Hello, lovely readers💜.

Jungkook was doing everything to turn his ragged breaths into a calm whiff of air. His shoulders were hunched down in his Alpha's arms, face buried in collarbones.  The sky above them was thundering wildly, something he hadn't witnessed before, such storms never occurred around the dry land of the Lunar.

His one arm was holding the pup in his lap and the other one was wrapped around the Alpha's waist. He could feel those arms tightening around him when the gust of feral wind struck them. However, The Alpha endured the impact and raised one hand over Jungkook's head, burying them more into his chest.

Jungkook heard it when his own breaths found serenity, the sound was low, a mere vibration under his ear but Jungkook heard the beating heart of the Alpha. His body lost all the stiffness, melting in those safe arms like a puddle of frost.

The wind was going untamed, the next wild gust made the Alpha duck his head down to save the impact. His face rested over Jungkook's neck and both mates captured each other's racing hearts in between their arms.

The scent of new blooming pines nestled all over Taehyung's face while Jungkook found solace in the scent of sandalwood that was covering his entire body in a protective circle.

The protection his heart felt would have been new to that Jungkook who once lived in those fake strong walls of Lunar. But this Jungkook felt the true meaning of protection when he stepped inside Eclipse as the Empress of Europe. He felt the true meaning of protection when his Alpha sheltered him in his arms.

Right now the world was breaking apart around him, everything was getting destroyed that comes in contact with the storm but here he is… curled up into his Alpha lap, snuggling in comfort.

Respect and protection are the two primal needs of an omega. And his Alpha has fulfilled these needs of Jungkook from the very start. What other things does he need to live? Jungkook doesn't bother to mull over it.

His legs were getting numb by the cold but his heart was purring in the warmth of the Alpha.

The scent was becoming overwhelmingly tough to swallow down his nose, and the grip Jungkook had on his Alpha's waist got tightened.

The Empress raised his head from Alpha's chest and nuzzled it into his neck," I am safe. The pup is too. Please, Calm down. It's hard… hard to breathe." If his body wasn't proof enough, Jungkook spoke it out to the Alpha.

In different situations, distinct amounts of scents are required to comfort an omega, to make him feel safe and secure. Taehyung realized he exceeded the amount unknowingly, he could feel his pheromones all around the tree.

He pulled away a little, controlling his scent to not overwhelm the pup and the omega in his lap.

It happened unknowingly. But the thing that hindered Alpha's brain was that… He has never done something unknowingly before. Ever.

He was about to move away when he felt both arms of the omega, encircled his waist and hugged him tightly. The pup was secured in between their bodies but the way Luna's whole body loosened up in his lap, stirred something drastic in the Alpha.

They don't know how long they kept sitting under the shades of the tree but Taehyung could see the Sun which was setting behind the gloomy clouds, spreading his beams one last time. The rain had stopped but the wind was still strong, he could hear the warm breaths of the omega under his ear.

His hearing perked up when he paid attention to the upcoming sound and hurried footpad of wolves. They are not one or two, it's a group of wolves. The sound was coming from the end of the southern territory.

"Some wolves are coming from the southern territory, We need to go there. Soldiers allowed them inside, which means they are known to us. It could possibly be the parents of the pup." The Alpha said and his hot breath sent shudders down the spine of the Omega.

Taehyung pulled back, eyes stuck on the omega who still hadn't raised his face from the Alpha's neck. He brought his hand over the nape of the omega, fingers enveloping the sensitive skin. He put on some pressure there with alternative fingers, letting his touch linger a moment or two before massaging another muscle of the nape.

Jungkook took a moment to recollect his numb legs, squeezing fists, and a warm heart all in one body. The fingers over his nape were massaging his muscles smoothly,  making his inner omega purr in delight.

Jungkook pulled away from the buzzing scent under his nose, raising his eyes to get a glimpse of his Alpha. The entire body of the Alpha was drenched in rain, as Jungkook came out of the foggy maze of sandalwood, he realized that the Alpha was sitting in a muddy puddle all along.

His black hair was pushed back, exposing the expanse of his forehead. The mole on his lower eyelid was visible as a star in the dark moonless night. 

Taehyung could feel his pants bearing water up to his knees, the puddle they had created around them was increasing drop by drop yet he wasn't able to take his eyes off the omega.

Half of Jungkook's face was pale which was exposed to the rain but the other half which was buried in his neck has turned into a haze of soft pink. It was covered by the stubborn hairs of the omega, wet hairs merging themselves with the wet eyelashes so willfully that Taehyung doesn't know how his hand raised and pushed those hairs away from the blooming red skin.

His fingers moved, collecting the red fringes all together in one corner before pushing them back and tucking securely behind the ear. This all happened oh so slowly that Jungkook completely forgot to breathe in between. His breath was stuck, flowing in between the lungs before pouring out from the pores of the skin, raising the goosebumps all over his face.

The paleness of half of his face flushed too when the Alpha rubbed the omega's cheek with the back of his hand. As if he was trying to revive the skin again, letting the blood flow there… entirely ignoring the inaudible gasps Jungkook let out.

The pup mewled in Jungkook's lap and Taehyung's gaze fell down on it. The black heap of furs squirmed before falling silent over Luna's chest. Their eyes matched again and the Alpha said," Can you walk? May I help you up?"

Jungkook curled his toes in and out and he didn't feel a single movement in his legs, they were frozen like ice. But he felt he could be able to walk, it's just nothing but pushing his body back and forth. So he nodded his head, inhaling sharply when a pair of hands grabbed him by his waist and hoisted his hips up till he balanced his feet on the ground.

Jungkook was right. He was able to walk but he still can't feel his legs, can't feel the weight of his body that his feet are dragging forward.

Taehyung stood up and let the muddy water drain from his clothes, he nodded his head towards the omega and showed the direction to walk on.

Both of them started their journey with unsure steps, with movements Taehyung's steps become more confident and more powerful while Jungkook's steps become deflated and less energetic. He was following Alpha's steps mindlessly, walking a little behind him, gazing at the ground.

He startled a bit when a hand came from the front and grabbed his wrist in a soft hold, he looked up and big eyes stared at his Alpha in confusion.

Taehyung stood there with an unreadable expression on his face," An Alpha's Luna should walk beside him not behind."

His bigger eyes filled with constellations when Jungkook heard his Alpha.

Alpha's luna.

Alpha's luna.

Alpha's luna.

Alpha's luna.

Alpha's luna.

Alpha's luna.

Alpha's luna.

His heart jumped into his throat and it let out a voice of an inner whimper, his arms tightened over the pup. Holding him up in his arms securely Jungkook walked to the Alpha and stood beside him.

Taehyung nods his head and both of them start walking toward the southern territory side by side. The Atmosphere was turning darker, when they were a little far from the borders the Royal Couple saw the little troop of the wolves.

The Royal Alpha was right. They were Ash Alders, the earpiece dangling from their ear was enough proof.

When Taehyung raised his hand up in the air, the running wolves came to a halt. They bowed by sitting on the back paws and hunched down.

The pup might have sensed the presence of his parents as it starts squirming out from Luna's hold. The mother wolf raised his head in worry, still bowing down to their Alpha and Luna.

"Be at ease." The Royal Alpha ordered.

"The pup had misunderstood the directions and ran inside the southern fields of Eclipse. His Empress has saved him, he is safe and healthy. Your arrival is appreciated on time." Taehyung assured before his gaze matched his mate who was already looking towards him with soft eyes.

The Pack leader howled in thankfulness, going down on back paws once again.

The mother wolf came forward with wobbly steps and Jungkook understood her dilemma right in an instant. He kneels before the approaching wolf, letting him sniff his feet and knees.

The mother wolf nuzzled his nose over Jungkook's chest in sheer gratitude, gaining a smile from the Empress," You don't have to thank me, I can understand your pain." He raised his hand and opened the front lapels that were wrapped around the small pup like a carriage.

The small pup whimpered and jumped out of his hold to encircle his mother's hind legs again and again. The mother starts scenting him immediately, leaving no traces of fear on the smaller one before nuzzling his neck into herself.

Jungkook's heart filled up with warmth, such an unconditional love between a mother and a pup is hard to find. His eyes blinked back happy tears after watching the reconciliation of the pup with his mother.

He stilled himself on his legs again when the wolves bows down once again, this time the Empress spoke," You have cared about your springs, it shows in your actions. I am grateful. Please depart soon safely before the storm strikes again."

The Alpha agreed with the Empress and waved off the wolves towards the exact path they came from.

"We should leave for packhouse too," Jungkook suggested and received an affirmative nod from the Alpha.

Jungkook starts walking back, indulging in thoughts about where they should shift and transform into their wolves.

Taehyung was following the omega from behind, he smelt it before his eyes captured the sight of blood at the end of omega's chima (skirt).

"Stop walking."

His voice came out strained, pulling an unusual frown on his face. Taehyung approached the omega who halted in the middle after hearing the surprise command of the Alpha.

"Have you hurt yourself? I can smell the fresh blood and these stains.." Taehyung came forward and knelt on the ground on one knee.

Jungkook's confused brows became stronger when he gazed down at his once white skirt. He saw the blood stains too, his once white chima now wet with mud but the red color of blood still highlighted over its end.

"I don't think so. I am not feeling any pain." He felt nothing at all actually, his legs had turned just numb.

"Can you check it thoroughly? We need to see if the injury is severe or not." Jungkook sensed the worry in his Alpha's voice, he gulped down the rising bile in his throat, there was a kind of exploitation going inside him that he can't pinpoint.

Jungkook agreed nonetheless, hands already going down to see where the blood is exactly coming from, fingers eager to soothe his Alpha's worry who has already turned his back towards the omega before analyzing the surroundings.

He raised his chima a little and a soft material of long pants came into view, it was drenched in blood and the excess amount of it made Jungkook concerned too.

The material was wide, it was easier to roll it up and see the skin underneath. Jungkook picked the material of the pants from his knees and pushed it up, the sight that welcomed him made his eyes shoot up to his eyebrows.

Taehyung was standing patiently while waiting for an update on the injury. It could have been a wound the omega got when he threw himself into bushes to save the pup or it could be a fresh injury he got during the walk. Reason after reason the Alpha was trying to keep his sanity at bay.

The time passed felt like an hour or it was a moment or two when Taehyung smelt another gush of fresh blood," May I turn around?" There was urgency in his voice, one which occurred when something was happening against his will.

He got no response.

Taehyung inhaled and exhaled, twisted his tongue inside to get away from the distaste for the situation. When the next strip of blood struck his prominent nose, his Alpha howled inside him.

"I am turning around," He declared.

The Royal Alpha turned around in a heartbeat, his mouth falling open when he found the omega frozen in his position. The wound from which the blood is leaking was covered by Jungkook's view so the Alpha sat on his knees and removed the cloth from his vision.

He inhaled sharply when he saw a wild leech sliding inside the calves of the omega. The leech was three inches long but it was stretching itself wide by sucking more blood inside.

Taehyung tore apart a piece of chima from the lower side and tightened it right above when the head of the leech ended," A creature was sucking your blood all along and you didn't feel a thing? How come you didn't feel it crawling over your leg? Luna?"

The Alpha called him when he didn't get any response. Jungkook was looking down at his leg with a grimace, he exhaled a cold breath and looked at his Alpha," I still can't feel it. My legs are numb," He moved his toes again which followed his actions but the sensations were missing, the flow of blood was missing.

The Alpha looked murderous when he gazed around them searching for something, his eyes fell over a destroyed tree and he didn't ask for the Empress's permission before carrying the omega towards the tree.

Jungkook squeaked at the sudden movement when strong arms wrapped around his waist and legs and carried him to… don't know where?

Alpha's steps were large and rough, his body was tense, Jungkook could feel a depletion in his mate's scent.

The Alpha made him sit on the trunk of the lying tree and took his leg before placing it over his lap. Jungkook's eyes widened a little, the Alpha was sitting on the ground in a crisscross position, and the sole of his foot was placed on Alpha's right thigh.

"Give me the dagger," There was a restriction in Alpha's voice as if he was holding himself back from something. Jungkook gulped down his thoughts, hand going to the dagger that was swaddled to his chima right across the sash.

Taehyung took it from the omega and opened the dagger, KTH came to the sight and the Alpha looked into his eyes," I need to pluck it out, the head of the leech is inside so I need to dig the dagger upto its head, and pull it out."

Taehyung grabbed Jungkook's hand and placed it above his own wrists, "Push me back if the pain becomes too much, okay?"

Jungkook was lost inside the worrisome eyes of the Alpha, maybe the Alpha can't see it but it was visible to Jungkook's eyes as the moon in the sky.

He still couldn't feel his legs but his heart hammered inside his ribcage when those worried eyes scanned the oozing blood with care. Jungkook felt that overwhelming scent again, his nostrils flared, inhaling it deep down to his bones.

The Royal Alpha's eyes sharpened when he focussed on the leech, he pressed the tip over the bloody wound. The opening of the wound wasn't big but the more blood the leech sucked, the more it started to enter inside.

He pushed the tip of the dagger inside the wound and a maddening frown appeared on his face. He coiled the tip of the dagger at the edging angle and pushed it inside more.

He glanced at the omega to see if he had caused some pain but the omega was just sitting still and staring down at the Alpha with wide-blown eyes.

Taehyung gritted his teeth when he swept the tip of the dagger just under the head of the leech. He detached it slowly, removing the jelly body of the leech out of the omega's skin, and then pulled it out by stretching it at the end.

The Alpha threw the creature as far away as he could, might have slashed it by the dagger but he had more important matters to hold on his sleeves.

The calf was losing blood excessively now. Most leech bites are not harmful but it's the blood loss that makes them more lethal. Because the bite can cause extended bleeding at the attachment site even after the leech is removed as the saliva from leeches interferes with the blood's normal clotting.

Taehyung opened the tied cloth from the calf and tied it right over the wound. He can't tend this wound in an open area, he needs to find a shelter.

He observed the hands over his wrist were still as stationary as before, he plunged a dagger inside the omega's calf yet he didn't even let out a hiss of pain, this is not normal in any sense.

His hands reached lower till he captured the bridge of Jungkook's left foot and squeezed it a little," Still not feeling anything?" He asked the omega, mind running to find the real cause of the numbness. It can't be due to a single leech.

Or maybe there are more.

When Jungkook shook his head in denial, his suspicion rose to the peak, "Have you checked yourself thoroughly? Are you sure there aren't more?"

Jungkook pressed his lips in a thin line and looked around," I stopped after finding the first one. I haven't looked for more."

Taehyung raised himself from the ground, "We are going to the southern territory, we need shelter. The wound won't close on its own. You can check there, this numbness is not normal, Your Empress."

The Alpha tucked the dagger inside the belt loop and helped the omega to stand up," Let me carry you," Again he didn't wait for the agreement of the omega and strode towards the southern territory.

~

Soldiers were on their feet when the head of the southern territory received a direct command from the Royal Alpha. They were standing in a straight line ready on their toes, waiting for the next command.

They have emptied one of the huts for the arrival of the Royal Alpha and the Luna.

Even amid the climate crisis, no one stepped back from their responsibilities. The rain has started again along with the wild gusts of the wind, it hadn't gotten worse like before but it was turning towards it slowly. And everyone was praying in their hearts that the Royal couple should arrive sooner.

Their backs stretched straight when all of them got a glimpse of their Royal Alpha. The mere sight of the Alpha made their heads turn into a line. The Alpha was looking wild, hairs falling down to his eyes, drenched in rain from head to toe as he carried the Royal Luna in his arms.

Taehyung didn't halt in his steps when he commanded the soldiers," Go back to your barracks and huts. Do the patrolling in groups once the storm leaves, remember the first priority should be the safety of your fellows. I will be staying here for the night."

The soldiers turned their bodies and moved towards their designated duties.

Taehyung barged inside the hut and looked inside, a makeshift bed was spread on the floor with a cotton mattress occupied by two blankets and one pillow. Two pairs of fresh clothing folded at the corner of the mattress. On the other side of the hut was placed a big barrel of hot water and a few towels.

He looked at the omega in his arms who was looking around the hut with curious eyes," Is the hut okay?" Taehyung asked.

Jungkook sniffed the aroma of the wooden floor and burning logs in the furnace. The ambiance doesn't carry any other scents, it was good.

",eah." Jungkook whispered and the Alpha stepped forward and kneeled on the ground before the mattress. He seated the omega on the floor and stood up.

"Check yourself. I'll be waiting outside." Taehyung spoke over his shoulder and walked to the door.

"You can…" Jungkook spoke too quickly, making the Alpha stop by the door," You can stay inside, it's raining out there."

Taehyung contemplated the words of the omega and looked outside, his both hands gripping the stiles of the open door. It's not like he will melt away in the rain, he can stand out there just fine and give the utmost privacy to the omega. But the Alpha could sense the true reason beneath the Empress's excuse, it lies in the omega's anxious scent, a surpassed fear.

His hands moved but instead of going out, Taehyung closed the door and locked the hinge and shackle securely," I will stand here, You can proceed."

Jungkook exhaled the breath he didn't even know he was holding inside in fear of abandonment. He scans his Alpha's back one last time and starts undressing his chima.

He pulled at the knot of flat strings and the china crumbled down around his feet. He was standing in the corner of the hut, away from the makeshift mattress so he discarded the drenched chima and stepped out of it.

Next comes the wide pants that undergoes down to his ankles, Jungkook looks at the Alpha again who hasn't moved an inch from his position. The situation was weird and it was enhancing his scent to an unthinkable extent.

Jungkook opened his pants, he had to slide it down slowly as it was attached to his wet legs. His pale thighs came into view and gradually he pulled out the pants and placed them on the top of the Chima. 

A disgusting whimper left from his lips when he eyed his legs, there were two more leeches attached to his legs. One at his inner thighs of the right leg and another one was sucking his blood from the upper thigh of left leg.

The Royal Alpha catches the whimper right away but decides to not turn around, "What happened?"

Jungkook eyed his legs with disappointment, nausea filling his throat with a sour malice, although there was no pain but the sight of his legs was provoking him to vomit.

"There are two more." He said just that, sickness was clear in his voice.

"May I turn to look?" The Alpha asked in return, clearly discarding the whole purpose of sickness.

Jungkook looked at himself again, his lower body was exposed, only his loincloth was there covering his intimate parts. He walked to the makeshift mattress and picked up the fresh clothes.

They were freshly washed, overly wide but carried no unknown scent at all.

Jungkook changes his clothes, discarding all his drenched clothes and replacing them with the dry ones. He refrain himself to wear the wide pants beneath the chima or it will be difficult to reach upto his thighs.

"Yes you can, I have changed my clothes." Jungkook allowed and Taehyung turned around to look at omega standing in the middle of the room. His head was ducked down, not meeting with Alpha's eyes and the pungent scent of rosemary was wafting into the air.

The Alpha moved on his feet and spread a towel on the floor just near to warm furnace," Sit," Taehyung gestured to the omega with a nod and waited till the omega came and sat on the towel with a sad frown on his face.

"Stop me when you feel uncomfortable, I will call the soldier's omegas for help."

Jungkook heard that worry again and his sad frown melted a little, he nodded his head and bit his lips when his mate placed both his legs over his lap.

The first thing Taehyung noticed was the drenched socks of the omega, they were half-covered in blood. His fingers tugged at the end of them and pulled off the socks leaving Jungkook's feet all bare to the vision.

It was so sudden that Jungkook's face fell open around a gasp, their eyes met and Taehyung's expression was so serious that the omega just looked down at his mating ring and said nothing.

The color of the ring shone in the darkly dim room, the glow of fire was the only source of light in the hut.

The omega's cheeks reddened when Taehyung's eyes lingered at the mating ring before he looked up," Come closer."

Forgetting to breathe properly Jungkook tried his best to place his hands flat on the floor and slide his body forward but his wet fingers failed clumsily.

His senses were knocked out of his brain when his Alpha tugged at his ankles and his body slipped directly upto Alpha's crisscrossed knees. His shocked face mirrored the Alpha's blank one, his chima rolled up to his knees and his legs were positioned on either side of the Alpha's waist.

His calves were resting on Taehyung's thighs, the heels of his feet pressed into the waist of the Alpha.

Jungkook was too stunned by the position, so he didn't hear what his Alpha said next. He was gawking at the Alpha with wide eyes.

So Taehyung said again," Lean back a little."

Jungkook looked down immediately, he placed his hands flat on the floor behind his back, and leaned back, giving his Alpha enough excess to see his thighs properly. 

Taehyung moved his hands and rolled the chima upwards surpassing the knees, upper thighs and then the inner thighs came into view and the Alpha's jaw ticked after seeing the leeches.

He unlatched the dagger again and stuck its tip toward the furnace. He knows the omega won't feel the pain because of the numbness but it didn't make the Alpha less careful towards him.

The Alpha first goes to the inner thigh, his free right hand cupped the supple thigh from beneath and raised it a little.

Jungkook didn't feel the touch at all but the sight alone made his leg stiffen, he saw those long fingers squeezing his thighs, "loose up your muscles." 

The Empress looked away from the sight and let his Alpha handle the wound alone, he changed his thoughts that were brimming his mind and provoking his sanity.

Taehyung pressed the warm tip of the dagger on the open wound and pushed it inside. He took out the leech and threw it right into the fire. Quickly changing the position of his hands, the Alpha worked on the upper thigh of the left leg. This leech just had started to suck the blood so the wound wasn't deep. Taehyung took it out and hurled it right into the burning fire too.

He opened the bandage from the calf and he was right, the wound hadn't stopped bleeding at all.

Jungkook looked back from the corner of his eyes, he found the Alpha leaning down over the wound of the calf.

Taehyung kept his mouth open over the wound until his saliva started dripping down from his lips directly onto the wound, he glanced at the omega and their eyes met in amazement.

The dripping saliva was coating the bleeding wound and when the blood stopped flowing, Taehyung slipped his tongue out and swiped the excess saliva from his lips.

"It will help the blood to clot," Taehyung whispered before he moved and leaned over the small wound at his paper thighs.

He opened his mouth again and let the saliva cover the wound. By now Jungkook's eyes have found a home in Alpha's lips, too focused to leave out any detail.

He watched mesmerizingly how those plush lips fall open above his inner thighs and a string of transparent saliva oozes out of them. Those lips were constant when the saliva fell and remained like it until the sharp tongue cut the saliva and those plush muscles fell shut again.

The saliva stained the corner of Taehyung's chin. Jungkook raised his hand and wiped the saliva off with the lapels of sleeves, gaining the attention of the Alpha.

"Thank you, Alpha." He whispered, eyes locking again and showing the true appreciation for the care he received.

Taehyung looked away from those eyes and placed two towels at the brink of the furnace," It's common in this season, this numbness occurred due to the continuous blood loss and now as it has stopped, you will feel pain soon."

He brought back one of the hot towels and dabbed them on Jungkook's legs, tracing the wound carefully before wrapping it directly on the wound. He didn't tie the towels, just swaddled them around the omega's thighs just so they don't get rubbed with each other.

~

Jungkook was lying on the mattress with his eyes closed as his Alpha was changing his clothes at the same place where he stored his drenched clothes. His hairs were scattered around his side after getting drained into a dry towel. His body was buried deep into the blanket up to his shoulders.

Taehyung changed his clothes but the problem is… these clothes weren't his. The pants were good, wide enough for his legs to not get suffocated but the shirt or what is it? A silky chemise was too short for his shoulders.

The Alpha still wore it, twitching his arms until the chemise hugged his back and biceps. Now the new problem is… if he tries to close the button, the shirt or the buttons will tear apart.

He flicked his hair back, ruffling the water drops out of it and left the shirt unbuttoned.

Jungkook opened his eyes when the mattress endured the weight of a body and he saw his Alpha lying on the mattress beside him.

Jungkook didn't move from his position till the Alpha found his comfort on the mattress. His head was lying on the pillow while Taehyung wasn't using any pillow just staring at the ceiling above them.

Comfortable silence passes between them as both of them remembered the haphazard events of the day.

"Eclipsers have reached the pack house safely." The Alpha informed the omega. A sheer relief filled inside him as he felt a weight lifted from his heart.

"Is Everyone alright? Any injuries or he storm-"

"Yes. They reached there before the storm struck the packhouse." The voice was deep and it soothes Jungkook's nerves further. His legs are comfortably tucked inside the blanket, a little painful but he is glad he actually felt something other than numbness.

"I am glad." He whispered in the silence of the dark night. The fire was still blazing in the furnace, wafting the hut with a red glow. Doesn't matter how many times Jungkook has tricked his mind into different thoughts, his brain just goes over and over to the image of those full lips.

It was embarrassing how Jungkook's brain had captured that image inside his head as an unforgettable memory. He is ashamed but the more he tries to shake those thoughts away the more it gets hammered inside.

He slides his head lower till it rests above the Alpha's shoulder. He waited for the Alpha to react or pull away but when nothing happened, Jungkook relaxed his body against the Alpha's.

He closed his eyes again and matched his breaths along with the Alphas' . Jungkook has developed this habit since the day he laid beside the Alpha in the pavilion.

He likes to regulate his breaths and channel his thoughts till he falls asleep but today. He was having only one thought, Jungkook squeezed his eyes shut but the vision of Alpha's lips flashed across his eyes again.

His fingers jittered from where they laid on his torso, he opened his eyes and bit his lips to stop himself from asking something stupid, something that he will surely regret later.

But Everything went down the drain when his lips blurted out the question.

"Have you ever kissed before?" The voice was not above the low movement of lips but when Jungkook felt the gaze of his Alpha hindered above him, he knew the damage was already done.

He should put his face inside the burning fire, the only solution to not humiliate himself further.

But then his body felt the rumbling torso of the Alpha in the form of an affirmative hum.

His mind went blank for a moment, receiving the information bit by bit. Now Jungkook felt the burn right inside his heart, an unbearable burn and he realized he regretted the question already.

"How many times?" It was a weak question on many aspects.

Taehyung's eyes were tracing the ridges of the ceiling, old wooden pillars were still standing proud and holding the weight of the ceiling. He doesn't comprehend why the omega starts asking the questions all so suddenly. It wasn't something new, the Empress has an unpredictable nature.

" Many."

Jungkook sucked a breath inside, the corners of his lips twitched in dismay. What now? Is he remembering his previous mate while answering me? The thought alone turned Jungkook's mouth sour.

"You are not accurate in your answer. There must be a lot of times." Jungkook nodded to his own answer.

The Alpha remained silent as he looked from above and witnessed the omega biting his cheek harshly. Was it the disappointment that he heard in omega's voice?

"I haven't though."

Jungkook delivered although no one asked. He has already taken a dagger on his thighs, now these arrows on his heart won't change much.

Taehyung wanted to say he knew that already. He had read it in his saved memories but he didn't expect the next words of the omega.

"But one Prince had tried to kiss me before." Jungkook said and closed his eyes to relax a little, he was feeling pain behind his eyelids.

The barren grey eyes that were once focussed on the omega's cheek, sharpened and moved to find that the omega was balbaring his thoughts with closed eyes.

Unaware Jungkook continued his thoughts, it's not like it will affect anyone.

"He was talking about the pleasures of life or something like that and tricked me into a corner."

Jungkook sighed in comfort and stopped talking. But he was unaware that those grey eyes were still staring at his head, Jungkook jerked away a little when he heard the threatening sound just under his ear," Remember his name?"

Jungkook shook his head, red hairs coming forward to hide his face.

"His pack?" The Alpha spoke again after some time.

Jungkook scrunched his closed eyes in focus," Usaru? Prince of Usaru." he hummed when his memories confirmed the name and continued," He told me many weird things, said lips aren't as much important as the tong-"

"Shush."

Jungkook's damaged heart swooned with butterflies as he opened his eyes and lifted his head upwards, "It's okay. Now I know what he meant. I have read books like these too. But at that time I was confused. After all, I was only 13."

The fire of the furnace mirrored Taehyung's eyes, a shred of fact was burning in anger.

"What happened then?"

"Yoongi came and distracted the boy until he left me alone." Jungkook watched how his Alpha's ticked jaw shifted to a halt.

He moved his eyes and watched the burning fire in the furnace," I asked him the same questions that the boy asked me. He told me these things should be discussed between mates only. And that my first kiss should belong to my mate too."

The Alpha didn't know why? But he wanted to know the thoughts of omega on it, waiting for an unknown person while keeping themselves unavailable to others.

It could be possible that Jungkook might have refrained himself from liking someone just because the person wasn't his mate.

What does the omega think about it? Doesn't it feel forceful to him?

"What do you think about it?" Taehyung moved a little lower to listen to the omega carefully, and suddenly some thoughts started to matter to him?

He doesn't know.

"At first, I didn't believe it. Because what I have seen through my childhood was totally opposite. I have seen my mother kissing other men from the court and women too. I have seen father courting other omegas as well. At one point, I started to think maybe some people possess more than one mate."

"Then what stopped you from believing your surroundings?"

Jungkook sighed as a smile appeared on his lips," Yoongi hyung. He gave me an example of his parents, and swore to me how he never saw his parents giving another person the same affection as them. At that age, I knew that Yoongi hyung would never lie to me or deceive me. So I believed him."

Jungkook chuckled at the fond memories of his childhood," He started bringing me a lot of books of history. Books that gave description on love, devotion, purity and loyalty and then comes the love tales. Every book, whoever wrote them, held the superiority of ideal devotion. I read them all and at every ending, harsh or happy, they left me satisfied."

The Alpha couldn't relate to the omega. Where the Omega has opted his beliefs from his inner soul and books, the Alpha has witnessed these beliefs side by side with his parents, as they were the epitome of love and devotion.

It made Taehyung more intrigued," Which book do you still remember?"

Jungkook's smile becomes a little larger," Mio and Madelyn."

The name was enough to make Taehyung stiff in his position but the Alpha didn't give any reaction so the omega continued," The tale of a weak omega that wasn't able to birth offspring for their pack Monera. But his mate stood by him, even going as far as to stand against his Kingdom."

"That mate has received many options where he can choose any omega from the kingdom or world to lead his legacy. But the King denied all of them."

Taehyung turned his head away from the omega, eyes showing the suffocation of his lungs.

"It was the excellence of devotion for me. Later, I heard that the book was based on a true couple but their real names are forged due to privacy. I still have that book with me."

"You never stepped out of your palace?" Taehyung diverted the topic smoothly, unable to bear the torture that the omega was awakening.

Jungkook tucked his hairs behind his ear and rested his cheek on his mate's shoulder, " I did sneak out sometimes. Again with Yoongi hyung's help. He took me to the fields where I saw how the world actually works."

"I saw people doing work together, eating together, talking together and even caring for their mates. I concluded that ordinary people have more values in their lives than the luxurious ones." His eyes were distant, focussing on nothingness but space.

Taehyung agreed with his thoughts, greed and manipulation are something that can easily ruin everything, values are important to face the life.

"And you gave me just that. An entire home of lovely pack members." Jungkook whispered as he raised his hand and touched the Alpha's earlobe. The tiny piercing hole was empty, completely barren. But it does hold the capacity to look ethereal once occupied with charms.

"I noticed I always talk without stopping and you always listen to me. Why? I am not boring you. Am I?"

Taehyung brought his roaming hand down and left it over his waist," No. It's not like that."

Jungkook didn't remove his hand but turned his body sideways so he could focus on the glowing face of the Alpha," Then tell me about you too. Do you have a love tale that you believe in?"

"I do."

Jungkook raised his eyes in surprise," Really? Which one?"

"My Parent's."

Jungkook gasped in happiness, delighted that his Alpha spent his childhood amid such parents.

"I haven't heard about them but I have read about you." Jungkook teases a little.

A frown appeared on Taehyung's perfect face," About me? What was there to read?"

"A Royal King, the most powerful, cruel, and lovable," Jungkook swore he heard a snicker at that but he continued," Ah! There is one more thing that I wanted to ask."

"What?"

"How can you deceive people by saying you are two hundred years old? How come Eclipsers don't know Royal's real age and believe that everyone around is 200 years old?" Jungkook asked this time.

"It's necessary to hold back the truth that we are immortals. No one knows about it except the Royals. And it's valuable that way or people will become habitual to the constant. Life is not about constant, it's about change."

Jungkook nuzzled his nose into Alpha's shoulder, agreeing with the thought.

"When I first saw you, you didn't look a moment above twenty-five, let alone 200. Then I realized all of it was a lie."

Jungkook would not ask why Alpha's ear suddenly turned red as Alpha moved his face away.

"What did you think about me?" Jungkook asked, wide eyes looking at his Alpha.

"Hm?"

"Was I beautiful to look at least?" Jungkook's heart was on the lapels of his sleeves when he asked the question.

Once again, Taehyung was lost in those eyes, thoughts going to find the answer to the question. From the long experience of his life. He had realized that the beauty of a person doesn't not depend on the color of their skin, size of their eyes and fullness of their lips.

It depends on their way of living life, their decisions that led them towards the beauty of humanity. And lastly their hearts.

Jungkook's expectant eyes turned into confused ones when the Alpha forgot to give him an answer.

What should Taehyung say? that he hadn't seen anyone but the omega who has turned the packhouse of Eclipse into a den. A personal den from where he didn't want to run away for once, a den where he could see the happiness in the eyes of people.

Jungkook acknowledged that maybe he had exceeded a boundary, so he pulled his head away from the Alpha's shoulder and turned on his back again.

He should sleep or these kinds of weird questions will keep bubbling up inside him.

The heaviness of his heart made his body floating towards sleep, eyes fluttering with each passing second. The weight of his heavy lashes was making the doors of his eyes fall shut.

He was still conscious when he felt a movement inside his blanket, he blinked open his eyes and suddenly his whole body jerked back into his previous position. It was the Alpha's hand that came forward and wrapped around his waist beneath the blanket, warm gushes of breaths passing the junction of his neck.

Jungkook looked at the Alpha whose face came parallel to his, their noses touched and the omega gulped the whimper down when his gaze fell over his Alpha's lips again.

"You are beautiful."

The Alpha told it as the secret of his life and the omega secured the whisper deep into his heart.

Jungkook raised his eyes and peeked into the grey ones," Took so much time. Was it hard to answer?" He whispered back, throat tight.

Outside the hut, the rain was coming down in sharp showers but inside it, under the blankets and the glow of fire, two mates were conversing in hushed voices.

Jungkook read the denial in Alpha's eyes but Taehyung still said," It happened again. Your eyes…"

Jungkook waited for the Alpha to complete his words with a belated whimper.

"...got lost in them again." It was hard to let out, the Royal Alpha could feel the thumbering of blood inside his veins.

Jungkook's cheeks flushed in the dim light, he nosed Alpha's nose before sliding his nose beneath the other and turned it away a little, his face nuzzling at his cheek," Thankyou for healing me."

Jungkook's lips told these words against Alpha's cheek before closing and pressing a shy kiss there.

He let his lips linger there till his lungs stopped breathing and his ears started ringing the bells. The hand around his waist tightened over his hip and Jungkook's heart fell down in the depth of the sea.

He was quick to turn and duck his head inside the blanket when the Alpha opened his eyes, he could only see a lump of solitude inside the sheets.

Taehyung kept looking at the lump till his lips quivered but before they could stretch into a smile, he pushed his face inside the pillow.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.

The spell is going down.

I'm back to my readers💜. My lovely readers deserve all the love and respect for their patience💜 Thankyou so much💜.

I hope you will enjoy the update.

I will see you soon, Good night lovely readers💜.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.