Archive of Our Own

Sometime 27 years ago

“He’s beautiful,” the alpha said. “His eyes seem to hold every star in Orion’s belt.”

The other alpha breathed out a chuckle. “That, they do. And yours’ seems to hold an intelligence that could rival the greatest of scholars.”

He nodded towards the almost 4-year-old who was curiously peaking into the stroller, head tilting in curiosity as big doe eyes met his dragon ones. Though, the staring contest was soon broken when the stroller was pulled back.

“*ahem* Well, I must be on my way then. I was tasked to bring the little one to his doctor’s visit so my daughter and daughter-in-law could have some alone time. I need to get back to the pack before sundown,” the gentleman mumbled, already turning away. 

“Wait, Jeongho stop!” the alpha cried. “Please, it’s been so long. Must you leave like this?”  

The other alpha stopped, still facing away as a sigh graced his lips. “What do you want me to say Namhyuk? Is there even anything left to say?” 

“How could you say that? You and I both know there’s a lot left to say! Starting with… I’m sorry.”

Jeongho couldn’t keep the spike of anger out of his scent even if he tried. “Sorry?” he humorlessly chuckled. “Such a funny word isn’t it? Five letters meant to excuse anything from a peccadillo to a betrayal that wounds a heart beyond recognition. Please, Namhyuk. I am giving us both the chance to walk away from this as unscathed as we can. It has, after all, been decades. Don’t pick at old scabs.”

Jeongho tried to leave again, but Namhyuk wouldn’t have it. Not again. “So that’s it? After everything, this is our final end? Just a chance encounter where we pass each other like ships in the night?” 

Unbeknownst to the alphas, their scents of agitation, amongst other feelings, started to fill the air, causing the little pup in the stroller to start fussing. But before Jeongho could move to soothe him, the toddler was already making his way over, his little hand reaching in to grab the tiny pup’s in his own.

“Iss okay. It smells stinky. I no like it too. Don’ wowwy, I’m he’e,” the tot soothed. 

To both the alphas' surprise, the baby calmed down instantly, instead cooing and giving the young boy holding his hand the biggest gummy smile he could muster. 

Both the alphas looked at the two pups, soft smiles gracing their faces. When they looked back at each other, no words needed to be spoken. Years, decades, maybe even millenia could pass, but their understanding of one another would never change. 

Maybe that was why Jeongho never held any real anger in his heart. 

Maybe that was why Namhyuk did. 

And in one look it was settled.

The fate of Kim Namjoon and Jeon Jeongguk. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Present day- Jeongguk POV

Sunlight poured in through the small window, a gentle spring breeze making its way through. Based on the sun, it would seem the day had started hours ago. But that wasn’t the thing to finally rouse the omega from his sleep. 

Jeongguk peered one eye open, then the other when he heard raised voices coming from downstairs. He groggily sat up, yawning so hard he heard his jaw pop as he scratched the back of his head, before finally getting out of bed. He didn’t even have to hear the conversation to know what it was about. But he still made his way down the stairs, hoping he could at least calm his omega mother a bit.

“No, I have had it!” she screamed again. “First, it was because they're too young. Then, it was he needed to finish college, then it was he needed to learn the ropes of the business. Then, it was because he didn’t want to mate before 30. Which he turned a year ago. Abeonim, I respect you very much and I know you wouldn’t wish harm on our Gukkie. But so help me Moon, if he doesn’t come to formalize this union by the Solstice, I will be mating Jeongguk off to the first suitable alpha I find.”

“Soohyun-” his Eomma tried to calm.

“No, alpha! I am done. Our Gukkie is twenty-eight now! TWENTY-EIGHT! And he doesn’t deserve to have to spend his whole life just waiting, especially when he doesn’t even know for what! Do you even remember the last time they saw each other? When he was 10 months old! How is it possible they’ve gone almost 3 decades without interacting?! I’m telling you now yeobo, my baby is going to be with someone who would die to be with him. End of discussion.” 

Jeongguk watched his mother storm out of the room, likely to cool off before she said something more, leaving his alpha mother and grandfather behind. 

“She’s not wrong, Appa,” his alpha mother sighed. “Is this union going to happen or not? At this rate, Gukkie is the only unmated one in his batch. And he’s been practically betrothed since birth.”

The old alpha stayed in his spot looking out the window. One would have thought he had not heard the question, but the tick of his jaw gave him away. 

“Jieun, I had actually just spoken to Namhyuk last night. They will be coming in the middle of June,” Jeongho spoke with finality. 

Jieun audibly gasped at the news.“Appa, that is only a month away! Why could they not tell us sooner? We have far too much to prepare.”

She didn’t wait to hear more before scurrying after her mate, no doubt to first placate her, and then finally start planning for the wedding. 

Jeongguk, who was standing silently at the foot of the stairs, felt his heart race. He flew back up the stairs, quickly running into his room before shutting the door. He waited a moment, then two, before diving into his bed. 

Finally, he sighed. He couldn’t help but squeal into his pillow. The day he’d been longing for since he first heard of the union was finally coming. He was finally going to mate the alpha he’d been waiting his whole life for.  

After the butterflies calmed down a bit, he rushed to his closet digging through the bottom to find his most treasured possession. It came courtesy of Yugyeom, whose family made frequent trips to the city for pack matters. It really did help being friends with the future pack alpha, seeing how he was able to get his hands on what he’d kept hidden even from his mothers and grandfather. It was a magazine with the alpha on it, the latest one. There, on this month’s edition of Fortune 500, was the dragon-eyed alpha, gracing the cover in a sharp suit and even sharper look. Jeongguk couldn’t help the butterflies that always filled his stomach seeing him. His future alpha was just too dreamy for him to not drool over. And he’d be all his. 

“Oh I have to tell Eunwoo!” he gasped, quickly but safely putting the magazine away. 

He changed as fast as he could, and before he knew it, he was running down the stairs and out the door, ignoring the calls of his grandfather and mothers.

He ran all the way down to the river, knowing that’s where his fellow omega would be at this time.

“Eunwoo!” he yelled. “Eunwoo! Eunwoo! Eunwoo!” 

The other omega barely had time to react before Jeongguk went barrelling into him. 

“Yah Jeonggukah! Be careful! I’ll start throwing up if you jostle me too much!” Eunwoo whined. 

“Oh sorry! But this is like your third pup. Shouldn’t you be used to it now?” he teased back.

“Oh really? Well let’s have you pop out three kids back to back, and then I’ll ask you how you feel.”

That made Jeongguk blush exponentially, because that day was actually coming. 

“So what happened that you came running like your pants caught fire?” Eunwoo asked as he returned to scrubbing the clothes, pulling him back from his wandering thoughts.

Jeongguk first looked around, making sure that no one was nearby, before coming closer. “It’s happening,” he whispered.

That finally caught the other’s attention, who immediately turned his head. “He’s finally coming?!” he screamed.

“Shhhhh!” Jeongguk quickly dived to cover Eunwoo’s mouth. “It’s not public knowledge yet. I’m only telling you. And yes, in mid-June!” he giggled, squealing before covering his face again.

“Good… Now I can finally give him a piece of mind!” Eunwoo huffed, this time aggressively flicking the clothes.

“Ugh, not you too Eunwoo!”

“What do you mean ‘nOt YoU tOo?’ It’s been 28 years and now he finally realizes he has been woefully neglecting his mate? I’m glad he’s finally coming down, cause I swear if another run passed without you being claimed, I would’ve found that wretched alpha myself!”

Jeongguk pouted at the words. “He’s not wretched,” he mumbled. “He’s the cold-hearted CEO who…

“... who secretly hates the world but one look at you and all of a sudden his life will have new meaning. I swear to Moon, I am going to beat Yugyeom for two things. One, for not knowing how to give his damn knot a rest, and two, for getting you hooked onto those stupid books. I seriously can not tell which is worse, those or the mafia ones,” Eunwoo shook his head.

“Oh come on! Who doesn’t love a villain who would burn the world for his omega? I mean what about that last one? The single parent omega, scarred by his past and unwilling to love alphas, meets an alpha who would go to any lengths to be with him, even hiding his true identity. You have to admit it was good! Or, or the one where they worked at the same office and the omega dropped his coffee on the cold CEO and thought he was out to kill him, only to find he had been in love with him for years!” 

“They were, Jeongguk. A good stories. When are you going to realize fiction isn’t reality, Guk-ah?” 

“But it can be! Come on! You have to admit, I have all the ingredients for a perfect strangers to lovers story. He’s a CEO, I’m a traditional omega. He’s all mysterious and brooding, I’m all bubbly yet shy. We’re in an arranged mating. All that’s left to do is fall in love and live happily ever after! Ugh Eunwoo! We’re gonna have the most perfect story!” Jeongguk sighed, already daydreaming about his future. 

Eunwoo just shook his head beside him. “For your sake, Gukk-ah, I truly hope that’s exactly the case. Cause if it’s not, I will be beating that alpha to a pulp, pregnant or not.” 

The two ended up spending the afternoon chatting away, Jeongguk going through everything he wanted for the ceremony. 

While on the other side of the country, a very different conversation happened. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Namjoon POV

“You can’t be serious.”

“Namjoon, for the last time, stop making this more difficult than it has to be.” 

Namjoon let out a scoff, crossing his arms in defiance. “I’m making it difficult? When you were the one to practically pawn me off, to a village bumpkin no less!”

“Namjoon!” the elder roared. “Enough! I can understand your frustrations, but don’t you dare speak ill of them.” 

Namjoon knew he shouldn’t push the older alpha more. The fact that his grandfather was angry enough to have his eyes flickering red was more than enough signal to him to choose his words carefully. 

“But grandfather, please! I have a life here! With my career, friends, and boyfriend! How on Earth do you expect me to give all that up for someone I don’t even know?!” 

“‘Boyfriend?’ Is that what we’re calling insignificant flings nowadays?” Namhyuk scoffed. “Tell me Namjoon, was your love so fragile that at the slightest chance of compensation, he ran for the hills?” 

Namjoon felt his jaw tick in anger. “What are you talking about?” 

“I don’t have to say anything. But you, by all means, can try contacting him. Do let me know if he picks up.” Namhyuk made his way to exit the office. “Oh and Namjoon, if this marriage doesn’t happen, you can kiss that position and the company goodbye. Indefinitely.”

The elder alpha left without another word, leaving Namjoon to stew in his thoughts. 

He didn’t even bother calling Sungmin. It’s not that he was actually anything more than a fuckbuddy, even if all they managed to do were blowjobs. His stupid alpha was unwilling to let him go any further with anyone else but their intended. 

What a load of bull.

And now the fact that his freedom was about to be stripped away from him didn’t sit well with him.

Yet despite his numerous protests for a month straight, here he was: standing at the pack line of the last place he ever wanted to be. 

~⊱♡⊰~

One look at the pack and Namjoon knew this was not it. 

“I’m going back,” Namjoon grimaced, already making his way back to his car.

“You will do no such thing,” Namhyuk scolded the younger.

“Grandfather, look! I know for a fact there’s not one cell tower within miles of this place. They don’t even look like they have running water!” 

“Kim Namjoon, I may have taken some liberties with you because it’s just us now, but if you disrespect this pack one more time, I will rip you to shreds right here. Do not test me,” the elder growled, before moving ahead.

It was then Jimin made his presence known from behind him.

“Daepyo-nim, if I may, it doesn’t seem too bad. It’s actually kind of cute,” the smaller alpha piped up.

“Park Biseonim, the only reason you are here is to create a fake work emergency and get me out of this as soon as possible. Please keep all other side comments to yourself,” Namjoon grunted before turning back to where his grandfather left. 

With shaky step after shaky step, he finally made his way forward.

What he assumed would be a quiet arrival turned the complete opposite when he saw practically the entire town waiting for them at the town center, dressed in various cloths and wraps. Like they were trapped in some sort of medieval time. Even before the Joseon era. There were probably at least a couple hundred wolves staring at them like they were celebrities. 

Which Namjoon realized, to his smugness, was partially true. 

“I’m probably the most exciting thing that’s happened to this place in a millenia”, he chortled to himself, as he walked closer.

“Namhyuk hyung!” an older wolf at the front greeted his grandfather. Namjoon furrowed his eyebrows at the address, not understanding why this man was being so informal with them. 

“It’s been a while, Yeonsu. I see the head alpha position indeed suits you best,” Namhyuk chuckled back, going to hug the man.

“Oh come on cousin, that was ages ago. And now our Yugyeom-ah here is gearing up to take the title. We had already planned his coronation for the summer solstice. And now we’ll have two celebrations instead of one!” the older alpha whopped in excitement.

It was then that a younger, taller alpha came in front of Namjoon. “Kim Yugyeom. Welcome to the Busan Pack,” he greeted with his hand extended.

He gingerly took the hand in his before sending a pointed look to Jimin. Ever in tune with his needs, he quickly pulled out a handkerchief and passed it to him. A gesture that didn’t go unnoticed by the other pack members.

“I can assure you, we are a very clean pack, Namjoon-ssi. You don’t have to worry about contracting anything here,” Yugyeom commented, though there was a slight strain to his smile. 

“Oh, um, it’s nothing personal. I just have OCD and don’t like being in unfamiliar environments,” he grimaced back, before turning back to his grandfather. “Grandfather, is it possible to rest? This has been quite a long journey.”

He wasn’t actually that tired. But he’d be damned if he had to stand out here for another second taking in whatever odd smell was coming from the nearby stables. 

“Ah, yes!” the head alpha piped up. “I had the old house fixed up for you, hyung. It should have everything you need. Do you need me to take you there?”

Namjoon smelled how his grandfather’s scent wavered at the words before mellowing out again. “As if I can’t traverse this pack blind, Yeonsu-yah. Don’t worry I’ll make it there just fine.”

“Okay. But Namhyuk hyung,” Yeonsu leaned in and lowered his voice, but Namjoon could still hear it clear as day. “This pack has been and will forever be yours. You know that right?” 

This time when his grandfather let his scent fall, he didn’t fix it. Instead, he gave everyone a tight smile before turning to Namjoon. “Let’s go.”

Namjoon internally sighed in relief, making sure Jimin was following before making to move. It was only when he got towards the back of the crowd, did he notice a delicious scent of spearmint wafting towards him. He looked around, looking to the side to see two older women and an elderly man standing to the side. And behind the man was a pair of doe eyes peeking at him, unhidden curiosity shining brightly in them. 

However, Namjoon didn’t have time to dwell on them as he was already being whisked away by his grandfather. Yet, the entire walk to the house was spent thinking about those eyes.

~⊱♡⊰~

The house was… as he expected. Small and outdated. Though compared to the other ones he saw on his way here, it was one of the bigger ones. He shuddered thinking of having to live in an even smaller shoe box. 

Namhyuk situated Namjoon and Jimin in their respective rooms, before setting off again, muttering something about preparing. Namjoon let out a tired sigh. Ten days. He had to be trapped here for ten days while everyone celebrated his demise. As if this forced mating was something to celebrate. The thought made something violent stir in him. 

It was then he heard the knock on the door. 

“Daepyo-nim, which one do you prefer?” Jimin asked, as he held up two suits in the doorway. 

“Prefer for what, Park Biseonim? We just got here,” he irately asked.

“Um… did Sir Kim not inform you? We have a meeting at your in-laws house tonight for dinner,” he meekly replied.

“What?!” the alpha roared. “What the fuck are you saying? We quite literally have only been here an hour. When was this arranged?”

“Well before we came here.”

It was then his grandfather made his presence known in the doorway. “Jimin-ah go to your room and get ready. I’ll take it from here.”

Jimin quickly placed a suit on the bed before he gave the two a bow and left. It was then the two Kim alphas found themselves in a staring contest.

“Grandfather, is there no limit to your secrets? First you completely neglect to tell me you are from this backwards, stuck-in-time pack. Not only that, you're related to the head alpha. And on top of that, I am being ambushed into meeting some random wolves tonight in itself. How are you being fair to me?” 

Namhyuk just calmly stared at his grandson, with the same look he always gives him. 

Disappointed.

“Your attitude is why I didn’t tell you. It shouldn’t matter if I’m related to the head alpha or not. All wolves deserve respect. These wolves aren’t ‘random’. They are your future in-laws. And it’s about time you accepted that,” he calmly spoke. “Now get ready. We leave in an hour.” 

Namhyuk closed the door behind him, but it was unable to contain the roar of frustration Namjoon let out. All he wanted was to live his life on his terms. And yet, all he’s been met with was his grandfather laying out his entire life for him. 

“Fine. You want me to get married so badly, I’ll do it. But whatever happens after that is not on me,” he seethed into the empty room.

Cause he’d be damned if he was reduced to be anybody’s puppet. 

~⊱♡⊰~

As predicted, the house they arrived at later that evening was a miniature version of their current arrangements. 

“How can anybody live here?” he sputtered. “And grandfather said there were four of them.” 

“If I may daepyo-nim, it seems quite cozy. And I’m sure they live just fine, if they already have for years, as Sir Kim said.”

Namjoon let out a frustrated sigh. “Park Biseonim, when are you going to learn that my very rhetorical questions are not an opportunity for you to start with your unnecessary side comments? Just do what I asked. The second I give you the signal, you fake an emergency, and get me out of there. Got it?”

He was already in an extremely agitated mood as it was. He had to use a bucket, a bucket, to shower and that too after boiling the water over a fire. Which proved to be the wrong move, because there was no A/C in the house, so he only made himself hotter. And now his grandfather was practically sprinting ahead of them, like his feet were on fire, making Namjoon keep up with him in a half-run. Only to have him sweat even more. 

He watched Jimin nod his head before he made a zip motion with his fingers over his lips. Namjoon was about to say more but his grandfather was already at the door, having knocked. It opened not a moment later.

“Jeongho!” he enthused, a smile that Namjoon has rarely ever seen over taking the older alpha’s face.

“Glad you could make it, Namhyuk-ah,” the other alpha chuckled back. 

He let the three in before turning to Namjoon. “And you must be my future grandson-in-law. Pleasure to meet you. I’m Jeon Jeongho,” he smiled, holding out his hand.

Ah, my other perpetrator, he internally churned. He gave the alpha a polite shake, before they were led inside the living room.  

There, two ladies rose from where they were sitting. It was only then that Namjoon’s brains finally connected the dots—these were the same people from the square. And if these were the people from there, that would mean…

“Welcome to our home. I’m Jieun, this is my mate Soohyun,” the alpha greeted, bowing at the gentleman, who bowed back. “Jeongguk will be just down. He’s just finishing getting ready. Please have a seat.”  

The five of them barely fit around the small table in the center, while Soohyun, as Namjoon remembered, made her way to the kitchen. But not before sending Namjoon and his grandfather a very pointed look before leaving. What was that about? 

From there began the inevitable talk Namjoon wanted to avoid at all costs. How the ceremony would go, the date, the costs, and every other thing Namjoon couldn’t care less about. Jimin even had the audacity to take notes, something he was going to have to reprimand his secretary for later on. It was in the middle of the alphas discussing the flowers that were to be arranged at Jeongguk’s request, when said omega finally made his way down the stairs.

Namjoon felt his head turn when that intoxicating scent of spearmint started getting stronger the closer the omega got. Soon enough, standing at the base of the stairs, was his future mate.

Namjoon hated the instant attraction he felt at the sight of him.

The omega was on the taller side, but not taller than him. He was all lean muscle with a broad chest that tapered down into the tiniest waist he’d ever seen. But that wasn’t even the most striking part. It wasn’t even his round nose or his cherry red lips or the matching dimple he knew mirrored his own. It was his eyes. Those same eyes that caught his attention the first time. Round and shiny, filled with every star in the galaxy. Eyes that found his in an instant, before he averted his gaze, a beautiful blush coating his plump cheeks. 

“H-hello,” he timidly greeted, bowing at them. 

“Ah, Jeongguk-ah you're here. Come, let me properly introduce you,” Jeongho called out.

Namjoon watched the omega take small steps until he was next to his grandfather. “Here, this is Kim Namhyuk, my old friend. That’s Park Jimin, their secretary. And this is Kim Namjoon, your to-be mate.” 

Namjoon smelled how his scent spiked at the words. He thinks the omega mumbled something to him, but it was too quiet to hear. He almost asked him to repeat himself. Almost. 

But he didn’t. Because he didn’t care. Or at least, he wouldn’t let himself. No pretty face was going to change the circumstances that brought him here.

Dinner was a quiet affair, with polite conversation being exchanged. Surface level things, really.

Namjoon almost thought he was going to make it out of this unscathed, until his beloved grandfather had to butt in. 

“Jeongho, if you, Jieun, and Soohyun don’t mind, how about we let the kids talk for a bit? It’s only fair they get to know each other at least a little before being mated off next week.”

Oh, absolutely not.

Namjoon didn’t want to get to know shit, no matter how pretty the omega was. A bumpkin was a bumpkin. 

So he instead shot Jimin the look. Only, Jimin was too engrossed in asking for the recipe for the hotteok they just ate, completely missing and ignoring Namjoon’s very evident stare. Count your days, Park Biseonim.

“Sure, we don’t mind. Why don’t you take him to your room Jeongguka-ah?” Jieun suggested.

Namjoon watched Soohyun shoot her mate an exasperated look before turning back to her son. “Keep the door cracked open,” she ordered.

“Yes, mama,” the omega responded before looking at Namjoon. 

Namjoon reluctantly got up from his seat, following behind the omega until they made their way upstairs, the scent almost torturing him the entire way. And then to make matters worse, as soon as they crossed the threshold of the small room, spearmint attacked him from all directions. It was practically embedded into every nook and cranny of the room, making Namjoon’s head spin. And not only his, but his alpha’s too.  

He loathed how his alpha perked up at the scent. Like it called to him. He hated how he had to always show his own alpha its place. That was the advantage of being a city wolf, afterall. It made it easier for him to tamper down instincts, and in turn his wolf, when he needed to, such as these times. It was still irritating as hell though when the only time the bastard managed to overcome him was when he’d finally be about to get his dick wet.

How annoying. 

“Um, you can sit there if you’d like,” the omega timidly said, pointing at a chair next to a desk. 

Namjoon unceremoniously plopped down while the omega sat across from him on the bed. An uncomfortable silence filled the air as the omega played with his fingers, cheeks tinged a bright red, while Namjoon looked around for a clock to count down the seconds. All he found was various pieces of art in the otherwise neat room. He hated how impressed he was by the paintings. 

He was annoyed at how awkward it was. He was even more annoyed that he still found the omega attractive despite it. 

“Um, Alpha Kim…” the omega started.

Namjoon felt something soar alive in him at the address. Something he was absolutely not going to give the chance to flourish.

“Namjoon,” he choked out. “Call me Namjoon.”

The omega blushed even deeper at that, his spearmint scent spiking in sweetness. Namjoon could feel his alpha trying to claw its way out. “Oh um, N-Namjoon-ssi… can I ask you something?”

Namjoon fought hard at the urge to roll his. He just nodded at the omega to continue.

“Um, after we get m-married, can I go to college?” 

That caught Namjoon’s attention. You can actually read? It was on the tip of his tongue, the question, but he stopped himself from forming the words just in time. 

“You weren’t allowed to go to college until now?” he said instead.

The omega bit his lip at the question, forcing Namjoon to look away before his mind went down a very different path. “I’ve always wanted to go to Seoul National University. It’s been a dream of mine. I even finished school here top of my class. But Mama said I couldn’t live in the city by myself. Not unless I was mated. And Eomma agreed because she always agrees with what Mama says. It’s actually kind of cute. They are not as closed minded about many things, but if it’s regarding my safety, they can’t help it.” he giggled. “But, um, so can I?”

Just how backwards was this place? It’s the 21st century. Since when did having to be mated become a criteria for getting an education? Namjoon found himself getting irritated on Jeongguk’s behalf, only to quickly dissipate any such feelings. There was no reason for him to feel anything for the omega. 

“Yeah, sure, you can do whatever,” he sighed, already trying to make the time go faster. Where the hell was Park Jimin?

“Oh thank you! You know I always wanted to study—”

“Can I ask you something?” he cut in.

The omega flinched slightly at the abruptness of the question, but nodded nonetheless.

“Why is everything here so… rooted in olden times?” he asked, his curiosity getting the best of him.

“Oh, um, well as you probably know, we are one of the few protected packs in the country. It’s a way to preserve tradition.”

“And tradition can’t come with plumbing?” 

To his surprise, the omega giggled at his words. Like he just said the most hilarious thing ever.

“It’s not everyone. It’s more so the elders who want to keep everything exactly as it has been. Yet, we still send pups to the city for their check ups and shots until they are old enough to be looked after by the pack healers. Give us time Namjoon-ssi. I’m sure the next time we come to visit, Yugyeom will make sure there are more advances to the pack, including plumbing.”

As if I’d find my way back here, he internally scoffed. Instead, he nodded at the omega, thinking the conversation was over.

Instead, the omega took that as an opportunity to start quizzing him every which way about everything. What his hobbies were, what his favorite color was, what city life was like, if Namjoon would give him a tour. He was already plotting Jimin’s murder in his head for subjecting him to this. But then he’d be out of a perfectly good secretary. 

Finally, after what seemed like forever, Jeongguk suggested they head back, much to his relief. They made their way back downstairs, Namjoon searching the tiny place until they landed on his target.

He watched how Jimin was squished between the two mothers, giggling as they pinched his cheeks. 

“Park Biseonim,” he seethed. 

He watched the younger alpha look at him like a deer caught in headlights. But before he could say anything, the two older alphas emerged from the study. 

“Ah, you two done chatting?” Jeongho commented. “Good, Namhyuk and I have settled everything. You two will be wed by Yugyeom shortly after his ceremony. It’ll be his first pack duty.”

The room erupted in excited giggles, including his soon to be husband. The sight made Namjoon sick to his stomach. Almost like they were all laughing at his misery. He couldn’t take it anymore.

“I must say we must take our leave. The journey here was quite long and I’m quite tired.”

He gave them all a small bow before exiting the house. He had no clue where he was going but anywhere was better than here. 

“Daepyo-nim, the house is that way!” came the shout behind him. 

He turned around to see Jimin pointing in the opposite direction. But he must have seen the look on Namjoon’s face because he took off running at break neck speed. 

All the alpha could do was sigh at this point. What had his life seriously come to? 

~⊱♡⊰~

Jeongguk POV

Who knew a week could pass so quickly? 

Jeongguk had barely slept the night before, the giddyness of what the day was going to bring kept him awake all night. Instead, he brought the scarf he usually kept tied to his chair closer to his nose. It still had the faintest sandalwood smell from the night the alpha was here. It made his omega explode in happiness.

Alpha smell good, smell strong. Alpha good mate. 

Jeongguk couldn’t agree more. Yes, he was a bit cold, but Jeongguk wasn’t deterred in the slightest. He was too distracted by how handsome he was in real life. All tall and broad, and every bit the alpha he seemed in the magazines he still secretly kept. No. Jeongguk was going to be in it for the long game. It was, after all, going exactly as he thought it would. Which meant, it was a matter of time before his alpha fell head over heels in love with him. 

And tonight, they were going to be mated. 

In just a few short hours, Yugyeom was going to take over the pack, then the solstice festivities would commence. He had everything perfectly picked out. His outfit for the run, his outfit for the ceremony, and then the outfit for… what came after.

Jeongguk felt himself blush from head to toe. 

As per Namjoon’s request, they wouldn’t be exchanging bites tonight, as he had to go back to Seoul right after for an important meeting. Jeongguk didn’t mind. It only meant he’d become a mated omega in the city. No one he knew could say the same, something that made him feel a bit smug. But he was sure something was going to happen. Something that Eunwoo took it upon himself to explain to him. In great detail. The thought made his heart want to beat out of his chest.

Before his mind could wander even more, he heard a knock on the door, making him come back to reality. He quickly hid the scarf under his pillow, before letting whoever it was in.

“Morning baby. You’re awake?” came his mother’s gentle voice.

“Morning mama. Um, I actually couldn’t sleep,” he sheepishly answered.

“Oh my poor Gukkie, you must be so anxious? Don’t worry, if you want to call this whole thing off, you can. I’ll be right there to support you.”

Jeongguk let out a chuckle at his mom’s words. “Mama, no. I mean, I’m a little nervous, but I think I’m more… excited, if anything,” he blushed again.

He watched his mom give him a long look, before she scooped him into a hug like when he was a pup. Jeongguk would laugh if he didn’t feel his mom practically squeezing the life out of him.

“Jeonggukie darling, I want you to listen to me. I wish for nothing but happiness to come from this union. I sincerely mean that. But if you ever, and I mean ever, want to come back, you can, baby. This doesn’t stop being your home just cause you got mated. Do you understand?” 

Jeongguk felt his eyes welling up at the words. He loved his parents to death, but he also knew how traditional they were. So it came as a surprise to him that she would say this. He didn’t even anticipate how relieved it would make him feel that she did. 

“I know, Mama. I’ll come running if I have to. I promise,” he sniffled back. He hated when his parents cried.

“Oh, let me get a good look at you,” his mother cooed, moving back to grab his face in his hands. “When did you grow up to be so beautiful, hm?” 

“I tell you all the time, Soohyun-ah. He gets it from you,” his alpha mother cut in, who’d been leaning against the door frame. “Aigoo, what is this? Have my two favorite omegas been having a moment without me?” Jieun teased, joining them on the bed. 

“Aish, leave it to an alpha to not read the room,” Soohyun playfully rolled her eyes as she wiped a tear. 

“Ay, don’t fight today. It’s my wedding day,” Jeongguk pouted.

The three remained huddled on the bed, hugging each other tight for as long as they could. 

Maybe Dorothy was right after all. There really was no place like home. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Yugyeom’s ceremony went on without a hitch. The whole pack erupted in cheers after he officially took over as their new head alpha. Everything was going perfectly really. 

All until it was time to start the run.

Jeongguk was gathered with the other omegas on the side, making small talk. All of them were giggling about which alpha they thought was going to catch them. It was what the run was meant for after all. It was a time for alpha’s to profess their desire for an omega of their choosing, a sign to signal the start of the courtship. Any wolves, who at the end of their fifth run were still without a mate, were typically arranged. 

Jeongguk, however, didn’t have to think about either option. He knew who his alpha was. Who was going to chase him. This was more of a way to let their wolves find each other as well. To solidify what was to come. He had to bite his lip hard to stop the giddy smile that would threaten to escape every time he thought about it. He never got to run before, since he was already spoken for. And now, the alpha intended for him his entire life was going to chase him. The excitement of this being his one and only run wouldn’t leave him. 

Except that time was not going to come.

“Jeongguk,” he heard. He looked to see it was Eunwoo, looking rather stern. “Can you come with me please?” he asked in a low tone.

Though confused, Jeongguk still obeyed, following the waddling omega to the pack house. There, he saw Yugyeom, his two mothers, his grandfather, Namjoon’s grandfather, and Namjoon all standing there. He didn’t know why the sight made an unpleasant feeling bubble in him.

“Jeongguk, you’re here,” Yugyeom smiled, though it didn’t seem to reach his eyes. “I see no point in delaying this, so I’ll get right to the point. I’m afraid you won’t be needing to participate in the run.” 

The news made his heart shrink in size. “Huh? But why? Is something wrong?”

“Well you see, Namjoon-ssi will be unable to partake. He is a city wolf. He… can’t shift,” Yugyeom lamented. 

Jeongguk's eyes went wide at the news. A wolf who couldn’t shift? Was that even possible? His eyes immediately darted to the alpha’s, who was staring at the ground with his jaw clenched. 

“But how are we to bond?” he innocently asked.

It was then the alpha finally spoke. “Jeongguk-ssi, I understand this may be disappointing. But if I am honest, I wasn’t even made aware of the run until this morning. If I had known, I would have disclosed this much sooner. I can see if this changes your desire to get married.”

Jeongguk looked at the alpha as he spoke, suddenly feeling sorry. How could they not tell the alpha about the run? He was sure he must feel embarrassed now at having to expose his inability to shift. Jeongguk didn’t have to think much after that. He decided to help spare him the humiliation. Afterall, that’s what mates did, right?

“No Namjoon-ssi. It doesn’t change my mind. The run was rather a formality anyway. We’re already chosen for each other. That is enough,” he smiled, hoping to placate the alpha’s worries with his words.

Except, he saw the alpha’s face fall for a fraction of a second before he schooled his features again. Was it because I said we were chosen for each other, instead of by each other? Perhaps, the alpha was already considering Jeongguk to be his rather than something their grandfathers imposed on them. Maybe… the alpha was falling for him like he was for the other. 

Before he could respond, Jimin, as Jeongguk recalled, came rushing in. 

“Daepyo-nim, there has been an emergency. The board of directors are calling for a meeting. We have to leave as soon as possible.”

The room burst with a variety of scents. Anger, sorrow, anxiety, relief (?), and worry seeped into the air at once, making Jeongguk’s head spin. 

“Well then, let us commence the ceremony here and now then, hmm?” Namhyuk interjected.

The alpha whipped his head to the side, staring at his grandfather like he’d grown another head. “But grandf-”

“The board of directors can wait a bit, can’t they Namjoon? Surely when the chairman and CEO aren’t even there?” he addressed the younger, his hand tightly resting on Namjoon’s shoulders. “Are you okay with this Jeongguk-ah?

That snapped Jeongguk out of his stupor, his mind feeling a bit fuzzy after hearing the suggestion. 

But he wasn’t dressed right. And the clearing by the lake was set up, with everything he wanted. He was supposed to have his ceremony there, surrounded by the pack, and the flowers of his choice, in the dress he wanted. Not here. Not like this. 

But he could smell the spiking scents of both alphas, the way the sandalwood was starting to burn in a very unpleasant way. Probably because he felt the same way too. Or maybe he was worried about his meeting. 

So, he threw all that away. 

“That’s fine,” he blurted out.

“Jeongguk!” he heard his mother cry.

“It’s okay mama. Really. Everyone I need is already here. Why delay it anymore?” he tightly smiled back.

He took a deep breath. He’d read the books. All he had to do was wait until he and his alpha were madly in love with one another, and they’d have a ceremony do-over. 

He was sure of it. He just had to hold on to that. 

So he bit the inner part of his cheek as hard as he could as Yugyeom performed their rights. All up until they exchanged bites. 

“Though this is untraditional, I trust the bites will be exchanged tonight. It is imperative that wolves bond as soon they can to have a prosperous relationship. I trust this will be accomplished, right Namjoon-ssi?” 

The alpha seemed to grunt a response, or maybe he didn’t. Jeongguk was a bit too out of it to notice.

He was married. 

Just like that.   

In a blur of tears and goodbyes, he found himself whisked away into a luxurious car, Namjoon’s grandfather opting to stay back a few more days. It was only after the door was shut and the car started to move did it sink in. He was starting to feel overwhelmed, the concept that he was forever leaving his pack finally catching up with him. He truly thought he would have had a panic attack if not for the soothing scent of sandalwood wafting his way. He turned to his side to see the alpha resolutely looking out the window. He would have imagined the smell, if not for the way the alpha adjusted his collar, exposing more of his scent gland. To anyone else, it could have seemed like a gesture to get comfortable. But to Jeongguk, it was a lifeline the alpha was silently throwing. 

He shifted back in his seat, letting the sandalwood wash over him as he watched the trees change to clear land, then to small buildings that only grew in size the closer they got to the city. He felt his eyes growing bigger with them, the new architecture very fascinating to him. It was completely different seeing the tall buildings in real life than in magazines. 

It was then Jimin started telling him what various things were from the driver’s seat. Jeongguk soaked everything in like a sponge, shooting off his own questions in return. He had chanced a glance at the alpha, who was still staring out the window, so he let him be, instead continuing to talk to Jimin instead. He didn’t even realize when they finally reached their destination, thinking it was just another building, until the car turned in.

Once Jimin was parked, he rounded the car to open the door for the omega.

“Welcome to your new home, Jeongguk-ssi,” he smiled. 

Jeongguk found himself returning it, only to be interrupted.

“Park Biseonim, I believe we’re on a time crunch, are we not?” came the authoritative voice of the older. 

“Of course Daeypyo-nim, let me just get Jeongguk-ssi situated—”

“Call Seokjin to do that. We need to leave. Now,” he boomed. 

Jeongguk watched as Jimin held his tongue helplessly looking from Jeongguk back to his boss then back again. He could sense the turmoil the smaller alpha was feeling, so he decided to put him out of his misery. 

“It’s okay Jimin-ssi. Thank you for your help. I’ll find my way,” he smiled, hoping it didn’t come across as strained as it felt.

He watched Jimin fish out his phone and something else from his pocket. “Here. This is the key to the penthouse. What you’re going to do is go towards that set of doors over there. There will be a slit on the left hand side of the doors. Just put this in there this side up, and then immediately take it out. The doors will open, and you just have to step inside and press the top button. It will take you right to the apartment okay. Seokjin hyung will be here shortly. He’ll help you from there, okay?” 

Jeongguk memorized everything that was said to him before nodding his head. The smaller alpha gave him another look, one filled with so much pity it actually pained Jeongguk, before he finally made to leave. 

Just like that, Jeongguk was all alone. 

He walked towards the doors as Jimin instructed, looking for the slit he was talking about. Once he found it, he put the card in and then took it out, only to hear a loud ding. The sound was so loud it startled him, only to be followed by the doors opening. Jeongguk stood there, so astonished by what he was seeing. But he seemed to have waited too long as the doors started closing on him. In his panic, he all but leapt between the two doors, narrowly making it inside before they fully shut. 

He took a second to steady his breathing, clutching his heart. After finally gathering his bearings, he proceeded to look for the button Jimin told him about. To his utter relief, there were only two. He dutifully pressed the top one, only to panic again when the room started moving upwards. He clutched on the rods behind him, holding on for dear life as the world zoomed past him. Eventually, he made it to the top, slightly dizzy as the world spinned. When he practically fell out of the elevator, he found himself in a very clean, modern looking space. The area was easily twice the size of his own, and it only seemed to continue, at least as far as his eyes could see. It was then he noticed how dark it was too, the moon being the only source of light through the vast, floor-to-ceiling windows. He walked forward, stumbling into a table in front of him and hearing a loud crash. He couldn’t help the whine that escaped him at the noise.

Before he knew it, he was shifting in the middle of the space out of instinct. His night vision in his wolf form was phenomenal, but it only served to frighten him more at the sight of the various, unfamiliar objects in front of him. Not knowing what to do, he plopped down right there, shivering in his spot from his nerves. He was so deep in his head space he didn’t hear the elevator open again behind him. It was only when the unfamiliar scent of vanilla came wafting through that he became alert. He quickly stood up in his place, turning around to see a tall, broad-shouldered man looking at him, his own eyes wide at the scene as he flipped the lights on. Jeongguk took another whiff of the air, only to feel his hackles rise. It was an alpha.

He couldn’t help the distressed chirps that escaped him, trying to back away while looking around for a safe space. It was then the man seemed to shake out of his stupor.

“You must be Jeongguk. I’m Seokjin, I work for Kim Dae—Namjoon,” he calmly exclaimed, not moving an inch from his spot.

At the mention of his alpha, he perked up, standing still but not fully relaxing either. 

“He asked me to come help you since he was trapped in a meeting. I promise I’m not going to hurt you. Look, I'm even mated.” 

The alpha, Seokjin, slowly undid his collar to show matching bites on either side of his neck. Usually it was one, and that too given by the alpha to the omega. It was almost unheard of for an alpha to let himself be claimed. 

But it seemed to be exactly what Jeongguk needed, as he finally shifted back. 

Except, now he was naked. 

Before he could panic, he felt a warm blanket drenched in sandalwood envelope him, immediately making him relax. He felt a purr building in his chest at the scent, unable to help himself.

“Oh, I hope Kim Daepyo-nim wakes up soon,” the alpha sighed. 

Jeongguk made a noise of confusion at that, but Seokjin just brushed it off. “Come on, let me show you the bedroom first so you can get clean and changed, and then I’ll give you a tour. Is that okay?” he softly asked.

Jeongguk just nodded his head, wrapping the blanket tight around him as he followed the alpha even further into the space. 

“Here, you’ll be on this side of the apartment. Everything you need is in the closet over there, including clothes and nesting supplies.”

Jeongguk walked over, opening the door to another neverending space. Just who would need that many clothes? he internally awed.

“Um Seokjin-ssi, does Namjoon–ssi have a separate closet? I only see things for myself here,” he innocently asked. 

“Oh, um, well Kim Daepyo-nim will be staying in his room, while you stay here,” he reluctantly replied. 

 Oh, so we’re at that part of the story. Jeongguk bit his lip at the thought. It only meant when they started sharing a room later, it would be that much sweeter. Instead, he took a deeper inhale of the blanket, earning a confused, but amused look from the alpha.

“Um, come on. Let me show you how the shower works. It’s far too complicated for us mere mortals who would just like a simple bath,” the alpha joked. 

Jeongguk chuckled at the words as Seokjin led the way. The night ended up much of the same. After Jeongguk showered and changed, Seokjin spent the rest of the time helping him familiarize himself with the place. It warmed Jeongguk’s heart to no extent how undeterred the alpha was by his lack of knowledge of basic things he knew city wolves already knew. He almost felt like crying in gratitude. It was well into the night when Seokjin left, leaving him a phone that he helped him learn how to use, with his, Jimin’s, and Namjoon’s phone numbers. 

It was after he finally returned to his bedroom that it hit him. 

He was alone, on his wedding night. 

But that was okay.

Jeongguk was in this for the long run. Things wouldn’t stay the way they were forever, not if he could help it. This was just one night he had to get through. No matter how badly he wanted to let the tears flow in the moment, he wouldn’t. This would just be a bitter memory in the long run anyway.

It was just one night after all. 

~⊱♡⊰~

One night, became two, became three, and eventually, became months. 

Months where Jeongguk was practically the sole occupant of the vast apartment. The only time he would get glimpses of the alpha would be in the morning when he was leaving for work, and nights when he came home and went straight for his room. 

But Jeongguk was undeterred. Every morning he made sure to greet the alpha and pack him a breakfast and lunch, which the alpha actually took. And at night, he made sure to wait for Namjoon on the couch, only to wish him sweet dreams. It may not have been much, but it was far better than the very first week, when he didn’t even see a glimpse of the alpha’s shadow. In Jeongguk's book, this was a win. 

In the meanwhile, he struggled quite a bit, trying to adjust to city life. Everything was so new and shiny to him, he felt so very overwhelmed. If it weren’t for Seokjin and Jimin who helped him as much as they could, he wouldn’t have known how to even do basic things like laundry. But he was always intuitive and tenacious. It might have been hard initially learning, but once he did, he’d be a pro at it by the end of the day. 

The day was supposed to be like every other monotonous day he had had thus far. Except, he had woken up a bit late, finding to his horror that the alpha had already left for the day. He quickly got up, still making lunch for the alpha. This time, however, he was going to hand deliver it himself, seeing how he missed the opportunity to hand it to the alpha in the morning. He hoped maybe a surprise visit would do the trick in finally melting the alpha’s cold exterior. Like any other city wolf, he whipped out his phone and slowly put the name of Namjoon’s building into the maps. To his delight, it was only a fifteen minute walk on a fairly straight path. Navigation had always been his strong suit anyway. He could do this. 

He texted Seokjin letting him know he was coming to the building. The older alpha was out, but he let security know to let him through. As nervous as he was, Jeongguk was delighted to see no one really batted an eye at him. Maybe they think I’m delivery. Whatever it was, he didn’t care. He didn’t want the attention anyway. 

The CEO’s office sat on a floor of its own. So there was only one door, Jeongguk had to approach. He was just about to knock, when he heard voices coming from the slightly ajar door. 

“... are the samples that made it through. Also, which fashion house would you like me to contact for Jeongguk-ssi for this Saturday?” he heard Jimin ask. 

“Why would you contact any of them?” came the other alpha’s voice. “Besides, it’s not like he’ll be able to tell the difference between Forever21 and Fenty.”

“I’m sorry?” Jimin asked in confusion.

“It’s pretty simple. I’m not taking him,” the alpha groaned, ignoring his secretary. 

“Uh sir… he’s your husband.”

“Please Park Biseonnim, a mere formality on paper doesn’t mean anything. No one even knows I’m married. Besides, how am I even supposed to introduce him? For all I know, they’ll ask him his opinion on the latest market trends, and he’ll respond with the prices of carrots and milk going up.”

“Kim Daepyo-nim, I think you’re severely underestimating Jeongguk-ssi. He might end up surprising you.”

“Park Biseonnim, need I remind you that up until last week, he would wash his clothes… in the tub, and then hang them on the balcony. When there was a perfectly functional machine not two doors down from him. God, I swear I don't even know what my grandfather saw in him. He has the audacity to practically move back to that medieval pack and leave me stuck to deal with a remnant of it all on my own. I'm just glad he has the graciousness to return for this damn ball.”  

There was a lull in the conversation after that. Now, Jeongguk was not stupid. He’d read the books. He knew every trope imaginable like the back of his hand. So he absolutely could not walk away right now. Cause this was the part where the alpha lead, after saying a bunch of out-of-context, hurtful, borderline disrespectful things about the omega lead, spoke about how his perspective has changed and he was madly in love with his omega and would burn the world for them.

It was coming, Jeongguk was sure of it. He just had to stick out the searing pain in his chest for a few more moments, and then it was going to be happily ever after. He could do this.  

Except he waited. And waited. And waited.

Only to hear the words that solidified the fact that his life was never going to be a romance novel he wished for it to be. 

“Enough of this, Park Biseonim. I don’t know why we keep discussing this nonsense. Bring me the Compose Coffee files, please. I need to review Taehyung’s contract. Also, get me some Tylenol. Thanks to you and your nonsense, now I have a splitting migraine.”

Everything felt frozen after that, a weird static sound filling his head. Jeongguk wasn’t sure how long he was standing there, staring into the distance. He was startled out of his reverie when the door fully opened. The omega immediately took a step back, desperate to evade the alpha from spotting him. He was met with the wide eyes of Jimin instead. 

“J-” 

Jeongguk quickly lifted his finger to his lips, eyes pleading for the smaller alpha to stay quiet. It was when his hand brushed his cheeks that he realized his cheeks were drenched in tears.

He watched Jimin’s eyes fill with pity before he quickly closed the door behind him, guiding the omega to a more secluded corner. He dug into his coat pocket before producing a handkerchief for Jeongguk to use. 

“Thank you, hyung,” Jeongguk weakly smiled, before taking it in his shaking hands.

He watched Jimin look back and forth between him and the alpha’s office, struggling to formulate words. Jeongguk wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole. 

“Jeongguk, look-” 

“Here hyung,” he quickly wiped his tears before all but shoving the lunch box in Jimin’s face. “I made his favorite, kalguksu (knife cute noodles). If I could trouble you, could you please give it to him? I just remembered I needed to run back home. You know, silly me. Can’t even remember if I left the stove running or not, so I really need to go check. There’s a portion in there for you as well. I hope you both enjoy the food,” Jeongguk rushed out. 

He gave a quick bow before quickly making his way to the elevator. He was able to hold it together the entire way down, quickly exiting when the doors opened after what felt like an eternity. 

He ran out of the building, almost running over Seokjin who was entering the building at the same time, but he kept going. It felt like an eternity later when he finally reached the apartment building. He frantically called for the elevator, hands shaking as tried to press his key card in. When he finally managed to do so, he all but leapt in, pressing the top button like a madman before the doors finally closed. He still managed to keep it together as the elevator inched upward slowly, floor by floor at an agonizing pace to the top floor. It was only when he was in the safety of the apartment that he finally broke down, falling to his knees as the doors closed behind him. Heart-wrenching sobs wracked through him as the alpha’s words played in his head over and over again. 

Fuck, I’m so stupid. Life’s not a book, Jeongguk. Why on Earth would he fall for you? What do you even have to offer? Stupid, stupid, stupid…  

It was then that he finally realized it was about time he really stopped chasing fairytales. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Jimin POV

Jimin entered without knocking. He was the few individuals apart from Namjoon’s grandfather to have that privilege. He watched Namjoon work as if nothing happened, as if it was just another Tuesday. Reapplying a mint balm under his nose as if the reason why he did wasn’t so painfully obvious. As if he didn’t just break someone’s heart beyond repair, even if it was unknowingly. Someone who Jimin had developed a larger soft spot in his heart for than he thought. He supposed that was just Jeongguk’s charm. Find his way into people’s hearts with his bright eyes and brighter spirit.

The alpha instinctively held his hand out for the file, not pausing his reading for a second. The sight irked Jimin an immeasurable amount. He instead plopped the lunchbag unceremoniously into his hand. 

“Ow! Park Biseonim, what the—Oh. *ahem,* he did prepare lunch,” he whispered to himself, before looking back at Jimin. “Is this all that came?”

Jimin wished he could laugh out loud at how nondiscrete the alpha was at checking the door. It didn’t take a genius to know who he was looking for. Instead, Jimin gave him a carefully neutral expression before he uncharacteristically threw the file on the desk, making the other alpha flinch. Before he could give the boss a chance to comment on his behavior, he quickly changed the topic.

“Everything else has been finalized for this Saturday. I even managed to get confirmation from KMG Group.”

That caught the CEO’s attention. “KMG Group? I thought given our history, they would surely say no. The invitation was merely a formality anyway.”

“Ah Daepyo-nim. You see, I can be rather persuasive,” he said with a tight smile. 

“Well, as always, good work Park Biseonim.” 

“Will that be all sir?” 

“Yes, you may return to you-.”

Jimin didn’t even give the man a chance to finish his words before he quickly bowed and exited the office. Maybe it was his boss’ words. Maybe it was the fact that he and Jeongguk were both from Busan, even if it was different parts. Maybe it was the crestfallen look on the omega’s face after hearing such vicious words, but something about the events from earlier today left a very sour taste in his mouth. 

Steeling his resolve, Jimin calmly stood in front of the door, as he fished for his phone in his pocket. He couldn’t fight off the smirk making its way onto his face if he even tried as he dialed a familiar number. The line connected after two rings.

“Hyung, I need your help.”

~⊱♡⊰~

Jeongguk POV

5 days. 120 hours. 7200 minutes.

That’s how much time Jeongguk spent avoiding the alpha like the plague. He continued to do his duties, make breakfast, pick out the alpha’s clothes, pack the alpha’s lunch, but all was done at times he knew for sure he would not come across the alpha. It was messing with his sleep schedule quite a bit, often waiting until the alpha was asleep, and waking up before the alpha’s alarm to get what he needed done. He even began spraying his room and his surroundings with scent neutralizing spray, since his scent had taken on a slight but permanent undertone of tiredness and distress. He was convinced the fatigue was catching up with him because by the third or fourth night, he could’ve sworn he heard knocking on his door in the middle of the night. But it was surely just a hallucination. A byproduct of his dreams finding their crushing end. 

So he really, truly was not prepared to have someone incessantly ringing the door bell around 10am the following Saturday. He knew the alpha wasn’t home. This was the time he typically went on his run. Maybe he forgot the passcode?

An absurd thought, he knew. But who else could it possibly be?

With much trepidation, he made his way to the door, steeling himself for having to potentially face the alpha. Jeongguk wasn’t sure he could do so without bursting into tears, but the other person on the door was too impatient to consider those feelings.

After blowing out a breath, he finally opened the door to see a sight he was not expecting. 

“Jimin hyung?” 

“Yah, Jeongguk-ah, where were you? I’ve been ringing the door bell for ages now. Now, come on. We don’t have time to waste,” was all he said before he all but dragged the omega out of the apartment.

Jeongguk squeaked in surprise, partly impressed with how easily the smaller alpha was manhandling him. He was clearly a lot stronger than he looked. 

“Hyung! Wait, where are we going? I’m still in my PJs!” he whined, unsure of what was going on. 

He watched the alpha look back at him with a grin that could rival the Cheshire cat. “Don’t worry, my dear Jeonggukie. Where we’re going, that won’t be a problem.” 

They made it outside, only to see another familiar figure waiting outside.

“Seokjin hyung? What are you also doing here? Isn’t it your day off?” he asked in shock. 

“Morning to you too Jeongguk. And yes, it is,” he grinned back. It was then Jimin let go of Jeongguk, only to leave a kiss on the other alpha’s cheek. 

Shocked was an understatement of what Jeongguk felt. 

“You and Jimin hyung are mated?!” 

He saw Jimin and Seokjin look at each other before bursting into laughter. “Jeongukk-ah you’ve known us for almost half a year. Are you really just realizing this?” Seokjin wheezed, wiping a stray tear.

Jeongguk pouted at that. “How was I supposed to know? I don’t get to see you guys very often outside the times you're working. And you always wear scent patches.” 

That seemed to sober the two up, fondness and, what Jeongguk was sure, pity washing over their faces. 

“Don’t worry, we’re gonna change that,” Jimin said with a smile, tucking a stray hair behind his ear. 

And just like that, the three of them set off. To where? Jeongguk had no clue. But it was nice to not have to finally spend another weekend cooped up in his apartment. 

The drive wasn’t too long, and before they knew it, they had made it to their destination. It was a nice, quaint looking two-storey house with a white picket fence. Something Jeongguk was much more familiar with. Seokjin had barely parked before the door was whipping open. 

“Ah, my latest project arrives,” a man with an extremely sunny disposition screamed with his arms stretched out. 

“Yeobo, please, he has literally only taken one step out of the car,” came a voice from behind him, fondly shaking his head at the other man before facing the omega. 

Jeongguk, guided by Jimin and Seokjin on either side, approached the house. It was then Jeongguk was properly take in the two wolves. Matching bites sported each other's necks, while the harmonious scent of petrichor and tangerine wafted from the couple. Though, to his shock, the unmistakable scent of alpha came from the taller, more peppy man.

“Aish, let me take a look at you,” the man, or alpha, cooed before taking him by the hands and inspecting him head to toe.

“The audacity of Kim Namjoon to hide you from us. But I can’t say I’m exactly surprised. Now come, we have much work to do.”

Jeongguk was dragged inside without much preamble, only getting a nod of sympathy from the only other omega there. 

After that, everything commenced in a blur. Hoseok, as he learned, wasted no time, throwing him into an outfit that fit him like a glove while asking him everything under the sun. How he managed to do that, he didn’t know. But he had a sneaking suspicion Seokjin and Jimin had a hand in providing his measurements.

Once he was done making his final touches, Yoongi, the other omega, stepped in. Jeongguk was amazed at how quickly and efficiently he worked. He also found he was not much into small talk, which Jeongguk strangely appreciated. He was starting to get a bit overwhelmed after all.

After what felt like an eternity later, Jeongguk was guided in front of a mirror. And the sight nearly brought him to tears. He looked… beautiful. He had been dressed in a white silk suit with a shirt that had ruffles in the front. His shaggy hair had been swooped to the side, with light makeup accenting his natural features. 

“Maybe he’ll think I belong now,” he breathed, a subconscious thought that bubbled out of him. One he did not realize he had said out loud.

It was surprisingly Yoongi who spoke up then. “No,” he calmly said, turning Jeongguk to face him. “You always belonged, Jeongguk-ah.” Jeongguk felt his eyes glossing over. “I may not have known you for long, but I know a diamond when I see one. And you, Jeongguk, are the shiniest one. With or without a makeover. So don’t let an alpha determine your worth. You being you makes you worthy of basic respect Jeongguk. Don’t forget that.”

This time Jeongguk let the tears fall as he hugged the older omega, hard. “Thank you, Yoongi-ssi,” he sniffled into his shoulder.

“Aish, this kid. Call me hyung. Now, come on. I have to fix your make up before you leave. But don’t you dare cry on me again,” he chastised, but Jeongguk could tell there was no real heat to his words.

After having his make-up retouched, he bid the couple goodbye before he was finally whisked off by Seokjin again, Jimin having already gone ahead.  

It was only when he finally sat in the car again, that he couldn’t take it anymore.

“But hyung! Where are we going?”

It was then Seokjin gave him that smile. Maybe it was a mate thing. “We, my dear Jeongguk, are going to a ball!”

~⊱♡⊰~

Namjoon POV

Namjoon mingled around, trying not to sigh. It was the 12th Holiday Charity Ball RKive Entertainment was hosting, and the second one he had taken on the main role for. He saw his grandfather mingling in the corner while he entertained some share holders. But Namjoon couldn’t help feeling like something was missing.  

He took out his mint balm again, rubbing it under his nose as he went over all the details tonight for the nth time. But every time he searched his mind, it kept landing on the same thing, or the same one, he should say. Which didn’t make any sense. 

What Namjoon wanted, Namjoon got.

It was that simple. 

He wanted the omega out of his life. And he got that. 

So why was he so agitated at not seeing the omega for almost a week? He was feeling restless beyond belief at not seeing Jeongguk’s bunny-like smile in the morning, or having his delicious lunches where a smiley would be made with peas over the rice (the current lunches had no smileys), or hearing him bid him a goodnight. Because ever since this radio silence, he in fact has not been having a good night. 

So much so he found himself standing in front of the omega’s door just two nights ago. Even going as far as knocking. Because it wasn’t just the omega. Even his scent was missing from the apartment, and then shook Namjoon to his core more than he ever thought it would. 

He took out his phone from his pocket, going as far as unlocking it and going to his contacts. His thumb hovered over that contact for a minute, something Jimin had programmed into his phone, who knew when, about to finally press down when he heard a gasp of  “Oh my God” near him. He quickly looked up to see what the problem was, only to see quite a few people’s eyes trained on the doors. 

At first, he noticed Seokjin walking in through the door. Namjoon was well aware of how popular the alpha was, despite being mated. Hell, even Namjoon tried to poach him a few times for some modeling gigs, which the alpha politely declined. But it was when he moved to the side, did he understand why everyone was gasping.

There, standing behind the alpha, was the one person who had been relentlessly plaguing his mind. Looking absolutely ethereal. Namjoon may not have had a religion, but he was sure he was seeing an angel incarnate. A being that would make him fall to his knees. His feet were moving before he even realized it, like the omega was reeling him in. Maybe he was. But just as he was about to reach Jeongguk, his path was cut off by Jimin.

“Kim Daepyo-nim. It’s time to make the opening speech,” he smiled, gesturing towards the stage. 

Namjoon looked from Jimin to Jeongguk, who was being introduced to Taehyung by Seokjin, before clenching his teeth.

He let out a harsh sigh, before turning towards the stage. No matter, he’d go to him right after this speech.

Namjoon took the mic to make his opening remarks. It was the same redundant speech given every year, something Namjoon had been hearing his grandfather, then father, say over and over again. He tried to make sure he looked around the room, but he couldn’t help the way his eyes kept drifting to the bar. A place where a certain omega had taken a seat. 

And he also couldn’t help the way his speech completely stopped when he saw Kim Mingyu, of all people, take a seat right next to him, giving him a look Namjoon was all too familiar with. It was a look Namjoon used quite a bit himself, afterall. 

“Enjoy your evening, thank you,” he finished, before practically leaping off the stage. 

Only to have his path blocked by a group of investors, wanting to praise him for his speech and some other bullshit. Bullshit that was keeping him getting where he needed to get to. 

He held in a growl as he politely addressed the people in front of him, eyes continually drifting to the side.

God, this was going to be a long night. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Jeongguk POV

Jeongguk clapped his absolute hardest. Wow, did the alpha have a way with words. He could truly inspire dozens. Only to suddenly stop when he remembered those same words could leave deep wounds as well. 

“Wow, that was a beautiful speech, don’t you think?” he heard from his left. 

“It wa-” he began, only to see an alpha sitting next to him. A very handsome one at that.

“But if I must say, your eyes are even more beautiful.”

Jeongguk flushed deep red at the words, trying his hardest to not let it show in his scent. Was this alpha… flirting with him?

Since Jeongguk had been spoken for since he was practically a pup, no alpha dared to even look his way. Lest they feel the wrath of one Jeon Jeongho.

And as for the alpha he lived with, well… It was safe to say hearing such words was a very new feeling to him.

“Oh, um… uh, t-thank you,” he stammered. 

“No thank you for giving me the opportunity to gaze into them. I’m sure you’ve heard that line a thousand times, and yet I don’t think words will ever be able to express how true they are. I think I could spend hours looking at you.”

Jeongguk felt like the words were trapped in his throat. He helplessly opened and closed his mouth, trying to come up with a response when he heard commotion behind him. 

“... had to fire him. Look! Look at this mess. I should have sued him for the emotional distress this caused me,” an alpha woman scoffed behind him, as her assistant (?) held up a picture of a painting on his iPad.

“Um, but Jessi-ssi. What is the problem? It’s a fairly good painting,” another alpha in the circle asked. 

“You don’t see the very evident problem? Are you serious?” she raised an eyebrow, her scent starting to get irritated.    

“The colors are clashing.”

The words were out of Jeongguk’s mouth before he knew it. He didn’t mean to say it out loud, but it escaped him before he could help it. 

He desperately wished that no one heard a word he said, hoping the words could dissipate in the air. But alas, it seemed luck was particularly allergic to him. Because every head in the circle snapped to him, immediately. 

“You. Come here,” the alpha commanded. 

Jeongguk slowly got up, already feeling the cold sweat coming on as he made his way towards the alpha. As soon as he got close, she snapped her hands twice, signaling her assistant to show the iPad again. 

“Explain,” she demanded, holding up the painting again, one done of a butterfly.

He wringed his fingers in front of him, as he tried not to let the distress he was feeling seep through his scent. “T-this orange has a warm feeling to it. But the purple used is too blue leaning instead of red. S-so they don’t pair well together…” he trailed off towards the end.

He watched the alpha look at him long and hard, like she was scrutinizing him. And then she spoke. 

“Where did you go to school? Who do you work for? How committed are you to your job?” she asked, one after the other. 

“I-I haven’t and I don’t work. I just like to paint and p-play with colors in my free time. I wanted to go to school, but…” My alpha forgot his promise. 

“Doesn’t matter. Zico, hand this man my card.” The beta assistant, or Zico rather, handed him a small card with a name, number, and address on it. “I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning at 9am, sharp.”

With that, she walked off. The group dispersed as well, everyone dispersing for dinner. It was then the alpha from earlier approached him again.

“Beautiful and intelligent, enough to have any alpha bursting with pride. My my, something tells me I might have to keep my heart safe from you, Jeongguk-ssi.”

“Huh?” he blinked at him.

“Well, it seems you might just steal it,” he winked, holding out a card of his own. Jeongguk raised his hand to take it, only for the alpha to gently take his hand in his larger one. “I hope we see each other again, Jeongguk-ssi,” he smiled genuinely this time, before leaving a kiss on his hand and walking away. 

Jeongguk was sure his heart was about to explode any second now.

His mind was still comprehending what just happened, everything just static in his head, when a very familiar scent of sandalwood made its presence known. Before he knew it, he was being dragged behind a pillar, away from prying eyes. He slowly turned his head to see the alpha standing in front of him, looking at him with that oh so familiar look of anger and irritation. He stood there, jaw clenched, poking the inside of his cheek as he stared Jeongguk down.

“What on Earth are you doing here? And why were you talking to Kim Mingyu?” he quietly seethed, trying not to draw attention. 

Like a fog clearing from his mind, Jeongguk started to see. Really see. 

Please Park Biseonnim, a mere formality on paper doesn’t mean anything. 

Beautiful and intelligent, enough to have any alpha bursting with pride.

He took one step back. 

No one even knows I’m married. 

I hope we see each other again, Jeongguk-ssi.

Then another.  

Besides, how am I even supposed to introduce him? For all I know, they’ll ask him his opinion on the latest market trends, and he’ll respond about the prices of carrots and milk.

I’ll see you bright and early Monday morning.

“Where are you going?” the alpha furrowed his brows. 

Jeongguk looked down at the two cards in his hand, and back at the alpha, an eerie calm washing over him. He gave one last broken smile, already knowing in his heart what he needed to do.

“Away,” he breathed, before running off.

“Jeongguk!” he heard behind him, but that did nothing to stop him.

He looked frantically around the hall, finding the trio he was desperately looking for. 

“Hyungs, if I asked you to take me in for a few days before I get on my own two feet, would you?”

The three looked at him with wide eyes, before his fellow omega spoke “Well, it’s about damn time. I’ve been telling these silly alphas since the first day they told me about you that it was time you learned to spread your wings. Now come on, let’s get out of here,” he grinned, forming the biggest boxy shape smile before the four headed off.

“Wait, hyungs!” he suddenly stopped, a new panic coming on. “Couldn’t he fire you three over this?”

Taehyung just playfully rolled his eyes as the other two giggled. “Please. I’m his highest earning idol, and I’d be damned if I let anything happen to my dearest alphas. So sucks to suck for him,” he shrugged before the four of them finally made it out. 

Jeongguk had a feeling he and Taehyung were going to be very good friends.

He wasn’t sure what this would mean for him, but all he knew was he didn’t like the story life had given him.

It was time he made his own. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Namjoon POV

Namjoon loved his job, more than anything. He really did.

But he was sure he was about to commit mass murder if another person stopped him on his way out.

After finally escaping the venue, ignoring the calls of his grandfather, he made his way to his car and took off. He was racing the streets of Seoul as fast as he could, certain he had broken at least seven traffic laws in the process, but he couldn’t care less. 

Away.

That’s what Jeongguk said to him before he practically ran from the hall. 

Namjoon couldn’t begin to explain the dread that filled him at the word. 

What did that even mean? And why did he care so much?

This was what he wanted. He was getting exactly what he asked for. His grandfather couldn’t even be upset with him because he wasn’t the one to break it off.

So why did it feel like something was escaping him? That if he didn’t reach the apartment in time, he’d be too late? 

He barely parked the car, not knowing or caring what happened to it. He was running towards the elevators, frantically jabbing the key card into the slot. After finally getting in, he quickly pressed the button, anxiously tapping his foot while waiting to get to the top.

Except, when he got there, the apartment was pitch black. 

No matter though. Maybe the omega went straight to bed. Except he waited, and waited, and waited, for any sign of life to come from Jeongguk’s room. But he heard nothing. It was the exact silence Namjoon was all too familiar with. The one that existed before Jeongguk ever set foot in the apartment.

“Maybe he’s just clearing his head,” he placated himself.

He decided to wait on the couch, wanting to make sure Jeongguk got back okay from wherever he went.

But again. He waited. And waited. And waited. 

Night changed to day.

Dusk changed to dawn.

And Jeongguk did not return.

And for the first time since his parents, Namjoon felt what true loss was.   

~⊱♡⊰~

A few hours later, equipped with the freshest and largest bouquet of roses he could find on short notice, he rang the doorbell of the familiar apartment. The only other place he could think the omega would be. 

Only to have a very unimpressed figure open the door.

“Kim Daepyo-nim. To what do I owe this pleasure… on my day off?” Jimin asked, a tight but knowing smile on his face. 

“Jimin please. We are not at the office. Just Namjoon is fine,” he smiled, or maybe grimaced, back. 

It was then the strong scent of spearmint hit him full force. He couldn’t help but lean in, his alpha and himself having been starved of it for days. Jimin cleared his throat, staring at the alpha with an eyebrow raised, ready to tell him off, when he heard the sweetest voice come from behind.

“It’s okay Jimin hyung. I’ll see him.”

Jimin apprehensively looked behind him before looking at the alpha again. He made sure to give him a pointed look before moving away, making space for Jeongguk to come forward. Namjoon felt his heart break all over again at the sight of the omega’s puffy eyes and red nose. 

You did that, his mind argued. And he couldn’t even deny it. 

“Jeongguk-ah,” he softly said, waiting for the omega’s eyes to meet him. “I’ve come to take you home.” 

Home. Their home. A place where Jeongguk belonged, not here. Not away from it. Even if Namjoon did a shit job of letting him feel that. He’d fix that, starting from this moment.

“You-you really want me to come back?” he quietly asked.

Namjoon was surprised how easily the answer came to him. 

“I do. I really, really do.” he breathed. “Oh wait, I almost forgot. Here, these are for you.”

He quickly pushed the bouquet in Jeongguk’s hands, hoping he liked it.  

Except, the omega stared at the bouquet long and hard, his spearmint scent turning more and more sour by the second. He thrusted the bouquet back into the alpha’s hands, his bottom lip beginning to wobble.

“I think we’re done here,” he snivelled, before running away.

“Wait Jeongguk—”

“I think we’re done here, Kim Daepyo-nim,” came Seokjin’s voice as he stood in the door instead. “I will see you Monday morning. Then,” he finished before closing the door in his face.  

Namjoon felt his heart racing again, uncertainty and dread mixed with worry and wild thoughts consuming him. It took him a minute to realize—he was panicking. 

He, Kim Namjoon, CEO of RKive Entertainment—a multibillion dollar company, was panicking, 

It was all his mind could focus on from the walk to his car to the drive back home.

And he didn’t like it. Not one bit. 

He didn’t know. But he couldn’t let things stay like this. 

He just had to get the omega back. 

He just had to. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Jeongguk POV

Jeongguk stood on the steps of the art museum for what felt like eternity, staring at the doors until the clock finally read 9am on his phone.

It was bad enough he had already spent the entire night after the ball crying in Jimin’s arms after the adrenaline wore off of what could have been. Only to lock himself inside the guest room and cry for a better half of the day, again, after seeing the alpha. He spent the other half of his day researching his new potential job. He would be lying if he said he wasn’t terrified, but at the same time he was done feeling sorry for himself.

And now here he was, standing in front of his future with Taehyung and Jimin observing somewhere in the back.

If there was someone out there who saw his worth and saw him as valuable, then that’s where he should be right?

After blowing out a breath, he finally opened the doors, only for the beta assistant from before to greet him as soon as he walked in.

“You're here and on time. Good. Jessi-ssi hates people who are late. Now let’s go.”

He was taken straight to the office, not getting a chance to admire any of the beautiful art they passed. Zico knocked on the door before ushering him inside and closing the door behind them.

“Ah, my latest protégé. Come, we have no time to waste.” 

From there, he stayed glued to his new boss’s side. Learning everything there was to know about being an associate curator. He absorbed everything like a sponge, bursting with self-pride when the alpha would compliment his ability to pick up new things. 

“Seriously? You’ve never been to school?” she asked at the end of the day.

Jeongguk gathered his own things. “No ma’am. I have not,” he earnestly replied.

“Well do you want to?”

Jeongguk couldn’t help looking at her like she grew another head. “I’m sorry?” 

“It doesn’t take a genius to see your not of those preppy, spoiled omegas that always frequent those parties. I know potential when I see it. And the museum offers scholarships for art history degrees, if you’re interested. But if not…"

“No!” he blurted. “I mean yes. I mean, I would love to. Please,” he trailed off, cheeks turning a vibrant pink.

The alpha chuckled at the sight. “Cute. Okay I’ll see what I can do.”

The two parted ways, Jeongguk feeling like he was in a daze. How did his life truly flip on its head in just a day?

It was Seokjin who picked him up that evening and brought him home, firing rapid fire questions about his day all the way.  

“Ugh hyung, I’m so tired, but I don’t want to sleep yet,” he pouted, after changing. 

“Well, lucky for you, this hyung here knows the best way to avoid sleep.”

Jeongguk let himself be dragged to another room he hadn’t seen before, only for his jaw drop at the sight. It looked like a scene out of a spy movie the trio had shown him the other day, with at least three computers and a multi-colored keyboard in the center. He was unceremoniously pushed into a chair while Seokjin set up the computer in front of him. 

“Jeongguk, welcome to the world of video games.” 

It was safe to say, Jeongguk very much enjoyed this new discovery. 

And being scolded by Taehyung after finding him and Seokjin still there at 2 in the morning was so worth it.

~⊱♡⊰~

Namjoon POV

“... and this is from the talent and search te—Daeypyo-nim are you okay?” 

Namjoon looked up from his half-dead state. Hair unkempt, unironed suit, and dark circles that could rival the Boogeyman. 

“Am I okay? I haven’t slept in weeks, Taehyung’s demands have only grown, and the Board of Directors haven't stopped breathing down my neck ever since KMG Group formed a new group. And you're asking me if I’m okay?!” he snapped. 

Jimin continued, completely undeterred. “You barely slept as it is. Taehyung’s ‘demands’ entail higher compensation for the money he brings you, and the Board of Directors do this every time a new group debuts from any company. So please enlighten me. Why is it bothering you now?”

 Namjoon stared at his secretary, who stared right back.

“Hm. Anyway, I’ll be heading on my break. Need to check in on the newest addition to our family,” he smiled before moving towards the door.

“Wait!” Namjoon called, immediately standing up.

“Yes Daepyo-nim?” Jimin sweetly smiled, though Namjoon knew there was no sweetness behind it.

“... how, um, how is he?” he whispered out.

“How ‘who’ is, sir?”  

Namjoon poked his cheek with his tongue. “How is Jeongguk?” he gritted.

“Thriving, if I do say so myself. He’s been flourishing at his new job. Guess he’s not so bad for a ‘country bumpkin’ if he caught Jessi-ssi’s eyes, don’t you think?”

Namjoon winced at the words. He did call him that. And he couldn’t even explain how much he regretted it. Deeply so. He felt his scent wilting even more, regret and longing suffocating the air around him. He watched Jimin lick his lips, turning away. Great another one to leave him. Though Namjoon couldn’t say this wasn’t his fault either. 

“He’s gotten into gaming too,” the other alpha supplied unprompted, hand on the door handle. “Seokjin hyung showed him what discord servers were. He was so excited, you know. Thinking he’ll make more friends. I just hope a weirdo doesn’t find him there. You know, seeing how it’s mostly anonymous.” 

With a shrug, Jimin finally exited the office.

Namjoon just slumped back into his chair. It was becoming pathetic how much he was letting this omega affect him. It was even more pathetic how desperately he wanted Jimin to talk his ear off about him. To be able to contact him himself and ask how he was doing. But the last time he had tried, it was abundantly clear that Jeonggul did not want to see him again. So just how was he supposed to get in contact with him?

And then, it hit him. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Jeongguk POV

It was one of the rare nights Jeongguk was on his own at home. The three had gone out on a date, something that was long overdue. Jeongguk did not mind in the slightest. Ever since he fell into the world of gaming, he spent more time than not glued to the computer screen. Plus, the throuple had already done so much for him. They deserved some alone time. 

He was just setting up his account, his discord open on his tab, when he got a notification. When he opened it, it was a friend request from user RM. He was excited at the prospect of a new friend, so he accepted immediately. 

RM: Hey. Want to play a round?

Mnijeongguk: Hi! Sure!

Not a second later, a notification to join a call came, which Jeongguk accepted.

“Hello?” he tentatively spoke.

“Hi,” came the absurdly high pitched sound from the other end.

“Oh no! Is my headset broken?” he gasped, already fearing what Seokjin would say if he found out.

“Your headset is broken?” came the voice from the other side.

“Oh um, well your voice is coming out all funny, and I’m not sure why,” he sheepishly said.

“Haha, don’t worry about that. I just have a voice filter on.” 

“A voice filter?”

“Yeah, it’s, uh, my first time doing this so I decided to play it safe.”

“Oh that’s fair! Hmmm, I wonder if I should have had a voice filter on?” Jeongguk pouted.

“NO! I mean, *ahem* It's fine. It’s not like I know you or anything, haha.”

“Hmmm that’s fair. This is so exciting, this is my first call too you know! I hope we can be great friends! So do you want to play?”

“I’m actually new to the gaming world. Could you show me how to?” 

And that was how Jeongguk ended up spending the entire night gaming with his new friend. He was so happy too! Being able to make friends outside of the ones that were given to him felt so special. And he got to teach someone else something for once, instead of being the one taught. It made his heart giddy with joy.  

With a promise to return the next night, he finally logged off at 3 in the morning.

He couldn’t wait for the next night to come.    

~⊱♡⊰~

Namjoon POV

Namjoon didn’t think it was possible to sleep any less hours than he already did. And yet, this was the most energized he had felt in weeks.

“Morning!” He greeted his staff as he made his way to the elevator. He could feel the stares at the back of his head as the doors closed behind him, but he simply did not care. He was just in too good of a mood. 

Something did not escape his ever observant secretary’s eyes either.

“Well someone seems ready for the day,” Jimin bemused, as he walked into the office with the alpha’s coffee. 

“Well good morning to you too, Jimin-ah,” he smiled. (“Jimin-ah?!” the other alpha gasped.) “Isn’t the weather just lovely today?” 

He watched as Jimin opened and closed his mouth repeatedly. “It’s thundering outside. Quite literally raining cats and dogs.” 

“It is, isn’t it? Anyway, what’s on the agenda today?”

The day passed by like any other, but for some reason Namjoon was anxious for the clock to hit 5pm already. The second it did, he was flying out the office and on his way home, not letting even Jimin stop him on his way out. He hadn’t even taken his suit off before he made his way to his office, opening up the same site from last night.

He sent a message, anxiously waiting for a reply. But instead of a text, he got the notification for a call, making his dimples deepen even more. 

After turning on the filter, he cleared his throat before finally answering.

“Jeongguk-ah!” 

“Hi hyung!” came the melodious voice from the other side. 

“Ready to play?” he asked.

“Yes! But I unfortunately won’t be able to stay on long. I have to go out this evening.”

That immediately put a damper on his mood.

“Where?” It escaped him before he could stop it. “I-I mean if you’re comfortable sharing. You don’t have to if you don’t want to, haha.” 

“Haha, it’s okay hyung. It’s not a big secret. I made a new friend at this party a little over a month ago, and he invited me to dinner.”

A little over a month ag—no, not him. Anyone but him. 

“Is he perhaps an alpha?” he asked, desperately trying to keep his tone nonchalant. 

“Um… yes? How did you—”

“You should stay away from them! Far, far away from them!” he blurted. 

“Huh?” 

“I mean… they can be players. You know? It’s best to not f-fall into their traps,” the alpha stammered. Damn it, why was this messing with him so much?

“Haha, sounds like you’re talking from experience hyung,” the omega chuckled. 

“Um… well…”

“Don’t worry. I’m not ready for anything like that anyway. Not for a while.”

Namjoon went quiet at that. Knowing exactly why. 

“Anyway, let’s play shall we!”

Namjoon welcomed the change in topic, but his focus was stuck elsewhere the entire time. What if Jeongguk ended up falling for his charm? Then, Namjoon was really screwed.

At exactly 7:30pm, Jeongguk bid him goodnight, leaving Namjoon to stew in his thoughts the rest of his night. He was grateful it was the weekend the next day, letting him wallow in his self-pity in peace. 

He could only hope the universe would be so kind as to grant him just one chance to make things right.

Just one. 

~⊱♡⊰~

Another month had passed of Namjoon and Jeongguk continuously talking, with Namjoon’s identity remaining hidden the entire time. He was so grateful Jeongguk never pushed him to reveal himself either. In that time, Namjoon learned a lot about the omega. How lovely his giggles were when he defeated a villain in the game, how competitive he was when he thought he’d lose, how he’d sulk and pout for hours if he did lose. And just how easy it was to talk to him. About anything and everything. He even got to introduce him to Pokemon, a secret hobby he swore he would take to the grave, and Jeongguk told him about the different dishes he would experiment with ever since his Seokjin hyung showed him all types of ingredients. No topic was untouchable. So really, Namjoon should have seen it coming.

“Hyung, it’s Valentine’s day tomorrow.”

“Oh is it?” he pretended to ask. Of course he knew it was Valentine’s day. A holiday he always overlooked and ignored. At least a certain omega made him think about it. Made him want to think about it. “You, um, celebrating with anyone?” he dreadfully asked.

That earned a scoff from the other, a sound he didn’t think a sweetheart like Jeongguk was even capable of producing. “As if.”

There was a silence that was cast after that, neither one saying a word. Until Namjoon heard a small sniffle. 

“Hey hyung?”

“Hmm?”

“You know how there’s that saying, ‘If a tree falls in a forest and no one is around to hear it, does it make a sound?’ 

“Yeah.” 

“So if a person falls and no one is around to catch them, does the heart that breaks as a result make a sound?” 

He heard Jeongguk making himself comfortable on his chair, as he felt his own chest tighten at the words..

“I fell once, hyung.”

Oh, they were about to do this. 

“Fell right in love with a ghost. Someone I could see but not feel. Someone who when I fell couldn’t catch me. Or rather, didn’t catch me.”

Namjoon heard the shatter before he felt it. How his own heart burst in his chest at the words, piercing everything in its path, leaving an unimaginable wake of pain behind. He could only imagine it was a fraction of the pain he made Jeongguk feel. 

“A figment of my imagination if you will. It was my fault really, having all these expectations for someone who I was but a stranger too. A figment of their own imagination, if you will.”

He heard the omega suck in a breath.

“You see, I was in an arranged marriage.”

Namjoon swallowed the lump in his throat.

“It was decided even before I was born. Something our grandads put together for us. And I was okay with it. It was normal where I grew up. And you know hyung? I just love love so much. I looked for it in every book I could get my hands on, every story I ever read. Really! It wasn’t that hard to guess which genre I gravitated towards the most every time my pack alpha asked what kind of book I’d like him to bring for me.”

Namjoon heard more sniffling on the other end before he continued.  

“Ha, I was even convinced I was going to hear bells when I first met them, you know? Like in the books and even in the movies my roommates showed me. And you know what hyung? I did! I heard them loud and clear when I first met him!... If only someone told me they sound a lot like warning bells.” 

The omega let out a humorless chuckle.

“He didn’t even see me cause I was too busy hiding behind my grandfather, but I saw him. And I just decided this was it. It took that one meeting and I had the entire story played out in my head. Even if he was cold to me in the beginning, we would live together, and he’d find that all of my quirks are actually endearing, and I’d do the same, and then eventually we’d profess our undying love for one another, and then get married again, but this time because we wanted it, not because we were forced to.”

Namjoon bit his own lip as hard as he could, trying not to match the omega’s tears with his own.             

“Y-you see, in all of this, I never accounted for the fact that he didn’t have to fall for me. That I could just be stupid and naive.”

“Jeong-”

“How could I be so, so stupid?” the omega sobbed over and over again. “Life isn’t like the books. Love isn’t like a movie. And it’s about time I grow up.”

No, please don’t. Not when I’ve finally grown up myself, the alpha pleaded in his mind. 

“Did you know I almost took him back? I was this close to taking him back all because he came to me with freaking flowers! It wasn’t until he handed me the bouquet that I snapped out of it.”

The alpha let out a confused sound. It had always bothered him how that day played out. Well, how everything played out. But that was one thing he could not find the answer to no matter how hard he tried. 

“What do you mean Jeongguk-ah?”

“He had gotten me roses,” he sniffled even harder. 

“Okay…?” The alpha was confused. Was that not the right thing for him to do? 

“Hyung… My favorite flowers are tiger lilies.”

And that’s when Namjoon realized he was probably the biggest idiot on the planet.

“We spent almost half a year together. I religiously put tiger lilies and clematis in the flower vase on our dining table. And he got me roses. He probably doesn't even know what those flowers mean.” 

Namjoon heard the cracks in his voice, but felt it in his heart.

“Did I really mean so-so little to him, that he didn’t even pay attention to me that much?” Jeongguk continued to sob. 

The alpha winced at the words, knowing there was nothing he could say to prove otherwise other than that he was an idiot. A very, very dense, obtuse idiot. “Um, b-but, not to, uh, defend your alpha or anything, but, uh, you seem like a roses kind of guy. Like from your words I mean.”

“I am, but only on Valentine’s Day, with chocolates. Any other day, I want tiger lilies,” the omega sniffled, Namjoon being able to hear his pout clear as day.  

Noted. 

“Uh… not to play devil’s advocate once again or anything, but m-maybe the alpha is really sorry and wants to make up for all his wrongdoings?”

“How would you know hyung? And weren’t you the one warning me about alphas? Telling me— what was it—oh yeah, to stay ‘far, far away from them’?” the omega wetly chuckled.

One day Kim Namjoon will say something intelligent that actually helps him. One day. 

But it was not today. 

“Um, what I meant was, stay far, far away from-from weird alphas. You know there’s some alphas who are playboys, but there’s others who may have been bad in the beginning, but then they change, and I think they should get the chance to repent. You know make up for all their wrongs, and potentially be able to show how sorry they are. Just saying… food for thought really…Totally up to you what you want to do.”

“I understand what you mean, hyung. But it’s safe to say my alpha, or I guess ex-alpha, isn’t like that. Let’s just say he’s ashamed of me. And I… I deserve to be someone’s pride,” he snivelled.

Namjoon didn’t know what to say to that. He was this omega’s perpetrator through and through. And no amount of take-backs was going to change just how sorry he was. Truly, deeply was. Especially for not shouting to the high heavens that he got to marry someone as amazing as Jeongguk. It’s as the saying goes—you don’t know what you’ve got until it’s gone.

 And yet, he was still too selfish to let him go. Not without a fight. 

“You do, you really do. Maybe you even are,” he whispered, the last part. 

“Anyway, thanks for listening, hyung. Sorry, but I don’t think I’m in the mood to game anymore. I’ll come back tomorrow instead if you’re free too. Not like I’ll be elsewhere,” he huffed.

“I’ll be here too Jeongguk-ah. Wouldn’t want to be anywhere else.” 

The two bid each other goodnight, leaving Namjoon to ponder over everything he just heard in his head. Everything from Jeongguk’s point of view. And fuck was it bad. 

Ex-alpha. The title seared in his chest. 

Not if I can help it. 

He knew Jeongguk deserved someone better than him. Someone who would cherish him from the start. But Namjoon would be damned if he gave up just like that. 

He may have been an idiot and an asshole before, but he was done being stupid. 

He was going to get his omega back, no matter what. 

~⊱♡⊰~

“Hyung, hyung you will not believe what just happened today!”

It was 5:30pm, their usual meeting time when Jeongguk called him first. It wasn’t like he was already hovering around his computer, anxiously waiting for the call or anything. Most definitely did not pick up within a second of getting the notification either. He was totally casual about it.

“What? What happened?!” he responded, hoping his voice didn’t betray his true emotions.

“When I got to work today, I was getting ready to start the day when I had a bouquet of roses waiting for me at the entrance! And then they kept getting delivered to me every hour. And then at the very last hour, there was a giant box of chocolates that came with the largest bouquet. My heart felt like it was going to burst!”

Namjoon couldn’t help smile at how happy the younger one sounded. It made the constant phone calls to the flower shop worth it, making sure everything was delivered on time. 

“But I’ll sadly have to return them.”

Namjoon whipped his head towards the screen so fast, almost herniating a disc in his neck. “What?! Why?” 

“I don’t want to lead anyone on hyung. I find Mingyu-ssi quite attractive, and don’t want to speak on behalf of my future self. But I still need a bit of time for my heart to heal, you know? Maybe when I’m in a better headspace, it would be easier to accept all this.” 

Namjoon was pretty sure if Kim Mingyu was in front of him right now, he’d be in jail for murder. And it wouldn’t even be able to be ruled accidental. It would be a very deliberate, painfully slow murder.

He tried to keep his voice as calm as possible when he asked. 

“And why do you think it was him? Was there a, uh, note?” 

“Well, no. But he’s the only alpha I know that’s interested in me. I mean, who else would go out of their way for me like this?”

ME! I would! I did! 

He wanted to shout it so badly, but on what grounds? Of course Jeongguk’s mind wouldn’t jump to him. He treated him as less than the scum on the bottom of his shoe. Why would the omega ever think he’d do that for him?

And the worst part was, it didn’t stop the pain of the semi-rejection from piercing his heart. Once again, he wondered if this was how Jeongguk always felt when he would so lovingly make him his lunches, only for Namjoon to not say a word in return.

“M-maybe you should keep an open mind. It could have been that other alpha of yours, trying to win you back,” he still prodded. 

“Ha hyung, you're really funny. I promise he’s probably the last person who would. Anyway, ready for a round? I can’t believe we’re so close to the final boss!”

Namjoon let himself and the conversation be diverted, knowing there was no way he could reveal himself, lest he lose the little he has gained here with him. 

But he’d be damned if this ends here. He was going to make the omega fall for him all over again. 

Or he’d die trying.

~⊱♡⊰~

His next move found him fulfilling a promise he made forever ago. Something Jeongguk reminded him of the other night. Once again, Namjoon found himself adding to his ever growing list of Reasons Why Kim Namjoon is the Worst Person to Walk the Planet Earth. 

“Hyuuuuuung I’m sad again,” the younger pouted.

“What happened? Who do I have to fight? Just drop a name,” the alpha perked up, already reaching for his keys.

That earned a delighted giggle from the omega, making Namjoon’s heart flutter again. “Hmmm maybe fate. It and I have a lot of beef apparently,” he ended with a sigh.

“What happened, Jeongguk-ah?”

“Well the place I work at. They offer scholarships for certain degrees, and I had applied to one. But I… got rejected.”

Namjoon felt a bucket of ice water was dumped on him. 

Right, because Jeongguk wanted to go to school. And Namjoon promised he’d help him go to school. 

God, he should find the world’s smallest puddle and just drown in it.  

“Did they, um, tell you why?”

“Um, well… did I ever mention my ex-alpha was pretty well off? They ran a background check on me and saw I was married, and they asked for me to provide our joint income. They wouldn’t listen when I told them we were separated, and well… let’s just say they determined I didn’t need it.” 

Great, another thing Namjoon had ruined for him. Was there really no end? 

“Uh… That’s really sad. I hope you find another way to pay for school.” 

He changed the subject after that, getting back to the game to help distract the younger. 

On the side, he made a note to contact Jessi. It was a good thing she owed him a favor anyway.

~⊱♡⊰~

A week later found the two spending the evening as they had routinely done by now. It was supposed to pass by like any other, them in their usual bubble together.

Except, the omega was acting a bit strange.

“Hyung. I got another scholarship,” he said with no preamble. Almost rushed.

“Oh, that’s great Jeongguk-ah!” 

Namjoon thought that was the end of the conversation, but the omega continued on. “Yeah, it is great hyung.” A pause. “Hyung, I wanted to eat at this new cafe.”

A bit random but Namjoon could roll with that. His omega was rather bubbly anyway. “Oh really? Where is it?” 

“It’s in Seoul. It’s called Moonchild. Fairly new. The waitlist is almost a month long.”

Namjoon was already typing it into Google, making note of the number. “I hope you get bumped up on the list Jeongguk-ah.”

If he got bumped that exact evening, well it’s a good thing the cafe owner was a friend’s dad. 

The next day Jeongguk didn’t mention anything, which was weird because he usually always talked about his day. But soon, Namjoon found out the reason why.

“Hyung, I think I’m going to throw up. Tomorrow’s my first solo exhibition with all the art picked by me. I’m so nervous. What if no one buys anything?” he whined into the mic.

As if Namjoon wouldn’t buy the whole gallery in a heartbeat if it made Jeongguk happy. 

“Don’t worry Jeongguk-ah, I’m sure someone will purchase something. Something tells me you have good taste.”

“And you would know hyung?” 

The way the omega said it stirred something in Namjoon. It almost sounded… flirtatious. 

“I would. You befriended me, so that must mean you have good taste, right?” he teased back.

“A little full of ourselves, aren’t we hyung? Who said you were my friend?” the omega giggled back.

“You’re right. I can be more instead.” 

Silence. 

Unequivocal, absolutely-loaded silence filled the space between the two. Quiet enough to hear a pin drop.

Ah, fuck now I’ve done it.

He was just about to try and take it back, salvage this somehow, when Jeongguk spoke again. 

“Maybe… you already are.” 

Before he knew it, Jeongguk quickly ended the call. But Namjoon sat there, unflinchingly staring at the screen. 

Fuck, did he know? Or was he falling for this version of Namjoon instead? Did that mean he couldn’t let him know who he was? Or that if he did, it wouldn’t and as disastrously as he thought? 

The thoughts lingered with him as he opened the door to the gallery, donned in a facemask and bucket hat. He had even gone as far as wearing a scent patch, desperate to go unnoticed. But he couldn’t miss today.

It was his mate’s first exhibition after all.

He made his way around the familiar gallery, the theme of the exhibit being What is Your Love Song? 

It would be just like Jeongguk to choose a love-based theme, he chuckled internally. 

As predicted, all the pieces chosen were absolutely wonderful, creating a cohesive narrative to be enjoyed by patrons. However, it wasn’t until he got to the end of the hall that something really caught his attention. 

It was a painting of two wolves resting their foreheads against each other. The white wolf had its eyes closed in trust, while the black ones remained open, almost staring at the other. A domesticity reflected in the painting that made Namjoon’s chest ache.

He bent forward to read the inscription, only for his breath to catch in his throat.

Euphoria by Jeon Jeongguk. 

He wasted no time, stopping an assistant who was passing by. “Excuse me. How much for this piece?”

“Oh I’m sorry, sir. This one isn’t for sale.”

“Please, I must have it. I’ll pay any amount you ask,” he desperately pleaded.

Namjoon watched him contemplate, before another man came forward. The one he recognized as Jessi’s assistant. “It’s okay Minjun, I got it,” he said to the other beta before turning back to him. “If you could follow me, we can go ahead and process the payment.” 

After everything was finalized, the beta turned to him, smiling in… amusement. 

“I hope you enjoy the painting,” he bowed before taking his leave. 

Namjoon, for his part, had the painting delivered to his office and hung immediately, too preoccupied to pay the beta’s behavior any mind. He couldn’t help but want it to be admired by everyone. 

After all, his omega was the one who painted it. 

That night, Namjoon waited in front of the computer as usual, eager to hear how happy the omega probably was at a successful exhibition. But instead of a phone call, he received a message. 

One that made his scent sour in sadness. 

MniJeongguk: Hyung, I have to go back to Busan, so I won’t have access to the internet. Will you… wait for me to come back?

His reply was instant. 

RM: I’ll wait forever for you Jeongguk-ah. I hope you have a safe trip.

And he meant it. Even if these days without him were going to feel like torture, he’d endure it. If only it meant he’d come back to him.

~⊱♡⊰~

Three days had passed since Jeongguk had left. Three mind-numbing days of wishing time would just move faster.

He was just passing by the break room on his way to the meeting about his company's evaluation of him as CEO, when he heard the voices. 

“Yeah, I’m glad Jeonggukie finally gained the courage to go home. I know he was missing it terribly,” came Taehyung’s familiar voice. 

“Can you blame him? His pack isn’t as progressive as city life. And even here he’s been subjected to the constant ‘Where’s your alpha?’ or ‘What happened to your alpha?’ People are relentless.” That was Seokjin.

“Hmm, I’m glad he at least has Mingyu with him. They’ll be just in time for the run this year,” Jimin chimed in. 

He’s with who?!

“You don’t think Mingyu’s going to run for Jeongguk, do you?” Seokjin asked. 

“I mean, Jeonggukie is single, and according to Busan Pack customs, a couple is only considered fully mated if they bear each other’s mark. Paper agreements mean nothing. So who’s to say Jeongguk can’t—”

Namjoon was flying out of the building faster than his legs could carry him. 

No, no, no. He said to wait. He said he’d be back.

His thoughts wouldn’t stop racing as he ran to his car. 

He felt his phone buzzing incessantly, most likely Jimin asking where he disappeared right before such a major meeting.

But he didn’t care.

The minute he started the car, he floored it. The run wasn’t for three days, but he couldn’t remember if there were any customs that happened prior. If only he fucking paid attention. 

There was no time to waste. 

The drive was supposed to be 5 hours but he completed it in 3.5. He didn’t even know where he stopped the car, just that he was at the pack border. Before he had his grandfather to guide him, but now he was utterly lost. Still hopped up on adrenaline, he trusted his gut and moved forward, only to quickly realize this was not the way he originally entered the pack. But that didn’t stop him in the slightest. 

After traversing through mud, having his feet sink into various holes, and being covered head to toe in scratches and sap, he saw some houses. He was pretty sure he was cutting through someone’s backyard, but the person was kind enough to point him in the direction of the town center. Another hour probably passed before he saw the familiar clearing, almost running forward in relief. It was quiet late at this point, only a few wolves out and about. But Namjoon paid no mind. He had only one target in mind. 

A target that stopped him in his tracks once he called out for him. .

“Hyung?” 

Namjoon could have cried, or he probably did, when he turned around and saw a sight for sore eyes.

“Jeongguk-ah…” he breathed, hobbling over to the shocked omega before crushing in his arms. “Oh thank God I found you!”

“Hyung, what the—what happened?! Why do you look like that? Come on we need to—”

“I’m sorry!” the alpha blurted. He couldn’t take it anymore. He didn’t care if he was full blown crying at this point. His pride meant nothing if it meant losing the one thing that gave his life meaning. 

“I’m sorry it took me so long. I’m sorry I was an asshole. I’m sorry I made you waste your feelings on me. I’m sorry my pride meant more to me. And… I’m sorry for saying all this when you have every right to move on from me. When you probably already have. I just… I—I’m in love with you Jeongguk.”

He watched the omega’s eyes widen at the confession. “I am. I think I started to feel for you a long time ago. But I was an egoistic, prideful asshole, who hurt you and said stupid things and you probably hate me, and if you don’t, you really should hate me, and mmph—”

Soft lips met his in a kiss that made his toes curl. He felt himself stiffen, shocked by the turn of events, before fully relaxing into the feeling of the omega. He tentatively brought his hands to Jeongguk’s waist, pulling him in as Jeongguk winded his arms around the alpha’s, leaving tender kiss after tender kiss. He sighed at how soft and warm and right the omega felt against him like this. 

It was Jeongguk who pulled back first, making Namjoon whine a bit at the kiss being cut short. He chased after the omega’s lips again only for the omega to chuckle as he moved further back.

“Wow, do you talk a lot, alpha,” he chuckled. “Which is funny, cause I spent our entire marriage thinking you were simply incapable of making conversation.”

Namjoon felt his scent sour a bit, bowing his head in shame. “I’m sorry.”

“You know you’ve said and done some really hurtful things,” the omega sighed.

“I know.”

“Do you? Cause I don’t think you even know the half of it. What was it you said? Ah yes. ‘A mere formality on paper doesn’t mean anything.’” 

Namjoon felt his eyes widen at the words. He heard him that day? Oh, things were a lot worse than he thought. He began to panic, his scent souring even more rapidly when Jeongguk took a step back out of his hold. 

“Wait Jeongguk—” 

“Okay,” the omega calmly said. 

“Huh?” he asked, confused.

“You're right. It is a mere formality,” he agreed.

Namjoon looked back at the omega, his heart threatening to beat out of his chest. “I know I said that, but—”

“You want me? Then earn me,” he said before turning to leave. “Oh and the way to your grandfather’s is a straight shot up that path there. Otherwise, I’ll see you at the run.” With one final smirk, he sauntered off. 

Namjoon stood there, absolutely dazed at the turn of events. He also couldn’t help but notice the way the omega’s hips swayed as he walked away, that tiny waist meeting a full ass—

Fuck, he had to focus. Jeongguk said he wanted to meet at the run. But that would mean… 

He wanted Namjoon to run for him. 

And Namjoon couldn’t shift.

“Fuck,” he cursed. 

He knew it wasn’t going to be easy, but God damn he didn’t think it would be impossible. And if Mingyu was somewhere in the pack too… No! 

No matter what, he was going to shift and win his omega.

He’d do whatever it takes to make that happen.

~⊱♡⊰~

He was not going to shift and lose his omega. 

Three long days went by of him staying at his grandfather’s place, forcing himself to shift. He looked up everything he could in the pack library, even going as far as setting his pride aside and asking his cousin for help. 

But nothing.

His asshole alpha refused to help him now. Which he could understand was because he spent almost his entire life suppressing him.

Once again, if it wasn’t the consequences of his own actions.

“Listen here asshole,” he said in the mirror. “I know you have an axe to grind with me, but are you seriously going to be a prideful bastard up until the end? Do you not care in the slightest if we lose our omega?” 

That got a stir.

“Seriously, you want that asshole Mingyu or some other alpha taking what’s ours?”  

Another stir, but that was it. Fucking hell. 

“Fine, I’ll run on my own two feet if I have to. But if we lose Jeongguk in the process, don’t come crying to me.” 

He changed into the clothes for the run, courtesy of Yugyeom, and made his way over, greeting pack members on his way there. He was surprised, despite everything, how cordial they still were, some even trying to help him with his shifting process or encouraging him along the way. It only made the guilt of his judgments weigh heavier on his conscience. 

He made it to the edge of the forest, when he saw him, his heart kicking up a beat at the sight of him. Jeongguk was standing with the omegas, cooing at Eunwoo’s pup while mingling with the others, also dressed for the run. It was like he felt his presence, cause he abruptly stopped talking, turning to look in his direction. 

He gave a small smile, one Namjoon returned with his own, hoping he could convey a confidence he wasn’t feeling.

“Gorgeous, isn’t he?” came a voice behind him.

Sure enough, despite his best hopes, stood Kim Mingyu, also looking in the same direction as he was. He then gave the alpha a smirk, one that grated on Namjoon’s nerves.

“May the best alpha win,” he winked before moving away.

Finally, he felt his alpha perk up, immediately growling within him. He didn’t know this, but his eyes were shining a bright red, his alpha having not taken too kindly to the challenge. Good. 

“Alright, everyone, it is time to begin.” Yugyeom announced. “Omegas, stand in position.”

Namjoon was barely paying attention, all his attention focused on Jeongguk. “Alright. On the count of three. 1…2…3…Go!” 

Just like that, all the omegas took off, shifting mid sprint. Namjoon watched in awe as a snow white wolf dash amongst the other dusky colored wolves, making him stand out easily. Something that didn’t go unnoticed by the other alphas as well.

“Damn, Jeongguk has always been so easy to spot. Grabs all the alphas’ attention,” one laughed.

But Namjoon did not find it funny.

It only served to anger his alpha even more. Mine, mine, mine, it kept chanting.

“Alright alphas, at the ready.” 

Namjoon stood at attention, feeling the adrenaline beginning to pump through him. “Okay. On the count of 3. 1…2…3… Go!”

The feeling overwhelmed him an instant. One second he was standing on two legs, the next, he felt four paws hit the ground as he took off full speed. He didn’t even have time to think about what happened, his mind overwhelmed with one thought: Must find omega, must find omega, must find omega.

It didn’t take him long to pick up on the delicious scent of spearmint amongst the other dozens of smells. He didn’t care for any other after all. 

He made his way deeper into the forest, making his way past shrubs and fallen trees with an agility he did not know he possessed, until he found himself near a small waterfall. The view was breathtaking, something picturesque. But what made it even more gorgeous was the sight of the white, angelic omega who sat perched on a rock, swishing his tail in nonchalance. Namjoon slowly stalked forward, snapping a branch that caught the omega’s attention. Jeongguk perked up immediately at the sound, snapping his head in the direction. Only for his eyes to meet the alpha’s. 

The two eyed each other for a while, neither moving a muscle, before Jeongguk took off again. Namjoon did not know what to do, but his wolf did. The alpha was right on his tail, just a step or two behind. Once they made it to a clearing, he pounced, pinning the omega to the ground as he held him in a scruff with his teeth, careful not to press too hard. The omega let out a loud whine, making the alpha remove his hold. Instead he caged him with the paws, while the omega went belly up beneath him. After staring at each other for a few seconds, the omega completely relaxed, head tilted away in submission.

The alpha used the opportunity to scent mark the omega, licking everywhere he could, making sure not an inch of him went without his scent. Jeongguk used the opportunity to shift back in response.

“All right alpha, we got it,” he giggled. “Now I only smell like you.”

Jeongguk lifted his fingers to run through Namjoon’s fur, which the alpha thoroughly welcomed, leaning into the touch. “Your fur is black, just as I thought,” he marvelled. “Is that why you bought the painting, Alpha? Did you already know what your fur color would be?” he purred.

Namjoon used the opportunity to shift back then as well, running his hands up and down the omega’s soft skin. “No, I bought it because—wait, what? I mean, w-what painting? I don’t know a painting,” he stammered. 

“You know, the painting of the two wolves. The one I wasn’t going to sell, but I changed my mind after seeing who was the one asking for it and sent Zico-ssi to process the sale for me. Also, thank you for the roses, and the chocolates, and the scholarship, and the hundreds of other things.” 

Namjoon blinked down in shock at the omega who, to his detriment, was thoroughly enjoying this.

“... you knew? The whole time?”

The omega let out a whole body laugh, nose scrunching so beautifully while smiling so wide, Namjoon couldn't even be mad. “No, not the whole time. I honestly got suspicious after the whole scholarship thing. And automatically thought you were one of those creeps Jimin hyung kept warning me about. It wasn’t until I had gone to the cafe that the manager had accidentally said to give you my regards. And then all the puzzle pieces sort of fell into place after that.”

“But… you talked to me again? Told me about the exhibition.”

Jeongguk blushed beautifully at the words, Namjoon only now realizing he could appreciate how deep it truly ran. “Well because… I still wanted you there. Before, I might’ve fallen in love with the idea of you. But these past few months let me fall in love with the real you. Granted, you didn’t lie to me about anything again.”

“I didn’t. Not again. Never again,” the alpha frantically shook his head. 

The omega moved his hands around Namjoon’s neck, pulling him closer. “Good. Cause I didn’t either. I meant it when I said you meant more to me.”

This time it was Namjoon who leaned down first, capturing Jeongguk’s lips in a bruising kiss. Obscene sounds of lips clicking filled the forest, only to be joined by Jeongguk’s low moans when the alpha would swipe his tongue in his mouth. 

Namjoon could smell the slick beginning to leak out of Jeongguk, his dick twitching in response. He had to stop this now, before he took it too far. He pulled back, only to earn a very displeased whine from the omega.

“Jeongguk, baby, we have to stop now,” Namjoon panted.

Jeongguk, instead, clung on even harder, trying to force the alpha’s lips back on to his. “No! I want this now. I’ve waited way too long for this.”

The alpha chuckled in response, finding the omega absolutely adorable. “But baby, there will be plenty of time. And I thought you wanted to get married again.” 

“I do, and we can do it again then too. Just don’t bite me now. Joonie please! We would’ve already done it by now anyway, if someone wasn’t too busy avoiding me like the plague.”

Namjoon wasn’t even focused on the insult. “You called me Joonie.”

“I’ll call you a lot more things if you don’t fuck me already. Please!” he whined again, lifting his hips to try and meet the alpha’s.

Namjoon immediately pinned him down, the display of strength making the omega let out a low moan. “Oh, and what do we have here? Looks like I have a brat on my hands. A bit mouthy, aren’t we?” Namjoon chastised, already inching his way back to the omega’s lips.  

“Well if that’s the case, then maybe you should shut me—ah,” the omega obscenely moaned as Namjoon licked a long stripe up his neck, making sure to capture his scent gland in his path. 

“Only good omegas get what they want. Are you going to be good for me?” he growled low in his ear.

Namjoon felt his head spin at the spike in Jeongguk’s scent at his words. Fuck he was perfect. “Yes alpha,” came the obedient response.

“That’s a good omega. And good omegas get rewards. Go ahead, spread your legs for me, baby.” 

Jeongguk immediately did as told, allowing Namjoon to sit back, eyes dilating at the way the omega’s thighs were soaked. 

“Fuck, your so wet,” he marvelled, running his fingers through the slick that would’t stop gushing. 

Like a moth drawn to a flame, he felt himself leaning in, tongue coming in contact with soft, plush thighs. He felt the omega jolt at the sensation, a soft moan escaping him, only to open his legs even further. And Namjoon wasn’t one to turn down a free meal.

He dutifully licked at each thigh, letting his teeth catch on the skin along the way. Beautiful, purple bruises littered the milky, unblemished flesh, making the omega shudder beneath him. With pure reverence, he finally parted the full ass, shuddering at the softness in his hands, before fixing his gaze on the fluttering hole. God it looked so wet, so tight. He felt the omega squirm in his hold, shifting his hips up, beckoning the alpha to do something.

And who was he to not answer his omega’s call?

Namjoon quickly flipped Jeongguk around, earning a gasp as he rearranged the omega onto all fours. He grabbed each cheek in his hands, groaning at how well they fit in his palms before parting them again. This time, he didn’t tease.

He dove straight in, licking a broad stripe from the omega’s balls to his hole, earning a loud moan. He lapped at the dripping hole like a man starved, not letting a single drop of slick fall to the ground. 

“Oh alpha, please,” the omega continued to moan, spreading his legs further as he dropped his head to the ground. 

Namjoon did not let up. He sucked at the hole, finally feeling it loosen before slipping his tongue in, making Jeongguk go completely limp beneath him. He groaned at the feeling of the hole pulsing around his tongue as he thrust in and out in quick succession. Soon, a finger joined, letting him reach even deeper. He knew he found what he was looking for when the omega jolted beneath him with a startled cry. 

“Ah, alpha again, again,” Jeongguk sobbed, desperately chasing the feeling. 

Namjoon removed his mouth, now earnestly stretching the omega. “No baby, I can already feel you're about to come, and you're going to come on my cock. Think you can do that for me?” 

The mention of his cock made the omega even more desperate, making him frantically nod his head. “Yes, yes yes. Alpha, fuck me, please fuck me,” he whined, tears starting to fill his eyes.

Fuck, Namjoon felt like he was gonna come on the spot just at the sight of him. Deciding to cut the torture short for both of them, Namjoon slowly inched his fingers out. 

“Ready baby?” he asked, already lining up.

Instead of a yes, he watched the omega turn back around, laying on his back as he beckoned the alpha closer.

“I-I want to see you for my first time,” he whispered, cheeks tinting in that rosy blush again. 

Namjoon leaned down to capture his lips in a sweet kiss.“Our first time, my love. I’ve never gone all the way with anyone,” he whispered between them. He couldn’t help but laugh at the possessive spike in Jeongguk’s scent. “Does that make you that happy, my omega?”

Jeongguk pouted in return. “Yes, you're mine. And I’m yours.” 

“Forever, baby,” the alpha murmured back, before taking his lips again. 

He lined himself up before slowly inching forward, pausing and waiting every few seconds for the omega to adjust before continuing. When he was finally fully in, he felt like his dick would snap off, cause fuck, was the omega tight. Jeongguk, for his part, wound his legs around his waist, clenching and unclenching at the new sensation. Namjoon continued to attack his neck, marking him everywhere he could as Jeonggul tilted his head back, mouth open. Namjoon was sure if he didn’t start moving now he was going to blow his load before they even began.

Slowly, with as little room as he had, Namjoon pulled back only to thrust in again. He repeated the movements until he had a rhythm, groaning into the omega’s neck while the other continuously moaned in his ear. He felt nails scratching at his back as he began to pick up the pace, but that paled in comparison to how good he was feeling. 

“Fuck Joonie, alpha, I’m gonna come. I’m gonna come, ah,” Jeongguk sobbed, writhing more and more as his climax steadily approached. 

“Me too baby. Gonna knot you so good, you'll feel it for days,” he gritted, moving faster and faster.

“Alpha, alpha, alpha” the omega chanted, body arching off the ground as the knot locked into place. Namjoon felt the cum spurt between them. The feeling coupled with how hard Jeongguk was clenching around his knot pulled him over the edge, spilling inside the omega. 

It felt like he was coming for forever, his vision going slightly black as a ringing sound filled his ears. “Fuck,” he grunted as he made his way back to Earth. 

Once he had gathered more of his bearings, he turned them both, carefully moving onto his back so Jeongguk could rest on top. They stayed like that for a moment, both catching their breaths. 

“That,” the omega breathed, “...was so much better than the books,” the omega ended with a chuckle.

The alpha couldn’t help but laugh back. “Exactly what books are you reading?”

“Don’t worry about that, Alpha. I’ll make it a later problem for you,” he smirked, before making himself more comfortable and fully resting on the alpha.

The two remained like that, basking in the afterglow, only for Namjoon to realize no one had come this way. As a matter of fact, the only one on Jeongguk’s trail the entire time was him. Not even Mingyu. 

“Baby?”

“Hmm?” the omega sleepily hummed.

“What exactly is Mingyu doing here?”

He felt the omega sigh against his skin, making him shiver a bit as the omega hugged him tighter. “He was curious about what a traditional pack looked like. I offered to show him, and what better time than the Summer Solstice, you know? Imagine my surprise when the minute we got to the town square, he spotted Wonwoo hyung. And all of a sudden nothing else exists to him. It was cute honestly, watching him trail after hyung like a lost puppy. They’re like a stereotypical black cat and golden retriever combo. Kind of like Yoongi hyung and Hoseok hyung. And that’s how he found himself a part of the run. You know, now that I think about it, I hope Mingyu was able to catch him. Wonwoo Hyung may look nonchalant, but I know he’d make him work for it.”

At some point Namjoon had stopped listening. Not that he meant to, but the shock of the revelation wouldn’t leave him. So Mingyu wasn’t here for Jeongguk?

“Wait, so he wasn’t running for you? What about the other alphas?” 

Well that seemed to be the wrong thing to say, as Jeongguk’s scent spiked in irritation. 

“And why would anyone else run for me? We literally got married in this pack. Our marriage may have been a ‘mere formality on paper’ to you but it still means something here,” he huffed, pinching the alpha’s side in annoyance.

“But Jimin said—”

Oh.

Oh.

The alpha was played. Hard

“Remind me to first kick his ass when I get back. And then give him a raise.” 

Jeongguk chuckled in return, understanding what happened. “I’ll make sure to properly thank him as well. Seokjin and Taehynug hyung too. For helping you finally get your head out of your ass.” 

After some time, the knot finally swelled down enough for Namjoon to be able to pull out. He then carried a tired Jeongguk as far as he could, before the two had to shift again to make it back to the town square. Albeit slowly.

To Namjoon’s surprise, the entire pack erupted in cheers at the sight of the two. Many praised him for finally shifting, for properly claiming the omega, then started to gush about another ceremony, this time with everyone in attendance.

Namjoon hated how quick he was to judge these people. If only he could go back in time and kick his old self for being such an asshole to a group of people who clearly had so much love to give. But he hoped he could spend time now making it up to them.

Afterall, they gave him the love of his life.

To his shock, there was another familiar figure in the crowd. "Grandfather, what are you doing here?!"

"What you think my grandson could screw up to exponential proportions and I wouldn't come to make sure he finally got his head out of his ass? Jeongho called me as soon as he found out you had come here."

"But this whole time you didn't say anything?" 

The older alpha let out a sigh. "I wanted you to figure it out on your own. Not meddle for once, as you constantly put it. It may have been wrong of me to just throw you two together, but I knew if anyone could get through to you, it would be Jeongguk. And clearly I was right. Now the pack may not know the real reason why you did this run, but I do. And I just want to say... I'm proud of you. Especially for fighting for something even after messing up. Not everyone can do that."

There was something wistful to the alpha's smile that Namjoon couldn't pinpoint, but he was busy holding back his tears at the alpha's words.

"I may not agree with how it happened," he turned to look at Jeongguk, who was smiling with his mothers, "but I really am glad it did." He turned back to his grandfather. "Thank you."

The two exchanged one last smile before joining the others. 

Finally, everything felt like it was right with the world.   

~⊱♡⊰~

It’ll be a week from the run that Jeongguk and he will have their real ceremony. With everyone from Seoul and the pack in attendance.

It’ll be that night when they’ll finally exchange bites, and he’ll learn what exactly Jeongguk had learned from his reading. It’ll also be the same night that Namjoon would make a mental note to make sure Jeongguk had an entire library dedicated to his books in their house. 

It’ll be another two years down the line, after both of their grandparents have died within a week of each other that Namjoon would be organizing his grandfather’s things.

It’ll be from a dusty old book that a preserved photo will fall, of two young alphas cuddled into one another. 

It’ll be Jeongguk who will waddle up to him, one hand on his bump and another on his hip, and will pluck it out of his hands to inspect it himself. Turning it over to see it written clear as day, The moon to my sun.

It will be in the same book they find a letter, never sent. Of how sorry the older alpha was for leaving. How scared he was of staying. How much it hurt to give up his position as the future pack alpha to his cousin, but how it nearly killed him to part with his beloved. 

How desperately he wished things were different. 

It will be through shock and tears that the couple will learn how they came to be.

But more than that, they will learn that no matter how much time passes or how many seasons change, love is not over.