Third Person’s P.O.V.

“You try to act out without my command ever again…I’ll behead you myself”

Jimin shivered a bit at the wrath underlying the words as he tried to quickly get up, he had woken up to realize that he was in the King’s bed. He had never before dared to sleep there and right now was scared shitless to think how he ended up there because the last thing he remembered was crying at Jungkook’s feet after he had submitted before the enraged alpha who was overeager to punish him.

His steps wobbled as he felt bile rise up his throat, an odd bitter taste at the back of his throat made him retch and he cupped a palm over his mouth.

“What were you thinking?”

From the corner of his eyes Jimin could see Jungkook walking closer. He was changed out of his formal clothes and lounging in his long bloodred silk robe embroidered with gold and black, the lapels overlapped to leave a portion of his chest uncovered. His usually sleeked back raven hair was damp, the fringes covered his forehead and although his eyes still looked just as cruel, Jimin often dared to fondly gaze at him when he was like this…when he was just Jungkook and not the King of Kleon but the man he had chosen to stay enslaved to. 

“I apologize my lord…I acted rashly” Jimin ducked his head, trying to push down the bile trying rise up his throat.

“I am not talking about that” there was a short pause and Jimin began to realize what he was talking about, panic setting in at the back of his mind “I had to ask Yoongi to give you heat suppressants…you were supposed to take them when you knew you were in pre heat.”

Jimin gulped, slitted eyes swiftly glancing at the alpha before dropping to the floor again and his silence seemed to agitate Jungkook more.

“Did you suddenly forget my orders huh?” He clutched at his chin, pulling his head up to glare down at him “or that reckless omega Prince teaching you to rebel as well?”      

Jimin gulped blinking in silence. He was aware that Jungkook would be angry with him about this, he has seen over the time of his stay here how desperately the alpha avoids being around him during his ruts and had ordered him to suppress his heats. Jimin had been trying to prove for a while now that his scent affected the alpha in him but the King seemed determined not to give in.

“Filthy greedy omega…so eager for my knot, are you? You think I don’t get why you attacked my brother…you dare let your omega be territorial over me?! Even dared to submit before me knowing you’re nearing your heat! What the hell were you thinking?! I do not please slaves…don’t try those games with me!”

Jungkook roughly pushed him back, growls roiling in his throat as he glared at Jimin before moving away from the omega to settle down on the desk at the other corner of the room.

“I-I apologize my lord…I’ll be more careful from next time” Jimin mumbled in haste, although harsh the touch and Jungkook’s close proximity had instantly made him feel better, the sour taste at the back of his throat toning down significantly.

“Get out!”

The command was angry and Jimin could almost see his hands itching to hurt him but he had noted through his stay alongside Jungkook that the alpha never hurt him when he was close to his heat…although what he didn’t know was that he actually didn’t need to, Jimin’s hormones were enough to make him feel miserable to be left alone without care by the very alpha he desired as his mate.

Jimin bowed low before quietly leaving the chambers as he made his way towards his humble quarters. Although Jungkook called him a slave, Jimin didn’t actually have to live with the other slaves who were either trapped in the dungeons or used as labours to works in the fields and mines.

Even as a slave he had his own room, simple yet cosy and most importantly secure.

Jungkook had imposed a chain of rules on him when he had brought him into the palace. Jimin was not allowed to stay at the side of the palace that belonged to the Queen Dowager although omegas mostly stayed there under the Queen’s care and commands.

Jungkook being a young king had a small number of concubines he had won in wars, however he seemed barely interested in them and visited them occasionally.

And to all of them the filthy omega slave who always accompanied the King became an eyesore, they didn’t spare him from all the ugly names, calling him a whore and freak. They envied him and Jimin was well aware of it…after all he was supposed to be a slave…a mere trifle Jungkook had made a demand to own…something Jimin had never thought would be possible because he belonged to the very land that happened to be Kleon’s sworn enemy for centuries.

His parents were still trapped in that godforsaken fate…and although he hated even the thought of ever going back there, he couldn’t help but think on how they were surviving in Zyon under the cruel eye of King Do-Hwan.

Jimin slipped out of his robes, soft silks pooling at his feet as he walked inside the bath to freshen up. He stared at the mirror, checking his pale skin that held no bruises like usual…he sighed washing his face, the water crisscrossing down in thin trails down his face and neck while his eyes inadvertently set on the discoloured blotch at the side of his neck where he had once worn the mark of his mate…and although it had been a long time already, he still felt pins and needles in his chest every time he touched it.

It was a price he had to pay for going against the King, when he had been audacious enough to believe that he could live as he wished and love whom he wanted…but it had all changed in the blink of an eye and he had lost both his mate and their pup with the slash of a sword…he didn’t have the courage to defy anymore…the world and its cruel rules had successfully broken him to leave only a shell of the person he once was. Well, not like it mattered…he was dying anyway…his only way to ensure that he’d live was to let an alpha claim him before his body withered away.

He was forced to come to Kleon but in truth he loved being a slave to Jungkook way more than being a slave to Do-Hwan…because Jungkook’s cruelty wasn’t half as worse as the King of Zyon.

He had tried to kill himself just to end all of it and probably would have tried again if Jungkook hadn’t taken him away from there…he knew he owed half his life to Jungkook anyway…and has been trying to prove himself enough to let the alpha know that he’d love to owe it all to him.

A single tear slipped down his eye, lips pressing in a tight line as he tried to hold his pain inside, life had a way of torturing him…pushing him to the very brink of his limit…he had lost everything once…he just didn’t want to go back to that hell hole once again to live that cruelty.

A part of him knew that once his work here is done Do-Hwan would want him back and even though he wasn’t supposed to, Jimin wanted Jungkook to keep him tied down in Kleon...even if he didn’t claim him as his mate…even if it was just as his slave he wanted to stay by the alpha. 

But the alpha was equally stubborn and no matter how he tried, Jungkook denied to give up on his zeal to acquire Seokjin. Jimin sighed to himself, his fists coiling tight against the porcelain sink…he was so close…so close to working everything to plan…

For now, his only agenda was rescuing his parents…and his own freedom from the hands that still kept him chained in invisible binds of slavery…and he didn’t care what he’d have to do to acquire what he sought for…he had buried his conscience the day he had been traded to Kleon and he didn’t really fear anything anymore except failing the people whom he valued.

“I am trying…hold on a little more please…”

Taehyung smiled to himself as he watched Jin scarfing down the meat stew before he watched him gobbling spoonful of the rice, soup and bowl of veggies as they sat down for dinner.

He took the chance to silently place a few more pieces of meat onto the omega’s plate when Jin wasn’t looking, knowing he’d be craving for it. His pup sure would crave for meat, it definitely wouldn’t be satisfied with just greens and Jin would need all the nutrients right now to ensure his child was growing inside the omega in good health.

He could sense his trueblood’s pride and contentment to the knowledge about his omega being pregnant and although Jin looked unaware about it, Taehyung knew the omega would surely be able to sense it in a few days as well.

He debated to himself a bit if he should just tell Jin about it, he did want his mother to check on their pup’s health as well because he was really quite sure that his mate was with child.

An unprecedented sense of care and overprotectiveness dawned on him as he found himself thinking about what his omega loved to eat or what would keep him in a good mood. Since even though the tiniest things seemed to make Jin happy, yet somehow he rarely seemed happy with anything his alpha did for him.

And for some reason Taehyung knew Jin would be throwing a fit if he told him that he’ll not be allowed to go to the camps nor join in the upcoming war because it was just too dangerous for him now. As his alpha it was on him to ensure his mate and their pup’s safety, he was never going to allow any danger come to them…even if it meant he’d have to impose a tough command on his audacious omega.

There were just too many fears and concerns working in his head right now as he thought how this was going to change things…it was evident their pup would draw a lot of attention, good and bad…he knew he had enemies who could try to hurt his child just like they had tried to hurt his mate. 

A growl began building in his chest at even the thought of anyone trying to hurt what was his to protect and he didn’t realise when his hand had edged close to set on Jin’s who sat by his side at the dinner table, fingers wrapping about the omega’s palm as he clasped it warmly in his own while his eyes dug on the side of Jin’s face who seemed busy in conversation with his mother.

Jin was a little startled when he felt Taehyung’s warm hand clutching his and turned to see what it was, this wasn’t something his alpha usually did. So, he found himself unprepared of what to expect next as he caught Taehyung gazing at him with an unreadable expression clouding his face.

“Are you done?”

Jin nodded to the question, blinking a little in confusion but he let the touch stay and felt Taehyung tug at his hand.

“Been a long day…you need rest, come on…” “I-” Jin was made to follow along as the alpha denied to let go his hand “I was thinking about checking on Yori once, you know… to see how he is doing.”

“Okay…but it’s quite cold outside, I’ll tell Yushik to get a coat for you”

They ambled out of the dining room, hand in hand and Ha-Yoon smiled a little to herself to see the two finally beginning to converse and act like mates. 

She sighed to herself, leaving the room to watch the young pair learning to care and understand each other.

It would be a lie if she said there weren’t times she really thought Taehyung would end up being just like his father…cold, cruel and controlling over his mate. She knew it wasn’t his trueblood that made him be that way but things he had to face and endure over time. She couldn’t blame him either, it was difficult to ask someone to be affectionate who had never known what it meant.

And somewhere deep down she knew she had a share in that blame as well…she loved her child but showing him affection when she was still coping with how the King had taken advantage of her and fulfilled his desire for an invincible alpha heir by imposing his wishes on her wasn’t something she had expected when she had become the medic to the King. She had spent days and nights thinking whether she had only been given that status because the King had planned to use her for his evil intentions.

She wouldn’t say she regretted having to birth or rear the boy, but the truth still remained that it wasn’t something she had consented to…and her own rage and grief for being pitted to go through what she hadn’t accepted to often made her indifferent and cold towards Taehyung.
She had taught him everything she knew, gave him all she could, tried to protect him from the cruelty the royals and the people often made him go through, calling him a bastard…a monster…an abomination who’d end Kleon’s glory…

However, no one seemed to be more proud of the trueblood than the King himself…and as a child Taehyung often mistook the king’s fascination for his unique alpha powers as affection. It became all the more reason for him to grow cold and enraged when he finally realised that to his father he was a mere weapon to win wars, something he could command as he pleased to put fear in his enemies.

Over time Ha-Yoon had seen this taking a toll on the boy…and the punishment he had survived when he was fifteen being the most severe strike to his beliefs. It was the reason she always believed having a mate would help Taehyung change, and from what she could see it actually was.

“So that’s the land who has declared war on us?” Jin asked as he felt Taehyung drape the long overcoat over his shoulders while he tried to peer through the black of the growing night to trace the faraway land that lay beyond the northern gates.

“Yeah…that’s Zyon, my father had always wanted to capture that land…and we won it once but they have been invading and ruining communities, stealing from the people and creating disputes every now and then…the dwellers were having a tough time to survive there so Jungkook had signed a treatise with them to give back a part of it to ensure peace…but their current King is well known for his merciless ways…and greedy, guess he needs to be taught why Kleon is not to be messed with” Taehyung spoke, eyes glinting with intention as he too followed Jin’s gaze towards the borders.

“Zyon? I have never heard of it” Jin mumbled to himself “then again I know nothing about any of the lands…I didn’t even know Kleon existed for that matter” he chuckled a bit to himself, eyes still searching through the darkness that surrounded them.

“This place at times does remind me of the monastery” Jin spoke as the winds weaved through his hair, loose strands flitting over his eyes as he gazed at the hills under the night sky and dark green forest surrounding the North Gate castle, he could trace the glimmering town, the tiny lights at the camps farther downhill and the palace domes gleaming at a faraway distance.

“I have learnt to love the silence here…it’s far better than the noises down there” Taehyung spoke by his side, a sigh slipping his lips as he joined in petting Yori along with Jin now. The stallion seemed to really like the omega and was slowly getting accustomed to its new home.

“Why is your brother so fond of wars?” Jin asked almost as an afterthought “although I know this time it wasn’t his doing.”

“Every person with power seeks more power…it’s in our nature to always hunger for something more than what we already have” Taehyung spoke, his voice flat and devoid of any emotion as such “and sometimes we don’t realize when the ambition to acquire what we want has turned to obsession”.

“True…he’s kinda scary” Jin mumbled before he spoke his next thought out loud “that time in court when you threatened Jimin…I know I felt it too…it was like a weird void in my head…I couldn’t see anything, was he doing that?” His voice died down in confusion.

“That omega is still a mystery to me…it’s the reason I tell you to stay away from him” Taehyung’s voice was suddenly heavier “it’s been years that he has been in the palace but I still can’t seem to figure him out…and I am usually good at reading people, I just know he is not someone to be trusted” he continued speaking his mind “he’s too shady, maybe I’m being judgemental because he was a brought here against his will and he practically belongs to our very enemy but there’s just something about that omega that doesn’t sit right with me.”

Jin perked up at the words “enemy? Why was he brought against his will?”

The alpha could see the instant curiosity in his mate, he knew Jin was unaware of the uncouth reality of wars or how ugly and wicked its’ reality was “after our last war with Zyon, Jungkook chose to acquire him as his slave…royals are allowed to take whatever they want after their victory in war…unmated omegas are often traded as a prize of the plunder.”

Taehyung saw Jin’s eyes stay on the dark foliage in the distance, sadness as well as hatred evident on his face. He could tell that he was inwardly resenting the vile practices yet again, probably thinking about how the same vile practices had turned his own life upside down as well…after all he too had been a casualty of clashing egos among two kings dealing with war. Although things between them had finally began looking up…the omega seemed to be slowly yet surely trusting him as his mate.

“He once told me he had accepted his fate…told me to accept mine because there’s no way out of it” his voice had the serious hum that reflected the mood of the night “whenever I see him, he looks so sad and for some reason it makes me want to help him.”

“That’s why you get in troubles you know…just because someone looks weak it doesn’t mean they actually seek your help…even worse, they might even be pretending to look weak” Taehyung’s voice was almost a reprimand “you’re a terrible judge of character.”

“Am not…I just see what you don’t-” “No you see what’s not even there! I tried to help him once, it didn’t look like he wanted help” his voice was a loud grumble now “it takes experience to learn people…trusting everyone who comes your way…that’s called being stupid!”

“What are you raising your voice at me for? I am just stating what I feel…your judgement is yours, but there has been times when he’s been really good to me…if it wasn’t for him, I wouldn’t even have escaped the ship that brought me to Kleon in the first place” Jin explained being truthful as he shared his thoughts and experiences.

“Jimin helped you escape?” Taehyung’s brows instantly furrowed in thought as he tried to believe the words.

“Even told me how to hide my scent…I was practically clueless about everything, I had never been out among people you know…he must have read my mind” Jin thought back on the time, a shudder coursing through his skin at the memory and instantly he remembered how Taehyung had tried to capture him that very day “within the few hours I had been on my own, I had been chased and was almost kidnapped by you…and if he hadn’t given me that scent blocker I don’t know how many more alphas would have tried to harass me.”

The words seemed to pumped venom into the alpha suddenly “Jimin gave you the scent blocker?!” Taehyung cursed under his breath “and you drank it without even knowing if it was poison?! You can’t even heal poison!”

“Whoa what are you getting so worked up for? I am alive” Jin shrugged as he tried to prove his point “proves he isn’t all shady and bad as you think.”

“God…I have never met someone as stupid as you” Taehyung huffed, almost pacing in his agitation to think what could have happened, he was right all along…Jin was damn stupid when it came to judging a character “you have no idea how shrewd and cruel people can be”.

“Huh you tried to kidnap and take me against my will, and it was not just one time mind it…so you better point at yourself first” Jin snorted at his words “that potion he gave me literally saved my life.”

“You would have been safer if I had marked you that very day” the alpha said the words as if it was his most natural thought, he sounded like actually believed that it would be better if he had claimed the omega as his mate the moment he had laid his eyes on him.

And that seemed even more absurd to Jin as his gaze turned harsh on the alpha by his side, thinking to himself yet again how insensitive Taehyung actually was. The alpha really didn’t seem to get the fact that what he had tried to do would be called harassment…because to Jin that didn’t feel anywhere close to being protected. 

“I keep that day as a reminder I guess”

“Reminder of what?” Jin frowned up at him being confused.

“That I promised to protect to the omega who had threatened to ‘slice my throat without a thought’” a smirk played on his lips he quoted the words Jin had spoken to threaten him, unaware that he was being rude to his future mate.  

Jin gulped seeing that weird fondness in Taehyung’s eyes yet again “you are the weird one…harassing me one moment and promising to protect me the next” he grumbled in return.

“When did I even harass-” “Oh my god! Seriously?!” Jin couldn’t believe his ears as he checked Taehyung’s expression which looked as untroubled as ever making him scowl at the alpha “first you tried to kidnap me and scented me without me agreeing to it, then you tried to kill me…then you actually threatened me and kidnapped me and then you marked me to ensure you won some stupid game you were playing with your brother and of course to feed your trueblood pride over the king without even bothering how it was going to mess up my life…do I need to continue? I have a lot more…”

“I never thought about it like that actually” the alpha actually dared to sound a little unsettled and Jin turned about with hands crossed over his chest to see that he actually looked troubled before Taehyung spoke again “you are my omega” he blurted next only to see Jin glaring at him “I mean, I chose you as my mate…I was only trying to keep you safe with me.”

Jin frowned to see him be so confused for the very first time.

He said it like that was the most normal thing ever, like that was supposed to make everything he had done turn meaningful. There wasn’t a hint in his voice or gaze that he found any problem in his statement.

It was then that Jin realized the trouble he was in…his alpha actually believed that he belonged to him, no matter if he actually consented to it or not.

“You’re irredeemable” Jin shook his head with a slight sigh, dejection clear in his face “I was right to call you a brute…you have no conscience…” Jin’s voice was lined with anger now.

Taehyung laughed at the aggression in his mate’s voice “you can’t demand a conscience from an alpha who was built and brought up with the sole intention of winning wars love…that’s asking too much of me” he let his eyes move to the omega’s face that seemed to perfectly catch the moonbeams overhead, his ivory skin glowing under the light to give his eyes a delicate glow and Taehyung caught himself fondly gazing at his mate.

“True that…it’s all you seem to know about” Jin let his gaze peer over the borders again to watch the enemy kingdom far ahead “I won’t stop you from winning this one though…I know Kleon needs your help the more this time” his voice went lower “the troops aren’t ready yet…do you think you will win?”

“Well, Zyon and Kleon has always been at war with each other…they had just chosen to stay quiet after I beheaded their King the last time” the trueblood spoke with no hint of emotion in his words.

Jin’s eyes widened a bit, as he was turning around from petting his stallion to look at the alpha.

“You killed their King?” His voice was a little distraught as he asked.

“Nothing to be surprised about though” Taehyung scoffed running his hand at Yori’s chocolate mane “I wasn’t a commander back then, but my father often took me along…my trueblood was his most handy weapon after all.”

Jin could almost sense that complaint and anger in his voice, his face turning a tad hard although the alpha would barely acknowledge that openly.

“You let him command you to kill?”

“I did not have a choice” Taehyung’s jaw gritted at the thought of how childhood had been for him and when he scoffed it sounded derisive, more hurt than angry “I was the strongest alpha…yet not strong enough.”

Jin instinctively edged a little closer to him, he could sense the distress in the alpha that made his pheromones turn heavy and angry. Taehyung wasn’t exactly expecting this reaction, his gaze noting how Jin walked closer…too close till their chests touched and the way moonlight glinted in his eyes made his heart feel something unnatural…something completely foreign and yet it felt like liquid fire spreading through his veins till all coldness and emptiness he had ever felt vanished.

“Well, they can’t do that to you anymore” Jin’s palms smoothed the lapels of his coat as he smiled up at him and saw Taehyung’s dark eyes come to stay on his eyes.

“You take your own decisions now Commander…” Jin teased intentionally.

A smirk pulled at the corner of Taehyung’s mouth “apparently I don’t…my mate is hellbent on taking away my title as the Commander for himself” he taunted back, arms falling from the stallion’s side to snake about Jin’s slender hips.

“Pfft…I don’t need a title to do what I wanna do” Jin shrugged being the haughty omega he’s forever been as he smiled at him. He knew what not having a choice and being cornered felt like…however, he couldn’t comprehend what being forced to kill must feel like, he guessed it must have left a scar on Taehyung with the way he looked grim and hurt. 

“You’d be a really bad commander though…war is about ensuring the safety of your troops just as much as it is about the attack, and unfortunately you barely even know anything about protecting yourself” Taehyung scoffed, taunting his omega again while his mind ran with how he was going to ensure that Jin wasn’t going to use his reckless head this time.

“You got that covered anyway” Jin grinned back at him and Taehyung’s smirk broke out to become a similar grin as well to see the omega be this cheeky with him.

“Yeah” he leaned close, his chest felt like a pool of warmth with Jin’s palms set there as he pressed a soft peck on his mate’s neck and his eyes fluttered shut at the new and even more tantalizing scent wafting off of the omega in his arms “I got that covered…I swore I’d be your armour forever.”

They retired for the night, the atmosphere mellowed inside their chamber as Jin sat on the settee with Taehyung, watching him plan out the defences and how to strengthen their border patrol.

“Why are troops positioned around the towns? Isn’t that a loss of strength for the troops? They won’t be able to help with the war then…” he thought out loud, looking up at the alpha to understand why was he dividing the strength of the troops like that.

“Civilians are the most vulnerable in a war…we need troops around the towns to ensure they are protected” Taehyung asserted without looking up from the map sprawled on the low table.

“I see you do trust the General…” Jin smirked eyeing the battalions Taehyung had left for Hoseok to command.

“No…I trust him to do his job, he wouldn’t dare to fail…Jungkook will have his head otherwise” Taehyung scoffed with a smirk “not like I mind that though”

“What did he do?” Jin leaned a little nearer, for some reason beyond his knowledge he seemed to be seeking to be close to his alpha…it felt calming and safe to him to know that his alpha would keep him protected from any harm, his dominant musk veiling his own scent.

“He’s an ass…another person whom you should never trust” the reply was instant, Jin could see the way his teeth grit as he spoke and he decided not to go into it for now because the spike in Taehyung’s pheromones were messing with his insides and making him feel weirdly upset for some reason.

“Okay…doesn’t really seem that bad to me though, he’s just a little different from the alphas I have seen till now” Jin sighed setting his head against the alpha’s shoulder, it really had been a long day and exhaustion seemed to take over him as he could barely keep his eyes open to follow Taehyung still working on his plans. 

He tucked his feet under his own thighs and snuggled closer to the alpha, seeking his scent and his warmth as he curled into a ball beside him. A short squeak slipped his mouth when he felt Taehyung wrap an arm around him and pull him closer to himself.
“You want me to take you to bed?”
“No…I’m fine here” Jin mumbled, eyes knitted in lulling slumber as he coiled closer to the alpha, humming as he deeply inhaled his heavier scent “you’re really warm.”

Taehyung watched him snuggle closer to his side, saw the omega’s palms curl into balls, trying to keep them warm as he kept those close to his body before he burrowed his head into the side of his alpha’s chest as his breaths turned soft and shallow while he slowly fell asleep being cosy. Taehyung couldn’t help but smile a little at how comfortable and glad Jin looked sleeping snuggled in his embrace, he knew it would be instinctive in the omega to trust and depend on his alpha more once he’d conceive. It was just in their nature to do so, omegas constantly need their alpha’s care and attention during their pregnancy, so much so that staying away from their alpha during this time can heavily affect both the pup and themselves…even to the point of running the risk of a miscarriage.

He coiled his arm tighter around Jin, pulling him a little more onto his chest knowing his stronger scent would give him the sense of safety and keep him warm as well. He went back to working, the night growing deeper and more grim as he thought of ways to keep the enemies out of their borders. His mind instinctively went to the day he had killed King Do-Hwan’s father, the previous king of Zyon…and even for a nineteen year old trueblood the man had been a big alpha. He remembered the fight, the wounds he had earned and the victory he had attained nonetheless.

He knew he’d have to face Do-Hwan this time…the same gruesome reality will repeat and he will behead the enemy and establish his superiority without a doubt. And with their troops being weak this time it was a greater responsibility on him to protect Kleon.

The alpha sighed to himself, pushing the plans away as he eased back onto the settee. His gaze falling onto the sleeping omega in his arms and his fingers threaded through Jin’s brown hair in a gentle caress, softly playing and cooing at how adorable he looked as he slept without a care in the world.

“You’re quite the adorable little kitten when you aren’t cursing at me” he quietly snorted to himself not intending to wake the omega before he picked him up in his arms and walked towards the bed. He laid Jin down, who mumbled in his sleep before resuming his light snores when Taehyung tucked him in, ensuring he stayed warm enough under the covers.

The alpha chose to change out of his formal clothes, slipping on his pyjamas while his mind stayed occupied on the plans he’d need to enforce as soon as possible…he unmindfully sauntered towards the cabinet to grab himself a drink when his eyes fell on the chest he had told Yushik to bring over from the camps but saw it hadn’t been unpacked yet.

“Useless mutt…I told him to get the stuff arranged” he grumbled angrily knowing he had told Yushik to get it days ago, he unlocked it still grumbling as he picked out some of the stuff he’d immediately need and found some of Jin’s weapons and attires along with his own “not like he’d need these for now” he spoke to himself, setting those aside till his gaze fell on a something shiny and he grasped at it, curious to check what it was.

It was small glass bottle that held a dark liquid inside, very much like resembling the colour of wine but darker in its shade and Taehyung didn’t remember carrying alcohol in such a bottle ever. He uncorked the bottle, a frown crimping on his brow as he smelled it and its pungent smell instantly made him realize what it was. He froze for a bit, believing Jin had carried it along when they left for Eulan knowing he will be having his heat during their journey and raked his head trying to remember why he hadn’t noticed it when he had packed their stuff.

His gaze inadvertently moved to his sleeping omega, a realization dawned on him that Jin had still kept it and hadn’t disposed of it yet…packed it along with their stuff which proved he had obviously meant to use it again, probably had even used it after he had accepted his alpha’s claim on him…and maybe even after he had agreed to his advances to mate after his heat was gone, and most likely he'd even use it after he had agreed to spend his rut with him.

Not like that would work though, his ruts were unlike other alpha's after all...no wonder Jin was already showing signs of pregnancy even though it had been only a few days that his rut had passed.

A sense of betrayal flashed through him to think the omega would dare to play with his wishes in such a way, his fingers clutching harshly at the bottle so much so that tiny cracks appeared in lines along it and Taehyung put it somewhere before it would end up destroyed. He wanted to confront Jin, like right now confront him…his anger and aggression rising to think how much of an insult it was to his alpha status that his mate dared to play with his expectations and even dared to ridicule him by keeping him in the dark.

He had told himself that he was being considerate as an alpha when he realized Jin had taken some contraceptive after his heat, told himself that his omega wasn’t ready and even tried to understand Jin’s situation having been marked without consent and was forced to spend his heat with his alpha even though he hadn’t really accepted the claiming.

He believed he was being thoughtful as his alpha to let Jin take his time but he had never expected such treatment for his thoughtfulness…this was his omega being rude to him, this was betrayal.

He believed he had a right to know if his mate was taking birth control…as his alpha he should have a say in it as well, omegas are never allowed to take such things without their alpha’s permission anyway!

He found himself glaring down at the sleeping omega, his fists tightening as all his softer emotions vanished into thin air and a fear speared into his mind that Jin might try to hurt his pup if he really didn’t intend to conceive. His jaw tightened further, eyes flashing red even at the thought of it and he realized he needed a drink to keep himself calm.

A couple drinks after he still found it difficult to calm down, pacing about the room angry steps till he heard Jin shuffling in bed and a soft call of his name floated in air before he saw the omega groggily peeking from under the covers looking for him.

“Still working?” Jin’s voice had a sweet whine to it, words calm and soft as he sleepily watched the alpha near the bed in silent steps, unaware of the anger and complaint rolling within him.

“W-What’s wrong?” The small voice turned a little troubled as Jin’s eyes fluttered when he tried to understand why the alpha looked so angry, and instinctively Taehyung tried to control his scent, releasing calming pheromones for the omega to not feel threatened.

“Nothing…go back to sleep.”

Taehyung didn’t say another word as he slipped under the covers beside the omega and let Jin snuggle into his warmth again. He tried not to lash out at the moment knowing his mate needed rest and care as he told himself to confront the omega of his deeds in the morning.

And chance proved in his favour in the morning after as he found Jin searching through the chest he had unlocked last night.

“What are you looking for?”

Jin froze at the deep voice at his back as he ransacked the unlocked chest he had found in search of the bottle of potion. He had easy access to it on the ship but there has been so much going on after they returned that he forgot about it. However, after Taehyung’s rut he was quite aware that he’d definitely get pregnant if he didn’t have the potion. But the little wonder drug was nowhere to be found.

Jin wasn’t sure if he was actually in trouble…he knew if Taehyung had already found it then things would not end pretty.

“N-Nothing…” he mumbled gulping to himself, quickly stuffing the things back and slamming it shut “just looking for something” he gave a completely fake tight-lipped smile as he turned to face the alpha.

But he really felt like he was going to be in a lot of trouble…when he saw how cold and hard Taehyung’s face looked at the moment.

“Oh” Taehyung walked closer, hand coiling to a fist as he tried hard to keep his fury down realising what Jin was actually looking for and it did not make him happy to think his omega was trying to betray his wishes yet again “need my help?”

He offered, his tone actually a mocking sneer and Jin hastily shook his head, gulping as he tried to calm his heart knowing the alpha could sense it rushing “n-no…it’s nothing important.”

“I see” Taehyung’s voice was low as he halted before a fidgeting Jin “because if it’s anything important, I’m sure you’d tell me about it…right?”

Jin slowly looked up at the other, sensing the hint of anger in his words.

“After all, as your alpha it is my right to know everything about you…and you must know that I wouldn’t spare anyone who’d dare to hurt what is mine…even if it’s someone I dearly care about…”

Jin knew now how bad he had messed it up for himself…

“Maybe not t-trying to hurt but prot-t-ect…” his voice fumbled as he tried to explain his fears.

“Protect?” A deep frown creased over the alpha’s brow as he leaned closer still, face taut with rising anger to think Jin was trying to give him some weak explanation for his insensitive audacity against his wish.

“What the hell do you think you are protecting by trying to deny me my right to seek pups from my mate?!”

Jin flinched realizing that his back was pressed against a wall, drawing a shaky breath as goosebumps flared all over him to see how angry and intimidating Taehyung looked, his red glare a proof that the trueblood in him was roused in complain as well.

“Because I d-don’t know…” he sighed, eyes dropping to the floor as tears filled his eyes without his own knowledge…the alpha’s angry pheromones made him utterly upset for some reason and the thought of his alpha being angry with him seemed to make him feel like he had been a very bad mate but he willed himself to speak “I don’t want our p-pup to suffer what you and I had to face…we don’t know what he/she might be born with…” fear made his breaths stutter as he rubbed the tear away with a careless brush of the back of his hand “people are not good to those who are born different…they curse at my mother for giving birth to me till this day…”

Jin couldn’t pick his head up, Taehyung’s rowdy pheromones making him feel guilty, like he had done something terrible to hurt his alpha and he tried to gulp down the sniffles that threatened to slip his lips. He could sense him going silent and still before he felt him grab at his hand, pulling at it to place the bottle of potion in his palm.

“Did you take this even after accepting my claim on you? You were looking for this to have it again weren't you?”

Jin’s frightened eyes snapped up to stare at Taehyung’s dark grim eyes. He literally wanted the floor to gobble him up before the trueblood would and didn’t dare to utter a word neither breathe as he waited for him to attack him or punish him…Jin was terrified to be standing before the alpha right now whose seething anger was but held back to show a cold expressionless face.

“If you think I’d let anyone treat my pups cruelly or hurt them then you don’t know me very well yet” the alpha realised the truth hiding under the omega's silence and realised he was right after all, Jin had intentionally taken the potion even after he had known of his alpha's wishes and had not once thought he needed to discuss it with him.

Jin blinked realizing that Taehyung’s fuming red eyes were not just due to rage as the alpha let go of his hand.

“I believed that pups would bring us closer…but I can see that you think I have no say in it anyway. So, go ahead…do as you please…” his jaw clenched and he turned away abruptly, fearing he might act out on his anger as he tried to hold down his infuriated trueblood from punishing the omega right away. This was a sort of test he intended to put Jin through to see if he’d really take the potion.

“Y-You don’t understand-” “Of course I don’t understand!!”

Jin quietened down backing away against the wall in fear as he saw Taehyung snap at him, his irate eyes blazing red now as he marched back closer to him. He trembled in fear now and whimpered watching fearfully at Taehyung’s eyes as the other harshly grasped at his face.

“I AM YOUR ALPHA!! You were not supposed to do this without my permission! How dare you take such a decision on your own?!”

Taehyung felt even more agitated to see Jin not answering his question, daring to still deny him the truth.

“Is this some sick sort of game you were playing to get back at me for taking you without your consent huh!? Do you know that the law gives me the right to demand heirs from my mate?!! You are not allowed to take such decisions on your own!!” 

Jin stared back at him in fear, his breaths short and shaky as he whimpered against the grasp. His omega had cowered down and he knew if this continued for a bit longer he was going to lose and submit to Taehyung, let him punish him as he wished. He struggled to find his own voice, speak…tell him he too had his reasons.

“I told you…I was ss-scared…” his voice was a mumble but he finally could force the words out “I wasn’t ready…it wasn’t a-any game”.

Taehyung still held him against the wall, fuming furiously at him as growls rumbled at the back of his throat.

“This is betrayal omega…you betrayed me and lied to me! And even dared to do so multiple times, didn’t you? You took it even after accepting my claim on you?!”

“Please try to understand my situation…you forced me into this entire thing! I wasn’t ready to accept you as my alpha…I know I agreed to complete the bond but I didn’t do it out of any affection for you…I had to!”

Jin blurted out the words making Taehyung freeze, whose red eyes stilled with a blank expression as he tried to hold back his need to dominate the omega for daring to raise his voice at him when the other was clearly at fault and instead listened to the accusations the omega threw at him angrily.

“Betrayal you say…can you imagine what I went through?! I was exiled from my home, my own father betrayed me, I had no one to turn to for help and I was being chased by alphas who wanted me under their power to feed their own ego! And I have tried not to look back at it but that is the truth! You claimed me against my will because you wanted to…my omega might have responded to your alpha but be true to yourself and accept the fact that you wanted to see Jungkook lose to you and I became the prey instead! You could have saved me that day, could have been thoughtful enough to court me and ask for my consent before marking me as yours but you chose not to! I hated you and you think I should have your pups because you demand it to be so?! What about my demands? What do I get for all my suffering?!”

Jin was a crying mess and yet his voice wouldn’t falter anymore…yes, he was angry too. But somewhere inside, he felt like he was finally speaking, finally letting his grief out…finally opening up to Taehyung as a mate.

“This is not law, this is oppression! And you cannot justify cruelty with some shitty age-old practice! I deny to accept something just because that has been the normal way!!”

He was fuming at his alpha now, chest heaving as his gaze battled with Taehyung’s who still stood with the same tight-jawed expression but seemed like the silence after a storm.

“That was quite a speech” the words were low, making that deep voice sound even more threatening “and very thorough…I have been accused of betrayal, of forceful claiming, of being a selfish and egoistic alpha who oppresses his mate…anything you missed omega…?”

Jin could see Taehyung was trying to mask his anger under the taunting words as he spoke through his gritted teeth.

“No” “Are you sure?”

Jin kept quiet feeling uneasy and even more angry to see his complaints being taunted at.

“I don’t know” he blurted, lips pressing together to resemble an annoyed pout as he brushed another casual hand over his heated cheeks to rub away the tears that had spilled, trying still not to look weak before the alpha.

“Lucky for me I guess eh? Hopefully I will survive my punishment this time as well” “Don’t mock me…I meant every word I said” Jin snapped, scowling at him.

“Look at you, still daring to be so arrogant with me…don’t think that my faults would hide yours” Taehyung snarled back “you should accept too that you did wrong…is not being constantly lied to and being betrayed of my wishes a kind of oppression too? I understand you might not have been ready, might have fears of your own but as your alpha I had the right to know that…”

Jin knew he honestly had no reply to that because yes as his mate Taehyung had the right to know, it’s just he was scared that he wouldn’t try to understand him but realised now it was just an assumption of his own and as his eyes spotted the bottle of potion in his grasp and remembered how the alpha had actually handed it to him and not smashed it in anger like he had done with that scent blocking potion proved that Taehyung was actually letting him take the decision.

However, his thought was cut off with the next words the alpha said.

“Oh…I almost forgot” Taehyung spoke leaning very close with a smirk playing on his lips, and Jin could see an angry glint in his dark eyes which had clear evidence of how hurt his trueblood felt at the moment “it’s no use taking that potion anymore…unfortunately, you are already pregnant…”

Jin stared at him wordlessly as he heard him say the words, trying to judge if he was trying to mess with him or was speaking the truth.

“I don’t understand though…if you really hate me so much why on earth would you agree to help me through my rut? You should have known when my trueblood forced you into heat that your omega would accept my knot, it was an easy guess that it’d be beyond any potion to stop you from conceiving after taking that…I guess whoever gave it to you wasn’t really aware about why they say my rut is different than other alphas…”

“You kept it with yourself…” Jin blinked at him, lower lip quivering to think the alpha had hidden it intentionally with himself to ensure he wouldn’t be able to foil his urge to give him pups “you knew I’d take the potion…”

The words were low but sounded like heavy accusations.

“If that was the case then I’d have taken it away after the first time you took it” Taehyung snorted, derision clear in his voice.

And Jin stared at him blankly for a while more, still not sure about how much he understood the alpha. If Taehyung really knew about him taking it then why was he confronting him only now, if he was okay with him taking it after his heat then why did he seem so angry and upset to know that he had taken it even after accepting his claim and even after the time he to have sex with him.

“You consented to let my trueblood bond with your omega…let me knot you” Taehyung spoke leaning nearer “and as my mate it’s natural for you to be with child…why would you even think of taking this?”

Jin’s eyes slid down, the words somehow sounded more complaint for being hurt and betrayed than angry “I didn’t know…how to-how to protect…how to care for them…I-I had never even thought about it…” his breathing grew shaky again “it all…all happened s-so fast”.

Taehyung sighed to himself watching the omega, fumble yet try to stand strong before him although tears rolled down in lines streaking his ruby cheeks as he clumsily battled to keep the sniffles down.

“Stop crying” he ran the back of his hand, fingers running along that soft cheek before cupping the omega’s face to make him look up at him “you’ve already stressed yourself out too much…I don’t want you making my child feel distressed.”

Jin wanted to grumble about him being the reason because of whom he was this stressed but decided against it since honestly he was still trying to deal with the news of being pregnant and really didn’t want to face another session of being yelled at.

“I’m a little hurt though” Taehyung’s voice was cold and somber as he spoke “I have allowed only one man to hurt me till this day, and that was my father…I just hadn’t expected that my own mate would try to play me as well and hurt me like this…and its funny” he chuckled dryly as he watched those honey brown eyes that looked as innocent as ever “you’re the first person to make me feel this insignificant…I let you do whatever you wanted, let you act on your own mind…stood by your demands because I believed as your alpha it was my duty to listen to your wishes…and yet you went ahead and completely disregarded my opinion or existence when it came to taking such a decision…you chose not to even give me the chance to know when I had every right to know.”

Jin gulped watching the coldness in his gaze be replaced to show the fiery rage barely held back.

“No matter…I’ll make sure you learn from your mistakes” there was a dead pause before he decidedly spoke the next words “you will learn what it means to belong to your alpha…this is the end of me listening to any of your demands.”

He moved back, feet striking against the marble as he turned to walk out of the chambers.

“Lock the room…do not let him out without my orders.”

Jin heard the order and felt his chest tighten as he tried to follow after him and stop the guards but the doors closed on his face, the sound of locks assuring him that Taehyung was really going to keep him locked inside the chambers.

“Let me out…! No! Taehyung! Please!”

á na márië.

[A\N] bashed your expectations for fluff again I guess...*sighs*

Oh but yeah Jimin...we will see his story unfold soon 👀

Borahae💜