[M] TWENTY THREE (1/1)

Wonsik and Taekwoon reach the bottom of the steps in a matter of seconds, and they exchange a glance, a slight nod, and then Taekwoon turns on his heel to head to the left side of the hall, where the Feather Omegas are.Wasting no time, Wonsik weaves his way through the rows of Omegas in the Flame section near the top of the lower floor, and soon he can see that he is now in the  Butterfly section.He looks around, trying to locate Hakyeon. His vision passes over unfamiliar, blank faces, so he moves on to the next row down. He walks forward, looking at each Omega, not recognizing one. Each one he passes by wears the same, emotionless expression, faded eyes trained on an unspecific point near the front of the hall. He looks at the clock above the stage, noting that almost ten minutes have passed without fruition to his search.Damn it, he curses internally, eyes darting from over the Omegas again. He is on his fifth row and there is still no sight of Hakyeon. I’m running out of time. Someone could have already Selected him by now. Wonsik turns towards the front, looking over the rows of Omegas below him, and he is just about ready to turn away and keep walking when his eyes stop on a particular frame. He’s small, has dark, straight hair, and darker skin. Could it be? Wonsik asks himself, starting towards the stairs. He looks to be about six rows away, maybe seven, and Wonsik chews on his tongue as he reaches the steps. He walks down then fast, trying not to draw attention to himself but also trying to hurry before someone else Selects Hakyeon. His sight is glued on the Omega, and he doesn’t notice another Alpha on the other side of his row approaching him until he is one row away. This Alpha is intently staring at the Omega, and Wonsik flits his gaze between the two before realizing that this Omega is definitely Hakyeon. And Hakyeon is about to be Selected by a different Alpha.Wonsik picks his pace up, starting down the row as quickly as possible, other Omegas flying past his vision. The other Alpha has caught on to his intentions, and has also increased his speed. Hakyeon notices that there are two Alphas on either side of him, and because he is not allowed to look at them, he forces his gaze on the clock at the front and begs for one of them to be Wonsik. And for Wonsik to get to him first.The footsteps draw nearer, and they both enter his peripheral vision at almost the same time. He thinks he hears a growl at the same time a hand slips into his, and he fights the urge to flinch. An Alpha has Selected him.“He’s mine. Get lost.”Hakyeon’s eyes fill with tears as he finally rips his gaze from the clock to look at the Alpha whose hand is in his, almost melting into the floor with relief as his eyes meet Wonsik’s.The other Alpha just gives them a dirty look before shoving past Wonsik, continuing his search for a faceless Omega.“I’m here,” Wonsik whispers, a secret smile on his face. Hakyeon mirrors it before he remembers the standard protocol for a Selection, and he tilts his head to the side, displaying his Butterfly mark to Wonsik.Wonsik tightens his grip on Hakyeon’s left hand with his own before leaning up, tucking his face in the crook of the other’s neck before pressing his lips to his tattoo. The kiss is chaste, and when he pulls away, Hakyeon’s smile shows through his eyes, alleviation radiating from them. Wonsik helps him from his podium, letting go of his left hand in favor of taking his right. “Thank you,” Hakyeon whispers to him stealthily as they make their way to the exit of the hall. Wonsik gives his hand a squeeze in response, and the rest of the walk is done in silence. Hakyeon clenches his free hand into a fist, hoping that Taekwoon has already gotten to Hongbin. Hongbin is one of the prettiest Feather Omegas, so Hakyeon is worried that another Alpha could have gotten to him first. He tenses, a grimace pulling on his lips. Wonsik, seeing his worry, presses his face to the side of Hakyeon’s, lips by his ear. Because he Selected him, no questions are raised if he does it.“Taekwoon was quick,” he murmurs quietly, so that the only one to hear him is Hakyeon. “He went to the Feather as soon as he got to this level.”Hakyeon looks at Wonsik, who gives him a reassuring smile. It does little to calm him, but the kindness from the Alpha has Hakyeon slightly more at ease. Usually Alphas only sought to intimidate Omegas into obedience, but Hakyeon can tell that Wonsik would never do such a thing. He loves Taekwoon, and that love has  made him wise as a result.The exit of the hall passes overhead and Hakyeon feels half of the weight lift from his shoulders, the other half there to stay until he sees that Hongbin is safely with Taekwoon.They get to Registration not long after, and Wonsik walks up to the table with Hakyeon close behind and begins the process. The table has a glowing blue touch screen on it with the Jekyll seal, but when the leader behind the tab