Chapter Text
It has been more than two full moons since the ceremony and Jimin is still not over the dress his alpha had made for him. His daily morning routine is like this- he wakes up, dresses prettily for his alpha, makes breakfast which is for one obviously since he is alone the entire day, right after he finishes his breakfast, he opens up his side of the drawer and takes out the dress from the layers of protective material it is wrapped in and then looks at it for hours. It is only when the time to cook lunch comes that he re-wraps the tiger fur in the three layers of other clothes and keeps it back in the furthest end of his wardrobe so it is the safest thing in the house.
He didn’t think summer would come so soon after the ceremony. It like the first lunar year all over again, the first time he came in this pack, the first time he was introduced to everybody and the first time his alpha ever touched him. In his second summer here, he feels all those things all over again. Partly because he can’t go out because of the terrible sunburn he experiences and partly because his alpha has been way too busy.
Just after a few days of ceremony, one of the most capable hunter and Jungkook’s friend Jae-wook was banished from the pack as some punishment. Jimin does not know the reason and Taehyung wouldn’t tell him goddess knows why. He has been told of how the Jeon pack is extremely strict when it comes to their rules and regulations and to banish such a strong alpha hunter, there must have been a pretty good reason. Less numbers of hunters means one of the alphas need to take more responsibilities and it’s obvious that it is Jungkook.
Just as he is about to start preparing the lunch, a knock on his door breaks him out of his stupor.
He wonders who it is at this time of the day, Taehyung is coming in the evening, his alpha at night and there is no other person he expects to come in his hut. As he opens the door very carefully little by little, he sees senior healer standing there with his alpha.
“Healer Grandma, what a surprise!!” he says as he hugs her and takes her blessings.
“Oh my sparrow it feels like I haven’t seen you in ages. How is my baby doing?”
Jimin has genuinely come to love her over time. Even though everyone in the pack obviously loves him, he has come to understand that a few of them might not truly be as they appear. He thinks back to the time in his old pack where he was always around other people- protected, sheltered and how he never had to second guess someone’s intentions towards him, but here in this pack, he realizes that he does need to be on alert around the people he had bad feelings about. His problem is, none of the wolf here ever gives him the bad feelings.
Taehyung says it is because he was brought up around good people and don’t necessarily believe in the evil of the world but Jimin thinks he is just an idiot.
“Grandma, do you want lunch? I was just about to cook some meat and cold noodles.” He says hoping that his alpha would eat it too.
“Ah I would love to my little sparrow but I have come here with some important news for you and your alpha. Would you mind sitting with us for a while?”
Jimin nods and follows them towards the mat that is still spread on the ground. It is covered with his scent and he wonders if it pleases his alpha.
“So, Jimin! How is your health? Have you been experiencing any troubles this summer?”
He shakes his head.
“I have been so much better than the last summer grandma! Although I wish my skin also tanned like others.” He takes a shy pause to look at his alpha and his arms that are uncovered and shining like bronze.
“Everybody looks so beautiful, except me who looks like the pale ghosts in Taehyung’s scary fairytales.”
“Don’t be absurd my sparrow, do you know how much your skin is desired in our pack? None of these omegas want a tan skin but they can’t help it and all of the alphas envy Jungkook.” she smirks.
Normally Jimin would ask what does that even mean because Jungkook is tanned too? Why would alphas be jealous of him? He decides it is better to let it go considering grandma is here to talk about something important and he wants to get done with it so he can go back to lunch. He is so hungry.
“Anyway, I just wanted to make sure you are okay my little sparrow. I talked to my assistants at the infirmary about your heat suppressants. Do you remember how we had to give you medicines so you can skip your heats considering summer here could be cruel to you?”
“Yes grandma! I have been taking them diligently so you don’t have to scold me.” Jimin says with a pout.
“Oh my baby does grandma lecture you a lot? I am sorry my little one you know I have to take very good care of you because if I don’t, who knows what this hot minded alpha will do to me!”
Grandmother smiles to look at Jungkook who has a sour expression on his face.
“Everyone is so afraid of my alpha for no reason!!” Jimin says in a voice louder than usual, making both of the alphas in the room jerk their heads towards him.
“My alpha is kind and sweet. He even brings me fruits and furs as gifts. Takes care of the entire pack like his own family and even sleeps like a normal wolf despite being raised in luxury. He has so much pressure on his shoulders and it’s very valid that he might get grumpy or angry sometimes but that doesn’t mean he is bad alpha. He is just overworked and overburdened.”
He feels a little shy after saying that. It is probably the longest sentence he has spoken to the healer grandmother and wonders if she takes offence to that.
“I- I am sorry grandma please don’t be offended. My alpha is good wolf. I don’t like people making him look scary.”
Grandmother smiles.
“Why would I be offended with you, baby? Yes, Jungkook is a good alpha but you know what? His omega is better.”
When she winks at Jimin, his face finally breaks into a smile.
“So! What I am saying is that if you don’t feel any threatening sickness with this summer, we will have to stop your heat suppressants. It is not good for an omega to take them for a longer duration. If you are healthy and have no problem with this weather, you can stop taking them from next full moon.”
“Why not from today!!”
It is the first time Jungkook is speaking in this meeting and he feels almost ashamed at how immediate his question was.
“And you Jungkook, why do you care when Jimin stops taking the suppressants? Let me make this very clear to both of you, Jungkook’s rut can start anywhere in between the fortnight from today till the next full moon. You both are not supposed to spend your cycle together until the entire course medicine wears out of Jimin’s body. Do you understand?”
Jungkook nods, Jimin says yes in a very obedient manner.
Not spending his rut with Jimin is easy. Jungkook doesn’t even want it- like at all.
-----
Jungkook walks back home with both hands full of bananas and figs. Jimin does not really like figs but eats them more than the meat he cooks for himself. Over the time since ceremony, Jungkook feels something growing inside of him- like a soft spot for the omega he claims to despise. He has secretly watched Jimin several times through the hut’s window; he has eavesdropped on his and Taehyung’s conversation and the omega can’t be pretending to be sweet and innocent all day all night right? He cannot actually be a conspiring mastermind even when he is alone in their hut cooking and cleaning by himself.
On one of the morning sometimes back, Jungkook had forgotten to bring the tools required for hunting and so right after registering his attendance at the council room, he was made to go back to his hut to fetch them. As he reached his destination and saw through the window Jimin taking something out of the drawer from the extreme end, he had decided to stay unnoticed and see what his omega was up to. He watched as Jimin took out the bundle and started unwrapping the clothes one by one. With the number of protective sheets he saw being unfolded, one would think it would something invaluable but what he saw in the end was the dress he had halfheartedly made to prove his capability to the pack. After that day he had been wondering if he was wrong about this omega all this time.
As he swings the fruits in his hand and takes the last few steps, he realizes Taehyung is in his hut with Jimin. He knows it’s wrong and he shouldn’t be doing this but he can’t help wondering what they are taking about today. So he stands by the window, listening discretely.
“So did grandmother say something to you after it?” It was Taehyung.
“Not really. I told her how I don’t like when people portray my alpha as some sort of beast when he is actually just so sweet.” Jimin says as he plays with the belt Taehyung is wearing today.
“Nobody thinks he is a beast Jimin. Everyone is just a little scared of him because of his temper you know. Plus he is going to be the head alpha so I think it’s valid everyone must indeed share some respectable fear towards him.”
“Hmm. But I don’t have to, right? I am his mate and I am going to be the head omega too so why should I be afraid of him.”
Taehyung doesn’t say anything but his laugh makes Jungkook wonder if he is just as endeared by Jimin as he is.
Wait, what?
“My alpha has been nice to me Tae. He unconsciously looks out for me so much. Like the other day, the floor near out bath house was so slippery so he made sure to not even wet it while he bathed so I wouldn’t slip and fall there. He even puts his hand on my waist in his sleep.”
Jungkook hates himself for smiling at his omega’s words. He shouldn’t be acting like a fool in love when he is going to be the leader of his pack. His wolf can’t help it though. It makes his inner alpha so happy that their efforts haven’t gone unnoticed.
He decides to enter the hut now.
Jimin is on his bouncy feet the moment he sees his alpha at the door. He runs towards him and takes the fruits into his own hands then proceeds to bite into the banana right away oblivious to the sour smell of Jungkook’s scent as he notices that Taehyung was sitting on his omega’s sleeping mat.
“Get up from there Taehyung.”
Taehyung immediately gathers himself and stand up from the mat to retrieve from the hut but Jungkook stops him in his tracks. He comes closer and takes a whiff off of Taehyung’s shoulder.
“Do you know you smell like my omega?”
“Alpha Jeon I- I didn’t mean to I swear t-”
“You go home and wash it off. If I smell it on you tomorrow I might lose the patience I have.”
Taehyung bows and starts to leave when Jungkook calls him back.
“There is a feral lion on the loose, let me drop you home just in case.”
Taehyung raises an eyebrow in confusion. Jungkook being cordial with him? Dropping him home? There has to be something wrong in the air.
They walk slowly towards the Kim’s hut. Instead of the green fields, Jungkook takes the route that goes by the lake. Taehyung thinks it’s smart since the lion would much prefer the field to attack than the lake. Jungkook is leading the way and while Taehyung is behind, he is still close enough to hear Jungkook’s faintest scoff.
Just as they are to pass the lake, Jungkook stops and abruptly turns towards Taehyung and makes a sour expression.
Before Taehyung can even fathom what was happening, he feels as if he is floating in the air and then the water engulfs him completely. Being an accomplished swimmer, he immediately floats back to the surface to make sense of what happened in the last few seconds. Contrary to his expectations, Jungkook doesn’t give him a hand, he stands there smiling, looking down at Taehyung.
“This is what you get for being close enough with my omega to start smelling like him, you fucking prick. I see you trying to embrace him again and you’re banished from this pack as soon as I come in power.”
Jungkook turns back towards his own hut leaving a very confused Taehyung behind.
-----
Dearest Appa,
You haven’t written for a while so I thought that its time I show you how much I miss you by writing you a letter.
Everything is good here except the fact that I’m not getting enough time with my alpha. He is always outdoors in this heat and he has become so tanned that everyone in the pack ogles at him consistently. I want to be tan too but healer grandma says its not good for my health. She is taking me off my suppressants too, Appa. I am so afraid about my heat cycle. How will I manage alone? I need food, water, clothes, and so much more. Alpha is barely home and I have no omega friends. I am really afraid so please ask Eomma to write to me and explain everything.
You still haven’t sent the silk and cashmere I had asked Appa. What if someone needs it immediately? You are so forgetful!
Ask Yoongi hyung to select an omega for himself soon so I can have some excuse to visit you all.
Love,
Jiminie.
-----
Jungkook is at the administration building when all hell breaks loose.
They are in the middle of discussing a very important treaty with another pack in the north that will facilitate them with all the fruits and vegetables that need cold climate to grow. Jimin’s pack is so far up the north that its next to impossible to do any trade with them.
While all the important clauses of the treaty is being explained and discussed, the only thing that Jungkook could think of was how easy it would be for him to bring berries and mushroom that Jimin liked so much in his old pack. He hates himself right now.
Just as he decides to bring his focus back to the meeting, an alpha from the guarding team abruptly enters and whispers something in the head alpha’s ear.
Jungkook watches as his father panics and stands up, resulting in chaos in the courtroom. Head alpha hastily walks towards Jungkook.
“Jungkook… you need to go home. Right now.”
Jungkook doesn’t understand. Why should he be going home when such an important matter was being discussed here? He looks at his father in utter confusion.
“There’s no time to lose, Jungkook! Jimin has fainted near the field and he is rushed to th-”
Jungkook has never moved so fast before. Maybe when he was hunting and a bear or a lion almost caught up to him but on a usual day like this? As he is running, he questions himself repeatedly. Why is he running so fast? What business he has when a low life omega like Jimin has fainted? He didn’t even like him a bit. So why?
He stops in his tracks when he spots nobody around his house. There is no noise either. He flings the door open and feels his heart drop when there no one inside. His mind works immediately to let him know that his omega might be in the healer’s hut, surrounded by other wolves, feeling alone and vulnerable. His speed quickens immediately.
As he walks in the infirmary, he wolf starts growling immediately.
Jimin is laid down on the mat right by healer grandma who is wiping his body with wet towel dipped in ice cold water. Taehyung is standing too close to Jimin for his liking and two other alphas from the rescue committee are looking at Jimin. There are so many eyes on his omega that it’s not even a surprise when Jungkook’s growling starts to come out more threatening as he approaches the unconscious omega.
“Jungkook…Jungkook! There is no one that is a threat here. Please calm down and sit here.”
His growling increases.
“Please Jungkook! Jimin needs your calming pheromones. We all are here to help.”
There is a brief pause when Jungkook shifts his head to look straight in the eyes of healer grandma. His eyes shine like burning fire, eyebrows scrunched like he is offended at the mere mention of being calm. In a fraction of second though, Jungkook makes a deep guttural sound. It’s not as loud as a growl but it’s so much more dangerous. An alpha’s growl is threatening; a challenge to others but this sound that is coming out of Jungkook’s chest is a command of the royal alpha. It’s a warning, the final one.
“O-Okay, Jungkook. Everyone out!! Get out of the hut right this second if you want to see tomorrow.”
Everybody scurries away instantly at grandma’s command. When grandma tries to pass by the alpha, he holds her by the wrist.
“What- what happened to him?”
There is fear in Jungkook’s voice. When grandma looks at him, she sees the little Jungkook- hiding at the back of his bed, crying and shaking right after he had lost his mother and hyungs. Ever since that day, she hadn’t seen Jungkook in such a vulnerable state. His eyes haven’t left his omega yet and she decides to relieve him of this worry.
“He was with Taehyung when this happened. I have talked to him and he said that your omega had been sitting in the sun for hours this morning. They were supposed to be reading poetry together but Taehyung said that Jimin insisted on taking a walk in the sun even after he had been out in the garden since morning. None of us have any idea why would he do this.”
Jungkook is quiet; too quiet to be okay. He walks towards his omega and settles right beside him on the floor. Grandma approaches them carefully in slow steps so as to not startle the alpha. She resumes wiping the omega with cold cloth and Jungkook does nothing but watch.
-----
The ceiling looks brown, just as the forest looks in autumn with dry leaves all over the ground. Jimin thinks of his home where there’s rarely any autumn to even see such a beautiful scene. White all around, pious and pure, even a small imperfection surfaces as the deepest flaw of the land.
As he starts to look around, he sees healer grandma and his alpha sitting on the either side of him, creased forehead, worried but also relieved that he was at least awake now. He watches as Jungkook jumps from his spot and immediately bends down to look at him closely. Jimin has never seen him so disoriented.
“What- what happened to you, omega?”
As soon as Jimin hears this from his alpha, tears start to pool in his eyes. He is ashamed and embarrassed of his doing. He doesn’t want to tell anyone about it, not even grandma.
“I am asking you something, omega! Tell me what happened right now.”
And then it happens.
Jimin starts sobbing uncontrollably. In a few moments, his voice reaches outside and Taehyung immediately enters the hut. Much to their expectations, Jungkook scent becomes sour and rotten, as if someone displeased him terribly.
“Ji-Jiminah, what happened?” there’s sincerity in Taehyung’s voice.
“Shut the fuck up Taehyung! This is all because of you.” The future head alpha scowls before grandma could even ask anything.
“Calm down young alphas. Taehyung, please tell us exactly what happened. This pretty omega won’t stop crying and worrying us.”
There is small pause when all of them could hear Jimin saying something like not being pretty under his breath in between the sobs but none of them had the courage to actually ask him.
“We were supposed to be reading poetry together, healer grandma. When I walked in alpha Jeon’s hut, I didn’t see Jimin so I decided to check the backyard. He was sitting on one of the rocks where his body was exposed to the direct sunshine. I asked him if he was feeling okay and he said he was. I touched his wrist to see if he had a cold or something but it didn’t make sense since its summer. I gave him water and asked him to come inside but he just wouldn’t listen to me at all. He insisted to be in the sun longer so we took a short walk and while we were returning, he suddenly fell down on the ground. I immediately brought him here.”
“Do you have no fucking brains Taehyung? Why would you take my fucking omega out on a walk and how dare you fucking touch him yo-”
“Alpha…”
Jimin interrupts. All of their eyes are on him now. Jungkook lets go of his anger towards Taehyung and shifts his entire body towards his omega.
“Alpha, it’s not his fault. I – I was the one who was adamant.”
“But why!!” Jungkook screams enough to scare Jimin. The wolves outside the infirmary also peek in to see why their future head alpha was so angry.
“Alpha…” he whines. “Wanted… wanted to look good for alpha.”
“What did you just say?”
Jimin raises his head to meet Jungkook’s eyes for the first time since he gained consciousness. He hesitates for a while but decides that it’s better to just say it rather than dragging the situation and create more problems for Taehyung and grandma.
“Want to be tanned like my alpha. Everyone looks so good here except me. Even Taehyung and Heiran are so tanned. They all glow in the sunlight but me? I turn red like a berry. I hate it!! I hate it grandma!”
Nobody moves in the infirmary. Grandma has a smile on her face and Taehyung is blushing for some reason but Jungkook is frozen on the spot where he has been standing.
“What are you saying Jimin-ah! You’re gorgeous. The prettiest omega in the pack. I have told you so many folk stories, right? All of the fairies look like you.”
Jungkook shoots daggers towards Taehyung when he looks at him; almost as if he is waiting for the right moment to jump on him.
“But also the ghosts, Tae! I know you said that the fairies glow in your stories but I don’t glow… I am pale as a ghost.”
“But Jimin-ah, you are-”
“Get out! You too grandma… respectfully.”
“Be careful, young alpha. He is sensitive right now so don’t upset him.”
Grandma and Taehyung slowly retreat from the hut leaving the sobbing omega and his alpha alone. It’s awkward and suffocating to be here in this situation. Jungkook has been cursing under his breath, complaining to himself about how he had to leave such an important meeting to cater to this useless omega. At the same time, however, he feels this weird sense of responsibility towards this insecure omega. He doesn’t know why but walking out on Jimin, who hasn’t stopped sobbing yet, is troubling him. He brings a mat near; sits down with his face towards the door and wonder what he can say to make this better.
“What you are telling me is that you risked your life because you wanted to look like other omegas here?”
Jimin remains silent.
“You need to be different here. You are not some random wolf who can go around throwing tantrums and fainting just because you want to look a certain way. I am going to be the head alpha soon and the sooner you understand your responsibilities and duties the better we can rule together. And anyway…”
Jimin has stopped sobbing by now. This is probably the longest monologue that Jungkook has ever delivered in front of him and he desperately wants to listen to him unsure of if it will ever happen again.
“And alphas…” he clears his throat, “alphas like pale omegas anyway.”
“Even you… alpha?” Jimin asks so hopefully that Jungkook flinches.
“What I like or dislike is irrelevant here. The problem is that you have been focusing on trivial things, omega. You should be reading and exercising. Being healthy, making yourself productive, being attentive and… faithful towards your alpha and – and so much more.”
He stands up, looking down at the patient, calculating if he should say the thing he is going to say or not.
“Keep Taehyung at one arm’s distance at all times if you don’t want him to be banished. I will arrange a mate for him very soon.”
Jimin nods enthusiastically.
-----
“He is going to help find a mate for me? Me?” Taehyung is bewildered.
It’s been quite some time since the Jimin fainted and gave everyone a panic attack. Specially the elders were gravely concerned considering he was still a new bride and the omega that will give birth to the future royal lineage. He feels fine though, much energized after such a long period of rest.
“Uhmm!” Jimin cheers. “Alpha said that he will arrange an omega for you and celebrate your mating with the pack very soon.”
“Jimin-ah… that’s not…”
They stare at each other for a while after which the alpha’s expression turns grim.
“Is there something troubling you Tae? You know you can tell me I am your best friend.” Jimin says as he spots something akin to fear on his face.
“I- I am going to tell you something but you are not allowed to say this to anyone. Do you promise?”
They cross their pinkies.
“When I was around six, I was bathing in the lake at the edge of our territory with my mother. We had been there for a while because I was the only one who wasn’t yet old enough for lessons and so I used to assist my family with errands and laundry. I remember it being dark when we were done washing the clothes and ourselves when I slipped near the deepest part of the lake. My mother had gone behind the trees to change into fresh clothes and so I was alone in the water for a few seconds, trying to make as loud of noises as I could. I was so terrified Jimin-ah. Before I knew it, there was another guy, not much older, swimming towards me from above while I was drowning deeper and deeper.”
He takes a few relieved sighs and Jimin realizes how hard it is for him to relive that moment.
“The guy swam with me and when we were out of the lake, he explained the situation to my mother. He dried me took us to his house to meet his parents and have supper since it was quite late. I- I owe him my life… and also my heart, Jimin-ah.”
Jimin is jumping in excitement at the revelation but Taehyung’s reaction doesn’t seem very lively.
“Then what’s the problem? Lets tell your parents and my alpha and then we’ll get you mated.”
“That’s the problem, Jimin-ah, I can’t! He is… is a beta.”
Oh.
Oh.
“His parents were shamed for having no omega or alpha pups so they decided to settle at the edge of the territory even before I was born. Not only is he a beta but also older than me by a couple winters. Nobody in this pack will ever accept us. No one Jimin-ah.”
“And you can’t love anyone other than him?”
“I owe him my everything, Jimin-ah. Ever since the day he saved my life, I promised myself to him. I know I was so young and silly but I truly have loved him all my life Jimin-ah and he has loved me too. His parents wanted to move to the north for a better life but he insisted to stay just for me. He has given up on everything for me- living in isolation, away from the entire pack without any help from us. I will either mate him or remain unmated for the rest of my life. That is one thing I have sworn by.”
When Jimin doesn’t reply immediately, Taehyung thinks he might have crossed the line. Regardless of if Jimin is his best friend or not, he is still the future head omega and he knows better than anyone that being at such a position can have immense impact on one’s heart. He wants to believe in the goodness though; he wants to have faith in his bonding with Jimin.
“But don’t you think that my alpha could support you? You said that your beta’s family lives at the edge of our pack, right? Didn’t my alpha give them the dowry bedding my Appa had sent?”
At times like this, Taehyung regrets every lie he has told Jimin about Jungkook.
“Regardless of everything Jimin-ah, helping someone and accepting them in the pack are two very different things.”
“Hmm.” Jimin hums solemnly. “Do you… do you think my alpha will ever love me the way you love your beta?”
Taehyung doesn’t say anything and Jimin doesn’t repeat it. They sit in pin drop silence after that. It’s such a terrifying situation compelling them to wonder which is worse – having someone who truly loves you and never being together or being together with someone who will never truly love you.
-----
“Why are we here again?” Jungkook asks as he sits beside Jimin in the infirmary.
“Oh moon goddess, give this dumb alpha some rationale before I pass away.”
Everyone laughs as grandma continues.
“You both are here because the most gorgeous omega in the pack needs a checkup for his heat cycle, dear alpha. Or goddess forbids he faints again trying to look pretty for his alpha.”
Jungkook hates himself for blushing as red as Jimin.
“Anyway, I need to check your omega’s pulse, his eyes and stomach to make sure he is alright. We might also have to check for the symptoms of heat cycle. It’s almost time, isn’t it little sparrow?”
“Yes grandma.” The sparrow nods. “I have been feeling very tired lately.”
“You have been feeling tired? Why don’t you go for longer walks with Kim Taehyung, you silly ome-”
“Oh shut up Jungkook! What else is he supposed to do when he is all alone at home the entire day? You just wait till Goddess blesses you with a pup and then we will see who is stronger.”
When Jungkook doesn’t say anything, grandma decides to continue.
“Omegas are strong Jungkook, strong enough to lift the entire world on their shoulders when the time comes. They are the third pillar of this world- right after the moon goddess and the nature. They give life to our world, our pups, and our future. Without omegas, our life would be meaningless.”
“You loved your omega grandma, didn’t you? Loved her dearly!” Jimin chimes in.
“Oh I did, little sparrow. She was the brightest light in my life. Brighter than the sun that tans you alpha.” She giggles. “I miss her everyday but now that I have lived a decade without her, I think of reuniting with her all the time.”
For the first time in what feels like centuries, healer grandma receives a hug. She is being wrapped around by such pale, soft arms and right in front of her eyes are silvery blonde hair- if she wasn’t so aware of being embraced she’d swear it was an angel coming to collect her for the cosmic ride. Jimin tightens his hug and adjusts his head so that his nose is right on her nape and their embrace is immediately interrupted.
“Grandma… please just- just step away right now.”
Grandma slowly takes a few steps back, away from Jimin. She is adorning a notorious smile.
“What do we do my little sparrow! Your alpha won’t even let me hug my baby.”
They all sit down. Healer checks Jimin thoroughly in the midst of glaring stare and faint growls. When it is done, she has an advice for the couple.
“Listen you both. From what I can assess from Jimin’s body is that the effect of the suppressants is diminishing but he still needs time to be completely rid of the medicines before his body is finally ready for his alpha.” She winks. “For the first heat, little sparrow, which according to my calculations isn’t very far, you need to be alone. You are still very fragile and being with your alpha may be really painful for the time being. Jungkook, make sure you are able to restrain, alright? This will be a very tough time for your omega so make sure you comply.”
Even listening to it is unbearable. Jungkook doesn’t like him, like… at all! But just thinking about his mate in heat crying and reaching out for him puts him on the edge and right now it’s sickening to even address the thoughts he has about their time together.
-----
It hasn’t been that long when it happens.
Jungkook is up at his scheduled time. Usually, his omega is awake by the time he has showered and exercised. Today, however, he is fast asleep well beyond the breakfast time.
There is some shuffling under the blanket and Jungkook just has to check it before he dies of suspense. As soon as he lifts the blanket, he watches a teary Jimin with red nose and splotches all over his face.
“Alpha, I think I pulled a vein in my leg and my back is hurting so much.”
Jungkook doesn’t know what to do. He lifts the omega up to a sitting position when Jimin hits him with another shock.
“I can’t walk but I really have to pee, alpha.”
Without a word, Jungkook takes the omega in his arms bridal style and starts walking towards the outdoor bathroom behind their hut. In those few seconds from their bedroom to the bath, Jimin’s nose doesn’t leave Jungkook’s scent gland. The alpha feels weak, there is a very awkward feeling of submitting to his omega, falling on his knees in front of him and dedicating his life to him. When he finally lets go of his mate, Jungkook smells something different on himself.
The rainforest scent of his body mixes so beautifully with the honey-citrus of his omega. He wants to sniff himself, fuck sniffing! He wants to taste the honey, the citrus, their faintest hint is making him go crazy and he needs to get out of this house before his inner wolf jumps on the omega he hates to the bones.
-----
In the administration building of the pack where Jungkook is cross checking the records of the pups enrolled for hunting classes, all eyes are on him.
It’s been over two winters now that he has been mated and this is the first time anyone has smelled the omega on him. The entire hall is filled with the fresh and sweet citrus-honey scent and the alpha makes no efforts to hide it.
It is probably also the reason that he feels lightheaded today. Twice he has felt pain in his abdomen and both times, he has to smell himself to continue working.
-----
“Jimin is in heat? Right now?”
“Yes grandma healer.” One of the assistants replies. “I visited him at dawn and he said he had pain in his legs. Alpha Jeon had already left for work so I decided to leave him some unscented blankets, a basket full of fruits and one with a dozen of bananas. He already has enough herbs so we might have to make a trip in two days to refill it. I think it will be okay though, he seemed to handle it well.”
“You only saw the beginning Minsoo.” The grandma sighs. “The heat after a long use of suppressants is extremely vulnerable. I hope he can fight it with the herbs and the concoction I am making. Now all we have to make sure of is to keep Jungkook away from him for this one heat.”
Just as she finishes speaking, Taehyung appears in front of the infirmary with a small cut on his hand.
“Oh Taehyung-ah, abrasion again? You have been going to the lake way too much for my liking! I might assume you meet some pretty omega there?”
Taehyung doesn’t say anything and his face expresses the sadness he is feeling right now. Grandma catches that.
“Anyway, you handsome alpha. How are you here so soon? It’s unusual for Jungkook to dismiss you of your duties so early in the day?”
“Jungkook? He isn’t at the pack building, Grandma. Haven’t you heard?”
“Heard what?”
“Jungkook is in rut. His wolf was almost feral so the elders sent him home.”