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It has been 3 years since Alpha Prince Jungkook left his newlywed mate Taehyung, to go on a war.

The war went on for 3 long years at the border.

But there was another war going inside Omega Taehyung’s heart for all these 3 years.

Taehyung had barely known Jungkook when they got married.

Their alliance was a political one not based on love or some soulmate bonds.

Soulmate bonds are anyways very rare these days, so Taehyung has never thought of meeting one either.

Taehyung was going to consider Jungkook as his everything.

Taehyung was ready to spend the rest of his years with Jungkook, a man he doesn't know much about, other than the fact that he is Alpha Prince of the neighboring pack.

Taehyung was ready to follow the path blindly that Jungkook was supposed to show him.

But none of that happened. The very next day of their wedding, a war broke down at their border.

And Jungkook has to leave to lead the pack army. The northern opponents were brutal and lethal.

Their pack needed their mighty Alpha Prince to guide them and Jungkook agreed to it without having any second thoughts.

Taehyung has not been marked yet. They have not initiated their mating ritual. Taehyung has been married for 3 years but he is as good as an unmated Omega.

But Taehyung doesn’t have to wait for any longer.

Jungkook is coming home after 3 years.

Taehyung is more than ready to be marked by Jungkook.

Taehyung doesn’t know much about Jungkook. But he knows that Jungkook is brave, strong and perfect to become the Alpha king of their pack.

Jungkook is very handsome too. Taehyung blushes at the thought of remembering the time when he first met Jungkook.

They never get much time to talk to each other but Taehyung had plenty of stolen glances from Jungkook.

Taehyung has no idea what Jungkook had been thinking during their wedding ceremony but his own heart had beaten faster than the drums.

Jungkook has that kind of effect on Taehyung.

Even now Taehyung is having goosebumps upon thinking of spending time with Jungkook alone.

Taehyung’s entire body shivers upon thinking of being kissed lovingly by Jungkook.

Taehyung’s breath is getting hitched upon thinking about making love to Jungkook.

But happiness always comes with an expiry date.

The news of Jungkook arriving at the mansion gate has reached Taehyung.

Taehyung can't control his anxiety anymore, so he rushes towards the main door.

Taehyung is not sure how he should be feeling.

He should be feeling happy that his mate is finally back.

He should be feeling shy because he still needs to get to know him.

He should be feeling anxious as a lot of time has passed and it's like meeting his mate all over again for the first time.

But when Taehyung sees Jungkook he is feeling something altogether different.

Taehyung is shocked.

Taehyung is surprised.

Taehyung is scared.

Jungkook has returned in a perfectly healthy state. The aura of victory is glowing on his already charming face.

But at this moment Taehyung’s biggest worry is the beautiful woman standing next to Jungkook.

"She is Hara, the Omega heir of the Northern Pack." Jungkook announces to everyone standing there to welcome him including Taehyung.

However Jungkook is not meeting Taehyung’s eye. Not yet.

Taehyung is holding his breath to listen to the next words from Jungkook. He is sure that this is not it.

Jungkook must have something more to say.

After taking a pause to settle down the news among everyone, Jungkook continues, "Northern Pack has sent her here as a peace offering."

Jungkook waits again if anyone has anything to say.

Taking in the silence, Jungkook proceeds, "The alliance can only be formed by mating. So I announce my wedding with Omega Hara next month at the Lunar festival."

Everyone gasps at the news. Soft chatters break down among the crowd.

Taehyung knows what it means for him. It is against the pack rules to have two mates. The moon goddess will never accept this.

So Taehyung realizes that the only way for Jungkook to marry Hara, is to reject Taehyung as his mate.

Taehyung cannot bear this news.

What will happen to him after rejection?

Where will he go? His own pack will never accept him.

Who will look after him, it is next to impossible for an Omega to live all alone.

Taehyung’s poor heart couldn't take the burden of this news and he faints.

Taehyung waits for his fall on the ground but that never happens.

Jungkook has safely managed to secure Taehyung in his arms.

Taehyung could see fine frown lines on Jungkook’s forehead before closing his eyes.

A few moments later, Taehyung opens his eyes slowly. He is laying on the bed in their bedroom which is soon to be Jungkook’s and Hara's room.

Taehyung’s heart feels a sharp pain at the thought of it.

It has been his room since the day he stepped into this mansion.

It has been his house since the day of his marriage.

It has been his Alpha since the day they met.

All of this is going to be Hara's in one month.

Taehyung feels a bitter taste of jealousy in his mouth.

Taehyung is wandering in his thoughts, feeling dejected and devastated.

He doesn't even notice that Jungkook has entered their room and is sitting at the edge of the bed.

Taehyung can see concern in Jungkook’s eyes for him. But Taehyung is not sure if he is reading them right.

Jungkook right now is a complete stranger to Taehyung. Well he always has been.

But through these 3 years of their separation, Taehyung has conjured a certain image of Jungkook in his heart  

But the Jungkook that has returned from the war is totally different from what he had imagined.

Three years is a long time of separation. 

It is easy to forget your mate if you're not soulmates.

It is easy to forget your mate if you have not initiated the mating ritual.

It is easy to forget your mate if you have not been marked.

So how can Taehyung expect Jungkook to remember him?

Taehyung has been remembering Jungkook in the comfort of their mansion. It is easy to keep the ray of hope lit.

But Jungkook, he has gone through the hardships of war. He has been dodging death every day and seen his men sacrificing for him. 

So amidst all that, how could Taehyung expect Jungkook to think about love, to think about him?

Jungkook breaks the silence in the air and speaks to Taehyung for the first time after returning, "I have to do this. It's the only way."

Taehyung is listening to Jungkook’s voice after 3 years.

Taehyung has not talked to Jungkook much.

But whatever small conversation they had during their courting and wedding, Taehyung remembered Jungkook’s voice.

Taehyung kept hearing Jungkook's voice in his dreams while sleeping alone in this bed.

Jungkook’s voice was one of few things that kept him going.

The voice still sounds somewhat the same to Taehyung but the weight on its intensity is definitely different.

Taehyung didn't get a chance to bask in Jungkook’s voice.

Taehyung didn't get a chance to soak in Jungkook’s warmth.

Taehyung didn't get a chance to love Jungkook properly.

Taehyung didn't get a chance to be loved by Jungkook at all.

But Taehyung knows there is no point in sulking in his own sorrows. He cannot stop the inevitable.

"When do you want to break our marriage? Since we have not mated yet, we don't have to go through a bond breaking ritual. Since we are not soulmates, you don't have to reject me. We can simply get our wedding annulled." Taehyung says while looking outside the window.

He doesn't have the strength to look at Jungkook right now. 

He is sure that he will break down into a million pieces if he looks at those big doe eyes at this moment.

The moonlight shimmering in the midnight blue sky is somehow calming Taehyung’s nerves. Taehyung could feel that the moon goddess herself is holding his hands throughout all this.

Jungkook is shocked at Taehyung’s words.

He has been expecting a big argument from Taehyung.

He has been preparing a big explanation to give to Taehyung.

But he has never been expecting Taehyung to just give up this easily.

Jungkook clears his throat, "We can annul our marriage next month at the Lunar festival only. That will give you some more time to prepare for our separation."

Or that would give Jungkook some more time to spend with Taehyung. But Jungkook doesn’t say that out loud.

Taehyung might think that Jungkook doesn’t care enough.

Taehyung might think Jungkook doesn’t think about him enough.

Taehyung might think that Jungkook doesn’t love him enough.

But it's not true. It's not true at all.

Taehyung was the only anchor to Jungkook’s otherwise chaotic life.

Taehyung’s sweet voice was the only guide that Jungkook kept following during those darkest days.

Taehyung’s innocent face was the only motivation that keeps Jungkook pulling back from the clutches of death.

If Jungkook is sane after going on a war which lasted for 3 years, then it's all because of Taehyung’s memories and hope of reuniting with him one day.

Jungkook didn't get a chance to form any kind of affections with Taehyung. Taehyung was chosen for him and Jungkook simply accepted his fate.

Jungkook thought he would have the rest of their lives anyway to get to know each other. But Jungkook never knew that his forever was going to be this short.

Now Jungkook has only a month left with Taehyung.

Now Jungkook has no option left but to leave Taehyung.

The war was getting extended beyond Jungkook’s control. Jungkook has to do something for the sake of his pack members.

Hence when the Alpha of the Northern Pack has offered his Omega daughter to be Jungkook’s mate, Jungkook couldn't deny it.

But now Jungkook’s heart clenches upon seeing Taehyung like this.

Taehyung has no fault in all of it yet he has to suffer and he would be suffering after their separation also.

Jungkook very well knows how tough life could be for such Omegas who are rejected or separated by their mates.

But Jungkook refuses to let Taehyung be the victim of this cruel fate.

Jungkook is going to build a separate mansion just for Taehyung.

And this one month will give enough time to Jungkook to make necessary arrangements for Taehyung.

Jungkook is not doing it because he is feeling responsible for Taehyung neither he is doing all this out of guilt.

Jungkook doesn’t want to think about the reason why he is doing all of it.

To respect the boundaries of their marriage Jungkook has promised Taehyung that he will not meet or see Hara until their marriage is annulled.

Hara is fine with this agreement. Anyways, like any other Omega, Hara has no choice of her own. She has to comply with what Jungkook decides for her. So she is waiting in another corner of the pack mansion for the lunar festival to come. The day she can unite with Jungkook, the basic reason she is here.

Jungkook is not thinking about Hara at this moment. His major worry is Taehyung. How quickly he can settle Taehyung in that new mansion so that Taehyung doesn't have any concerns.

But Jungkook doesn’t understand that the biggest concern for an Omega is not a place to stay. 

For Taehyung, getting away from Jungkook will always be his biggest bane in life.

All his life Taehyung has prepared himself to be a Luna of the pack.

Taehyung has prepared himself to be a dutiful Omega to his Alpha husband.

But all his efforts are in vain now. He is still being dutiful by letting Jungkook leave him. He is still being the Luna of the pack by letting Jungkook marry Hara for the sake of the pack.

Well he is not sure if the pack's safety is the only reason that Jungkook is marrying Hara or Jungkook has developed some kind of feelings for Hara.

Taehyung will not be surprised if Jungkook feels love towards Hara.

Taehyung and Jungkook have been apart from each other for 3 years, when Hara might be there with Jungkook.

Taehyung and Jungkook never formed any romantic bond while Hara might be a solace to Jungkook during the war.

Taehyung could never be Jungkook’s mate in true sense while Hara might be the right person to fulfill that promise.

Taehyung should be happy that Jungkook has refrained himself from meeting Hara until their own wedding is done.

But Taehyung is not happy. Taehyung doesn’t want charity love from Jungkook. Taehyung doesn’t want to keep his heart at Jungkook’s mercy.

Not anymore.

Taehyung is not angry at Jungkook, because he understands Jungkook’s responsibility towards his pack. 

But that doesn't mean Taehyung needs to keep any form of connection with Jungkook.

Their relationship is going to be broken soon, so what's the point in keeping it intact now?

That is why Taehyung has decided to keep himself scarce in Jungkook’s life as much as possible.

Taehyung keeps himself locked in the bedroom most of the time when Jungkook is outside working on pack affairs. 

Taehyung doesn’t want to bump into Jungkook, not even by mistake.

In the evenings once Jungkook is back in their room, Taehyung is already out, mostly spending his time in the kitchen or supervising household activities or sitting in the library and reading books.

Recently Taehyung has found that painting and music are really healing to his otherwise disturbing mind, so Taehyung indulges himself in a bit of both.

Taehyung returns back to their bedroom only when he knows that Jungkook would be deep asleep.

But that's what Taehyung thinks.

Jungkook pretends to sleep and keeps his eyes closed until he feels a silent dip in Taehyung’s side of bed.

When Jungkook hears the steady beats of Taehyung’s heart echoing through the room, when he hears Taehyung’s soft snores fills the room like some melodious music, then he opens his eyes.

Jungkook sighs in relief and sorrow at the same time.

Relief because Taehyung has come back to him even if the happiness of return is momentary.

Sorrow because in less than a month, this all will stop happening. 

In less than a month Taehyung will not return back to this room or to Jungkook.

In less than a month Jungkook will not feel the dip of the bed from Taehyung’s bed, Jungkook will not hear Taehyung’s heart beat or his voice or his snores, which has become music to Jungkook’s ears now.

In less than a month Taehyung’s presence will not be there in this room or in Jungkook’s life.

In less than a month there will be someone else who will be sharing this room with Jungkook.

In less than a month there will be someone else who will be part of Jungkook’s life.

Jungkook’s heart is tearing apart knowing that this someone will not be Taehyung.

Jungkook has never imagined in his dèadliest nightmares that one day Taehyung will stop being a part of him.

To someone looking at this situation from outside, it might look trivial. Jungkook couldn't easily break his engagement with Hara and live happily ever after.

But when has life been this simple?

If Jungkook doesn’t go ahead and marry Hara as promised to her father, Northern Pack will ambush them.

Not that Jungkook’s pack cannot retaliate. Each member of Jungkook’s àrmy is a wàrrior and is ready to sacrifice to protect their pack.

But they have just returned from a war and have barely got saved from that one. Jungkook cannot make his pack go through the same misery for his own selfish reasons.

Hence to Jungkook, going through with the peace treaty of marrying Hara is the only option.

Maybe he will meet Taehyung in some other life in some other universe.

Maybe he will be happy with Taehyung in that alternate universe.

But in this life, in this world Jungkook has to endure the agony of being separated by Taehyung.

Jungkook is not sure if he would be able to withstand that pain.

Taehyung is not Jungkook’s soulmate but his presence surely feels like one to Jungkook.

Jungkook has no idea what Taehyung's absence would bring to him.

Now Jungkook doesn’t have to wait any longer for his doomed fate.

Taehyung and Jungkook have signed the annulment papers, specifically prepared by the pack council.

Taehyung is standing in the room that used to be his room for 3 years, one last time.

Taehyung is relieving his moments spent with Jungkook that used to be in his memories only for 3 years, one last time.

Taehyung is waiting to bid his final goodbye to Jungkook who used to be his mate for 3 years, one last time.

Jungkook enters the room slowly.

"We shouldn't be alone in this room. We are not mates anymore," Taehyung tries to smile around the situation but has failed miserably.

Jungkook is digging his nails in his palms to feel some kind of other hurt. This sight of Taehyung is the most painful one for Jungkook.

"I have built a separate mansion for you. You won't have any trouble over there." Jungkook says while controlling his tears.

"Trouble becomes a second nature for any Omega who is separated from his mate." Taehyung is letting his tears fall now.

Jungkook’s feet are anxious to close the gap between them and wipe Taehyung’s tears.

But Jungkook does not do any such thing. He simply stands there helplessly watching Taehyung crying because of his ill fate.

Taehyung wipes his tears with both palms, "Anyways I should then make my way to that new house. You must be getting late for your wedding rituals. I won’t hold you off. I'll get going then."

And just like that Jungkook watches Taehyung, walking away from him.

And Jungkook does nothing to stop Taehyung.

Jungkook simply keeps looking at Taehyung’s back, getting farther and farther away with his vision blurred from his hot streams of tears.

Taehyung reaches the other mansion that Jungkook has gifted him. Taehyung mentally scoffs at the thought of such a lavish parting gift.

But Taehyung just cannot accept it. He didn't refuse Jungkook because he knew Jungkook would keep pressing on it. 

So he simply lied to him.

Taehyung cannot stay in this house because his inner Omega doesn't let him take anything given by his ex mate.

The word ex mate still sounds foreign to Taehyung’s tongue.

When Jungkook has left Taehyung for war, all Taehyung has been worried about was Jungkook’s safe return.

Taehyung never imagined that Jungkook would return safe but with someone else.

Taehyung never imagined that Jungkook would accept another mate.

Taehyung never imagined that Jungkook would replace him with someone else.

But Jungkook did all these things and Taehyung is just tired of crying over his unfortunate fate again and again.

Taehyung doesn’t want to have anything associated with Jungkook as it is too much pain for him.

So he decides to go anywhere else rather than staying in this other house.

But where would Taehyung go?

It's not like rejected or separated Omegas have a lot of options open to them.

Taehyung doesn’t want to return back to his father's pack. His father and pack might take him in or might not. But Taehyung doesn’t want to be a burden on them. 

Also Taehyung doesn’t want to test his luck. What if his old pack also rejects him? Taehyung is not ready to take in any more rejections. He won't be able to handle that.

Taehyung remembers that there is a shelter home at the outskirts of the pack territory for all kinds of lonely and abandoned Omegas.

Taehyung thinks that kind of shelter home will be perfect for him.

But Taehyung is scared about the authenticity of the place.

What if that place is a secret brothel or something? What if they force Taehyung to do something which Taehyung doesn’t want to do?

There are so many what if questions going on in Taehyung’s mind. And Taehyung is scared of the answer of each one of them.

As an Omega Taehyung has always stayed in the protection of his loved ones. His Alpha father and Alpha brothers have dotted on him.

After getting married to Jungkook, Taehyung has stayed in the confinement of Jungkook’s pack under the name of his protection.

But now Taehyung is on his own and he has no idea on how to survive in this big brutal world.

But Taehyung has to move on. He has to take risks. He has to see things for himself. He has to try and find out, else he would never know what will work for him and what won't.

Taehyung takes a brave face and goes towards that shelter home.

Taehyung now stands at the outskirts of his pack territory in front of a simple set of cottages.

Taehyung takes a deep breath and walks inside the helpdesk center.

5 Years Later

5 years have passed in Taehyung’s otherwise barren life.

It has been 5 years since he has moved on to his new life.

It has been 5 years since Taehyung has left his old life.

It has been 5 years since Jungkook has annulled his relationship with Taehyung.

Taehyung is now helping at this shelter home. They have other units for Orphan kids, Dejected Betas and Rogue Alphas.

These days Taehyung is helping in reforming the lives of Rogue Alphas.

Taehyung is going to meet one such Alpha today. Taehyung has heard that the Alpha doesn't want to be reformed. As if he is on a self destruction path.

Taehyung can understand the feeling. When your loved ones abandon you, you feel lost. But that should never become an obstacle.

Taehyung has gone through a similar situation in his life and he doesn't want anyone else to go through the same.

Taehyung is not sure if he himself has fully moved on from his past but he is trying to take one day at a time.

Taehyung might not have completely healed but he is trying to find solace in small simple things around him.

Taehyung is waiting in the outer area for the rogue Alpha to arrive.

Taehyung’s heart starts to beat faster the moment his gaze falls on the Alpha walking slowly towards him.

Taehyung has never felt like this in 5 years.

Taehyung has never felt this since he has moved to this shelter home.

Taehyung has never felt this since Jungkook has annulled his marriage with him.

The only reason for Taehyung's beating heart, his erratic breaths and a tinge of hope budding inside him is none other than the Rogue Alpha standing in front of him.

"Jungkook.." Taehyung doesn’t ask it as a question, Taehyung can recognize Jungkook even with his eyes closed.

But he doesn't understand why Jungkook is standing looking like this.

He doesn't understand why Jungkook is living his life as a Rogue Alpha.

He doesn't understand why fate has brought back Jungkook to him like this.

Jungkook just can't believe his eyes.

"It can't be true," is Jungkook’s first reaction.

"I can't be this lucky," Jungkook is having a hard time, believing in his good fortune.

But then he hears a voice taking his name.

The same voice that was with him during the 3 years of war.

The same voice that was with him when he has been living a life of a rogue Alpha during the last 5 years.

The same voice that Jungkook has been missing terribly and the same voice which keeps giving Jungkook the hope of hearing it again.

And that's the voice of his beloved mate Taehyung.

Jungkook is now taking quick steps towards Taehyung.

Taehyung has aged a bit, but the change suits his personality, Jungkook thinks.

Jungkook wants to hug Taehyung but he doesn't. Jungkook doesn’t know anything about Taehyung’s current life.

Is Taehyung with someone else? Jungkook doesn’t like the thought of it but he will be fine if Taehyung is happy.

Does Taehyung still want Jungkook? After all the things Jungkook has done to Taehyung, he doesn’t have high hopes for this.

But fate has given another chance to see Taehyung. The same Taehyung whom Jungkook has been looking out for 5 years. The same Taehyung for whom Jungkook has chosen the life of a Rogue Alpha in the first place.

"What happened?" Taehyung doesn’t know what else to ask.

"You happened," Jungkook smiles with affection.

Taehyung frowns in confusion.

Jungkook doesn’t like the worry lines on Taehyung’s forehead.

"I couldn't bear your separation. The pain of reality hit me only after you left. Only after I lost you," Jungkook is breathing heavily due to nervousness.

He has practiced this scene of meeting Taehyung a lot of times in his head during these 5 years. But now he is not sure what to say.

"Reality of what?" Taehyung doesn’t want to assume anything, so he has to be direct with Jungkook.

"That I couldn't stay apart from you. That I wanted to stay with you and only you. You were the only one for me." Jungkook’s eyes are tearing up now.

"And Hara?" Taehyung wants to focus on just Jungkook right now but he can't control his thoughts.

"Is married to my younger brother. I couldn't accept anyone else as my mate. The treaty said that Hara needs to marry the heir of the pack. I gave my position to my younger brother Jeon and Hara is happily married to him." Jungkook tries to explain each word as clearly as possible.

Sensing Taehyung’s silence, Jungkook continues, "I have been looking out for you everywhere since the last 5 years. When I found out that you were not in that other house, I panicked. I was not ready to lose you, to give up on you. I kept searching for you."

"You didn't have to leave the pack for that. You still could have stayed there," Taehyung says softly.

"No, I had to leave. Everything in that mansion reminded me of you. I couldn't stay peacefully in the pack knowing you are out there somewhere, struggling alone, without any family, without any pack..without a mate. All of it because I was not brave enough to keep you with me." Jungkook is feeling ashamed of himself.

"You did what you had to do for your pack. I have never blamed you for anything" Taehyung says in an assuring voice.

They stare at each other in silence.

A lot has passed between them in the past years.

A lot has been lost between them for all the time they have been apart.

A lot has not happened between them that either of them was expecting from the other.

Jungkook doesn’t want to force Taehyung to make any decision. If Taehyung doesn’t want to be with him then Jungkook would step away. 

Whatever Taehyung would give, Jungkook would accept. He deserves this for causing all that pain to Taehyung.

But Jungkook needed to try his luck one last time, "Can I hug you?"

Taehyung doesn’t say anything but he simply wraps his arms around Jungkook’s back and buries his face in the crook of Jungkook’s neck.

Then Taehyung cries.

He cries for all the pain he has been suppressing in the past.

He cries for all that time he spent missing Jungkook and delusionally hoping to meet Jungkook.

He cries for himself and Jungkook who have been cruelly separated by the strings of fate.

Jungkook lightly pats Taehyung’s head and goes for another question, "Can I be with you? Please?"

"Yes" Taehyung’s answer is muffled by his sniffles in Jungkook’s hug.

They just stay like this for as long as it's needed.

They don't go on promising a forever to each other as they are yet to sort the feelings of their present first.

They don't go on forgetting the deeds of their past to each other as they are yet to forgive those bitter moments first.

They don't go on kissing desperately and passionately to each other as they are yet to understand the desires of their hearts first.

But since now they are together, they'll get plenty of time to get to know each other. 

They'll get enough space to heal the wounds of each other. 

They'll have the rest of their lives to slowly but deeply fall in love with each other.

All that matters is finally they are together and are ready to start afresh with each other.

THE END