Three sleek,black,jeeps Wagoneer speeded down the winding mountain road,headlights cutting through the predawn gloom. Kim Taehyung lounged in the backseat,one boot propped on the other knee,his long,veiny fingers tapping impatiently against the black, leather seat. Outside the forest stretched into the vast horizon,blurred into a dark smear.
Home.
His pack.
His people.
Safety.
The journey back was wearying and harrowing. The flight. The drive to the city.He eagerly awaited the moment he could collapse on his own bed and although he expected three weeks away from Balam would intensify his feelings,he found himself hardly thinking of her,being too swamped in dealing with assholes, talking about alliances, organising their defence but mostly putting up with every unmated Omega trying to seduce him and get into his pants.
Taehyung wasn't a slave to his emotions as he had spent years controlling them. Sex and power were his primary concern. Love weakened a person's existence. Made him soft and vulnerable,depriving him of the ability to use his logic.
' Stop at nothing. Fear no one. Eliminate the enemy in every form.' That was his motto. And it kept him breathing so far.
He loved her of course,in his own bizarre way that didn't get in the way of his success. They had mutual understanding, craving for power, cloaked in ambition, a seething detest for the weak and shared a common cause. To rise up and rule. Taehyung had no faith or trust in fated mates and three years ago surprised everyone by choosing Balam,his distant cousin,as his mate.
His parents strongly opposed it. His pack dealt with it with skepticism and his friends,even though they kept their mouths shut, on most occasions,didn't approve of her.. It made no difference to him. He was determined to follow his own path and create his own destiny,not wait for the Moon Goddess to send him a mate he had no desire to accept.
Up front Seojoon,one of his Alpha best friends,drove with lazy precision while Wook Shik stirred in the passenger's seat, already sneering. He was clearly in the mood for teasing, despite knowing he'd be risking his head.
" So.." Wook Shik snorted." The Honshu Alphas bought your bullshit about ' alliance through intimidation?' "
Taehyung gritted his teeth, exhaling heavily."They bought the part where I slit that bastard's throat when he insulted our borders."
" Classic Tae diplomacy! " Seojoon smirked,his fingers clutching on the steering wheel, glancing at him through the center mirror." Next time let's just send a basket of severed heads. Save time."
" At least the head Alpha of the pack was reasonable and saw the potential dangers of not allying with us. Plus he ended the dispute before the two of you decided to flex your muscles." Wook Shik noted and got an apathetic shrug from Taehyung.
" Speaking of heads.. Balam's gonna be pissed you came back empty-handed. Not a single souvenir from exotic Japan." Wook Shik continued casually.
Taehyung's smirk dropped." She'll survive. I wasn't on vacation."
Seojoon pushed further as if had a death wish or something." You didn't even call her. Three weeks in Japan and your 'mate' got radio silence."
" Mind your own business, asshole." he curted sterile, clearly getting the hump from his teasing. The tires hummed against the bumpy road stirring up a heavy dustheap.
" Right! Balam's the Beta you chose to fuck,parade around and intent to saddle her as our future Luna." Seojoon pointed out snappily,his gaze focused on the road ahead.
" Not to mention you haven't claimed or marked her yet. Totally abnormal Alpha behaviour." Wook Shik raised his eyebrows scornfully and tapped his foot on the carpet car mat, disregarding Taehyung's muffled growl.
He was pissed! His claws pricked the leather seat, his gaze was a wildfire with no intention to stop, glinting with malice,heart slamming against his ribs. As much as he loved his stupid friends there were times he seriously considered snapping their necks." Shut your mouths, dickheads."
" Normal True Alpha Taehyung's behaviour." Seojoon kept going, correcting his friend as he took an abrupt turn.
" I don't believe in fated mates and destiny. That's for the weak. The ignorant. I'm better than that. The Goddess thinks she can manipulate my fate,use me to her advantage but I am my own master. I control my life." Taehyung arrogantly stated, shifting his attention out the tinted window,his eyes turning darker than the night.
Seojoon roared in laughter." Bullshit! You don't believe in weakness or emotions that threaten to destroy your cold demure. But fate's a bitch that doesn't give a shit about permission. You're gonna find your master soon..great Alpha."
" Keep talking and I'll remind you why I'm the head of this pack." He delivered the threat coldly,his stare sharp and murderous.
Wook Shik completely dismissed the fierce warning. He had grown used to it over the years."Ooooh..scary!" He pretended to shiver."Tell me oh mighty Alpha when was the last time you slept? Or are you too busy punishing yourself for existing? For having human emotions?"
Taehyung snarled,the piercing sound vibrated through the car. He hated where this was going. He hated explaining. Detested feeling mocked or being pushed into a meaningless conversation.
" Easy there Alpha! We're just saying. It's weird even for you. Not marking her." Seojoon clarified." I get it. You hate fated mates. You hate Omegas. You hate everyone that isn't a blade or a bottle. But you fucken chose her."
" I hate this conversation."
" But you love us and we want what's best for you." Wook Shik said, turning around to gaze at his friend." And she's the worst possible choice."
" The Moon Goddess is a sadist. Fated mates are a joke. We pay a heavy price,rotting for them."
" Not all Omegas are ..you know.." Seojoon noted, scoffing with his pesky friend.
Taehyung's jaw flexed,his nails dug deep in his flesh, darting his eyes out the window." Doesn't matter. I'll never fall for it. If my mate makes the fatal mistake of appearing, she'd wish she wasn't born. I'll turn her life into hell..and worse."
Seojoon muttered through gnashed teeth,his voice placid." Famous last words."
As the cars rolled past the pack's gates entering their territory the conversation ended. However the tension lingered,thick as blood..
__________
" Home! Finally." Taehyung mumbled to himself.
The Kim estate welcomed him back with silent grandeur. Taehyung glided through the gardens,his gaits unhurried. Luminous petals of silver freckled the sky,the noon hung quietly in the distance,casting a grey sheen over the trees. He was relieved to step on familiar,solid ground.
He leaned against the stoned wall,arms crossed,a deep growl rented the silence of the starry night sky. That bloody conversation about his fucken mate intensified his irritation,casting a dark shadow on his deeply troubled soul." I hope I'll never meet you or you'll die by my hands. " He cropped up his head, eyeing the sky." For her sake keep out of my life Goddess. It's the only way to save her."
The distant whispers disturbing his peace reminded him it was Winter Beacon,the celebration of the upcoming winter. He usually attended the festivities but not tonight. He was drained. Mentally and physically. He'd be forced to go tomorrow since it was his mother's birthday but until then..he intended to sleep for hours!
He marched inside the house straight to his bedroom in the west tower and without further due he discarded his clothes and hopped into the shower. He took his time washing away the tiredness and smell of pathetic Omegas from his trip and totally naked laid on his king sized bed above the covers.
The continuous,odd beating of his heart had him on edge,his body was restless and for a brief moment the idea of going to Balam's to blow off some steam and relax,crossed his mind but he wasn't in the mood for sex. He preferred the coziness and isolation of his chambers.
Besides his rut was approaching and he would have plenty of opportunities to blow off some steam or fuck her? Or so he thought because he had always chosen to spend his ruts alone and he didn't have the foggiest idea why!
'You can't mark her,hunan.' his wolf V reminded him, aggressively.
' I will if I want to.' Taehyung replied in the exact same tone. His wolf was seriously pissing him off.
" I'm warning you! Our mate is the only person we'll mark. Not that useless Beta." His voice hid pain and frustration.
Taehyung banged his fists on the bed.' You don't get to order me,wolf. I will mark her if I want to. And stop calling her useless. Use your energy to bond with her wolf.'
" She's even worse than her.' V growled.'Her scent is revolting and her voice makes me wanna plug my wolf ears. What do you see in her?'
Taehyung sneered.' Something you never will wolf.' His straightforward insinuation forced V to snarl in rage. He would always shut down and disappear every time his human slept with that woman. He couldn't stand sensing her touch and scent.
' I want my mate. Make sure you don't fuck up when we find her.' he demanded and vanished.
Taehyung stirred in his place, stretching his long legs and folding his arms under his head. He enjoyed pissing his wolf just to show him he had no control over his decisions and actions. And that obsession of finding his mate was irritating since he knew Taehyung 's objections and hatred towards fated mates.
He was pleased to have chosen Balam as his mate and found her an excellent choice.They were compatible and had a mutual understanding. So far they were both mateless,had no desire to find their other half, didn't believe in destiny and shared the same hate for Onegas. The sex was great and passionate,jealousy wasn't an obstacle and he was peaceful.
As for marking her..he chose to wait till they were legally married, despite being aware of the fact that the mark would probably disappear at the same moment. He wasn't ignorant but that wouldn't stop him from marking her every time they had sex. Just to spike everyone. Especially his parents who strongly opposed his choice of mate.
Taehyung had learnt,over the years,to discard useless opinions and follow his judgement thinking it would be a valuable asset as the future leader of the pack. He moved to the side, adjusting his fluffy pillows under his head and closed his eyes. The loud music and laughter coming from the festivities was becoming more distant as he was dozing off..
No disturbing thoughts..no nightmares..just tiredness..
__________
The Grand Hall was alive with firelights and fangs,loud laughter,the atmosphere loaded with roasted venison,spiced meat and the musk of wolves in revelry. Luna's birthday was a rare night of rampant indulgence where even the most fierce warriors drank till they stumbled and Omegas danced without fear, participating as equals.
Jungkook lingered near the carved oak pillars,away from the bustling commotion,his fingers wrapped around a glass of wine. He was dressed fit for the occasion to honour Luna,in a total white outfit,loose and sleek,outlining his perfect figure.
He didn't belong there. Parties gave him a splitting headache,not that he had attended many. But tonight,for the first time he didn't care. The different scents crushing his nose into a pulp,the weight of Alphas and Betas gazes dissolved before they could touch him..ash in the wind. And he was making a significant effort to hide his scent knowing it could trigger plenty of unmated Alphas and Betas.
His hyungs were to his left chatting with Mark while his parents were sitting at the Alpha's table,discussing in a serious way. Jungkook's eyes shifted in every direction and he couldn't help but wonder which one of these people was the traitor. Someone with shifty eyes? Someone with a bright smile? Or someone beyond suspicion,acting in the shadows?
He shook his head because it wasn't the time or the place to have such unsettling thoughts and a generous sip of his sweet wine gave him the strength to endure the croaking music, the shrieking of fire and the looks.. He tried not to pay attention to the lustful looks surrounding him like sharp daggers piercing through his veins. So he darted his gaze, minding his own business.He knew his beauty was a curse. It drove people and wolves insane.
Suddenly the air changed. A hush spread through the hall like a tidal wave, seizing the noises,the laughter,dying mid-breath.
Alpha Kim Taehyung had arrived.
And he wasn't alone.
A young woman was practically glued to him like an oyster,her hand hooked on his. 'Forgettable ' was the first word that popped up in his head when he saw her. Average height, neither imposing nor special. The kind one that let her slip through the crowd unnoticed. Flat,mud-brown irises, slightly shifting,a narrow, upturned nose as if she was smelling something foul. Thin lips pressed into a smile that didn't reach her eyes and skin sickly beige like dusting tea-stained paper with freckles.
It wasn't her that made his jaw drop in an instant. It was him..Alpha Taehyung. His figure blended elegance, wildness and magnetic intensity that set his nerves alight with anticipation,causing his pulse to race,igniting a delicious thrill.
A tremor ran through him,half pleasure half surrender,lost in the hypnotic pull of those mesmerising eyes..honey brown and ocean blue with a gaze that pinned you like a butterfly to a corkboard. His dark,honey brown hair was cut short, purposely unkempt,just enough to robust the intensity of his eyes.Thick, slightly arched eyebrows,looking either bored or dangerously savage.
Sharp cheekbones yet lips like bows, sinfully soft and a faint,silvered claw mark above his brow. Jungkook's eyes clung to his figure.. towering enough to loom,broad shoulders capable of blocking doorways,leading to a lean waist,built for speed as much as strength. Sun-kissed,gold skin and hands..long, slender,veiny..
Taehyung's eyes scanned the Hall with apparent disinterest,his lips curled into a sneer and arrogance. He hated parties and festivities. He had to put on a fake smile and pretend he didn't see those Omegas drooling over his men. Pretended he didn't want to snap their neck and watch them rot.
Until his eyes landed on Jungkook.
And he stopped.
An Omega. Like no other. Not in their pack. Not in the world. He wasn't simply beautiful. He was unreal as if the Moon Goddess had created him by divinity with a face too unique for humans. A blessing and a curse.
There was something about him..like he had stepped out of a dream made of heavenly fairies, moonlight and breathless,mystical fantasies. His features were a contradiction of purity and allure. Was he real or a dream?
Big,doe-shaped,amber golden eyes,deep and glistering,framed by thick,black eyelashes that casted delicate shadows on his pink cheeks when he blinked. Eyes that made you forget how to breathe. His brows were straight and defined,arching just enough to give that gentle edge of hiding something mystical.. something secret.
Cheeks,fluffy and high kissed with a natural pink hue. His nose,small and round and utterly kissable, belonged to a fairytale prince disguised in mortal skin. His mouth..it unraveled the strongest of men! Those plump, succulent lips,rosy and full ,carved like sin in its most delicate yet provocative way. A mouth made to whisper love and destroy you in the same breath.
Spellbinding…
Taehyung 's eyes crawled from his gorgeous face to his body, absorbing every gaze,every curve.A living paradox. Slender and strong. A dancer's grace wrapped in the frame of someone born to be worshipped. Broad shoulders tapered into a tiny, narrow waist. His torso seemed toned,abs tight and ridged in his silky, snow-white shirt but not bulky. Each line of muscle flowed like art,balanced between softness and acute tension.
His eyes moved downwards,rapt in a tingling desire he failed to comprehend. To those legs,long and lean, endlessly graceful, thighs firm and taut. Taehyung,the great Alpha, was unexpectedly blown away,swaddled in a euphoric bliss that afflicted and pleased him at the same time.
The Omega looked like every step he took was light and choreographed,fluid and natural like the world should clear a path just to watch him. Even his hands were a study in detail. Veined, strong fingered but elegant. He gave the powerful impression of a celestial creature rather than an Omega born of earth and burning flesh.
A breathing,living contradiction.
A prince and a gigantic thunderstorm.
Angelic and profoundly dangerous.
He was gorgeous in a way that made others ache.
For more than a heartbeat or two,the crowd,the whole damn world ceased to exist. His nostrils flared. His pupils swallowed the amber gold of his irises. His claws unsheathed with a sound like cracking bone, abruptly letting go of Balam's hand. She froze on the spot. Her wicked eyes blazed with rage.
A churning feeling stirred Taehyung's stomach,his heartbeat was a hummingbird's wings..too fast..too intense..too alive. His body hummed with unnatural buoyancy,each nerve was alight. The vanilla and honey rain wasn't just a scent but a claim, thick as syrup, scrambling his thoughts into a single mantra. A pungent scent, creamy, seductive, challenging.
' Mine.. Mate..Mine..'
Jungkook's gravity abandoned him. A weightless euphoria surged through him,musk,smoke and winter and something darker,richer clung in his lungs.The scent was a hook in his ribs,reeling him closer.. willingly.. effortlessly.. instinctively.
His whole body locked. The glass of wine slipped from his fingers, shattering into pieces against the stoned floor. ' Mate! Mate!' his wolf Gguk howled inside him,a sound of primal recognition..of home.
Taehyung took one step forward. Then another one. The crowd gathered in the Hall, stunned and speechless,parted for him like frightened prey. Most of them pity the poor, clueless Omega for finding a ruthless mate like their Alpha..
When Taehyung was close enough, intoxicated by the purity and passion of the scent crashing his nostrils,Jungkook was hypnotized by his mate's ravishing scent, plunging deeper to a sweltering abyss of desire. His hand shot out, gripping Jungkook's jaw with bruising force.
" Who are you?" More of a demand than a question.
The Omega's breath was clogged in his throat."Jungkook.."
Taehyung's thumb dragged over his lips, splitting them apart,his touch burning his skin,his chest heaving,his wolf screaming and snarling under his skin for him to claim their mate. The Alpha stooped over, nuzzling his face in his mate's crook, sniffing uncontrollably the intoxicating scent, urging the Omega into submission.
An overwhelming release of pheromones was triggered by the intensity of emotions,exploding in a suffocating wave, practically forcing the room to their knees. Everyone was sensing the uncontrollable attraction.
'Mine! Mine! My mate!' V growled in joy. One he had never experienced before. His Omega was breathtaking. Magnetic. Unique. A feast of remarkable beauty. An angel..
Then…
" NOOOOOO! " Taehyung pushed Jungkook away like he had been branded and stumbled back. His expression twisted,eyes darkened,caught between hunger,desire and horror. His wolf cursed him, yelling and shouting,asking for his mate. " It's a trick. This can't be..I have no wish to mate with a pitiful Omega." He spitted on the floor, wiping his mouth with his hand.
The Hall felt silent. Jungkook's family was entangled in rage and sadness. The worst possible choice. A cruel,rude, already taken Alpha that despised Omegas. The Kims understood that their stay clearly had an expiration date.
Minji stood up from her chair,her gorgeous eyes a mixture of sadness, understanding and wrath. " Taehyung!"
Daeho was frozen as an ice sculpture. His eyes shut,head supported in his trembling hands as he whispered in despair." No..not him.. Goddess.. have pity on the poor pup.." His fears and suspicions,his intuition were confirmed in the worst possible scenario. Taehyung's mate was indeed Jungkook,just like HE had warned him. And the outcome of this peculiar, unwanted union would bear severe consequences on all of them.
Luna shouted on the top of her lungs at her son again." TAEHYUNG!" But he was already moving, fleeing like a coward,his snarls and growls echoing off the walls as he slammed through the doors and into the dark night.
Balam, leering,her soul filled in joy and satisfaction, ran after him in an attempt to spread her venom,to manipulate his lost senses further. She couldn't catch up as Taehyung shifted into his wolf form and vanished.
Jungkook stood rooted,lost,broken, still burning where Taehyung had touched him. He had finally found his long awaited mate only to be rejected and abandoned,left split in half. He wasn't expecting this..a mate is supposed to accept,love and protect you. Not dismiss you based on your rank and not your personality.
He was deeply disappointed and angry,still quivering from the overwhelming power Taehyung had on him. Yoongi and Jimin were at his side in an instant. Jimin's grip tightened around Jungkook's arm." Breathe..just breathe.." But the Omega's ears buzzed too loud.
Yoongi clenched his fists,cursing out loud. He didn't give a fuck who heard him. Taehyung had a lot of nerves rejecting him the way he did. In the presence of his family and pack.
Jungkook knew. He knew he'd be rejected. Taehyung hated him. Hated all Omegas. His existence meant absolutely nothing to him. Although he wanted to cry,shout and lick his open wounds,his pride wouldn't let him show weakness. He had survived far worse,years of being on the run, mateless,leaning only on himself for survival.
He would do it again and again and again if he had to. He softly removed Jimin's grip, ignored the whispers and pity stares,his parents calling him and with his chin up high,strutted through the crowd,calm,serene,proud, unbothered and out the door.
__________
The moment Taehyung escaped the feast like the coward he was,his body betrayed him. The Omega's scent was latched onto him like a second skin and the softness of his white flesh sizzled him like a bonfire. His wolf screamed inside his skull,claws raking at his ribs, howling." Go back! Claim him! He's ours! Our mate! Go back you bastard! Stupid human!'
He was ignored. Taehyung kept running,now in his human form and he barely made it to the forest edge,knees buckled,stomach churned and coiled as he vomited into the wet soul. Black bile and half-digested wrath.
" No." he hollered,barking out a laugh, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand." Never. Not him. An Omega. I hate him. I'll kill him with my bare hands if he comes closer.."
' You want him..I feel it. I sense it.. don't be stupid Taehyung.'
' I don't..I hate him..' he threw back at V, holding his stomach. A memory flashed before his scrunched eyes. Jungkook's rosy, succulent lips parted under his thumb,his scent that made wanna rip his skin and something deeper. Something that caused his fangs to throb, his heart pang,his body dipped in desire..lust.."FUCK!"
He slammed his fists into a tree ,the trunk splintering under his force. Blood welled on his knuckles,the pain was insignificant compared to the agony crushing his chest. The inexplicable desire to ran back and claim him before anyone else could.
V raged, thrashed,begged,ordered, demanded, threatened,screamed but Taehyung had spent years taming his needs. Mastering his control.
He couldn't claim him.
He wouldn't break.
Not for Jungkook.
Not for anyone.
He had learnt from past mistakes. Mates were worthless. Cunning. Dangerous. Deadly and he was powerful. Determined not to repeat the same ones that destroyed his life. As he blocked V's enraged voice out of his head,he sucked deep breaths to calm himself and headed towards the lodge,far inside the density of the vast forest.
He'd stay there as long as he could to bridle his unwanted need and force V to forget that useless Omega and accept Balam. He would return to the city as a winner,demand from his parents to exile him and he would continue his life with Balam as if nothing had happened.
_________
Jungkook wasn't a coward. Didn't hide behind the shadows or closed doors. Didn't shed a tear. He was drained. He had learnt to show courage and bravery and had dealt with more arduous situations than mate rejection.
That night he had gone back to his house,shoving Taehyung's image in the dark depths of his mind,had a peaceful dinner and although his family returned as soon as possible,he didn't say a word. Didn't complain. Didn't curse his luck. He went up to his room,had a shower,spent an hour organising his herbs,taking notes of the shortages and finally slept.
No unnecessary drama. What good would that do? He was already accustomed to being rejected simply because he had the wrong rank. Most Alphas hated Omegas. His 'mate' was one of them. He got on with his life,his activities as if nothing had happened.
He continued his excursions to the forest for herbs with his friends and he was grateful none of them mentioned 'that night ', respecting his privacy,nor looked at him with pity. He joined his papa at the club and cooked alongside him with a beaming smile in his lips.He helped Jimin at his club and took part in one of his small plays. It was fun. A nice change.
He held his chin up high,his posture straight,making everyone in the pack admire him for his strength and courage. It hurt. It was excruciatingly unbearable to know he was brutally rejected. To think that Taehyung was hugging, kissing and sleeping with his girlfriend.
A constant battle.
An agonising torment but he endured it.
He and his wolf would survive this..no matter the cost.
_________
" AGAIN!" Yoongi ordered rigorously." No ifs,ands or buts! Again!" The old storage shed at the edge of the pack's grounds had become Jungkook's training pit. Hidden behind tall pine trees and thick trunks the space was secluded and wide enough for a makeshift training ring. Jungkook couldn't train alongside Alphas and Betas. Omegas were strictly confined to housework chores and breeding pups like rabbits!
If they discovered he was learning how to fight, Taehyung would most likely snap his neck,in the best case scenario.
Jungkook adjusted the grip on the silver dagger,its hilt warm from his palm,heart slamming like a live wire sparkling in his throat. Breath sawing through clenched teeth,pupils flickering,unfixed and wild from adrenaline.
Across from him ,next to Yoongi,Namjoon circled like a patient storm,his hands hooked in fists waiting.
" This time pup, don't telegraph your strike." Yoongi mocked him, winking at him. Despite his indifferent demure be enjoyed spending time with Jungkook. Yoongi would gladly give his life for him.
Jungkook exhaled then lunged. His body moved swiftly,fast,and fluidly. His wrist twisting at the last second to avoid his hyung's parry. The tip of his dagger hovered at Yoongi's throat.
A beat of silence.
Frozen. Still.
" Damn!" Namjoon murmured, eyebrows knitted together and he smiled at his son. In just two moves Jungkook had neutralised an experienced Alpha and he couldn't even avert it.
Yoongi's lips twitched, lifting his brows."Told you he's strong."
" And fast." Namjoon added in total dismay.
" It's in his blood Nam. He can't help it."
Namjoon juddered his head." The way he's going, he'll outstand every Alpha in the pack."
The truth was Jungkook wasn't simply quick. He was unnaturally strong and intelligent for an Omega. He had disarmed Yoongi in under one minute and had shattered a practice post with a single kick. He moved like water given fangs,his strikes precise,his gaits soundless.
His dad observed,arms crossed over his broad chest, leaning against a pine trunk, expression filled with pride and unease. Since the day Jungkook was born Namjoon had to live with the heavy knowledge of raising a unique, different from other Omegas,son. But unfortunately,he couldn't prevent or stop his development..he couldn't..
His mind was fuzzy,his chest rising in ragged gasps,his gaze lost.As a father and an Alpha he was proud but he was also scared..of what was coming. You can't avoid the inevitable. Prolong it yes but avoid it ..no.
" Are you sure you've never trained before? And kept it a secret from us?" It was meant to sound more of a tease than worry from Namjoon.
Jungkook wiped the sweat from his brows, shrugging." Just hunting herbs in dangerous places dad."
" I find it hard to believe.." Namjoon blurted out again." You're a natural fighter,pup."
" For a fragile Omega." Jungkook joked. "We're supposed to be vulnerable, dependent on Alphas for survival and always seeking their protection."
Yoongi tapped his back." You don't need an Alpha to watch your back Kook. You're doing a damn good job on your own. Don't let anyone say otherwise. They are ignorant fools."
Jungkook understood it was meant for Taehyung and how he chose to reject him seeing only his rank. He didn't reply. "So..should we do it again?"
The two men laughed at his determination and continued the hard training. They had to unveil every aspect of his potential,work together to turn him into a real fighter and shut those who looked down on him.
One in particular.
Kim Taehyung.
____________
Taehyung's fists clenched at his sides,pacing inside the wooden walls of his bedroom at the lodge,like a wild animal in captivity. He slammed his fists against them,blood dripping from his knuckles but he turned a blind eye to the pain.
His wolf V was pissed,locked up in this damn house for a week,away from his mate. He longed to be by his side. Claim him. Have him. Feel and smell him.. Taehyung had tried every possible way to show him the right path,to change his mind,to reason with him, numbering all the things that made it impossible for them to accept that pathetic, weak Omega as a mate.V was set in pursuing him.
Taehyung was also pissed at himself. Because something inside him had snapped. The moment those doe eyes gazed at him,those lips parted under his touch,that redolent scent smashed his nostrils..he lost it. He lost his mind and V howled in anticipation.'MINE..MINE..'
Taehyung snarled,sweat sticking on him like a burning fever, raking his fingers through his hair. Fuck fate. Fuck mates. Fuck the Goddess. Fuck that magnetic pull in his chest that made him wanna chase after that Omega and..
His blood roared in his ears,his heart throbbed in his blazing chest and V continued the howling, screaming, begging, threatening.'Go back. Claim him. He's ours. Our mate. I want him human..I need him to survive..go back..'
Taehyung shut his ears with his sweaty palms."SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP! I CAN'T STAND YOU ANYMORE!" He refused to be controlled,not by fate,not by his stupid wolf,nor by a weak, cunning Omega. Sizzling with a suffocating wrath to thrash everything along his path and create chaos,he marched to the living room straight to the bar, grabbed a bottle of whiskey, gulping it all down his dry throat, hoping it would numb his mind and senses.
Prevent him from imagining that boy, smelling his scent on his body despite the hundreds of showers he had so far,making him feel like a mermaid man. A charged stillness pressed down on the room, heavy and accusing.
The deafening thud of his heart filled his ears, drowning everything else. The air was reeking of sweat,pine and need.. yearning need to claim..so he yanked the door open and disappeared, leaving it to slam shut.
The lodge deep in the vast woods,a coarse-grain structure of dark wood and iron,built for violence,not comfort,where the trees grew thick enough to choke the sun,now felt like a prison. The Alpha moved like a man possessed,his muscles screaming at each movement as he thrashed his fists into the punching bag, hanging from an aged pine tree,over and over with immense force,driven by fury and rage.
His knuckles split and raw,his breaths came out in ragged bursts,his mind a whirlwind of vanilla,honey rain scented memories he couldn't escape. "FUCK! FUCK!" His claws ripped the bag,his teeth clattered,a clog in his throat made it impossible to swallow. He was a master in controlling his mind and his needs. Taming his animal instincts even during his painful ruts.
Apparently, he had the illusion that taming his wolf would be as easy but since that bloody night V had gone mad. He kept repeating the same words in his head, forcing Taehyung to block more often than before.' Mine. My mate. I need my mate. Mine..mine..' Blocking him was his only option just to shut the voices.
" You look like shit."
Taehyung didn't need to turn around to know who it was. Seojoon. His best friend and the most irritating voice of reason. Seojoon leaned against a nearby pine tree,arms folded,gaze piercing,his usual sneer replaced with an unamused glare. If looks could kill, Taehyung was already dead!
" A week." He noted strictly." You've been out here for a week, ignoring your pack,your duties, ignoring everyone except your own self-pity."
Taehyung wiped the blocks of sweat from his forehead, knuckles bruised and bloody,breath stinking from alcohol." I'm training."
" Is that what you call it? Not running away? Hiding. Avoiding."
" I don't know what you're talking about." Taehyung's spine stiffened,eyes darted and stared at emptiness.
Seojoon barked out a laugh,more of a mock."Never took you for a fool. I guess I was wrong. You are a fucking moron. You walked out on him. Left him there alone and you chose to flee."
" Cut it out. Not another word." Taehyung warned him ,sharp and raw. He was unprepared for this conversation and the blood in his veins was sizzling with animosity.
" Sorry but I'm not here to pamper your sorry ass. I'm here to remind you of your responsibilities and hiding won't make them disappear. You found your mate and left like a coward, leaving him alone to face the humiliation without as much as an explanation. You disrespected your family, Jungkook's family and your pack. I've always known you were a fucking bastard and that boy" he shook his head in disappointment." is your perfect match. Accept him before he realises he's too good for you or that he deserves better."
Taehyung punched the bag so hard it fell on the ground,split in half, snarling. His face was downcast and bleak." He's a fucken Omega and a man! I don't do guys. He's not my mate! My mate is Balam!"
Seojoon held his forehead in despair while watching his friend standing firm in his deranged opinion. The man was a walking-talking disaster. Self-destructive and oblivion. " Bullshit! You'd like to think that because you're scared. Petrified to face the truth. A coward. You acted like a villain and let me tell you that Omega you so badly despise,has more guts and courage than you."
Taehyung lunged, slamming Seojoon against the tree with an ear splitting crack ." ENOUGH!" he yelled,his fangs inches from the man's throat but Seojoon didn't wince.
" Or what? Snap my throat? You'll kill me for speaking the truth?"He bared his neck, challenging him." Go ahead. Prove to everyone what a bloody killer you are." Seojoon had zero tolerance, watching his brother's,his best friend's self-destruction.
Taehyung hollered and cursing out loud released him with a shove, turning away, chest heaving,head buzzing,blood sizzling from vexation." Leave me. Leave.me.alone."
Seojoon did exactly the opposite. He loomed closer." Running and hiding won't solve your problems. You either go back,admit your feelings,accept your mate or.." he paused." reject Jungkook,let him find another Alpha and I gotta tell you there are plenty who desire him, and marry Balam. But do something. Anything. Their lives are in your hands."
Seojoon's words hit a nerve. They burnt his throat like lava. As painful as it was to admit it,he was right. Rejecting Jungkook was his only option because he wanted it. He wanted to get rid of that pitiful Omega,forget his existence and go on with his life like he never existed. Wipe out those alluring, doe eyes,erase his redolent scent, those succulent lips from his memory.
He loved Balam.
Balam was safe. Familiar.
He needed her.
Chose her.
She didn't deserve to suffer due to his wolf's desire and his own weakness to tame him. Balam was his choice of a life partner and he had promised to love and make her happy.
" You're right..I will solve this. I'll reject that monster and marry Balam." Why did his voice tremble? Why did his own words strike him like blades? He didn't know.
Seojoon scoffed at his friend's foolishness and jerked his head,disgusted." Something tells me you'll regret this Alpha..but it will be too late..too damn late."
As Seojoon's footsteps cracked on the moist soil becoming distant, Taehyung 's wolf whimpered inside him,his claws pricking his ribs showing his pain and objections. The man brushed aside V's ache, shrugged off his need and pleads and was set in doing what he wanted.
His path was sealed behind him. No retreat. No redemption. He had already chosen in the quiet,brutal way men commit to wars they can't win.
'No' for Jungkook.
'Forever' for Balam.
The rest was noise in his buzzy ears...