Turn It Right Around

Posted originally on the Archive of Our Own at http://archiveofourown.org/works/43421383.

Rating: Explicit
Archive Warning: No Archive Warnings Apply
Category: M/M
Fandom: 방탄소년단 | Bangtan Boys | BTS
Relationship: Jeon Jungkook/Park Jimin
Characters: Park Jimin (BTS), Jeon Jungkook, Kim Namjoon | RM, Jung Hoseok | J-
Hope, Kim Taehyung | V, Kim Seokjin | Jin, Min Yoongi | Suga, Original
Characters
Additional Tags: Alpha/Beta/Omega Dynamics, Omega Park Jimin (BTS), Alpha Jeon
Jungkook, Strangers to Lovers, Arranged Marriage, Hurt/Comfort, Light
Angst, Omega Kim Taehyung | V, Omega Kim Seokjin | Jin, Alpha Kim
Namjoon | RM, Alpha Jung Hoseok | J-Hope, Beta Min Yoongi | Suga,
Side Vmon, side Yoonjin, Smut, Explicit Sexual Content, Knotting,
Scenting, Developing Relationship, Jeon Jungkook is Whipped, Anal
Sex, Past Relationship(s), Happy Ending
Language: English
Collections: jikook secret santa 2022
Stats: Published: 2022-12-24 Words: 25,348 Chapters: 3/3
 Turn It Right Around
by melodrunkcherry

Summary

Jimin didn’t expect to be abandoned on the day of his mating ceremony by the alpha he
thought he loved.

Jimin didn’t expect for Jeon Jeongguk, the most enigmatic wolf in the pack, to step in and
become his mate instead.

Jimin didn’t expect to fall in love with him.

Notes

hello!

first of all, thank you for giving a chance to my fic. all the works from the jikook secret santa
are amazing, so it means a lot if you're reading this :)

thank you as well to my incredible beta-reader. this fic wouldn't ehist at all if it wasn't for
your help. love you!

to my secret santa: i truly hope you'll like reading this story as much as i enjoyed writing it!!
all your prompts were awesome, but this one caught my attention the most. although you did
not mention anything about a/b/o dynamics, i noticed you've written fics from this trope as
well, so i hope it won't be a problem. i was a bit nervous because i already knew your work,
which is amazing, so writing something to you felt a bit of a challenge, i guess :))

to the story, then! as you can tell, more than once, jimin's past relationship with another
person is mentioned, but nothing too detailed. the fic also contains smut, so please, just do
not read it if you're not comfortable -- or especially if you're a minor.

kudos and comments are very much appreciated <33 have a nice reading!
 Jimin

Out of all things Jimin thought could happen today, this definitely wasn’t on the list.

“He what?” Jimin asks, his voice coming out hoarse and weak. He blinks a couple of times,
wondering if this could be a hallucination, but Namjoon looks dreadfully serious. Behind that
somber façade, Jimin is able to identify the worry in his friend’s eyes, knowing there is no
way he had heard it wrong.

With an unexplainable strength, Jimin is able to get up from the bench. He takes his gaze
from the grass and slowly begins to see everything and everyone who is there for him. For
the couple. There are dozens of people walking around, primarily omegas setting everything
up for the event that occurs only in a lifetime, for the event that surely will change the future
of his pack. And sure it will now, he thinks. The mating ceremony.

His mating ceremony.

As he looks around, he can feel how much his wolf is screaming, and it's almost funny
because he is surrounded by all his favorite flowers and decorations. Some alphas are
drinking already, talking, and exchanging loud stories with joy. The celebration feeling in the
air makes Jimin sick. He knows that all present smiles will turn into grimaces of disdain, the
disgrace he has just brought upon them will. And no matter what will be the outcome of his
talk with Namjoon, Jimin can’t allow himself to show how affected he is. No matter how
much he wants to assume his wolf form and run away from the village, somewhere distant
from his pack.

Don’t cry, don’t cry, don’t cry, he mentally repeats while listening to the alpha.

“Some of the alphas saw him leaving before the sunrise,” Namjoon continues, and Jimin
can’t help but to dig his nails into the wooden table in front of him while he does his best to
keep his stressed scent under control. “We all thought he was only going for a walk, but
considering the fact that he hasn’t returned yet and some of his things went missing-”

“Does my father know about this?” Jimin interrupts him, trying to keep his voice stable and
ignoring his omega’s will to let out a cry of misery. The shame he is feeling at this moment is
so devastating that he is unable to stare back at Namjoon, fixing his glance instead on a
faraway tree.

“I decided to come to look for you first, but it’s only a matter of time until someone tells
him.”

As he stands there, at the center of this once-called celebration, Jimin begins to fight against
his own wolf. The feelings of agony, betrayal, and abandonment. But he can’t break down yet
— not when, all his life, people have been expecting him to be exactly like that. A weak,
submissive omega.

He will shut away his wolf in a cage today if he has to.

There will be time for mourning later, Jimin tries to convince himself. Right now, he needs to
face his father first, before someone else does.

“Thank you for telling me, Namjoon,” he says, not used to the cold tone present in his voice.
Namjoon clearly tries to say something in response, maybe comforting words or attempts at
reasoning, but Jimin is already walking away, clenching his fists while following the uneasy
path toward his father's cabin.

Jimin wishes he could say he is surprised, but maybe he shouldn’t, after the prior night.

Beomseok had always been the most desirable alpha in the pack, even before he was actually
presented as one. And for as long as Jimin can remember, both he and his omega have been
enchanted by him. His amber hair, which always becomes even lighter in summer, grows so
fastly that Jimin has to constantly cut it. His addicting, warm, and exotic scent of amber. His
husky voice and overconfident smile were able to make any wolf to listen to him

There had always been silly childhood jokes between them and their friends about the couple
being mated one day, as Jimin’s affection was as clear as the water. And Beomseok just
seemed to have a soft spot for him. It was so natural for them to explore and learn everything
about each other together — their bodies, their feelings, and the bond between an omega and
an alpha. Their love confessions and secrets are secretly shared while hiding in the woods
adrenaline ran through their veins upon the small chance of getting caught.

No one knew Beomseok better than Jimin. His flaws and strengths. And that’s why the
omega isn’t exactly taken aback by what is happening today.

Despite whatever came out of Beomseok’s mouth, Jimin knew the alpha would never settle
for a single mate. He could smell the scent of other omegas all over him whenever they met,
but he chose to believe that those were only his insecurities, or that it was Beomseok’s inner
alpha who took over his desires in moments like this.

His father and his closest friends have never really supported Jimin’s not-so-subtle love
affair, constantly saying he deserved better. That Beomseok didn’t respect him as his equal.
However, when Jimin told them he and the alpha wanted to have a mating ceremony, they
agreed to help, not even questioning why the couple would want a ceremony if they didn’t
even carry mating bites.

They wouldn’t be the first ones in the pack to be acknowledged as mates without any marks,
but they would probably be one of the few who did that despite being in love. But it was
Beomseok who said their bond was too strong for this kind of “public demonstration of
affection”, as he had said.

In the end, Jimin’s father decided to make that an opportunity to invite all the other packs
from the region to his only son’s mating ceremony.

And it’s not like they can have a mating ceremony when the alpha involved went away.

Jimin didn’t want to do this. He wanted to cry and suffer for being abandoned like that, with
barely any explanations. Beomseok did say on the night before that he didn’t think he could
do this, get mated, after all, but Jimin should’ve believed the alpha instead of thinking he was
just nervous.

“This is not who I am, Jimin, and you know it,” Beomseok’s words echo through Jimin’s
mind as he fights back his tears. “Eventually I would have to become the pack leader, and
I’m not this kind of alpha. It’s not a commitment that I’m ready for.”

“Your commitment is with me!” Jimin had pleaded, pressing his hands against his chest. “We
will command the pack together, as one. Side by side.”

“Except we won’t. We won’t because the responsibility always falls upon the alpha.”

Maybe that was what had hurt the most. All his life, Jimin has tried to prove his value,
regardless of his ranking. Omega, beta, alpha. At the end of the day, he is the pack leader’s
only son, and he had to endure several judgmental stares from other wolves whenever he
showed any interest in their pack’s politics. He showed his father he could succeed him as the
ruler, especially with the right wolf by his side.
How stupid of him to think that could ever be Beomseok. Someone who never even bothered
to stop seeing other omegas behind Jimin’s back.

And now, Jimin is simply screwed. Fucked. By now, the Park pack is mostly used to the idea
of having an omega as their future leader, as long as he was mated to a strong alpha. The
other packs, however, are still struggling with that idea. That mating ceremony would be
Jimin’s chance to show he is the owner of his own destiny. That he could be strong, happy,
and successful. Their chance to continue to establish themselves as the strongest pack in the
region.

Beomseok really ruined him. But maybe the true culprit is Jimin, for ever thinking the alpha
would respect him. That any alpha would respect him and his position.

His father’s cabin is located in the middle of their village, which makes him walk way faster
than Jimin wished to. Once he stops in front of that infamous wooden door, he has to fight
back his omega’s appeal to run away as fast as possible. Instead, he only closes his eyes and
tries to keep his breathing under control, just like he was taught to. The last thing he needs is
for his father to think he is scared of something.

Control. He needs to keep everything under control. And maybe make a sacrifice to save their
pack’s reputation, to not allow his day and all their next ones to go to waste.

“Come on in,” his father says once Jimin knocks at the door firmly.

The moment Jimin walks inside, he spots Park Jisung, sitting on a black chair — the same
one he had given Jimin’s mother as a courting gift. His hair is tidied up into a small bun and
he already seems to be wearing his outfit for the ceremony, with his best beige tunic and
pants of the same color. It’s interesting how, even though he is not standing, anyone can tell
how big and dominant his figure is, his scent of toasted chestnuts present in the entire room.

Immediately, Jimin’s mind is invaded by his childhood memories, constantly surrounded by

that smell and seeking comfort in it whenever he needed it, especially on the lonely nights
when he missed having a mother figure around. Jisung is a strong and fierce leader, yes,
which means he is busy with pack matters most of the time and that he has difficulties
showing his flaws. Still, he has his own way to care about Jimin and demonstrate his love.

“Son!” Jisung exclaims, smiling widely, and it breaks Jimin’s heart to see that his father is
actually happy for him. “Shouldn’t you be getting ready?”

Jimin gulps down, staring at him in the eye. “Hi, dad. There’s something I need to tell you.”

“Is this about Kyuik not attending? I’ve already been informed he went on his rut and-”

“No, no,” Jimin softly says, biting his lower lip. Right now, no matter what he has been
through, it feels like it is impossible to hide his apprehension. “It’s about Beomseok.”

With a frown on his face, Jisung stands up from the chair and walks closer and closer to
Jimin, until there is only a small distance between them. That cabin is definitely the biggest
one in the pack, but it does not stop Jimin from feeling breathless and desperate, an effect of
his father’s dominant scent.

“What has he done?” Jisung asks, his voice now much colder.

“He left,” Jimin replies. Saying that out loud makes it so real as if from the moment Namjoon
had talked to him he has entered into a dazed state and only now he woke up. It doesn’t help
to look at his father’s face, or to smell how bitter his scent has gotten.

“He left?”

“We could not get mated,” Jimin continues, his voice failing. He crosses his arms and finally
looks away, feeling smaller and smaller. He refuses to humiliate himself even more and
confess that Beomseok also has abandoned him. “I’m sorry, dad. I’m deeply, truly sorry.”

He remains in silence, and Jimin knows he has fucked it up. It took him years to get his
father to trust him as a wolf and to respect him as his equal. And even though he only shows
his gentle and caring side to Jimin, at the end of the day, he is the pack leader. It is his duty to
be fierce and powerful, especially in front of other wolves who are not from the Park pack.

“What do you mean?” Jisung says, his jaw clenched and his scent getting stronger and
stronger as if his alpha is feeling threatened. “Jimin, all the other packs are here. Even the
fucking Choi’s came. The last time something remotely close to this happened was at my
own mating ceremony.”

“I know,” Jimin mumbles, knowing his cheeks are probably red out of embarrassment. This
time, his inner omega’s will speak louder, and he feels obligated to bow his head in
submission. “Trust me, it was never my intention to ruin this for us. We have-”

“It was never your intention to cancel your mating ceremony on the day it is happening?” He
scoffs, a low growl coming out from his throat. “It isn’t like you to be so irresponsible, Jimin.
Has Beomseok done something?”

Oh, he definitely has, Jimin thinks, biting the inside of his cheek until he begins tasting the
blood coming out of it. Although he trusts his father, he knows that the second he confesses
to him why the ceremony isn’t happening, it won’t take long for other wolves to hear about
the truth. To say that Beomseok left doesn’t explain the reason behind it — maybe the couple
could have come to a mutual agreement about not getting mated, that they have talked about
it. But to be abandoned, to have the alpha turning his back to Jimin and the pack…

“I should have listened to you,” Jimin replies, raising his head and staring at his father.
“Beomseok could never become the pack leader, dad, and I’m sorry I was so blinded. It was
selfish of me.”

Jisung sighs, leaning against the wall near his fireplace. He runs his hands through his long,
brown hair, and Jimin observes how both of his arms are filled with scars — new ones, old
ones. Other wolves and packs would never doubt his physical strength, but emotionally? It
took the alpha a while to partially recover himself from the mess he became after losing his
mate when Jimin was born. He simply can’t let the others think the Park pack is getting
weaker.

“We can’t go and tell all the wolves there that they have traveled here for nothing,” his father
simply says, facing the floor.

“I know,” Jimin agrees, taking a deep breath. “But it won’t be for nothing.”

His father looks back at him with confused eyes and a frown on his face. “What?”

“We will celebrate your decision on your successor,” a weird feeling takes over Jimin’s chest
once those words are out. He didn’t think it would hurt this much, especially with how lost
his father looks. “An alpha successor, and our pack’s future leader. I know it’s not as big and
special as a mating ceremony, but-”

“You want me to choose someone other than you to take my place?” Jisung steps away from
the wall, coming closer to Jimin with a worried expression. “Who could that possibly be?”

“Namjoon, Kyuik, Minho. I don’t know. Whoever seems more appropriate.”

“I thought being the pack leader was your dream. You have fought and argued against every
wolf who ever dared to disagree with that. Are you sure of what you are saying?”

“No one will ever respect me as a leader if the ceremony does not happen, dad,” Jimin scoffs
lightly, shaking his head in denial. “They hardly would, either way. It was naive of me to
think I could ever accomplish that as an omega.”

Silence takes over the room, and that’s how Jimin knows that his father is really considering
his words. As a matter of fact, Park Jisung must even be happy that, after all the arguments
and fights over time, their pack will have only an alpha leader, like it was meant to be.

“We still have some time, and I need to think,” Jisun replies, turning his back to Jimin as his
scent gets lighter. For the first time since their talk began, the omega is able to recognize his
own smell of lilacs mixing up with the other one. “Go back to your cabin and do not leave.
Get ready in case a celebration happens, in the end.”

“Fine.”

“And son?” His father calls him just as Jimin is turning around to leave. There is a mix of
emotions in his eyes, and before Jimin realizes it, Jisung is releasing comforting pheromones
in the air. “I never wanted to be right about him.”

Afraid that he will end up sobbing if he tries to say anything in response, Jimin only nods, as
he starts to feel his body trembling. Nothing could ever have prepared him for this, to be left
so abruptly and to be so humiliated.

Jimin closes the door of the cabin and only when he is outside, he allows himself to cry.
Time seems to pass by slower when you are waiting for a decision that will change your life,
Jimin soon realizes.

He has no idea how long he has been in his cabin, laying on the wooden floor and staring at
the ceiling. Eventually, he stopped crying — actually, it’s like he has stopped feeling
everything. Cold, hunger, anticipation. The one Jimin thought would be his real mate left, and
with him, everything the omega has ever worked for.

Love and power. Two things that Jimin cares about were gone in the blink of an eye. He gave
up the life he had always wanted, and if he is being honest, he doesn’t know what’s more
upsetting. His omega grieves the loss of his mate, but Jimin had grown fond of the idea of
becoming the pack leader.

He is just tired. Of trying to convince the pack he would be a good leader, and to convince
himself that Beomseok could ever love him back the way he wanted. The way he needed to.
It’s just easier to give up.

“I’m seriously going to murder Beomseok if he ever crosses my path,” Taehyung snorts, as
he spaces out from one side of the cabin to another and spreads his smell of aloe and
bergamot, full of rage. At some point, he and Seokjin had walked inside to make him
company, being aware of what happened because of Namjoon. And with Jimin’s current
state, it wouldn’t be so hard to guess what Beomseok had done.

“Calm down, Tae,” Seokjin says. He is standing up, close to the door, spying outside every
now and then. Jimin wasn’t able to gather enough courage to ask how things are looking.

“This is low even for him,” Taehyung continues. “If he ever dares to step his feet back, here
again, I’m not responsible for my actions. That fucking piece of shit, poor excuse of an alpha,
a disgusting-”

“Taehyung,” Seokjin says once again, his voice less soft and firmer. “You are not helping.”

As if he has just realized how badly he was acting, Taehyung crosses the room and drops his
body by Jimin’s side. He leads his hand towards Jimin’s face and begins caressing his skin,
his scent now becoming much sweeter and obviously concerned. Jimin doesn’t have the
strength to move or to thank his friend for comforting him, but he does close his eyes for
what feels like the first time in a long, long season.

“Sorry, Jimin,” Taehyung says, and Jimin feels a light peck against his forehead. “I’m just so
angry. You don’t deserve to go through this. No one deserves this.”

“I understand that you don’t want to talk, Jimin,” Seokjin says, moving away from the wall
and sitting on Jimin’s other side. “But we are worried about you. Please, tell us what we can
do to help.”

Jimin sighs, opening his eyes and blinking a couple of times. The two omegas sitting next to
him are the best friends he could ever have asked for, and he always tells them everything.
The first time he kissed Beomseok, his insecurities regarding the alpha and the future of the
pack. But not this. He doesn’t want to explain what he and Beomseok had talked about the
night before, nor the suggestion he made to his father.

All they know is that Beomseok is gone, which is, somewhat, the only important thing at this
moment.

“I think I want to be alone,” Jimin is able to mumble, unable to face the omegas.

“Jimin…”

“Please,” Jimin adds, taking a deep breath. Taehyung has been his best friend ever since they
were pups, and Seokjin was the older omega responsible for taking care of them, eventually
joining their friendship circle. They are able to read every emotion on Jimin’s face, which
means they know when to stop insisting.

“We will leave,” Seokjin responds for both of them, grabbing Taehyung’s hand and standing
up. “But we will stay right outside of your door. If that’s alright with you.”

Jimin nods, feeling somehow comforted that their friends will still be near in case he needs
something.

“Thank you,” Jimin softly replies, glancing at Taehyung and Seokjin for a moment before
they leave. The concern on their faces is evident, and Jimin feels a little guilty for being the
cause of that. So, he just closes his eyes again, waiting until he listens to the door being
opened and closed before he begins crying once again.

This is absolutely ridiculous, and Jimin knows it. Throughout his life, he has never been one
to cry much. Maybe it’s because he was raised only by an alpha, and crying has always been
seen as a sign of weakness. An action that should be avoided. But for once, he wants to feel
lighter, and the tears do help them to heal. To bring some relief and help with the grief he is
facing.

Sometime later, there is a knock on his door. Against his will, Jimin stands up and walks
towards it, knowing that if it were Seokjin and Taehyung, the omegas would have just walked
inside. Unfortunately, he is well aware that whoever is on the other side, they are about to
give him updates about their current situation. What will be done.

“The pack leader wants you to get ready,” Gyain, one of the betas who are helping in the
organization of the ceremony, tells him. “Everyone will be reunited next to the bonfire soon
to listen to him.”

“Thank you, Gyain,” Jimin replies, knowing damn well that his eyes are giving it away that
he has been crying. It is evident judging by Gyain’s furrowed eyebrows.

With heavy movements, Jimin puts on the outfit which had been reserved for that special day
— a white tunic made of silk and white pants as well. He will be judged and receive ugly
stares no matter what his father will say, so the best thing he can do is to look nice while that
happens. He parts his black hair and pushes it off his forehead, using the water from the
bucket Taehyung had brought him to wash his face. It barely seems like he was crying.
Outside, the sun is beginning to disappear into the sky, and Jimin welcomes the fresh wind
against his face. The sound of loud voices and laughs comes from everywhere, which,
somehow, warms Jimin’s heart. He doesn’t think he has ever seen so many wolves reunited
before, each one of them different from the other, abandoning his conflicts for one evening.
Despite everything, Jimin is glad to see how his almost mating ceremony is able to reunite all
these packs.

It could be a sign they are willing to accept Jimin’s place as the future leader, but he is afraid
it might be too late for that now.

On his way to his father, Jimin nods and exhibits a small smile to the ones who stare at him.
With his outfit, even the ones who are not aware of who he is can probably guess it is the
omega son of Park Jisung. A few of the faces are unfamiliar to Jimin, whereas others are
regular visitors to their village, but he greets them all from afar either way.

His father stands next to the bonfire, dressed in his cape made with the skin of the bear he
once killed, reserved for special occasions. Their eyes meet and Jimin almost immediately
looks away, not wanting to see what kind of expression the leader has right now.
Disappointment, sadness, anger — it could be all of them, and the omega doesn’t think he
will like any of the options.

“Jimin!” Hoseok exclaims while walking towards him, and Jimin tries to smile at his friend.
The alpha is dressed up nicely, his hair for once not falling in front of his eyes, and he has a
huge smile on his face. “You look beautiful.”

“Thank you, Hobi. You’re not so bad yourself.”

“I can’t believe you’re actually getting mated today,” Hoseok says while pulling Jimin for a
hug. The omega tries to chuckle, but the sound is awfully dry and empty. “I’m so happy for
you and Beomseok. Where is he, by the way?”

“I don’t know,” Jimin replies, which isn’t exactly a lie.

“Well, he is a lucky alpha.”

Jimin smiles softly, hugging Hoseok back before following his way, sitting on a bench close
to his father. Hoseok is one of Beomseok’s closest friends, but long before that, he had been
Jimin’s first friend. Once they were presented as alpha and omega, they didn’t remain as
close, but he is sure that if he tells Hoseok what his alleged mate had done, he would go and
hunt him down himself.

From where he is sitting, Jimin can spot Namjoon and Taehyung chatting, obviously flirting.
They are probably going to be the next couple to have a mating ceremony, and despite the
love he feels for them, at this moment, Jimin can’t bring himself to be glad while looking at
the scene. As a matter of fact, he senses an ugly, dirty feeling of jealousy growing inside of
him. Even when Beomseok was around, they were never able to share that kind of intimacy
and genuine affection.
Beomseok never let Jimin scent him, saying it would drag too much attention due to how
sweet the lilac smell is. However, he could scent the omega all he wanted, so everyone in the
pack knew he was already committed to an alpha. Even when their relationship was no longer
a secret, Beomseok refused to sit by Jimin’s side while they were eating in the dining room,
or to show any type of public demonstration of their love. More than once, he carried the
scent of other omegas on him, but every single time he told Jimin that he was just being
paranoid, that the smell was just because he was in a room with other wolves.

Jimin never thought Beomseok was a saint. He was well aware of his flaws and strengths, as
he was willing to accept them all. His omega knew that was their mate. But when he looked
at Namjoon and Taehyung, or Seokjin and Yoongi, Jimin couldn’t help but to want that kind
of bond. Although he had never been exactly the romantic type, always prioritizing his future
as a strong pack leader, every now and then he allowed himself to dream. To dream that
Beomseok could be the alpha he wanted, the alpha he needed.

He really hates himself for allowing Beomsoek to rip his heart out of his chest and running
away with it.

After a few moments, when it seems that every wolf is reunited next to the bonfire, Park
Jisung stands up, his dominant figure making everyone stare back at him in silence. Usually,
celebrations like this are thrown inside the dining room, but there are so many people that
Jimin doesn’t think they would all fit in there. No, his honor would be destroyed in a very
public way.

“Firstly, let me say how glad it makes me to see all these faces reunited after so long,” Jisung
says, with an honest smile on his face. Jimin knows how much his father likes to celebrate
special moments with as many people as possible. “It’s a shame we are not able to meet more
frequently, so I would like to thank your presence here on this special day. Many of you
traveled from afar, and I’ll make sure to remember this gesture.”

In Jimin’s opinion, it’s amazing how good his father is with his words. It’s rare to find a pack
leader who is strong in more than one sense. If Jimin stops to think about it, it was very silly
of him to ever consider he could succeed his father. To ever be that capable.

Maybe all that has happened today was for the best.

“As most of you probably know, there is one precious person missing here today,” the alpha
continues, and Jimin can feel the tears forming in his eyes. “My beautiful and amazing mate
was the kindest and sweetest soul I ever met and those of you who knew her, have to agree
with me. She left this world a long time ago for reasons bigger than all of us, but I can feel
her close to me every day. I feel her when I look at the sunrise and at the sunset. When I’m
taking a swim at the lake. When I’m looking at our son, Jimin.”

Jimin looks down to sweep away a single and delicate tear that falls from his eye. Even
though he never met his mother, as his father had just said, he can feel her presence in
different moments and situations. And most importantly, he can tell how extraordinary she
must have been through the love his father continues to carry.
“My son, who one day will be the smartest and most dedicated leader of the Park pack,”
Jimin immediately snaps his head towards his father once he listens to those words, his face
probably expressing how shocked he is. The other wolves don’t seem as surprised, since
Jisung has been saying for a while what his intentions were for the pack.

“Dad-” Jimin whispers, but his father doesn’t listen at all.

“Jimin, please, stand up,” Jisung says, and Jimin can only obey, standing up from his place
and feeling dozens of eyes on him. “My son is the most fierce and dedicated omega in our
pack, and his future mate is nothing less than that. He is a resilient and sharp alpha, who will
share the duties of a pack leader while being just as responsible and loyal.”

While hearing that, Jimin is sure that his father could never be referring to Beomseok. Firstly,
because the alpha is nowhere to be seen, and secondly because the entire pack knows those
are far from being words used to describe him. That can only mean one thing.

Whoever his father has chosen as the alpha to take over the pack, would also become Jimin’s
mate.

It’s a smart move, that much Jimin can admit. Jisung not only saved his son’s reputation but
also decided to get him mated with an alpha stronger than Beomseok. Someone he probably
trusts. A lot of names cross Jimin’s mind, but as he looks around, at all the people standing
around him, he can’t help but to notice a dark, piercing gaze focused on him.

Jimin feels his breathing accelerating as he tries to remain calm.

“Jeon Jeongguk, come join us.”

The whole ceremony passes by in a blink of an eye.

Through most of it, Jimin feels like he is in a trance state, completely numb to his
surroundings. Eventually, however, rage grows inside him. He is angry at Beomseok for
leaving, at himself for believing in the alpha’s feelings, at his father for taking decisions on
his behalf, and most of all, he is angry at Jeongguk, even though Jimin doubts he had any say
in whatever happened.

There are so many confused stares coming from the other wolves, and Jimin can’t blame any
of them. Although the members of the other packs had no idea of who the omega intended to
marry, the entire Park pack knew about Beomseok. More importantly, they probably never
even saw Jimin and Jeongguk interacting — because, after all, they rarely did. But that can be
dealt with later; what matters now is to keep their posture in front of other packs. The wolves
who are standing up and sitting nearby, watching the whole thing.

The sun is mostly gone when the time comes and the couple needs to say some words to each
other, Jimin gulps down and finally turns around to look at Jeongguk. So far, he has been too
ashamed to let the alpha stare at the vulnerability present in his figure. Most of the time,
Jeongguk seems emotionless, as if it’s not his own life and future which are at stake. His
long, black hair is falling in front of his face, with only a lock being tucked behind his ear.
The tunic he is wearing is also white, and Jimin realizes that it must be the first time he has
ever seen the alpha in anything other than black.

Jeongguk surely looks good, but Jimin has absolutely no idea what he is supposed to say
right now. The whole speech he had in mind was directed to Beomseok, who is a totally
different alpha than the one standing in front of him.

So Jimin just stays in silence, and his prayers seem to have been heard by Jeongguk, who
decided to be the first one to speak.

“I promise I will be the best alpha I can for you,” Jeongguk begins, his voice way louder and
more forceful than ever. But the determination is clear in his eyes as they remain focused on
Jimin and Jimin only. “I will respect you and listen to your concerns, and acknowledge your
position as the pack leader at all times. I promise to take care of you and to stay by your side
in good times and bad times. You can rely on me.”

Jimin blinks a few times, surprised by the honesty present in Jeongguk’s voice. In this
specific part of the ceremony, it is normal for the couple to exchange some kind and brief
words with each other, always mentioning their love and bond. Of course, Jimin wasn’t
expecting to hear the alpha proclaiming his undying love when there is no love at all, but he
enjoyed the speech. It felt real and convincing, and the least he could do is to be just as
considerate.

“I promise to be a good omega for you,” Jimin says, not daring to look away. “I accept you as
the other leader of this pack, and I trust you to be responsible and carry on with your
responsibilities. I will respect and take care of you, cheering on both our similarities and
differences. I appreciate your kind words, and you can also rely on me.”

For a quick moment, it feels like there are just the two of them there, and not dozens of
unfamiliar faces staring back at them. Then, Jimin finally smells it — cedarwood. He would
be lying if he says he never wondered what Jeongguk’s scent is, but somehow, it was way
better than he could ever imagine. Tough and sharp, yes, but also compelling.

Before Jimin knows it, he is leaning forward, his omega dying to be closer to that amazing
scent. And just as quickly, as Jeongguk connects their hands together, the scene is perfectly
appropriate for that moment of the ceremony. It doesn’t stop Jimin from raising his eyebrows
in shock, though, as he looks down and stares at their touch.

“Let’s all celebrate their bond, then!” Jisung shouts, followed by a loud chuckle, and all the
other voices join him, yelling.

Jimin pulls back his hands, but other than that, he simply can’t move. With the corner of his
eyes, he can spot Taehyung and Seokjin coming in his direction, as well as judgmental stares
coming from wolves from their pack. Suddenly, Jimin feels overwhelmed — it has all been
too much for a single day. Beomseok, his father, Jeongguk. And the worst part is that he now
should join everyone else in celebrating his future when not even he has a clue of what’s
really going on.
When Jimin feels like the first drop of tear is about to fall out from his eyes, immediately
there is a hand around his arm, dragging him away from the crowd.

Without protesting, Jimin follows Jeongguk to wherever the alpha is taking them. In their
way, amongst the puzzled stares directed at them, there are also happy expressions, smiling at
the new mates. Jimin does his best to smile back and bow his head to show off his gratitude,
but he suspects he might not be doing a very good job.

After what feels like ages, they walk into the woods, the voices from the others eventually
fading away. They are not too distant from the pack’s village, just enough to not be heard,
and that’s when Jimin realizes it.

He is alone. With Jeongguk. Who is now, apparently, his mate.

“I will murder you if you try to do anything,” Jimin hisses, crossing his arms and taking a few
steps back. From what he knows about Jeongguk, the alpha seems decent enough, but it
won’t hurt to be careful. Especially when Jeongguk’s intentions are not completely clear.

“I won’t,” Jeongguk replies. He raises his hands in surrender and puts on an even bigger
distance between himself and Jimin. “I just brought you here so we could talk in private.”

Jimin remains with his eyes squinted, suspiciously staring at Jeongguk.

To the entire pack, the alpha has always been a mystery. Jimin remembers that he had just
found out he was an omega when his father came back home after hunting with a scarred and
unknown alpha by his side. No one except for Jisung ever got to know the details of
Jeongguk’s story, only that he was no longer with his pack and that Jimin’s dad invited him to
join them.

Jeongguk is such an enigma that it didn’t even cross Jimin’s mind that they could get mated.

Jisung made sure that Jeongguk was trained by him, and it didn’t take long until the young
alpha became one of the best, strongest wolves in their pack. And Jimin wasn’t dumb — he
has always known it couldn’t be a coincidence that his father had become so attached to
Jeongguk just after his only son was presented as an omega. The entire pack had suspicions
that Jisung was training Jeongguk to one day become their leader.

And no matter how many times Jisung had told Jimin that Jeongguk wouldn’t become the
leader, the omega couldn’t help but to think the other alpha was the son his father never had.
The strong and smart wolf that could take his place one day.

“Why did you do it?” Jimin asks, his voice much colder than it is intended to be.

“Your father asked me to,” Jeonguk replies. Jimin should have predicted that answer —
obviously the alpha wouldn’t accept to mate with an omega he barely knew.

But if there is one thing Jimin knows about Jeongguk, is that he is completely loyal and
devoted to Jisung.
“Well, you should have said no,” Jimin says, looking away and fixing his stare on some
squirrel climbing a tree. “It was my mess, to begin with, and my father had no right to drag
you into this.”

“Jimin,” the alpha says, and Jimin immediately snaps back his head as he gets chills. This is
probably the first time he has ever listened to the other wolf calling him, due to their lack of
interaction. “As I’ve said, the pack leader asked me to. I wasn’t forced by him, and I
definitely knew what I was doing when I accepted it.”

To that, Jimin has no response. He only remains with his arms crossed and closes his eyes,
taking a deep breath. How has everything become such a mess?

“I’m sorry I was not able to warn you before the ceremony or to even ask if you agreed to
this,” Jeongguk says, breaking the silence, and Jimin opens his eyes to stare at the alpha. His
expression now is much softer and more understanding. “It was not my intention to make you
uncomfortable.”

Jimin doesn’t say a word, and that seems to be enough of a sign for Jeongguk to turn around
and leave. But this is not how the omega wants to leave things.

“Jeongguk?” He calls the alpha, who only slightly turns his head to look at him. “Thank
you.”

Thank you for saving our pack’s reputation. Thank you for not allowing me to become such a
humiliation. Thank you for your unexpected kind words. To Jimin, all of that is implicit, even
though he can’t express himself right now. Jeongguk simply nods and continues his path, his
figure more and more distant until he completely disappears into the village.

And as much as Jimin would rather stay in those lonely and cold woods, he clenches his fists
and goes back as well. The least he could do is to pretend he is happy about finally having a
mate. Because he is happy — not about Jeongguk, though. He is happy his pack is safe, if
not internally, they are strong and together in the eyes of everyone else. And that's what
matters the most to him, even if he knows he will have to face consequences of their own
later. He can pretend for now.

In the end, he will become the pack leader someday.

With Jeongguk by his side, apparently.

Close to the bonfire where the ceremony happened, some of the wolves are already exhibiting
signs of how much wine they have been drinking. Jimin can spot omegas, betas, and alphas
from different packs chatting amongst themselves, with drunk smiles which will probably
lead them to spend the night together. It is possible that, when the morning comes, there will
be new couples and additions to the Park pack.

His father is reunited with the other leaders, with nothing but happiness expressed on their
faces. But Jimin knows how good at pretending they can all be — it’s politics, after all. The
omega himself is doing his best to show everyone how glad he is about this day. He picks up
a glass of wine and drinks all of the liquid at once, hoping it will help.
“Easy there,” a voice comes from behind him, and Jimin turns around to look at Taehyung,
with Namjoon by his side. The two of them have worried eyes, which makes Jimin cross his
arms, once again, defensively.

“Are you alright?” Namjoon asks, his right arm around Taehyung’s waist as the omega leans
on his touch. Unfortunately, it makes Jimin sick to see this kind of bond right now. He
wanted Beomseok to be this type of protective alpha.

“Yes,” Jimin replies, dryly.

“Was this your father’s doing?” Taehyung asks while he reaches out for Jimin’s hand. “Did
you have any say in all of that or did he just throw Jeongguk at you?”

“Tae…”

“It’s fine,” Jimin interrupts Namjoon. He grabs Taehyung’s arm and pulls his friend forward,
lowering his voice. “I need you not to question Jeongguk being my mate, Taehyung. More
than anyone here. Me and Jeongguk came to a mutual agreement about this because it was
the best thing to do for the pack, okay?”

“But I don’t-”

“I was the one who decided not to mate Beomseok because I saw he wasn’t a proper alpha,”
Jimin continues, not even sure where all of that is coming from. “Jeongguk was a better
option. Now, I can’t have my best friend questioning this if I want the whole pack to believe
in it, can I?”

Taehyung sighs, defeated. He still has his eyebrows furrowed in concern, and his distress is
obvious through his smell, but Jimin trusts the omega. He knows his friend will support him.

“Okay,” Taehyung agrees, and both omegas finally exchange relieved smiles.

“Did you listen to all of this as well?” Jimin asks, changing his gaze to Namjoon. After
looking conflicted for a quick moment, the alpha nods in agreement. “Good. Feel free to
repeat everything to anyone who asks about this matter.”

“You really sound like a pack leader right now,” Taehyung says, smiling proudly, and Jimin is
sure he must be blushing. “This is what you were born to do, and I’m glad you didn’t let any
alpha stand in your way.”

“And you’re not completely wrong,” Namjoon adds, shrugging. Jimin tilts his head at him.
“Beomseok never was the right choice for a pack leader, much less your mate. And even
though you don’t know much about Jeongguk, he is a decent guy. At least from what I’ve
seen.”

Jimin shyly nods, glancing away. It’s not like he doesn’t believe that Jeongguk is someone
nice — especially after what happened on this unforgettable day —, but the alpha remains an
enigma. Other than Seokjin and his own father, Jeongguk never appeared to have any kind of
connection with other wolves from the pack, nor did he seem to try to create one. Jimin
doesn’t know why he left his pack, if it was his decision or not, not to mention that he has a
habit of hunting by himself. A lot of things about Jeongguk are strange to Jimin’s common
standards of a wolf, but from now on, they are mates.

This means Jimin is in no position to judge his actions.

“Jimin?”

“Yes?” He shakes his head, Taehyung’s voice bringing him back to reality.

“Are you sure you are fine? If you’re not feeling well I can tell your dad that you left for your
cabin.”

“It’s not necessary,” Jimin smiles softly, pressing a light peck against Taehyung’s cheek. “But
thank you for your concern, Tae. I’m really happy to have you by my side through all of
this.”

Taehyung chuckles and caresses his arm. “Of course, Jimin.”

They chat for a while, but as soon as Jimin realizes the glances that Taehyung and Namjoon
are throwing at each other, he decides to walk away, letting the couple be by themselves.

The sky is completely dark by now, and the chilly winter makes Jimin shiver for a bit. He
picks up another glass of wine, hoping it will be enough to warm him up. While observing a
couple sneaking into the woods, Jimin dryly chuckles. Not too long ago, those were him and
Beomseok, finding excuses at all times to go away from the pack. Usually, it was whenever
the alpha got drunk to the point where the only thing he would want to do was to fuck Jimin.

It is definitely ironic that tonight, at his mating ceremony, Jimin finds himself standing alone
in the crowd.

At some point, Jimin’s eyes fall upon Jeongguk, who is busy chatting with an alpha from a
different pack. For what it feels like the first time since they met, he is smiling, and Jimin is
taken aback by how young he looks right now. They must be about the same age, but
Jeongguk has somehow always looked older, with those dark, serious eyes and silent posture.
When he is like this, relaxed and drinking his glass of wine, he seems less intimidating than
he usually does. Handsome as well, Jimin must add.

For a quick moment, their eyes meet, and Jimin immediately turns his head away, as he
searches for someone he can talk to. Was he really checking Jeongguk out?

Well, I don’t think others will mind an omega checking out his mate.

Jimin continues to walk around, reconnecting with old friends he hasn’t seen in a while and
getting to know new people. They all congratulate him, and even the wolves from his pack
who know the truth don’t ask about Beomseok. In fact, Jimin is able to not think about the
alpha for most of the time, too occupied filling his stomach with as much wine and food as he
wanted to.
People start to slowly disappear, either into their cabins or the temporary tents which were
arranged for the guests. Not sure what to do or where to go, Jimin lies on the grass, looking
up at the sky. It is incredibly beautiful tonight, with no visible clouds, and as if the stars are
shining brighter. He catches himself thinking that he would rather just stay there, underneath
the moonlight, and fall asleep surrounded by nature.

However, he soon smells a different scent.

“Aren’t you cold?”

“Not at all,” Jimin replies, but still, Jeongguk throws a big coat on top of him. “Hey-”

“It’s freezing,” the alpha interrupts him. Although it is too dark, Jimin thinks he sees a smirk
on the other one’s face. “Come, let’s get you some water and put you in bed.”

“I’m comfortable enough here,” Jimin insists. Yes, he might be a little drunk, and he might be
actually freezing to death, but the thought of going to bed has been scaring him ever since he
realized that it meant going to what now is his and Jeongguk’s cabin. That it means to share a
bed with an alpha he barely knows. Jimin can’t even suggest that they sleep in different
places because it would make their bond even more obviously fake for the pack.

“I doubt that,” Jeongguk insists, and Jimin ends up standing up grumbling. He doesn’t deny
the coat, though, promptly putting it around his torso and covering his arm, ignoring how
strong it smells of the alpha.

Without daring to look back, Jimin begins walking to his new cabin — the one he had chosen
not so long ago for him and Beomseok to move in after getting mated. It is not only bigger
but more distant from where his father lives. Jimin didn’t want to risk having the pack leader
listen to whatever they do inside those four walls.

However, it doesn’t matter now. Jimin doubts he and Jeongguk will make any kind of noise.

“Did you enjoy yourself tonight?” Jeongguk asks. At some point, he reached Jimin, and they
now are walking side by side.

“It could have been worse,” he replies, shrugging. The sound of Jeongguk scoffing, though,
takes Jimin aback, and he quickly turns his head towards him with startled eyes. “Sorry. It’s
not personal.”

“I get it,” Jeongguk simply says, nodding his head in understanding and looking down.

“What about you? Was your mating ceremony everything you ever thought it would be?”
Jimin says, and before he can explain himself and apologize once again, Jeongguk begins
talking.

“Considering that I never imagined I would ever have a mate, I had fun enough,” he says, and
Jimin frowns confusedly. Just as he is about to ask about what the alpha meant, he spots the
cabin, standing out with its green door.

“It’s there,” Jimin mumbles, pointing to it. “Our new home, I guess.”
That’s the worst possible word to describe it. Home means comfort, familiarity, and a warm
hug after a long day. But Jimin is still cold, even with that big coat.

“I don’t need to come inside, Jimin,” Jeongguk says just as quietly. “I still have my cabin, so
this one can be solely yours.”

It is a tempting offer, Jimin must admit. And surprisingly kind as well, because he knows for
a fact that the cabin in front of them has to be, at least, two times bigger than Jeongguk’s.
They could even figure out a way so the rest of the pack doesn’t find out about them sleeping
in different cabins, it wouldn’t even be that hard.

But still…

“I don’t mind,” Jimin whispers, feeling his heartbeat speeding up and his hands sweating. He
bites his lower lip, not sure where that came from, and feels slightly ashamed to look at
Jeongguk.

“Fine,” Jeongguk says, and Jimin smells the alpha’s scent getting stronger. Without even
realizing what he is doing, he closes his eyes and leans toward Jeongguk’s direction, curious
about his cedarwood scent.

Jimin shakes his head so strongly that he even loses his balance, stepping away from
Jeongguk and closer to the front door, getting inside the cabin without hesitating.

They change into their sleeping clothes (which, luckily, had been placed there earlier) with
their backs turned to each other. Jimin’s omega is restless, and most likely in need of
attention after being abandoned by Beomseok, and being in the presence of a naked, good-
looking alpha makes turning around a huge temptation.

But Jimin resists it, sliding into the bed and under the covers. The cabin is mostly dark, the
only light coming from the fireplace across the room. Someone responsible for organizing the
ceremony must have put some fire there earlier as well, so the couple would arrive in a warm
environment.

Some unknown noise startles Jimin, who was almost falling asleep, and he turns to his other
side to see Jeongguk putting some covers on the floor.

“You’re not seriously thinking about sleeping on the floor, are you?” Jimin asks, raising his
head and supporting his weight on his elbow.

“Do you have any other suggestions?” Jeongguk asks in return, raising one of his eyebrows
as if he already knows this is the only possible one.

Jimin could offer the other side of the bed, but he is afraid that would be going too far.
Sleeping in the same room as an alpha that, until yesterday, was basically a stranger to him, is
already making both him and his omega nervous. If they lie side by side, Jimin doesn’t think
he would get any sleep at all — and neither would Jeongguk.
“Tomorrow I’m sleeping on the floor, then,” Jimin replies, pouting and turning back to his
previous position.

“Whatever you say,” Jeongguk scoffs, and from what Jimin listens to, he thinks the alpha
finally lies on his improvised and surely uncomfortable bed. “Good night, Jimin.”

“Good night, Jeongguk.”

Surrounded by the mixture of lilacs and cedarwood, Jimin cries once again, trying to keep it
as quiet as possible so Jeongguk won’t listen to him. As grateful as he is for the alpha, his
omega is grieving. They were not good enough to keep Beomseok, how can he expect to lead
a whole pack?

In all his life, Jimin always had Beomseok to comfort him whenever the loneliness became
too unbearable.

And now, he is the exact reason behind this feeling.

 Jeongguk

Jeongguk isn’t sure when he realized that it wasn’t acceptable the way things were done in
his pack.

From the moment he was presented as an alpha, they have done all they could to make his
life harder. Cold nights sleeping outside, in the dark woods, and days in which he could only
eat what he had hunted, no matter how old he was or the rest of the pack. Supposedly, these
challenges would make the alphas stronger, and more resilient, which would also strengthen
the entire pack, filled with the best of the wolves.

He has never given too much thought about it — that was the way things were done. The
betas in the pack were there only to reproduce, and there were no mated couples. Jeongguk
didn’t even know what that meant. His father could be any of the alphas there, as no one
knew their real identities, and his mother only took care of him until he had to start learning
things by himself.

They were constantly moving around, and any wolf who crossed their path was seen as a
threat. There was no mercy.

And whenever a pup was presented as an omega, they were immediately expelled from the
pack. It was the same to be thrown to death.

When Jeongguk was growing up, he only had one friend. Jun. She was a sweet, determined
girl with dark hair, and they would always take care of each other, even believing that they
had the same father because of their resemblance. All the other wolves had high expectations
that she would present as an alpha, due to her amazing strength and intimidating figure. And
despite looking distant and detached from everyone else other than Jeongguk, she never
hesitated when it came to help. It was very difficult to have a real and genuine relationship in
their pack, and Jeongguk knew how lucky they were.

That was until Jun presented as an omega.

For a long time, they were able to keep that a secret. The others believed she was a beta. In
the meantime, Jeongguk presented as an alpha, and even though they had to spend most of
their time separately because of their duties, they would constantly find a way to be around
each other. Jeongguk fed Jun, and Jun took care of Jeongguk’s wounds.

It all went to waste when the pack leader found out the truth. No matter how hard Jeongguk
cried, all of his pleads were useless. Actually, they only made things worse, because of course
he would be punished. He didn’t even get to say goodbye to Jun, who was left behind when
they were, once again, moving to a different location to find better hunting.

That was when Jeongguk decided he needed to leave as well.

He went back to where their pack was located, but there was no sign of Jun. For who knows
how long, Jeongguk walked and walked, howling and trying to find the only family he ever
had. And he failed. The only thing he ever tried to do was to protect Jun, and he failed.
Eventually, Jeongguk couldn’t really find a point to try to live anymore, tired of being alone
and roaming around those woods.

It was around then that Park Jisung found him. Jeongguk had already heard of not only him,
but the Park pack, and he knew they were powerful. According to what he was used to,
Jeongguk was thinking Jisung wouldn’t hesitate to kill him. That’s what his pack would have
done.

Still, Jisung showed him nothing but kindness and concern. He offered to listen to Jeongguk’s
story, to explain why he was by himself there, and although Jeongguk was hesitant at first, it
didn’t take long for him to begin talking.

And then, Jeongguk was offered to join their pack.

He knew damn well that could be a trap, but with the state he was in, there really wasn’t
much of a difference.

It took him some time to understand how things were done there. The first thing Jeongguk
noticed was how carefree their alphas looked. They were strong, yes, but that didn’t mean
they couldn’t have some fun, or hang out with each other, laughing together. And the betas
helped to prepare the food, but they also joined the hunting. They were free to choose what
they could do.

And the omegas.

The only one Jeongguk ever met was Jun, but he was constantly covering up her scent with
his own, not to mention the fact they treated each other like brother and sister. But at the Park
pack, Jeongguk was overwhelmed by all those sweet smells — especially the lilac one. So
much, in fact, that he immediately went on his rut when he arrived, having to spend all of his
first days locked inside his new cabin, in pure agony.

Right after he went out, Jeongguk was introduced to Jisung’s only son, and he immediately
recognized the lilac scent. How Jimin, politely smiling and presenting himself to Jeongguk,
had no idea what he was doing with his alpha.

Jeongguk had been a very private person throughout all of his life, and it wouldn’t be
different in a pack where he barely knew anyone. This only gave him more opportunities to
watch and learn about their dynamics. Surely, no one surprised him like Jimin. He was an
omega, yes, but that didn’t stop him from joining other pack activities or to even claiming his
position as the future leader. Not once did he show any sign of weakness, and he still
managed to be kind and gentle to the others, taking care of some little kids when necessary,
and offering to help all the time.

Needless to say, it reminded him way too much of Jun. So much in fact that Jeongguk
couldn’t physically be close to Jimin, as much as his alpha wished to begin any sort of
interaction that could lead to courting. Not that it mattered anyways, since everyone knew
how madly in love Jimin and Beomseok were, to the point that they would become mates
someday. Jeongguk and his alpha had different opinions about the omega, but in the end, the
logical part of him won. He would just focus on training with Jisung to turn into a better wolf
and stay away from possible problems.

This is why he is still having a hard time understanding why exactly he volunteered to
become Jimin’s mate. How he barely even hesitated to go with it and how he had to keep his
alpha under control so they wouldn’t combust and jump around out of happiness.

Jeongguk did not lie to Jimin. Indeed, he never saw himself ever finding a mate, especially
because he spent most part of his life unfamiliar with what would be the concept behind that.
And when Jisung, drained and stressed, blurted out about Jimin giving up on being the future
leader of the pack, it felt so… unfair. Despite not being close to each other, Jeongguk
constantly saw how hard the omega fought to be respected by everyone, and how passionate
his eyes were when it came to arguing against others about something he believed in.

It was all logical, but still, saying he could become Jimin’s mate instead of Beomseok was the
most irrational thing he ever did.

And weirdly enough, he doesn’t regret it at all.

“Do you need any help with that?”

Jeongguk looks up, and Yoongi has the cockiest smirk on his face. It’s not surprising, though,
as he did offer to join Jeongguk to join him earlier that day.

“No need to act so presumptuous. It’s just a knot.”

“A knot which you don’t know how to do,” Yoongi says, as he moves and sits by Jeongguk’s
side on the wooden bench. They are outside and, today, the alpha had decided to learn how to
properly tie a knot in a rope, since the wolves who work in the kitchen said it would help
them to have a firm basket to carry more food. At his old pack this was not considered an
alpha duty, and when he arrived here, it wasn’t like that was Jisung priority on what to teach
him.

So obviously, Jeongguk has no idea how to tie the knot, but he still wanted to help.

“Give me it,” Yoongi says, taking the rope from Jeongguk’s hands. The alpha simply crosses
his arms and observes how his friend does it — and more importantly, how easy he makes it
seem.

Jeongguk had struggled to make friends ever since he was young, and he still finds it hard to
create meaningful connections, especially because he is afraid that, if other wolves know
where he comes from, they would all turn against him. It wasn’t unusual for him to spend
days without talking to anyone, or to eat by himself in the dining room. There was only one
person who made the effort to ignore all of Jeongguk’s attempts to remain alone.
Still, it was natural to get closer to Seokjin. Because of their age difference, the older omega
was the one who helped him to get settled in the pack, and he would always cook a little bit
more food for him. He was the first person Jeongguk ever told about Jun, and he has
comforted him more than once. They became friends, and it was inevitable to spend time
with Yoongi, Seokjin’s mate. And it was how Jeongguk managed to have his first friends ever
since Jun, and the closest thing he could think of to a family.

Seokjin and Yoongi don’t have an easy life. Apparently, Seokjin has always been one of the
most desirable omegas in the pack, which made a lot of alphas court him and be enchanted by
his beauty and charms. However, his heart belonged to Yoongi, a quiet beta who would pick
up the best and freshest fruits in the woods and bring them to him.

Those alphas didn’t like it all, and neither did Seokjin’s parents. One thing Jeongguk has
learned about pack dynamics is that betas are the ones who are usually the outcasts, not being
seen as strong enough to take care of an omega, nor capable of pleasing an alpha. Luckily,
Yoongi never let other people’s opinions about him interfere with his relationship with
Seokjin, or how he should and shouldn’t behave in the pack. That’s definitely one of the
reasons Jeongguk admires him, both as a friend and as a person.

“Shouldn’t you be with Seokjin?” Jeongguk asks, raising one of his eyebrows as Yoongi
finishes his work. The day before, the alpha noticed on Seokjin’s scent that he would be
going into heat soon. It is expected for his mate to be with him, and not busy tying knots.

“He always gets stressed when he is about to start his heat,” Yoongi replies, frowning. “I was
forbidden to get inside our cabin before he finishes making his nest.”

Jeongguk silently nods as he looks down at his hands. The only sexual experiences he ever
had were with wolves he barely shared any special bond — omegas, betas, alphas. Anytime
they would want to make each other feel good. However, Jeongguk always had in mind that
he didn’t want to spend his rut with any of them, nor did he ever spend a heat or rut with
another omega or alpha.

It all feels too intimate. He didn’t want to fool other wolves, but most of all, he didn’t enjoy
the thought of letting them see him in such a delicate situation.

There is only one person whose alpha truly wanted to be with him in these moments, and
ironically enough, it is the exact omega who is his mate.

“By the way,” Yoongi begins talking once he is done and passes back the rope to Jeongguk,
“how are things with Jimin?”

“The same,” Jeongguk shrugs. Although he never explicitly told his only two friends about
Jimin and the immediate attraction he felt for the omega, he knows, for sure, that Yoongi has
his suspicions. It’s the look in his eyes when he makes these kinds of questions as if he is
aware of everything that is going through Jeongguk’s head.

“Still?” Yoongi asks again, and Jeongguk just nods. “Well. Jimin can be pretty damn closed
off. Seokjin is one of his best friends, and he is constantly telling me how hard it is to get
Jimin to talk. I’m sure things will change any time soon.”
“I’m not expecting him to,” Jeongguk says, and he feels Yoongi’s eyes on him. “Our mating
ceremony was more political than anything. To keep the pack strong. He doesn’t have to open
up with me.”

“But it will be a lot better if he does. If both of you do it,” Yoongi insists.

To that, Jeongguk can’t disagree. It’s been a while since that fateful evening, and ever since
then, there has barely been any progress in his and Jimin’s relationship. They treat each other
nicely, of course, but they don’t really interact a lot. Purposely or not, the omega is always
keeping himself busy with pack activities — helping the others in the kitchen, hunting
smaller animals, and stocking the food as the coldest season will begin soon. He is up before
Jeongguk is awake, and at night, it’s like he is too exhausted to do any sort of talk. They do
sit together in the dining room to have their meals, but the only talk they ever do is about
questions related to the pack’s wellbeing. That is, when they talk in the first place.

Jeongguk was able to build his own bed on the other side of the room so he wouldn’t sleep on
the floor any longer, and consequently, it is as if each one of them has their own space inside
their cabin. That had actually been a great idea since Jimin eventually made his nest on his
bed and had Namjoon put some curtains around it. It does prevent Jeongguk from seeing him,
but he is still able to listen to his quiet crying for several nights.

It’s not like he was expecting to mate Jimin and they would automatically fall in love with
each other. He knows that the omega’s heart has always belonged to Beomseok. However,
Jeongguk can’t help but to feel like he is failing as an alpha. That he isn’t able to take care of
his omega, to comfort him. It’s insane considering they are not close at all, but it’s even more
insane that Jeongguk doesn’t think he cares about it.

He feels like he knows Jimin, and it does hurt how far from reality that is.

That stays on Jeongguk’s mind for the rest of the day, until he arrives at his cabin at night.
Surprisingly, Jimin is already there. Before Jeongguk is completely inside, he can smell how
distressed the omega is, pacing out from one side of the room to another. There is a big frown
on his face, and he pulls back his black hair about five times in the span of a few seconds.

“Hm, hi?” Jeongguk asks as he closes the door, and it's as if Jimin just now realizes he isn’t
alone. He promptly stops walking, turning around and facing the alpha.

“Oh. Hi,” Jimin replies, shaking his head slightly and blinking a couple of times. “I didn’t see
you there.”

Jeongguk nods, as he continues to walk inside, closer to where their improvised and sort-of-
kitchen is. It’s nothing more than a wooden table by the wall where they leave some fruits,
plants, and water, but it’s very convenient for times like this when Jeongguk feels like having
a warm cup of tea without having to leave the cabin. He puts water on one of the bowls and,
just as he turns around to walk to the fireplace, he comes across a very wide-eyed Jimin,
looking up at him.

And very, very close.

“... do you want tea as well?” Jeongguk asks, raising his eyebrows and trying to keep his
cool.

Jimin shakes his head in denial, the same frightened expression on his face as he crosses his
hands on top of his chest, just like a squirrel.

“Can I ask you a question?” Jimin asks in return.

“I guess,” Jeongguk mumbles, almost interrupted by Jimin.

“It’s Minwoo. You know? That alpha, friends with my father. His hair is-”

“I know who Minwoo is,” Jeongguk cuts in, although he doesn’t sound aggressive. As a
matter of fact, he is trying to hide his amusement, because he doesn’t think he ever saw
Jimin, the tough and fiery omega and future pack leader, this nervous before. His whole face
is red, a very unusual sight.

And cute.

“Right,” Jimin agrees, taking a few steps back and changing his weight from one food to
another. Jeongguk thinks how pathetic it is that he wonders when they could be that close
again. “Well, then you know he is strong. And a bit… scary.”

“I do,” Jeongguk replies, crossing his arms in suspicion. “What did he do?”

“He-, well, he didn’t do anything. But his mate, Euncha? I saw her earlier today in the woods.
With another alpha.”

Jeongguk raises his eyebrows, surprised that is the reason for Jimin's nervousness, and
relieved that it wasn’t anything involving him.

“Was-”

“Wait,” Jimin says, raising up his hand and signaling to Jeongguk that there is more. “She
was with an alpha from the Choi’s pack. The pack leader’s brother. He told my father he
would stay here for a while to find a mate, but I didn’t imagine he would go after someone
else's mate.”

“Have you told anyone about this?”

“No,” Jimin immediately replies, and Jeongguk’s alpha is filled with pride. “I can’t risk
having other people listening and gossiping when it’s supposed to be a secret. But I need
someone else’s opinion on this, so I’m trusting you won’t tell this to anyone.”

Jeongguk waits for Jimin to keep going, but as the omega stares at him with a cold
expression, he realizes that he is the one waiting for Jeongguk to talk.

“I won’t tell a soul,” Jeongguk clarifies.

“Great. Then tell me what you’re thinking. Because I’m afraid Minwoo might find out about
this and kill both of them, which will get us in big, big trouble with the Choi’s. Just now,
when we are finally on good terms. My father would freak out, and he would never, ever
have Minwoo killed or severely punished.”

“You’re in a dilemma," Jeongguk says and, once again, Jimin nods in agreement. The alpha
signs, walking to the fireplace and putting the bowl there while he thinks about a plausible
resolution. “Well, do you want to hear what would be the right thing to do, or what would
stop any blood from being spilled?”

“The second one, please,” he replies, and Jeongguk tries to hide his smirk.

“I think the best option is to threaten him. This alpha from the Choi’s pack,” Jeongguk begins
talking, leaning against the wall while staring at Jimin and analyzing his expression, to see if
he is agreeing with him or not. “Tell him that Minwoo found out about it and that he has to
leave immediately if he wants to live. Say it’s the only way Minwoo won’t kill him.”

“And Euncha?”

Jeongguk shrugs. “Just say that he left. I doubt she will confess the truth to Minwoo,
knowing what her destiny could be.”

“I hope it was just a quick fuck out of lust,” Jimin exhales, shaking his head in disbelief. “It’s
impressive how being so reckless could ruin our pack.”

“I’m not surprised, though,” Jeongguk says, and Jimin looks at him confusedly. “I mean, no
offense, but Minwoo isn’t the most pleasant person out there.”

The last thing Jeongguk was expecting is the genuine chuckle that leaves Jimin’s mouth, as
he throws his head back and almost loses his balance. He didn’t say that with the intention of
sounding funny — it’s only his opinion. Still, somehow, Jimin chuckled, and Jeongguk finds
himself enchanted by that sound. By the sight in front of him. With everything that has
happened lately, he doesn’t think he ever saw the omega looking anywhere near to looking
amused.

It makes him want to continue to be the cause behind that.

“Sorry,” Jimin apologizes, looking down and letting out a deep exhale. “I’m just tired and my
mind isn’t really in the best of places.”

Jeongguk smiles softly. “You should go to sleep, then.”

“Yeah,” Jimin says with a small smile on his face. It’s barely even there, but it’s still
something to Jeongguk. It’s still a win. “Thanks for the help, Jeongguk. And good night.”

“Good night,” Jeongguk replies, subtly observing as Jimin gets ready to go to sleep.

The water was long forgotten.

It might have been a small step, but after that night, it’s like Jimin begins to realize that, in
the end, Jeongguk will probably end up leading the pack alongside him. Which is something
the alpha himself had never stopped to think about when put like that.

Jisung is the absolute leader of the pack, and he will be for some time if no unforeseen events
happen. But it’s almost as if Jimin has begun to prepare himself, taking the pack duties more
seriously, and trying to be everywhere at once. In the meetings with his father, hunting with
other wolves, helping in the kitchen, preparing the dinner, and assisting the pack healer.
Jeongguk gets tired just looking at the omega, and how at the end of the day he comes back
to their cabin barely being able to stand on his feet. And considering that Jeongguk can still
listen every now and then to Jimin crying, he doubts the other one can get any proper sleep at
night.

So, since Jimin had asked for his advice that one night, Jeongguk takes that as an opportunity
to offer to help when he can. Although the omega seems reluctant at first, and he still does
most things himself, he has begun to ask Jeongguk if he could fix someone’s door, or if he
could go to the woods and look for specific herbs to restock their medical plants. With the
arrival of the snow, they are all rushing to get everything they need before it gets impossible
to leave their village — or even worse, to leave their cabins at all.

Jimin has also started to smile a bit more. It is still a rare sight, and most of the time they
aren’t even directed at Jeongguk, but it gives him a little hope. Hope that they will be able to
live in what can be considered harmony, and maybe even become friends. Hope that,
eventually, Jimin will no longer suffer over Beomseok, an alpha who didn’t deserve him in
the first place. Hope that he is healing, and even if it takes some time, he will go back to
acting like the fierce omega Jeongguk met when he arrived in the pack. That he will get even
stronger after this.

Even if his alpha has other kinds of hopes, Jeongguk believes he will be glad enough if all of
this happens. Definitely, he will be way happier than he ever thought he could ever be. After
Jun, he was ready to spend the rest of his life alone. But then he got close to Jisung, Seokjin,
Yoongi, and now, Jimin.

He likes to believe Jun is out there. That she has been accepted by a nice and vigorous pack,
and she never faced any problems or struggles there. Maybe she found a nice wolf to be her
mate, someone who takes care of her and makes her smile. It’s something almost impossible
to happen, and every day Jeongguk thinks how further away from the truth that is. But maybe
it’s what has stopped him from going insane as time went by.

This morning, he woke up missing his little sister more than usual. These are the days in
which he tends to be more alone, quieter, and let himself grieve in peace, as much as Seokjin
tries to cheer him up or treat him with delicious food. On the other hand, Yoongi respects
that, helping by offering to take over whatever duties Jeongguk has for the day. And as
thankful as he is for his friends, the feelings of sorrow and mourning which takes over the
alpha’s chest just speak louder.
It’s the kind of day in which he finds it really hard to believe that there is a meaning to
everything. That having Jun taken away from him is anything other than unfair and tragic.

Hence, Jeongguk runs. He turns into his wolf form and runs amongst the woods, howling out,
and letting nature itself be the thing to comfort him.

Despite the snow on the grass from dawn and the cold wind, he appreciates being out there,
not really having a purpose or a destination. Jeongguk spent a long time like that once he left
the Oh’s pack, and ironically enough, it had been the freest he had ever felt. Today his
situation is very much different, but he has learned to enjoy moments like these when it’s
almost as if there are no obligations and worries.

However, the sound of a loud growl somewhere nearby makes his wolf become alert to his
surroundings. He doesn’t move for a moment, waiting to see if he’s imagining things, but
then the mysterious wolf cries out again. They sound in pain, and considering the location,
they could very well be from Jeongguk’s pack.

He doesn’t even hesitate before following the sound.

Eventually, Jeongguk finds them, the white fur as white as the snow itself. And that scent,
utterly unique, gives no space for doubts. He is absolutely sure that the omega laying there is
Jimin, even with such a distance between them.

Jimin tries to get up a couple of times, but in every single one of them, he falls. Weirdly
enough, he looks fine from where Jeongguk is standing — no visible sight of any injuries,
nor blood, and he is conscious. Still, the agony in his smell is so clear that it makes
Jeongguk’s alpha get completely restless. Not bothering to act cautious or discreet, he
approaches Jimin, who promptly turns his head around as he realizes he is not alone.

Then, he hisses at Jeongguk.

Completely ignoring his impulse to hiss back, or to even let out a strong howl, Jeongguk just
stops moving, assuming the omega must be in a vulnerable state. He goes against every
single thing he has ever learned as an alpha and bows his head, staring at the floor, and
making it clear to Jimin that he won’t do anything he is not comfortable with. It does hurt his
pride a little, and it would be a lot worse if there were other alphas around, but Jeongguk
remains still, fixing his eyes on the snow.

As time passes by and Jimin doesn’t do anything to expel him away, Jeongguk dares to look
up. And to his surprise, the omega is back to his human form, crouched on the floor and
pressing his legs against his chest.

Fully naked.

Jeongguk immediately looks away, even though, as wolves, they are all used to being naked
in front of each other after transforming. But still, it feels wrong to witness Jimin in such a
vulnerable state — and this isn’t referring just to the lack of clothes. From the small glance at
the omega’s eyes, Jeongguk saw how empty they were. As if, for the first time, Jimin isn’t
able to keep it all in. Even his breathing is irregular, and his scent gets so unsettling that it
reminds Jeongguk of blood. All that rust.

That’s when Jeongguk looks back again and realizes that Jimin’s fists are actually bleeding.
That probably has to do with the fact that he doesn’t stop to punch the snow, as tears fall
down his face. Despite being used to that sound at night, it’s way much worse to actually see
it, especially when Jimin looks so out of control. So irrational. It’s like he has no idea he is
hurting himself.

Without thinking, Jeongguk moves and gets in front of him, using his nose while attempting
to make Jimin stop. He comes closer and closer until his whole face is pressed against the
omega’s naked chest, pushing him back until he falls back on his back and is physically
contained by Jeongguk’s wolf from continuing to punch the snow.

“Get off me,” Jimin hisses, fighting back Jeongguk while attempting to free himself.
However, Jeongguk has no intention of moving. He knows damn well he is taking advantage
of being larger and stronger than the omega, but he has no idea what else he can do to make
Jimin stop. He is obviously hurting, both from the inside and the outside, and it is agonizing
to feel so powerless.

“I said GET OFF!” Jimin repeats, fighting even harder, but it only makes Jeongguk continue
to press his body against the snow. “You-, all your fucking, shithead alphas. You t-think the
world is yours. That we-, we are just some stupid, useless things for you, right? Fuck. You do
all y-you want all the time and we-, SHIT. We just stand t-there in the corner. Looking
fucking s-stupid.”

Jimin’s ramble soon turns into sobs, and then immediately he stops resisting, the tears making
it impossible for him to continue talking. His body gets limb against Jeongguk’s face, and the
alpha can feel him relaxing his hands. He knows how bad the situation is when, unlike all the
other times, Jimin isn’t trying to maintain control over his own emotions. Jeongguk can feel
in the air how much he needed to let go.

Just when Jeongguk pulls back does he realize how hard Jimin is shaking, definitely because
of the cold. He keeps staring at the omega for a couple of moments, and only when he is sure
that he isn’t going anywhere does he walk away, going to the tree where he had left his
clothes. Once he gets there, Jeongguk goes back into his human form and gets dressed,
rushing back as quickly as possible to where he had left Jimin.

Luckily, on his way, he was able to follow a trace of that lilac smell and find where Jimin left
his own clothes — including Jeongguk’s former coat which he had lent the omega on the
night of their mating ceremony. Since then, he has caught Jimin wearing it a couple of times,
but he purposely didn’t say anything about that. At least, not until he knows if he has been
doing that simply because he liked the coat or because he liked that it belongs to Jeongguk.
Or that it used to belong to him.

When Jeongguk gets back, he is relieved to see not only that Jimin had stayed in the same
place, but also that he looked calmer. Now, he is simply sitting across a big tree, his back
against the harsh wood and his eyes not void at all. As a matter of fact, if there is one thing
that Jeongguk can see in his stare is how filled with emotions they are. Anger, determination,
sadness. It’s all a beautiful mixed way, way better than how blank they get every time
someone asks Jimin how he is. Jeongguk has witnessed before how fast he can put on his
façade.

But not now.

“Here,” Jeongguk quietly says once he gets closer, still looking down. He gives Jimin his
clothes back, as the omega soon reaches out for them, and he remains like that until he is sure
the other one is dressed.

“You should have left when I told you so,” Jimin coldly replies. However, Jeongguk just
ignores it, raising his head and looking at the omega’s hands. His knuckles are no longer
bleeding, but there is still a deep shade of red on them, and his fingers are clearly becoming
swollen.

“Let me see your hands,” Jeongguk says, as he attempts to reach out for Jimin’s hands. He
quickly pulls them back, though, close to his chest.

“Taehyung or Seokjin can check them later.”

“Taehyung or Seokjin aren’t here,” Jeongguk replies, fixing his eyes on Jimin. He doesn’t
mean to sound so serious or threatening, but he would like, for once, the omega would just
accept his help without fighting so hard against it.

Jimin doesn’t seem to like it, but he still shows his hands to Jeongguk, a visible pout on his
lips and his eyebrow furrowed. Jeongguk gently picks them up, holding his breath as he
notices how fast his heart starts being, and how all of his arm hair shivers from the contact.
He tries to ignore it, though, as takes off his own coat and leans down, putting as much snow
as he can on it and delicately pressing it against Jimin’s knuckles.

“It will help to stop your fingers from getting even more swollen,” Jeongguk mumbles,
glancing from Jimin’s hands to his eyes. “Try not to move them so much, and absolutely do
not carry any weight for the next few days. You should also get Wounghae to check it later.”

“How do you know about all of this?” Jimin asks, sniffling. “Being an alpha and all.”

“For someone who fights so hard against pre-established roles in a pack, you sure are quick
to assume I shouldn’t know about healing because of my ranking status,” Jeongguk says,
raising one of his eyebrows.

“I-, this wasn’t what-”

“It’s fine,” Jeongguk plainly shrugs. He said it more like a joke, trying to lighten the mood,
but Jimin seems to have understood it wrong, as the tears quickly come back into his eyes.
Nervously, Jeongguk moves his hands until one of them is over Jimin’s shoulder, giving it a
gentle squeeze to try to make the omega stare at him again, and not at the floor. “I meant it,
Jimin. It was just a joke-”
“You don’t get it,” Jimin interrupts him. He stands up and begins pacing out, sniffling once
again, but at least the improvised snow bag is still in his hands. “I can’t bring myself to act
like this. So foolish, ridiculous. So…”

“So human?” Jeongguk gently says, standing up as well and crossing his arms, pretending he
isn’t affected by how Jimin is staring at him right now. “Besides, it’s just me. You don’t have
to ask a certain way or say what you are supposed to. Nothing you do or say will change my
opinion about you.”

Jimin ironically scoffs, and Jeongguk thinks he sees him rolling his eyes. “And what would
that be?”

Oh, you have no idea.

“You’re brilliant, selfless, brave. Kind. Powerful,” Jeongguk says, although he could go on
for a long time. Beautiful, special, extraordinary. “Honestly, it’s good to see you acting
stupidly for once, otherwise I would have thought you had no flaws.”

“Stupidly?” Jimin asks, raising one of his eyebrows. He sounds almost… amused.

“Yes, stupidly. Because I know no person, animal, or event is worthy of a single drop of your
blood.”

“Even a heartbreak?”

Through the silence, Jimin continues to stare at him, as if he is genuinely waiting for a
response to his question. The look in his eyes strangely resembles hope, like he truly,
desperately wants to believe that. It makes Jeongguk absolutely mad. Mad at Beomseok, for
making Jimin feel like that. Mad at Jimin, for not seeing his value.

And mad at himself, for taking so long to take a risk. To take a chance.

“Even a heartbreak,” Jeongguk confirms, sounding as determined as he feels now. “If you
can’t trust yourself, trust me. Even the worst heartbreak can disappear in the blink of an eye
when the person responsible for breaking it in the first place is a jerk. A total, complete jerk
who never deserved to have someone as amazing as you in the first place.”

Jimin seems shaken aback, widening his eyes — and honestly, Jeongguk also can’t believe he
had the guts to say that.

But honestly, he couldn’t care less. He has given Jimin space, and throughout time, he let his
past ghosts stop him from going after what he really wanted. He had to simply watch when
an alpha as ridiculous as Beomseok was the one capable of owning Jimin’s heart when he
never deserved it. The whole pack thought that, for sure.

And today, he woke up thinking about Jun and missing her. That was the last time he let
someone he cared about slip away from his fingers, and as Jimin looks at him so surprised for
listening to the truth, about how spectacular he is, Jeongguk can only think he cannot make
the same mistake again.
Even if it still takes a while, he will show Jimin that he is the right alpha for him. That he had
always been.

Finally, it’s like his mind, heart, and soul are connected. Himself and his alpha.

“I don’t care if you don’t believe in me,” Jeongguk simply says, breathing quickly.
“Beomseok was never a good alpha for you, and you should be relieved he never got to be
his mate.”

“I am,” Jimin quickly replies, blinking a few times, like he wasn’t supposed to say that out
loud. Jeongguk furrows his eyebrows while the omega clears his throat, the tears were long
forgotten now. “I mean, I am relieved he left, in a certain way. He could never lead the pack
by my side. But I just wish I could have been the one to walk away from him, and not the
other way around. I wanted to show him I can be fine on my own.”

Unable to contain himself, Jeongguk exhibits a small smile, and his entire body warms up
upon the sight of Jimin mirroring his gesture. It makes a lot more sense now why Jimin was
simply punching the snow so strongly — of course he should be angry over this. Possessed,
actually. If he did realize how big of a piece of shit Beomseok really is, then surely he has
also realized he could have left the alpha much earlier.

“You know the best part about being out in the woods?” Jeongguk asks, glancing at the sky
and then at Jimin. “They are really good confidants.”

Jimin continues to smile weakly as he closes his eyes and takes a deep breath. “Then if I say
that I’m fucking exhausted and extremely scared of the day I become the pack leader if I ever
do, will they keep it a secret?”

Jeongguk looks back at the omega, who still hasn’t opened his eyes, and he can’t help but to
want to be the one responsible for taking care of him. Of sharing all these burdens. And most
of all, to comfort him. But he won’t insist on that, for now.

“They won’t tell a soul,” Jeongguk whispers, and only then Jimin blinks a couple of times,
turning his head and looking at Jeongguk. “But can I say something?”

“I suppose so.”

“You’ll get yourself killed out of exhaustion someday if you continue like this, Jimin,”
Jeongguk says, the concern evident in his tone. “And you won’t be able to rule a pack if
you’re not alive for that. Your body is screaming for you to get some rest.”

Jimin slowly nods his head before staring down at his feet, exhaling through his mouth. “I
guess.”

“You have a lot of people who care about you, and even more who are willing to help when
you need it. All you’ve got to do is ask.”

“I’m still working on that,” Jimin mumbles, but his expression is already way lighter.
Definitely more relaxed than Jeongguk has ever seen from the evening they got mated. “Can
I begin taking the day off, then? And you can tell whoever asks that I’m not feeling well.
These hands will definitely need some extra care.”

“Of course,” Jeongguk agrees, pointing with his head in the direction where the village is
located. “We should hear back. Being out here in the cold won’t do you any good.”

“Sure,” Jimin says, but just as he is about to begin walking, he stops on his feet. He looks
much younger now, as his face turns into a mischievous one, a totally new look on him. “Let
me just do something before we leave?”

“Do as you want to.”

In a slow but exciting movement, Jimin turns around and looks up at the sky, like Jeongguk
has just done. A lot of things go through his mind, regarding what Jimin plans to do, but
nothing could’ve prepared him for the yell which leaves the omega’s throat. It’s rough, bare,
and most of all, sincere, the sound raw enough to startle Jeongguk for a moment. And just
when he thinks Jimin is done, he lets out another scream.

“SCREW YOU,” he cries out loud, before walking right past through Jeongguk and
continuing his way, the snow against his hands.

Jeongguk has no idea to whom that was directed to, but Jimin passes him by with such a
pleased and content smile that he honestly feels like he doesn’t need to know.

And that’s when he finally admits to himself that he couldn’t care less if Jimin ends up
breaking his heart into a thousand million pieces.

Because Jimin is absolutely, entirely, and perfectly worth it.

“I can’t believe you’ve never heard about Wilo when you were growing up,” Jimin scoffs
lightly in disbelief.

“It isn’t that weird, considering I wasn’t from this pack,” Jeongguk replies, crossing his
arms.

“Well, it is a tale about a snow monster who fed from little pups who wandered around the
woods by themselves,” Jimin begins to explain, a tiny sparkle on his eyes which can only
appear as one is talking about their golden days during their childhood. “The only thing he
left behind was the wolves’ teeth, and he would bury them underneath the snow.”

Jeongguk chuckles loudly and throws his head back, his fluffy hair falling in front of his face.
“And it actually worked? You were scared?”

“We were terrified of it. But it was back when the snowstorms were too dangerous, way more
than they are now. Wilo was necessary to make sure we would stay at our cabins and not
secretly sneak out to play in the snow like we normally did.”
“Were you that big of a troublemaker that an imaginary monster was the only way to make
you stay inside?” Jeongguk amusingly asks while side-eyeing Jimin.

“Excuse me, I was an angel,” Jimin defends himself, threatening to slap Jeongguk in the arm
but pulling back his hand before it happens. “This was just a safety precaution.”

“I can imagine,” Jeongguk scoffs, as they continue to walk.

Jimin began to tell this story after they woke up this morning and could barely leave the
cabin because of the snow pressed against the door. Jeongguk has no idea how he hadn’t
woken up during the night, but at least now he knows they will have to start being careful.
Any day now and they would actually be stuck inside, which means it’s time to begin picking
up food and other supplies to avoid leaving those four walls.

However, right now Jeongguk is simply starving. He has to put some breakfast inside his
stomach before beginning to help the wolves in the pack, especially the single parents, to
prepare themselves as well.

“Have you ever eaten a peach?” Jimin curiously asks, and Jeongguk turns his head.
Apparently, Jimin’s new hobby is to find out all the things in which the alpha is unfamiliar
with because he was from a different pack.

“I’ve heard about it, but I never ate it, no. Does it taste good?”

“Amazingly,” Jimin says, smiling. “It’s more common during the warmer seasons. I was just
thinking that this might be the only reason which makes me dislike the snow. And because I
can’t swim.”

Jeongguk smiles softly, as he proceeds to open the door from the dining room. “I certainly
want to try them when the time comes.”

As they walk inside, some of the wolves there stare at the couple, but it’s definitely a way
smaller number when compared to right after they have gotten mated. There is no point in
lying or hiding anything from their own pack, and they all knew Jimin was planning to
become Beomseok’s mate, not Jeongguk’s. Still, despite the not-so-subtle stares, no one ever
dared to say a word, at least, not in front of the alpha. By now, they seem to have accepted
their bond.

Actually, since that morning in the woods, it’s like Jimin and Jeongguk themselves have
begun a whole new dynamic.

They don’t ever talk about it again but considering that Jeongguk never again heard Jimin
crying during the night, he takes that as a sign that the omega is finally doing better. Not only
that, but he has also been laughing a lot more, either when they are alone, chatting in their
cabin, or when he is talking with his friends. His whole posture and attitude have become
lighter and happier in general, but he never loses his intimidating eyes or stops imposing
himself as strong.
Jeongguk has also started to act differently. First of all, he doesn’t wait for Jimin to ask for
any help with pack duties. Instead, whenever the alpha sees a problem, he goes and fixes it
himself, such as separating wolf fights and offering to assist some of the single omegas with
carrying wood pieces back to the fireplace in their cabins. Surprisingly, Jimin never gets mad
at him for not consulting his opinion on certain matters. They have even begun to attend the
pack meetings together, always gossiping about other alphas on their way back to their place
and, fortunately, agreeing with each other most of the time. And even on the occasions, they
happen to disagree, it isn’t the end of the world.

There is no doubt in Jeongguk’s heart, soul, and brain that he is absolutely falling in love
with the omega.

Without even trying, Jimin always looks beautiful in the morning, with his messy, fluffy hair
falling in front of his face. He’s way shyer than other people seem to notice, hiding the
redness on his cheeks whenever someone makes a funny comment. It’s just adorable. And as
the days pass by, Jeongguk tries to make clear how he feels. A part of him still thinks he
needs to give Jimin more time to completely forget about Beomseok, but he knows that might
not happen. First love doesn’t usually go away so easily, but what he can do is show himself
that he can be worthy.

And that’s what he has been doing. He is constantly preparing some tea for Jimin or looking
for any opportunity to share even the most innocent of touches. Their hands brushing, taking
off something from the omega’s face. It’s not much, but Jeongguk believes he is seeing some
results. Like the time he accidentally caught Jimin placing that very same coat he had lent
him in his nest. Call him delusional, but Jeongguk doesn’t think his scent is completely gone.

He takes every small step or subtle gesture as a personal victory.

“Do you mind if we sit with Taehyung and Namjoon today?” Jimin asks as they are in line to
pick up their meal.

“Not at all,” Jeongguk simply replies, because another thing that has changed is that now
they have almost every single meal together. He is not sure how that started to happen, but at
some point, it just became natural.

After they grab their meat and eggs, they walk towards the table where Taehyung and
Namjoon are sitting, as well as Hoseok. Now that he and Jimin are getting closer, Jeongguk
has also started to spend more time with the omega’s friends as well. And sure, they are all
fun to be around and nice, but the alpha is still wary when it comes to interacting with new
people. If Jimin has ever noticed his change of mood from when they are alone to when they
are in public, he has never said a thing.

“Hey,” Jimin says as he sits down on the bench, Jeongguk by his side.

“Oh, Jimin! We were just talking about you. Hi, Jeongguk,” Taehyung says, smiling. He
glances at Jeongguk, not even giving him a chance to reply before looking at Jimin again.
“Who do you think would win in a fight? Rei or Yuna?”

“How does this have anything to do with me?”

“Because they are the strongest omegas in the pack after you,” Namjoon interferes, but
judging by his face, Jeongguk suspects he is only participating in the talk because of
Taehyung.

“Right. It gives you authority over the matter,” Hoseok adds, wiggling his eyebrows. “So?
Rei or Yuna?”

“Yuna, I guess,” Jimin replies, shrugging while chewing his food. “She is smarter and more
agile. But it would be tough competition. Why do you ask?”

“Apparently, they are both interested in Hoseok here,” Taehyung says, pointing his head at
Hoseok while he has a menacing smile. “Then I asked him if they were fighting over him, he
would mate the winner. He says that it depends on who wins.”

“It does!” Hoseok exclaims, and Jeongguk holds back his smile as he sees both Jimin and
Taehyung rolling their eyes. “I’m not saying I want them to fight over me or anything. I was
just curious to know which one of them would win.”

“That’s why you don’t have a mate,” Jimin says.

“Maybe I’m waiting for the right person,” Hoseok smoothly replies, crossing his arms and
leaning back, a smug expression on his face.

Jeongguk pushes his tongue against the inside of his cheek, focusing on eating the food in
front of him. He knows he has no right to, but he can’t help but to feel jealous of Hoseok and
Jimin. From what he has been told, they have been friends ever since their childhood, and
Hoseok was even Beomseok’s best friend. But at the end of the day, he is still a handsome,
single alpha, who every now and then smells like lilacs because Jimin scents him. Jeongguk
is aware that it’s just a common gesture between friends, as he and Seokjin also scent each
other from time to time, but it’s one of the times he doesn’t consider the logic behind his
feelings.

“Are you doing something after we finish eating?” Jimin asks, directly at Jeongguk. It’s an
obvious attempt to include him in their talk, and for that, the alpha is thankful.

“I was thinking of taking away some of the snow from around our cabin, why?”

“Oh,” Jimin says, staring back at his food. “I was going to ask you to help me to deliver the
extra blankets we have to the cabin with young pups.”

“I can help, if you want,” Hoseok casually offers, biting his meat. “My day is pretty much
free and-”

“No need,” Jeongguk interrupts, fixing his stare at Hoseok. He doesn’t mean to sound so
aggressive, only realizing that once the other ones at the table staring at him, all surprised —
except Taehyung, who has an amusing expression on his face. Jeongguk clears his throat,
looking at Jimin and speaking in a more delicate tone. “The snow might melt with the sun, so
I’m free to help.”
Jimin still looks a bit startled, and his cheeks are definitely red, but he only nods, quietly
thanking Jeongguk before he goes back to eating.

“So, Jeongguk,” Taehyung breaks the silence, crossing his hands over the table, “you’re
Jimin’s mate, but I feel like I barely know you.”

Both Jimin and Namjoon look at the omega with widened eyes, as if they don’t trust what’s
about to come out of his mouth. However, Jeongguk decided to take that as an opportunity.
He leans in and mirrors Taehyung, letting his food aside for a moment while he crosses his
hands. He wants to show Jimin he can fit into his friendship group.

“You can ask me anything,” Jeongguk shrugs like it’s nothing, feeling all the pairs of eyes on
the table on him. But that seems to be precisely what Taehyung wanted to hear, as he raises
one of his eyebrows like he is challenging the alpha.

“Are you more of the sunny type of the snow one?”

“Snow.”

“Sleep or eat?”

“Both.”

“But if you had to choose one.”

“Sleep,” as soon as Jeongguk says that, he puts on a huge piece of meat and chews it. He
smiles with his mouth closed, glad about his answer, and Jimin ends up giggling, putting his
hand in front of his mouth to avoid spilling his food.

“Gross,” Taehyung mumbles, even though his eyes are on Jimin, and not Jeongguk. The
alpha is quick to swell it, ready for the omega’s next question. “One thing you’re afraid of?”

“Heights.”

“And you joined a pack located on the top of a mountain?” Jimin asks, raising one of his
eyebrows in disbelief.

“I’m the kind of person who faces their fears daily,” Jeongguk smirks.

“I like your mentality,” Taehyung agrees, nodding his head. “What pack did you come
from?”

Unlike the other questions, this one makes Jeongguk stop eating his food, almost as if he had
choked on it. It’s also obvious how much more curious Namjoon and Hoseok have become,
as they stare deeply at Jeongguk.

“Tae,” Jimin scolds the other omega. He looks at Jeongguk while pressing his lips into a thin
line. “You don’t have to answer that, Jeongguk.”
“No, it’s fine,” Jeongguk replies, swallowing his food and coughing a couple of times. Then,
he inhales deeply. “I did say he could ask me anything. Hm, I’m from the Oh pack.”

“What?”

“The Oh pack?” Namjoon and Hoseok exclaim almost at the same time, each one more
surprised than the other, as the omegas remain silent. “Aren’t they the ones-”

“Yes,” Jeongguk agrees, not even letting Namjoon finish his sentence. He clenches his jaw, as
well as his fists, hating himself for actually answering that, in front of everyone. Although he
had always suspected Jimin didn’t know about his past, the shock on his face still makes
Jeongguk’s heart swollen in agony.

They eat basically in silence for the rest of the breakfast, even though Taehyung tries to make
small talk and tell a couple of jokes. Jeongguk has no idea what’s going on in Jimin’s head —
if he hates the alpha for being from such a horrible pack, or for keeping it a secret. If he is
disgusted Jeongguk is his mate. If he is even more repulsed by him than Beomseok.

Once they are done, they step outside and walk towards the nursery, where the extra blankets
are located. Neither of them say a word, the only thing filling up the air being the voices of
the other wolves, especially the pups playing in the snow, enjoying while it is still possible to
be outside without being dangerous. Despite the situation, Jeongguk smiles softly and looks
down, remembering about Wilo’s tale.

The mercilessly cold wind against Jeongguk’s face makes him twitch his nose, and he crosses
his arms as an attempt to warm himself. Everything around them is covered in snow, and the
lack of livid colors causes the alpha to grow uneasy. Or maybe that’s just because Jimin can’t
bae to look at him.

He knows they have to talk. That he needs a chance to explain himself. So, once they
distance themselves from where the others are and have almost no wolf around, Jeongguk
breaks the silence.

“I am sorry, Jimin,” Jeongguk says, not even being able to look at Jimin and having no idea if
the omega is also doing the same. Probably. “I should have never volunteered to become your
mate without telling you about it in the first place-”

“You what?”

Jeongguk stops walking while he crosses his arms and closes his eyes. “I should have come
to look for you and-”

“No, no,” Jimin interrupts him, and only then Jeongguk gathers enough courage to stare at
the omega. The look on Jimin’s face is nothing like he was imagining — not disgusted nor
angry, he looks absolutely, completely bewildered. “You-, you volunteered to become my
mate?”

Shit.
Jeongguk remains frozen in his place, not even having realized he had confessed that. This
isn’t how he wanted Jimin to find out about this — about all of this. His origins, his reasons,
his true feelings. But now, judging from the look on the omega’s face, he is afraid he might
be too late. In such a short span, Jeongguk and Jimin went from having what could be
considered a healthy and nice relationship to… whatever the omega is thinking.

The alpha won’t blame him if he doesn’t believe whatever comes out of his mouth.

“Jeongguk, please say something,” Jimin pleads, biting his lower lip in distress. He takes a
few steps closer and looks deep into Jeongguk’s eyes as if he is searching for any hint of
honesty. “I’m trying not to assume anything, but this-, you-, I’m fucking lost.”

Jeongguk sighs, glancing away. “It’s a long story.”

“Were you… using me?” Jimin mumbles, and that’s what makes Jeongguk snap. He widens
his eyes and raises his hands, ready to put them on top of the omega’s shoulders, but in the
middle of the way, he pulls back, clenching his fists.

“Never,” Jeongguk confidently says.

“Then explain it to me,” Jimin continues, his eyes as blunt and sincere as Jeongguk has ever
witnessed. “I want to understand.”

Jeongguk nods his head, not even sure where to start. The only thing he knows, he hopes, is
that the truth won’t be any worse than whatever Jimin is assuming right now. Even if he will
end up having his heart broken and completely exposing himself, it will have to do.

“I’m not sure what you know about the Oh’s pack, but that wasn’t the best of the places to
grow up in,” Jeongguk begins, already softening what it was actually like. “There was no real
sense of family, not like you have here, and it was a very violent and cold place. You always
had to be on edge, your survival was the only thing that mattered besides being a worthy
strong alpha that followed the traditions.

“Still, I was able to have my own little family of two,” Jeongguk says, smiling sadly. He
blinks a couple of times and looks up, trying not to cry, as Jimin remains staring at him in
silence. “Obviously, we weren’t allowed to. Especially when the other wolf was an omega.
She was like a sister to me and I wanted to hold onto that bond for as long as I lived, but as
soon as the pack leader found out, it all went to waste. It waa the last time I saw her, and that
was my breaking point.

“Jeongguk…” Jimin gently says as he, apparently, tries to reach out for him, but Jeongguk
only shakes his head in denial, crossing his arms. Now that he has started, he just wants to
put everything out in the world.

“I left soon after, and sometime later, your father found me. I told him everything, and he was
kind enough to accept me into your pack. He taught me how to act like a real alpha, not some
kind of monster, and sure, I made some friends who turned into my family, although Jun was
never forgotten. And then, there was you,” Jeongguk scoffs lightly, while Jimin furrows his
eyebrows. “You reminded so much of her, Jimin. That same kindness, gentle eyes, always
offering to help. From the first day I arrived here I've been searching for more similarities
between the two of you, and maybe it’s what made me keep my distance. It hurt too much.
More than I could handle.

“But that’s only what made me have my eyes on you, not what led me to volunteer to become
your mate. Someone as incredible, smart, special, and beautiful as you should never have
someone as Beomseok as your mate, and I knew that. I always saw how badly you wanted to
become the leader, how hard you fought, and it’s against every single thing I was taught to
accept when growing up. But it took you courage, and I didn’t want to see all your efforts go
to waste. This is why I volunteered, and I would do it again in the blink of an eye. Because
you are way more than I even thought I could have, and even if you don’t feel the same way
as I do, being able to witness what you’ll do as the leader of this pack in the future is more
than enough for me.”

When Jeongguk is done, he feels breathless. His heart is out of control, its beating follows the
proper pattern, and he feels his hands shaking. Jeongguk can tell his eyes are filled with
unshed tears, and he exhaled through his mouth, trying to keep some self-control.

And still, the biggest emotion he is feeling right now is relief.

This is what he should’ve done from the beginning: be open and honest. Maybe it could have
led him and Jimin to get closer a lot sooner, and with no secrets between them. Right now, he
feels completely exposed, almost like he is naked, and even if he is terrified of the omega’s
reaction, Jeongguk feels better than he ever had, or at least, in a long time.

The one thing he wasn’t expecting at all, however, was for Jimin to end the distance between
them.

He throws his arms around Jeongguk’s waist and while standing on the tip of his toes, he gets
dangerously close to the alpha’s scenting gland, right on his neck. Jeongguk isn’t able to
move at all, not sure if Jimin would even appreciate it. Maybe it’s a hug out of compassion,
only because he pities him. That’s how good of a person the omega is.

But the world seems to stop when Jimin begins to murmur against his ear, delicately and
gently.

“I’m so sorry you went through all of this,” he says, hugging Jeongguk tighter than before.
“But you don’t have to be alone anymore. I don’t want you to be alone anymore.”

And without being able to hold himself — and not really wanting to —, Jeongguk puts his
arms around Jimin’s slim figure, pulling the omega even closer as their chests are totally
glued against each other. He also leans down his head, until it is in the crook of Jimin’s neck,
the smell of lilacs as stronger as it has ever been. Jeongguk loves it. He’s afraid he might love
every single thing about Jimin.

So, not thinking further about it, Jeongguk uses one of his hands and places it against Jimin’s
nape, guiding him until his nose is against his scenting gland. He feels the omega digging his
fingernails against Jeongguk’s body, on top of his vest, but he does get the message.
It doesn’t take long before Jeongguk is covered in the smell of lilacs, and nothing ever felt as
good as this.

Nothing ever felt as right.

Jeongguk doesn’t think he would rather be anywhere else.

 Jimin & Jeongguk
Chapter Notes

WARNING: there are explicit scenes in this chapter. please, do not read it if you're not
comfortable with them.

See the end of the chapter for more notes

Jimin wraps himself around his old and favorite brown blanket, not exactly remembering the
last time he felt this cold.

The night had been hard. Even though most of their cabins and rooms are prepared for heavy
snowstorms, some families had their windows and doors broken, being obligated to
temporarily move to a different place until it was all fixed. As if it isn’t enough, there seems
to be some sort of illness being spread through the village, as a lot of the wolves are feeling
unwell and sick. The morning has arrived, and yet, it is relatively dark outside, and it will
probably be for the rest of the day.

There are dozens of reasons for Jimin to worry about the pack, and still, all he can think
about is Jeongguk.

Just yesterday, the alpha had confessed things that Jimin had never imagined, both about his
past and about his current feelings. At least, that's what the omega understood — that, at the
end of the day, Jeongguk does feel connected to him. And knowing about his history only
makes Jimin more confused and, somehow, privileged. Even though he went through so
much and faced different monsters, Jeongguk still seems to see the good in people. The good
in Jimin, something he constantly forgets about.

Everything Jimin has come to learn about Jeongguk is fascinating. How patient he has been
all this time, especially when the omega was struggling for being abandoned, mating
someone he barely knew, and assuming more responsibilities in the pack. Even when he
snapped, Jeongguk remained calm. He stayed by his side, which is more than Beomseok ever
did. It makes Jimin’s omega feel valued, seen, and most of all, loved, although he took some
time to give an actual name to this feeling. For once, Jimin allowed himself to be taken care
of, and he doesn’t hate to admit how pleasant it was. How wonderful it is to have someone
like Jeongguk to talk to first thing in the morning, about whatever silly thing they are
planning to do during the day, and to meet at night, to talk and listen about what had
happened. To truly show interest.

At first, Jimin was thinking he was only enjoying sharing his life with someone, no matter
who that was. But after that morning in the woods, when Jeongguk found him in a total,
absolute state of exhaustion, with literal blood on his hands, it all changed. That was the
moment the omega finally began to see the alpha in a different way, and noticing how even
when he was with other people, he wished he could be Jeongguk.

His omega had imprinted on him, harder than he had ever before. So much that it came to the
point he began considering the alpha could be his soulmate, if such a thing did in fact
existed.

On that day, Jimin had woken up wanting to simply give up. He was too tired of pretending
to be strong, of needing to fight so hard to keep the respect he should’ve always had in the
first place. And it still hurt to think about Beomseok. How abruptly he had left like Jimin was
nothing, and how much he hated the alpha for it. How much he hated himself for thinking
that could ever be love. He saw his friends, or how his father talked about his mother, and
that was true love. The sincere and kind one in which it shouldn’t be so much of a sacrifice.

And then there was Jeongguk, showing him how easy love could be.

It didn’t happen all at once. Of course, Jimin wasn’t blind — he always thought about how
handsome Jeongguk was, and how good his scent of cedarwood is. If he wasn’t so closed off
and mysterious, there would be a lot more single omegas throwing themselves at him.
However, the only thing they did was to flirt from afar, although the alpha never really paid
any attention to them.

He never looked at them with the same care and tenderness that he looks at Jimin. Even being
an alpha, he bowed down his head in respect to Jimin, because he knew the omega was in a
vulnerable state. Jeongguk took care and listened to him, not a single drop of judgment in his
eyes, nor malice. That was the kind of mate Jimin had always wanted in his life — as a
matter of fact, Jeongguk was even more than it. He didn’t let his strength get in the way of
being a kind and decent being, or stop being so attentive and cautious. Even with all his dark
and unknown secrets, Jimin could tell he had a good heart.

Nothing is perfect, though, and when Jimin found out about his previous pack, he couldn’t
help but to assume the worst.

For as long as Jimin can remember, there have been tales about them. Stories that are passed
from generation to generation, revealing the little that is known about the Oh pack. How
merciless they are, or how their alphas, when they are still young, must remain countless
nights amongst the woods during the coldest season so they can become stronger. Tougher.
Jimin didn’t believe most of those until he listened to Jeongguk’s somber, devastating story. It
made him sick to think that there is a pack out there that considers his very own existence
something unnecessary, or even unworthy.

Seeing how kindhearted Jeongguk turned out to be is truly a miracle, one that warms Jimin’s
heart.

To tell the truth, so many things about Jeongguk have begun to affect his poor, fragile heart.
The stares the alpha throws at him, or how good it feels to sleep surrounded by cedarwood.
It’s so addicting that Jimin came to the point in which he placed Jeongguk’s former coat on
his nest, as well as an old, forgotten vest.
If Jimin is being honest with himself, he is terrified of falling in love again.

But again, when he stops to think about it, this might be the first time in which he is actually
falling in love. And falling for someone who not only deserves his love but that Jimin is each
time more convinced that himself is ready to be at the receiving end of the affection Jeongguk
is ready to show.

Jimin groans, pushing back his hair and laying on his bed. With the snowstorm that is
approaching, he doubts anyone in the pack will be crazy enough to be outside. However, he
should be out there, making sure everyone has what they need to be safe. They must be all
rushing to get some food, water, and wood to keep their fireplaces heated up.

He trusts his father and other alphas. That they are helping. Because as much as it pains Jimin
to not be helping right now, it would pain him, even more, to leave in this weather. Honestly,
he doesn’t think he will leave his blankets and covers any time soon.

Sometime, amidst one of Jimin’s countless nap sessions, the door is opened. He gets so
startled by that unexpected sound that he almost falls from his bed — only to remember a
couple of moments later that he doesn’t live in a cabin by himself.

Jeongguk closes the door quickly before any of the snow can get inside, and Jimin wonders
how he has possibly been sleeping when the world is ending outside. The windows in the
cabin are shouting because of the wind as if they are just about to break. Suddenly, he begins
to grow uneasy and restless, thinking if there is anyone needing any help, especially the
elders from the pack.

“Hey,” Jeongguk says, breathless, as he puts down all the things he is carrying. Which is a
lot. From what Jimin can see, there are some fruits and water, as well as more wood for their
fireplace, as he had predicted. The alpha takes off one of the coats he is wearing and throws it
over a chair before walking towards the fire and putting the pieces of wood there.

“Hi,” Jimin quietly replies, sitting down on the bed and leaning his back against the wall
behind him. He brings his legs closer to his chest and hugs them, not sure if he is
embarrassed for not acting like a leader at all or because he has just realized he and Jeongguk
will have to share the same space for who knows how long.

Without any chance to escape.

It’s stupid how thrilled his omega is right now.

“How are things outside?” Jimin curiously asks.

“Not so bad,” Jeongguk replies. His back is turned to Jimin as the alpha remains to stare at
the fire and probably heating up his body. “We made sure to check if there was anyone else
needing something before going back inside.”

“We?”

“Yeah. Me, your father, Namjoon. Just a few wolves.”

A few alphas, Jimin thinks. Instead, he only cleans up his throat. “Sorry for not joining you,”
he says, a bit louder.

“No need to apologize,” Jeongguk says, and Jimin can see that he is slowly shaking his head
in denial. “It all worked out in the end.”

Things are unfamiliarly weird, and Jimin knows it has to do with the fact that the last time
they were together, it was because he was scenting Jeongguk so harshly that it felt like the
entire woods smelled like lilacs. This is completely new to Jimin, and even though he isn’t
very sure of what he is doing, he decided it might be best to follow his instincts.

Yesterday, Jeongguk opened up his heart. Now it’s not the time to make the alpha regret his
decision.

Although the cabin they live in is relatively big when compared to the others, it still feels
incredibly small right now. Sighing, Jimin stands up, wrapped around his blanket, and walks
carefully towards where Jeongguk is, close to the fireplace. He is desperate to warm up. For a
brief moment, he wishes he could be back in the woods, naked, and having Jeongguk in his
wolf form warming him up with his fur.

Jeongguk clearly notices his presence, as he moves a little bit to his right, making space for
Jimin to approach the fire.

“Are you feeling fine?” He suddenly asks, his voice low and delicate.

Jimin frowns, but he doesn’t move his head to look at the alpha. “Uh, yes? Why do you ask?”

“You’re shaking,” Jeongguk points out, and Jimin forces himself to look at his hands. He is,
indeed, trembling, as knowing himself, it won’t take long before he begins clenching his jaw
as well.

“I’m just cold, it’s fine,” Jimin replies, looking at Jeongguk with a polite smile on his face.
The alpha, however, has his eyebrows furrowed in concern, and he looks at Jimin like he is
analyzing him. Inspecting.

After this simple and quick exchange, Jimin was expecting them to be back to that silence,
and only focusing on warming up. However, to his surprise, he senses Jeongguk moving
closer until he is located precisely behind the omega. He smoothly slides his arms around
Jimin’s waist, pulling him until his back is pressed against the alpha’s chest.

Every single part of Jimin feels incredibly weak right now, and if Jeongguk wasn’t holding
him so strong, having even his hands crossed on top of his stomach, he thinks his legs
would’ve given in already.

“Is this alright?” Jeongguk asks, his nose lightly brushing against Jimin’s ear. And of course,
it’s more than alright. Not only because he actually feels a bit warmed, but because it’s
Jeongguk. Against him.
Jimin tries not to think how the alpha’s crotch is directly pressed against his ass. And he
surely tries not to think how he could begin leaking slick soon if they remain like that. Not
like he wants to move at all.

Instinctively, Jimin raises his hand and gently touches Jeongguk’s arm, right under his elbow.
He softly lets his fingers run down through Jeongguk’s forearm, surprised with how smooth it
is, and surely noticing the presence of a few scars. Jimin rests the tip of his fingers on those
for a little while longer. It doesn’t even matter if the reason his body is heating up is the fire
in front of him or the mere fact that touching Jeongguk feels way better than he ever thought
it would be. Their scents of cedarwood and lilacs met each other halfway and became a
whole new and addicting smell.

Not thinking about it any further, Jimin eventually reaches Jeongguk’s hands and curiously
traces down his palm. And just as he is about to pull away, it’s the alpha who grabs his
fingers back, until they are connected. Their fingers aren’t intertwined, but the image of
Jeongguk’s large hand against his own does something funny to Jimin’s stomach.

Something exciting that he hasn’t felt in a long time. That makes his heart go faster with no
reasonable explanation.

“You once said you never thought you would have a mate one day,” Jimin casually says,
moving his head back, until he is lying against Jeongguk’s hard chest, their hands touching
each other on top of the omega’s stomach. “Was it because of your old pack?”

Jimin feels Jeongguk gulping down and nodding. “Where I’m from, it’s very rare to carry
mating bites, or even to have a mate at all. The alphas only engage with betas because of their
ruts and for breeding purposes.”

“I must be their worst nightmare, then,” Jimin says, scoffing.

“You go against everything I was taught to believe in,” Jeongguk says, his voice remaining
gentle, but with a new feeling behind it. Something which makes him sound more hoarse and
determined, “Maybe that’s why you intrigue me so much.”

“I intrigue you now?” Jimin softly asks, with goosebumps all over his skin, and he doesn’t
stop himself from moving his hips back, making a little extra pressure against Jeongguk’s
crotch.

“More than you can imagine,” Jeongguk replies. He moves down his face until his lips softly
touch Jimin’s neck, eventually turning into a light kiss. And another one. And another one.
It’s like he is tracing the omega's skin, from his ear to his collarbone.

“And you’re completely different from what I thought you would be.”

“Different how?”

“Gentler. Kinder,” he says with a short breath. “Everyone sees you as dark and serious, but
there is so much more.”
Jeongguk presses his face even harder against Jimin’s neck, each time closer and closer to his
scenting gland. The omega immediately holds his breath, only waiting to see, to feel what the
alpha plants to do. Right now, Jimin is sure that these feelings taking over him are more than
a mere need of touch. It isn’t, because this simple contact makes him want to completely give
in. To let his body go limp.

And it is Jeongguk’s touch. One that Jimin didn’t know he wanted so bad. That he needs so
badly.

“Don’t get me wrong, Jimin,” Jeongguk mumbles, his mouth against Jimin’s collarbone and
the light touch causing goosebumps on him. His name on the alpha’s mouth sounds so right.
“I am happy you see me that way, but I can stop being tender at any given second,” he says,
followed by a quiet groan.

Jimin lets out a whimper. A fucking whimper. At this point, he has to bite his lower lip to stop
himself from begging Jeongguk to scent him. To kiss him. To fucking him.

Shit, Jimin thinks the moment he feels he has begun to leak through his hole. And to make
everything worse — or better —, he can also feel Jeongguk’s obvious erection against him
now.

He’s done resisting the temptation, and he is definitely done holding himself from what he
should’ve done a long time ago.

“A-Alpha-”

As soon as the words are out, Jeongguk turns him around in a quick, abrupt move, their lips
clashing against each without Jimin having time to prepare himself. But even if he had all the
time in the world, he doesn’t think he would be prepared for this.

Once they recover themselves and actually stop to focus on what they are doing, it all falls
into order. Jimin exhales, looking for some sort of relief, and Jeongguk quickly takes that as
an opportunity to bite the omega’s lower lip and push his tongue down his throat. His hands
are fixed on Jimin’s waist, holding him with an unbelievable grip, and it makes him want to
melt. To stay there forever. To never let go of the alpha.

And for the first time in his life, he is with someone who Jimin feels he can trust. That he
won’t get away when things get hard. And that, as his mate, they are together in this forever.

Jimin can let go. He can show how badly he really wants Jeongguk.

He pulls back the slightest bit, just enough to separate their lips, and then he looks into
Jeongguk’s eyes. His lustful eyes. How his breathing is irregular and his hair is a total mess.
His beauty is breathtaking, and that’s exactly the effect he causes in Jimin. Even the first time
he ever saw the alpha, it was like he had lost his breath. And never in his life had he wanted
more to believe in fate. That all that happened led them here.

“Jeongguk,” Jimin exhales, moving his hands until they are holding the alpha’s face,
delicately rushing his fingers against his cheeks.
Then, he turns his head to his right and presents his neck to Jeongguk.

Being scented has always been very hard for Jimin, as he never had a mother to do that for
him. Even with Beomseok, he was very reluctant, and it only happened a few times. Jimin
was afraid it would portray him as weak, and submissive, like every alpha in the pack is
expecting him to fall on his knees and beg to be scented.

But when Jeongguk’s nose meets his scenting gland, Jimin already knows he won’t have a
problem with the alpha doing that as much as he wishes to. Jeongguk dives into his skin,
rubbing his nose and smelling Jimin with such desperation, with such need, that he can’t help
but to want him even closer. With barely any distance between them, Jimin holds the end of
Jeongguk’s vest and pulls it up, sliding his hands underneath and feeling his muscles. Just
this single touch is enough to make him moan, and Jeongguk seems to like it, as he
immediately begins licking and sucking his neck, dragging out more and more sounds.

When it gets unbearable to remain like that, Jimin moves and starts kissing Jeongguk again,
who responds by grabbing his thighs and lifting him up. Jimin wraps his legs around the
alpha’s waist, whose hands are dangerously close to his ass. He wishes he would just go and
touch him, that he is covered in the omega’s slick, but he is enjoying kissing Jeongguk way
too much to push back and communicate what he wants.

“Your bed or mine?” Jeongguk asks, as he seems to be more controlled than Jimin, who pouts
over losing the alpha’s lips.

“Yours,” Jimin replies, leaning down and rubbing his cheek against Jeongguk’s. “Want to be
covered in your scent. Want my slick all over your covers so you’ll have to smell it for days.
Want-”

“A bit talkative, aren’t we?” Jeongguk asks, chuckling softly, as he walks back to where his
bed is located. As they arrive, he delicately puts Jimin down, but he remains standing up,
looking down at the omega with a smirk on his face. “Don’t worry, Jimin. It’s you who will
feel my dick inside of you for days.”

Jimin gulps down because simply glancing at Jeongguk’s erection makes his legs start to
tremble.

Without ever moving his eyes away from Jimin, Jeongguk begins to undress, taking off
everything until he has nothing on him. Nothing. And if Jimin already thought the alpha was
handsome, he can’t find any words to describe him right now. Jeongguk has a couple of scars
spread around his body, including a big one on his hip bone, but it doesn’t make him any less
perfect. As a matter of fact, it only makes Jimin more attracted to him, because if he ever
doubted Jeongguk’s strength, now he never will. Those scars show that he fights — and that
he won.

That cry which leaves Jimin’s throat is absolutely ridiculous, but he doesn’t care. And neither
does Jeongguk, whose smirk only grows bigger.

“Are you going to leave me like this?” Jimin asks, somehow recovering his posture, and
glancing down at his own clothes. For a second, he is afraid that Jeongguk might not
appreciate, as an alpha, being told what to do, but instead, he bites his lower lip, coming
closer and closer until he is laying on top of the omega.

Jeongguk proceeds to take off Jimin’s clothes, although they have to stop a couple of times to
kiss each other more. Once they are both naked, Jimin has goosebumps over the alpha’s
warm skin against his, and how smooth it is. Jeongguk’s hair is falling and tingling against
his nose, itchy enough to make Jimin giggle.

“Sorry,” Jeongguk apologizes, chuckling as well while he sweeps away his hair from his face.
His eyes are shining, and Jimin feels hypnotized by its darkness and how much it reminds the
night sky. It’s like he could dive into them.

“You’re so beautiful,” Jimin mumbles, raising his hand and slightly touching Jeongguk’s lips.
“Maybe I should yell at my past self for not going after you the first time we met.”

“Don’t be so harsh at yourself,” Jeongguk smiles softly, pecking Jimin’s forehead, then his
nose, and only then his mouth. “We can just focus on the present.”

“And the future,” Jimin adds. But he widens his eyes, realizing he should probably have kept
that to himself. In case Jeongguk thinks they are going too fast. “I-I mean, not a distant
future. Shit. Hm, just-”

Jimin is quickly shut by Jeongguk’s lips crashing against his. It takes him only seconds to
kiss the alpha back, but now it feels much more different. Less desperate, but just as intense
— if not more. It’s like both of them realize they have time, so there is no need to rush. Not
when it feels so good to just lie down like this, to smell each other’s scent and dive into
them.

At some point, Jeongguk slides two fingers inside Jimin’s hole, causing the omega to moan in
pleasure and throws his head back. They have barely started and he already feels like coming,
especially when he sees Jeongguk taking his fingers off and leading them to his mouth,
sucking the slick and swallowing it slowly.

“Jeongguk,” Jimin moans, running his hands through his hair. “Come on, want your knot.
Need it, now.”

“Whatever you want,” Jeongguk replies, raising one of his eyebrows.

They change their positions until Jimin has his head leaning against the pillows. However,
just as Jeongguk goes to start kissing him again, the omega decides to turn them around,
sitting on top of the other one’s thighs. Jimin puts one of his hands on top of Jeongguk’s
chest, and each one of his knees on the outside part of his legs.

“Oh, hi”, Jeongguk says, raising one of his eyebrows and placing his hands on Jimin’s lower
back, his fingers threatening to touch his ass at any given second.

“Hi,” Jimin replies, the corner of his lips raising into a small smile. “Ready?”

“I don’t think I’ll ever be.”

At first, Jimin slowly sinks down on Jeongguk’s dick, closing his eyes while getting used to
the quick feeling of discomfort. However, it doesn’t take too long until he is mostly used to it
— or as much as he can, considering the alpha’s size. And everything feels even better with
how Jeongguk doesn’t glance away, his hands continuously grabbing and touching Jimin’s
skin. At some point, he begins pressing his fingers against the omega’s hips, as if he is
helping him until Jimin has completely bottomed out.

“Fuck,” Jimin moans, throwing his head back. He puts his hands on Jeongguk’s thigh, right
above his knees, and begins to move slowly, exploring the sensation.

“Come on, love. Show me what you got,” Jeongguk says, his voice hoarse. Jimin forces
himself to open his eyes and stare down at the alpha, who, judging by the smirk on his face,
knows exactly what he is doing.

Jimin doesn’t need someone to treat him nicely and gently all the time, nor does he need
someone who will just obey to everything he says or does.

He needs and he wants someone who will challenge him, in every possible way.

And with Jeongguk, they challenge each other, which could not be any better.

Jimin finds his pace, going on and back as he enjoys the feeling of having Jeongguk inside
him. It all feels good, way too good. Amazing, in fact, to the point where he already knows
he will become addicted to being with Jeongguk like this. The thought of having countless
nights of them tangled around each other only makes Jimin more aroused, moaning the
alpha’s name louder and louder.

His omega is euphoric, desperate for Jeongguk’s knot, but Jimin manages to keep control
over his desires. He digs his fingernails into the alpha’s skin, knowing he won’t handle much
longer to be on top of him like this. Not when Jeongguk has his dick basically on his
stomach, filling him in every possible way.

“I-I’m close,” Jimin says, biting his lower lip as he feels the drops of sweat falling across his
face, the cold he was feeling long forgotten.

Jeongguk doesn’t get a chance to respond before Jimin comes all over the alpha’s stomach,
his body immediately going limb. But he isn’t done just yet, and with just a simple nod at
Jeongguk they promptly change their positions, the alpha now kneeling down as he continues
to thrust inside Jimin, not holding back at all.

Jimin throws one of his arms above his head, holding onto the covers tightly as he lets
Jeongguk do whatever he wants with him. The alpha obviously knows what he is doing, one
of his hands grabbing Jimin’s leg strongly enough to leave bruises in the morning. The
mixture of their scents is completely addicting — both fresh, but while Jimin’s lilacs are
more tender and softer, Jeongguk’s cedarwood is woody and earthy, without losing its
calming aspect.

Jimin arches his back, whining while showing off his neck. He needs more of Jeongguk's
smell on him. He needs more of Jeongguk. He wants to carry a mating bite so everyone in the
pack knows to whom he belongs, to feel more of Jeongguk.

“Alpha,” Jimin mumbles, closing his eyes and turning his head to his side even more.

Immediately, Jeongguk’s hand moves towards Jimin’s throat, pressing it firmly without really
hurting Jimin. Then, his face is all over the omega’s neck, scenting him with such a
magnitude that makes Jimin moans even louder.

When Jeongguk traces down his throat with his tongue, and his teeth brush against his
collarbones, Jimin is sure that it is about to happen. His fingers shimmer in excitement as he
puts them on the alpha’s waist, just waiting and waiting.

But then, Jeongguk moves again and whispers against his ear.

“Not today,” he mumbles, and Jimin can’t help but to whine in frustration — not to mention
that his omega begins to feel a bit neglected. “Shh. I’ll knot you real good, Jimin, but I’ve
been waiting to be your mate for some time. Because you’ve always been mine.”

Soon after that, he hits the exact spot on Jimin’s hole, thrusting harder than the omega
thought was possible. Everything about what is happening is overwhelming, so much so that
Jimin hasn’t even realized he is hard again. Not only hard but too close to coming. And the
second he feels Jeongguk’s knot inside of him, locking them together while the alpha
continues to come, it’s as if this is the only place where they belong.

“So wet…” Jeongguk exhales, breathless, as Jimin is gasping, never in his life felt so full.

“Jeongguk,” Jimin moans, opening his eyes to look down at his hard dick, brushing against
Jeongguk’s stomach. The bed is a mess, covered in slick and cum, and Jeongguk’s red face
and dazed eyes are a sight to behold. “J-Jeongguk, please. I-I need to come again.”

“Don’t need to say it twice,” Jeongguk softly replies, pecking Jimin’s forehead while
completely pressing their bodies together. He moves up and down, just enough to cause some
friction between their skin, and it doesn’t take long for Jimin to come again, finally letting
out a sigh and fully enjoying the sensation of being locked to Jeongguk.

Carefully, the alpha turns them around, covering Jimin with soft kisses when he hisses in
pain. They continued glued to each other, but now laying on their sides, their eyes meeting
each other as they have never met before. Jeongguk has one of his arms wrapped around
Jimin's waist, the other one resting under his arm, while the omega wraps his own arms
around Jeongguk’s neck, bringing their noses so close that they brush against each other.

It takes a while for both of them to go back to their normal selves — or whatever comes close
to that. Jimin can’t believe he basically asked for Jeongguk to bite him the first time they are
together, without even being in their rut or heat. All his life, he wanted to get mated when he
and his partner would be in their most natural, instinctive form, being able to enjoy more of
their presence at touches.

If Jeongguk hadn’t been the reasonable one amongst them, Jimin would have a mating bite
right now.
And the funniest thing is that he smiles over that thought.

“What?” Jeongguk softly asks, noticing Jimin’s smile.

“Nothing,” Jimin replies, pecking Jeongguk’s lips, as the alpha mirrors his expression. “But
now that we did this, it might become an issue. I’ll probably develop an addiction problem.”

Jeongguk chuckles. “At least now I know how to distract you from pack duties.”

“Distract me all you want,” Jimin replies, scooting closer to Jeongguk and laying against his
chest. “Jeongguk?”

“Yes?”

“Does it bother you that we did everything out of order?” Jimin quietly asks the question
which has been on his mind ever since he realized how attracted he is to Jeongguk — and
how the alpha said he has had his eyes on him for a while.

“Not really,” Jeongguk says, and Jimin feels the alpha’s nose on his hair, smelling it. “I
understand our mating ceremony was more of a political decision, but in the end, I’m glad it
happened. Maybe we wouldn’t be here together if it wasn’t for that.”

Jimin bites his lower lip, guilty taking over his chest. He doesn’t want Jeongguk to think that
the only reason why Jimin is with him like this it’s because they were already mates, at least
to the public eyes. Not when that’s not what happened at all. Jimin knows himself well
enough to know that he would give in to just any alpha, not even if they were living together.
He is stronger than that. If he was able to see how incredible and kind Jeongguk is, then it’s
his merit.

Jeongguk is the one who showed Jimin what it truly means to feel loved, considered, and
respected, and he sure is planning on showing the alpha those exact same feelings. Every day,
Jimin will prove that Jeongguk has a reason to choose him as his mate because that’s what he
is determined to do right now.

To have mating bites with Jeongguk, as they carry them around with every pride in the world.

“I’m getting a bit sleepy. Is it okay to sleep in your bed?” Jimin asks, knowing he physically
can’t leave Jeongguk, with his knot until inside him. But still, he prefers to check with the
alpha, just so he can sleep more peacefully.

“Of course,” Jeongguk kisses the tip of his nose. “Do you mind if I watch you sleeping?”

Jimin chuckles, hiding his face even further on the crook of Jeongguk’s neck, trying to hide
how badly his cheeks are burning. “Creepy. But do as you wish, as long as you are here once
I wake up.”

“I think you have no idea what you have just done, Jimin. I’m not planning to leave your side
any time soon.”
 Hearing those words is all Jimin needed to hear, and sleep comes while he is surrounded by
Jeongguk’s arms and being held by his smell.

His omega can’t help but to think that is their mate. The one he has always dreamed about,
even when he was too stubborn to admit how badly he wanted this sort of bond, filled with
love, respect, tenderness, desire, and taking care of each other.

Jeongguk fills every single one of Jimin’s boxes. And even though life isn’t as easy as that,
Jimin has a feeling they can make it. They can rule the pack together someday, and become
real partners. That single thought does something funny in Jimin’s stomach, and he hopes
that, whatever it is, it’s a good sign.

A sign that, after all, falling in love again might not be so terrifying as he thought.

Chapter End Notes

okay, so!!!!!!

i was really invested in this story, and i wasn't ready to say goodbye to these babies yet!
not to mention that i still have a lot of things planned for this plot.

for this reason, i can already say i'm writing a second part of this fic, which will be
posted here as soon as it is done. hopefully, you will enjoy it.

thank you for reading, leaving kudos, and commenting! see you soon xx
Please drop by the Archive and comment to let the creator know if you enjoyed their work!