Destined {𝕄𝕀ℕ𝕊𝕌ℕ𝔾}

Chapter Forty-One

Jisung found Hyunjin on the training fields. The sun had already set, leaving a pale twilight in its wake. He had to make things right with one of his best friends; it didn't feel right to leave while he was angry with him.

He knew Hyunjin wouldn't understand why he'd told him to stay behind unless he wanted to, but he figured they could still fix the tense situation between them – at least a little – before he left.

There was no telling how long he'd be gone, and he'd most likely be out of range for the pack mind link when he got to the city. He ran a hand through his hair, pushing everything aside and approaching his friend.

Hyunjin ignored him when he came to stop behind him, and Jisung couldn't help the anxious butterflies that settled in his stomach. "Hyunjin." At the sound of his name, he finally stopped and turned around, face set in stone.

"Yes, Alpha?" There was such venom in his voice that Jisung flinched despite himself. Don't call me that.

"I... I want to talk to you." A lump formed in his throat; he didn't want to be fighting one of his best friends right now, of all times. He didn't think he could handle it.

Hyunjin remained silent, cold eyes staring at him. "I don't want to fight with you," he admitted, though his voice was strained.

"Then bring me with you."

Jisung sighed and ran a hand through his hair, biting his lip. "You know I can't." He wished he could bring Hyunjin with him; he knew he'd always have someone watching his back, but more than anything he wanted his best friend to be by his side. But he couldn't.

"Why?" Hyunjin spat, fists clenching at his sides. "Is it so you can have Felix be your second?" Jisung's eyes widened.

"What?" He'd never told anyone that he'd initially wanted Felix to be his beta.

"You didn't think I knew that Felix was your first choice?" Hyunjin let out a humourless laugh. "Ever since I was a child and we first started being friends I dreamt of becoming your Beta when you took your father's place as Alpha. I was never good enough; you were always training with Felix, always talking about your problems with Felix, always asking for advice from Felix."

Hyunjin shook his head, fists curling even tighter, knuckles white. "When you told me I was going to become your Beta if I wanted to, I was so happy. I couldn't understand why at first, but I didn't really care. I was glad you'd chosen me." His lips spread into a bitter smile.

"And then I found out Felix was leaving to go live amongst the humans and report back what he saw and heard." He shook his head. "That's when I knew. You hadn't chosen me. You just didn't have another option anymore."

Jisung's jaw slackened and he blinked, shock rushing through him. "So go get your first choice, I get it." His voice was so cold.

The alpha swallowed thickly, staring at his friend in utter disbelief. He'd never realized that Hyunjin felt that way – he'd never even realized that he'd treated him that way.

"Hyunjin," his voice quivered, sounding as though he were speaking under water, "that's not..." The words died on his tongue; they were true, at least, at first. "I don't want Felix to be my Beta. I want you."

"Then bring me."

Despite himself tears welled in his eyes; he quickly blinked them away. "I can't– Kyuntaek murdered Alpha Dongwook, you saw, you were there. And there are even more wolves who don't want me to be Alpha, I... I need you to stay here and make sure everything is fine within the pack." Each word grew more and more difficult to pronounce, throat clogged by some invisible pain.