Chapter Text
“What’s happening, mother?” Jimin worriedly asked the eldery woman sitting opposite of him. Her big blue eyes opened the second she heard Jimin’s voice and she briskly leaned forward, pearing behind a curtain. The carriage they were in came to an absurd stop out of nowhere and Jimin was terrified they came upon a group of bandits. He heard all the stories surrounding the path leading towards the Steppy Mountains and how it was filled with thieves and killers who would cut off a man’s throat without any remorse. So far, Jimin and his family have been lucky and they came this far without any trouble, but he was scared their luck was running out.
“Mother? Are we being attacked?” Jimin asked her, his voice high and shaky as he heard men yelling and horses neighing in fear. He tightened his grip on the small knife he had inside his pocket, his body on high alert. Although he wasn’t trained for battle like the rest of his brothers and sisters were, he was still ready to defend his mother if anyone tried to enter the carriage.
Jimin’s mother, on the other hand, looked completely calm as she smiled at her youngest son, urging him to follow her out.
“Why? What’s happening?” Jimin asked her, jumping off the steps and on the muddy ground below. He almost fell down, not expecting the ground to be so slippery, but he caught himself at the last moment before he trailed off after his mother.
His pack’s warriors were resting underneath tall thick trees, looking relaxed as they greeted Jimin and his mother who were walking between them. The youngest Omega didn’t know why they were all sitting down and why they weren’t moving on and continuing with their journey, but he wasn’t about to ask.
Maybe one of the warriors got hurt? Or maybe they’re tired from being on their horses all day? Maybe they’re simply taking a break?
“Stop worrying so much.” Jimin whispered to himself, everything felt a little off to him. He just couldn't figure out why.
“I want you on your best behavior, Jimin.” His mother spoke in front of him as he frowned, staring at the back of her head.
“What why? The steppy mountains are ages away.” Jimin asked her, hurrying after her as they moved towards the front, where his father was.
“The Mountains are right in front of us, Jimin, and we just stepped on the Bangtan Pack’s territory.” His mother spoke in front of him, pointing her fingers above the treetops where the highest peak of the mountain was barely visible. “I don’t need to remind you how serious this is, right?” She asked him, glancing back as Jimin nodded his head, offering her a small smile.
He wasn’t sure why his parents brought him on this journey with them. After all this was nothing more than friendly negotiations between two neighboring packs. There was nothing he could really do and there’s no way for him to be useful.
“Did the pack leader come to greet us or?” Jimin asked her as they continued to walk while the woman in front of him laughed at his question.
“Of course not. Kim Namjoon is waiting for us in the village. He sent his general, Kim Jungkook, to greet us.” His mother explained, still giggling at his question while Jimin rolled his eyes.
It wasn’t really his fault for not knowing basic things. He has never accompanied his parents anywhere. Usually one of Jimin’s brothers or sisters would come with them as they visited other packs and they never even asked Jimin to come with them. They said it was for the best and how he was still too young to go anywhere, but Jimin knew it was because he was an Omega.
And he understood them. He wasn’t the only Omega in his pack who was always kept inside, away from any trouble. And Alphas. In the beginning Jimin hated not being able to go out and enjoy the day just like everyone else, but over time he got used to it. He got used to helping his mother in the kitchen and with other chores that needed to be taken care of. He didn’t like them, but he learned to deal with it.
That’s why he was so surprised when his parents suddenly announced that he will be joining them as they visited Namjoon’s pack to discuss the trade options between them. Hopefully he won’t mess up anything and embarrass his family while they are here.
The closer Jimin and his mother got to the front the more he could see a group of people standing opposite of his father. Titling his head to the side, Jimin took in their warm furry clothes, covering every inch of their skin, up to their chin. They were wearing gloves and hats, covering their ears from the icy cold weather. Jimin was jealous of how protective their clothes were. Unlike them, Jimin’s pack wasn’t used to such harsh weather therefore they don’t have any clothes like that. The man in front of this new group held himself high as his eyes ran over Jimin and his mother, a small realization twinkled inside of them before he looked away, clearing his throat.
“Park Ji-Hoon.” The man started, giving Jimin’s father a respectful bow as the Park family did the same. “My name is Kim Jungkook, I’m the general of Bangtan pack and I’m here to safely escort you to Kim Namjoon.” The man explained, his voice was deep and husky, a complete contrast of his young face. He didn’t look older than Jimin and yet he looked and acted like a grown up. His shoulders were wide and muscular, practically hiding people behind him, he stood even taller than Jimin’s father and the weapons he carried around his waist and back weren’t for show either.
He looked a lot like the Alphas from Jimin’s pack and it didn’t take long for the young Omega to connect the dots and realize just who was really standing in front of him.
Sure, Jungkook was the general of the Bangtan pack, but he was also Namjoon’s mate. The realization that he was meeting one of Namjoon's five mates made him respect the man even more.
He heard many stories about Namjoon and his mates, but mostly how righteous and good they are. One story that spiked Jimin’s interest the most was how they allowed Omegas to train besides the Alphas. Namjoon believed that Omegas deserved every right to education as an Alpha does, and that also involved training in combat.
For all Jimin knew, there could be Omegas standing behind Jungkook and they all probably knew how to wield a weapon and protect their own. Something Jimin will probably never do. His parents would rather die than let Jimin, or any other Omega, train with Alphas.
“Kim Jungkook, it’s an honor to finally meet you. For someone so young, there are already great stories being told about you.” Jimin’s father spoke as Jungkook smirked, bowing at the older man’s words. “This is my wife, Do-Yun, and my son, Park Jimin.” His father explained, pointing his hand towards Jimin and the second he said his name, the atmosphere shifted. Jungkook suddenly tensed in front of him, his eyes hardening as he took Jimin in, his pack members weren’t any better. Their hold on the weapons tightened and Jimin could see and feel that they didn’t like him.
He just didn’t know why. Everything was going alright until his father introduced him. Maybe it’s his name? Maybe they don’t like the name “Jimin”.
That was the only solution the young Omega could come up with as he tried to smile, trying to show them that he’s not a mean person and that he doesn’t wish them harm.
His smiling had an opposite effect of what Jimin wanted and the members of Bangtan pack only sneered at him, only proving Jimin’s fear.
“It’s lovely to finally meet you.” Jungkook said, clearing his throat, a numb mask falling over his face as he bowed to Jimin and his mother. “But I think we should continue now, while there’s still daylight.” Jungkook offered and Jimin’s father smiled, nodding his head.
“Yes, I agree, but first I want to show my son something.” Jimin’s father said as the young Omega looked up at him in pure confusion. Jungkook also seemed confused, but he didn’t say anything. He simply nodded his head and said that they will keep the pace light so Jimin and his father could catch up.
“Father, where are we going? Do you even know these woods?” Jimin asked him, following his father off the path and into the woods as began to slowly move on, following Jungkook.
“I’m a wolf, Jimin. Of course I know.” His father chuckled, moving between tall dark trees, stepping over huge rocks and fallen branches. He was doing it with such grace and composure and it made Jimin wonder if he would ever be like his father. So in sync with the nature around him.
Probably not because he wasn’t allowed in the forest unless it was with one of his parents or someone they trusted.
“I hear the creak.” Jimin spoke after a few minutes of the two of them moving through forest that only seemed to be getting thicker and thicker. The sun was barely peeking through the treetops now and Jimin was constantly tripping over something because of how slippery everything was.
“Yes, that’s where we’re going.” His father confirmed and after a few more minutes they finally emerged from the tree line. Taking a deep breath of fresh cold air Jimin’s eyes widened as he tried to take in the scenery. The trees cleared around the creak, leaving it open to the early morning sky as it shine down on the running water.
“This is beautiful.” Jimin whispered, turning around himself as his father nodded his head while walking towards a few rocks that were half in the water and half on the shore.
“Sit with me, Jimin.” He said, patting the rock next to him as the Omega skipped forward, whipping any dirt off the rock before sitting down on it.
“There are a few things I want to ask you, Jimin.” His father started, his voice tense as he played with the braclet on his wrist.
“Did I do something, father?” Jimin asked him, not being able to think of any other reason why he was here.
“No, it’s not like that. I mostly want to hear your options on a few things.” His father explained, but his words didn’t make Jimin any less scared. He’s almost twenty now and not once had he seen his father this nervous, whatever was bothering the older man couldn’t be good.
“What do you think about Namjoon and his mates?” His father asked him while Jimin frowned at his words. He expected his father to ask him many things, but this one wasn’t even on the list.
“I’m sorry, father, but I don’t understand.” Jimin trailed off as his father sighed, running his hands through his slightly gray hair.
“What do you think about Namjoon having so many mates?” His father asked him again, slightly changing the question, but it didn’t make anything easier for Jimin. If anything, it only confused him more.
“Well, I don’t really care. I mean it has nothing to do with me. If it works for them and their pack then that’s all that matters really.” Jimin slowly said, choosing his words carefully because he wasn’t sure what his father wanted from him.
“But would you be able to live with so many people who are your mates?” His father continued to press on and with each second passing by, Jimin was more and more scared.
“Well, I mean, I don’t know.” Jimin nervously laughed, looking anywhere but at the man next to him.
After that they fell in an awkward silence, the only sound around them was the sound of running water and birds chirping somewhere above them. Everything around Jimin was calm, but he was feeling exactly opposite of that. He didn’t know why his father was asking him all of these questions. What is he trying to get out of Jimin by them?
“Why are you asking me all of this father? I don’t understand.” Jimin trailed off as his father took a deep breath, turning his face away from his youngest son.
“You know how this year hasn’t been the best one yet, right Jimin?” His father started while Jimin nodded his head. He knew about his pack’s situation and about lack of food. That’s one of the reasons why they were here. Jimin just couldn’t understand how it involved him.
“And we really need this arrangement with the Bangtan pack to work out.” Jimin’s father trailed off, never completely finishing his sentence, scaring Jimin even more.
“Of course it will work out, father.” J imin tried to assure him, but his father only shook his head no in response.
“We need to make sure that they won’t trick us after a few years. We need an agreement that will last for at least thirty or fourty years, if not longer.” He said, glancing at Jimin who was still confused and lost, not knowing what his father was talking about.
“Father, I don’t-”
“You’ll have to marry them, Jimin.” His father blurted out, cutting his son off as Jimin gasped, widening his eyes at his words.
“What?” He whispered, trying to wrap his head around what he just heard, but he couldn’t. He expected his father to say many things, but not this. Never this.
“But, father. I thought you trusted Kim Namjoon, why-”
“I do trust him, Jimin, but if something happens to me everything would fall apart. I need to assure all of my children that they are safe and will reach old age.” His father explained as Jimin glared down at his hands.
“And by doing that you’re selling me away.” He muttered, but his father still heard him.
“It’s not like that, Jimin.” His father sighed, but he didn’t deny it again. He couldn’t deny the truth. By wanting his kids to have a happy life he had to sacrifice something. Or someone in this case.
“Why me? Why couldn’t it be someone else?” Jimin asked his father, but he already knew the answer. He was an Omega and by his pack’s standards the only way he’ll ever be able to support his family is if he gets married.
His father didn’t say anything to that and the two of them sat in silence for a few more minutes while Jimin tried hard to keep his tears in, refusing to cry in front of his father. He couldn't trust this man anymore. He waited until they were on Bangtan territory to tell him the news, knowing Jimin won’t be able to go back home. He was stuck here with nowhere to escape.
“Do they know?” Jimin asked his father, cutting off the awkward silence that fell over them.
“Yes, I’m guessing their entire pack knows.” His father trailed off while Jimin cursed underneath his breath. No wonder Jungkook and the rest of Bangtan warriors were so mean to him. Because he was about to marry their leader who was already happy with the mates he has now. Jimin probably wouldn't like that person either, but that was the thing. Jimin didn’t know what was happening until the very last moment. He was innocent in all of this.
“And Kim Namjoon is alright with this? He already has five mates and he wants me? He’s ready to sacrifice the happiness of all five of them for someone like me?” Jimin asked his father and he could see that the man wasn’t happy with his words.
“Someone like you? All of them are lucky that they will be able to call you their mate.” His father said, but Jimin didn’t believe him.
“How long do I have?” Jimin asked him, not looking at his father at all. He couldn’t bear it. The thought of not ever returning home. And the worst thing of all is that he didn’t know. He didn’t know he would be saying goodbye to his friends the last time. He didn’t know that was the last time he had seen his pack. He didn’t know and he couldn’t go back. Their packs weren’t close and it took them over two weeks to get here.
There’s no way that Namjoon will ever let him visit his old pack that was so far away.
His old pack...
Jimin never thought he would have to say something like that.
He always thought he was going to marry some Alpha from his pack and stay in the same place for the rest of his life, but he was wrong. So wrong. He’ll probably never come back again.
“A few days I think.” His father whispered and Jimin almost started crying right then and there. He thought it would be at least a few weeks before the wedding, not a few days. He only has a few days to accept the fact that he’ll soon be married and left all alone in a pack he didn’t know.
“Can we go now?” Jimin asked his father. At the same time he wanted to stay here, away from Kim Namjoon and all of his mates, but he also didn’t want to spend anymore time in his father’s company. He felt betrayed by the man who was supposed to protect him and not lie to him and, today, his father did both of those things.
It hurt more than Jimin thought it would.
“Yes, of course.” His father said, getting up and offering Jimin in his hand, but Jimin brushed him off. He didn’t want to touch or look at the man in front of him. He felt like he was either going to cry or scream if he did.