Archive of Our Own

Chapter Text

       Wooyoung races to catch up, frantically flipping through the thick yellow pages of his spellbook. The chilly breeze bites at him, and he feels doubt begin to sprout like weeds in his chest. It's been ages since the last full moon - well, okay, just a few days - when he last used magic, and the results weren’t exactly enchanting.

       “Yunho, slow down!”

       He didn’t even have a chance to tell Yunho about the apocalypse he almost brought onto Earth in an attempt to pass his Advanced Techniques in Charms and Arcane Artistry midterm. Yunho didn’t give him any time at all, really. Wooyoung only had a few minutes to rummage through his spell books before he found himself unceremoniously dragged out the door.

       Even though he spent the past few hours memorizing the cure, Wooyoung feels a persistent knot of anxiety gnawing at his stomach. He repeatedly scans the instructions sprawled across the pages of the book, praying to the mystical gods and goddesses above that he won't inadvertently summon a swarm of bats or transform his socks into jellyfish.

       Wooyoung has always been a confident spellcaster, the kind of confidence that effortlessly landed him a full ride to one of the best universities for magical studies. It was within the ivy-covered walls of this institution that he crossed paths with Yunho, a charming Lore major with an infectious smile who just so happened to moonlight as a werewolf. Meeting a werewolf in the city is as rare as finding a four-leaf clover, and Wooyoung couldn’t help but be captivated by Yunho’s charm from the very start. They clicked like magic, becoming instant best friends. 

       Until a few minutes ago, Wooyoung had never even fathomed being introduced to Yunho’s pack. The thought of it causes his usual air of confidence to waver. He can't help but wonder how they'll receive him. Wooyoung doesn't necessarily have the most friendly personality, but he promised Yunho he would try to behave. His nervousness isn't just about meeting a pack of werewolves for the first time - it's also tangled up with the memory of his little mishap that occurred just a few days ago. Wooyoung tries to shake off the unease that threatens to cling to him.

       Wooyoung never tried digging up information about Yunho’s pack - he never pressured Yunho into talking about them, either. After all, wolves and magic users alike had been misunderstood for centuries. He felt a sort of kinship with Yunho for this reason. He never wanted to break Yunho’s trust by asking too many questions about his personal life.

       Yet Wooyoung’s curiosity simmers, almost boiling over as he follows Yunho further and further out of the city.

       In hindsight, he probably should have asked more questions.

       Nestled on the grassy hills on the outskirts of the city just beyond reach of the forest lay the small suburb that the werewolves call home. Wolves don’t necessarily roll out the welcome mat for just anyone; unless you’re among the rare, fortunate few to be adopted by a pack, outsiders aren’t welcome.

       But tonight, there is an emergency.

       Wooyoung dashes to keep up with Yunho’s pace, whose Eiffel Tower legs cover much more ground with every step. Even though they could have turned the long walk into a quick ten-minute broom ride, Wooyoung couldn’t shake his paralyzing fear of heights long enough to get them to their destination safely. As Yunho continues to power-walk ahead with no intention of slowing down, Wooyoung can’t help but feel a little flustered.

       Yunho, considerate even in his hysteria, offered to let Wooyoung ride on him in his wolf form. But the last time they attempted that stunt, Wooyoung lost grip on his fur and got a concussion. So, speed walking it is.

       He sighs nervously, eyes flicking up from the pages of sigils and archaic languages to make sure he isn’t falling behind. Meeting Yunho’s pack is like meeting someone’s parents for the first time. Except in this case, the “parents” are his friends and a handful of relatives who could rip his throat out if he breathed at them wrong. Needless to say, Wooyoung wants them to like him. But then again, when it comes to likability, Wooyoung is nothing if not an overachiever.

       If they are anything like Yunho, he has nothing to be worried about. He was always touched by how genuinely interested Yunho seemed to be in his magic. And when it mattered, Yunho remembered. He came to Wooyoung for help in a panic, giving him almost no time to prepare before he began hauling him out of his apartment and into the streets.

       Yunho stops.

       Wooyoung runs into Yunho’s back and falls backward, cursing loudly when he drops his spell book into the dew-frosted grass. He had no idea they were so far out of the city already. The busy, concrete roads had given way to the rolling meadows and scattered forest of the city limits.

       “Fuck, Yuyu, give me some warning,” he complains, hands sinking into the wet grass to push himself upright and onto his feet. He picks up his now dewy book and flicks his hand, scattering the water droplets off the weathered pages.

       Silence.

       He feels the tension before he feels their stares.

       Looking up, Yunho is nowhere to be found. The wide back of his friend has been replaced with a pale face glaring at him.

       Wooyoung's eyes shoot open, pupils dilating like a startled cat. Before him stands a loose circle of wolves, their eyes gleaming with an untamed intensity that makes the hairs on the back of his neck stand on end.

       Wooyoung’s memory jogs as he vaguely recognizes them from Yunho’s Instagram posts. He can hardly recognize them because, in the darkness, they all look like they want to eat him whole. That’s right. These must be the most important members of the pack - not necessarily all alphas. The 'circle' is what they call themselves. Yunho told him they got rid of the whole ‘only alphas can lead a pack’ thing decades ago.

       The silence is deafening. Wooyoung wants to say something, but decides against it, remembering the instructions Yunho gave him when they began their walk.

       “Don’t lie. Don’t be sarcastic. Don’t make any sudden movements. Don’t give them any of your usual attitude-“

       Wooyoung let out a nervous laugh. “Damn, that’s a long list, Yunho.”

       “Wooyoung, listen,” Yunho sighed in frustration. “Sorry, sorry. I’m just nervous. I never thought...”

       He paused. The reflections in his eyes swirled when tears formed out of stress. Yunho seemed to be just as unprepared as Wooyoung for this meeting, fidgeting throughout his haste to hurry the two of them out of the city. “Just be careful. They have a hard time trusting people. Oh, and one more thing-”

       Wooyoung glanced at his friend, trying to maintain his composure. “I can handle a few werewolves. Trust me, I’ll be fine. You’ve been rambling since we started walking. What else could you possibly have to warn me about?”

       Yunho gave him an apologetic look.

       “They can smell your fear.”

       Wooyoung snaps back to the present when a pungent scent invades his senses. Werewolves operate on their sense of smell, each one having their own unique scent as distinctive as a fingerprint that changes with their mood. The combined scent of the gathered wolves wafted over him like a wave of decaying firewood. Even Yunho's typically fresh, citrusy scent starts to waver, tainted by the palpable aura of nervousness that hangs in the air.

       The silence begins to wear him down. Maybe they were testing him, or maybe they were simply taking a moment to size him up. Regardless, Wooyoung can’t help himself.

       “Where the fuck did all of you come from?” He snaps, protectively holding his tote bag and spellbook close to his body.

       He hears Yunho’s voice call his name impatiently. Wooyoung turns his head to see Yunho waiting off to the side, giving him a look that screams ‘please for the love of god shut up’.

       The pale werewolf stops in front of Wooyoung, unfazed by his snappy tone as if he were looking down on a disobedient pup. He tilts his head, blue hair curling at the ends like the corners of his mouth curl into a grin. “Now, now, outsider. Barking won’t make a bite.”

       Hongjoong. The name pulls itself out of the dark reaches of Wooyoung’s mind and his body tenses involuntarily. Although he never went into too much detail about his pack, Yunho has mentioned the name of their blue-haired leader in passing many times. Whether or not werewolves can actually smell fear, Wooyoung is convinced that his increasingly tight grip on his belongings is a dead giveaway of his anxiety.

       “Yunho has told us a lot about you,” Hongjoong smiles, but it’s not inviting at all. His words take on an icy edge, each syllable slipping out like frosted daggers. Listening to his voice is like being caught in a sudden blizzard - unexpected, chilly, and giving him the urge to run somewhere safe.

       “I’m flattered,” Wooyoung mumbles, standing his ground as the leader steps into his personal space. “I would say the same, but all I know about you is that you like your secrets.”

       “I see my reputation precedes me.”

       Wooyoung scoffs. “So does your smell. Do you bathe?”

       Yunho steps forward to apologize, but one look from Hongjoong stops him in his tracks. “Hongjoong,” Yunho whispers, hands raised tentatively, “I know, I’m sorry. That’s just his personality. Don’t provoke him. I meant it when I said he’s the only one that can save him.”

       Hongjoong’s veiled expression gives no insight into his consideration of Yunho’s words. Tension hangs in the air; all anyone can decipher is the subtle flicker of contemplation in Hongjoong’s eyes as he turns them back toward Wooyoung.

       “How can we trust you?”

       Wooyoung shifts uncomfortably, unsure of how to answer. “I mean… I haven’t attacked you yet.”

       His joke is met with blank stares. Okay, so they don’t like jokes.

       Hongjoong takes another step towards him. “You are a stranger in our territory right now. Yunho is the only reason why you’re still standing in one piece. I will give you one more chance to answer my question. How can we trust you?”

       Wooyoung begins to lean away, trying to calm his rising frustration with the intrusion into his personal space. He closes his eyes, taking deep breaths. Do it for Yunho. That’s just how wolves are. That’s just how wolves are-

       He opens his eyes, watching as Hongjoong - who is now inches away from him - dips his head towards Wooyoung’s neck to take in his scent.

       Startled, he instinctively stumbles back a step, putting his hands up defensively. “Fuck, dude, are you trying to smell my thoughts?” Wooyoung stammers, his voice a mixture of surprise and anxiety. 

       Yunho, ever the peacemaker, hurries forward again, waving his hands. "Wooyoung," he interjects, "Can you please calm down?"

       If Hongjoong was bothered by his outburst, he didn’t show it. He crosses his arms, regarding the two with a languid half-smile, his eyes piercing through them with muted anger. Though he remained outwardly composed, the air around him seemed to thicken, heavy with the weight of his simmering fury.

       "I could if I wanted to," Hongjoong finally responds, his voice carrying a hint of amusement. "You smell like an open book. It's hard to resist flipping a few pages."

       Wooyoung begins to short-circuit under Hongjoong’s scrutiny. His words tumble out a bit faster than he intends, his stress getting the best of him. "Listen, dude. Yunho's my friend, and he said you needed help, so here I am, trying to do a good deed."

       "I can tell you're nervous about something," Hongjoong drawls, his tone carrying a hint of irritation as he casts a shadowy gaze at Wooyoung. "I won't ask again. What are your intentions?"

       It’s true; Wooyoung had been anxious all day, between worries about his failed midterm spell and anxiety over meeting Yunho’s pack for the first time. Somehow, Hongjoong can sense his fears. Wooyoung glances around at the circle of werewolves surrounding them; the same people he had seen in Yunho’s social media posts, now glaring at him as though they are ready to chase him out at any moment.

       "Are you kidding me?" Wooyoung retorts, his frustration beginning to override his anxiety. "I just told you. I’m here because of Yunho. You're the ones who came begging for my help."

       One of the taller werewolves rushes forward, the black bangs covering his forehead damp with sweat. Hongjoong swiftly extends his arm to halt the wolf's advance, a wordless signal to not interfere.

       "Are you absolutely certain you want to venture down that path?" Hongjoong asks, his eyes never leaving Wooyoung. "Think very carefully before you answer, outsider.”

       Wooyoung’s eye twitches. “Listen, puppy,” he fumes, “I am only doing this as a favor for Yunho. Play nice, and I’ll do the same.”

       Everything grew eerily still as if the very atmosphere sensed his displeasure. Hongjoong's lips pressed into a thin line, each word he utters having an undercurrent of restrained fury. It was the quietness that was most unnerving. He didn’t raise his voice or make overt gestures, but the subtle shift in his demeanor spoke volumes.

       "You were supposed to bring back a healer, not a nuisance," Hongjoong mutters, glancing at Yunho with an accusatory expression. Wooyoung feels a twinge of guilt at the hurt look etched into Yunho’s expression.

       “A nuisance?” Wooyoung raises his voice. Wooyoung's mounting frustration quickly silences Yunho’s attempts to interject. “That’s rich coming from a wolf. Do you usually beg people for help, or…?”

       Hongjoong's eyes narrow dangerously as he cuts Wooyoung off. "Are you looking to die today? Because all I just heard was ‘I really want you to rip my head from my shoulders right now.’ I'll be happy to oblige."

       "Why are you threatening the only person who can help you?" Wooyoung's eyes flash with anger.

       "I don't make threats," Hongjoong spits, his words laced with cold certainty. "I make promises."

       Yunho swiftly steps in between them, posture tense as if he were bracing for a collision. Just as Yunho gears himself up to diffuse the situation again, a piercing shout cuts through the tension, echoing through the hills.

       Wooyoung turns his gaze toward the source of the commotion, where a picturesque little valley sprawls below. Houses and cottages are settled between patches of farmland, their warm lights a hospitable reprieve from the cold, blue shadows of the moon.

       A figure sprints from one of the houses below, his voice carrying hardly discernible pleas. With their heightened senses, the werewolves immediately spring into action and rush toward the sounds of distress. Yunho drags Wooyoung along with them, straining his ears to try to make out the deep voice cutting through the air.

       "Hurry! Hurry!" The newcomer's frantic voice echoes, his long, tousled black hair clinging to his forehead as he gasps for breath. With a sense of urgency that ripples through the group, he rushes toward Hongjoong, his wide eyes brimming with panic.

       Everyone is fixated on Hongjoong now, his role as the pack leader clear in this moment of chaos. Despite the panic unfolding before them, Yunho's gaze strays from the group to settle on Wooyoung. The fear that glimmers behind his guarded expression makes Wooyoung’s heart hurt.

       "Wooyoung," Yunho whispers, voice shaking under the weight of his worry. He places his trembling hands on Wooyoung's shoulders with a gentle yet urgent grasp. "Please."

       The single word hung in the air like a lingering spell, echoing with the unspoken reminder of their unbreakable bond. The weight of their shared history and friendship bore down upon him all at once, and Wooyoung decides he can't turn his back on Yunho when he needs him the most.

       With a heavy sigh, Wooyoung glances from Yunho to Hongjoong and to the rest of the pack. His heart sinks in his chest. The werewolves, bristling with aggression moments before, now carry an air of vulnerability like cornered animals. He groans, cursing the fact that he has to feel empathy for the creatures that were so ready to rip his throat out moments ago.

       "Do you want my help or not?" Wooyoung's voice holds a tinge of exasperation as he brushes off Yunho's hands. Yet, beneath the frustration, a reluctant willingness to assist lingers. If it weren't for Yunho’s insistence, he would be long gone by now.

       A hushed silence settles over the group as Hongjoong considers Wooyoung's question. His intense gaze bore into Wooyoung, studying him with an expression that seemed to peel back the layers of his soul.

       "Follow me."