We are not meant to be

Kai went inside to sit next to Ender who was still snuggled up on the couch, leaning back, he focused on the steady heartbeat of his mate to cool off the rage that threatened to take over because, in a way, Jake had told him to back off. The anger he felt right now, the possessiveness that arose baffled him because it was for a person that would never be his to begin with.

"Endy!" Jake called out a number of times as he walked into the kitchen, "Are you gonna cook something or should we order?"

Ender squirmed a little before he turned to stretch his limbs, legs accidentally hitting Kai's crotch, making him yelp.

"Oh my God! I'm so sorry" Ender quickly got off the couch

"Goddess! Let a man live" Kai groaned and a worried Ender crouched low in front of him

"Are the goods okay?" Ender asked before chuckling a little which made Kai burst in fits of laughter. Ender laughed till he got tears in his eyes while Kai stared at him like a kid who was seeing something wonderful for the first time; the sound of his mate's laughter making something bloom in his chest. He swore it was the bond making him feel these emotions yet he couldn't help but stare at his mate, he looked beautiful.

"What's up with you two?" Jake stared at them in annoyance while Ender looked at Kai once and giggled again before clearing his throat.

"Nothing," He said, walking over into the kitchen, "No more takeouts okay? We'll cook, I even bought groceries"

"Can you make baked spaghetti please?" Jake's girlfriend, Mia, hopped in front of Ender, chaotic as always, "Please please please?"

"No need to give me the puppy eyes Mia" Ender chuckled, smacking her head lightly. "And y'all better help me out," he then pointed at Kai, "You too Mister"

"Yes, your highness" Kai saluted, making Ender laugh while Jake glared at him.

Mia put on some music while the three of them got to work, Kai took the task of chopping vegetables since that was the only part of cooking he could do. He watched the three of them as they scurried around to make the dish, never in his life had he seen so many ingredients go into a single dish. He may have eaten a few exotic dishes at Aunt Amelia's home but the warlock summoned food out of nowhere so he never saw how they were made.

"You're gonna love this" Ender smiles at him as he deftly arranged everything and put it in a machine.

"I'll go put on some movie" Mia announced and dashed out of the kitchen, pulling Jake with her

"Hey, you're supposed to clean this up!" Ender yelled but they ran away before he could even finish talking

"Tell me what I have to do, I'll help" Kai came around the counter, hesitating before placing a hand on his shoulder. "You should discipline them, they can't abandon their tasks"

"What? No" Ender shook his head, a fond smile on his face as he glanced back to the hallway where Jake and Mia's laughter echoed from the living room. "Ever since I started this dance crew, I've looked after everyone, no matter how big and capable they are, I see them as my responsibility. They are the only family I got besides my Uncle"

"Still, you are their leader, you should hold them accountable. Back home, we have all the chores divided according to time and day, and the Alpha punishes those who fail to do their duties. He doesn't even spare his own kid" Kai shared, realizing his mistake rather late.

"Alpha?" Ender turned to him, brows quirked up

"T-that's the title we use for our leader"

The look Ender gives him like he's about to throw numerous questions at him but before he could do exactly that, Jake interrupts, asking them to join them for the movie. After checking on their dinner, the four of them huddled on the couch to watch Train to Busan. They paused while they brought out their dinner plates and when the movie resumed, the scenes became disturbing, and Ender drifted closer to Kai. He focused on the blood and gore on the screen, gripping the edge of the couch, trying his best to not wrap his arms around his mate who was now squeezed to his side, leaving no space in between.

Kai internally laughed at the stupidity of the movie, there were more powerful creatures that freely roamed around the earth and they definitely did not look gruesome. Instead, all of them were blessed with features that were considered attractive by humans. He gingerly placed his arms around Ender, hoping he wouldn't feel awkward or push him away. However, another scene came up, making his mate jump on the place before clutching at his and Mia's arms on either side, clinging to them as if his life depended on it. Kai resisted the urge to laugh out loud, if this is how he reacts to disfigured people on the screen, how will he respond to being confronted by a fully grown wolf in flesh and blood?

Jake switched off the screen when the ending credits showed up, "That was…wow. I never thought a zombie movie would make me cry"

"Who's idea was it to put this on? Ugh! Now I'll have fucking nightmares" Ender groaned

The doorbell rang then, making them all jump while Jake went to check.

"Who would it be at this hour?" Mia whispered, rubbing at her eyes.

Ender too walked over to check and Kai followed him out only to be met by a very drunk Max, leaning on Jake.

"Max? You're drunk"

At the sound of Ender's voice, Max stood up, or tried to, as much as his drunken state would allow him

"Ender" he drawled, "My beautiful boy" he giggled, falling down to his knees before Ender and taking the latter's hand in his own.

Kai had the sudden urge to rip that hand right from his shoulder, clenching his fists, he stopped himself. He didn't have any right to do that, did he?

The drunkard placed a sloppy kiss on the back of Ender's hand who in turn, pulled his hand back in disgust. And that did it for him, Kai shoved him away and the boy fell flat on his ass.

"Y-you bastard" Max glared at him, now lifting up the flowerpot behind him to throw at Kai but before he could do that, Ender came to stand in front, making him stop in an instant.

His expression changed from anger to soft as he got up on unsteady feet, "What should I change so you'll give me a chance Ender? I know I've been annoying you a lot but I just wanted your attention. We'll be so good, you and I." Max mumbled, "I love you Ender, I love you" he kept chanting until the words became incoherent and tears flowed down his cheeks.

Despite being annoyed, Ender sat down in front of Max and Kai felt a slight pang in his chest. Ender might have been displeased before but who knows? He might care for the other, might consider that guy for his future partner, he definitely had a better chance with Ender than Kai himself. He remembered Jake's words from before and realized how truly incompatible they both were. He quietly walked back inside while Ender remained there, talking with Max.

He was about to head upstairs when Mia stopped him and led him to another room downstairs, "Jake said you should be sleeping here while you're staying with us"

Of course, Jake would try to keep them apart. Shaking his head, he plopped down on the bed. The room smelled disgusting, filled with scents of other humans. Kai missed Ender's room, being surrounded by his mate's scent had soothed his nerves when he first woke up.

His mind was made up now, he had to leave. He won't go back to the pack, he still wasn't stable enough to face Lara yet but he could stay with Aunt Amelia for a few days, and then he could return after Lara's mating ceremony was done.

He detected the scent long before Ender opened the door, the smell of wild honeysuckle filled the room as he came to stand in front of Kai.

"Hey, just came in to check if you need anything"

"Actually, yes" Kai looked up, "Can you drop me off tomorrow?"

"Didn't you say you had some trouble back there?"

"Yeah, but I'm unsuited to be here, It's better to go home," Kai sighed, "Thank you for everything you've done for me, you're probably the first caring human I came across"

"Glad I changed your perspective" Ender gave him a warm smile

Later that night, Kai was tossing and turning on the bed, unable to sleep. He didn't think the thought of leaving, being away from his mate would hurt much but here he was. It was his body, the pull he felt was because of the bond but leaving right now was the only pragmatic way to deal with this. He already had gotten his heart broken, this mating bond was just an obligation to him and it was better to be away rather than chasing a bond that would not only lead to a loveless relationship but also bring endless hardships in their life.

The night was silent and his sharp senses picked up the sound of footsteps as well as the scent he had become so attuned to in a short span of time. He padded to the living room and saw Ender curled up on the couch, scrolling on his phone. He flinched when Kai approached but padded the space next to him.

"Can't sleep?" Kai settled down beside him

"You'll laugh" Ender hid his face in his palms, "I got nightmares because of the movie"

And Kai chuckled, which led to Ender glaring at him.

"All of that was just a fickle of imagination dear, they aren't going to jump out of the screen"

There was a slight flush on Ender's face when he turned towards him, "Right, but they jumped in my dreamland and chased me. I was trapped amongst them all by myself, there was no one to help me" his eyes became droopy as he leaned back on the couch.

Kai took a good look at him, the mop of unruly black hair that framed his flushed face, he wanted to fight off whatever demons troubled him and that sudden protectiveness that rose in him made him think again about his decision. He leaned forward to caress Ender's forehead, gently pushing his hair back, he seemed to love it as a small smile formed on his lips.

"I cannot fight off those imaginary monsters but I assure you, I'll take down anyone who troubles you here. You can count on me" Kai promised

"Seems like I have a fierce little protector" Ender giggled

"Little?" Kai sat up, pointing a finger at himself, "seems like someone has a defective vision"

Ender rolled on the couch, shaking with laughter, "No, seriously" he said between giggles, "Thank you, that was sweet"

He turned on his side to lay down on the couch, "I can't even handle these horror movies, how do you people live in the woods? It must be dark, with limited facilities and you have no way to predict what type of wild beast is gonna stroll in. Don't you feel scared?"

Kai had to laugh at that, you didn't have to worry about mere animals when you were the monster itself. "Not one bit" he scoffed, "Our tribe has been living and hunting in those woods for centuries now" He contemplated if he should share some trivial details, it was harmless right? But when he turned to look at Ender, the latter was fast asleep with his feet resting on Kai's lap.

Kai massaged his feet a little, relishing in the sparks that a simple touch sent through his body for this might be the last few hours he gets to spend with his mate. Tomorrow, he would go back to his world, as wretched as it was, that was a place where he didn't have to pretend.