Exposed

Breaking

"Jae?" Ki whispered, walking into his room. It was late and most of the house was asleep. She gently closed the door, but amongst the silence the sound of it closing practically echoed. Ki flinched at the sound and mentally scolded herself for not being quieter. Crouching down, Ki removed her shoes; letting out a sigh of relief. Her feet padded against the floor as she reached Jae's dresser and pulled out a t-shirt. She stripped down and pulled the t-shirt over her. She stood there and stared at her feet for a moment. Her chest felt heavy. She focused on breathing; feeling herself inhale then exhale. It's nothing. Shaking her head, she walked over to the bed and climbed in next to Jae. She wrapped herself around him and pressed her face against his back.

"Everything okay?" Jae asked, feeling her shake gently against him. He felt her nod yes. Jae turned over, forcing Ki to let go of him. He wrapped her in his arms instead and pressed her head to his chest.

As he stroked her hair he asked, "What's wrong? What did Joey do?"

"Nothing. Tonight was amazing..."

"Then what's wrong Ki?"

"I don't know. It's nothing. I just feel sad. And wrong.  Like me and Joey are wrong."

Jae pulled away, seeing his sister's tear stained face. With furrowed eyebrows he inquired, "What does that mean? You think he's lying about being your mate?"

"No, Jae, I don't know. I just feel wrong."

He pulled his little sister close again and clung to her. He quietly hummed, his chest vibrating against her. Eventually, Ki stopped crying and they both fell asleep.

Ki woke to the smell of bacon and eggs. Opening her eyes, she saw Jae, tray in hand, walking towards her. She sat up and he placed a plate of food on her lap.

"Morning, Ms. Dreary."

"What?"

"You came home in a very weird mood for someone who just went on an amazing date with her mate. Wanna talk about what you meant last night?"

"No," Ki mumbled, sticking her eggs with a fork, "I don't know what was up with me last night. I just had this feeling. A terrible feeling. About being with Joey. But, whatever. It's gone now."

Jae eyed his sister suspiciously as she ate her breakfast. Every time she and Joey got closer, something bad happens. Jae knew Joey; he knew he was a good guy, but seeing how he affected his little sister Jae couldn't help but doubt him. Was it because Ki is a kitsune and not wolf, so, this mate thing is just too unnatural for her?

Freshly frustrated, Jae announced, "I'm going home. Hold down the fort."

Ki nodded and continued to eat her food. Maybe she should go home too. Or to go see Suijin. She needed some sort of guidance. She was trying hard to keep it together. To make sense of everything. To finish the family legacy. To meet her family again. She just wanted to feel normal again. She wanted to feel free. She needed to feel free. She was trapped in her family's expectations and the pack's expectations. She was trapped by Joey. Ki dropped her fork; realizing that she wasn't meant to be tied down. She was a fox. She needed to be out, living her life, on her own. No one to decide how she spends her time. She could spend eternity living with nature. An eternity without Joey. Ki sucked in a breath at the thought. Her chest ached and once again her moment of clarity was lost. She wanted her freedom, but she couldn't stand the idea of being away from Joey. Sighing, she picked up the tray and swung her legs over the side of the bed. A chill went up her spine as her toes touched the cool floor. Opening the door with one hand and holding the tray with the other, she peaked out the hallway to see if anyone was there. She wasn't wearing any pants, but was too lazy to put any on. She took another step out the door when the ground moved beneath her feet, causing her to hit the door frame. The shaking grew more intense; the tray was thrown from Ki's hands as she tried to stay on her feet. She grabbed the door frame to steady herself and looked around for somewhere she could take cover. She heard the sounds of cracking and her tails burst out to shield her from something. The ceiling was falling. I need to get out. Keeping her tails around her as a shield, she stumbled as quickly as possible through the house.

"Everyone! You need to get out of the house! It's coming down!" Ki shouted,  grabbing people she came across and shielding them as well. 

Screams and panic filled the air as people struggled to get out of the crumbling house. The earth had not stopped moving and the pack was scared. They had huddled together outside in the clearing. Jae was counting to make sure everyone was there. They watched their home crumble to the ground before them. Ki watched her brother's pack- her pack's eyes glaze over with fear and uncertainty for the future. Then, the earth was still. The tension in the air disappeared as people relaxed. Parents hugged their children and mates comforted each other. 

Joey

"Joey? Joey!" Ki shouted, feeling her heart sink.

"Hey, hey, hey," a voice came from behind her, "I'm right here."

Ki let out a breath, wrapping her arms around Joey's neck. He held her to him.

"You did a good job."

"What?"

"Getting everyone out. You're definitely luna material."

"Oh, thank you. What are you doing?" Ki said bewildered as she watched Joey taking off his pants.

"I'm giving you my pants so you can cover up."

Ki blushed, realized she was only in underwear and a t-shirt.

"You have amazing legs, Ki. But they're mine and no one but me is allowed to see you like this, okay?"

Nodding, Ki slipped on Joey's pants. Cheeks pink, she hid her face from the pack and Joey.

"Ki, are you alright?" Jae called out, jogging over.

"I'm fine."

"So, what are we going to do now?" Joey asked, eyes moving between the alpha and luna. 

"Now, we start over."