Chapter Text
True to his word, Hongjoong texted Seonghwa.
The alpha messaged just like Seonghwa thought he would. With flirtatious and sexual jokes, terrible innuendos and a lot of emojis.
It was like Hongjoong was a shooting star, and Seonghwa was sprinting at full speed to try to keep up with the younger man. But it was nice. It felt good to have someone to banter with, who laughed at Seonghwa’s terrible dad jokes.
The holidays were almost over, and Seonghwa found himself feeling a little sad that he would be going back to work.
Don’t get him wrong, he loved his job. There was nothing more fulfilling than seeing the way his students’ faces lit up when they finally understood a topic that had been giving them trouble, or watching friendships bloom all around the classroom.
But Seonghwa was feeling a little selfish. Because, honestly, he wanted to spend more time with Hongjoong.
He had learned more about the alpha over the last few days, throughout the barrage of texts that Hongjoong would send.
For instance, Hongjoong’s main career was web designing, but the alpha had an affinity for music producing. Seonghwa had politely asked if he could listen to some of Hongjoong’s work, and had been pleasantly surprised by how talented Hongjoong was.
Hongjoong was also an avid reader. Seonghwa, as a man deeply in love with the classics, almost lost his mind at this revelation. The two wolves had spent hours messaging back and forth about their favorite classic authors (Hongjoong’s was Orwell, and Seonghwa’s was Austen).
It got to the point where Seonghwa would keep his phone on him constantly—something he had never done, finding it unnecessary to always be so connected to the world around him. He had always rather disliked the idea of being so reliant on technology in this day and age; but Hongjoong was the exception.
Of course Hongjoong was the exception.
If Seonghwa had been behind on the tasks he wanted to finish during his first week of holidays, then his second week was even worse. He had gotten rid of the climbing vines, finished painting the guest room (whilst pointedly not looking at the adjoining bathroom), and decluttered his garage. But there were about five more things on the list that Seonghwa had just straight up ignored in favor of texting with Hongjoong instead.
Seonghwa didn’t even care.
The omega should be mortified with himself. He was a man of lists and organization, never one to prioritize his own personal whims over anything else.
But perhaps that was the problem. Perhaps, Seonghwa should be a little greedy for once.
Seonghwa’s friends had consistently said that the omega was far too nonchalant about his own personal feelings and wishes, and it was always something he had brushed off. But now, looking back, Seonghwa couldn’t help but feel like maybe they were right.
Maybe, Seonghwa had spent too long trying to carve out his own perfect version of his life, he had forgotten about himself in the process.
So yes, this was a fairly new revelation to Seonghwa, one he was still trying to wrap his head around. And it was honestly a shame that it had taken so long, but how did that saying go again? All roads lead to Rome?
That morning, Seonghwa had slept in just a little longer than normal. At seven-thirty he would typically be out of bed drinking his morning smoothie and watching the news channel.
But it was Saturday, and he would be returning to work on Monday, so he was feeling a little lazy. Stretched out in his sleep-mussed silk sheets, sleep mask haphazardly looped around his neck, Seonghwa was idly watching the patterns of the early morning sun dancing through his curtain-covered window.
His phone buzzed on the bedside table.
Seonghwa huffed with effort as he rolled across the sheets, tangling them even further in his long legs. He swiped the device up and squinted as his phone tried to read his puffy face to unlock it, and the omega felt his heart stutter once he saw what the notification was.
Hongjoong
mornin darl
Seonghwa
Good morning Hongjoong. How did you sleep?
Hongjoong
hmmm
havent slept yet
Seonghwa frowned. He knew that Hongjoong often stayed up late to work on projects for clients. He had quickly learned that the alpha was quite the perfectionist, and did not stop working on something until he was happy with the end product. But it did concern Seonghwa that Hongjoong had just straight up not slept yet.
Seonghwa
That’s not good! :(
Why did you text me good morning, then?
Hongjoong
youre always awake at this time arent ya?
i’ll sleep. dont worry about me
buuuuuuuut i did have a question for you~
Seonghwa
You better get some good rest!
What is the question?
Trying to ignore the butterflies in his stomach from the fact that Hongjoong would bother to send Seonghwa a cute little good morning text, the omega stared at the three dots bouncing on his phone screen.
Hongjoong
u, me
6:30 tonight
let me take you to aurora
Seonghwa’s eyes practically bugged out of his head as he read the words. And then he reread them, because surely he was still waking up. There could be no way he was seeing the words on his phone screen properly.
But after rubbing his eyes and slapping his cheek lightly, Seonghwa could confirm that Hongjoong had in fact asked him to go to Aurora.
Aurora wasn’t just any restaurant, either. It was in the higher end of town, and a meal for just one person was upwards of one hundred dollars.
Seonghwa wasn’t poor by a long shot, but the nicest place he had ever eaten at was a steakhouse with Wooyoung, San, Yeosang and Yunho. Even his ex had never taken him somewhere fancy like that.
And then it begged the question—why?
Why was Hongjoong asking Seonghwa to go eat at Aurora? Was this a date, or was this just Hongjoong trying to butter Seonghwa up for more sex?
It wasn’t like the alpha needed to. Hongjoong was a smart guy, and the two times the wolves had been intimate there had been no coercion involved. Just simple, pure hormones.
Did Hongjoong… want something more with Seonghwa?
No. No, absolutely not. Seonghwa would not let himself spiral down that staircase, lest he tumble out of the situation with a bruised ego and broken will.
Seonghwa
Sounds good :)
Putting the phone down on the mattress next to him, Seonghwa flopped on his back with a sigh. He blew a tuft of hair out of his face.
It was getting close to eight o’clock now, and they would probably need to leave by six to make their reservation… oh.
That only left Seonghwa with ten hours to get ready. Ten hours to figure out what to wear, how to style his hair, what makeup look to go for.
Oh god that was not enough time!
Seonghwa frantically thumbed out a text to the only person he knew capable of sorting Seonghwa out in a situation like this.
Seonghwa
Wooyoungfh
I need
i need fashion and makeup and hair and life help please
ASAP
Wooyoung
its literally the ass crack of dawn rn i hate u
woke me up . san is so WARM
ill be there in thirty.
—
When Seonghwa opened his front door, Wooyoung’s arrival punctuated by incessant knocking, the younger omega grumbled out a “Feed me some fucking coffee, first,” before barging past Seonghwa.
Laughing quietly, Seonghwa poured Wooyoung a black coffee from a pot he had put on only ten minutes prior. He knew that Wooyoung would not function until he had been blessed with caffeine.
”So,” Wooyoung started after taking a sip from the steaming mug that Seonghwa had slid over the countertop. “How can the almighty Jung Wooyoung be of assistance to you, today?”
Seonghwa decided he would not beat around the bush. There was no time to waste. “I have a date.”
Wooyoung raised an eyebrow, leaning his elbows on the bench. “Oh? And it wouldn’t perhaps be with that sexy little minx living next door, would it?”
”He’s-he’s not a minx,” Seonghwa stuttered out, “And he’s not little. Well, not that little, anyway.”
The younger man snorted a laugh into his coffee, shaking his head.
”What?” Seonghwa asked, unsure of what Wooyoung was finding so funny.
”Nothing,” Wooyoung said with a cheeky grin. “Just always knew you were into smaller guys, that’s all.”
Seonghwa felt his cheeks flame at the double meaning behind Wooyoung’s words. “Um. Okay. This is not why I invited you over, by the way.”
Wooyoung flapped a hand around in what was probably supposed to be a reassuring manner, though Seonghwa was anything but. He didn’t need a mirror to know his cheeks were bright red.
”Just messing with you, hyung. But just to be clear—you are going on a date with your neighbor, correct?”
Seonghwa nodded. “Yeah. He asked me this morning, hence why I texted you so early… I need you to keep my head screwed on while I figure out what to wear.”
”I suppose I can forgive you for dragging me out of bed this early in the morning then,” Wooyoung said with a sigh. “You picked the right friend to help you. Trust me, I’m going to make you look so delectable, he’s going to want to eat you instead of his meal.”
God, Seonghwa hoped Wooyoung was right. Out of their close friend group, the younger omega was certainly the most fashionable of them all. Wooyoung was the kind of guy who could rock anything. From baggy shirts and jeans, to crisp suits, and even skirts, there was nothing Wooyoung couldn’t pull off.
Granted, a lot of it definitely had to do with Wooyoung’s body proportions. He was tiny (probably about the same height as Hongjoong was, Seonghwa thought with a grimace), but the way the omega wore his clothes could definitely make him seem larger than anyone else in the room.
Which, thinking about it, was yet another similarity to Hongjoong.
Dear god, Seonghwa pushed those thoughts out of his mind as quickly as they entered. He was just flustered over the date, that was all. Of course his brain wasn’t working properly.
“We have nine hours until he picks me up,” Seonghwa said. “Do you think you can stay with me for the whole day? I’m sorry if I pulled you away from any plans, but I feel like I’m going to either throw up or pass out. Or maybe both.”
Wooyoung smiled, a real, proper comforting smile as he grabbed Seonghwa’s hand. “Of course I can, hyung. But I really would like to know what his name is now, I think I deserve it.”
”Hongjoong,” Seonghwa murmured, the letters feeling like fresh citrus on his tongue. “Kim Hongjoong.”
—
Hongjoong walked up the small set of steps leading to Seonghwa’s front porch, clenching and unclenching his fists as he stood in front of the door.
He was nervous. Kim Hongjoong, the alpha who wasn’t afraid of anything, was nervous.
The last time he had stood here, all that was on his sleazy mind was figuring out the best way to get into his attractive neighbor’s pants. But it was different today.
It was different, because whilst Hongjoong did still want to get into Seonghwa’s pants, he also wanted to do more.
He liked Seonghwa.
It was like a bucket of ice cold water had come crashing down on Hongjoong the moment he had realized. For the last few days, Hongjoong had been so distracted by these new emotions that even his work had been affected, hence the all-nighter he had pulled last night.
Hongjoong was no stranger to relationships. He’d had his fair share of boyfriends, and they weren’t just all omegas either. Hongjoong was an open-minded person and had dated alphas and betas too. Subgenders never bothered him, all Hongjoong looked for in a partner was someone who he was compatible with.
None of the relationships had been quite that serious, though. College was a busy time for everyone, and Hongjoong had just wanted someone who he could fuck on the regular—most of his relationships had bordered on the line of friends with benefits instead. And then once he had graduated, Hongjoong had tried to date here and there. But there wasn’t anyone he had clicked with well enough to consider something serious with.
In Hongjoong’s mind, boyfriend and partner were two very different ends of the spectrum. And whilst finding a lifelong partner was not a huge concern to him, the alpha couldn’t help but feel like Seonghwa ticked all of those boxes.
It still blew Hongjoong’s mind that the pretty omega was single. Yes, Seonghwa had mentioned that he had been in a long term relationship up until a year or so ago. But the fact that Seonghwa’s ex had just let Seonghwa go like that seemed insane.
To Hongjoong, Seonghwa was perfect. He was beautiful and handsome, with a smile that always made butterflies erupt in Hongjoong’s stomach. Seonghwa was kind, and caring, and had a very specific type of humor that made the alpha smile fondly down at his phone screen when they were texting back and forth.
Seonghwa’s body was flawless—Hongjoong didn’t even care that the omega was taller, either. Hongjoong loved looking at those gorgeous long legs, the way they flared up into those wide hips before tapering down into that tiny little waist. Seonghwa had the softest skin too, and Hongjoong wanted to sink his teeth into the flesh like he was biting into the most perfectly ripe peach.
To say that the alpha was down bad would be an understatement. And it was confusing, too, because they had only known each other for a fortnight. Hongjoong had never believed in a whirlwind romance, thinking that was only something that happened in the movies. But he knew what he was feeling wasn’t just lust—it was something more tangible than that.
It was another four letter word that Hongjoong was terrified to utter.
Because how did he know Seonghwa felt the same?
Seonghwa had not mentioned anything about wanting to find another partner, and it wasn’t like Hongjoong could just ask. For crying out loud, Hongjoong was eight whole years younger than Seonghwa, and what if the omega just wanted someone to fool around with?
Sexual pleasure was something that seemed to be new to Seonghwa, and the older man probably just wanted to experiment with Hongjoong. Because why, of all people, would Seonghwa want to settle down with a younger and immature alpha like Hongjoong, when he could have anyone in the world?
There was no possible way that Seonghwa was thinking about seriously dating Hongjoong. It just didn’t happen like that in real life.
So Hongjoong had decided to be selfish. He knew Seonghwa would be busy with his job at the school again next week, so the alpha had bit the bullet and asked the omega out on a date. Because realistically, this was probably his only shot. Hongjoong just wanted one evening where he could pretend he was courting the pretty omega, before reality came crashing back down on him.
And if Seonghwa pushed the question of why Hongjoong had asked him out on a date, Hongjoong had an easy answer. Sex.
They would fuck tonight, there was no doubt about that. A small part of Hongjoong was hoping that taking the omega to bed would be enough to soothe his own wolf, but he knew it wasn’t going to work. If anything, it would just make Hongjoong crave the taste and touch of Seonghwa even more.
But he had to. Hongjoong needed to know what Seonghwa’s hole felt like clenching down on his cock. Hongjoong was desperate to taste every inch of Seonghwa’s body, to take his time worshiping the pretty omega.
Letting out a harsh exhale, Hongjoong ran his hand through his artfully mussed hair one last time before knocking on the door. He looked down at his outfit while he waited for Seonghwa to open the door, double checking he hadn’t somehow lost a shoe on the walk over or something.
Hongjoong was typically outspoken with his fashion (when he was not lazily longing around in a singlet and some sweats). But tonight, he had decided to dial it back a tone—not because he was embarrassed of his personal style or anything. But he knew that Seonghwa leaned towards more elegant pieces, and Hongjoong wanted the two of them to look good together.
He had pulled out the nicest pair of black dress shoes he could find in his closet, ones that weren’t actually covered in stickers and fabric markers. The most respectful pair of black jeans he had were ripped, though only at the knees. Hongjoong’s tattoo-covered arms were hidden underneath a crisp white dress shirt. He had left the top two buttons undone to show some of his skin, the scales tattoo in the center of his sternum on display. Lastly his jacket, which was black with a white trim, cropped fashionably to rest a few inches above his waist.
Hongjoong had finished off the look with a few rings and a chain necklace. His ear piercings clinked quietly when he moved his head, and his white hair was styled handsomely away from his face.
He was excited to see what Seonghwa was wearing. Hongjoong hoped their outfits would compliment each other.
The door swung open, and the grin that split Hongjoong’s face open died as quickly as it was born. Whoever was standing on the other side of the door was not Seonghwa.
Hongjoong immediately got a whiff of omega, and something faintly floral from this stranger. But the thing that threw Hongjoong off the most was the fact that Seonghwa’s scent was all over this man.
”Hello, you must be Hongjoong,” The omega said. His voice was light and airy, but carried a hint of distrust.
Hongjoong shuffled his feet awkwardly and tried to calm his inner wolf, that was very much so telling Hongjoong to sink his teeth into this intruder’s flesh. And not in a sexual way, either.
”That’s me,” Hongjoong replied. “And you are…?”
”Wooyoung,” The omega said. He didn’t add anything more.
The two wolves stared at each other in silence, both men waiting for the other to break first.
Hongjoong felt his heart sinking.
Of course, Wooyoung was probably just a friend. In fact, Hongjoong could see the faintest outline of a mating mark on the omegas scent gland, and Hongjoong knew that those teeth didn’t belong to Seonghwa.
But a mating bite had never stopped some people before, and Hongjoong couldn’t help but feel intimidated by this guy. The fact that Wooyoung was an omega wasn’t relevant at all—he was one of the most stunning people Hongjoong had seen in his entire life, maybe even on par with Seonghwa.
They do say that the good looking attracts the good looking, and Hongjoong was praying to whatever gods out there that Wooyoung and Seonghwa were not involved. Because if Hongjoong had been in Seonghwa’s position, he would choose Wooyoung over Hongjoong in a heartbeat.
Hongjoong could feel his inner wolf going through the emotions with him—at first, anger for someone else being in Seonghwa’s house. Then confusion about why this so-called mated omega stank heavily of Seonghwa. And then finally, sadness. Hongjoong felt so invalidated as he gazed at Wooyoung, whose facial expression had remained the same stone-faced look the entire time.
”Can I come in?” Hongjoong tried. As unsure of the situation he was, he didn’t want to awkwardly stand on the front porch having a staring contest with Wooyoung.
Wooyoung didn’t say anything, though he did swing the door wider and turn on his heel to walk further into the house.
As Hongjoong quietly closed the door behind him, he realized this was the first time he had actually stepped foot in Seonghwa’s home. With a brief glance around, he felt his stomach twist as he realized that the house was so much like Seonghwa, it hurt.
Everything was neat and organized, and the red color scheme of the kitchen appliances matched the feature wall. The space felt roomy but cozy all at the same time, and Hongjoong felt like he could get drunk from the amount of pure Seonghwa he could smell in the house.
He hoped this wouldn’t be the only time he would ever be inside Seonghwa’s home.
The first floor was open plan, so there was nowhere for Hongjoong to hide from the judgy omega leaning against the kitchen counter, arms crossed against his chest.
”Hongjoong-ssi,” Wooyoung said. “What are your intentions with my hyung?”
The alpha blinked once, then twice. What was this, an interrogation?
”Um, I’m taking him out to dinner?” Hongjoong replied. He shoved his hands in his jeans pockets so that he didn’t start fiddling with them.
Wooyoung rolled his eyes. “Well, duh, obviously. I meant what are your intentions? In general. Capiche?”
Those dark eyes bored into Hongjoong’s as he tried to figure out the best way to word his response. Wooyoung seemed like the kind of guy with a sharp mind and even sharper tongue, and Hongjoong did not want to get on the omegas bad side. Though he had a feeling he already was there, just by existing in this space.
”I like Seonghwa hyung,” Hongjoong said carefully. “I want to get to know him better, so I thought taking him out for dinner would be a good way to start.”
Wooyoung squinted at him. “I think a better way to ‘start’ would have been with dinner first, instead of jerking him off in earshot of your parents.”
Hongjoong cringed, running a hand through his hair in embarrassment. He had probably ruined his hairstyle by this point.
It had been hot at the moment, having Seonghwa fall apart against Hongjoong’s body like that. But when someone else talked about it the alpha felt shame trickling down his spine.
”Hwa hyung is my best friend, and he tells me everything,” Wooyoung continued to say when Hongjoong didn’t speak up. “There are no secrets between us, so when he first told me about you, I was a little excited.”
Hongjoong perked up, looking at the older omega with a hopeful look in his eyes.
”My hyung hasn’t been interested in anyone for a while. Partly because he feels like he’s a broken omega because of his last relationship. And partly because he doesn’t allow himself to fantasize about what he considers unobtainable. Seonghwa hyung is a realistic kind of person, so this is a big deal for him.”
”I understand that,” Hongjoong mumbled. “I promise you that I’m not trying to lead him on or anything.”
”You can make all the promises you want, but I won’t believe it until I see it,” Wooyoung replied. “Words are empty. I want to see actions, meaningful actions instead.”
Hongjoong nodded seriously. “I know. I’ll admit, my original intentions were not so… pure to begin with. But that was before I got to know Seonghwa hyung better. I don’t just want to have sex with him; I want to be around him. In whatever way he’ll have me.”
”So if hyung decides he doesn’t want to be involved with you, you’ll accept that and move on?”
”Of course,” Hongjoong said firmly. “Wooyoung-ssi… I know I may be young, and less experienced in this area. But I never want to make Seonghwa hyung uncomfortable. If he decides that we aren’t compatible, I’ll respect his wishes.”
”Even if you still like him? Even if you want nothing more than to be his alpha?”
The words hurt, and Wooyoung’s deliverance was sharp. But Hongjoong understood where the omega was coming from. He was just looking out for his friend, and that was something Hongjoong respected. If the situation were flipped, and someone was going after his Jongho dongsaeng, then Hongjoong would be acting the same way.
”Yes,” Hongjoong replied. “Even then, I would do whatever he was comfortable with.”
Wooyoung squinted at him, saying nothing more. Hongjoong didn’t know what the omega was looking for when he stared into Hongjoong’s eyes like that, but eventually he seemed to find it.
”Hyung!” Wooyoung turned around to call up the stairs. “Come down if you’re ready.”
Almost immediately, Hongjoong heard the sound of a door opening upstairs. Wooyoung must have told Seonghwa to stay put whilst he was interrogating the alpha, and the thought made Hongjoong crack a small smile. Wooyoung was a good friend, and Hongjoong was glad that the omega had someone like that in his life. Even if he was kind of fucking terrifying.
The smile promptly vanished once Seonghwa came into view.
It was like that ridiculously corny part of a movie where the pretty date would walk down the stairs, a shy smile on her face as she tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. Something Hongjoong had always thought was silly.
But now, looking at Seonghwa standing on the top of the landing, Hongjoong felt like someone had punched him in the stomach.
Seonghwa looked absolutely stunning.
The omega always looked gorgeous, there was no doubt about that. But seeing the older man cleaned up for a date was driving Hongjoong’s inner wolf feral.
That was their Seonghwa. That was their omega, descending the stairs looking like an angel floating down from the heavens.
Hongjoong had hoped that their outfits would compliment each other, but this was even better. The two wolves were like Yin and Yang, Hongjoong the darkness whilst Seonghwa was the light.
Blindingly white suit pants hugged Seonghwa’s thighs tightly, and Hongjoong could see the muscles in them flex with each step Seonghwa took. There was a beautiful, deep purple silky blouse tucked into the pants. A well-fitted suit jacket that matched the pants was hanging from Seonghwa’s broad shoulders, the man choosing to not slip his arms inside the sleeves.
But the thing that made Hongjoong’s jaw drop was the body chain.
It was silver, and started as a choker around Seonghwa’s delicate neck, dropping down to the top of the omega’s stomach. There were two separate rows of the chain that wrapped around Seonghwa’s ribs, the shirt billowing over the tightness of the jewelry.
No adjective could adequately describe how divine Seonghwa looked.
Hongjoong’s scent had spiked, and the alpha only noticed when Wooyoung wrinkled his nose up in distaste. But Hongjoong didn’t even care to apologize, instead meeting Seonghwa at the bottom of the steps.
Holding a hand out, Hongjoong watched as Seonghwa’s cheeks bloomed a cute shade of pink as the omega took it. Seonghwa’s hand was so soft in Hongjoong’s own rough ones, and he threaded their fingers together as he guided Seonghwa down the last few steps.
”You look incredibly beautiful tonight,” Hongjoong murmured.
Seonghwa smiled shyly, ducking his head a little. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
It was easy to tell that Seonghwa was nervous, and so was Hongjoong. But the alpha did his best to twist his pheromones into something more calming to try to help Seonghwa.
”Alright, you two need to get out of here if you want to make your reservation on time,” Wooyoung said from behind them.
Seonghwa gently extracted his hand from Hongjoong’s, and the alpha mourned the loss of contact, fingers almost chasing after Seonghwa’s before he realized why the omega had let go.
”Thank you for the help, Young-ah,” Seonghwa said as he pulled the shorter man into a hug. Wooyoung whispered something back to Seonghwa that Hongjoong couldn’t hear, but he watched how the older omega pulled back and gently smacked Wooyoung on the chest.
”Have fun, I better get back home to my baby before he starts to howl and scratch at the walls,” Wooyoung said with a snicker. He was gone before Hongjoong could even blink.
Seonghwa gestured for Hongjoong to walk out the door first, pulling the door closed behind them and locking it. Hongjoong held out his hand again, abeilt a little shyly, but thankfully Seonghwa took it.
”Thank you for agreeing to come out on such short notice,” Hongjoong said as they walked towards his car. It was parked on the side of the street in front of his house, since obviously he hadn’t needed to drive to Seonghwa’s house.
”No, thank you for even asking me to dinner,” Seonghwa replied. “I’m… very flattered that you wanted to take me out.”
I should be the flattered one here, Hongjoong thought, but he held his tongue. Again, he trailed his eyes down Seonghwa’s body. He felt so lucky to be able to take this gorgeous man out to dinner. “I can’t get over how stunning you look. I don’t think I’ll be able to take my eyes off of you all night,” Hongjoong admitted.
Seonghwa laughed softly, scratching at the back of his neck with his free hand. “Thank you. Wooyoung actually helped me put an outfit together, he’s the most stylish one out of our friends. We went back and forth between this and this sparkly black dress I have…”
When Seonghwa trailed off, his voice sounding unsure, Hongjoong squeezed his hand. They had stopped just shy of the passenger side of Hongjoong’s car.
”You could wear anything you wanted, and you would still be the only person in the room I would have eyes for,” Hongjoong said firmly, watching how Seonghwa blinked in surprise. “And I would love to see you in that dress in the future, if I ever get the opportunity to do so.”
Seonghwa’s lips curled into that endearing grin of his. “Then I suppose we’ll need to go somewhere fancy again, after this.”
Hongjoong laughed softly, eyes twinkling as he reached over to open the passenger door. “Let’s see how you enjoy tonight first, before thinking too far ahead, hmm?”
—
“Wow, that was incredible,” Seonghwa sighed, delicately wiping his mouth with the fabric napkin. He settled back into his chair before looking up to see Hongjoong staring at him. “What?”
”Nothing,” Hongjoong said with a laugh, shaking his head. “You’re just so… endearing.”
The omega frowned slightly. “Endearing? All I did was eat.”
”You’re cute when you eat,” Hongjoong said. “Your cheeks puff up like a little bunny rabbit. I just want to squish them.”
”I’m not a rabbit!” Seonghwa gasped. “Nor am I cute! I am a very manly man, thank you very much!”
The two wolves stared at each other for a moment before bursting out laughing.
It had been such a wonderful night. They’d both talked a lot, learning new things about each other. Hongjoong was even more smitten with the older omega, and he found himself wishing for the night to never end.
Seonghwa was such a magnetic person, and Hongjoong got the feeling that the omega didn’t even realize. Every single word that came out of the older man’s mouth, Hongjoong hung onto like he had never heard anything more interesting in his life.
The way that Seonghwa spoke was, like most other parts of the omega, very endearing. Seonghwa would start out his sentences by speaking very primly and properly, structuring his words just like the grade school teacher that he was—easy to follow, going from point A to B in a simple manner.
But then, something would cause the man to go off on a tangent, and then somehow the wolves had gone from talking about their favorite movies to the correct routine of washing oneself in the shower. It was hilarious when Seonghwa would suddenly stop and ask how they had gotten to this point of conversation, only for him to do it again only a few minutes later.
Park Seonghwa was every part of the stunning, sexy omega that Hongjoong had thought the man to be when he first laid eyes on him the day he moved in. But Seonghwa was also so much more—Seonghwa was goofy, affectionate, and geeked out about anything to do with Star Wars.
Every single minute that Hongjoong spent with Seonghwa, he found himself falling more and more for his neighbor. The feelings that Hongjoong was experiencing were something that the alpha had never felt before. He had toyed with the idea of it already, but tonight had set it in stone.
Love.
Hongjoong was in love with Seonghwa.
It was ridiculous, wasn’t it? Two weeks of knowing each other, and Hongjoong was ready to fall to his knees and beg Seonghwa to give him the time of day.
He knew he sounded absolutely ridiculous. Who the hell fell in love this quickly?
Hongjoong didn’t know what to do. He had started off this relationship with Seonghwa just with the intentions of bedding his hot, older neighbor, and here he was. Emotions going haywire, wolf ready to take Seonghwa as a mate.
It was terrifying, because Hongjoong wanted to tell Seonghwa. Hongjoong was never one to hide his emotions—if the tattoos on his skin were anything to go by. The alpha believed in being open and honest, it was something his mother had taught him early on as a child.
But what if Seonghwa turned Hongjoong down? What if the omega thought that Hongjoong was experiencing nothing more than stupid puppy love?
What if Seonghwa wanted nothing more to do with Hongjoong anymore?
It was unbearable to think about. The idea of not having Seonghwa in his life hurt Hongjoong, his heart feeling heavy in his chest at just the thought of it.
Hongjoong knew he needed to take things slow, to avoid the risk of scaring Seonghwa off. Because he would never forgive himself if he did.
”Hyung,” Hongjoong said. “Do you want to get out of here?”
Seonghwa smiled, that painfully beautiful smile. “I thought you would never ask.”
—
They didn’t even make it inside of Hongjoong’s car.
The alpha was so overcome with the need to touch Seonghwa, to kiss him, to smell him.
Hongjoong crowded Seonghwa against the passenger side of the car, and finally, their lips met.
Seonghwa made a noise of surprise but quickly reciprocated the kiss, hands flying up to wrap around Hongjoong’s neck. Hongjoong slipped his hands around Seonghwa’s waist, the silky shirt making him fumble slightly. His hands were sweaty with nerves and he was probably ruining the material with the way he was crumpling it in his fingers, but he didn’t care.
Their mouths met in a frenzy of quick kisses, the sound of their lips smacking echoing in the parking lot.
In the back of Hongjoong’s mind, he recognized that they were still in public—anyone could come out and see them. How Hongjoong had Seonghwa pressed against the car, back arching as the omega sought out the touch of Hongjoong’s chest on his. The way Hongjoong’s grip was possessive on Seonghwa’s waist, hands squeezing and nails scratching and breath panting.
He didn’t care.
Let them see.
Let them see how Hongjoong had the most beautiful omega in the world, ready to be taken by Hongjoong. By his alpha.
Growling, Hongjoong sucked harshly at Seonghwa’s bottom lip. The omega gasped, and Hongjoong took the opportunity to slip his tongue inside.
Seonghwa’s mouth tasted just like his slick did, and the realization had Hongjoong ready to snap. He was borderline feral as he twisted his tongue against Seonghwa’s, the omega whimpering as he tried to keep up with the fierce kisses from Hongjoong.
Hongjoong pulled away, overcome with the need to mark Seonghwa. The omega’s lips chased after Hongjoong’s, until the alpha sucked a harsh mark underneath Seonghwa’s jaw.
”Oh my god,” Seonghwa gasped out, head falling back against the car as Hongjoong went to town.
When Hongjoong shoved a leg in between Seonghwa’s so that he could press closer, both of the wolves moaned at the friction. Seonghwa rutted against Hongjoong’s thick thigh, incomprehensible pleas tumbling from his mouth as Hongjoong worshiped his neck.
Every bruise that Hongjoong pressed into Seonghwa’s skin was signed with an invisible promise.
Let me take care of you, underneath Seonghwa’s chin.
Let me protect you, against his pulse point.
Let me love you, just shy of the omega’s scent gland.
Seonghwa was trembling, tiny moans slipping out of his pretty lips like the most beautiful symphony. And then he gasped, hands clenching into Hongjoong’s jacket as he orgasmed right there, in the parking lot, against Hongjoong’s thigh.
”That’s it, baby,” Hongjoong murmured, lips slick as he whispered against Seonghwa’s ear. “Let it all out for me.”
”Fuck,” Seonghwa whispered hoarsely, hiding his face in the crook of Hongjoong’s neck. His body shook a few more times before he went completely lax in Hongjoong’s grip.
”Let’s go home,” Hongjoong said quietly. As much as he would love to turn Seonghwa around and take him right there against his car, he had made Seonghwa a promise. And Hongjoong never backed down from his promises.
—
They stumbled up the stairs, hands and lips running all over each other. Hongjoong had at least half the mind to direct them to Seonghwa’s house—his parents were not home tonight, but the alpha didn’t want to take any chances on them coming home early. Tonight, Seonghwa was his.
Seonghwa backed into a room, pulling Hongjoong along by the collar of his shirt, the alpha shedding his jacket and letting it fall to the floor. Seonghwa’s knees hit the back of his bed and he fell onto the mattress, leaving Hongjoong standing above him.
”Hongjoong…” Seonghwa breathed out. His big eyes sparkled in the rays of moonlight breaking through the sheer curtains, lips kiss-swollen and wet with spit.
“Yeah, baby?” Hongjoong replied, unbuttoning his shirt slightly. It was so fucking hot in the room.
He watched as the omega chewed on his lip, canine poking into the pillowy flesh. “I’m-I’m nervous,” Seonghwa admitted, looking away in shame.
”Hyung,” Hongjoong said firmly. He lifted the omega’s chin up with a finger, forcing Seonghwa to look at him. “We don’t have to do anything if you don’t want to. If you aren’t ready, that’s okay. I’m not going anywhere.”
Seonghwa’s bottom lip trembled, and the alpha panicked, thinking he had said something wrong.
”I do want to,” Seonghwa said in a small voice. “I just… don’t want to make a fool out of myself in front of you. I can’t help but think that I’m not good enough, that I’m going to disappoint you.”
Hongjoong felt his heart sink, his inner wolf crying out in despair. Seonghwa was worried about his inexperience, worried that he wouldn’t be adequate enough.
”Hwa, no,” Hongjoong shook his head. He reached out to gently cradle Seonghwa’s face in his hands, feeling how soft the omega’s cheeks were against his palms. “You are the most stunning, sexy, sensational man I have ever seen in my entire life. I don’t care about what you have or haven’t done before me—it doesn’t matter. What does matter is that you’re here now, with me. Your experience shouldn’t be something that holds you back—if you still want to have me tonight, then you can have me. But if you would just rather cuddle and watch a movie or something, we can do that too. I just want you to be comfortable, okay?”
Seonghwa gasped quietly, eyes rapidly darting back and forth across Hongjoong’s. “You really mean that?”
”Of course,” Hongjoong murmured. “Just tell me what you want to do.”
”How about I show you, instead?” The omega breathed out, before pulling Hongjoong down and kissing him.
Hongjoong went easily, kissing Seonghwa back like it was something they had been doing for years. He let the omega pull him down, until Hongjoong was in Seonghwa’s lap, feeling the older man’s hardness against his own.
Grinding his hips down, Hongjoong swallowed the gasps that Seonghwa let out into the alpha’s mouth. Seonghwa tasted so good, felt so good, but Hongjoong wanted more.
He snaked his hands down, unbuttoning Seonghwa’s shirt as they licked into each other's mouths. Hongjoong slid the fabric down Seonghwa’s arms, being careful not to snag the material in the body chain.
”Oh, let me take it off,” Seonghwa said, reaching up to unclasp the choker. Hongjoong gently grabbed his wrists, shaking his head no.
”It stays on,” The alpha said, tone demanding but kind.
Seonghwa’s pupils were blown, and he nodded, letting Hongjoong toss the shirt to the floor. This was Hongjoong’s first time seeing the omega’s bare torso, without a shirt obstructing half of Seonghwa’s chest.
He was breathtaking.
Hongjoong leaned back on his haunches, eyes greedily taking in the expanse of skin. Seonghwa was naturally tan, and the golden glow of his skin was beautifully accented by the crisp silver chain.
The omega shuddered when Hongjoong reached out to thumb at a nipple, the bud immediately hardening at the touch. It was so cute; Hongjoong loved how sensitive Seonghwa was.
”Yours too,” Seonghwa whispered, tugging at the sleeve of Hongjoong’s dress shirt. The alpha smiled, undoing the rest of the buttons and letting the cotton material slip down from his narrow shoulders.
Seonghwa whispered out a wow as Hongjoong’s bare torso was revealed. It was the first time he would be seeing all of the alpha’s tattoos.
Hongjoong let Seonghwa take his time, the omega skimming gentle hands across the planes of his chest; the ridges of his ribs, the toned muscles of his stomach.
”You have so many,” Seonghwa said, tone filled with awe. “Don’t they hurt?”
”Mm,” Hongjoong agreed, watching as Seonghwa caressed the scythe of the grim reaper tattoo, inked across his rib cage. “It’s worth it, though. My tattoos are a part of me.”
”Why did you get them?” Seonghwa asked.
”All of them have meaning to me,” Hongjoong explained. “I’m an expressive guy, and I love all kinds of art forms, including the human body. Some of the tattoos I drew, but most of them my artist and I collaborated on.”
Seonghwa nodded, letting the words sink into him. He ran his pointer finger over a flower darker than the other tattoos, inked on the inside of Hongjoong’s wrist. “What does this one mean?”
Hongjoong gently pulled Seonghwa’s hand away, entwining their fingers together. “That’s a lotus,” He said. “It means transformation… rebirth… a fresh start. It’s the latest one I’ve gotten.”
Seonghwa’s mouth parted, a quiet exhale leaving his lips. Hongjoong pressed them down into the mattress, one hand cradling Seonghwa’s head, the other still holding his hand as he sealed their lips together once more.
The two wolves kissed like they were drowning, trading oxygen between their lungs. Hongjoong rolled his hips down and Seonghwa grinded his up. The friction was so good it bordered on painful; Hongjoong had been hard since kissing Seonghwa stupid at the restaurant, and his cock was pulsing in the confines of his jeans.
”Let me take care of you,” Hongjoong breathed into Seonghwa’s mouth. The omega nodded, eyes wide and glossy.
”Please.”
It was all Hongjoong needed to hear. He undid the clasp on Seonghwa’s pants, sliding the zipper down slowly. He pulled the fabric down and slid his hands over Seonghwa’s smooth, golden legs. Seonghwa was wearing the tiniest little briefs, and Hongjoong removed those too. He could feel how damp they were from the omega’s slick and cum.
With Seonghwa laid out bare on his silky sheets, moonlight casting patterns across his skin, he looked like an otherworldly creature. His cheeks were flushed a cute pink, toes curling with nerves as the alpha stared down darkly at him.
And he’s all ours for tonight.
Hongjoong dropped to his elbows, exhaling a breath against one of Seonghwa’s peachy thighs. Goosebumps erupted across the surface of the skin, and Hongjoong slid a hand up to soothe it.
”Are you ready?” He asked.
Seonghwa bit his lip, nodding. “Please. I need you.”
The first press of Hongjoong’s finger against Seonghwa’s rim had both of the men moaning loudly. Hongjoong circled his finger around the puckered edge, all pink and wet and ready to suck Hongjoong’s finger in.
He remembered watching how Seonghwa fingered himself, legs spread wide on the vanity of his bathroom. Those long, elegant fingers pumping in and out, catching occasionally on the rim as Seonghwa lost himself to the feeling.
Hongjoong let the wetness suck his finger into the first knuckle. Seonghwa keened at the feeling, thighs threatening to crush the alpha’s head as he watched his finger be consumed by Seonghwa.
“You’re so tight, baby,” Hongjoong breathed out as he slowly wiggled his finger in further. “So tight, but so wet.”
He could feel the deep breath that Seonghwa took, the omega’s hole clenching momentarily around Hongjoong’s finger before relaxing. A wave of slick gushed out when Seonghwa exhaled, the omega relaxing to make the slide easier.
“That’s it,” Hongjoong encouraged. “Let me add another, ‘kay?”
Seonghwa made a noise of acknowledgement. Slowly pulling his finger out, Hongjoong then pressed two in this time. The slide was easier now; and he gently stretched his fingers out in a scissoring motion, trying to loosen Seonghwa up.
“How do you feel?” Hongjoong asked. He looked away from Seonghwa’s hole, seeing how the omega had his eyes screwed shut and an arm thrown over his forehead. It didn’t look like he was in pain though, not if the hiccuped moans were anything to go by.
“Good,” Seonghwa panted, mouth dropping into an ‘o’ as Hongjoong brushed against that delicious bundle of nerves inside the omega. “Fuck—do that again, oh my god. ”
Hongjoong curled his fingers against Seonghwa’s prostate, and this time the omega’s thighs did squeeze shut on Hongjoong’s head. Not enough to hurt, the alpha even kind of liked it, but he gently pried them apart with his free hand.
With Seonghwa distracted, writhing around as Hongjoong teased that sensitive spot in him, Hongjoong pressed a third finger in. The fit was snug, but the glide was easy with all of the slick Seonghwa’s body was producing.
Fuck, the visual of Seonghwa losing himself on just Hongjoong’s fingers was an image that would never leave the alpha’s head. He watched in awe as Seonghwa grinded down on Hongjoong’s hand—the alpha had stopped moving his fingers, just letting Seonghwa fuck himself like that.
“Hongjoong—I—fuck, I’m gonna come!” Seonghwa whined, hands squeezing his chest together as he arched his back off the bed. Hongjoong pressed hard against Seonghwa’s prostate and that sent the omega over the edge.
Thick, delicious ropes of cum dribbled out of Seonghwa’s cock. It painted lines across the omega’s chest, across the body chain, and pooled in Seonghwa’s belly button.
Seonghwa trembled as he came down from his orgasm, still grinding down on Hongjoong’s fingers.
“I’m never going to get over how sensitive you are,” Hongjoong growled, punctuating his words by curling his fingers where they sat snug inside the omega. Seonghwa hiccuped, walls clenching around Hongjoong’s fingers whilst also trying to move his body away. It was like Seonghwa was torn between wanting more stimulation, but also not at the same time. It was so fucking hot. “I can’t understand why you would think your body was anything but perfect. You came untouched with just my fingers, pretty mommy.”
The omega mumbled something, but it was too quiet and Hongjoong couldn’t hear. “What was that?”
“I said, it’s you,” Seonghwa repeated. “No one makes me feel this way. No one, except for you.”
Hongjoong’s breath stuttered, eyes connecting with Seonghwa’s. There was nothing but truthfulness swimming in those irises, so raw and unfiltered that Hongjoong felt his mouth dry out.
It was too real, it was too honest. It was bordering on a confession, one that Hongjoong didn’t think he deserved to hear.
He felt nauseous.
“Can you turn over?” Was what Hongjoong replied with, carefully slipping his fingers out of that tight, wet heat. He needed to not think, he needed to make Seonghwa feel good. “Do you still want me to fuck you?”
“Yes,” Seonghwa breathed out, rolling his body over. Cum and slick soaked up by the sheets, but the typically neat-freak omega didn’t seem to care.
Hongjoong slid a pillow under Seonghwa’s hips. He wanted to make sure the experience was as comfortable as possible for the older man.
The alpha made quick work of shedding his jeans and boxers, making sure to retrieve the condom packet from the back pocket. Hongjoong ripped the foil seal, ready to roll the rubber down his cock, but a hand around his wrist stopped the movement.
“No condom,” Seonghwa said. He had looked over his shoulder to see what the noise was. Hongjoong didn’t miss the way the omega’s gaze hungrily raked across Hongjoong’s lower body.
Frowning, Hongjoong paused. “Are you sure?”
“I’m clean,” Seonghwa answered. “And besides… I don’t really think we need to be worried about pups, don’t you?”
Just the mention of pups was almost enough to make Hongjoong snap and mount Seonghwa, right in that moment, but he took a few deep breaths.
Admittedly, the alpha wasn’t as well versed in the body mechanics of an omega as he should be, but, well. If Seonghwa was confident, then Hongjoong trusted him.
“Okay,” He replied simply, letting the condom fall to the floor. Seonghwa seemed pleased with the answer, letting his body relax into the bed as he waited for Hongjoong. He didn’t look nervous anymore.
Hongjoong kneeled on the bed, settling back on his haunches until he was at the perfect level to enter the omega. He used some of the slick coating Seonghwa’s thighs as lube for his cock, wanting to make sure the slide was as easy as possible.
The alpha pushed in.
Both wolves groaned as the tip of Hongjoong’s cock breached Seonghwa’s entrance. The omega was so warm and velvety, enveloping Hongjoong’s cock easily like they were made for each other. It was tight, but perfect, as Hongjoong sank further in.
Seonghwa whined into the mattress, fists gripping the sheets like he needed to keep himself grounded.
Hongjoong wanted nothing more than to snap his hips, to bury himself impossibly deep in the older man, but he held back. He let himself enjoy the slow descent into Seonghwa, the way the omega’s walls hugged him so perfectly.
He ran one hand up the smooth expanse of Seonghwa’s back, the other gently holding the omega’s hip. When his hips were finally flush with the back of Seonghwa’s thighs, he heard Seonghwa swear under his breath.
”Good, baby?” Hongjoong asked. He grinded his hips slightly, testing how Seonghwa felt around him.
Perfect. Seonghwa felt perfect. Like they were fucking created for each other.
”Yeah,” Seonghwa confirmed. “‘M good. You can move, please. Need it.”
Hongjoong drew his hips back, cockhead catching on Seonghwa’s rim before he thrusts it back in. Slow and steady, nothing like the rapid fire movements that his wolf is screaming at him to do.
He wants to go slow, to take Seonghwa apart piece by piece.
”Fuck,” Seonghwa swears again, voice catching when Hongjoong fucks back into him. “You’re so big, can feel you in my tummy I swear.”
”Yeah?” Hongjoong grins. He wraps his hands around Seonghwa’s waist, getting a good grip before thrusting in hard.
Seonghwa fucking keens at that, back arching as his body tries to meet Hongjoong’s quickened thrusts. A cacophony of pleas tumble out of his mouth, slender fingers twisting into the sheets like it's the only thing grounding the omega to earth.
Hongjoong can’t do it. He can’t pace himself. Not when the man he loves is losing himself right there, walls sucking Hongjoong’s cock in like a gloryhole built for the alpha. Hongjoong is trying to be delicate, he really is, but he feels like he’s two seconds away from fucking exploding.
He grabs the back of the body chain, yanking Seonghwa up from the mattress. Chest to back, Seonghwa falls impossibly further down Hongjoong’s cock, and he fucking yells. God speed to all of their neighbors, because Seonghwa is fucking loud and Hongjoong loves it.
After all, he had told Seonghwa that he would make the omega scream on his cock.
”Harder, more, fuck,” Seonghwa cries out, throwing his head back onto Hongjoong’s shoulder. They’re both so sweaty, covered in cum and slick and god fucking knows what else. Their bodies slide together in the most delicious friction, and Hongjoong can’t stop touching Seonghwa. Can’t stop running his hands over the omega’s soft skin, pressing bruises into his hips, squeezing his plump tits.
”Gonna come for me again?” Hongjoong breathes into Seonghwa’s ear, sticking his tongue in there too and making Seonghwa squirm. “Gonna come on your alpha’s cock?”
”Yes, fuck, yes,” Seonghwa moaned. “Want you to come too, fill me up, wan’ your pups in my tummy.”
Seonghwa guided one of Hongjoong’s hands down to the omega’s stomach, a little bloated from their meal, and that was when Hongjoong fucking lost it. He let out a groan that bordered on a growl, hips snapping at a stupid pace, cock swelling at the base.
His orgasm hit him like a tsunami wave, stars dancing in his vision. All he could feel was pleasure, knot locking him and Seonghwa together as the alpha came, hot cum filling up the omega.
Hongjoong had half the mind to wrap a hand around Seonghwa. All it took were a few pumps before the omega was falling apart, squeezing the last drops of semen out of him as he shuddered in Hongjoong’s grip.
They sat there panting, Seonghwa full and bred, sitting on Hongjoong’s cock like the warmest little glove.
”Fuck,” Hongjoong muttered, leaning his forehead against the nape of Seonghwa’s neck. He heard the omega chuckle, sliding his fingers in between the hand Hongjoong still had resting on Seonghwa’s stomach.
”Fuck, indeed,” Seonghwa replied. “Do you think we could lie down?”
“Yeah, course.”
Hongjoong carefully maneuvered them until they were laying on their sides, Seonghwa snug against his chest. He closed his eyes, gently scratching his fingers through Seonghwa’s hair, feeling the way the man all but melted into the touch.
They didn’t say anything, just basking in the afterglow of their passion. Hongjoong flicked the idle thoughts out of his mind, the ones that threatened to ruin the moment—he just wanted to be there, with Seonghwa, existing.
Time seemed to go both impossibly past and excruciatingly slow. Seonghwa’s breathing had evened out, and Hongjoong could tell that the older man was ready to fall asleep. But his knot had deflated enough so that he could carefully slide out of Seonghwa, and the movement roused the omega.
”Oh,” Seonghwa mumbled when Hongjoong peeled himself away from the omega, sliding down the bed. “What are you doing?”
Hongjoong slid his palms across the smoothness of Seonghwa’s thighs, spreading them apart gently. Seonghwa looked down at him, all pink and flushed and covered in Hongjoong’s love bites.
”Cleaning you up,” Hongjoong replied simply, before leaning in.
Seonghwa gasped when Hongjoong’s tongue breached his hole, gripping a handful of the alpha’s white hair. Hongjoong hummed, not bothered by the harsh hold as he scooped the cum out of Seonghwa with his tongue, swallowing the sweet and salty mixture. It made his head spin doing this—he could taste himself and Seonghwa, and their flavors were the most delicious thing he had ever tasted.
Hongjoong worked quickly and efficiently—he wasn’t trying to force another orgasm out of Seonghwa, and the older man’s cock remained soft, though idly twitching in interest at times. All he was doing was taking care of his omega, cleaning him up and pressing butterfly kisses into his skin.
When Hongjoong finished, he sat up on his heels, unsure. Seonghwa looked positively lovely, spread out on the sheets like that.
He wasn’t sure where to go from here.
Like Seonghwa could see the questions brimming in Hongjoong’s mind, he reached a hand up. “Stay with me?”
Hongjoong went down without hesitation.
—
The soft, early morning sunlight tickled Seonghwa’s eyelids. He cracked one eye open, letting it adjust to the brightness, before opening the other one.
In his room, there were many familiar things he could recognize instantly. The silkiness of his sheets, the purple accents of his decorations. The Star Wars figurines in the glass display cabinet, the vinyls carefully spaced on his shelves.
There was one thing out of place—but it was not unwelcome.
Hongjoong’s dark eyes, looking down at Seonghwa fondly. His hair was a bird's nest and his face was swollen from sleep.
”Mornin’, darl,” Hongjoong said, voice croaky with disuse.
He had stayed.
Seonghwa smiled, brushing the unruly white hair out of the alpha’s face.
”Good morning, neighbor.”