Wolves Behind Bars is a completed manhwa at sixty four chapters, with an extra thirteen side story chapters. It is written by Joy (II), Illustrated by Solwoo Lee. First released in 2019, it was serialized by Ridibooks. Originally published by Bola Books and Haksan, it was published in English by Lezhin.
Synopsis[]
Kiyo, a struggling young artist, suddenly finds himself pinned as the prime suspect in a serial murder case. And as if going to prison wasn't enough, he's thrown into an Alpha-only facility crawling with thirsty alphas who are all too eager to eat him up. Thanks to his mysterious new cellmate Iri, Kiyo is able to escape their clutches, but bigger problems await...
Characters[]
Han Kiyo[]
Thanking a client for sending the money, Kiyo hopes to work with them again. 21, Kiyo finds himself suddenly under arrest. A broke artist, Kiyo was barely making his living by painting for clients who found him online. Having no friends to vouch for him, Kiyo speaks how he has been on his own since he was eighteen. Trembling in prison, Kiyo sits alone by himself, then clutches a pillow when heading into the prison yard. Denying that he is an omega, Kiyo seeks help from Iri. When he would like that help returned, Kiyo is unsure what he means but decides to pretend to be asleep for now. Startled at having been noticed, Kiyo tries to think of something to say. Asking how Iri could know he was suspected of killing multiple alphas, Kiyo feels there is no such thing as a good and kind one. Told to watch his tone, yet asking why it is okay for Iri to talk as he does, Kiyo is not sure if he is saying he is a wolf.
Iri[]
Arriving at the facility after Kiyo, he grins upon exiting the bus. Brought before other prisoners, Iri is invited to enjoy Kiyo, who he himself regards as a perfect toy. Speaking how he could just eat him right up, Iri then states he cannot go making trouble on his first day. Addressing Kiyo as little chick, Iri says for them to go. Adding for him not to be sorry, Iri places his arm around him and whispers for him to not be so nervous. Speaking how he is not interested in Kiyo, everything said was just to make the others back off. As Kiyo touches him, Iri states how he saved him and this is how he says thanks. Handing Kiyo a heat suppressor, lying beside him, Iri speaks how he kind of regrets acting like such a good guy earlier. Saying how that is not the real him at all, Iri mentions how that was all just because someone could have seen them. He knew Kiyo was not asleep, yet when asked what he needs help with, Iri tells Kiyo to get his mind out of the gutter as he has no interest in him. Irate at hearing that alphas only ever want one thing, Iri asks whether what he heard was right about Kiyo being in for killing a bunch of alphas. Wondering if Kiyo expects him to believe that a little thing like him killed multiple alphas, Iri feels just like everyone at this place, no one here is guilty of their crimes. Asking how Kiyo thinks he had that blocker on him, and how he knows what crimes he has been charged with, Iri mentions he happens to have a few friends here and there. Saying for Kiyo to try listening to the guy who has been helping him out, Iri means to ask for a very special favor. Advising him to not trust anyone here, Iri adds secondly for Kiyo to not expect any more help with his heat. Upfront that he will not be his dog, Iri also adds he will not fight for him. His advice is for Kiyo to let himself have his neck bitten by the strongest person here for protection. Mentioning that Kiyo should offer something other than his body, Iri then clarifies the bite should not be a real one, but a fake one to keep others away. Himself selected to provide a fake bite, Iri obliges.
Kim[]
Detective Kim of team one of the violent crimes unit introduces himself to Kiyo at his apartment. Looking for the individual responsible for posting the "Game of Darkness" series on social media, Kim asks if he is Mr. Han as they have a warrant to search his place. Interrogating him, Kim states this is not good as Kiyo painted details of crime scenes that only the authorities and the perpetrator could have known.
Kim's Colleague[]
With Kim, he barges into Kiyo and shouts the painting is here. Too quick to incriminate, he remarks that it looks like Kiyo was about to dispose of it.
Shin[]
Kiyo's public defender who fails to prevent him being framed for a crime he did not commit. Angered and demanding to know what is going on, Shin states Mr. Han is an omega so why is he being detained at a facility for alphas. Telling Kiyo not to worry, he says he will get the transfer documents processed as soon as possible.
Prisoner[]
Having heard the supervisors talking, he and others apprehend Kiyo and share they know he is an omega. Feeling of course Kiyo would deny he is an omega, he states to leave it to him to get to the bottom of this particular mystery. Throwing Kiyo aside when a guard shouts, he claims they were just doing their laundry. As soon as the guard is gone, he resumes pestering Kiyo and invites the newly arrived Iri to join in.
Guard[]
Demanding to know who is in the laundry room, this guard's intervention prevents prisoners from assaulting Kiyo. Finding them seated at the table, he said no more than two in a group. Having Iri with him, the guard states he is Kiyo's new cellmate. Glaring at them, the guard does not want any trouble around here.
Story[]
"The time between dog and wolf" is an expression originating in France which refers to that moment when day meets night, where the twilight makes it impossible to distinguish whether the creature before you is a dog or a wolf. In a prison cell, Han Kiyo and Iri are being intimate where this is also a moment between wolf and dog.
Six months earlier, Kiyo had posted a picture made on an account before thanking a client for the money sent. Deciding he had better clean up, Kiyo then answered the doorbell to Detective Kim. Representing the violent crimes unit, Kim is looking for Mr. Han Kiyo, the individual responsible for the "Game of Darkness" series that had been posted on social media. Kim's assistant announces he has found the painting, and at 21 Kiyo finds himself arrested.
A public defender, Shin, was assigned to Kiyo's case but he finds it was no use. The paintings had just been commissions to Kiyo, nothing more. Making his living by painting for clients, Kiyo contemplates how recently one had offered him a hefty sum to paint a series of three pieces. They had him post a picture of each one on his social media, sending the payment once it went up. Speaking how he has had no friends to vouch for him having been on his own since he was eighteen, Kiyo continues that all his omega friends are married, and they do not keep in touch.
Explaining that Kiyo's predicament is that he was painting scenes that only the perpetrator of the murders of the authorities could have known, Kim adds that he has no way to prove that it could not have been him. The bank accounts that paid Kiyo all belonged to dead people. As Kiyo is transported via a bus to a correctional institute, elsewhere his public defender demands to know why he as an omega was sent to an alpha institute. Before Kiyo can be transferred they must follow the orders they are given until the Ministry of Justice issues a correction. Having to wait until then, Kiyo contemplates that is how he as a full-fledged omega found himself surrounded by the very alphas he had loathed his entire life, if only because of his father.
An inmate had overheard that Kiyo is an omega, who learns others are aware too. Outside, the bus pulls up to deliver further prisoners and Iri is one of them.[1] As Kiyo heads into the prison yard he clutches a pillow to his chest. While washing his clothes, Kiyo considers how this place was built recently so it has pretty nice facilities. Since it is special housing for high-ranking alphas the facility overall has a very relaxed vibe. At thinking that, Kiyo is suddenly apprehended and told by a prisoner that it is time for his welcome party. Having a heat inducing tablet placed in his mouth, Kiyo and the three men are noticed by a guard who demands to know who is in the laundry room.
The guard is not interested in the prisoner's claims that they were just doing their laundry, then introduces Iri. Detailing that he is No. 7337's (Kiyo) new cellmate, No. 1818 (Iri) was transferred in today. After the guard leaves, the prisoners spring to their feet and demand to know where who they call that little brat went. With Kiyo recaptured, the prisoner says to the transfer guy to get over here since the party is about to start. Heading over, Iri regards Kiyo as a perfect toy.[2] Other prisoners see Iri as a dominant alpha, aggressive as well. Expressing an interest in Kiyo but not intending to make trouble on his first day, Iri leads him away to the confusion of others.
As they walk, Iri tells Kiyo to not be so nervous. Claiming to not even be interested in him, Iri details he only said that to have the others back off. Reaching their cell, Kiyo begins to unbutton Iri's shirt, influenced by the effects of the heat inducer. Conscious others could look through the bar doors, Iri helps Kiyo before saying he has a present.[3] Having a heat blocker, Iri gives that to Kiyo. Lights out is announced and prisoners are directed to go to sleep. Speaking how his kindness earlier was not an indication of the real him at all, rather was done in case others were watching, Iri mentions for Kiyo to help him out this time.[4]
After seeing that Kiyo is not really asleep, then asked what he needs help with, Iri states for him to get his mind out of the gutter with the reminder that he has no interest in him. Having heard that Kiyo is here for killing multiple alphas, Iri is asked how he could know that. Accepting that as confirmation, Iri questions whether Kiyo expects him to believe that he could do such a thing. After Iri suspects that everyone here is not actually guilty of their crimes, Kiyo gives some thought to all the alphas who looked at him and thinks there is no way they are innocent. After Kiyo is told to watch his tone, he asks Iri why he does not have to watch his. Leaning in, Iri explains it is because of the people he knows, who can provide him details such as acquiring a blocker for Kiyo, to knowing about his supposed crimes.
Seeking Kiyo's help for a task, Iri issues the guidance for him to not trust anyone here, and to not expect further help concerning his heat. Detailing that this place has dogs who will be his friends and wolves who will hurt him, Iri says it will be impossible to tell them apart though. Sharing that his name is Iri, he suggests given Kiyo's lack of connections that he should just hook up with the strongest person here. Advising that Kiyo suggest a deal then offer something other than his body, Iri continues that he should have this person mark his neck.[5]
Clarifying that it should be a fake mark, Iri states the purpose is to have others believe that Kiyo is taken. Willing to press ahead with having a fake mark, Kiyo does not know anyone else so confirms Iri's question that he would like him to do it. Placing himself beside him, Kiyo's neck is bitten for the fake mark yet they both feel something else.[6]
Images[]
References[]
Wiki Link[]
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