A little later that afternoon, Mark's parents had stood in the centre of the living-room and announced to the household that they had booked their flight back home.

Mr. Lee had explained that they were satisfied with Mark's consistent recovery and that they felt comfortable finally leaving him alone to finish the remaining healing journey by himself.

Mrs. Lee on the other hand had prepared a rather tearful goodbye speech. She stood in the centre of the room with a small smile gracing her lips and tears welled up in her eyes. She took her time glancing at each member of the household in the hope that she would be able to burn their individual features to memory.

Jeno hadn't expected much of a reaction from the rest of the boys, since most of them had been far too nervous to independently approach the elder couple throughout their stay.

However, when Jeno allowed himself an opportunity to actually glance around the room, he was surprised to find that many of the members were holding back tears of their own.

Perhaps the worst of them was Jisung, who had only ever spoken to the elder couple when Jeno was also present in the room. He was very shy and blushed far too often whenever one of them held him in conversation for longer than two minutes. Yet, here he stood right against Suho who had his arms coiled around the youngest's shoulders to comfort him from his own tears.

"I've put some side dishes into the fridge so be sure to eat them all okay?" She concluded her talk with a playful glare. "I told Mark to tell me your honest reviews so remember to enjoy them happily, okay?

"Yes Ma'am!" The room choired together, thanking her by bowing politely together for her hard work.

"Let us help you with your luggage." Renjun rushes to take it upon himself to grab hold of Mr. Lee's suitcase. The others come to follow suit with Haechan grabbing Mrs. Lee's suitcase and Jaemin taking her carry-on. Jisung and Sehun bicker over who gets to bring down the smaller suitcase filled with gifts and food that the housemates had prepared for their departure.

Those who found themselves empty-handed still filled out of the house after them, wanting to linger in the presence of Mark's parents for a little while longer. Chanyeol's truck had been backed up just enough so the truck sat a skip away from the bottom of the staircase.

"I have a question," Mark announces, stopping Chanyeol and Jeno in their steps down the front porch. Jeno turns to look up at his best friend who hadn't even taken the first step down yet. "How do these circling wolves even know that my parents are leaving today? Did someone here tell them about it?"

Jeno's blood ran cold in his veins, his head swirling back to Chanyeol who was standing a few steps closer to the ground. Jeno knew that there was absolutely no way that anyone in the house would do such a thing, but the audacity of Mark saying such a thing was quite surprising. Even with his new personality. Chanyeol's brows were furrowed in the centre of his forehead, but the slight clench of his jaw was enough for Jeno to recognise his hidden anger.

"No one in this house would disrespect me like that." Chanyeol sounds hesitant, like he's calculating what good would come from biting Mark's head clean off.

Jeno had seen his wolf, it was definitely possible.

"They're wolves," Chanyeol continues on, tilting his head back far enough so he can keep his eyes on Mark. "They could hear us talking out here long before Renjun ever put that barrier up. Anytime we were outside the house, they could have overheard us. It's one of the reasons why Jaemin doesn't come outside often, the same way that we don't call for him when we are. Only the people that I allow, can hear what goes on inside our home and that list is extremely small. But you're right, I have no way of actually knowing when they're going to realise that your parents are gone. But I've already had enough surprises this past week to last me a lifetime. So, until they actually do show themselves, we are going to act as if they're going to attack the second your parents do leave."

"But can't they like, hear us, like right now?" Mark gestures to the air around him. "We are outside right now."

Jeno manages to pull his gaze away from Chanyeol long enough to raise his head to the forest on the other side of the cobblestones entryway. He knows deep down that the wolves are further away than just the closest tree-line. He's seen first hand just how large Chanyeol's territory was and how much ground it actually covered. If these wolves were lingering around the border, they weren't going to let themselves be seen as easily as Mark expected.

"No." Chanyeol shakes his head, a frown still set on his lips. "Renjun took care of it. Haechan suggested that they pull the spell to the end of the driveway just to be extra safe. Jeno, I suggest that you and Jaemin try to stay inside the bubble if possible."

"Yeah, that's no problem." Jeno nods his head, offering the best smile he could despite the thick tension in the air around them.

Chanyeol nods his head to acknowledge the confirmation, smiling warmly before he turns his attention back to Mark. His eyes lose their brightness and the smile slips from his lips. His jaw clenches a little more before his gaze turns into a glare that lingers even after he's turned on his heels and continues the rest of the way down the staircase.

"What the hell is with you?" Mark finally takes the step down to join Jeno. "What's up with you just agreeing with everything that happens around here? You agree to protect a hybrid who killed five people last week, and now you're letting Chanyeol prevent your movements around the property. What the hell is going on here?"

"What?" Jeno's head feels like it's on a constant swivel.

When did Mark finally learn about Jaemin's classification?

Jeno immediately turns to the group of werewolves standing on the cobblestones around the car. They all stood poker straight, those who could were staring up at him in shock while those who had their backs to him had squaring shoulders. Jisung was the only one who couldn't control his reaction. He swung around with wide eyes, his face growing pale as he stared up at Mark. His mouth is slightly open, no doubt surprised by Mark's cruel words directed at Jaemin.

"How is it that you just blended in here so easily?" Mark scoffs, crossing his arms against his chest. "How is it that you let these things happen? You never talk to people, you've never been as outgoing with anyone else but me. Why are you being like that with these people? Why the hell are you doing it here?"

"Because these are the people that took you in when you were practically kicking at Death's door. You didn't see yourself that day in the park Mark, you were dying. I brought you here because it felt like the right thing to do and I was desperate to save your sorry ass. In exchange for them keeping you alive, I offered to help out whenever and wherever I can and if that means doing the one thing you say I'm good at - which is protecting someone- then that means that I'll do it!"

Jeno manages to keep his voice calm despite the building anger in his stomach. He gains a grip on his anger, doing well to keep a lid on it because they're surrounded by people who can hear exactly what they're talking about. While Mark's parents were nearby, they wouldn't have been able to hear their words over the wind, but the reaction from the pack will no doubt draw their attention if Jeno doesn't finish this quickly.

"You seem to have forgotten that that hybrid is the only one in this pack who has a target on his back. He's the only one who is getting chased by some whack-job. He killed those people to protect himself and the rest of his pack, which in case you haven't realised also now includes you. Besides," Jeno creeps closer, breeching Mark's personal space bubble. Mark's arms fall from his chest, his eyes widening at Jeno's evident anger. "you forgot that I have also killed two people. The only difference between me and Jaemin is I did it to protect one person each time, he did it for all of us. Now, get your ass down the stairs and go hug your mother goodbye."

Mark looked frustrated, like he was trying to find every curse available to him in all the languages that he knew to be able to throw them right back in Jeno's face.

But he didn't.

He simply stuck his tongue into his cheek and shoves right past him, taking the steps with heavy feet. Jeno stumbled against the narrow step, somehow managing to grab ahold of the railing before he could slip down the staircase.

"Oh Jaemin, darling! Don't look so upset!" Mrs. Lee gushes drawing the boy against her in a warm embrace. Jaemin typically stood taller than the woman by just over a head, but he always crouched down beneath her touch for an embrace. His tear filled eyes are locked on Jeno despite the fact that he was completely surrounded by her. "I don't want to leave either, but if we don't leave right now, then I'm afraid that Chanyeol will have to let us stay permanently!"

"I don't think that any of us would mind that, Mrs. Lee." Chanyeol smiles a charming grin from over Jaemin's shoulders. His words make the poor woman whimper in longing. She playfully glares right back at him. "You and your husband are more than welcome to visit us at any time, whether Mark is here or not."

"Thank you all so much for your hospitality over the past few days." Mr. Lee folds himself into a beautiful ninety-decree bow which he upholds to each of the elder housemates. Chanyeol and the others all respond with bows of their own, their voices echoing like a choir as they all thank him for his stay.

Jeno finally manages to come down the staircase without injuring either himself or the structure. He comes to a complete stop just next to the end of the truck.

Jaemin joins him when Mrs. Lee turns her attention onto the next person in the line of people waiting for her individual goodbyes.

He looks as though there are a thousand things he wants to say, but can't because of their present company. So, Jeno simply offers him a small reassuring smile before taking hold of his hand.

Jaemin immediately tightens their grip, pulling Jeno flush against his side. He offers a small smile of his own to Chanyeol who watches the both of them from the front of the truck where he is conversing with Mark's father. He smiles in their direction. Jaemin's heart picks up the pace in his chest.

"Darling, please let me know when you're settled back into the dormitory." Mrs. Lee held onto her son's face, her slender fingers gently caressing Mark's jawline. "I want you to continue to listen to Yixing until you're ready to finally go back, but not a moment sooner. Do not do anything drastic and continue to keep these lovely new friends of yours close, they're a beautiful bunch of boys."

"I will." Mark smiles, drawing her closer for one last hug.

When she finally pulls away from him, she turns to look over at Jeno who is the only one that she hasn't had the opportunity to speak to just yet. He smiles at her, feeling Jaemin's fingers tighten against his palm before dropping completely.

They all expect her to come walking straight up to him and squish his cheeks like she has done every night since she has arrived on their doorstep. Instead her lips form a thin line and her eyes glisten with a hidden emotion that Jeno couldn't familiarize himself with.

"You," she points straight at him with her index finger. "in the car."

Jeno can feel Jaemin stiffen right next to him, the warmth of his body drawing closer as if he plans to slip in front of Jeno if she decides to come too close.

Jeno's mind snaps through all the potential moments over the past couple of days that would have warranted such aggression, but even his mind seems to think that this is out of the ordinary as it doesn't provide him with anything from their previous interactions.

Had she possibly overheard their quarrel on the staircase?

Sensing his concern and Jaemin's obvious panic, Mrs. Lee playfully rolls her eyes. "I just want to have a private conversation with you," she explains. "you know," she gestures towards the boys. "away from all of the ears here?"

Mr. Lee comes to open the right back door of Chanyeol's truck, his face a little pale as he gestures for Jeno to get inside. "Best to just do as she says son."

Without any further prompting from the man, Jeno quickly makes himself useful. The door slams closed behind him. He watches as Mr. Lee rushes around the bed of the truck to come and open the opposite door. He offers his wife a smile as he helps her inside, the lady taking it upon herself to slam the door closed behind her.

Jeno takes a quick glance out his window where Jaemin still stands unsure of how to process the situation. He still looks like he's ready for battle but his front teeth are pressed against his lower lip and his fingers are fiddling with each other by his waist again.

Jeno offers him a caring smile, sending him a wink for good measure. It seems to have worked. Immediately after, Jaemin's cheeks blossom that beautiful pink and his gaze falls to the ground. His fingers abandon their meddling and Jeno's heart drums a content rhythm.

"You're a good boy Jeno." Mrs. Lee begins, snapping Jeno back to his life in the car. He blinks at her, unsure what their conversation will consist of. "I have known you for most of your young adult life and I'm so proud of the man that you've become, so I feel confident asking you this question."

"Mrs. Lee?" Jeno doesn't want to admit it, but he is terrified about what she could bring up. The scope of their relationship expanded since his final year in middle school, which was a long time to cover in a single conversation.

"You don't need to explain anything." She sighs, looking toward the front window of the truck.

Jeno was pretty sure that they've discussed his sexuality before, so what was this conversation going to consist of?

He notices how the boys have all come to gather around the front of the bumper, no doubt straining to hear their conversation through the thick metal. Jeno finds himself feeling a little exposed beneath their glances but he trusts that the metal wouldn't reveal anything useful.

"Frankly, I don't think that you would be allowed to do so in this situation. But I need to know something. I know that boys can change with the introduction of certain hormones, and how an additional growth sprout may call for shifting personalities blah blah." She waves her hand and Jeno secretly finds himself thankful that he isn't getting a lecture... yet. "But this is different. My son has changed in such a way that no one but a mother can tell. Like I said, I don't need to know the details... I only ask, is he still the same Mark that you grew up with?"

Jeno can't help but let out a thankful sigh of relief. He allows himself to collapse against the headrest, his eyes never once slipping from Mrs. Lee's gaze. This conversation wasn't covering Jeno. She was concerned about Mark and his sudden shift.

He knows that he should have been terrified by the idea of Mrs. Lee figuring out what had happened. But he wasn't. In fact Jeno felt relieved to know that she had also picked up on the way Mark has been acting lately.

If anything, her questions made the weight of the world slip from his shoulders. She didn't want to know the gory details, probably having realised a while ago that Jeno would never be able to give them to her for her own protection. So, she would only ask the necessary questions, the ones that actually meant something to her.

"Not exactly." He agrees, watching as the tension instantly seeps from her shoulders. "He is still the same guy, but he's dealing with a lot of complicated things at the moment."

"I figured as such." She nods her head, finally pulling her gaze away from the front way. Jeno smiles when she finally turns to face him again. "I haven't... I haven't lost him, have I?"

The impression was evident.

She knew a lot more than she was letting on.

Jeno takes her hand.

"No." She delicately dabs at her eyes.

"Is he safe here?" She sniffles, looking up at him through blood-shot eyes. "I know the boys are lovely, and I trust them, I do. It's just... I need to leave here knowing that he's going to be okay."

"The life that we have entered is extremely complicated." Jeno decides to choose his words carefully, but they still peak the lady's interest regardless. She huddles closer, still sniffling but the tears don't fall. "I wasn't entirely prepared for what we would find when I brought him here, but I can promise you this. The people here," he turns to look out the window, smiling slightly when he catches them all sending the car a nervous glance. Jisung wears a small pout on his lips from his inability to hear his words. "The people here are fighters. Their main priority is to protect each other and while we were outsiders in the beginning, we really have found comfort here. We couldn't have been in a safer place then right here."

"You've finally found a home." Her words make Jeno snap his attention back to her, his eyes wide as she giggles at his reaction. "Am I wrong? I've seen the way that you operate here. You care for these people, and you protect them just like you say that they do for you and Mark. After eight years you've finally allowed yourself to feel at home somewhere. You've found a family. And," she straightens up a little, a glint of mischief in her eye as she stares out the front window. "Perhaps you've even found love?"

Jeno groans as her laugh rattles the car. Her body trembles at his misery but Jeno knows that she means well. Her grip on his hand tightens, her laughter lingering in the air to let her words settle.

"He's a cute one." She admits, pursing her lips. "I have a feeling that he might even idolize you. Turns out that those muscles of yours are clearly good for something."

"Am I really that obvious?" Jeno huffs, watching as Jaemin comes to stand right next to the group.

He chances a glance through the window and a grin quickly spreads along his lips when Mrs. Lee waves her free hand at him. He waves back happily, the boys around him chuckling. Jeno's cheeks flush.

"Honestly?" She questions, thinking it over for a moment. "Not really. But I've known you most of your life so I know when a wall is slowly breaking. I can assure you that he feels the same though. I saw it the first night that I came here and I've continued to see it every day since then. This new world of yours might be terrifying and complicated and you might still be finding your feet amongst it, but can you promise me something else?"

"Tell me what it is first." Jeno demands, though there is no real fire behind it. Mrs. Lee laughs at his hesitance.

"Promise me, that when you're ready... you'll finally allow yourself to open up to love. You've spent your whole life alone Jeno, it's about time that you start allowing yourself to open up to the idea."

"Well," Jeno hums at the thought, finding himself smiling at the idea of it all.

He turns his attention back to Jaemin whose gaze still lingers on the car. His brows are furrowed in quiet frustration because even he can't seem to penetrate the metal. Jeno finds his heart racing in his chest when he finally realizes that it's officially okay to say it. No one but Mrs. Lee would hear.

"If there is someone who I would open my heart up to... it would be Jaemin." He admits and the feeling that devours him afterwards is euphoric.

The squeal of delight breaks his eye contact and Jeno is forced to laugh alongside her. She collides against his side and draws him into a tight embrace.

"Oh!" She screams. "You don't know how long I have prayed to hear you say that! Emma would be so proud of you."

At the mention of his guardian, Jeno finds himself tearing up. He hadn't heard her name be muttered aloud in so long. His breath catches but he still tries to force the tears away by rapidly blinking his eyelashes. Mrs. Lee still manages to catch him though, before he can compose himself.

"Speaking of Emma," she sighs, reaching up to gently caress Jeno's cheek with the back of the same index finger that she had threatened him with. "Richard and I found some stuff belonging to her a few months ago. We weren't sure how to tell you, but then we thought that it might be a good idea to give them to you as a graduation present. I would have brought something with me, but in the chaos of booking the red eye and packing, I couldn't find the time. Would you like for me to send them to your dormitory when I get back?"

"Oh..." Jeno sniffs, pleased to find that the tears listened this time. He drew a deep breath, deciding to withhold the unfortunate news from her caring hands. "No," he offers a delicate smile at her immediate frown. "No, the dorm is far too small for that. Would you mind sending them here? It's just that, I trust Chanyeol and the others to keep them safe for me while I'm studying."

"I understand." She reaches forward and presses her puckered lips against his cheek. "My brave boy." Jeno smiles beneath the praise. "Now," she draws back into her side of the car, wiping at her own tears before clapping her hands. "There is one more thing that I wanted to ask you about before I leave." Jeno hums. "My son. What the hell is going on between him, Renjun, and Haechan?"

"Ah..." Jeno can't help but laugh, unable to contain it. "I don't think I can explain everything in time for you to make your flight."

"Bugger." She pouts. "But you do admit it? Is there a situation going on there? My eyes haven't completely failed me yet, right?"

"I will definitely find out for you and keep you updated." Jeno raises his hand in a perfect soldier salute which makes the woman beside him titter with giggles.

"I knew that I could count on you, my darling." She pinches his cheek in that lovable gesture she adores to do. Jeno groans at it like he always does which makes her smile wider. "Now," she lifts her hand and opens the truck's door. "Follow me."

Jeno gets out of the car as instructed and follows the older woman towards the back of the truck. Mr. Lee meets them there with a sly smile on his lips. He gestures to the bed of the truck with his head, eyes sparkling. All of the boys come to gather around them, Mark watching the events unfold by Jeno's side.

"We couldn't help but notice that you've been playing football with Jisung almost every day that we've been here." Mr. Lee begins, throwing his arm over the back of the truck. "So Anne thought that it might be a good idea to find you both another sport to partake in together."

"I spoke with Jongdae," Mrs. Lee continues, smiling happily as her husband withdraws the gift. "He recommended that we go with the aluminum design as it would be the best to buy due to its durability. It won't break as easily as those pesky wooden ones!"

Jeno accepts the metal and eyes the bright red bow on the handle. He smiles as he turns to the woman who slyly winks in his direction.

"Besides, I personally think that it would make a fine weapon-"

"Anne!" Mr. Lee gasps, his eyes wide as he pulls his wife to his side. "Don't say such things. We don't want the boy going to look for trouble!"

"You never know darling," Anne shrugs her shoulders, secretly relishing in the air of panic he had released to the group. "It's a very dangerous world out there."

"Thank you." Jeno comes forward to lightly press a small kiss to her cheek. Her blush takes up most of her face as she stammers out a gleeful response. "I will definitely be putting this to good use."

"I'm delighted to hear it." She nods her head before turning to look at Jongdae who had volunteered to be the one to drive them back to the airport. "Mind yourselves, all of you." She lectures, glancing around the group with a playfully stern expression on her face. "I want to be able to come back here one day to all of your happy faces."

"Keep in contact with us." Mr. Lee addresses the group, a small smile of his own plastered against his lips at the positive response.

Everyone watches as they jump up into Chanyeol's truck. Jongdae lingered behind to speak a few more words to Chanyeol before he too jumped inside. The roar of the engine made a few of the boys wince, but they each held smiles as they waved the couple goodbye.

They all watched as the van turned onto the main road leading off of Chanyeol's property, holding their breaths for what they all knew was to come.

"So now what?" Mark's voice lingers with a sense of boredom, his arms crossed against his chest. Jeno manages to gently nudge him in the ribcage with his elbow, not wanting to use the bat so soon. Mark turns to glare at him. "I was only asking!"

"You've been only asking this entire afternoon!" Haechan snaps spinning on his heel sending cobblestones flying. "What the hell is your problem? Why the hell did you talk about Jaemin like that!?"

"Because I'm trying to understand why my best friend is suddenly the most important person here!" Mark bites back, his arms falling to his sides and his hands forming fists. "I'm the new werewolf, he's the hybrid," he points over at Jaemin who is being held back by Sehun's arm. "You're the omega who should be an Alpha," He glares over at Chanyeol who isn't even looking at him. "So why the hell is everyone so interested in Jeno?"

"Because he's not being a prick!" Renjun hisses, the vein in his neck thrumming with life. "At least Jeno actually seems like he's interested in finding out more about this new life that you're both now living in. What the hell have you learned since you've been here that he hasn't told you?"

"You guys are not doing this right now." Jeno cuts through the conversation with ease. He looks at them all individually, pausing on Mark and Renjun a little longer. "Not when we are waiting for another attack by werewolves."

"Oh brilliant let's just let Jaemin off his leash to deal with it."

"What the hell is your problem with me Mark?" Jaemin shouts, now fully struggling against Sehun's hold. "What the hell have I done to you?"

"Stolen Jeno apparently." Haechan scoffs, shaking his head.

Jeno manages to wrap his arm around Mark's chest before his best friend could cross the cobblestones and attack.

"That's enough." Jeno growls, feeling Mark sag against his chest. "This is ridiculous and completely unnecessary right now. You're all wolves so knock off the territory debate before I knock all of your heads together. We will talk about this after we deal with the wolves, understood?"

"Yeah." Renjun replies immediately, shaking only slightly at the burning rage hidden within Jeno's gaze.

"Okay." Jaemin nods his head, still looking upset about the whole ordeal. Jeno makes a mental note to get Mark and the others to apologize to him later.

"Oi." He lifts the bat and points it at Haechan while he gently shakes his hold on Mark.

"Alright, fine." Haechan huffs, arms crossing against his chest.

"Whatever." Mark grumbles.

"Looks like we won't have to wait for them," Chanyeol sighs, raising his head towards the forest in front of them. "They've just crossed into the territory."

His words rang out in silence.

Jeno drops his hold on Mark and starts moving in Jaemin's direction. The hybrid meets him half-way at the same time that Sehun crowds up next to Jisung.

Hearts thundered and breathing hitched.

Jeno tightens his hold on the handle of his new bat, his other hand subconsciously reaching for Jaemin's hand. Their fingers link together, their eyes locked on the tree-line.

"Jeno," Chanyeol calls from across the cobblestones. "take Jaemin into the house. Now."