C2 The mate behind the box

Vealore’s POV

The early morning sun shine through the curtains, soft and golden, but my heart still carried the heaviness of last night. I rolled over to check on Jupiter, expecting to find him pale and weak, maybe still coughing. Instead, my breath caught.

He was humming a song.

Actually humming and dancing, shaking his cute little butt like nothing in the world was wrong. He stretched his arms lazily, then stepped into the bathroom, his voice echoing faintly against the tiles as water poured over him. His silhouette behind the glass was relaxed, graceful. For a second, I wondered if it had all been a nightmare, the blood, the hospital, the diagnosis. But the crumpled papers tucked in my bag said otherwise.

I got up and showered with him, unable to resist. He lathered my hair gently, kissed my nose under the stream, made me laugh when laughter was the last thing I thought myself capable of. Then we ate breakfast, him nibbling his toast like it was the greatest delicacy in the world, me just watching, afraid to blink in case he vanished.

After he got dressed, he suddenly turned, a spark of mischief in his eyes.

“Ju, where are you going?” I asked, raising a brow.

“Vea baby,” he grinned, “let’s go on a date.”

My jaw nearly dropped. “Huh? A date?”

He stepped closer, slipping his hands around my waist, pulling me into him. “We can’t just stay indoors all day. Let’s go for a date. Just us.”

His eyes were so alive, so full of light, that I couldn’t say no. My lips twitched into a smile despite the worry inside me. “Okay then, let me dress up, where do you want us to go first?”

“The park,” he said without hesitation. “Then movies, and let’s eat out. No arguments.”

I laughed. “Fine, my Luna.”

As I reached for my clothes, he caught my wrist. “Wait. Let me pack your hair how I like it.”

I gave him a mock bow. “Yes, sir.”

He chuckled and stood behind me, his fingers gentle but sure, gathering my hair into a high messy ponytail. His touch lingered against my neck, warm and teasing. He kissed my cheek softly when he was done, but I caught his lips before he could retreat.

Our kiss deepened quickly, our tongues sliding, breaths mingling, a rush of heat melting away every wall between us, my wolf swooned at the contact , she has been restless since yesterday and this was calming fir her. When we finally pulled back, both of us panting, his face flushed bright red.

“I love you, Ju,” I whispered.

“I love you, Vea,” he answered, voice thick. “Now let’s go before you change your mind.”

“You know I wouldn’t do that.”

“Oh really?” His grin tilted.

“...Okay, not exactly,” I admitted, laughing when he raised a brow.

“I thought so.”

We took the elevator down, hand in hand, hearts pressed close, smiling like teenagers experiencing love for the first time. At the car park, I squeezed his fingers, silently promising myself I’d make this day perfect for him not because I didn’t know how many more of these days we would have but because I know he will make it and he needs this memories to help him fight.

The amusement park wasn’t crowded, perhaps because it's weekday and school day, most visitors are couples in a date like us. That made it even better, quieter and more Intimate. We chose the less intense rides first, spinning teacups, a gentle roller coaster. His laughter rang out, bright and unrestrained a sound I’d missed.

At the dart booth, I let him win the first round, then showed off in the second, earning us a big plush wolf toy. He laughed so hard he nearly cried when I held it up like a trophy.

“Your Alpha is skilled, huh?” I teased.

He shoved me lightly. “You cheated.”

“Did not.”

“Did too.”

We moved on to a raffle draw, then a dancing game where he stomped his feet so badly I nearly collapsed laughing, if there is one thing Jupiter can't do, it's dancing. He dragged me to a claw machine after, eyes bright when he spotted something inside.

“Vea! I want that!”

“You sure?” I raised a brow.

“Positive. Please?” He gave me puppy eyes that no goddess could resist.

So I played, concentrating while he cheered me on, loudly, embarrassingly, drawing stares from the other couples. Finally, with one last careful nudge, the claw dropped the prize into the chute. He whooped, clutching the odd little handheld game like it was pure treasure.

He insisted on trying it immediately, sitting on a bench while I leaned against his shoulder. His excitement over the little hand game made me want to cry and kiss him all at once.

The movie came next, his pick, of course. He choose 'The Originals' , a vampire and werewolf drama. He clutched my arm during the fights, whispered commentary like a child at his first show, his fascination with the paranormal was the same as before. Maybe that’s why the Moon Goddess gave him to me, made me remember the first time we met so clearly like it happened yesterday.

* * * *

FLASHBACK

I had been twenty-two, sad from another fruitless search for a mate. My pack was strong, but an Alpha without a Luna cut deep, and I’d hoped to find my other half among allies, I had gone to the third pack this week just to find my mate. Disappointment weighed heavy in my heart as I drove home empty-handed. I stopped at a street stand selling tteokbokki, a Korean delicacy. My family adored the dish, I thought it might lift my mood and theirs too as I give them the news.

I parked four blocks away and carried the food back. That’s when I heard it, a pained whimper from the alley.

My wolf surged inside me, Injured, it says

I slipped in, eyes sharpening in the dark. A wolf lay crumpled, blood soaking the ground. Judging by its size, it's definitely a werewolf.

“Hey,” I whispered, kneeling. “Are you okay?”

The wolf whimpered.

“Shift back if you can,” I urged. “Humans might see.”

He shifted just as another rogue lunged, it's Claws ripped across my back. I spun, snarling, and tore the attacker’s throat out with a swipe of my claws. Blood sprayed hot across my skin.

The injured wolf staggered, half-shifted, a gaping wound in his abdomen. Healing slow, too slow, in his human form, he might die before it finish healing but wolf form it will heal fast but he needs medical attention.

“I have to take you,” I said firmly.

“R…run… they are…many....”

His warning ended in a weak growl, five rogues stepped into the alley, eyes glowing with hunger and madness.

I told him to shift back, healing was faster that way. Then I braced myself, I doubt our dear companions will give me time to strip. I shifted fully, bones snapping, fur erupting, clothes ripped to pieces.

They lunged all at once, smart of them to do so. Teeth sank into my back, claws raked my sides. Pain seared, but my rage fueled me. I bit one’s throat, tearing it free in a gush of blood. My claws gutted another, entrails spilling slick onto the ground. A third latched onto my shoulder, tearing deep until bone cracked. I slammed it down, stomping its skull until it caved.

Blood matted my fur, both theirs and mine, The alley reeked of iron and death, it's surprisingly no human had heard the sound, I sniffed the air and stilled.

Another scent, this one Human.

I turned sharply, behind a crate, I saw him.

A male, tall, lean, eyes wide with fear and.... Surprise? He is my mate.

Mate. My wolf purred, even as my enemies circled us.

I tore through the last of them, body shaking, wounds healing painfully slow. When the fight ended, I shifted back, naked, skin streaked in gore. Not the best way I imagined meeting my mate. Damn Rogues.

“Hey,” I called.

Silence.

“You, behind the box. Come out.”

More silence.

“Are you deaf? Or should I drag you out myself?”

“N-no,” came the nervous voice. “I’m coming.”

He stepped into view. Even under the dim light, he was breathtaking. Handsome and delicate all at once. His face flushed scarlet when he realized I was bare. My wolf practically swooned. Fangirling immediately are we.

“Our mate is really handsome,” she cooed.

“Indeed,” I answered silently, though unease prickled. “But he’s human.”

The wounded wolf shifted back partially healed, drawing my mate’s gasp. Instead of running, he stared, fascination blazing in his eyes.

“Hey, you,” I said.

“J… Jupiter,” he stammered.

“What?”

“My name, Jupiter, not ‘you.’”

I rolled it on my tongue. “Jupiter.”

He blushed deeper, gaze flicking away. My lips curved despite the blood and pain.

“Okay, Mr. Jupiter,” I smirked. “As you can see, I’m naked. I need clothes. But I don’t trust you not to run.”

“I won’t,” he said quickly. “You’d find me anyway. Better I come on my own than be hunted.”

I blinked in surprise, is he brave or just foolish. Perhaps he is both. He is right though, I will haunt him if he dare runs and when I catch him, I won't let him go. Ever

“Good boy, my car’s three blocks away, Keys are here, take it. Back seat has my clothes. Go.”

“Okay.” He hurried off, legs long, determined.

My wolf chuckled and I said

"Fea, seems we got a weirdo for a mate."

* * * *

Present

I blinked back tears as the memory faded. Beside me in the theater, Jupiter’s laughter bubbled, warm against my chest. My wolf whimpered softly.

I leaned in, whispering into his ear, “You’re still my miracle.”

He smiled without looking away from the screen. “And you’re still my Alpha.”

The moment should have been perfect. But beneath his laughter, beneath the popcorn and flashing lights, I heard it.

A cough, small and quick, he tried to muffle it, seems he forgot that I have heightened ears, I saw the blood .

My heart stopped.

I turned, staring at him in worry but he waved me off, smiling. I saw the faint smear of red at the corner of his lips, hidden quickly by his hand, I let him have his way, tomorrow is the day it all ends, he will be fine soon, tomorrow.

The lights from the movie flickered across his face which was pale and too bright.

And in that instant, I knew, no matter how much we laughed today, the worry inside me won't fade.