The grand mansion stood behind you like an ancient guardian, its vast expanse a silent witness to your growing curiosity. You had said your goodbyes to Lee Know, feeling a contented warmth from the reassurance he'd given you. Now, the day was yours to explore. The compound was enormous, and the forest that lay just beyond it seemed to beckon with its quiet allure. The trees stood tall and proud, their branches swaying in the wind, as if urging you to venture deeper into their embrace.

The crunch of fallen leaves beneath your feet was the only sound that accompanied you as you wandered further into the woods. The scent of pine and earth mingled with the crisp, cool air, and you breathed it in deeply, feeling a sense of peace wash over you. Your senses were alive, alert to every rustle in the distance, the way the sunlight filtered through the canopy, casting dappled shadows on the forest floor.

Halfway through your exploration, the serenity of the forest was suddenly shattered by a sharp snap of a branch underfoot. The noise was unmistakable—someone was out there, and they were not trying to be discreet. Your heart rate quickened, a familiar tension coursing through your veins. Your instincts surged to the forefront, a deep, guttural growl slipping from your throat as your body responded in kind.

In an instant, you were no longer human. Your body shifted in a surge of power, your bones elongating and reshaping, muscles rippling as your indoraptor form took hold. Your scales glistened white in the filtered sunlight, sharp and sleek, reflecting the faint glow of the forest. Quills rose from your back, stiff and threatening, as your eyes narrowed in the direction of the noise. Your senses were razor-sharp now—every scent, every movement, amplified.

Through the brush, a figure emerged. A wolf. But it wasn't any of the ones you were familiar with. The creature's fur was sleek, almost too perfect, and its scent was alien—there was no trace of your pack's familiar musk. It was a wild, primal thing, but still... wrong.

Your muscles tensed, every fiber of your being ready to strike. Your eyes locked onto the wolf, every instinct telling you to defend yourself. But just as quickly as it had appeared, the wolf shifted. Bones cracked and reformed in a blur of motion, and before you could react, the creature was replaced by a man.

A young man, his long blonde hair flowing like a golden river down his back. His face was kind, almost gentle, with a warmth in his eyes that immediately struck you as different from the usual threats you encountered. He took a cautious step forward, his hands open in a gesture of peace.

"Hey, take it easy, sweet girl," he said, his voice smooth and soothing, almost melodic. "I'm not here to hurt you."

Your growl rumbled deeper in your chest, but despite the wariness that still gripped you, you found yourself stepping closer, eyes still wary but your stance slightly less defensive. His hands remained outstretched, his body language relaxed. You could sense something in him—something that felt genuine. His scent still carried the telltale traces of werewolf pheromones, but there was no malice behind them, no intent to harm. Slowly, cautiously, you leaned in, sniffing his hand. The smell was still unfamiliar, but there was nothing dangerous about it.

You hesitated, your teeth still bared, but your instincts relaxed just enough. The man's calm energy was infectious. You took another step back, and with a fluid motion, your body shifted again, the indoraptor form fading as you returned to your human shape. You tucked a stray piece of hair behind your ear, the cool breeze brushing against your skin, as you stood face-to-face with the stranger.

"Who are you?" you asked, your voice still laced with a note of caution, though your tone had softened.

The man smiled, a friendly, easy smile that seemed to reach his eyes. "Seonghwa," he said, his voice low and steady. "I'm the deputy of the Blood Star pack. We're friends with your Stray Kids."

The mention of Stray Kids immediately caught your attention. You had no doubt that Lee Know and the others had some connections you weren't fully aware of. The Blood Star pack... You had heard of them in passing, but never enough to know their full story.

You studied Seonghwa for a moment longer, the tension in your body easing, though you remained cautious. His presence didn't feel threatening, but the woods held their secrets, and you weren't one to let your guard down so easily.

"Why are you here?" you asked, curiosity mixing with the remnants of your wariness. "You're far from your pack."

Seonghwa's smile widened, though there was a certain glint in his eyes that hinted at something more than just the casual encounter it seemed to be. "I heard there was a certain someone out here exploring the woods," he said, his voice playful but sincere. "I thought I'd introduce myself. Plus, I wanted to make sure you're alright after... everything that happened."

You felt a flicker of understanding pass between you. He had heard about the recent trouble, about the tensions and the need for protection. His appearance, though unexpected, now seemed to make more sense. He was here to check in, to make sure you were safe.

"Thank you," you said, your voice softening. "I appreciate it."

Seonghwa nodded, his expression earnest. "It's the least I can do. You're not alone out here, not by a long shot. If you ever need anything, the Blood Star pack is here."

You smiled faintly, feeling the weight of his words settle in. The world felt a little less heavy, knowing that you had friends you could count on, even in the most unexpected places.

Seonghwa extended his hand toward you, his expression warm and inviting, yet there was a playful twinkle in his eyes. "Shall we?" he asked, his voice steady, yet carrying a hint of excitement. "I'd like to meet Chan and the rest of your friends."

For a brief moment, you hesitated, still processing the unexpected encounter. But then, the sense of reassurance that had settled in your chest—his calm demeanor, his sincerity—made you smile. You could tell he wasn't just a stranger in the woods, but someone with good intentions. His connection with Stray Kids, and his status as the deputy of the Blood Star pack, spoke volumes.

You nodded, a soft but genuine smile forming on your lips. Without hesitation, you grasped his hand, feeling the strength and warmth in his grip. His skin was smooth, and the subtle, earthy scent of his werewolf nature lingered faintly in the air, a reminder that you weren't alone in this world of shifting creatures and hidden packs.

"Come on," you said, giving his hand a gentle squeeze as you began to lead him back toward the pack's house. The forest seemed to whisper around you, the soft rustling of leaves and distant birdcalls filling the air as you walked side by side.

The mansion was still visible in the distance, but the path through the trees was quieter now, more intimate. Seonghwa matched your pace, a comfortable silence falling between you two as you walked. Every now and then, he glanced over at you with a friendly, knowing smile, as though trying to gauge how much you were willing to share about your life, your friends, and the bonds that connected you all.

As you neared the mansion, the scent of the garden and the familiar ambiance of home grew closer, grounding you in a sense of comfort. You could already see the outlines of Chan's figure through one of the windows, and you felt the warmth of your friends nearby, knowing that they were waiting inside.

Once you reached the front door, you turned to Seonghwa with a reassuring smile. "You'll like them," you said softly. "They're all good people."

He chuckled, his expression softening as he nodded. "I'm sure of it. Anyone who's connected to you has to be."

You reached for the doorknob, opening it with a sense of anticipation bubbling inside you. You knew this was just the beginning of something new—a new connection between you, Seonghwa, and the Blood Star pack. And perhaps even a deeper bond between the two packs, one founded on mutual respect and trust.

As you stepped inside, the sounds of chatter and laughter greeted you. The familiar voices of your friends drifted from the living room, and Seonghwa's eyes flicked toward the sound, his curiosity evident. You led him in with ease, your hand still in his as you walked through the threshold. Chan, Felix, Hyunjin, and the rest of the crew turned to look at you, their expressions softening when they noticed Seonghwa beside you.

"Hey," you said, voice warm and inviting, "this is Seonghwa. He's from the Blood Star pack. Seonghwa, meet Chan, Felix, and the others."

Seonghwa offered a polite bow of his head, his smile never faltering. "It's an honor to meet you all. I've heard much about you."

Chan, ever the warm host, smiled brightly and extended his hand. "It's great to finally meet you, Seonghwa. We've heard a lot about the Blood Star pack, too."

Felix nodded eagerly, his friendly grin never fading. "Glad to have you here," he said. Hyunjin, with his usual playful nature, raised an eyebrow, but gave Seonghwa a welcoming look as well.

The atmosphere was easygoing, relaxed, and full of the camaraderie that you'd grown used to. The bond between you and your friends, as well as the sense of unity with the Blood Star pack, was something that filled you with peace. You could sense that, in time, this meeting would lead to new friendships and strengthen the connections between the two packs.

As you all settled in, sharing stories, laughing over inside jokes, and enjoying each other's company, you couldn't help but feel a sense of gratitude for everything that had led you to this moment—an unexpected but perfectly fitting connection between you, Seonghwa, and the rest of your loved ones.

And as the hours passed, you realized that the future, like the forest you had wandered into, was full of endless possibilities.