Unexpectedly You

Scent

Seokjin pulled his coat tighter around himself, looking around him as he waited for the elders to begin. The omegas around him were squealing excitedly for the first test that was soon to commence. The sun was still high in the sky, a few hours before it was to begin to set. He would be lying if he said he wasn't nervous at all. But just like any other omega, he was hoping his alpha would find him first. As the first test, every alpha must find their omega, who will be hiding somewhere in their territory. For their keen senses the test would seem dumb, but the elders always prepared a tea to weaken the scent of an omega participating. Alphas would have to rely on their senses and use the item the omega gave them to find them.

The elders walked in then, holding wooden trays with small cups of steaming tea. His mother had mentioned it was bitter and nasty, the thought didn't settle so well with him. A line formed as everyone began grabbing their own cups and waiting for them to officially allow them to drink it. When he got his, his nose twitched in disgust, he was expecting it to have a strong smell but it was gross and he could already imagine the taste. His stomach churned, his mind already telling him to dump the contents on the floor to avoid drinking it.

"Very well, today will be the start of our first mating season challenges. As per tradition, omegas will drink the tea to mask your scent and you will have until the sun sets fully to find a safe place of hiding. As soon as you have finished drinking the tea, you may walk through the trees. Please remember to stay within the limits of our territory, and please stay safe."

Seokjin looked around him, as he expected, many had already finished downing the bitter tea and ran through the trees. He eyes the cup in his hand before bringing it up to his lips and taking a sip. It was hot, but the sour taste was foul in his mouth and he almost spit it out. Before he could, he swallowed it down. He tried not to make a gag as he set the cup on the tray and walked off. There were loud footsteps all around him, twigs breaking and leaves crunching under hurried steps. An omega ran past him, winking at him as she giggled and disappeared through the trees. His heart began beating nervously, and a smile broke out on his face. Now that he thought about it, it was like a game of mouse and cat. The thought of Namjoon looking for him and chasing after him made him want to giggle, and he began to run.

There were so many places he could hide in, along the river and above the trees. From the corner of his eye, he saw someone climbing a tree. The omega gave him a smile as he kept climbing, hiding in between the leaves at the very top. He didn't know how far he should go, or where he could find the perfect hiding spot. A thought appeared in his mind, and he hurried along the river following it upstream. His thighs ached as he trudged up the hill to where the waterfall was. There were a few people who knew of the small cave hidden behind the waterfall. The few who knew of it kept it a secret, not wanting everyone to know of it. It would be loud enough because of the water, and masking enough for his scent to remain hidden.

The waterfall came into view, loud and refreshing as wisps of air blew along the stream below it. The rocky wall along the waterfall was slippery, he grasped along it tightly. His chest pressed against it to avoid getting wet, the small opening to the cave wasn't as big as he wished it would be. The tips of his hair were damp by the time he managed to pass through and walk into it. The inside was mostly dry, the entrance of the cave the only thing that was wet and cold. There were a few things lying around, probably kept by his fellow pack members. A large fur was settled at the end of the cave, a small box full of candles and matches inside. Obviously the purpose of such a secret was made for those who wanted to keep out of prying ears that would raise a rumor. At least the fur was clean, and he settled down on it, taking his coat off and draping it on his lap. The sun was filtering enough light through the curtain of water, casting a hue of glittering specks of light.

As the sun began to set, so did the accompanying cold of fall. The only thing stopping him from shivering was his coat, that he had managed to use to cover his body with. There was only about an hour left before the moon claimed the sky and alphas were allowed to begin their searching. He figured that by now, all the omegas were feeling just as jittery as he was feeling as the minutes went by. Almost as soon as the last shy peaks of the sun disappeared the howling of wolves resonated through the waterfall. It wasn't uncommon for alphas to shift, many were swift and quicker to track a trail that way.

Seokjin looked around the dark cave, wondering if he should light one of the candles. But he couldn't risk even the slightest hint of light to be seen by anyone. If something were to go wrong, he would be an easy target for rogues or wandering alphas. He wasn't necessarily afraid of the dark, his awareness heightened and he was listening to any little noise. There wasn't much he could hear anyways, much less see as well. A mild panic set over him at the mere thought of Namjoon not finding him, would he have to stay hidden all night or morning? Should he have found a farther but easier hiding spot? He tried not to let his mind wander, focusing on the thought that Namjoon will in fact find him.

Seokjin doesn't know how long he has been waiting, but the night was getting colder and his coat is only doing enough to keep him warm. He's curled in on himself, his chin propped against his knee and eyes lazily closing from time to time. He's dozing off, heading lolling heavily when he hears the cracking of wood. The loud snap makes his head jerk to attention and he waits nervously. There's a loud splash of water, making him jump anxiously before he hears a faint giggle. Another splash and then a litter of laughter, he physically relaxes, shoulder slumping in relief. It makes him wonder how many couples have already found each other, returning to the pack or staying out alone for a few hours in private. It wasn't unusual for couples to roll around the forest floor during mating season.

There were so many thoughts filtering through his mind that he didn't realize there were faint footsteps approaching. He froze again, even holding his breath as he waited. He could make out the rolling of pebbles along the edge of the waterfall. He heard a few more footsteps before the noise stopped all together. He wasn't sure if it was just a wild animal lurking in the dark or just the winds moving the lightest of nature in its wake. He couldn't stand the darkness anymore, turning to the small box beside him and grabbing one of the candles inside. The match comes to light, crackling softly as he presses it against the candle. A flame bursts to life, it's light spreading over the cave, pushing the darkness into the shadows. He waves the match, putting it out and throwing it inside the box to discard it.

When he looks up his body seizes, becoming stiff and eyes widening. His heart races, beads of sweat forming at his temple. An unmistakable shadow lurks behind the waterfall, the bit of light from the candle makes out the figure standing just behind the curtain or water. A small voice inside him screams, yelling at him to run from danger. But there's no place to escape, no place to turn back to and run.

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Time to VOTE! Who do you think is behind the water ? Comment your vote !

Vote A for Namjoon

Or

Vote B for Wooyoung !!