For Infinity

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/42445848.

Rating: Explicit
Archive Warning: Graphic Depictions Of Violence
Category: M/M
Fandom: 방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys | BTS
Relationship: Jeon Jungkook/Kim Taehyung | V
Character: Jeon Jungkook, Kim Taehyung | V, Kim Seokjin | Jin, Min Yoongi |
Suga, Kim Namjoon | RM, Jung Hoseok | J-Hope, Park Jimin (BTS),
Original Characters
Additional Tags: Alpha Kim Taehyung | V, Omega Jeon Jungkook, Alpha Kim Namjoon |
RM, Alpha Min Yoongi | Suga, Beta Jung Hoseok | J-Hope, Alpha Park
Jimin (BTS), Omega Kim Seokjin | Jin, Alternate Universe - Werewolf,
Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Jeon Jungkook-centric, Kim Taehyung |
V is Whipped, Protective Kim Taehyung | V, Protective Jeon Jungkook,
Slow Burn, Angst, Angst with a Happy Ending, Happy Ending, Fluff,
Angst and Fluff and Smut, Hurt/Comfort, Smut, Shameless Smut,
Nesting, Scenting, brief mentions of suicide (but it doesn't happen),
graphic depiction of past physical abuse, graphic depiction of past
attempted rape, Graphic depiction of torture, mentions of past character
death, Minor Character Death, graphic depiction of violence, (they're
wolves and they fight), Blood and Injury, Implied Mpreg, Nightmares,
Mating, Mating Bites, Boys In Love, Boys Kissing, cute dates, First
Time, Loss of Virginity, Virgin Jeon Jungkook, Found Family, shifting,
Falling In Love, Romantic Fluff, Domestic Fluff, Explicit Sexual Content,
First Love, First Kiss, Strangers to Lovers, True Mates, age gap, Pack
Dynamics, Pack Feels, Wolf Instincts, Top Kim Taehyung | V, Bottom
Jeon Jungkook, Established Kim Namjoon | RM/Min Yoongi | Suga,
Established Jung Hoseok | J-Hope/Park Jimin
Language: English
Collections: Taekook A/B/O Fest 2022
Stats: Published: 2022-10-17 Completed: 2022-12-10 Chapters: 51/51 Words:
104995

For Infinity
by KookieAddict

Summary

Being a broken omega was something Jeon Jungkook thought would follow him throughout
his entire life—if being on the run could ever be called a life.

Meeting Taehyung, his fated mate, and finding a new pack—a family—in his friends came
like a hurricane, turning his life upside down.

But with his life threatened and his past coming back to haunt him, will Jungkook be able
to face his demons, keep the people he loves safe, and finally live the life he never dared to
dream of?
Notes

Hello :)

Welcome to my little world!

This story is very close to my heart, my first over 100k words, and I hope that you'll like it
as much as I do.
I encourage you to read all the tags before reading this fic, because there are several scenes
that could trigger you, and I don't want to make anyone uncomfortable...

A big thank you to my beta, Blu, for their hard work on this fic and to my dearest friend,
Martina, for her help, love and support.

With that said, thank you if you choose to give this fic a chance.

Prompt:

Please claim this if you want to work on your own idea ♥

(Can be claimed multiple times)

See the end of the work for more notes

 Chapter 1

The road seems to stretch to infinity as the wheels of his motorcycle eat the asphalt. The sun is high
in the blue, blue sky, and Jungkook is surrounded by fields of flowers, by lonely trees, for as far as
he can look. A false sense of freedom overtakes him.

For a second, he almost thinks that he is safe, that he is far away from all the troubles that stick to
him like a second skin—almost. But he’s too down to earth, too realistic for that, too used to what
his life has become to let himself dream of a world where he could be free, really free. There will
always be dark clouds looming above his head, there will always be someone to run from, waiting
to capture him.

Always.

And Jungkook is used to it. He’s so used to being on the run that he can’t remember what it’s like
to settle down, to find a home. Home… He never had one, not after his parents died when he was
just two years old, not after his uncle took him in and made his life a living hell.

He still wonders from time to time what it’s like to belong somewhere, to not be afraid of getting
caught and finally be able to breathe. Afraid… It’s not exactly the right word. Jungkook is not
scared of what could happen—of his own death—if it has to come to that. He’s ready to face the
wrath of his old pack after he fled three years ago. He’s ready for everything they might send his
way. He knows his time is running out. But still, he runs, far, far away from them. It may be futile,
it may be foolish, however, he won’t stop. Because somewhere, deep inside of him, he wants to
believe that he can escape his destiny.

Jungkook doesn’t know where he is going, doesn’t have any destination in mind. He lets himself be
carried by the wind. He doesn’t care where he ends up since he’s only gonna stay for a month or
two anyway. Staying longer than that in the same place would be dangerous and stupid. He can’t
afford exposing himself or being vulnerable.

So, Jungkook moves from town to town, endlessly. He doesn’t take root anywhere. He can’t. He
admits that it does get lonely, and that, sometimes, he craves for some warmth. Most of all, he
yearns for something he never experienced… love . But Jungkook knows that he’s not deserving of
it. He has nothing to offer, nothing but his heart and he’s well aware that it’s not enough.

Jungkook is too broken to be loved.

He has scars on his soul that prevent him from getting attached to anyone. Scars that still burn, that
still hurt, that he tries his hardest to forget. It never works. His nightmares are the proof of that, of
this weakness of his. And he hates being weak. He is strong, stronger than his past, than the ghosts
of it who follow him everywhere.

Jungkook grips the handlebars tighter. He doesn’t want to think . He wants to free his mind, but he
can’t. He’s a prisoner of what happened to him, of what could happen to him. No matter what he
does, no matter where he goes, he’s trapped inside a cage he can’t get out of.

Jungkook doesn’t live, he survives. And being alone makes everything harder for him.
Werewolves are creatures who need to live in a pack, and he’s been deprived of that for years. He
can feel the control he has over his wolf wearing thin because of that. Being unbinded means that
he can’t shift as much as he wants to, can’t seek the presence of another wolf as much as he needs
to. He has to stay away, he can’t risk endangering someone else, and it kills him slowly.
It’s hard, seeing yourself deteriorate little by little. It’s hard, knowing that you’re dying inside. And
Jungkook doesn’t know what he would do without his wolf. It’s his spirit, his soul, he can’t lose
him because… because what? Because his human form wasn’t strong enough to keep him alive?
It’s ironic. Jungkook left his pack to stay alive, and now… now he’s losing what is the most
precious to him. It isn’t fucking fair.

In the distance, Jungkook sees the outline of buildings and houses. A town, surrounded by a big
forest. He’ll have to stop there to put some gas into his tank and eat something. The possibility that
a pack lives there exists, and it makes Jungkook nervous. But he doesn’t have a choice. He’s been
on the road for hours already, since the sun rose, and he has to take a break. He just hopes that
laying low will suffice and that he won’t get into trouble. That’s the last thing he needs right now.

It only takes a few more minutes before Jungkook is in town, his motorcycle going down the main
road, engine roaring. The streets are eerily quiet, empty for the most part. The air is chilly, like a
horror movie even in broad daylight, but Jungkook doesn’t give a shit about that. He’s seen what
horror is like, felt what fear is like, he’s immune to them now. So, he gets down from his
motorcycle after finding a spot to park in front of a diner. He takes his helmet off and looks around,
smelling the air. Yes, there are definitely wolves in town. He can sense them, can feel them. He’s
gonna have to be careful, really careful. If someone finds out who he is and brings him back to his
old pack… No, he doesn’t want to think about that now.

Jungkook pushes the door of the diner open and instantly all heads turn around to look at him. He
steels himself further and goes inside, walking towards a booth in the back. He avoids the gazes of
everyone, looking straight ahead and keeping his head held high until he’s seated. Only then do the
people in the diner stop scrutinizing him, but he can hear the quiet whispering and he knows
they’re talking about him, about his unconventional looks, the leather he wears, the piercings, the
tattoos. He doesn’t belong here, he’s an abnormality. It doesn’t take a genius to figure that out.
And it shouldn’t bother him, the stares, the murmurs, but it does. It makes his skin itch.

Ignoring the heavy atmosphere around him, Jungkook takes the menu that was lying on the table in
his hands and busies himself by reading it. Just then, the bell above the door chimes and three tall
figures enter the diner. As soon as his nostrils flare, Jungkook knows that they’re wolves. All three
of them. He tenses, gripping the menu until his knuckles turn white.

This isn’t good. This isn’t good, at all. With wolves around, they will sense him, just as he sensed
them. They’ll know that he is an omega, and inevitably pick up the fact that he has no other pack
scent on him. Fuck, he’ll have to fight. He won’t have any other choice and most likely, he will end
up dead.

Well, shit. Should he try to leave right now, before it’s too late?

As the thought crosses his mind, he notices that the wolves don’t spare him a glance as they go to
sit in a booth on the other side of the diner. A sigh of relief escapes him. He’s safe, for now.

However, Jungkook’s relief is short-lived when one of the wolves makes eye contact with him, his
dragon eyes studying him intently. Jungkook stays still, breath stuck in his throat as the other stares
him down. He levels his gaze, defiant. He knows what he’s doing is incredibly stupid, he should
just bow his head down but he can’t. His wolf doesn’t let him. He’s come too far to submit simply
because he’s an omega, the class considered inferior in comparison to the others. He did that too
much in the past and it got him nowhere.

The alpha raises an eyebrow in his direction and smirks before turning his attention back to the two
wolves with him. He says something to them that Jungkook can’t hear, or rather, doesn’t want to
hear. Jungkook’s eyes stay on the alpha, on the threat that he could become, but all he exudes is
calm, serenity. He doesn’t seem like he’s on the verge of attacking Jungkook like so many other
wolves did before. It’s… odd, admittedly but Jungkook isn’t complaining. Of course, he will
continue to keep his guard up, but if he can breathe easier, even by a little, he won’t spit on it.

In the midst of trying to decipher the alpha’s intentions towards him, he doesn’t feel the waitress
approach his table. It’s only when he hears a cheerful “Welcome to Blue Side!” that he tears his
gaze away from the alpha and comes face to face with a woman who can’t be older than forty
years old. Her smile, heart-shaped, takes up all of her face. She’s a ray of sunshine, Jungkook can
tell from the energy she radiates. He involuntarily lets out a small smile of his own as he looks at
her and it feels almost foreign. When was the last time he smiled, genuinely smiled?

“What would you like to order?” she asks, pen tapping on her little notebook.

“Jajangmyeon and banana milk, please,” Jungkook answers.

His voice is deep, gravelly from not having used it for hours, or was it for days? He doesn’t
remember.

“It’ll be ready in fifteen minutes, dear!”

Jungkook only nods as the waitress moves to another table. From the same group as before, he can
feel the weight of someone watching him and he lifts his head to meet feline, cat-like eyes. The
wolf is shorter than the other alpha, but he looks more intimidating and closed-off with his dark
hair and dark attire. His piercing gaze threatens to send shivers running down Jungkook’s spine,
but he pushes it down as though he’s unaffected. His instincts tell him to run away, run far and fast
so no one would have any hope of catching up to him. He stays put, eyes unblinking as they dive
into the other’s ones. The wolf just smiles, elusive, before turning his head on the side and
speaking with the dragon-eyed alpha.

What are they trying to do? By now, they should have come to Jungkook’s table, asked him who
he was, why was he on their territory and all that shit. But they didn’t. Weird. The third wolf —an
alpha too—still has his back turned on Jungkook so he doesn’t see his face, only his bubblegum
pink hair. He’s relieved that he doesn’t have to undergo another staring contest with this one. The
first two had him on edge as it was. And he can’t relax, not at all. Now, he’s on high alert. He
knows he can’t take on three alphas if they decide to attack him, but hell if he won’t die trying.

Jungkook’s train of thought is cut off when the waitress comes back with his order and places it on
the table in front of him. He thanks her quietly before taking the first bite of his noodles. They have
a bitter taste as he unsuccessfully tries to shake the feeling of being watched, and he can’t
appreciate the dish like he would have without everyone around gossiping about him. It gets on his
nerves. Jungkook knows he shouldn’t let these things get under his skin but then he remembers the
smirk, the smile of the alphas. Something stirs inside of him, something ugly, something he doesn’t
like to face: fear.

Jungkook tries to swallow it down with his noodles. He tries to keep his gaze on everything but the
wolves. It’s difficult because his wolf can’t help but react to their presence, clawing at his skin to
get out, to fight, to protect him. He can feel beads of sweat start to trickle down his temples and he
grits his teeth, clenching his jaw as he tries to control his inner wolf. This isn’t good.

As though he sensed Jungkook’s inner turmoil, the dragon-eyed alpha turns back to him, a look of
concern painted on his striking features. Shit , his mind hisses in alarm, what is he supposed to do
now? Jungkook eludes his gaze, opting to eat the rest of his noodles like he isn’t on the verge of
shifting in the middle of a diner to pounce on three alphas. Soon, a shadow is looming over him
and someone slides into the booth, taking a seat in front of him. Fuck, fuck, fuck. He inhales
sharply, sandalwood filling his nostrils, before lifting his doe eyes to meet dragon ones.

“Hi.”

Jungkook doesn’t answer. He knows it’s rude, but frankly, he’s not even sure if he can actually
speak right now. His wolf is howling inside him, screaming danger, danger, danger , and Jungkook
does everything he can to not let him out, to not break.

“I’m Kim Namjoon,” the alpha continues.

He sounds encouraging, like Jungkook didn’t just ignore him, like he thinks Jungkook is gonna
give him his name too.

Another beat of silence passes. Namjoon sighs, letting out a resigned, “Okay.”

For a second, Jungkook thinks he’s gonna give up and leave, but Namjoon doesn’t. He just looks at
him, pensive, like he’s trying to figure him out. Well, good luck with that.

“I won’t hurt you,” is what Namjoon says next and Jungkook’s eyes widen, “Nor will my friends.”

Jungkook doesn’t believe him, doesn’t trust him, but for some reason a part of him strangely wants
to. There’s something so peaceful radiating from Namjoon. He doesn’t act as a threat to Jungkook,
he acts like… a friend?

“You’re safe here.”

Safe? Jungkook almost scoffs. He's not safe anywhere. Not when he's being hunted down by an
entire pack. But Namjoon doesn’t need to know that, he shouldn’t know that.

“Why are you telling me this?” Jungkook asks defensively.

“Because I think you need to know.”

“You don’t know me,” Jungkook spits.

“You’re right,” Namjoon says, shrugging. “I don’t know you. I just… had a hunch that you needed
the reassurance.”

“I don’t need anything coming from you or your friends.”

Namjoon doesn’t say anything for a while, just looks at Jungkook like he can decipher all the
emotions storming in his eyes, like he can see the scared little child hiding behind all his bravado.
It puts Jungkook ill at ease. Because for the first time in a long time, he feels seen. He feels like he
can’t hide behind his mask and it’s frightening.

Finally, Namjoon nods, lips tight. He gets up from his seat, standing near the table for a minute
with his heavy gaze still fixed on Jungkook.

“I won’t bother you anymore. Have a nice day.”

With a wave of his hand, Namjoon turns around and makes his way back to his booth. Jungkook
lets out the breath he didn’t know he was holding and as he watches him leave, he sees Namjoon
start talking animatedly with his friends, most likely relaying the conversation they just had.
Jungkook shakes his head and finishes his banana milk before putting some money on the table.
He exits the diner without a glance back.
Once he’s outside, Jungkook ponders on what to do. Stay or leave. He’s tired, exhausted even. The
exchange with Namjoon, no matter how short it was, drained him. His wolf needs to calm down, he
needs to calm down and sleeping for hours to forget about the world, about all his worries,
suddenly seems like a good idea.

Jungkook’s eyes land on the hotel standing on the opposite side of the street, with its white facade,
cracked in some places. It looks old, the name of the hotel painted above the entrance in big black
tatty letters. Jungkook has seen better, but he has seen worse too. This will do.

Jungkook crosses the street and enters the hotel, quickly booking a room for the night and climbing
the stairs to the right floor. When he opens the door of hisroom, he’s met with gaudy decoration
that appears to be straight out of the 70’s. Maroon carpeting, brown furniture, white lamps here and
there, psychedelic wallpaper, and mustard blankets on the bed. Somehow, it makes him tiredly
smile as the mix of colors hurt his eyes. This is familiar for him, someone who is used to going
from hotel room to hotel room. It’s not ideal, but it’s enough to be a shelter for a few hours. At
least, he hopes so.

After closing the door behind him and locking it, Jungkook takes his shoes off and lets his
backpack fall to the floor. As he goes to the bed, he peels off his clothes, only keeping his
underwear on. He slides under the blankets and closes his eyes, throwing an arm across his face to
block the sun rays filtering through the yellow curtains.

Sleep never comes easy to Jungkook. Too many thoughts clouding his mind, too many nightmares
awaiting to claw at him in the dark. He doesn’t remember the last time he slipped into a peaceful
slumber, or the last time he didn’t have to sleep with one eye open. It’s been too long. Days, weeks,
months.

You’re safe here.

Namjoon’s words ring in his ears. Can Jungkook believe him? Can he believe that, for once, he can
just close his eyes and let go for a few hours? He sighs. He doesn’t really have a choice, does he?
His body is at its limit, his mind is on the verge of breaking, his wolf… his wolf is not so far from
collapsing. He needs the rest.

Jungkook evens his breath, focusing on the way his heart beats in his chest, letting the sounds of
the outside world become white noise as he falls, little by little, into the arms of Morpheus.
Darkness engulfs him and he spirals into a world which should be made of dreams, a world where
he should be free. But all that welcomes him are images of blood, of wolves howling, chasing after
him, images of Him, the one who wants him dead… and he thrashes in between the sheets, sweat
dripping down his body, broken sobs and piercing cries escaping past his lips.

It hurts. It hurts so bad, to fight even in his sleep, to fight for every breath, to fight for every beat of
his heart. However, he does it, endlessly, he does it with every fiber of his being, no matter how
exhausted he is, no matter how wrecked he is. He can’t back down, can’t give up, even if it would
be the easy way out. He desperately wants to live, desperately wants to believe that he has the right
to. He might cry, he might break down when nobody is around, but Jungkook remains a strong
omega, one who is willing to fight until his last breath.

And so, in the midst of his agitated sleep, as Jungkook wakes up a few times, breathing ragged,
pulse spiking and disoriented, he forces himself to fall back asleep. He forces himself to face his
demons yet again. He won’t let them win, ever.
 Chapter 2

When Jungkook is finally awakened from his sleep, it’s dark outside, the day having been chased
away. He sits in bed, running a hand down his face and disheveled hair. His eyes are red, his
cheeks are covered by tear tracks and his heart aches. He’s tired, so fucking tired of everything.

“Fuck,” he curses as he gets up and goes to the bathroom.

Once he’s in front of the mirror, Jungkook looks at himself and a deep sigh leaves his lips. He
looks like shit. He splashes cold water on his face, trying to freshen up a little, trying to get out of
this zombie kind of state he’s in but to no avail. He groans. He’s fed up with feeling like this, like
he’s hanging on only by a thread, like he’s not human anymore. How long will this go on? How
long will he be able to survive like this? Jungkook doesn’t know.

Jungkook dries his face with a towel before going back to the adjacent room and sitting on the bed.
Looking at the ugly wallpaper, he thinks about what to do now. He has enough money to pay for
the hotel room, the gas for his motorcycle and his meals for about two, or three weeks only. He
needs to find a job, as soon as possible. He can try in the next town, maybe, but something inside
Jungkook whispers for him to stay here, in Tree Hill. He doesn’t know what it is, but it’s there,
pulling him in, tugging at him. Strange.

Jungkook gets up from the bed and puts his clothes back on before taking his backpack and going
out of the room. The lights are flickering in the corridor as he steps foot in it. There’s no one
around, he’s aware of that because he doesn’t hear any heartbeat except for his own. It’s eerie and
it makes a shiver involuntarily run down his spine as he locks the door of his hotel room. He takes
a deep breath before heading down the stairs.

As Jungkook walks to the ground floor, his mind wanders back to the decision he made a few
minutes earlier. Is it a mistake, staying here? On one hand, his heart, his wolf, are saying no, for a
reason he can’t explain. On the other hand, he can’t help but conjure all that could go wrong.
Namjoon didn’t seem so bad, however, he isn’t the whole pack, just one member of it. What if the
other wolves in town decide that he’s not welcomed here? What if they think he’s a threat to them?
What if they find out his secret? What if—

Jungkook shakes his head. He can’t let these kinds of thoughts get the best of him right now. It’s
not the first time he has decided to stay somewhere for longer than a few hours. But, somehow, it’s
the first time that he wishes that he doesn’t have to leave. He knows he’s just being irrational
though, selfish. They ’re gonna find him, one day or another, and he’ll have to flee yet again.
That’s just how it is, he accepted it a long time ago, and he can't let hope bloom in his heart. It’s a
dumb thing to do.

Jungkook leaves the hotel and goes back to the diner. As soon as he opens the door, he takes a deep
breath in, nostrils flaring as he takes in the scents of the people in the room. Humans . They’re all
humans. Relief washes through him and he steps further inside, heading straight to a booth in the
back, ignoring the stares and whispers that follow him.

Jungkook doesn’t even look at the menu this time, he just waits for someone to come and take his
order. His eyes are glued to the window, on this town that seems so univinting, so dark, so
mysterious. He doesn’t know what he finds so appealing about it, why he wants to stay, but he
does. There are secrets to uncover here, and maybe more.

“You’re back.”
Jungkook turns his head around to see the waitress from hours before looking at him with a
friendly smile.

“I am,” he confirms, voice hoarse.

“I’m glad Namjoon didn’t scare you away.”

Jungkook raises his eyebrows, surprised by the words leaving the waitress’ mouth.

“It would take more than him to scare me,” he hears himself replying.

The last time he was scared, Jungkook was eighteen. It was three years ago. He was helpless,
alone, in danger. But he made it out alive, he survived. And he keeps on surviving, every day.

“You’re a tough one.”

“You could say that,” he half-smiles.

“You know… Namjoon is a good kid, a good alpha.”

Jungkook blinks. Did she just…? The waitress—Eunha, as her badge states—chuckles.

“I may be human, but my son, Hoseok, is not. He’s a member of the Black Moon pack, just like
Namjoon. They’re best friends.”

“Why… Why are you telling me all of this?”

“I heard your conversation with Namjoon during lunch, and he’s right, no matter what brought you
here, you’re safe.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that the pack looks after us, that the pack protects us.”

“But I’m a stranger, they don’t owe me any kind of protection.”

“They don’t do it because you owe them something, they do it because it’s in their nature.”

Their nature? Jungkook resists the urge to roll his eyes. The nature of the wolves in his old pack
was never to protect, but to attack, to destroy, to kill. He has never known the comfort of feeling
safe, of feeling like his life wasn’t endangered every minute of every day. The inhabitants of Tree
Hill seem to be lucky bastards.

“It doesn’t matter anyway,” he says bitterly.

“I think it does.”

Jungkook just shrugs. Honestly, what can he retort to that? Nothing. Because, maybe, just maybe,
Eunha is right. It matters, knowing that he’s safe. Even if it might be just an illusion, even if he
knows that it won’t last, it offers him a chance to stop and breathe for a little.

“Are you planning to stay or are you just passing by?”

“Actually, I’d like to stay here for a while. I just need to find a job for that.”

Eunha seems to consider something for a few seconds, before she speaks again.
“Do you know how to cook?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“Want to be a chef?”

“A chef?”

“Our chef quit two days ago, we’re looking for someone to replace him. Could be you, if you
want.”

“Just like that?”

“Just like that. You need a job, we need help in the kitchen. If you think you can do it, the job is
yours.”

“Why are you offering it to me? You don’t know me.”

“I may not know you, but I have a good feeling about you, and I trust my instincts.”

“I could be a serial killer.”

Eunha laughs out loud, wiping a fake tear from her right eye, before looking Jungkook straight in
the eyes.

“You’re not, kid. You’re a lone wolf, I can see that. And I don’t need to be a wolf to feel your pain.
I don’t know how you ended up here, in Tree Hill, I don’t why, but I can tell there’s a reason. And
if it starts with you working for me…”

“For you?”

“Yes, Blue Side is my diner,” Eunha says proudly. “So, want to give it a try? A week. And if you
don’t want to stay after that, then…”

It seems too good to be true and Jungkook is doubtful, but he can’t afford to say no. He needs the
money.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

“Great!” Eunha exclaims, smiling wide, “I’m sure you’ll like it here.”

Here . Jungkook doesn’t know if she refers to the diner or the town, but does it matter? Not really.
He won’t like it. He never liked anything.

“Can you start tomorrow?”

“I can.”

“Perfect. Let me feed you and then, I’ll show you around. Sounds good?”

Jungkook nods without uttering a word and Eunha leaves his table to go to the kitchen and fetch
him some food.
While he waits, Jungkook thinks back to his life, if he can call it that. He was raised to obey, to
bow his head, to submit. He never had the chance to just be himself, so it’s no surprise that he
doesn’t really know who he is. He’s a lost boy, a lone wolf just like Eunha said, he admits it.
There’s so much that has been ripped away from him just because he is an omega, and an orphan
on top of that. Sometimes, the thought crosses his mind that he would have been better off if he had
died with his parents. But he’s still there, breathing, fighting, he still believes that he can live, just
live. And it might be idiotic but it’s all he has left: his will to stay alive. That’s one thing they
couldn’t take away from him, no matter how hard they tried.

Rain starts to fall, droplets of water sticking to the glass windows of the diner, sliding down them
in thin little trails. It feels like the sky is crying for him. He, himself, has cried enough. Jungkook
remembers vividly the times when he was beaten up as a pup, the times where he couldn’t hold
back his tears like he learned to throughout the years, letting them fall only when he’s alone. He
still remembers and the pain stays with him. But he’s not a pup anymore, he’s an omega, a badass
one who can protect himself. He grew up. His skin got thicker, and he got stronger, strong enough
to face his demons one by one, even if it’s the last thing he’ll ever do.

Eunha comes back with beef bulgogi and banana milk, a smile etched on her face as she puts the
dish on the table in front of Jungkook. He thanks her and she waves him off before disappearing
from his sight. As he eats, Jungkook wonders what he did to deserve crossing Eunha’s path, to
deserve her kindness. He wonders what she really sees in him. The pain, the loneliness… Jungkook
thought that he was hiding his emotions better than that. But with his wolf so close to the surface,
it’s hard to hold them back.

Jungkook is more vulnerable than he can afford to be if a human can read him like an open book.
That means that one smell and any wolf could tell what he feels. It’s dangerous. Namjoon, for
example, could have used that to his advantage. Jungkook is glad he didn’t. However, even if
Eunha trusts the pack, he doesn’t. He has to be in control, in full control again, and fast. He can’t be
seen as weak, as prey. That would be signing his death warrant.

Jungkook keeps on eating, the sound of rain and cars passing by soothing to his ears. He focuses on
that, rather than anything else. It puts him at ease, enough for him to be attuned with his wolf, to
take back the reins. Maybe he was far more exhausted than he thought, maybe that’s why he was
so transparent to Namjoon and Eunha. He needs rest, real rest, not the shallow one he got in the
hotel room earlier. He needs peace and quiet. He needs warmth and comfort. Will he ever get
them? He doubts it.

“Ready, dear?”

Jungkook looks up from his cleared plate to see Eunha already gazing at him with a fond smile.

“Yes.”

“Then follow me.”

Jungkook gets up from his booth and follows Eunha like a puppy. Like promised, she shows him
around, letting him get a grasp of how things work. They don’t talk about anything else, and
somehow, it relieves Jungkook. The last thing he wants is to be asked questions about himself and
having to answer them. It’s never a good idea to expose himself, and he doesn’t want to have to lie
to Eunha. The only info he lets slip is his first name, and that’s already too much. Usually, he uses
an alias, but not this time. For a while, he wants to be himself again, he wants to be Jungkook, not
anyone else. It’s a risk he’s taking and he hopes he won’t regret it.

“You’ll work alone in the kitchen, I hope that’s okay.”

More than okay , Jungkook wants to answer. He’s not good with people, so not having to deal with
them is the best thing that could happen to him.

Jungkook doesn’t say anything, just lets Eunha continue to show him where everything is stored in
the kitchen. Working here will be easy, he thinks. Isolated from the rest of the staff, his scent
hidden behind the aromas coming from the food, he should be okay.

“We’ll see each other at 10 am tomorrow,” Eunha says to him as they part by the back door’s
threshold.

Jungkook nods before leaving and going back to his hotel room, running under the rain. He’s
drenched by the time he reaches his destination and is quick to take his clothes off and hop in the
shower. Under the streaming water, Jungkook tries to not let his thoughts wander too far, tries to
not think about his helpless situation. He’s done that too much and that got him nowhere. Nothing's
gonna change anyway. He’ll stay here for a month or two, they’ll find him, and he’ll have to flee to
the next town, just to repeat everything yet again. It’s an endless circle, one that he can’t break, at
least, not on his own.

“I wish you were here,” he murmurs into the void, thinking about the mate he’ll never have.

And it burns his heart, the loneliness, his sadness, his sorrow. But he can’t stop the fire licking at
his insides, can’t stop the flames from growing. One day, he’ll turn to ashes and nobody’s going to
miss him.
 Chapter 3

It’s the middle of the night when Jungkook wakes up in cold sweat, a silent scream distorting the
curve of his lips. He sits up in bed, heaving as he runs his hands down his face, trying to push away
the remnants of the nightmare he just had. His wolf is restless under his skin, itching to be released.
And, this time, Jungkook knows he doesn’t have a choice. He has to let him out. He has to shift.

Jungkook gets up from the bed and puts his clothes on with trembling hands. His mind is still
somewhere else, stuck in the depths the nightmare pulled him into. It’s as dark in his head as it is
outside. But he knows that shifting will help, that it will erase the hurt for a while.

Even though it’s dangerous for him to turn into a wolf in an unknown territory, there’s no other
option at this point. His wolf is hurting so bad, and he is, too. He has to do something, anything, to
stop the flow of the bad emotions crashing down on him. He knows that shifting will shut down
his thoughts, shut down his feelings until he doesn’t feel like he’s breaking down anymore.

Once dressed up, Jungkook takes his keys and leaves the hotel. In only a few minutes, he’s on his
motorcycle, heading to the forest. The rain has stopped, but its smell is still pungent in the air,
filling his nostrils. Dark clouds loom above Tree Hill, leaving little space for the moon to appear
and shine over the town. His wolf stirs in his chest as the glow of it surrounds Jungkook like a
halo.

“Soon,” he whispers.

Jungkook’s wolf whines and he presses the pedal of the accelerator harder. He, too, can’t wait to
shift. It’s been too long, way too long, and he missed it so much. There’s nothing more
exhilarating, more freeing, than to become one with his wolf. And he needs it, needs it more than
anything right now.

When Jungkook reaches the forest edge, he parks on the muddy trail, before getting down from his
motorcycle. He sniffs but doesn’t feel any presence around. Relieved, he takes off his clothes and
puts them in the compartment situated under the saddle of his motorcycle. He looks at the moon
shining bright above him and takes one deep breath before totally letting go.

And then, he shifts.

The transition from human to wolf doesn’t hurt him anymore, not after all those years, but it
remains a process that makes him vulnerable. He hates the fact that if another wolf were to come
here while he was shifting, it would be able to kill him easily. And Jungkook wouldn’t be able to
fight it.

Slowly, his hands become paws, his teeth become fangs, his skin becomes fur, and, soon,
Jungkook’s wolf has taken over. In place of a young man, stands a beautiful white wolf with gray
eyes. Jungkook barely resists the urge to howl at the moon once he’s transformed because of how
light, how happy he suddenly is. If he could, he’d smile right now.

It’s almost foreign, what he feels. And he realizes that he longed for this happiness, craved it these
past couple of months. Being a wolf… it’s the only way for him to feel like himself again, like he’s
whole and not made of broken pieces that barely hang on together. He deprived himself of it
because he was afraid of getting caught, of getting killed. He still is. But not tonight. Tonight, he
lets himself pretend that he can be free again.
Jungkook takes off. At first, he doesn’t go fast, he just takes in his surroundings. The tall trees, the
fallen leaves crunching under his paws, the muddy ground he steps on, the owls’ hoots he can hear
in the distance. Like the town, the forest is not the most inviting, especially at night like this, but
Jungkook likes it. He likes the dark, he likes how the glow of the moon reflects itself on the trees,
casting long shadows onto the ground, he likes the quietness of the forest, the peace he feels as he
rushes into it. And he wants more.

So, Jungkook starts to run. He runs wild and free, zooming past the trees surrounding him, his
paws flying above the ground, his strides following the rhythm of his crazy heartbeat. He could do
this for hours, running into the woods, letting his instincts take over and not think about anything
else but the sensations of his muscles straining as he speeds up. He melts into the feeling of the
wind weaving its way through his fur, caressing him slowly with its invisible hands. It feels good,
so good, and he doesn’t want it to stop. He wants to run forever, to forget his human thoughts, the
ones that keep him awake at night. He wants to, but he can’t. Going rogue is not an option, not for
him. That would mean being defeated by his demons. And he can’t have that.

Jungkook sinks further and further into the forest until he stops his tracks in a clearing. The ground
is covered with red poppies, the light of the moon shining on each of their petals, making them
glow in the dark. It’s beautiful. Jungkook enters the clearing, cautious as to not crush any poppy
under his paws. He smells the air, filling his lungs with the flowers’ fragrance, when suddenly, he
hears rustling coming from his right. He turns his head around and there, right in front of him,
stands a wolf with chestnut kind of brown fur and his purple eyes—the eyes of a true blood alpha.
A shiver runs down his spine and he spins around, claws and paws digging into the ground, hairs
on its fur standing on end all along his spine, growl rumbling deep within his chest. Ready to
attack.

But the other wolf doesn’t move, it just sits on its haunches and looks at Jungkook, head tilted to
the side. And Jungkook… Jungkook doesn’t know why, but he doesn’t feel like this wolf is a threat
to him, doesn’t think that he’s here to kill him. His heart is pounding hard in the swell of his
ribcage, and his wolf… as crazy as it sounds, his wolf wants to howl in joy and he can barely stop
him from wagging its tail. Why? Jungkook shakes himself off, and looks at the wolf on the other
side of the clearing, unmoving. It’s stunning, and Jungkook doesn’t remember ever seeing a wolf
so beautiful. Something in him wants him to approach the wolf, to bury his face in its neck and to
stay there, forever. Foolish. One step ahead and the wolf might attack him.

Jungkook can’t comprehend what is happening to him. He doesn’t feel afraid, he doesn’t feel
scared of the other wolf. On the contrary, he feels something peaceful emanating from it,
something… soft, like it wants to show Jungkook that it means no harm. It’s crazy. And Jungkook
should just pounce on him, but he doesn’t. He stays put, his growls dying in his throat the more he
looks at the brown wolf, at its eyes, so mesmerizing. They’re letting out an array of emotions that
Jungkook is not in the right state of mind to decipher. But they look so deep, so… inviting. And he
can’t look away. He just can’t.

Jungkook is lost. He doesn’t know what to do. What are these emotions that shake him to the core
suddenly? He feels them all at once as though he were caught in a whirlwind, and it’s
overwhelming. He sits on his haunches, just like the other wolf, staring straight at him and just
waits for the other to do something, anything. And it does. Slowly, the alpha gets up and takes
careful steps towards Jungkook. Jungkook should flee while he still can, but he doesn’t. Something
glues him to its spot, something he can’t fight, something he strangely doesn’t want to fight. So he
waits. He waits for the brown wolf to be close enough that he can smell him. And when the cherry
blossoms fragrance hits his nose, a sense of calm, of comfort, of home washes over him.

The alpha stops a few feet away from Jungkook, bowing its head to him, and Jungkook’s eyes
widen. An alpha never bows its head to a wolf of an inferior rank. Never. So why did it do it?
When the wolf lifts its head and its eyes lock with Jungkook’s, the omega shudders under the
intensity of its gaze. Nobody has ever looked at him like that, like he’s something precious. It
glues back together some of Jungkook’s broken pieces. And Jungkook’s breath hitches as the alpha
makes its way to him. It’s almost too much, its presence, what it makes resonate in Jungkook. Too
much. And, before the wolf can stand next to him, can touch him, Jungkook runs. He runs, far
away, tears brimming in his eyes.

Everything blurs around him as Jungkook makes his way back to his motorcycle. Everything hurts,
deep inside. There’s no denying it. He just met his mate. And he ran away from him. When he was
close, so, so close, he left him. Jungkook knows it’s for the best, that he can’t let anybody in, that it
would be too dangerous for them, but damn, if it isn’t tearing him apart. As he shifts back, the
weight of what he did hits him and he falls to his knees and lets the broken sobs he held back
tumble out of his mouth. It stings. Every cry, every tear that falls on his cheeks, it stings. He knows
he made the right choice, for the both of them, but his heart shattered in the process.

Jungkook doesn’t remember how he got back to his hotel room, how he got under the blankets of
his bed, all he remembers is the hurt in his mate’s eyes when he turned around and started running
away. It makes his heart ache, it makes his insides churn, it makes him feel awful. But he only has
himself to blame for turning his back on what he dreamed of for years. Why? Why did he have to
meet him now? Here, of all places? When they can’t be together? It’s not fair.

That night, Jungkook doesn’t sleep.

He’s not able to close his eyes without seeing the ones of his mate, without seeing his magnificent
wolf form and wanting to discover what he looks like as a human. His mate invades his mind, his
heart, and he can’t fight it. He lets himself dream of another world, one in which he could be with
his mate, one where he could love him. He lets himself be delusional for a few hours, thinking of a
mystery man, of how they’re meant to be… But, in a corner of his mind, he wishes he didn’t meet
his mate tonight, because leaving him behind was the hardest thing he had to do and it’s another
scar on his battered soul and his bruised heart. A scar that will never let him forget what he did,
what he lost. Never.
 Chapter 4

Jungkook feels hollow, empty, as he walks to the diner to begin his shift. He feels like something is
missing, like half of his heart is empty. It’s like someone opened up his ribcage to steal it, and left
him with an organ which doesn’t beat anymore. He feels dead inside. And all he can think about is
how he hurt his mate, how he rejected him. Guilt is eating him alive.

“You look terrible,” Eunha greets him when he steps foot inside the diner.

“Thanks,” he replies, sarcastic.

“Want to talk about it?”

Jungkook shakes his head. No, he doesn’t want to talk about it. He doesn’t want to hear how stupid
he was for leaving his mate in the woods, alone. Not that he’s afraid for him. After all, he’s a true
blood alpha. He surely knows how to protect himself. And protect, that’s what Jungkook wanted to
do too, that’s why he disappeared into the night. No matter how much he needs, wants, craves his
mate, he can’t be with him, he can’t bring him into his mess.

“As you wish. But if you change your mind…”

“I won’t.”

Eunha sighs like she’s disappointed, like she wants to say something else to help Jungkook, but she
doesn’t push and Jungkook is grateful for that. He honestly has no energy to talk right now, let
alone open up to someone. He needs to remain closed off, detached from everything and everyone.
He needs to keep his emotions at bay, no matter how much he drowns in them, no matter how
much he wants to scream and shout. He needs to.

They leave it at that and start working, Eunha at the front, and Jungkook at the back, in the
kitchen. His shift goes by uneventfully and he loses himself in his work, in the repetitive gestures
he has to do to cook the ordered dishes. It should be easy, it really should. But Jungkook has a hard
time focusing on his task when his mind is flooded with the memories of the night. His lungs are
filled with an intoxicating cherry blossom’s scent and everywhere he looks, he sees purple eyes
looking straight back at him. He feels hopeless.

Jungkook is so lost in his thoughts that he doesn’t realize that he’s not alone in the kitchen
anymore. Not until someone clears their throat behind him. And when he turns around, he meets
dragon eyes and he wants to facepalm, hard. Talking with Namjoon is the last thing he wants to do
right now. But Jungkook guesses he doesn’t have a choice, seeing how the alpha looks at him,
demanding attention.

“Hi,” Namjoon says, slipping his hands in his jeans’ pockets.

“Hi,” Jungkook reluctantly acknowledges.

“Eunha told me that she hired you.”

“She did.”

“That’s good.”

Good? Jungkook raises an eyebrow, dumbfounded by Namjoon’s words. It’s the last thing he
thought he’d hear from the alpha. The alpha doesn’t say anything else after that, making Jungkook
nervous.

“Why are you here?” he finally asks, crossing his arms across his chest defensively, breaking the
thick silence between him and Namjoon.

“To talk.”

“About?”

“You.”

When Jungkook doesn’t utter a word, Namjoon goes on.

“And the pack.”

“I don’t want to have anything to do with your pack,” Jungkook bites out.

Namjoon’s eyes widen and he seems taken aback for a hot second.

“Werewolves can’t survive without a pack.”

“I’m well aware of that fact.”

“How long have you been packless?”

“It’s none of your business.”

“It became my business the day you stepped foot on our territory,” Namjoon says, eyes flashing
green.

Jungkook grits his teeth, jaw clenching as he stares the alpha down. It doesn’t take a second for
him to make a decision. He takes off his apron, letting it fall to the floor, before walking to
Namjoon. They’re almost chest to chest when he angrily says, “Fine. I’ll leave and you never have
to worry about seeing me again.”

Before Jungkook can walk past Namjoon and storm out of the kitchen, the alpha grabs his arm
gently, stopping him in his tracks.

“Stay.”

“Why? Clearly, you don’t want me here.”

“I never said that,” Namjoon sighs, letting go of Jungkook.

“You didn’t have to.”

“I’m sorry.”

Jungkook’s eyes grow wide when he hears Namjoon’s apology. Never in his life has he heard an
alpha apologize to an omega. Never. It reminds him of his mate’s bow, of how he lowered himself
almost to the ground in front of Jungkook. What’s going on with the wolves of the Black Moon
pack?

“What?”
“You heard me.”

Namjoon runs a hand on his face in a weary gesture, before speaking again.

“You can stay, Jungkook.”

Jungkook startles as he hears his name fall from Namjoon’s lips.

“Eunha told me,” the alpha supplies.

“Figured.”

“I know you’re a lone wolf, I know you don’t want to be a member of a pack, and it’s your choice.
But I have to protect Black Moon. I have to know if you’re a threat to us or not.”

“I’m not,” Jungkook honestly says.

It’s not really a lie. As long as he stays away from the pack, as long as he remains alone, he’s not a
danger for anyone but himself.

Namjoon looks Jungkook deep in the eyes, like he’s searching for something, like he’s trying to
read him. And then, he nods.

“Okay. I trust you.”

Jungkook wants to ask why the alpha is trusting him so easily, why he’s not more suspicious of
him, but he seals his lips. He just turns back around and picks up his apron, tying it around his
waist before he goes back to his cooking. He doesn’t care that it’s rude of him to ignore Namjoon,
but he doesn’t have anything more to say to him. He already talked too much for his liking.

“Don’t do anything stupid,” is the last thing he hears before the alpha leaves the kitchen.

Jungkook lets out the breath he didn’t know he was holding once he’s alone again, his hands
curling around the counter, knuckles white.

“Fuck,” he curses.

When he arrived in town, Jungkook didn’t want to meddle with the pack, and now, he knows he
will have at least one of his members on his back. It’s not good. Not good at all. And it makes him
want to leave Tree Hill, to get back on the road again and never look back.

You can stay, Jungkook.

Can he, really? Jungkook doesn’t know.

 Chapter 5

Jungkook is in bed, tucked under the mustard blankets, eyes closed, sleeping—or trying to— when
his dreams shift to something dark, something he would give everything he has to forget. And
suddenly, he’s brought back to his past, to the moment that scarred him for life, yet replays on loop
in his fucked up mind almost every night.

For once, Jungkook is alone at home. His uncle is on a business trip for three days and he left him
behind. Not that it matters to Jungkook. On the contrary, he likes the freedom that comes with
being alone, even if he has to follow the rules and stay inside the house. At least he’s not shouted
at, there’s no insults or degrading words thrown his way.

You’re a useless piece of shit.

You’re a waste of space.

You’re worth nothing.

The words echo in the house even if his uncle isn’t there. They stab Jungkook’s heart. Bleeding.
Weeping. And Jungkook finds himself crying in his bed, curled up under the sheets.

You should have died with your parents.

Maybe he should have. Maybe he wasn’t meant to survive. Maybe him still breathing is a mistake.
So, why doesn’t he end things, right then and there? There’s no one in the house, no one to stop
him. He’ll just have to take a knife in the kitchen and slit his wrists. Fast. Easy. But he doesn’t.
Why? Because he’s a coward. Because, somewhere deep inside of him, he still has faith that things
will get better, that, one day, he will be freed from this hell he’s living in. It might be foolish
however, that’s all he has left to hang on, the hope flickering in his chest.

Knocks suddenly resonate in the silence of the house. Jungkook quickly wipes his tears and goes to
answer the door. When he opens it, he’s met with the head alpha of the pack, Lee Minhyuk. A
shiver runs down his spine. And not a good one.

“Alpha,” he greets, bowing his head low.

Jungkook doesn’t make eye contact with Minhyuk, he knows he doesn’t have the right to. He’s an
omega after all.

“Jungkook.”

There’s a sickly sweet smile on Minhyuk’s face that creeps Jungkook out. He wraps his arms
around his body to protect himself… from what? He doesn’t know but he feels the need to find
shelter somewhere, anywhere, far from the head alpha. But he can’t. He’s stuck on the threshold of
his house, wondering what Minhyuk is doing here.

“Can I come in?”

Minhyuk asks, but Jungkook is aware that it’s purely rhetoric. He’s going to come in, whether
Jungkook wants it or not.

Jungkook steps aside and Minhyuk enters the house like he owns it. When he passes by Jungkook,
the latter gets a whiff of his scent and he hardly resists the urge to scrunch his nose. Minhyuk’s
scent is repellent. He smells so bad to Jungkook, who’s really sensitive to scents, that it makes him
want to puke.

Minhyuk goes to sit on the couch, motioning for Jungkook to sit next to him. He doesn’t want to,
doesn’t want to be close to the alpha, but he does. An omega never has a choice. An omega always
needs to obey. An omega always has to submit.

“You surely know why I’m here,” Minhyuk says, voice dripping with honey, but it sounds so
salacious to Jungkook that he shudders from disgust.

“I don’t, alpha.”

“Your uncle didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what, alpha?”

Minhyuk doesn’t answer right away. He places a hand on Jungkook’s thigh, caressing it slowly,
and Jungkook tenses. He wants to escape the touch, the proximity. But he’s trapped and his heart
beats a million miles a minute from how afraid he is of what could happen. For once, he wishes his
uncle was there, he wishes he wasn’t alone to face Minhyuk.

“About our mating,” Minhyuk answers, matter-of-factly.

Jungkook gasps, eyes widening as he hears the words leave the alpha’s mouth. He’s going to throw
up. He’s going to be sick. This can’t be happening. It can’t.

“Mating?” Jungkook chokes out.

“Hm,” Minhyuk affirms, “I chose you, Jungkook.”

All Jungkook can see behind the tears gathering in his eyes are Minhyuk’s hand on his thigh, his
fingers gripping at his flesh like he owns it, like he claimed it already and it makes his stomach
turn.

“But…”

Jungkook doesn’t finish his sentence, he can’t. He can’t tell the alpha that he doesn’t understand
why he wants Jungkook when he already has three spouses. It doesn’t make sense. Nobody should
want Jungkook except for his mate, his true mate, who isn’t Minhyuk. Oh God, his mate. Jungkook
can’t lose them, not like this, not before even having a chance to meet them. It isn’t fair! It’s
barbaric!

“It’s a great honor,” Minhyuk goes on, like he doesn’t feel Jungkook’s inner turmoil, like he
doesn’t feel his distress.

Jungkook swallows the words he really wants to say and whispers: “It is, alpha.”

His only hope now is to talk to his uncle and convince him that this is a bad idea, that he can’t just
get rid of Jungkook like this, by handing him to the head alpha of their pack, knowing full well what
kind of destiny that implies.

“You know… It’s planned in a few weeks from now, when you’ll turn eighteen, but I couldn’t
wait,” Minhyuk murmurs as he leans into Jungkook’s space.

Jungkook wants to back away, to put some space in between them, but he can’t move. He just can’t.
He’s frozen in place. He feels Minhyuk’s acrid breath on his neck, just before lips meet his skin.
And Jungkook wants to scream, to shout, to cry. He doesn’t want those lips on him, it feels wrong,
so wrong. But they move along his neck, licking his pulse point, teeth grazing the flesh as if
Minhyuk wants to bite him, to claim him, right then and there.

Jungkook’s whole body starts trembling, shaking, as Minhyuk presses into him more, as his hand
goes higher on Jungkook’s thigh, as his lips brush the mole he has on his neck. Jungkook feels dirty
and he tries to hold in wrenching sobs.

“You taste good, little one,” Minhyuk whispers against his skin and it makes Jungkook repress
himself from retching. “I want more.”

Minhyuk’s hand leaves Jungkook’s thigh to rest on his cheek. It’s supposed to be a tender gesture,
but it’s not in Minhyuk’s case, it’s a gesture that says “I can do whatever I want with you and you
can’t resist it.” It’s like Jungkook is his puppet, one that he pulls the strings of to force him to
follow his wishes. Because Jungkook doesn’t fight back. Because Jungkook doesn’t know if he can
even fight back.

Everyone knows how it’s almost impossible for an omega to go against an alpha’s command. And
even if Minhyuk said nothing aloud, his order is clear. Don’t move. Let me do whatever the fuck I
want with you. Inside, Jungkook’s wolf is clawing at his skin, wanting to get out, wanting to rip
Minhyuk’s throat apart. But Jungkook doesn’t shift, no matter how loud his wolf is howling in
pain. He remains helplessly a human, assaulted by an alpha he despises to the core.

When Minhyuk turns Jungkook’s head around with his hand, Jungkook briefly meets his eyes and
sees lust, satisfaction in them. He’s got Jungkook right where he wants him to be.

“Get on your knees, omega.”

Like a robot devoid of any emotions, Jungkook slides off the couch and lands on his knees.
Minhyuk gets up from the couch and comes to stand in front of Jungkook.

“You’ll be good for me,” he says as he unbuttons and unzips his jeans.

By now, tears are flowing out of Jungkook’s eyes and he can’t stop them. Not when Minhyuk slides
his jeans down his thighs, not when he does the same with his boxers, not when Jungkook’s eyes
land on his hard and leaking cock.

Jungkook knows what’s coming, what Minhyuk wants him to do. He wants him to open his mouth
and take his dick, inch by inch, until it hits the back of his throat. He wants him to be an obedient
hole. He wants him to act like the slut he probably thinks Jungkook is. But Jungkook can’t do that,
he just can’t.

Jungkook sees Minhyuk taking his cock in his hand, stroking it a few times. He closes his eyes. His
wolf is struggling inside him, asking to be freed, begging to take Jungkook’s place in order to
protect him. And when Minhyuk moves, when the tip of his cock touches Jungkook’s lips, when he
lowly says “Open up,” something in Jungkook finally snaps.

And he lets his wolf out.

Jungkook can hear himself scream as claws replace his nails, as he scratches Minhyuk’s dick,
wanting to get it out of his face, leaving angry red marks on it. He can hear the growl of pain the
alpha lets out, the roaring “Stop” that follows, but he doesn’t stop, he doesn’t submit. He keeps on
hitting Minhyuk, on his crotch, on his thighs, everywhere he can reach skin, and he impales his
claws into it, blood raining around him, on him. All he sees is red, red everywhere.

Jungkook doesn’t know how long it lasts, however, after a while, he finds himself heaving, looking
at his hands, covered in Minhyuk’s blood. Minhyuk who’s now laying down on the floor, barely
breathing. Jungkook doesn’t think. He gets up and runs to his bedroom. He takes a backpack,
throws clothes in it, before coming back to the living room and stealing some of his uncle's money,
kept hidden in a secret stash. He doesn’t look back as he leaves the house, as he hops on his
uncle’s motorcycle and leaves the pack grounds, his heart pounding hard in his chest.

Jungkook knows, as soon as he leaves the town, that he’ll never come back. He just signed his
death warrant by attacking the head alpha, but he doesn’t care. This, here, was never a home for
him. This, here, was never a pack for him. He won’t regret it. Never.

Jungkook wakes up, blotches of red dancing in front of his eyes. He knows that Minhyuk survived,
he knows because the alpha sent wolves after Jungkook, to seek revenge. He wishes Minhyuk
hadn’t. He wishes he was really free. But he’s not. He’s still a prisoner of his memories, of his past,
and it has anger rising in him.

He should have killed Minhyuk when he had the chance to.

 Chapter 6

Two days go by in a blur and Saturday rolls around. The diner is busy, so busy that Jungkook
doesn’t even have the time to think, which he is grateful for. He desperately needs a breather after
so many sleepless nights.

However, Jungkook finds himself missing the conversations Eunha would have with him on slow
days. She would enter the kitchen, sit on a stool at the counter, and tell Jungkook stories about her
life when she was younger, about her son that she is so proud of, about anything that came to her
mind. He likes those moments. They became a part of his routine, familiar. They became
something he looks forward to.

Jungkook shouldn’t though. He shouldn’t have let Eunha get close to him like that. Even if he
never answers when she talks, he listens, he absorbs the informations he’s given, and that’s already
something he hasn’t allowed himself to do in years. But there’s something so… motherly about
Eunha, something so sweet that he can’t resist. It makes him think about his own mother, the one
he never had the chance to know. It makes something warm settle deep in his chest, something that
Jungkook craves for: a connection.

Jungkook lets things happen naturally, no matter how risky it is. He doesn’t stop Eunha when she
starts talking to him, he doesn’t tell her to shut up and just leave. He doesn’t because, deep down,
he already cares about her. Is it a mistake? Maybe. Surely, it’s a choice he unconsciously made, to
let go for a while. But he knows that it shouldn’t get past that, past those one-sided conversations
they have in the shelter of the diner’s kitchen. More would be too unsafe, for the both of them.

Jungkook has to be in control, always, he can’t have any cracks in his walls that the wolves chasing
him could dive into. He can’t make any mistake that they could take advantage of. And it’s hard,
so hard when Eunha smiles at him almost tenderly, when she caresses his cheek like he means
something to her, like she cares, too. Jungkook thinks it’s already too late, that the first fissures in
his shield have already been made.

It’s at the end of his shift that Eunha comes to Jungkook.

“Tomorrow is your day off,” she reminds him.

Jungkook only nods.

“What are you gonna do?” Eunha asks.

“Sleep.”

Or try to sleep. In a perfect world, he would have gone running into the woods, but he doesn’t want
to risk coming across his mate again. He’s already too weak at the thought of him and he doesn’t
know how he would react seeing him again. Maybe, this time, he wouldn’t be able to control his
urge to be close to him, to bask in his scent, to feel his warmth seeping through him. And that
would be a disaster.

“That’s your plan?”

“Yes, what’s wrong with it?” Jungkook huffs.

Eunha shakes her head before letting out a loud sigh.

“That’s it. You’re coming to my house to have lunch with Hoseok and me.”

Hoseok. Her son. Her werewolf son. An immediate warning blares in Jungkook’s head.

“I can’t.”

“And why is that?”

Jungkook can’t tell her. He can’t tell her that he needs to stay away, for her own good. He can’t tell
her that he doesn’t want to step foot on the pack grounds, that he doesn’t want to have to do
anything with werewolves anymore. He can’t.

“I just can’t.”

“What are you so afraid of, dear?” Eunha questions, voice sweet, laced with concern.

“I’m not afraid,” he lies.

“You are. I can see it in your eyes. There’s torment swimming in them.”

Jungkook doesn’t say anything. What could he say, really? That he’s scared shitless to let someone
in because that would make them preys too? That he’s afraid of getting attached to anyone because
that would put them in danger? He remains silent.

“Here’s my address,” Eunha says as she gives Jungkook a piece of paper. “The door will be open
and we’ll be waiting for you.”

Jungkook takes the paper in his hand, on the verge of crumpling it and throwing it into the bin, but
he doesn’t. He just stares at it as Eunha adds: “And before you worry about that, we don’t live on
pack grounds.”

That’s the last thing she says before leaving the kitchen, leaving Jungkook alone with his jumbled
up thoughts.

When Jungkook leaves the diner a few minutes later, he’s torn. As he walks to the hotel, he thinks
about Eunha, about how she is so kind to him, so… understanding. Having lunch with her and her
son shouldn’t be a problem. But it is in Jungkook’s world.
 Chapter 7

Jungkook shouldn’t have come here. This is such a bad idea. So why is he standing in front of
Eunha’s home right now? He doesn’t know. And, frankly, it doesn’t matter. What matters is that
he’s here now, heart beating fast, bottom lip caught between his teeth, palms clammy as he wipes
them on his jeans. Nervous.

“I shouldn’t have come here,” he whispers to himself.

As Jungkook turns around, ready to leave and act like him coming here never happened, he hears
the door opening behind him.

“You must be Jungkook!”

“Hoseok,” Jungkook murmurs under his breath.

“That’s me.”

Jungkook doesn’t have to look to know that Hoseok is smiling. Somehow, it eases his nerves and
he turns around, meeting a guy around his age, dressed in all white with black and white checkered
boots. He wears dark eyeshadow, black eyeliner, but has the kindest brown eyes Jungkook has ever
seen. He also has a bridge nose piercing and black lipstick adorns his heart-shaped lips. His nails
are painted, black and white too. The only “conventional” thing about him is his hair, a light shade
of brown. So cool , Jungkook thinks.

“I saw you standing here looking kinda lost, so I came out to meet you.”

“Thanks, I guess,” Jungkook says, scratching his nape.

Hoseok laughs lightly, before tilting his head to the side, smile back on his face, curling up his lips.

“Nervous?”

“A bit,” Jungkook admits.

“I won’t tell you that there’s no need to be, because I’m not in your shoes,” Hoseok starts, taking
Jungkook aback. “But we’re not gonna eat you alive like the big bad wolf in Red Riding Hood , if
that’s what you’re nervous about.”

It’s not. Jungkook is nervous for a million other reasons. But not for that.

“We’re not living in a fairytale.”

“Sadly,” Hoseok sighs dramatically.

That brings out a small snort out of Jungkook.

“Why so sad? You want to be a big bad wolf too?”

“Why, do you think I’m not one already?” Hoseok smiles, fangs showing.

Jungkook raises an eyebrow, “Is that your way of intimidating me? Because it’s not working.”

Hoseok shrugs, fangs turning back to teeth as he looks at Jungkook curiously.

“You’re a tough nut to crack.”

I can’t crack , Jungkook wants to say. I can’t crack because that would put you in danger . But he
remains silent, like so many other times before.

“I like you,” Hoseok declares out of the blue.

Jungkook’s eyes widen.

“You like me?”

“Yeah! I think we can be good friends.”

Friends? The concept is so foreign to him, someone who never had any friends before, but he
knows what it means and Jungkook can’t afford that.

Jungkook takes too long to say something. Hoseok then takes the chance to come closer to him and
puts a hand on his shoulder, squeezing it softly.

“Ready to come inside?” he asks.

Jungkook ponders on what to do. He can still leave and never look back. He can pretend that
Hoseok’s words, Hoseok’s attitude, didn’t affect him. Or, he can take a leap of faith. Something in
Hoseok’s eyes reassures him, invites him in, and he finds himself nodding. With a wide smile,
Hoseok lets go of him before turning back around to get to the door. Jungkook follows him,
wondering if he made the right choice.

As soon as he steps foot inside the house, Jungkook understands what a home is supposed to be
like. It’s warm, cozy. Lively, bright colors are found everywhere and his eyes can’t take everything
in at once.

“Welcome,” Hosek cheerfully hums beside him.

Jungkook doesn’t say anything, he just follows the beta further inside. And as he does, his nose is
hit with Hoseok’s cinnamon scent. It permeates every corner of the house, marking it as his
territory, guarding it.

“You grew up here,” Jungkook talks mindlessly as he takes in Hoseok’s baby pictures hanging on
the wall in front of him.

“Yes,” Hoseok confirms. “But don’t look at those pictures, they’re honestly horrible,” he adds,
pointing at a specific picture where he has his tongue out, cheeks puffed and eyes wide.

“Why? It’s cute.”

Hoseok doesn’t respond, but Jungkook can see the blush suddenly reddening his cheeks. It makes
him smile slightly, even if he quickly hides it before the beta can catch him.

Jungkook’s eyes land on a picture of Eunha holding Hoseok when he was, what, one or two years
old. And it makes his heart ache because all those pictures are memories and he doesn’t have any
of his own. He doesn’t have any pictures of him when he was young, he doesn’t have any pictures
of his parents and he doesn’t even remember what they looked like. All the memories he has are
filled with hurt, with pain, with that constant feeling of loneliness. So maybe a part of him is
jealous of Hoseok, and he almost wants to tear those pictures into pieces, to stop seeing them. But
they’re here, nagging at him, and he can’t stop looking, no matter how much it hurts.
“This one is me and my friends,” Hoseok says as he points to another picture, “This is Seokjin,
Namjoon, Jimin, Yoongi and Taehyung.”

Jungkook doesn’t know why, but when he hears Taehyung’s name, when he looks at him on the
glossy paper, his heart flips in his chest. The man is so gorgeous, Jungkook feels that there are not
enough words to describe his beauty and that he wouldn’t even try to do it. He gets lost for a
moment there, gets lost in chestnut eyes, in the little mole on top of the man’s nose, in his fluffy
hair, hair that he wouldn’t mind threading his fingers through. He gets so lost that he doesn’t feel
the hand that lands on his shoulder.

“They’re great. I’m sure you’ll like them.”

“They’re wolves.”

“They’re good wolves.”

Jungkook tears his eyes away from the picture he was staring at and looks at Hoseok. He almost
wants to scoff, but he resists the urge to. Maybe, in Hoseok’s world, good wolves exist. Maybe, in
Hoseok’s world, wolves are not cruel and ruthless like they are in Jungkook’s. Maybe.

“I’ve known them all my life. They’re more brothers to me than friends.”

Brothers . It all comes down to having a family in the end, right? And Jungkook doesn’t have one,
never had one, and never will.

“Why don’t you live on pack grounds then?”

The question is out before Jungkook can hold it in and he instantly regrets letting it out when he
sees Hoseok’s eyes dim.

“Back when I was born, the head alpha of the pack was a dick. He condemned human and
werewolf relationships and banned my father from the pack because he was in love with my mother
and had me.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be.”

“Where is he, your father?”

“He died in a car accident ten years ago. I was thirteen,” Hoseok’s voice is hollow.

Jungkook doesn’t say he’s sorry again, that wouldn’t change anything. He simply nods, biting on
his bottom lip because he wants to let the words out, to let Hoseok know that he, too, lost his
father, that he knows how much it hurts. But he doesn’t.

“Okay. Enough of the sad story,” Hoseok whispers, and Jungkook can see the glistening of tears in
his eyes. “Let’s go meet mom. She’ll be happy to see you.”

Hoseok turns around and Jungkook follows him deeper into the house. When they reach the
kitchen, Eunha is there, standing in front of the stove.

“Mom? Jungkook is here.”

At that, Eunha turns on her heels and a smile breaks on her face as soon as she sees Jungkook.
“Jungkook, dear!” she exclaims as she makes her way to him and hugs him.

Jungkook is stiff at first and doesn’t know what to do, because he can’t remember the last time
someone hugged him. He feels like crying as warmth seeps through him, because he’s so touch-
starved, so in need of contact. He looks at Hoseok over his mom’s shoulder and the beta winks at
him. Jungkook then hugs Eunha back, letting his head fall to hide the tears that threaten to fall from
his eyes. He doesn’t deserve this. He did nothing to deserve this. He doesn’t belong here. He’s not
part of the family. So why is Eunha hugging him like she cares, like he’s meant to be exactly
where he is?

When Eunha breaks the hug, Jungkook lets her, even though he wanted it to last just a little bit
longer. He finds himself smiling at her when she looks up at him, when she caresses his cheek with
the tip of her fingers.

“I’m glad you came.”

And Jungkook believes her.

It doesn’t take long after that for them to settle around the dining table in the living room and start
eating. The conversation flows easily between Eunha and Hoseok, and Jungkook just listens to
them talk for a while.

“Are you sleeping at Taehyung’s tonight with the others?” Eunha asks Hoseok.

Jungkook perks up when he hears Taehyung’s name again, not knowing why, but feeling like he
should suddenly pay attention.

“Yes. We have things to talk about,” Hoseok replies, elusive.

“The full moon?”

“Hm. It’s in a week and you know how Taehyung gets when…”

Hoseok cuts himself off, glancing Jungkook’s way, and doesn’t finish his sentence.

“Taehyung is Hoseok’s friend,” Eunha supplies after clearing her throat.

“He’s also our head alpha.”

Head alpha. That explains the aura Taehyung has even on glossy paper. He exudes power,
dominance. But, strangely, it’s his soft eyes that Jungkook can’t stop thinking about.

Jungkook only nods before taking another piece of samgyeopsal.

“You’d like him,” Hoseok whispers, “And I think he’d like you.”

“Like me?”

“Yeah, you’re totally his type.”

Like? Just the idea of someone liking him, of him liking someone, seems stupid. He doesn’t have
room for feelings in his fucked up life. Feelings are useless and dangerous. Why should he
succumb to them? No way.

“Well, he’s not mine,” Jungkook lies through his teeth, pulse spiking.
Hoseok just laughs, shaking his head, like he knows that, if Jungkook were to ever meet Taehyung,
he would probably change his mind. But it’s something that won’t happen. Jungkook doesn’t plan
on meeting the head alpha of the Black Moon pack, ever.

“Are you going to run on the full moon?” Eunha asks Jungkook.

“I won’t.”

It wouldn’t be safe, with all the wolves of the town around in the woods. And it hurts, because he
knows that his wolf will suffer, once again, because of him. Running under the full moon is like
breathing for them, something they need to do. It’s in their nature. Yes, they can control it, they can
defy it, but it’s better to just… let go. Jungkook can’t do that. Instead, he’ll have to spend the night
fighting his wolf in his shabby hotel room to prevent him from taking over. It’s gonna be hard, it’s
gonna be lonely, it’s gonna be everything he hates because, each time, it feels fucking unfair. But
he has no choice.

Hoseok lifts an eyebrow, questioning, however Jungkook doesn’t say anything else. He knows the
beta might have a million questions going through his mind, but he wouldn’t be able to answer any
of them.

“If you change your mind, you can always come running with me and my friends.”

Jungkook won’t change his mind. He just can’t. He’s bound to spend the full moon alone in his
hotel room with a wolf crying to get out, scratching at skin until it bleeds. And he’s perfectly aware
that he will end up in tears, lying on the floor, feeling his wolf’s soul leave his body a little more. It
will destroy him. But it is what it is.

“Thanks,” Jungkook says, knowing that he won’t take up the offer.

It seems to appease Hoseok’s worries as he smiles his way. Jungkook feels guilty for letting him
think that there’s a chance he will run with him and his friends. It’s not fair to the beta, but
Jungkook learned the hard way that life never is fair.
 Chapter 8

Two days before the full moon, Jungkook can feel his wolf getting closer and closer to the surface.
He tries his hardest to remain in control, but he finds his hands trembling, sweat dripping down his
back, eyes flashing gray, more often than not. Thankfully, nobody notices, or, that’s what he
thought, until...

“Your wolf. You have trouble controlling it, don’t you?” Hoseok asks.

Since Jungkook had lunch at Eunha’s, Hoseok has taken the habit to come by the diner every day
after his online classes to talk with Jungkook. He sits on the counter, cross-legged, speaks about
anything and everything until he gets a reply from Jungkook, be it a muffled sound or actual words.
And Jungkook would have found it annoying weeks ago, but not anymore. He doesn’t know what
it is about Hoseok, however, he feels at ease with him. He feels like, for once, he has what is the
closest to a friend he can have in someone else. And it might be unsafe to let Hoseok in like that, it
might be dangerous, but Jungkook doesn’t try to stop anything, because, above all, it feels right.

“It’s fine,” he dismisses.

“It’s not fine, Jungkook. Not with the full moon so close to us. You know what could happen if…”

“I know!” Jungkook cuts him off. “I know,” he sighs, running a hand on his face.

“I can help. We can help,” Hoseok says.

“We?”

“My friends and I.”

“No.”

“Jungkook…”

“I said no!” Jungkook yells, not letting Hoseok finish his sentence.

Nobody can help him. Nobody. Jungkook is alone in this, like he’s been the past three years of his
life, like he will be for the years to come. Nobody can save him from himself.

“What happened to you?” Hoseok murmurs, eyes so kind that it almost hurts to look at them.

“You wouldn’t want to know,” Jungkook says, letting his head fall.

“I would if you let me in, Jungkook.”

“No, Hoseok.”

There’s a beat of silence, and then Jungkook hears Hoseok sigh.

“Okay,” the beta surrenders, lifting his hands in the air. “Okay, I get it.”

He doesn’t get it, but Jungkook doesn’t correct him. He just can’t get it, get how painful, how self-
destructive it is to live a life like his. He just can’t, because he’s living a happy life, surrounded by
his friends, by his mom, by every member of the pack. He’s not alone, he’s not chased down like
an animal, he’s not the prey of a deranged wolf. So no, Hoseok can’t get it, even if he tried, but
Jungkook can’t blame him for that.

“But just let me tell you this, you’re not alone, okay?”

But Jungkook is. He is alone, no matter what Hoseok says. That’s his curse and won’t just
magically disappear. Sometimes he doesn’t want it to disappear. His loneliness is his armor, one
that protects his heart, his soul from being beaten black and blue again. It’s his way of staying
safe, in all ways. But at what cost?

“You know where to find me if you need me,” Hoseok adds and Jungkook only nods.

Jungkook won’t need Hoseok. He’s gone through many full moons without the help of anybody
else, he will survive this one too. He has to.

Hoseok is about to say something else, when the door of the kitchen opens and his face breaks out
in the widest smile Jungkook has ever seen on him.

“Mon ange!” My angel.

Jungkook watches as Hoseok hops off the counter to go and hug the alpha with bubblegum pink
hair who just entered the room. He watches as they subtly scent each other before sharing a little
peck on the lips. A pang of jealousy, of envy, hits him straight in the heart.

“What are you doing here?” Hoseok asks, clearly surprised.

“Couldn’t wait to come pick you up for our date. Wanted to see you sooner.”

The words make Hoseok effectively blush and the alpha smirk.

“Jimin,” Hoseok introduces after clearing his throat, “This is Jungkook. Jungkook, this is Jimin,
my boyfriend.”

“Nice to meet you,” Jimin says to Jungkook, a small smile curling his plump lips.

Jungkook only bows his head a little in return, enough to not be rude, but not enough for it to be
likened to an act of submission.

“So, you’re the new wolf in town,” Jimin goes on, eyeing Jungkook up and down, and Jungkook
can see his eyes flashing green for the briefest of seconds.

Jungkook cocks an eyebrow, unimpressed, and waits for the alpha to speak again. But when he
does, Jungkook is surprised by his words more than he cares to admit.

“You were right, baby, he’s totally Tae’s type.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen and his heart hammers in his chest at the mention of Taehyung, the head
alpha he should avoid at all cost.

“Told you,” Hoseok grins. “We should totally set them up.”

“Not gonna happen,” Jungkook quickly intervenes.

“Why not?” Hoseok almost whines.

“Because.”
“That’s not an answer,” Jimin points.

“It is for me,” Jungkook says flatly.

The two lovebirds drop the topic, even though Jimin narrows his eyes at Jungkook, like he can feel
the increased beating of his heart, like he can see the butterflies suddenly swarming in his tummy.
He doesn’t say anything though, preserving Jungkook.

Jungkook still doesn’t know why he reacts like this at the mention of Taehyung. He can’t figure
out why, for the last five days, he ate every crumb of information about him that Hoseok would let
out during the conversations he had with Jungkook. Strange.

Jungkook never paid attention to anything or anyone before, why does he do it now? Why does he
find himself wanting to know more about a man he never even met? Could it be…? No, it can’t. It
just can’t. It’s just attraction, attraction that came out of nowhere after Jungkook saw a picture of
Taehyung, after he felt his heart do somersaults in the swell of his ribcage. An attraction that can
fade. It has to fade.

It hurts, somewhere deep inside because, despite himself, during the last few days, Jungkook
entertained the idea of having someone in his life—a lover, a mate. He let himself think about what
it would be like, to hold hands with him, to hug him, to kiss him. He let himself think about the
bliss that would overtake him every time they would be together. But it only served in making him
more miserable, so he tried to stop. He failed. He failed because of his wolf, because of the longing
it feels for his mate.

It’s terrifying, because Jungkook’s wolf is taking over more and more each day. Flashing him
images of his mate, of his brown fur, of his purple eyes. Flashing him feelings of warmth, of
comfort, of love . Where his human side tries to resist, his wolf side has already succumbed. It’s a
constant battle between the two. A battle that Jungkook is slowly losing.

Jungkook is brought out of his thoughts when Hoseok puts a hand on his shoulder.

“What are you thinking of?”

“Nothing,” Jungkook lies through his teeth.

Hoseok doesn’t insist, but Jungkook can see a flash of hurt in the beta’s eyes. He feels guilty but,
honestly, he’s not ready to open up. He doesn’t know if he’ll ever be.

“Okay. We’re leaving,” Hoseok announces as he slings his backpack on his shoulder, “Do you
want to come with us to the movies tonight?”

“On your date? No, thank you.”

“Come on, it will be fun,“ Jimin says, “We could get to know each other better.”

“I don’t think third wheeling is fun, sorry,” Jungkook deadpans.

Hoseok shakes his head, like he’s disappointed. But Jungkook has no choice. He can’t get closer to
him, to his boyfriend, than he already is. It’s dangerous enough as it is, he can’t make things worse.

“I’ll see you later then,” Hoseok calls back as he turns around to leave the kitchen, an arm wrapped
around Jimin’s waist. Jimin waves at him, and then they’re gone.

Jungkook stays there, rooted in place, haunted by the dimmed light in Hoseok’s eyes. He hates
himself for doing what he did, he hates himself for being rude, he hates himself for being selfish.
But that’s what his life has to come to and he has no escape from it. No matter how hard it hurts to
treat them badly, he has to.

Later that day, when the blanket of the night starts to fall over Tree Hill, Jungkook goes running
into the streets to unwind. He’s tired of being alone with his thoughts in his hotel room. They
scream at him, they claw at him, and it’s exhausting. He just wants to stop thinking for a while, to
shut down his brain for a while, to escape all those feelings he tries so hard to deny. But, as his
strides quicken, as the cold air fills his lungs, he finds himself spiraling again.

Jungkook is crumbling. The control he has over his wolf, the control he has over his own emotions,
is falling apart. It’s like he is painfully watching it slip through his fingers and he can’t do anything
about it. It’s like he is meant to break. And it’s frightening. Because breaking means being at
Minhyuk's mercy and he can’t allow that. He has to regain his senses before it’s too late. But how?

Leave.

That’s the only option. Maybe he has already stayed too long. Maybe he shouldn’t have come here
in the first place. Maybe it’s time for him to get back on the road and forget everything that ever
happened in Tree Hill, or what could have happened. It’s the safest way, to leave, to start over in
another place, far away from the people he met here, far away from his mate. Isn’t it?

The sole idea of leaving tears him apart, because, in the short while Jungkook has been here, he let
some roots grow, and he’ll have to cut them all, one by one, no matter how excruciating it is to
him. Only then, will he be free again. Or will he? Deep inside, Jungkook knows that the memories
will linger, that they will follow him, wherever he goes. It won’t be as easy as he wants it to be, to
act like nothing happened in Tree Hill. Because it has already left its mark on him. Bright and
burning.

His mind set on leaving after the full moon, Jungkook makes his way back to his hotel. As he
rounds a corner, he feels a shiver run down his spine. There, in the dark, he sees a pair of eyes set
on him. Eyes that glow a pale yellow in the dark. Eyes that shouldn’t be looking at him. He freezes
and stares back, fists tightening. He’s ready to fight, his wolf already howling inside of him to be
freed. One. Two. Three heartbeats later, and the eyes disappear, like they were never there in the
first place.

Jungkook looks around, heart beating fast in his chest, a drop of sweat running down his temple,
but there’s no one to be found, no traces of a wolf left behind. Shaken up, he starts to run again,
faster this time. He runs away from those yellow eyes, from his past, from his memories. It’s out of
breath that he reaches his hotel room. And when he lets himself fall on the bed, Jungkook wants to
cry . He’s so fucking tired of everything, so fucking exhausted, he doesn’t know if he will have the
strength to go on, even if just a little bit longer. He doesn’t know anymore.
 Chapter 9

Saturday passes by in a blur. A blur of regrets and unsaid things. Hoseok doesn’t come to the diner.
Eunha is too busy to talk to him. And Jungkook feels so alone suddenly that it hurts deep inside of
him. At the end of his shift, he scribbles a note for Eunha, a note saying goodbye, and leaves it on
the counter before exiting the diner by the back door without casting a glance at anything or
anyone.

Jungkook spends the evening looking at the ceiling of his hotel room, ruminating his thoughts
before falling asleep. For once, it’s not nightmares that welcome him, but dreams. Dreams of
purple eyes, of a best friend, of a pack. He shouldn’t allow himself to dream of these things, but he
can’t help it. It’s what he’s been missing all his life and it’s there, close, so close that he can almost
reach it with his fingertips. He doesn’t dare to try though, doesn’t dare to hope, it will only crush
him.

Yet, when Jungkook wakes up, his hopes are still there, and so is the familiar sickness that comes
with every full moon. He groans, his mouth parched as he sits in bed. His head spins like crazy and
he has a slight fever. By now, he doesn’t have to see his reflection in a mirror to know that his eyes
are gray, that his forehead is damp, and he looks like shit. His wolf is as much on edge as he is.

Jungkook pushes through it and gets off the bed to freshen up. Once in the bathroom, he takes a
cold shower to make his fever go down, but it doesn’t work. It just makes him shiver even more.
So he stays under the running water for only a few minutes before getting out and drying himself
quickly. He doesn’t bother putting on any clothes other than his boxers as he goes back to bed, his
skin is too sensitive for that. He gets rid of the blanket before slipping under the white sheets. And
then, he closes his eyes.

Jungkook is used to the pain that comes with the full moon, and, usually, it is bearable. But today,
something feels different. His wolf is more agitated, less attuned with him. It keeps on moving in
circles inside him, keeps on howling, keeps on scratching. And Jungkook knows that, if this goes
on, he’ll be a danger to himself and to others. So, he tries to reign in the beast inside of him, tries
his hardest to control it. He evens out his breathing, decreases the pulsing of his heart, and clears
his mind as best as he can. After a while, he’s able to fall back asleep.

When Jungkook wakes up a few hours later, he’s still feeling unwell. He sits on the bed with great
difficulty, limbs aching, before grabbing his backpack off the floor and taking some pills out from
it. He swallows them down with a bottle of water before laying down again. Jungkook looks at the
ceiling, counting the cracks in it as he tries to slow his ragged breaths, trying to appease his wolf.

It’s hard, so hard to keep it under his control. His wolf just wants to be let out and go running into
the woods. It doesn’t understand why Jungkook is denying him that, something so vital for the
both of them. It doesn’t understand why Jungkook is caging him in, when he, himself, dreams of
breaking free.

Jungkook sighs, putting his arm across his forehead. He wishes he didn’t have to go through all
that pain, through all the hurt that comes with the full moon. He wishes he could simply shift. But
he can’t, because he knows that the first thing his wolf will do if he transforms, is to join the pack
and track down his mate. And Jungkook can’t let it do that. He just can’t.

Jungkook has to stay away from everyone tonight, when he is the most vulnerable. He has to
remain hidden in his hotel room, where he is remotely safe. Or so he thinks.
Jungkook closes his eyes and, behind his eyelids, he can see the woods, he can feel the leaves
crunching under his paws, he can feel the wind weaving through his fur. He can feel everything,
knowing that it’s his wolf sending him these sensations, trying to lure him into shifting. Jungkook
finds himself whining, curling in a fetal position as he feels his resolve withering.

Tonight, Jungkook’s wolf might be stronger than him.

Jungkook falls back asleep without even noticing, darkness engulfing him like a veil. He’s met
with the usual nightmares, with the faces of his demons, ugly, distorted, terrifying. But tonight,
he’s too weak to fight them, too weak to even try. He spirals into a world made of pain, so much
pain that it brings him back to his past, when his uncle used to abuse him, physically, verbally, and
everything in between. Silent tears start to fall on his cheeks, sobs building in his throat.

Trapped in his own mind, in his own body, Jungkook slowly becomes delirious. He doesn’t know
anymore where his nightmares begin or where reality ends. He’s lost. Lost and afraid. He wants to
scream, but his lips remain firmly shut. He wants to thrash around in his bed, but he can’t move. He
wants to shift, but he’s unable to do so. And the tears won’t stop.

Jungkook falls in and out of unconsciousness for hours on end, as he keeps on fighting for his own
survival and that of his wolf, a wolf that he can feel slowly fading away. It causes him to scratch
desperately at his own skin, making it bleed on the white sheets. It howls desperately in
Jungkook’s mind, making his heart ache even more. It’s all too much, and the omega knows that it
won’t be long before the end.

As Jungkook is on the verge of letting go, he hears banging on his door. It rings loudly in his
sensitive ears, shaking him awake. He wants it to stop. But it doesn’t. Not for a while. Not until he
hears a bang. He knows, right then and there, that someone just broke into his room, that he’s not
alone anymore, that he’s at their mercy because, in his state, he can’t fight.

This is it for him .

But suddenly, a deep, velvety voice is talking to him, telling him sweet nothings that soothe him
and his wolf alike.

I’m here, pup.

You’re not alone.

Everything is going to be okay.

It must be a dream, the warmth that seeps through him when a hand caresses his forehead, the scar
on his cheek. It must be a dream, the arms that wrap around him, lifting him into the air. It must be
a dream, the scent of cherry blossoms that invades his nostrils, appeasing him instantly. It must all
be a dream.

And Jungkook lets himself fall into it, he lets himself believe that his mate came for him, that his
mate saved him. What a beautiful illusion.

“Stay with me,” is the last thing he hears before darkness overtakes him one more time.
 Chapter 10

Cherry blossoms.

Cherry blossoms everywhere.

That’s all Jungkook can smell. Cherry blossoms. The scent of his mate. Permeating the air around
him, the fluffy blanket that has been thrown over him, the pillow his head is laid on. It’s
everywhere around him and it envelops Jungkook like a warm hug.

“Open your eyes for me, pup.”

Jungkook’s eyelids are heavy, too heavy. But he tries. He doesn’t exactly know why he’s
following an order, he doesn’t like that at all, however, there’s something so soft in this voice that
is whispering to his ear, that he finds himself opening his eyes slowly.

Jungkook blinks, the dim lights hurting his retinas, but he pushes through it nonetheless. At first,
all he can see is the white ceiling above his head and the lamps hanging from it. He instantly
knows that he’s not in his hotel room anymore. But strangely, he’s not panicking. Against all odds,
he feels safe here, no matter where it is.

“Look at me.”

An order again. It makes Jungkook want to disobey and turn his head the other way around, but
something inside him—his wolf’s instincts that he tried so hard to conceal—make him obey. When
Jungkook does, he’s met with none other than Taehyung. And there’s no denying the increasing
pulsations of his heartbeat, or the butterflies’ wings flapping wildly in his stomach. There’s no
mistaking the pull that he feels towards the alpha, the attraction, the want, the need. There’s no
muting the howls of happiness that his wolf lets out at being close to Taehyung, so close that he
can almost touch him, scent him, claim him.

And Jungkook knows, right then and there, that Taehyung is his mate.

“There you go,” Taehyung says, smiling, before letting out an almost shy, “Hi.”

Jungkook doesn’t know how to react. He should be thinking of ways to get out of here, to get away
as far as possible from Taehyung, but all he can actually think of is how he wants to hug him, to be
wrapped in his embrace, to just… forget the world for a while.

“You must be wondering how you ended up here, in my house,” Taehyung goes on, scratching his
nape. “I’m sorry for kind of kidnapping you, but I couldn’t let you suffer any longer.”

In my house . Jungkook can’t believe that Taehyung brought him into his house, on the pack
grounds, without his consent. It feels like a betrayal. But at the same time, Jungkook knows that it
saved his life, that, without Taehyung, he would have died on his hotel room’s bed, alone. And he
finds himself unable to be mad at his mate. His mate.

“How… How did you find me?” he asks feebly.

“I followed your trace. I knew your scent, so…”

Taehyung lets his hand fall from his nape and takes Jungkook’s in his, caressing it tenderly with his
thumb. The omega should take his hand away, shouldn’t allow any contact between them, but he
can’t find it in him to do that. He likes the touch, he wants more, because it feels so good. This
simple gesture brings tears to his eyes, tears that he barely is able to stop from falling.

“You tracked me.”

It comes out as an accusation and Taehyung seems to feel guilty as the words are being let out in
the open.

“I did…But I didn’t mean to make you feel like some sort of prey. You’re more than that, and I
would never treat you like one. You’re… You’re mine.”

Mine . The word echoes in Jungkook’s heart, making it beat faster, and faster, and faster, until it’s
on the verge of exploding.

“Yours?”

“My mate.”

And here it is, the confirmation of Jungkook’s suspicions. Taehyung and him are fated, meant to
be. He found his other half, the only one able to fix him, to fill the empty space in his heart.

But he has to let him go.

“Say something,” Taehyung pleads.

“I can’t have a mate.”

It feels like Jungkook just punched Taehyung right in the guts. The alpha gasps, a wounded sound.

“Why?”

“It’s not safe for me, or for you to be around me.”

“By my side is the safest place you’ll ever be,” Taehyung declares, his hand tightening his hold
around Jungkook’s.

And Jungkook knows that he means it, that he’s already ready to protect him, to care for him, to
love him. He can see it in those chestnut eyes that remind him so much of Taehyung’s wolf’s fur.
And Jungkook wants to believe it, oh, how he does. But can he?

“Let me take care of you,” Taehyung whispers. “At least for the rest of the night.”

Jungkook is in no position to refuse the offer right now. He’s too physically weak for that. His wolf
wants to stay, to never leave, and he knows that he’ll need to be in a better shape to be able to go
against his instincts and turn his back on his mate.

“Okay,” he reluctantly agrees. “But just you, no one else.”

“Just me. I promise,” Taehyung says, smiling yet again.

And if Jungkook likes his smile, there’s no one but him who will ever know.
 Chapter 11

“You need to eat something,” Taehyung states, letting go of Jungkook’s hand to stand up.

Before the alpha can move too far away, Jungkook grabs his hand back in his, making him stop in
his tracks.

“You’ll come back?” Jungkook asks in a broken voice, so far from the cold one he uses on a daily
basis.

“Of course, pup. It will only take me a few minutes,” Taehyung reassures him, thumbing at his
skin, making goosebumps appear on it.

Pup . There’s that term of endearment again, the one that makes Jungkook’s heart do somersaults
in the swell of his ribcage. And he likes it, likes it more than he cares to admit. It feels intimate
somehow, it feels like Taehyung and him are already close, connected. And they are. Jungkook can
feel the pull of the bond inside him, waiting to be completed. He can feel his wolf’s happiness,
waiting to be claimed. It’s hard to dismiss like he convinces himself he wants to. It’s hard when
everything with Taehyung feels just right .

“I hope you like instant ramen though, I’m not the greatest cook out there,” the alpha says
sheepishly.

Jungkook only nods, before letting go of Taehyung’s hand, blush creeping up on his cheeks when
he realizes he must have been holding it a little bit too long.

Taehyung just smiles softly as he exits the room, leaving Jungkook behind, alone with his thoughts
and his crazy heart. He can’t listen to it, he can’t just give in like that. It’s too dangerous, for both
him and Taehyung. There’s still Minhyuk’s threats looming over him, there’s still a chance that he
will find Jungkook and end his life. And then what? What will happen to Taehyung? If they bond,
the alpha will die with Jungkook or shortly after, unable to go on without his mate. And Jungkook
can’t have the death of someone else on his hands. He refuses to.

Jungkook finds himself shaking in the bed at the thought of what could happen. It’s that thought
that keeps him from losing himself in the bond that pulses between Taehyung and him. It’s that
thought that keeps him from giving in to his hidden desires. It’s the same thought that makes him
miserable.

Jungkook sighs. He wishes he could just be happy, is it too much to ask for?

Before his mind can conjure all the reasons why he doesn’t deserve it, the door opens and
Taehyung is here again, next to him. And it’s like all his thoughts suddenly disappear when the
alpha is around. All he can focus on is his intoxicating scent, his kind eyes, his beautiful smile. For
a while, there’s nothing but Taehyung.

Jungkook watches as the alpha places a tray full of food on the bedside table, and he looks at him
furtively, like he’s shy to make eye contact even as he smiles at him—a cute boxy smile—and
something flutters inside of the omega.

“Can I… Can I touch you?”

“What?” Jungkook asks, flustered.

“I just want to help you sit up in bed.”

“I can do it myself.” Jungkook says, and before Taehyung can protest, he is moving under the
blanket and into a sitting position. His head spins a little as he does but he tries to hide it so as to
not let Taehyung see just how weak, how vulnerable he feels right now nor give in to how much he
craves for his touch.

Taehyung silently waits a few seconds before putting the tray on the bed in front of Jungkook.

“Can I sit on the bed with you?”

Jungkook blinks. He understands this need to be close to your mate that Taehyung probably feels
because he feels it too. And he knows that the closeness will appease his wolf even more, that it
will appease his raging mind, because with Taehyung comes a sense of peace he never tasted
before.

“Yes,” he whispers, avoiding the alpha’s eyes fixed on him.

Jungkook feels the mattress dip as Taehyung climbs onto the bed and sits cross-legged next to him.
Close. So close that he can hear the alpha’s heartbeat resonate in his ears. It’s racing, just like his.

“Eat.”

Another order. But it’s said so softly that Jungkook can’t find it in him to care. He just takes the
silver chopsticks lying on the tray and starts eating his ramen under watchful eyes.

And it’s like Taehyung can’t stay away from him, can’t resist the urge to touch him, because, after
a little while, he lets his hand fall on Jungkook’s leg and caresses it over the blanket. Even with the
material between their skin, the touch is electric to Jungkook. He selfishly wants more. Wants to
feel Taehyung’s skin on his, like before when they held hands. Wants to feel what it’s like, to
really be touched by the alpha. Will it be as soft, as warm as he imagines it?

Jungkook slurps his noodles in silence, a silence only broken by him after eating the last bite of the
ramen.

“Earlier, you said that I was suffering. How did you know I was in pain?”

It’s something that Jungkook is curious about. He knows how Taehyung found him, but how did
the alpha know that he needed help, needed him ?

“Your star.”

“My star?”

“Hm. As a true blood alpha and the leader of the Black Moon pack, I have kind of a web, a map, in
the form of a constellation in my mind. Each star of it represents one of the members of my pack,
and I can see all the connections between them, can feel their emotions that way.”

Jungkook furrows his eyebrows, confused. “But I’m not from your pack.”

“But you’re my mate. The day we met in the woods, your star appeared right next to mine. It
wasn’t as bright as the others, but it was there,” Taehyung explains. “Earlier today, I saw it starting
to fade and I panicked. The pain you felt… I felt it too, and it was too much to bear without doing
anything. I knew that my wolf and I could help you, so I went to your hotel room. And now, you’re
here.”
“In your house.”

“I couldn’t leave you alone in your hotel room. I’m not sorry for bringing you here where you can
rest and be safe.”

Safe . Safety is just an illusion in Jungkook’s world. It will remain one as long as Minhyuk is in the
picture. But, for the first time, the omega wishes it wasn’t, because Taehyung really makes him
feel safe and sound. And it’s a dangerous feeling.

Taehyung takes his empty tray and puts it on the bedside table before moving closer to Jungkook
on the bed, taking the omega’s hands in his. Jungkook shivers when the alpha’s thumbs caress his
skin.

“I know something happened to you.”

Jungkook tenses at Taehyung’s words, and he knows the alpha senses it, if the way he squeezes
Jungkook’s fingers is anything to go by.

“I don’t know what, and I won’t ask, for now. We’ll go at your pace. All I ask for is a chance, just a
chance to be with you.”

“I can’t…” Jungkook says, tears filling up his eyes. He has to look away.

Taehyung doesn’t say anything, he simply keeps on holding Jungkook’s hands, smiling softly, like
he understands, like he’s not angry at the omega, like he’s just waiting for him to say something
else.

“I want to,” Jungkook admits in a broken whisper, “But I can’t. I’m sorry.”

Jungkook doesn’t even realize he’s crying until he feels Taehyung’s thumbs on his cheeks, chasing
the tears away.

“Shh, don’t cry, pup.”

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook repeats, feeling so broken inside.

“Don’t be,” Taehyung murmurs, the warm light in his eyes dimming as the words leave his mouth.

They don’t talk for a while after that. Jungkook keeps on crying because of the love he’s depriving
himself from keeping and everything he is losing as he rejects Taehyung for the second time. And
it hurts. It hurts so much. But what hurts the most is Taehyung, who’s still touching him, who’s
still smiling at him like Jungkook just didn’t break his heart, like he still believes that things will
change and that they’ll have a chance. Oh, how Jungkook wishes things were different.

“Can you at least tell me your name?” Taehyung asks, “Mine is Taehyung.”

Jungkook hesitates for a beat or two, but ultimately decides that he can leave a bit of himself with
Taehyung.

“Jungkook.”

“Jungkook,” Taehyung echoes.

And it’s just a name—his name—but hearing it on the tip of Taehyung’s tongue makes a tremor
rock through Jungkook’s body.
Taehyung cups Jungkook’s cheeks and looks at him in the eyes, deeply.

“You’re beautiful, Jungkook.”

Jungkook holds his breath as Taehyung leans in, as the alpha leaves a kiss on his forehead. It’s
fleeting, barely there, but it sends hot flames licking at the omega’s skin, just where Taehyung’s
lips have landed. He almost wishes it could have left a mark, a reminder.

“So beautiful,” Taehyung whispers, letting his lips linger.

And Jungkook shudders as he feels Taehyung’s hot breath hit his skin when he pulls back.
Taehyung’s eyes lock with his when he lets his forehead fall on Jungkook’s, and he sees all the
emotions swirling in the alpha’s irises. It’s too much and he doesn’t know what to do, what to feel,
what to think anymore.

“Do you believe me?” Taehyung asks.

Jungkook knows that it isn’t just about him being beautiful, that it’s also about him being safe
here, with Taehyung. It’s a question about trust.

“I do,” Jungkook breathes out.

Taehyung brushes their noses together and Jungkook feels more tears streak down his cheeks as he
starts to cry again. The alpha then wraps a hand around his nape and guides Jungkook’s head to the
crook of his neck. Instinctively, the omega rubs his nose on the skin there, scenting Taehyung. He
can’t help it, can’t help how intoxicated he is with the cherry blossoms scent of the alpha that hit
his nose, can’t help how smooth and inviting his sun kissed skin is.

He gives in. And he doesn’t feel guilty. For once, he’s being selfish, he’s taking something just for
him and it feels great.

Jungkook can hear Taehyung purr above him as his own wolf howls in happiness. He can’t believe
that he’s letting himself have this moment with Taehyung, can’t believe that he’s letting himself be
this close to another wolf, to his mate. Jungkook knows it’s risky, that he’ll leave pieces of him
behind when he’ll leave, that it will break him, but he does it nonetheless.

Because nothing has ever felt as right as being with Taehyung.

 Chapter 12

Jungkook wakes up the next day, rays of sunlight falling on his eyelids. When he opens his eyes,
he’s met with Taehyung’s sleeping figure. The alpha is sitting on the floor, his back and head
popped up against the wall, guarding him, and Jungkook is mesmerized by the sight. Taehyung is
gorgeous, even when sleeping. His beauty is the kind that can not be described, but only admired
for hours. And Jungkook knows he could do just that, just gaze at Taehyung without ever getting
tired.

Jungkook smiles unconsciously as he counts the moles on Taehyung’s face, imagining what it
would be like to kiss each and every one of them. Crazy. It’s crazy to think about that. He
shouldn’t be doing it. He shouldn’t want to know what it would be like, to let his lips wander on
Taehyung’s face. It’s crossing a line, a line that he, himself, traced with blood.

Jungkook should take the opportunity to flee the house while the alpha is still asleep. But he
doesn’t. He stays in bed, even going as far as to wrap himself further into the blanket. He doesn’t
want to move, he doesn’t want to leave. Against his better judgment, Jungkook wants to stay. Just a
little bit longer.

As if Taehyung had sensed Jungkook’s gaze on him, he opens his eyes and locks them with the
omega’s.

“Hi,” the alpha greets in a raspy voice that makes Jungkook shiver.

“Hi.”

“How do you feel?”

Terrified. Lost. Happy. Hopeful. All at once. But Jungkook doesn’t say it out loud. He knows that
Taehyung can feel it.

“Better.”

Taehyung smiles and Jungkook’s heart skips a beat.

“Do you think you can get up? We could have breakfast in the kitchen then,” Taehyung says as he
stands up, looking at Jungkook with his big, chestnut eyes.

Beautiful .

“Yeah,” Jungkook answers, already untangling himself from the blanket.

It’s only when the blanket is pushed at the foot of the bed that Jungkook finds himself blushing
like crazy as he realizes that he’s only wearing his boxers.

“I…”

“Oh, right!” Taehyung exclaims, “I’ll lend you some clothes. Just give me a second.”

Taehyung moves around the room until he’s standing in front of a wardrobe, his wardrobe. And
that’s when it hits Jungkook.

“I slept in your bed…” he whispers.

“You did,” Taehyung confirms as he takes out a pair of sweats and a t-shirt from the wardrobe. “I
thought that my scent would help you, and it just… it felt right to have you here.”

Jungkook can feel his cheeks heat up even more as the words leave Taehyung’s mouth. But he
can’t deny that it did, indeed, feel right to sleep in the alpha’s bed, surrounded by his scent,
comforted by his presence. It appeased his wolf and it appeased his heart. So much.

Taehyung comes back near the bed and gives the clothes to Jungkook. As he takes them from the
alpha’s hands, their fingers brush and a spark of electricity travels down his spine. A spark that he
tries to ignore, but fails to, as it reverberates in each of his cells.

Jungkook is quick to get dressed, all the while avoiding the alpha’s gaze on him. Once he’s ready,
Taehyung leads him to the bathroom situated across the bedroom for him to freshen up.

“I’ll meet you in the kitchen in a few minutes, okay? You just have to follow the hallway to reach
it.”

“Okay.”

Taehyung lingers on the threshold, like he wants to say something more, before turning his back on
Jungkook and leaving him alone.

Jungkook sighs, splashing some cold water on his face and brushing his teeth with the toothbrush
Taehyung gave him. As he looks at his reflection in the mirror, he feels like he’s seeing a ghost.
He looks terrible and he doesn’t know how Taehyung finds him beautiful . There’s nothing
beautiful about him. He’s broken, scarred, cracked on every edge. He’s a monster.

When Jungkook is done, he walks back into the hallway and follows the path to the kitchen. As he
does, he can’t help but let his eyes wander around him. And, like at Eunha’s home, they land on
the multitude of pictures that are hung on the walls on both sides of him. They’re a mix of portraits
and landscapes, mostly in black and white. The portraits grab his attention particularly, because he
can see Taehyung in them. And he can’t take his eyes off him.

Jungkook doesn’t know how long he stays there, staring at the pictures all around him, feeling
himself fall for the alpha a little bit more. He’s shaken out of his daze when he hears Taehyung
calling for him.

“Jungkook?”

“Coming!”

When Jungkook reaches the end of the hallway, he ends up in a space that includes the open
kitchen and the living room. He can’t help the gasp that escapes him. The whole house is made of
wood and glass in a modern but refined way. It has cozy and homely vibes. There are splashes of
color here and there, but they’re discreet. It’s warm, and inviting, just like Taehyung.

“Breakfast is ready!” Taehyung exclaims.

Jungkook joins him and takes a seat at the kitchen island as Taehyung stands on the other side. The
alpha pours some milk and cereal in a bowl for Jungkook and hands it to him. The omega takes it,
letting out a small “Thank you” as he does. That earns him another smile from Taehyung.

Jungkook starts to eat his cereal with the spoon he finds lying on the counter and he realizes that
nobody has ever cared for him like Taehyung is doing right now, not since his parents died. And
Taehyung’s kindness, his thoughtfulness, the way he softly shows that he cares about Jungkook,
make his heart squeeze in his chest.

Once again lost in his own thoughts, Jungkook almost misses Taehyung’s question.

“What do you think about shifting after breakfast and going to run in the forest?”

It sounds tempting. And his wolf wants to, of course, it wants to. But Jungkook… Jungkook thinks
about everything that could go wrong if he steps foot outside of Taehyung’s house, even though
after the full moon he feels like he really needs to shift, to feel a connection with his wolf again, to
relink their souls as one.

“On pack grounds?” he asks tentatively.

“Yes. I could show you around.”

“Will there be other wolves?”

“No. Just you and me. I live on the edge of our territory. There’s no one around.”

Jungkook shouldn’t agree to that, he really shouldn’t. But there’s something in him that wants to
take a leap of faith.

“You’ll stay with me all the time?”

“I will.”

Jungkook takes a deep breath.

“Okay.”

Taehyung’s bright smile is enough to assure him that everything is going to be fine.
 Chapter 13

When Jungkook gets out on the porch, he finds out that the house is surrounded by the forest, that
it is nestled inside of it, as there are trees around him for as far as he can see. It’s beautiful. And,
for a second, he can almost imagine what it would be like to live here with Taehyung, to get up
every morning in front of this view, and watch the sun blend into the sky above the trees at night
with the alpha whilst he’s wrapped in his arms. It’s wishful thinking that he’s gonna regret later,
but he doesn’t care.

“Like what you see?” comes Taehyung’s voice beside him.

“Yeah,” he whispers.

“I’m glad. I know it’s a little remote here, but…”

“It’s perfect,” Jungkook cuts him off before he can stop himself from doing so.

Taehyung’s eyes widen for a fraction of second, before he smiles, big and bright. And, for the first
time, Jungkook smiles back, albeit a little shyly, but he smiles nonetheless.

“You have the most beautiful smile,” Taehyung declares fondly. “You should smile more.”

I wish I could , Jungkook thinks. But he had no reason to smile until Taehyung.

“You’re ready?” Taehyung asks.

Jungkook only nods. Yes, he’s ready. A little afraid, because he’s putting all of his trust in a man
he barely knows, but as ready as he’ll ever be.

Taehyung takes off his shirt, and Jungkook almost salivates at the sight. All those miles of tanned
skin, all the defined muscles, the v-line that peeks out just above the waistband of his underwear…
The omega is suddenly feeling too hot. He turns around when Taehyung starts to pull down his
sweatpants, ears burning, and he hears him chuckle.

A few seconds later, it’s a wolf who is coming to stand in front of him. A wolf with purple eyes
that seem able to see through his soul.

“You’re gorgeous.”

And it’s true. Taehyung is stunning as a human, but so is he as a wolf. Now that Jungkook can take
the time to actually look at him without having the urge to escape from him, he can see all the little
details that make him a wolf like no other. The chestnut fur, the strong muscles, the alluring eyes,
the way he stands, tall on his paws. Mesmerizing.

Jungkook tentatively holds out a hand, wanting to let it sink into Taehyung’s fur, to touch him, to
feel him. The wolf seems to understand what the omega wants as he comes closer, bowing its head
in front of him. And Jungkook lets his fingers thread through the chestnut fur, until he’s lightly
scratching the skin underneath. Again, he can hear Taehyung purr as he keeps his ministrations
going. The sound makes his heart jump in his chest and he lets his hand come to rest on top of the
wolf’s head, petting it.

“Thank you,” he murmurs.

It’s not just a “Thank you for letting me pet you.” It’s a “Thank you for saving me,” it’s a “Thank
you for finding me,” it’s a “Thank you for everything,” and Jungkook hopes that Taehyung
understands just how much he wants to convey with these two words.

Jungkook steps back, letting his hand fall from the wolf’s fur.

“Turn around, please.”

The wolf obeys and Jungkook starts to take off his clothes, one by one, until he’s standing naked
on the porch. He calls for his wolf and, in seconds, he shifts. Once he’s on his paws, Jungkook
goes to stand in front of Taehyung. They look at each other, before Taehyung makes the first
move. He approaches Jungkook until their cheeks brush, and he lets his head fall to Jungkook’s
neck, and he starts to scent him, slowly, tenderly, rubbing his nose on the omega’s scent gland.

Jungkook hums as his mate scents him, as his cherry blossoms scent mix with his raspberry one, as
they become one. It smells so good, so… right . And Jungkook’s heart races faster as he lets
himself be softly marked by his mate. Every other wolf they’ll encounter will know that he belongs
to Taehyung, that he is his . It’s a claim. One that will disappear in a few hours, but still, it’s a
claim. And Jungkook lets it happen. He doesn’t stop Taehyung, doesn’t move away, he simply
inhales this new scent born from their own and it makes his head spin from happiness.

When Taehyung steps back, Jungkook’s wolf whines at the loss. Taehyung bumps his head against
his softly, as if to say, “Follow me,” and he starts to run. It doesn’t take a second for Jungkook to
chase after him, and soon, they’re running together into the woods.

The landscape flies by and blurs as his strides become faster and faster. All he focuses on is
Taehyung, his wolf form, just in front of him as he tries to follow in the traces that his paws leave
behind him. There’s a slight breeze and Jungkook can hear the birds chirping all around him, a
sweet melody to his ears. The sky is blue, cloudless, and the sun is shining above them, heating
their fur just right. Jungkook loves this moment, this moment of pure freedom, of bonding with
Taehyung.

It’s hardly anything similar to how he ran before, hardly comparable to it, because he doesn’t feel
alone or on edge. He doesn’t feel like prey being chased. He feels alive. It’s a feeling so pure, so
intoxicating, so addictive, that he can’t get enough of it. And he wants more. So he runs and runs
and runs, his paws hitting the ground in soft thuds as his heart beats fast in the swell of his ribcage.

After a while, they reach a clearing. And Jungkook, feeling playful, can’t help but circle Taehyung,
can’t help but teasingly bump his nose against his mate’s only to flee, inviting the alpha to follow
and catch him. He doesn’t know where he is, so he simply follows the path in front of him until
they end up on the border of a lake. There, Jungkook stops running and sits on his haunches to
drink in the view. All this water stretching out to infinity, all the green trees surrounding it, letting
their shadows dance on the clear surface… It’s beautiful, and it reminds him of one of the pictures
he saw hung on the walls in Taehyung’s house.

“I love coming here,” he hears suddenly.

And when Jungkook turns his head to the side, he finds Taehyung already looking at him. Even in
his wolf form, the omega can feel his cheeks heat up as his eyes land on the naked alpha. He tries
to divert his gaze from Taeghyung, but he can’t. He just can’t.

“It’s my secret spot,” Taehyung says, “I come here when I need to think, or to clear my mind.”

Taehyung moves to stand just at the edge of the waterline and Jungkook admires his broad
shoulders, the delicious curve of his spine, his juicy ass, his thick thighs. God, the alpha is perfect.
So perfect that it almost hurts to look at him. But Jungkook does look, and like in the morning, he
finds himself counting the freckles on Taehyung’s back, wishing to connect them with the tip of
his fingers, to draw a constellation on his skin. It’s dangerous to let his mind wander in this
territory, but he can’t find it in him to stop. Not when his mate is right here .

“I don’t know how you found your way here, how you found your way to me, but I’m grateful for
it,” Taehyung softly whispers.

He shouldn’t. He shouldn’t be grateful, because Jungkook is meant to break his heart, to make him
hurt, no matter if he doesn’t want to. It’s what’s going to happen. All they have are these stolen
moments and nothing else. It can’t last forever.

Taehyung turns around, his chestnut eyes diving into Jungkook’s gray ones, intense. A soft smile is
playing on his lips as he looks at the wolf in front of him.

“You’re as beautiful as a wolf as you are in your human form.”

Jungkook blinks. Here comes this word again. Beautiful . But Jungkook is nothing special.

You’re trash. You’re hideous. You’re a monster.

Nobody will ever want you.

You’ll end up alone.

His uncle’s voice rings in his ears, loud and painful, and Jungkook can feel it as the words reopen
his old wounds.

“Let’s go back,” Taehyung suggests, chasing the thoughts away.

The alpha doesn’t wait before shifting again, and in a few seconds, his wolf is standing in front of
Jungkook again, majestic. It comes close to the omega, letting its head fall against his, but not
scenting him this time. It’s a soft gesture, tender, gentle, and it makes Jungkook’s heart squeeze in
his chest. He closes his eyes, enjoying the alpha’s proximity, enjoying feeling his fur against his,
his hot breath hitting his neck. He enjoys the moment for as long as it lasts before Taehyung backs
away and starts running yet again.

And Jungkook follows him, knowing in his heart that he’d follow him anywhere if only he could.
 Chapter 14

When Jungkook gets out of the shower, he puts on Taehyung’s clothes before opening the door to
the bathroom to go meet the alpha. That’s when he hears them. Voices. Several voices. Ones that
he recognizes—like Namjoon’s, Hoseok’s or Jimin’s—but there are others that he doesn’t. A
shiver runs down his spine as he makes his way to the living room, heart beating uncontrollably
fast in his chest.

“He spent the night here?” Jungkook hears someone he doesn’t know ask.

“He did,” Taehyung answers calmly.

“You acted carelessly, you know that right?” another person accuses and Jungkook feels anger
bubbling inside of him.

“I did what I had to do,” Taehyung practically growls.

“He’s a lone wolf. Nobody knows him.”

“I know him,” Hoseok says, “And he’s not a threat, if that’s what you’re so afraid of.”

“I’m not afraid,” the other man replies, “I’m just cautious.”

“How did you even know he needed help?”

Jungkook can hear Taehyung sigh before answering.

“His star.”

“His star, but…” Namjoon starts.

“He’s connected to Hoseok,” Taehyung explains, cutting the alpha off, “He appeared in the
constellation a few days ago but his star was already wavering. So I asked Hoseok about who he
was, what he was doing in town, where he lived... That’s why I knew where to go yesterday night.”

Jungkook knows that Taehyung is lying, that he is not connected to Hoseok, but to him. He doesn’t
have to see Hoseok to know that the beta knows too. But he doesn’t say anything to contradict his
head alpha, he stays quiet.

“Why go alone though?”

“I acted on impulse when I saw his star starting to disappear. I knew I had little time to get to him. I
didn’t think of calling anyone.”

This seems to effectively shut everyone up but Jungkook can feel the tension still pungent in the
air. He doesn’t like it. He doesn’t like Taehyung being put on the spot, doesn’t like how his pack is
talking to him, doesn’t like that they’re talking behind his back when he is right there . But he
doesn’t move, doesn’t say anything. It’s not his battle, it’s Taehyung’s.

“They’re both okay, and that’s all that matters,” Jimin concludes.

“You’re right. I’m sorry,” the man with the deep, gravelly voice apologizes.

“I’m sorry too. I was just worried for a second.”

“It’s okay,” Taehyung says.

Silence falls over the room. Jungkook steps in and six pairs of eyes land on him. He swallows,
hard, before speaking.

“You shouldn't worry about me, I won’t be a bother to you for long.”

It hurts to even say the words, it hurts even more when Jungkook catches Taehyung’s eyes on him
and sees his crestfallen expression.

“Jungkook!” Hoseok exclaims, springing up from his seat to come hug him.

Jungkook lets himself be hugged by the beta, even going as far as to embrace him back.

“Taehyung told us what happened,” Hoseok murmurs in his ear, “I’m glad you’re safe.”

Again, safe . For a while, Jungkook really thought he was. But it was just an illusion, wasn’t it?
Now, he’s back to square one.

Hoseok breaks the hug and pats his shoulder before going back to sit on one of the couches next to
Jimin, who sends Jungkook a small smile. The omega shifts on his feet, not really knowing what to
do. That is, until Taehyung comes to stand beside him. And it’s instinctual, but he feels comforted
as soon as the alpha is close to him. He lets out a quiet sigh.

“I’m sorry,” Taehyung whispers so that only he can hear, “I didn’t know they would all come
here.”

“It’s okay.”

It’s really not. It feels like his bubble has burst. But what can Jungkook do? This is Taehyung’s
pack. These are Taehyung’s friends.

“Let me introduce you,” Taehyung says before turning to face his friends, “You already know
Hoseok, Jimin and Namjoon, and this is Yoongi and Seokjin.”

Jungkook learns that Seokjin is an omega too and that Yoongi is the alpha with cat-like eyes he
saw at the diner that first day in Tree Hill. They both seem intimidating, but Jungkook levels their
stares, defiant.

“Guys, this is Jungkook,” Taehyung breathes out, cutting the thick silence that fell upon them after
his introduction.

The first thing that Jungkook notices is that Taehyung doesn’t say that he is his mate. And,
somewhere deep inside, it wounds him. But he understands. He already told the alpha that he
couldn’t have him as a mate, that he couldn’t be the one for him, so why would Taehyung
introduce him as such? Hell, he just implied that he would be leaving soon. Whose mate acts like
that in front of their other half? No one. No one but Jungkook. So, he can’t be mad at Taehyung,
even though he can feel his wolf sulk. He can’t be mad even after the alpha had scented him, had
acknowledged him as his mate when they were alone together, but acts like it meant nothing, like it
didn’t even happen in front of his pack. He doesn’t have the right to.

“Nice to see you again, Jungkook,” Namjoon greets, a small smile playing on his lips.

Jungkook doesn’t know if he’s sincere or not, so he just nods, wary after all he’s heard in the last
few minutes.
“I’m glad you’re okay,” Jimin says, “We were worried about you.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second because he can feel the concern dripping from
Jimin’s words. And to have someone—someone other than Taehyung—care about him, makes him
feel like he exists beyond the shell that he became. It’s a feeling he’s not used to. It’s a feeling he
knows he can’t get used to.

“I’m fine,” he lies.

Inside, his mind is screaming, but he can’t ask to be saved.

“Let’s sit,” Taehyung proposes as he carefully places a hand on the small of Jungkook’s back and
leads him to one of the couches.

They sit, side by side, in the middle of the others and Jungkook feels out of place, ill at ease,
instantly. He’s being scrutinized. He’s being judged.

“We’d like to get to know you better,” Namjoon starts.

“Where are you from?" Seokjin asks.

Jungkook tenses. He can’t tell them that, because otherwise they could link him to his old pack and
then…

“The North.”

It’s not totally a lie. He was coming down from the North when he ended up in Tree Hill. But, in
reality, he comes from a pack of the East coast.

“Why are you so far away from your pack?” Yoongi questions.

Jungkook clenches his jaw and grits his teeth. He doesn’t want to answer that question. He doesn’t
want to tell them why he’s not with his pack, why he never wants to be with his pack again. His
pack. It feels odd to even think of it like that. He doesn’t see the Moonblood pack as his own
anymore. He never truly belonged to it anyway.

“I like traveling,” he replies vaguely.

“How long have you been traveling on your own?” Seokjin asks.

“A year,” he lies again.

“And how old are you?” Namjoon inquires.

“Twenty-one,” he replies honestly for the first time since they started to fire questions at him.

“You’re so young!” Jimin exclaims, “A baby wolf.”

And Jungkook wants to bark to prove to him that he is far from being a baby, but he refrains
himself from doing it.

“So cute,” Hoseok cooes.

Jungkook scowls, which only makes the beta laugh heartily. He doesn’t have to turn his head to the
side to feel Taehyung’s smile.
“I’m not cute,” he disagrees.

“You kind of are,” Jimin contradicts.

If anything, Jimin is the cute one, but Jungkook is not going to say that out loud.

For a second, Jungkook thinks that Jimin’s and Hoseok’s words are enough to drift the topic away
from his past and his reasons to be here and so on, but he’s proven wrong when Seokjin speaks
again.

“Why didn’t you shift last night?”

The question is too personal, too invasive. And Jungkook doesn’t want to answer that one. He’s on
the verge of just saying “It’s none of your business,” when Taehyung intervenes, probably sensing
his distress.

“Why don’t we leave Jungkook alone with the questions for now, hm?”

Every werewolf around the couches nods and Jungkook lets out a quiet sigh of relief.

“Seokjin, Yoongi, can you go to the hotel and grab Jungkook’s stuff, please? I had to leave them in
the room last night, but I want him to have them with him.”

“Okay,” Yoongi nods curtly before getting up from his seat.

Seokjin follows reluctantly but soon they’re both out of the door. Jungkook relaxes immediately,
his posture slouching a little.

“I’m sorry about them,” Taehyung says. “They tend to be overprotective and I know they can
appear cold, but they’re complete softies inside.”

“They just need to warm up to you,” Namjoon promises.

Jungkook really shouldn’t care if they like him or not since he doesn’t plan to stay. But, deep
inside, he wants to be accepted by Taehyung’s friends, by his pack, and more than anything he
wants to belong.
 Chapter 15

The first thing Taehyung says after his friends have left is “I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For not telling them that you’re my mate.”

“I understand why you didn’t.”

“I don’t think you do.”

“Then tell me,” Jungkook whispers.

Taehyung moves to sit cross-legged on the couch, fully facing the omega to look him in the eyes.

“I waited all my life to find my mate, I dreamed of it—of you—for so long,” Taehyung starts,
taking Jungkook’s hands in his and caressing them softly. “Our bond is something precious,
something that I cherish already. But it’s also intimate. It’s only between us two. I don’t want it to
be a secret, but I just want to keep it to myself for a while longer, to just… selfishly enjoy every
taste of it that I’ll be able to get before talking about it to anyone.”

Jungkook feels tears well up in his eyes as he listens to Taehyung speak. He wasn’t expecting that.
He was expecting Taehyung to be angry at him, to be disappointed in him, but not that, not those
dreamy words that make his heart beat faster. And it’s not fair, the effect Taehyung has on him
already, the power he has over him. Because when the alpha talks like that, it makes Jungkook
want to stay.

“You’re a treasure, Jungkook. My treasure.”

“Don’t say that,” Jungkook says, choking up.

“Why not?”

Jungkook doesn’t answer, he can’t, the words are stuck in his throat.

Taehyung lifts a hand to cup Jungkook’s cheek, his thumb slowly caressing the little scar there.

“How did you get that scar?”

My uncle hit me too hard, and his ring left its trace on my skin.

Jungkook doesn’t think he has it in him to lie this time. He wants to tell the truth, to tell Taehyung
that he was abused all his life, that he has other scars on his body that he doesn’t want the alpha to
see.

“I…”

Jungkook shakes his head, trying to hold back his tears, to hold back the memories that are
threatening to flood him.

Taehyuhng doesn’t say anything, he just keeps on grazing the scar with his thumb. And the gesture
is so soft, so different from all the hits and slaps Jungkook is used to, that it makes the first tear slip
from his eye.
“Don’t cry, pup.”

“There’s so much that I want to tell you…”

But I can’t.

Jungkook doesn't finish his sentence, he just lets his head fall, ashamed.

“Look at me,” Taehyung orders gently.

Jungkook lifts his head and meets the alpha’s eyes. They’re shining, like a light in the darkness that
surrounds Jungkook.

“We have all the time in the world to talk, okay?”

We don’t.

Jungkook knows that his time with Taehyung is limited, that they won’t have the eternity they
want together. He’s bound to leave. He’s bound to run again. No matter how much he wishes he
didn’t have to.

“For now, how about you help me with something?” Taehyung asks as he stands up and makes his
way towards the kitchen, leaving Jungkook with no option but to follow him.

“You want me to help you with…?” Jungkook questions, standing in front of the kitchen island.

“Cooking!” the alpha exclaims cheerfully.

“You don’t know how to cook,” Jungkook reminds him playfully.

“I’m wounded,” Taehyung says dramatically, a hand clutching his heart.

Jungkook finds himself letting out a small laugh and it rings in the silence, bouncing against the
walls, filling the room until it’s all they can hear.

“I love your laugh,” Taehyung whispers.

Jungkook blushes but tries to hide it by rounding the kitchen island and going to stand beside
Taehyung.

“You’re adorable when you blush,” Taehyung adds teasingly.

Damn it!

“I’m not adorable,” Jungkook mumbles.

“You totally are,” Taehyung disagrees, ruffling the omega’s hair.

“Hey!”

It’s Taehyung’s turn to laugh as he lets his fingers make their way from Jungkook’s hair to his
cheek.

“I’m so lucky to have met you.”

Jungkook’s heart skips a beat, or two, or three. A part of him decides, right then and there, that he
will stay, he has to stay just a little longer, just to enjoy the bits of affection he is given by
Taehyung. Because he craves it, he wants it so much.

Jungkook closes his eyes, leaning into Taehyung’s touch, and he feels the alpha stroke his cheek
softly in return, smiling.

“It would be so easy to fall in love with you, if I’m not careful,” Taehyung murmurs, leaning in
until their foreheads touch.

Jungkook knows, deep inside of him, that he, too, could easily fall in love with Taehyung if only he
gave a chance to the alpha. And that’s frightening. It’s like free falling without a parachute and
waiting for someone to catch you before you hit the ground. But it feels like Taehyung would do it,
that he would catch him and keep him close.

“I thought you wanted to cook,” Jungkook says softly, breaking the moment.

“Yeah.”

Taehyung steps back, letting his hand fall from Jungkook’s face to his side.

“What do you want to eat?”

“Do you have everything we need to make bibimbap?”

“I think so.”

“Then, let’s do that.”

Taehyung takes all they need from the cabinets and the fridge before setting everything on the
kitchen island. They get to start preparing their meal. They remain side by side, shoulders touching
and hands brushing from time to time.

“My friends asked you a lot of questions earlier. So if you have any for me, shoot.”

Jungkook ponders on what to do. Getting to know Taehyung better will only make things harder
for him, because he will inevitably get attached. But he caves anyway, because he’s already weak
for the alpha.

“How old are you?”

“Twenty-seven.”

“Do you have any siblings?”

“I had one.”

“Had?”

“An older brother. He died four years ago in an attack when the Howling Wolf pack tried to take
over our territory.”

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook whispers.

Silence falls upon them after that and Jungkook’s heart is heavy for Taehyung. He finds himself
putting the knife he had in hand on the counter before turning around and wrapping his arms
around Taehyung from behind. It doesn’t take more than two seconds for the alpha’s hands to
come to rest on Jungkook’s, and he leans back on the omega’s chest. Jungkook’s face finds its way
to Taehyung’s neck, resting there as he tries to comfort the alpha without saying a word. It’s weird
for him to be this touchy, but he feels like it was the right thing to do. He doesn’t regret it when he
hears the quiet “Thank you” slipping past Taehyung’s lips.

Jungkook doesn’t know how long they stay like that, just hugging, not saying a single word. But he
figures that it doesn’t matter, that he could stay like that forever if Taehyung wanted to.
 Chapter 16

During lunch, they talk sporadically. It’s mostly Taehyung who speaks about his pack,
themembers, and how it is to live in Tree Hill. Jungkook listens, soaking in every bit of
information, trying to figure out what it would be like for him to be a part of it all. It seems like a
dream, like something he can’t reach even though it’s right there, under his fingertips.

“You truly love your pack.”

“I do.”

“I wish I could be a part of it,” Jungkook whispers to himself.

But he knows that Taehyung heard him when he sees his eyes widen.

“You can, pup.”

Jungkook just shakes his head, feeling dejected. He shouldn't let himself hope. He shouldn’t let
himself long for something he can’t have. It’s pathetic.

“Why?”

I can’t tell you. I can’t tell you, otherwise you’ll be in danger too.

“Don’t ask me that.”

“Okay. Okay, I won’t ask you again. Just…” Taehyung sighs, “I want you to know that you’ll
always be welcomed in my pack. Always.”

Just when Jungkook is about to answer, the doorbell rings. Taehyung gets up to go to the door and
opens it, revealing Yoongi and Seokjin behind it.

“We’ve got Jungkook’s backpack,” Yoongi informs as he gives it to Taehyung, “All we found in
the room is in it.”

Jungkook can see Taehyung frowning from where he is, maybe surprised by how little possessions
he owns.

“Thank you,” Taehyung says before putting the backpack on the floor.

“Can we come in?” Seokjin asks.

Taehyung nods and the two werewolves follow him inside.

“Is that bibimbap I smell?” Yoongi questions.

“It is,” Taehyung answers.

“You cooked?” Seokjin inquires, clearly surprised.

“Jungkook helped me.”

Seokjin and Yoongi look at Jungkook like he did something impossible.

“You made Taehyung cook?!” Seokjin exclaims.

“He asked me to,” Jungkook replies.

“Wow, that’s…”

“…impressive,” Yoongi finishes for Seokjin.

“He doesn’t cook for us. Never,” Seokjin complains.

And Jungkook can see a blush rising on Taehyung’s cheeks. Cute .

“You could help us in the kitchen for the pack gathering we have tonight,” Yoongi says to
Jungkook.

“I don’t…” Jungkook starts, but he is cut off by Taehyung.

“Actually, Jungkook will stay with me today, so he won’t have the time to help.”

Seokjin and Yoongi look disappointed somehow, which surprises Jungkook because the two
werewolves weren’t the most welcoming earlier.

“But you’ll join us for dinner, right?” Yoongi asks Jungkook.

Jungkook looks at Taehyung, at his defeated expression, like he already knows that the omega is
going to say no. And it makes Jungkook’s heart squeeze in his chest. He doesn’t want to see that
kind of expression on Taehyung’s face.

“I will,” he answers against his better judgment.

Taehyung’s eyes widen when they land on Jungkook, but soon, a big, boxy smile curls his lips.
Suddenly, all the omega can think about is how it would be like to kiss those lips, to taste them, to
feel them pressed on his. It’s a thought he shouldn’t have, but it’s there, and it’s making him all hot
and bothered.

“Thank you,” Taehyung murmurs just for Jungkook and the omega nods in acknowledgement.

“We’ll see you tonight, then,” Yoongi says before waving goodbye.

Seokjin follows him to the door and then, it’s just Taehyung and him again.

“Pup…” Taehyung calls out as he comes to crouch beside Jungkook’s seat.

“I’m… I’m not good with packs,” the omega admits.

“It’s okay. Everything is going to be fine, I promise you,” Taehyung says, his hand coming to rest
on Jungkook’s knee.

And Jungkook wants to believe Taehyung, he really wants to. But he’s afraid. Meeting all the pack
at once, being in the spotlight, it’s… not something he should do. He should stay hidden, far away
from everybody else. So why is he doing this?

Because you want to see him smile again , his mind supplies. Because you want to make him happy.

He’s fucked.
 Chapter 17

After lunch, Taehyung has to work for a few hours. Jungkook learns that he is a freelance
translator who works from home and that he speaks five languages—korean, japanese, chinese,
english and french. To say that he is impressed in an understatement.

“I’ll be in here for two or three hours,” Taehyung explains as he shows his office to Jungkook.
“You can do whatever you want in the meantime. And if you need me, you can come here,
anytime.”

“Okay.”

Jungkook waits for Taehyung to be seated behind his desk and in front of his laptop, glasses
perched on his nose, to go out of the room. His steps lead him to Taehyung’s bedroom where
Jungkook takes off his sweatpants, keeping only his t-shirt and boxers on, before slipping under
the blankets. He is still feeling a little bit tired after what happened yesterday and he feels like
taking a nap will help. As he buries his nose in the pillow, inhaling Taehyung’s sweet scent, he
thinks for a second that he would love to make a nest with the alpha’s clothes surrounding him,
with his scent encaging him. It would be heaven.

Jungkook slowly closes his eyes and, for once, sleep takes over him in only a few minutes. At first,
it’s dreams that welcome him as he remembers his run with Taehyung, the forest, the lake… But
soon, the dreams are fading again, leaving to give way to the nightmares he so desperately wants to
get rid of.

Voices. Boisterous voices. That’s all he can hear. They’re laughing, roaring, speaking so loud it
hurts Jungkook’s ears. They’re all drunk at this point. And the omega knows what it means for
him.

As Jungkook takes the empty bottles of beers left on the table, he feels a hand slapping his ass
before groping it slightly.

“You got a beautiful omega here, Jae,” the alpha—Nakyeon—says.

“Beautiful?” Jungkook’s uncle scoffs, “You give him too much credit.”

Jungkook moves so that Nakyeon’s hand falls from his ass. He doesn’t say a word, even if he wants
to scream at him. He doesn’t do anything, but in his mind he wishes he could rip his throat for
having touched him. He can’t though, he’s not allowed to.

“I’ll take him anyway,” another alpha, Sihyuk, declares, his dark eyes landing on Jungkook,
making the omega shiver uncomfortably.

“He’s not worth it,” his uncle says.

Jungkook is quick to go back to the kitchen to put the bottles of beer in the trash. Once he’s there,
he grips at the counter, knuckles turning white. He breathes in and out until he’s calmed down,
until his bloodlust doesn’t flash in front of his eyes anymore.

“Here you are,” Nakyeon exclaims as he enters the kitchen, making the omega whip around to
face him.

And Jungkook is afraid. Being alone with the alpha in a closed room is like being trapped. He
can’t escape. He’s suffocating already.

“Aw, I can smell your fear,” Nakyeon says sickeningly sweetly, “Smells good.”

Nakyeon moves until he’s in front of Jungkook, caging him against the counter. The omega tries
his hardest to not scrunch his nose when Nakyeon’s sour scent hits his nostrils, to not throw up
when Nakyeon’s alcoholic breath hits his skin.

“You omegas are only good for one thing,” Nakyeon starts, lifting a hand to thread it into
Jungkook’s hair, “Being bred.”

Jungkook wants to close his eyes, to forget that he’s there, with Nakyeon, to pretend that he isn’t
touching him again. But he keeps them open, he keeps them locked on Nakyeon’s and what he sees
in the alpha’s irises makes him sick. It’s lust, desire, but it’s dark.

“Maybe I could buy you from your uncle,” Nakyeon goes on as he tugs at Jungkook’s hair, making
him crane his neck, exposing his throat.

Nakyeon lets his head fall on the crook of Jungkook’s neck. And Jungkook starts to tremble. If he
wanted to, the alpha could claim him, right then and there, and the omega couldn’t do anything
about it. Nakyeon is stronger, so much stronger than Jungkook, who is merely sixteen years old. He
wouldn’t be able to stop him.

“Or I could just claim you, hm?” Nakyeon hums against Jungkook’s skin.

“Please, no.”

“No? You dare say no to an alpha?” Nakyeon spits angrily after lifting his face to make Jungkook
see his eyes flash green, to assert his dominance.

“No, I…”

“Shut up!”

Jungkook doesn’t say another word and lets his head fall.

“You wouldn’t have a choice anyway,” Nakyeon declares somberly.

And it’s true. Jungkook wouldn’t have a choice, because he’s just an omega, and omegas are born
to please the alphas. That’s what his uncle told him all his life. That he should always —always—
bow down to the alphas, obey them, bare his neck to them.

Be a good toy.

“What is happening here?” his uncle thunders as he enters the kitchen.

“Nothing,” Nakyeon is quick to say, stepping back and letting go of Jungkook.

Jae narrows his eyes, scowling at Jungkook and the omega knows that he is going to pay for it
later. No matter if he didn’t do anything wrong.

Nakyeon exits the kitchen and Jungkook is left alone with his uncle. The slap that comes is not
unexpected, but it hurts anyways, even though the omega acts like it doesn’t.

“What do you think you’re doing? Trying to seduce my friends?” Jungkook’s uncle asks. “You’re
a whore!”.
And another slap lands on Jungkook’s cheek. It stings. It stings like hell.

“Go to your room. We’ll talk about that later.”

Jungkook, head down, obeys and almost runs to his room, closing the door behind him before
flopping on his battered bed. He muffles his screams in his pillow as he hits the mattress
desperately. He feels hot tears spilling from his eyes, burning his cheeks. And, no matter how hard
he tries, no matter how weak he feels, he can’t stop them from falling.

Jungkook doesn’t know how long he waits in his room, but he’s on the verge of falling asleep when
he hears his uncle’s voice booming through the house.

“Jungkook!”

Jungkook gets up and goes to the living room to find his uncle standing in the middle of it.

“Clean everything. And do it quickly.”

Jungkook follows the order and starts to clean around him. Beer bottles. Pizza boxes. Used tissues.
He puts everything in the trash before wiping the table with a cloth. It’s when he comes out of the
kitchen after he’s done that his uncle grabs his collar and yanks him.

“I know what you did,” Jae seethes.

I haven’t done anything , Jungkook wants to retort, but he keeps his mouth shut. He knows arguing
with his uncle is useless and will only make the punishment harsher.

Jae pushes Jungkook to the ground before hitting him square in the ribs with his foot. The omega
grits his teeth to not let the scream bubbling in his throat tumble out of his mouth. He folds himself
in a fetal position, trying to protect himself, but it does nothing to stop another hit from landing on
his back. Inside, his wolf is howling, in pain, in rage, wanting to be let out, to fight back. But
Jungkook knows he can’t shift. Even in his wolf form, he’s smaller than his uncle, less strong. He
can’t beat him.

So, Jungkook just takes it. The hits, the snarls, the insults, the spit landing on his face. He takes it,
just like he is used to. Because that’s his life. Suffering. Being abused. It’s all he’s ever known.

“You’re a slut!” his uncle screams as he stomps on Jungkook’s side.

And it feels like all his bones are cracking, one by one. It feels like his soul is fading, hit after hit.

Jungkook knows that his body is going to be covered in bruises by tomorrow, that it will ache all
over, that it will hurt to just keep breathing. But he can’t stop his uncle. Oh, he tried, in the past.
And it didn’t go well. So why bother trying again?

“Fucking piece of shit!”

When Jae’s boot meets Jungkook’s stomach, the omega curls in on himself even more. And he
starts to cry again.

“Pathetic.”

Yes, Jungkook is pathetic. He knows it. He’s learned his lesson. But he can’t help the tears from
falling.

“You don’t have the right to cry, you whiny bitch.”

And the hits keep on raining upon Jungkook, one after another. But it’s not what hurts the most, it’s
the words. They scar him, deep. They burn him alive.

Stop.

Please, stop.

But there’s no one to hear him cry, no one is going to come and save him. Jungkook is alone in his
nightmare of a life.

When his uncle grips his hair, hard, making him crane his neck and spits in his face, Jungkook
feels disgusting, he feels like he’s nothing but a corpse, a corpse made to be beaten black and blue.
His uncle has reduced him to that, to someone who doesn’t feel like he exists anymore.

And Jungkook screams.

“Wake up.”

Jungkook is thrashing around in bed, screaming and panting, when he feels the bed dip and hands
cup his cheeks.

“Come back to me.”

This voice… Jungkook knows this voice. He likes this voice. He wants to obey, to come back, but
the claws of the nightmare are still dug into his mind.

“You’re safe, pup.”

Again, safe . He wants to believe that he is, wants to believe that Jae can’t harm him anymore, that
his disgusting friends can’t touch him anymore. He wants to.

Jungkook opens his eyes slowly and is met with purple irises.

“Taehyung,” he whispers, lifting his hands to let them rest on the alpha’s.

“I’m here. You’re not alone.”

Taehyung presses their foreheads together as Jungkook tries to even his breath, to let his heart calm
down.

“Want to talk about it?”

“No,” Jungkook replies immediately, but he can’t keep out the sadness laced in his voice. “I just…
Can you… Can you hug me, just for a while?”

“Of course.”

They move on the bed until Taehyung is holding Jungkook firmly against his chest, until the
omega has his face nested in the crook of the alpha’s neck. And it’s perfect. Feeling Taehyung so
close to him appeases his wolf, and him. He soaks in the warmth seeping through their clothes, he
soaks in their scents, floating in the room together, a perfect mix. He soaks in each beat of
Taehyung’s heart against his ribcage. And he doesn’t want to move from here, ever. He feels safe,
protected, cared for. He feels like he can breathe again.
 Chapter 18

Coming out to the lake feels familiar but new at the same time. He is now alone, Taehyung’s scent
only a lingering whiff that comes and goes with the wind as he sits on a rock and stares at the
water. He tries to come to terms with everything that happened in the past days. His arrival in Tree
Hill, his meeting with Eunha, and then Hoseok, Jimin, Seokjin, Yoongi… Taehyung saving him…
It feels like Jungkook has been carried away by a whirlwind that he can’t get out of.

Jungkook can’t believe how his life changed so fast. He was all alone yesterday, and now… Now,
he has the promise of friendship, of love, of family . If only he gives it a chance. And the more time
passes, the more he wants to. He doesn’t know if it’s because of his wolf, who already feels like he
belongs here, or his human side, who feels like he could belong here. Maybe both. Maybe, he
finally found what he was looking for.

And there’s Taehyung. Jungkook is already addicted to his presence, his warmth, his scent. And he
feels at peace, safe, when he’s with the alpha. Two things he hasn’t felt in so long he thought he
would never feel them again. But, here he is. Craving for something more, something he shouldn’t
want.

Jungkook, who’s never been in love before, knows that Taehyung could be his first… and last
love. He could get under his skin, crave his way into his very core, take all the space in his heart.
He could, so easily. With his voice, his smile, his eyes. With every little bit of him.

Jungkook can already feel his walls crumbling down when he is with Taehyung. He let the alpha
touch him, hug him, kiss his forehead and scent him, that’s so much more than what he thought he
could let another wolf do to him after what happened when he was young. But it felt right, oh so
right. And Jungkook doesn’t regret it. Because Taehyung is always careful, always gentle, always
tender. He’s not like Jae, or Minhyuk. He’s far from being like them.

After spending so long guarding himself, refusing to let anyone in, Jungkook feels like he could
open up and tell Taehyung everything.

Just when the thought crosses his mind, Jungkook catches a movement in between the trees on the
other side of the lake. It’s a wolf, with yellow eyes, looking straight at him. A shiver runs down
Jungkook’s spine. Is it the same wolf from the other night? Is it one of the Moonblood’s pack
members? Is it chasing him? He can’t help but think that the wolf is here for him, even if it could
be a member of Taehyung’s pack. After all, he doesn’t know the borders of their territory, doesn’t
know if this wolf is trespassing them or not. But it’s like he feels it, and all sense of safety that he
could have before vanishes completely.

Jungkook tenses, ready to fight, when he sees the wolf baring his teeth and his hackles rising. It’s
then that he hears a woodstick cracking not far behind him. He turns to look at what caused the
sound, seeing Taehyung standing there, now smelling him even, and his heart clenches at the sight.
He gazes back towards where he had seen the wolf, it's just the trees there, nothing that would
indicate another presence. The wolf disappeared. But this time, Jungkook knows it wasn’t a
hallucination. They found him.

“I knew I’d find you here.”

Taehyung comes to stand beside Jungkook, hands tucked in his jeans’ pockets as he stares at the
lake. And Jungkook knows that the alpha senses his distress, his rage, his fear , so he tries to cover
them up as best as he can. He doesn’t want Taehyung to worry about him, or for him to ask
questions he’s not ready to answer yet.

And, thankfully, the alpha doesn’t. He just stays there, close to him but far enough to not suffocate
Jungkook with his presence, calm and steady, like someone the omega could lean on, if he wanted
to. That’s everything Jungkook needs right now, knowing that he’s not alone, that he can talk if he
wants, that he can scream and cry if he wants, even though he knows he won’t.

It’s like Taehyung understands him and can read between his lines. Because he doesn’t push
Jungkook, he doesn’t pry, he just waits for him to say something, giving him the time he needs to
calm down and reign in his emotions.

“I like this place,” Jungkook whispers.

“Did it help you, coming here?”

“It did.”

Sort of. Because Jungkook is still torn between his heart and his brain. His heart, which wants to
tell Taehyung who he is, what he did, what he feels, and his brain, which tells him to leave without
looking back, to keep everything a secret, to just run, run, run .

“When you asked to be alone, I thought I did something wrong…”

“You didn’t,” Jungkook says. “It’s cliché, but it’s not you, it’s me.”

“Want to tell me what’s wrong?”

If only I could.

“You know that I can’t.”

“You can’t or you don’t want to?”

Jungkook sighs. He doesn’t want to have this conversation right now, or at all.

“Taehyung…”

“I’m sorry. It’s just… I want to help if I can.”

“I know you do. But…”

“But what?”

Jungkook shakes his head and doesn’t reply to the question, letting it hang in the air. After a while,
he hears Taehyung clears his throat.

“I don’t get it, Jungkook. I don’t get why you won’t let me in, even just a little. We’re mates.”

Mates . They are, Jungkook can’t deny that. He can’t deny that his wolf recognized Taehyung’s as
his, he can’t deny that his own heart beats faster everytime he is in Taehyung’s proximity. But it’s
because they are mates that Jungkook wants to protect Taehyung.

“I want to get to know you, every little thing about you. I want to be able to hold you like I did
earlier, to kiss you, to touch you. I want so many things with you, it’s crazy.”

I want that too. But I can’t have it.

Taehyung turns around and crouches next to Jungkook, looking him in the eyes.

“Say something.”

Jungkook swallows, hard.

“I’m sorry.”

“That’s not enough, Jungkook.”

Jungkook. Not pup . And somehow, it hurts that Taehyung doesn’t call him by the pet name he’s
already so used to.

“I know,” Jungkook sighs, “But that's all I can say for now.”

Taehyung shakes his head, disappointed and Jungkook can only look at him, feeling his heart bleed
inside the swell of his ribcage.

“Okay,” Taehyung says.

Jungkook bites his bottom lip when he feels it start to wobble. He doesn’t want to cry again. He
cried too much already.

Taehyung stands up again and holds his hand out for Jungkook to take. The omega blinks,
surprised by the gesture, but he takes Taehyung’s hand in his and gets up.

“Come on, the others are waiting for us at home.”

Home . It’s not his home, it’s Taehyung’s. Even if he left some traces of him there, they will fade
with time, and Taehyung will forget.

They start walking back on the path that leads to Taehyung’s house and, all the while, the alpha
doesn’t let go of Jungkook’s hand, even going as far as to interlace their fingers.

“Aren’t you mad?” Jungkook asks.

“Why would I be mad?”

“Because I’m me.”

“There’s nothing wrong with you, pup. It’s me. I’m going too fast. We’ve known each other for
what? Not even a whole day. I can’t expect everything to be like a fairytale.”

It could be if we had more time. But we don’t.

They stay quiet after that and the silence weighs heavy on Jungkook, more than he cares to admit.
But he doesn’t break it. He doesn’t know what to say, what to do. He’s lost. Maybe, he wanted
Taehyung to be mad, to lash out on him, to have an excuse to leave. Maybe, he wanted him to be
anything but perfect, so he could push down those butterflies, so he could go back to how things
were when he didn’t know what it meant to be found . Maybe—

Taehyung lets go of Jungkook’s hand just before they reach the house and the omega almost
whines at the loss of contact between them. But it’s for the better. He has to get used to feeling cold
again, to feeling alone again. Because soon, Taehyung will not be by his side anymore.
 Chapter 19

Jungkook is in Taehyung’s bedroom, changing clothes, when someone knocks on the door. He
goes to open it and finds Hoseok in the hallway.

“Can I come in?” the beta asks.

Jungkook nods and steps on the side to let him enter the room, before closing the door behind
them. He watches as Hoseok goes to sit on the bed and starts fiddling with his fingers.

“There’s something you wanted to talk about?” Jungkook inquires.

“Actually, yes.”

“I’m listening,” Jungkook says as he puts on a checkered black and white flannel over his white t-
shirt before going to sit beside Hoseok.

“Well, it’s… Okay,” Hoseok takes a deep breath, “Are you and Taehyung mates?”

Jungkook’s eyes widen for a fraction of a second and it gives him away.

“You are, aren’t you?” Hoseok questions.

“What makes you think that?”

“Taehyung lied this morning, when we talked about how he found you yesterday night. He said
that I was the one telling him where you were, but I didn’t. It only means one thing... he found you
because he saw your star, connected to his."

Jungkook sighs as he looks at the beta. The secret is out, and he can’t lie. It would be pointless.

“We are,” he admits in a whisper.

“That’s awesome!” Hoseok exclaims brightly, his heart-shaped smile curling his lips.

When Jungkook doesn’t say anything, the beta’s enthusiasm dies down.

“Or not… Jungkook?”

“I can’t be his mate,” the omega says, sadness, defeat lacing his voice.

“Why?”

Jungkook shakes his head, not answering the question. Hoseok wraps an arm around his shoulders
and murmurs: “You can tell me.”

“I can’t,” Jungkook replies agonizingly, “I didn’t even tell Taehyung.”

“No matter what it is that keeps you from being together like you’re meant to, please, tell him.
Don’t hurt my friend.”

It’s too late for that . Jungkook knows he has already hurt Taehyung, no matter the façade that the
alpha is putting on when they’re together.

“I’m sorry.”
“Why are you apologizing?” Hoseok asks.

“For hurting him. I didn’t want to, I just… I don’t have a choice. I’m trying to protect him.”

“Protect him from what?”

“From me,” Jungkook whispers.

“Jungkook…” Hoseok starts, “Jungkook, look at me.”

When the omega does, he knows his eyes are shining from unshed tears, he knows that Hoseok can
sense his sadness, his distress, his anger. But he doesn’t try to hide how he feels, not this time.

“Why are you saying that?”

“Because, if I stay here, if I stay with him, he’ll be in danger.”

“As mates, it’s by your side that he will be the safest.”

“No, you don’t understand—”

“Then make me. Make me understand.”

“I can’t,” Jungkook repeats in a broken voice, a sob threatening to spill from his mouth.

“Jungkook…”

“I can’t. I’m sorry,” Jungkook says as he stands up abruptly, putting some distance between
Hoseok and him, because he can’t look at the beta right now, he can’t breathe .

“Okay. It’s fine.”

It’s really not, and things shouldn’t have to be this way. But it’s Jungkook’s reality and he’s not a
character of the fairytale that Taehyung wanted to live with his mate. He can’t be the one for him.
He just can’t.

“We’ll find a solution together. Maybe not today, nor tomorrow, nor the day after, but we will.”

Jungkook wishes he could be as hopeful as Hoseok is. He really does. But the hope that was
blooming in his heart this morning vanished when he saw the wolf at the lake earlier.

“The only solution is for me to leave.”

“You can’t leave! You can’t leave your mate behind!” Hoseok exclaims as he springs up from his
seat to come stand in front of Jungkook, hands on his shoulders.

“Me staying would get him killed. But if I leave, he’ll have a chance, he’ll forget about me, he…”

“Not as a true blood alpha. He… He’s already connected to you. If you break the link, you’ll kill
him.”

“That’s not possible,” Jungkook denies, “We didn’t mate, the bond…”

“The bond is already there. Jungkook, he can already see you, feel you. It’s too late now.”

Realization dawns on him and Jungkook starts to tremble, his whole body shuddering. This can’t
be… It can’t be true, right? But Hoseok has no reason to lie.
“Please, you need to stay.”

“Shit!” the omega shouts as his fist meets the mirror on the wall next to him.

“Jungkook!”

In seconds, the door opens to reveal a frantic Taehyung, who enters the bedroom and zeroes in on
Jungkook like he’s the only one there.

“What happened?” the alpha asks as he takes Jungkook’s bleeding hand in his.

“Nothing,” Jungkook lies.

“Don’t lie to me. You hurt yourself. Why?”

Jungkook remains silent and Taehyung sighs.

“Okay. Let me help you clean that,” the alpha says as he lets go of Jungkook’s hand, but not before
caressing it softly with his thumb.

Taehyung leads Jungkook to the bathroom and, in one swift motion, he wraps his arms around his
waist before hoisting him up on the counter. Jungkook flushes red at being manhandled like that,
but doesn’t utter a word.

“What will I do with you?” Taehyung whispers as he takes what he needs to clean and bandage
Jungkook’s hand in a cabinet.

Keep me . Despite everything, that’s the first thought that crosses Jungkook’s mind as he hears
those words.

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook says.

“For what?”

“For your mirror.”

“I don’t care about that mirror, pup. I care about you,” Taehyung says, taking Jungkook’s hand in
his and starting to delicately wipe out the blood from it with a wet cotton.

With his uninjured hand, Jungkook lifts Taehyung’s face and looks him in the eyes.

“You do?”

“I do. More than I should, probably, but… I do.”

“Thank you,” Jungkook murmurs, caressing Taehyung’s cheek softly, fighting this urge he has in
him to lean in and just kiss the alpha.

Taehyung nods, and Jungkook lets go of his face. The alpha goes back to tending to his wounds,
silence falling over them. And Jungkook focuses on the slender fingers that hold his hand gently,
on the warmth they seep through his palm, forgetting about the pain. It’s so easy to feel good when
he is with Taehyung, and he knows it’s because they’re mates, because they have that effect on
each other, but he can’t find it in himself to reduce it to just that. Jungkook knows he might not
have felt the same way if his mate would have been someone other than Taehyung. Perfect
Taehyung. Who already stole pieces of heart.
“What are you thinking of?” Taehyung asks in his low, soothing voice.

“You.”

This seems to take the alpha aback because he widens his eyes for a second before composing
himself again.

“Me?”

“Hm.”

“Will you tell me?” Taehyung questions with a smile.

“No,” Jungkook replies with his own smile.

“I should have known better,” Taehyung huffs.

The smile on Jungkook’s face doesn’t fade as Taehyung bandages his hand and makes him get
down the counter. It only fades once they reach the living room, five pairs of eyes landing on them.

“Jungkook! Are you okay?” Hoseok asks, tears glistening in his eyes.

“I’m okay.”

“You’re sure?” Jimin inquires.

“I’m sure,” Jungkook answers, hiding his injured hand in his jeans’ pocket.

“What happened?” Jin questions, worry laced in his voice.

“We heard glass shattering,” Namjoon supplies.

“I… I’d rather not talk about it.”

“He’s fine, guys, don’t worry,” Taehyung says.

“Of course we’re going to worry!” Jin exclaims. “We heard Hoseok and Jungkook scream. He’s
hurt…”

Jungkook’s eyes grow wide. He didn’t think that anyone would care about what happened in the
bedroom, but he’s proven wrong by the last person he thought would be concerned about him.

“It’s nothing,” Jungkook dismisses.

“It’s not nothing, Jungkook,” Namjoon disagrees. “If something got you upset, you can tell us
about it.”

I can’t. I can’t. I can’t.

Jungkook looks at Hoseok and realizes that the beta kept his secret, he didn’t tell anything to
anyone. He’s grateful for that. He doesn’t want anyone else knowing about him and Taehyung, not
yet. He has to sort his thoughts and feelings first. He has to find a way out first.

“I’m not upset,” Jungkook harshly says.

“You clearly are,” Yoongi contradicts.

Jungkook remains silent. He tries to reign in his emotions, to put his façade back on so as to not
lash out on everyone in the room. He’s not upset, he’s fucking furious right now. Because
Taehyung might die, just because of him, just because he tumbled into his life like a poisoned
flower. And it’s not fair.

“Let him breathe,” Taehyung orders and, after that, everyone drops the topic.

Breathe. Jungkook can’t breathe. He’s suffocating right now. Under the weight of what he
discovered whilst talking to Hoseok, under the weight of what it means for him, for Taehyung. He
can’t let the alpha die. He just can’t.
 Chapter 20

Jungkook doesn't know how he ended up beside Seokjin on the way to the pack house, but in the
end, it isn’t as nerve-wracking as he thought it would be walking without Taehyung by his side,
even though his fingers itch to be laced with the alpha’s, even though he misses his presence
already.

Jungkook looks around him, in awe of Taehyung’s territory, of the trees that seem to be taller on
each side of the path they’re on, of the flowers that seem to bloom everywhere around them, of
every house he can see in the distance, wood and glass blending with the nature surrounding them.

“It’s beautiful,” Jungkook whispers as his eyes roam on the trees’ trunks, on the branches, on the
leaves, on every little detail that he can catch.

And it is, really. The way the trees line with each other, reaching high in the sky, the crown of
them almost huddled above their heads. It’s almost like nature bows its head to the pack, respecting
it uniquely.

“It is,” Seokjin says, “That’s why I love living here so much.”

Seokjin turns his head to look at Jungkook, before adding: “I’m sure you’d like it, too.”

Probably , Jungkook thinks. He always dreamed of the forest when he was kept inside his uncle’s
house, he always dreamed of living in the woods, he always dreamed of a place where he could
belong. And here, in the middle of Taehyung’s territory, he feels like he could have everything he
ever dreamed of, if only…

“You seem like you’d blend in with us just fine.”

“What makes you think that?”

Seokjin doesn’t reply, only smiles to himself, like he knows something that Jungkook ignores and
silence falls over them for a while.

“I’m not good with people,” Jungkook admits.

“I think you’re just afraid,” Seokjin retorts.

“I’m not afraid of anything.”

“We all are afraid of something, and that’s okay.”

“Being afraid means being weak.”

“And you can’t be weak, right? Because, what, you’re an omega?”

“Among other reasons…” Jungkook mumbles, but there’s no strength to his argument.

“Do you think I’m weak?” Seokjin asks.

“No.”

“Because I’m not. Omegas aren’t weak, Jungkook. In some old, very old packs, they might still
think that omegas are the lowest of ranks, the useless wolves, but not here. Taehyung wouldn’t
allow it.”

“So what? You’re all treated as equals?”

“Yes,” Seokjin replies matter-of-factly.

Jungkook’s eyes widen and Seokjin must sense his surprise because he adds: “Rank doesn’t matter
here, what matters is what you have in your heart.”

It’s so different from the Moonblood pack, where every omega was treated as a low life, a good for
nothing wolf, a breeding machine.

“Taehyung makes sure that everyone in his pack feels like they matter, like their life is precious.”

“He seems like a good leader,” Jungkook says as his eyes land on Taehyung’s back.

“He is. Even if he didn’t want to be head alpha at first, he’s doing wonders in that role.”

“He didn’t want to be head alpha, why?”

“It was supposed to be his older brother who would take over their father, it was always meant to
be Sungho, but…”

“He died.”

“Taehyung told you?”

“Hm.”

“Sungho was my boyfriend,” Seokjin reveals in a broken voice. “We weren’t true mates, but we
loved each other.”

“I’m sorry…”

“Don’t be,” Seokjin smiles softly, “It’s in the past now.”

“But it still hurts,” Jungkook guesses.

“It does.”

They don’t speak after that for a while, each lost in their own thoughts. But it’s not uncomfortable
and, somehow, Jungkook feels comforted by Seokjin’s calm presence beside him. His eyes are still
locked on Taehyung though, and he watches as the alpha laughs at something Jimin said to him
and, unknowingly, his lips curl into a small smile.

“You like him,” Seokjin says.

“What?”

“Taehyung. You like him.”

“I don’t know him.”

“But I see the way you look at him,” Seokjin muses.

“I don’t…”
“Don’t lie to me,” Seokjin cuts him off, “Don’t think I didn’t see that smile a second ago just
because Taehyung was laughing.”

That effectively shuts Jungkook up and he finds himself blushing.

“Cute,” Seokjin says as he pinches Jungkook’s cheek.

Jungkook swats his hand away and Seokjin laughs.

“You’re a fierce one,” Seokjin states, “I like that.”

Jungkook starts to walk faster, in the hopes of leaving Seokjin behind, because he can’t handle his
teasing or his knowing smile. He can hear Seokjin’s windshield’s laugh following him as he
reaches Taehyung’s side. Jimin steps back after bowing his head to Jungkook so that there’s only
them two in front.

“Missed me?” Taehyung whispers to him as soon as Jungkook falls into his steps.

“Yeah,” Jungkook replies without thinking.

Taehyung’s eyes grow wide and a soft smile appears on his lips. Jungkook just bumps their
shoulders, trying his best to hide the redness of his cheeks.

“Missed you too,” Taehyung says.

Jungkook’s heart races as he hears those words fall from the alpha’s lips.

“What do you think about our territory so far?”

“I really like it,” Jungkook whispers, almost like a confession.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Taehyung brushes their hands together and Jungkook can feel just how happy he is right now. He
can feel it everywhere inside him, through the bond, the bond he tried so much to reject. Hoseok
was right, it’s there, right there, pulsing between them. It’s like a red thread connecting them,
uniting them. It’s still thin, still fragile because Jungkook didn’t accept it fully, but it exists and the
omega can’t deny it anymore.

“I feel you,” he murmurs.

“I know.”

“It doesn’t bother you?”

“No. You’re meant to feel me, to know me.”

Meant to . Another thing for which Jungkook doesn’t have a choice. He should feel trapped, but
it’s the opposite. He feels like he can find his freedom with Taehyung.

“I’d like that,” he whispers.

“Like what?”
“To get to know you better.”

“Really?”

“Really.”

The smile that Taehyung sends Jungkook’s way gives him butterflies. There’s a beat of silence,
and then, the alpha speaks again.

“Here’s the pack house,” Taehyung says as he points at a huge cabin made of wooden logs.

“I’m nervous,” Jungkook admits.

“Don’t be. They’ll love you.”

Love . It’s all about that, right? Love, acceptance, belonging. If Jungkook really gives a chance to
Taehyung, he’ll have to be accepted by him, but also by his pack. And it all starts now, with the
first impression Taehyung's pack members will have of him.

Jungkook sighs as he runs a hand through his hair. He’s not ready for this. He shouldn’t have said
yes to coming here. It’s too early, it’s too…

“Okay, here we are,” Taehyung declares as they reach the door of the pack house.

Jungkook takes a deep breath, itching to take Taehyung’s hand, to ground himself through contact,
skin on skin.

“You’re ready?” Taehyung asks.

No.

“Yeah.”

And then, Taehyung is opening the door.

Instantly, all heads turn in their direction and Jungkook can feel the weight of a hundred gazes on
him. It’s overwhelming, but he tries to keep his façade in place, to remain stoic, as he enters the
room beside Taehyung. There are gasps, whispers, surprised faces that follow him as he steps
further and further inside the cabin, until they reach empty spots at the end of the table.

“Hi, everyone!” Taehyung exclaims. “Tonight, I want to introduce you to a new friend. His name is
Jungkook. Please, take care of him.”

The whispers die down but the stares remain focused on Jungkook as Taehyung takes a seat, before
urging him to sit on his right side. And it’s stupid, but he feels a pang of hurt because everybody
knows that the mate of the head alpha has to sit on his left side, and it’s where Seokjin takes place,
before all of Taehyung’s friends sit on either side of them, Yoongi the one sitting beside Jungkook.

“Ignore them,” the alpha whispers to Jungkook, “They’re just nosy but they won’t bite.”

Jungkook only nods and lets his stare fall down. That’s when he notices that Yoongi’s and
Namjoon’s hands are linked.

“You and Namjoon are together?” Jungkook can’t help but ask Yoongi.

“Yes. He’s my mate.”

“An alpha with another alpha… it’s allowed?”

Yoongi looks at Jungkook like he just grew two heads, before answering.

“Love is love, Jungkook. There’s nothing to allow here, it is what it is and people can fuck off if
they’re not happy about us being together.”

“It’s so different from the pack I grew up in…”

“You didn’t tell us the name of your pack.”

“It’s not important. I’m not a part of it anymore,” Jungkook admits.

Yoongi frowns.

“You can’t stay packless, you know it’s not good for your wolf.”

“I know,” Jungkook says defensively, “It just… happened.”

“I suppose there’s more to the story than what you’re willing to tell me, so I won’t pry more. Just
know that if you want to talk, I’m here.”

Jungkook nods, but he knows that he won’t talk to Yoongi. If he has to talk about it, it’s to
Taehyung first. However, he’s not ready to do that just yet, he’s not ready to open up just yet.

“And I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For not being the most welcoming to you.”

“It’s okay.”

“It’s not. I just let my worries get the best of me and I shouldn’t have.”

“You were looking after Taehyung, after your pack. I understand, really.”

Even if it hurt, even if Jungkook thought he was not ready to forget or forgive, he understands
where Yoongi is coming from. He would probably have acted the same in his position. Taehyung
took a risk when he saved Jungkook, when he brought him into his house, into the heart of his pack
without knowing anything about him. It could have been dangerous if the omega had ill intentions.
And Jungkook remains a stranger, an outcast, someone people don’t necessarily want to get too
close to. But he sees how everyone around him is trying, in their own ways, and it ignites a flicker
of hope in him. Maybe, he’s not going to be a lost wolf anymore. Maybe, he’s going to find his
family.

The conversation dies down after that when some people come to them and fill their plates with
food. Jungkook thanks them politely and earns smiles in return. It flusters him a little and he tries
to smile back awkwardly, which leads Yoongi to chuckle beside him.

“What?” Jungkook asks the alpha.

“Nothing. You’re just cute.”

“I’m not cute,” Jungkook grumbles.

“If you say so,” Yoongi laughs.

Jungkook resists the urge to pout and turns his head to the side, only to find Taehyung already
looking at him with a soft smile on his face.

“He’s right,” the alpha says.

“About what?”

“You are cute. Very cute.”

Jungkook huffs and this time it’s Taehyung’s turn to laugh as he flicks the omega’s chin. Behind
the alpha’s shoulder, Jungkook can see Seokjin’s knowing smile, and his words flash back in the
omega’s mind. You like him . And maybe Jungkook does like him a little, just a little.

“Eat,” Taehyung orders as his fingers leave Jungkook’s skin.

Jungkook waits for the alpha to take the first bite of meat to do the same. And as he eats, he can’t
help but let his eyes wander around him. He watches all the werewolves gathered around the table,
watches the families, the elderly, watches as everyone seems so joyful, so carefree, acting like there
isn’t a stranger, an intruder among them. They eat, they smile, they laugh, and it’s loud, and it’s
alive . It’s so different from what Jungkook is used to, so different from the cold, silent gatherings
he took part in in the past, where everyone had their head bowed, where everyone kept their mouth
shut. Here, he feels warm, he feels like he can belong.

Just when the thought crosses his mind, Jungkook feels a hand on his thigh. Taehyung’s hand. He
looks up at the alpha, whose fingers are playing with the rips in Jungkook’s jeans.

“How do you feel?” Taehyung asks lowly.

“Good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook nods, offering up a small smile.

“I want you to…”

“Alpha?” someone calls out for Taehyung, cutting off whatever he was going to say.

In the corner of his eyes, Jungkook can see a woman, a beta, with long dark hair and big brown
eyes standing behind them. She’s smiling a bit too big for it to be natural, Jungkook notices.
Something churns inside of him immediately as he looks at her and the way she gazes at
Taehyung.

“Yes, Sunmi?” Taehyung answers, letting his hand fall from Jungkook’s thigh, making the omega
frown.

“I wanted to ask you something,” Sunmi says, twirling a curl of hair around her fingers, biting her
lower lip and batting her eyelashes.

Jungkook wants to gag. He already knows where this is going and he doesn’t like it. Doesn’t like it
at all.

“What is it?” Taehyung asks, oblivious to what’s going on.

“What are you doing tomorrow night?”

“Tomorrow night?”

“Yes.”

“Nothing, but…”

“Great! Will you… will you go out with me then?”

“Go out with you?”

“Like a date,” the beta lets out, blushing.

And something ugly snaps inside Jungkook when he hears the words. How dare this woman ask
his mate out on a date when he’s right there ? How dare she—

But she doesn’t know.

Because Taehyung hasn’t told anyone about them. Them … Is there even a them? Before he does
something stupid, like letting the growl bubbling in his throat out, Jungkook excuses himself and
goes out of the room. He doesn’t even want to hear Taehyung’s answer. He doesn’t want to hear
anything anymore.

Once Jungkook is on the porch, sitting on the stairs that lead to it, he tries to calm down, to
breathe. He doesn’t have the right to be upset, or angry at Sunmi. Taehyung isn’t his. He doesn’t
own him. But it hurts, the thought of the alpha with someone else, it hurts more than anything. His
wolf is howling, screaming at him to go back, to claim what’s his, to show everyone in that room
to whom Taehyung belongs. He clenches his fists at his sides to not give in to his instincts, but
even so, it’s hard.

Jungkook feels Hoseok before he sees him. The beta comes to sit beside him on the stairs,
wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

“Want to tell me what happened?”

Jungkook doesn’t want to talk, but he finds himself answering anyway.

“Sunmi happened,” he says bitterly.

“What did she do?”

“She asked Taehyung out on a date right in front of me.”

“What the… frick.”

Jungkook snorts at Hoseok’s choice of words and he can see the beta smile from the corner of his
eyes.

“What did Taehyung say to her?”

“I don’t know. I left before finding out.”

“You know that he’ll reject her, right?”

Jungkook remains silent. Right now, he doesn’t know anything anymore.

“Oh, come on, he’s your mate!” Hoseok exclaims, “Now that he found you, he has no reason to go
out with anyone else.”

“Maybe.”

“There’s no maybe. I know him, and I know how he is. Trust me when I say that you’re all he
wants.”

“You can’t know that.”

“I know that he’s waited for you all his life. He’s not gonna let you go that easily.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“I’m just… I know I shouldn’t feel how I’m feeling right now, I don’t have the right to.”

“You have the right to feel whatever you’re feeling, Jungkook. It’s your mate we’re talking about.
You can be sad, hurt, angry, mad, you can feel whatever you want to feel, your feelings are valid.”

Jungkook wants to believe Hoseok, but he feels guilty. He was the one who pushed Taehyung
away, he can’t be the one being mad at him just because the alpha’s being hit on. It’s not fair to
Taehyung.

“I’m acting like a petulant child throwing a tantrum.”

“You’re acting like you care,” Hoseok contradicts.

“I do,” Jungkook whispers, “Care about him, I mean.”

“I know you do. And that’s a good thing.”

Is it, really? It’s because he already cares about Taehyung that Jungkook is so afraid right now, so
afraid to lose him, so afraid to see him getting killed because of him. It’s irrational, this fear that
claws at his insides, but he can’t help feeling this way, not when everything seems so fucked up.

“He needs someone who cares, someone who will stand by his side no matter what, someone who
will love him endlessly.”

Can Jungkook be that person? He doesn’t know. He doesn’t know if he deserves to be. All his life,
his uncle told him that he would end up alone, that nobody would want him and now… Now, he
has an alpha ready to try and fall in love with him. It’s unexpected, it’s frightening, but at the same
time, it’s exhilarating, and Jungkook can’t help how his heart beats faster everytime he thinks
about Taehyung. He can’t ignore the butterflies swarming in his tummy every time they touch,
can’t forget how easy it is to let himself fall for the alpha, second after second. It’s dangerous, yes,
but Jungkook doesn’t want it to stop.

“I think you’ll be good for him,” Hoseok prophetizes.

“I don’t deserve someone like him.”

“You deserve each other.”

Silence falls over them for a little while, until they hear the door behind them open and turn around
to see Taehyung coming to them.
“Pup?”

“I’m gonna leave you two,” Hoseok says as he stands up and goes back into the cabin.

Taehyung takes the beta’s place on the stairs next to Jungkook, but the omega doesn’t look at him.

“I said no.”

“Why? She’s beautiful. She’s…”

“She’s not you,” Taehyung cuts Jungkook off.

“I’m no one special,” Jungkook mumbles. “I’m nothing.”

“Don’t say that,” Taehyung growls, “You’re everything.”

“I’m not that perfect, ideal version of your mate you have in mind. I’m too far from that.”

“I’m not looking for perfection, pup. I’m looking for something real.”

Something real . How could they be real when Jungkook is hiding, lying to Taehyung? And he
feels guilty, guilty enough that he wants to tell Taehyung everything, but he can’t. It’s too soon and
he doesn’t know if he can trust the alpha with his heart, with his life.

“You’re real,” Taehyung goes on, taking Jungkook’s hand in his.

Jungkook shakes his head.

“You don’t know me, Taehyung.”

“Then give me a chance to get to know you better. Stay with me.”

Jungkook looks at Taehyung and his eyes are shining with unshed tears. He knows what he wants.
He wants to stay, to get to know the alpha, to get close to him, to not let him die if he leaves. But if
he stays… the wolves from his old pack will emerge from the shadows and become a threat to
everyone around him. It’s inextricable.

“Stay,” Taehyung repeats, tone almost pleading as his fingers intertwine themselves with
Jungkook’s.

And it may be the most selfish decision Jungkook has ever made, but in this moment, under the
moonlight with Taehyung, Jungkook decides that he can have this, he wants this.

“Okay,” Jungkook whispers, “I’ll stay.”

And as the alpha leans in and kisses his forehead, everything feels right.
 Chapter 21

Jungkook is lying in Taehyung’s bed, looking at the ceiling, thinking back about what happened
after their talk. The alpha had brought him back into the cabin, just to introduce him to everyone in
the room. Jungkook had felt nervous with all those eyes on him, but everyone welcomed him with
a smile and kind words, the kids even going as far as to hug him tight. Little by little, Jungkook
found himself joining the conversations Taehyung initiated, and smiling with him to the people
they were talking to. He found himself loosening up, letting go of his façade for a while. It felt
good, it felt warm, it felt comforting, being surrounded by genuinely good people, being accepted
by them. It felt really good. And, for a second, he pictured himself being one of them, being a
member of the Black Moon pack.

Jungkook is brought out of his thoughts by knocking on the door. He gets up from the bed and
goes to open the door, only to find Taehyung on the other side.

“Want to have a cup of tea with me on the porch? I can’t sleep.”

Jungkook nods before taking the blanket with him and getting out of the house. He’s the first one to
get on the porch and sit on one of the chairs that are disseminated on it. He wraps the blanket
around him before he can get cold, and waits for Taehyung to join him. When the alpha does, he
gives him a cup of tea, before sitting on a chair next to the one Jungkook chose for himself. For a
while, they don’t say anything, they just stare at the nocturnal landscape surrounding them and the
moon shining high above them. Then, Taehyung speaks.

“What did you think about my pack?”

“Everyone was really sweet with me, I… I didn’t expect that.”

“Why?”

“Because I’m a stranger. They don’t know anything about me and yet they welcomed me warmly,
I just… It’s so different from the pack I grew up in. They were cold, aggressive, dictatorial, I don’t
think I ever heard someone laugh back then. It was all really gloomy, and sad, and so dark. But
here… It’s like your all little lightbulbs in the darkness and I… I like it.”

Taehyung looks at him like he put all the stars in the sky and it makes Jungkook’s heart miss a beat
or two.

“I’m glad you do,” the alpha whispers, “I really am.”

It’s so easy to fall in love with Taehyung’s pack, with its members, because they all feel like one
big family, something Jungkook never had. They seem to be there for each other when needed, to
help each other when needed. They seem ready to support, to comfort, to love one another anytime.
They seem… picture perfect. And maybe there are cracks that Jungkook hasn’t seen, and maybe
there are conflicts that arise from time to time too, like in all families, but it looks like their bond is
strong, unbreakable. Something Jungkook could rely on, if he joined the pack.

“We’re not perfect, but we’re happy,” Taehyung confides.

Happy . Jungkook has never been happy before. It’s a feeling he has yet to experience, but it’s an
experience he craves. And maybe, he found a place to do just that.

Jungkook takes a sip of his tea, letting his thoughts sink in, letting his desires break free. Staying in
Tree Hill might not be as bad an idea as he first thought. Maybe, he’ll find a home here, within the
pack, in Taehyung.

“They liked you,” Taehyung says, looking at Jungkook over his cup of tea.

“I don’t think…”

“They did,” Taehyung cuts him off before he can belittle himself.

Jungkook smiles softly, his heart soaring because, unconsciously, he wanted them to like him, even
if just a little.

“Especially the kids.”

Jungkook didn’t imagine that the children would love him so much, but the way they acted with
him was so damn cute that he melted on the spot. He always knew, in his heart, that he wanted to
have kids of his own, to have a family of his own. Even if seeing those kids so free, so happy,
made his heart ache in a way for the childhood he never had, he tried to keep a smile on his face
whilst interacting with every child that came his way.

“I love kids,” he murmurs.

“Do you want some of your own one day?” Taehyung asks.

“Yes,” he admits.

If I have the chance to live that long , Jungkook thinks. It all comes down to that. If he’ll survive or
not. If he’ll be killed or not.

“Me too,” Taehyung says.

Images of what their family could be flashes before his eyes. He sees children running around the
house, little wolves playing with their alpha in the woods. He hears laughs and giggles, he sees
smiles, and happy faces. And it makes his heart race in his chest. It’s something he always
dreamed of, and now…

“I want five kids,” Taehyung goes on.

Jungkook chokes on his tea.

“Five?”

“Hm. I want a big family,” the alpha says with a dreamy smile on his face.

“I never had a family,” Jungkook reveals.

“What do you mean?”

“My parents died when I was two years old. I grew up with my uncle, but he wasn’t… he wasn’t
exactly the best parental figure ever.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It’s in the past now.”

A past that haunts him, a past made of memories he can’t get rid of.
“Will you tell me about your past?”

“Maybe one day.”

That’s all Jungkook can offer right now. One day. He doesn’t know if that day will come, if he’ll
still be here to tell Taehyung all about what happened to him during his childhood. He doesn’t
know, but he wants to believe that he’ll have a chance to come clean.

“Do you want to hear about mine?”

Jungkook nods, and Taehyung starts to tell him stories about his childhood, about his older brother,
about their parents. He puts his cup of tea on the floor and wraps himself tighter in the blanket he
brought with him, as he listens to Taehyung’s deep voice, as it lulls him to sleep. For a while,
there’s nothing but them, nothing but this moment they’re sharing, and it’s perfect.

When Taehyung takes him in his arms to bring him back to his room, Jungkook doesn’t protest, he
doesn’t tell the alpha that he can walk just fine on his own. Instead, he leans his head on
Taehyung’s chest and nestles there until they’re in the bedroom and the alpha puts him to bed.
Taehyung tucks him in, kisses his forehead, before leaving him alone.

Jungkook instantly misses his warmth, his presence. He wants to tell the alpha to stay, to share the
bed with him so that he can hug him and keep the nightmares away, but he doesn’t. He doesn’t and
he just waits for his eyes to close, for the darkness to engulf him. And when it does, he dreams of a
future with Taehyung, a future he might never have.
 Chapter 22

When Jungkook wakes up, it’s to Taehyung caressing the scar on his cheek with the tips of his
fingers. He opens his eyes slowly, only to find the alpha sitting on the floor next to the bed, head
lying on the blanket next to Jungkook’s arm, his hot breath grazing the omega’s skin, making
goosebumps appear on it. The moment is so soft that Jungkook doesn’t want to break it by talking.
So instead, he just looks at Taehyung, at his eyes, at his nose, at his lips, at the moles adorning
them and he feels endeared.

“Hey,” Taehyung whispers.

“Hey.”

It's been almost a week and he feels like he doesn't want it to end, always waking up with the alpha
sitting next to his bed. At first, it was new and unfamiliar, the gentleness and care that swayed off
Taehyung, but now it makes Jungkook want to breathe in to smell him more, slowly accepting the
growing fondness that is connected with the alpha.

It was so easy to fall in a routine with Taehyung, so easy to spend most of his days sleeping in his
bed, surrounded by his scent, resting his fatigued body and soul. After running for so long,
Jungkook could finally stop and just… be. He let himself breathe and forget, just for a while.
Forget about the outside world, about everything that wasn’t Taehyung. He focused on the alpha,
on the bond slowly forming between them, on how good it felt to be close to him, to get to know
him, to share secrets with him. He focused on opening up, petal after petal, letting himself be seen
by the alpha. And it was scary, but Jungkook wouldn’t have had it any other way because it felt
right, so right.

“How long have I slept?” Jungkook asks, yawning cutely.

“It’s lunch time, so…”

“That long?”

“Yeah.”

“You should have woken me up.”

“You looked too cute sleeping.”

“M’not cute,” Jungkook mumbles as he blushes, hiding his face under the blanket.

“You’re proving my point,” the alpha laughs.

“You’re just… ”

The omega sticks his tongue out at Taehyung and the alpha only laughs harder.

Taehyung shakes his head fondly before reaching out to take the blanket off Jungkook. Once
uncovered, the omega can’t hide the fact that he’s wearing one of Taehyung’s shirts and not one of
his own. He waits for the alpha to say something, anything, but all he hears is a low growl.

“You’re wearing my shirt.”

“I… I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I like it.”

And the way Taehyung’s eyes darken as they take in Jungkook’s frame is enough for the omega to
know that he’s not lying, that he’s actually enjoying seeing him wearing his shirt, seeing him lying
in his bed.

“You should wear it, always.”

“You just like the idea of your scent on me,” Jungkook retorts.

“And what if I do?”

Jungkook doesn’t answer. Because he likes it too. He likes wearing Taehyung’s clothes, having his
scent on him, drowning in it. He likes it more than he cares to admit it to himself. It’s comforting.
It’s reassuring. It’s everything he needs to know that he’s not alone anymore.

“You’re my mate after all,” Taehyung whispers.

Mate . When Jungkook first realized he had a mate, he was so scared, so lost, but now? Now, he’s
not so afraid anymore. There are still many things he has to come to terms with, many solutions he
has to find, but he’s not going to let his fears get the best of him, he’s not gonna let them interfere
in Taehyung and his relationship, it’s too precious for that. What they have, it’s something he
wanted, craved, longed for, it’s something he doesn’t want to let go of. Not now. Not ever. He’s
gonna fight for it, for them . Until his last breath.

“And you’re mine,” Jungkook finds himself murmuring back.

That line puts a smile on Taehyung’s face and the omega gets lost in it for a while.

“Come on, sleeping beauty,” Taehyung says as he stands up, “Let’s get you out of bed.”

The alpha holds a hand out for Jungkook and he takes it, letting their fingers intertwine naturally as
he leaves the bed. Taehyung leads him to the bathroom.

“Wash up. I’ll be waiting for you in the kitchen, pup.”

Jungkook nods before disappearing into the bathroom. As he takes a quick shower, he can’t help
but think that he is lucky to have a mate such as Taehyung. So kind, so caring, so understanding.
The alpha didn’t push him to tell him everything about him these past few days, he let Jungkook
open up to him at his own pace. And the omega found himself talking about his dreams, about his
hopes, about everything that he suppressed during all those years within his pack and on the run.

But Jungkook still hasn’t told Taehyung about his past, about the abuse, about Minhyuk. It’s too
hard to talk about it, to make the memories resurface. But he knows he will have too, eventually.
He can’t keep this to himself for long. Not when Taehyung is making his walls crumble, one after
another, with each of his smiles, of his laughs, of his forehead kisses.

Jungkook learned a lot about Taehyung during that time they spent together too. Like how he loves
to read in front of the fireplace every night with a glass of strawberry juice in hand, like how he
doesn’t like shoes at all and spends his time barefoot, like how he is always this calm, tranquil
presence around Jungkook, just waiting for him, convinced that the omega will be his someday.

And, as the days pass, Jungkook finds himself wanting that—being Taehyung’s. It seems like a
dream. To live with him, to be with him. They’re in a bubble that Jungkook doesn’t want to see
burst, even though he knows that it will happen, sooner or later. They’re in a bubble where it’s just
them, the moments, the thoughts they share. And it’s perfect. It gives Jungkook a taste of what
heaven could be like for him. It might be cruel, because the omega knows that he can’t pretend to
have it, but he takes it. He takes everything Taehyung gives him.

Once Jungkook is ready, he joins Taehyung in the kitchen, where he sees the alpha in front of the
stove. The urge to just go behind him and wrap his arms around him is strong, to let his chin rest
on Taehyung's shoulder and stay there while he cooks. But Jungkook doesn’t cave in. He goes to sit
on one of the stools at the kitchen island and watches Taehyung, getting lost in the lines of his
back, in his defined profile, in every glimpse of him that he can have.

“You’re staring,” Taehyung says playfully, turning around to look at Jungkook.

“I’m not.”

“You so are,” Taehyung grins.

“And what if I am?”

“Nothing. Do you like what you see?”

“You mean the steaks in the pan? Yeah.”

Taehyung throws a dishcloth at Jungkook, shaking his head softly.

“You’re mean to me,” the alpha complains in a pout.

Jungkook can’t help but smile as he catches the dishcloth and he knows that he just lost a little bit
of himself to Taehyung, again. But who cares anyway?

Taehyung puts the steaks and potatoes on two plates before placing them on the kitchen island.
Before he can sit on the other side of the counter, Jungkook grabs his wrist softly and murmurs: “I
like it. A lot.” And Taehyung smiles, that cute boxy smile that Jungkook has gotten used to over
the past few days, that Jungkook has started to like so much.

Jungkook releases Taehyung’s wrist after a few seconds, after boldly caressing it with his thumb,
and he watches as the alpha takes place in front of him, a light blush tinting his cheeks. And he’s
beautiful, so beautiful that the omega can’t take his eyes off him.

“Eat, pup.”

Jungkook does, letting a comfortable silence fall between them as he chews on his steak, cheeks
bulging cutely. He doesn’t miss the way Taehyung looks at him, doesn't miss the way he rests his
chin on the back of his hand as he watches Jungkook like he’s someone special, someone worth it.
The omega can’t get enough of that look, of what it means. He can’t get enough of Taehyung, of
every little thing he does. He can’t get enough.

After lunch, they take care of the dishes together, standing side by side by the sink, Jungkook
washing, Taehyung drying. Everything is so domestic, so natural, that it makes the omega feel like
he found his place. By Taehyung’s side.

“I was thinking you could come with me in town, I have some grocery shopping to do,” Taehyung
says.

Jungkook ponders on what to do. As long as he stays hidden here, in Taehyung’s home, he’s safe.
But if he steps foot outside… He knows that there’s at least one werewolf waiting for him to come
out and expose himself. Going into town is dangerous, but letting Taehyung go alone is as well,
because anybody can smell Jungkook on him from how much time they spent together. And if the
wolf from his old pack connects the dots…

“Okay,” Jungkook finds himself saying anyway.

“Okay?”

“Yeah. I’ll go with you.”

Taehyung smiles at him and it washes away a bit of Jungkook’s worries.

Everything is going to be fine…

 Chapter 23

They take Taehyung’s car—a black Camaro—to drive to town, soft jazz music playing in the
background all the while. Jungkook tries to focus on what he sees past the windshield, rather than
the man driving by his side. But he can’t help how his eyes land on Taehyung now and then,
taking in his carved side profile, his relaxed posture, the veins protruding on his forearms as he
drives with only one hand. It’s attractive, and being locked up in a confined space with Taehyung’s
scent everywhere around him isn’t helping Jungkook think straight.

The omega is consumed by thoughts he thought he’d never have. Thoughts of another man
touching him, kissing him, claiming him. And he knows that it’s not only his instincts or his wolf
talking. It’s him, undeniably him, falling for Taehyung, hard and fast. Jungkook thought that his
heart was impenetrable with thorns surrounding it to keep everyone away from him. But
Taehyung… Taehyung got under his skin and made his way past his shields, little by little.

“Do I have something on my face?” Taehyung asks.

“What?”

“You’re staring,” Taehyung says, but there’s no accusation in his playful tone.

“I am,” Jungkook admits.

Taehyung sends him a furtive look, surprised, before concentrating back on the road ahead of
them.

“Any thoughts you want to share with me?”

You’re beautiful. You’re too good for me. You’re everything I couldn’t let myself hope for and yet,
here you are. You’re my mate. Mine.

“No,” Jungkook replies with a smile, turning his head on the other side.

The omega looks at the forest stretching on each side of the road, trying hard to not let his gaze fall
back on Taehyung.

“Why did I even ask?” Taehyung inquires, chuckling.

Because you care , Jungkook wants to reply, but he keeps his lips sealed. The thought is enough to
make his heart flutter.

“Want to know what I was thinking about?”

“Yes,” Jungkook answers.

“I was thinking about you.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen when he hears the words, however, he keeps his gaze trained on the
rearview mirror so that Taehyung doesn’t see his reaction.

“Me?” he questions feebly.

“Yes, you. You’re always on my mind.”

You too.

“You’re so cheesy,” Jungkook lets out in a giggle.

The omega can see Taehyung smile from the corner of his eyes and he smiles, too, albeit a little
less bright, a little less big, because he’s feeling shy. All of this is still new for Jungkook. New and
exciting.

“I’m just romantic,” Taehyung counters.

“Really?” Jungkook asks, eyebrow raised.

“Really.”

“So show me.”

“What?”

“Show me how romantic you can be.”

“You… You want me to?”

Jungkook doesn’t answer, he simply looks at the outside world like he’s seeing it for the first time,
like a veil has been lifted, and everything seems suddenly brighter, more lively, far from the first
impression he had of the town when he arrived in Tree Hill.

“Okay,” Taehyung finally breathes out, “I’ll show you.”

The two remain quiet after that, but it’s a comfortable silence. It’s only after Taehyung parks in
front of the grocery store and they get out of the car that the alpha speaks again.

“I know grocery shopping is kind of boring, so if you want to go elsewhere while I buy everything
we need…”

“I’ll come with you.”

Jungkook wants to stay with Taehyung, he really wants to, and not just because he’s afraid of what
could happen if he leaves the alpha alone. He simply enjoys his company, relishes in their
proximity, in the warmth that always seeps through Taehyung. He likes being close to the alpha.

Jungkook follows Taehyung inside the grocery store. They take a cart and start shopping, strolling
through the aisles leisurely. They share small talk as they pick up everything they need and it feels
like they’ve done this a million times already, like they’re a couple .

“Can we buy some banana milk?” Jungkook asks.

“You like banana milk?”

“Yes.”

Taehyung doesn’t speak, he just stacks three packs of banana milk in their cart. Jungkook is
touched by the action and a light pink hue comes to rest beautifully on his cheeks.

“You don’t have to,” he whispers.

“But I want to,” Taehyung says as he squeezes Jungkook’s hand in his for a brief second.
“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. I just want to take care of you.”

“You already do,” Jungkook murmurs to himself, but Taehyung hears him, if the bright smile on
his face is anything to go by.

The omega never had someone care for him like Taehyung does. Never. For as far as he can
remember, he was all alone in the darkness. But now… Now there’s this alpha, carving his way
into Jungkook’s very core, trying to be his light, and he doesn’t feel alone anymore. It feels too
good to be true.

Taehyung puts a hand on the small of Jungkook’s back and leads him to another aisle. Just like
that, they keep on shopping, side by side, until they’ve bought everything they need and are back to
the car, hands full of bags. They put them away in the trunk, before Taehyung speaks again.

“What do you think about having ice cream with me before going home?”

Home . Yes, Taehyung’s house feels like home. Everywhere the alpha is feels like home. And
Jungkook can’t help the sparks that ignite inside him at the thought of Taehyung thinking that his
house is their home.

“Ice cream?”

“Yes. There’s an ice cream parlor just right the corner and I want to take you there. As a date.”

“A date?”

“A date,” Taehyung confirms, smiling softly before holding his hand for Jungkook to take.

And the omega does take his hand, interlacing their fingers, feeling like he can breathe again after
such a long time going without touching the alpha.

“You’re holding my hand,” he whispers as they cross the street.

“I am.”

“You’re not scared of what people will say?”

“Why would I be?”

“Because I’m me.”

“And you’re perfect.”

Jungkook is far from being perfect, with all his scars, all his wounds, all the truths he keeps hidden
from Taehyung. And he wants to tell the alpha, but he can’t. Not when Taehyung is looking at him
like he hung up all the stars in the sky, like he is all the stars in the sky.

Taehyung doesn’t let go of Jungkook’s hand, even when they reach the ice cream parlor and he
opens the door for the omega. Once they’re inside, they sit at a table in the corner, near the
windows. Jungkook looks around the pink, turquoise and white shop, feeling like he’s inside a
marshmallow. It’s cozy, and cute, and everything the omega wasn’t expecting for a first date. His
first date.

“What do you want?” Taehyung asks as he opens a menu and puts it in between them on the table.
“I don’t know.”

“You don’t have any favorite flavor?”

“I never had ice cream before,” Jungkook confesses.

“You… What?”

“My childhood wasn’t the best. I haven’t experienced what normal kids have and I… I just…”
Jungkook chokes on the words.

“Hey, hey, look at me, pup.”

When Jungkook does, he has tears in his eyes. The alpha takes both his hands in his and caresses
the back of them with his thumbs slowly, softly.

“It’s alright, you’re okay now.”

Is he, really? Jungkook is still haunted by his demons, hunted like a prey. Even though he feels
better since Taehyung entered his life, he’s far from being okay. But, for a while, he’ll let himself
believe he is.

Jungkook wipes his tears away and smiles at Taehyung, albeit with a wobbly bottom lip, but he
smiles nonetheless.

“I’m sorry for ruining the moment.”

“You didn’t ruin anything,” Taehyung reassures him.

“I’m such a mess.”

“You’re a masterpiece.”

Jungkook rolls his eyes playfully. Taehyung laughs and the omega’s breakdown is forgotten.

“Can I choose for you then?” the alpha asks.

“Yes.”

Taehyung nods before letting go of Jungkook’s hand and going to the counter to order for the both
of them. While he waits, the omega looks out the window, trying to wrest the memories of his
childhood away. But they’re eating at him, clawing at his skin, not letting him breathe for a
second. In front of his eyes, he doesn’t see the busy street of Tree Hill, he sees the belt in his
uncle’s hand, lifted in the air, just before it lands on his back; he hears his uncle’s voice, throwing
insults at him, belittling him; and it hurts.

Taehyung comes back and places a cup of ice cream in front of Jungkook but the omega is too busy
holding back his tears to notice.

“I know you don’t want to talk about it…” the alpha says.

“I want to,” Jungkook whispers, surprising the both of them.

It’s time. It’s time for the omega to open up, to let bits of himself be known by Taehyung, no
matter how ugly they are.
“My parents died when I was two years old.”

Taehyung doesn’t say anything, he simply takes Jungkook’s hands in his and intertwines their
fingers, showing silently that he’s here for the omega, that he’ll listen, that he’ll comfort him, and
that’s everything Jungkook needs to share his past with the alpha.

“My uncle took me in but he was… cold, really cold. He was a warrior in the pack, meant to tame,
to kill, never to love.”

Taehyung has shown more love to Jungkook in less than a week than his uncle did in all of his
miserable life. And now, the omega knows what it feels like, to be loved. Even if the feeling hasn’t
bloomed fully yet, it’s there, in Taehyung’s every little gesture towards him, in Taehyung’s every
word meant just for him. It’s there, and it’s warm, it’s beautiful, it’s what makes Jungkook feel
alive.

“He wasn’t meant to raise a child. I think… I think he didn’t know how to, or didn’t bother to
learn.”

Jungkook can’t look into Taehyung's eyes as he speaks, his irises are locked on their joined hands,
on the slow rhythm with which the alpha’s thumbs caress the back of his hands. It’s such a sweet
gesture, so simple yet so grounding. It allows Jungkook to crash, knowing that Taehyung will
catch him before he hits the ground.

“He was… mean to me. He… he abused me, physically and mentally.”

At these words, Jungkook can feel Taehyung tense in front of him, he can feel his anger, his rage
through the bond. He squeezes the alpha’s hands with his, trying to reassure him that he’s okay
now, because he’s here with him.

“Did he touch you?” Taehyung asks, voice dangerously low.

“Not in the way you’re thinking. He didn’t rape me, he just… beat me up and treated me badly,
like I was a burden, a disgrace.”

“Pup…”

“It’s okay,” Jungkook assures with a little smile.

“Is he still alive?” Taehyung questions in a growl.

“I don’t know. I think he is.”

“I’m gonna hunt him down and make him pay for what he did to you.”

“No.”

“Pup…”

“No. He’s not worth it, Taehyung.”

“But he hurt you.”

And as Taehyung says the words, it’s like the alpha can feel all the pain that Jungkook went
through, too. It’s like he can see the blood dripping from his opened wounds, like he can see the
purple hematomas littering his skin, like he can feel every punch, every hit that landed on his
body.
“He did,” Jungkook admits, “But it’s over now. I’m far away from him. He can’t touch me
anymore.”

“I won’t let him come near you again. I won’t let him even think of touching a strand of your hair
again,” Taehyung says, tone menacing.

Jungkook would be lying if he said that he didn’t find Taehyung’s protectiveness attractive. He’s a
strong omega, one who can fight for himself, one who can fight alone, but having someone, an
alpha, his alpha, ready to fight for him… it satisfies this primal part of him, this part that wants to
be protected, to be kept safe and sound.

A beat of silence falls between them, and Jungkook squeezes Taehyung’s hands, trying to calm him
down by the gesture.

“I wish I met you sooner, maybe then you wouldn’t have had to go through that,” Taehyung sighs.

“If it led me to you again, I wouldn’t change a thing.”

Taehyung lifts their hands and places a kiss on each of Jungkook’s knuckles, making the omega
blush.

“You’re the strongest person I know,” Taehyung murmurs against his skin.

Jungkook doesn’t think he’s strong. Not when the alpha looks at him with those eyes, those eyes
that make his heart grow weak. So he lets his gaze fall on the ice cream cup in front of him to
avoid the weight of those purple irises that he already loves so much.

“What flavor did you choose for me?” he asks softly.

“Raspberry.”

“Why?”

“Makes me think of you.”

Jungkook smiles before letting go of Taehyung’s hands and taking one of the little plastic spoons
displayed in a jar on the table. He gathers ice cream on it before putting it in his mouth and tasting
the sweet flavor of cold raspberry on his tongue. It explodes on his taste buds and his eyes widen
because it’s so good, so good that he immediately wants more.

“Do you like it?” Taehyung inquires.

Jungkook only nods before taking another bite of his ice cream.

“It’s so good,” he whispers, awed.

Taehyung smiles, looking at Jungkook fondly as the omega eats his ice cream slowly, savoring
every bit of it.

“You don’t eat?” Jungkook questions.

At that, Taehyung takes a little spoon too and starts eating his strawberry ice cream, still watching
over Jungkook. It’s like he can’t take his eyes off him, like he can’t bear to look away, even for just
a second. And the omega gets shy under his heated gaze, under his undivided attention.

They eat in silence for a while and Jungkook is grateful that Taehyung isn’t asking him to go
further down the memory lane. It was painful enough to share what he shared with Taehyung, he
doesn’t know if he would have had the courage to say more. At least, not now.

“Thank you,” Taehyung says suddenly.

“For what?”

“For not shutting me down. For sharing a part of you with me.”

It felt like the right time, the right moment, to let the alpha in. And Jungkook doesn’t regret doing
it. Not when he can feel that Taehyung still looks at him the same way and isn’t disgusted by him.

“Thank you for listening,” Jungkook whispers.

“Anytime,” Taehyung smiles.

After that, they talk about Taehyung’s job, about the books Jungkook has read during the week,
about how they want to run again together in the woods as wolves soon. The conversation flows
easily between them and Jungkook finds himself smiling, laughing more often than not, forgetting
about the memories that resurfaced a while ago. It’s light, it’s fun, it’s warm, this date. It’s
everything the omega needs to keep his demons away.

When the lampposts start to cast their glow on the street walks, Taehyung is the first to realize how
late it actually is and decides that it’s time for them to go home. They leave the ice cream parlor,
holding hands, and walk back to the alpha’s car.

“If you’re okay with that, I’d like to ride my motorcycle back to your house.”

Jungkook sees Taehyung considering the idea, a spike of anguish appearing in his scent, indicating
that, listening to his heart, he would reject the idea. But when the alpha exhales a breath, he seems
calm, trustful.

“On one condition,” Taehyung says.

Jungkook furrows his eyebrows for a second before Taehyung’s lips curl up in a small smile.

“Promise me you’ll be careful. Promise me you’ll take care of yourself.”

“You know I will,” Jungkook retorts.

“A promise never hurts.”

“Promise,” Jungkook mumbles.

And Taehyung leans in to place a kiss on his forehead, gentle and tender, before backing away. It
lasts for a second only, but it’s enough to make Jungkook’s heart jump in the swell of his ribcage.

“Thank you,” the alpha says, voice dripping with adoration.

Jungkook lets go of Taehyung’s hand and starts to walk away. He can’t help but turn his head
around to look at the alpha, who’s looking at him too from across the street, as if waiting for him to
disappear from his sight before getting into his car. It puts a smile on Jungkook’s face and he
waves at Taehyung before turning back around and making his way to the diner. He’ll be reunited
with his alpha soon enough…

The parking lot is deserted when Jungkook reaches it. There, he finds his motorcycle in the same
spot he left it almost a week ago, unscathed. He releases a sigh of relief and goes to stand in front
of his bike. Just when his hand touches the handle, he hears a snarl behind his back. He whips his
head around and comes face to face with a man whose eyes are glowing yellow.

“Hello there, omega ,” the werewolf says darkly, like being an omega is an insult in itself.

“You,” Jungkook breathes out, tensing.

“Aw, do you recognize me now? Is it my eyes?”

Jungkook doesn’t say anything, he just takes two steps away from his motorcycle and faces the
other man, standing his ground.

“What do you want from me?” Jungkook seethes.

“You know what I want.”

“I won’t come back.”

“What a shame,” the wolf tsks. “And here I thought you’d be more… cooperative.”

“In your dreams,” Jungkook spats.

“How dare you speak to me like that, omega?” the other man asks, anger seeping through him.

“I’m Jungkook. Not omega.”

“I don’t care about your name, omega .”

Jungkook grits his teeth and clenches his fists. His wolf is close to the surface, already howling and
clawing at his skin to get out, wanting to rip the throat of the other wolf out.

“I just care about bringing you back to your alpha.”

Your alpha … Jungkook’s alpha is Taehyung, not anyone else. Minhyuk ceased to be his alpha the
day he tried to rape him.

“He’s not my alpha anymore,” Jungkook says coldly.

“You’re bound to him.”

And as much as Jungkook wants to scream that he’s not, he still is. Because he didn’t replace the
pack bond with another, because he didn’t mate anyone, because he’s still alone. Alone . As the
word crosses his mind, images of Taehyung flood him and he knows that he’s not alone anymore,
that he has someone waiting for him, ready to fight for him, with him. No, he’s not alone.

“I’m not binded to anyone!” Jungkook snaps. “I don’t belong to your pack, I don’t belong to
Minhyuk, I only belong to myself.”

The werewolf starts laughing, the sound raspy, ugly, unsettling. He’s mocking Jungkook and the
omega wants him to stop. He wants him to stop, now.

“What do you find so funny?” Jungkook asks through gritted teeth.

“You. An omega thinking that he’s not the property of his alpha. What a joke you are.”
“I’m not a property, I’m my own person.”

“You have to learn your place, omega. I’m sure our alpha will tame you just like you deserve to be
tamed.”

Jungkook’s knuckles are turning white as he clenches his fists, hard, claws on the verge of
breaking his skin. His eyes are flashing gray as his wolf readies himself to get out. He knows that
that’s how it’s going to end, that he’ll fight to get out of here, free.

“I won’t let him come near me ever again,” Jungkook almost screams.

The werewolf shakes his head, like he’s disappointed by Jungkook’s behavior, like he truly
believed that, after three years, the omega would have followed him without a fight. Foolish.
Jungkook will never—never—come back to the Moonblood pack. He’d rather die.

“You won’t have a choice,” the man says as he takes off his jacket and t-shirt, letting them fall to
the ground.

His pants, boxers and boots follow, and soon, he stands tall, naked in front of Jungkook. The
omega isn’t phased by the werewolf’s nudity, but he can’t help but notice the three large scars he
has on the ribs. If he needed any other proof that this wolf is a warrior in the pack, now he has it.
He gulps, trying to swallow down his nerves. Jungkook can’t be nervous, not now, not when he’s
on the verge of fighting for his freedom. He knows that the other can’t kill him—he doesn’t have
the right to—but he can injure him all he wants, Minhyuk won’t mind, as long as he can be the one
taking Jungkook’s last breath.

Jungkook watches as the man in front of him slowly becomes a wolf, a white and gray wolf, big,
lethal, eager to fight. It bares its teeth, hackles rising, eyes fixated on its prey and a low growl
escapes its muzzle, vicious. A shiver runs down Jungkook’s spine as his eyes rove over the wolf.
It’s gonna be a tough fight.

As the wolf seems to get impatient, Jungkook starts to undress, peeling off his clothes one by one
until he’s naked. It takes only a few seconds for him to transform into his omega. And once he’s on
his paws, Jungkook growls back, unhinged. He’s not gonna let himself be intimidated by another
wolf, no matter if he is of a superior rank, no matter if he is a warrior. It’s not Jungkook’s first
fight. It probably won’t be his last.

At first, they circle each other for a while, eyes glaring, teeth bared, growls slipping past their
muzzles. It’s a game of who will cast its eyes down first, who will bare its neck first. But Jungkook
will do none of that. He will stand his ground, claws biting the concrete, head held high, gaze
challenging. He will not let an ounce of fear be betrayed by his scent. Because he’s not afraid. This
wolf is nothing, nothing but an inconvenience that he will get rid of.

The wolf is the first one to get tired of just turning in circles, of Jungkook not submitting.
Suddenly, it stops moving. Its teeth chatter, menacing, eager to sink into Jungkook’s fur, into
Jungkook’s skin, to tear pieces of him apart. Jungkook tenses. And when the wolf moves again,
when he runs in his direction, the omega readies himself for the impact.

When their bodies collide, Jungkook huffs out a breath. He can feel the grazing of teeth on his fur,
but he moves so fast to the side, that it’s just that, a light touch, nothing too deep, nothing that
could hurt him. He hears the other wolf growl lowly before their eyes meet again. And the hatred,
the disgust Jungkook sees in those yellow eyes has his stomach churning.

But Jungkook stays focused on the way his paws move on the ground, on the way he curls on
himself to protect his underbelly—the most sensitive part of his anatomy. He doesn’t want to
appear weak, to let the other wolf think he has a chance. It would be the end for him. And he’s not
ready to say goodbye to Tree Hill and come back to the Moonblood pack knowing what awaits him
there, not now that he met Taehyung, not now that he had a glimpse of what happiness could be
like.

So, Jungkook is the next one to make a move, to aim for the wolf’s neck. He misses by a few
centimeters, feeling the other’s putrid breath hitting his white fur as he jumps back, away from the
wolf, away from its claws that are out and ready to rip up Jungkook’s skin.

Jungkook levels the stare of the other wolf, letting his gaze tell all that he can’t say right now.

I won’t back down.

I won’t let you win.

I won’t come back.

There’s something wicked in the beta’s eyes as it looks down on Jungkook, like it enjoys the fact
that the omega is putting up a fight, like it enjoys the thought of possibly hurting him. There’s no
doubt that it’s out for blood.

That’s why Jungkook doesn’t wait long before attacking the beta again. He lunges forward and,
this time, he succeeds in sinking his teeth into the wolf’s fur, into the skin underneath, and he
draws blood from the open wound. The taste is bitter in his mouth, metallic. Jungkook steps back
and licks his muzzle, swallowing every last drop of blood as the beta howls in pain, curling on
itself.

Jungkook knows that he angered the other wolf by biting it, that he hurt its pride as a warrior. He,
an omega, injured a beta. And he knows that he will pay for it.

Soon, the beta is standing tall on its paws again, dangerous. Its growls are deeper, somber, meant
to intimidate Jungkook. But it doesn’t work. The omega is immune to this kind of sounds, to the
threats underlined in them, they have no effect on him, because he’s not scared. It would take way
more than a few grunts to frighten Jungkook.

Jungkook doesn’t back away when the wolf charges up yet again. He waits for it and lets his teeth
chatter menacingly when the beta comes near him, a growl building in his throat. The other wolf
backs away, a glare in its eyes. Jungkook moves a little to the side to face the beta, before surging
forward, trying to close his muzzle around some skin and bones. They bump against one another
strongly, both stuttering in their steps, but Jungkook is able to regain his balance quicker than the
beta. He takes advantage of this, lifts his leg and lets his claws dig and drag into the wolf's white
and gray fur. A broken howl. A whimper. And the beta flees a few feet away from Jungkook,
panting, eyes glowing a fierce yellow. Oh, it’s furious. Good.

Jungkook watches as blood drips from the wolf’s fur, watches at its open wounds. He feels guilty
for hurting another werewolf like that, he really does. Jungkook doesn’t enjoy this, he doesn’t
enjoy seeing the hurt in the other’s eyes, he doesn’t enjoy hearing its painful grunts. Omegas are
pacific creatures by nature. But the beta left him with no choice. He has to protect himself, to
protect his semblance of freedom, to protect what he built with Taehyung these past few days. He
has to.

A deep growl is the only warning Jungkook gets before the beta jumps on him, teeth sinking onto
his back, making a desperate howl slip past his muzzle. He shakes the wolf off of him and sends
him tumbling onto a garbage dumpster. Jungkook feels the pain of the bite seep through his bones,
but he doesn’t move, doesn’t try to flee the scene. It’s not the end yet.

When the beta gets back on its paws, Jungkook doesn’t let it the time to breathe and attacks, teeth
narrowing around the wolf’s neck in one swift movement. He tightens his hold, hearing the other
howl and try to get away from him, but it’s stuck there, at Jungkook’s mercy. The omega could
end the werewolf right then and there, breaking its neck, however he doesn’t. He doesn’t want to
kill him, just to get rid of him. So, he waits for the wolf to submit, to bare its neck, to drop his head
low. And when it does, Jungkook lets him go.

A mistake. The beta throws itself on Jungkook, making him fall to the ground on his back. And
when its teeth sink into Jungkook’s underbelly, the omega yelps in pain. He uses his hind legs to
push at the other wolf, to make it stop. And succeeds after a few attempts. The beta gnarls at him,
surly, before surging forward again. Jungkook avoids the blow aimed at him by stepping to the
side. He’s quick to turn around, to face the other wolf again. He can’t not let himself be vulnerable
by having the beta in his back. He needs to see it, at all times.

They stare at each other once again, a million of emotions swirling in their gray and yellow irises.
It clashes. Rage against hope. Hatred against pity. Pity because this beta is still under Minhyuk’s
control, still binded to the Moonblood pack, and Jungkook knows what it means. He knows it all
too well.

Jungkook lets out a long howl, a howl to ask the beta to surrender. But the wolf just snarls, not
wanting to submit to the omega despite all his bleeding wounds. Jungkook closes his eyes for a
brief second, feeling sad. He didn’t want things to go that far.

The beta approaches him once again, lifting its leg, aiming for Jungkook’s face. The omega is
quick to open his muzzle and cage the leg in between his teeth. He lets them sink into the member
until blood smears its fur, until he hears the beta whimper. Only then does he let go. The other wolf
reacts immediately and tries to overpower him, pushing him with its whole body. But Jungkook
doesn’t fall this time, he doesn’t falter this time. It seems to make the beta even more angry.

Give up , Jungkook wants to say. But he can’t. Not in this form. He can only plead with his eyes.
However, the other wolf is stubborn, driven by his will to please his alpha, to follow his orders, to
bring Jungkook back to the hell he’s coming from. Does this werewolf only know what happened
to Jungkook? How did he live back then? Why did he flee the pack? The omega doesn’t think so.
The beta wouldn’t be so cruel otherwise, would he? Or maybe, he is just as disinterested in his fate
as everyone else in the Moonblood pack.

Limping, the beta tries one last time to make Jungkook submit by running in his direction and
letting its body collide with his. The omega feels the grazing of teeth on his mane, but he’s quick
to get rid of the wolf, to make it fall against the garbage dumpster once again. And this time, the
beta doesn’t move anymore. It stays there, laying on the ground, panting, whimpering. Jungkook
goes to stand near it and transforms back into his human form.

“Tell Minhyuk to leave me alone.”

 Chapter 24

On his way back to Taehyung’s house, Jungkook thinks about what just happened and he knows
that he won’t be able to hide it. Even if he doesn’t say a word, Taehyung will smell the beta on
him, will see the blood soaking his t-shirt. He’s screwed. He will have to tell the truth to the alpha,
the whole truth. And it’s scary. Jungkook doesn’t know if he’s ready for that, for sharing his
deepest secrets with somebody else, no matter how much he already trusts Taehyung.

The omega looks at the road ahead of him. He could just leave and go somewhere else, somewhere
far away from here, without a glance back.

No.

Jungkook can’t. He can’t leave his mate behind, he can’t act like there’s no bond between them. It
would be unfair to Taehyung.

And the idea of losing the alpha makes Jungkook sick. He’s already too attached, he likes
Taehyung.

The realization hits him like a truck. What he feels for the alpha, it can’t be denied, can’t be easily
forgotten. And he doesn’t want to forget about Taehyung, about his smile, about his warmth, about
his tenderness. He doesn’t.

So, Jungkook will have to talk to the alpha, to open up entirely, to let his shadows be seen by
someone else. Yes, it’s scary. Because he’s been closed off and kept everything to himself for so
long. Because it’s Taehyung, and he doesn’t want the way the alpha looks at him to change. He
still wants to see this fondness, this adoration in the other’s eyes whenever they land on him. But
maybe, just maybe, it’s too much to ask for.

Jungkook’s nerves spike as the road narrows into the woods, as he gets closer to Taehyung’s house.
His heart races in his ribcage, his palms get clammy on the motorcycle’s handles. He’s afraid of
what could happen. What if Taehyung rejects him? What if he tells him to go away? What if—

Jungkook tries to shake those thoughts away as he drives deeper into the forest. He can’t think
about that right now or it will crush him. And he’s wounded enough as it is.

When Jungkook parks his motorcycle in front of Taehyung’s house, he lets out a long sigh as he
turns off his engine. He stays unmoving for a while, just looking at the house in front of him, just
thinking about who is inside, about what will happen in the minutes to come. He’s not ready for
that, not at all.

Jungkook takes his helmet off and goes down his motorcycle, before taking the steps that lead to
Taehyung’s front door. He winces at every move, the wounds on his ribs and lower abdomen still
stinging. Yeah, there’s no way he can hide this from Taehyung. The alpha will see right through
his grimace of pain.

As Jungkook opens the door, he takes a deep breath. It’s now, that his world is going to be turned
upside down once again, it’s now, that he will know if his mate truly wants him or not. He’s
anxious. And how can he not be when he’s on the verge of free falling without a parachute?

Jungkook enters the house, letting the door close behind him, before his back slides down the
wood with a soft thud. He doesn’t have the energy to move, to go and find Taehyung. He already
feels tears prickling at his eyes, already feels his heart breaking in his chest. It’s too hard to do
anything.

“Pup?”

Suddenly Taehyung is in front of him, approaching him, cupping his cheeks.

“What happened?”

When Taehyung’s eyes take in his frame, when he registers the blood smeared on his t-shirt,
Jungkook can see the alpha’s irises flashing a deep purple.

“Who hurt you?”

And the alpha’s voice is so deep, so dangerously low, so close to a growl, that it sends a shiver
running down Jungkook’s spine.

Not the time to think it’s sexy.

“A beta,” Jungkook rasps, “From my old pack.”

Taehyung doesn’t say anything, he just looks at the omega with those eyes where concern and
anger swim, waiting for him to go on. But Jungkook doesn’t know if he can. The words seem to be
stuck in his throat.

“Pup…”

“I need to treat my wounds,” Jungkook says, trying to haul himself up to pass by Taehyung and go
to the bathroom.

But before he can even take a step forward, there are fingers wrapping themselves around his wrist,
keeping him in place.

“I will take care of you,” Taehyung declares.

“I can do it myself—”

“I know. But I’ll do it anyway,” Taehyung retorts and, in one swift motion, he picks up Jungkook
in his arms, bridal style.

The omega lets out a yelp as he’s being lifted in the air, before winding his arms around
Taehyung’s neck to stabilize himself.

“I’m no damsel,” Jungkook mutters, breath fanning the alpha’s sunkissed skin.

“You aren’t. And I know that you can take care of yourself. But you’re injured, and my alpha
won’t forgive me if I don’t tend to you. I won’t forgive myself if I don’t tend to you.”

Taehyung tightens his grip around Jungkook, like he’s afraid that he will fall, that he will fade
away. And the omega lets himself melt in his embrace.

“I’m already losing my mind because I left you alone,” Taehyung says, guilt laced in his tone.

“It’s not your fault,” Jungkook whispers, heart breaking at seeing the alpha so openly vulnerable.

Jungkook wants to say something else, something that will ease Taehyung, but he doesn’t know
what. So he simply plants a kiss on the alpha’s cheek, letting his lips linger on the smooth skin, just
above the freckle that is sitting there, hoping that it will be enough to convey his feelings.

“I should have been there,” Taehyung murmurs.

“No. It was my battle, not yours.”

“Did you kill them?”

Jungkook only has the time to shake his head before they enter the bathroom and Taehyung sits
him on the counter. The alpha then cups Jungkook’s cheeks and lets his thumbs trace undefined
patterns on the omega’s skin.

“Why not?” Taehyung asks.

“I had a message to send to someone.”

“Who?”

“The head alpha of my old pack, the man who…”

Jungkook chokes on his words, tears gathering in his eyes. But he doesn’t want to cry, not again.
He cried too much already.

“Pup…”

“Please, I’ll tell you everything later, I just…”

“Okay. Okay,” Taehyung whispers, leaning in and placing a chaste kiss on Jungkook’s forehead.

The alpha moves to grab the first aid kit, before coming back to stand in between Jungkook’s open
legs. He helps the omega by taking his jacket and t-shirt off, his breath hitching when he sees the
wounds blistering Jungkook’s flesh, and catches sight of the scars on his back through the mirror.

“Your back…”

“It’s okay. I’m okay.”

“It’s not okay, pup.”

“It’s in the past. He can’t touch me anymore. He can’t hurt me anymore.”

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. It is what it is. I’m over it.”

A little white lie to appease the worried alpha. But Taehyung doesn’t need to know that.

“If I ever get my hands on your uncle…” Taehyung threatens.

Jungkook lifts a hand to cup his cheek and slowly grazes the skin with his thumb.

“I know.”

Taehyung lets his forehead fall on Jungkook’s and he breathes in and out. They don’t say a word,
they just bask in each other, and that’s enough to forget for a while.

After a minute or two, Taehyung backs away and starts to treat Jungkook’s wounds. He wipes the
blood carefully, before applying some ointment on the omega’s skin and wrapping him in
bandages. All the while, he keeps on whispering sweet nothings to Jungkook, telling him how
beautiful he is. Even in this state it makes the omega’s heart flutter badly.

Once he’s done with his task, Taehyung leaves the bathroom to go get one of his hoodies for
Jungkook. When he comes back and puts it on the omega, the latter can’t help but bury his nose in
the fabric, inhaling Taehyung’s scent to his heart's content. He lets himself drown in the cherry
blossoms, lets himself find the comfort he needs, before getting down from the counter and
hugging Taehyung.

At first, the alpha is surprised by the gesture. But then, his head falls into the crook of Jungkook’s
neck as he wraps his arms around him and hugs him back, tight and secure.

“Thank you,” Jungkook whispers against Taehyung’s chest.

“We still need to talk,” the alpha murmurs back.

“Will you hold me while I tell you everything?”

“I will.”

“Okay.”

They move to the bedroom, hand in hand, Jungkook leading Taehyung there until they’re lying in
bed, facing each other, the alpha’s arms loosely wrapped around him. Jungkook feels warm, safe
like that. He feels like he won’t shatter into a million pieces again as he recalls his story.

“Tell me,” Taehyung asks, his fingers threading through Jungkook’s hair in soft motions.

“I lied to you.”

Jungkook can feel Taehyung tense against him, and he hates it, hates it so much .

“That day, when your friends asked me questions about where I was coming from and so on, I… I
couldn’t tell the truth.”

“Why?”

“Because I thought that I was protecting myself, that I was protecting you.”

“Protecting me? From what?”

“From me. From the people who are after me, who I ran away from.”

Jungkook looks into Taehyung’s eyes, trying to anchor himself in those chestnut irises that he has
grown so fond of before speaking again.

“I come from a traditionalist pack, the Moonblood pack, on the east coast. It’s small, remote, and
the wolves there live like a sect, kind of,” Jungkook starts, voice trembling.

He knows he will have to tell so much more to Taehyung, but it’s already hard, getting the words
out, the truth out. Each syllable burns his throat, his tongue. However, he pushes through. Because
he has to. For Taehyung. For himself.

“I used to live with my uncle. We were just the two of us. And I… I mostly stayed inside the house.
I wasn’t allowed to go out of it very often.”
Even during the full moons, Jungkook didn’t have the right to go with the pack and run into the
woods. He had to stay locked inside the house, and suffer on his own. It was a nightmare. But he
got used to it, got used to shifting into his wolf form when his uncle was away for some reason, to
just lie on his bed like that for hours, looking at the white walls surrounding him, caging him. In a
way, it was better than what he had to endure after he fled.

“I was secluded from the others. And he was, well, you know.”

“He didn’t have the right to keep you a prisoner in your own house.”

“He had all the rights,” Jungkook counters, “I was just a mere omega, a waste of space.”

“Don’t talk about yourself like that,” Taehyung roars, “You’re not just an omega, you’re so much
more.”

“Sometimes, I believed him,” Jungkook whispers in a broken voice.

The arms around him tighten their hold and the omega tucks his head under Taehyung’s chin,
unable to look him in the eyes anymore. It’s easier like that, when he doesn’t have the weight of
the alpha’s gaze on him, when he can’t see the emotions swirling inside it.

“Pup…”

“He was all I had, all I knew and I… I didn’t think that, one day, I would escape from this hell I
was living in. But it happened.”

Jungkook starts to shake in between Taehyung’s arms. Just thinking about Minhyuk, about what he
did, makes him want to throw up.

“Three years ago, just a few weeks before I turned eighteen, my uncle was out of town and I was
alone in our house, when the head alpha came unannounced.”

Jungkook closes his eyes and buries his nose into Taehyung’s neck, trying to find some comfort in
his scent, trying to not let the past consume him once again.

“I… had no other choice but to let him in.”

Jungkook can hear Taehyung’s heartbeat, can hear the puffs of air he lets out from time to time, can
hear the wheels turning in his mind right now. He concentrates on those little sounds, on what he
can hang onto, before sharing his deepest secret with his mate.

“That was the biggest mistake I ever made,” Jungkook confesses.

If he could, the omega would turn back time and not open that fucking door. But he knows, deep
down, that it wouldn’t have changed a thing, that he would have ended up being mated to Minhyuk
and, ultimately, raped during their wedding night, that it would have been worse than death.

“At first, he was like always and just talked but then… but then…”

Jungkook can feel the tears gather at the corners of his eyes and he doesn’t want to let them fall,
Minhyuk doesn’t deserve to make him cry again. He fights against his own emotions, against his
own weakness, to not let them trail down his cheeks. He inhales Taehyung’s scent, grounding
himself by the act. He’s not alone anymore, he has someone to hold him. And it’s enough, for now.

“He said that he wanted to mate me,” Jungkook murmurs, feeling Taehyung’s whole body
becoming rigid against his.

The omega wants to tell Taehyung that everything is okay now, that everything will be alright,
because they’re together, but he can’t. He can’t lie anymore.

“And he… He added that he couldn’t wait. That he wanted to have a taste before the mating.”

The silence enveloping them is deafening to Jungkook. He desperately wants to hear Taehyung’s
voice, to be soothed by it, but the alpha doesn’t say a word. He lets him speak.

“So he ordered me to get on my knees and open my mouth for him. But when his cock brushed my
lips, I… I couldn’t do it.”

Jungkook feels ashamed, he feels dirty, he feels grimy as he lets the words out. It hurts. It hurts so
bad.

“I lashed out and my wolf took the lead. Everything is red after that. The blood… Minhyuk’s body
on the floor. I… I couldn’t stay there, so I took a few clothes, put them in a backpack, stole the
money my uncle had in a stash, took his motorcycle, and fled the pack without looking back.”

And it should have been the end, right? Jungkook should have been free after that. But he isn’t.

“I thought that it would be it, that I would be able to leave everything behind, but Minhyuk sent his
wolves after me, to get me to come back to the pack. It’s months after, when a beta found me in a
town in the south, that I learned why I was chased in the first place.”

And it was like having a bucket of ice thrown at him. Jungkook still remembers how he felt that
day, cold and dread seeping through him as the beta said to him in an evil laugh what Minhyuk
really wanted.

“He wants me dead.”

And that’s the last straw for Taehyung, that’s what makes him break.

“I’m going to kill him,” Taehyung says, voice cold, deadly, rage dripping from every syllable.

“Taehyung…”

“No. You… You shouldn’t have had to go through all that because of that asshole. He shouldn’t
have touched you. He…”

“I left before he could harm me,” Jungkook cuts him off.

“But he scarred you. He scarred your soul, your pure soul. I… I can’t let him get away with it.”

There’s a beat of silence, before Jungkook speaks again in a low tone.

“He knows I’m here now. You’re in danger because of me.”

“Nothing will happen to me, to you,” Taehyung reassures Jungkook, his arms tightening their hold
around him.

“You don’t know that.”

“I know that I’ll do everything I can to keep you safe. That bastard won’t have another chance to
harm you, I can promise you that,” Taehyung says as he places a soft kiss on Jungkook’s forehead.
“I’ll keep you safe, too.”

“I know you will. That’s why you wanted to leave and rejected me at first? Because of him?
Because you were afraid of what he could do?”

“Yes.”

“What made you stay?”

“You’re my mate. I can’t… I can’t leave you. I can’t lose you.”

And I don’t want you to die because of me , Jungkook wants to add, but he stays quiet.

“You won’t lose me. Ever.”

Jungkook moves a little in Taehyung’s embrace and lifts his face to look him in the eyes. There’s
so much sincerity in his words, so much certainty, that it makes the omega’s heart jump in his
chest. God, he’s already in so deep… And he wants to kiss the alpha, to let him know without a
word how much he cares for him, how much he craves him. But he knows that it’s too soon, so he
doesn’t move an inch, he just stays close to Taehyung, enjoying the weight, the warmth of his
body against his for as long as he can.
 Chapter 25

The next morning, Jungkook wakes up in the arms of Taehyung. After a small dinner, they came
back to bed and talked all night about the omega’s past, about his years spent on the road, about
the hardships he had to face on his own. It was emotionally charged and Jungkook ended up
breaking down more than once, always comforted by Taehyung’s voice, by his scent, by his warm
presence. They fell asleep at dawn, tangled up in each other, hearts beating as one.

Now, Jungkook has his eyes wide open, locked on Taehyung’s face. He’s mesmerized by the thick
eyebrows, by the slope of the alpha’s nose, by his perfect-shaped lips. He counts every freckle he
can see on the sun-kissed skin, wanting nothing more than to touch them with his fingertips, to kiss
them reverently. He gets lost in the curls of Taehyung’s hair, craving to let his fingers thread
through the unkempt locks. It’s so easy, to let himself drown into the alpha, so easy. It should be
frightening, but after last night, it isn’t.

Jungkook was scared that, after knowing how fucked up, how damaged he is, Taehyung wouldn’t
want him as a mate. But the alpha reassured him.

I’ll always want you. Only you.

The words replay in Jungkook’s head and a small smile blooms on his bitten lips. Deep inside, he
never thought that he’d have the chance to meet his true mate, that he wouldn’t end up all alone.
So, finding Taehyung, and having him saying stuff like that, it’s… unexpected. And Jungkook
wants to hang on to every moment, every word they share. He wants to hang on to the emotions, to
the feelings that arise in him every time Taehyung looks at him, smiles at him, or hugs him tight
like he is right now. It’s precious.

When Jungkook lifts his eyes from the mole on Taehyung’s lips that he was observing, he is met
with purple irises looking curiously at him. The omega sucks in a breath as he’s caught staring and
tries to move back, but Taehyung’s hold on him just tightens, bringing him back to his chest.

“Don’t run away from me,” Taehyung whispers in this husky voice of his, so deep, so sultry, that it
sends a tremor rocking through Jungkook’s body.

The omega doesn’t say anything, he simply blushes prettily.

“You’re so cute,” Taehyung says.

And the blushing intensifies tenfold. Jungkook tries to hide his face behind his hands, mortified,
but Taehyung prevents him from doing so.

“No more hiding from me. I want to see you, all of you.”

“No more hiding,” Jungkook agrees, and he’s not just talking about his face, but about him as a
person.

“Good.”

Taehyung leans in and places a soft kiss on his forehead. Jungkook melts under the touch of his
lips, wanting it to linger for more than just a few seconds.

“I like that.”
“What?”

“Your forehead kisses.”

“You do?”

“Yeah,” Jungkook admits shyly.

“Then I’ll give you more.”

Taehyung starts to litter Jungkook’s forehead with kisses, so much so that the omega ends up
laughing, squirming in the alpha’s embrace. When Taehyung finally stops kissing him, it’s to look
at Jungkook with stars in his eyes and a boxy smile etched on his face.

I like you. I like you so much.

“As much as I’d like to stay in bed with you a little more, we have to get up and call my friends to
talk about the situation.”

“I know.”

“Do you want to tell them or…?”

“Can you do it?” Jungkook asks in a feeble voice, “I don’t think I can.”

Taehyung places a strand of hair behind Jungkook’s ear tenderly before nodding. The omega
exhales a breath of relief and closes his eyes for a bit, relishing in Taehyung’s touch.

“I’ll have to tell them that we’re mates, pup,” Taehyung whispers.

“It’s okay.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah.”

And it is. Jungkook has no reason left to fight the bond between Taehyung and him, no reason left
to hide that they’re meant to be together. And he doesn’t want to. He wants the others to know that
the alpha belongs to him, and him only. His wolf wants to stake his claim on the alpha, to make it
clear to everyone that they have no chance with him.

The lazy smile Taehyung sends his way makes the butterflies in his tummy flap their wings wildly.
The alpha is so beautiful, does he even know it? Does he know that Jungkook could spend hours
just looking at him? Does he?

“ My mate,” Taehyung murmurs, his fingers sliding from the side of his face to his lips.

And the seams of them tingle. And Jungkook’s heart starts beating so fast in his chest that he fears
it’s gonna jump out of it.

“Yours,” Jungkook breathes out.

There’s nothing more true than that. He is Taehyung’s, every piece of him, no matter how broken
it is, belongs to the alpha.

Taehyung’s eyes flick down to Jungkook’s lips and, for a second, the omega thinks that he’s going
to be kissed, that he’s going to finally experience what it feels like to have his mate’s lips pressed
on his. But the alpha just brushes their noses together before pulling back.

“Let’s get out of bed,” Taehyung says.

Jungkook’s heart breaks a little in the swell of his ribcage, but he acts like nothing happened.
Because nothing happened. His foolish desires are just that, foolish.

The omega is the first to put the blanket aside and get out of bed. He is the first to reach the
bathroom and take a shower after taking off his bandages. He is the first to get dressed and go into
the kitchen to find something to eat. All the while, he tries not to think about how disappointed he
is, about how hurt he is. It’s stupid anyway.

As Jungkook is washing the bowl he used to take his breakfast, he feels arms being wrapped
around his waist and a chest being pressed against his back.

“I think I know what’s the problem,” Taehyung whispers in Jungkook’s ear, making him shiver.

“There’s no problem,” the omega denies, his hands unconsciously letting go of the bowl and
falling limp on the side of the sink.

“There is,” Taehyung counters, leaning in even closer to Jungkook.

The omega sighs. He thought he could hide why he felt so upset to the alpha, but it seems that his
mate knows him a little too well already and can see right through him.

“No more hiding,” Taehyung reminds him.

“It’s just… I thought… Nevermind,” Jungkook murmurs, letting his head fall, his eyes close shut.

Taehyung makes Jungkook turn around in his hold until they’re face to face.

“Look at me,” the alpha orders softly.

And Jungkook can’t help but blink his eyes open and drown in purple irises.

“I wanted to kiss you, so bad,” Taehyung confesses in a whisper.

“Then, why…?”

“Because it would have been your first kiss and I want it to be perfect,” Taehyung says, his hands
sliding under Jungkook’s shirt to find his skin and trace undefined patterns on it with his fingers.
“You deserve perfect.”

Jungkook lets his head rest between the alpha’s shoulder and neck and starts to rub his nose on his
scent gland, slowly, surely, until all he can smell is their scents combined, until all he can feel are
Taehyung’s hands trailing up and down his ribs. It feels so good and he doesn’t want it to stop. His
own hands are bunched up around the fabric of the alpha’s sweater, hanging on to him like he
doesn’t ever want to let go. And he doesn’t, he really doesn’t.

But it’s then that the doorbell rings, breaking their moment, the perfection of it. And Jungkook
knows he missed another chance to kiss Taehyung.

“My friends are here,” the alpha murmurs lowly in his ear.

“I know,” Jungkook replies as he detaches himself from him.

When Taehyung’s hands leave his skin and as his body backs away from his, Jungkook suddenly
feels cold, empty. It’s like a part of him is missing, even though he knows it’s right there . It’s a
strange feeling and he doesn’t know what to do with it. But he doesn’t have the time to dwell on his
emotions because Taehyung is already at the door, opening it for his friends who enter one by one,
a ruckus of voices replacing the peaceful silence he and his mate had fallen into.

The pack members take their place on the couches and, once they’re all seated, Taehyung comes
back to the kitchen. He takes Jungkook’s hands in his, interlacing their fingers and letting his gaze
dive into the omega’s one.

“Are you ready?” Taehyung asks.

“Not really,” Jungkook admits, “But let’s do it anyway.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah.”

Taehyung places a kiss on his forehead before leading him to the living room where everybody is
waiting for him. The first thing he hears are soft gasps when his mate’s friends see them walking
hand in hand.

“Taehyung? You have something to tell us or…?” Seokjin questions.

Taehyung looks at Jungkook and the omega nods, blushing a little.

“Jungkook is my mate,” Taehyung says.

Hearing it said out loud makes Jungkook shiver from head to toe. This is real. This is really fucking
real. Taehyung and him are mates, two souls destined to become one and nobody can change that.

“Your mate?” Namjoon inquires, dumbfounded, “You finally found your mate?”

“Yes,” Taehyung answers, smiling at Jungkook like he’s the only person in the room.

There’s a beat of silence, a beat too long, that makes Jungkook anxious, making him think that
Taehyung’s friends won’t accept what they are. But then…

“I knew it!” Hoseok exclaims, jumping from the couch to fling himself in Jungkook’s arms, “I’m
so happy for you!”

The omega lets out a light chuckle as he embraces his friend with one arm, not wanting to let go of
Taehyung’s hand.

“Congratulations!” Jimin says cheerfully as he comes to hug Taehyung.

One by one, the alpha’s friends stand up and come to congratulate them. Jungkook feels warm, so
warm that tears threaten to spill from his eyes. He never felt like this before: welcomed, loved . It’s
all he’s ever wanted, finding a place in the world, finding his place, and, after all this time spent
alone, he finally knows where he belongs to, he finally has a home.
 Chapter 26

A tense silence falls upon the room after Taehyung is done speaking. Jungkook is holding on to his
hand like a lifeline. He knows it’s a lot to take in. He holds his breath as he waits for one of them to
say something, anything.

“So you mean to tell me that you had to flee your old pack because you were almost raped by your
head alpha and now you’re being chased by his wolves because he wants to kill you?” Hoseok
almost screams, “That’s insane, dude!”

Jungkook’s heart beats so fast in his chest he fears it will fly out of it. He keeps his head down.

“I’m sorry,” Yoongi says, voice quiet but steady and it makes Jungkook meet his eyes. He knows
Yoongi is sincere as he continues, “I’m sorry you had to go through that.”

“You didn’t deserve any of that shit,” Jimin spits, angry, his eyes flashing green, “Not what that
asshole of an alpha did to you, not what your uncle did to you, nothing.”

“From now on, you won’t be alone,” Seokjin cuts in, “We’ll protect you, as we do Taehyung.
You’re family.”

The words hit deep inside Jungkook and he lets out a breathless sigh as relief washes through him.
They believe him. They trust him. It’s more than he can ask for.

“Thank you,” he whispers, and he feels Taehyung squeezing his hand.

There’s a beat of silence, and then, Namjoon speaks.

“Now we have to think about what we’re going to do.”

“Do you think they will attack the pack?” Seokjin asks Jungkook.

“I don’t know. I… I have avoided having contact with any pack since I left Moonblood.”

“So you were truly alone all this time,” Hoseok whispers sadly.

“Yeah,” Jungkook confirms, scratching his nape.

“It must have been so hard,” Yoongi remarks, “I can’t imagine living without a pack.”

Jungkook doesn’t know what to say to that so he just shrugs. Because, yes, it was hard, it was the
hardest thing he had to do in his life — being a lone wolf for three years? He just about went crazy
because of that. But he didn’t have a choice, it was his only way to survive.

“Well, you have a pack now,” Jimin states matter-of-factly. “You’re one of us.”

“I’m… I’m still binded to the Moonblood pack. The bond is thin, but it’s still there.”

“Then, we’ll cut it,” Yoongi says confidently.

“How?”

“You have two options. By joining our pack with a blood oath… or by mating with Taehyung.”
As the words leave Namjoon’s lips, Jungkook finds himself blushing hard. Mating with Taehyung?
It’s… Deep inside, he knows that it’s something that will happen at one point in their relationship,
it’s inevitable. But he hasn’t even kissed him yet! So mating with Taehyung, even though his wolf
wants to, even if he, himself, wants to, it’s too soon. Way too soon.

“The blood oath,” Taehyung decides, looking at Jungkook with his kind, comprehensive eyes.

Jungkook feels relief wash over him. Taehyung understands him so well already, he’s glad he
didn’t have to say it. Besides, when it does happen, he wants it to be special. He wants it to happen
because they both want it and not just because Jungkook has to break a noisome bond.

“Okay. I can have everything ready by tomorrow,” Seokjin informs.

“They’ll know that I broke the bond, right?” Jungkook murmurs.

“They will, yes,” Yoongi confirms.

“He won’t be happy about it. Minhyuk… He might come after me.”

“I’ll be waiting for him,” Taehyung says, his eyes flashing purple as he clenches his jaw.

Jungkook squeezes his hand, trying to let him know through the simple gesture that he’s here, he’s
okay, nothing will change that.

“We’ll have to tell the pack about the possible threat Minhyuk and his pack poses and that they
should be careful,” Seokjin states.

“We’ll have to patrol more around our borders too,” Namjoon adds.

As he listens to them, Jungkook feels guilty. What was he doing putting everyone in danger, when
he was supposed to stay away, to keep them safe? It’s not what he wanted. He didn’t want to let the
big bad wolf know about the Black Moon pack. But now, it’s too late. The beta he fought yesterday
might have already returned to the Moonblood pack, and if he had then Minhyuk already knew
everything. He would know that Jungkook was here, that he didn’t want to come back, that he
smelled like a new alpha now. The omega knows that everything about this situation would anger
Minhyuk to no end. And an angry Minhyuk is dangerous, very dangerous.

“I’m sorry,” Jungkook whispers, “I didn’t want to endanger anyone, I…”

“It’s not your fault, pup.”

“It is! It’s my fault you all have to deal with my mess,” Jungkook cries out, frustrated.

Taehyung tugs on his hand to make him move to come stand in front of him. He cups his cheeks
and kisses his forehead tenderly.

“You’re my mate. I’d do everything for you, including fighting that bastard and his whole pack if it
comes down to that. You did nothing wrong, nothing, you hear me? Don’t blame yourself. We’re
choosing to face the danger because you’re one of us, okay?”

And what can Jungkook reply to that? Nothing. So, he just nods, letting his shoulders slump down.

“Everything will be fine,” Taehyung adds in a soft voice, making a promise that Jungkook doesn't
know if the alpha will be able to fulfill.

Taehyung hugs him, Jungkook falls into his embrace easily, his head finding its way to the crook
of the alpha’s neck and his arms winding themselves around the alpha’s waist. For a moment, he
forgets that they’re not alone in the room. It’s just them, their beating hearts and their linked souls.
Just them.

“We’ll make sure of that,” Yoongi says.

“We will,” Jimin promises.

Jungkook doesn’t hold back his smile now, feeling safe, feeling protected, feeling loved . He can’t
believe that these people, who were still strangers a few days ago, are willing to risk their lives for
him. It’s crazy.

“Thank you,” Taehyung murmurs, emotion clear in his voice.

“Anything for you and your Luna, Alpha,” Seokjin declares.

Your Luna . Jungkook is not Taehyung’s Luna, his pack’s Luna yet. They have to mate for that.
They have to wear each other’s marks for that. But hearing it said like this makes his heart beat fast
in his chest. A Luna. Never, in a million years, would he have thought that he would become a
Luna, that he would rule a pack alongside his alpha. Never.

“Anything,” Hoseok confirms.

And it feels like a vow, solemn, unbreakable. Jungkook’s breath hitches and Taehyung’s hands
move on the small of his back to bring him even closer to the alpha’s chest. He finds comfort in
between his mate’s arms, he finds solace in it, he finds his place, right there .
 Chapter 27

“Are you nervous?” Hoseok asks as he helps Jungkook put on the traditional hanbok that they
bought especially for him yesterday.

“I am,” the omega answers honestly as his friend ties a piece of tissue around his waist.

“You shouldn’t be. What’s happening tonight was meant to be.”

“Maybe, but… I’m still scared for you, for all of you.”

“Nothing is going to happen to us.”

“You don’t know that. Minhyuk is… I’m scared that it will end in a blood bath and I don’t want
that. I don’t want to be the cause of any more pain, or death.”

“Jungkook.”

Hoseok’s voice doesn’t waver as he turns the omega to face him, but Jungkook’s mind is far away.
What if Minhyuk comes here with his warriors and starts a war with the Black Moon pack, just
because of him? What if he wins and Jungkook has to come back to the Moonblood pack to live as
his mate, as his prisoner? What if—

“Today is a happy day,” Hoseok says, “Smile.”

Jungkook tries to, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. It seems fake. He can’t stop thinking of Minhyuk’s
reaction when he feels their broken bond, when he will understand that Jungkook has found a new
pack, that he is not his anymore. He shouldn’t even think of him, shouldn’t let him invade his mind
like that, but he can’t help it. So many things can go wrong after tonight…

Hoseok puts his hands on Jungkook’s shoulders and looks him in the eyes, a smile etched on his
face, shining brighter than all the stars in the sky.

“You’ll be okay. We’ll be okay.”

Jungkook nods. He wants to believe his friend, desperately, but there’s this voice in his head, this
voice that doesn’t stop whispering that he’s going to put innocent lives on the line because he is
selfish, because he wants to be a part of a pack, because he wants to be with Taehyung, to be his
Luna.

“I just want to be happy,” Jungkook whispers to himself.

But Hoseok hears him and brings him to his chest to hug him tight.

“You’ll be happy with Taehyung, with us,” the beta murmurs in his ear. “Nobody’s going to hurt
you ever again. Nobody’s going to steal your smile or your laugh ever again. I can promise you
that.”

The words bring tears to Jungkook’s eyes but he swallows them down as he circles Hoseok’s waist
with his arms and hugs him back.

“We won’t let Minhyuk or your uncle come near you,” Hoseok says, softer this time. “You’re safe
with us.”
Just as Jungkook is about to reply, the door creaks open and Jimin comes into view, smiling as he
sees his boyfriend in the omega’s arms.

“Are you ready?” he asks.

Jungkook nods and detaches himself from Hoseok. He smoothes the sides of his outfit nervously,
bottom lip caught between his teeth, before following the couple out of the bedroom.

They leave the house shortly after and start to walk towards the lake. It’s Jungkook who chose the
place where the ceremony will be held. He chose his and Taehyung’s spot. A place where he feels
at peace. A place where he feels like he can breathe and be whole again. Just like in Taehyung’s
arms.

Usually, the whole pack is there when a new member joins them, but tonight will be different.
Tonight, it will only be the seven of them. And it’s enough for Jungkook. More than enough.

“How do you feel?” Jimin asks softly as he falls into Jungkook’s steps.

“I don’t know,” the omega answers in a whisper.

“He’s nervous,” Hoseok supplies for him.

“It’s okay to be nervous,” Jimin says, “But everything will be fine.”

They keep on telling him that everything will be fine, but will it? Jungkook is so afraid of
something going wrong because of him that he feels paralyzed.

“And you know what?” Jimin adds, “Taehyung is just as nervous as you are.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen when he hears those words fall from the alpha’s lips. Taehyung? Nervous?
No way.

“He wants everything to be perfect for you,” Hoseok reveals.

You deserve perfect . The words echo in his mind. He can almost hear Taehyung’s voice saying
them and it soothes him like nothing else could have.

“He likes you, you know?” Jimin declares, “I can see it in his eyes when he looks at you.”

Jungkook blushes because, fuck, he really, really wants Taehyung to like him. It’s something he
never dared to admit to himself but he always longed for someone who would show him affection,
who would adore him for who he is, who would love him. And now… Now he maybe can have
that. His heart pounds hard in his chest at the thought.

“It’s so obvious,” Hoseok states, “Like, he’s not even trying to hide it. He’s so gone already.”

“I’m happy for you two,” Jimin murmurs as he takes Jungkook’s hand in his and squeezes it
lightly, “You deserve him, and he deserves you.”

You don’t deserve anything because you’re nothing! You hear me? Nothing!

The cold voice of his uncle rings in his ears but Jungkook fights it. He tries to focus on Jimin’s
words, on the warmth that spreads inside of him when they replace his uncle’s words. He tries to
not think that Taehyung doesn’t deserve someone like him, someone broken, someone scarred,
someone who will put him in danger. He tries, but it’s hard.
“I don’t know about that,” he whispers. “He’s so perfect and I’m just… me, a fucked up me.”

“You’re not fucked up, Jungkook.” Hoseok argues, “You went through a lot, and you might have
scars because of that, you might have pieces to put back together because of that, but you are
anything but fucked up.”

“And, trust us, Taehyung is not perfect. Nobody is,” Jimin adds.

“He, too, has scars because of his past, that’s what makes me think that you’ll be able to help each
other heal.”

“Things aren’t going to be easy, but together, you’ll make it work. I’m sure of it. He seems so
much happier since you got here,” Jimin says.

“He smiles a lot more,” Hoseok says thoughtfully, “And he has this dreamy look on his face all the
time. Disgusting.”

They all laugh at Hoseok’s fake grimace and Jungkook feels lighter. Maybe, he isn’t the only one
falling. Maybe letting his heart speak for once isn’t a mistake.

“Jokes aside,” Hoseok continues, “After all that you went through, you deserve happiness, you
deserve a mate who loves you unconditionally, you deserve a pack who will accept you, just the
way you are. And I hope that you’ll find all that here, with us.”

A mate. A pack. A promise of happiness. Can Jungkook ask for more? No. It’s already so much
more than what he allowed himself to dream of these past three years, so much more… And it
makes hope bloom in his heart. Hope for better days, days where he won’t be scared, where he
won’t be alone, where he won’t be feeling like doesn’t belong anywhere.

“I’m sure I will,” Jungkook breathes out.

In his heart, the omega knows that, after all his wandering, he has found his place, his home. This
is where he is meant to be. With Taehyung. With Hoseok, Jimin and the others. With their pack.
And he doesn’t want to be anywhere else.

The three of them keep on talking as they walk towards the lake. The conversation takes on a
lighter note and they find themselves smiling, laughing more often than not. Jungkook loves that,
loves it more than he cares to admit. But soon, the words quiet down on his tongue and his breath
hitches when they reach the lake.

The first thing Jungkook sees are all the candles lightning up the area surrounding the ceremony.
They’re everywhere, on the rocks, on the ground. They cast their glow on the trees all around
them, making the omega think that he’s in a fairytale. It’s so, so beautiful, and he can’t tear his
gaze away from the little flames, too mesmerized by the way they illuminate the forest and make it
look magical.

But then, he hears someone clear his throat and, when he looks up, he sees him . His mate. His
gorgeous mate. Wearing a traditional hanbok, just like him. But when Jungkook is dressed in all
black, Taehyung is in all white. They’re complete opposites. But opposites attract, right? And the
omega can’t act like there’s not a million butterflies flapping their wings in his tummy as he lets his
eyes lock with Taehyung’s purple ones, drowning in the depths of them. He doesn’t know how to
breathe anymore, how to move. It takes Hoseok nudging his back for Jungkook to take a step
forward and go stand in front of Taehyung.

“Hi,” the alpha greets, smiling.

“Hi,” Jungkook lets out shyly, his cheeks reddening unforgivingly.

“You look beautiful,” Taehyung breathes out, enjoying the effect he has on the omega.

“You’re not bad yourself,” Jungkook replies cheekily.

Taehyung winks and takes the omega’s hands in his, his thumbs caressing the soft skin in slow
motion.

“Are you ready?” the alpha asks.

“I am,” Jungkook answers, trying not to let his voice waver on those two words.

Despite everything, the omega wants this, needs this. Is he anxious? Yes. Is he terrified that
something will happen to Taehyung or a member of his pack after he joins them? Yes. But, his soul
knows that pieces of it will be glued back together thanks to the blood oath. And his wolf… His
wolf will finally be whole again. Just like him.

“Then, let’s proceed,” Seokjin declares.

It’s when the omega’s voice reaches Jungkook that he finally realizes that he’s not alone with
Taehyung, that all his— their —friends are here too. Seokjin is standing in between them, his bare
feet in the water, while Namjoon, Yoongi, Hoseok and Jimin are on each side of them. They’re all
looking at Taehyung and him with smiles on their faces, and it quietens down the palpitations of
Jungkook’s heart.

Jungkook glances at Seokjin, who has a dagger and white fabric strips in his hands. Hoseok
explained earlier what they were for, as he detailed the way the ceremony would take place to him.
But it doesn’t mean Jungkook is any less nervous. He doesn’t want to mess up.

“We’re gathered here tonight to welcome you, Jeon Jungkook, in the Black Moon pack,” Seokjin
intones.

The omega keeps on talking, but all Jungkook can do is focus on his own heartbeat, on Taehyung’s
eyes that don’t stray away from him, on the warmth that seeps through their linked hands. It’s his
anchor as the words flow out of Seokjin’s mouth, as the older omega speaks about what will be
Jungkook’s rights and duties, about what being a member of the pack will imply for him.

“Are you joining us on your free will?” Seokjin asks after a beat of silence.

“Yes.”

“Are you willing to protect the pack with your life?”

“Yes.”

There’s no hesitation in his voice when Jungkook replies, because, even though he doesn’t know
every member of the pack, he already feels close to the ones he has encountered, feels a connection
between them, something that is precious, something that must be protected. And he’s ready to
fight to keep it intact.

“Are you willing to let yourself be protected by the pack?”

A few days ago, Jungkook would have said no. He would have said that he was able to take care of
himself, that he didn’t need anyone to fight his own battles. But now? Things have changed. He
knows that being protected by someone doesn’t mean being weak, that he can ask for help and still
be strong.

“Yes,” he whispers.

“Do you accept Taehyung as your one and true alpha?”

When Jungkook locks eyes with Taehyung, a shiver runs down his spine at the intensity he
discerns in those purple irises that are already on him, watching him intently. And, right then and
there, he realizes that his heart, his whole being, belongs to Taehyung, that he’s his alpha, that
there’ll never be another alpha for him after Taehyung. He will be his last.

“I do.”

And when he says those words, Jungkook is happy, truly and utterly happy for the first time in a
long time. Yes, Taehyung is his alpha, his mate and so much more.

“Give me your hand,” Seokjin instructs.

Reluctantly, Jungkook breaks Taehyung’s hold on his hands and stretches his palm towards the
older omega. Seokjin places the dagger into it and Jungkook holds it between his trembling
fingers. It’s time. It’s time to break his bond with the Moonblood pack. It’s time to tie his destiny to
Taehyung’s pack, forever.

Jungkook cuts his palm open with the dagger, letting droplets of his own blood fall on the ground
at his feet. He looks at them for a while before his eyes meet Taehyung’s again. His breath catches
in his throat when he sees the alpha’s purple irises shining under the evening sky. He finds in them
the courage to recite the oath that will change everything for him.

“I, Jeon Jungkook, offer my blood, my soul and my heart to the Black Moon pack.”

As he says the words, the omega can feel the remnants of his bond with the Moonblood pack thrill
and distend themselves. He’s almost free. Almost.

Taehyung takes the dagger from Jungkook’s hand and cuts his palm open until blood starts to drip
from it. Then, his eyes dive into the omega’s once again as he pronounces the sentence that will
bond him to the pack until the day he dies.

“I, Kim Taehyung, accept you as a member of the Black Moon pack.”

It’s then that the omega feels it break completely, his bond with the Moonblood pack. At first, he
feels empty, lost, on the verge of crying because his wolf is howling inside of him, from pain, from
grief. But then, Taehyung takes Jungkook’s hand in his, letting their wounded palms softly collide,
their fingers intertwine. And it’s suddenly there, pulsing, vibrating between them, the bond with
the Black Moon pack. He feels so warm that all his body tingles, electricity running through his
veins as the bond expands inside of him, colonizing each and every one of his cells.

Jungkook feels a lone tear fall from his eye, a tear that Taehyung is quick to wipe with his thumb
tenderly.

“Don’t cry, pup.”

Jungkook nods, and swallows down the other tears that threaten to slide down his cheeks, focusing
on Taehyung’s touch, on the fingers that graze his cheekbone. It brings him back to his senses, the
feel of his alpha. His alpha.
“Alpha,” Jungkook whispers and, in the dimming light of the day, he can see Taehyung’s eyes flash
a darker shade of purple.

“Your alpha,” Taehyung says in a husky voice.

Taehyung leans in to kiss Jungkook’s forehead and the omega closes his eyes, basking in the
contact of his mate’s lips on his skin. After a while, when he lets his eyelids flutter open, the first
thing he sees is Taehyung’s smile.

He’s happy.

“Welcome to the pack,” the alpha grins.

“Welcome to the pack!” echo the voices of their friends around them.

Jungkook smiles like he never smiled before, like he was never allowed to, and it feels good, so
fucking good. He never wants to stop.

“Let me bandage your hands now,” Seokjin says as he takes a step towards the two of them.

Seokjin is quick to wrap the fabric stripes he had in his hands around Jungkook and Taehyung’s
palms. When he’s done, Taehyung softly takes Jungkook’s hand in his.

“You two are so cute, my heart can’t handle it,” Seokjin sighs dramatically.

“You’ll have to get used to it,” Taehyung declares, “I’m not letting go of him anytime soon.”

The words make Jungkook’s heart flutter wildly in the swell of his ribcage. He finds himself
dreaming of a life with Taehyung, a long, happy life. Is it possible? Will they have their happy
ending? Does he deserve it? Jungkook doesn’t know and it frightens him. But he wants to believe.
He really wants to believe.

“Me neither,” he murmurs.

Taehyung wraps his arms around him, bringing him to his chest, hugging him tight. He hangs onto
him, buries his face in his alpha’s chest and listens to his steady heartbeat. It calms the tempest
within him.

“I can’t wait for you to be wholly mine,” Taehyung whispers in his ear.

Taehyung’s head falls into Jungkook’s neck and he scents him subtly. The omega lets out a sigh at
the sensation, at feeling his mate’s nose rub at his skin.

“We’re still here, you know,” Yoongi reminds them and Taehyung immediately stops his
ministrations.

Jungkook can see a light blush on the alpha’s cheeks as he backs away from him and he smiles
softly.

“You’re adorable,” he finds himself saying out loud.

This seems to take Taehyung aback, before a smile blooms on his lips.

“You’re the adorable one,” the alpha retorts, winking at Jungkook.

“You can’t do that,” the omega whines, flustered beyond words.

“Do what? Tell the truth?”

“Let the poor kid alone,” Seokjin intervenes, a small smirk playing on his lips.

“He’s going to combust if you continue,” Jimin adds.

“Okay. Okay, I’ll stop,” Taehyung surrenders.

As the alpha hides his face in the crook of Jungkook’s neck once again, the omega’s eyes fall on
their friends. As he looks at them, he finally feels whole. He finally feels at home, with the
glowing irises of his new pack promising a future he thought he’d never have.
 Chapter 28

“You’re sure you don’t want to come with me?“ Taehyung asks, arms wrapped around Jungkook’s
waist, eyes diving deep into his.

“You don’t need me there,” the omega whispers.

“I’ll always need you.”

The words make Jungkook’s heart skip a beat and his head spin. He was never needed before,
always a burden, a bother. But Taehyung makes him feel like he is the air he needs to breathe, the
blood running in his veins. He makes him feel special.

Jungkook lifts himself onto his tiptoes and kisses Taehyung’s cheek, letting his lips linger on the
sun kissed skin longer than he should.

“Me too,” he murmurs into the alpha’s ear.

The arms around him tighten their hold and Jungkook falls into his mate’s embrace. He feels so
good, so close to Taehyung, that he almost forgets all his fears, all his doubts—almost.

“I don’t want to leave you here alone,” Taehyung admits.

“I’ll be fine,” Jungkook reassures, “I won’t leave the house. And I’m perfectly able to take care of
myself while you’re gone.”

“I know. But still.”

Jungkook knows that it’s Taehyung’s protective side that is showing in his words, in the way he
holds him even tighter, like he doesn’t want to let go of him just yet. And he likes it, he likes that
someone cares for him. He’s been independent so long that it’s a nice change to know that he can
lean on someone else.

“I’ll be fine,” Jungkook repeats, “Nothing is going to happen to me here, I’m safe.”

“You’re safe,” Taehyung whispers slowly, like he’s tasting the words on the tip of his tongue.

“I am,” the omega confirms, not an ounce of doubt in his tone.

“Okay,” Taehyung says, “I’ll go now. But you know where to find me if anything—”

“I know,” Jungkook cuts him off with a small smile.

Taehyung leans in and kisses the omega’s forehead before letting his arms fall to his sides and
backing away from him. Jungkook feels cold for a few seconds, deprived of the alpha’s warmth,
and he wraps his arms around himself.

“I’ll be back in two or three hours,” Taehyung informs.

Jungkook nods, and with one last look casted his way, the alpha leaves the house.

“I already miss you,” the omega breathes out once the door closes behind Taehyung.

It’s so strange, to miss someone he knows so little so bad. But every time Taehyung is away from
him, it’s like a piece of his heart, of his soul, is missing. He feels incomplete when the alpha is not
there, by his side. He feels needy, too, wanting to be with him, always. But he knows they can’t be
glued to each other all the time, it wouldn’t be healthy. That’s why he decided to not go to
Namjoon’s and Yoongi’s with Taehyung. And now, he’s here alone in this big, big house.

Jungkook takes a book on one of Taehyung’s bookshelves scattered in the living room before going
to sit on one of the couches with it. He puts a plaid on his legs, opens the book—“Aristotle and
Dante Discover the Secrets of the Universe”—and starts reading. He gets engrossed in the story, in
the depiction of the characters and falls in love with them easily. Time seems to fly until he hears
the doorbell ring. Jungkook horns the page he was reading, puts the book down and goes to open
the door. On the other side, he finds Seokjin.

“Hi!” the older omega greets, a big smile curling his full lips.

“Hi,” Jungkook answers back, almost shyly.

“Can I come in?”

Jungkook doesn’t answer but steps aside to let Seokjin enter the house.

“Taehyung is not here,” the omega says as he closes the door behind Seokjin.

“I know.”

“Then, why…”

“I wanted to talk to you, alone.”

A cold shiver runs down Jungkook’s spine and he feels like he’s about to throw up. Why would
Seokjin talk to him alone? Did he do something wrong? Did he mess up already?

“Don’t be nervous,” Seokjin says, “There’s nothing to worry about.”

“Okay,” Jungkook murmurs, not really reassured by the older omega’s words.

“Let’s sit.”

Jungkook comes back to his place on the couch, and Seokjin sits on the opposite side of him,
facing him. Saying that the omega feels intimidated by the other would be an understatement.

“I came here to ask you how you feel.”

“How I feel?”

“Yes. There’s been a lot going on in your life these past weeks, and I’m concerned about you.”

“Concerned. Why?”

“You’ve endured so much already, with your uncle, with your old alpha, with the beta who
attacked you the other night… And then, you joined the pack.”

“I’m okay,” Jungkook responds on autopilot.

Seokjin quirks an eyebrow, “Are you, really?”

Jungkook knows that he can’t lie to Seokjin, the older omega would know it instantly, he’s that
perceptive. But can he really say all that weighs on his heart? Can he open up to Seokjin entirely?

“I’m… torn. On one hand, I’m happy I joined the pack, on the other hand…”

“On the other hand?”

“I’m afraid of the consequences of my selfishness.”

“Joining us was not selfish, Jungkook. It was meant to be.”

“But I’m putting you all in danger…”

“It’s not you, it’s your old alpha. You did nothing wrong. You’re doing nothing wrong, you hear
me?”

Jungkook nods, not knowing what to say, words clogging up in his constricted throat. The emotions
are too much, flooding him, overwhelming him. And he can’t speak.

“You’re Taehyung’s mate, which means we’re ready to face anything for you, just like we are for
him.”

“You don’t know me,” Jungkook chokes out.

“We know enough. We know what you went through. We know how you look at Taehyung and
how he looks at you.”

Then his deepest fear comes tumbling out, “I don’t want anyone to die because of me.”

Seokjin pauses, quiet for a while. When he finally speaks, his voice is soft but steady, “Who said
anything about anyone dying? We’re strong, we’re fierce, we’re not going to get down that easily,
you can trust me on this.”

“I feel guilty, like I shouldn’t want what I want right now.”

“And that is?”

“Freedom… and Taehyung… a pack that feels like home.”

“It’s okay to want things, you know? It’s really okay. And you deserve everything.”

“Taehyung is too good for me,” Jungkook whispers.

“He’s perfect for you, just the way he is. Like you are perfect for him, just the way you are. That’s
why you are soulmates. That’s why you are meant to be together. Don’t think that he’s too good, or
that you’re not enough, because it’s not true.”

Seokjin moves to come sit on the couch next to Jungkook and takes his hand in his.

“He’s lucky to have you,” the older omega says.

Jungkook wants to believe him, wants to believe him so badly, but it’s hard, it’s hard when he feels
like Taehyung’s whole world is about to crumble down because of him.

“I’m not sure about that.”

“He was so lonely after his brother’s death, he…”

Seokjin stops, gulps, blinks, before speaking again.

“He was so lost. I haven’t seen him smile or laugh like he does these days because of you in so
long. You make him happy.”

“You think so?”

“I know so.”

“He makes me happy too.”

“I can tell,” Seokjin jokes lightly.

“I… I never had anyone care for me like he does, or make me feel like I matter.”

“Then it’s a good thing, isn’t it?”

“Yeah. It is.”

“It’s something that you need to hold onto, those new feelings arising in you, the happiness, the
joy, everything. Don’t think about the future. For now, think about enjoying every little moment
you share with Taehyung, with us. In the end, that’s all that matters. Those little moments that will
stay engraved in your mind, in your heart, forever. We can deal with the rest later.”

“The rest is haunting me. I see my past every day in my nightmares,” Jungkook confesses
brokenly.

“It’s normal after everything that happened to you. And I won’t tell you that it will go away just
because you want it to, it’s something that we’ll have to face at one point. Just… don’t forget to
live in the meantime.”

Live. Jungkook has never really lived before. He was caged, then on the run. In a way, he was
always a prisoner. But now, he's free. The chains tying him to the Moonblood pack, to Minhyuk
and his uncle, have been dissolved. There’s nothing holding him back anymore. He can finally
breathe.

“I’ll try,” Jungkook whispers.

“Good,” Seokjin replies, his thumb caressing the omega’s skin slowly.

A beat of silence passes between them before Seokjin speaks again, a teasing grin etched on his
lips.

“Now, tell me, what are your feelings towards Taehyung?”

“That’s kind of personal, don’t you think?” Jungkook finds himself teasing.

“But we’re friends,” Seokjin whines, “Friends tell each other everything.”

Friends. It feels strange to think about someone else as his friend, as someone he can confide in.
But at the same time, it’s comforting, knowing that he’s not alone, that he’s surrounded with
people ready to give him a chance.

“If you want to know if I’ll ever hurt him or something like that, my answer is no. It’s the last
thing I want to do.”
“I wouldn’t have dared to think otherwise. You’re too soft for that.”

“I’m not soft,” Jungkook denies.

“You are,” Seokjin says as the omega pouts, “But you’re also strong, independant, and fierce. It’s a
perfect combination for Taehyung. He needs someone who can stand his ground, who can proudly
stand by his side, but who can also be gentle with him when he needs someone to lean on, when
things get hard.”

“I don’t know if I can be that person for him.”

“Of course you can, you’re meant to. Even if you don’t feel like it right now, you’ll see it with
time.”

But do they have time ahead of them? Will they have the chance to really discover each other, to
really fall for the other? Won’t Minhyuk take that away from them? No. Jungkook won’t allow it.
He will fight for what he has right now with Taehyung, for what he can have with him in the
future. He will fight until his last breath.

“You’re his person, Jungkook,” Seokjin murmurs, squeezing his hand, “And he’s yours.”

His person. His everything.

“I know that soulmates don’t always end up together, but I want that with Taehyung,” Jungkook
admits. “I stayed because of that, because I want him, because I don’t think I can bear losing him.”

“You won’t lose him,” Seokjin declares.

“He told me the same thing,” Jungkook smiles to himself.

“Then, trust him.”

It’s as easy as that, right? Trust Taehyung. Trust that everything will be okay for them. But it’s hard
when nothing has ever been okay for you.

“He’s waited for you for so long…” Seokjin whispers.

“Really?”

“Really. Didn’t he tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“That he felt you as soon as he turned twenty-two, as soon as, I suppose, you turned into your wolf
form for the first time.”

“No, he didn’t tell me.”

“Since then, on full moons, he was kind of connected to you and felt your pain, your sorrow. It was
hard for him to control himself and remain calm, to not just flee and somehow try to find you.”

Guilt washes over Jungkook. He never wanted anyone to experience what he’s been through during
full moons. It was atrocious, and damaging. He feels heartbroken, knowing that Taehyung endured
that too because of their bond. It’s not fair.

“I’m sorry.”
“For what? It’s not your fault.”

“It is. If I wasn’t his mate, then…”

“Then he would be devastated.”

“But I hurt him,” Jungkook says, voice wavering, tears in his eyes.

“No,” Seokjin denies, wrapping his arm around the omega’s shoulders and bringing him to his
chest, “You didn’t hurt him. Because you didn’t choose for that to happen, okay?”

“I don’t deserve — ”

“You deserve the world, little one, you just don’t see it yet.”

Seokjin starts to rock Jungkook gently, like he would do with a baby, whilst the younger cries into
his sweater.

“Shh, it’s okay. Everything is going to be okay.”

Seokjin is not the first one to tell him that, but this time, Jungkook wants to trust that it’s the truth.
 Chapter 29

Blood. Blood everywhere.

Tainting Taehyung’s fur. Dripping from his muzzle.

All Jungkook can do is watch, silent screams on the tip of his tongue because he can’t move. He’s
stuck in place, limbs not responding to him, circled by invisible arms that hold him back and don’t
let him take a step forward, towards Taehyung, anything to try and save him. It’s like he’s there,
but he’s not at the same time.

The scene that unfolds in front of his eyes makes him want to throw up, to destroy everything
around him. It makes him want to howl until his lungs give out.

Minhyuk is fighting against Taehyung, their wolves clashing and colliding violently. Teeth chatter,
claws meet fur, and then skin, piercing growls rising from their throats. It frightens him. Because
Minhyuk seems to have the upper hand against Taehyung, because he seems too strong to be
defeated. And it shouldn’t even be happening in the first place.

When Taehyung’s wolf groans in pain, Jungkook feels tears slide down his cheeks and his heart
break. He wants to rip Minhyuk’s throat out, he wants to hurt him, he wants to see him dead. But he
can’t do that. He doesn’t know why, but he can’t.

All Jungkook can do is look at the two wolves in front of him, heart pounding in his chest so hard it
hurts. All Jungkook can do is pray, pray that Taehyung will survive, that he will kill Minhyuk, that
he will end his misery.

But then, he hears it, a crack, a loud and disgusting crack, as Minhyuk snaps Taehyung’s neck in
between his jaws. Jungkook sees life slipping from his mate’s eyes, until they fall shut, until his
body falls limp on the floor as Minhyuk releases him from his grip before looking at Jungkook,
triumph, rage and hunger swimming in his irises.

And Jungkook screams.

As he thrashes around in bed, Jungkook suddenly feels arms wrapping around him, tight and
secure, before a deep, soothing voice reaches his ears.

“Come back to me, pup. Come back to me.”

Jungkook shakes in Taehyung’s hold as he opens his eyes and finds the alpha’s irises already on
him.

“It was a nightmare, only a nightmare,” Taehyung says lowly.

“You… Minhyuk, he… He killed you,” Jungkook chokes out.

“I’m here, pup. I’m right here,” Taehyung whispers as he lets a hand weave through his hair, as his
fingers scratch the omega’s scalp smoothly.

Jungkook clings to Taehyung’s t-shirt, just to prove to himself that he’s not dreaming, that his mate
is truly here, with him, and not bathed in a pool of blood, lifeless.

“I was so afraid,” Jungkook admits in a little voice, “So afraid.”

Taehyung holds him even tighter, bringing him to his chest, where Jungkook can hear his heart
beating, where he can feel his warmth, where he can fill his lungs with his scent.

“There’s nothing to be afraid of, pup. I won’t die.”

“It felt so real…” Jungkook murmurs, the grip of the nightmare on him still present.

“But it wasn’t. It wasn’t. And I’m here, with you. I’m fine.”

Jungkook takes a deep breath, trying to forget about the images the nightmare engraved in his
mind. But it’s hard. Seeing Taehyung dying in front of his eyes scarred him, even if it was only a
dream. He can’t let that happen in real life or he won’t survive. He just can’t.

“I couldn’t help you, I was—”

“Hey, shh, it’s okay,” Taehyung cuts a distressed Jungkook off, “We’re okay.”

Jungkook nods meekly against Taehyung’s chest, his fists tightening their hold on the white fabric
of the alpha’s t-shirt, afraid of letting go.

“I don’t want to lose you,” Jungkook whispers.

This time, Taehyung doesn’t say “You won’t lose me”, he stays quiet, and the omega doesn’t know
if that makes things worse or not.

They stay like that, in the arms of the other, for a while, not saying a word, until Taehyung speaks
again.

“Let’s get out of here.”

The alpha lifts Jungkook’s chin until their eyes meet.

“I want to take you to somewhere special.”

“In the middle of the night?”

“In the middle of the night,” Taehyung confirms before detaching himself from Jungkook. “Get up,
put on some warm clothes and then join me on the porch in ten minutes.”

The alpha leaves a kiss on Jungkook’s forehead before leaving the bed, leaving the room. The
omega blinks, not sure of what just happened. But he follows his mate’s instructions. Gets out of
bed. Puts on a pair of ripped jeans, a purple hoodie—Taehyung’s hoodie—and his combat boots.
He joins the alpha on the porch a few minutes later.

Taehyung smiles as he sees Jungkook and holds his hand out for the omega to take, which he does.
He then leads him to his old, red pick-up, and opens the passenger door for him. Jungkook climbs
in the vehicle, still clueless about where they’re going, but trusting Taehyung with all his heart.

“Ready?” Taehyung asks as he takes place behind the wheel.

“Ready,” Jungkook answers.

The omega looks through the window as Taehyung drives, soft jazz music filling the car interior.
They don’t speak, but words aren’t needed at that moment. Jungkook is still trying to get himself
free of the nightmare’s hands, and he tries to focus instead on the warmth of the hand Taehyung
has placed on his thigh. Instinctively, he puts his hand on the alpha’s and interlaces their fingers. It
feels right to do that. It feels right to be close to his mate. So right.

It takes a little over half an hour for them to reach their destination, for Taehyung to park his pick-
up in the middle of an abandoned field.

“Wait here,” the alpha tells Jungkook as he gets out of the vehicle after kissing the back of his
hand.

Jungkook obeys, and waits for Taehyung to come back. When his mate does, he opens the door for
him and helps him get out of the pick-up, holding his hand yet again, like he just needs to touch
him, to have any kind of contact with him and it makes Jungkook’s heart flutter in his chest.

“Let’s get in the back of the car,” Taehyung says.

Jungkook follows him, guided by the light coming from the moon and the car’s headlights, only to
discover that the alpha put blankets and pillows in the back of the car, making it look like a cozy
cocoon. Just for them.

They climb in it one after another before laying down on the blankets, wrapping themselves in
them as they look at the millions of stars shining above them.

“It’s beautiful,” Jungkook whispers, scared to speak more loudly than that and break the moment.

“It is,” Taehyung answers, but he isn’t looking at the stars, he’s looking straight at the omega.

“Thank you for bringing me here.”

Jungkook searches for Taehyung’s hand under the blankets and takes it in his, intertwining their
fingers.

“You’re the first person I’m bringing here with me,” Taehyung admits.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Why?”

“Because it never felt right with anybody else before.”

Jungkook’s heart thumps loudly in his chest when he hears Taehyung’s words. Right . Yes, it feels
right. t feels special, because it’s them.

Taehyung moves so that he’s hugging Jungkook’s middle, and the omega’s head rests on his chest.
He places a kiss on top of Jungkook’s head before speaking again.

“I waited five years for you but, even before that, I knew that the boys I dated weren’t the ones for
me. It was you. All along, it was you.”

“It’s you for me too,” Jungkook breathes out.

“How do you know?” Taehyung asks softly.

“Because you make my heart beat faster every time you look at me. Because you make me feel like
I have thousands of butterflies in my stomach every time you talk to me. Because you make
goosebumps arise on my skin and shivers run down my spine every time you touch me. Because
you make me feel safe, protected, cared for.”

It’s easy to say these things when Jungkook isn’t looking at Taehyung, instead he’s looking at the
stars that are hanging in the night sky above them. It’s easy when he tries not to think about the
impact his words can have on the alpha. Yes, it’s easy.

“It’s always you,” Jungkook continues despite himself, “I never thought that I’d have a mate, you
know, that I’d be deserving of one, but then, I met you and… and you’re literally perfect.”

“I’m far from being perfect,” Taehyung protests, laughing lightly.

“To me, you are. It’s scary how much it seems like you are made for me.”

“It’s because I am, pup. Just like you are made for me.”

It might seem crazy, to believe that two people are really made for each other, that the Moon
goddess decided that two souls were meant to intertwine, to become one, forever. Crazy. But
Jungkook does. He does believe that Taehyung is his other half, the better part of himself, the
missing part of his heart. The alpha is all that, and so much more.

Jungkook gets lost in contemplation for a while, trying not to read too much into Taehyung’s
words, into the way the alpha’s hand slides under his hoodie to caress his ribs slowly. But it’s hard
when he feels so much, when he wants Taehyung to feel the same.

“You know, when I first saw you I thought that you were the most beautiful man I had ever laid
my eyes on,” Taehyung whispers in his ear, “And when I held you in my arms that night, I just
didn’t want to let go after that.”

Taehyung’s hold tightens around Jungkook and the omega leans into the touch, sighing in content.
It’s so soft, so intimate, this moment they’re sharing. He doesn’t want it to end, ever.

“I’m not opposed to the idea of staying in your arms forever.”

“Forever?”

“Yeah, forever.”

Another kiss lands on the top of Jungkook’s head and the omega finds himself smiling. He loves
Taehyung’s kisses. On his forehead. On the top of his head. On his hands. But he wants to feel
what it’s like to have his mate’s lips on his. He wants to feel what it’s like to be kissed for real,
because they both want to. It’s the right time, the right moment. He wants, but he’s too shy to voice
his desire out loud.

“Can we run together after this, when we get home?”

“Home?” Taehyung repeats, fondness dripping from his voice.

“I’m sorry, it just slipped, I—”

“It is your home,” Taehyung cuts Jungkook’s rambling off, “Don’t ever doubt it. You belong
there, with me.”

“Belong?”

“Hm. In my pack, in my house… in my bed.”

Jungkook blushes as the last words leave Taehyung’s mouth and he elbows him gently, hearing
him laugh out loud. It makes him smile even more, because he loves Taehyung’s bubble laughter,
because he wants to hear that sound again, and again, and again, for the rest of his life.

“Your bed is very comfortable,” Jungkook says, pouting.

“I know. It’s even more comfortable since I can hold you all night and feel you in my arms.”

“You really mean it?”

“I do.”

Jungkook starts to play with the hem of Taehyung’s hoodie, feeling the skin underneath brush the
tip of his fingers. It makes electricity spark at the point of contact and the omega sucks in a breath.
How would it feel to really touch Taehyung? To map out his body, with his hands, with his lips,
with his tongue?

“What are you thinking of?” Taehyung inquires.

“You,” Jungkook answers honestly.

Taehyung doesn’t say anything and Jungkook fears that he might have gone too far, but then, the
alpha speaks again, in his low, deep voice that soothes Jungkook’s beaten up soul.

“I’m thinking of you, too.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Silence falls upon them, but neither of them mind it. They don’t need to speak at this moment.
They just bask in each other, the glow of the stars and the moon reflecting on their nested figures.
It’s perfect, absolutely perfect. For a while, Jungkook can forget about his past, about his future,
and he can just live in the present. Live . It’s more than anything he could have ever asked for.

Jungkook lets his hand slip under Taehyung’s hoodie and fall onto his skin. He idly starts to caress
it, drawing shapeless forms on it. He can hear the low growl that his mate lets out at the touch and
how his heart beats just a little bit faster. He can feel his arm tightening his hold around him.
Jungkook lifts his head and finds his way to the crook of Taehyung’s neck. He doesn’t even think
before scenting the alpha, rubbing his nose on his scent glands and letting their fragrances become
one. It’s become second nature to him. It feels so right, to let his imprint on Taehyung, to let
everyone know that the alpha is his . And his only.

Jungkook feels Taehyung’s fingers come to lift his head until they’re looking into each other’s
eyes, deeply, languorously. There’s so much tension between them that it’s becoming unbearable.
Somehow, it needs to be let out.

“Do you think it’s alright?” Jungkook finally asks.

“What?”

“To feel what I feel?”

“And what do you feel?”

“I’m falling for you so fast that it scares me sometimes.”

Taehyung’s eyes soften, and a small smile curls on his lips as he lets his fingers come to caress
Jungkook’s cheekbone tenderly.

“I’m falling for you, too.”

Jungkook’s eyes widen as his heart implodes in his chest. Taehyung, his Taehyung, feels the same?
He wants to cry, to laugh, to scream. But all he can actually do is look into his mate’s eyes, and get
lost in the purple irises that shine in the night.

“Can I kiss you?” Taehyung asks in a whisper, his fingers weaving through Jungkook’s hair at the
back of his head.

And Jungkook can’t answer, not with words, his throat too clogged up for that. So, he nods, once,
twice, thrice, making Taehyung smile wider and chuckle softly.

“You’re too cute,” is the last thing Jungkook hears before Taehyung leans in and captures his lips
with his. He closes his eyes and just… lets go.

At first, it’s only a touch—barely there—a brush of lips, allowing him to taste the feeling of his
mate’s lips pressing against his. It’s already intoxicating for Jungkook who wants more, more,
more , because it’s not enough, because, with Taehyung, it will never be enough.

“Tae…” Jungkook begs against the alpha’s lips, feeling them so close, yet so far.

“I’m here,” Taehyung replies before letting their lips collide again, and again, and again, in little
pecks that drive Jungkook to the edge.

“ Tae… ”

His plea gets lost under Taehyung’s lips as they land on his, as they finally start to move with
intent, the pressure of them freeing the butterflies inside Jungkook’s stomach. Finally, finally the
omega gets to feel Taehyung the way he wanted to, to feel the imprint of his lips on his own, and
it’s everything he ever wanted, and so much more.

It’s like a dream, having Taehyung kiss him like that, like he is a doll made of glass, on the verge
of shattering at every touch. Because the alpha is soft, so soft with him, that it almost brings tears
to Jungkook’s eyes. No one has ever cared for him this much before. No one has ever thought of
touching him with so much gentleness, no one. And Jungkook can feel everything. Taehyung’s lips
on his, making him melt. Taehyung’s fingers moving in his hair, tugging lightly at the strands.
Taehyung’s hand holding his hip, burning his skin. It makes his head spin, his heart thump wildly
in his chest. Because it feels good, so good .

But it’s nothing compared to what Jungkook feels when Taehyung’s silky, wet tongue probes at the
seam of his lips. The omega whimpers, shuddering as his mate traces his red lips with his tongue,
as his mate discovers this new territory, his territory. Jungkook can’t help how his body reacts,
how he shakes against Taehyung, because this is too much, because he already feels sparks of
electricity running down his veins and it makes him feel so alive .

Jungkook is so gone already, and they haven’t even done anything. But the feelings… He’s
overwhelmed by them, by all this love he has in him, all this love he never thought he could feel.
And it wants to pour out of him. So, when Taehyung bites at his bottom lip, asking for entrance,
Jungkook gasps and opens his mouth for him.

The alpha slithers his tongue inside Jungkook’s mouth and, soon, it tangles with the omega’s own.
Jungkook moans as he tastes Taehyung for the first time, as he lets himself be claimed by his mate.
It’s easy to follow the alpha’s lead, to imitate his movements, to find a rhythm that is only theirs
and makes Jungkook’s toes curl in his boots. It’s easy because it’s Taehyung, sweet, sweet
Taehyung, who kisses him like Jungkook is the only man in the world, like he’s his first and his
last. It’s all consuming and it’s perfect.

They get lost in each other, soft kisses slowly turning into something more. Jungkook feels like
he’s dying because Taehyung is such a good kisser, one that makes his heart beat fast in the swell
of his ribcage, one that makes his cheeks tint pink with just a press of lips, a slide of his tongue. He
doesn’t know what to do with himself but surrender to Taehyung, body and soul. He’s his, there’s
no denying that. No matter what happens, he’s his.

“You’re mine,” Taehyung murmurs against Jungkook’s swollen lips as they part for air.

“And you’re mine,” Jungkook replies back.

They smile at each other, eyes locked, before fusing their lips together again. Their mouths chase
each other, teeth and tongues teasing the seams of their lips, before they dive in, addicted to the
feel of the other, to his taste. Soon, everything gets more heated with their lips parted, heads tilted
to deepen the kiss, tongues sliding hot and wet against each other, moans and groans spilling from
their mouths. And Jungkook loves it, being devoured like this by his mate, to be the reason for the
wrecked sounds he lets out as they kiss, and kiss, and kiss endlessly.

Jungkook feels Taehyung moving and, before he knows it, the omega is laying flat on the blankets,
his mate on top of him. He cages the alpha in between his legs, wrapping them around his waist,
bringing him closer. Taehyung puts his forearms on either side of Jungkook’s head and bends
down to smash their mouths together, desperately, heatedly. The omega whimpers and parts his
lips for his mate, letting their tongues tangle, their breaths mingle. And it’s so hot, the way they
kiss, the way they make the other see stars behind his closed eyelids. So hot.

Jungkook can feel his jeans begin to tighten, can feel his cock begin to swell as Taehyung kisses
him like there will be no tomorrow. He can hear the alpha’s low growl when he starts to tentatively
grind his hips to find some friction, some relief.

“Pup…”

The endearment sounds strangled in Taehyung’s voice, so deep, so raw. And the hand that he
places on Jungkook’s thigh is firm, tight in his grasp. A broken moan slips past the omega’s lips as
he feels the alpha’s erection against his.

“Need you,” he whines, high and pretty.

Taehyung’s mouth moves from his lips to his jaw, to his throat. He litters the omega’s smooth skin
with kisses, leaving purple bruises behind him, making Jungkook crane his neck to give him more
access, a silent plea for more. He didn’t know he loved being marked until then, until Taehyung
left his seal on him. But now? Now, he can’t wait to be tomorrow, to look at all these hickeys in
the mirror, to trace them with the tip of his fingers, to be reminded of this moment they’re sharing.

“Tae, please…”

Taehyung lifts his head to look at Jungkook, eyes dark, hooded, hungry and the omega shivers.

“You don’t know how badly I want you,” Taehyung says, hand caressing Jungkook’s thigh, fingers
playing with the rips in the fabric of his jeans. “But not like this, pup. Not in the back of my car.”

Taehyung bends down to rub their noses against one another and speaks again.
“You deserve perfect.”

Taehyung repeats the words he already said once to Jungkook, and Jungkook? He believes him. So,
he smiles, stroking his mate’s nape softly, before kissing him.

“Let’s get home,” the alpha murmurs once they break apart.

The car ride back is silent, except for the soft jazz music playing in the background. Jungkook
looks out the window, watching as the landscape passes before his eyes. Everything is black
around him, the asphalt, the trees, the houses they pass. The only lights he can see are the ones of
lampposts, scattered here and there on both sides of the road. It’s eerie, but he’s not afraid. Not
when he is with Taehyung.

“Are you feeling better?” Taehyung asks, keeping his hand on Jungkook’s thigh.

“Yes, thank you,” Jungkook affirms softly.

And Jungkook does. In the middle of stargazing and kissing Taehyung, he forgot about his
nightmare, about his fear of losing the alpha.

“Good,'“ Taehyung says, caressing Jungkook in between the tears of his jeans.

The omega shivers at the light touch. He can’t help but wonder what it would be like to feel
Taehyung’s hands, Taehyung’s palms, Taehyung’s fingers on his body, traveling down the miles of
his skin.

Jungkook’s cheeks tint pink as the thought crosses his mind and he wanders to uncharted territory.
The more time he spends with Taehyung, the more he feels enchanted by him, attracted to him.
And he doesn’t know for how long he will be able to keep his hands to himself.

“I know you’re still scared about what might happen.”

Taehyung’s voice cuts through his thoughts like a blade and brings him back to reality.

“I am,” Jungkook admits in a little voice, “Minhyuk, he… He’s ruthless, Taehyung, he’s soulless.
He only cares about himself and is ready to do anything to destroy, to kill, just to have what he
wants.”

“And he wants you,” Taehyung says coldly.

“He doesn’t want me. He wants his revenge on me.”

And Jungkook knows that Minhyuk will not let it go until he has his hands on him, until he has the
omega at his mercy, begging and crying.

“I won’t let him touch a strand of your hair,” Taehyung promises.

“I know. I trust you,” Jungkook whispers as he squeezes the alpha’s hand.

“I want you to feel safe with me and—”

“I do,” Jungkook cuts him off, “I feel the safest when I’m with you.”

“Okay,” Taehyung breathes out, his fingers stroking Jungkook’s skin tenderly, “Okay.”

“I’ve never felt like this before,” Jungkook confesses.

“Like what?”

“Safe and protected.”

“You know that I’ll literally die for you, right?”

“If you die, I die with you.”

There’s no denying it. Even if Taehyung and him haven’t mated yet, even if they don’t share a
mark sealing their souls together, they’re bonded already. And if one of them dies, the other will
follow. It’s just how it is. And Jungkook is okay with that. He can’t picture a life without
Taehyung in it now that he tasted what it’s like to be with the alpha. He just can’t.

“We won’t die. I won’t let it happen,” Taehyung says, tone hard, not leaving any room for doubt.

Silence falls over them after that, and Jungkook gets lost in his thoughts once again. He tries not to
let them drift to the nightmare he had earlier, but Taehyung’s words reminded him of it, of the
excruciating pain he felt when he thought he lost the alpha. Everything, he will do everything to
not experience it in real life.

Slowly, Jungkook breathes in and out, conjuring images of the kiss they shared under the stars to
forget about his bad dream, about his fears. And it works. For a while, all he can feel is the imprint
of Taehyung’s lips on his, all he can think about is how soft, how plump they were against his. He
caresses his bottom lip with a finger, reminiscing the way Taehyung kissed him, tenderly, and then,
hungrily, reminiscing the way he kissed him back just the same, and how good it felt. Everything
vanishes around him, and all that remains is this memory that he will cherish forever, no matter
how short that forever might be.

When they reach Taehyung’s house— their house—the alpha parks his pick-up in front and they
both climb out of the vehicle. It doesn’t take long for them to peel off their clothes and shift. Once
they’re in their wolf forms, Taehyung comes near Jungkook and scents him thoroughly, trying to
wash away all the omega’s worries. Jungkook closes his eyes, basking in the familiar cherry
blossom scent, letting himself be comforted, reassured by his mate.

After a few minutes, they let go of each other and start their run into the woods. They chase each
other, playful, and Jungkook feels happy. It’s exactly what he needed tonight, to let his wolf take
over and forget about all these thoughts clogging up his mind. When Jungkook runs, he’s free,
there’s nothing holding him back, there’s no danger looming above his head. All he focuses on is
the way his paws fly above the ground, the way he can smell every little creature, every little
flower around him, the way the shadows of the trees fall over him. It’s easy, getting lost in the run.
Easier because he’s with Taehyung.

Taehyung leads him to a glade in the middle of high trees. The moon shines on the grass, on the red
flowers scattered here and there, and it’s beautiful. The alpha is the first to lie down, curling his
body just enough to make room for Jungkook, as if he wants him to come by his side. So, he trots
towards Taehyung and curls himself against the alpha, feeling his warmth seeping through his fur,
feeling his breath hitting his ear just before Taehyung turns his head and licks Jungkook’s throat,
above his scent glands. A tremor rocks through Jungkook’s body then, and he closes his eyes,
letting his head fall against Taehyung’s. They fit. They fit so perfectly together that it makes his
heart ache.

They stay there, snuggled against each other, for what feels like hours. Jungkook doesn’t want to
move, he wants to stay like this, with Taehyung, forever. But he knows that it’s impossible. He
knows that they still have things to talk about, problems to solve, that they have to turn back into
humans at one point. Still, he’s greedy to steal more time, just for them, before the storm inevitably
arrives. So, he moves a little, enough to be even closer to Taehyung, and he feels the alpha’s tail
fall on him, caging him against the other’s body. He falls asleep without even realizing it.

It’s Taehyung’s snout nudging his head softly that awakens him. Jungkok slowly opens his eyes
and lets out a little whine. The alpha is quick to lick his cheek, his way of saying that he knows
what Jungkook is feeling, that he, too, would have wanted for this moment to last longer. They look
into each other’s eyes, purple against gray, for a few seconds before lifting themselves from the
ground. Side by side, they start to walk back to their house, slow in their steps, reluctant to put an
end to their outing. Like always with Taehyung, it was magical, and Jungkook couldn’t get enough
of it. It’s like he’ll never be able to get enough of it, of the alpha, of those feelings that he awakes
in him. Never.
 Chapter 30

“Hey Jungkook—Wow! Taehyung is a beast,” is the first thing Hoseok says when Jungkook
climbs in his car that afternoon.

The omega blushes, but doesn’t do anything to hide the marks on both sides of his neck. He wears
them proudly. Just like Taehyung does with his.

“Shut up,” he whines.

Hoseok laughs, loud and free, as he starts the engine.

Another week has passed. Another week full of kisses, of steamy make-out sessions, of falling
asleep in each other’s arms every night, and Jungkook has lived for every second of it. It feels like
a dream. Being with Taehyung, getting to know him more, learning how it feels to be with
someone. It’s Jungkook’s first time, being this close to someone else, wanting to be even closer,
but it feels right, so right that he doesn’t mind his racing heartbeat when he’s with Taehyung
anymore, like when the alpha steals a kiss from him. It feels natural, meant to be. Just perfect. And
he deserves perfect.

“I’m happy for you!” Hoseok exclaims when they leave the woods and start to drive on the main
road leading to Tree Hill.

“Really?”

“Really! I want you to be happy, Jungkook. And it seems that Taehyung is doing a great job at
making you happy.”

“He does,” Jungkook sighs, “He makes me the happiest.”

“He better, or else I’ll have to beat him up to a pulp.”

This time, it’s Jungkook who laughs. He can’t imagine Hoseok fighting Taehyung because of him,
they’ve been friends for far too long for that. But he finds himself softened by Hoseok’s
protectiveness. It’s nice to have someone who cares by your side.

“You won’t have to do that, ever,” Jungkook declares.

And the omega knows it’s true. Taehyung would rather hurt himself than hurt him. He’s safe with
him, his heart is safe with him. As it lies in the alpha’s hands, he’s not afraid of seeing it crushed
or broken one day. Jungkook knows that Taehyung will cherish it for the rest of his life.

“I hope so,” Hoseok mumbles, “He’s stronger than me anyway.”

The beta snorts and it puts a smile on Jungkook’s face. He’s glad to have a friend like Hoseok in
his life.

“He is,” Jungkook says dreamily.

And he thinks about all the times this week that the alpha lifted him in his arms so easily, to put
him down on the kitchen island, before slithering in between his legs and kissing him passionately;
all the times this week that the alpha hugged him in between his strong arms at night, chasing the
nightmares away by his own presence; all the times this week that they ran together in the woods,
and Jungkook saw Taehyung’s naked body in front of him, taking in just how well-built the other
is, all those muscles… the abs, the v-line, it made the omega salivate more than once. Yes, the true
blood alpha is strong, but with Jungkook, he is so gentle that it makes the omega tremble.

“You’re so gone, oh my god. I shouldn’t have said anything,” Hoseok jokes as he takes in the look
in his friend’s eyes.

“I’m sorry.”

“Don’t be. I’m the same with Jimin,” Hoseok admits with a small smile.

After a few minutes, Hoseok parks his car in front of Blue Side and they climb out of the vehicle to
enter the diner. As soon as the door closes, Jungkook is engulfed in a bone-crushing hug.

“Oh, dear!” Eunha exclaims, “How are you?”

“I’m fine! Really,” he breathes out a chuckle.

“Are you sure?” she asks, backing away just a little to look into his eyes.

“Positive,” he answers with a smile, “But I’m sorry for letting you down when you needed me, I
—”

“Hoseok told me everything, dear,” Eunha cuts him off, “There’s nothing to be sorry about.”

“Still…”

“It’s okay,” she says as she lifts a hand and caresses Jungkook’s cheek, “As long as you’re okay,
everything is alright.”

The words bring tears to Jungkook’s eyes and he tries his hardest to swallow them before they can
fall on his cheeks.

“Thank you,” he chokes out.

Eunha hugs him again, tight, her sweet perfume invading Jungkook’s nostrils, before letting go of
him.

“Alright. Come take a seat you two.”

Hoseok and Jungkook follow her to the back of the diner and take place at a table, seated in front
of each other. They place their order without looking at the menus, and Eunha leaves them right
after that with a smile on her face.

“I love your mom,” Jungkook declares to Hoseok.

“She loves you too.”

“You know, when I first came here, I didn’t think that anyone could ever love me. My uncle
always told me that I was unlovable…”

“You’re not, Jungkook. We all love you. Mom, me, the guys, Taehyung.”

“It’s just… hard sometimes to think that it’s true.”

“But it is, trust me, it is,” Hoseok says, “Otherwise you wouldn’t have all those hickeys on your
neck, for one.”

Jungkook’s cheeks paint themselves in pink once again as he lifts a hand to his throat and caresses
it slowly.

“He likes to mark me,” the omega whispers.

“I can see that,” Hoseok snorts, “Possessive much.”

“Aren’t all alphas like that?” Jungkook wonders out loud.

“Oh, they are. Jimin is the same with me. But his thing is scenting. I can’t go anywhere without
having his scent on me.”

“I think that’s cute. And I'm sure you love it.”

Jungkook loves when Taehyung scents him, when he can borrow his clothes and put them on,
when he can feel that connection between the alpha and him. It makes him feel whole, wanted,
claimed . And the more time passes, the more he’s thinking about having a bite mark on his neck,
a seal for everyone to see that he is Taehyung’s and Taehyung’s only.

“I do,” Hoseok mutters.

“See?” Jungkook says, smug.

“Oh, alright, I love my boyfriend and his antics, I plead guilty!” Hoseok exclaims with a fond
smile curling his lips, no doubt thinking about Jimin right now.

“I think I love Taehyung.”

And it’s the first time Jungkook is saying it aloud, but it feels right to let those words out, to tell
what his heart already knows.

“Really?” Hoseok asks excitedly.

“Really. I know we’re not boyfriends or anything like that but—”

“But you’re mates,” Hoseok cuts him off.

“We are,” Jungkook whispers in a smile.

“Did you tell him?”

“No,” Jungkook sighs.

“Why?”

“I don’t know. I’m afraid, I guess. And I know it’s stupid, because he tod me he was falling for me
too, but… How can he? When he’s him and I’m just me ?”

“You don’t believe him?” Hoseok questions, a crease forming in between his eyebrows.

“I do! I really do. It’s just my insecurities talking, I guess,” Jungkook confesses, fiddling with his
fingers.

“You don’t have to be insecure with Taehyung. He’s sincere and you’d have to be blind to not see
the way he looks at you with so much love in his eyes, like you’re the only one for him,
Jungkook.”

“It seems surreal. I don’t think I deserve him.”

“I know it’s easier said than done, but don’t let your uncle’s words ruin what you have with
Taehyung. Please, don’t let them come between your alpha and you. Don’t let him win.”

It’s hard, when Jungkook’s been told all his life how worthless he is, how nobody will ever love
him, to even begin to think that someone out there is ready to give their heart to him. It’s hard
because he always felt unlovable, like a burden, a waste of space, not deserving of anything but the
hits, the insults that came with them, the words that cut deep into his soul. It’s hard.

“I won’t,” Jungkook murmurs, “I’m trying to fight, every day.”

“I know you are. I know.”

The conversation dies down when a waitress—Mina—comes back with their plates. She puts them
on the table and leaves without a word. The two friends look at each other before starting to eat
their hamburgers and fries. Silence falls over them for a while, and Hoseok is the first to cut it as
he speaks in between two bites of his cheeseburger.

“I can’t imagine what it must have been like, to go through what you’ve been through, but know
that, now, you’re not alone. We’ll always be here for you. Always.”

“Thank you.”

“Don’t thank me. That’s what a pack, a family does.”

A family. That’s what Jungkook always dreamed about, when he dared let himself dream. He
never thought that he’d find one here, in Tree Hill, but apparently, he has. With Taehyung, with
their friends, he has a family. And maybe, one day, he could start one of his own, having kids with
Taehyung and… stop. He can’t let his thoughts go there, not now, it will only hurt him more.

“I’m glad I found you all,” Jungkook says.

“And especially Taehyung, right?” Hoseok smiles, wiggling his eyebrows.

Jungkook can’t help but laugh softly at his friend’s antics.

“Yeah.”

“So tell me, how was your first kiss with him?”

Jungkook promptly chokes on his milkshake.

“W-what?”

“Tell me, I want to know everything. That’s what best friends are for!”

And Jungkook tells him everything . The blankets and pillows in the back of the pick-up. The stars
that shone above them. The kiss, the perfect kiss that left him breathless. Jungkook doesn’t have to
see himself in a mirror to know that his eyes are bright like the stars that night when he narrates his
story to Hoseok.

“So romantic,” the beta sighs.

“It was,” Jungkook agrees with a smile.

“It’s becoming serious between you two.”

“Yes. Maybe because we spend all of our time together.”

Jungkook thinks of the times where they’re supposed to be apart, mostly when Taehyung is
working in his home office. He thinks about how many times he found himself going there, to sit
on Taehyung’s lap, just to be with him because he can’t handle being far away from his alpha for
too long. He thinks about how, everytime, Taehyung welcomes him with a smile, a kiss, and arms
wrapped around his waist to hold him close against his chest. It makes warmth bloom in
Jungkook’s chest and a smile on his lips.

“Ah, the honeymoon phase,” Hoseok remarks.

“I don’t want it to be a phase, I don’t want it to end,” Jungkook confesses in a murmur.

“It didn’t end with Jimin and I in all the years we’ve been together, I doubt it will for Taehyung
and you. You two are too in love for that.”

“I am.”

“He is, too, trust me.”

In his heart, Jungkook knows that Hoseok is right. Taehyung wouldn’t be acting the way he is if he
didn’t feel the same. But the omega needs words, to be sure. Words that will definitely erase the
ones his uncle threw at him when he was young.

A beat of silence passes, before Hoseok speaks again.

“I wanted to thank you.”

“For what?”

“For bringing back the smile on Taehyung’s face.”

“I didn’t do anything…”

“Oh, you did. I feel like you brought back the Taehyung we were missing these past years. It feels
good to have my friend back. And it’s thanks to you. You’re good for him.”

I’m not good for him, I’m putting him in danger , Jungkook thinks, but doesn’t say it out loud. He
already knows what Hoseok will say if he hears those words. That it’s not his fault, that Taehyung
is willing to do anything for him, even sacrifice his own life if it has to come to that. Jungkook
doesn’t want to hear it.

“He’s the one who is good for me. He’s healing me, he’s gluing back together my broken pieces,
day after day.”

“I’m glad you two found each other,” Hoseok says as he bites into a french fry.

Taehyung found Jungkook when he needed him the most, when he had lost all hope. And now…
now everything has changed. Jungkook has a reason to live, to go on, to fight. Taehyung. He has
Taehyung. And the alpha is everything he ever needed, wanted, craved . Everything.
 Chapter 31

The night has fallen on the woods surrounding Taehyung’s house and Jungkook is nervous, more
than nervous. He doesn’t like knowing that his mate has to go patrolling around the borders in the
dark. Not when Minhyuk’s wolves could be lurking in the corners.

“I can feel your anxiousness from here,” Taehyung says from behind Jungkook who is looking
through the windows at the moon and the stars outside.

The alpha wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist, and Jungook falls back against his chest.

“Don’t be nervous,” Taehyung whispers in the omega’s ear.

“I can’t help it. You’re going out there, and they could be waiting for you, and—”

“Shh, everything is gonna be fine. It’s not my first patrol.”

“I know that. And I know you’re strong enough to take care of yourself, but I wish you didn’t have
to expose yourself like that.”

“It’s part of being a warrior from the pack, pup.”

“I know,” Jungkook sighs.

Taehyung makes the omega turn around in his hold and kisses his forehead.

“I’m going to come back to you, I promise. I’ll be away only for a few hours.”

That’s already too much , Jungkook wants to say, but he keeps quiet. He is so addicted to
Taehyung’s presence, to his touch, to his kisses. Being away from him is painful. He wants to be
with the alpha always, even if he knows that it’s not possible.

“I’ll miss you,” Taehyung whispers as he kisses Jungkook.

“I’ll miss you more,” the omega says, wrapping his arms tightly around his mate’s neck, “Please,
be careful.”

“I will.”

Taehyung leans down to fuse their lips together again. Jungkook inhales deeply, sliding his mouth
over Taehyung’s before parting his lips for the alpha. When their tongues meet, it sends electricity
down Jungkook’s spine, making him tremble in Taehyung’s arms. He’s still not used to the effect
his mate has on him, how he can make him moan uncontrollably with a twist of his tongue, with a
little bite on the lips.

“Tae…”

“I’m right here,” Taehyung murmurs against Jungkook’s spit-slicked lips.

Stay with me. Please, stay with me.

But the words are left unsaid, he keeps them inside, no matter how much he wants to beg
Taehyung to stay here, with him, where he’s safe.
When Taehyung breaks the kiss, he rubs their noses together gently before looking him in the eyes.
And the omega can see it in his irises, the love that Hoseok talked about, this love that he still feels
undeserving of.

“When I’m back, we can cuddle in bed and watch a movie, hm, sounds good?”

“Sounds good,” Jungkook replies.

Just as Taehyung is about to say something else, the doorbell rings.

“It must be Namjoon and Yoongi,” the alpha says as he detaches himself from Jungkook.

The omega stays put as his mate goes to open the door to their friends. He can’t explain this ugly
feeling that he has in the pit of his stomach, this presentiment, that Taehyung shouldn’t go out
tonight. But it’s there and it’s eating at him. He won’t be at peace until the alpha comes back to
him. He just won’t.

“Hey, how are you?” Jungkook hears behind him.

When the omega turns around, he is met with Yoongi’s soft smile and concerned eyes.

“I’m fine.”

“You don’t seem fine.”

“I’m just a little bit anxious for Taehyung, I don’t know why.”

“It’s okay to feel like that, he’s your mate and you don’t want anything to happen to him. But I’m
sure everything is going to be fine. Jimin will look after him.”

Jungkook nods as he wraps his arms around himself. Taehyung won’t be alone. Jimin will be with
him, and he knows that the other alpha is a ferocious one, he won’t let anyone hurt his best friend.
It should reassure Jungkook, but his heart doesn’t seem to want to slow down.

“Come on, Taehyung has to leave. Tell him goodbye and then, we’ll talk about anything you
want.”

Jungkook moves. He greets Namjoon, who is talking in hushed whispers with Taehyung, before
coming to stand beside his mate.

“I have to go meet Jimin,” the latter says as he takes Jungkook’s hand in his and caresses it softly
with his thumb.

Namjoon goes to Yoongi’s side, giving some space to Taehyung and Jungkook, who take
advantage of it to kiss once more. And as their tongues tangle, as their breaths mingle, the words
are there, like neons shining behind his closed eyelids: I love you . But Jungkook doesn’t say
anything, he just keeps on kissing Taehyung, on tasting him, on getting lost in the way their mouths
move together seamlessly. He can almost forget about his worries—almost.

“I’ll be back before you know it,” Taehyung whispers against Jungkook’s swollen lips before
letting go of him.

With a wave of his hand, the alpha leaves the house and Jungkook can feel his heart thunder in his
chest like never before.

“Come here, Jungkook,” Namjoon calls and the omega joins Yoongi and him in the living room.
They take place on the couches, Namjoon and Yoongi sitting together in front of Jungkook, who
puts his legs against his chest, wrapping his arms around them.

“The kid is worried about Taehyung,” Yoongi says to his mate.

“Why?” Namjoon asks Jungkook.

“I don’t know, it’s just a feeling,” the omega explains as he places his head on his knees.

Namjoon furrows his eyebrows, like he’s thinking hard about something, before he speaks again,
his voice calm and steady.

“I don’t think you have anything to worry about. We didn’t have any reports about foreign wolves
lurking around our borders the past few days.”

Jungkook hears Namjoon, but he can’t really focus on what he says. His mind is elsewhere. With
Taehyung, into the woods. So he lets his eyes drift to the floor to ceiling windows, to the tall trees
outside, and he tries to convince himself that everything is going to be fine.

“Taehyung is the strongest wolf we know,” Yoongi remarks, “He was already the strongest of the
pack when he was a kid.”

“See that scar?” Namjoon inquires as he shows Jungkook a little scar on his temple.

Jungkook only nods, any words he could say clogging up in his throat.

“We were playing, fighting, when we were like six or seven, and Taehyung hit me too deep with
his claws.”

“He was a crying mess for the next few hours and wouldn’t dare talk to Namjoon for days after
that.”

“He was feeling guilty and ashamed. He shouldn’t have because it really was okay.”

“Taehyung doesn’t like to fight, but when he has to, he can protect himself just fine.”

All those words should reassure Jungkook, but they don’t. He can’t shake off the feeling that
something is going to go wrong. He can feel tears prickling at his eyes, the world blurring around
him. His heart squeezes in his chest, the pain unbearable, and he can feel himself starting to have
trouble breathing, his lungs constricting in the swell of his ribcage. It’s not until he feels strong
arms wrap around himself that he realizes that he’s having a panic attack.

“Breathe, kid. In and out. In and out.”

Yoongi’s voice reaches him, but it’s like he hears it from underwater. He can’t follow the soft
order. He just can’t.

A hand starts to caress his back up and down, slowly, as someone else wipes his tears away. But
they can’t stop slipping from his eyes, and streaking down his cheeks.

“Jungkook, stay with us,” Namjoon whispers, or shouts, Jungkook isn’t sure.

The omega tries to, he tries to get out of the water that is flooding him, he tries to reach the surface,
but it’s so hard. He feels like he is suffocating, his limbs are too heavy, useless. Just like him.

“Jungkook, you’re okay, everything is okay.”

This time, it’s Yoongi who speaks. His voice rings in Jungkook’s ears and the omega sucks in a
frail breath.

Jungkook doesn’t know how long he stays like that, with the two alphas hugging him, whispering
to him.

“I’m sorry,” he breathes out.

“Don’t be, kid. It’s alright. You have the right to break down too.”

“Yoongi is right, don’t apologize for something that you can’t control.”

“I shouldn’t be weak,” Jungkook says, disgusted with himself.

“You’re not weak. You’re a strong omega. You’re a survivor,” Yoongi declares in a voice that
leaves no room for discrepancy.

Jungkook curls himself against Yoongi’s body, searching for warmth, for something steady to hold
onto, and the alpha lets him do it, weaving his fingers through the omega’s hair.

“We’re here. You’re not alone. You’ll never be alone,” Yoongi whispers.

Jungkook lets himself be comforted by the two alphas for a little while, for as long as his tears need
to dry on his cheeks. He runs his sweater paws on his face, before speaking again.

“I don’t know why I broke down like that, I’m just worried and—”

Jungkook can’t finish his sentence because, suddenly, there’s an excruciating pain running through
his body and he gasps for air, clutching at his hoodie, right above his heart.

“Something is not right,” he breathes out with difficulty.

“What? What is not right?” Yoongi asks, worry laced in his tone.

“I don’t know. I don’t know,” Jungkook chants, rocking back and forth on the couch, “It just hurts,
here,” he says as he points to his heart.

“Is it the bond?” Namjoon inquires.

Jungkook doesn’t answer, but realization dawns on him. It’s Taehyung. Something is not right with
Taehyung.

“Taehyung—”

And then, they hear a broken howl.

 Chapter 32

Namjoon is out of the door in seconds, shifting mid-run, not caring that his clothes are reduced to
shreds in the process. Jungkook wants to follow him, desperately, he wants to go to Taehyung, but
Yonngi’s hold on him prevents it.

“You can’t go there,” Yoongi says to him, “You need to stay where you are safe.”

“I’m the safest when I’m with Taehyung!”

“Not right now.”

Yoongi’s words cut deep. Right now, Taehyung is in danger, maybe hurt. Right now, he’s
suffering, Jungkook can feel it through the bond and it drives him mad.

“He will be okay,” Yoongi tries to reassure him, but Jungkook can hear the tremble in his voice,
can feel the slight shake in his arms.

“I knew something was wrong from the beginning, I shouldn’t have let him go there.”

“It’s not your fault, kid. None of this is your fault.”

“Of course it is! If I decided to leave instead of staying in Tree Hill, he wouldn’t have met me and
he would have had a chance.”

“He has a chance, a chance to be happy with you.”

“I don’t know, Yoongi, I really don’t know.”

“Now is not the time to doubt what you two have together, what binds you to each other. Taehyung
needs you to be strong for him.”

“I don’t know if I can do that,” his voice breaks.

“You can and you will.”

Jungkook feels weak, so weak, his heart breaking in his chest as he feels his mate’s pain. It’s too
much. More than he can take.

“He’s in so much pain,” the omega breathes out.

Yoongi remains quiet, but his arms tighten their hold around Jungkook, as if to stop him from
falling apart.

Jungkook doesn’t know how long they stay like this, bathed in silence, just waiting for something,
anything, a sign . But when the door opens and Namjoon comes in, holding an injured Taehyung in
his arms, Jungkook is on his feet in an instant. He needs to be by his alpha’s side, to hold his hand
as tears fall down his cheeks uncontrollably.

“Tae…”

His mate doesn’t answer, he doesn’t say a word. The omega turns his big eyes on the others,
pleading for an answer.
“He can’t… He can’t be…”

Jungkook feels like he is going to faint, right then and there. He looks at Taehyung’s face, before
letting his eyes trail down his naked body. And he sees blood, blood everywhere. He sees wounds
and cuts, ugly cuts that mar his golden skin. Jungkook wants to scream, but he can’t, he doesn’t
have any strength left in him.

“There were six wolves when we reached the north-east border,” Jimin speaks in a little voice,
almost ashamed, “He took four of them and I…”

Jimin’s voice breaks down on the last words and Jungkook looks at him. He’s injured too, but
significantly less than Taehyung. A vicious part of the omega wants to be mad at Jimin, wants to
hate him for letting these wolves hurt Taehyung, but he knows he can’t.

“We need to clean him and treat his wounds,” Seokjin declares, standing just behind Jimin,
“Hoseok, you take care of Jimin.”

It’s only now that Jungkook realizes that they’re all there, all of their friends, surrounding them.

Namjoon moves to go to the bathroom, but Jungkook doesn’t want to let go of Taehyung’s hand.
He growls when Seokjin tries to separate them.

“Jungkook, he’s not in danger here. We just want to help make him feel better. You have to trust us
with him.”

Jungkook knows his reaction is irrational, that it’s his instincts talking, his wolf crying inside of
him, howling in pain. He knows. But his human side is affected too. It wants to stay close to
Taehyung, just like he couldn’t before, just like he should have.

“Jungkook…”

At Namjoon’s plea, Jungkook lets go of Taehyung’s hand and lets them take care of his mate. He
watches with hawk eyes as they clean his body, as they treat his wounds one by one, as they
bandage him on several areas of his body, as they put a hoodie and sweatpants on him before
taking him to his bed.

Once Taehyung is lying down, Jungkook crawls into bed with him and curls into his side. He
places a hand on the alpha’s chest, right above his heart, just to feel his heart beat under his palm,
just to make sure that Taehyung is still there, with him. Still alive, his mind whispers.

“He should wake up soon,” Seokjin says to no one in particular, maybe even to himself.

“We’ll take turns to stay with the both of you,” Yoongi speaks, voice low.

“Jimin?” Jungkook asks.

“He’s alright, don’t worry. His injuries were less severe than Taehyung’s. Plus, he’s a tough one.
Some little cuts won’t tear him down,” Seokjin informs him.

Jungkook only nods and silence falls over them, until Jimin and Hoseok enter the bedroom side by
side, holding hands.

“I’m glad you’re okay,” Jungkook says to the alpha.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t protect him,” he apologizes, tears in his eyes.

Jungkook sees Hoseok wrapping an arm around Jimin’s waist, and Jimin putting his head on the
beta’s shoulder.

“He will be okay,” Jungkook declares, more for Jimin than himself.

All of their friends take their places around Jungkook and Taehyung, some on the chairs scattered
in the room, some on the floor. Jungkook closes his eyes to not look at them, to not see the hint of
fear in their eyes. He has to believe Seokjin’s words, has to believe that Taehyung will wake up
soon and that everything will be alright.

Guilt eats him alive, because he knows where these wolves were coming from. They’re Minhyuk’s
warriors, they’re here for him, to make him pay. It’s not fair that they attacked Taehyung when he
is their target. It’s not fair that his mate has to suffer because of him. He shouldn’t have to go
through all this pain. He shouldn’t.
 Chapter 33

Jungkook must have fallen asleep, because the next time he opens his eyes, there’s only Seokjin
left, sitting on the floor, back against the wall facing Jungkook.

“How are you?” the older omega asks in a hushed whisper.

“I don’t know,” Jungkook replies honestly.

Seokjin nods, before yawning and stretching his arms above his head.

“I know that what you saw when Taehyung got here must have freaked you out, all the blood and
the cuts, but… he’s a strong one, he’s seen worse, and I just know that he will soon be awake and
annoying us again.”

“He doesn’t annoy me,” Jungkook murmurs.

“Of course, he doesn’t,” Seokjin says, rolling his eyes.

And the young omega smiles. Despite the ache in his heart, he smiles.

“I already miss him,” Jungkook admits.

“I know. But he’s there, okay?”

“I think… I think I’m just scared because he isn’t waking up.”

“His body needs time to recharge its batteries, that’s just it. There’s nothing to worry about.”

Seokjin’s voice is assured, not an ounce of doubt when he speaks, but Jungkook has a hard time
believing him when he looks at Taehyung’s sleeping face. He’s so pale, and there’s a thin layer of
sweat on his face.

“I think he has a fever,” Jungkook whispers, voice shaking.

“Shit!” Seokjin exclaims before getting up.

The omega comes to stand beside Taehyung and puts a hand on his forehead. His eyebrows furrow
as soon as he touches the alpha’s skin.

“Okay, I’ll get a cold towel to put on his forehead. Stay here,” Seokjin orders as he leaves the
bedroom.

Jungkook didn’t plan on moving either way. His place is beside Taehyung, nowhere else. He won’t
leave his side until the alpha opens his eyes again.

Gently, Jungkook moves away the strands of hair that had fallen on Taehyung’s forehead and stuck
to his damped skin. He watches as the alpha’s chest rises and falls with each breath he takes. He
watches as his eyes move under his closed eyelids, like he’s dreaming of something, or maybe
having a nightmare. Jungkook can’t bear the thought of Taehyung having bad dreams. He closes
the distance between them and drops a kiss on the alpha’s cheek.

“I’m here. I’m with you. I’ll wait for you to come back to me, like you promised.”
Seokjin comes back to the bedroom with a bowl full of cold water that he places on the bedside
table. He then soaks a towel in it before wringing it and putting it on Taehyung’s forehead.

“This should decrease his temperature,” Seokjin declares, a frown etched on his face.

Jungkook lifts a hand and, with a fingertip, traces the slope of his nose, the curves of his lips, his
jaw.

“You really like him, don’t you?” Seokjin asks.

“Yeah.”

“That’s good. He needed to have someone in his life. He’s been alone for far too long.”

Me too , Jungkook thinks. He’s been alone all his life and then, out of nowhere, he crossed paths
with Taehyung, and everything changed.

“I need him so bad,” Jungkook confesses, a single tear falling from his left eye, “Before him, I
thought that I didn’t need anyone, but…”

“We all need someone, Jungkook. It’s human nature to search for our other halves.”

“I didn’t have the time to tell him that I… that I…” Jungkook chokes on the words, a wrenching
sob slipping past his lips.

Seokjin is there in seconds, climbing in bed behind him, wrapping his arms around the young
omega’s waist, bringing him to his chest.

“Shh. You’ll have all the time in the world to tell Taehyung what you want to say to him. All the
time.”

Seokjin kisses the back of Jungkook’s head and tightens his hold around him, hugging him tight.
And the young omega lets himself be hugged, be comforted by Seokjin’s presence, by his scent.
It’s not the same as Taehyung, it won’t ever be the same, but for now, it’s enough to make him
stop crying.

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?” Seokjin inquires.

Jungkook doesn’t know anymore. Everything? For barging into their lives and making them a
mess. For allowing Taehyung to get injured like that. For not being a good mate for him.

“You have nothing to be sorry for, Jungkook.”

Jungkook wants to believe Seokjin, he really does, but he feels like he messes up everything,
everywhere he goes. Maybe, he should have stayed in the Moonblood pack and faced his fate.
Maybe, that way, Taehyung would have been safe.

“No matter what happened tonight, we’re happy that you’re here, that you’re a part of our family,
never doubt that,” Seokjin whispers.

Jungkook closes his eyes, letting the words ring in his ears and make their way to his heart.

“I never had a family before,” he murmurs.

“I know. But we’re here now. We can be your big brothers, if you let us.”

“I’d like that,” Jungkook admits.

They talk a little bit more, about everything and anything, just to keep Jungkook’s mind away from
Taehyung’s state, from his fears of him not waking up. And, slowly, Jungkook falls asleep yet
again…
 Chapter 34

When Jungkook wakes up the next day, the sun is pouring through the windows, illuminating the
room with its glow. The omega blinks his eyes open slowly, taking in the bedroom, its gray walls,
its white furniture, the paintings hanging on the walls, the bookshelf in the corner filled to the brim
with books of all sizes and colors. And then, there’s Taehyung, lying next to him. Taehyung and
his pale lips, almost blueish, and the sweat glowing on his skin, and the slight shake of his body,
like he’s freezing. He looks so sick that it makes Jungkook’s heart churn.

“You need to wake up,” the omega whispers, “I can’t make it without you.”

Just as the words leave his mouth, the door opens and Jimin comes in, a tray full of food, coffee
and orange juice, in his hands.

“Oh, hi!” he says when his eyes land on Jungkook, like he didn’t expect him to be awake. “You
need to eat,” he adds as he rounds the bed to go beside the omega.

“I’m not hungry.”

“Doesn’t matter. You need to eat. Seokjin’s orders.”

Jungkook sighs as Jimin puts the tray on the blanket beside him. He really doesn’t want to eat, his
stomach is in knots. But, as Jimin eyes him knowingly, he takes a croissant in his hand and starts to
munch on it, gaining a small smile from the alpha.

Jungkook notices how Jimin avoids looking at Taehyung, keeping his eyes trained on the omega.

“I…” the alpha starts, before quieting down.

Jungkook says softly, “I know we’re not that close, but you can talk to me, you know?”

“I’m sorry.”

“For what?”

“For not looking after Taehyung like I should have. For not protecting him like I should have.”

“Jimin…”

“No,” Jimin croaks out, “It’s all my fault, that he’s in this bed, that he isn’t waking up.”

“It’s not your fault,” Jungkook says. “If anything, it’s mine.”

“It’s not—”

“Of course, it’s my fault. I’m the one who brought danger upon you, I’m the one these wolves
were chasing, I—”

“I can’t let you say that. Taehyung wouldn’t like hearing you say that.”

“But he can’t hear me right now, right?”

“That’s not—”
“He can’t, because of me,” Jungkook cuts Jimin off.

The alpha is quick to get in bed next to Jungkook and take him in between his arms.

“You did nothing wrong,” he whispers in his ear, “You hear me?”

“I did. I came here. I turned his life upside down. And now, he’s—”

Jungkook can’t even let the words out. If he speaks, tears are going to fall from his eyes.

“He’s the happiest I’ve ever seen him since you came around,” Jimin cuts him off, “He wouldn’t
trade what he has right now for anything in the world.”

“But he got hurt, because of me.”

“He got hurt because of these bastards who attacked us, not because of you. And if I find them, I’m
going to kill them, one by one,” Jimin seethes, his fiery eyes flashing green.

And Jungkook knows that the alpha is saying the truth, that he won’t let these wolves have a
second chance at hurting them. But it doesn’t comfort him, not really. Because it’s too late.

“I just want him to wake up and tell me that everything is going to be okay.”

“He will wake up soon, promise.”

“You can’t promise me that.”

“I can. Because I know him. And I know that he’s fighting to come back to you as we speak.”

Jungkook looks at Taehyung, at the way he seems almost lifeless, lying here under the blanket.
He’s afraid that he’s going to lose his mateso soon after he found him if his body doesn’t recover
the way it is supposed to. He knows that all werewolves heal faster than humans—in most cases—
it’s a matter of hours, but it’s already been longer than that for Taehyung. And what if he doesn’t
wake up like Jimin promised? What if— No, he can’t think like that. He has to stay positive, he
has to.

“Now, eat,” Jimin urges him.

Reluctantly, Jungkook eats and drinks what’s on the tray, leaving only crumbs behind him. He
doesn’t feel better, he’s still worried sick, still feeling guilty, but at least he knows that the others
won’t bug him about having a breakfast when all he wants is to do is curl beside Taehyung and
hug him tight, letting him know that he’s there with thim, that he won’t leave him, ever.

“Good,” Jimin says once Jungkook is done, “I’m going to take that back to the kitchen, meanwhile,
you go and take a shower.”

“I don’t want to—”

“I know,” Jimin cuts him off, “I know you want to stay with him. But it will only take a few
minutes. Seokjin and I will stay with him to change his bandages while you’re gone.”

Jungkook’s wolf is restless inside of him, growling at the mere idea of being kept away from its
mate. It doesn’t want to let go of Taehyung either, wants to stay with him, protect him.

Jimin gets up from the bed, takes the tray and goes to the door.
“Come on, Jungkook. You need to take care of yourself too.”

Jungkook knows that JImin is right, that he should take care of himself too, but when his mate is in
such a bad condition, it seems selfish to do anything for himself. Even if it’s just taking a fucking
shower.

“Jungkook,” Jimin repeats, voice low and authoritative.

Jungkook almost growls at him, he doesn’t like having that voice being used on him. He gives
Jimin a dark, cold look, but pushes the blanket aside and gets out of bed. Jimin smiles at him,
unbothered.

Jungkook casts one last look at Taehyung before following Jimin out of the bedroom, feeling his
heart squeeze painfully in his chest as he leaves his mate behind. He goes into the bathroom
without even sparing Jimin a glance, and is quick to peel off his clothes and go in the shower.
Under the running water, he lets his thoughts wander but they don’t stray far away from Taehyung,
Taehyung, Taehyung . The alpha is all Jungkook can think about, wants to think about. Worry,
guilt, hope, everything mixes up within him until he feels like he can’t breathe anymore.

Jungkook closes his eyes and lets his mind focus on the bond. He feels it, pulsing lowly, linking
him to Taehyung. And as long as he feels it, he knows that his mate is here, somewhere, that he’s
not really alone in this big, big world. He hangs onto that thought, onto that feeling, like his life
depends on it, and maybe it does, maybe it really does. Because he feels like it’s his whole life
who’s lying in the bed just a few meters away, fighting for another breath of air, fighting to make
his heart beat once more. In such a short amount of time, Taehyung has become his whole life, his
universe. And Jungkook can’t live in a world where the alpha isn’t there.

When Jungkook gets out of the shower, he’s quick to dry himself with a towel that he discards in
the laundry basket once he’s done. He puts on some fresh clothes before going back to the
bedroom. What he sees when he opens the door makes him want to throw up. Taehyung doesn’t
have his hoodie on, nor the bandages that were all around his torso just a few minutes ago. He’s
bare. And Jungkook can see. He can see all the cuts, the wounds, the shredded skin.

“Jungkook…”

It’s Seokjin who speaks to him, but Jungkook barely hears him.

“Jungkook, it looks worse than it is,” Jimin says.

“But, he’s—”

“He’s healing,” Seokjin cuts him off.

It doesn’t seem like it , Jungkook wants to say, but he bites on his tongue and remains quiet. He
trusts Seokjin—the pack’s nurse— he has to, otherwise he’d go crazy with conjectures. And he
can’t afford to do that, not right now.

Jungkook waits at the door until Jimin and Seokjin are done tending to Taehyung. Only then, does
he come inside the bedroom, but the vision he saw of Taehyung’s body doesn’t leave his mind. It
makes his wolf howl in pain inside of him, it makes him want to do something, anything to appease
itself. It needs it.

Jungkook doesn’t care about Jimin and Seokjin, or what they will think about him, when he starts
to take blankets, pillows, Taehyung’s clothes out of the wardrobe, when he puts everything on the
bed, and builds a nest around his mate. It’s the only way to calm him down. A nest. Just for them.
A place where they’ll be safe.

Jungkook takes his time to build the perfect nest for Taehyung and him, putting everything in the
right place, surrounding the alpha with his scent—with their scent—creating a bubble around him.
Once he’s done, once the nest is just right, he climbs into bed and curls himself beside Taehyung,
placing a hand on the alpha’s chest, relieved to feel his heart beat under his palm.

Jungkook catches the eyes of his friends, and a blush creeps up on his cheeks, but all Jimin and
Seokjin do is smile at him.

“It’s a beautiful nest,” Seokjin remarks softly.

Jungkook’s lips curl up into a small smile. He feels proud of his nest, his wolf too. He feels like it
will make a difference, for him, for Taehyung. At least, he hopes so.

“Jimin will stay with you while I go grocery shopping,” Seokjin informs.

Jungkook nods, not wanting to speak right now.

“Call me if anything changes,” Seokjin says before leaving the bedroom.

Jungkook watches as Jimin takes place in the rocking chair placed next to the window, throwing a
blanket across his legs, nestling himself in the cushions.

“You know, he always talks about you.”

“He does?” Jungkook inquires.

“Yeah. You’re all he can talk about when we see him. You’re on his mind all the time.”

“He’s on mine too.”

“I know. And I think that’s beautiful.”

“Is it like that with Hoseok too?”

“It is. I can’t spend a minute without thinking about him. He’s my light.”

“I’m happy he’s got you.”

“I’m happy Taehyung’s got you, too.”

“Even after all that happened?”

“Even after that. You’re here for him, you didn’t leave when you had a chance to, you’re fighting
for him, I respect that.”

“I didn’t think, when I first arrived here in Tree Hill, that love would become war.”

“Love?”

“Yeah, I—I love him.”

“Does he know?” Jimin asks.

“No. I… I didn’t have the time to tell him before…”

“Do you plan on telling him?”

“I will,” Jungkook answers honestly, “As soon as he wakes up. I just… I want him to know how I
feel, how he makes me feel.”

The omega looks at Taehyung and there’s no doubt in his heart. He loves him, with all he has, with
all he is.

“He will be so happy,” Jimin whispers, finally casting a glance at Taehyung.

And Jungkook can see all the sorrow, the pain in that look, can see that the alpha still feels guilty
for what happened, even if it’s not his fault.

“I hope he forgives me,” Jimin breathes out.

“There’s nothing to forgive, because you did nothing wrong.”

Jimin shrugs.

“I let him down.”

“You were fighting two wolves on your own, Jimin.”

“But if I called for help earlier, if I managed to kill these two bastards—”

“Don’t think like that. You did all you could. You don’t have to feel guilty of anything.”

“But I still do.”

“I know,” Jungkook sighs, no blame in his voice.

The omega doesn’t have the words to comfort Jimin, not when he, himself, feels guilty. He knows
it’s something Jimin and he will have to live with, something that they won’t be able to forget. It
will scar them, forever. And they’ll have to find their own ways to deal with it.
 Chapter 35

Two more days pass by and Taehyung still doesn’t wake up. His wounds are healed, his fever has
gone down. He stopped shaking, so now he almost looks just like a Sleeping Beauty, not someone
who was attacked by four wolves. Jungkook waits, he waits for his mate to open his eyes and look
at him like he always does, with that hint of fondness and adoration in his irises.

“What are you doing here?” Namjoon asks as he sits down next to him on the porch’s stairs, a mug
of coffee in his hands.

“I needed to take a breath of fresh air.”

“Understandable, after staying three days copped up in the bedroom.”

“Hm. I just… I, my wolf, we didn’t want to leave him.”

“I can understand why. He’s your mate and you want to protect him, always.”

“I do.”

“I feel the same with Yoongi, which bothers him sometimes because he’s an alpha too, and he
knows he can take care of himself, and I know he can take care of himself. But I can’t help but
want to keep him in my pocket, away from any harm, you know?”

“Yes. He’s tiny, maybe that’s why.”

“Don’t let him hear you say that,” Namjoon laughs before taking a sip of his coffee.

Jungkook smiles. Speaking with the alpha is easy. In fact, speaking with all of Taehyung’s friends
has become easier these past few days. They’ve spent so much time together that they inevitably
grew closer to each other. Jungkook likes that, likes feeling like he’s part of a family, his family.
It’s what helps him hang on when his world is crumbling down.

“How are you holding up?” Namjoon asks.

Jungkook just shrugs. Honestly, he’s not holding up, it still hurts, every minute of every day. But
he tries not to let it show too much, tries to not appear weak in front of the others. He’s done
enough of that.

“I know it’s hard for you, and us being here can only help so much.”

“I’m glad I’m not alone,” Jungkook whispers.

“You know that we’ll never leave you alone, right? You’re part of the pack now.”

“I know. It’s just… I’ve been alone for so long.”

“For too long,” Namjoon points out.

“Yeah…”

“I’m sorry you had to go through everything that you went through.”

“Don’t be. It’s in the past now.”

“I heard you scream the other night, whilst I was sleeping on the couch,” Namjoon admits.

Jungkook gulps. He doesn’t want to talk about his nightmares, but it’s too late now, isn’t it? And
Namjoon deserves to know.

“I had a nightmare. I saw Tae being attacked by these wolves, and Jimin, and I was there but
couldn’t get to them, couldn’t help, and—”

Jungkook shakes his head, not finding the right words to end his sentence. But he knows he doesn’t
have to, knows that Namjoon will understand.

“And it shook you.”

“It felt too real.”

“Are you afraid?”

“Of losing him?”

Namjoon nods.

“Terrified,” Jungkook whispers.

“When you have a mate, you always have this fear of losing him, always . But you have to remind
yourself that you’re mated to a strong alpha, the strongest I know. He won’t give up. Not when he
has you to come back to.”

“That’s what everyone says to me.”

“Because it’s true.”

Jungkook wants to believe Namjoon, he really does, but Taehyung not waking up after so long is
worrying him more than words can say.

“He’s not waking up.”

“I know,” Namjoon sighs.

“I want him to wake up. I miss him.”

“He’s going to wake up soon, Jungkook.”

Jungkook doesn’t say anything else. He’s heard that already a million times over the past few days
and still, Taehyung is in this kind of coma that scares him to death. He’s close, but so far away at
the same time. He’s here, but he’s not, and it drives Jungkook insane. He can’t take this anymore.
He needs Taehyung, needs him so badly…

“And what if he doesn’t?” Jungkook whispers, voicing out loud his biggest fear.

“He will, Jungkook. He will.”

Namjoon’s voice leaves no room for doubt, it’s firm, strong, and Jungkook knows the alpha
believes every word he says. But the omega can’t help but wonder why Taehyung didn’t wake up
yet. When they changed his bandages this morning, there were no traces left of his wounds, just
scars. He should have woken up then. But he didn’t. He didn’t and it scares Jungkook.
 Chapter 36

Jungkook is awakened from the midst of his sleep when he feels a hand on his cheek, a thumb
caressing his skin slowly, delicately. He’s so used to the gesture that he feels like he is dreaming
because Taehyung always wakes him up like that.

“Tae?” he whispers.

Eyes closed, Jungkook can almost hear Taehyung’s gravelly voice whispering back.

“Pup.”

“I miss you so much.”

“I’m right here.”

A kiss on his forehead is what makes Jungkook’s eyes fly open. He’s met with Taehyung’s soft
smile. Alive . The omega’s heart rate skyrockets in his chest when he realizes that this is not a
dream, that his mate is finally— finally —awake.

“Tae,” he croaks out, tears gathering in his eyes as he lifts a hand to ghost over Taehyung’s fingers.

“Don’t cry, baby.”

“I thought I lost you,” Jungkook confesses.

He needs to find an anchor, something to hold onto as he feels himself free falling. Taehyung is
awake! He can’t believe it, can’t believe that this nightmare of waiting for him to wake up is over.

“I already told you that you won’t lose me. Not now. Not ever.”

“You were hurt so bad and then, you didn’t wake up for days…”

“I’m sorry. I wish I could have come back to you sooner,” Taehyung says as he caresses
Jungkook’s cheekbone tenderly.

“You should have,” Jungkook pouts, but his heart feels so full.

Taehyung chuckles lowly and it makes the omega smile.

“You’re so beautiful when you smile,” the alpha murmurs before kissing the tip of Jungkook’s
nose.

Jungkook relishes in the contact, in the feel of Taehyung after so long being deprived of him. It’s
all he needs to feel whole again.

“Don’t ever leave me alone again,” Jungkook threatens.

“I won’t,” Taehyung promises as he lets their foreheads softly collide.

Jungkook closes his eyes and lets silent tears fall from them. His alpha is quick to wipe them with
his thumb.

“Pup…”
“I’m okay. I’m just… relieved and… and happy,” Jungkook stutters in between muted sobs.

Taehyung wraps his arms around the omega and brings him to his chest. Jungkook nestles against
him, head tucked in the crook of the alpha’s neck. He scents him slowly, rubbing the tip of his nose
against Taehyung’s sensitive skin. He can feel the elder’s goosebumps, his mate’s sharp intake of
air, the way his heart beats a little bit faster. And, suddenly, all the walls that were surrounding his
own heart crumble down.

“I love you,” the omega whispers, lips brushing his mate’s skin at every syllable, “I love you so
much.”

Jungkook feels Taehyung freeze for a fraction of a second before he moves so they’re face to face
again. When the omega sees his mate’s eyes, deciphers the emotions swirling in them, he’s left
breathless.

“I love you too, Jungkook.”

Soon after the words leave his mouth, Taehyung’s lips are on Jungkook’s, soft, but demanding.
The omega parts them and allows his mate to slither his tongue inside his mouth, to let it tangle
with his. They kiss like they’re drowning. It’s intense, mind-blowing, absolutely perfect for
Jungkook who loses himself in the way their mouths move against one another. It feels good, so
good that he doesn’t want to be found.

But Taehyung parts from him after a while, and starts peppering his face with little kisses.

“I love you,” he murmurs in between each kiss, making Jungkook’s heart flutter in the swell of his
ribcage.

I love you . It feels surreal to hear those words, to say them out loud. Never in his life Jungkook
would have thought that this would happen to him. But here he is, with Taehyung, with the love of
his life, his mate, his everything, saying I love you and having said it back to him. Unbelievable.
Unexpected. Unforgettable.

“And I love you,” Jungkook says again, loving the way the words feel on the tip of his tongue,
loving the smile that welcomes them on Taehyung’s face.

“You make me the happiest,” Taehyung declares as he looks deep into Jungkook’s gray eyes, his
own irises flashing purple in return.

Jungkook’s wolf is howling inside of him, so happy to be finally accepted by someone, by his
mate.

“I can’t believe you love me back,” Jungkook whispers.

The omega doesn’t understand how someone like Taehyung can love someone like him. He
doesn’t understand how someone like Taehyung can offer his heart to him, can trust him with it. It
doesn’t feel real and he has to pinch himself to remind himself that he’s not dreaming.

“Why wouldn’t I? I love everything about you.”

“Everything?”

“Everything.”

To prove his point, Taehyung kisses him again, this time more firmly, and Jungkook willingly lets
himself be consumed by his mate. He can’t get enough of Taehyung’s kisses, of feeling him like
this . He won’t ever get enough.

Jungkook whines when Taehyung bites his bottom lip before making his way into the omega’s
mouth again. He whines, high and pretty, because he wants more, so much more. And it’s like his
mate reads his mind because he deepens the kiss and steals Jungkook’s breath away.

When they part for air, Jungkook’s head is spinning and his heart is on the verge of imploding
inside his chest.

“I love kissing you,” he confesses.

Taehyung only smiles before pecking Jungkook’s swollen lips.

“I just love you,” the alpha says.

“Cheesy,” Jungkook retorts, scrunching his nose.

“You love cheesy,” Taehyung says as he starts tickling the omega.

Jungkook squirms in his arms, and he laughs, and he feels utterly happy, here with his mate. He
wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

Taehyung ends up on top of Jungkook and cages the omega’s arms above his head with one hand,
letting his free one come to cup his mate’s cheek.

“How do you feel?” the alpha inquires softly.

“I’m the one who should be asking you that.”

“I’m good, really good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah,” Taehyung replies with a smile, letting his gaze roam over him.

“So show me,” Jungkook defies as he rolls his hips against his mate’s.

“I’ll show you,” Taehyung promises as he bends down to capture the omega’s lips with his.

It’s hot, and wet, and fiery. It’s everything Jungkook missed these past few days, his whole life. It’s
just them. And it’s not perfect, no, it’s so much more than that to Jungkook.

When Taehyung starts to grind down, the omega moans. The wanton sound is swallowed by the
alpha, who just tilts his head and deepens the kiss as he moves languidly on top of him. Jungkook
feels himself hardening in his boxers. He feels himself start to leak as Taehyung’s cock rubs
against his through their clothes, as he keeps on kissing him like he can’t get enough of him.

“Want you,” Jungkook pants when they part for air.

Taehyung frees Jungkook’s arms and the omega is quick to wrap them around his mate’s neck, just
as his legs wind around the alpha’s waist.

Taehyung slides one of his hands under Jungkook’s hoodie, caressing his ribs slowly.

Jungkook shivers at the titillating touch. He feels the need, the want, the craving to be close to his
mate. He hangs onto him, letting their bodies fade into one, letting their bodies express the
emotions that are burning through him. He doesn’t know what he looks like right now, with his red
cheeks and eyes closed in pleasure, helpless to the little moans that leave his mouth one after
another as Taehyung kisses him. It’s already too much, but at the same time, not enough.

Taehyung keeps on moving his hips, intent on making Junkook lose his mind as he keeps on
making the shape of their cocks drag against each other. The friction is delicious, but torturous. Just
like the kisses they share. It drives Jungkook insane.

“ Tae .”

“Let me take care of you,” the alpha murmurs, his lips gliding to Jungkook’s jaw, to his throat.

Taehyung starts mouthing at the expanse of Jungkook’s unblemished skin, leaving purple bruises
in his wake, leaving the omega a moaning mess. Jungkook weaves his fingers through Taehyung’s
hair and tugs at it, making the alpha groan.

Jungkook closes his eyes, getting lost in the sensations that flood him as Taehyung marks him, as
he bites just above his scent gland before soothing it with his tongue, making his head spin. He’s
so sensitive there, so sensitive that just the scrape of Taehyung’s teeth on his scent gland has him
twitching into his boxers. He’s lost in a maze of pleasure crafted by his alpha, and it feels so good
that his skin is on fire. And he wants more, more, more .

Jungkook takes the hem of Taehyung’s hoodie in his hands and begs, “Take it off.”

The alpha detaches himself from Jungkook and peels off his hoodie before discarding it on the bed
behind him.

“You too.”

Jungkook obeys and finds himself half-naked in no time in front of Taehyung.

“Stunning,” the alpha growls as his darkened irises take in the miles of exposed skin in front of
him.

“Please,” Jungkook says.

And Taehyung bends down to lock their mouths together and every brush of his lips sends the
omega into overdrive. He can’t control the sounds that Taehyung gets out of him. Not when he’s
feeling so much. His wolf is hungry for Taehyung, for his kisses, for the way his hips move against
his. He’s never felt like this before, never imagined that this is what it would be like. But here he
is, losing himself to Taehyung with no doubt, no regret, only with want.

Jungkook’s hands find their way to Taehyung’s back and he leaves red angry lines on him as his
nails dig into the sun-kissed skin, and he tries to anchor himself to his mate. The gutteral noises it
elicits from the alpha are music to Jungkook’s ears. He shudders as they rumble deep into
Taehyung’s chest, right against his.

“Tae, I need…”

Jungkook doesn’t know what he pleads for anymore, just knows that Taehyung has the answer, is
the answer.

“Can I touch you, baby?”

Jungkook nods, but it’s not enough for Taehyung.

“Words, pup.”

Jungkook huffs impatiently, “Yes, Taehyung hurry up or I swear to God .”

Taehyung smirks, his purple, half-lidded eyes looking straight into Jungkook’s and it’s the sexiest
thing on Earth. It makes the omega’s body tremble, makes him weak.

“Touch me,” Jungkook demands, “Touch me everywhere.”

Taehyung growls as the words leave the omega’s mouth before latching his lips onto Jungkook’s
throat again. He paints his skin with hickeys, marking him as his. Jungkook only cranes his neck to
give the alpha more room to create his own canvas. He bites on his bottom lip to trap another
moan when Taehyung’s teeth drag against his skin, so close to his scent gland, so close to where a
claiming mark would be.

“Let me hear you,” Taehyung murmurs, his lips brushing Jungkook’s skin at every word, making
goosebumps appear on it.

Jungkook frees his bottom lip and gasps when Taehyung’s mouth moves along his throat, down his
collarbone. The alpha follows the line of it with his tongue, eliciting a soft whimper from him.

“You like that?” Taehyung asks, voice deep and sultry.

“Y-Yes.”

Jungkook arches his back when Taehyung’s tongue darts across the flesh of his nipple, giving it
taunting licks. The omega cries out in pleasure at the sensation, at having his nub abused like that.
But it’s nothing, nothing compared to when his mate’s fingers brush the uneven skin of his other
bud at the same time. It’s overwhelming as Taehyung pinches his nipple between his thumb and
index finger, rolling it around and pulling it upwards. Every movement has shockwaves being sent
throughout his entire being.

Taehyung doesn’t let Jungkook breathe as he grazes the omega’s nipple with his teeth before
lightly biting and suckling on it, whilst he scrapes his nails against the other one. It’s as though his
entire body has become molten lava. He's hot, scorching hot in the room as Taehyung relentlessly
toys with him. He is a moaning mess, but all he can do is take it. He takes it, takes whatever
Taehyung wants to do to him because it feels good, because it feels right.

The omega is so hard it hurts, the tip of his cock oozing precum. He bucks his hips in the air,
searching for some friction and starts to grind against Taehyung’s abs.

“Tae…” he calls out, delirious.

“Shh, I’m here,” Taehyung replies, lavishing each of his peaked nipples with his tongue.

The alpha keeps on softly torturing his mate, keeps on sending wave after wave of pleasure come
crashing down on him. And Jungkook is losing his mind. The omega can’t help but chase after
every touch, chase after his mate’s devilish mouth, arching his back and pushing his chest
upwards. And Taehyung replies by swirling his tongue around the nipples, suckling hard. It’s like
he can’t detach himself from Jungkook, like he can’t stop devouring him. It makes butterflies leap
in the omega’s chest.

“Need you,” Jungkook whispers.

Taehyung’s mouth finally moves down, littering kisses on Jungkook’s skin as he follows the line
between the omega’s pecs leading to his bellybutton, and then, to the waistband of his sweatpants.

“Can I take this off?” Taehyung asks as he traces the waistband of Jungkook’s sweatpants with his
fingertips.

“Yes. Yes, you can,” the omega replies in a shaky voice.

Jungkook loves the fact that Taehyung is always asking before doing anything. It makes him feel
comfortable, makes him feel safe, loved . He needs that, because it’s his first time ever doing
something like this. And, even if he tries not to show it, he’s nervous inside. Nervous because he
doesn’t want to disappoint Taehyung.

“Don’t be nervous,” Taehyung says, reading Jungkook’s mind, “You’re perfect.”

Jungkook only nods. Taehyung starts to tug at his sweatpants, taking them off in one go along with
his boxers. Finally, the omega is bare in front of him. He can see the alpha’s eyes flash as they rake
over his body, taking in what’s being presented to him on a silver platter.

“Beautiful,” Taehyung murmurs, “So beautiful.”

Jungkook blushes. It’s not the first time Taehyung has told him he’s beautiful, not the first time
he’s seen him naked, but it feels different somehow, more profound this time, more meaningful.

“I can’t wait to make you mine,” Taehyung admits.

And Jungkook knows that it will be sooner than later, that they won’t be able to hold back for long
before mating. It feels like they waited long enough already.

“I’m already yours,” Jungkook whispers.

Taehyung leans down to kiss him deeply, nice and slow. Jungkook kisses back with all he has, with
all he is, arms wrapping around the alpha’s nape to keep him in place, close, so close. He’s already
addicted to the feel of having Taehyung against him, to the feel of his heart beating against his.
And he knows that he won’t ever be able to get enough. Ever.

Taehyung breaks the kiss and moves to hover over Jungkook. He spits in his hand, eyes never
leaving the omega’s as he wraps his fingers around Jungkook’s rock hard cock. When he starts to
rub it in controlled strokes, slowly, tantalizingly slowly, the omega feels himself throb in
Taehyung’s hand, hears himself let out a string of wet whimpers as his mate drives him crazy.

“So hard for me,” Taehyung marvels, before pressing his thumb down on Jungkook’s slit, rubbing
circles into the head.

Jungkook feels his head spin. He closes his eyes, but Taehyung’s voice rises immediately after.

“Look at me,” the alpha orders.

Jungkook does. He does and he is stunned by what he sees. Lust, want, need, all mixed up in those
purple irises that he loves so much. Fire licks down his spine as he looks at Taehyung and he
realizes just how badly the alpha craves him.

“Good pup,” Taehyung praises.

Jungkook twitches in his mate’s hand and Taehyung smirks. Sexy bastard.
“You like being praised?” he teases.

Jungkook blushes, a deep red that paints his cheeks scarlet. He didn’t know until today that he
would like that, but being a good pup for Taehyung? Yes, yes, he’d like that very much.

“I guess I do,” he admits shamelessly.

Taehyung smiles at him tenderly, fingers going up and down Jungkook’s shaft, using the precum to
ease the glide. It’s dirty , but also so hot that the omega can’t stop looking, can’t stop admiring his
cock disappearing into Taehyung’s big, big hand. It’s different knowing it’s his boyfriend jerking
him off, pleasuring him like this. It’s just a handjob, and Jungkook has already touched himself in
the past, but it feels different, to have someone else’s hand on him, so much more intimate, so
much more powerful .

Jungkook is leaking profusely, even more when Taehyung grazes the vein on the underside of his
cock with his blunt nails. He shivers uncontrollably in response to his mate’s touch. He can’t help
but shake as the alpha keeps on stroking him, until Jungkook feels like he’s close to the edge.

“I’m gonna—”

“Don’t cum yet.”

Jungkook widens his eyes, breath ragged, pants leaving his mouth in cascade. He watches as
Taehyung’s hand leaves his cock and whines at the loss. The alpha only smiles at him, before
leaning down and kissing the tip of his nose.

“Shh, it’s okay.”

Then, Taehyung moves on the bed to take off his sweatpants and boxers too. Once he’s naked, he
gets in between Jungkook’s open legs. With one forearm bent near Jungkook’s head, he lies over
him and uses his free hand to take both of their cocks in it. And he starts to rub them together,
eliciting a raw moan from Jungkook.

“Feels good?” Taehyung rasps.

“Yeah.”

Jungkook is overwhelmed with sensations, with the way his dick glides against Taehyung’s, with
the way the alpha groans roughly, deep and untamed at every stroke. The sheer intensity of the
pleasure he’s feeling makes him tear up and heat curls in the pit of his stomach. Jungkook can feel
the desire, the need pulse through him. His breath shudders as warmth spreads through him.

“You’re doing so good,” Taehyung murmurs in his ear, “So good for me.”

Jungkook whines and throbs yet again at the praise. He likes it, likes it so much. He wants to be
good for his alpha.

“I’m good,” he mumbles.

“Yes, you are,” Taehyung confirms, leaving a kiss on his temple.

The alpha keeps up the unforgiving pace, bringing Jungkook closer to the edge. And the omega
feels like he’s going to fall, but it’s okay. It’s okay, because he knows that Taehyung will catch
him.
Soon, his mate is moving more roughly, rapidly, fingers firm and tight around their cocks, and
Jungkook knows that he’s close too. Moans and groans reverberate against the walls of the
bedroom as Taehyung’s hand glides along their shafts, squeezing on the downstroke just right .
And it’s like the alpha knows Jungkook’s body by heart already, because everything he does sends
him into overdrive. It’s just too good, and the omega’s vision blurs with tears. Tears of pleasure,
tears that, for once, he’s not ashamed to let fall.

Taehyung looks at him like he’s a wonder, before leaning down and stealing his lips again. They
kiss, hard, tongues and teeth clashing. It’s messy, it’s uncoordinated, but it’s beautiful. So beautiful
that it makes Jungkook’s heart hurt. Because it says how much they want each other, how much
they need each other, right here, right now.

“Mine,” Taehyung growls against Jungkook’s swollen lips.

“Yours,” the omega replies with no hesitation in his voice.

Jungkook often wondered what it would be like, to be wanted, to be loved, and now, he knows. He
knows and it’s what makes him fall.

“I—”

Jungkook can’t even finish his sentence. White flashes before his eyes as he arches his back, as he
cranes his neck beautifully, hair falling like a halo around him on the white pillow, before
cumming in between Taehyung’s fingers with a low whimper. And then, he falls back on the bed,
whining in overstimulation as the alpha milks him dry.

It doesn’t take long before Taehyung cums too, groaning Jungkook’s name. And the omega wants
to hear it again, and again, and again. Because, now that he had a taste of his mate, he wants him
even more.

“I love you,” Jungkook whispers, glistening gray eyes locked on purple irises.

“I love you too, baby.”

 Chapter 37

Under the raining water of the shower, Jungkook and Taehyung exchange sweet kisses, sweet
caresses, sweet whispers. It’s so easy, being with the alpha like that, and Jungkook realizes that it’s
always been easy, that he never had to question anything when it came to his mate. He doesn’t
know if it’s because of the bond, or because they just fit , but he doesn’t care. All he cares about is
how he feels right now: light, happy, free.

“You’re smiling,” Taehyung notices.

“Am I?”

“Yeah. And I like that. You should always be smiling.”

“It’s because of you.”

“Me?”

“Because you make me happy.”

Taehyung doesn’t say anything, he simply leans in and fuses their lips together in a heated kiss,
making Jungkook’s toes curl against the tiles of the shower, making his heart beat fast in the swell
of his ribcage.

“I’ll make you happy every day for the rest of our lives,” Taehyung vows as he cups Jungkook’s
cheek and caresses the skin there with his thumb.

And what can Jungkook say to that? Nothing. So he just kisses Taehyung once again, letting his
lips speak the thousands of words that he can’t pronounce right now. I love you. I trust you. I
believe you.

They keep on washing each other, hands on skin, and it feels like they’re seeing the other for the
first time as their fingertips follow every line, every dip, every curve of their bodies. Jungkook
takes his time tracing Taehyung’s scars, feeling the uneven skin under his digits. It reminds him
that he almost lost Taehyung, that his mate could have died during the attack and never come back
to him.

“I almost lost you,” Jungkook murmurs, fingertips slowly grazing a scar on Taehyung’s ribs.

“I told you before, you won’t lose me,” Taehyung whispers, reminding the omega of the
conversation they had just a few minutes ago, “I’ll always— always —come back to you.”

“You promise?”

“I promise,” Taehyung says solemnly.

To seal his promise, the alpha’s kisses him once more. The kiss is tender, soft, but when the omega
sighs into Taehyung’s mouth, the latter deepens the kiss and steals his breath away, tongue driving
and twisting against Jungkook’s. And Jungkook winds his arms around his mate’s neck, as
Taehyung wraps his arms around the omega’s waist, bringing him to his chest. When their bodies
collide under the water, Jungkook lets out a whine. He still wants Taehyung, so badly.

“Shh, it’s okay,” Taehyung says, hot breath falling on the omega’s lips.
“I just… I want…”

“I know. But not right now. Not right here.”

Jungkook nods, before letting his head fall on his mate’s shoulder.

“You deserve perfect,” Taehyung reminds him before capturing the omega’s lips once again.

Jungkook loses himself in the kiss, in the way their tongues tangle, in the way their breaths mingle,
in the way they just seem to be made for each other. He doesn’t want to be found. He wants to get
lost in Taehyung, forever.

When the water turns cold, they exit the shower and dry each other with big, fluffy towels,
laughing together, smiling at the other as they chase after every last drop of water on their bodies.
Once they’re done, they put on some clothes—boxers, sweatpants and hoodies—before getting out
of the bathroom. It’s hand in hand that they enter the living room where all their friends are still
sleeping on the couches. Taehyung turns the light on and a string of groans follows as their friends
open their eyes one by one. Seokjin is the first to see the alpha.

“Taehyung!” he exclaims.

Soon, everyone is on their feet, coming to Taehyung and hugging him. Jungkook lets go of his
hand and watches as a smile plasters itself on the alpha’s face. He’s happy. He’s happy to be
reunited with his friends, with his brothers , Jungkook can feel it and it brings a small smile of his
own on his lips.

“I’m fine,” he hears Taehyung say as the alpha is tackled by Hoseok in a bear hug.

Jimin is the last one to come near Taehyung and he doesn’t hug him. Instead, he keeps his head
low and whispers: “I’m sorry.”

“You have nothing to be sorry for,” Taehyung says firmly, “You fought alongside me, you were
injured too. You did what you had to do.”

“If I called for help earlier—”

“No, I don’t want to hear it. You did nothing wrong, okay?” Taehyung says as he takes a step
forward and hugs Jimin, tight, a hand on his nape, “You did nothing wrong.”

Jungkook can see Jimin’s figure shake in Taehyung’s embrace as he wraps his arms around his
head alpha. He feels for him, he really does. Because Jimin is a good person, because he, too, was
eaten alive by guilt these past few days. He understands.

When they break the hug, Jungkook notices Jimin’s red eyes, the way he tries to swallow back his
tears, the way he still avoids looking at Taehyung directly. The alpha hasn’t forgiven himself yet,
Jungkook can tell. But he will, with Taehyung’s affection, with the other’s affection, he will, just
like Jungkook will one day too.

“We need to talk,” Taehyung declares as he gestures for everyone to go back to the couches, “I
need to know everything that happened whilst I was… gone.”

Once they’re all seated, Jungkook by Taehyung’s side, the others in front of them, Namjoon
speaks.

“There were several other attacks, mostly at night.”

“You didn’t tell me?” Jungkook remarks in surprise.

“We didn’t want to worry you more than you already were,” Yoongi explains.

“Are there any other wolves who have been injured?” Taehyung asks.

Jungkook tenses. The alpha senses it and takes his hand in his, interlacing their fingers and
caressing the omega’s skin with his thumb.

“Yes,” Seokjin answers, “But nothing serious.”

“They got hurt because of me” Jungkook whispers, “It’s—”

“It’s not your fault,” Taehyung cuts him off, “Don’t say that.”

“You know it is. They’re after me.”

“They chose to attack my pack, and it’s no one’s fault but theirs. They could have waited for you,
they didn’t. You’re not responsible of their actions.”

Jungkook falls silent after that. He knows that he won’t win this argument over Taehyung. But,
deep down, he can’t help but keep thinking that he’s the cause of this mess. He knows he is and
nothing can change that.

“We have to do something,” Yoongi says.

“It’s a war that they’re gonna have on their hands if things go on like this,” Namjoon supplies.

Jungkook starts to tremble as the words leave Namjoon’s mouth. He feels like he’s going to throw
up. A war. Because of him. No .

“We’re gonna end it before it begins,” Taehyung declares.

“How?” Jimin questions.

“I have to challenge their leader.”

Jungkook gasps audibly and turns his head to see Taehyung already looking at him.

“No!” he shouts.

“Pup…”

“No! You can’t do that. You can’t—”

“It’s the only option,” Taehyung reasons.

“Taehyung is right,” Namjoon intervenes, “It’s the only way to make these attacks end.”

“It has to end, baby.”

Yes, it has to end. But isn’t there another way than a battle between Minhyuk and Taehyung? Isn’t
there another way other than sending the love of his life in between this bastard’s claws? It’s
Jungkook who should brave Minhyuk, not Taehyung. It’s not fair, it’s not—

“I should be the one challenging him,” Jungkook says.

“You know you can’t. Only alphas can challenge each other,” Seokjin reminds him.

“It’s not fair. It’s my life, it’s—”

“You’re my life,” Taehyung says roughly, “And I will do everything I can to make sure that
Minhyuk goes to hell for what he did to you.”

Jungkook feels tears gathering in his eyes, but he won’t let them fall. He’s angry, he’s lost, he’s
overwhelmed. And there’s nothing he can do to make things better. Nothing. So, he just stays there,
mute, as the others keep on talking about how Taehyung will challenge Minhyuk, how he will risk
his life for Jungkook. He just stays there, trying not to fall apart.
 Chapter 38

When it’s just the two of them again, Taehyung comes back to Jungkook. He sits on the coffee
table in front of the omega who is sitting on the couch, legs criss-crossed.

“I can feel your emotions, pup. I know that you’re not happy, that you’re angry, that—”

“Of course I’m angry,” Jungkook cuts Taehyung off, “It’s my mess and I should be the one taking
care of it, not you.”

“You know you can’t. The rules—”

“I don’t care about the rules!” Jungkook shouts, “I only care about fighting Minhyuk myself,
because it’s what was meant to happen in the end. Me against him. Not you. Certainly not you.”

Jungkook is so scared that he feels like he can’t breathe anymore. He’s afraid of what Minhyuk
will do to Taehyung, that he’s going to kill his mate. He’s afraid of what Minhyuk will do to him if
he wins.

Jungkook doesn’t want Taehyung to expose himself to Minhyuk. He doesn’t want Taehyung to
fight his battles for him. He’s not weak, he’s no damsel in distress.

“Baby, listen to me,” Taehyung starts, hands drawing undefined shapes on Jungkook’s knees,
trying to soothe him. “I’m your mate, it’s my duty to take care of you, to fight for you, and I’ll do it
in a heartbeat. It’s our battle, not only yours, not since you came into my life.”

“You don’t understand,” Jungkook tries weakly.

“Then make me. Make me understand.”

Jungkook takes a deep breath and drops his head down. He fiddles with his fingers, nervous, as he
tries to find the words to say.

“Since I left the Moonblood pack, I prepared myself for that, for the fight that would inevitably
occur between Minhyuk and I. It’s my destiny to face him again. You can’t take that away from
me!”

“I’m not taking anything away from you,” Taehyung reasons as he intertwines their fingers,
stopping Jungkook’s nervous fiddling, “You, me, we are one.”

Jungkook knows they are, that they are two sides of the same soul, two sides of the same heart.
But… But there’s still this voice inside his head that is screaming at him that he shouldn’t let his
mate fight Minhyuk, that it should be him, and no one else. Because it’s his fault, everything is his
fault. The attacks, the injured wolves, the fear, the danger he brought upon the pack. It’s all him.

“He’s going to kill you, and then—”

“He won’t kill me,” Taehyung tries to reassure Jungkook.

“You don’t know that! You don’t know him!” the omega turns away, “He’s… He’s a monster.
He’s ruthless, he only cares about hurting others, about making them bleed . He—”

“He won’t kill me,” Taehyung repeats, sensing Jungkook’s panic.

Jungkook desperately wants to believe the alpha. But he knows that it won’t be that easy, that
Minhyuk won’t play fair, that he will do anything he can to take Taehyung away from him, just
because he’s Jungkook’s mate, just to make him suffer.

“Look at me,” Taehyung orders softly.

Jungkook lifts his head and lets his mate see the tears brimming in his eyes. Tears of fear, of
frustration, of anger. He lets him see just how broken he feels.

“Everything is going to be okay,” Taehyung promises.

Jungkook shakes his head. No, everything is not going to be okay. Not if the alpha goes through
with his plan and challenges Minhyuk. Jungkook’s world will crumble, his heart will shatter in a
million tiny little pieces and there will be no way to glue them back together. Not this time around.
Not if he loses Taehyung.

“It won’t!” Jungkook cries out, “It won’t! I’ll lose you, and Minhyuk will take me with him and
—”

“I won’t let that happen, none of us will let that happen.”

“I’d rather die than go back to him,” Jungkook says, his body shaking as he rocks himself back and
forth on the couch.

“You won’t have to go back with him, I promise you. You won’t ever have to face him again.”

“What?”

“I don’t want you to be there during the fight. I want you safe. I want you to get away from here
before that, with Hoseok and Jimin. I want you to go to one of our hideouts and stay there until the
end.”

“No!” Jungkook yells.

“Pup—”

“No! I won’t leave you alone. You can’t ask me that, you just can’t!” Jungkook stands up to tower
over Taehyung, fists clenched by his sides.

“Pup, listen to me, please.”

“No! No, I won’t listen to you. You can’t ask me to just hide whilst you risk your life for me. I will
be there, by your side. I will face Minhyuk, by your side.”

“I don’t want you to,” Taehyung says coldly as he stands up from the coffee table too.

“You can’t dictate to me what to do or not do. I’m my own person, I—”

“You are my mate. I can’t risk you getting killed by Minhyuk or his wolves. I can’t expose you to
him. It would be reckless of me.”

“But I have to! You don’t get it. I have to face him one last time, to make him see that, despite
everything, I’m still alive, that he didn’t win, that I won’t ever let him win.”

Jungkook needs to see Minhyuk, to look him in the eyes, to face the demons swimming in them.
He needs to. To heal. To move on. To allow himself to live. He can’t be a coward and go hide
somewhere else whilst his mate fights for his life, for their lives. He just can’t.

“I’m sorry, but my decision is made,” Taehyung declares.

Jungkook looks at his mate, hurt and betrayed, before storming out of the house. He doesn’t even
care that he’s barefoot as he starts to run into the woods, far away from their home, from
Taehyung. He doesn’t care that the tears are falling on his cheeks, hot and burning. He can’t stand
being in the same vicinity as the alpha right now. If Jungkook stays, he will blow up. It’s better for
him to just go away for a while, to take the time to calm down before facing Taehyung again and
trying to make him understand just how badly he needs to be there, with him, not only for himself,
but for the both of them.
 Chapter 39

Jungkook doesn’t know how long he’s been standing there, on the lake’s shore. Minutes, hours
maybe. He doesn’t know and he doesn’t care. He needed to be alone, to breathe, to think. To think
about what Taehyung said, what he wants him to do. Jungkook feels like it’s unfair, what his mate
is asking of him, unfair regarding all that he went through. The alpha shouldn’t even think about
keeping him away. He shouldn’t—

Jungkook is snapped out of his thoughts when he hears footsteps behind him. He doesn’t move, he
just waits, and soon, there are arms wrapping around his waist and a head falling on his shoulder.

“Talk to me,” Taehyung whispers.

“Tell me why,” Jungkook demands, “Why don't you want me there when you know that I need it?”

“I’m… scared. Scared that they will kill you on the spot once they see you. Scared that they will
take you away from me and that I won’t be able to bring you back.”

“Nobody is going to be able to take me away from you, you know that,” Jungkook says, “And I
won’t let them kill me, just like I didn’t let them these past three years.”

“It might be irrational, what I’m feeling. I’m just… I want to protect you.”

“And I love you for that, but you don’t have to. I can protect myself.”

“Even against Minhyuk?”

Jungkook stiffens in between Taehyung’s arms. Honestly, he’s not sure that if he had to fight
Minhyuk, he would win. It wasn’t likely. But now that he has reasons to live, now that he has
Taehyung, he doesn’t want that to happen.

“I don’t know,” he admits, “But I know that I need to face him, to face my demons once and for
all.”

“I don’t want you to be hurt.”

“I’m not gonna lie and say that it won’t happen, because it might. But I can handle it. I’ve been
hurt before, many times, and I survived.”

“I know you did. I know you’re the strongest person I ever met. But my alpha is not happy about
you breathing the same air as Minhyuk. Neither am I.”

“Do you think that I’m happy to see him again? Do you think that I won’t have nightmares just
thinking about it?”

“No, I didn't mean—”

“I know you didn’t,” Jungkook sighs, “I’m sorry, I just… I need to do this for me and for you. I
need to be there, by your side. I’m your mate and it’s where I’m supposed to be. Not hidden in
some hideout, not acting like a coward—”

“You’re not a coward,” Taehyung cuts him off.

“Then, let me prove it. To myself, to Minhyuk. Let me be there, with you.”
There’s a beat of silence, a heavy beat of silence, and then, Taehyung speaks again.

“Okay.”

“Okay?”

“Yeah, okay.”

Jungkook turns around in Taehyung’s hold and looks at him, at his eyes that are full of concern, of
this fear that the alpha won’t show to anyone else. He puts a hand on his mate’s nape and brings
his head down, before smashing his lips against Taehyung’s. He kisses him, hard, pressing against
the seam of his lips, letting his own tell all that he can’t say right now, all the emotions that wash
through him. And when he breaks the kiss, it’s a whisper that leaves his mouth.

“ Thank you .”

“Don’t thank me, I was being stupid—”

“You were not stupid, you were being protective of me, and I can understand why you wanted to
do what you had in mind. It’s just… not me.”

“I know. I don’t know what I was thinking.”

“Let’s forget about it, okay?”

“Okay,” Taehyung agrees, brushing their noses together tenderly, “But you have to promise me
one thing.”

“What?”

“When I’ll be fighting Minhyuk, I want you to stay safe and to remain surrounded by our friends,
okay?”

“Okay,” Jungkook concedes.

“Good.”

“I want you to promise me something too.”

“What is it?”

“I want you to tell me that you won’t let Minhyuk take you from me.”

“I won’t. I promise you that I won’t,” Taehyung says before leaning in and sealing their lips
together.

The kiss is short, but it’s enough for Jungkook to feel the love the alpha has for him, to feel his
determination, his hope, too. And whilst they’re locked together, the omega prays, prays that
Minhyuk won’t kill Taehyung, that he won’t win, prays that his mate and him will have their happy
ending, that they will be together, forever.

“Let’s go home”, Taehyung murmurs against Jungkook’s lips as the sun is setting in the horizon.

“Okay.”

Taehyung turns around and Jungkook jumps on his back, wrapping his arms around the alpha’s
shoulders. Taehyung is quick to put his hands on the underside of Jungkook’s thighs, holding him
tight as he starts to walk back to their house.

“Do you think we’ll survive?” Jungkook asks in a whisper, voice breaking a little on the last word.

“I know we will.”

There’s no doubt, no hesitation in Taehyung’s voice, and Jungkook wants to believe him, wants to
believe that they can beat Minhyuk and put an end to all this suffering.

“And after?”

“I’d like… for us to mate,” Taehyung reveals, “When you’re ready.”

“I’d like that too.”

Weeks ago, Jungkook didn’t think that he’d be blessed with a mate, but now that he has Taehyung,
he can’t wait to mate him, to be his wholly, to wear his mark proudly.

“And you, what do you want to do after?” Taehyung inquires.

“I don’t know, I never thought about it to be honest, I never dared let myself dream about
anything, but…”

“But?”

“I’d like to have a family of my own, kids, you know,” Jungkook says, stumbling on the words as
he blushes profusely, “But not right now , just… if you want… later…”

“You already know that I want to have a family too, with you.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

They let silence fall over them after that as they get lost in their own thoughts. Thoughts of a future
together. And that's all Jungkook is asking for, a future with Taehyung, with his mate. He can only
hope that he’ll live long enough to have it…
 Chapter 40

They’re having dinner with their friends, whilst they wait for Namjoon and Yoongi to be back
from the Moonblood pack, where Taehyung sent them the day before to convey his challenge to
Minhyuk. The atmosphere is tense and Jungkook can’t help but be nervous. If Minhyuk doesn’t
accept the challenge, then they’ll have to prepare for a war. If he says yes, the attacks might stop
and the Black Moon pack might be safe, at least until the fight between the two alphas takes place.
The result of the fight to the death declares the winner as the new head alpha of the both packs to
rule over its people. The stakes are high and Jungkook knows it all too well.

“Yoongi sent me a message, they’ll be back in twenty minutes,” Seokjin informs.

“Did he say anything about the challenge?” Jimin asks.

Seokjin shakes his head no.

“I hope that bastard said yes,” Hoseok hisses, “Just so Taehyung can make him pay for what he did
to Jungkook, to his pack.”

Jungkook tenses next to Taehyung, and the alpha feels it. He takes the omega’s hand in his and
squeezes it softly.

“He will pay, no matter what,” Taehyung says coldly, “If it’s a war that he wants—”

“No,” Jungkook cuts the alpha off, “He won’t start a war because of me, he’s not stupid, he knows
that his pack is smaller than yours, that he has less of a chance to win, even if his warriors are
vicious and ruthless, just like him.”

“He attacked us,” Seokjin remarks, “ That was a stupid move.”

“I think he’s desperate,” Jimin interjects, “Desperate to get back at Jungkook in any way.”

“That’s dangerous,” Hoseok points out.

“It is,” Seokjin agrees, “Thus why we have to be careful in our every move.”

“I will end him,” Taehyung says, voice devoid of emotions.

It strikes Jungkook, the alpha’s tone, his words. He’s so used to his warm, honey voice, that
hearing him speak like that breaks something inside the omega. It’s his fault, all of this is his fault.

Jungkook bites his bottom lip to keep another apology in as the conversation carries on, not
wanting to repeat himself, knowing what the others’ reactions would be to his words.

“Namjoon and Yoongi should hurry up a bit, waiting makes me anxious,” Hoseok says as he looks
through the windows, waiting for Namjoon’s car’s to appear.

“Me too,” Jimin admits, imitating his boyfriend.

They end up all forgetting about their food as they all turn their heads to look through the floor to
ceiling windows. And soon, the house is flooded by the light of the headlights of Namjoon’s car.
Taehyung is instantly on his feet, going to the front door as Namjoon and Yoongi walk in, faces
somber and devoid of smiles.
Jimin, Hoseok and Seokjin are quick to stand up and go surround the others. Only Jungkook stays
put.

“So?” Jimin asks.

“He said yes,” Namjoon relays.

Jungkook can see Taehyung’s face harden as he listens to Namjoon and he, himself, doesn’t know
what to feel. On one hand, he’s relieved that the war has been avoided, on the other hand, it’s his
mate’s life that is on the line, and he doesn’t want to lose him, not now, not ever.

“He’ll come here with a few of his warriors in two weeks,” Yoongi informs.

“Did he say anything?” Taehyung inquires.

“That he…,” Namjoon gulps, avoiding his alpha’s eyes, “That he couldn’t wait to see Jungkook
again.”

Taehyung growls. It’s a low, threatening sound that makes Jungkook’s whole body shake.

“That piece of shit, who does he think he is?” the alpha fumes.

“He’s clearly deranged, a psychopath,” Yoongi supplies, “He’s dangerous, Tae.”

“I can be dangerous too,” the alpha says sharply.

“We know,” Seokjin assures, trying to appease the tension.

“I’ll fucking kill him!”

“For that, we have to prepare you, to train you before the fight,” Namjoon says.

“Minhyuk is not going to play fair, you have to be ready for it,” Yoongi adds.

“Okay. I’ll train with you two and Jimin, starting tomorrow,” Taehyung says seriously.

The three alphas nod and Taehyung turns his head to lock eyes with Jungkook. The omega holds
his stare, trying not to let his fear reach the surface and be seen in his irises. He has to stay strong,
for Taehyung.

“Let’s go back to eat,” Seokjin suggests.

They all move to come and sit around the table. When he gets close to Jungkook, Taehyung lays a
hand on the omega’s nape, caressing the hair that rests there.

“How do you feel?” he whispers.

“I’m okay,” Jungkook lies.

The omega doesn’t want to burden Taehyung with his feelings, with his stupid feelings, doesn’t
want to speak about them in front of the others. Maybe later, when they’ll be alone, he’ll let them
out, maybe. But not here, not now.

Taehyung doesn’t say anything, he just sits beside Jungkook, keeping his hand on him, but letting
it fall to his hand, intertwining their fingers as the voices of their friends rise around them.
“What’s he like? That Minhyuk guy?” Seokjin asks.

“He gave me chills,” Yoongi answers, slightly shivering as the words leave his mouth.

“He’s just like the monster Jungkook said he was,” Namjoon says, “His eyes were burning with a
mix of rage and excitement when we mentioned the challenge.”

“He growled and bared his teeth when we told him that Taehyung was challenging him as
Jungkook’s mate. He seemed angry.”

“He’s a beast,” Namjoon affirms, “A beast who wants its revenge.”

“Beast or not, I won’t let him have a chance to put a hand on my mate,” Taehyung declares, voice
firm and unwavering.

Jungkook’s omega feels warm, knowing that his alpha is ready to protect him with his life, that
he’s ready to fight for him, for them, to death. He never had anyone in his life to watch over him,
to care for him, and now he has Taehyung. Taehyung who was ready to set off a war for him. He
feels tears gathering in his eyes as he thinks about how deep the alpha’s feelings for him must be
for him to be willing to do all that, just for a man he didn’t know weeks ago.

I love you.

“Thank you,” Jungkook whispers, for Taehyung only to hear.

The alpha caresses the back of his hand with his thumb and Jungkook can feel his love just through
that tiny little gesture. And it’s enough to settle his heart. For now.
 Chapter 41

The sun is high in the sky, and white clouds float above them as they all gather in a glade.
Jungkook is sitting on the grass in between Hoseok and Seokjin. Taehyung, Jimin, Namjoon and
Yoongi are already in their wolf forms in the middle of the clearing, ready to start the first of many
training sessions. As usual, Jungkook’s eyes are locked on Taehyung’s majestic wolf. He’s in awe
of how beautiful his mate is, how powerful he looks and he, as well as his omega, can’t help but
feel proud that this wolf is his.

That’s my mate , he thinks. Mine , his omega echoes. And Jungkook still can’t believe that he gets
to call Taehyung his, that the alpha wants to mate him, to have a family with him. It seems surreal,
a dream come true, when all he ever had, all he ever lived, were nightmares upon nightmares. It’s
like a fairytale, a fairytale that makes him want to believe in a happy ending. But he doesn’t know
if he can. Not when so many things are at risk. Not when their own lives are on the line.

“What are you thinking of?” Seokjin asks.

“Taehyung.”

“Disgusting,” Hoseok jokes, and that puts a small smile on Jungkook’s face as he elbows the beta.

“Not like that ,” he defends himself, blushing, “I’m just anxious, I guess.”

“About the fight with Minhyuk?” Hoseok inquires.

“Yeah…”

“It’s normal to feel that way. But Taehyung is a good warrior, the best in our pack. He will crush
Minhyuk,” Seokjin says.

“Watch.”

Jungkook follows Hoseok’s order and watches as Jimin’s wolf approaches Taehyung carefully,
paws hitting the ground without making any sound, movements so fluid it feels like the animal is
dancing on the grass rather than walking on it. He watches as the two wolves move in a circle,
gauging the other, trying to find an opening to attack. He watches as Taehyung’s purple irises glow
under the sun, as they dig holes into Jimin. He shudders. Gone is the soft, fond look he always sees
in his mate’s eyes. Now, they’re reflecting how fierce, how lethal Taehyung can be.

Jimin is the first to attack, going straight for Taehyung’s neck. But Taehyung is quick to avoid the
alpha’s fangs, which clamp down on thin air as he moves to the side. Jimin snarls, teeth bared, then
rushes at Taehyung again, this time aiming for his hind leg. He doesn’t move fast enough though,
and he misses, jaws closing around nothing as Taehyung hops away. It angers the other wolf, and
his eyes flash green, a deep green that clashes against the purple of Taehyung’s irises.

“Oh, he’s mad,” Hoseok remarks, eyes trained on his boyfriend.

Jimin doesn’t give up and launches himself onto Taehyung, almost flying through the air, claws
landing on Taehyung’s back. Taehyung gets rid of him easily and throws him to the ground. Jimin
growls as he gets back on his paws, facing Taehyung. They look at each other without moving for
a while, trying to intimidate the other just through their stare. It doesn’t work for either of them
though. They know each other too well , Jungkook thinks. But still, he holds his breath.
Taehyung is the next one to make a move. He runs towards Jimin and catches him by surprise as
he uses his weight to throw him to the ground. Jimin lands on his back, paws in the air, and
Taehyung seizes the opportunity to attack his underbelly, sinking his fangs into the soft white fur.
Jimin howls in pain, trying to hit Taehyung’s head with his legs, his paws, but to no avail. When
Jimin whines, Taehyung lets go of him and goes to stand a few feet away from him.

Jungkook can’t help his heart from beating fast in his chest. He’s mesmerized by Taehyung’s every
move, by his display of strength. It shouldn’t, but it excites him, awakening something in his
omega, a feeling that he never thought he’d ever feel, a want to submit, to totally let go and be at
Taehyung’s mercy. Be it in his wolf or human form. It should scare him, but instead, a sense of
peace overwhelms him. He knows he’s found the one for him, the one who can tame him. And it’s
Taehyung.

“Jimin doesn’t like losing a fight,” Seokjin snickers.

“He’s going to be so pissed later,” Hoseok prophetizes, “I’m gonna have a pouty baby to comfort.”

“A pouty baby?”

“Yeah. You should see him, he’s scary when he’s mad, but also very cute.”

Cute is not the word Jungkook would use to describe Jimin. Lethal, dangerous, fierce, seem to fit
him better.

“He hasn’t lost yet,” Jungkook remarks as Jimin stands back up and begins to move towards
Taehyung.

The conversation dies down as they watch Jimin growl at Taehyung, low and threatening. It
doesn’t phase Taehyung, who growls back, a sound so dark, so untamed, that it sends shivers down
Jungkook’s spine. He probably shouldn’t be aroused by it, but he is. It’s like he can’t control his
body’s reactions to Taehyung’s alpha. The power his mate has over him is undeniable. And he
could be afraid, but he’s not. Because he knows that Taehyung wouldn’t use it wrongly, like
Minhyuk and his uncle did. He would never hurt him, never .

This time, Taehyung doesn’t wait for Jimin to make a move as he attacks him again, effortlessly
avoiding Jimin's defensive snap of teeth towards his neck to push him to the ground a second time.
Jungkook swallows, biting into his lower lip to keep any noise in that would potentially make
Taehyung focus on him rather than a whining Jimin under his paws. He lets go of the other alpha
and stays back, a few feet away from him. Jimin gets back on his feet and, in the blink of an eye,
he’s running towards Taehyung, furiously barreling straight into his chest, closing his jaws around
the brown fur. Taehyung howls in pain as he tries to break free and Jungkook clenches his fists as
he waits for his mate to shake away Jimin yet again.

"That must hurt," Hoseok notes, and Jungkook snarls as he keeps his eyes glued on Taehyung,
unable to look away.

After a while, Taehyung finally breaks free from Jimin’s hold. Jungkook can feel that his mate is
fed up, that he doesn’t want to play around anymore. He watches with satisfied eyes as Taehyung
surges towards Jimin, their front paws mingling in the air as they stand on their hind legs and snap
towards the other, rolling on the ground together. Taehyung manages to bite into Jimin’s muzzle,
which distracts Jimin enough to make him falter in his attacks, Taehyung having the other alpha
under him again within seconds.

“He’s gonna end it,” Seokjin comments knowingly.

And he does. He closes his jaws around Jimin’s neck and Jimin howls in surrender, letting his head
fall to the side, letting his eyes fall shut, a clear sign of submission. One last time, Taehyung lets go
of him. When Jimin gets back on his paws, he doesn’t look Taehyung’s way, he just puts some
distance between them as he walks, his tail in between his legs, towards Hoseok.

“Come here,” the beta says tenderly.

Jimin comes to lay beside his boyfriend, and Hoseok is quick to let his fingers curl into Jimin’s fur,
rubbing the alpha’s back as he tries to soothe him to take his mind off the defeat.

“You did well, love,” Hoseok whispers before bending down and leaving a kiss on top of Jimin’s
head.

Jimin whines, head coming to rest on the beta’s lap.

“He’s right, Jimin,” Seokjin offers kindly, “You did well.”

Jungkook doesn’t dare say anything as he looks at Jimin from the corner of his eyes. He knows
that his pride might be hurt. As a fierce warrior, he must feel bad for not putting up a better fight in
front of his head alpha. And there’s nothing Jungkook can do about it, or so he thinks. He holds out
his hand in front of Jimin’s snout and lets the wolf sniff it. It takes only a few seconds before he
feels a rough tongue lick his hand. He smiles and puts his hand on Jimin’s head, patting it softly.

“You’re a strong warrior, and I want to thank you for training Taehyung like you did.”

Jimin looks at him, eyes glowing green, and Jungkook can see that the alpha is thankful for what
he just said.

“Thank you, Luna,” Hoseok murmurs.

Luna . Jungkook isn’t their Luna yet, and won’t be until he mates with Taehyung. But still, it
makes his heart skip a beat to hear Hoseok call him that.

It’s a growl that catches Jungkook’s attention and brings him out of his thoughts. When he looks
back to where Taehyung is, he can see Namjoon and Yoongi narrowing on him at the same time.
Taehyung growls loudly to deter them from attacking, but the two other wolves don’t seem to care
about his warning. They keep on walking in his direction, cornering him. Taehyung looks left and
right, teeth bared, low snarls leaving his chest. Jungkook can see that there’s not an ounce of fear in
his mate’s eyes. He simply lets Namjoon and Yoongi come at him. He doesn’t move, he stands
tall, proud, and intimidating, on his paws in between them.

Namjoon and Yoongi attack. Namjoon’s gray wolf going straight for Taehyung’s neck, Yoongi’s
black wolf aiming for Taehyung’s flank. And, in the blink of an eye, their fangs sink into
Taehyung’s fur. Taehyung growls, annoyed. He jerks his body and gets rid of Yoongi in one swift
motion. Namjoon manages to hold on, jaws tightening around Taehyung’s neck. But soon, he’s on
the ground, Taehyung hovering above him.

It doesn’t take long before Yoongi is back on his paws. He runs towards Taehyung before jumping
in the air and landing on the alpha’s back, making him yelp. Taehyung moves and lets go of
Namjoon as he shakes his body and tries to throw Yoongi to the ground. He succeeds after a few
excruciating seconds. Jungkook spots blood on Taehyung’s fur and it angers him. His mate
shouldn’t be hurt. He sees red and starts to growl unconsciously.

“Calm down, he’s okay,” Seokjin whispers to him.

“He’s hurt,” Jungkook seethes.

“I know. But it’s nothing, I can assure you.”

“It’s not nothing if it makes him bleed,” Jungkook argues, worry laced in his tone.

Silence falls over them as they resume watching the fight that takes place in front of them.
Jungkook fiddles with his fingers as he looks at Taehyung, who is facing the two other wolves.
This time, he doesn’t wait for Namjoon and Yoongi to attack, launching himself at the black wolf,
letting his jaws close around Yoongi’s neck. Yoongi howls and Namjoon growls in retaliation,
before trying to take Taehyung off his mate by biting his hind legs. Taehyung jerks, and frees his
leg from Namjoon’s hold. He lets go of Yoongi and takes a few steps back.

Jungkook can see that Taehyung is panting, that his leg is bleeding too. He bites on his bottom lip,
worrying it in between his teeth as he watches his mate. And he wants to shift and to hurt Namjoon
and Yoongi too. But he knows he can’t. It’s not his place to fight them, it’s Taehyung’s and
Taehyung’s only. So he looks on as Namjoon runs towards Taehyung and throws him to the
ground, as he tries to sink his teeth into the other alpha’s underbelly, as Taehyung stops him from
doing so by hitting him with his legs, with his paws.

Yoongi is there in seconds, backing up Namjoon, and Jungkook feels his blood run cold as the two
wolves attack Taehyung simultaneously. The three of them become a blur of fur and muscles, as
they roll to the ground on top of each other. Growls and snarls escape their mouths as they fight
against each other, as they try to bite the other where it hurts the most. It seems like forever to
Jungkook before Taehyung frees himself from Namjoon and Yoongi. And when his mate does,
Jungkook releases the breath he didn’t know he was holding.

Jungkook’s relief is short-lived, as Namjoon and Yoongi rush on Taehyung once again, pawing at
him, biting at him, making him growl in anger. Taehyung loses his composure and fights back,
fiercely, mercilessly. He throws the two other wolves to the ground and goes to stand on top of the
smaller of the two—Yoongi. He closes his jaws around the other alpha’s neck, and doesn’t let go
until he hears a howl of submission, even when Namjoon attacks his back by scratching at his fur,
even when Namjoon tries his hardest to make him release his prey. It’s purely animalistic, based on
instincts, the way Taehyung acts. He let his alpha take over and it’s something beautiful to see.

Jungkook lets out a sigh as Namjoon and Yoongi get on their paws and bow their heads in front of
Taehyung, showing their submission to him, accepting the defeat.

“See? Nothing to worry about. He won,” Seokjin remarks with a smile.

“He did,” Jungkook acknowledges.

“He rarely loses,” Hoseok says.

Rarely doesn’t mean never. And what if Taehyung loses against Minhyuk? What if his wolf isn’t
strong enough to defeat the other alpha? What if— No, Jungkook can’t think like that. Taehyung
promised him that he would win, and he has to believe him. He has to.

Jungkook is snapped out of his thoughts when a tongue licks his face. He giggles and looks into
Taehyung’s purple irises, before letting his fingers curl into his fur, on both sides of his head. He
lets his nose come to rest against Taehyung’s snout, and closes his eyes. Feeling Taehyung’s breath
on his face makes him remember that his mate is still alive, that he’s still here, with him. And
that’s all he needs right now.
I love you. I love you so much.
 Chapter 42

Once they’re back at the house, Taehyung shifts. In seconds, it’s a man who is standing in front of
Jungkook, and not the wolf he saw fighting Namjoon, Yoongi and Jimin a few minutes ago.

“Let me treat your wounds,” Jungkook says as he leads the way to the bathroom, Taehyung
following close behind.

The alpha doesn’t say anything when Jungkook wipes the blood smeared on his skin or when he
bandages his wounds. But the omega can feel his mate’s eyes on him, and he doesn’t need to see
him to know that Taehyung is smiling.

“Why are you smiling?” he asks whilst putting gauze around a cut on Taehyung’s leg.

“Because you’re taking care of me.”

“I will always take care of you, if you let me,” Jungkook whispers as he lifts his gaze to meet
Taehyung’s eyes.

“And I’ll do just the same,” the alpha promises.

“You’ve already done more than enough.”

“There’s nothing that’s going to be enough when it comes to you.”

“You’re being cheesy again,” Jungkook says, a smile playing on his lips.

“You like cheesy,” Taehyung argues, arms wrapping around the omega when he stands up.

The alpha brings Jungkook to his chest and Jungkook doesn’t protest. He lets himself fall in his
mate’s embrace.

“I do,” Jungkook admits in a murmur, “Just because it’s you.”

Taehyung leans in and kisses Jungkook softly. It’s just a touch of lips, nothing more.

“Thank you for patching me up,” the alpha whispers against Jungkook’s lips.

“I don’t like seeing you hurt.”

“I know,” Taehyung says, a hand coming to cup Jungkook’s cheek, thumb caressing his
cheekbone, “But I’m fine, really. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“Of course I worry about you. You’re my mate.”

“And you’re mine,” Taehyung grins as he tightens his hold on the omega.

“Yours,” Jungkook agrees.

Taehyung’s lips chase after the omega’s once more, a more heated kiss. They devour each other,
forgetting everything about the world. There’s only them, the kiss they’re sharing, and nothing else
matters.

“You’re a menace,” Jungkook says when they break the kiss.

“I’m not,” Taehyung retorts, but the smile eating his face betrays him.

“You’re trying to distract me.”

“Maybe… Is it working?”

“Tae!”

Taehyung chuckles before pecking Jungkook’s pouty lips.

“I’m sorry. I was just trying to make you feel better.”

“I’m okay.”

“Really?”

“Really. You don’t have to worry about me.”

“You can’t use my words against me,” Taehyung whines.

Jungkook only smiles, before standing on his tip-toes and kissing his mate again. It’s easy, so easy,
to get lost in Taehyung like that, to forget everything but him. But, in the back of Jungkook’s mind,
there’s still this fear that Minhyuk will win the fight against Taehyung, that he will put an end to
their fairytale. So the omega wants to enjoy every moment he shares with his mate to the fullest.
He doesn’t want to have any regrets.

“I was anxious whilst you were fighting the others, yes, but…”

“But?”

“I also found it very hot.”

“Hot, you say?” Taehyung teases, a smirk curling his lips.

“You’re so annoying,” Jungkook rolls his eyes but a blush is quickly spreading on his cheeks.

The omega avoids his mate’s eyes as he gives him a pair of boxers and sweatpants. Taehyung is
quick to put them on, his irises never leaving Jungkook as he does so.

“So, you find me hot?” Taehyung asks, arms wrapping around Jungkook again.

The omega hides his face in his mate’s bare chest, unable to look him in the eyes, to see the sparks
of triumph in them.

“Yes,” he admits, thankful his voice is muffled.

“Good. Because I find you very hot too," Taehyung says, a hand coming to rest on Jungkook’s
nape, as the other slowly brushes over the omega’s ribs under his hoodie.

Jungkook shivers under his mate’s touch. He’s still getting used to having someone else touch him
like that, still getting used to the warmth that seeps through Taehyung, to the comfort he
personifies. It’s just a tiny gesture, just fingers softly brushing his skin, but it means everything to
him. His mate means everything to him.

“I’m not hot ,” Jungkook denies.

“Yes, you are. Hot. Gorgeous. Sexy.”

“Stop,” Jungkook whines, hiding his face in his hands.

“I can’t get enough of you,” Taehyung whispers in his ear.

The alpha takes Jungkook’s hands in his and puts them away from his face. And when their eyes
lock, the omega can see a mix of lust and love swirling in Taehyung’s purple irises. It does things
to his heart.

“Kiss me,” Jungkook demands.

And Taehyung does. He leans in and captures Jungkook’s mouth with his. He traces his tongue
over the seam of the omega’s lips, gently and prodding, and Jungkook parts them after a moment.
He sighs into the kiss, mouth soft and pliant under Taehyung’s, making the alpha tilt his head and
kiss him deeper.

“I love you,” Jungkook whispers against Taehyung’s swollen lips, “I love you so much.”

“I love you too, baby.”

“Come with me,” Jungkook says as he takes Taehyung’s hand in his and leads him to the bedroom.

The omega makes Taehyung sit on the bed and gets on his lap, arms winding around his neck. He
doesn’t hesitate to lean in and chase after his mate’s lips once again. He starts to move his hips,
grinding on Taehyung and a string of moans falls from his mouth as he does so. He’s already hard,
just from the kisses they shared and the memory of Taehyung’s alpha fighting Namjoon, Yoongi
and Jimin.

Jungkook keeps on rolling his hips, trying to find some relief in the friction. His cock twitches in
his boxers when the alpha groans and lets his hands fall on Jungkook’s ass. Taehyung’s fingers
knead the flesh through the fabric of Jungkook’s sweatpants, making the omega whimper. He
loves to have his mate’s hands on him, to feel them cup his asscheeks like they were made just for
that. And it gets even better when Taehyung slides his hands under the waistband of Jungkook’s
sweatpants, under the waistband of his boxers, where they end up skin on skin. Taehyung’s palms
are hot, and so, so big. It excites Jungkook, to feel them on him.

“Do you know how beautiful you look, sitting like this on my lap?” Taehyung murmurs against
Jungkook’s swollen lips.

“Tae…,” Jungkook whines, “Please.”

The omega is panting and whimpering against his mate’s mouth, as the shapes of his and
Taehyung’s cock drag against each other, as he begins to see stars behind his closed eyelids. It feels
good, so good, too good. Is it always like this? Or is it because it’s Taehyung and him, together?
He doesn’t know and he doesn’t care. All he cares about is how he feels, like he’s floating, like
he’s flying above the clouds. He’s never felt this light before.

Jungkook’s thighs are burning as he moves his hips against Taehyung’s, but he doesn’t falter in his
movements, fueled by the fact that his mate is as hard as he is, fueled by the want to make him feel
good, too. Taehyung growls at one particular hard thrust and Jungkook angles his hips to grind
against him just right , just to hear that wrecked sound falling from his mate’s mouth again, just to
see Taehyung lose his mind over him.

Jungkook throws his head back and Taehyung lets his lips fall on the omega’s throat. He starts to
lick and bite at the unblemished skin, leaving purple bruises in his wake. And Jungkook moans as
he is marked, fingers tugging at Taehyung’s hair when he jerks his hips a little bit rougher, a little
bit faster. The alpha growls lowly, making Jungkook’s cock throb in his boxers.

“Taehyung…”

“What do you want, pup?”

Jungkook doesn’t know what he wants. Just… more . And he trusts that Taehyung is going to give
it to him, even if he can’t find the words.

“I want… you .”

“You have me.”

“More. Please, more,” Jungkook desperately begs.

“Lie down on your back, baby.”

Jungkook obeys. He gets off of Taehyung’s lap and goes to lie on the bed, eyes never leaving the
other’s as he does so. He bites his bottom lip once he’s where his mate wants him to be, looking at
Taehyung with his big, doe eyes, a little shyness shining in them.

“Can I take this off?” Taehyung asks, fingers playing with the waistband of Jungkook’s
sweatpants.

The omega nods, a small “Yes” slipping past his lips, and lifts his hips to help Taehyung get rid of
his sweatpants. He watches as his mate’s irises darken when they take in his half-naked form.

“You’re so perfect,” Taehyung whispers, hands coming to caress Jungkook’s chest, his abs, his
ribs.

Jungkook shivers under his mate’s touch. He lets out a sigh when Taehyung’s fingers brush his
nipples, a sigh that turns into a moan when the alpha’s digits close around his hard cock and start
stroking it through the boxers.

“You’re so hard for me,” Taehyung marvels.

“Only for you,” Jungkook murmurs.

“I’m going to suck your cock. Is it okay?”

Jungkook takes a sharp breath, “Yes. More than okay.”

Taehyung chuckles before taking Jungkook’s boxers off. As his cock springs free, the omega can
see his mate licking his lips, anticipation, want and need swimming in his eyes. It’s like he always
wanted to have Jungkook’s dick in his mouth, like he waited forever to take it. The thought only
makes Jungkook’s head spin.

“Beautiful,” Taehyung says as he takes Jungkook’s cock in his hand.

“Tae…”

“Shh. I’m going to take care of you.”

Taehyung moves to lie in between Jungkook’s open legs and puts his hands around the omega’s
thighs. He looks at him with so much love, so much hunger, that it brings Jungkook’s heart on the
brink of exploding. But it’s nothing, nothing compared to the sensations that crash down on the
omega when his mate seals his lips around the head of his shaft, sucking lightly, tongue pressing
flat over the slit.

“Oh God,” Jungkook lets out as his fists bunch up around the blanket he’s lying on.

“You taste good, pup,” Taehyung purrs before licking a long stripe on the underside of Jungkook’s
cock, his tongue following the vein protruding there.

It makes Jungkook shudder and arch his back beautifully. His neck is craned, exposing the love
bites Taehyung left earlier, his hair like a halo on the white pillow that rests under his head, and his
chest is heaving as he gasps for air.

Jungkook lets one of his hands come to thread into Taehyung’s hair, and he tugs at it, tugs at it as
he feels himself fall deeper and deeper the more his mate laps at his shaft.

“Need… more . Please.”

Taehyung looks at him with dark, smoldering eyes, before winking at him. Then, he leans forward
and takes Jungkook’s cock down as far as he can, the walls of his throat flexing and straining
against the intrusion. Jungkook can’t help but moan shamelessly as Taehyung swallows and hums
around him. It feels incredible, having his mate’s mouth, so hot, so tight and so wet , around him.
And it soon becomes amazing, when his shaft hits the back of Taehyung’s throat and the alpha just
takes it, like he’s made just for him.

“Tae…”

Jungkook becomes delirious as Taehyung starts to bob his head up and down his cock, twirling his
tongue around the member whenever he pulls back and keeping it flat when he sinks his mouth
down on it, taking the length down to the hilt in one go. It’s almost too much—almost. But it’s not
enough at the same time. Jungkook’s whole body shakes under Taehyung’s ministrations, a slave
to his wicked tongue, of his delicisouly pink lips. He willingly becomes the prisoner of the pleasure
that his mate gives him. So addicted to it already that he feels like he won’t be able to live without
feeling like this ever again.

Taehyung swallows Jungkook down to the base again, throat spasming, muscles clamping down
on the omega’s sensitive cock. It elicits a loud moan from Jungkook, who shudders as warmth
spreads through him. His dick twitches hard, so hard, and leaks profusely. Jungkook doesn’t
control his body anymore, Taehyung does. With his mouth, with his hands that burn on the
omega’s skin as he pins him down to the bed.

"I’m close,” Jungkook breathes out, feeling his orgasm creep closer and closer.

Taehyung’s mouth moves up and down Jungkook’s cock faster, saliva dripping down on it, making
it shine under the unforgiving light of the sun pouring through the windows. The omega can’t take
his eyes off his mate, off his lips, stretched wide around his girth, off his eyes, half-lidded and
looking so sultry. He’s mesmerized by the view, wants to engrave it in his mind, wants to
remember the moment Taehyung makes him fall over the edge forever.

“Tae!”

Jungkook’s fingers tighten their hold on the blanket and Taehyung’s hair, trying to hold onto
something, anything, as he feels himself crash. It takes only one last lick from the alpha’s tongue
on his cock for Jungkook to cum in his mate’s mouth. He paints it white, marking what’s his, and
his only, and feels Taehyung swallow every last drop.

Taehyung doesn’t let Jungkook breathe, he moves on top of him and kisses him, hard, letting him
taste himself on his tongue. The omega hums into his mouth as their tastes mix, as they become
one again.

“How do you feel, baby?” Taehyung asks, brushing his nose with Jungkook’s.

“So good.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Taehyung smiles before slotting their mouths together again and stealing Jungkook’s breath. The
omega goes pliant under his mate’s tongue, letting the alpha consume him completely. It’s mind-
blowing, simply mind-blowing. He wants to keep on kissing Taehyung, forever and ever.

“What about you?” Jungkook asks.

“I can go to the bathroom and—”

“No. I… I can't do what you did to me, not yet. But I can—”

Jungkook doesn’t finish his sentence, he just lets his hand slide into Taehyung’s sweatpants, into
Taehyung’s boxers, and takes the alpha’s cock out of it. Then, he starts to stroke him slowly.
Taehyung groans as Jungkook’s hand brushes against his sensitive dick.

“Feels good, pup.”

Jungkook keeps on jacking Taehyung off, fingers rubbing on his length, the heaviness of it making
the omega’s head spin. He just loves the alpha’s cock, loves feeling it so hard, just for him , loves
feeling it throb and twitch in his palm.

“You’re so good to me,” Taehyung whispers before kissing Jungkook again.

The omega whimpers into his mate’s mouth as their tongues slide against one another, as they steal
each other’s breath. But he doesn’t stop moving his hand up and down Taehyung’s shaft, feeling it
harden and leak under his palm.

“I’m going to cum,” Taehyung warns.

Jungkook strokes the alpha’s cock faster, using his precum to ease the glide of his hand. He thumbs
at the slit from time to time, making Taehyung moan.

“Baby…”

When Taehyung cums, he cums hard, Jungkook’s name on his lips. He looks so hot like this , the
omega thinks. So gorgeous, so… perfect. Jungkook has never seen someone as beautiful as
Taehyung. Never.

“Love you,” Taehyung says once he comes down from his high.

“Love you too.”

And it feels like he’ll never say it enough.
 Chapter 43

Seokjin and Jungkook are in the kitchen, washing the dishes after the dinner they just had all
together, when the younger omega brings up the topic that occupied his thoughts these last few
days.

“Can I visit the wolves who were injured during the attacks?”

The question makes Seokjin freeze mid-movement, his eyes widening as he looks at Jungkook, the
younger omega getting shy for a slight moment. Seokjin’s eyes are glossy as he straightens up from
picking the dishcloth he accidentally dropped.

“Really?” he asks, sentimental, and Jungkook feels the emotions bursting inside the other.

“Really. I want… I want to say sorry and… and thank you,” Jungkook stutters, stumbling on his
words as he feels his throat clogging up the more he speaks.

Jungkook still feels guilty, and ashamed. Going to meet those who defended him, who fought for
him, seems like the least he can do. And he wants to do it, he really wants to.

“You don’t have to say sorry for anything,” Seokjin says, “But meeting them is a good idea. They
will appreciate it, more than you can imagine.”

“You think so?”

“I know so,” Seokjin answers with a smile.

“Okay.”

A beat of silence passes between them, and Seokjin is the first to speak again.

“You’ll be a good Luna for us.”

“It’s not—”

“I know. I know you don’t want to do it because it’s your duty as a Luna, I know it comes from
within you, from what you’re feeling. But still, I think that you’ll be good for this pack,” Seokjin
puts a hand on Jungkook’s shoulder and caresses it softly.

Jungkook blushes as the words leave Seokjin’s mouth. He wasn’t thinking as a Luna when he came
up with the idea of meeting the injured wolves. He was thinking with his heart, above anything
else. But still, Seokjin’s words make warmth bloom inside him.

“Thank you,” Jungkook whispers.

As they finish washing the dishes, Jungkook feels arms wrap around his waist and a head fall on
his shoulder. Cherry blossoms invade his nostrils, and he smiles.

“I missed you,” Taehyung murmurs in his ear.

“I’m right here,” Jungkook retorts.

“Too far from me,” the alpha whines.

Jungkook giggles when Taehyung starts to scent him, rubbing his nose on the sensitive skin of his
neck. He closes his eyes and just enjoys the moment, enjoys his mate’s warmth seeping through
him, enjoys the way their scents become one. He doesn’t see Seokjin leaving the kitchen, leaving
them alone.

“What did you talk about with Seokjin?”

“I want to meet the wolves who were injured during the attacks.”

Taehyung spins Jungkook around in his hold and the omega’s heart skips a beat when his eyes lock
with his mate’s and he sees all the emotions swirling in them.

“You really want to do this?”

“I do. I really do,” Jungkook answers.

“You… You’re incredible,” Taehyung whispers.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing. It means a lot actually. To them, to me .”

“It just feels right, to do that, to apologize to them and say thank you,” Jungkook murmurs.

Taehyung leans in and captures the omega’s lips in a sweet kiss.

“You’re literally perfect, baby.”

“I’m far from being perfect.”

“To me, you are.”

“I’m not—”

“You are. Perfect for me,” Taehyung cuts him off before chasing after his lips once again, “You’re
an angel without its wings.”

“It’s what everyone would have done if they were in my place.”

“Not everyone would be willing to do that, trust me,” Taehyung says, “It takes a lot of
consideration and thoughtfulness. Courage, too.”

Jungkook puts his hands on Taehyung’s chest, feeling his heartbeat under his right palm. It calms
him down, it steadies him. The soft tune anchors him, one that only his mate’s heart can play.

“Having their Luna by their side will help them more than you think.”

“I’m not their Luna.”

“Yet. But you will be, soon. Everyone in the pack already knows that we’re together and that we’re
fated mates.”

Jungkook chokes on air. “They know?”

“The others had to explain everything to the warriors when we increased the patrols and the
number of wolves doing them. They had to know what they were fighting against, and who they
were fighting for. We didn’t tell them everything, of course, certain details are too intimate, but
they know that you’re my mate. It was enough for them to justify our actions towards the wolves
attacking us. Everybody knows who you are to me.”

Dread falls upon Jungkook as realization dawns on him.

“They all know that it’s my fault, that I brought danger upon the pack, that wolves got injured
because of me, they… they probably hate me—”

“They don’t hate you, pup,” Taehyung cuts him off, tightening his hold around him. “They would
have done the same for any other member of the pack. Which you are, may I remind you.”

“They shouldn’t have had to fight in the first place.”

“It’s our battle, you know that, baby. You’re not alone anymore.”

Tears threaten to spill from Jungkook’s eyes as he feels overwhelmed with too many emotions at
once. Sadness. Anger. Relief. Shame. Guilt. Hope.

“I’m not alone,” Jungkook repeats, like the words will start to make sense to him, like they will
imprint on his mind and that he will finally believe them.

“You’re not alone. You’ll never be alone.”

Taehyung kisses his forehead gently, and Jungkook closes his eyes, relishing in the sweet gesture.
He spent his entire life deprived of affection, of love, and now, knowing that there will always be
someone out there for him, it’s indescribable. To acknowledge that his loneliness ended the day he
entered Tree Hills on his motorcycle, the day he met Namjoon, and then, the day he met his mate
in the woods, feels amazing. For once, he knows that it’s true, that, no matter what, he won’t be
alone anymore. There’s Taehyung, and there’s the pack behind him. Always.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you,” Jungkook whispers.

“I ask myself the same question every day about you.”

Jungkook slaps Taehyung’s chest playfully and pouts.

“Oh, no, not the pout. You know I can’t resist the pout,” Taehyung whines.

“Then, kiss it away,” Jungkook replies, arching an eyebrow defiantly.

Taehyung smiles fondly before pressing their lips together, erasing the pout that was curling them
earlier. Jungkook wraps his arms around Taehyung’s neck and brings him closer, kissing him
deeper until…

“Get a room, you two!” Jimin hollers.

Taehyung detaches his lips from Jungkook’s just enough to shout back: “Good idea! You all know
the way out, so don’t mind me not accompanying you to the door.”

Taehyung takes Jungkook’s hand in his and starts to leave the kitchen without even looking back.
The omega is a blushing mess, but he follows, waving at their friends as best he can as they leave
the house one by one, leaving them all alone, just like Taehyung wanted.

Soon, Jungkook and Taehyung are lying in bed in their pajamas, snuggled up against each other.
“I’m so proud of you,” the alpha whispers in Jungkook’s ear, making the omega shiver against
him.

“Why?”

“Because you’ve come so far since we met. I know it’s hard for you to open up and trust people.
So, seeing you willing to do that with my pack, it’s… it means everything to me.”

“It’s our pack,” Jungkook corrects.

“You’re right. It’s our pack,” Taehyung says before leaving a chaste kiss on the omega’s lips.

But it isn’t enough for Jungkook, who lets his tongue rub along Taehyung’s lips, waiting for him to
part them. The alpha gives him what he wants, consuming him, devouring him like never before
and it’s everything Jungkook needed, everything he craved for, everything.
 Chapter 44

The next day, whilst Taehyung is at his training session, Jungkook is in the kitchen, baking cakes
and cookies for the injured wolves he’s going to meet right after. As he takes another batch of
cookies out of the oven, Jungkook can’t help but let his thoughts wander to everything that has
happened since he first stepped foot in Tree Hill. Meeting Taehyung. Finding his place among
friends. Joining the pack. Falling in love… If someone told him two months ago that all this would
happen to him, he would have laughed in their face. But now… it’s all come true. And he couldn’t
be happier. If only Minhyuk wasn’t in the picture anymore…

Jungkook shudders at the thought of the ruthless alpha and looks out of the window. There, in the
glade, he can see Taehyung training with the others and it eases his soul, his heart. Taehyung is
strong, stronger than Minhyuk, Jungkook is sure of it, sure that they have a chance to defeat that
monster of a wolf. He has to believe it.

Jungkook shakes his head and goes back to cooking, putting flour, butter, sugar, eggs and yeast in a
bowl. But as he mixes the ingredients, his eyes go back to the window, to Taehyung. And he
watches as the alpha fights against Jimin and Hoseok, a small smile making its way to his lips. He
can’t believe that such a perfect mate found him when he needed him the most. It still seems
surreal, that they are meant for each other, meant to spend a lifetime together. It makes his heart
flutter just thinking about it.

Never in a million years would Jungkook have thought that he would meet his mate. He thought
that he would end up alone and miserable. But Taehyung came like a hurricane into his life, saving
him, healing him, freeing him. And Jungkook willingly lets himself be swept away by him. Why
wouldn’t he? Taehyung is the epitome of ideal. He cares for him, he’s ready to fight for him, he
loves him. That’s more than Jungkook could have ever asked for, more than he dared dream of
throughout the years he spent secluded in his uncle’s house, or when he was on the run with
nothing but hopelessness to keep him company.

Jungkook adds tiny bits of apple to his preparation before putting it in the mold and placing it in
the oven. He never liked cooking when he was living with his uncle because it felt like an
obligation, something he had to do as an omega. But since he started living with Taehyung, it
became something entirely different, something he enjoys doing. He likes the idea of taking care of
Taehyung like that. Plus, when he cooks, when he bakes, it brings him peace too, a sense of
comfort. He gets lost in his movements, in the smells, in the sensations, and the world around him
fades. Fades to the point that, for a while—if he shuts down his thoughts—he can forget about
anything else.

Jungkook is washing his utensils when someone enters the kitchen and tries to steal a cookie.
Without thinking, he slaps the hand of the culprit, who lets out a yelp, before he hears the deep,
melodious voice of his mate.

“I just wanted a cookie,” Taehyung says in a pout.

Adorable , Jungkook thinks.

“They’re not for you.”

“But—”

“No but. You know who I’m baking them for.”

“I know,” Taehyung sighs.

“I’ll bake cookies for you later, if you want.”

“You’d do that?”

Jungkook rolls his eyes as he dries his hands with a dishcloth, before coming to stand in front of his
mate. He cups Taehyung’s cheeks and looks him in the eyes as he whispers, “Of course I would,
you’re my mate, I’d do anything for you.”

“Anything?”

“Anything,” Jungkook confirms.

“Then, go on a date with me.”

“A date?”

“Yes, a date. I think we both need some time for ourselves, just the two of us.”

Jungkook can’t help his grin, “I’d like that.”

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

Taehyung leans in to fuse their lips together and Jungkook sighs against his mouth. Oh, how he
missed the alpha’s lips on his, the taste of him. It’s not even been two hours, but it felt like an
eternity.

“I’m going to take a shower, and then, we’ll leave, okay?” Taehyung murmurs, forehead falling on
Jungkook’s.

“Okay.”

After one last kiss, Taehyung leaves to freshen up. Whilst he takes a shower, Jungkook nervously
plates all his cakes and cookies, hands shaking as he does so. He’s so anxious about meeting
Taehyung’s warriors and their families, so anxious about not being accepted by them after what
happened. Not knowing how they will react puts him on edge. Will they even want to hear his
apologies? Will they even accept his thank you? Is a thank you enough? He knows it’s not, but it’s
all he has to give. That, and his eternal gratitude.

Jungkook tries not to think too much about everything that could go wrong, but rather about
everything that could go right. Like him finally feeling like he’s a part of the pack. He needs the
warriors’ forgiveness for that, needs to hear from them that they still accept him without any
grudges. It’s important for him and for Taehyung too. Jungkook has already fucked up, but he
wants to fix things, make amends. He can’t live with this guilt forever, but his nightmares don’t let
him forget about wolves getting attacked and injured on his behalf.

Jungkook takes a deep breath, trying to shake away his thoughts. He can’t let himself be weak, not
now, not in front of Taehyung’s warriors. He has to appear as the strong omega he is, the one who
survived despite everything, the one who fought wolf after wolf to stay alive. He needs to earn their
respect. As one of them.

Jungkook’s movements come to a halt when he feels arms wrap around his waist. When he is
brought to a firm chest, he lets his head fall back as Taehyung starts to scent him slowly.

“You’re nervous,” the alpha states.

“I am,” Jungkook sighs.

“Talk to me.”

“I’m scared that they’ll hate me, that they’ll think I’m not worth fighting for. Or that they’ll act
like the members of my old pack.”

“They won’t do any of that. They’ll love you, no matter what has happened. And you know why?”

“Why?”

“Because you’re the most lovable person I know, nobody can resist you.”

“You say that because you love me.”

“I say that because it’s true,” Taehyung denies.

Jungkook lets his shoulders drop, and the alpha’s lips find their way to his nape, littering the skin
there with wet kisses.

“Don’t be anxious, baby, everything is going to go just fine.”

“How are you so sure about that?”

“Because I know these wolves, I grew up with them, and I can guarantee you that they’ll be over
the moon to finally meet you properly and not in passing at a pack dinner.”

“I just… I just don’t want them to regret letting me become a member of the pack,” Jungkook
admits in a whisper.

“Oh, pup, nobody regrets you joining the pack. Nobody.”

“Even after the attacks?” Jungkook asks in a small voice.

“Even after the attacks,” Taehyung reassures him, tightening his hold around the omega’s waist.

Silence falls over them for a while.

“Do you regret it?”

“What?”

“Joining our pack.”

“No, I don’t regret it,” Jungkook answers truthfully, “I only regret that my past followed me here
and came back to haunt us.”

“It’s not going to haunt you for much longer,” Taehyung promises, pecking the omega’s temple,
“You have us on your side to scare it away this time, and for good.”

Jungkook tries to believe him, wanting nothing more than peace for them, for the pack.

“Are you ready?” Taehyung asks after a few seconds.

“I am.”

“Then, let’s go,” Taehyung says, smiling with a mischievous glint in his eyes, “Before I get
tempted and really try to steal a cookie for myself.”

Jungkook playfully smacks Taehyung, nudging him away as he packs the cakes and cookies into a
bag, lifting it up from the counter.

“Don’t you dare!”

Taehyung only laughs as he goes to the door and opens it for Jungkook. Once they’re outside, the
alpha takes his mate’s hand in his and intertwines their fingers. They have five wolves to visit
today. Hyungsik—a beta—is the first one, who is also the most injured. Jungkook’s stomach
churns at the fact that this wolf he doesn’t know got hurt because of him. If only he could take that
hurt away, if only he could have been the one injured instead—

Jungkook is snapped out of his thoughts when they reach Hyungsik’s house and Taehyung steps on
the porch of it. The alpha squeezes his mate’s fingers gently, most probably feeling his emotions
and how overwhelmed he is.

“Breathe. You’re okay,” Taehyung tells him.

Jungkook takes a deep breath. He is okay. He is okay. He is okay. His grip on his bag tightens
when Taehyung rings the doorbell, and when the door opens he sees a beautiful woman behind it.

“Jisoo!” Taehyung exclaims, half-hugging her, “How are you?”

“I’m fine. Hyungsik drives me crazy, but what’s new?”

Taehyung chuckles and puts his arm around Jungkook’s waist to bring him closer.

“You already know Jungkook, my mate.”

Jungkook blushes when he hears the words slip out of Taehyung’s mouth. My mate . He’s not
ashamed to call me his mate , Jungkook thinks, and that makes his heart skip a beat or two.

“Yes, of course! Welcome to our home, Jungkook,” Jisoo says with a bright smile, like she’s
genuinely delighted that Jungkook is here.

The smile, the warmth that Jisoo exudes, is so far away from what Jungkook expected that he is
taken aback for a minute. He blinks, before opening his mouth and speaking.

“Thank you, Jisoo,” he whispers, bowing his head slightly.

Jungkook misses the way Jisoo’s eyes widen at the gesture, misses the blush that spreads on her
cheeks when she looks at him.

“We’re happy to be here,” Taehyung interjects.

“We… Um… Why don’t you come in?” Jisoo invites them.

She turns around and leads the way inside. Taehyung and Jungkook follow her until they are
standing in what appears to be the living area. The home feels warm, cozy, and the first thing that
Jungkook sees are all the child’s drawings hanging up on the walls. They must be the masterpieces
of the couples’ twins–Baekhyun and Chanyeol.
Jisoo ushers them to sit around the table placed in the middle of the room, on cushions that lay on
the floor.

“I’m going to get Hyungsik and the kids out of their bedrooms. Give me a minute,” she tells them
before leaving them alone.

Once Jisoo is out of the room, Taehyung takes Jungkook’s hand back in his and slowly caresses his
knuckles.

“How do you feel?” the alpha asks lowly.

“I’m okay.”

“You’re sure?”

“Yeah.”

Just as the word slips out of Jungkook’s mouth, they hear children’s laughs coming from the
hallway in front of them. Soon, two excited puppies—who can’t be more than six years old—come
barreling into Taehyung.

“Uncle TaeTae!” They shout in unison before falling into the alpha’s embrace.

“How are you, little ones?” Taehyung hums.

“Fine!” The kids answer.

They each kiss one of Taehyung’s cheeks, giggling, before standing in front of him with wide
smiles on their faces.

“Did you bring gifts for us?” Baekhyun asks.

“Baekhyun!” his mother chastises.

“Well I didn’t,” Taehyung answers and the kids pout, puppy eyes on display, “But Jungkook did.”

All eyes turn on the omega who suddenly wants the ground to swallow him.

“I… Euh…” he stutters.

Swiftly, Jungkook takes the plate of cookies from his bag and places it on the table under watchful
eyes. As soon as he takes his hands off the plate, screams of happiness fill the room.

“Can we eat some, mom, please?” Chanyeol questions, bouncing up and down.

“You can. But, before that, you have to say thank you to Jungkook.”

“There’s no nee—”

But the kids are already on him and Jungkook can’t finish his sentence. Baekhyun and Chanyeol
are hugging him and kissing his cheeks, making him blush a deep red, but he can’t help his smile, a
smile so big that everyone can see his bunny teeth. He just loves kids.

“Thank you, uncle Kookie,” the twins say.

“You’re welcome,” Jungkook answers, “I hope you’ll like my chocolate chip cookies.”
To his utter surprise, the kids climb onto his lap and sit there, before making grabby hands for the
cookies. Jungkook briefly looks at Jisoo—who nods her head once—and gives a cookie to
Baekhyun and Chanyeol. They start eating them straight away, and Jungkook can’t take his eyes
off the twins, feeling bubbles of happiness float in his entire body.

Jungkook’s eyes leave the kids when he hears a voice clear his throat. As he turns around, he meets
the irises of Hyungsik, just for a second, before his eyes trail over his figure and land on the
bandage that is wrapped around the beta’s arm. He shudders when he sees droplets of blood under
the fabric. It makes his stomach churn and his heart twist painfully in the swell of his ribcage. He
gulps hard, feeling ashamed and unable to look into Hyungsik’s eyes.

“I’m sorry about them,” Hyungsik apologizes, “They’re a bit… energetic.”

“It’s okay. Really,” Jungkook whispers, head still low.

“They already love you,” Jisoo declares, a fond smile on her face.

Something warm, unknown, blooms inside Jungkook as he takes in Jisoo’s words, as they make
their way to his beaten up heart.

“It’s just the cookies,” Jungkook denies.

“I don’t think so,” Hyungsik interjects, “Kids have a good gut feeling about people. If you weren’t
a good person, they wouldn’t be sitting on your lap right now.”

Jungkook blinks and tears his eyes away from the kids to look at their father. Hyungsik is smiling
at him, the same kind smile that Jisoo had on her face when Taehyung and him stepped foot in
front of their house a few minutes ago. Jungkook can’t help but bow his head in gratitude.
Hyungsik’s eyes widen and he glances at Taehyung, mouth agape, before speaking again.

“You don’t have to bow in front of me, Jungkook.”

“I do. I… I want to say sorry—”

“Sorry? For what?” Hyungsik cuts him off, dumbfounded by Jungkook’s words.

“For the attack.”

“You didn’t attack me.”

“But these wolves were after me. It should have been me, not you,” Jungkook whispers, tears
threatening to spill from his eyes, “It’s my fault, and I… I’m so sorry.”

“There is nothing to be sorry for. We protect our members, always. And I’m glad I was able to
protect you from these wolves.”

“You got hurt,” Jungkook murmurs.

“I did,” Hyungsik says, eyes briefly landing on his arm before they’re back on Jungkook, “A wolf
took out a bit of my arm, but it’s healing now.”

Jungkook can’t take his eyes off the bandage on Hyungsik’s arm, can’t help but think about how
he got it in the first place. Guilt still eats him alive, and he feels bad, so bad for Hyungsik, for
Jisoo, for Baekhyun and for Chanyeol, because they had to go through what he experienced with
Taehyung, and it’s not fair to any of them.
“You don’t have to worry about me,” Hyungsik adds.

“Of course I worry about you, you’re a member of this pack, you fought for me, you… I can’t
thank you enough,” Jungkook says, voice wavering.

“Hey, you don’t have to thank me, anyone would have done the same—”

“That’s where you’re wrong,” Jungkook cuts him off, “In my old pack, nobody would have lifted a
finger to help me. You did. And I’m beyond grateful for that.”

“You’re a member of this pack too, Jungkook, that makes you worth fighting for.”

The words are too much. Jungkook feels a tear fall from his left eye, a tear that he’s quick to wipe
away, but—

“Why are you crying?” Baekhyun asks, his little hand coming to rest on Jungkook’s cheek.

“It’s nothing.”

“It’s not nothing if it makes you cry,” Chanyeol pipes up.

“I’m just… happy. They’re happy tears.”

The twins seem to believe him as they go back to eating their cookies. Jungkook feels Taehyung’s
hand taking his, squeezing it softly, as if to say “I’m here with you, always.”.

“You are one of us,” Hyungsik says gently.

“Thank you,” Jungkook whispers as he hugs the twins tight, losing himself in their sweet,
comforting scents.

The pups lean their heads on his chest and Jungkook feels so warm. He looks at Taehyung and sees
so much love, so much fondness in his eyes that it makes the omega’s heart melt.

“I love you,” Jungkook mouths.

“I love you more,” is his answer.

 Chapter 45

A few days later, as the whole pack gets ready to run into the woods, Jungkook stands beside
Taehyung, hands interlaced, and looks around him with stars in his eyes, looks at all the people
gathered in between the trees surrounding the heart of the Black Moon’s territory. This is his pack.
This is his home . This is where he belongs and he wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.

When Jungkook left the Moonblood pack, he didn’t feel anything. No regret. No sorrow. He never
felt like he was part of the pack to begin with, so there was nothing to miss. But he knows that if he
were to leave the Black Moon pack, there would be a hole digging itself into his chest, a hole that
nothing would be able to fill. Jungkook is already so attached to its members, so… connected to
them after visiting with Taehyung the past few days. Now that he has met all of them and been on
the receiving end of their warm smiles, of their kind words, he can’t see himself living in another
pack. He knows it wouldn’t be the same.

“What are you thinking of?” Taehyung whispers, lips brushing Jungkook’s ear.

“I’m finally happy.”

“You are?”

“I am.”

Taehyung puts a hand on his cheek and turns his head around so that they’re face to face. He’s
smiling, a big boxy smile that makes his eyes almost disappear.

“That’s all I want,” the alpha says, caressing Jungkook’s skin with his thumb slowly.

“It’s thanks to you.”

“Me?”

“You found me. You saved me, and you brought me to the pack. Without you, I don’t know where
I would be right now. Alone, miserable and hurting in another cheap hotel room, probably.”

“That’s in the past, pup. You’re safe now,” Taehyung says before pecking his lips.

Safe . Surrounded by thousands of majestic wolves, by the toughest warriors he’s ever met, bare
and vulnerable, he’s safe. By Taehyung’s side, the omega is the safest he’s ever been.

Jungkook looks to the last members as they shift, before letting his eyes drift to their friends, who
are turning into their wolf form too, one by one. They stand in a circle around him and Taehyung,
to guard them, protect them. Safe .

“Are you ready?” Taehyung asks him.

“I am,” Jungkook answers in a murmur.

Taehyung leans in before kissing him again, a way of reassuring him that everything is and will be
fine. And then, he lets his alpha take over, turning into the striking big, brown wolf that Jungkook
loves to admire. Taehyung tilts his head to the side, waiting for Jungkook to shift too.

The omega closes his eyes and lets his body transform itself, taking the shape of his omega, a
white wolf with gray eyes. When he’s on his paws, Jungkook comes to stand close to Taehyung,
and the alpha nestles his head in the crook of his neck, scenting him tenderly. It doesn’t last long,
but it’s enough for Jungkook, for his heart.

Taehyung stands tall in front of his pack, like the true leader that he is, his purple eyes diving into
the irises of his members, one by one. Then, he howls. A sound so powerful and untamed that it
makes a shiver lick at Jungkook’s spine. The wolves surrounding them respond to him in the same
manner, and this chorus of howls fading into the night is like music to Jungkook’s ears. They’re all
in symbiosis, one soul, one heart. It’s beautiful. So beautiful that the omega’s heart trembles when
he joins them and howls too. And, for the first time, it’s not a howl of pain, of despair, but a howl
of joy.

When the howls stop, the wolves start to dart in all directions, disappearing into the night’s
shadows. Jungkook can almost feel their happiness, can almost taste their freedom as he watches
them run. He stays put though, just enjoying the spectacle, smiling inside. He never ran with his
old pack, never had the opportunity to experience such a communion. It’s overwhelming, but in a
good way.

Jungkook waited all his life to live a moment like this, a moment where he doesn’t feel lonely or
abandoned. And this is it. This is him, starting to run alongside Taehyung and their friends, letting
his paws hit the ground rhythmically, letting his heart beat fast in the swell of his ribcage. He
forgets about everything but the thrill of the run, the thrum of happiness running through his body.

As Jungkook dives into the woods, everything around him starts to blur from how fast he goes,
paws flying above the ground. He doesn’t know where they are going, but it doesn’t matter right
now. What matters is how he feels. Free. Light. Joyful. He never wants this moment to end.
Never.

Jungkook wants to race with his mate and his friends until his last breath, wants to remember what
it’s like to finally be a part of a pack that accepts him, that doesn’t reduce him to an object because
of his rank or relish in his tears, screams, and shouts of pain. Whilst he runs, he can forget his past
for a while. He needs this, more than anything.

After some time, their little group of seven slow down until they come to a halt in the middle of a
clearing. Jungkook is mesmerized by the place they’re in, by the soft grass licking at his paws, by
the tiger lilys that are covering the ground and the stars shining from above them. It’s breathtaking.

Jungkook doesn’t move. He waits until Taehyung walks up to him and lets his head fall against his.
Then, the omega closes his eyes, getting lost in his mate’s scent, in his proximity. The moment is
intimate as Taehyung starts to rub his head in the crook of Jungkook’s neck, scenting him once
again. The alpha growls softly as he temporarily marks his mate. Jungkook basks in the touch,
leaning in to get even closer to Taehyung and give him more room. Low purrs bubble up in his
throat at the alpha’s ministrations, purrs that he doesn’t even try to keep in. He feels so happy that
everything else fades around him. It’s just Taehyung and him. Just them. Nobody else.

Taehyung backs away after a while, rubbing his snout against Jungkook’s, before letting their
foreheads touch. They stay like that for a few minutes, not minding the passing of time or the
howls ringing in the air around them. They don’t pay attention to anything but each other, and it
makes Jungkook’s heart stutter in his chest.

Finally, Taehyung nudges Jungkook on the side, urging him to go back to the heart of their territory
and run again. Which he does. He sprints out of the clearing, seeing Taehyung and their friends
follow his trail, soon flanking him on both sides. As he darts through the trees, Jungkook lets the
scents around him invade his nostrils—the green leaves of the trees, the lichen creeping on the tree
trunks, the mushrooms lying at their feet, and those of the animals of the forest, like the squirrels,
the owls, the boars. He breathes nature, filling his lungs with everything that he comes across. For
the first time in a long time, he breathes .

When they reach their destination, the other wolves are already there, waiting for them. They take
the same place as before, in the middle of the pack members, and Taehyung howls, loud for
everyone to hear. In the next few seconds, they’re all shifting back to their human forms, putting
on the clothes they had discarded on the ground earlier. Taehyung and Jungkook are the last ones
to let their wolves go. When they do, he feels a deep ache and a sense of longing, but Jungkook
knows—hopes—that it’s not the last time that they’ll get to run like this—all together.
 Chapter 46

Feeling restless, Jungkook leaves the book he was reading on the bed and goes to Taehyung’s
home office. He knocks on the door three times before he hears his mate’s deep, raspy voice
inviting him to come inside.Jungkook is not prepared for his eyes to land on Taehyung’s figure
with a pair of glasses sitting on his elegant nose, on his messy brown hair that make him want to
thread his fingers through it, on his deliciously pink lips that seem to have been bitten quite a lot
recently. He’s gorgeous. And Jungkook doesn’t know what he did in his past life to deserve
someone as beautiful as Taehyung for a mate.

“Hey, baby.”

“Hi.”

“What brings you here?” Taehyung asks softly.

“Missed you,” Jungkook answers, almost shy.

“Come here,” is all Taehyung says.

Jungkook does as told and approaches the alpha, rounding his desk to come and stand in front of
him. Taehyung opens his legs and the omega creeps closer, finding his place in between them. He
puts his hands on his mate’s shoulders just as Taehyung wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist,
bringing him to his chest. The omega doesn’t resist the urge to curl his fingers in Taehyung’s hair
as the alpha lets his head rest against his chest.

“Missed you too,” he whispers, looking up at Jungkook.

Jungkook smiles, happy to know that he’s not the only one that feels like something is missing
when he’s not with the other.

“Can I stay with you?” He inquires. “Just for a little while.”

“Of course you can.”

Jungkook gets comfortable on the alpha’s lap and Taehyung tightens his hold around the omega’s
waist, making him sigh in content. Oh, how he loves being close to his mate like this, being in his
embrace.

“I’m sorry to bother you while you’re working.”

“You’re not bothering me at all,” Taehyung says, kissing the top of Jungkook’s head, “I’m happy
you came into my lair.”

Jungkook giggles before leaving a peck on his mate’s throat. He closes his eyes, letting Taehyung’s
scent invade his nostrils. He doesn’t know why he suddenly felt the urge to see Taehyung. He just
needed to be with him, to feel him.

Taehyung’s hands trace over Jungkook’s ribs. He never knew that being touched by someone else
could be so soft and tender, not when all he was used to were fists hitting his body endlessly. Now,
he craves to be touched this way, to be mapped out and worshiped .

“Tae…”
“Hm?”

“Kiss me, please.”

Taehyung’s hands leave his waist to cup his cheeks and lift his head. The alpha seals Jungkook’s
lips with his own. Their tongues slide hot against one another, moans and groans rumbling in their
throats. Every time they kiss, Jungkook feels sparks igniting in his whole body. It’s just so perfect
that it makes his toes curl and his heart go haywire. When Taehyung deepens the kiss, Jungkook
goes pliant and soft under his mouth.

“I could kiss you forever,” Taehyung murmurs against the omega’s swollen lips.

“I’d let you.”

Jungkook takes Taehyung’s hands in his and slowly guides them to his ass. The alpha inhales
sharply before kneading the flesh in the omega’s jeans.

“What do you want?” Taehyung asks roughly.

“You,” Jungkook replies before kissing him again, this time a little more harshly, a little more
desperately.

As the kiss gets more heated, the omega loses himself. Everything is hot, so unbelievably hot, that
it makes his skin simmer with desire. Jungkook feels himself getting harder in his boxers as
Taehyung bites on his bottom lip, tugs it into his mouth to suckle it before letting it bounce back.
It’s so lewd the way they kiss, like they can’t get enough.

When they break apart, Jungkook lets his mouth wander down Taehyung’s jaw, along the column
of his throat. He licks and he sucks, feeling bold, feeling powerful because he’s the one making
Taehyung growl like that .

“Baby…” Taehyung breathes out as he cranes his neck.

Jungkook keeps on lapping at the alpha’s smooth skin, savoring his sweetness, savoring each
wrecked sound that leaves Taehyung’s mouth, as he starts to unbutton his mate’s dress shirt.

“Wanna see you,” he murmurs against tanned flesh.

Taehyung’s hands squeeze Jungkook’s ass, eliciting a whimper from the omega. Jungkook jerks
his hips harder, faster, feeling his mate under him. It makes him want Taehyung more, makes him
want to feel him inside, deep, deep inside.

“You’re driving me crazy,” Taehyung whispers, hands sliding under Jungkook’s sweater and—

The doorbell rings.

Jungkook startles before groaning, letting his forehead fall on Taehyung’s. As he catches his
breath, he hears the alpha chuckle and can feel him tucking a loose strand of hair behind his ear.

“Later, baby.”

“Promise?”

“Promise,” Taehyung replies before kissing Jungkook’s temple.

Reluctantly, Jungkook detaches himself from Taehyung and gets up from his lap. He pulls his
sweater down over his thighs in order to hide his half-hard cock.

“I… Um… I’ll go get the door,” the omega says as he exits the room without looking back,
because if he does, he knows he won’t be able to take his eyes, his hands, his lips off Taehyung.

When Jungkook reaches the door and opens it, he’s surprised to see Hoseok and Jimin behind it.

“What are you doing here?” he asks.

“Hello to you too,” Jimin replies, but there’s no bite to it.

“Are we… Are we disturbing you?” Hoseok inquires, eyes wide, eyebrows raised high.

Jungkook flushes red. He forgot that other werewolves would be able to smell his arousal, the
desire thrumming through his veins. Shit .

“I… Well, we…” he fumbles.

“Don’t embarrass the kid,” Jimin snickers before winking at Jungkook.

“O…kay,” Hoseok says, “Anyway, we’re here to take you in town.”

“Why?”

“Because of your date, duh,” Hoseok answers.

“It’s tonight, isn’t it?” Jimin questions.

“Yes. But how do you—”

“Taehyung told me,” Jimin cuts him off.

“I still don’t understand. Why do we have to go to town?” Jungkook tilts his head in question.

“We’re going to help you get ready for your date!” Hoseok exclaims.

Jungkook can’t help but smile at his friend’s enthusiasm.

“Okay,” he agrees quickly with a nod.

The next second, the omega is engulfed in a hug by Hoseok and Jimin.

“It’s going to be fun!” the alpha proclaims.

“What’s going to be fun?”

Jungkook turns around to see his mate standing just behind him, a smile curling his lips.

“We’re kidnapping your mate,” Hoseok declares.

“And I’d let you do that, because…?”

“Because you love us,” Jimin answers.

Taehyung wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist and brings him to his chest.

“I love him ,” he says, looking straight at the omega.

Jungkook blushes, a small smile playing on his lips, heart thudding in his chest. He won’t ever get
tired of hearing these words falling from Taehyung’s mouth, ever.

“Love you too,” the omega whispers, hands finding their way to Taehyung’s chest.

“Okay, enough sappy shit for now,” Jimin declares, “He’s coming with us whether you like it or
not.”

Jimin tugs Jungkook by his side, holding onto his wrist, and starts to make him walk to his car
without even glancing back at Taehyung. Hoseok waves sheepishly at his head alpha who looks at
them, amused, before following his boyfriend. Once they’re all in the car, Jimin starts the engine
and gets on the path leading out of the woods.

“You and Taehyung are really cute, you know? I’ve never seen him like this before.”

“Really?” Jungkook asks.

“Really. Actually, it’s the first time that I've seen him in love,” Hoseok confesses.

“But he had boyfriends before me, he told me.”

“He did. But he never felt for them what he feels towards you,” Jimin says.

The words make warmth spread throughout Jungkook’s entire body. He’s special to Taehyung, like
Taehyung is special to him. And now he knows it’s not just because of the bond, it’s deeper than
that.

“He never looked at them the way he looks at you,” Hoseok declares.

“And how does it look at me?”

“Like you’re his whole world,” Jimin says easily.

“Like he can’t get enough of you and doesn’t want to lose you,” Hoseok adds.

“You look at him just the same,” Jimin looks at Jungkook through the rearview mirror.

“I… I really love him,” Jungkook whispers.

“We’re happy that you do!” Jimin exclaims, “Taehyung deserves to be loved like you love him.”

“And you deserve to be loved like he loves you,” Hoseok remarks.

“You’re being cheesy, just like him,” Jungkook jokes.

“Is he now?” Jimin asks cheekily.

“Yeah. But…”

“But you love it,” Hoseok finishes for him.

“I do. It’s endearing, and cute, and—” Jungkook sighs dreamily.

“Okay, you’re in too deep,” Jimin teases.

Jungkook can’t deny that. He loves Taehyung with his whole heart and will love him until his last
breath, he just knows it. There won’t be anyone else but the alpha for him. His first, his last, his
everything.

“It’s so cute, Jungkookie,” Jimin coos.

“You’re going to scare him if you keep acting like that,” Hoseok teases.

“I’m not! I’m just happy that my best friend found his mate,” Jimin pouts.

“It’s okay,” Jungkook coughs, “I don’t mind.”

“See? He doesn’t mind,” Jimin says, pulling out his tongue at Hoseok.

Silence falls over them after that and Junngkook looks out the window at the landscape. He’s
getting more and more familiar with the town, with the miles of trees bordering the road, with the
colorful houses and the shapes of people passing by. He gets lost in his thoughts, in the idea of
living here for the rest of his life and it feels like he was meant to end here anyway.

A few minutes later, Jimin parks his car in the middle of the main street and gets out of the vehicle.
Hoseok does the same, and Jungkook follows.

“Okay, first, we’re going to the hairdresser,” he declares as he takes a strand of Jungkook’s hair in
his tiny hand.

“Do you, maybe, want to dye your hair, Jungkook?'“ Hoseok asks.

Jungkook’s eyes widen. He didn’t think about dying his hair, but why not? He always wanted to
try blue, maybe now is the time.

“I’d be up for it,” he shrugs.

“Perfect!” Jimin exclaims, “Then, follow us.”

It doesn’t take long before they reach the hair salon and Jungkook is being taken care of. He keeps
his eyes closed while the hairdresser dyes his hair, only opens them when everything is done. And
he gasps as he sees his reflection in the mirror.

“Wow!” Hoseok breathes out when his eyes land on Jungkook.

“You’re so handsome, Kookie.”

Jungkook lets his fingers weave into his hair, wonder and awe swirling in his irises. He never
thought that he would look good with blue hair, but, for once, he really feels beautiful and it makes
warmth bloom inside him. He hopes that Taehyung will find him beautiful too…

“Now we need to buy you some clothes,” Jimin says once they’re outside the hair salon and on the
sidewalk.

“What is wrong with my clothes?” Jungkook asks as he looks at himself, at his sweatpants and
baggy t-shirt.

“They’re not sexy, Kookie. You need to step up your game if you want to blow Taehyung’s mind
tonight,” Jimin answers.

Sexy . Jungkook never felt sexy before, except when Taehyung touched him, when he kissed him,
when he tasted him.
They find a little shop not far away from the hair salon and it’s like Jimin is on a mission because
he tugs at Jungkook’s wrist as they go from aisle to aisle, searching for the “perfect” outfit, one
that will accentuate Jungkook’s curves and “make Taehyung drool”.

“Try this,” Jimin instructs, giving Jungkook a pile of clothes and shoving him into a fitting room.

Jungkook does as told and tries the clothes one by one, showing them to Jimin and Hoseok until
they settle for a pair of tight black jeans, ripped at the thighs and knees, and a silky blue shirt that
highlights Jungkook’s tiny waist and strong chest. When the omega looks at himself in the mirror,
he finds that he likes what he sees and lets out a small smile.

“Aw, he’s smiling, look at him,” Jimin coos to Hoseok, a proud look in his eyes.

“We should add some make-up to the mix,” Hoseok suggests.

And that’s how they find themselves in a cosmetics store a few minutes later, Jungkook sitting on a
stool and a make-up artist applying eyeshadow, eyeliner and lipstick on him. He feels like a doll.
He can’t help but think about Taehyung, about his eyes on him, his lips, his hands on him. He’s
nervous about the alpha’s reaction, but excited at the same time. He wants to be beautiful for him.
He wants to feel the desire, the need, the want under Taehyung’s skin when they’ll be together.

After the make-up artist applies the last touch of blush on his cheeks, Jungkook turns around and
finds Jimin and Hoseok already looking at him, smiles etched on their lips, stars in their eyes.

“Perfect,” Jimin breathes out.

“Perfect,” Hoseok agrees.

“Taehyung is going to lose his mind,” Jimin adds.

Jungkook can only hope that the alpha is right.

 Chapter 47

Jimin and Hoseok drop Jungkook off, and then, he’s alone again. For the first time since he and
Taehyung met, he’s feeling nervous at the prospect of their proximity. What if Taehyung doesn’t
like what he sees? What if he decides that Jungkook isn’t what he wants in the end? What if—

Jungkook takes a deep breath and opens the door to their home, heart beating wildly in his chest,
palms clammy and tongue heavy in his mouth. A gasp falls from his lips when he sees what awaits
him in the living room. He blinks, thinking that he’s dreaming, but no, there’s really a pillow fort in
the middle of the room. A massive pillow fort shining in the dark thanks to the fairy lights placed
all around it. It’s beautiful, simply putting it. To know that Taehyung did this all for him… It
makes Jungkook’s heart melt a little more.

Jungkook takes a few steps forward, eyes searching for Taehyung, but he can’t find him anywhere,
so he calls out for him.

“Tae?”

Taehyung pops up from under the sheets that are forming the pillow fort and smiles brightly when
he sees Jungkook standing a few feet away from him. A smile that turns into something more
lustful, more hungry, as his eyes rake over the omega’s body and take in his new outfit. Jungkook
can see Taehyung’s irises darken from where he is as the other looks at him like he’s his prey and
it sends shivers running down his spine. He squirms on his feet, biting his bottom lip as he waits
for Taehyung to say something, anything.

It only takes a few steps for the alpha to be standing in front of Jungkook and Jungkook’s breath
immediately catches in his throat when he is met with Taehyung’s intense stare.

“Gorgeous,” Taehyung breathes out.

“Yeah?” he asks shyly.

“Yeah. I’ve never seen someone as pretty as you,” Taehyung says as he lifts a hand, thumb coming
to brush against Jungkook’s lower lip.

Taehyung is quick to capture his lips, to swipe his tongue over his bottom lip like he can’t help
himself. The kiss is messy and the omega moans into it as his fingers weave through Taehyung’s
hair, tugging at the strands. The alpha growls, and the sound ripples through Jungkook’s entire
body, making him tremble against Taehyung. Taehyung who devours him, biting at his lips, and
Jungkook kisses back with the same fierceness until his lungs give out.

Taehyung’s hold on his hips tighten as he pants against Jungkook’s mouth.

“You…” the alpha licks his lips, “You taste so good. Is… Is that strawberry lipstick that you’re
wearing?”

“Yes.”

“How did you know it’s my favorite?”

“Jimin.”

“That little minx,” Taehyung chuckles.

Jungkook smiles at hearing the sound of his mate’s laugh, a sound he loves and wants to hear
every day for the rest of his life. But the smile is easily swept away when Taehyung dives in again
and kisses him hard and deep, so hungrily that it makes Jungkook’s entire body feel like a livewire,
strung out and ready to spark.

“Are you ready for our date?” Taehyung asks when they break apart.

“I am,” Jungkook replies breathlessly.

“Good.”

Taehyung takes Jungkook’s hand in his and leads him into the pillow fort. He sits down on the
blankets lying on the floor and the omega takes place in his lap. Taehyung’s arms wrap around his
lithe waist, before he kisses Jungkook’s temple softly.

“I have food. And Netflix. What do you think?”

“I think that it’s perfect.”

Taehyung grins and Jungkook just wants to kiss him again, so badly. But he refrains from doing so
and just pecks the alpha’s cheek before letting his head fall on his mate’s shoulder.

“You’re perfect,” he whispers.

Taehyung’s hand comes to caress the omega’s thigh, fingers playing with the rips in his jeans.
Goosebumps arise on Jungkook’s skin at the touch like they always do when Taehyung’s hands
are on him.

“Are you hungry?” Taehyung asks in his ear, lips so close to his earlobe that Jungkook can almost
feel them.

“Mhm.”

Taehyung takes a strawberry from the plate lying next to him and brings it to Jungkook’s mouth.
The omega parts his lips and lets the fruit invade his mouth, before taking a bite. It’s sweet, and
juicy, and soft . Jungkook doesn’t even mean to but he can’t help but moan at the taste of it.

“You’re so sexy,” Taehyung groans.

Sexy . There’s that word again. The one Jungkook wanted to hear in his mate’s mouth. The one that
makes him feel wanted .

Jungkook takes another bite of the strawberry, lips brushing Taehyung’s fingers, making the alpha
let out a low growl. He closes his eyes, enjoying the fact that his mate is feeding him. He knows
how great of a deal it is for them, for an alpha to feed an omega. He knows what it means.
Taehyung is starting to court him.

Jungkook blinks his eyes open when Taehyung takes the strawberry out of his mouth to put it in
his. The omega whimpers, wanting to chase after the fruit and connect his lips to his mate’s,
wanting to taste the strawberry on his tongue. But he doesn’t move, he simply looks at Taehyung,
mouth slightly agape, tongue darting out to wet his lips. The moment is erotic, charged with sexual
tension and Jungkook doesn’t know if he can survive it, not when his whole body is burning with
want.

“Tae…” Jungkook whines.

Taehyung smirks before leaning in and letting his tongue run over Jungkook’s bottom lip. He
doesn’t kiss him yet though, he teases him, keeping his lips against his mouth but just out of reach.

“Please,” Jungkook begs.

His plea is all it takes for Taehyung to let his mouth crash down on Jungkook’s. The omega
welcomes him with a content sigh, parting his lips for his mate. He lets his tongue slide over
Taehyung’s, tasting him and being consumed by him. It’s pure bliss to kiss the alpha like this, to
feel him kiss back with the same passion, the same intensity. It drives Jungkook insane. His fists
tighten their hold on Taehyung’s sweater, wanting nothing more than to rip it off, to be skin to skin
with the alpha.

Taehyung is the first one to break the kiss. He turns back to their forgotten platter of fruits to take a
grape and put it in between his teeth, offering it to Jungkook. The omega lets his lips brush
Taehyung’s before he bites into the fruit, taking it in his mouth and swallowing. He doesn’t really
get to enjoy the taste of the grape before the alpha’s mouth is on his again, stealing his lips, his
breath, his heart a little bit more. Jungkook kisses back desperately, kisses back with all he has,
hoping that Taehyung will understand just how much he loves him, how much he craves him,
through that one simple kiss.

“Tae… Are you… Are you courting me?” Jungkook asks when they break apart.

“I am.”

“Why? You know I’m already yours.”

“I know. But I want to do things right, to show you that I’m the one for you, to prove my love to
you.”

“You don’t need to do that.”

“I want to.”

Jungkook lifts a hand to caress Taehyung’s cheek, the alpha leaning into the touch and closing his
eyes for a brief second.

“You know, I never wanted to dream too much about having a mate because I knew that my uncle
would sell me to the first alpha that came up to him and that my chances of falling in love with
them were more than slim. But, sometimes, especially during my years on the run, I kept hoping
that, one day, I’d meet my true mate, that I’d have a chance at being happy. And here you are,
showing me every day that I’m not unlovable, that I deserve to be adored. I can’t thank you enough
for choosing me.”

“I’d choose you over anyone again, and again, and again. You’re the one for me.”

“And you’re the one for me,” Jungkook whispers before leaning in and pecking Taehyung’s lips.

It’s not enough for the alpha who chases after Jungkook’s lips, capturing them in a hot kiss.
Taehyung’s kisses are like a drug and the omega is under the influence, feeling so good when their
lips collide, when their tongues clash, and he never wants to part from his mate.

Food forgotten, Taehyung manhandles Jungkook until he’s lying on the blankets underneath them,
head caged in between his forearms, hands intertwined. The alpha gently bumps their noses
together before kissing Jungkook again, soft and sweet. The omega whimpers, squeezing
Taehyung’s hands as a way to tell him to kiss him deeper, deeper, deeper . And when his alpha tilts
his head, when he does kiss him deeper, a moan is peeled out of Jungkook’s mouth.

Taehyung starts to rut against Jungkook, hips colliding slowly, languidly and the omega can feel
himself swell in his panties. The lewd sounds he lets out are all swallowed by Taehyung who keeps
on kissing him, a bit harder, rougher.

“Ugh,” Jungkook groans as Taehyung’s thrusts become harsher.

“Say my name,” the alpha orders.

“T-Taehyung.”

“Louder.”

“Taehyung!”

“Good boy.”

The praise makes Jungkook’s cock twitch and he whines in Taehyung’s mouth. He wants him, so
badly, so badly that it hurts.

“Please…” he begs.

Taehyung releases his hands to move until he’s hovering over Jungkook. At the loss of friction,
Jungkook lets out a broken whimper. A whimper replaced by a moan when Taehyung’s hand palms
his crotch and rubs the outline of his cock over the fabric of his jeans. Jungkook closes his eyes and
arches his back, chasing after the teasing touch.

“Look at me,” Taehyung rasps.

Jungkook obeys and opens his eyes, looking straight at the alpha, like he wanted. And what he sees
in his irises makes a shiver run down his spine. It’s scorching hot, the way Taehyung looks at him,
it’s burning him from head to toe, it ignites a fire inside him that nothing can extinguish, nothing
except his mate.

“I want to fuck your thighs,” Taehyng says in his deep, velvety voice of his.

“Then, do it.”

Taehyung smirks before bending down and kissing Jungkook straight on the lips. It’s heated, it’s
unbridled, the way the alpha kisses his omega. It gets under Jungkook’s skin, runs through his
veins and alights all his nerves. He’s never felt more alive than when he is kissing Taehyung.

Taehyung detaches their mouths and lets his lips wander on Jungkook’s exposed neck, sucking
hickeys on the caramel skin, making the omega squirm underneath him. With his hand, he plays
with Jungkook’s left thigh, with the rips in his jeans, and groans at the feel of it beneath his palm.
The omega shudders, but it’s nothing, nothing compared to the sensations that overflow in him
when Taehyung trails kisses down his chest, over the fabric of his silky blue shirt, and then licks at
the slivers of skin poking out beneath the rips of his jeans. It feels so lewd, so filthy, to be
devoured like that, and Jungkook’s mind reels.

Jungkook weaves his fingers through Taehyung’s hair and tugs at it, a silent plea for more. A plea
that the alpha consents to as he starts biting his omega’s flesh through the rips, sending sparks of
electricity running through Jungkook’s veins.
“So tempting,” Taehyung murmurs against the omega’s bruised skin.

As he keeps his ministrations going on Jungkook’s flesh, Taehyung caresses his calf tenderly,
worshiping every part of his body. When the alpha is satisfied with his canvas, he lets go of
Jungkook’s thighs and looks him in the eyes.

“Delicious,” Taehyung says as he licks his lips obscenely, “But I want more.”

“Take it,” Jungkook whispers, “Take all you want from me.”

Taehyung smirks again, “Oh, I will, baby. Trust me.”

With that said, Taehyung starts to unbutton Jungkook’s dress shirt, revealing miles of skin to
mark. The omega feels hot under his mate’s heated gaze, hot and desired . No one has ever looked
at him the way Taehyung does. No one.

Jungkook lifts his upper body up to remove his blue shirt, before lying back down on the blankets.
Taehyung groans once he sees the omega half-naked in front of him, an offering he can’t resist.
The alpha lets his hands wander over Jungkook’s chest and down his toned stomach, feeling the
rippling muscles beneath his fingers. And the omega hears a purr fall from his own lips, a purr
elicited by the pure pleasure of having Taehyung’s hands on him, mapping him out, making him
his territory.

“You’re so perfect,” Taehyung murmurs, “So perfect.”

His fingers reach Jungkook’s waistband and trace it slowly, teasingly.

“I want you out of these jeans,” Taehyung says as he unbuttons and unzips them.

Jungkook lifts his hips to help the alpha take off the piece of clothing. The omega’s heart is
beating hard in his chest, because he knows what’s hidden underneath the jeans, what Taehyung
hasn’t seen yet. And he can just hope that his mate will like it.

It’s only after he discards the jeans to the side that Taehyung’s eyes land on Jungkook once again,
and when they do, they immediately darken as the alpha lets out a low growl.

“Fuck, baby,” he breathes out.

“You like it?” Jungkook asks, biting his bottom lip as Taehyung’s stare is fixed on the panties he’s
wearing. Black panties made of lace and leather, which he never thought he would wear before
Jimin instilled the idea in his mind.

“Like it? I love it, pup.”

And Jungkook is sure that Taehyung isn’t lying when his fingers start to caress the fabric of his
panties, when his fingers softly brush his cock. He can hear the alpha’s breath catch in his throat
when he twitches under the light touch, when he squirms, asking for more.

“You’re going to keep these on tonight, baby.”

Jungkook wants to protest, to tell his mate that it’s going to be torture to be constricted in those
panties as he fucks his thighs, to not be able to touch himself. But the words die on his tongue as he
looks at Taehyung and realizes that, even like this with no stimulation, he’s going to cum, because
his alpha will make sure that he does.
“You’re stunning,” Taehyung murmurs, “And all mine.”

“All yours.”

Taehyung moves to take off his clothes and as his tanned skin, his abs, his cock come into view,
Jungkook feels himself drooling. His mate is the hottest man alive, he exudes sex, seduction and
power. A combination that makes Jungkook weak, so weak for him.

“ Tae ,” he calls out to the alpha.

Taehyung chuckles before letting his forehead fall against the omega’s, letting their noses brush
against one another. The omega wraps his arms around his mate’s neck, fingers curling into brown
hair, wanting to bring Taehyung even closer to him if that’s possible.

“Kiss me,” he says prettily.

The kiss is sweeter than sweet, dripping with love until it turns more lustful, more needy, more
frantic when their tongues tangle in a wet mess and they moan into each other’s mouth.

Soon, too soon, Taehyung breaks the kiss. He moves down, along the lines and curves of
Jungkook’s body, tracing them with his lips, with his teeth, with his tongue. The omega arches his
back underneath him to chase after the touch, feeling himself harden in his panties at each kiss, at
each bite. He feels delirious as Taehyung maps out his whole body murmuring praises that make
Jungkook’s heart miss beat after beat.

“I want you more than anything,” Taehyung says, hot breath making Jungkook’s skin tingle.

“You have me,” the omega mewls.

Taehyung comes back closer to Jungkook and sits in between his open legs. He takes his cock in
his hand and starts to slowly stroke it under Jungkook’s heated gaze. His head falls back as a groan
leaves his lips and the omega is awestruck by his mate’s beauty. A low, guttural sound falls from
his mouth when Taehyung locks their gazes. He has the audacity to wink at Jungkook, knowing
full well the effect he has on him, the effort it takes the omega to not move and jump him.

Jungkook’s dick twitches, throbbing in his panties and already wet with his precum, as his eyes
rake over Taehyung’s body. His strong chest, his sculpted abdomen, and his big, dripping cock. He
can’t wait to have it inside him, to feel it stretch his walls and make him see stars. But not tonight.
Tonight, it’s all about being a good boy for Taehyung.

Taehyung holds Jungkook’s legs together, lifting them up until they’re hooked over his shoulder.
Once he’s done, he grabs his cock again, placing it in between the omega’s thighs, making the
latter sigh when he feels him against his skin like that, so hot, so heavy, so wet .

“Squeeze,” Taehyung orders.

And Jungkook does. He closes his thighs around Taehyung’s shaft, eliciting a groan from the
alpha.

“So tight.”

Jungkook’s fists bunch up on the blanket as Taehyung starts to move his hips, as he starts to fuck
his thighs. The omega can’t look away, can’t look at anything but his mate’s cock, dripping on
him, dirtying him with precum. It’s so obscene, but it makes waves of arousal, of desire, crash
down on him at each of Taehyung’s thrusts. And the pleasure building in his stomach at the
thought of the alpha using him like this is mind-blowing.

Taehyung’s cock burns at his skin, fire licking at his flesh at each slide of the alpha’s dick between
his strong thighs. His head spins when he feels Taehyung twitch, when he feels him throb as
Jungkook squeezes his thighs just right .

“Keep doing that,” Taehyung murmurs before lightly biting at Jungkook’s ankle.

Seeing the alpha lose himself like that triggers a visceral reaction in the omega and he starts to leak
profusely in his panties, cock hard and aching. He wishes he could touch himself, but he knows
Taehyung wants him to come undone, so he lets his hands where they are, fisting at the blanket
underneath him, hard, knuckles turning white.

Jungkook revels in the short, heavy breaths that come from Taehyung, in the growls that rumble
deep in his chest, as the alpha speeds up and fucks his thighs faster, harder. The alpha has never
been so beautiful to him than he is in this instant, letting himself go completely, allowing himself
to be vulnerable in front of Jungkook. His dark, smoldering eyes, his rosy lips, bitten and swollen,
his chiseled chest, muscles clenching at every jerk of his hips… so beautiful, so mesmerizing.
Jungkook can’t take his eyes off him.

“I love you,” he whispers.

“Love… you… too,” Taehyung grunts, thrusting at every word.

The words bury themselves deep into Jungkook’s heart, like always when Taehyung says them to
him. It makes everything a hundred times hotter, a hundred times sexier, knowing that his alpha
loves him. It’s a turn-on for Jungkook who feels arousal pool in his stomach as Taehyung keeps on
moving his hips harshly, chasing his high.

It’s music to Jungkook’s ears —t he slick sounds of Taehyung’s cock rubbing against Jungkook’s
skin, the moans the omega lets out as he feels his dick harden at each new thrust, the growls that
fall from the alpha’s mouth fill the room. He can’t get enough of those sounds, wants to hear more,
more, more. So he presses his thighs tighter around Taehyung’s cock, earning a wrecked groan
from the alpha.

“Feels so… good,” Taehyung breathes out.

It feels good for Jungkook too, who knows he’s close to cumming, cock stirring against his panties.
He aches to pull his dick out, to touch himself, to find some relief, but he doesn’t.

“Are you close?” Taehyung asks in between two batted breaths.

“Y-Yeah.”

“Me too.”

Taehyung keeps on snapping his hips, keeps on grazing Jungkook’s thighs with his shaft, keeps on
making the omega lose his mind. At this point, the omega’s body is covered in sweat, hair matted
against his forehead, skin shining under the fairy lights. He must look utterly fucked right now,
mouth opening around muted sobs, fists clenching the fabric of the blanket he’s lying on, eyes
wide, pupils dilated and irises blown wide. He must look like a dream to Taehyung, or so he hopes.

Jungkook can feel himself floating, floating high above the clouds, as his alpha fucks his thighs
relentlessly, as he covers him with his cum. He finds that he enjoys this way of being marked with
Taehyung’s seed. It’s dirty, filthy, but so hot. And he already dreads the moment he’ll have to clean
up.

Taehyung’s hips start to stutter, moves becoming erratic, less controlled and Jungkook knows he’s
gonna cum. The thought only makes him twitch painfully.

“ Cum for me ,” Taehyung groans.

It’s all Jungkook needs to hear to let his orgasm explode inside him and he cums hard, painting his
panties with white as he whines, high and pretty. It doesn’t take more than a few more thrusts for
Taehyung to reach his high too, and he cums on Jungkook’s stomach, the omega’s name on his
lips.

Taehyung puts Jungkook’s legs down before sliding in between them and bending down to kiss the
omega fiercely. Jungkook moans against his mouth, still high on what they did, high on the
intimacy they shared. And he lets himself be devoured, be consumed by the other, like he always
does, because it’s good, so good, too good.

“Stay here,” Taehyung whispers as he gets up.

The alpha gets out of the pillow fort, leaving Jungkook alone but coming back a minute later with a
damp towel to clean the omega. He takes off Jungkook’s panties and starts to clean him, wiping
off the cum from his thighs, his spent cock, his stomach, until there’s no traces of it left. He then
discards the towel to the side, before kissing Jungkook softly.

“How are you feeling?”

“Good. Really good.”

Taehyung smiles, a big, boxy smile that makes Jungkook’s heart melt just a little more in his chest.
He takes a clean blanket and wraps them up inside it, snuggling beside Jungkook and cuddling
him.

“Do you want to watch Heartstopper with me now?”

“I’d like that,” the omega hums, content.

Jungkook will like whatever, as long as it is with Taehyung. Whatever.

 Chapter 48

Under the shower, Jungkook lets his thoughts go back to the date he had with Taehyung two days
ago. He blushes as he remembers how well his mate fucked his thighs, and how warm he felt after
as they watched Heartstopper , naked bodies cuddled under the blanket. It was magic, being just
the two of them, forgetting about the whole wide world for a while. And it made Jungkook happy,
so happy, to talk with Taehyung for hours, murmurs fading into the night as they fell asleep inside
the pillow fort, and to wake up in the arms of his mate, feeling so safe and secure. It’s a moment
that he’ll never forget. Never.

Jungkook knows it can’t last forever though, and that everything will change in a few days. It’s
bittersweet. He wants to enjoy every last moment he has with Taehyung, wants to stop thinking
about the what ifs, but they cloud his mind as soon as he’s alone. So he tries to stay close to
Taehyung as much as he can, tries to find reassurance in the presence of his mate beside him. He
needs him, more than ever.

Jungook gets out of the shower and dries himself with a big fluffy towel, before putting his clothes
on. Today, he decided to wear a pair of white jeans and a pink sweater that makes him have
sweater paws, that makes him feel small , and he likes it. It reminds him of when he is with
Taehyung, when his mate wraps his arms around him and hugs him, making him feel smaller than
he is. It reminds him of comfort and safety.

Jungkook looks at his reflection in the mirror, quickly threading his fingers through his soft curls,
before leaving the bathroom. It’s when he is in the middle of the hallway leading to the kitchen that
he stops dead in his tracks and stops breathing as he hears Jimin and Taehyung talking.

“I’m scared.”

“Of what?”

“Of losing against Minhyuk.”

“Tae…”

“No, you don’t understand, I actually feel like I’m going to suffocate under the pressure. I want
Jungkook to be safe, but what if I can’t keep that promise?”

“You will.”

“Fuck, Jimin, I just… I act like it won’t happen, like I won’t lose against Minhyuk, for Jungkook’s
sake, but I can’t stop thinking about it. I’m… terrified. Terrified of losing Jungkook, and I can’t—”

“You won’t lose him,” Jimin cuts him off.

“You don’t know that.”

“But I know you, I know you will fight until your last breath for your mate.”

Jungkook’s stomach churns as he listens to what Jimin and Taehyung say, especially Taehyung. He
didn’t think that his mate felt so… anguished too, that he was doubting himself. He can’t help the
tears that well up in his eyes and he places a hand on his mouth to not let any tears fall.

“If… If I lose—”
“Tae…”

“No, if I lose, promise me one thing.”

“What?”

“Promise me that you won’t let Minhyuk take Jungkook. He would torture him like he wanted to in
the first place. He would make him go through hell, and I can’t have that. I won’t .”

“I promise,” Jimin says quietly.

“I know that, if I die, he will too. But we aren’t mated yet, so it will take years for that, for the
bond to falter completely and take him away, years that he needs to live.”

“It would just be surviving, Tae. I don’t know if—”

“Please, he has to go on, even without me, even if just a little more.”

Jungkook’s heart constricts at Taehyung's words. He already knows that if his mate dies during the
fight, there would be no way for him to go on like nothing happened, like he hasn’t lost the best
part of himself. No way.

“You have to take care of him, protect him, if I can’t anymore.”

There’s a beat of silence after that, a silence where he can feel Taehyung’s pain, his anxiousness.
His omega scratches at his skin, wanting to be let out, to go and stand by his mate’s side, to protect
him . But Jungkook knows that he wouldn’t be of any help right now, otherwise Taehyung would
have told him all that, would have trusted him, and not Jimin. He tries to ignore the pang of hurt
that he feels when the two best friends start to speak again.

“You’re the best warrior of our pack, Tae, you’ll win.”

“My brother was the best warrior of our pack and he died, Jimin.”

“What happened to Taeil was tragic, but it won’t happen to you.”

“I don’t know… I don’t know anymore,” Taehyung sighs.

“You’re letting your fears cloud you.”

“Jimin—”

“No, let me finish,” Jimin cuts him off, “You’re one hell of an alpha, and I know you’re terrified,
but you have to hold onto the hope that you will win this fight and have your happily-ever-after
with Jungkook, or else you let the worst case scenario plant its seeds in you.”

Jungkook has done the same, he’s let his thoughts be clouded by his fears, by the what ifs, by all
that could go wrong. He shouldn’t have. He should just have faith in Taehyung, in them, and hang
onto the thought that everything will be alright for them, for them all.

“And you should talk to Jungkook about all this,” Jimin continues.

“I can’t,” Taehyung is quick to answer, too quick.

“Why?”
“I don’t want to burden him with my stupid thoughts, or let him believe for even a second that I’m
doubting myself. He deserves to be peaceful while he can, he deserves to live only happy moments.
I can’t crush him with my emotions, he’s endured enough already.”

“He’s your mate. You’re here for him as he is meant to be here for you. You need to tell him
everything. He will understand. More than anyone, he will understand.”

“I know, fuck, of course I know that!” Taehyung exclaims, and he seems on edge, ready to burst at
any second now.

“Then—”

“I can’t!” Taehyung shouts, “I feel like crying just thinking about him crying. I don’t want him to
shed any tears because of me, ever.”

“But it’s what mates are for . To listen, to care, to support. To laugh, to smile, to cry together. What
would he think if he heard about all this and you didn’t tell him first? He would be hurt.”

“Shit! I don’t want to hurt him. I just… I want to protect him, even from me.”

“That’s not how it’s supposed to work, Tae. You can’t protect him from everything even if you
want to. Plus, he’s a strong kid. You can rely on him.”

“I know. Fuck, I’m such a mess. I don’t know what to do.”

“Tell Jungkook everything. I’m sure he’s already worried about you because he can feel your
emotions through the bond. You need to be honest with him and reassure him.”

“You’re right.”

“I’m always right,” Jimin replies cheekily.

“Don’t get ahead of yourself.”

“But for real, Tae, speak with your mate.”

“I will.”

“Okay, good. I have to go now but keep me posted, yeah?”

Jungkook doesn’t hear Taehyung’s answer but he hears Jimin’s footsteps and the door opening. It’s
only when it closes behind the alpha that Jungkook resumes his walk to the kitchen. His heart is
thudding hard in his chest and he knows he has tear streaks on his cheeks, but he can’t hide
anymore, not after hearing everything.

“Tae?” he calls out once he enters the open space, fiddling with his sweater paws because he’s
nervous.

Taehyung has his back turned to him and doesn’t reply. His silence pierce right through
Jungkook’s heart, but he tries again.

“Taehyung.”

Jungkook steps closer to his mate, who is leaning against the kitchen island, and rounds it. His
footsteps are soft against the wooden floor and his words are even softer when he takes in his
mate’s tears, slowly falling down his cheeks.
“Tae, love…”

“I’m sorry,” Taehyung chokes out.

“You have nothing to apologize for,” Jungkook says.

“I do! I have everything to apologize for!” The alpha’s voice breaks.

“Taehyung…”

“You heard us, didn’t you?”

“I did,” Jungkook admits in a little voice, “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to, I just—”

“It’s okay,” Taehyung replies softly.

Jungkook moves so that he’s face to face with the alpha and can cup his cheeks. He wipes the tears
that are falling from Taehyung’s eyes with his thumbs, gently, adoringly. He can’t bear seeing his
mate cry when he’s usually so strong. It tears at his heart like nothing before.

“We need to talk, Tae.”

“I know,” Taehyung sighs.

“Why didn’t you talk to me in the first place? You know that I’m always here for you.”

“You are. It’s me. I didn’t want to scare you, or make you sad. But it’s too late, isn’t it?” Taehyung
asks as he, too, puts his hands on Jungkook’s own cheeks and starts to wipe at the teartracks.

“I’m not scared.”

“You’re lying.”

“Maybe I am, a little, but my faith in you, in us, is stronger than my fears.”

“I believe in us too,” Taehyung whispers before kissing Jungkook softly.

When they break apart, Jungkook is the first one to speak.

“You can’t wrap me in a bubble, you know?”

“I know.”

“I’m meant to hurt at one point or another, to be sad, to cry. You can’t shelter from every
emotion.”

“I just… You suffered enough already. You deserve only happiness.”

“And I am happy. You make me happy,” Jungkook says, eyes diving into Taehyung’s, trying to
convey through his irises that he’s saying the truth right now.

“Yeah?”

“Yeah.”

“Even when I act like an idiot?”

“Even then. Yes, it hurt me a little that you didn’t come to me first, but I get it.”

Taehyung wraps his arms around Jungkook’s waist and brings him to his chest.

“I’m sorry,” he repeats, hot breath falling on the omega’s hair.

“I forgive you.”

“You’re too good for me.”

“Maybe,” Jungkook giggles.

Taehyung kisses the top of his head, before he nuzzles into Jungkook’s neck, nose pressing against
his skin, hair tickling along the omega’s jawline. Jungkook lets out a sigh of content at being so
close to his mate once again, at feeling him seek comfort in him.

“I never… I never told my exes about how I felt. I never told them what I’m telling you now. It’s
just… new to me.”

“It’s new to me too, opening up and letting myself be seen. And yeah, it can be frightening, to let
the other know about our vulnerability, to let ourselves be weak in front of them, but it’s what
mates do.”

“I understand now. And I won’t bottle things up again, I promise.”

“That’s all I’m asking for,” Jungkook whispers before kissing Taehyung’s temple gently.

Silence falls upon them as they bask in each other’s warmth, as they hold each other close. Being in
a relationship isn’t easy, Jungkook learns, but he’s ready to give all of himself to Taehyung, all the
good, all the bad. And he hopes that the alpha is, too.
 Chapter 49

Jungkook is cold. So cold. He doesn’t have any clothes on, just lying naked on the dirty floor. He
shivers uncontrollably, seeking a bit of warmth that he knows he won’t find here. He doesn’t know
where he is exactly, everything is so dark around him. There are only a few rays of sun that pierce
through the darkness, coming from an opening in between the rungs placed in front of the small
window a few meters above Jungkook. He can’t reach it, doesn’t even try. It’s too high and he can
barely move, ankles and wrists tied up, chained. He’s locked up between four gray walls, all alone.

Jungkook wants to scream until his lungs give out, but he knows it’s no use. No one is going to hear
him. He wants to be set free, but he’s alone. Again. And this time, it hurts, too much. He thinks
about his pack, about Taehyung, about what happened to make him end up here. The fight.
Minhyuk. Jae. How Taehyung lost and now… now he’s just a prisoner of the alpha he ran away
from three years ago. It’s as though someone has cut the wings that were just beginning to grow on
his back and he’s back to being nothing, a rag doll at most. He’s a wolf at Minhyuk’s mercy.

Jungkook closes his eyes, trying to fight the tears that threaten to fall from them. Crying would
mean being weak in front of Minhyuk and he can’t allow that. He just can’t. So he swallows them
back as he tries not to think about his broken heart. But it’s hard, so hard, when he misses
Taehyung so much, when his wolf howls in pain inside him constantly, when he tries to reach out to
his mate through the bond that’s still pulsing and finds nothing on the other end. It’s so damn
hard. And he’s torn, because he wishes he could stop thinking about Taehyung, maybe it wouldn’t
hurt as much if he does so. But he can’t lose those memories. The memories… They are what keeps
him alive, even if he’d rather be dead by now.

Jungkook knew that Minhyuk would have his revenge if Taehyung lost. The alpha didn’t waste a
minute to take him away and back to the Moonblood pack. He was crying over Taehyung’s dead
body when four wolves circled him and forced him to bow down to Minhyuk, to kiss his feet, to say
sorry. Jungkook has defied him until the end, spitting in his face instead of obeying. It had earned
him a beating, but still, he resisted. That is until Minhyuk’s wolves started making threats against
his friends, his pack. It was him or them. The choice was easy to make. Jungkook sacrificed himself
in a heartbeat.

Jungkook doesn’t regret his decision, doesn’t regret saving the Black Moon pack, saving his
friends from Minhyuk’s wrath. It was his battle all along. And somehow, he knew that it would
have ended like that. With him having to face the consequences of his rebellion. He doesn’t care,
not anymore. No matter how much they torture him, how much they hurt him, it’s nothing
compared to what he felt when Taehyung released his last breath. Nothing.

Jungkook opens his eyes wide when he hears footsteps outside of the room he’s in. In the void that
surrounds him, he can also hear several heartbeats. He braces himself for what’s to come, because
it’s never good. And when the door opens, he takes a deep breath, moves so that he’s in a sitting
position and steels himself.

“Jungkook! My dear, dear Jungkook!”

Minhyuk’s voice bounces against the walls, filling his ears and making him want to throw up. He
forces himself to hold the alpha’s gaze, not wanting him to think for even a minute that he’s afraid
of him, because he’s not.

“Missed me?” Minhyuk asks, creeping closer to Jungkook.

Jungkook wants to fade into the wall so that the alpha wouldn’t be able to touch him, but he can’t.
So he feels Minhyuk’s fingers caress his cheek, making him sick to his stomach. He turns his head,
as far away from the alpha’s fingers as he can, and Minhyuk’s hand falls. But not for long as he
growls and slaps Jungkook, hard.

“You don’t want me to touch you, is that it?” Minhyuk inquires, voice cold. “Too bad you don’t
have a choice.”

Jungkook shudders. Until now, they just tortured him, but what if… what if Minhyuk raped him,
like he wanted to all those years ago? It would definitely break Jungkook. And there would be no
traces of him left behind after that.

The two wolves accompanying Minhyuk move behind him at his order and lift Jungkook from the
ground. They make him step forward until he’s in the middle of the room and they tie his chains to
a pulley hanging from the ceiling. In this position, Jungkook’s feet don’t even touch the ground. All
his weight relies on his wrists, on his arms, and it’s excruciating.

When they’re done with him, the wolves leave the room and close the door behind them. Jungkook
still hears their heartbeats and knows that they stayed in the hallway, that they’re waiting for
Minhyuk to finish having his fun.

Minhyuk takes advantage of Jungkook’s state to take his chin in between his fingers. He looks him
in the eyes and the omega can see the flames in his irises.

“I don’t like being disrespected in my own house,” Minhyuk seethes.

His fingers dig into Jungkook’s skin and it hurts. But the omega remains stoic, not letting any
emotion show, not letting Minhyuk feel just how much he has the upper hand on him.

“You’ll have to make up for it,” Minhyuk murmurs, leaning in, his mouth barely millimeters away
from Jungkook’s.

The omega fears that he will try to kiss him, but Minhyuk ends up letting go of his face.

“And I know just how.”

Minhyuk bends down and takes something from the floor, something that one of his minions must
have left there without Jungkook seeing. And when the omega’s eyes fall on it, he withdraws a
shudder. A whip. It’s a fucking whip.

Minhyuk moves until Jungkook can’t see him anymore. All he hears is the alpha’s heavy breath in
his back, all he smells is the alpha’s sour scent. He wrinkles his nose in disgust. The cherry
blossoms seem so far away at this moment, so, so far away.

“We’re going to play a little.”

Jungkook closes his eyes yet again, trying to get lost in his mind, in his memories of the love of his
life, as the first hit lands on his back. He bites his bottom lip to not let out the treacherous scream
that scratches at his throat. He draws blood as he does so, but he doesn’t care. He’ll do whatever it
takes to keep from satisfying Minhyuk and his sadistic tendencies. Anything.

Jungkook’s fingers curl around his chains and he hangs onto them with everything he has while the
whip strikes him again. He can feel his skin tearing under the force of the impact, leather breaking
the sensitive flesh without mercy. He can feel the blood starting to drip down his back, along his
spine. He can smell it and it drives his wolf crazy. His omega claws at his skin, howling, wanting
to be let out, to take over and rip Minhyuk’s head off. But Jungkook can’t shift, the chains prevent
him to.

“Red looks good on you,” Minhyuk whispers appreciatively, gazing at the bloody trails on
Jungkook’s back.

Jungkook wants him to shut up, so badly. He can handle the blows, the hits, but Minhyuk’s voice…
it’s too much. It crawls under his skin, driving him mad with hate. So much hate…

Minhyuk stops hitting Jungkook for a while and tugs at the omega’s hair, craning his head back
until all Jungkook can see is the ceiling above him.

“You know how long I waited to have you here?”

Jungkook knows, but he doesn’t answer. He’d rather keep silent and be punished than entertain
Minhyuk for even a moment.

“I’m going to enjoy every second of you begging me to stop, of you screaming my name,” Minhyuk
whispers in his ear, making the omega want to puke.

Jungkook won’t beg, nor scream, nor cry. He won’t surrender. He will die with his head held high,
not on his knees.

Minhyuk lets go of his hair and resumes his whipping. He delivers hit after hit on Jungkook’s back
in quick succession, not letting the omega breathe in between. Jungkook arches his back, as if to
flee from the touch of the whip, but it’s useless.

The torture goes on for minutes, or hours, Jungkook doesn’t know. He bites on his tongue to keep
from crying out as the whip delves deeper into his skin, reopening his old scars. It burns,
everything burns. Behind his closed eyelids, he sees Taehyung’s smile, he sees him laugh, and it
makes his heart clench. Oh, how he misses him, at each second, at each breath that he takes. It’s
hell, not having his mate by his side, knowing that he’s not here anymore.

Jungkook can feel Minhyuk getting impatient when he doesn’t draw any reaction from him. He hits
him harder, faster, until the omega feels the blood dripping down his legs, covering the ground
underneath him in red. His body is limp, a shell of the strong omega he once was, just there for
Minhyuk to use and throw away again, and again, and again.

“You’re no fun, Jungkookie ,” Minhyuk sighs dramatically as he lets the whip fall to the ground.

Jungkook takes a shuddering breath, knowing that it isn’t over. He opens his eyes, only to be met
with Minhyuk’s. There’s so much hate, anger and a desire for revenge in those irises that it makes
chills run down Jungkook’s spine. He holds the gaze nonetheless, not one to bow his head down in
front of his tormentor.

“I expected something more from you,” Minhyuk says, before punching Jungkook in the stomach.

The omega’s body bends itself in two and Jungkook coughs blood. Saliva drips on his chin as he
tries to catch his breath.

“Pity.”

Minhyuk throws a punch in Jungkook’s ribs, and the omega can feel one of them crack. He heaves
a breath, and then, Minhyuk is on him again, clenched fists hitting Jungkook’ repeatedly. The
omega’s mind goes blank and all he can hear is white noise, the alpha’s heavy breaths and his
own stuttering heartbeat. Everything starts to blur around him and he feels like he’s not in his body
anymore. The pain has numbed him. He doesn’t feel anything after that.

An uppercut lands on Jungkook’s chin and his head throws itself back under the impact. His jaw
aches and he bites hard on his bottom lip to hold back the stream of curses and insults he wants to
hurl Minhyuk’s way. He knows his silence has more of an effect on him. It irks him, makes him
mad, and that’s exactly what Jungkook wants.

“You’re a pathetic piece of shit, you know that?” Minhyuk asks rhetorically, “I waited so long to
put my hands on you and now that I have you, I won’t ever let you go.”

Jungkook is aware of that, knows that he’ll die here. He just doesn’t know when. Today?
Tomorrow? In a month? In a year? How long will he be able to endure this? How long until his
mind, his body breaks?

“You thought you could escape me, but look at you,” Minhyuk goes on, “All tied up like a fucking
puppet. My puppet.”

I’m not yours , Jungkook wants to scream. I’m Taehyung’s and Taehyung’s only.

“I’m going to play with you a little while longer, and then, I’ll finish what I started three years
ago, hm? You’ll like that, won’t you?” Minhyuk says, smirking, his face so close to Jungkook’s, too
close.

Jungkook wants to cry. He doesn’t want Minhyuk to touch him, doesn’t want Minhyuk to take
what’s so precious to him, what Taehyung should have had. Not like that. Not ever. But tears don’t
fall, Jungkook is still too strong to let them stain his cheeks. He keeps his screams, his howls inside
as he holds Minhyuk’s gaze with nothing but pure hatred.

I won’t let you ruin me.

“For as long as you’ll live, Jeon Jungkook, you’ll be mine.”

Jungkook spits in Minhyuk’s face. The alpha growls before taking the omega’s head in between his
hands and forcing his lips on his.

Jungkook screams, tears streaming down his face. He springs up in bed, sweat beading at his
temples, fists clenched around the blanket covering him. He heaves in a breath, then another, then
another, trying to calm his racing heart, but to no avail. A broken sob leaves his lips and that’s
when he feels someone wrapping their arms around him. At first, he fights against it, because it’s
got to be Minhyuk. But the embrace feels soft, secure, and he ends up leaning into it when a voice
speaks in the dark of the room.

“Baby? Baby, what’s wrong?”

No. It can’t be. Taehyung is dead. Jungkook knows that. He saw him lying on the ground, covered
in blood, lifeless. He saw him!

“Jungkook!”

He never calls me Jungkook.

Jungkook tries to wriggle out of the arms that tighten their hold around him, keeping him in place.

“Pup… Talk to me.”

“You’re not real!” Jungkook screams at the top of his lungs, “You’re dead!”

The omega feels the body behind his tense, and then, a sigh falls on his cheek.

“You had another nightmare, baby.”

“No! I saw you. You were… You were… It’s a trick. Minhyuk is trying to trick me into believing
that you’re still alive. He’s playing with my mind. But I won’t break, I won’t let him win, I won’t
—”

“Hey, hey, calm down. Minhyuk is not here. You’re with me, baby. You’re safe.”

“I know he’s watching me. He’s going to come for me again. A-And you’re not here to protect
me,” Jungkook breathes out, tears flowing on his cheeks, tears that he can’t stop. “I want to be with
you, Tae.”

Jungkook feels kisses being littered on his face, kisses oh so soft and tender, kisses that make him
come to his senses, little by little.

“I’m here, pup, I’m here.”

“You’re really here?” Jungkook asks in a little voice.

“Yeah.”

Taehyung combs a hand through Jungkook’s hair, weaving his fingers in between the blue strands
softly.

“I’m here and I won’t go anywhere.”

Jungkook’s sobs die down eventually and turn to sniffles. The omega lets his head fall on
Taehyung’s chest, wanting to hear his heartbeat, to be sure that he's really here, with him, and not
just a figment of his imagination.

“Do you want to talk about it?” Taehyung inquires in a whisper.

“Minhyuk… After you died during the fight, Minhyuk took me back to the Mooblood pack and
he… he tortured me for days… and he… he wanted to… he wanted to—”

“It’s okay, you don’t have to tell me everything,” Taehyung cuts him off.

“I wouldn’t have let him. I swear, Tae, I wouldn’t have let him.”

“I know, baby. I know. But it didn’t happen and it won’t happen. I’ll make sure of that.”

“I was so scared, all alone and you weren’t there.”

“I’ll always be there, pup. Always.”

Jungkook wants to believe him, desperately, especially after the vivid nightmare he had. He can’t
bear the thought of it really happening, of him being caged and owned by Minhyuk. No, it can’t
happen.

“You promise?”

“I promise,” Taehyung answers.

The alpha moves Jungkook in bed until he’s lying in between the sheets again and then cuddles
with him, head falling in the crook of the omega’s neck.

“After tomorrow, you won’t have to be afraid anymore. I’m not going to lose against Minhyuk,”
Taehyung says against Jungkook’s skin before rubbing his nose on it and scenting him.

Jungkook falls in his mate’s embrace and lets him lull him back to sleep as he sings to him. When
he closes his eyes, he doesn’t see Minhyuk anymore, but Taehyung, Taehyung, Taehyung.
 Chapter 50

The sun is high in the cloudless sky as Jungkook, Taehyung, their friends and the warriors of the
pack make their way through the forest to the glade where the fight with Minhyuk will take place.
Everyone is silent, lost in their own thoughts. Even the birds are not chirping like they usually
would. Even the leaves on the ground are not crunching under their feet. It’s like Mother Nature
herself holds her breath, waiting to see what is going to happen.

When they emerge from between the trees, the glade is empty. Minhyuk is not here yet. Jungkook
unconsciously lets out the breath he didn’t know he was holding until now. He feels Taehyung
squeezing his hand softly, his thumb caressing Jungkook’s skin slowly, reassuringly.

“We’ll be okay,” Taehyung whispers in his ear.

Jungkook nods. He can’t speak right now, tongue too heavy in his mouth, throat too clogged up to
let out any words. He feels like if he tries, he will cry. And he doesn’t want to cry, not here, not
right now. He has to be strong for Taehyung and for his pack. He has to.

They all take place in a semi circle on the border of the glade, Jungkook, Taehyung and their
friends in front. And they wait. They wait for Minhyuk to arrive, hearts beating loud in their chests,
eyes fixed on the trees in front of them, searching for a shadow.

Jungkook gulps, hard, and finally speaks.

“I want you to know that I love you,” he says lowly, “I want you to know that you saved what was
left of me, that you made me feel whole for the first time in my life, that you made me happy.”

Jungkook turns to look at Taehyung, catching the alpha’s eyes and holding his gaze.

“I want you to know so many things but I can’t find the words right now.”

“They’re not necessary. I already know,” Taehyung retorts, free hand coming to cup Jungkook’s
cheek, “And I love you too.”

The alpha leans in and kisses Jungkook briefly on the lips. Our last kiss , Jungkook thinks. This
may be our last kiss . His heart constricts in his chest and he feels tears well up in his eyes yet
again. He feels so weak today, so, so weak. But he can’t crumble, can’t break down, he doesn’t
have the right too.

Just as they break the kiss, they hear some rustling coming from the trees lined up in front of them.
Shadows draw themselves in between them, menacing shadows. Minhyuk . Minhyuk is here.

Jungkook blinks and suddenly, around twenty wolves enter the glade, all growling and baring their
teeth, trying to intimidate them. A shiver runs down the omega’s spine as he watches the wolves
move towards them. He feels frightened by them, by the memories that flood him as he recognizes
his uncle’s wolf walking amongst them. He almost starts shaking like the little boy he was years
ago everytime his uncle was about to beat him up, but with Taehyung’s hand in his, his presence
beside him, he finds the strength he needs to stand tall and proud in front of his tormentors.

“My uncle is here,” he whispers to Taehyung.

The alpha doesn’t say anything, but Jungkook can feel his emotions pouring out of him. The anger,
the hatred, the need to hurt .
“It’s okay. I’m okay,” he tries to calm his mate down.

It’s a little white lie. Jungkook is far from being okay. He doesn’t know what he expected. Maybe
that all those years on the run would have toughened him enough, made his skin a little thicker, so
that he could handle seeing Minhyuk and Jae without feeling anything. But it’s the opposite. He
feels too much as he glances at the two wolves, walking side by side towards him. He knows he’s
safe with Taehyung, with his pack, but a part of him can’t help but be brought back to who he was
three years ago.

The swarm of wolves comes to a halt and everything falls quiet in the glade. A gray and white wolf
—Minhyuk—and a sandy wolf—Jae—detach themselves from the group and walk towards
Taehyung, Jungkook and their warriors. Jungkook stupidly thought that he would only have to face
Minhyuk, he didn’t even consider the possibility of his uncle coming too. But here he is, facing
both of his demons. At each step that they take towards him, Jungkook can feel his pulse quicken,
his skin itch. He holds Taehyung’s hand tighter. He tries not to show it, but deep down, he’s ill at
ease and has this urge to flee again, to go as far away from Minhyuk and Jae as he can. But he’s not
a coward anymore. He has a mate, a family to protect. He has to stay.

“They can’t do anything to you,” Taehyung whispers, sensing Jungkook’s inner turmoil, “And
remember, you’re stronger than them and what they did to you. You’re a fighter, baby.”

Jungkook nods. Yes, he’s a fighter. He fought these past three years against the pain, the
memories, the nightmares. Most of his wounds have healed, most of his scars have disappeared.
He’s still haunted, but he’s not suffering as much as he was before. Not now that he’s loved. Not
now that he has Taehyung.

When the two wolves are just a few feet away from them, they stop walking and sit on their hind
legs, looking at them with their eyes ablaze, judging them hard. Jungkook knows that Minhyuk still
feels superior to anybody else, that his ego is still intact, pushing him to think that he’s the most
powerful, the most ruthless wolf out there. But now the omega knows he’s not. Taehyung is better,
stronger than Minhyuk. He’s everything the other alpha could never be.

The silence elongates as no one makes a move. They just stare at each other, gauging the other.
Minhyuk’s eyes are fixed on Jungkook’s and the omega feels uncomfortable under his gaze, but he
holds it as best he can, not wanting to appear weak in front of the alpha. He’s not helpless, not
anymore, and he’s determined to show Minhyuk and his uncle that they can’t put him down.

After what feels like hours, Minhyuk and Jae get back on their paws and start shifting. The crack
of bones resonates in the vast glade and soon, two men stand on the grass instead of two wolves.
Strangely, they seem even more dangerous in this form than in the other. And Jungkook’s blood
runs cold when his uncle takes a glance at him, eyes landing on Taehyung and his joined hands.
The way Jae’s lips curl in disgust tells everything Jungkook needs to know about his feelings
towards his mate and him. He finds that he doesn’t care, that it doesn’t hurt. Because his uncle is
no one. He doesn’t have any power over him. Jungkook is finally free.

“Alpha Minhyuk,” Taehyung greets through gritted teeth.

Minhyuk doesn’t greet him back, as the protocol requires. Instead, he comes to stand in front of
Jungkook and whispers his name. Jungkook’s features harden at the clear mark of disrespect. He
wants to put Minhyuk in his place but he keeps quiet, even if it takes everything in him to not just
jump on the alpha and rip out his throat.

“Jungkook,” Minhyuk repeats, smirking, “Long time no see.”

When Jungkook doesn’t respond, Minhyuk tilts his head to the side, licks his lips and asks: “Did
you miss me?”

“Don’t speak to him,” Taehyung growls.

“It’s okay, Tae,” Jungkook murmurs.

“Yes, it’s okay, Tae ,” Minhyuk mocks.

Jungkook glares at him, fighting the urge to wipe the smirk from his face. Minhyuk’s voice gets on
his nerves. Minhyuk’s whole existence gets on his nerves.

“Cat got your tongue, Jungkookie? Can’t even talk by himself, needs his alpha to do that for him,
hm?”

“Shut the fuck up,” Jungkook hisses.

And the omega curses under his breath, because Minhyuk just got what he wanted. Fuck.

“There you go, sweetheart .”

“You don’t get to call me that,” Jungkook seethes, voice cold.

“I missed you, you know. I wanted to do so many things to you and you didn’t even let me. Tsk.”

When Minhyuk lifts a hand to touch Jungkook, Taehyung moves to stand in between them,
shielding Jungkook from the other alpha.

“Don’t you dare touch him!” Taehyung grits.

“Aw, you’re a little possessive, aren’t you?” Minhyuk says, “Won’t share his toy with me?”

“I’m not a fucking toy,” Jungkook snaps.

“Thinking so highly of yourself now, I see,” Minhyuk snorts.

The tension in the air is thick, and Jungkook can feel all the wolves behind him tense as the
exchange drags on. He wants to put an end to it, wants to stop shaking from anger, wants to send
Minhyuk to hell.

“I’m not a kid anymore,” Jungkook declares, “You and Jae, you can’t hurt me like you did before.”

“But I can hurt him ,” Minhyuk retorts, pointing a finger at Taehyung menacingly.

“You lay a finger on him and I’ll kill you,” Jungkook barks.

Minhyuk laughs, loud and boisterous. It sends chills down the omega’s spine. The only thing
keeping him from doing anything is the hold Taehyung has on his hand and the way he caresses his
skin with his thumb, like he always does.

“You think you can kill me? Oh, sweetheart , you’re so funny.”

“He might not be the one to kill you, but I will be,” Taehyung states.

Minhyuk’s eyes leave Jungkook to dive into Taehyung’s and his smirk falls from his lips when he
sees the fire burning in the alpha’s irises.
“You can always try,” Minhyuk says, playing with his nails, like he doesn’t even care about
Taehyung’s threat, “But if you don’t succeed, know that I’ll take good care of Jungkookie.”

Minhyuk’s dark eyes fall on Jungkook yet again as he ends his sentence, and the omega wants to
throw up at the implication of his words.

“He’ll be in good hands with us,” Jae finally speaks up, gruffly.

“ You don’t get to say anything about him!” Taehyung roars.

Jungkook can see the way his uncle’s jaw ticks, the way he tongues at his cheek in annoyance, the
way his eyes become two slits. He doesn’t like being talked to like that, the omega is well aware of
that fact. Jungkook almost smiles, happy to have him being put in this place by his mate.

“I’m his family,” Jae goes on.

“You’re not my family. Black Moon is my family,” Jungkook declares.

“You forget what I did for you,” his uncle says.

“What? Torturing me? Oh, I didn’t forget, don’t worry. I’ll just never let you do that to me ever
again.”

“You won’t have a choice if—”

“Jae,” Minhyuk cuts him off, “Let it go.”

Jae’s eyes narrow at his head alpha, his fists clenching at his sides, but he bows his head in front of
him and shuts up.

“Excuse my warrior,” Minhyuk speaks, “He’s just happy to see his nephew after so long.”

Happy? Jungkook wants to scoff, but he doesn’t. He just looks at his uncle with the most
unbothered expression he can muster, showing him that he doesn’t care anymore, that it doesn’t
hurt anymore. The little boy who wished for his uncle to love him, to take care of him, is definitely
gone.

“Just like me,” Minhyuk adds with a wicked smile.

It’s hard to hold Minhyuk’s gaze when he smiles like that because he looks like the maniac he is.

“You’re making my mate uncomfortable. I suggest you stop talking now,” Taehyung spits.

“Your mate? I don’t see any mating bites on your necks.” Minhyuk remarks, “Your precious
omega is unmated… Isn’t that right, sweetheart?”

Jungkook doesn’t answer and Minhyuk just snickers.

“Anyone can take him if they want,” Minhyuk goes on, and Jungkook shudders at the thought of
being mated by force to someone that is not Taehyung.

“He’s mine .” Taehyung growls.

“We’ll see about that,” Minhyuk muses.

Jungkook can feel the rage that is swirling inside Taehyung right now. He knows that Minhyuk is
riling him up on purpose, just to disconcert him. And he doesn’t want his tactic to work. So he
squeezes Taehyung’s hand in his, and lets his pheromones permeate the air around him. After a
while, he sees Taehyung breathe in his scent and relax.

“Smells good, omega,” Minhyuk says.

Jungkook feels dirtied by the words, by the fact that the alpha can smell him too. Somehow, he
feels violated in his intimacy, because the pheromones he let out were for Taehyung, and
Taehyung only. Somehow, he didn’t think that Minhyuk would dare take a sniff of the air, of him.
It feels wrong, on so many levels. So wrong.

“My name is Jeon Jungkook, not omega,” Jungkook bites out.

“Aw, but that’s what you are, an omega, am I wrong? A bitc—”

“If I were you, I wouldn’t finish this sentence,” Taehyung threatens, taking two steps towards
Minhyuk.

“Why not? Little alpha can’t handle hearing the truth about his mate ?” Minhyuk sneers.

Taehyung doesn’t answer but he moves forward again, letting go of Jungkook’s hand, until
Minhyuk and him are chest to chest, defying the other by the look in their eyes. The omega can see
in their irises the want to kill, as purple clashes with green.

“Leave my mate alone or—”

“Or what?” Minhyuk cuts Taehyung off, “You’re going to kill me, huh?”

The manic laugh that spills from Minhyuk’s lips creeps Jungkook to the core. He moves so that he
is standing right behind Taehyung, and lets his head fall on the alpha’s back. He doesn’t want to
see Minhyuk anymore, doesn’t want to hear him. He’s tired. So fucking tired. And this has to end,
now.

“Oh, the omega is hiding? What, you’re scared of me now?” Minhyuk asks.

“I’m not scared of you,” Jungkook says, taking a step to the side, looking the alpha directly in the
eyes as he speaks.

“What a shame,” Minhyuk tsks, “You smelled so good that day, remember? You were so afraid.
Ah, I can still taste your fear on the tip of my tongue. Sweet.”

“You’re a monster!” Jungkook exclaims.

“A monster? Come on, you’re flattering me now, Jungkook .”

“What you did to me, what Jae did to me, you had no right to… to…”

“To what? You were—are—our possession, omega, we just treated you like you deserved to be
treated.”

“I didn’t deserve any of that,” Jungkook whispers as he feels tears threatening to spill from his
eyes.

“Really? I think you did. I think you even asked for it,” Minhyuk replies.

“Enough!” Taehyung roars, pushing at the alpha’s chest, forcing him to take a few steps back,
“We’ve heard enough of your bullshit. Now, it’s time to do what we came here for.”

“Impatient,” Minhyuk remarks, “But that’s fine for me. I can’t wait to get my claws on you.”

Taehyung and Jungkook move back at the front of the semi-circle of their friends and warriors, as
Minhyuk and Jae do the same on their side of the glade.

“Are you okay?” is the first thing Taehyung asks Jungkook, a hand coming to cup his cheek.

“Yes.”

“Don’t lie to me, please.”

“I’m a little shaken up, but I’m okay.”

“Promise?”

“Promise.”

Taehyung kisses Jungkook’s forehead and then lets go of him. He looks at their friends, at their
warriors, before his eyes dive into the omega’s once again.

“Come back to me,” Jungkook whispers.

“I will.”

“I love you.”

“I love you more.”

After one last glance, Taehyung turns his back on Jungkook and starts walking to the middle of the
glade, shredding his clothes one by one as he does so. The omega sighs and feels two hands
intertwining with his. He looks to his left and sees Seokjin. He looks to his right and sees Hoseok.

“He is going to win,” the older omega reassures him.

“I hope so,” Jungkook murmurs.

“I know so,” Hoseok says, squeezing his hand softly.

Jungkook’s eyes are glued to Taehyung’s back as he watches him stalk towards Minhyuk. He can
hear his heart thundering in his chest. He doesn’t want to show it, but the talk with Minhyuk
affected him more than he cares to admit. It made him think that the alpha had the upper hand, that
he was the one in control. It doesn’t sit right with Jungkook. He wants to believe Seokjin and
Hoseok, desperately, but something in him tells him that defeating Minhyuk is not going to be as
easy as they think and that Taehyung will not be left unscathed.

When Taehyung shifts to his wolf form, Jungkook gasps. He’s always mesmerized by his mate’s
alpha, by the brown fur, by the muscles rippling underneath it. In this form, Taehyung is bigger
than Minhyuk, supposedly stronger, but he knows that it doesn’t mean anything because he, a
small omega, fought and defeated betas and alphas alike these past three years.

Minhyuk is the next one to shift, letting his alpha take over. Truthfully, he’s not as majestic as
Taehyung. His fur seems rough, his eyes seem dead and his teeth, bared, seem sallow. But
Jungkook knows not to judge by appearances. Minhyuk is powerful, ruthless and wicked. The
omega won’t ever forget that, no matter the alpha’s deceiving looks. Minhyuk is a beast, a born
killer that lives to make people suffer. It’s thrilling for him, it excites him, and this lack of
humanity is one of the most disgusting things about him.

Jungkook holds his breath as he watches the two wolves stare each other down. Minhyuk growls,
low and threatening, but Taehyung remains unbothered and doesn’t let out a sound in reply.
Jungkook senses that Minhyuk won’t like the lack of reaction from Taehyung, won’t like not being
able to intimidate the other. He’s too used to having people bow down and surrender to him in a
heartbeat. He might have forgotten what it’s like to have someone in front of him ready to defy him
and that could work in Taehyung’s favor. Or well, Jungkook hopes so.

It’s a game of who will crack first, who will make the first move. And it’s Minhyuk who loses it as
he starts to shape a circle around Taehyung. Taehyung follows in his steps and they move in
unison. It’s almost like a dance, but Jungkook knows it’s just them assessing the other, thinking
about when to attack and what would hurt the other the most. It’s the calm before the raging storm.
And everyone waits, waits to see who will pounce on the other first, who will take the blow first.
It’s nerve-wracking.

It doesn’t take long for the wait to be over as Minhyuk breaks the circle and rushes towards
Taehyung, teeth bared and ready to sink into his opponent’s fur. He aims for Taehyung’s flank but
Taehyung, at the last second, moves swiftly to the side and Minhyuk closes his jaws on thin air. A
loud, annoyed growl emits from his throat. His eyes burn with the goal to hurt, to make Taehyung
suffer until his last breath. Jungkook shivers under the intensity of that stare and holds Hoseok’s
and Seokjin’s hands tighter.

“He’s out for blood,” Seokjin murmurs, staring at Minhyuk’s wolf.

“He doesn’t like being played around with,” Jungkook explains shakily.

“Taehyung is going to rile him up on purpose,” Hoseok says.

“It’s a dangerous game to play,” Seokjin states.

Minhyuk snarls before plunging forward, head down, aiming for Taehyung’s flank once again.
This time, Taehyung isn’t fast enough to avoid the blow and Jungkook’s heart aches as his mate
lurches slightly on his paws. He doesn’t fall though, doesn’t end up on the ground like Minhyuk
probably wished for him to. He stands his ground, barking back at Minhyuk when the other alpha
growls at him. Jungkook can see drool dripping from Minhyuk’s muzzle when he makes his teeth
clink in order to daunt Taehyung from moving.

It clearly doesn’t work because Taehyung stirs and, in the blink of an eye, he’s clawing at
Minhyuk’s fur, leaving bloody traces on the alpha’s back. Minhyuk howls in pain and shuffles
away from Taehyung, panting. Jungkook can see the rage in Minhyuk’s eyes as he licks around his
muzzle and snaps his jaws.

“Oh, he’s mad , mad,” Hoseok remarks, eyes trained on Minhyuk.

“He is,” Jungkook agrees, watching the fight intently, “He—”

His sentence is cut short and all breath leaves his lungs as Minhyuk runs back towards Taehyung
and hits him straight on, making him stumble on his paws.

“Shit!” Seokjin curses.

Minhyuk succeeds in coming close to Taehyung, too close, and his teeth sink into the alpha.
Taehyung is quick to shake him off, turning around to face Minhyuk. He growls once, a clear order
to back off. An order that Minhyuk doesn’t follow, instead he jumps on Taehyung and lands on his
back, teeth closing around the alpha’s neck. Taehyung yelps and tries to shake his body again to
get rid of Minhyuk, but the gray and white wolf hangs on a little too long for Jungkook’s liking.
Finally, after what feels like forever to the omega, Taehyung throws Minhyuk to the ground and
bares his teeth in a clear sign to stay down.

But Minhyuk gets back on his paws immediately and flings himself towards Taehyung. Their
fronts collide, claws intertwining as they try to gain the upper hand. The fierceness in each of their
movements makes Jungkook’s heart thump wildly in his chest at the rhythm of his heavy
breathing. He‘s distressed, panicked, as he watches Minhyuk gain control over Taehyung. Even as
Taehyung snarls and shoves Minhyuk off of him once again, the omega can see that his muzzle is
bleeding, blood dripping in between his teeth and onto the ground below him. And all Jungkook
can see is red, red everywhere.

“He is going to be fine,” Seokjin tries to reassure him.

“These are superficial wounds,” Hoseok supplies.

“He’s still bleeding, he’s hurt and—”

Jungkook can’t finish his sentence, the lump in his throat is too large for that. He hates seeing
Taehyung like this. He hates knowing that there’s nothing he can do about it, that he has to just
wait and watch his mate fight Minhyuk. It’s unfair. It should have been him. It should have been
him…

“And he’s been through worse than that and survived. He will this time too. Trust him,” Hoseok
says.

“I trust him, I really do. It’s Minhyuk who I don’t trust,” Jungkook says worriedly, eyes falling
back on the two wolves standing in the middle of the glade.

Jungkook refrains from screaming out loud when Minhyuk pounces on Taehyung and closes his
jaws around his spine, before throwing him to the ground and getting on top of him. The alpha tries
to bite at Taehyung’s neck but Taehyung snaps his teeth at him and scratches at his chest with all
his might. Minhyuk howls in pain but doesn’t back off. He hangs on and keeps on aiming at
Taehyung’s neck.

Jungkook takes a step forward, ready to shift and throw himself into the fight, but Hoseok circles
his arms around him, keeping him in place.

“I know what you want to do, but you know you can’t,” the beta murmurs in his ear.

“It’s not fair, he’s… Minhyuk will kill him…” Jungkook starts to hyperventilate.

“Breathe, Jungkookie, breathe,” Seokjin instructs, his hand coming to caress the omega’s back up
and down slowly, “He is going to be okay.”

And just as the words leave the older omega’s mouth, Taehyung rolls around on the ground and
frees himself of Minhyuk, getting back on his paws a few steps away from the other alpha. He
growls at him, hackles rising, and Jungkook can see the fire in his eyes, the desire for revenge.
That’s why he’s not surprised when Taehyung doesn’t wait to run towards Minhyuk and propel
him to the ground. He bites at his throat, hard, drawing blood, and Minhyuk cries out. Taehyung
shakes Minhyuk’s neck from left to right, again, and again, and again. Minhyuk looks like a rag
doll caught in between Taehyung’s teeth.
But Minhyuk is still alive and breathing, still willing to fight. Proof is that he manages to slip away
from Taehyung’s grip on him. And then, he’s the one clawing at Taehyung, forcing the alpha to
back off. They resume their initial positions and start to circle each other, waiting for the right
moment to attack again.

Minhyuk growls, the sound guttural and threatening, and Taehyung snarls back. None of them is
ready to back down and admit his defeat. No matter how many wounds they already have scarring
their bodies, no matter how much blood is dripping on their fur. They’re still standing. Tall and
proud and determined to end things. Because there’s no escaping that fate. One of them is going to
die today. Jungkook can only pray that it won’t be Taehyung.

Suddenly, Minhyuk moves. He pounces on Taehyung, using all his weight to throw the alpha to
the ground. They become a blur of fur as they roll around on the ground. Jungkook can see how
they try to bite the other, try to claw at him, try to escape. But to no avail. The two wolves fight
fiercely, and he wishes with everything he has for Taehyung to slip away from Minhyuk’s grip.
Thankfully, the alpha does. Taehyung finds himself on top of Minhyuk and he doesn’t hesitate
before clawing at his underbelly, leaving bloody traces on the white fur in his wake. Minhyuk’s
painful howl echoes in the air. Taehyung lets go of him after a while.

It takes a few long seconds for Minhyuk to get back on his paws, but once he does, Jungkook
knows that the alpha is at his breaking point, that he won’t hold back anymore. And he is proven
right when Minhyuk throws himself at Taehyung, sinking his teeth into the alpha’s back. Minhyuk
hangs on, clamping his fangs deeper into his skin. Jungkook can see how Taehyung’s jaws tighten,
can feel how angry, how furious his mate is. And with one last jerk of his body, he finally gets rid
of Minhyuk, who slides on the ground for a few meters before coming to a stop.

Minhyuk doesn’t move. All Jungkook can see is his chest heaving breath after breath, and his
glowing eyes. He’s curled in on himself, defenseless. Or so he probably wants Taehyung to think.

“Taehyung is going to end this,” Hoseok murmurs as they all watch Taehyung walking slowly
towards Minhyuk.

Jungkook wants to believe him, he really does, but he fears that Minhyuk is just tricking Taehyung
into thinking that he is at his mercy. He blinks and when his eyes open again, Taehyung is close to
Minhyuk, too close. One, two, three seconds, and suddenly Minhyuk is on his paws. He aims at
Taehyung’s neck and closes his jaws around it, surprising the alpha who doesn’t have the time to
move away.

“Fuck!” Seokjin curses.

“He’s a sneaky bastard,” Hoseok comments coldly.

Taehyung tries to slip away from Minhyuk’s grip, but the alpha hangs onto his prey, painfully
tight. Taehyung howls, before lifting his front paws and pushing at Minhyuk almost desperately,
until the alpha finally lets go. Taehyung doesn’t pause to recover though, like he did before,
instead, he leaps towards the other alpha and pushes him to the ground. He towers over him and
lowers his head to bite at Minhyuk’s throat yet again. But this time, it’s different when his jaws
close around it, this time, Jungkook can feel that Taehyung is done playing and is aiming to kill.

“He is going to kill him,” Jungkook says, voice shallow.

The omega watches as Taehyung sinks his teeth into Minhyuk’s throat deeper, deeper, and deeper,
until blood flows on the gray and white fur. Minhyuk cries out, body jerking as he tries to push
Taehyung off of him. But to no avail. Taehyung is too strong and he won’t let go, not this time
around. It’s the end. Jungkook knows it. He can feel it in every bone of his body, in his soul. In a
few seconds, Minhyuk will be dead and he will finally be freed from his demons. Just a few
seconds…

When Minhyuk releases his last breath in a howl of pain that dies on his tongue, Jungkook lets out
a relieved sigh. It’s over. It’s over and he wants to cry, because, finally, after all those years, he will
be able to live, and not just survive. He will be able to love, and be loved, and not just dream about
it. Finally.

Taehyung moves away from Minhyuk’s lifeless body and turns towards the Moonblood pack
warriors. He howls, loud and fierce, urging them to bow down in front of him, as their new alpha.
And they do. One by one, they sit on their hind legs and bow their heads down, defeated.
Jungkook’s heart thumps hard in his chest as he looks at these strong warriors, at those who,
amongst them, tried to kill him these past three years. He looks in awe. He really thought that they
would fight until the end, that they wouldn’t surrender that easily after Minhyuk’s death. But he
also knows how cruel Minhyuk was to them, and maybe, just maybe, the wolves feel like they’re
breaking free from their chains at this moment too.

Taehyung turns around and starts walking back to them. Jungkook can see that he is slightly
limping, even if it’s barely noticeable. He can see the blood marring his beautiful brown fur. He
can see the sad look in Taehyung’s eyes, the one of a wolf who just killed another because he had
no choice. Jungkook wants to hug him tight, to thank him, to tell him that now, everything is going
to be alright for them. Because it will.

But, before Jungkook can take a step forward to go and meet Taehyung, he sees a sandy wolf in the
distance, break out in a run in Taehyung’s direction. Jae . Jungkook sees red. He doesn’t think
twice before breaking from Hoseok’s embrace and dashing towards his uncle.

“Jungkook!” he hears, but doesn’t look back, doesn’t stop.

Jungkook passes by Taehyung and jumps, shifting mid-air, his clothes shredding in the process and
falling into pieces onto the ground. When Jungkook lands on the grass, it’s as a white wolf who
keeps on racing towards Jae, teeth bared and hackles raised. Jungkook snarls as he collides with his
uncle’s body and throws him to the ground. He doesn’t stop snarling when Jae gets back on his
paws and faces him, clearly annoyed.

Jungkook is pissed, angry. So he pounces on his uncle and tries to sink his teeth into his neck. But
Jae is faster than him and moves to the side before Jungkook can get his fangs on him. The omega
barks, before plunging forward and pushing at Jae’s flank, making him stumble on his paws. But
it’s not enough. Jungkook wants his uncle on the ground, paws in the air, underbelly exposed and
neck bared in surrender. He wants his uncle to submit to him , to feel humiliated, to feel inferior,
just like he made Jungkook feel during all those years that he lived under his roof.

Jungkook and Jae stare each other down, unmoving, and the omega can see the hatred in his
uncle’s stare, the disgust he feels towards him. But he doesn’t care. It doesn’t matter anymore. He
doesn’t need to be loved by his uncle anymore. Not now that he has Taehyung to love him, to
cherish him. He doesn’t need anyone else, or anything more. And so, Jungkook looks at Jae with
the same hatred in his eyes, with a fierceness, a determination that wasn't there when he was young
because he was too afraid to let it show. But he’s not scared anymore.

Jae is the first to make a move as he throws himself at Jungkook. He succeeds in closing his jaws
around the omega’s spine and hell, it hurts so much, but Jungkook doesn’t let out the howl that
threatens to spill from his lips. He doesn’t want to give any kind of satisfaction to Jae.
Jungkook shakes his body until his uncle has to let go of him and then, turns around to face him.
He’s met with Jae’s flank and doesn’t hesitate a second before swiping at it with his sharp claws,
drawing blood as he does. And it’s satisfying, to hurt his uncle, to get back at him for what he did
to him in the past. Jungkook wished he hadn’t had to do that, but he had no other choice. Jae was
threatening Taehyung’s life and Jungkook would do anything to keep his mate safe. Anything.

Jae barks in pain and jerks away from Jungkook. But Jungkook follows him, not leaving him the
time to put some distance in between them. And he attacks again, this time aiming at his uncle’s
neck. When his fangs break the fur and sink into the skin underneath, Jungkook can feel the
metallic taste of blood on his tongue. He wants to throw up, but he doesn’t let go, doesn’t stop
plunging his teeth deeper into Jae’s flesh. He wants him to hurt, to be in pain. He wants him to feel
small and defenseless, to feel ashamed. He wants him to beg for his life. But, deep down inside,
Jungkook knows that it won’t happen.

Jungkook throws Jae to the ground and jumps on him, paws caging him. He can feel his uncle’s
claws digging into his fore chest, into his brisket, and he growls at him, before lowering his head
and closing his jaws around Jae’s throat. Just like Taehyung did with Minhyuk, he shakes his
uncle’s neck from side to side, jaws tightening around the fur, around the flesh, not letting go for a
second. He can feel Jae’s breath staggering, his attacks faltering as he loses the strength to scratch
at Jungkook. He can feel the life leaving his body.

Jae bares his neck to him and whines lowly. Jungkook ponders on what to do, but ultimately
decides to let go, to let his uncle live. He moves so that Jae can get back on his paws and expects
him to bow down in front of him. But it doesn’t happen. Instead, his uncle pounces on him and
makes him fall to the ground. Jungkook is too surprised to do anything and, soon, he’s panting
under Jae’s weight. No .

When his uncle aims at his throat, Jungkook bites at his muzzle, hard, making Jae withdraw from
his attack. He pushes hard on his chest with his hind legs and throws his uncle off of him. As Jae
rolls to the ground, Jungkook gets back on his paws and jumps on him. He aims straight for the
throat and, this time, when his fangs sink into the flesh, he doesn’t let go. He looks one last time in
his uncle’s eyes, looks one last time in his tormentor’s eyes, before snapping his neck.

Jungkook takes a few steps back away from his uncle’s body. He feels… hollow. He’s never killed
before. No matter what happened to him in the past, he could never make himself go that far. He’s
not a warrior, he was not raised to fight. He was raised to suffer, to be a shell, and nothing more.
But now… Now, he’s free, completely free. Both his demons are dead. They’re lying at his feet
and he’s the last one standing.

“Jungkook!”

Jungkook whips his head around and sees Taehyung running towards him. He shifts right away,
just in time for his mate to fall on his knees in front of him and hug him tight.

“Are you…okay?” is asked in a whisper.

“I am,” Jungkook murmurs shakily.

The omega can feel his mate starting to scent him and he bares his neck for him, to give him more
room, to show him that he’s his, in this lifetime and the next.

“I love you,” Taehyung says against his skin after kissing his pulse point.

“I love you too,” Jungkook replies, fingers threading into his mate’s hair, tugging at it slightly.
Taehyung lifts his head and looks at his omega in the eyes, letting his irises tell all that he can’t say
right now.

“It’s over,” the alpha declares, hands coming to cup Jungkook’s cheeks, thumbs caressing the
omega’s cheekbones.

Jungkook nods, eyes filled with tears when realization hits him that it is, indeed, over. Minhyuk
and Jae won’t ever come back to haunt him, he won’t ever have to run again. He can stay here,
with Taehyung, with his pack. He can stay and love, and love, and love . For infinity.
 Epilogue
Chapter Notes

See the end of the chapter for notes

Three months later…

After a day spent working at the pack’s nursery, Jungkook comes home, a smile blooming on his
face as soon as he smells Taehyung’s scent permeating the air around him as he opens the door to
their house. He still loves his mate’s scent to bits, wearing it proudly.

“Tae?” he calls out as he gets rid of his shoes and leather jacket.

There’s no response and Jungkook frowns. Usually, Taehyung would be here in seconds, greeting
him by the door with a tender kiss. So, where is he ?

It’s as the question crosses his mind that Jungkook notices the path made of rose petals on the
floor. His eyes widen and he calls for his mate yet again.

“Tae?”

Silence is the only answer Jungkook gets in return. He decides to follow the flower path, walking
slowly as he takes in the dim lights of the house, the soft music playing in the background and
coming from their bedroom. He finds himself standing in front of the door, nervous for a reason he
can’t explain. Jungkook’s heart beats fast in his chest as he twists the doorknob. What he sees on
the other side has him gasping.

Candles. Candles everywhere. On the floor, on the furniture, illuminating the room with their soft
yellow glow. Candles which smell of cherry blossoms, of his mate. Taehyung is standing in front
of the bed, gorgeous as ever in his black slacks and knitted beige sweater. Jungkook’s breath
hitches as he takes in Taehyung’s features and his smile. A beautiful smile meant only for him.

“Tae… What is… What is all of this?” Jungkook stutters.

“Surprise,” Taehyung says as he scratches his nape.

“Tae…”

Taehyung takes a few steps towards Jungkook and, once he’s in front of him, engulfs him in his
embrace, arms falling around the omega’s waist, pulling him softly to his chest.

“You’ll turn twenty-one in two weeks, and your first heat will come soon after. I thought… I
thought that you would… maybe… that you would… mate with me. Before that,” Taehyung
stammers nervously.

It endears Jungkook to see his alpha being nervous like that when he is usually so calm and
collected. And so, he smiles sweetly before wrapping his arms around Taehyung’s neck.

“I would love to mate with you, Tae. Then I can finally wear your mark for everyone, they can see
who I belong to,” Jungkook says, voice low.

“Yeah?” the alpha asks breathlessly, pupils darkening.

“Yeah.”
Taehyung smirks before leaning in and fusing their lips together in a heated kiss. Jungkook hums
against his mouth, already drunk on his mate, on the way their breaths mingle, on the way their
taste become one after a while. Taehyung always knows how to make him lose himself in their
kisses, how to make him feel wanted, desired and so loved. It’s insane.

“I would love it if you marked me too,” Taehyung murmurs.

Jungkook’s eyes grow wide because it’s so rare for an alpha to wear the mark of their mate,
especially if they’re an omega. It fills Jungkook’s heart with pride and love for his mate,
overflowing with joy.

“Really?” he asks shyly.

“Really,” Taehyung says as his hands slide under Jungkook’s hoodie, slowly caressing his ribs
with the tips of his fingers, “I want everyone to know that I’m taken.”

“Are you sure? I mean, you’re an alpha and I’m just—”

“You’re just the man I love maldy, deeply,” Taehyung cuts him off, “And I want nothing more
than to wear your mark.”

This time, it’s the omega who kisses Taehyung, softly, chastily.

“I love you,” Jungkook whispers, “So much.”

Taehyung smiles before kissing the omega’s forehead, the tip of his nose, the mole under his
bottom lip…

“I want you, I need you,” the alpha murmurs, irises flashing a deep purple as he looks at Jungkook
in the eyes, “But I don’t want to pressure you into doing anything, so if you feel like you’re not
ready…”

“I am. Have been for a while now.”

To prove his point, Jungkook cups Taehyung’s cheeks and brings his head down to let his tongue
push past the alpha’s lips and tangle with his. When his mate groans in his mouth, a full body
shudder wracks through Jungkook’s body. So he tilts his head and deepens the kiss, stealing his
lover’s breath and getting lost in the kiss, in the way Taehyung gives him back just as much
passion and want.

“Are you sure? I mean, really sure?” Taehyung asks against Jungkook’s spit-slicked lips, eyes
searching Jungkook’s.

“There’s nothing I’m more sure about than this, than you, than us together.”

Jungkook’s words seem to unlock something in Taehyung. It’s insane, how the alpha knows just
what to do to make his mate lose his mind. With his lips that press against his, with his tongue that
twirls around his, with his hands that reach to grip at Jungkook’s waist, almost bruising. The
omega adores every second of being consumed by Taehyung like this. And he wants more, more,
more .

As they keep on kissing, getting more and more hungry for the other, Jungkook unbuckles
Taehyung’s belt, throwing it to the ground carelessly, before unzipping the alpha’s pants.

“What are you doing?” Taehyung questions.

But Jungkook doesn’t answer, he just kisses him again, as he hooks his finger in the waistband of
Taehyung’s slacks and pulls at them, making them fall on his mate’s legs until they reach the floor
and Taehyung gets rid of them with a kick of his feet.

“Baby…”

“Want to take care of you too,” Jungkook murmurs, hand coming to wrap around Taehyung’s cock
through the material of his briefs.

The alpha’s head falls back when Jungkook starts to stroke him slowly, making his dick swell,
making his dick harden.

“Pup,” Taehyung growls, as Jungkook tightens his fingers around his shaft and squeezes softly.

“Want to make you feel good,” the omega whispers, eyes pooling with lust and desire as he looks
at his mate briefly before crashing their mouths together again.

As they kiss, Jungkook lets go of Taehyung’s cock, eliciting a whine from the alpha, before peeling
off his boxers and falling on his knees in front of him. He takes his member in his hand again,
jerking him off slowly, reveling in the way Taehyung’s desperate noises meddle with the air.

Jungkook lets his hand glide up and down the alpha’s dick, flicking his wrist on the upstroke,
sometimes thumbing at the slit, making Taehyung groan lowly in his throat. When his mate cards
his fingers in his hair and starts to tug lightly, a whimper is pulled from Jungkook’s lips. He wants
to try something new, something that, months ago, he thought he would never be able to do
because of what happened to him in the past. But watching Taehyung fall apart in front of him
fuels him, gives him the last bit of confidence he needs to do this.

“I want to suck you off,” he confesses, voice raw and needy.

Taehyung’s cock twitches in his hand as the words leave Jungkook’s mouth.

“Are you sure? You know you don’t have to.”

“I want to try. Please.”

Jungkook knows he doesn’t have to beg with Taehyung, knows that his mate will always—always
—let him do whatever he wants to do. But still, he does. Because this is important, this is his way
of showing Taehyung that he trusts him completely.

“Okay,” Taehyung breathes out.

Jungkook smiles, his hand stilling on Taehyung’s cock, his eyes landing on it. It’s big, and hot, and
heavy under his palm. Enticing. He wonders what it would be like to have it in his mouth, to feel it
on his tongue.

Jungkook takes a deep breath before leaning in and giving a kittenish lick to the tip of Taehyung’s
shaft. He tastes the salty precum on his tongue and he swallows the sticky drops. Taehyung
follows the movements of his tongue with predatory eyes.

“Fuck,” the alpha curses.

Jungkook briefly looks at him before licking a long stripe on the underside of Taehyung’s cock,
following the vein there, making it throb. He feels the alpha shiver, feels his pleasure like it is his
own, coursing through his veins. It spurs him to close his lips around the tip of Taehyung’s shaft
and start to gently suckle on it.

Jungkook closes his eyes, letting himself get lost in the action, in Taehyung. He swirls his tongue
around the alpha’s cock, swallowing him a little deeper at each suck. He knows he won’t be able to
fit all of Taehyung’s dick in his mouth, so he circles the base of it with his hand and strokes what
he can’t take.

“Just like that,” Taehyung murmurs when Jungkook flicks his tongue on his slit.

Jungkook pulls off to press wet little kisses on Taehyung’s shaft, feeling it twitch under his spit-
slicked lips.

“Love your cock,” the omega whispers, “So pretty.”

“You can’t…” Taehyung heaves a breath, “You can’t say things like that, baby. Shit.”

Jungkook just smiles before the warm, tight heat of his mouth engulfs Taehyung’s cock again. He
hollows his cheeks and takes him as far as he can, drooling around him. He feels the tears
threatening to fall from his eyes as Taehyung’s dick hits the back of his throat and he gags.

“Careful,” Taehyung warns.

Jungkook lets his mate’s cock slip out of his mouth and he takes a deep breath, before going down
on Taehyung’s cock once more. He starts to bob his head, twirling his tongue around the member,
eliciting low grunts from Taehyung. Low grunts that mix with the whimpers escaping Jungkook’s
mouth every time he feels his mate twitch on his tongue.

“You’re doing so good,” Taehyung praises, “So good for me.”

Jungkook keens at the praise, his own neglected cock throbbing in his black jeans. He loves being
good for Taehyung, it excites him, arouses him. With a whine, he lets his free hand start to palm at
himself, pressing lightly, searching for some kind of friction, of relief.

“You’re so beautiful like this, on your knees, your deliciously pink lips stretched wide around my
cock,” Taehyung rasps.

Jungkook moans and moves his head faster on Taehyung’s cock, until his jaw cramps. But still, he
keeps going, keeps on pleasuring his alpha, opening his mouth a little wider, taking Taehyung’s
shaft a little bit deeper.

“You need to stop, pup, or I’m going to cum.”

Jungkook reluctantly lets go of Taehyung’s cock, but stays on his knees, admiring his mate and the
look of pure hunger in his eyes. The alpha cups his cheek and thumbs at his scar tenderly, before he
lets go and takes off his sweater.

“Your turn, baby.”

Taehyung helps Jungkook get back up and starts to undress him wordlessly in between fleeting
kisses. Once they’re both naked, he guides the omega to the bed.

“On your hands and knees,” he orders, voice hoarse.

Jungkook looks at his mate, at his burning eyes, before climbing on the bed and taking the
position. He bunches the sheets in between his fingers, and lets his head fall.
“Perfect,” Taehyung says.

And then, he’s on the bed with Jungkook, kneeling behind him. He litters kisses on the omega’s
spine until he reaches his nape and nips at it, making Jungkook whine high and pretty.

“I’m going to eat you out, okay?” he murmurs in his ear.

“Fuck, yeah,” Jungkook answers.

Taehyung licks his earlobe before retreating back to his position, big hands caressing Jungkook’s
back on their way, stopping only when his palms cover the omega’s asscheeks and knead the flesh,
short nails digging into it, leaving their marks.

Jungkook shivers as he thinks about what’s to come. But nothing can compare to what he feels
when Taehyung’s palms spread his asscheeks, fingers dimpling the skin tight, and the alpha licks a
broad stripe up the cleft of his ass.

Jungkook moans, eyes rolling back as his alpha’s starts to lap his way over his exposed rim. The
omega whimpers under the touch of Taehyung’s tongue, so wet, so smooth, so hot .

“Tae…” he whines, shrill and needy.

Taehyung draws tight, firm circles around Jungkook’s rim, grazing at the flesh with his teeth.
Jungkook’s legs shake and he fists the sheets underneath him tighter. He closes his eyes and
focuses on the sensations. On the weight of Taehyung’s hands on him, on his tongue that drives
him mad with want, on the saliva dripping down his asscrack, so dirty .

“Please,” Jungkook begs as pleasure hums through his body.

Taehyung keeps on sucking at his puckered entrance, making Jungkook exhale in breathy moans.
He sees stars behind his closed eyelids, stars that ignite at every brush of Taehyung’s tongue on his
hole. He’s so sensitive, so weak for everything his mate does to him that he can’t help but cry out
for more.

Jungkook gasps when he feels Taehyung pressing more firmly on his rim, when he licks more
harshly. He revels in the sounds, in the low purrs tumbling out of the alpha’s mouth one after
another. It makes him feel so desired, so wanted .

Taehyung’s tongue starts prodding at his hole and when it breaches the muscle, slithering inside,
Jungkook lets out a loud groan. The alpha laps at his velvety walls tantalizingly slowly, languidly,
and that makes Jungkook tremble, arch his back, and push his ass in Taehyung’s face, wanting to
feel him more, to feel him deeper.

As Taehyung’s tongue fucks into him, Jungkook loses his mind. It’s good, unbearably so. And the
omega must look crazy right now, pleas falling from his mouth, pleas for more, always more. But
he can’t keep them in, he doesn’t want to. He wants Taehyung to hear just how good he makes him
feel right now, to understand how addicted he is to his touch, to him.

“Please, please, please …”

When Taehyung pulls out his tongue from his hole, Jungkook whines at the loss, feeling suddenly
empty. But it doesn’t last. It doesn’t last because, after retrieving a bottle of lube from under the
pillows, the alpha pushes a slick finger inside him and Jungkook sighs. He feels Taehyung biting at
his asscheek and whimpers when his mate licks the area he just bruised.
“You’re so needy,” Taehyung remarks.

“Only for you,” Jungkook promises.

Taehyung thrusts his finger in and out of Jungkook slowly, letting him adjust to the intrusion. And
the omega takes it all to the last knuckle, hungry for more. He grinds against it at the same rhythm
that Taehyung fucks into him, clenching and unclenching around the digit as he does. Wanting to
keep the finger inside him, but at the same time, loving the feeling of it being pulled out of him just
to be pushed right back in.

“Another one,” he begs.

“You sure?”

“Y-Yeah. Give it to me.”

Taehyung slides in another finger and Jungkook moans at the added pressure on his walls, at the
burning stretch, at the anticipation of the pleasure that’s going to course through him soon, so soon.
The alpha doesn’t waste any time as he starts twisting and scissoring his digits, spreading him wide
open. His fingers reach deep inside of Jungkook, the pads of them jabbing at the little bundle of
nerves hidden there. And it makes the omega shake, sobs tearing through his throat.

“So… good,” he cries when Taehyung brushes his prostate yet again.

“Yeah? You like that?”

Jungkook doesn’t answer with words but his mouth opens around a low moan, undeniably
depraved, lewd, needy. It’s all it takes for Taehyung to add a third finger to the others. But he
doesn’t move them, and Jungkook whines.

“You want them? You can take them,” Taehyung says lowly.

Jungkook blushes but doesn’t waste a moment as he starts to move his ass on the alpha’s fingers,
pushing them deeper and deeper inside him, until they hit the bundle of nerves that makes him see
stars. He fucks himself on those digits like there is no tomorrow, sweat dripping down his back as
Taehyung grips at his hip with his free hand to guide his movements.

“Good boy,” Taehyung praises, kissing the small of Jungkook’s back.

When Taehyung slithers a fourth finger inside Jungkook, a stilted gasp spills from the omega’s lips.
It almost feels too much, but at the same time, not enough. Jungkook wants Taehyung’s cock in
him, even though his long, slender fingers drive him crazy. He wants to know what it’s like to
become one with the man he loves, wants to know what it’s like to feel full to the brim, to feel
complete.

But Taehyung takes his time prepping him, loosening his hole enough for him to be able to take
him with ease. So Jungkook lets himself be driven to the edge, cock aching, leaking on the sheets
bunched up underneath him. He’s rock hard by now, but he doesn’t want to cum yet. He wants to
do it with Taehyung’s shaft buried deep inside of him, wants to cum because of his alpha only. So
he doesn’t touch himself like he craves to, he doesn’t rut against the sheets to find some friction
like he desires to. He stays still, body vibrating as Taehyung’s fingers work him open a little bit
faster, a little bit rougher. And sinful moans flow from his mouth at his mate’s ministrations.

“I’m… ready,” Jungkook says breathlessly.

Taehyung takes his fingers out of Jungkook’s hole and wipes them on his thigh.

“Lay on your back, pup.”

Jungkook does as told and a sigh builds up in his throat when his back finally meets the soft sheets.
He doesn’t miss the way Taehyung’s hungry eyes rake over his body, doesn’t miss the way his
hands start to roam on his skin, climbing up from his legs to his chest, making goosebumps break
on Jungkook’s flesh under the touch.

“You’re so pretty,” Taehyung murmurs before bending down and kissing Jungkook.

When the omega feels Taehyung’s silky, wet tongue probe at the seam of his lips, he groans and
parts them for him. Their tongues tangle and their breaths mingle. Jungkook wraps his arms around
Taehyung’s neck, keeping him in place, close to him, and kisses back with the same neediness as
his mate.

“Want you inside me,” he whispers against Taehyung’s swollen lips.

The alpha growls when the words tumble out of Jungkook’s mouth. He presses down hard against
him. And the omega whimpers under him.

Taehyung breaks the kiss and gets back in between Jungkook’s legs. He caresses the omega’s
thighs tenderly, before coating his cock in lube and stroking slowly to smear the cold liquid on it.
Jungkook watches him intently, mesmerized by his mate’s body. His hands itch with want. He
wants to touch Taehyung, feel him everywhere.

“Want you in me. Now .”

Taehyung looks at him, his eyes two pools of lust and unbridled desire, before aligning himself
with Jungkook’s hole. He presses the head of his cock against the omega’s rim and pushes in.
Jungkook’s breath catches in his throat as Taehyung slides into his tight walls, slowly, oh so
slowly, giving him time to adjust to his girth. His fingers leave the alpha’s hips to grip at his
forearms as he feels the pain at the intrusion.

“Relax, baby.”

Jungkook breathes deeply and tries to relax, like Taehyung asked, as the alpha pushes in the rest of
the way, fully sheathing himself inside the omega. They both moan then, and Jungkook closes his
eyes.

“Look at me,” Taehyung orders in a groan.

Jungkook opens his eyelids and looks at Taehyung, at the fire burning in his eyes and it makes him
tremble.

“I want you to watch me while I make love to you. I want you to remember every second of it.”

Jungkook wants that too, wants to remember his first time with Taehyung. So, he keeps his eyes
wide open as he adjusts to the feeling of his mate’s cock, hot and thick, buried deep inside him, as
his muscles flutter and spasm around it. Taehyung leans in and kisses him, just a touch of lips, just
a fleeting reminder that they’re fused into one.

“You can… You can move,” Jungkook stutters after a while.

Taehyung pulls out until only the tip of his cock remains inside Jungkook, before plunging back in,
all the way. The omega bites on his bottom lip as to not let out the gasp he is holding in as he
arches his back off the bed and throws his head back. But Taehyung has other plans for him.

“Let me hear you, pup.”

Jungkook’s hands fall from Taehyung’s forearms to the sheets that he bunches in between his
fingers. The alpha’s heavy cock feels so good inside him. He can feel it throbbing along his walls,
can feel every inch of it as he clenches down at the thought of being able to feel Taehyung this
way.

“So tight,” the alpha groans as he licks his lips.

Taehyung eases out slowly, dragging his cock until the tip, then promptly slams back inside,
stealing Jungkook’s breath.

“So… fucking… tight,” he repeats, punctuating every word by a thrust.

Jungkook is feeling high, drunk on lust, on love as Taehyung slams their hips together. They move
in unison, bodies connected in the most intimate way, like they are made for each other. And they
are. Despite the bond, Jungkook feels like he was always meant to find Taehyung, to be with him.
Not because he is his fated mate, but just because it’s him , everything he needs, everything he’ll
ever want.

Jungkook’s walls feel every inch of Taehyung’s cock dragging deliciously inside them. He moans,
shamelessly, as the alpha makes his way to his very core and brushes his prostate at every roll of
his hips. His vision starts to blur from all the pleasure he’s feeling right now. All he can focus on
are the weight of Taehyung’s hands on his hips, the way their hips grind together, and the way the
alpha looks at him like he’s the only one. It makes his heart burst with love for Taehyung.

“Kiss me, please,” he softly demands.

Taehyung bends down to capture his lips, and Jungkook smiles against them. He smiles because
he’s feeling happy, he’s feeling utterly happy. He spent so many years without love and now…
now he’s feeling the most loved he has ever felt. Because he’s one with Taehyung, because he
feels him like never before, because everything is so… perfect .

“I love you,” he whispers when they break the kiss.

“I love you more.”

Taehyung puts his forearms on each side of Jungkook’s head and keeps on kissing him as he fucks
into him. Every shove into the omega’s tight heat brings him closer and closer to the edge. His
cock is aching as it lies on his stomach, trapped in between his and Taehyung’s body. He mewls at
a particular harsh thrust, his nails digging crescent moons into the flesh of the alpha’s back.

Jungkook wraps his legs around Taehyung’s waist, wanting to feel him deeper, deeper, deeper .
With this new angle, the alpha’s cock grazes over his prostate just right and Jungkook shouts. He
screams Taehyung’s name desperately as the bundle of nerves hidden deep inside his body get
plowed into mercilessly. He screams until he loses his voice and can only whimper as Taehyung
plunges his cock into him faster, snapping his hips forward with force.

“You feel so… good,” Taehyung grunts before letting his lips trail on the column of Jungkook’s
neck.

When the omega feels his mate’s teeth graze at his skin, he doesn’t hesitate to say what he wants.
“Mark me.”

“Baby…”

“I’m ready. Mark me. Now.”

Taehyung growls and his eyes flash purple. Jungkook shivers at the thought of the alpha being so
close to him, so ready to make him his. He cranes his neck on the side and he feels a rough tongue
licking at his scent gland. A kiss is being placed right over it, before fangs break the skin and sink
into the flesh, effectively marking him, claiming him. Jungkook’s mouth opens around a muted
scream as his back arches off the bed and he feels his whole body spark. He closes his eyes, stars
painting his eyelids, shining bright, so bright. And he knows that those stars are not like the others
in the sky, but are the members of the pack. He’s now linked to them all, linked to Taehyung. For
life.

Jungkook feels his whole body stutter as his orgasm ripples through him when Taehyung murmurs
“ Mine ” into his ear. And he cums hard, letting his eyes open just to see his mate’s expression, just
to see how he looks at him.

“Yours,” Jungkook breathes out.

Taehyung fucks into the omega, chasing his own high, driving him into overstimulation.
Jungkook’s nails scratch at Taehyung’s back as he whines, leaving angry red marks in their wake.

“Bite me,” Taehyung orders softly.

The alpha leans in so that his neck is just above Jungkook’s mouth. Jungkook lets his omega come
to the surface and licks at the offered flesh before letting his fangs grow. He takes a deep breath,
inhaling his mate’s scent, getting dizzy just by doing so, before finally biting Taehyung. He hears
the alpha groan as he does and feels him cum inside him, covering his insides in white.

“And I am yours,” Taehyung pants.

Jungkook smiles before slanting their mouths together in a hot kiss, feeling Taehyung’s fingers curl
in his hair and gently tugging at it.

“For infinity,” Jungkook murmurs when they break the kiss.

“For infinity,” Taehyung confirms before pecking his lips, his nose, his forehead.

They lie like this for a while, just languidly kissing, seeking out each other’s warmth in the bond
that pulses between them. When Taehyung pulls out of Jungkook, the omega winces and scrunches
his nose, which the alpha is quick to kiss again.

“Sorry,” he apologizes to his mate.

Jungkook doesn’t say anything, he simply cups Taehyung’s cheeks to bring his head down and
kisses him softly.

“How do you feel?” Taehyung asks against Jungkook’s spit-slicked lips.

“Great. When can we do this again?”

Taehyung laughs and Jungkook smiles. He just had a taste of what heaven feels like, and he wants
to taste it again, and again, and again. He’s addicted to his mate, to what he makes him feel when
 their bodies collide. And he wants more, always more. He doesn’t think that he’ll ever be able to
get enough of Taehyung. He craves him too much.

“I love you so much,” Taehyung replies.

“I love you too.”

Taehyung caresses Jungkook’s cheek, just above his scar, tenderly, and dives into his eyes, letting
him see just how true his words are.

“Stay here,” he instructs before getting out of bed to go to the bathroom.

While he’s alone, looking at the ceiling, Jungkook can’t help but smile. Smile at the memory of
what just happened. He never thought that it could be like this, that he could feel so much. But he
does. He’s feeling so loved, so adored, that he can’t really wrap his mind around it. After having
spent all his life deprived of love, to be bathed in it like this... it still feels surreal.

Taehyung comes back to the bedroom with a damp cloth. He climbs back on the bed and starts
cleaning Jungkook, whispering sweet words to him as he does.

“You did so good, baby.”

“I did?” Jungkook asks, unsure.

“You were amazing,” Taehyung says as he leaves a fleeting kiss on Jungkook’s belly button.

Jungkook smiles, feeling warm all over. He just wanted to be good for Taehyung, just wanted to
make him feel good, too.

After he’s done, Taehyung discards the cloth he used to clean Jungkook on the floor, before lying
beside Jungkook and pulling the blanket on them. He cuddles with his mate, bringing him close to
his chest, letting him rest his head under his chin.

“I can’t believe we’re mates now,” Jungkook murmurs.

“We have been mates since the day I first saw you in the woods.”

“I know. But now, it feels different, more… real,” Jungkook says, already excited about the idea of
seeing the mark Taehyung left on him in the mirror as he traces it with the tips of his fingers.

“I get what you mean. I can feel you now, on a deeper level. And I like that, like that a lot.”

“Me too,” Jungkook whispers as he gets comfortable on Taehyung’s chest, listening to his steady
heartbeat, to his even breaths that are so in sync with his.

Jungkook didn’t dare dream of having a mate. But now, he’s here, in Taehyung’s arms, in his mate
’s arms, and, as he slowly falls asleep, he can’t help but think that he’s the happiest he’s ever
been.

Chapter End Notes

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End Notes

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