Hello, Dear lovely readers.

Make sure you will have enough water around you. And if you fell asleep while reading it, I'm sorry, the chapter just become longer and longer.

Enjoy my love for you💜.

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Nerveless wet hairs were sticking around the pale neck of the omega. His blue scarf that once was covering his neck and draped over his shoulders was now converting into a thin string cuddled up around his neck like a necklace. Falling from the long fingertips of the Alpha, some muddy drops were drenching his visible collarbones.

The chillness of those drops shook Jungkook, making his shoulders raise and pressing the Alpha's hand more closer to his cheek.

But their eyes didn't give up the connection, they were still staring into each other's souls. Jungkook's ears were still ringing with the sharp downpour around him and the lowest whisper that he heard.

"Why can't I take my eyes off you?"

Those grey eyes were roaming over his face, lost and alone… may be searching for an unsaid answer. The sentence solitary took Jungkook's breath away from his heart, then how? and with which words he would reply to his mate? 

His shoulders start slumping down in a calm manner, getting used to the coldness of the dripping mud. 

The Alpha was observing too much, Taehyung realised. The past days he found himself zoning out during important declarations, during his long walks, his eyes roam around the place of southern land involuntarily. Stopped only when they were stuck at the shadow of the Empress. 

Questions were rising inside his soul after that night. The night when he introduced a part of him in front of the omega. The response that he received from the omega wasn't something he expected from the vast living experience of his life. 

The Empress is unpredictable.

The Alpha concluded that the reason why his eyes always found the other is because his questions are related to him only. Maybe his conscious demand for answers led his eyes to roam and search for the culprit.

But why are the questions related to the Empress in the first place?

And what are these burning questions that held the Emperor of the Eclipse on the edge?

Taehyung has no idea.

He just knows that his sheer calmness has got disturbed by something, leaving his mind restless and nerves in dispute. And these same nerves he could see on the bewildered expressions of Luna.

Eyes so wide that the Alpha could see right through the expanse of black irises, lifting the shades of it curtain by curtain. He was searching for truth, a liable truth that could shatter his fences… those which were once created by the time around his heart.

The once wide eyes got enlarged enormously when the Alpha moved closer and looked down neatly, blinking away the water from the downpour.

He watched the movement of the shaking iris till they stuck in his gaze and then the moment came… 

Taehyung witnessed the truth that he was searching oh so solely and chanting praying for its absence.

But it was there.

The colours of pure devotion were flickering inside those doe eyes without any resistance, floating over the infinite dark galaxies. He could see those colours combining in the middle of the iris to form a blinding white light, creating a dust of sparkle dots. He watched those dots brimming the bottom line, glinting and then being consumed by the slow droplets of the rain.

When the first crack happened inside him, The Alpha heard it loud and clear. His hand shuddered over the omega's cheek when the first drop of downpour rolled in between the crackle and met the igniting fire of his heart where it was once left behind to bleed. 

One drop would do nothing, the Alpha knows but when the strain of the crackle started becoming big, he narrowed his hand and began to pull back, pulling away from the touch that was holding both of them down in one place.

The echo of those words was still loud in Jungkook's mind. The grip of his hands tightened over the grass twigs behind his back, turning his wet skin into pearl white. His cheeks flushed along with his eyes, gazing down at the Alpha's lips from where these words escaped.

"Why can't I take my eyes off you?"

The heavy downpour had made his Alpha drenched in water, a few streaks of wetness falling from the hair while some droplets were sliding down all over his face.

Jungkook looked up and matched his Alpha's gaze, finding his tongue wordless inside his mouth once again. He witnessed how those grey eyes were completely sullen behind the covers of rain. He moved closer at the same time as the Alpha did, his features turned worrisome when he found a bubbling lava inside the gleaming iris of his Alpha.

Finally… Jungkook saw a change. There was something behind the blank canvas, the sharp eyes speaking louder than the thundering clouds above them. 

Jungkook wanted to listen to them, wanted to lift the covers of emptiness and dive deeper into the soul of his Alpha. His eyes turned gleamy while staring into those two pools of black abyss. 

"Why can't I take my eyes off you?"

His mind was still chanting the sentence like a holy verse of a divine saga. It could be only two reasons that must have pushed the Alpha to say something so… sensitive to him, something so… raw.

First being the old one in the form of an accusation. An accusation where the Alpha was pondering over the existence of him, trying to ignore his hardest but being an Empress of Eclipse, Jungkook always had to keep himself visible to the pack. Maybe it made the Alpha uncomfortable? 

Or.

His heart raced up to his ears when the second reason surfaced his thoughts, he wouldn't dare but maybe the Alpha was finding him in every nook and cranny to satisfy the questionnaire of his mind that was bubbling inside him from a week. 

Jungkook had seen that questioning gaze following him every time he spoke to the Eclipsers, while doing chores in southern land and even when he simply tucks the creases of their washed clothes.

During those days,  It wasn't much just a rightful tick on the Alpha's jaw, lower lip hiding a bit under the upper and his eyes… Eyes holding the enchanting gaze that follows the trails of the luna till Jungkook turns and raises his big eyes in concern. 

The Alpha always diverts his gaze before he can get caught and only then Jungkook feels himself free of the spell that his Alpha was creating around him.

But he didn't know that those questioning gazes would turn into a turmoil between them. A turmoil so loud that Jungkook felt his breath stuttering when he sensed the hand slipping away from his cheek.

His hand reached out and curled around the wrist of his Alpha, holding the muddy palm against his cheek. 

"I haven't answered your question yet." Jungkook blurted out in impulsive fear, fear of being devoid of the warmth against his cheek, fear of being abandoned by the touch of his mate once again.

But his words seemed to have done the trick as the hand didn't drift away from the touch and his Alpha's gaze became more intense.

"Do you.. have one?" 

He does.

The voice was monotone and it tore Jungkook's heart apart but what hurt the most was the lost blankness coming back across his mate's eyes, covering the blazing lava once again.

Jungkook wanted to say the truth, the truth that he never hesitates to speak before but right now watching his Alpha getting back into his shell doesn't give him enough strength to speak of his heart. 

What if the Alpha will get more closed off?

The thought alone made his eyes teared up, he doesn't want to face his cruel past again where he got ignored like nothingness. 

How would he tell the truth that Indeed, at least, perhaps… his Alpha has started to notice him? 

No. He can't. 

Sometimes it's better to take a step back before walking further ahead to dictate the right decision, isn't that how the saying goes? He needs to make a selfish conclusion, a pure selfish decision which will exist only for his benefit.

When he gave a slow nod in response, his eyes turned more gloomy. 

He looked down, hiding his eyes before they could disclose the truth that his heart decided to conceal. His lips quivered when he gulped the thick lump down his throat," You were chasing me before. Doesn't a predator always keep an eye on its prey? It's our nature."

Grace to the divinity of the time that he didn't look up to his Alpha or he will have to see the disappointed glint in his eyes. Taehyung blinked his eyes calmly as his tongue roamed on his lower lip," This is not an answer but an excuse."

Jungkook found his Alpha's eye then, guilt already visible behind his thick lashes and pink nose. He looked down once again, proving the words of his mate.

His eyes welled up when he heard a tiny whisper under his ear….

"A lair."

The omega heard it carefully and accepted it with a small apology filled with 

remorse and responsibility. He closed his eyes and looked down, didn't want to face the Alpha when he just completely made a fool out of himself, his dignity leaving a harsh strike on his soul.

It wasn't a moment of sensations but Jungkook sensed all of his nerves going haywire in shame. Suddenly the raindrops felt heavy on his skin, pressing him to drop down on his knees and apologise. 

He has never spoken a lie so selfishly before, ignoring the purpose behind it completely when he did decide to finally speak, he told a lie to his mate? His Alpha?

Shameful.

The guilt made Jungkook's shoulders slumped down in sadness. His lips pressed in a thin line, a small tear threatening his lashes to come out. 

Jungkook had read it before that it's safe to cry in the rain because no one would know about it, no one could see your weakness while you let out. But he had never thought that his eyes would try it out for the first time when he was standing so close to his mate.

His hairs came forward to help and fell across his cheeks, covering the palm of the Alpha as well. The small tear became a crystal when it peaked through his dark lashes. The drop fought with the thick lashes and trickled out from its lacy walls. 

Before it could dribble down his cheeks, a thumb catches the moisture and swipes it away with a delicate movement. His mouth parted at the soft touch, throat loosening up as a gush of breath left past his wet lips.

"Lying doesn't suit you, Luna." 

The abbreviation sprinkled a fairy dust inside Jungkook, wherever it touched a tiny bud evolved into its preparation to bloom. "I'm sorry," The apology was earnest but Taehyung converted it into his question again.

"Do you want to tell the true reason?" The Alpha asked after accepting the small apology with another brush of his thumb. He seemed to be patiently waiting but his inner self was a chaotic mess under the deep weather.

Jungkook shook his head slowly,"I'm not sure enough." His tongue darted out and gave a quick lick to his bottom lip so that he could speak smoothly.

"When I first arrived in Eclipse, it happened to me too."

Still does.

"My eyes were always wandering around to search for you. Whatever they gain, a glimpse of you, sound of your voice, harmony of your steps or a whiff of your scent, it gratifies me of your presence and provides me a sense of belonging. Even when you had left for your tour, in your absence, they still yearned for your glance." 

Jungkook doesn't know why he was sharing his thoughts so openly in front of his Alpha but his mouth wasn't just shutting up," In the first few months, your clothes that I got from hyungnim delivered me enough warmth to hold on to my days alone. But slowly, their scent fades away."

The fire bloomed and the curtains fell down from Taehyung's eyes again as the Alpha was focusing on hearing," It was the first time when I felt lonely in the middle of hundreds of Eclipsers. But I am good at waiting," Jungkook's eyes glistened with hope when he continued to pour out his natural experiences.

"I waited for you to come back and when you did, I was at my lowest point. You gathered me in your arms and again showered me with the security that I lacked throughout my entire life. My eyes got the warmth that they were seeking in our mate."

"But I don't know what your eyes are after to claim. So I'm not sure if my truth can bring you the answer you are looking for." 

Jungkook brought his hand over Alpha's wrist again and curled his fingers around it in assurance," It's my only truth." 

The Royal Alpha blinked his eyes and his gaze fell a little lower from the glistening eyes to the bobbing Adam apple of the omega. He eyed the rolled scarf around his neck in a disapproving manner, hand slipping down from the full cheeks to the curve of his nape.

"May I?" The Royal Alpha asked and when the heavy lashes of the omega fell down in response his hand reached to the tied knot of the scarf. 

Just above Jungkook's chest, the lone thread was lying to be tugged and open the scarf. However the Alpha picked up the thread from near his throat and curled his finger around it before plucking it out from the secured knot. The scarf fell open, revealing an untouched path of the omega that was yet to get drained in the rain.

The moisture found its way there too and soon the whole neck was dripping in small droplets of rain. 

The neck was bare from both sides, leaving a large part of the upper chest bare too. Jungkook inhaled a breath slowly and pressed his lips together in a small pout. He bites the lower lip just to control the roar of his heart into a beating sensation. 

It took every ounce of his strength to not turn around and escape from the eyes that were roaming over his skin or drowning himself in the depth of the lake just so he could cover himself. After all, it was his first experience of standing in front of his Alpha without his veil, mask or scarf.

The Royal Alpha dragged away the scarf from the omega's neck and rolled it around the palm of his hand. 

Jungkook wanted to cover his face at least but soon it became impossible too. Loud splashes of water echoed around them indicating that Eclipsers had started to dive inside the lake with their mates too. The rain was now falling in light showers but the weather was still covered in dark clouds.

Taehyung looked over his shoulder, eyes observing his pack members for a moment and then his body moved and hovered over the omega, so close that Jungkook flinched, hands flying to catch on the wide shoulders of the Alpha.

The Royal Alpha's broad back guarded the omega from any fleeting gaze of the Eclipsers. But still, the Alpha didn't seem pleased with it. 

Jungkook watched with wide eyes as the Alpha yanked open the knots of his cape and slid it down from his body before bringing it around in front of him to wear. 

When Jungkook couldn't move from his position, the Alpha sighed and draped his cape all around the omega. He tied the threads in a light knot over the neck and then brought the hood over the head of the omega.

Jungkook closed his eyes, blocking his vision when the cold nose of his Alpha touched the shell of his ear, colouring his entire body into red. The omega heard the slow breaths and melted against the ridges of the shorehill. He was sure his feet that were glued to the rock, dissolved away into the water and his hands that were tightening around the shoulders of his mate, withered away in the air.

Taehyung's hands were clasping the hood but his face was digging deeper into the omega's neck, leaving a trail of his scent right over the glands. He rubbed his nose over the wet skin inhaling the sweet scent of pines and breathing out his own scent to linger all around the solitude of this person that had tied the strings of his thoughts in an unsolvable mess.

He moved past the scent gland and the bridge of his nose pressed against the collarbones of the omega. He raised his face, again disappearing into the soft red curls and filling the cave of the gland till it brimmed with his oozing scent.

Jungkook raised his shoulders when the sensations became too high to confide, his breaths stucking ferociously when he felt a press of soft lips right over his scent gland. His hosted shoulders might have taken the angle where the junction of his neck got blessed with the touch. 

His legs turned into a pile of gelatin and before his body could slip into the lake, a strong pair of hands grabbed his waist and kept him standing on his feet.

The sudden slump in the omega's body made Taehyung tug him closer to his chest. He pulled away from the entanglement of the red hairs and let the cape fall to cover the once bare neck of the omega.

The Royal Alpha looked at the omega who still hadn't raised his face from his chest. He could feel the rising and falling tremble of his skin against his chest, his one hand wrapped around the waist while the other hand raised to sprawl over the top head of the omega.

He felt the tight grip over his shoulder loosen up as the omega's hands slipped down his arms and then further down to encircle his abdomen before combining behind his back. 

Taehyung kept standing there totally ignoring the shy glances of Eclipsers towards them. The people were amazed as well as bashful to see their Royal couple hugging so intimately in the corner of the lake. 

They averted their eyes to provide some privacy to the couple but till then their own emotions towards their mate hyped up. Some of them even started to steal small kisses in between washing themselves.

The Alpha sensed the heavy gush of pheromones and maybe the omega too. Jungkook curled his toes and checked the movement of his legs to ensure their liveliness before he pulled away slowly, eyes still cast down and hands still holding his mate's hips.

Taehyung too stepped away from the rock they were standing on and gave a good amount of space to the Empress. Jungkook wrapped the black cape around himself and stepped down from the rock as well. 

The Alpha swam away towards the edge of the lake, providing a clear path for the omega to follow and Jungkook just did that, dipping his face in the lake a few times when he observed how intimately the eclipsers were immersed with each other's mates. 

He accepted his mate's help and grabbed his hand to come out of the lake. The sudden activity of swimming gave Jungkook enough time to recover his joints and limbs to work properly.

Both of them walked towards their pavilion, drenched in water from head to toe. 

Taehyung's hands were united behind his back while Jungkook was holding the cape around himself. There was a wide distance between them, both of them solely walking side by side. 

"I need to look around the stables, Artax often takes free walks during rains," Taehyung said to no one but Jungkook knew it was directed to him.

"Although it's noon, the clouds make the sky look darker than the night. I'll be here till I find another work for myself," Jungkook gave a short bow and When Taehyung nodded, he entered the pavilion right away. He needs to change those clothes before resting a little to gain enough strength in his legs.  

Both of them didn't necessarily need to tell about each other's whereabouts, they had never done that before. But still, both of them couldn't suppress the urge to say something before departing.

The Royal Alpha didn't budge from his position and just turned his back to the pavilion. He kept standing there until the bubbling lava of his eyes and the itch of his lips shied away with the light puffs of the omega. 

He walked away towards the other edge of the lake where the horses usually got tied down and certainly Artax wasn't there. 

Taehyung flicked his hairs back and walked deep into the back forest, binding with his thoughts… his feet kept walking without any destination. 

~~~~ 

There was one couple who was still fooling around in the woods because his red haired mate had something to show to him. The Royal omega giggled loudly when Yoongi jumped from one puddle to another and showered himself with crude mud.

"Where are we even going?" Jimin asked while clutching the hand of his mate into his hold. He recognised the place as the back side of his bathhouse.

"A place that I want to show you," Yoongi concluded, slow but hard to understand.

Jimin gasped when Yoongi dragged him deeper into the forest where tall trees had their branches tangled around, they crossed a small spring of water and then Yoongi smiled at his mate with a toothy grin.

It was dark all around but Jimin trusted his mate and his wolf's instinct and followed without any hesitation. 

"It's here." Yoongi whispered as they stood at the edge of a field where tall trees finished and a dark but open valley started with open fields. 

The Royal Omega roamed his eyes around carefully but he saw nothing but grass and white mist of rain all around the valley. He started to walk deeper but a hand around his waist stopped him.

Jimin looked at his mate in question," No need to go further," Yoongi replied and made his back inclined over a tall tree and pulled Jimin against his chest. 

He twirled the omga around and let him see the dark valley again. 

Jimin saw nothing again. 

And soon his curiosity made his little toes crunch and stretch in wait, he was about to speak again," Sush, they are coming."

Jimin's eyes widened as he waited for the unknown with a bated breath. The first light twinkled in front of his eyes and Jimin thought it was the illusion of the dark clouds and the sky light.

But when it happened again, Jimin gasped and took a step back where his back pressed right into his mate's chest.

Yoongi tucked his chin over Jimin's shoulder and wrapped his hands around his curvy waist," Don't speak. Just wait and see." 

The Royal omega rested against his mate's chest and waited, the closeness of their drenched bodies was providing warmth to each other. 

The moment unfolded in front of the Royal omega by each passing second, flick after flick every corner of the valley started lightening up, the flickering light kept increasing till the whole valley got illuminated by a delicate yellow glow. 

The same glow washed upon them, leaving the omega breathless and astonished in his mate's arms.

As the ground of the valley got illuminated, Jimin realised that it wasn't only covered with grass but lupines and salvias, a combination of blue and purple flowers scattered all over the valley.

The scenery was enough to swoon anyone off their feet but the addition of fireflies gave tinglings to Jimin's stomach, as if they were roaming inside him, a burst of senses.

"It's mesmerising." The Royal omega breathed out and in response, his mate drew him closer to his chest. 

The muddy weather of the valley was attracting those creatures and the sweet nectar of the flowers was enough to lure them in. Jimin noticed their abdomen flickering in a different pattern from each other.

"What are they doing?" 

"Searching for a mate." Yoongi whispered under his ear. But how will it work for them? Jimin turned his face to him,"How?"

"Fireflies find mates through a courtship process that involves flashing their lights. Male fireflies flash a specific pattern when they fly high, hoping a female will reply. If a female firefly waiting in the grass or bushes likes what she sees, she responds back with a flash of her own but similar pattern to the male."

The bewilderment on Jimin's face was a look to watch without any break if you ask Yoongi," And then?" Jimin asked with wide eyes, fully immersed in the interesting topic.

"Then they mate. They keep flickering the same pattern until they find each other and then they mate."

"So quickly? Don't they communicate first?" Jimin raised both his eyebrows in question.

"They communicate through flashes as well till they locate each other. They don't have an eternity to wait, Angel. They have a very small life span and once in their lifetime all want to suck the true nectar of their mate." Yoongi replied without giving it any deep thought.

Both of them didn't speak for a while because the Royal omega had fallen exceptionally silent after his mate's reply. 

"Angel? What happened?" 

The Royal omega was looking far into the valley, mind indulging deeper in the thoughts," Do you think it's easy to wait just because one has a long lifetime to wait?" 

Yoongi slid away some of Jimin's long black hairs and nuzzled his nose into his nape," No. Waiting is never easy despite its duration. The ones who achieve their destination after holding up for a long time… become too special."

"Am I special too?" Jimin asked absentmindedly, his eyes falling closed as he tilted his neck away to give his mate more space.

"The most." Yoongi breathed into the scent of lavender, rubbing his cheek against the junction of Jimin's shoulder. The Royal omega has contained an important part of his life, his absolute Angel.

"Did they feel peace after meeting their destination? After drinking the nectar together?" Jimin got a fond humm in response and pressed himself more into Yoongi's arms.

"I suppose so."

"If it's true then…"The Royal omega turned around in his mate's hold and Yoongi was surprised to see moisture in those feline eyes," I don't want to be special anymore."

Yoongi pulled him into his embrace, holding his face delicately in his palms. Yoongi didn't disturb Jimin's thought, let him complete what he wanted to say," I am still waiting for my peace, Yoon. Still waiting for the nectar that my lips never tasted before. I had imagined it in my mind many times, imagined how the first brush of my lips might feel against the other. And the fear of being less experienced makes me afraid too but I know my mates are far more sensitive towards me then I am."

"Angel… You are not special because you waited for us. You are special because you respected our emotions more than yours, listened to our unsaid worries and acted on them."

"And Please... Don't bite your lips, You will ruin them before I could lick their nectar." Yoongi's thumb takes the plush lips out from the grasp of omega's teeth. 

Their forehead touched with a soft sigh as blood rushed past Jimin's fingertips, his body longed for this moment for centuries. No wonder that his heart was about to explode with wild beatings and uproars of vibrations. 

The first brush of lips felt exactly like Jimin read from a historical love story… Heaven. His body leaned fully against the red haired Beta, losing every thread of sanity. His lips shuddered, breathed creating an insoluble ruckus in his brain before he felt that soft brush again.

"Yoon.."

The Beautiful work of art, his mate was cradled against his body in the most intimate position, Yoongi was awestruck when their lips brushed past each other. He felt a pair of soft petals, too full of nectar and his lips were at the bay of taking a taste.   

He watched those lips arise and called his name, his Angel called him, in sheer desire of nature. Yoongi gave in to the yearning of his mate just like a moth gave his life to the illuminating light of fire. 

Their lips met in silence yet their hearts were thundering louder than the clouds above them. Tears after tears slipped past Jimin's closed eyes when he finally felt the peace of belonging. The press of lips was soft, the way his mate was holding his face was so delicate as if he was a porcelain doll and would break if he captured it a little too tightly. 

Yoongi moved his face and brushed his right cheek to Jimin's left one, he wiped the tears away one by one. Soon his own cheeks twinkled with the pearls of the Royal omega, Jimin opened his eyes. 

The utmost need of those longing eyes made Yoongi's heart ache and all he now wants to do is to swipe away each and every pain of his mate.

So when the Royal guard changed their position and held his precious Angel against the trunk of the vast tree, Jimin didn't protest or shy away.

Their lips met in the middle of the space to drink away the passionate nectar. Yoongi opened his lips and sucked on the lower lip of the omega, he put the pressure while sucking and Jimin gasped in pleasure. 

His fingers moved past those red threads and curled around the Beta's nape. Jimin followed his mate's notions, inviting those lavish lips under one spell of pleasure.

They kissed under the tree until Jimin learnt the passion of tongues and the art of salivas. 

~~~~ 

The Royal Alpha watched the dark clouds that were still covering the sky, although only a light shower was prickling in the name of downpour. It was past the time of evening and Taehyung was lying on the same branch of the tree that he visited some weeks ago. 

His one leg was placed on the branch while the other was dangling in the air. One hand under his nape to support his head while the other was playing with a bunch of green leaves. 

Some drops were falling over his lying body but they were helping him to come out of his thoughts from time to time, so it's not a problem. Yet his mind kept going and surpassing those thoughts again and again, so yes it's the problem.

"Warmth? Since when do these barren eyes start providing warmth to someone?"  The Alpha let out a low grumble and asked no one.

His eyes were observing the changing patterns of the clouds to avert his mind but it seems like… similar to his body, his mind was also made up with a thick skull.

"I can understand the emotion of security but warmth? I can't recognise the part where I have done something that elaborates the emotion of warmth." He explained his own question to himself and nodded his head.

"The Empress is quite young in age. I don't think he has ever recognised the true nature of warmth yet." He declared the conclusion of his own explanation as well. 

But still something doesn't serve right.

Similarly, there were infinite types of explanations residing in the mind of the Royal Alpha by which he could discard every word of the omega. Nonetheless, these thoughts weren't losing the chase to his mind.

Today, he scented the Empress in front of everyone. 

No one could see exactly but all of them were werewolves, it didn't take enough time for a wolf to realise what was happening there. 

And Taehyung did it all in the emotion of protection. After witnessing the bare skin of the Empress, it was mandatory to protect its unmarked and pristine divinity at any cost.

The Royal Alpha huffed and looked at the different pattern of the cloud, it was filled up to the brim but still holding up the droplets inside as if letting go will hurt both him and the droplets.

"I just… Don't want the past to repeat in a cycle." He whispered to himself. 

"Me too," Van replied to his unheard questions. 

Taehyung was looking at the cloud without blinking an eye," This is exactly what happened before too. My thoughts were too messed up to see the truth lying in between the lies." 

"No. Before you weren't this cautious around the past mate. On the contrary, it was you who persuaded him till he agreed to the bond." Bold words but Van was the only one who could speak it out loud in front of the Alpha, a lone witness after all.

"One more reason to be cautious then. You can't blame me though, I was naive… was floating in dreams of love and fated bonds, too faithful on the strength of destined bonds." 

"We both were."

"You hadn't even seen his wolf form that time yet you suffered the most among us. One could claim that I was influenced by the senses and the developing emotions but you… you were innocent. You loved him through my eyes, protected him through my arms and then… lost him through my destiny as well." The Royal Alpha unlocked himself in front of his half part to share his thoughts.

"He was like a season to me, took our love and affection at arrival and then passed after making us barren for centuries. Past will remain in the past unless we won't compare it to the present."

"But how can one delete a memory of pain? of devotion? I'm not comparing anything with the Empress but still his actions sometimes brought me on a diversion of two ways. One way takes me to the past where I find its importance after comparing it to the present and my sanity remains at the peak of peace because the Empress always proves the contrary. Unpredictable." The Alpha's eyes held melancholic pain as he stared at the cloud.

"And the other way leads me to the future where I find myself again going to the path of my personality I once was in the past, terrifying to even believe, right?" 

He doesn't get any rapid response from his wolf but it surely comes after a moment of time," What actions of Empress keeps you standing in the present?" 

"His unnerving truths. He might have experiences of a young age but his soul isn't. His soul has the strength to uphold a promise of patience worth centuries. I witnessed that patience when he asked us for permission to wait. I have witnessed that patience when I left him in hyung's hand for months, witnessed it when I nearly rejected him on the terrace." The king spoke while looking at the drooping cloud as if he was watching those moments once again.

"My thoughts vanished day after day but his truth… It still stood among us. When I first saw him, I was sure that nature had again complimented me with another illusion. The more I walked closer to him, the more I compared him to my past and the more I hated the idea of a mate altogether." 

"But from where we can see the present, the Empress is not him."

Taehyung blinked his eyes in relaxation and looked back again," A solace. You haven't any figure to compare to the Empress's wolf, what will be your thought if-"

"I do not wish to meet him till my human accepts the Empress. Only then It would be possible for me to follow your path. And if my experience of years is accurate, Luna's wolf is as much dignified as the Empress." 

"And how is that?"

"The wolf never tries to catch my attention, even in panic and alarm, he tends to his human first. Never leaks his pheromones to claim his territory around me and even surpasses the urge of mating during the heat. He hid himself away when you scent each other, just so his own desire to see me won't awake." 

"Same virtues as his human." 

"At one point, I too thought it's a trap."

The Royal Alpha became silent at that. The darkness of the approaching night was mixing with the gloaming clouds of the rain," When?"

"When during the heat, his wolf didn't call out for me. Not even once, the wolf surfaced to declare my claim. It's not possible for a wolf to contain a triggering heat inside his womb but when he suffered that pain alone, I thought it was a trick of some power, the power that might have sent him here in the first place. But during the passing season, when we observed the motions of the Empress, I realised the wolf of an Empress can endure a mountain of heat without expressing an ounce of pain." 

"Hmm. But it doesn't mean that the pain didn't happen."

"It does happen. When we came back to Eclipse after the tour of packs, the wolf was weak but he tended to his trustable human instead of me. It tells a lot, the Empress taught him to live a realistic life not a delusional one." 

"Maybe it's just us. That can't be fixed again, too dry to seek moisture, too cold to seek warmth and…"

"too barren to seek affection."

The gloaming cloud bursts out and soon the once well protected droplets start falling to the ground. It could be seen as the heart-wrenching departure of the droplets from the cloud. Or it could be seen as the freedom of droplets after a huge revolt against the shackles of the cloud.

Again it was a diversion.

The Alpha kept his eyes open and welcomed the downpour, vision blurred with falling water but still gazing at the cloud which has become nothing but a vessel that keeps storing the different droplets again and again just for them to leave him at the end in the name of freedom. 

A vessel just like him. 

~~~~ 

It was the dusk of the next morning when the Royal Alpha jumped from the branch and turned to the pavilion with quick steps. While studying the patterns of clouds for so long, he observed the drastic change in the climate. However the rain was not falling anymore but the clouds were rising in thunders and the air had become too calm. 

He entered the pavilion and stopped when he found the Empress already looking at the sky from the small window. He joined him in the observation and soon both of them indulge in a placid conversation.

"A storm." Both of them spoke at one moment.

Jungkook turned to the Royal Alpha, he was wearing a white hanfu again, looking as if he just woke up after hearing the lightning thunder. His red hairs tied up in a secured bun, leaving a vast region of his neck visible; however, it was covered with a high neck scarf that reached till his shoulders.

(those who find it hard to imagine scarves, here is the one that Luna is wearing right now.)

It reminds the Alpha of the blue scarf that was still tucked inside his right pocket. 

He looked away from the Empress and said," It's supposed to hit the ground in the evening. We need to empty this place and return to pack house as soon as possible. The walls of a house will be more protective than the shelters here."

"Agreed. But I'm not sure if we could reach the packhouse before evening." Jungkook eyed the Alpha with uncertainty. The last time when they departed from the pack house, it was the peak of noon and they reached at nighttime here. What if the storm strikes them in the middle of the journey, it would be worse then. 

"We would if we all ran back in our wolf forms rather than using the cattle. I'm planning to send the cattle to Mystic Shadows till the rainy season passes, it's closer and they wouldn't need any rest before reaching there. Soldiers will accompany them and we need to escort the Eclipsers from here safely." 

Taehyung spoke as Jungkook looked at him. His hair was open today, strands were falling over both sides of his forehead evenly. The Alpha was explaining everything with a serious frown over his upper lip, his clothes looked dry enough to not drip. The sleeves folded around his elbows and two buttons from the top were opened given a small span of V exposed. 

He averted his gaze to the window again when his heart reminded the moments of the lake. His neck was still wafting with the Alpha's scent, he could still feel that palm pressing against his cheek so deliberately.

Jungkook pinched his wrist behind the lapels of hanfu to come back down to earth. They need to move quickly or the damage will be huge.

"I will prepare Eclipsers and make sure they vacate this place as soon as possible with the lead of Yoongi and Jimin hyungnims." He proposed.

The Alpha nodded his head," I will be sending off the cattle with the shoulders and…"

"After sending off all the Eclipsers make sure to meet me in front of the lake. We will be leaving together." 

"As per your Wish, Alpha." Jungkook bowed to the Royal Alpha before leaving the chamber and heading toward the residing tents.

He ordered the people to gather around in place to hear an urgent announcement. The Alpha did the same in the stables with soldiers and both of them spread their plan among the Eclipsers. 

"We won't be taking any goods with us. Pack all your things and store them in one place, if it survived the storm, soldiers will bring your goods back while riding the cattle to the Eclipse in the next season. The faster you will load your things, the faster the danger will drown. Make sure to run in your wolf forms, Prepare them for a long run. The Royal Highness and The Royal Guard will accompany you on this journey. They will lead the troops and we will follow after." 

It wasn't a moment to question around so Eclipsers followed their Empress's words right away. They bundled up their clothes and tools before packing them in a big tent. They tied the tent securely and wrapped another tent around the cookhouse too.

"You will follow Taehyung closely, okay? Be careful for me. Storms around here are very wild." Jungkook heard behind his back and found the Royal Highness walking toward him

"I will, hyungnim. Where is Yoongi hyung? I haven't seen him today." 

Jungkook noticed how the colour of the Royal omega's face changed into soft red. An intimate smile spread around his lips before he looked away," He went to hand over the horses, they will depart along with the cattle as well." 

The Empress understood but smiled when he saw an orange eyed wolf running towards them," I think it's time to leave."

The Eclipsers left first along with Jimin and Yoongi. However, the cattle took more time to leave. It was already evening when Taehyung sent off the last bunch of cattle. 

His steps were fast when he covered the distance between the barn and the lake, eyes searching for the white solitude of the Empress. 

But he found no one.

Far too far till his eyesight surpasses he doesn't find anybody. The area looked abandoned after the departure of the Eclipsers and it was a scenery of relief too because at least they will reach the packhouse before the storm strikes.

Soon the air became wavy as the Royal Alpha waited for the Empress nearby the lake. Taehyung tried to locate the position of his mate but his scent was everywhere and one particular direction wasn't something the Alpha could pick up in between them.

Taehyung left his position and ran around the area that comes under the possession of the lake. He tried to mind link too but maybe the Empress was too occupied to respond.

An ugly feeling surged inside his brain, flooding him with thoughts that seemed nowhere to sane and the next moment his eyes blazed golden.

He searched for the Empress from field to field, letting his wolf take control until he picked up the fresh scent of his mate. It was when he passed all the fields and entered the area which was still barren, still covered in wild twigs and shrubs, his nostrils picked up the burn of rosemary.

He entered the thorny shrubs without thinking much, he squinted his eyes in focus, lips twitching in a mad frown. 

His eyes spotted a white shadow running from one corner to another and then taking a longest run toward the end of the southern territory of Eclipse. 

"Luna!"

The shout was so loud that even clouds reverberated above them and soon the sharp downpour started again. This time it wasn't the rain alone but the air was so windy that it was pushing everything away that came in contact with its swirl.

The Royal Alpha pushed past through the gusty wind, running in between the slicing showers. His eyes caught the white shade again but now it wasn't running but seemed to be resting on his knees. In the middle of the wild shrubs and heavy downpour what was even the Empress doing here?

Taehyung crossed the distance between them in a sheer moment, his breaths splintering when he scrunched down on his knees near the omega," Are you hurt somewhere?"

Luna was hunkered down on his knees, his chest touching the ground, hands folded over his chest as if he was suffering in a wrenching pain. 

The Royal Alpha placed his hand on the omega's nape, warning about his presence," Your Empress, Show me your eyes." 

Taehyung demanded as he brought his face closer to the omega's head, blinking his golden iris back in grey. He heard the shallow puffs of breaths and slowly Jungkook raised his head from the ground.

The heavy rain had made their vision blurred but the King spotted the distress clearly on the omega's face, sensing it in his trembling form. His hands moved away from his nape and grabbed Jungkook by the shoulders," What happened?"

Jungkook's head was still swirling around because of the high speed he had to acquire to run," Pup. Running pup… got scared by someone… Don't know where…now safe." 

He spoke in broken breaths but it was enough for Taehyung to understand, he rubbed Jungkook's arm in comfort… something he wasn't sure would work or not. 

"Where is it now?" Another wild gust struck the land and the Alpha hugged Jungkook securely, cradling his face into his chest and closing his eyes until the rough blast of wind passed by them.

Jungkook rested his head on the Alpha's chest and closed his eyes to breathe properly. The blood was gushing in all directions due to the rapid rush, he felt the secure arms tightening around his body and his soul felt that warmth again.

Jungkook was standing beside the lake after sending off the Eclipsers, waiting for his mate to come so they could leave together when he saw a goble of black furs stumbling on its four paws in the middle of the field. 

He was sure that they didn't take any pup along with them before coming for southern lands. 

He waited to see if he was accompanied by other pups or maybe its parents. But no one came and when Jungkook heard the ear-splitting scream of the pup he ran behind it without thinking much. 

The scream held fear and pain, and it sent discomfort to Jungkook's heart in many ways. He wanted to provide some solace to the pup and it was the only reason why he ran behind the pup.

But the pup got scared and bolted through the crops with double speed.  

When the rapidity of wind passed away, Taehyung heard the small cooing noises coming from the Empress. He pulled away in reflection because in no way the sound could be produced by a grown up. 

Jungkook's hand was still pressed against his chest as if cradling something precious against it. He pulled away his one hand and opened his lapel to one side, presenting a little black pup pressed up against his chest.

"He fainted after I caught him in my arms. But I released my safe scent so he will know that I meant no danger. Alpha, He will be alright, right?" Jungkook asked while looking at Taehyung with big worried eyes.

The Royal Alpha glanced at the cradled pup and touched his head. He caressed his small fur," He is sleeping right now." Next, he noticed the ear piercing over the pup's small ears," Ash Alders. He belongs to the neighbouring pack."

Jungkook nodded his head in remembrance after he saw the feather-like piercing dangling from the pup's ear. 

"We need to find his parents." Jungkook said while wrapping the winning little thing back into his arms and providing it enough warmth to breathe.

"We will but first we need to wait till this storm passes," Taehyung observed his surrounding and before the next wild gust could strike them, he cradled the Empress in his arms and strolled around till he find a big fig tree leaning down on the ground with its roots holding it up against the wild storm.   

The Royal Alpha stepped toward it and landed on his knees when the gusty storm struck on the back. His hold on the omega's body tightened instead of loosening up as he moved under the tree and leaned against its trunk.

Jungkook was nestled in his lap, face hidden in his Alpha's neck and one hand holding the sleeping pup while another was secured around his mate's waist.

In between the wild gusts of the storm, there was one more thing that was beating equally wildly and those soft things were nothing but the fragile hearts of the Royals.

"You both are safe with me." 

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.

I had to cut some scenes, they will appear in the next chapter with more details.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

And I know it's a hard time going on this App but I will be here and I want you all beside me. We will be together always💜. Spread love and respect around you.

Good night, dear lovely readers.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.