have a few cameras around the place to keep an eye on things and sensors that keep track of where you are.”