Archive of Our Own

Jungkook wasn’t sure when he fell in love with Jimin.

It must have been years and years ago, before either of them presented. 

He remembered with fondness the years they spent together: tumbling in the summer grass together as pups, swimming in the river, giggling late at night around the fire. Jungkook, two years younger, had always been enamored by his omega-hyung. 

So when a childhood crush turned into more serious, romantic love, it felt so right . 

As they grew older though, it became clear how tenuous their situation was. 

See, Jimin was… of a different class than Jungkook. 

Where Jimin’s family was warm and comfortable in the winter inside their beautiful, wood-carved mansion, Jungkook’s family was barely scraping by in a leaking hut, positioned just next to the forest. Where Jimin never went hungry at night, Jungkook was lucky to have the meager portions his family was able to provide. Where Jimin’s clothing was often new and clean, Jungkook’s had holes, old stains decorating his shirts. 

When Jungkook’s family welcomed Jimin when he came for a friendly visit, Jimin’s family didn’t allow Jungkook into their house.

It was taboo for such a high class wolf to fall in love with a lower class one, and even more taboo for them both to be omegas.

As they grew older, it was harder and harder for them to hide their feelings, from themselves and their families. Still, they spent as much time as they could together, playing and resting, sometimes talking for hours on end, sometimes sitting in silence, cuddled together under the stars. 

Jungkook… wasn’t sure when he fell in love with Jimin. But that was okay. 

Until their pack decided it wasn't. 

It had started at first with snide comments, jabs pointed at both omegas. How Jimin should start looking for a mate, one who could actually satisfy him, one who was as wealthy as his family wished. How Jungkook should stick to his own class, find an alpha who would stoop low enough to court him. He was too poor, too dirty to even consider being friends with Jimin, let alone be as close as they were to each other. 

There were many nights that they spent together, whispering reassurances to each other. I will protect you, Jimin had whispered. I will never leave you, Jungkook replied. 

But then, the alphas in the pack grew bolder. More violent. More jealous. Jimin had all but outright rejected all of them, and they saw this boy, this omega as a threat to their potential mate. The older omega was in high demand, after all, and had a long list of alphas wanting to court him.

The alphas started small. Hits to the back of his head, tripping the young omega as he was walking to the market, knocking things out of his hands and even tearing his clothing. They were never satisfied with the destruction though, and like a sparking ember, the resentment and anger grew, and grew. 

It didn’t take long for them to go bigger, and one summer day found Jungkook slammed into the ground as he made his weekly trip for his family into the market, the alphas hitting him and hitting him and not stopping —

Jimin hadn’t been there. He was barely allowed out of the house as it was, with his parents and their ideas of a proper omega. Secretly, Jungkook was grateful. Jimin hadn’t been forced to watch him be hurt. Still, his heart grew heavy that night at the thought of their next planned meeting, and even though he knew how it would hurt Jimin to see him injured, it would hurt the older worse if Jungkook didn’t show up.

That was the night Jungkook first met Jimin while covered in bruises. Seeing his omega’s—his baby’s —skin black and blue, the older had taken it upon himself to learn medicine, and step in when he was able in front of the alphas. It wasn’t a lot, but whatever he could do was better than nothing. Everytime, he would hold in his sobs at his lover's injuries, staying strong for Jungkook's sake, because Jimin knew he wouldn't be touched. Alphas stayed away from hurting Jimin, because of his parents. Jungkook, on the other hand, was an easy target. 

Especially after his parents had kicked him out of the house. 

They had sat him down, telling him how he should find an alpha and how even though he and Jimin were friends, it was time to grow up. When Jungkook had refused to separate himself or find an alpha, that had been the final straw, and Jungkook had found himself shivering in the forest barely minutes later.

Jungkook didn't regret anything though. Spending his teenage years huddled in the hut he built himself was worth it; if only he and Jimin could spend more time together. 

Even with the beatings, the slander, the occasional vandalism of Jungkook’s house and things, it wasn’t enough to tear the two apart. They had to be more secretive and meet fewer times, but they persisted.

The alphas were never satisfied. 

It came to a head one day in spring, when Jimin had reached twenty-two winters and Jungkook twenty. 

The two omegas had snuck away to the forest, laying down in a meadow that they had all to themselves. It was unusually warm so early into the season, and they were enjoying it to the fullest.

Tension had been building between the two, Jimin always scenting Jungkook as much as within propriety, Jungkook pushing alphas away from the older omega when they sought to court him. 

The two were snuggled together in the grass, despite how warm it was. Jimin lay on Jungkook’s chest, the younger had outstripped the older’s growth by a few centimeters, his shoulders now broader. Jimin always teased him about his height. My little omega is all grown up now . 

Jungkook whined about it every time. He always wanted to be Jimin’s little omega. (He ignored the butterflies in his stomach at the words.) And so, when Jimin dared to tease Jungkook again that evening, the younger pushed Jimin over on his back, growling into the older's neck. 

I am your little omega , he had said. Jimin had only smirked, before unbalancing Jungkook with a well placed tug and crawling on top of him, pinning down his wrists and leaning down. 

Little omegas don't get to be in charge , he had teased. 

The air between them hung still, heavy, before Jimin leaned down and kissed Jungkook. 

The kiss was wonderful; it was so gentle and sweet before Jimin dared to deepen it and slot his knee in between Jungkook’s. Junkook’s wrists stayed pinned in Jimin’s grasp as Jimin kissed him into the grass.

It was wonderful, and as the younger omega melted under his hyung, he couldn’t help but wonder why this wasn’t okay, why love like this wasn’t allowed even though it was so beautiful. 

The moment stretched, languid and marvelous as the two omegas simply allowed themselves to love each other, alone together in the woods. 

And then the moment ended, and what happened next was a blur in Junkook’s mind). They had not been alone. Jimin was torn off of him, there were claws digging into his shoulder, blood from the sharp edges, and the scent of fear, terror, anger. 

Fear over his own fate, terror over Jimin’s, and anger rolling off of the alpha that was holding him hostage, away from Jimin.

They had thrown Jungkook in a cellar. He didn't know where, just that it was cold . For a week, he was kept there, shivering and barely fed. There weren’t many memories from this time. Just cold and stone, disgusting food lobbed at him occasionally. 

The chill of the stone, not knowing whether he was going to live or die, was almost as cold as the forest had been when the pack decided they had had enough, allowing enough mercy to not kill, but just exile the young omega from the pack. 

Jungkook only looked back once, but didn’t see Jimin. 

Still, tears blurred his vision as he stumbled away from his love. 

🌙

Life was different as a rogue wolf.

Given his upbringing, it wasn’t as hard as he initially thought it might be. He knew how to scavenge the forest for edible berries, set traps for unsuspecting rabbits and squirrels, and preserve body heat (mostly) at night. 

It was the loneliness that got to him the most. Every night, he would think of Jimin. His chest would hurt at the bittersweet memories. 

Jungkook could never blame the older omega for what happened. How could he?

Jimin had been the first to treat him like an actual, living being. When Jungkook had been tossed aside, Jimin had taken him under his wing despite the risk. Being together had helped Jungkook to realize what it was like to be loved , to be wanted . 

The young omega treasured the moments with Jimin, even when it had ended so disastrously. 

Still, there were nights where Jungkook shook at the remembrance of the terror and devastation painted on Jimin’s features, how powerless he was, both of them had been, to stop it. Days where the ache of loneliness made it ever so hard to get up in the morning. 

He hoped that above anything else, Jimin is okay. It didn’t matter if Jimin wasn’t looking for him, if Jungkook was left alone, so long as the older omega was healthy and safe and—

Jungkook always stopped himself there. 

At first, Jungkook had tried to stay human. He knew what befell rogue wolves when they had been alone too long, and even though being a wolf was a part of him, Jungkook was terrified at the idea of being stuck in one form. Regardless of Jungkook's feelings on the matter, he did have to remain in his wolf form longer and longer to survive. Preserving body heat was easier, catching prey as well. 

Jungkook held out until winter, but as the snow piled up outside the small cave Jungkook had claimed, he was forced to stay in wolf form all the time. The anxiety and grief, while still an ache in his chest, had given way to apathy. 

As all rogue wolves do, Jungkook lost his ability to shift back to his human body. It was a startling realization, even if he had expected it to happen. Every story told to pups about rogue wolves talked about how when a wolf turned for that last time, they could never go back. They would be stuck, trapped in one form forever, even if they somehow found another pack to take them in. 

But that was impossible. When you were rogue, you were broken. And who in their right mind would want a broken packmate?

That night he curled up, feeling oh so cold in his snowed-in den. It was awful, and to make it worse, Jungkook couldn’t even cry in his wolf form. Biology simply didn’t allow it, the tear ducts for sadness only appearing in shifters’ human forms. 

He shivered himself to sleep, and the tears he wanted to shed oh so badly never appeared. 

🌙

For the first year, Jungkook endured. He had overcome the winter, the blistering heat of summer, and all of the changes that came with the seasons. 

He had learned to avoid humans, the traps they laid. Until he didn't. 

One morning in early spring, the wolf was trotting through the forest, mourning the plants covered in the fresh snow on the ground. It had been an unseasonably late snowstorm, because life just had to make things harder , Jungkook thought bitterly. He didn’t even see the trap until it was too late. 

Pain shot through his right leg, and Jungkook yelped as the metal jaws closed on his paw. 

No, no, nononononono . He couldn’t, this wouldn’t be his end. Jungkook thrashed against the metal contraption, chain rattling as he desperately tried to free himself. 

He would be dead if the humans got to him. Because humans carried guns and they set traps like this to specifically hunt wolves. 

The crunch of the leaves nearby made him double his efforts, and the panic made Jungkook spiral into terror. He thrashed harder, as desperation clawed up through his throat. 

He may have been just surviving, but damn it he wanted to live. 

“Oh, oh no.” Jungkook whipped around and snarled at the person standing just out of reach of his chain, pain flaring as the trap tugged on his paw when he backed up as far as possible. Sharply, he noticed the suspicious lack of a weapon on the man’s person. 

It didn’t matter. He wasn’t going to fucking touch Jungkook. Because the last time someone like this had touched Jungkook…

The scars on his shoulder twinged. 

The man didn’t seem phased at Jungkook’s attempt at intimidation, and instead of the fear or malice that Jungkook expected as a reaction, pity and sympathy flooded his face. 

“Oh, I’m so sorry little one.” Little one? “I meant to get to this trap earlier and remove it, but it seems you found it before I did.” ….what?

It was at that point that Jungkook caught the scent of the man in front of him, and he startled. 

Wolf. Not human. Wolf. Shifting wolf. Safe. Beta. Safe.

The snarl dropped from the omega’s face, and he dropped to his belly, ears pressed flat against his head. The idea of the beta wolf potentially getting closer still twisted Jungkook’s stomach in knots, but unless he wanted to be trapped until the actual humans got here, this was the only chance he had to be free again. 

Slowly, the beta stepped forward, as if sensing Jungkook’s hesitance. Carefully, he lowered himself to his knees, reaching forward to the jaws around Jungkook’s paw. Just before he touched the metal, Jungkook flinched, whimpering at the shooting pain at the movement. 

If it was even possible, the beta’s eyes grew softer. As he gently took a hold of the omega’s paw, the wolf nearly whined at the touch. It felt good, especially when the beta began to gently rub his thumb over Jungkook’s leg. A soft stream of sweet nothings fell from the beta’s lips as he began to work.

Jungkook didn’t understand. Why was this beta helping him? It was very clear at this point that Jungkook was rogue. A wolf, sentenced to the highest disgrace. He was clearly worthless, unable to even shift back, and that was on top of the fact that a pack had clearly forced out an omega . That on its own would make most shifters turn their backs. 

Moon though, how long had it been since Jungkook had been touched? How long had it been since Jungkook had been treated so carefully by a complete stranger? His eyes fluttered shut, lulled into a sense of relaxation from the soothing sound of the beta reassuring him as he worked to free Jungkook from the trap. 

The beta’s scent permeated the air, and while he was working on the trap, Jungkook breathed in mouthfuls. It was clean, unobtrusive, and riddled with pack scent, the scent of several other wolves. A very close pack, it seemed, given how strong the mixed scent was. But there was something mixed into it that was…familiar? Familiar in the way that made Jungkook’s stomach drop. Familiar, like his old pack. The omega squeezed his eyes shut. If this beta knew someone from his old pack… 

Minutes dragged on, and the longer the man worked, the more nervous Jungkook got. It didn’t matter if he hadn’t hurt the omega at all, both the familiar note in his scent and the unfamiliar face of the man was making Jungkook more and more anxious. He was vulnerable and the beta could use that to his advantage—

The jaws of the trap fell off, and Jungkook scampered back into the undergrowth of the forest, limping along the way. Carefully, he hid himself in whatever foliage he could find, watching the beta in the forest. Jungkook tried to ignore the ache in his heart when he realized the beta was trying to call him back, offering medicine. 

The beta waited 10 minutes, 15 minutes, a half hour, nearly a full hour for Jungkook to come back. He had to have smelled Jungkook, knew the omega was still in the forest. Finally, he (sighed, standing up with a groan. Jungkook’s heart sped up, but the only thing the beta did was look into the forest and wished him well. 

That night found Jungkook curled up under a willow tree, shivering from the snow, licking his injured paw, and trying to ignore the throbbing pain of the still opened wounds. Hopefully they will heal. Hopefully it will be fine. As he curled up for the night, he tried to squash down the memory of the beta that had been so kind, how there might have been an opportunity for… something there. Friendship, warmth?

That would be impossible. Who would want to even be associated with a rogue, broken, worthless omega?

🌙

Jungkook healed, slower than he would have liked, but still. As he had suspected, he was left with a scar on his paw, the tissue unfortunately hindering some of his mobility and forcing him to walk with a slight limp, but it was fine. It had to be fine. Wallowing would not save him here. 

Months continued to pass, the wet spring into hot summer into cool fall until cold winter again. Slowly, Jungkook learned how to use his paw again, but it was still slow going, especially as the chill began to sink into his bones again. 

It was a hard winter this year, as well as an early one, and food and shelter were scarce in the face of such blistering cold. Jungkook had returned to the den he had found last winter and holed himself up again during a particularly bad storm, desperately trying to ignore the grumble in his stomach. 

He knew he was too skinny, ribs glaring against his fur. He had never been truly well-fed for long, but this was far worse than in his familial pack. 

At least then, he’d had Jimin with him, sneaking him food or just keeping him company. 

Distantly, he wondered about Jimin. Jungkook had never truly stopped thinking about the older omega, he rarely allowed himself to think about what had happened to him. The possibilities were endless and saddening for Jungkook to think about.

Was Jimin hurt like Jungkook that day? Was Jimin married off? Jungkook doubted the older omega had been properly exiled like he had been, but marriage to another pack would be an efficient and easy way to wrap up the loose ends of familial dishonor. Did he have a nice alpha now, the ones in their old pack? Did he forget Jungkook? Sadness washed over Jungkook like rain, and Moon , he wished that he could properly cry. 

It’s not like you would even be good for him , the omega thought bitterly. He was a rogue omega with nothing to his name. Not to mention being unable to shift back to his human form. He couldn’t even take care of himself, let alone provide for his hyung, like a good mate could. The pack had told him this over and over again, and yet he hadn’t listened until now.

Instead, Jungkook shivered, curling himself up further, feeling as though he might shake apart overnight. Outside, the wind howled, a poor imitation of a wolf’s call.

🌙

Thankfully, the snow had melted enough over the next few days that Jungkook could slip out of the den and go to try and find more food. Trotting in the direction of his normal hunting grounds, the omega’s stomach turned when he realized that there was no prey to be found in the area. Not even a whiff of scent. 

That was… a problem. All of the grounds that he normally hunted in were bare, which meant that there was only one more option: into the territory of a nearby pack. It was a dangerous idea, if the wolves found him they would likely try to hurt or kill who they would see as an intruder. It was terrifying, but… but Jungkook needed to eat. He hoped this pack wouldn’t come after him for trying to snag a small rabbit or squirrel or something .

Jungkook was used to being hungry. He had starved for years in his old pack, both with his parents and after he had been kicked out of his home. Starving out in the woods was nothing used to him, and the pangs of hunger often faded into the background now. Still, the potential of something to eat was enough to push the omega over the boundary and into the pack’s territory. 

Carefully, Jungkook began to pick his way through the area, senses on full alert, just in case the wolves decided to come after him and, well, hopefully just chase him off. Even so, the young omega couldn’t help but look around in awe at the forest around him. 

The woods in this portion of territory were absolutely beautiful, the early winter just enhancing it. Frost sparkled along the bark, and snow glittered in the cold winter sun. It was cold, crisp, and wonderful, even as detrimental as it was to Jungkook. Distantly, Jungkook could hear water running in the distance, and the omega followed the noise to an unfrozen river, at the end of which was a waterfall tumbling down into a clearing. 

Jungkook was above the clearing, standing next to the river feeding into the fall. The rocky ledge was perfect, it allowed the wolf to look out and see prey. And there! Tracks of something small, a squirrel or a rabbit. Hopefully the creature hadn’t gotten too far.  

But, there was the problem of getting to the tracks. Carefully, Jungkook gauged the area, looking around to find the best way to get down to the clearing to try and hunt down his quarry. 

The drop in front of the ledge was very rocky before reaching a flat area only lightly covered in snow, the tips of green grass still slightly peaking out. Across the small waterfall pool was another clearing, but rather than just having a steep drop like on Jungkook’s side of the water, it melted out into a hill, all the way up to the height of the waterfall. It would be easier to get down if Jungkook crossed the river up top, and then went down the hill. 

It wasn’t hard to pick his way across the river, uncovered stones and careful jumps making it easy. The scent of the pack, however, was much stronger, and it made the young omega shiver. He would need to be on full alert here. 

Timidly, Jungkook lifted his nose up and sniffed again, perking up when he just barely caught the scent of prey. Out of the corner of his eye, tracks. Rabbit tracks. 

Cautiously, he picked his way along the tracks, shivering in excitement when the scent seemed to get stronger and stronger. The downwind was pushing the scent towards him, and his wolf scent away from his prey. And… there. A twitching rabbit nosing down to look for grass. Silently, Jungkook lined himself up, pounced, and just barely hit his mark.

Even after living with his old injury for so many months, the scarred tissue still threw him off. Years of practice in hunting being all for naught as Jungkook relearned how to live with his new mobility. 

As he held the rabbit in his jaws, the omega couldn’t help but allow himself to feel utter relief at the fact that he wouldn’t go hungry for the day. 

However, completely caught up in the roll of emotions, he was completely disconnected from his surroundings. Which meant the omega jerked around at the sound of a deep, hostile growl from behind him. 

It was an alpha. A big one. Fear, old fear rippled down Jungkook’s body as he pathetically lowered himself down to the ground, ears pressed flat against his skull. In his mind, memories of the alphas of his old pack simmered. Carefully he let go of the rabbit, nosing it to the alpha in front of him as a sort of peace offering. 

The growling stopped, and it felt like Jungkook could breathe again. 

But still, that intense, calculating gaze pinned down the omega. 

At the alpha’s side, a beautiful, even larger wolf walked up, and Jungkook swore that the new wolf's eyes widened in recognition before yipping and headbutting the alpha. The two wolves stared at each other, and Jungkook jolted when he realized the newcomer was a beta. 

A beta, presenting such a direct challenge to an alpha? Jungkook had never seen that happen before. He looked down, hoping that they weren’t going to fight, that the alpha wasn’t going to assert his position over the beta right then and there, that there would be no violence—

“Hello again, little one.” Jungkook’s head shot up, and met the gaze of the beta, now shifted to human form, who had freed him from the trap oh so long ago.

It was too much. The fear from being caught on another pack’s territory, the knowledge that the beta was apparently a part of the pack, and the bubbling anxiety from Jungkook’s previous experience with alphas.

Jungkook wasn’t sure what the tipping point had been, but either way, he darted back into the underbrush, sprinting through the woods as he desperately hoped no one was following him. He kept going, across the river, to his den, before deciding to go further just in case. 

When he finally stopped, his chest heaved, he was so out of breath. The omega’s body was shaking, from exhaustion, from cold, from the anxious feeling still crawling up his throat. His paw ached, limp more pronounced than normal. It was just his luck that there was a willow tree right in front of him, giving the illusion of shelter as Jungkook trembled his way to an unrestful sleep. 

🌙

Fortunately, it wasn’t hard to pick his way back to his little den the next morning. Stupidly, he felt so attached to the thing, even though it would probably be better for him to just pack up and find new shelter. It was only early winter, after all.  

Reaching the small clearing outside the den, the omega came to a sudden halt, staring at the entrance. 

Laying just outside was the rabbit he had caught yesterday, along with a plate holding a large cut of raw meat. Gingerly, the omega limped his way over to the food, giving both a careful sniff, relaxing when there was no smell of contamination or drugs. They smelled of the pack, but mostly of the two wolves he had seen yesterday, the beta and the alpha. 

Jungkook wished he could cry in this form. 

The sheer relief of the food, the apparent willingness to allow Jungkook to hunt on their territory and not scare him off immediately, the kindness of the beta even though he had to know at this point that Jungkook was rogue, was feral, was a broken wolf, broken omega. 

It was the most kindness that Jungkook had received from anyone outside of Jimin in his pitiful, short life. 

Greedily, he ate the meat, saving a large part of the steak for later. Even still, as Jungkook curled up in his den, he was full , for the first time since he had been exiled. Maybe, maybe the pack would tolerate him here. A random, rogue wolf at the edge of their territory.

That would be nice. 

🌙

Admittedly, Jungkook didn’t expect to see the pack again, at least not for a while. He was proven wrong, however, when he walked up to the river again a few days later, and froze when he caught sight of three wolves in their human form, all smelling of the pack. Unfortunately for him, he had crossed the flowing water earlier, putting him on the same side of the river as the pack members. 

He kept still, carefully watching the three of them to gauge if they had noticed Jungkook or not. One of them, he recognized. The beta who had helped him out of the trap. The other two? Jungkook just about fainted. They were alphas. Even so, the demeanor of the wolves he had met the other day sparked curiosity in Jungkook. Just who exactly were they?

It was that curiosity that called Jungkook to crouch down, relatively hidden from the group as they sat down on some snowless rocks and began to fish by the river. 

It was interesting, watching the three interact. They were loud, laughing all the time, or so it felt to Jungkook. The alphas didn’t seem to mind the beta poking fun at them, and neither alpha put the beta in his place if he headbutted them or smacked them. 

The whole scene was odd, but… kind of wonderful, if Jungkook was being honest with himself. 

Caught up in just observing the very strange group, he startled when the beta looked around and made eye contact. The ensuing, shockingly happy yelp was just enough to press Jungkook to the ground, belly flush with the earth, ears flattened, whites of his eyes showing in as much submission as he could. He cowered even more as multiple sets of footsteps got closer, although they stopped further away than he expected. 

“Oh pup, I’m so sorry we scared you, that wasn’t our intention.” Jungkook allowed himself to catch a glimpse at the speaking beta for a split second. His eyes were so soft, looking at Jungkook with what he dared say, endearment? The beta gestured to himself and his two companions, standing a little behind his tall form. “I’m Namjoon, the pack beta. This is Hoseok-hyung and Jin-hyung. Jin is our pack alpha, and you met Hobi-hyung the other day.”

Even as Jungkook shrunk further into the ground as Hoseok, Hobi, bowed from where he was standing. Jin too. But that— that was confusing. Alphas didn’t bow to Omegas. 

“I’m very sorry, pup.” Hobi’s soothing voice startled Jungkook, both in its unexpectedness and because why was an alpha apologizing to an omega — “I didn’t know that you knew Namjoonie. I hope you can forgive me for being so hostile when we first met.”

Jungkook broke his submissive downward glancing and looked directly at the alpha in shock, completely dumbfounded. 

“Speaking of which,” Jungkook jerked his head to stare at Jin when he started speaking, “we would like to welcome you onto our pack territory. We have more than enough food to share with one wolf during the winter, and we would much rather have you hunt on our grounds than starve.” Jungkook actually raised his head from the ground in disbelief. Jin just smiled, looking at complete odds with what Jungkook expected an alpha to look like. 

Now that— that was confusing. Glancing over at the other two wolves, Junkook noticed they didn’t even look surprised that their head alpha was just going to… what, offer up pack land for a random wolf to hunt on? In fact, they even seemed to have been in on it, soft smiles similar to Jin’s spread across their faces as well. This pack was strange, that was for sure. 

“We were wondering, however, why your pack isn't helping one of their omegas hunt and eat during the winter?” Hoseok’s question, innocent as it was, sent a spike of fear through the rogue omega. What if they just pushed him out when they learned he wasn’t with a pack? Rogue, feral wolves were shunned, looked down upon. Rogue omegas especially. Broken wolves like him just weren’t accepted after they were alone. 

As such, all Jungkook could do in response was look down again in submission, deference, fear. He hoped the silence was enough to answer the question. 

“Oh pup, you’re rogue, aren’t you?” There was so much sadness in Namjoon’s voice, it surprised Jungkook. Letting himself take a quick glance at the beta’s face, the sympathy was mirrored in his features, and oh moon, Jungkook didn’t deserve nearly as much care as what Namjoon was offering him right now. Or Hoseok and Jin, for that matter.

“Are you still able to shift?” The omega squeezed his eyes shut, knowing Jin’s question would be answered soon enough by the lack of response. 

“Hey, hey it’s okay. We aren’t— we aren’t going to run you off if you can’t.” Why was Namjoon worried so much? Over a random wolf, nonetheless. A random rogue wolf. 

“It’s true,” this time it was Hoseok who spoke up, “we aren’t just going to kick you off because you're a rogue. I was hostile at first because I assumed you were from another pack with malicious intent. That is clearly not the case.” 

“Besides,” Jin shrugged, “we have more than enough food for our pack here, it’s no trouble to help someone falling on hard times get something to eat.” He flashed Jungkook a gentle smile, and for some reason, the attention made Jungkook feel warm, like he was actually wanted. 

Slowly, the omega stood up from the ground, still timid, still nervous, but feeling braver than he had earlier. He stepped closer to the trio of wolves, and closer, and still closer, watching for any sign of rejection or aggression, before lifting his head up just a little and licking Namjoon’s hand. 

The smile that Namjoon gifted him was absolutely glorious. 

🌙

The next day found Jungkook trotting back to the river. 

He wasn’t quite sure why he was going. He did need food, but he also had been able to catch a rabbit outside of the den. It was a nice day out though, and snow hadn’t yet covered the ground again, so he might as well enjoy the sunshine while it lasted. 

Reaching the bank of the river, he wasn’t surprised to see Namjoon sitting against a rock, blanket underneath him, book in his hands, reading with the sound of the river. Feeling an unexpected spark of bravery, the omega let out a little yip, catching Namjoon’s attention immediately, a wide smile blooming on his face. 

“Pup! Want to come over and sit with me?” And oh, Jungkook really did. Carefully, he crossed the river, climbing up onto the other bank before sitting down next to the beta, carefully making sure that he wasn’t accidentally touching him, lest he accidentally leave his scent on Namjoon. 

Namjoon, however, seemed entirely intent on not caring. After a quiet moment of the two just sitting together next to the water, Jungkook felt a large, warm hand rest on his head. A quiet “may I?” followed, and the omega let out his best approximation of a nod before the hand began to gently card its way through Jungkook’s fur. 

A shiver ran down the omega’s body, and it was all Jungkook could do to not let out a keen at the sensation. Moon, it felt so good to be touched by someone again, the last time having also been Namjoon nearly a year ago when he freed Jungkook from the trap. The omega closed his eyes, allowing himself to relax just a little bit sitting next to the beta. Minutes dripped by in the soothing atmosphere of the forest, the water gurgling in the background. Finally, the beta spoke again. 

“Pup, I was wondering if I could bring our last alpha, Yoongi, to meet you?” Namjoon must have smelled the instant anxiety that shot through Jungkook because he immediately rushed to cover his words. “Wait— oh, sorry— uhm, you really— you don’t have to if you don’t want to, really. But he was also rogue for a while. Before Jin-hyung found him and took him in. I don’t think he ever lost his ability to shift, but, I thought you might appreciate knowing someone who went through similar things.”

One of their pack members had been rogue? This pack became stranger and stranger the more that Jungkook learned about them. Still, he hesitated, because even if he was a pack member of Namjoon (who at this point had mostly proven that he had kind and respectful packmates) and was overall safe , this person would be a stranger. An alpha stranger at that. 

Like the mind reader he seemed to be, Namjoon seemed to notice his hesitation and offered Jungkook a way out. 

“I would be there, if you wanted, pup.” The omega looked back at the beta, and maybe, just found another spark of bravery that day. 

🌙

Jungkook shifted anxiously as he waited for Namjoon and Yoongi to arrive. He was in the clearing by the waterfall, on the pack’s side of the river. That is where he and Namjoon agreed to meet yesterday, to meet Yoongi. 

The omega was, understandably, nervous. Even though Namjoon was going to be there to mediate, the pain from his last pack was still at the forefront of his mind. 

Namjoon's happy yell of “ pup!!” though, made Jungkook’s tail hesitantly wag. But, instead of the one other pack member he expected, there were two. The omega carefully sniffed, hiding his surprise when the second one was also a beta. He stepped back as the three entered the clearing, still hesitant of the two strangers.

The first one, the alpha, had to be Yoongi of course. He was shorter than Namjoon, but not by much, and his air of quiet confidence was intimidating. His cat-like eyes were assessing, and Jungkook fought not to shiver as they ran over his form. 

On Namjoon’s other side was the other beta. Also shorter than Namjoon, but taller than Yoongi, he looked so… excited? For what? To meet Jungkook?

“Hi pup! I’m Taehyung!” Jungkook blinked, and Namjoon smiled apologetically. 

“Sorry, I meant to only bring Yoongi-hyung with me, but Taehyung was dead set on finally meeting you. He will” Namjoon shot a pointed look at the beta, “make himself scarce until after the conversation with Yoongi-hyung is over, right?” The beta— Taehyung, looked sulky at that, but nodded his agreement. Looking at Jungkook though, he brightened again. 

“If you’re feeling up to it, we can play together afterwards!!” And oh. That sounded, that sounded so nice. His tail let out a short wag in response, and Taehyung’s smile, if possible, grew even wider. 

“Okay okay, now, shoo until we call you back.” Namjoon’s voice was teasing, and so was the playful  tongue-sticking-out Taehyung offered in return. It made Jungkook feel warm, in a strange way. These betas didn’t interact like they did in his old pack, either with each other or with alphas, like he had seen with Namjoon before. 

Speaking of which, the alpha before him. Jungkook looked over the wolf with an apprehensive eye, still nervous even though the alpha looked calm and collected. He watched in curiosity as the alpha pulled off his backpack and took out a blanket, spreading it on the winter-cold ground. Sitting down on it, Namjoon joined him, patting the leftover space between the two. 

Still hesitant, still careful, Jungkook slowly walked up and laid down on the space offered. The smiles offered in return were so wholly endeared, it almost made Jungkook squirm under the attention. Like yesterday, Namjoon offered his hand out and asked permission. Like yesterday, Jungkook gave it, and relaxed under the gentle petting, just as Yoongi began to speak. 

“Were you kicked out of your pack, pup?” Jungkook nodded, and Yoongi’s smile turned sad. “Ahh, me too.” Jungkook’s heart twinged, because even if he was a complete stranger, being kicked out of a pack was one of the worst fates that could befall a wolf, social creatures they were. They weren’t designed to be alone. The alpha continued. 

“I’m a doctor, actually.” Yoongi grinned at Jungkook’s obvious confusion. “Yeah, my parents thought the same thing. Apparently it’s not a very alpha-like job, according to them, which is utter bullshit.” He sighed, tilting his head back and closing his eyes. “But, it was enough for the pack to kick me out I guess. Supposedly I had a ‘bad influence’ on the young alphas in the pack.”

The conversation continued as such, Yoongi telling his story of how he was kicked out and found Jin, being introduced meeting Namjoon and Hoseok, learning to be himself again, to undo the self-hatred and deprecation that came after being rogue. Jungkook listened, absolutely fascinated, offering nonverbal cues as he could. 

Throughout the story, it was so incredibly clear that Yoongi loved his pack. Even though he was an alpha, he loved all of his packmates regardless of presentation the same way that Jungkook and Jimin had loved each other. These wolves, Jungkook realized, would not judge him for having loved his omega-hyung, like everyone else he had met before. 

It was a radical thought, an epiphany in what Jungkook had expected from the world, and that notion only became more and more clear the more that Yoongi talked. 

As the conversation dwindled down, Yoongi also offered up his hand, like Namjoon had before. Like earlier, Jungkook gave permission, and the alpha began to card his hands through the omega’s fur. It was the first time in his memory an alpha had touched him so gently, and Jungkook secretly basked in the feeling. 

This, this was nice. 

Even so, he couldn’t help the nudge of self-doubt. They accepted him now, but Jungkook was broken. He couldn’t shift. Yoongi, and by extension, the pack, were likely only helping him out of pity. Like an injured animal, they would probably set him free after their patience dried up. 

Still, he pushed that to the back of his mind and let himself imagine otherwise. At least just for now. 

🌙

Playing with Taehyung, Jungkook learned, was an experience.

The beta had shifted to his wolf form after being called back, and was so full of energy. It had been so long since Jungkook had just let himself relax and play, even though he knew he should probably preserve his energy for hunting, he wanted to let himself play freely with Taehyung. 

Well, as freely as he could with his scarred paw, the tissue limiting his mobility.

Still, playing with Taehyung was overwhelming in the best of ways, especially with Namjoon and Yoongi watching so fondly at the two of them, sitting on the blanket. 

Even though it made sense, it was still strange that the pack was just allowing their members to associate themselves with a rogue wolf. That didn’t just happen , in Jungkook’s experience. It was bizarre, it was wonderful. 

Finally, Taehyung shifted back, laughing brightly as he fell backwards against the ground. It felt like it had been hours since they had started playing, and clearly the beta had noticed Jungkook’s fatigue. In the background, Namjoon and Yoongi were chatting softly, the alpha resting his head on the beta’s shoulder. 

“Aish pup, we need to do this more often.” Unintentionally, Jungkook’s tail started to wag, and Taehyung’s smile at seeing it was like the sun shining. “Ahh, you’re so sweet. I can’t wait for Minnie-hyung to meet you.” Minnie-hyung?

“Oh, he would absolutely love you,” Namjoon gushed, eyes scrunched up into a grin. “He was also sent away from his pack, although it wasn’t quite as severe as Yoongi’s experience. Minnie probably wants another omega around, to be honest,” he teased.

The pack had an omega member? That wasn’t surprising with so many alphas, if Jungkook was being honest. Still, the metallic bubbling of anxiousness at meeting another pack member rose up anyway. Yet another pack member that might disapprove of a rogue. Desperately, Jungkook hoped that it wasn’t bleeding into his scent.

Even with that knowledge, when Taehyung asked if he wanted to play the next day, Jungkook happily agreed. 

🌙

The next few days were good. Very good, if Jungkook was being honest. Each day Jungkook met up with Taehyung, they would play or hunt together, oftentimes with a hyung in the background watching, or reading, or doing something completely mundane in the background. Even still, the pack members often brought food and snacks to offer to Jungkook. It still hadn’t snowed again, a fact that Jungkook was eternally grateful for. 

The fourth day,Taehyung came alone. At least, until the sun started to set, with the days being so short in the winter and out of the trees came a worried Yoongi. Taehyung and Jungkook stopped playing after that, smelling the alpha’s scent. 

“Hey pups, it’s probably best if we cut it short for the day today,” his voice was calm. “It looks like there’s going to be a storm tonight.” Taehyung whined, but dutifully walked over to stand next to Yoongi, who was looking at Jungkook, a serious expression on his face. 

Jungkook meanwhile, was sinking into dread. He had enough food to last a day or two, but really, he hadn’t been catching a lot the last few days, and if the storm was particularly bad, then he would need more. Prey had become scarce, regardless of how much effort he had been putting into trying to catch it. Additionally, his den, while just warm enough, didn’t block out the cold well. It was enough to survive, but Jungkook still went to sleep shivering each night. Deep in his thoughts, the omega was startled as Yoongi began to speak. 

“Do you,” he hesitated, “you have a place to stay warm, pup? Enough food?” Jungkook… Jungkook couldn’t look him in the eye, just staring at the ground. There was a crunch of footsteps, before Yoongi appeared right in front of the omega. The alpha crouched down, leaning forwards to tap Jungkook’s chin, a silent request to look up. His hand stayed outstretched, palm open in a gesture of welcome. 

There was no malice in his eyes, no ill-will. Just a steadiness that Jungkook appreciated. The alpha spoke again, intentionality laced in his words. 

“Pup, it’s cold outside, and it’s just going to get colder the further the night falls. Would you please come into our den? Our pack is worried for you.” Jungkook hesitated, looking at the two wolves. Taehyung’s scent was tinged with worry, Yoongi’s held only steady calmness. He looked at Yoongi’s face, at an alpha’s face, and found that he wasn’t afraid of the idea of being in their den. 

It was a startling realization. 

Slowly, Jungkook leaned forward, licking Yoongi’s outstretched hand in acceptance. The alpha softened, eyes filled with so much affection and relief. 

“Okay, thank you pup.” He turned towards Taehyung, “I’m going to go grab some more wood and food from the storage before heading in. Tell Jin it won’t take long. Make sure the pup is comfortable, yeah?” The beta yipped, eager and excited. 

The walk to the den was shorter than Jungkook expected, even though both Taehyung and himself were in wolf form. It was a nice (-) looking house, not extravagant, but clearly well cared for. He tried not to let the fear get the best of him as they climbed the steps to the front door, Taehyung shifting back to human form to let Jungkook in easier. 

As Jungkook entered the den for the first time, he was more than surprised to not smell anything resembling an omegan scent in the house. The pack members had talked so much about their omega, trace of an omega in the den? 

It was a beautiful den regardless, cozy and clearly well loved and lived in. Trinkets and photographs lined the walls, throw blankets were tossed every which way on the couch, and the overwhelming scent of content, happy, loved pack was everywhere in the house.

It made Jungkook’s heart ache.

Absorbed in looking around, he startled when Taehyung yelled out to the other pack members. “HYUNGS!! I’m home! Pup is with me!” Chaos ensued, and Jungkook cowered at the onslaught of pack that suddenly appeared in front of him. Hoseok and Namjoon, in wolf form, tried to get closer and lick Jungkook’s face. Taehyung tutted, swatting the pack members away when they began to crowd Jungkook, even the Hoseok, the alpha . 

The young omega watched in shock, and was just about to open his mouth to whine and submit for Taehyung’s forgiveness when Jin walked in and kissed Taehyung briefly. Looking at the other pack members, he sighed. 

“Taehyung is right, and you know it. Give the poor pup some space.” 

The two wolves whined, before slinking off to resume what they had been doing before Jungkook had arrived. The young omega’s heart twinged, not really wanting to see them leave. He was quickly distracted though by Jin kneeling down to look directly at Jungkook. 

“Hello pup, I want to properly welcome you to our den.” A smile grew on Jin’s handsome face. “I’m really glad Yoongi and Taehyung asked you to come inside, the cold is terrible this year.” The omega’s heart grew warm at the genuine sincerity in the pack alpha’s scent. 

“Yoongi-hyung went to grab some more wood and things from storage, he said it won’t take long.” Taehyung said. Jin nodded. 

“Okay, then I’m going to make you and pup something to eat. Sound good?” Taehyung nodded eagerly, with a wide smile on his face. Jin returned it, before standing up and walking to where Jungkook presumed the kitchen was. 

Taehyung walked further into the house as Jungkook awkwardly stood in the doorway. The beta quickly returned with soft blankets, a towel, and several pillows that he dumped in front of the fire. Jungkook crept over as the older wolf made a (very messy) nest and plopped down in it, gesturing for Jungkook to do the same, before grabbing the towel to help dry the young omega off from the melting snow.

Jin walked in just as the two had finished drying each other off completely, a bowl of rice and two bowls of beef in his hands. One was set right in front of Jungkook, the other in front of Taehyung. The omega hoped that he wasn’t eating too ravenously, too messily for the pack’s standards. But moon, was it nice to have flavorful, actually cooked meat. 

After the two finished eating, and Taehyung had come back from putting their bowls in the kitchen, Jungkook carefully snuggled into the nest next to the beta wolf. Taehyung smiled, looking incredibly endeared, as Jungkook slowly melted into the nest, truly relaxed for one of the first times since his exile. Again, he wondered about the lack of omega in the den, even though the pack has spoken of him before. As if he could read Jungkook’s mind, Taehyung began to speak.

“Normally, we have a nest right here. But our omega, Min-hyung, left our den just a couple of weeks ago. His parents demand that he goes back to visit his family pack to celebrate midwinter and the beginning of the new year.” The beta’s voice was sad. “He hates going, and normally we would fight against it, but he… he misses someone.” Jungkook’s eyes closed as he tried fighting the wave of sadness at Taehyung, clearly so devastated for his packmate. “He hopes—” Taehyung's voice cracked, “he hopes to see him again.”

Jungkook looked up at the beta, alarm shooting through his body at the tears falling down Taehyung’s face. He lifted his head off the beta’s lap, gently licking the salty tears off as Taehyung laughed a little at Jungkook’s antics. 

“Oh, you’re so sweet to me, aren’t you?” Jungkook’s tail wagged. Yawning, Taehyung laid down on his side, and Jungkook happily snuggled up to him. Jungkook further relaxed as Taehyung’s hand softly began to stroke the omega’s fur. It was quiet, it was warm, and Jungkook had almost just drifted to sleep when he heard Taehyung whisper, “our omega will love you.”

It was hard slipping out from Taehyung’s arm the next day, the storm having stopped overnight. Even still, he pushed himself outside into the cold, fresh fallen snow. 

Because they knew Jungkook was broken, the pack would likely only tolerate him for so long. Even if Yoongi had been alone before, he never lost the ability to shift like Jungkook had.

And yet, when Hoseok and Seokjin approached Jungkook the next day to invite him in, he followed them back inside. 

🌙

Day after day in the cold, terrible winter, Jungkook found himself returning to the pack’s den more often than not. 

In such a harsh winter, it was a moon-send, a reprieve from the cold when the omega truly needed it most. Sitting in the pack’s living room, oftentimes in the small, makeshift nest that Taehyung had made the first time Jungkook had come in, he was so, so warm. The pack members would often sit by him in both wolf and human form, snuggling next to him or petting his fur, or even just in the same room existing with him. 

It was the first time Jungkook had felt so wanted since he had been torn from Jimin. It was the first time he had felt so human after losing his ability to shift so long ago. So, day after day, he kept coming back.

Most days he would leave the den in the morning, going outside and hunting, or playing, or following one of the hyungs around wherever they went. It was almost like being in a pack again, although this was absolutely nothing like what Jungkook had experienced at his old pack. Jungkook also wasn’t sure if this pack would even want him to stick around beyond the winter. They had probably invited him out of pity, anyway. 

He tried not to let the thought of leaving after the snow melting affect him so much. It made the familiar feeling of loneliness ache a little too much. 

There was also the problem of the pack’s omega, Min. Although there were offhand comments about how Jungkook would love him, and their omega would love Jungkook just as much, the fear of being pushed out by a pack for a second time made him incredibly anxious. Normally, omegas didn’t get a say in pack affairs. This pack, however, seemed different. They seemed to value Min too much to not let him potentially kick Jungkook out. 

The New Year came and went, and all of a sudden, the pack started shifting gears to welcome their omega back home. Cleaning the house, checking the food storage, chopping more wood than normal. It would have been cute, if it didn’t make Jungkook nauseous with anxiety about the omega’s impending arrival. There were only a couple of days left, after all. 

Jin had idly talked to Jungkook about Min while he had been cooking. Min tended to leave as soon as possible after New Years celebrations, and given that it took a week or so for him to pack up and get back to the den, they were expecting him soon. 

That night, as Jungkook lay in front of the fire, he knew that it would be his last evening with the pack, at least for the foreseeable future. 

In the morning, Jungkook woke barely before the sun began to shine, and slipped out quietly, unimpeded by the other pack members. 

🌙

Despite the loneliness aching in his bones, Jungkook kept to his vow of staying away from the pack the days their omega was due to return. 

It was fear, more than anything. While Jungkook had warmed up to almost everyone (even the alphas!) the idea of meeting a new person in the pack that he didn’t know was still nauseating, nerve-wracking, even if he knew about them coming so long in advance. He would have to earn the trust of the new, beloved omega who would make or break Jungkook’s ability to stay there.

If the omega didn’t like Jungkook, Jungkook would be as good as exiled again. He’s not sure he could survive a second time. 

He spent the afternoon during the first day away from the pack in relative peace, but the gnawing feeling of nervousness prevented him from truly relaxing. As sunset arrived, he could hear footsteps in the distance, slowly getting closer and closer. The downwind breeze, though, made it impossible for him to catch the scent of whomever was encroaching on his little patch of territory. 

Jungkook’s heart began to race, and he darted out from the den into the cold snow. Carefully, the omega hid himself in the treeline of a nearby hill, angling himself just so that he could see the entrance to his den. 

When he saw Hobi in wolf form, Jungkook relaxed, but didn’t reveal himself. Even as Hobi nosed around the front of his den, Jungkook found he didn’t mind. Hobi was safe, even if he was an alpha. 

Finding the den empty, Hoseok turned and howled, before shifting into a heavily-bundled human form. 

“Pup!! It’s okay, you don’t have to stay out here.” He hesitated. “If you don’t want to come back to our den it’s fine, but if it’s because our omega is about to come home and you’re nervous… ” Jungkook laid his head down on his paws, wishing desperately to be able to properly cry in this form. 

He wanted to go back, moon, he wanted to go. But that anxious feeling bubbling up made him stay put, even as he shivered, oh so cold from the snow. 

Hoseok waited for a few minutes, before his shoulders slumped. He looked around one last time, before cupping his hands around his mouth. 

“Pup, it’s okay if you don’t want to come. But… just know that our door is always open for you. We will always share our fire with you. I hope you stay warm tonight, please sleep well and stay safe.” He looked… so sad. 

Jungkook couldn’t bear to watch the alpha leave. 

The wind began to pick up again, and Jungkook couldn’t help but feel the cold settle ever further into his bones. Couldn’t help how it felt like frost made a home in his fur. Couldn’t help how he wished to be curled up by the fire, in a den that had welcomed him even if he was a broken omega. 

Sleep didn’t come easy that night. 

🌙

The next day was fortunately somewhat warmer than the previous day, and Jungkook resolved to continue to stay away from the pack. 

He still needed food though, which meant that he needed to go out and find it. Stiffly, he stretched, not really wanting to leave his safe space, even if it was for sustenance. However, the grumble in his stomach overruled everything else, so he dutifully crawled out of his little den and left. 

Even if he didn’t want to see the pack right now, there was better prey in the pack’s territory, and considering Namjoon’s previous reassurances about hunting, Jungkook convinced himself to cross the border into their territory. Slowly, he walked around, eyes and ears open for any hint of food 

Sooner than expected, he reached the small river and waterfall that he had crossed when he met pack members for the second time. The waterfall still tumbled over the rocks, and it was almost a soothing white noise to the omega as he carefully stepped over some ice and leaned over the rock ledge to look at the rest of the river down below. Nervously, the omega noticed how the running water had remained relatively unfrozen, leaving many of the rocks slippery. 

But… there might be food near the river below. Jungkook stared at the steep path of rocks that offered a way down to the lower water. Frozen in indecision, the omega didn’t notice three of the pack members, in bundled human form, as they hurried towards the river. 

“Jungkook?” The shock of hearing his name for the first time in so long made Jungkook jerk violently around to see who the hell had said it. 

As his body turned, though, his back paws caught on a piece of black ice that he had carefully stepped over to get to the ledge. They slipped out underneath his body, throwing the young wolf off balance, causing him to fall over onto his side…

right over the rocky ledge of the waterfall. 

The wolf yelped in pain as the rocks dug into his side, his hips, his legs, and everywhere . It felt like he fell both forever and instantly, pain coming from all sides, but particularly when a sharp rock scraped against the meat of his back leg. 

As quickly as he had fallen, everything stopped, and it felt like there was no air left in his chest. 

The world spun before his eyes, and Jungkook’s stomach heaved at the feeling. He tried to sit up, yelping when pain shot through injured leg. Bile roiled in his stomach. Okay, no sitting up then. 

When the shouting registered, Jungkook thought he was hallucinating. He wasn’t thinking straight, knew that the cotton filling his brain was probably a bad sign. 

“Jungkook, JUNGKOOK!!” The voice sounded familiar. Why did it sound familiar? The pain must be messing with him. But… the voice knew his name? The only people who knew that were the people he left before exile. It felt like his thoughts were swimming through honey.

Warm hands smoothed over his fur, and despite the fact that it was gentle, he thrashed against it. People who knew his name were dangerous, people from his old pack were dangerous . He couldn’t be trapped again in his old pack, he just couldn’t. 

“Hey, baby, hey, you need to calm down.” Baby? “You’re going to hurt yourself if you keep moving.” Jungkook stilled, both confused and terrified. “There you go, calm down for me, good boy. It’s going to be okay.” The warm hands resumed their petting. 

Jungkook gasped, feeling on the verge of total panic. There was a stranger touching him—but then, the scent registered, and the fight drained out of him. 

His head whipped around to check. 

It was Jimin. 

The older omega gave Jungkook a watery smile, tears dripping down his cheeks. 

Time hung still as Jungkook saw Jimin for the first time since his exile. Emotions boiled under the young’s skin and he felt everything all at once. Two years ‘ worth, unleashed as the two lovers held each other after being apart for so long. Fear, anger, terror, worry, anxiety, sadness, nostalgia, everything.

Other pack members had begun to gather, talking to each other in various levels of panic, shock, and worry. Jungkook didn’t pay it any attention, staring just at Jimin in pure shock until Namjoon’s face floated beside him. 

“Jimin, how do you—” Namjoon took a breath, gently shaking his head. “Nevermind, we need to get him inside.” Hobi, who had been hovering next to Namjoon, nodded, stood up, and shifted before darting back towards the den. Jungkook tore his eyes away for a second to watch him leave, having jumped over the shallow water to run up the hill that made up the river’s other side. 

His brain felt like it was swimming, and all he wanted to do was sleep. He didn’t even realize his eyes were closed until someone held his face. 

“No, Jungkook, please. Please, you have to stay awake for me.” Jimin . Jungkook forced his eyes open, trying to fight the pull towards unconsciousness. He whined, nuzzling his face into the omega’s hand, wanting to say so much , but frustrated at how he was so unable to. 

“Jimin, let me carry him.” Warm hands wormed under Jungkook, and he yelped in pain as they accidentally jostled his leg. “Oh, shhhh, baby, I’m sorry, your beta is sorry.” Oh, his beta? Jungkook liked that. “We just need to get you back to the den first, pup. I promise it will be okay. I promise we will take care of you.” 

Jungkook forced his eyes open again, wiggling around even if it hurt just to be able to meet Jimin’s eyes. The older omega’s face was streaked in tears, and he let out another sob as the man reached out to pet Jungkook’s head. 

“Jungkookie… my baby I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry that I couldn’t protect you. I’m sorry, I’m sorry.” Jungkook needed to tell Jimin that it wasn’t his fault, that he couldn’t have done anything to prevent the tearing apart of the two omegas. Desperately, the words bubbled under his skin, wanting to be heard. 

But he couldn’t speak. All the young omega could do was whine, and hope that it was enough to convey a fraction of so many emotions, so many things left unsaid to his hyung. 

Jungkook lost time after that. Between one blink and the next he felt himself moving from the horribly cold outside to the beautifully warm inside of the den. Gentle hands pet his fur, a hand helped him to swallow some kind of medicine, the sting of someone cleaning his wound, murmured praises and sweet nothings, a gloriously soft nest. 

He was floating. He must have been, if he was so comfortable. His head still felt like soup, unable to fully process what was happening around him, but it was alright. Soft whispers still floated over his head, just out of reach. Scent, pack scent permeated the air, it was all he could smell. Even if it was tinged with worry, it was nice. But through the overarching mix, he could easily pick out Jimin, Jimin-hyung’s. 

The omega turned his nose over to the side where his omega-hyung’s scent was wonderfully strong, hearing the gentle oompf of a started wolf. There was a happy laugh, and Jungkook nuzzled further into the scent. It was a dream, it had to be a dream, or a hallucination, a side effect of hitting his head against one of the rocks too hard, because he hadn’t seen his omega hyung in years. 

Even if it was a figment of his imagination, it was wonderful.

Sighing, the omega tried to curl up further into his hyung’s scent, and let sleep pull him into the welcoming darkness. 

🌙

When Jungkook awoke, it was because of the pain. His body throbbed , the full effect of his tumble over the rocks making itself known. He whimpered, nosing into the soft bedding he seemed to be sleeping on. It smelled wonderful , of the different pack members and Jimin— 

Jimin. 

Jungkook’s head shot up as he frantically looked around for his hyung, he had to make sure that he was real, that it wasn’t his imagination—

“Hey, hey, Jungkookie, pup, please calm down, I don’t want you to accidentally hurt yourself again.” Jungkook whipped around to stare a worried-looking Jimin in the eye, but the motion hurt and the ensuing yelp had Jimin cursing and reaching over for a small bowl of water off to the side from the nest. And oh, it really was a proper omegean nest. 

“I mixed some painkillers for you into this water, to make it easier to take. Can you drink this for me please?” The younger omega dipped his head in acceptance, and relief bloomed on Jimin’s face. After helping Jungkook sit up, the injured wolf gratefully drank from the bowl, absolutely parched after sleeping so long. 

He downed a good amount of the cool water before Jimin took the bowl away and helped him lie down again, head in Jimin’s lap, his eyes soft as he looked down at him. Gently, Jimin rested his hand on Jungkook’s uninjured side, and the young omega almost let out an embarrassing keen as Jimin began to card his hand through the fur. 

It was almost as if they were back in their familial pack again, except this time they were warm, and they didn’t have to worry about being seen. Still, a nugget of worry wormed its way into Jungkook’s heart, because looking up at Jimin, he could just see the edge of what was clearly a pack bite mark on his shoulder. 

Seeing the teeth marks, Jungkook came to the startling realization that he was less shocked than he thought he would be. Jimin was clearly the omega of this pack, and it would have been strange if he wasn’t mated to them. Even still, what if his new mates didn’t want another omega? Jungkook couldn’t just leave Jimin and the hyungs who had treated him so—

“Jungkookie, my little omega, it’s going to be alright.” Jimin speaking broke Jungkook out of the mini anxiety induced spiral. The young wolf tilted his head, making eye contact with his hyung, before finally allowing himself to relax further into the soothing motion of Jimin’s hand through his fur, as Jimin continued to speak. 

“You know, when my packmates told me they had found a feral omega, I don’t think I ever expected it to be you.” There was a note of bitter self-deprecation in that statement, and Jungkook hated it. “I held out some small hope, of course, but—” Jimin sighed, tone softening as he looked at Jungkook, “ moon, Jungkookie, I’m so glad to see you again. I was so relieved to smell your scent all over our den this morning. ” 

“I’m so sorry though that I accidentally hurt you,” sadness and guilt, all emanating from Jimin, filled the air, “one minute you were there and the next you were falling over the ledge,” his voice cracked “Jungkookie I thought for a moment that you had died all over again.”

Wait, what? Jungkook’s head tilted in bewilderment. Jimin had thought he was dead? Seeing Jungkook’s confusion, the older omega’s face broke. 

“Oh, baby, I’m sorry, I didn’t—” he took in a trembling breath, eyes closing, “I forgot that my packmates hadn’t told you about how I got here yet. Do you, do you want to wait until later? Or now?” The young omega headbutted his hyung, yes, now, why did Jimin think he was dead— the older nodded, steeling himself up for the story even as it looked like he was close to tears. 

“It’s not, it’s not as bad as what you went through, I know that. At least I had this pack alongside me for most of the time.” Jimin looked away, his voice dwindling to barely a whisper “you, you remember the day that our old pack found us?” Jungkook nodded, dread growing in his stomach. “I don’t know where they took you, but they shoved me into my room and locked the door, with guards out front to keep me in.” The older omega turned back and looked at the younger, close to breaking down. 

“Jungkook, I don’t know how to tell you just how awful it was. I was shut in my room for two weeks, my parents didn’t let me out for anything.” Jimin began to sob, “and they told me you were dead, that they had killed you for seducing me and making me break a pack law. I thought— I thought you were dead, Jungkook, baby. For weeks . And it would have been because of me—” 

Jungkook nuzzled into him, lifting his head up a little to softly lick his tears. The older omega laughed wetly at the action, wiping his nose and gently pushing the younger omega off, before continuing with his story.

“I was lucky though, I overheard one of the guards talking about how you had been exiled, not killed. That gave me—that gave me enough strength to push through. If I could get out of my room, I could find you again.” His face dropped, “but I couldn’t break out in time.”

“The pack didn’t quite kick me out the same way they did to you,” Jimin’s voice dripped in bitterness and self-retribution, clearly blaming himself for what his parents had ordered, “instead, they arranged for me to be taken to a different pack, far enough away that I wouldn’t have to be seen more than required for family celebrations. They intended to marry me off.” His face actually brightened slightly at that. 

“That’s how I met Jin.” Jungkook cocked his head in surprise, confused because Jin probably already had packmates? Jimin smiled. “Yeah, yeah, I know. Jin had all of the others already,” his face darkened, “his parents didn’t approve though, they bought me from my family’s guards, and presented me to Jin. Gave him a ‘proper’ omega to court instead of loving other alphas and betas.

“But, even though Jin did have the others, he took me in too. I’m sure he can tell you more about it if you ask him.

“We were forced to mate, by both of our parents. My parents wanted me to have an alpha, his, an omega.” Jimin’s face crumbled again, “I wanted to wait, Kookie, baby. I wanted to wait so badly until I found you. But I didn’t have much of a choice. With the pressure from both of our parents…” He took a deep breath, looking directly at Jungkook. “But I did make Jin promise me something before he bit me. Should I find you, or for some reason, you come to us, he would offer you a spot in the pack.” Jungkook’s jaw nearly dropped out of pure shock. 

That, that was an incredible level of commitment for Jin to make. Wolves didn’t just let anyone in packs, and they certainly didn’t just promise to take in complete strangers. It was a testament to how much Jin wanted to offer Jimin freedom, to be able to take care of him, and by extension, Jungkook. 

Jungkook had already come to know that Jin wasn’t at all like the alphas in his old pack. This piece of information, though, blew any reservations against him out of the water, along with his packmates who also agreed to do it. He looked back at Jimin, his healthy, happy Jimin, and remembered how well the pack members had taken care of him, a rogue, even when Jungkook had not dared to step closer than he thought appropriate 

He and Jimin would be safe here. He had hoped before, but now he knew it. 

Jimin though, appeared oblivious to his revelation of safety, and continued after the brief pause. 

“I understand though, Jungkook, if you don’t want me anymore.” Fresh tears began to well up in the older omega’s eyes, “slowly, I’ve fallen in love with this pack. I have five mates now, even though I never stopped looking for you, I never stopped loving you. Things have changed so much, and if you decide to leave..." his lip wobbled, "then we have to respect that. I’ll understand."

Moon Jungkook wished he could speak. Instead, he could only nuzzle Jimin even more and look pleadingly into his eyes, desperately hoping that his hyung would understand what he meant. Slowly, Jungkook’s answer seemed to dawn on the older omega, and cautious joy began to spread along his beautiful features. 

“You… you want to stay?” Jungkook nodded as best he could in this form, and Jimin let out a happy sob as he hugged the young wolf closer. “Thank you, thank you Jungkookie, baby, little omega, thank you for trusting me.” The young omega let out a happy yip, and licked his hyung’s face. 

Things were going to be okay. 

🌙

Turns out that the other pack members had wanted to give Jimin and Jungkook space as Jungkook woke up in order to reconnect with each other and let Jimin continue to tend to Jungkook’s injuries. Even still, as they all reentered the room, Taehyung just about tackled Jimin before stopping himself just in time to prevent the possibility of reinjuring Jungkook. 

The omega fondly swatted the beta as he plopped down next to Jimin instead, immediately turning his nose into the omega’s neck and breathing deeply. It was sweet. 

Yoongi knelt beside Jungkook, carefully checking his bandaged wounds, nodding in appreciation when he saw the mostly-empty bowl of water. For once, the omega didn’t flinch at the large hands touching him, assessing the quality of the work. 

“Your leg is broken, pup, and you have a large gash on your right side. Probably at least a mild concussion too.” His scent was threaded with an uncharacteristic undertone of worry. “No moving around for you right now, bed rest only, right-side up to make sure the wound can breathe” The alpha’s hand began to pet his side, tone grave. “We’re really lucky it wasn’t worse.”

“You yelled out Jungkook’s name, but I didn’t put the dots together until he was in the house with us,” Jin whispered, reverence flowing deep within his low voice. “I can’t believe— I’m so glad that we finally found you.” 

“I think all of us are curious though, what happened between you two at your old pack.” Hoseok mentioned, one eyebrow raised. “Jimin has said some, but not a lot.”

Jimin looked at Jungkook. 

“Do you mind if I tell them about what happened? I didn’t want to say much without you being here.” The younger omega nodded, and with that, Jimin began to recount the tale. 

The pack listened with rapt attention as the omega began to speak, telling them of how Jungkook and Jimin had grown up together, fallen in love, and then been subsequently exiled in their own ways from the pack. Even though he couldn’t properly speak, Jungkook still added in yips and headbutts against Jimin when he teased the younger omega, much to Jimin’s obvious endearment. It took longer than he expected, to recount the tale, but by the end of it, the pack looked at the two omegas in various states of awe, worry, and tears. 

Namjoon, though, looked sad. 

“Aishhh, I wish I could have taken you in when we met a year ago, Jungkook. I didn’t know it was you.” The beta’s voice was soft, apologetic, his scent soured. “But I remember Jimin smelling you on me and immediately running out to find where you went after being freed from the trap.”

Guilt turned in Jungkook’s stomach. He whined, leaning as far forward as he could to press his nose into Namjoon’s thigh, trying to comfort the older wolf. The beta’s face softened, and he pressed a kiss on Jungkook’s forehead in acceptance. 

“Oh baby. My baby.” Jimin reached down to give Jungkook an awkward-sort of hug, the touch making the young wolf feel so, so warm inside. He breathed in Jimin’s scent, even as soured by worry as it was, and relaxed further into his arms. The room was quiet, as nobody knew quite what to say, and the warmth/painkiller combo was making the young wolf so, so tired. 

Slowly, he drifted off to sleep in his omega’s arms, feeling loved again for the first time since his exile. 

🌙

Jungkook healed slowly, a factor of long being malnourished and injured from the long years he spent alone. 

He spent most of the first few weeks living with the pack in Jimin’s nest, resting as Yoongi had ordered. It was nice, but also frustrating. Jungkook simply wasn’t used to having absolutely nothing to do. Anytime he did escape to hobble around, there would be a pack member there within a few minutes, tuting and scolding and tucking Jungkook immediately back into the nest.

It was always in good fun though, their tones teasing and gentle and overall so full of care that it never made Jungkook feel patronized, only warm and soothed. They always cuddled and scruffed him afterwards too, as a pack would to a young pup. 

He didn’t want it to end. 

Jimin in particular rarely left Jungkook’s side the weeks he was healing, a fact that the omega treasured immensely. It felt like a dream, and yet Jimin was there every time Jungkook woke up in the morning, without fail. 

At first, he worried distantly that Jimin would reject him because of how the young omega couldn’t turn human anymore. But on the second morning of Jungkook’s rest, the older held the younger’s face and made a promise: I will never leave you again, before kissing Jungkook’s furry forehead and promptly snuggling up to the injured wolf in his arms. 

And well, that was enough. 

It wasn’t just Jimin doting on Jungkook either, the rest of the pack seemed to take Jimin’s goal of welcoming Jungkook in stride, cooking delicious meals for him, snuggling up and petting Jungkook when he gave permission, changing his bandages and overall treating the wolf like he was one of their own: not just as a stranger that Jimin had dragged inside. 

It was astounding, the love and affection that was offered to Jungkook as though he was an official pack member. 

(And if Jungkook found his heart falling for the alphas and betas right alongside his omega-hyung, then that was nobody’s business but his.)

Days passed, from that cold, terrible winter into spring. The young omega continued to grow healthier, putting on more weight as his once dirty, scraggly coat transformed into glorious, soft fur. His bandages finally came off, and Yoongi finally, finally gave approval for the omega to get up and walk again. 

It was wonderful, finally being able to reciprocate and help the pack the way that he wanted. Trotting alongside Namjoon as they went hunting, helping Yoongi gather herbs and plants needed for his healing, cooking with Seokjin, playing with Taehyung. And of course, lying next to Jimin every night snuggled in their nest. 

The night of the next full moon, was warm. All day, the pack had been prepping for their evening, preparing food, water, all the necessities needed for shifted wolves when they ran during the night. Jimin had been in his nest with Jungkook all day, the two rearranging it just to their liking, making it big enough for all seven to fit in after they were done with their run. 

Just before sunset, the pack sat down on the living room floor. Jungkook was squished between Jimin and Namjoon, a fact that made him whine and pant happily, earning endeared grins from the pack. Seokjin sat across from the omega, and the room went quiet as he cleared his throat and began to speak. 

“Jungkook, as you know, when Jimin was offered a spot in our pack, he asked for only one thing: when he found you, that you would be offered a spot as well.” Jungkook’s head tilted, where was the pack alpha going with this? “You have been with us for a while now, and I know all of us are keen to make good on this promise. Man, wolf, both or only one, you have proven to be brave, smart, and most of all, you have been our sweet, loving, caring maknae. I, for one, couldn’t imagine this pack without you in it anymore.

“Jeon Jungkook, will you accept our pack’s offer, will you run with us as a pack member tonight?” The young omega sat back, stunned, and looked around at the pack. They were beaming, eyes full of hope as they looked at Jungkook. Hesitantly, he stood up and walked over to the pack alpha. Looking into his eyes, he nodded, before playfully licking his face, much to the sputtering and laughter of Jin and the other pack members.

Jin didn’t bite him, not yet. That was reserved for lovers and mates and that was another conversation that needed to happen. But still, the young omega ran with the pack in their wolf forms that night, as an official member of their pack. It was freeing, being so accepted, so wanted. 

The long days of winter, of loneliness, were over. Spring was here. 

🌙

That night found Jungkook tucked up in Jimin’s arms, surrounded by all of the pack members, both in wolf and human form. The omega blinked groggily, unsure what had woken him up in the middle of the night when he was so comfortable and warm but—

He felt different. Bigger. Like he was chewed up gum, all stretched out and sore and—he was human. He was human again. Jungkook tried to sit up, but his arms were too weak and he fell back down with a quiet oof.  

He heard quiet gasp behind him, before a whispered Jungkookie and all of a sudden Jungkook was being squished and Jimin was there on top of him and he was crying and oh Jiminie was crying with a gloriously beautiful smile on his face. 

For the first time since he had lost his human form, Jungkook let out a sob, overwhelmed and exhausted and so incredibly happy.

The other pack members must have woken up, but the young omega didn’t care as he used his fingers to pull up Jimin’s face and press a kiss to his lips, both of them giggling along the way. 

“Jungkookie, my little omega, I love you so much.” Jimin was crying again, but it was okay, it was all okay. 

“I love you too, Jiminie-hyung.”

🌙

Jungkook wasn’t  sure when he fell in love with Jimin, with the pack. 

But as he looked around at the pack members, their faces full of awe and wonder, Jimin still on top of him, that was okay. 

He knew, in his heart, that it was right.

fin.

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