I remark this update as the softest update of mine. Please huddle in a corner to read this warm chapter of the Royal Alpha and Luna.

This chapter isn't big like others. Only contains 9k words but this is a very important chapter for the progress of their relationship.

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Jungkook eyed the workers taking away the now empty vessels from the table. He learned why this special recipe was named after the emotion of comfort, it's his second time eating the dish made by his Alpha and his stomach has never been more satisfied. 

His hands were clasped on his lap, fingers interlaced one above the other as he was listening closely to the Royal Alpha who was giving him briefing over the condition of Western land," The situation of the west is getting worse. A war will be due soon."

Jungkook's focused eyes went wide in concern," A war?" He knew that the activities around the western land were preoccupied with the foul actions of Strays and a heinous plague was spread over innocent cattle but he didn't expect it to sow the deep-rooted seeds of war. 

The Royal Alpha was observing the uneasiness that surfaced over the calm lines of Luna's forehead, he didn't expect to but his thumb moved and caressed the curved waist in slow notions. His other hand was supporting his jaw, elbow positioned onto the armrest of the chair as his eyes centralised the features of the omega in his lap.

"But hadn't the commander assured the safety of people before his arrival?" Jungkook needs to know the depth of the situation and in this entire kingdom, the person who could explain everything to him in simple words…was looking at him right now. He tried his best to not show the slight slump of his shoulders as the caress around his waist continued. 

"He did. But the possibility of the worst can't be extinguished by putting some securities on the borders. The western land includes three main packs, two tribes of wolves, and some immigrants that took small space around the land after agreeing to the conditions of the general assigned to that territory. Three sides of Western land are surrounded by three mountains Pither, Chinra, and Mosnic while the fourth side is consumed by the stream of Lavin River which originates from the middle of Pither and Chinra mountains and its stream terminates after crossing the Gigere forests in the west."

Jungkook looked fascinated to gain new knowledge about his kingdom. There is so much out there that he isn't aware of but on the contrary, the Royal Alpha has built this kingdom by his own hands. The amount of knowledge his mate carries to govern the territories of the packs is immaculate. 

"Chinra and Mosnic mountains are occupied by the tribal wolves, these wolves are different from us as they don't have any human form to shift into. But from the past treaties, they accepted the shield of Royal governance to protect their culture and ethics from outsiders, usually, they didn't like visitors in their territories, and that alone made them impossible to approach. These two mountains share the colonies as these both align on the left side of the Lavin. In the bottom ground of these two mountains live the three main packs of werewolves. Meanwhile, the right side of the river along with the Pither mountain is occupied by the Strays. Are you getting the geographical situation?" 

Jungkook nodded his head earnestly," I have read about it in medieval partitions of Europe. The river must be the casual cause of their differences and squabbles?" 

If Jungkook wasn't so concentrated on the Alpha's eyes, he would have missed the glint of pride in those grey orbs. He pressed his lips in a nervous habit when Taehyung dragged a slow nod while looking at him," In the earlier stages of their fights, the authorisation over the river was the main issue. But the intentions of Strays seemed different this time, they targeted the cattle to diminish their dairy resources first and then moved to harm the societies. They are planning to drive them away from their own land." 

"Are Strays this powerful?" 

Taehyung heaved a sigh at that," No. But they ought to think like they are. To them, power lies in going against the decree of the Royals which they have been doing ever since their rivalry with the former Royal Alpha."

"So why didn't this war ensue before? If they are doing these egregious deeds just to show their power to the Royals, they had enough time in the past to raise their voices and show their arm strengths. Why only now are they edging the societies of the western land?" Jungkook was not getting the sudden spike in the actions of Strays when they could easily indulge in these strategies in the past as well. What has changed now?

From the corner of his eyes the Royal Alpha saw the night chefs leaving the cookhouse one by one, the darkness of the night cradled the palace once again. He blinked and replied to the awaiting omega," You are right, they could have ensued the war before as well but they didn't. Or you can say they didn't have the right direction to enforce such unethical techniques due to lack of knowledge about the life outside of omegan harems and their intoxicated brains." 

Jungkook looked sceptical at that," Are you implying that now they have someone who is guiding them through it?"

"Yes, Your Grace. Someone is trying to use them but Strays aren't the main problem here cause we can fight them, can defeat them in war however the problem lies in the intentions of that someone who is concocting the war in the first place because we don't have any clue what it would be. What could be their desire that they are ready to throw their own breed on the line? This is the main concern of mine." 

Jungkook wants to reach out and console the worried Alpha, he didn't like the grievance in the last sentence at all. He knows battles can never bring any kind of peace. He had seen the depletion of many species to satisfy the hatred and superiority over one another. 

"Is any kind of negotiation with the Strays possible? I mean to suggest… war will affect our kind both emotionally and economically. Folks of western land would have to take a mile to recover from the engaging battles."

The brush of that thumb over his waist happened again and Jungkook couldn't hide the… haziness…that caress brought to his concerned eyes. 

"It would be our first step after reaching the land. Moreover, I will decide once I witness the damages and injuries of the people. I can't decide the solutions to the situations that the folks are facing there while sitting in my palace. But it's a natural tendency to go prepared with arms and armouries."

Taehyung let his eyes gaze over the omega's face when Jungkook looked down on his lap. Doe eyes cast down, hiding beneath the countless pairs of eyelashes. The ambiance of the omega stipulates sadness, cushy fingers scratching the base of his wrist in deep thoughts. 

He didn't disturb the omega for a while letting the news of war get wrapped up around them. However, it doesn't mean that he needs to divert his gaze away from the omega, right? 

Concealed in the depths of his thoughts, Taehyung realised that his habit of bearing silence around the omega wasn't there anymore. He feigns silence sometimes… similar to now when every part of his existence wants to know what the omega is thinking so deeply. 

When the scratching over the wrist increased to the point that it left a red itch over the pale skin, the Royal Alpha decided the necessity of its end. His hand slipped from beneath his jaw and traveled down his chest before occupying the space between his stomach and the omega's thighs. 

The distance between their hands was minimal but he restrained himself from reaching out to stop the omega. Why does he feel this hesitation before initiating the touch? Earlier when the omega grabbed his hand and dragged him to the kitchen house, it looked easier. There wasn't any hesitation in those starry eyes but an unsaid authority that he could touch the man who courted him in front of the entire packhouse of Lunar. 

An unsaid authority that the Alpha seemed to struggle with when he knows that the omega is aware and would witness the touch, would feel and react to it, not sleeping like yesterday night.

Why? 

Is it the fear of rejection from the omega? A deserving rejection to his touch when he fouled his mate with his unethical behaviour. He should not initiate it till the omega forgives him. Right. There could be other alternatives by which he can distract the omega from his thoughts. But the more he eyed the red skin around the omega's wrist, the more his fingers itched to just stop it.

Just as peace and violence can never be aligned in one sentence, offence and forgiveness shouldn't be either. And what kind of forgiveness is this when Jungkook has to face another phase of separation from his mate? Those lonely nights, the soulful whimpers of his wolf, and the gut-wrenching pain of departure. Is he ready to face and live all of it again?

No one asked about it though. 

Maybe it would be easier this time as he already suffered through it once. But why the thought of spending the time without being surrounded by the scent of the Royal Alpha is sending him in a whirl of painful summersaults? 

He counted the things of the Royal Alpha that he had in his possession to rely on during the separation. A fur coat and a black ruffled shirt. Jungkook cursed that dark night of the past when he threw everything out of his window, why did he do that?? He has nothing now and he won't ask from the Alpha because he has his self-esteem to live with. 

His throat began to clog as the thoughts of being alone weighed his heart down in sadness. His mind brought the question of the prolonged duration of the separation and Jungkook parted his lips to release a grieved sigh. How long will the separation last this time? A month? a few months? A year? 

He had taken part in small wars along with the armies of the lunar pack and he knows.. wars aren't easy to diminish. The longer the duration of separation his thoughts strike his mind, the sooner Jungkook loses his energy.

The omega's lips took a downturn in the gloom, leaving the only gesture to read for the Alpha as his eyes had already taken aid under the shadows of the red tresses. The silence was deafening and Taehyung couldn't find the right words to pull up a good sentence when the omega looked just so… so sad. 

He didn't let his thoughts invade his mind when his hand moved and engulfed the omega's abused wrist. He pried away the index finger of the omega by his thumb and curled his four fingers over the red skin. 

The cold fingers of the Alpha grabbed Jungkook's attention instantly. His eyes found that hand…holding his wrist delicately. The touch blew away the burning agony of separation for a while as he looked at the Alpha who was focused on his wrist solely. 

His heart lurched forward when the fingers started to caress his wrist in slow movements. He heard the low howl of his wolf buried beneath the hurt his mate dawned upon them knowingly and unknowingly. His wolf should condemn him for having such a lonesome fate where he can't provide much to ease his painful whimpers other than the speeches of inspiration and dutifulness. 

"When do you have to leave?" Jungkook asked while keeping his gaze on their hands. However, he couldn't suppress the sorrow in his lawful words this time. Even after knowing that people out there must be suffering from the worst and it's not the time to hold such emotions when enemies are getting ready to raise the upper hand in violence. It's not selfish but a sin to seek comfort in such a situation. 

The edginess in the Alpha's heartbeats simmered down when the omega didn't oppose the touch immediately. His fingers glide over the red bumps of itch in deep circles to smoothen out the ridges of the veins. 

Jungkook took a sharp breath, shoulder hunching in a low flinch when his scent glands got moulded in between the pressure of those fingers. The dark atmosphere of the hall brought immense calmness to their silent hearts because Jungkook didn't miss the sound when Taehyung replied in a rich voice.

"In a week. As soon as the preparations are done, we will leave." 

The Royal Alpha frowned in the daze of the lapful omega when Jungkook gave a nod without looking up. His frown turned worrisome when the omega rolled his wrist and escaped from his fingers' cage. 

The movement didn't show the dejection as much as the Alpha felt it inside. His loosely curled fingers stayed on the top of Jungkook's thighs… the same as before as he eyed the omega hiding his hands inside the lapels of his hanfu.

Jungkook wrapped his hands around his elbows and hugged himself closely, a posture his body acquires when he tries to close off his emotions in the periphery of his heart only. 

He should leave. Jungkook knew this would be the right thing to do when his mind had already taken the talks in a very different direction. A direction that has no relation with war and violence. 

He stood up from his seat without seeking the consent of the Royal Alpha and turned around to walk away. 

Taehyung didn't expect that. First and foremostly…Why is he expecting something from the person whom he had hurt in the past? It was a question for another time because right this moment a dread crawled in his bloody veins, surging to the walls surrounding his heart. Did he say something wrong? 

His worried eyes watched as the veil of the omega brushed over his knees before departing away from his reach. In a sudden reflection of loss, Taehyung reached out and grabbed Jungkook's arm to stop him in his tracks. 

Jungkook closed his eyes in defeat when he felt that soft touch over his forearm. It wasn't tight… he can pull away from it easily if he wants and he knows that the Alpha is giving him free will to choose whether to leave or stay. His soft touch just represents an effort to establish his own wish.

He wants him to stay.

And Jungkook wants that too. But whose decision is it to leave him behind in this lonely palace? Whose decision is it to elope in the shadows of strangers for another few months? Absolutely not his.

But not even training his muscles since childhood could provide him enough strength to pull away from that soft touch.

When the omega didn't remove his hand away from his arm, Taehyung started to drag him back. 

Jungkook opened his eyes when his feet traced his steps back till his body occupied the same position on the Alpha's lap. But there is some difference. He wasn't sitting on the left thigh as supposed as before because now his thigh was touching the abdomen of the Royal Alpha. 

He was sitting sideways on both thighs combined, his legs dangling above the floor when the Alpha dragged him closer on his lap by supporting a hand on his waist. 

The entire weight of Jungkook's upper torso fell on the Alpha's chest. His hands curled over the bare collarbones, fingers digging into the curves of honey kissed skin of the Alpha. When their eyes matched both of them had plenty to convey.

"There should be a reason behind such rudeness." 

It wasn't an offense but Jungkook could feel that the Alpha was asking out of sheer curiosity. Nowadays, he doesn't know if his thoughts are right or wrong, bad or good, wise or foolish. He just can't breathe beneath the suffocation of these suppressed emotions anymore.

Jungkook looked down from those curious orbs, fixing his gaze over his hooked fingers around the curves of Alpha's collarbones," It's selfish. In true words, it could be an act of cowardice."

Gushes of warmth swirled in the Alpha's eyes when he poked at the omega's jaw with his curled finger. Jungkook wasn't accustomed to seeing that warmth in those blank grey eyes for him. For anyone. His heart soared in the beats of silence when the Alpha used his other hand to curl around the bruised skin of his wrist once again.

Taehyung found that red skin again and kept holding the omega's hand against his collarbones," As long as my memories remind me, I have courted a warrior omega of the Lunar pack as my mate. And if I express through my experiences your traits are far more unique than warriors let alone cowards. You are…honest to the people you rule, to yourself, to me. You have exquisite patience in such a way that even a barren werewolf like me started to understand things that I haven't felt in centuries. You are filled with a rare passion, Luna. Your values, your care make you braver than a bunch of crude Alpha folks who like to fight just for the sake of it." 

Jungkook had very harsh remarks resting on the tip of his tongue but each praise of the Royal Alpha was bringing new dampness in his eyes. He wanted to get upset about many things, he wanted to fight with the generous thoughts of the Alpha. But what's the point of his words when he will be abandoned by next week? 

"No one should have traits like mine then." He forced out the whisper with much difficulty. 

The Royal Alpha was cradling half of his face in his palm now, eyes upholding worry along with the warmth," And why is that?"

There was too much pressure on his vocal cords as if his throat would burst from all the suppressed whimpers of his wolf. He was trying his best to not show it but it was clear from his short inhales that he was making hard efforts to breathe.

"These traits just bring loneliness…wasn't tiresome but I want to be as cautious as possible to not indulge myself where I am not welcomed." 

Taehyung sensed that the affront was directed at him. But he didn't let it affect his dignity because the omega was right. He hadn't shown or expressed anything when the soul in front of him poured immense patience and emotional strength to stand firm by his side. Where was he? The cruelty of his destiny can't be blamed every time. 

The Royal Alpha slid his hand from the supple cheek of the omega and wrapped his fingers around his nape, he brought the distraught omega closer till their foreheads matched in a line," Breathe, Luna. Do you hear me?"

Those omegan eyes seemed scared of something, mouth was opening to say something before falling shut in a thin mewl. Taehyung felt those curled fingers trembling over his collarbones and his hands were quick to untie the veil which was covering the omega's neck a bit too closely. 

"What's bothering you? Won't you tell me?" The Royal Alpha stashed the veil on the table and plucked away the hairpin from Luna's hair. The red tresses came undone around Jungkook's shoulders and back and then he felt his long fingers threading over the lower scalp of his head.

Jungkook closed his eyes when a sob left his lips, nails busy in abusing the collarbones of the Alpha. He knows for the sake of his self-esteem he should not seek this comfort in his mate but his senses have already proved to be the slaves of Alpha's touches. 

"It hurts." 

Taehyung heard the rushed breath of the omega instantly," What's hurting? Did I do something wrong?" 

Jungkook nodded his head against Taehyung's forehead making the Alpha pull away to look into those moist eyes properly. He thumbed away the fallen tears of the omega, one hand caressing the scalp in continuous motions.

"You are… leaving me behind again! How can you be so cruel to me? For war…How would I bear… my wolf?.. we won't be able…"

With each passing breath, the words started to get incoherent. Taehyung brought the omega's head into his neck and hugged his shivering limbs tightly. 

The lonesome separation of those ten months certainly brought some traumatic events to the omega. The Royal Alpha cradled the Empress in his arms and continued to caress his scalp, his other hand was wrapped around the omega's waist, holding him closer against his chest. 

When he realised the root of the omega's concern, Taehyung greeted his teeth in annoyance. He should have made this point clear before starting the conversation regarding the war. Why does he always make situations tough for the omega? But he can still cure his mistake. 

Right?

Yes. He can.

"May I take you back to my chamber? Please." The Royal Alpha requested slowly while enforcing the omega to inhale," It was thoroughly my mistake but you have misunderstood my words."

The cracks around the walls of Alpha's heart were ready to crumble beneath the hovering legs of the omega when Jungkook shook his head in denial," I don't want to manipulate your decision now. I'll be ready to mourn the grief of separation along with my wolf till we can. The concern for folks should be our top priority." 

Taehyung didn't even let these sentences reach above the layer of his ear because his lapful omega was babbling obliviously," But I want to take care of you." 

His concerned voice gained the attention of the omega and Jungkook fell silent completely. Taehyung pulled back his fingers from the lower scalp and brought his hand on the top of the omega's head which was buried in the corner of his neck. 

"It's my shameful deeds of the past that you guessed my worst before me but I have no intention of leaving you behind." He let his hand caress the top of the omega's head before the fingers found home over the lower scalp again. 

Jungkook hunched his shoulders when the high tremors of sensations raced down to his spine. The scent of sandalwood was wafting warmth and helping him enough to breathe, Alpha doesn't have to lie now, does he?

"You are lying." The voice wasn't above a soft mumble but it didn't go unnoticed by Taehyung.

"Let me exemplify my words again then. We can take it a bit slowly if you allow me to ease down your tremors first. You are shaking badly, Luna." 

Jungkook didn't give his permission but didn't pull away from his position either. The Alpha continued his caresses gradually, tucking some of the tresses behind the ears. He looked down to notice the omega carefully, his breath fanning right over Jungkook's mouth. He saw the lobes of the omega's ears were empty, cheeks were swollen red and the omega's eyes were pinched together in a shut line. 

He let his fingers weave through the red curls, massaging the lower scalp thoroughly all while noticing the changes in the omega's breaths. He brought his hand up and touched his forehead with two fingers. 

The fingers trekked the soft hue over the omega's skin, tracing the bumpy tragus before hovering over the opening of the ear. The omega's shoulders hunched again, diving his face deeper into his hiding spot.

Sensitive spot?

Jungkook was trying his best to ignore the ministrations of the Alpha but everything seemed to pull him down into a dark abyss of nothingness. And he doesn't want to fall because he knows no one will be there to hold him together. He will get hurt when his body touches the ground of the abyss, his heart will bleed again. 

But then the Alpha was tightening his embrace around him, the warmth of the other body was seeping into him through those veiny arms. He had craved this warmth for a long time now, a touch-starved omega like him shouldn't have a high demand for tantrums. 

I want to take care of you.

Should he trust the Alpha again? Wouldn't it be risking his self-esteem and long proclaiming speeches he recited to his wolf? 

His wolf.

Whom he had protected with everything he could but in the end they both got hurt pretty tragically. But his shield of protection can turn into a cage if he doesn't let the omega choose for himself. Kookie has become more reserved these days, he shares less and doesn't want to increase the burden of emotions Jungkook has on his shoulders but they aren't a burden for each other! 

They protect to live and they live to protect.

Jungkook wants to shift suddenly and let his omega make a run till his heart desires. But the thought of protection again stands in between his harmless thoughts. He can't let his omega out without the supervision of his mate. 

He hadn't let his wolf shift ever since they arrived at the Eclipse. He just couldn't let his other part wander in the parts of the forest which he hadn't explored before. They had agreed on the decision that his first shift would be accompanied by his mate just so he could be familiar with the territory. 

But now Jungkook doesn't have any hope. And it sliced a part of his heart every time he had a thought about letting his wolf free to wander on his own. 

The sudden spikes in the tremor of omega's breath alarmed the Alpha. Those dainty fingers left the bruising hold over his collarbones and stretched out to make a loop around his neck before hugging him closely.  

Taehyung received the alterations as the permission to his request and didn't think twice before hooking his one hand beneath the omega's legs. He rose from the chair while hoisting the omega in his arms.

Jungkook gasped at the hasty change of their bodies, his arms clutching more tightly around the Royal Alpha's neck,"I… I can walk." He knew the Alpha heard his voice but the ignorance in their walks shows that he was being oblivious to his words. 

He pinched the Royal Alpha in between his shoulder blades rather harshly but when he didn't get any ounce of a response. His stoic body against the Alpha's chest melted into the warmth as they crossed the dinning hall and stepped into the common entrance hall. 

Jungkook could sense several pairs of eyes boring holes into them, he pressed his face into the Alpha's neck and closed his eyes. He can't witness this shameful walk among the workers and soldiers, he would rather ignore their presence than hear parodies against his dignity.

Taehyung watched those feline eyes staring right at them but Jimin knew better than disturbing an intimate moment of the mates which seemed more important than his worry for the omega. It was the way Jungkook was latching against his brother and his brother who was holding the omega as if no one could move him an inch away from his body. 

The arm that was supporting the omega's back was engulfed in the red tresses completely. 

The murmurs of the people start rising into a voice as the Alpha clambered the stairs of the Royal hallway one by one. All of them crowed the Royal highness, asking for the well being of their Empress. But Jimin's heart was too occupied with the warmth he witnessed in his brother's eyes.

Finally, 

Finally, he saw those barren eyes holding an emotion. An emotion so pure… an emotion that arose only for his mate… an emotion which will raise the quality of their bond and crush down the walls of his heart.

Taehyung's steps slowed down when their bodies turned up into the calm hallway, hidden from the gazing eyes of the people. He chose to steady the pace to let the omega decide once again if he wants to be dropped in his own chamber or let him take to his chamber. 

His choice of comfort is more important than the things he wanted to share with the omega. But when the omega's chamber left behind and the Empress didn't come out from his hidden neck spot, Taehyung deliberately reached to the end of the hallway and closed the doors of his chamber behind him.

The Royal Alpha chose the balcony as it was the familiar corner for the omega, a place where he had spent a night before. He stepped on the mattress and kneeled at the crown of it where several pillows were spread out. He lowered the omega's body to rest on the mattress but Jungkook didn't loosen up his hold around the Alpha's neck. 

"We have reached." He tried to voice out their presence to the omega. When the moments passed with no answer and withdrawal, Taehyung let out a breath of compassion.

He brought all of his weight on his heels and folded his feet in a crisscross beneath the omega to make a comfortable space to sit upon. He nestled the Empress on his lap and freed his hand which was holding the legs and used its fingers to caress the long red threads of Luna.  

His fingers cascaded in between the fringes as if a boat navigates freely on the surface of the ocean to reach its destined location and the Royal Alpha found it when his fingers cupped the lower scalp of the omega and massaged it till the relaxed body in his arms starts gaining the missing strength.

The breaths of the omega were steady now, falling across his neck in the full phrase of inhaling and exhaling. The night hasn't reached its peak yet so the breeze was still warm around their bodies and Taehyung took advantage of that particular detail to continue their talk.

"It would be an adamant mistake of mine if I forgot to take the best archer of the Lunar in the war." 

The Alpha was hyper aware of the sharp inhale against his neck, meaning the omega was listening to him.

"During my talks, I expressed that as soon as the preparations were done, we would leave. By using the word we, I was representing you and me. Us." 

The ragged breath against his scent gland was filled with emotion, he could feel the shape of lips hovering over it. His fingers travelled a bit down and cradled the nape of the omega, letting his thumb brush just under the ear. 

Jungkook's stomach flipped with a choked noise over and over again till he peeled off his face from his hiding spot. He knew his face would appear to be miserable from the excess stains of tears but nothing was straining him to speak his thoughts.

"Us?"

A force of yearning punched his guts, leaving his lips open to inhale properly as he couldn't believe the words of the Alpha. He has left consciousness, was probably dreaming but why does the honesty of the Alpha's eyes look so natural?

Taehyung extended his thumb and wiped the loopy drop of tears from his chin. The head of the omega was leaning against his palm when he gave an affirmation in the form of a nod. 

"I had prepared a Royal notice requesting you to grace me with your presence and intellectual skills during the war. The provincial location of the mountains raised a high chance of arms inabilities when a wide space in between the two territories is occupied by the river. In my perspective, the Archers could be the best choice to lead this war."

Jungkook shook his head in fear, eyes wide as he blinked the haziness at the very back of his mind. With every blink, the words start to strike his body with deep realisation but there are thoughts which still need proof.

"I want to…need to see that notice." 

Taehyung's eyes dribbled with warmth and filled with assurance when he bit his lower lip before replying," I have submitted the notice under the commander, it ought to be delivered to your chamber in the morning along with the reports of the western land." 

Jungkook closed his eyes and his throat constricted with the whimpers when sobs started to fall out of his lips. Thick drops of tears covered the ruby cheeks of the omega as he cried in front of the Alpha like never before…leaving Taehyung to do nothing but gape at his face. 

Speechless. 

He couldn't divert his gaze from the omega on his lap, using his thumb to withdraw those drops away from his cheeks. The excess rubbing spread a red hue all over the omega and it wasn't intentional… he doesn't really know where it came from when a few words give justice to his vision.

Oh Cherry Cherub…

The Alpha stopped his gesture when he realised what his brain had done.

Cherry

.

.

.

Cheery what?

He collected the words and moulded them into a small square before squeezing it into the farthest corner of his thoughts. 

He focused on the hiccuping male who had left his lap and was now facing the balcony, face buried in the peaks of his knees. 

"You don't have to accept my request if you don't feel like joining the war. I heard you used to teach archery back in Lunar, you can train the soldiers here till my departure." 

Jungkook shook his head once again and raised his head from his knees," It's a pride to join a war for my folks. I just… I am feeling like my mind, my thoughts are playing with me. You…you are playing with me." 

Taehyung raised his hand to touch the omega's shoulder but restrained himself in the excuse of giving a bit of space to his emotions. He could use the power of words this time," I owe this mistrust that you are showing to my words but I'm not playing. This was the decision that I had taken and discussed with the commander after acknowledging the regional criteria of the western land." 

Jungkook turned his head to the left sharply, he wasn't looking at the Alpha but half of his face was visible above his shoulder," And if the province of war didn't require archery what would you have decided then?" 

Taehyung's eyes observed the furious but moist glares of the omega, he roamed his gaze at the back and found some of the red tresses still lying across his lap.

"I think you are combining my departure with the lack of my wish to live here. They aren't related to each other. If I need to leave the premises of the palace to attain my duties… it doesn't mean that it holds my rejection to live beside you. I know… In the beginning, I used these tours as opportunities to stay away from you as long as possible but this hatred didn't start with you." 

He knew the omega was listening to him so he continued," It started way back when I buried the memories of my rejection in the old library. I was aware that this pack held the undying love of my folks but those memories were a big stain on my faith. I started to abandon this palace with the justification of ruling other lands. And it continued for a long time. Just before our courting ceremony when Jimin invited me to accompany him to Lunar, I had returned to this palace after one and half years of touring other lands." 

"So… if you are subjecting yourself to the reason for my departures, don't do that. Contrary to this, It's the longest time I have spent in Eclipse ever since I became the Emperor." 

Hope…is definitely a dangerous thing with the way it blooms oh so slowly in the depths of a dark abyss. Jungkook turned his head and faced the balcony again, his thoughts were all jumbled up. He looked up at the shining stars which were witnessing his dilemma with sharp twinkles from time to time. 

Why is this so hard to cope up with?

"So you faked the duration of ten months just to stay away from the palace?"

"From you as well. I can't lie that my intention behind the enlargement of my previous departure doesn't include ignorance towards you. As I said before, to me…you were like a game that fate was trying to play against my wish. It was foolish of me because I didn't know anything about you yet I assumed many things based on my instincts. The more time I spend knowing you, the more I have blamed myself for hurting your dignity."

The Royal Alpha's voice was soothing in the warm breeze, there wasn't any rush or hush only an honest confession which doesn't leave any need of doubt between them," Back then, the war was concluded in just a few weeks but I increased the duration of the tour by reserving small stays in the packs which fell under the governance of Royals, assigning the already assigned works to the generals of the packs, staying with the tribes, doing everything I could to avoid the dejection to return the palace. I did everything till I had to return on the day of Blue moon. But then, my rut struck on the day of my return. I had to take shelter on the borders of the Beila tribes. It wasn't intentional to leave you alone and make you feel mateless on the day of Blue Moon but I would rather do that than raise the sufferings of our wolves. I wasn't ready to accept you." 

Jungkook nodded his head as these true words stretched his heart apart but he needed to hear them. 

"What about now? Does this palace still repulse you?" He asked because he needs to know if he chooses to not join the war, how long would he have to wait for the Alpha? 

The reply didn't come instantly no matter how eager the omega waited for it. Jungkook closed his eyes in the end, thoughts already enough to gather every authoritative remark to weave a hurtful response on his own.

"After experiencing the field trip… No. The importance of those old memories of betrayal started to weigh less when I made new ones with you. You accused me before about the validity of the memories we made in the southern land and I offended you by wrapping them in the pretence of responsibilities. My apologies as I did that after falling into the trap of misunderstanding but not once did the thought of abandoning the palace cross my mind." 

A blow of air left Jungkook's lips along with a few streams of tears. His eyes shined Royal blue when he opened them after a long while but he was quick to blink them back to the black orbs," My question still stands. What would be your decision if the need for archery wasn't included in the discussion?"

The Alpha's confession applied medicine to Jungkook's burning heart, there wasn't any contradiction of it. His posture left the stiffness of uploading the walls around himself and his stoic shoulders softened with each passing moment.

"I would go by tradition and summon all the Royals to the courtroom. There would be no requirement of notice then. The final decision over who would join the war and who wouldn't…would solely depend on each individual."

"You can think about this thoroughly and tell me your decision in the upcoming week."

"I'm ashamed that you had to see me like this. My apologies, my mind isn't coherent with my thoughts nowadays. I tend to speak whatever that comes in my mind without any pause or reconsidering." Jungkook smudged his burning eyes with the back of his palms and calmed his breaths by taking slow drags of air. His fingers were still a bit jittery but he knew he would be restful after some time.

"I have raised these insecurities, I should be ashamed but I'm glad I could answer a few of them for you." Taehyung wasn't thinking much when he saw the omega gathering his hair and trying to tie those flat locks into a tight bun.

His hand reached before his voice and grabbed Jungkook's hold over his hair," The one who spoils should get a chance to cure it as well." 

Jungkook's heart thudded beneath his lungs, his lips trembling with the effort of keeping the softest noise inside his mouth which he was about to let out. His face flushed entirely when he lost the hold over his hair and brought his hands on his lap. His hands combined in a tight grip, knuckles turning white when he felt long fingers gathering each strand around above and from under the shoulders. 

They don't know how much time has passed but the breeze of the night was now turning cold. Jungkook raised his head unconsciously when the Alpha laced the tresses in the grip from behind his ear and gathered them in the middle. The cold breeze felt nice against his hot cheeks. 

"Have you had long hair before?" He asked after deciding to talk much on the surface rather than diving deep because he doesn't have any much energy left to argue at this point.

"Hmm.. Longer than yours." Taehyung replied as his fingers combed the red hairs, freeing them from the tangled knots. 

"Why did you decide to cut them? If you don't mind me asking."  

The Royal Alpha parted the hairs in three long partitions and overlapped them carefully to make a nice braid," It was our first lesson on the journey of detaching ourselves from the illusions of society. When I failed at everything… I decided to leave all the strands that somehow connected me to emotions of affection. And I used it to train my wolf against his nature just so he wouldn't be lured by any other creature again." 

Jungkook tried to look back at the Alpha but the grip at the bottom of his lower scalp strained him from doing so," How? How did you train him?"

With each passing knot of braid, the Alpha's grip starts moving down," By trading myself with each of his mistakes. One wrong reaction and a part of mine got sliced by dagger in the form of punishment." 

Nothing could stop Jungkook when he turned his body around and faced the Alpha, the braid remained connected to the Alpha's who was still immersed in overlapping the partitions to create perfect knots. 

Jungkook's eyes were panicking with fear," How could you? How dare you use his instinctual values in training? You know our wolves can't bear when their humans get hurt due to their mistakes. And you! You implicate him in your conspiracies for what?" 

Taehyung didn't raise his gaze from where he was weaving the braid," Instinctual values matter when the subject wants to feel and create relations with others on the basis of their instincts. But we had reached a point where our instincts started to get used against us, where our instincts had become our major enemy." 

Taehyung fetched a black band from the back pocket of pants and fastened it around the last knot of the braid, securing it carefully with one more loop of the band.

Jungkook blinked his eyes and held the Alpha's gaze when Taehyung looked at him again," Used against you? How?"

He watched the Alpha licking his bottom lip before looking over the shoulders of the omega," I was the new Emperor of the Eclipse when my fall happened and I left dejected to mourn in the palace. We were at our lowest when the whimpers of the small pups started attracting us to sympathise, it was bearable at first but my wolf was devouring the affection of people like a hungry beast. What would a lone wolf seek after rejection?"

Affection. 

Both of them knew the answer but only one of them knew which depth of affection they were talking about. 

"People started to use my loneliness against me. Sometimes they use barren pups to validate their lands and crops, sometimes they bring their omegan offspring to lure me or my wolf down in a knot. Sometimes they victimise themselves and sometimes they claim to be my second mate. They used the instincts of our nature in very different ways and the list is very long so if you want to know them in detail we should pick a time when a war won't be over our heads."

"But a moment came when I was going through my rut, that time I happened to use the treehouses of Eclipse's forests and someone leaked this private  statement among the other packs." 

Despite controlling the features on his face, Jungkook could see the disgust swirling in Alpha's eyes. His own lips twisted sour just by imagining the things his mate had to face in the past.

"An army of omegas with slick dripping down their thighs surrounded the tree, apparently they were sent by their parents and the one who…

"Please." Jungkook spoke out loud with his gritted teeth and the Alpha's eyes matched with him again. Taehyung could see the same disgust in the omega's eyes along with the rage that he was trying to be subtle with. 

The Royal Alpha nodded his head in understanding," I escaped from the area before they could climb up in my space but from that night onwards I decided to deprive myself to feel these instincts. I know instincts are natural, no one should control them inside. But in order to survive with the designation of an Emperor, I had to train my wolf with crucial conditions." 

"It's not his fault that he didn't propose any wish to see your wolf even after the courting ceremony. We had killed that persona of ourselves way long back. He had said it clearly that he would want to meet your wolf once the humans accept the bond among us." 

Jungkook moved his head sideways and his hands got busy picking up the pillows and arranging them into a hospital pattern, one above the other," Do you know the name of my wolf?"

The omega relaxed his back against the walls of the pillows he just created for himself and asked the Alpha. 

"Omega Kookie." 

Taehyung ruffled his own hair and combed them back from his forehead. Jungkook had to look away from the Alpha who was cracking his neck from side to side and the snapping voice of his bones was enough to give him goosebumps. 

"My wolf is more competitive than me," Jungkook expressed and his cheeks flushed when the Alpha blessed him with his undivided attention. 

"During the war, In what form will we fight?" Jungkook was preserving all the new things the Alpha was sharing with him. His body found the utmost comfort against the pillowy mattress however some warmth was missing.

"In both. Climbing the mountain or swimming through the river, the wolves are faster than us. And with armouries, we would use human forms."

Jungkook didn't voice out any question further, dwelling in the thoughts of his own when he saw Taehyung standing away from the mattress," I will fetch the reports and the letter from the commander. It would be easier for you to make a decision after that." 

The omega didn't stop him and the Alpha soon emptied the chamber to search for the commander. Jungkook wanted to stop him as he had believed the Alpha when he explained the reasons in such honest details but as soon as the presence of the Alpha left the chamber, his body flattened on the mattress with a long sigh. 

He covered his eyes when the shine of the stars started to poke his tired eyes, he noticed the rings he was still wearing in his fingers. The stones were shining with a meagre hue in the dark.

He hugged those fingers to his chest and searched for the final answer his heart was begging to find;

"Kookie, would you like to meet Van?"

~

When Taehyung closed the doors of his chamber the second time of the night, he sensed the soft snores even before seeing the source of it. He placed the things on the bed separately and his feet moved towards the balcony on his own. 

The omega was sleeping while hugging one fist over his chest and the other hand was stretched out on the mattress. Taehyung took his previous seat and watched those trimmed tresses flop over the pillow carelessly. 

An old tree of oak is situated at the ground corner, leaves touching the terrace of the palace whose shadows were now falling on the omega's body. Taehyung observed the remnants of the shine that the stars were bursting through the leaves. 

His eyes raked over the sleeping omega from head to toe, his eyes held an unreadable expression that showed only focus on the omega and nothing else. 

He unfolded the blanket and covered the omega with it deliberately before placing his elbow over the adjacent pillow from the omega. 

"Is it comfortable?" 

He asked no one but the soft sighs of the omega were his answers. The Alpha doesn't blame the omega for showing mistrust on him, he knows he has created such circumstances by his own behaviour but every time these misty orbs accuse him of something, he feels uncertain tugs at his heart. 

Taehyung looked up and stared at the sky while his mind replayed the phrases of the omega word by word. 

To the least, he was satisfied that his tongue wasn't as tight as before and he could calm some of the nerves of the omega by assuring him with his talks. 

"Would you like to see your mate finally?" Taehyung asked his wolf.

If sharing their lives could construct a bridge for their bond then the Alpha isn't afraid to live his past once again for the omega. He will be cautious enough to not touch the aspects that could hurt them both. 

In between the tangled mess of the mattress the Alpha didn't realise when he lost consciousness to keep his eyes open. His black hairs sprawled across the pillow as they gave support to the Alpha's sleeping body. The night wasn't ready to let the mates separate just yet. 

But this time the fate doesn't have any control over their lives because under the shadows of the spread out blanket, Jungkook's stretched hand was already curled around the strings of Alpha's ruffled shirt…. just so his mate couldn't leave him alone tonight. 

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Thank you for enjoying my writing and appeciating this book with your humble patience💜.

Next update will be in the first week of January. As my readers who check my announcement boards knows that my competitive exams which got postponed in October are starting in December. I have total five competitive exams in December and as much as I love writing, I can't prioritize it over my dreams as I should not.

So next bounded update will be in January. Please wait for me and don't worry I will keep posting on my message board about my daily life and keep coming here to read your comments and ask my reader's well being.

I decided to drop this announcement here just so all of you could be able to read it and understand my situation.

Please pray for me, my entire year of hard work depends on these exams result. I will give my 100% into it, I promise💜.

Good night, lovely readers.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.