The fluorescent lights hum overhead in the crowded cafeteria as you sit with Samiro, picking at your lunch. You sense a shift in the atmosphere before you see them - Mia and her friends approaching with purposeful strides. Your stomach tightens, remembering your last encounter.

Mia's eyes lock onto yours, cold and calculating. In her hand, steam rises from an open tea bottle. With deliberate slowness, she raises it above your head. But you're faster than she expected - your hand shoots up, fingers wrapping firmly around her wrist.

"I wouldn't if I were you," you say, voice steady despite your racing heart. The cafeteria seems to hold its breath, watching.

The tension crackles between you as you maintain your grip - firm but controlled. "Let's both walk away from this," you say evenly, slowly releasing her wrist. "Neither of us wants trouble."

Mia takes a step back, clutching her arm to her chest, her earlier bravado cracking. The tea bottle trembles in her other hand, but she keeps it upright. The crowd of onlooking students shifts uncomfortably, sensing the weight of this moment.

You turn back to your lunch tray, meeting Samiro's wide-eyed gaze. He lets out a low whistle as Mia and her group retreat, their heels clicking against the linoleum floor.

"That was intense," he murmurs, pushing his bag of chips toward you in a show of solidarity.

You shrug, trying to keep your hands from shaking as the adrenaline subsides. "Sometimes you have to stand your ground," you say, reaching for a chip. The regular buzz of cafeteria chatter slowly resumes around you, though you can feel curious eyes still darting your way.

🐉

A gleaming sports car purrs to a stop beside you, its black paint catching the late afternoon sun. The window rolls down smoothly, revealing two familiar faces - Jisung behind the wheel, his signature silver rings glinting as he grips the steering wheel, and Lee Know lounging in the passenger seat with that characteristic lazy smile.

"Babe," Jisung calls out, pushing his sunglasses up into his dark hair.

You can't help but smile at the sight of them. "Boys, what are you doing?" you ask, adjusting your backpack strap as you lean toward the open window. The rich leather interior and faint scent of cologne wafts out.

You slide into the plush back seat, dropping your backpack beside you as Lee Know pulls the door shut. The car glides back into motion, Jisung expertly navigating through the after-school traffic.

"We heard how you told Mia off today, y/n," Lee Know says, twisting in his seat to face you better. His eyes sparkle with amusement. "Good work."

You feel your cheeks warm slightly at the praise. "News travels fast, huh?"

"Please," Jisung chuckles, catching your eye in the rearview mirror. "The whole school was talking about it by third period. About time someone stood up to her."

The late afternoon sun streams through the windows as you cruise through familiar streets, the three of you falling into easy conversation. There's something comforting about being here with them, the tension from earlier melting away in the safety of their company.

Through the car window, you spot two wolves darting playfully across the front lawn - one with sleek golden fur that catches the sunlight like honey, unmistakably Hyunjin, and another with a darker coat speckled with silver, Felix in his wolf form. They're chasing each other in spirited circles, tails wagging.

"Those two," Lee Know sighs fondly as Jisung pulls into the driveway. "Always showing off."

The wolves pause their game at the sound of the car, ears perking up. Felix bounds over, tongue lolling out in a wolfish grin, while Hyunjin shakes out his magnificent coat before trotting after him.

"Bae," Hyunjin calls out, his voice warm and inviting. The setting sun catches his golden skin and long dark hair, creating an almost ethereal glow around him. He's already pulled on the spare clothes he keeps stashed outside for these occasions - a loose white shirt that flows in the gentle breeze.

You step out of the car, unable to keep the smile off your face. Felix, still in his wolf form, circles your legs affectionately, his fur brushing against you.

"Had fun playing puppy?" you tease Hyunjin, who responds with that heart-melting smile of his.

"You know me," he says, running a hand through his slightly disheveled hair. "Can't resist a good run with Felix when the weather's this nice."

The warm aroma of home cooking envelops you as you step inside. Chan and Changbin are in the kitchen, moving in perfect sync as they prepare dinner. Chan's stirring something that smells divine while Changbin chops vegetables with practiced precision, his sleeves rolled up to show his toned arms.

"Perfect timing!" Chan calls out, his dimpled smile brightening as he sees you. "We're making kimchi stew."

"And don't forget my special fried rice," Changbin adds proudly, pausing his chopping to wipe his brow. The kitchen counter is covered in various ingredients, steam rising from multiple pots.

Felix, now back in human form and dressed, bounces in behind you, immediately trying to sneak a taste before Chan playfully swats his hand away with a wooden spoon.

You sink into a chair at the kitchen table, taking in the scene before you with a full heart. Each of them moves through the space in their own way - Chan's nurturing presence as he tastes the stew, Changbin's focused intensity at the cutting board, Felix's playful energy as he sets the table, Hyunjin's graceful movements as he helps arrange dishes, Jisung and Lee Know bickering good-naturedly over how to properly season the rice.

Your boys. Your mates. Each one unique, each one precious.

You remember when you first met them, and now here you are, part of this extraordinary family. The golden afternoon light streams through the windows, catching on Chan's silver earrings, highlighting Hyunjin's elegant profile, warming Felix's freckled cheeks.

The air is filled with the sounds of their laughter, the clinking of dishes, the sizzle of cooking food - the soundtrack of home. How did you get so lucky to find not just one soulmate, but seven?

From the hallway emerges Jeongin, still adorably sleepy from his afternoon nap, hair slightly mussed. Right behind him is Seungmin, adjusting his glasses with that endearing scholarly air about him. Their faces light up when they see you.

"Love, there you are," Seungmin says warmly, sliding into the chair next to you while Jeongin drapes himself over your shoulders in a gentle back hug. "How was school?"

"Besides putting Mia in her place," Jeongin adds with a mischievous grin, clearly already having heard about the cafeteria incident. Despite being the youngest, he never misses a beat of gossip.

The kitchen feels complete now with all nine of you together - the air humming with affection and the comfort of being with your pack. Chan starts bringing dishes to the table while Changbin puts the finishing touches on his fried rice.

"Just fine," you reply softly, giving each of them a gentle kiss. Seungmin's cheeks turn that characteristic shade of pink that always appears when you show him affection, while Jeongin ducks his head shyly, a sweet smile playing on his lips.

"Yah, save some kisses for after dinner," Chan teases from the stove, though his fond smile shows he's not really scolding. The others laugh, the sound filling the kitchen with warmth.

The table's nearly set now, steam rising from the various dishes as your pack settles in around you - your perfect circle of nine, each bringing their own special light to your shared home.