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Foreign steps.
Jimin listened closely. This deep into winter it was always easy to discern the sounds of the northern forest, as everything was either dead or asleep.
With light steps and sword ready, Jimin jumped down from the outermost observation tower, landing in front of two men, their steps so boisterous, so careless they could have woken up all the hibernating predators in several miles radius. Jimin rolled his eyes. He didn’t even have to ask to know they weren’t from the North.
Silently he raised his blade, mere inches away from the throat of the man closest to him, so fast they almost didn’t see him and when they did it was already too late. They were dressed clumsily, not exactly fit for the weather and not quite blending in with their surroundings as they should have been. Their capes were too short, their scarves too colorful.
Foreign.
Jimin knew who these men were, and he knew what they came here for. Or rather, he knew what one of them was here for. He just didn’t know which one of the two.
“Good even-“
“You take one step closer and I slice your throat open.” Jimin warned, silver glinting threateningly among snowflakes, hands steady and voice strong, stronger than what he expected. There was no actual need for threats, of course. He knew who these men were and he knew his father was expecting them at the palace any day now.
Still, Jimin was feeling petty. They didn’t know who Jimin was just yet, and if there was one thing Jimin learned at his father’s court, it was to never, ever put his cards on the table, to always keep them as tightly and as close to himself as possible, for secrets were a far more precious currency than gold.
So he relished in the mystery and decided to play for as long as he could, like a dying bird struggling until its last breath under a trap, foolishly trying to escape yet knowing to be doomed by its cruel destiny.
Because one of these men was about to be his mate.
Jimin hoped it was the one he was staring down the length of his sword, eyes wide, white breath escaping him entirely too fast.
With an icy glare and furrowed eyebrows Jimin continued to play. It would end sooner or later, so he might as well enjoy the little power he had in the moment, before it all melted away like warm spring snow. “Your names.”
“Head alpha Jeon Jungkook of the Southern Tribe. This is my right hand, alpha Kim Taehyung.” He gestured imperceptibly to the man a step behind him, his hands raised in peace and head bowed in respect. “We are-“ Jimin moved an inch closer, tip of the sword just touching skin, close enough to graze but not enough to kill, dangerous enough to shut the alpha up.
So Jimin was right. His sword was indeed pointing at his future mate. Jeon Jungkook. He was much younger than what Jimin had expected, he looked like he couldn’t be more than a couple of years older than Jimin.
His grip tightened around the metal, knuckles white underneath his dark leather gloves. He continued to stare, unforgiving and unwelcoming. Just like this snowy weather, just like the home he grew up in.
Just like the North.
“Follow me.” Then finally, and resolutely, knowing he couldn’t stall forever, Jimin sheathed his sword in a single motion and turned his back on the two alphas. Without another word he started the trek back to the palace, feeling as if every step he took was one step closer to his end.
Only of course it was just the beginning. His life was about to change forever and he had no faculty to steer its direction.
But that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try his very best to make it as hard as he could on everyone involved.
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A few weeks of living in the South made Jimin realize he didn’t know how to adapt to the new lifestyle. Everything and everyone appeared so strange to him, so incomprehensible, their actions so happily exaggerated, it seemed to him as if everyone was an actor in a play.
He just didn’t know if it was a comedy or a tragedy yet.
He suspected everyone, the head alpha first and foremost. Because Jeon Jungkook has had every bit of good opportunity to take advantage of Jimin and yet he didn’t. When Jimin refused to touch him the night of their mating ceremony he expected backlash. Pain. Brute force and angry tears and for that Jimin could be prepared, for that he has been prepared by the court omegas ever since he presented.
Instead he was met with soft eyes and gentle hands, and it made Jimin even angrier because he didn’t know what to do with that, because now he couldn’t help but live in a breathless sense of devastating anticipation. It was unnerving, this waiting game, of seeing whose mask would crack first.
No, Jimin did not trust Jeon Jungkook to be as magnanimous as everyone claimed him to be.
Court life was disorienting at best, infuriating at worst. One morning during his first month in the southern town, he woke up in his chambers and almost attacked two beta helpers that apparently came to help him dress, already rummaging through the chests around the room Jimin had barely looked at.
“Help me dress? I still have both of my hands and they function perfectly, thank you.” And when that didn’t help, he resorted to screaming, and when that also brought him nowhere, he turned to what he knew best. His sword, still unsheathed but heavy enough that it scared the betas enough to leave him alone.
At breakfast, Jungkook seemed to want to say a lot of things, mouth opening and closing, eyes fixed on Jimin’s long sleeves and heavyweight pants, clothing that would be summer appropriate in the North, but here they were suffocating in the scorching heat. Still, Jimin would rather die from the heat than ask Jungkook for a new wardrobe. Jimin could only imagine the price he would be asked to pay in exchange for a favor from the head alpha.
“I heard there was a…misunderstanding this morning?” Jungkook asked, finally settling on a question, even though he looked like he held back a million more.
And Jimin really debated offering him the silent treatment, but he was raised by another head alpha after all, and certain behaviors were hard to suppress when he has been conditioned all his life to answer when a head alpha addressed him. So before he could think better of it, Jimin replied.
“Did you send someone to undress and dress me?”
“Did I- what?” Jungkook looked at him with a raised eyebrow and tilted head, as if the news perplexed him. “Are you referring to your helpers?”
“Why were they in my rooms?”
“What do you mean?”
“I can’t undress in front of someone else.” Surely Jungkook knew what he was trying to say. But then, looking at the alpha’s updo, so different from what he was used to seeing in an alpha, maybe Jungkook really didn’t know. Everyone here seemed to wear clothes so impractical, more often than not adorning elaborate jewelry, light see through pieces and cutouts so outrageous it was almost funny trying to categorize them as clothes.
“I think they were just trying to help you decide on an outfit for the day. Nothing more.” Jungkook smiled, ever so diplomatically, trying but not really understanding where Jimin’s anger had come from. “Did you not see all the new clothes in your room?” He asked, voice warm and hands resting between them on the table, not quite reaching out yet as he stared again at Jimin’s pristine long sleeves.
“I did. But they’re not really…”
“Surely you must be hot in this weather like that. Northern fabrics are different, so I took the liberty to bring you some more options, but if you prefer other colors or styles I’m sure we can arrange that.” Jungkook finished with a smile so radiant Jimin had trouble looking him in the eyes. “I imagine it hard to adapt to a new climate and new traditions, I thought the clothes would help you blend in a little more.”
“Do you want me to blend in?”
“I want you to be comfortable.”
“Then…I’ll continue wearing what I’m used to.” Jimin did his best not to fidget under the attentive gaze of the alpha. It was just the two of them in the room and Jimin wasn’t quite used to not having half the court around him at all meals. The silence between them seemed oppressive. Electrifying. Jimin wondered what the alpha saw when he looked at him.
“Wolves in the North don’t show skin. It’s partly because of the weather, but it’s also considered a high privilege to be trusted with another person bearing themselves in front of you.” Jimin explained further, feeling strangely well disposed after the alpha didn’t insist on the matter. “I know it’s different here. You show everything so freely, I see that, but I can’t be like that yet. I hope you understand.”
The alpha took his words in, a pensive look on his face.
“I understand.” Jungkook looked at him again with that soft expression he seemed to always wear when it was just the two of them around. He was incredibly gentle for an alpha, and it threw Jimin off his game, all the anger and the spite hard to hold onto when he was met with nothing but respect and reverent affection, when the alpha actually listened to him and made him feel heard.
Jimin wondered if he would later regret lowering his walls so rapidly, when not even a month ago he was ready to bite the head off of whoever dared to get too close to him.
The next morning the beta helpers didn’t come. Instead he found more new clothes ready for him, only this time they were all white, gray and blue toned, northern colors, and they all religiously missed the typical southern cutouts, yet the fabric was so light, so soft, breathable and comfortable it could only be of southern fabrication.
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Jimin was fuming. He forcefully opened the door to the Council room, ignoring the guards outside and dismissing the few officials in the room, heart drumming in his chest and ire plaguing his vision. Decorum be damned.
Jimin pointed his fiery stare on Jungkook, who excused himself with a rushed apology and stepped out of the room as soon as he saw who was interrupting the meeting.
“Jimin. To what do I owe the pleasure?” He beamed.
How could he be so calm, so unperturbed by the violent, borderline disrespectful interruption, was beyond Jimin. Sometimes he thought there was nothing he could do to truly make the alpha angry, not that he didn’t try, and that thought alone did nothing but engorge the irritation that was simmering in Jimin’s chest.
“You owe it to your fucking backwards rules, and to your nonsensical, ignorant, dismissive bunch of idiots that call themselves hunters of your pack.” Jimin had to take a deep breath, lest he truly lost all sense and logic, one hand shaking at his side and the other gripping the strap of his sheat so hard it almost hurt. He could feel the humiliation still lingering on his skin.
“I’m afraid I’m not following.” Jungkook tilted his head, lips stretched in an amused grin he was failing to hide.
“I want to join the hunting team on their next mission.” Jimin tried his best not to avert his gaze, determined to have his way. He was ready to do anything to have this.
The alpha’s breath stuttered, smile nowhere to be seen anymore. He closed his eyes, then pinched the bridge of his nose while letting out a deep exhale. “I see.”
“No, I don’t think you actually do. Do you know what your men said when I asked to join the team?” He could see Jungkook perusing a thousand different scenarios in his head. “They laughed. And when I didn’t back down they asked me if I had your permission. What sort of bullshit is this? Since when do I need your fucking permission to do anything?” Jimin growled, squinting his eyes in defiance, as if daring the alpha to disagree.
“First of all, I apologize on their behalf. I’ll speak to them and ensure this won’t happen again, you should have been treated with the utmost respect.” His eyebrows were furrowed, Jimin didn’t know if at him or at the other hunters. “Second of all, it is true that every member of the hunting team has to be approved by the head alpha. It’s a rule so that I know who I’m sending on missions and that every single member is well prepared before joining. It’s not the easiest job after all and I prefer not to run unnecessary risks.”
“Do I not count as head omega? Shouldn’t I be in charge of such a decision if it’s in regard to my own person?” Jimin was starting to get impatient.
“To be honest…we never had a head omega make such a request. You probably just surprised them.” And even though Jungkook didn’t seem explicitly against the idea, he wasn’t immediately granting Jimin his wish either.
“What about your other activities?” The alpha came closer, drawn to Jimin’s cold eyes like a moth to a flame, instinctually and unconsciously.
Jimin wanted to scoff in his face. “What other activities? It’s been two months and I’m fucking sick of drinking tea and making conversation with half the palace everyday. I’m a trained hunter. I’m probably better than half of your team, so explain to me why I am not being used out there like I should be?”
“Again. It’s a dangerous job.”
“I did this same job in my old pack every day in harsher conditions. I’m more than capable of handling myself.” Jimin huffed.
“I…I know you are. I still remember our first encounter.” Jungkook grinned, like being threatened to death by Jimin was a fond memory to look back to.
“Right. Then it’s settled. I’ll join the team.” Jimin crossed his arms in front of his chest and held his breath, trying to appear bigger than he really was in front of the towering alpha in front of him.
Jungkook sighed, a deep line between his eyebrows already showing, clearly wanting to protest. “There are many other things you could do instead.” The line deepened, and Jimin didn’t entirely understand what the alpha was getting at. Did he really intend to not accept his request?
Then it hit Jimin. This was going to be a favor and favors needed a price in return.
No matter. Diplomacy could be his strongest or weakest suit, depending on how one viewed it.
“I’ll sleep with you if you accept my request. A favor for a favor, right?” Jimin mimicked a smile that was probably less convincing than what he aimed for.
But that seemed to agitate the alpha even more. “What?”
“I said-“
“I heard you.” Jungkook squeezed his eyes, hand on his temples as if trying to get rid of a pulsing headache. He took a deep breath, eyes detached and lips downturned for the first time since Jimin met him, then in a low raspy voice he continued, dejected eyes and grave tone, “I’m afraid…I’m afraid you misunderstood who I am as I person, Jimin. You can join the team. I’ll speak to the others this evening.” And with that he retreated in the Council room, quietly resuming his duties.
Jimin got what he wanted.
So why did it feel like empty, pyrrhic victory?
Over the following few days Jimin saw very little of the alpha.
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Jimin lingered outside of Jungkook’s chambers. And even though they were right opposite his own rooms, he never had the courage or the interest in visiting them before, but now, after weeks of excruciating silence, Jimin was ready to swallow down his pride and talk to the alpha.
Because, inexplicably, he missed his companionship, and worst of all, Jimin realized he might have been misjudging what life in the south was really like. Because Jungkook has been a good alpha from the very beginning, he had been everything Jimin had wished for and more and Jimin had been too blinded by his own stupidity and spite to see what was right in front of him. Plain and simple.
And it was hard to believe that life could really be like that. Plain and simple. No court intrigues and backstabbing and plots and hefty prices to pay at every corner for just being allowed to exist.
Maybe it wasn’t a play after all and maybe people could really be exactly what they said they were, no mind games and tortuous facades.
His training with the hunting team and the missions came as a nice distraction, but Jimin couldn’t help but notice the unbearable emptiness Jungkook’s absence left during meal times, when they used to always, always be together. And their evening strolls when the alpha’s schedule allowed, and the soft words of the alpha as they parted ways for the night, which always left Jimin with the sensation that Jungkook accompanied him in his sleep even when he wasn’t there physically, waves and waves of calming scent engulfing him until he dreamed of warm skin and golden eyes.
And now Jimin was standing in the corridor like a fool, raised hand ready to knock and yet frozen in place, still. With a deep breath and a thundering heart, Jimin rasped his knuckles on the door decisively.
“Come in,” a hoarse voice reached Jimin.
“Jungkook.” And it was clear Jungkook didn’t expect it to be Jimin at the door, windswept hair and tired eyes looking at the alpha as he stood up from behind a grand mahogany desk.
The alpha himself didn’t look in much better conditions than himself, Jimin thought. Jungkook circled the desk and sat on the other end facing Jimin, eyes widened in surprise, but before he could say anything, Jimin raised a hand to silence him.
If he didn’t start talking now, he feared he never would.
“I want to apologize,” he began with earnest eyes and honest words. “I think…I know my words hurt you, and it wasn’t my intention to offend you and there is no excuse for me to have been acting so disrespectfully, and I know now…I know I made a lot of wrongful assumptions. You and your pack have been nothing but kind to me, and I repaid you with malice and bitterness and I’m sorry.” Jimin couldn’t find the strength to look the alpha in the eyes anymore. “You are a good man, Jungkook. And I’m sorry for ever thinking otherwise.” There were a million more words Jimin wished he could unbury from his chest. With a painfully deep sigh Jimin started to bow, spine already bending forward when a strong hand stopped him in his tracks.
“We don’t bow before our mates here. We only bow to an older or a superior, and mates are always equal...you are my equal. Always.” Jungkook’s voice came out husky, but it was clear from his amber eyes that the mellow expression he always used to wear around Jimin was coming back. “I accept your apology.” He ran a hand through his luscious dark locks, eyebrows betraying the last remnants of frustration.
He looked troubled, as if debating if he should have this conversation at all or abandon it for another time. He continued. “But Jimin, and forgive me if I speak out of turn, it seems to me as if you live life expecting disloyalty and perfidy from everyone around you. And I don’t know how the North is and if you’re used to such conditions, but this is not who I am…who my pack is.” The alpha let out a loud exhale, then delicately, reverently he took Jimin’s smaller hands in between his own. “If we want to make this work, I need you to trust me, as I trust you. I don’t need you to love me, but I need you to have faith in me.”
Jimin realized a tear escaped his weary eyes only because Jungkook dried it off of his scarlet cheek. His hand stayed there for another second and Jimin, like a pup desperate for genuine affection, chased his palm with his lips, and planted a soft kiss there. “I trust you.” He finally smiled at the alpha.
Jimin had been so blind.
“Good.” Then slowly, quietly and soothingly, Jungkook came closer, closer and closer still until they were breathing the same air and their hearts were beating to the same tune, at last. And Jimin welcomed his lips with serenity balming his soul and fire erupting in his bones.
When Jimin came up for air, forehead resting on the alpha’s collarbones, too shy to speak any louder than a whisper, he asked, “Can I sleep here tonight?”
“Tonight, and for as long as you want.” Jungkook pressed another kiss to his forehead. He started running his fingers in Jimin’s pale hair, then with a low murmur he advanced a request. “Can I…Can I court you?”
Jimin didn’t know if he was supposed to laugh or take him seriously. He raised his head to look at Jungkook, puzzled and staggering. “What are you saying? We’re already mates.”
“Doesn’t matter. I want you to learn to know me, so that you never have to doubt my sincerity ever again, and I want to learn how to make you happy, so that I can keep doing it for as long as I live.”
Jimin’s heart soared, so elated he could fly above the highest clouds and so free he wanted to scream and cry and laugh in the wind.
It felt as if Jimin’s life was only now beginning.