"Jungkook-ah, like Jin-hyung said, there is something we need to discuss," Namjoon started and everyone fell silent, "Jungkook, do you know anything about werewolf packs? About soulmates?"

"Uh, no hyung."

"Alright. A pack is like a family destined to be together. To love and support one another and help each other grow. Werewolf packs can have three to ten members which is predicted in the pack mark. A pack mark or a soulmates mark is one that appears on the neck of a werewolf when they meet their soulmate. Each of us have it," Namjoon explained, tilting his head to expose the mark on his neck. At the end of the design, was a tiny '7.'

"The seven you see there tells us that our pack is destined to have seven members," Jimin explained, with a tiny smile on his face.

"So you have yet to meet your seventh member?" Jungkook asked, looking at their tattoos with wide eyes, awestruck.

Taehyung helped Jungkook to his feet and made the younger turn around so that he was facing a glass cupboard.
Confused, Jungkook sent Taehyung a questioning look, unsure what the other wanted him to do.

"Look at your reflection in the glass, Kookie. Really look at it."

And Jungkook did.

What did Taehyung want him to see?

He'd seen himself in the mirror before, he thought to himself as his eyes scanned his reflection in the glass. That's when he saw it.

A mark on his neck.

The same as— Jungkook gasped. His fingers traced the pattern it created. He vaguely remembered the burning sensation he felt before passing out earlier. 

"T-this...I'm t-the seventh member?" Jungkook asked, eyes wide in shock and disbelief.

"Yes Jungkook, you are," Hoseok confirmed, "Taehyung and Jimin were at the coffee house when you passed out and they brought you here. No one else was there besides them. You don't have to worry. No one else saw you."

"But Namjoon-hyung, you just said that the mark appears on the neck of a werewolf. I'm a human. I'm no werewolf. How...How is it—"

"I'm glad you were paying attention. But that's something that we are confused about as much as you are," Namjoon interrupted.

"No werewolf has ever had a human as a soulmate. This is the first time it has happened. We've never heard of anything like this before," Yoongi explained.

"But the soulmates mark is never wrong. Never. You are our soulmate, a part of our pack and our family. But only if you want to be," Hoseok said as he placed a comforting hand on Jungkook's shoulder.

"We cannot force you to become a member of our pack. Sure, we are soulmates but this decision lies in your hands, Jungkook. It's not like you don't have a choice here," Jin said.

"We're not going to force you to stay. Neither are we going to force you to make your decision right now. This is a lot to take in, isn't it? Take as much time as you need, Kookie," Jimin spoke, gently.

Jungkook felt like he would burst out crying any moment. These strangers who he'd met just a few hours back treated him so much better than his own father.

But rushing into things had never done Jungkook any good.

"I'm sorry but I think I would like to get to know you all better before I make that decision. It's kind of a big decision for me to make."

"There's no need to be sorry, pup," Jin said, smiling at the younger.

The nickname made Jungkook feel all warm inside.

"It is a big decision to make. Take as much time as you need," Namjoon said, "Would you like to stay here with us?"

"I think I'll stay at my apartment. I need to think things through."

"Say no more. We understand your need for space. You're welcome to come by here any time you want," Yoongi spoke, handing the boy a piece of paper, "It has our phone numbers on it. Any time you need us, just give us a call. We'll come visit you too. Get to know you better as well."

Jungkook smiled a real smile for the first time in a long time.

"Thank you, hyung."

14 March, 2023