Ch.19 Jongseob's past

                                    

                                          
Jongseob pov:
I brush the sweat off of my face as I get into my running stance. My skin crawls in nervousness as the college scouts eyes stay glued to my form. I have to do perfect. No exceptions. My shoes slap against the court as I jump up to make the last shot. I wasn't even paying attention to the net as my weight comes crashing back down with a sick crack as my ankle folds underneath my body weight. My ears are numb to the screams and I pull myself up as my teammates come to support my sides. 
As soon as I'm back on the bench it all floods back in ten fold. The cheers and applause. The pain. Coach frantically checking my ankle with the paramedics. I look to him for reassurance but he doesn't meet my gaze.
"Broken" 
That's all I hear from the nurse wrapping my foot. My jaw clicks tightly and I curse underneath my breath at the thought of coming home tonight. I flinch and grit my teeth as I stand and push past the people surrounding me. I walk out of the gym doors into the cold winter air. My phone buzzes in my gym bag and I pull it out to see a message from my adoptive parents. 
I throw my phone across the parking lot hearing it shatter just like my ankle. I walk down the road squinting my eyes to see through the dark and clenching my fists at the pain. 
"Hey, wait!" 
I stiffen at the voice behind me. My blood runs cold! Of course this would happen tonight! I don't look back as I start running as fast as my body will allow it. The pain shoots in hot streaks and my vision starts to blur. I don't feel anything but numb as my body hits the concrete. A figure approaches me and I curl into myself in fear covering the vulnerable parts of my body. 
I hold my breath waiting for something to happen. Anything. Nothing. I slowly lift my head to see a blue haired wolf hybrid sitting on the concrete with his legs crossed seemingly not paying attention to me. He slips off his jacket and holds it out to me still not looking in my direction. 
"You'll catch a cold" 
His voice sent a comforting warmth through my body dulling the ache of my ankle and probably now broken ribs. I take the jacket and throw it on trying to cover my fragile state. 
"Why do you care?" 
I meant for it to come out strong and sure but my voice was weak and my pure curiosity leaked through. Who is he and why is interested in me?
He finally turned to face me and I saw his eyebrow twitch at the sight of my open wounds from falling and bruised up ankle. 
"Because it's my job as your mate." 
My heart skipped meeting his eyes. A mate?? For me?? I never thought I'd see the day. For a split second it was as if every wound I had ever had was healed. Then it all came crashing down at the thought of going home. 
"I'm Keeho."
I lift my hand to accept his and he slowly stands helping me up with him. 
"I can't go home." He supports my weight while I lean on his side. 
"Do you even want to be there?" 
I shake my head no. There's nothing for me there but disappointment. 
"Then come with me. You don't have to do anything you don't want to. I'm here to support any decision you make. But whatever you choose the hospital comes first" 
After the hospital visit Keeho doesn't look too happy about my condition. I knew I was malnourished but the doctor said I was severely underweight which was why my bones broke so easily. You'd think as much as I trained and practiced I'd be a bit muscular. But I guess I didn't realize how my hyper fixation on my sport had caused me to neglect my health. I couldn't remember the last time I had eaten a real meal. 
My skin started buzzing at the thought of my mate being disappointed in me. The feeling wasn't new and I thought I had gotten used to it but this time my heart ached for his approval. It was as if he could sense my worry because he placed a comforting hand on mine and rubbed each knuckle to calm me. 
"It's going to be okay, don't worry. We're going to take good care of you."
My eyebrows raised at his comment. We? What did he mean by that? I couldn't really focus on forming a question as my exhaustion set in and my vision blurred. Keeho supported my weight on his side while he signed the papers to release me. As soon as we were out of the hospital, my mate scooped me up into his arms and carried me to a waiting car with a worried looking driver. 
I could feel the new man's emotions radiating off of him and felt a connection between us almost like an invisible force pulling us together. I knew immediately that he was my mate also. This feeling also allowed me to notice the bond between Keeho and I. My breath hitched in my chest and my hand clenched keehos jacket that I was still wearing. 
He placed me in the back seat and slid in beside me letting me rest my head on his shoulder. The driver didn't say a word as he pulled out. My eyes got heavy and I let them close.
"Thank you for picking us up Jiung. He's a bit overwhelmed right now but this will be good for him. We'll let him rest before introducing the others." 
There are more? More mates? My mind raced with questions and worries but also a warmth spread through my chest. A feeling of comfort like I've never felt before washed over me. It was like for once in my life I wasn't worried about surviving to other people's standards. I let myself sink into this feeling falling asleep to the sound of nothing but my mates breathing.