At first, Hongjoong thought he'd just imagined it.

Static filled his hearing and his vision blurred for a second. Was the room spinning too? It was too hard to tell.

"Have you no shame?" Seonghwa's deep, comforting, wonderful voice broke through the fog a little bit. "First you blatantly insult him, now you want to humiliate him, and us, even further?!"

"You asked for my help." Chan snarled. "I gave my reasons, if you want my help, then you will respect my wishes!"

"Chan..." Someone whispered.

"He said I can pick, so I picked him. Do you want to form an alliance or not?"

Hongjoong felt the room spinning again as all of Chan's words started to twist and manipulate his thoughts.

Was he failing his pack?

Should he have volunteered like Yeosang had?

Was he really a good leader if he didn't volunteer?

How could he make them do something he didn't want to do himself?

He wasn't even an Alpha...

The others were still arguing around him, but he couldn't register any of it.

He needed to do what was best for his pack...

He needed to do what was best for Wooyoung.

"I'll do it." Hongjoong's voice sliced through the tense air and silenced everyone. While he was thankful his voice didn't quiver, he couldn't bring himself to look at anyone yet.

"Joong..." Seonghwa whispered.

He couldn't help but cringe and turn his head away, hating the pain and betrayal he heard within that one word.

"We need their help, Hwa." He whispered back. Hongjoong sighed and forced himself to turn to his pack. "Nothing since we've been here has been what we've wanted. And Chan is right. How can I ask any of you to do this without being willing to do it myself?"

A snort came from behind him and Hongjoong squeezed his eyes shut in a grimace.

"Hyung, this is too much." Mingi said, shaking his head.

"It's part of the game, Min. I'll be alright. Once this is done, maybe we will be strong enough to become Head Pack. Then we will have more pull to get Wooyoung and Felix back."

He could see the distrust and the displeasure in his pack's eyes, but he didn't know what else to do. Seonghwa especially wouldn't look at him.

And that... that ripped him apart inside.

"Well, I guess you should come back with us and we can sort things out." Chan said, groaning a little as he stood up.

Go with them.

For some reason Hongjoong hadn't been prepared to hear that, but it... it made sense.

How could he be expected to stay here if he was going to... mate... with Chan?

His stomach plummeted to his feet, weighing him down and making it impossible for him to move.

"Can..." He swallowed, his throat congested and tight with anxiety. "Can it be tomorrow?" He asked, voice barely above a whisper.

His eyes stayed glued on the floor, waiting for Chan to say something. Anything.

Or for his pack to even...

He didn't know what hurt more, leaving or not having his pack fight for him.

"Fine. I know we won't be able to get Wooyoung or Felix until we are in better condition, so I will come get you tomorrow." Chan's voice wasn't harsh or demanding, if anything, it was empathetic, which Hongjoong really appreciated.

The Alpha bowed his head to the others, then let his pack help him outside and to their territory.

When a few agonizingly long minutes had passed, Hongjoong turned to face his pack, trying to muster up the courage to say something.

Yeosang was the first to break, rushing to say, "You should have let me go, Hyung. We need you here."

Hongjoong's shoulders dipped in relief, and he gave a small smile. "We need you too, Sangie. I would rather it be me than any of you."

"It should be none of us." Seonghwa snapped. His face was red, and fire burned in his beautiful, brown eyes. "You should have talked to us about this Kim Hongjoong!"

The younger flinched and turned his head away. "I didn't know it would involve this."

"You didn't ask. You just took control like you always do! Not giving two shits about the rest of us or our opinions!"

The sudden anger flaring up in the oldest of the pack had everyone else fidgeting in place uncomfortably. Except for Hongjoong, who just continued to shrink into himself with shame.

And Seonghwa continued on his rampage now that the monster had been unleashed. "You walk around, all high and mighty, thinking you always know best! Well guess what? You don't. We are supposed to be a team. A team! And what do teams do? They talk to each other! They rely on each other. They support each other. And now you are abandoning us to go join them."

"Do you really think that's what I want to do?!" Hongjoong yelled back. "I would change it if I could! But I don't think we can get through this alone! Not after what they said happened with that other pack. Everything is-"

"Different! Yes, we know! You keep saying that over and over and I'm fucking tired of it!" Tears started to prick the corners of Seonghwa's eyes and Hongjoong wanted nothing more than to rush forward and brush his finger across the older's cheek to make them disappear.

"What is it you want me to do, Seonghwa? I can't change anything now. It's not like I'm leaving you behind."

"But you are." Seonghwa nearly wailed before running past Hongjoong and up the stairs.

Hongjoong was baffled, yet his heart ached. And he didn't know what to do about it or how to respond...

Next to him, Mingi and Yunho exchanged a look before the Alpha stood and placed a hand on his captain's shoulder. "Give him some time, Hyung. We may not be happy about this, but... we understand. I think."

"We are all going to have to make sacrifices." Yeosang added softly, though his words seemed distant.

When Hongjoong looked at him, the younger was looking down but in the direction of the stairs and he looked conflicted.

"I'll do whatever it takes to get Wooyoung back." Yunho said. All three of them looked at where he was bent over in his chair, head in his hands. "I-It's my fault h-he was-"

"No." Hongjoong cut him off and knelt in front of him. "It is not your fault, Yunho. That could have happened to any of us, and from what it sounds like, they were on the hunt for Omegas. We took that rule too lightly, but I promise you that it won't happen again."

Yunho lifted his head up to look at Hongjoong. He'd always sought the older for comfort when the others couldn't provide him with the kind he desired. It was some kind of unique bond they'd formed during their months as the only trainees together.

Hongjoong knew it. Yunho knew it. And it reflected in both of their eyes as Yunho soaked in every single word Hongjoong said.

"Chan may think he's in charge, but I'm not going to let him manipulate things. I will still put us first. I swear to all of you. I know I went about this poorly, and I am so incredibly sorry for it, but I won't apologize for actually doing this because I truly think it's what's best for us going forward."

"I agree." Yeosang added. "The game keeps changing, and if there are packs out there who are willing to attack like this, then we need all the help we can get."

With Yeosang saying that, Mingi seemed to relax a little and he placed a hand on the back of Yunho's neck to rub it softly.

The older melted into the touch and his eyes fluttered closed.

"Now we just need to tell Jongho." Yeosang sighed. "I don't see him taking it well either, especially since it was decided while he wasn't here."

He was right, and Hongjoong knew it wasn't going to be easy. "I'll handle it. I just want to spend the rest of the day with all of you..."

The confession from their captain had all three of his pack members scrambling to him and surrounding him in a hug.

This kind of affection was unusual and not one he normally desired, but this time he leaned into Yunho, who happened to be directly in front of him, wholeheartedly and did his best not to completely break down.

They stayed like that for a long time, but all good things must come to an end, and Hongjoong knew he needed to try and go make things right with Seonghwa.

No one tried to stop him as he made his way up the stairs. Each step added another weight onto his shoulder that made him want to just sink to the floor and never get up.

He walked down the hall to the room Seonghwa had been assigned to with Yeosang and gently knocked on the door, then pressed his hear to it.

There was no answer, but he did hear soft sniffling coming from the other side.

The Beta took a long, slow breath to mentally prepare himself, then let himself into the room.

Seonghwa was sitting on the far bed with his back to the door. He was hunched over, crying softly to himself, looking so...

It broke Hongjoong's heart.

"Hwa?"

The older instantly stiffened and sat up a little straighter. "Go away, Hongjoong. I d-don't want to talk to you right now."

"Don't do this. Please don't shut me out." Hongjoong begged. "I can't... I can't handle you being upset with me. We never fight. Not like this..."

He felt the walls he always worked so hard to keep up around the others crumbling away as if they were made of sand.

That's the kind of power Seonghwa had over him.

The ability to make Hongjoong feel so vulnerable and small.

It's always been that way between them. Hongjoong has to be the captain to their team, take care of everyone else, do what he can to give them the very best.

And Seonghwa was there to take care of him, to remind him that he didn't always have to be tough or in charge, to remind him that he matters too.

When he didn't get any kind of response from the older Beta, Hongjoong sank to his knees, a small, strained sob escaping him. "Please, Hwa..." He bowed his head, then his entire body to the floor. With his forehead pressed to the back of his hands, he tries one final time. "I'm sorry."

He's so far into his own head that he doesn't hear any movement in the room. He has no idea that Seonghwa has moved until he feels a gentle hand cup the back of his head.

"You're such a fool, Kim Hongjoong." Seonghwa whispered, voice light and gentle, like flower petals dancing in the wind.

The younger can't bring himself to move, but he does respond with a choked, "I know."

They stay like that for a long time, Hongjoong bent over the floor and Seonghwa softly petting the back of his head.

"I'm scared, Joongie." Seonghwa said, finally breaking the silence. "What are we supposed to do without you? How can we stay together? How can we be strong? Jongho is taking to his role as Head Alpha beautifully, but you will always be our captain."

Hongjoong took a deep, long breath, then pushed himself up so he was sitting back on his ankles. "I'm scared too. But I promise," He reached out to take Seonghwa's hands in his own, "You aren't losing me. I won't let Chan take over. I'm at the point where I will do anything to get us out of here safely."

They locked eyes, both trying to read the mixed emotions on the other, and Hongjoong found himself leaning forward every so slightly.

"Okay." Seonghwa closed his eyes. "I haven't forgiven you yet, but... I will support you."

Even though it wasn't exactly a good statement, Hongjoong still found himself smiling. He lifted a hand to cup Seonghwa's cheek, thumb brushing across it with a feather-light touch. "Thank you, Mars."

He didn't miss how Seonghwa's breath hitched at the tender nickname, and it reignited a small spark of hope within his heart.

A few hours passed while they stayed alone in the room together. Not speaking, barely thinking, just being in each other's presence.

There were many things that could have been said. Should have been said... but Hongjoong knew there was no point.

Not right now...

And he knew that Seonghwa felt the same way.

Eventually, they acknowledged that they should be with the others too and made their way downstairs.

Jongho was there with San, which was a surprise. The Omega looked exhausted and both Mingi and Jongho had to help him stand when he saw Hongjoong.

But they embraced and San started bawling.

Both he and Jongho gave Hongjoong a piece of their mind, Jongho especially, but it only ended in the entire pack huddled together and sharing their pain, their fears, their agony...

That's how they spent the rest of the evening, passing whispered thoughts back and forth. A good portion of it was trying to comfort San as well. Loosing Wooyoung had the biggest toll on him...

They grabbed their blankets and pillows as night began to fall and set up in the living room so they could all be together. It was the only way they felt comfortable in any way.

But there was a very obvious Wooyoung-sized hole no one could bring themselves to acknowledge.

When morning came, the somber mood draped over the entire pack was stifling.

All they could do was count down the seconds, one by one by one, while waiting for Chan to arrive.

Which still happened all too soon.

A knock on the door had all of them pausing in place. Hongjoong's stomach jumped into his throat, and he had to dig deep to find a brave face.

Jongho ended up moving to the door first. He clenched his jaw and kept his hand on the doorknob for a moment before opening it slowly.

Chan, Changbin, and Jisung were waiting outside, the two Betas keeping close to their Alpha, who still looked pretty battered.

"Hello, Jongho." Chan greeted with a bow of his head.

The younger just clicked his teeth together, but he did return the bow as he stepped aside.

Hongjoong took a deep breath, tried to swallow the lump in his throat, and folded his arms behind his back nervously.

"Are you ready?" Chan asked, remaining respectful and staying outside.

He wanted to say no, he wanted to say that the deal was off, that he'd changed his mind, that he didn't want this...

But he couldn't. Not when his gut was telling him that this was the right thing to do.

So he nodded and turned to say his final goodbyes.

"We will see you soon." Yeosang said before he could say anything. The tone in his voice was clear.

None of them wanted to hear the word goodbye.

Hongjoong nodded in understanding, looking at each member of his pack one at a time. "I'll see you guys soon."

His eyes lingered on Seonghwa. The older looked conflicted, like he was struggling to not do anything.

Hongjoong let his face soften a little, doing his best to tell the older that everything would be okay.

Then he grabbed the duffle bag of clothes he'd packed and walked toward the front door. "Yes, I'm ready." He said, patting Jongho's shoulder twice where he still stood next to the door, and stepped outside to join the others.

To join his new Alpha.

Chan looked him up and down and flashed a tight-lipped smile before he looked up at Jongho. "We will be in touch soon to talk about how we are going to handle getting Felix and Wooyoung back."

"Fine. You better take care of him, Chan. Or I won't hold back next time we cross paths." If the disrespectful way he spoke to the older wasn't enough, the threat was perfectly clear in his tone.

Even so, Chan didn't seem upset. He simply bowed his head again. "You have my word; he will be safe under my care."

Hongjoong's upper lip twitched with annoyance, hating that they were talking about him like he was some kind of possession...

But he remained silent, knowing it was pointless to try an argue or say anything.

Chan took a deep breath before he turned around. "Come on, home is this way."

Changbin and Jisung both hovered close by, holding their hands out to catch their Alpha if he stumbled.

It wasn't needed, though. Chan walked with a straight back and head held high, even if he did walk a little slower than what may be considered normal.

Hongjoong followed behind, doing his best to memorize the area around them so he could find his way home without issue.

He was surprised to see that Stray Kids' territory was only about a fifteen-minute walk from his own. It looked to be about the same size, right down the cabin, which made sense since both packs consisted of eight members.

As they step inside, the rest of the pack all greet Chan softly and Jeongin shuffles over with fuzzy socks on his feet and a large hoodie swamping his body. "Hyung, what took you so long?" He asked, a slight whine to his voice.

"I'm sorry, Innie, I'm just moving a little slow today." Chan said, brushing his fingers across the Omega's cheek.

"It's okay. I was just worried." Jeongin said with a pout. Then he turned to Hongjoong and wiggled in place a little. "You smell nice." He said shyly.

Hongjoong was taken aback and blinked a few times before he sputtered, "Th-Thanks. I didn't realize I had a scent."

"You'll get there." Changbin hummed. "I still haven't been able to pick up on scents yet either. I think the only Beta in our pack who has is Hyunjin, but he's always been sensitive to smells."

The Beta in question glared at him and hmphed before storming into the kitchen, making everyone else in the room chuckle fondly.

Except Hongjoong, who just shifted in place awkwardly.

"Jisung, why don't you take Hongjoong-ah's bag upstairs." Chan said, ignoring the shocked look on Hongjoong's face at the soft title.

The Beta nodded and took Hongjoong's back from him and ran up the stairs before he could fight it.

"How are we looking today?" Chan stepped into the living room, clutching his side, and looked at Minho.

"Fine right now. I was thinking that maybe we'd go to the square to see what they have for sale. We could use some more rice and it would, um, get us out of the house." A pink blush crossed Minho's cheeks and Jeongin giggled from where he'd moved to stand next to Seungmin.

Both Chan and Hongjoong blushed as well, the awkwardness of their situation bursting to the forefront of their thoughts despite how hard they'd been trying to ignore it.

"Yeah, that... that sounds good." Chan cleared his throat. "You'll keep Jeongin-"

"You know I will." Minho said, nodding at the same time. "He will have five of us protecting him. We will keep him safe."

The Alpha sighed a little. "Thank you. All of you, please, be careful."

Jisung shuffled down the stairs and flashed a bright smile. "You be careful too Channie-hyung."

Hongjoong noticed how Chan's arm tightened around his side. How was this going to work if Chan's ribs were still healing...?

"Don't worry about me." Chan said, then he turned to look at Hongjoong. "Ready?"

It was hard for Hongjoong to not groan a little. Calling the situation out like that made everything feel ten times worse.

But he forced himself to nod while finding a place on the grown to focus his gaze on. He couldn't handle making eye contact with the other pack right now... even though everyone knew what was about to happen.

Chan led the way upstairs, turning right at the top.

Everything was set up exactly the same as Hongjoong's home, other than it was all mirrored here, which was a little disconcerting.

They went to the door all the way at the end and Chan shut the door behind him once they were inside.

The reality of what was about to happen hit so much harder when Hongjoong's eyes fell on the two beds. He could feel himself shaking in place, the pit in his stomach growing more and more, until he felt like he was going to be sick.

"Go on, get on the bed." Chan said from behind him.

For whatever reason, that made Hongjoong pause, and his irritation burst forward. "Excuse me? You don't get to order me around!" He snapped, spinning in place to face Chan.

The Alpha's eyes narrowed, and his lip curled in a snarl. "I think that's exactly what I get to do, Beta. Do you really want to make this harder than it has to be?"

"I don't want you thinking you can boss me around! I am just as much of a leader as you are!"

Suddenly Chan's hand was closed around Hongjoong's neck, squeezing just a little, and Chan started forcing Hongjoong back toward the bed. "I was really hoping you weren't going to do this."

"What, you wanted me to just roll over and take it?"

"Yes." Chan snarled right before he shoved Hongjoong onto the bed.

The Beta's instincts started running wild, matching the rapid pace his heart was beating at. For a second, he observed how Chan winced when he turned just right.

A weakness. He could use that to fight his way out of here.

But then... the scent of strong, worn leather filled the room and Hongjoong's eyelids fluttered while he melted into the bed.

Something inside him churned, loving the power behind the smell and he knew that it was coming from Chan.

What he didn't know was how that had happened.

"Thought so." Chan jeered, crawling over Hongjoong and taking his wrists to pin above his head. "I knew you couldn't resist me."

Hongjoong growled in response and tried to pull his hands free, but Chan simply tightened his grip and forced him deeper into the bed.

"You can make this easy, or you can make it hard. Your choice. But it's happening either way." Chan adjusted himself so he could sit on Hongjoong's legs, keeping him pinned in place still. He hissed and withdrew one hand to hold his side.

As tempting as it was to try and push him off, Hongjoong knew that the Alpha was right.

And... there was no denying that things were changing with his instincts.

His cheeks were flushed, breathing labored, pulse racing...

And much to his embarrassment...

His cock was starting to harden.

Chan must have felt that too, because he smirked before pulling his shirt over his head.

"Fuck." Hongjoong gasped when he took in Chan's toned body and very defined abs.

If he'd looked anything like this before coming here, the serum had done wonders to enhance his physique.

"Why, thank you." The Alpha chuckled. "Your turn, Sweetheart."

As embarrassing and condescending as the nickname was, Hongjoong found himself tugging his shirt over his head, struggling a little bit since Chan was still on top of him.

Dark eyes fell on him once his chest and stomach were exposed, which instantly made Hongjoong move to cover himself.

"Don't." Chan snapped, slapping his hands away.

The growl in his voice was... new.

It made Hongjoong hesitate, and he looked up at the Alpha again.

Alpha.

Chan was... gone. Replaced by something feral.

Even Chan's eyes had changed, pupils blown wide and Hongjoong could have sworn he saw a tinge of red in them.

Then, the Alpha caught Hongjoong even more by surprise by lowering his head and nuzzling against his neck.

Hongjoong gasped as an insane amount of pleasure rocketed through his body, causing him to gasp and arch off the bed.

This spurred Chan on even more and he let his teeth graze the sensitive skin there.

A mixture of fresh leather and bright sage filled the room, making Hongjoong's head spin with how powerful it was.

"That's right. You're mine now."

Hongjoong whimpered, a confusing mixture of emotions battling in his head at Chan's words.

He didn't want to be his... He was only doing this for his pack...

The thought had him pressing his hands against Chan's chest to try and push him away. "W-Wait-"

Chan snarled at him. Such an inhuman sound that Hongjoong froze beneath him, allowing Chan to grab his wrists and pin them above his head. "No. No waiting."

Then his other hand was yanking on the button of Hongjoong's jeans, the force of it whipping the Beta around like a ragdoll as he still tried to battle the instincts taking over.

He was helpless beneath the Alpha.

Completely helpless.

Especially when Chan snaked his hand beneath the rest of Hongjoong's clothes to grip his semi-hard cock. And squeezed.

Hongjoong bucked into the touch, not sure if he wanted to pull away or beg for more. It felt so good. Yet... so wrong at the same time.

He clenched his eyes shut and whimpered, leaning into the war raging in his mind.

This was for his pack. His family.

This was to get Wooyoung back.

"It's too bad you don't produce slick like my Omegas do." Chan lowered his head and started licking at Hongjoong's scent gland again.

Chills coursed through the younger's body, making him shiver beneath the bigger man.

Then he raised his mouth so it was right next to Hongjoong's ear. "I guess it's your lucky day that a couple members of my pack are always horny."

Hongjoong gulped and clenched his eyes even harder, until he started to see red from the pressure.

The Alpha above him chuckled and sat up. He released the younger's hands, only to drag his fingers across Hongjoong's torso again. "Stay." He ordered.

Not wanting to disobey or question anything, Hongjoong stayed on his back and just let his eyes drift as he watched Chan walk around the bed and over to an end table. The older pulled out a bottle of lube from the drawer and smirked.

"Leave it to them to sneak a bottle of lube into a competition." Chan said. Then his gaze returned to Hongjoong. "You know, I've always admired how well you perform on stage. Your body is so stunning."

The sudden confession had Hongjoong blushing and he had to resist the urge to cover his chest, feeling so exposed.

"Just one of the many things that's made me... well..." Chan stared at the bottle in his hands. "Anyway. Let's get this over with."

Hongjoong frowned. "What are you talking about?"

"It's not important right now." Chan threw the bottle next to Hongjoong and proceeded to crawl over him. "What's important is our packs."

While he couldn't disagree, Hongjoong hated the pit still in the bottom of his stomach. And it only got worse when Chan decided to get off the bed again, then flip him over as if he weighed nothing.

The younger couldn't help but yelp a little at the sudden change and his fingers clawed at the bed when he was yanked backward so his feet were brushing the floor and he was bent over the side.

"Ch-Chan..."

"Hyung. Or Alpha." The growl in his voice was back...

Hongjoong bit his lip and fisted the comforter to ground himself when Chan started to pull his pants down, pull everything down, exposing him to the cold air of the room.

"Of course you're fucking perfect." Chan huffed even as he grabbed Hongjoong's ass with both hands and spread it apart.

"I-If it bothers you that much then- AH!" Hongjoong yelped when Chan slapped him, leaving a blistering sting behind and jolting him forward into the bed.

"Shut up."

Hongjoong started to turn his head to snap back at the Alpha, but a sudden increase of Chan's powerful leather scent made his head spin and he felt himself melting into the bed in a show of complete submission.

Not fair...

He was powerless to stop this as he felt the cold lube being drizzled onto his entrance, or when Chan started to slowly work him open while still groping his ass.

It wasn't right... It didn't feel right... Yet...

It did.

He could feel something within him caving, giving in, submitting.

And when Chan crooked his finger just right, Hongjoong arched his back and let out a moan of pleasure that seemed to unlock a primal instinct within him.

His hips started to rock back as if on their own, giving into the desire filling his body.

Chan seemed to be doing the same if the satisfied growls coming from him meant anything. Or the way he bent over Hongjoong's back to rub his nose across his spine.

By the time Chan was three fingers deep, the two of them seemed to have a way of communicating without the need for words.

Intakes of breaths, a simple tilt of the head, Hongjoong's back arching a little more, Chan's teeth nipping at the back of Hongjoong's neck...

That last one sent a shockwave through Hongjoong that had him going completely limp on the bed, as if his limbs were jelly.

And Chan puffed out his chest as if that was the proudest moment of his life.

Maybe it was. His ego and confidence seemed to grow more and more as Hongjoong gave him exactly what he wanted.

"Let me see your face." Chan hissed at one point, withdrawing his fingers and forcing Hongjoong onto his back once more. "You were meant to be on stage." He added in a whisper.

Hongjoong didn't know what to make of that statement. He heard what he could only describe as a hint of longing or jealousy? But that didn't make any sense and he quickly told himself that he had just imagined it.

He really wasn't given much time to ponder it anyway, because Chan gripped the back of his thighs and forced him to bed in half, pressing his cock into the Beta at the same time.

"F-Fuck!!" Hongjoong wailed. One hand came up to grab Chan's wrist while the other grabbed his own leg and he let his nails dig into flesh.

The stretch was painful, yet it felt so good at the same time. So settling.

Like it was exactly what he needed.

Chan's lip curled back in a satisfied snarl, his eyes glazing over as they fixated on the way Hongjoong's head tilted back and his face twisted with pure pleasure.

Especially when his already inflating knot pressed against the younger's ass.

Another silent conversation passed between them for a split second, then Chan was ramming into the Beta at a rapid pace.

The entire bed rocked back and forth, even scraping against the floor and forcing Chan to shuffle forward a little bit so he could keep himself as close to Hongjoong as possible.

At one point he did stop to add some more lube, squirting it onto his own cock and fucking it into Hongjoong to keep it pleasurable for both of them, but honestly neither one of them would have noticed.

Hongjoong's mind had drifted away, cradled in the wonderful satisfaction that he was pleasing his Alpha.

Chan's thrusts were powerful and dominating, each one driving Hongjoong further into his other self.

When he felt his climax building, he started to tilt his head to the side, giving Chan full access to his neck.

And his scent gland.

The Alpha's teeth flashed as he snarled, eyes glinting with desire.

And possibly a hint of red passing over them too, but it happened too fast for Hongjoong to really know for sure.

But what he did know was that Chan's knot was growing bigger, now catching on his rim each time Chan's cock fucked into him.

The wet squelches from the obscene amount of lube now dripping from him was loud and wet, accenting the sounds of his moans and their skin slapping together.

Then... before he could even attempt to prepare himself... Chan forced his hips forward with a quick, harsh jerk right as his knot burst and his cum started to fill Hongjoong.

The heat coming from it just added to the power of his own orgasm, making him dig his nails into Chan's arm.

Or maybe it was the sudden pain of Chan's teeth sinking into his neck.

A strange sensation rocketed through Hongjoong's body. He felt extremely heavy yet light as a feather, or like he was having an out-of-body experience.

All of his senses kicked into overdrive.

No...

Not all.

Just one.

Alpha.

Everything in him felt anchored to the man above him, now running his tongue over the fresh mark marring his skin.

And that anchor, more like a thread or a rope, tugged Hongjoong forward, urging him to do the same thing.

He pushed himself off the bed with one arm and used the other to keep Chan's head in place so he could bite his Alpha.

His Alpha.

As soon as his mark was firmly on Chan's neck, that rope was yanked tight and Hongjoong knew they were bound together with a bond unlike any other.

He could feel it.

Just as he could feel the confusion and slight wonder coming from the man above him.

It took a few seconds, but they both nodded as one when the acceptance flowed through them.

With eyes locked and breathing synced, they whispered one word at the same time.

One word that acted as the final stamp on their new bond, their new life moving forward.

"Mate."