1 Prologue

"If there is a chance, I'd love to go to the moon."

"You want to explore the outer space?"

The wind that night felt colder than usual. The night sky looked clear. The stars shined brightly through the entire empty dark sky, alongside the crescent moon.

"That's not what I meant. I want to say something to it."

"I don't see where is this conversation going, honestly."

He just chuckled with his eyes glued on the streaming river in front of them. "I want it to know," he said as he put his hand around her shoulder, pulling her closer to him, "how amazing it is."

"Why is that?"

"Even with all the imperfection, it still able to show off its beauty. Even when it's far from a perfect full moon yet, it still looks amazing, don't you think?"

She smiled with her head on his board shoulder. "Yes, of course it is." She looked up to see his face, that look so perfect under the moonlight, "How did you think of that?" she continued. "I don't know, just crossed on my mind."

There was only silence. Only the rustling wind, the rippling stream, crackling branches, and the breath of their own. They were both busy with their thoughts.

"It's getting late, we should go back. It could be dangerous if we stay any longer," she said as she stood up.

"Yeah, you're right."

"Ah," he suddenly said. "What is it?"

"If second life is real, I want to be a moon."

She stopped her steps and looked at him. "What do you mean? Moon is not alive, dummy. Why would you want to be it?" she said. But he didn't answer. Just a wistful look that she got.

"Never mind what I said. Let's go, buy me a sandwich if I got there first!" he ran away, leaving her behind.

"Hey! What the hell? Wait up!" she shouted from behind.

"So I can be your power, unlike now. Weak one, always hanging on to you. And I can't protect you like how I want to."

"Idiot, I want to be like you. Away from all these madness, every irking traditions and rules. To be normal and ordinary, without hurting you."

***

"Unbelievable," said the man who sits on the right side of the long table.

"She had to do it. What would you do if you were on her shoes? Just leave him like that?" said the other man sitting across the other one.

"Still! She broke the rule, the very basic one we all should follow!" he raises his voice even more, hitting that wooden table.

"Say something, Alpha[1]. The Pack needs answer."

[1] The highest level in the wolf pack hierarchy

The Alpha just stays quiet. What can he possibly do? The Pack relies on his judgement. A little mistake can cause a huge chaos. He can't think clearly like he always does. His heart breaks after what happened. The only reasonable choice he has is just be the leader that he is, punish the guilty one. Or he can follow his heart. Neither is a good choice. Each one will hurt in the end.

He closes his eyes and put his hands on the table. "Okay," he said. He looks at both of the men on his sides. "Is there anything else I can do as an Alpha? Obviously, no." The one on his left looks at him and frowned, "You mean…?"

The Alpha exhales roughly, "She's banished. From this moment, she is not part of the Kim." He stands up and leave them both there.

"Namjoon hyung[2]…"

[2] a word used by Korean males to address another male older than them who they are close to, means "older brother".