"Too hands-on." Jae-won cut in, but there was no heat in it, his voice carrying a hint of dry amusement. "Break's over. We still have two more songs to clean up."
The alphas moved back into formation, the playful atmosphere shifting seamlessly into professional focus. I returned to my couch, but something had changed. I wasn't just watching them perform anymore.
I was understanding them. Understanding the discipline it took to do this day after day. The physical toll, the mental exhaustion, the constant striving for perfection. They weren't just idols. They were athletes and artists and perfectionists who had given up so much for their dreams.
Somehow, they'd made room for me too.
The music started again, and I watched them dance, watched them sweat and strain and perfect their craft. My omega purred quietly in my chest, content in a way that had nothing to do with proximity or touch.
Pride, I realized. That's what this feeling was.
Pride in them. In what they'd built. In who they were.
And maybe, just a little bit, pride in being theirs.
They ran through the remaining songs with the same relentless perfectionism. By the time Jae-won called an end to practice, they were all drenched and exhausted, muscles trembling from the sustained effort.
"Good work." Jae-won said, and even that small praise seemed to mean something to them, their shoulders straightening slightly despite their exhaustion. "Clean up, then dinner. We've earned it."
Tae-min collapsed dramatically on the floor, arms and legs splayed out like a starfish, his chest heaving with exaggerated breaths. "Someone carry me." Tae-min pleaded to the ceiling, his voice pitiful and theatrical. "I can't move."
"You can move just fine." Min-jun nudged him with a foot as he passed, his voice fond despite the scolding tone. "Up. Shower. You smell like a gym locker."
"Rude." Tae-min didn't move, his eyes still closed, his lips twitching with suppressed amusement. "True, but rude."
Hwan was already beside me again, offering his hand to help me up from the couch, his smile softer now, less performance and more genuine. "So? Still intimidated?"
I took his hand, let him pull me to my feet, our fingers intertwining naturally. "A little." I admitted, tilting my head to look up at him. "But also impressed. And maybe a bit proud?"
Hwan's expression softened into something genuine, something vulnerable flickering beneath his sunshine exterior. "Proud of us?"
"Is that weird?" I suddenly felt self-conscious, heat creeping up my neck. "We've only known each other?—"
"It's not weird." Hwan cut me off, his hand squeezing mine, his voice firm with conviction. "It's the best thing anyone's said to me today. Maybe ever."
"Don't exaggerate." I tried to pull my hand back, but he held on, his grip gentle but persistent.
"I'm not." Hwan's usual playfulness was gone, replaced by something earnest, his golden eyes serious in a way I rarely saw from him. "People admire us. Fans worship us. But proud? That's different. That's..." He trailed off, searching for words, his brow furrowing slightly. "Family. That's what family feels like."
Pack,my omega whispered. He's right. This is pack.
"Hwan, stop hogging her." Tae-min had apparently found the strength to stand, because he was suddenly draping himself over my back, his sweaty weight pressing against me, his chin hooking over my shoulder. "I want to bask in the pride too."
"You're getting sweat on me." I protested, but I didn't push him away, something warm unfurling in my chest at his closeness.
"It's affectionate sweat." Tae-min declared, his voice bright with mock solemnity, his arms wrapping around my waist frombehind. "You're proud of us. That means you have to accept our post-practice grossness. It's in the pack bylaws."
"There are no pack bylaws." Jin-ho appeared on my other side, not touching but close enough that I could feel the heat radiating off him, his voice dry with amusement. "And if there were, I would have written them, and that wouldn't be included."
"New bylaw." Tae-min countered immediately, his voice carrying the confidence of someone who absolutely believed in his own nonsense. "Just added. Article one: omega must accept sweaty pack hugs after dance practice."
"Seconded." Hwan said cheerfully, raising his free hand like he was voting.
"Motion denied." Jae-won's voice cut through, but when I looked at him, he was fighting a smile, his stern expression cracking at the edges. "Showers first. Then you can smother her."
The alphas dispersed toward the showers, still bickering good-naturedly, their voices echoing off the practice room walls. Min-jun lingered, offering me a small smile, his presence a calm center in the chaos.
"Thank you for watching." Min-jun said quietly, his voice meant just for me, his dark eyes soft with something I couldn't quite name. "It means more than you know. Having you here."
