Brothers

8

Jongho didn't realize he had fallen asleep until he opened his eyes and took in the strange room. He was alone... His wolf started to panic as he slipped off the bed and looked for his clothes.

Then he smelled vanilla and his head snapped up to see San walking into the room holding a tray of food. "Hey." The beta said, a smile so wide on his face that it creased his eyes.

Jongho could feel the pleasure rolling off the older and his eyes focused in on the mark on his neck. "No..." He said, taking a step back.

San paused and bit his lip. "Jongho... I'll keep it hidden. I promise. But I..."

"Fuck! How could I be so stupid?!" The alpha fisted his hair and turned to face the wall. "Did you?" His hand flew to his neck and he practically collapsed in relief when he didn't feel a mark.

"You wouldn't let me..." San set the tray down and looked at the ground.

"At least part of me was thinking." Jongho grumbled as he pulled his clothes on.

Then he felt pain coming from he beta and he turned to see tears in San's eyes. "Why are you acting like this?"

"It's complicated... You know who my father is, right?" Jongho said.

"Well that's a stupid question..." San mumbled, looking away.

"Then you know he is boing to be livid when he finds out about this!" Jongho snapped.

But he had a link with the beta now so he couldn't stay mad at him. And it broke his heart to see San hugging himself and crying. So he walked over and gently pulled San into a hug. "I'm sorry. This is all my fault."

"I w-wanted it t-t-to. You c-can't take all the b-blame." San wrapped his arms around Jongho and buried his face in the alpha's neck. Jongho sighed, he knows the... No, HIS beta was right. He had messed up... And now he had to take responsibility. Somehow...

They stood there for a long moment as San worked to calm himself down. "I'll hide it. I promise I will." San said. "We can just meet in secret. I don't mind. As long as I still get to be with you."

Jongho closed his eyes. He had never meant for this to happen. He wasn't interested in emotional attachments. That's why he hadn't done anything with Yunho either. It was all just fun and games to him. A way to defy his father.

And he'd keep doing that.

They could hide this. They just needed to be careful.

••••••••

"Jongho, honey?" Kennedy said, walking into Jongho's room in his hut and shaking him gently. The alpha jolted awake, but relaxed instantly when he saw his mom. The beta gave him a tense smile. "Your father has asked for you. He's gathering all the hunters so I think he's getting ready to send a group out. It's about time, we are getting low on food."

"Why does he want me?" Jongho grumbled, sitting up and rubbing his eyes.

"Maybe he's going to give you a group to lead!" Kennedy's eyes lit up at the thought. "He's been talking about trying to give you more responsibility."

"He has?" Jongho cocked an eyebrow. He doubted that, but he also couldn't help but hope it was true...

The alpha worked on getting dressed and making sure he looked presentable for his father before making his way to the main hall. Kennedy wasn't kidding. Almost all of the hunters were there. He's eyes found San right away. The beta had taken to wearing turtlenecks or jackets and spent as much time doing border patrols as possible so he could be in wolf form.