The absolute chaos has ensued in this chapter. Some scenes are slow paced while some will seem to escalate quickly. I am permitting you all to use your keyboard smashings all you want.

The Chapter remained short (13k) due to my unrecovered health and may have another part with the name 69.5 😌.

I hope you will enjoy this chapter💜.
_______________________________

Taehyung's eyes wandered around the falling raindrops on the ground till his gaze got captured by something else, something abstract that one could only feel or imagine. His unfocused orbs were battling the thoughts in between the previous touch of their lips and the person sitting in his arms.

His thoughts took him to the talks of the night where the omega had expressed how he hadn't received his first kiss yet. Warm mist fell out of his lips as his head nuzzled over the side head of the omega who was still hiding under his chin. His gaze settled far away in the thoughts as to how easier it could be for the omega to sacrifice his first kiss for him.

However, the stuttering breaths of the omega under his chin halted all of his thoughts and proved how difficult it must have been for him to proceed through his own battles of thoughts and accomplish such a bond with him. The stupor of the events had left them immovable for a while and Taehyung didn't realise for how long they were sitting under the downpour with nothing but a veil above their heads.

His clammy hands were holding the omega securely where his one hand was cupping the nape and the other was coiled around the omega's waist. When Taehyung submitted himself and let his eyes fall closed once again, he felt the tremors of a soft touch around his lips. Soaking the wetness of rain just above his lips and leaving them all dry afterwards.

Taehyung retrieved his body slowly, pulling back enough to look at the omega who was still looking down at his lap.  He doesn't realise when his mud clad hand raised apart from the omega's waist just to hover above his face. He watched beneath their showering eyelashes when his thumb lathered the mud just below the omega's lips.

His two fingers went beneath the omega's chin and raised his face to match his own. His thumb stopped at the prominent mole when the Royal Alpha saw how the omega still hadn't looked at him. Under the falling downpour, maybe, he has found the way to ensure the luna's comfort once again. To ensure that the admiration the omega has showered upon the Alpha was welcomed and may attain mutualism perpetually, his head tilted to the right as he started to lean over the omega's face.

His breath fell on the tightly pressed lips of the omega and with eminent patience of centuries, he waited till those pressed lips… parted and got lured towards his warmth. Their lips didn't touch but the Alpha concluded how important it was to reciprocate the emotions of the omega, how important it was to make his feelings, his acts secure from all kinds of trivial thoughts.

His thumb caressed the omega's chin softly and used the sliding droplets to wash away the mess he had created on the soft skin. With an unknown yearning, Taehyung stared at the omega's lips where a string of droplets were falling down from his chin. His thumb crossed the soft bridge of his lower lip and wiped off the moisture with a heavy gaze.

The act lifted omega's head till it was a lace away from the Alpha's lips, “ If Your Grace could allow me…”

Maybe it was the way those close eyelids opened or it was the way those enchanting eyes pleaded to him or maybe…maybe it was the way those pressed lips parted to the fullness that conveyed the permission because the next splitting moment, the falling downpour witnessed another embrace of their lips.

The soft pressing of their lips seared the goosebumps on the omega's skin, his hands felt the tremors in the wake of his fingertips that were placed at the centre of the Alpha's chest. He felt his heart plopping down to his stomach when the Royal Alpha appreciated his lower lip enough to leave him breathless.

Maybe destiny was playing the unwritten chapters of their lives because he could feel the time stopping when their lips moulded in the fleeting moments. His closed irises felt the first spin when his upper lip got attended by the pair of those heated lips, making the tremors spreading in his entire body.

The noise of dancing folks on the musical rhythms of the several instruments was loud but none of them could see, hear or breathe anything else apart from the warmth of their bodies. Taehyung rested his forehead on the omega's temple when he pulled away. However this time, Jungkook turned his head away immediately while inhaling large gulps of air inside his body but the sole difference comes in the form of blooming redness all over his face instead of worried lines on his forehead. So when the omega moved, Taehyung let the omega twist his body around and rested his back upon his chest.

Their erratic heartbeats could be felt by their supple bodies against each other. The warm touch of the Alpha's back was helping Jungkook to melt down his shivering body and regain his posture despite the tinglings he felt all over.

His back was entirely covered by the Alpha as he rested his body against it while letting his gaze gain its lost focus. Jungkook noticed how their hands were placed so close to each other. Alpha's one hand was still coiled around his waist while the other was placed just beside his folded knees. He wanted to surge forward and lace them together but he restricted himself from doing so and tried to calm himself down.

Unaware of the observing eyes of the Alpha who was noticing the flickering gaze of the omega before securing his entire hand with its free palm. His eyes once again raked around the omega's face from behind his shoulders, from this position he only saw a half part of his face and when he found the shuttle cheeks of the omega puffing up to the fullest, his heart plucked out the strings a bit too tightly.

Unable to contain the scream inside him, Jungkook decided to lift off the veil slowly. And when he performed the act, all the muted noises came back with full strength and left Jungkook in a primary daze to his surroundings. They were watching the dancing folks but Jungkook's heart was still climbing to attain its proper position so that it could beat properly. His eyes were unfocused; he could see many bodies swaying on the rhythms but his brain was unable to recognize their faces altogether.

But the adamant hold on his hand and the comfort behind his back helped Jungkook to situate his thoughts in a cumulative direction. Their bodies fell in the synchronisation of the music swirling around them. Every once in a while, His eyes were brimming with happy tears but the pressed lips held back his emotions perfectly.

“Your Majesty,” Jungkook heard the voice of the Commander just behind him. Both of them turned their heads and he felt the Alpha nodding his head as the commander schrounched beside them, “The soldiers have seen some sparks beyond the Lavin. It's speculated that they are performing some spells or it could be entirely the celebration of the moon festival. Should I go and look into it?” Hoseok asked, his eyes casted down on the ground.

Taehyung sensed the stiffened back against his chest. However, his thumb moved on the covered hand of Luna and left a tiny caress, “Wait till the celebration comes to an end. The soldiers can track us down if they find something off.”

The Commander bowed his head and left for the place where their mates were waiting for him anxiously. Jungkook could see how delightful features of the Royal Omega changes into a more concerned one immediately. A subtle sadness falling over his face before he let out a small smile of understanding. The Empress didn't have a mirror with him or he would have found that his own face was reflecting the same emotions as the Royal Omega.

It's annoyingly admirable how such a tremendous moon festival couldn't divert the Commander's focus from his duties. Sure they aren't in the position to lose any threads of Stray's evil plans but it's unfortunate how they had to trade over small moments with their mates before being left behind waiting for their arrival once again. And even in these small moments, their alert minds aren't entirely devoted to each other.

His heavy heart started to lighten when his gaze diverted and observed the dancing folks. His smile widened a bit when he watched the people requesting the Royal Highness to join their dance in the middle. Jungkook could see their pleading faces when the Royal omega shook his head politely. After all it's not easy to have the courage to ask such an indulgence from the Royals but with the push of their teasing mates, Jimin sighed with a smile and strided towards the middle of the hall.

The turning of events made Jungkook excited as he pulled away from his resting position and sat against the Alpha's back in a more attentive position. He felt a bit hustle behind his back before his veil found its previous position on his head with his crown. His cheeks flushed once again when he adjusted them on his head and looked forward to the glorious night.

As soon as the Royal Omega lifted his hand to make his desired posture in the air, the entire crowd lost their voice of patience and went insane. The rhythms of the music changed, the instruments opting the soft beats and capturing the little hummings of the omega. The people stood on the edges of their feets because if the Royal highness decided to grace them with his exceptional voice, the night would be written in golden words in the history of Western land.

When several fingers danced on the drums together, beholding the thumping beats all around the hills, the Royal Highness started to sing for his mates with high blush evident on his cheeks.

The night seems to become mature…

The omega's arms moved elegantly above his head to move a circle before holding the delightful gazes of his mates,

The night seems to become mature…
Where you met and will soon leave for sure…
Just one moment, oh dear, sit with me..
Listen to my concern and tell me yours…
I do wish for nothing more…

Jungkook recognised the words immediately and laughed in between his palms. He still remembers the night where they were waiting beside the Imperial Highness while the healers were working on the wounds of the unconscious former Alpha. On that night, His Imperial Highness had recited many legends to them and one of them contained this endless song. Even after knowing the words, the rhythms and voice of the Royal Highness left Jungkook more amazed than before.

People's feet resonated with the beat in no time, covering the distance around the Royal Highness and creating a safe circle for the omega to dance freely. Their arms matched perfectly with Jimin who had his eyes fixed only on his mates.

Don't ignore me and leave behind alone…
This absence absorbs my wellness to cure…
Just this one night, oh dear, hold me secure…
Listen to my concern and tell me yours…
I do wish for nothing more…

Jungkook made the perilous mistake of looking towards his hyung and the Commander but he turned his head when he found them adorning some twisted expressions that should be only seen by their mate. Their alluring and enchanting eyes were bewitched by the omega swaying on the rhythms of this downpour.

The folks, as much as they desired to, couldn't even dare to step towards the Empress to join them before they could still see the Emperor's arms wounded around Luna's waist so they gulped their desires down to their stomachs and stayed intact in their positions.

However, as if the Royal Highness picked up their unsaid wish because with one swirl the omega was standing in front of the Royal couple with his hand stretched towards the Empress to take. Jungkook couldn't balance the surprise on his face and accepted the hand with wide eyes. He felt the arms slipping away from his body when Jungkook stood up and got dragged inside the circle of the dance.

Taehyung's eyes captured the moving shadow of the Empress as he watched the rain falling down on torrents around them. He could see how Luna's attire shed the nestled moisture down his skirt and hairs welcomed the new beads of water after rejecting the previous ones.

The folks uproared and moved their feets as such an intoxicating night fell upon their destinies where they got blessed not by one but two mesmerising voices because Jimin urged the Empress to start the next verse immediately.

When you don't talk to me anymore…
These tears can't stop from falling off…
Just this once, oh dear, call me yours…
This heart still swells on the thoughts of yours…
I do wish for nothing more…

His left arm met with the Royal Omega's right one as they danced while rotating their bodies in opposite directions. Lost in the voices of heaven, folks swarmed and were moving along with them. Jimin moved ahead and schrounched down just in front of his mates,

Look around the dark premises and pores…
Not even the enemies will open their doors…

Jungkook did the same but he couldn't match his eyes with the Alpha when he sat in front of him so he just looked down,

This night comes all above the folks…
No one will come around to search for wars…

And if only the omega could look up, he would have found the same expressions that he denied to look over before…were now…adorned by his Alpha's eyes. Who certainly blinked his eyes in acceptance when Jungkook retreated back to the circle where the Royal omega was already waiting for him.

On this warm bed, oh dear, search me whole…
You may find my all wherefore…
I do wish for nothing more…

The crowd swooned away with the way, the atmosphere became delighted all over as if the rain was joining the rhythms and providing the specific tunes to their different tones. People's eyes were switching from the dancing Royals to the sitting ones and truth to be told, both looked out of their breaths.

To get your glimpse on this night of lure…
I'm singing this song to break the protocol…
The words belong to me and someone I adore…
Complete my half strings, oh dear, don't let me fall…
Accept this request of your beloved…
I do wish for nothing more…

Both of them sang together to finish the verse and rested their hips against the middle pole to catch their breaths. The wafted smile on their lips could curse shame on the moon which appeared in the sky once again. Jungkook glanced towards the Alpha but turned his back at him swiftly when he found those eyes focused on him.

Jimin understood his phased gaze and swirled Jungkook once again till they fell in sync with the crowd once again. Luna's breaths seemed erratic when he moved in the middle and sang the next verse,

Heart thumps and body follows the floor…
Coloured in the hues of your prideful soul…
Wove the spell and let me explore…
In this whispering season of winters…
These tender beats, oh dear, listen close…
I do wish for nothing more.

Taehyung let his eyes close and heard those droplets falling in between them. He held his head back and the falling rain awakened the prickling sensations on his face, the same he got when his lips felt….
He opened his eyes to see how the mates of the folks had joined them in the ground. He saw Guard Min upholding Jimin in his arms and twirling around the crowd with a blushing Commander securing them by holding their hips.

His gaze wandered to find that golden soul and found him enjoying the muddled dance in between the folks. With heart dripping with admiration, the Royal Alpha abandoned his seat and walked towards the omega. His feet covered the shortest path which may lead him in front of the bearer of that scrunching smile, red nose and bubbled cheeks.

His eyes followed each posture of the omega where he portrayed walking of his fingers on his arms before sliding his hand above his covered collarbones. The earrings swinging against his cheeks and peeking beneath the red tassels every once in a while. The diamonds around his skirts flickering along the swirls and reflecting the golden aura amidst the entire crowd.

The drawstrings holding the heavy skirt against that petite waist deserved a reward in between all of the jewels, he concluded. Those flowing lapels were now hugging the omega's arms, making it much heavier than before but the Empress was still balancing them modishly.

He stopped his feet from walking any further when his awaiting gaze got noticed by the omega. Jungkook's swaying body came to a sudden halt when he found the Alpha so close to him. The folks became treacherous once again and stepped aside immediately to give a straight path to the Royal Alpha.

Taehyung brought his hands behind his back in a clasp and took the first step forward. The instruments were still striking the beats on the drums, the cymbals reverberating along with the showering clouds.

The gracious divine…
I, too, hurt when you were away from my sight…
Even felt envious of the rays and moonlight…
Where they can touch you day and night…
How could I accept such betrayal…
When I yearn for the same right…

The bridge comes as a pleasant revelation, unexpectedly but strong enough to push the omega in a flushing state in between the crowd. Jungkook moved his eyes from the Alpha's feet, raising his gaze till he met with his serene features. The Royal Alpha looked calm, the reducing rain inciting his honey coloured skin more under the moonlight.

There were wishes that I wasn't aware of at all…
The moon should drown itself in the river's shore…
Each word of yours, oh dear, held my core…
All my nights rest against your sole…
Please do wish for something more…

Jungkook's lips parted in shock because as far as he remembered there were no such verses in the song which was recited by the Imperial Highness. He blinked his eyes in realisation at how easily the Royal Alpha, heir of the most ancient musician, can come up with lyrical words right away.

When the Alpha mirrored his body in front of him, Jungkook bowed in gratitude for gracing him with such words. Taehyung acknowledged the bow with a nod and gestured towards their seat as the rain finally stopped its showers.

Far away, behind the bushes someone cried till their heart bleeds while longing for such love. Gyuri's swollen eyes held indefinite pain, envy and bitterness for the Empress. What could she do differently in these past three years that may lead her in the Alpha's arms like that? Her mind was mocking her continuously for not being capable enough to breathe the same air as the Alpha.

She had seen how delicately the Emperor held the Empress in his lap. Despite being a male omega and a warrior, despite knowing his strength, she saw how the Alpha consoled him with his soft touches. She bit her lips to drown her cries in absolute silence when she watched the Alpha escorting Luna in the crowd. How can any Alpha walk behind their mate in such a way? Doesn't he have the dignity of Royals? Such respect should be admirable for some but right now each glimpse and gesture was only pushing her into suffocation.

She wanted to feel the merriness of folks around her because it was her time where he heard the Alpha's singing voice. But singing for whom? The answer took away all of her happiness, leaving her desires, her wishes, her pleads uncared and unattended.

In between the dancing and swaying crowd, Taehyung helped the Empress to trade the path by walking behind him. The folks dissipated when the loud cymbals resonated for the last time before a peaceful silence fell all over them. When Jungkook took his previous seat against the Alpha's chest, he found some folks standing in the middle once again.

“The time has arrived to close the celebrations but before that it's time for the ultimate gifts of the mates to their respective partners. Hold the beating hearts, the soldiers are coming with the treats.”

“Ultimate gift? I haven't heard this term before.” Jungkook asked while tilting his head towards the Alpha who was awfully quiet behind his back.

“It concludes a treat that we have prepared beforehand to comfort our mates after the stressful rituals.” His words seemed chosen carefully when Taehyung conveyed his answer but Jungkook picked it up naturally.

“Have you made the comfort soup?” His eyes were wide in fascination when he asked but got another question in return, “Would you have liked to eat comfort soup?”

The question indulges Jungkook's mind in several thoughts, “If you haven't prepared the comfort soup then what would it be?”
He mumbled out the curiosity but didn't need an answer because the soldiers were already distributing the treats. Each palate was covered with different silk clothes and had an emblem of the name who prepared the treat.

The golden palate comes in front Jungkook withholding the name of the Emperor as the soldiers placed it beside them, “May I open it?” His fingers were already hovering above the silk cloth as he looked towards his mate to receive his permission.

Taehyung looked down at the palate and gave a nod to permit the omega's actions. His tongue collided with his upper palate in anticipation as the Empress removed the cover. The reaction comes as a loud gasp and then the shocked eyes looking up but not towards him… but towards the Guard Min who seemed to be anxiously waiting for his own palate.

Jungkook was settled numbly against the Alpha's chest as he stared at the palate in front of him holding two trays of, “Daifuku?” When he finally looked at the Alpha, Taehyung didn't expect the Empress to hold a tearful gaze which brimmed to the fullest and fizzled out two drops right away.

“Did hyung tell you?” It wasn't above a whisper when Jungkook said it.

“He told me the name of the sweet that you may prefer to eat.” Taehyung raised his right palm and wiped off the tears with the back of his knuckles.

Jungkook chuckled lightly when the warm touch felt on his cheeks, “Ajhumma used to make it for us. After she left, Hyung tried many times but we couldn't retrieve the same recipe.”

“It is my first trial as well. So I ask for your understanding when you taste them.” Jungkook sniffled at the Alpha's remark and picked one pink daifuku and to look into it.

He couldn't have the heart to tore the icing covering and see the flavour so he directly took a large bite with a keen trust on Alpha's cooking skills. His tongue swirled around the bite, savouring the flavour of red beans and strawberries. His eyes kept blinking while he took the entire leftover piece in the next piece and sighed defeatedly.

No one spoke for a while as Jungkook kept chewing the sweet till his heart felt content with its sweetness. Wiping his tears wasn't a good choice when his stubborn eyes are going to create new ones anyways as he replied the unasked question of the Alpha, “They are delicious.”

He opened his lips to praise more when he heard a loud slam of something on the ground. It was a lady who slammed her palate to the ground and covered it again with the cloth. She felt ashamed when her action pulled the attention of the others but she resisted to back down and explained in a meek voice while pointing towards her mate who seemed to be a female Alpha, “She forgot my favorite sweet and made my sister's favorite sweet instead. I can't accept this.” The lady in accusation was already looking down in guilt. The folks fell back into their chats and dismissed the attention right away.

Jungkook hadn't felt such possession before when he grabbed the trays from the palate and twisted his body, entirely avoiding the crowd behind his back or any intruder who could come and ask to share his treats with them. He requested the Alpha, “Can I eat them like this?”

“They are not going to take them away from you.”

Oh. It looked even devastating while listening but Jungkook didn't budge from his position and picked up the other one. It was filled with a white cream and apple paste. The sweets were melting down Jungkook's insides from all very right places. Unaware how he was moving his head while chewing and gulping down the sweet, the frowns against his lips could navigate Alpha's narrative wrong but the subtle hums of the omega proved that he actually liked the taste of the sweets.

Jungkook's fingers moved fast as he counted each daifuku. There were five flavours all together and he smiled when he found all the flavours having three pairs of the same. However, a thought crossed in his mind and bundled him up in a turmoil. Would he be considered atrocious if he didn't offer any of his sweets to the Alpha? But aren't they his gift? So all of them should belong to him only, right?

How about he shares one?

But he hasn't seen Alpha eating sweets so maybe half should be fine. A half piece will be good. Out of sheer modesty, Jungkook tore apart a piece of daifuku which happened to be strawberry one and held it against Alpha's lips with the hope that the Alpha may decline the sweet but much to his disappointment, the latter opened his lips and accepted the sweet right away.

Jungkook brought his empty finger back with pouted lips and stuffed his face with the remaining piece of the sweet. He felt sad after seeing four empty spaces on the tray and only eleven remaining pieces to enjoy. So he hurriedly took one more piece in his palm and covered the tray with silk cloth before securing them above his lap.

This one was filled with some brown paste, dates, he hummed with an appreciated nod towards the Alpha and looked around to find the Royal Omega clapping his hands like a seagull.

“What happened to Hyungnim?” He murmured out, mouth too full to speak properly.

“He is showing off his acting skills of being a human not a sea creature. Maybe he has received his gifts as well.” Taehyung said while looking down at the omega's fingers which were now holding the half piece of the date daifuku. He just has to incline his head to the east and then a slow dip and the piece will be in his mouth.

Jungkook looked at the happy Royal Omega and found that his hyungnim wasn't acting at all, he seemed genuinely close to tears when he uncovered the red silk cloth and found, What is it? He straightened his back to see clearly under the moonlight and smiled when he heard the Royal omega, “Cheesecake? Made with blueberries! Mother must have snitched with you.”

Ofcourse, Imperial Majesty would tell their Redberry what their son would prefer in sweets. Next comes the Commander's gift who looked a bit nervous while showcasing it to his mate. Jimin removed the cloth and looked up in misery, “You made this?”

Jungkook could tell from its heavenly smell, the comfort soup. He looked at the Alpha and smiled bashfully, “Have you taught them the recipe?” The Alpha seemed alert for some moment, eyes raking in space before he blinked and then very slowly his jaw moved to grind something inside his mouth. His actions were very slow as if he wasn't even chewing at all.

“They had requested politely.”

It was just four words and Jungkook didn't have any suspicion until he saw Alpha's adam apple moving and swallowing a large gulp of something. His brain ran with urgency as the omega looked down at his fingers to find them as empty as the thin air. His mouth held pain before his lips got pressed and eyes switched to a glare, “It was mine!”

Taehyung didn't look at the omega as he moved his tongue thoroughly in his mouth and wiped off all the remnants of the sweet, “You were holding it against my lips, so I thought you decided to share it with me. Was I wrong?”

Jungkook halted his expressions and ran his brain back for a few moments and it turned out that when he straightened his back to look over his hyungs, his hands must have shifted and it must have looked as if…

He huffed in a soft sigh and, “No. I misunderstood it. I apologise. It takes a lot of time to make these sweets, when did you prepare them?”

Taehyung looked at him finally and answered, “In the morning. Kenji helped us to find a sufficient place in Chinra where we can cook and match up the suitable ingredients.”

“You have opted your time to prepare such a valuable gift for me. I'll be utterly grateful for that.” Jungkook expressed it naturally, there was no remorse or hesitation evident in his words. He saw how the Alpha moved his head away from him, tips of ears buzzing red above his earrings as he changed the topic completely.

“Speaking of Kenji, Nami is still not back from his assigned duty.”

“Have you told him the address of Nami?”

Alpha nodded, “I wonder what's taking them so long. They must have arrived by now.”He eyes the omega's smile suspiciously when he receives a vague answer, “ I wonder too.”

~

“Are we going to keep hiding here till the rain dissipates?” Nami asked as he covered the entrance of their makeshift hut against the tree with heavier flakes of banana leaves. They had arrived here before the night but just when they finished tying all the cattles in their new stables and started their ride to return, the rain captured them in the midst of the path.

“Yes but If Royal guest wants to depart early, I can follow you behind.” Rylee says as he jerked his wet robe before wearing it just around his shoulders.

“You can address me as Nami. I'm warrior Nami Hatwin. If you don't mind, Can I ask why we decided to take shelter here?” Nami sat on a short trunk and asked while putting him around his lap in a peaceful position.

“I apologise if it bothered you, warrior Nami, and It's shameful to accept it as it is but I don't like rain anymore. These falling droplets burn me wherever they touch.” Rylee placed his sword against the ground with the support of a tree and stood against its bridge entirely.

“Why?”

Rylee knows that the Royal guest wasn't trying to step over his privacy, his words seemed innocently curious so he decided to answer them with a mocking sadness, “It was raining that day when I lost my mate. When she died while fighting along with us. Before that we used to climb the eastern mountains and go hunting to secure many hunts before the winter season knocked on our doors but then suddenly everything changed.”

Nami extended his condolences in the form of understanding eyes and nodding head. He does know how it feels to lose a potential mate in your life, the one that looks at you as if you are his entire world but then suddenly disappears behind the dark curtains of blunt lies.

“Why did you choose Eclipse to start your journey again? I mean, if I'm not mistaken, you were fighting against the Royals right?”

“Yes. We were rogue werewolves actually. Then one day, a pack decided to have mercy and accepted us and pledged our safety and health. We lived there for two years when I started to see how people of that pack started to disappear and some new, younger werewolves got dragged inside the pack premises. But then the war started and when I noticed that it all happened because of the pack's illegal activities, I surrendered and was kept along with the other hostages.”

“So it happened that way. And did you like this new pack now? Eclipse could be overwhelming sometimes.” The yearnings, longings and romance breaths there in the open air.

“It is. But I live in soldier chambers, they are very isolated from the folks so it's quite a relief.”

“He owns two goats and one snake as well, won't you ask about that Nami?” Nami heard the voice and he didn't have to turn his head to see who it was. But Rylee looked above to see a man sitting on the adjacent tree where they had taken the shelter. He stood straight and bowed in respect to welcome another Royal guest.

“What are you doing here?” Nami asked.

“My friend has sent me here to see if the duty has been done properly or not. You finished the work, I see that and now passing the moments of emotions together but true to my intentions, we have to follow the order of the majesty. Shall we head forward?” Kenji jumped down and flicked his robe while whistling for his horse.

“I haven't received such an order yet. There is no haste to leave this place, Kenji. I will be waiting here till the rain stops.”

Kenji looked at the pouring sky and chuckled while throwing his head back, “Would you really like to agitate me here? No, do it actually, there have been days where I forget to tell you your place.”

“My place?” Nami smiled at that, a smile that annoyed Rylee till he moved and walked out of the small hut, “I will be waiting under another tree.”

“No. Keep standing here, Luna had ordered you to keep beside me. He was afraid for my safety and now I can see what motivated him to do so.”

Now his words could hold a thousand kinds of meaning but Kenji only opted for one which includes that Nami trusts this naive soldier enough to feel secure around him and feel that he will be what he needs to get secured from.

“You soldier, I advise you to leave from here when I am not being authoritative.”

“He will not be going anywhere. We have made this hut together and will take shelter under it till the rain stops. If you have things lined up for you to finish, I would gladly suggest you take your horse and map the path of return immediately.”

Kenji laughed at that and looked at Rylee, “Did you see that? I was talking to you, advising you but who came in between to answer the questions? Nami Hatwin. Why? Because he suffers from an illness called governing his rule above others!”

“His Majesty has given me authority to do that and I will keep calling the answers of the questions that were subjected towards me. Do you think I'm blind and have no sense of reading your taunts? Foolish.”

“You better watch your tone, Nami.”

“Why? Are you afraid that your Alpha voice won't work on me?”

The gaze Kenji held turned into ice as he took slow steps towards the wizard, “ If you are trying to provoke me, don't do it. I can slither your neck and this pawn of yours won't be able to do anything.”

Nami took some steps back till his back strike against the tree, “Then what's stopping you? The previous night, His Majesty had arrived in my cave with Luna. There.. he listened to me and taught me a specific lesson that I should have known by now. He asked me to breathe freely.”

Both pairs of eyes were attentive only around each other so they didn't notice when Rylee left the hut and stood a bit far away from them, “And you seem-” Nami held his hand up to stop Kenji from talking any further.

“He asked me to spend my remaining time doing what I wanted to do when I had time but couldn't do them. I chose to avoid them because I was waiting for a certain Alpha to do them for me. I wasn't an omega so it was inevitable what happened to me. But isn't it hilarious how I am still standing where I was seventeen centuries ago?”

Kenji slammed his sword on the ground where its sheath rattled before falling silent, “And what did you want to do now? Want to fall in love with a widowed Alpha? Want to shred apart the respect you have in Royals to play around with-”

The rain was still pouring down in torrents, creating a bunch of noise where it strikes on the ground but the slap that Nami pressed on the Alpha's cheeks heard far away from that hut. Kenji was looking towards his left where the slap had left him, he couldn't look at the angry expressions that Nami held for him, “Respect? What do you even know about respect? If an orphan wizard can roam around the streets of old Eclipse upholding pitiful expressions, seeking attention of someone who was too busy to warm his hands on omegas’ skin. Do you think he will be left with any respect to keep?”

Kenji lift his face from where he was looking down, eyes red as he blinked them before holding Nami's gaze, “ There was a reason-”

“I do not want to listen to it now. All the reasons died with my skin and bones. When I decided to sacrifice myself for my pack, the reason wasn't entirely that. I was tired of living that life all by myself. I was tired of so many things that made me lose my mind and soul altogether. So I sacrificed myself with no remorse.” The anger in those hazel eyes was misty, Kenji knew if Nami would just listen to him. He might be able to make him understand why he chose to stay away from him.

But Nami turned his head away from the Alpha, “You are as cowardly as the Prince Kenji I knew back then. So I suggest… you protect yourself and do not cross paths with me.”

Kenji looked at Nami's hand, the one he used to slap him. It was closed in a tight fist and before he could reach to touch it Nami pushed his chest and encircled the hut to step outside, “The rain has stopped, we should head back to the pack.”

But Kenji didn't leave the hut and Nami didn't wait for him. He heard the neighing horses, carrying their masters with squinching hooves on the muddy ground. With a thump Kenji landed against the tree and grabbed his hairs to think properly. He hadn't imagined where the events would turn like this, “Why Taehyung why? I wasn't ready yet! why your omega had to twist such games in my mind! I'll make him regret it, I swear!”

~

Jungkook, somehow, managed to save five pieces of daifuku when everyone started to walk down the hill. He made a little bag of that golden silk cloth and packed the remaining sweets in it before tucking them inside the lapels of his arms. He noticed the Alpha tapping his back and waited till the omega moved, then he kneeled against the porringer and lifted it up.

Soon the Commander walked towards them, holding their porringer along with his hyung. The Royal Alpha turned towards the Empress and said, “Start descending down the hill, we will be following you once we give this water to the running waterfall.”

Jungkook was about to open his lips to accompany them when the Royal omega came and stood beside him, “We can't watch this process so we have to start moving down, Luna.”

The ending ritual made Jungkook a little bit conscious of his surroundings but they need to complete it anyway. So he looked towards the Alpha and acknowledged his words without any argument, “Can we wait down the hill then?”

The Commander smiled and nudged Yoongi who was balancing half of their treats in his arms. Both of them looked as how the Alpha seemed to hesitate for the first time. It was obvious that the Alpha wants them to go down to their chambers and rest, all of their robes are drenched in rain, it will be difficult for the omega to carry themselves all around with the heavy jewelleries and hanfus but he can't seem to reject the humble request of the omega as well, can he?

So with his simple nod, a big smile bloomed on the omega face as they both turned and walked alongside the crowd of omega that were walking down.

Taehyung heard a series of coughs behind him and turned around to ignore the red faces of the Betas before walking ahead. Bunch of folks followed them till they arrived at the edge of the hill, the Alpha put down the porringer and kneeled beside it. He looked ahead at the falling water down from the Mosnic mountain.

His ring clad fingers entered the water and made a carriage by joining his palms together. He scooped a handful of water and moved down to drink it. The ritual stands by the saying that whatever the blessings the moon goddess had given them today or not, they will welcome the moon in the same way next year.

Taehyung followed other folks and emptied the porringer to let the water flow down the edge of the hill and immerse into the waterfall. He left the vessels on the edge and stepped back to wait till the others finished their part of ritual.

Jimin felt overly happy as they stepped down along with other omegas. He watched the Empress walking alongside and decided to ask, “How was the experience of your first autumn moon festival, Luna?” He could see the smile that was pasted on the Empress's lips since the entire night.

“It was memorable. I didn't expect to receive the blessings and then… the rain and the celebrations. Everything secured a place in my heart.” Jungkook lifted his skirt and it helped him to walk down without feeling any hazards in his steps.

“Indeed. But I must say, the translucent veils should be banned entirely because they left nothing for imagination. Right?” The Royal Omega cackled while holding his hand above his lips when Jungkook stopped in his steps and stared in nothingness.

His scared eyes find the smiling Royal Omega but Jimin decided to have mercy, “My heart is too happy to tease my Jungkookie so I will leave the conversation at that. But Luna must know the fact that Taehyung had ordered soldiers to prepare a pavilion beside ours. I think till the Chinra stabilizes, you will be shifted to the Western Land.”

He brushed off Jungkook's constant stares and held his arm to continue their walk, “ There is nothing to worry about sharing passionate moments with our mates, you know what would have happened if Eclipsers were here, celebrating with us. We may or may not have to organise the whole scenario more privately to protect our eyes.”

Jungkook shook his head in admiration now that he had seen the Eclipsers acting too clingy towards their mates. No one would be able to pull them apart from their mates tonight. And Maybe… Jungkook just wants the same.

“Ah? Look, there are some savoury drinks on that stall. Would you like to drink some?” Jimin proposed when he found a  stall surrounded by a bunch of omegas. Everyone was talking loudly while receiving their drinks and enjoying them quietly.

Jungkook took two flasks for themselves and continued their walks while gulping some of the drink in between. The drink was delicious, neutralizing the sweetness of his tongue with its savory taste.

The scenery from Chinra to Lavin after a heavy rainfall looked soothing. Even in the deepest dark layer of the night couldn't hide the reflection of moonlight over it. Jungkook threw his gaze past the shore of the Lavin, where lamps were still burning with long flames, Strays are still awake after all. Do they celebrate the moon festival as well? Do they have mates like normal werewolves do? Are they different only in upbringing and ethics or there is something more.

Bearing countless questions in his mind, they strided on their path altogether. The burning flambeaus on either side of the road helped folks to walk faster. Jungkook stopped when they reached the bottom of the mountain and looked towards Jimin.

“Should we stop here to wait for them?” Jimin asked as the crowd started to dissipate down the hill. Everyone starts to merge towards different groups to follow the path of their homes. Jungkook discarded his flask and nodded his head while pushing down his skirt.

“No need to wait for us, apparently, We walk faster than the ones who talk nonstop.” It was Yoongi and when both of them turned around they saw the Royals approaching them together.

“Oh? Is that so? Then where are all the other partners? Have you left them behind and taken a run to catch our steps?” Jimin complained but when Jungkook looked at them, no one seemed to have trouble with breathing or any other symptoms that could prove their accurate run in the night.

“We were focused on our duties. So here we are.” The Commander stepped forward and asked for Royal Omega's hand, “If the Prince could allow, we would like to accompany you to our pavilion.”

Jimin grabbed that hand graciously and turned around with their mates, “And what are the duties you are talking about? It isn't like we could get lost in the mountain where we were living for so many days.” Their voices kept thinning in the air as they walked far from Jungkook.

Now that they were left alone, Jungkook looked down to seek some words out of his dry throat. He could see the Alpha walking towards him in his peripheral vision but there are still no words coming into his mind. Till they did and Jungkook looked up in alarm, “Hyungnim said that we have a pavilion in Western land now? You didn't tell me before… what I'm implying is that it's good actually as the previous one got hard to reach upto.”

“It happened in the morning. You were sleeping at that time.”

There is unnatural calmness in the Alpha's voice when he hears the words or maybe it's only Jungkook who is flushing more than necessary tonight. He should just find his pavilion and sleep for the remaining night. His head would collapse on the ground if he watched Alpha's grey eyes on him one more time.

Taehyung stood beside the omega and asked, “Are you feeling cold?”

Jungkook covered his nose immediately, finding it more chilled than the wet hanfu wrapped around him. From where he covered his nose, the omega looked up and replied, “A bit.”

“Would you like to wear my robe?”

“No. Please. I'll be fine as we are just two turns away from home.”

Taehyung looked forward, “We should start walking then. Shall we?” He didn't try to impose his robe on the omega when he denied it. Maybe the night isn't colder anymore or the omega isn't feeling it yet. As long as the folks don't hear the absolute horrends sneezes of the Empress, it should be fine.

~

When they arrived at their pavilion Jungkook was mesmerised with the colour of its curtains, the mattress and wooden chests, everything was placed exactly like the way he had placed while designing their little hanok. The mattress looked a bit bigger and there are some additions like a bigger fireplace and a porringer of hot water was placed beside it, no windows and no noises at all.

Jungkook looked around at everything under the observant eyes of his mate and Taehyung kept looking at the Empress till he watched those lips stretching and two teeth peaked out, “It looks the same as our hanok. The soldiers have performed their task earnestly.”

He turned towards the Alpha and noticed how the latter hadn't stepped inside the pavilion yet, “What happened?”

“I will be looking over Lavin's activities, Your Grace. You can find something to change your robes and accommodate the chamber till I arrive back.”

“Would you be back before I fall asleep?” Jungkook asked only one question, eyes holding the concern.

“I would.” With heavy but faithful words of the Alpha in the air, Jungkook saw him turning back and leaving the chamber to him for use. The first and foremost task that Luna completed was retrieving his sweets away from his lapels and putting them inside an empty chest. Then comes some fresh robes that he took out from the closet and spread them on the mattress. He needs to get away from these sticky clothes.

He discarded his crown first and placed it on the ottoman. Next comes the veil that he hooked on the counter close to the furnace to let it dry till the morning from heat. He removed his shoes and expanded his toes to the fullest to feel the soft carpet under his feet.

Jungkook heard some commotion outside the pavilion, it was far but he could hear the bustling of people in groups. Maybe they are upto some competition as to who will reach their home first and who will last?

He felt the first sway in his head when he moved to open his first robe. The lapel of his hanfu felt so heavy for his experienced hands that he had to clutch the wooden shelf for support. What's happening? Jungkook focused his eyes on the carpet beneath and raised his head slowly, his head swam again and a bursting pain ensued inside his stomach.

His grip on the shelf slipped away, Jungkook had to cover his stomach to cure this sudden pain. But without the support his knees buckled and landed on the carpet with a thump. The screams outside of his pavilion heightened, resulting in too much commotion to bear. He breached open his dry lips to inhale properly but the omega couldn't. It was as if there was some wall formed in between his mouth and windpipe. No matter how harshly he inhaled, his lungs could feel nothing at all.

The excessive panting made Jungkook miserable when he tried to speak but only his tongue wobbled out without any noise. He found his vision going blurry in the next moment, not even the blinking helped him to see.

His hands were wrapped around his stomach in a tight hug as he panted while kneeling on the floor. His head was swaying in the air to understand anything but his ringing ears picked the calling of his name evidently.

“Jungkook!”

It was the Royal Alpha's voice, Jungkook can recognise it but he couldn't spot the Alpha with his blurry vision. He felt strong arms around his body, even after bearing the heavy hanfu he felt his body swooped off his feet effortlessly. His head lulled to inhale the air but beside the choking hiccups of his throat, he couldn't do anything.

The Royal Alpha was walking over to the Lavin ports when he heard the commotion. People, specifically the omegas, falling down in unconsciousness while their mates were screaming out for help. He sent the orders to bring healers right away but then he felt pain in his scar, or maybe it was the organ that was bumping under that scar but that excruciating pain alerted him enough to take his steps back to his pavilion. His body disappeared from one place to another till he found himself in front of their pavilion.

And then he saw the omega, bent down on the floor and panting to breathe properly. His body moved ahead to lift the omega right away, five steps to the mattress where he kneeled on the bed and walked to the centre before leaning the body down on it.

His hand found the omega's wrist and pushed the lapels away to bury his nose over the veins. He inhaled the scent and sensed the malicious venom flowing inside them. His other hand moved and cupped the omega's jaw to push his mouth open till he brought his nose above the Empress's panting breaths.

Wormwood?

The grinding teeth of the Alpha switched away from the omega's mouth and held his waist to open the upper robe. Taehyung tore apart the knots till he reached the inner shirt and pushed the cloth away from the omega's stomach. He dipped the back of his fingers above it and felt the venom sprawling around.

He could see the omega's eyes opening and falling close before opening again to look around in nothingness. The Royal Alpha found himself moving till he straightened his knees on the mattress and hovered above the panting body of the omega. His hands captured the omega's face in urgency, “We have to take this poison out of your stomach. Your Grace, are you listening to me?”

His one hand moved behind the omega's nape while the other slided down to his throat till his thumb covered the vocal cords of the omega, “You just have to keep your lips open for me, Yeah?”

Jungkook's ears were ringing with Alpha's voice only, he could hear his hurried movements, hands navigating over his wrist, stomach and face. He wanted to reply but there was no sound in his vocal cords, there was no medium from where he could convey his consent so he used his hands and wrapped them above Alpha's wrists.

Taehyung pressed his thumb on the vocal cords of the omega till his head tilted backwards and his mouth got aligned with the omega's parted one. He could feel the dryness of those lips when his own touched them thoroughly.

Jungkook felt those lips moving but his fingers clutched the wrists tightly when he felt a tongue touching the walls of his upper palate. His own tongue was stuck to the inner palate so it gave the Alpha enough excess to deliver the remedy right away.

The omega's blurry vision rolled to nothingness when he felt the cold saliva dripping down the Alpha's tongue. He felt the striking vibrations on his body when the liquid travelled from the Alpha's tongue, touching his upper palate and finally falling down to his tongue. The liquid started to pool at the base of his throat.

Now the excessive grip on his throat couldn't let it penetrate through the walls but Jungkook waited, waited till his mouth filled up to the brim. He felt the liquid flowing out from the corner of his lips when the bruising lips moved and the hand loosened up the walls of his throat.

The liquid gushed inside right away, making Jungkook choke on it. He choked two times while gulping down the liquid and that harsh push opened the dead walls of his throat. The omega finally brought air to his lungs, his body contorted in pain as he dug his nails inside the Alpha's wrist. He was no longer panting when Jungkook pushed his eyes open to see a blurry Alpha hovering above him, a thread of saliva connecting their lips together.

His unfocused vision settled on those lips and when the omega mewled in pain, his lips felt the remedy again. At first, the lack of the air in his system kept Jungkook from building up the taste of the saliva but now when he felt the liquid gushing inside his mouth again, he felt the sweetness of sandalwood mixed in it.

The Royal Alpha was feeding the omega in perfect proportions, lips pulling out the saliva down to the awaiting tongue in sheer urgency. He didn't feel the need to encircle his hand around the omega's throat again as the omega was now able to gulp it down easily. So he grabbed the omega's waist instead and pulled his body down from the sitting position to a laid one.

His fingers hovered above the stomach once again and spread on the skin to warm the surface. When Taehyung moved away from the omega's face, he could no longer feel any movements from him. The venom knocked down the consciousness of the Empress but Taehying was assured that he would wake up soon.

So he removed himself from the mattress and searched for a thick blanket which he found inside the silver trunk placed in the corner. He spread the thick duvet and covered the omega's body entirely where only his face was visible under the covers.

Taehyung's body fell on the edge of the mattress as he covered his face with his palms before pushing his hairs behind his back. The poison that the Empress has consumed could be found easily in the territorial border of Chinra. Wormwood isn't exactly toxic till it gets consumed in high amounts and seeing the condition of the people outside and the Empress tells only that.

His fist curled around the duvet before he was pushing his body away, feet scrunching down near the fireplace to put two more wooden blocks inside. He eyed the red, burning blocks inside the furnace and the urge to shove them inside that traitor's throat glinted with brightness. His mind was running at every nook and cranny to find the missed spot where these groups of omegas’ got poisoned.

With the increased fire in the furnace, his anger started to burn behind his eyes. And then came the hunger to see raw blood around him. He was moving a block in the fire unconsiously, indulge in too much thoughts of using this heat to burn everything around him.

Under the harsh huffing breaths, the Royal Alpha heard the message conveyed to him through mindlink, “Your Majesty, Prince Jimin is awake. He vomited the poison out but the pain is still there.”

“It will go by at its pace.”

“I'll be moving out of the chamber now, Yoongi will be here with the Prince but I need to see who… caused it.”

The depressed voice of the Commander showed his frustration and the Royal Alpha words agigate the fire right into him, “ Commander Jung Hoseok, when I walked out of this pavilion. I need a name. The poison giver should be under your palms till then.”

“As per the orders of Your Majesty.”

Taehyung discarded his crown on the wooden shelf and bound his hair in a tight half bun. He walked towards the Empress while opening the first knot of his robe before sliding it down from his shoulder before keeping it on the ottoman.

His two fingers uncovered the omega's nose from the duvet and checked his breaths. It seemed to get regulated but then why hasn't the omega woke up yet? Too soon to say. Because without opening his eyes Jungkook's body moved, acid coming up to his throat as he bent down to the edge of the mattress and hurled everything out of his stomach. The carpet gets ruined by vomit and white poison that comes out along with it.

Taehyung sat beside the heaving back of the omega and supported his forehead with his hand. The acid striked again, bubbling out the wasted lava from his stomach, “You will be fine now. Just push a bit more.”

Jungkook opened his eyes at that and the absolute vision of the carpet that he got, again helped him to empty his stomach. He could see remnants of the sweets and the dinner he had with the Royal Omega. He closed his eyes while shaking his head and looked up. There is a glass of water in front of him that he drank immediately to soothe his burning lungs.

The water was warm so Jungkook gargled a few times before drinking it slowly. When his back touched the mattress again, he found the concern evident in the Alpha's eyes.

“How's the pain?”

“Better than before. What happened to me? Poison? Where did it come from?” Jungkook handed over the empty glass to the Alpha and whispered out a few questions.

“It must be mixed in something that you have consumed. You tell me what you have eaten while walking down the hill?”

The Alpha seemed angry and his sharp voice pushed Jungkook to sit in a bit of a conscious state while talking but the question left him confused. He hadn't eaten anything despite those sweets but those were prepared by the Alpha himself so no one will dare to spoil that dish for their own safety. And then when they walked down the hill, he didn't eat anything, only had a savoury drink.

“That drink?”

“Which one? What kind?”

“While walking down the hill, the crowd had spotted a stall which was selling savory drinks. Oranges, lemon, even pineapple. People were enjoying themselves while drinking so I… also took one for myself and Hyungnim.”

“On the path of the hill?”

Jungkook felt a sour taste in his mouth with the way he was getting interrogated, that sharp voice was scaring him enough to look down, “Yes.”

“We had opted the same path as yours but we didn't see any stall on the way.”

Is he doubting him? Because it would be foolish to think that Jungkook drinks that poison knowingly and it would be more foolish to think that he made all the omegas to drink with him.

“You can ask Hyungnim if you have difficulty while putting your trust in me.”

“It's not about trust, Luna. You have consumed a toxic plant and I want you to tell me everything that you have remembered about it.”

Jungkook looked away while sniffling through his nose, “And I have told you the same. There was a stall, three people were selling them and I remember they weren't taking any charges in return. I thought it might be a celebratory thing just like people do in Eclipse.”

It was the tone that perplexed Alpha enough to surge and capture the omega’s face and turn it back to where it was before, eyes matched to him once again, “Don't be stubborn with me. And in no way you would talk casually about this. Three people you said, have you seen them before?”

Jungkook nodded, now looking at the Alpha, “There were two omegan girls and one servant, I think he was a Beta.”

“They belonged to Chinra?”

He shook his head confidently, “Western Land. They belong to this land. I can recognise their faces if I see them again.”

Jungkook saw how the Alpha's chest was falling down before raising up against him. He tried to understand this behaviour, maybe he made him worried to the point where he couldn't comprehend about his own position. He looked around the room and then himself, this mattress, the vomit on the carpet and his mind did the cruelest thing to replace his own position with the Alpha.

His eyes filled with tears when Jungkook nuzzled into that spread palm against his face, “I apologise. I didn't want to behave badly, I just felt that your questions… as if you didn't trust me… and”

“My Grace, you never behaved badly. And of course it wasn't your fault to get trapped in someone's vicious strategy. But the position you hold, the abilities you muster in your personality and the wisdom you reflect in your nature are pushing me to make you feel responsible for it.” Taehyung tried his best to ease his mind but he was still feeling reluctant to look at that dull face.

“There are moments in our lives where we feel detached from them all. I can accept my responsibility and reward the culprit to know where to find me at my unfocused position. Would it be all for you to stop these questions and hug me properly?” The tears trailed down to his cheeks and the fresh ones welled up when instead of pulling him into his chest, the Alpha pulled away his hand and brought perceptible distance between them.

“You are right. People should be able to feel freedom from the responsibilities every once in a while. Well then the responsibility comes onto me. I should have been more attentive to know where my mate is stepping and what kind of state he beholds during that time.” Taehyung rose from the mattress, one hand curling behind to throw a glance at the closed door of the pavilion.

“If so then why don't you deserve that kind of freedom? I apologise that it happened but it wasn't your fault as well.” Jungkook didn't want the Alpha to feel so disheartened, he could see the emotions and before he must have prayed to be the witness of them but now seeing the Alpha in such turmoil was hurting him too much.

“I will try to not let my thoughts pressure me that way. You should take some rest now.”

Jungkook's body slided out of the duvet on its own when he saw the waning figure of the Alpha, “Where are you going?”

“To find the people that you have mentioned. Let me see the shape of those bodies that dared to play with me.” Then Taehyung walked out without looking back, without seeing how the omega ran and hugged him from behind just before he could tear apart the curtains of the door.

“Don't go.”

Their wet clothes stuck around each other's bodies naturally, lapels curling around the Alpha's waist. Jungkook has placed his head under the nape of the Alpha where he whispered out his request.

“I need to.” Taehyung said while turning around to face the omega, “I have pledged for your safety as your mate and as your Emperor. I need to secure that pledge to revive the damage it has caused to my pride.”

My pride... that comes from you.

Jungkook shook his head frantically, this should be stopped. Alpha seemed too angry to think rationally right now,“Listen to me, please. We are living inside the Western Land and those people belong to this land. There is a possibility that folks won't accept their punishment over just a few accusations. But knowing you, you may kill them at first sight, won't you?”

Jungkook's hands trembled against the Alpha's arms when he gets showered by that cold glare, sharp jaw holding its canines at its bay. His hands slipped away when Taehyung stepped closer to him, “Is there any doubt?”

“Please don't. Do not kill them. At least not right now where we have a huge war ahead of us. These people are manipulative, they can revolt against us if we punish their people without the proper enquiry of the court. Making enemies is much easier than confining old friendships.” Jungkook proposed while standing on the floor, barefoot and rosy cheeks covered with tear stains.

“Then I must wipe off this pack entirely before the war.” Taehyung didn't wish to threaten the Empress but the sagacity of his talks are causing him ache.

Jungkook's lips trembled when he heard the lowest octave of the Alpha's voice. He shook his head again, about to convince the Alpha unapologetically when he found him raising his hand in the air.

“As far as I remember, I haven't given any rights to the Empress to invade my decisions in courts. You have declared your judgements and punishments in the Eclipse and I never stepped in between. So beholding the dignity of the Empress, you must know how to not indulge in my decisions.”

It wasn't the words that left his heart in pieces but the way those eyes pulled over the blankets of blankness around its orbs shattered Jungkook for a few moments. He kept looking at the Alpha with muted silence in between before he composed his hands together and looked down, “I understand but if things go wrong, there will be too much blood-”

He felt his face held by the pair of palms as the Alpha moved down to look at him before whispering, “I'm sorry.” Jungkook blinked out the tears in confusion. Before he could ask the reason for such sudden apology, he felt two fingers tucking under his earlobe and with a sharp twist, his eyes rolled back in slumber.

Taehyung caught the omega in his arms and carried him to the mattress once again. He was tucking him beneath the duvet when he felt the presence of two people waiting outside of his pavilion. He clasped his hands behind his back when he couldn't look towards the sleeping omega.

“I can't even apologise to you without burning those insects. Please don't push me to do otherwise.”

Sleep well.

His back faced the omega when he started to walk outside, noticing the visitors waiting outside, “Tae, Is he alright?” Yunhee asked while looking above the Alpha's shoulders to look behind him.

“He is sleeping right now. I want you both to…”

Sang stepped ahead and pressed his shoulder in understanding, “We will stay here till you come back. The healers has arrived to navigate the pack members and folks of Chinra. You must find the traitor before they could harm other people.”

Taehyung nodded but Yunhee stepped ahead to propose, “May I accompany you? I may have noticed something during the celebrations that can help us reaching the culprit.”

~

“Your highness, You can not leave this mattress in such a state. Please listen to me, Jungkook has attained consciousness. He will be alright soon.” Yoongi pleaded as he saw the Royal omega tying the laces of his shoes, a knitted stole covering his trembling shoulders.

“We need to find those girls, Yoonie. How could I be so unattentive? I saw those girls selling the drinks and I still couldn't catch their tricks.” The omega was mumbling incoherent words now and Yoongi couldn't understand a thing.

“Which girls? Angel, tell me. Have those omegas gave you poison? What happened, share it with us?”

Jimin shook his head while thick tears rolled down to his cheeks, “I need to find Taehyung. I would tell everything there. Please take me to him. I can't seem to walk properly these legs-”

“You don't have to request for such duties. I will bring you to the Majesty but keep holding onto me. Will you do this for me, Angel?” Yoongi asked and felt relieved when the omega came forward and melted into his arms. His blood boiled to imagine the last few hours, whoever has brought such buskin on them will not survive to see the next sunrise.

He carried the omega in his arms and walked ahead till they came out of their pavilion. The misty night was wrapped around the trees in the form of smogs and streams, the leaves slipping out the excessive rain water down to the ground.

“You must know that we can't give a name to the Royal Alpha without some proper evidence, right?” Yoongi asked Jimin who wrapped his arms around his mate's neck and was looking behind his shoulders with dull eyes.

“I know it could be dangerous to present some falsely accused person in front of the Alpha?”

Yoongi hummed in agreement he had seen the queen of Lunar punishing the innocents and then not regretting it afterwards but the karma always comes back to hit you when you least expect them. He wonders what punishments Alpha gives to his traitors. Habitat to his nature, Yoongi decided to ask, “Does he often kill the accused traitors?”

He released a calm sigh when he felt his mate shaking his head against his neck. However, his feet shook at an absurd halt when he heard his next words, “He will wipe off their entire race.”

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.

Things will be resolved in the next chapter and we may enter in the phase of a war💜.

These medicines keeps in deep slumber nowadays so if I have made some writing mistakes, please be kind and point them out or ignore them.

I hope you enjoyed the chapter.

Good night, lovely readers💜.

💜💜💜💜💜💜💜.