The day before all of the guests go back to their own packs has come, and San once again hasn't seen Seonghwa. No matter how many times he tries to knock on his door at night to be met with silence. He would peek in a few times to check on him, but he was never even in his bed.

Now, he's on his way to the farewell gathering that was announced for all the guests of Chrysalis.

Every step he took felt like another crack in his heart. He just wanted to see his love. One glimpse would be all he'd need to make it through the undetermined time he will be going without him, or so he'd tell himself. His wolf would cry every night as he lay in bed without his fated mate.

He has to keep a cheerful face for this gathering though, he tells himself as he enters to see a group of his friends congregated together chatting happily.

"San, you're finally here!" Wooyoung cheers from under Yeosang's arm, snuggling further into him, "Sangie was just wondering where you were."

Yeosang nods, unable to hide his glancing towards the left of the grounds. San follows Yeosang's eyes as he speaks, "I've just been going a little slow recently, sorry gu-" He pauses when he sees Seonghwa standing with his parents, happiness filling his body from seeing him.

"He's... Been over there with them for a while," Yeosang says with a sad look on his face as he speaks to San.

Jongho scoffs and crosses his arms, "He didn't even come to say 'hello' when he got here."

Hongjoong narrows his eyes at Jongho, "Hush, you know what's going on, Jongho."

"It doesn't make it any less rude," he huffs.

"It's okay," San sighs, resting his back against one of the pillars as he gazes over at the beauty that is Seonghwa, admiring the way his lips move as he speaks to his parents. Ah, his lips... San's cheeks redden as he remembers the way they felt on his own and he looks away, knowing his eyes must be the same color as his cheeks, "He couldn't come over here to us, his parents won't let us be around each other it seems."

"I mean, you two were found in bed together. Were you not?" Jongho asks and his shoulder is met by Hongjoong's fist once again. He's lucky that it's never been dislocated with the amount of strength Hongjoong possesses.

"Jongho, enough."

Jongho smirks and pushes the alpha back, recently finding their play-fighting to be more of finding a reason to touch each other than actual hostility.

"Look at his red face though," Jongho chuckles as he makes fun of San's blush, "Why don't you try to go get him again?" He teases, "Wait, that went well, didn't it?"

Hongjoong's eyes widen, knowing Jongho's words might've gone too far with joking this time and he pulls him aside, away from the group.

"What the fuck? Jongho, you can't just do that," Hongjoong seethes, grabbing hold of both of his shoulders as they're in one of the small passageways between buildings, "Get your damn act together, won't you?" He bares his teeth at him.

Jongho finds himself turning red at Hongjoong's aggression towards him, his hair standing on end from his words and touch, "I didn't mean for it to come out like that," he says genuinely, licking his lips, trying to keep his eyes away from Hongjoong's.

"I know you didn't," Hongjoong shakes his head and looks down, his grip loosening on Jongho's shoulders, "Just... Be careful with how you word things, okay? Not everyone can interpret exactly what you're trying to say all the time."

"You can."

Hongjoong looks up to Jongho's face, seeing him already looking back into his eyes, loving the chocolate brown color of his irises. It reminds him of his just as chocolatey fur coat and he nervously drops his hands from Jongho, only for Jongho to lift his hands up to Hongjoong's face.

Jongho cups Hongjoong's cheeks, stroking his heated cheeks with his thumbs as he slowly connects their lips. He tastes just how he smells and it's intoxicating for Jongho. Ginger has always been his favorite scent for a reason, and this is it.

Hongjoong allows himself to be backed up against the other wall behind him, his back pressed firmly against it while Jongho's chest is rubbing up on his own. Their lips fit perfectly just as they did that night one year ago, and a few nights ago. He's starting to think Jongho's lips are turning into something he doesn't want to live without.

Hongjoong melts back as he feels Jongho pressing into him harder, letting his hands invade his hair and pull on it to bring him as close as humanly possible. Their kiss turns sloppier and sloppier until they finally part in loud gasps, looking up into one another's eyes with a longing passion.

"L-Let's go out for a walk tonight, hm?" Hongjoong asks, his voice a bit raspy from the lack of oxygen he was receiving.

Jongho smiles and winks before he turns back to go out to the gathering with everyone, "I think we should."

San was surprised when those words came out of Jongho's mouth, but when Hongjoong drags him away in anger, he assumes that what he said he didn't really mean. That doesn't mean they don't pierce San right in the heart, though because he's right. It didn't go well when he tried to talk to Hyejin and Gyungho. Not only was he trying to confess his love for their son, but Eunji had come earlier and told them about Yunho's magic.

Perfect timing.

San sighs, remembering his confession in front of everyone. As if they weren't already stressed about what to do with Yunho's secret and Eunji's guilty conscience.

Speaking of... Where is Eunji? San looks around, only to see her in a group with Areum smiling. You can almost see the guilt-ridden look hidden behind it.

After seeing that, his eyes can't help but linger back to Seonghwa. He's still talking to his parents, and at first he looks frustrated, but then he gets this shocked expression on his face. San's heart leaps as Seonghwa's mouth hangs open and he can see the stars shining in his eyes from here.

What made him so happy?

San's whole body warms up as he can't tear his gaze away from Seonghwa's smile. He doesn't expect Seonghwa to start walking in his direction and he feels his heartbeat pumping even faster.

He's coming...

He's coming!

San feels his hopes climb higher than they've ever been, and they don't get torn back down. Quite the opposite. Seonghwa walks straight up to San, his wolf instantly purring in the presence of him.

"We get to spend the last day together," Seonghwa says, and San thinks he hears him wrong at first from his senses being blinded by Seonghwa's incredible scent and breathtaking beauty he never seems to get used to.

Seonghwa smiles softly as he looks up into San's eyes, "I-I'll be back in my room tonight..." He whispers, just audibly enough for San to hear.

San's cheeks grow with a light blush, a smile settling on his face as his wolf's excitement goes through the roof, "And I'll be there too..."

"Ugh, Hongjoong, watch where you're going!" Jongho huffs after running into Hongjoong's back on their mid-night hike.

Hongjoong looks back and smirks, "Hush, we're here," he hums as he steps back to show Jongho the small clearing on the cliff they had eaten at back when they all went on that group hike together.

Jongho chuckles when he realizes where they are, "Ah, so we finally get to be alone here this time?"

"I was hoping for that, yes," Hongjoong reveals, sitting down on the edge, the moonlight shining onto him now that he's not hidden by the trees.

Jongho's wolf roars within him as he sees Hongjoong's face illuminated, feeling the way his lips tingle with memories of their past encounters.

Will tonight be similar?

Hongjoong pats the spot next to him, "Come here, I want to see your face, Jongho."

Jongho's never been one for cheesiness, but Hongjoong telling him that he wants to see him makes his heart turnover in his chest. He quickly sits down next to Hongjoong and eases himself into his side, laying his head comfortably on his shoulder as he looks out at the familiar scenery.

Hongjoong looks down at the boy lying against him, snaking his arm around his body to bring Jongho into him. Being alone here with him makes Hongjoong unusually emotional. He gives Jongho's head a gentle kiss, inhaling the cinnamon that radiates off of him.

Jongho laughs nervously, "Don't go soft on me now, Joong..."

Jongho looks up at Hongjoong when he doesn't reply and finds him staring back at him already, their eyes immediately meeting. One flicker of Hongjoong's eyes down to Jongho's lips is all Jongho needs to attack. He slips one of his legs over Hongjoong's lap, resting on him as he takes Hongjoong's lips into his own, letting his fingers trail his body.

Hongjoong gasps before their lips meet, smirking into the kiss as Jongho climbs on top of him. Their open mouths collide hungrily and Hongjoong lays back in the grass as things get more heated between them. Their scents of cinnamon and ginger surround the air encompassing them as Hongjoong's hands explore down Jongho's back and then up the sides of his body, letting his shirt lift slightly as he trails upward.

Hongjoong can feel his alpha wolf wanting to take over, and with this, he can feel Jongho's alpha as well. The dominance circling between them is overwhelming, both fighting each other with their aggressive kisses and fervent touches. Their nails gently scratch one another's skin as they can't get enough of the way it feels under their touch.

Their kiss breaks with heavy breathing and panting, their breath visible in the cool air. Jongho looks down at Hongjoong with hooded eyes that are crimson red, bearing his sharp teeth at him.

Hongjoong smirks, knowing his eye must look just like Jongho's right now, "I'm far from soft, Jongho," he says breathlessly, and that's all Jongho needs to devour his lips once more.

The sounds of ripping clothing echoes through the forest as they tear each other apart, needing to have that skin-to-skin contact as soon as possible. Jongho is an unstoppable force as he licks and sucks on Hongjoong's neck, plotting where he will put his mark on his soon to be mate.

Hongjoong moans loudly as he feels Jongho's taunting lips teasing every inch of him, "F-Fuck," he breathes out, arching his back as he feels Jongho's hand firmly grip his length, still bruising up his once clean neck.

Jongho growls at Hongjoong's voice, the sound sends chills down his spine and makes him want even more of the boy under him. He pumps Hongjoong's considerable length as he reconnects their lips, biting on his lower lip when he feels Hongjoong scratch down his back roughly.

"I'm going to make you mine," Jongho whispers and nibbles on Hongjoong's earlobe, freeing his member only to invade his hole with one of his fingers.

"A-And I'm going to make you mine," Hongjoong smiles up at Jongho with a dazed look of bliss in his eyes as he carefully strokes Jongho's cheek, despite his wolf's wanting to be rough. He tries to keep his wolf as calm as he can, knowing that they would both be bruised up messes if he or Jongho were to let their wolves take over completely.

Two alphas together as they are has the potential to be lethal, and they both know it.

Jongho smiles warmly at Hongjoong's clear face of happiness, realizing in this moment that this is what he will get to see every day for the rest of his life. His ginger scent will surely be the death of him if his handsome face doesn't take him out first.

"I love you," Jongho whispers as he slowly pushes his member into Hongjoong, feeling him tensing up around him and he winces when Hongjoong's nails dig deep into his skin.

Hongjoong gasps out airy moans as Jongho enters him, suddenly a bit fearful of how Jongho's knot will feel in him when they're connected, but hearing Jongho's words make all his fear disappear.

"I-I love you, Jongho," Hongjoong breathes out, unable to help the destruction that he's doing to Jongho's back as he continues to push in and out of him.

Jongho uses all the strength in his body not to go so hard on Hongjoong at first, his wolf wanting him to unleash his power, but Jongho knows better. He's gained control over himself and his wolf. He wants to do his best to be gentle for a little while.

Hongjoong soon gets comfortable with the feeling of Jongho and his body is able to relax back into the grass, becoming a moaning mess as he's finally able to enjoy his and Jongho's love making.

"Fuck, J-Jongho... You can go harder, I'm okay now," Hongjoong moans out, biting his lips towards the end to try and keep his voice down, knowing they're surely frightening all of the wildlife in the forest.

As soon as Hongjoong's words grace Jongho's ears, his wolf's anticipation is met and he jerks his hips roughly into Hongjoong, causing him to pant and scream his name. Hongjoong tries to scratch at something other than Jongho's back, so he grips into the ground the best he can, his body being pushed harder and harder into the cold ground. His wolf is in true bliss, loving the way Jongho pounds into him.

What Jongho doesn't expect as his sweet release gets closer is for Hongjoong to aggressively flip them over so that he's straddling him from the top. He rides Jongho fast and hard, letting the echoes of their skin slapping ferociously together disrupt the forest. Jongho grips Hongjoong's jaw and pulls him in for another steamy kiss, knowing that they're both nearing their climax by now.

Jongho grunts into their kiss as Hongjoong takes the entirety of his length so well and hard just as he likes it. He and Hongjoong mesh so well when they're not bickering, he's noticed. Jongho smirks into Hongjoong's lips when he gets the idea of letting their anger out for each other through sex and he pumps his hips up into Hongjoong, meeting him every time he pushes himself down. It might help direct their aggression into something other than literally tearing each other apart in the sparring room.

Hongjoong parts from their kiss as he quickens his speed, needy and worn out moans escaping his lips as he looks down into Jongho's eyes, taking in every bit of him.

Jongho grips onto Hongjoong's hips tightly as they both reach their release in loud groans, nuzzling into each other's necks with intent.

Hongjoong licks the spot on Jongho's neck breathlessly as he comes down from his high and he sinks his teeth in deep, letting the intense connection course through him. It gets even stronger when he feels Jongho's teeth break his skin as well, feeling the way his blood trickles down his neck as they let their minds and souls bond together fully.

Jongho's knot has completely formed within Hongjoong as they pull back from each other's necks, making sure to lick them closed. The taste of Hongjoong's blood on his tongue is euphoric and he wraps his arms around Hongjoong as he lets his body fall flesh against his chest.

"We may not be fated by the moon goddess, but goddess be damned, I know my soulmate, Hongjoong."

Hongjoong looks up into Jongho's eyes with a glazed over expression of pure love and admiration, "How about you say those words when we get back home," he smirks, loving the way their mindlink has changed.

Instead of their normal pack mindlink, they now have their mated one. It feels much more intensified now that they can feel the other's emotions behind the words they say.

"I'd scream it from the mountaintop," Jongho pulls Hongjoong into a tight-squeezed hug, "I have one question for you though, Joong."

"Anything."

"Does this make us both eligible for head alpha?"

End of Chapter Thirty Four