𝐀𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐫 || 𝐌𝐢𝐧𝐖𝐨𝐧

Chapter 28

Wonwoo slept with his head on Mingyu’s shoulder for most of the ride back to the orchard. Everyone kept aiming concerned glances his way, and he had to keep reminding himself why. He’d been abducted, drugged, held prisoner.

Kept bound and blindfolded for days. But somehow, all that faded into the background in the wake of his heat. His body thrummed with satisfaction and contentment. Whenever he felt the slightest bit uneasy, all he had to do was surreptitiously scent Mingyu, and he was bathed in a happy afterglow once again. He knew that wouldn’t last forever, but he’d take full advantage while it did.

“Wonwoo? We’re here.”

Mingyu’s quiet words nudged him awake, and he blinked his eyes open, relieved to see the familiar sight of the orchard gates.

“Home sweet home.”

“It’s good to be back,” Mingyu agreed.

Wonwoo sat up and ran a hand through his hair as they wound their way up the driveway. He knew he looked rough, but he could at least make an effort. Out of the corner of his eye, he caught Mingyu trying not to laugh.

“Be honest,” he entreated. “How bad do I look?”

The alpha tipped his head to the side, regarding him carefully. “You look strong and fierce.”

The words made him grin, and he stopped worrying about his appearance. He’d come through something that would have made most people fall to pieces. Yet, he was holding it together.

Minghao and Seungcheol were the first ones out of the house to greet them, the beta almost bowling Wonwoo over in an attempt to hug him to death.

“Are you okay?” Minghao scanned him head to toe with practiced eyes. “Any injuries to report?”

“A few scrapes and bruises is all,” he assured him. “Most of them are already healing.”

Not healed, though; not yet. So much of Wonwoo’s energy had diverted into the untimely heat that healing had taken a back seat. But now that it was over, the scattered cuts and bruises would fade to nothing in a matter of days or weeks.

Minghao took Wonwoo’s hand in his, rubbing light fingers across the abrasions on his wrists.

“I’m glad to hear it. Now, I’m sure you’d like a hot bath and a good meal. Jeonghan’s cooking. He baked berry crumble just for you.”

“He’s the best,” Wonwoo murmured, leaning heavily against Minghao when his energy flagged.

He glanced back at Mingyu, and the alpha gave him a smile and a nod.

“Could do with a shower myself,” he said.

“You can use our bathroom,” Seungcheol told him.

Wonwoo tried to mask his disappointment that they wouldn’t be getting clean together, but from the quirk of Mingyu’s lips, he wasn’t that successful. Minghao didn’t notice as he hustled Wonwoo toward the front door. It was Seungcheol who stopped him, resting a gentle hand on Wonwoo’s shoulder.

“We’re very glad to have you back safe. It’s been hard on everyone with you gone.”

“Thanks for coming for me. I hear the rescue was going to be epic. I’m only sorry I missed it.”

Seungcheol smiled, though there was a hint of worry in his expression as he squeezed Wonwoo's shoulder gently.

“You’re safe, that’s the main thing. And back where you belong.”