Hwan leaned down and pressed a quick kiss to my forehead — so fast I barely registered it before he was pulling back, his cheeks flushed pink. "Sorry, I just — I'm really glad you're here."
Min-jun just looked at me for a long moment, his expression unreadable but warm, before dipping his head and following the others out.
Only Jae-won remained.
"You don't have to stay," I said, though part of me wanted him to.
"Nothing more important than this." He settled back against the pillows, close but not touching, his presence steady and reassuring. "Make your call. I'll be right here."
I dialed Jeni's number with trembling fingers, listening to it ring once, twice?—
"Keira?" Her voice was sharp with worry, breathless and rushed. "Keira, is that you? Are you okay? They said you were safe but I've been going crazy?—"
"Jeni." I couldn't help the smile that spread across my face, tears pricking at my eyes. "I'm okay. I'm really okay."
"Oh thank god." I heard her exhale shakily, heard what might have been a sob. "I was so scared. When you stopped answering your phone, I thought — I didn't know what to think."
"I know. I'm sorry." I swallowed hard. "I should have reached out sooner."
"Yes, you should have." Her voice was fierce, but I could hear the relief underneath, the way it trembled at the edges. "So? Tell me everything. Are they treating you well? Are you safe? Do I need to come there and threaten some idols?"
I laughed, the sound watery but real. "They're treating me well. Really well, Jeni. You were right. About all of it."
"Wait, what?" Her voice pitched higher with surprise.
"You were right," I repeated, glancing at Jae-won, who was watching me with soft eyes. "They're not what I was afraid of.They're actually... they're kind. Patient. They've been taking care of me, and they did research on soul sickness so they'd know how to help, and they even contacted you because they knew you'd be worried."
"Oh my god." Jeni's voice was thick with tears now. "Keira, you're actually giving them a chance?"
"I'm trying." I wiped at my own eyes with my free hand. "I'm still scared. But I'm trying."
"That's all I ever wanted for you." She sniffled loudly. "When can I see you? I need to hug you."
"Soon. I'll text you."
"You better." Her voice softened. "I love you. I'm so glad you're okay."
"I love you too," I said. "Thank you for not giving up on me."
"Never," she promised. "Now go rest. Let those alphas take care of you." We said our goodbyes and I ended the call, setting the phone aside with a shaky exhale.
"She sounds like a good friend," Jae-won observed quietly, his thunderstorm scent calm and steady.
"The best." I looked at him, studying the lines of his face, the patience in his eyes. "She's been telling me for years that I don't have to do everything alone. That bonds don't have to be cages."
"She's right." He tilted his head slightly, a strand of dark hair falling across his forehead. "But I understand why it took you time to believe it."
"Do you?" The question came out more vulnerable than I intended.
"I think so." He shifted slightly, turning to face me more fully. "Fear isn't logical. You can know something is true in your head and still feel the opposite in your heart. It takes time for those to align."
I studied him for a long moment. "You're not what I expected," I said softly.
His lips quirked into a small smile. "Is that good or bad?"
"Good." I reached out, tentatively, and placed my hand over his. His skin was warm, his fingers calloused in a way that spoke of guitar strings and hard work. "Definitely good." His smile widened, something like wonder flickering in his dark eyes. He turned his hand over, let our fingers intertwine, held on like I was something precious.
"About the scenting," I said, my heart beating a little faster. "Could we... could we try? Just a little?"
