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Namjoon had known Jisoo his whole life, not surprising as they grew up in the same pack. She was a friend. They weren’t close like he was with Seokjin, Taehyung, Jungkook and Jimin but she was a friend. They would greet each other in passing, sometimes even talk properly. But that’s all it was.
Until it wasn’t.
As soon as Namjoon had presented as an alpha his parents took charge. Without even asking him about his opinion it was decided he would mate with Jisoo when they were old enough. He was expected to be the next pack leader and that meant he needed a mate to keep him grounded.
Namjoon and Jisoo had never been really close but knowing this while you’re in your teens… things turned especially awkward between them. Gone were the greetings and talks because how could you talk to someone when you couldn’t even look them in the eyes?
But their parents kept pushing, trying to convince them to talk, to interact, for Namjoon to court Jisoo.
“Namjoon, when will you start courting Jisoo properly? It’s been months since the announcement.”
Namjoon didn’t answer. What could he say? He knew he had to but he didn’t know how.
“Namjoon, you are planning to go through with this, right? Because as your mother said, you’ll need a mate when you become pack leader.”
“I know.”
“Then start courting her.” His father’s voice was stern, no room for discussion. He loved his parents and he knew they meant well but sometimes he just wanted to growl at them in frustration.
“I will.”
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It took another couple of weeks and pestering from not only his parents but also his friends before he finally made a move.
Jisoo was sitting at a little stream just outside of the village with a few of her friends. He watched her for a second, taking a deep breath before letting it out again. He stepped forward and the moment he was close enough for his scent to reach them, they all looked up.
When he reached them he cleared his throat, holding out a small bouquet of flowers that Jimin and Taehyung had helped putting together. “Jisoo, I wanted to ask whether you’d like to run with me during the next pack run?”
The beta stood and made her way towards him, taking the flowers from his hands. She looked so small next to him. Her cheeks were slightly red and she couldn’t quite meet his eyes, nevertheless she replied with an “I’d like that.”
He rubbed the back of his neck as he said, “See you then.” And off he was. The moment he was on his own he let out a breath he hadn’t known he was holding. Well, no turning back now. He’d started the courting, just like their parents wanted.
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The run started of awkward, both wolves not really knowing how to act around each other. Fortunately, their friends were there to help them out.
Taehyung and Jungkook came up to Namjoon and started tugging at his ears and tail, challenging him to a run. He kept refusing though because he was supposed to be spending time with Jisoo. When her friends started joining the two younger ones, the pair looked at each other as if to say ‘What choice do we have’?
So running they did. They barked and bumped into each other, tugging at tails, everything to make sure they wouldn’t be the last. When they made it back to the village, they turned back to their human form and the alpha walked the beta home.
“It was fun,” she told him.
“It was.”
“Namjoon?”
“Hmm?”
“Do me a favour?”
“Of course. What?”
“Never underestimate me again.” The way she said it was half joking and half serious.
He looked sheepish for only a moment. When they had started their running competition he had started slowly, trying to give her a chance because he knew just how wild and fast the others could be. It turned out, however, that he needn’t have worried because she kept up with them just fine. “I won’t.”
“Good.”
“How did you manage to keep up though? Jungkook and Taehyung are some of the fastest wolves I know.”
“I’ve had enough practice. Lisa her legs go on for miles so I had to run a lot to keep up with her.”
“That would explain it.”
“It would.”
It was silent for a moment before he said, “I’ll see you later. I mean if you want to.” He may be an alpha but he had manners. He wouldn’t use his status to achieve anything when it wasn’t absolutely necessary. And despite their parents’ decision, it was still her choice whether she wanted him to court her or not. At least that’s the way he saw it.
“Yeah, I want to.”
“Okay.”
“Good night, Namjoon.”
“Good night.”
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From that night onward things developed smoothly. Slowly but steadily they started spending more time together and Namjoon had to admit that the beta was lovely company. And maybe there was a chance for them to fall in love.
There was no doubt that he loved talking to her. He could talk to her about everything and she would listen and interject whenever it was needed. When he was tired or agitated because he had to learn how to lead the pack, he’d go vent to her. It wasn’t that he didn’t go to his friends but they didn’t really understand as well as she did. Because no matter what angle you approached it from, he would be pack leader but she would be his partner so she also had to learn a thing or two about leading a pack.
The moment, however, he realized his own feelings for the small beta, the moment he knew, was when a situation took place.
Namjoon was on his way back home when he saw several people gathered together. He didn’t hear them clearly but it was obvious some commotion was going on, excited and nervous pheromones filling the air.
He made his way towards the crowd, wanting to know what was happening. Before he saw what was happening, he smelled her scent. Apples. What was Jisoo doing here with all the craziness going on?
When he pushed through the crowd he saw two alphas cursing each other. It seemed like the smallest thing could set them off and they’d jump each other. And there she was, in the middle of it, trying to calm the both of them. He smelled her pheromones clearly as they filled the air but apparently the alphas didn’t notice, not calming for one bit.
The taller – Minho, was his name? – jumped on the other, both falling to the ground. Namjoon stepped forward but Jisoo was a step ahead of him. She tried to pull Minho off but he pulled his arm free from her and on instinct almost hit her, his instincts having taken over.
Before he could, however, Namjoon was standing between him and the beta, bearing his teeth as he let out a livid growl. His pheromones spread in the air as he pushed Jisoo behind him, protecting her, the smell of cinnamon thick in the air as his protective instincts took over.
Everyone froze for a moment.
Minho blinked as if trying to process what was happening. When it sunk it, he let go of the other alpha and stepped back, an uncertain look in his eyes.
It took a moment for his growls to stop. When they did he asked, “What happened here?” Neither one answered so he asked again, “What happened here?” His alpha was showing slightly in his voice.
Jisoo put a hand on his shoulders and he turned towards her. “It’s okay. I’m sure it was just a misunderstanding.” She gave them a chance and they took it.
“Yeah, that’s all it was.”
“It won’t happen again.”
He looked at them for a moment before saying, “I hope not or there will be consequences.”
They left after that, as did the rest of the crowd. Namjoon turned back to her. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.”
“What were you thinking? Getting in the middle of two alphas fighting?” He was worried and it showed. Not only on his face but also in his voice.
“I thought I asked you not to underestimate me,” she said as she raised an eyebrow. “I knew what I was doing.”
“That’s why you almost got hurt,” he scoffed. He regretted the way he had said it the moment he saw her face. “I’m sorry. I’m sorry. I was just worried,” he told her as he grabbed her hands in his. They looked so small and fragile in his large ones, it was endearing.
One of her hands went to his cheek, the alpha unconsciously leaning into the touch. “I know,” she told him softly. They looked at each other for a moment, searching for something.
Slowly he bent down and the next thing they knew, their lips connected in a sweet, simple kiss. It wasn’t fireworks, it wasn’t filled with hunger and passion. It was simple, it was nice.
It was them.
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When they finally told their parents that yes they had decided to mate they couldn’t be happier. And honestly, the pair felt just the same. It had taken them awhile but they had made it.
Because Jisoo was a beta they didn’t have to wait for a heat to mate. However, they decided to mate when Namjoon was in a rut. It was commonly known that a bond formed during a heat or rut was stronger than one formed during regular sex.
They had been together for four years by the time they mated. And once they had their mating marks decorating their necks, you’d better be sure of it that their friends teased the hell out of them.
“Oh, look at our Namjoon all marked up,” Seokjin said, his eyebrows wriggling.
“I know who’s going to be wearing the trousers in that relationship,” Jungkook piped up, a smirk on his face and a teasing gleam in his eyes.
Namjoon just rolled his eyes half in exasperation and half in amusement before just turning around and walking off.
“Where are you off to?” Jungkook called after him.
“Home or my mate will have my head.”
Jungkook turned to the oldest of the group, saying, “See? What did I tell you? It’s noona wearing the trousers in that household.”
“I heard that!” Namjoon called back, Jin cackling.
“That was the point!” Jungkook yelled back.
“Brat,” Namjoon muttered just before he entered the house. He saw Jisoo sitting on the sofa and he sat next to her, almost dragging her into his lap as he nuzzled her hair.
“Did they tease you?” she asked knowingly.
“Of course they did. Not that I care.” She hummed as he kept nuzzling her.
“You can tease them back when they find their mate,” she said after a moment, a smile on her face.
He hummed back. Then he let out a breath and held her close. “I’m so glad I got you. I would’ve never thought that our parents arranging this would have ended so well. I’m glad they chose you.”
“I’m glad they chose you too.” And they stayed like that for a little while, just holding each other.