Destiny Makes Eight

Acceptance

Everyone settled around the large dining table minutes after the food had been set out. Seonghwa had to herd everyone out of the library when one of the maids came to warn him the food would grow cold if the Pack didn't come to dinner soon. They had all spent the rest of the day talking and just being in each other's presence in the library. Yeosang, after his long afternoon nap, was much more awake and attentive, nestled in Hongjoong's lap. The Head Alpha even partook in some of the conversation but had spent most of his time just observing them.

Now that they were seated around the delicious smelling meal, everyone's focus shifted to the food. Hongjoong watched them all with a sense of satisfaction. Yeosang and Seonghwa sat on either side of him and the others filled in their spaces naturally. Wooyoung was almost always attached to San with Jongho and Mingi seated across from them. Mingi was talking in a low voice with Yunho, who'd been sat between he and Seonghwa. Jongho and San preferred to sit at the edge out of instinct. With Hongjoong at the head of the table, and the two Alphas at the other ends, they just felt more relaxed. As if they had circled around their Pack to protect them.

Yunho listened attentively while Wooyoung told story after story. Even after spending all afternoon in the library with him. The taller man had such an earnest expression on his face that Hongjoong asked himself how he ever saw him as a threat at all. The way he would listen and engage, when some people could easily be annoyed, spoke volumes for his character and Hongjoong couldn't help but feel a little endeared by him. He watched as Jongho would smile and sometimes interject with his own bits and pieces of Wooyoung's stories. The youngest Beta sometimes got excited and skipped over details that Jongho felt were important.

At one point, when Wooyoung finished one story and was about to launch into another one, Yeosang reached over and shoved a roll in his mouth. Wooyoung leaned back and smacked at his hand, leaving the Omega giggling at him. Hongjoong couldn't help the smile that spread across his face. His eyes filled with love and adoration watching the two of them. He chuckled softly under his breath as Yeosang chided Wooyoung for letting his dinner go cold and pushed his plate closer to him.

Wooyoung, ever good natured, allowed Yeosang to fuss and obediently started to eat his food. When he tried to speak again, mouth full, San placed a gentle hand on his back to remind him to properly chew his food. Mingi finally had a chance to speak, now that Wooyoung's mile a minute words had ceased, and he asked about the trip into town.

Seonghwa sat upright as he recalled that he'd brought a small gift for Yunho. He quickly finished his food then dabbed at his lips with his napkin and excused himself from the table for a moment. Hongjoong followed him with his eyes then settled back into his own meal. He felt a small hand slip onto his thigh and smiled. Hongjoong didn't draw any attention to it, knowing that sometimes Yeosang just needed that little bit of extra reassurance. Sometimes, when he was happiest, he would reach out to touch him. To let himself know it was all real. Hongjoong's heart ached over that fact, but knew that it also meant Yeosang was happy. He was safe and content, and that's what really mattered now.

By the time Seonghwa returned from the library, where he'd left the parcel, the rest had managed to finish up their dinner. Yunho, who had been laughing at something Mingi said, looked up in surprise when the small wrapped package was placed in front of him. He blinked down at it then looked up at the Pack Luna with round, curious eyes.

Seonghwa smiled and squeezed his shoulder. "It isn't much, but I hope this can show a little of our appreciation towards you. For helping Mingi and Wooyoung and for allowing us to get to know you at least a little."

Yunho felt his face grow hot as he stared up at Seonghwa. Even though he'd been seeing him more often, he was still taken aback by the man's sheer beauty and the overwhelmingly calm aura he emitted. His platinum hair seemed to suit him so well that sometimes Yunho wondered if he could have been a white wolf centuries ago when their kind could still shift from human to wolf. How stunning he would be.