#Warning:
-Triggering content
-Mature content
-Mentions abuse
-Mentions death

Third Person’s P.O.V.

The door burst open behind him and Jimin turned away from gazing out of the window over to the northern hills with scared eyes. However, one look at the alpha behind him put a different kind of fear in his heart now.

“Who let her out?!” Jungkook’s eyes were burning red as he glared at Jimin “you had one job omega!”

Jimin scurried to bow before him, head hung low as he waited for the punishment he knew he’d have to face. But he also knew that what he had done was essential, there was no other way for him to let Taehyung know of the truth he seemed to be completely unaware of.

“I-Sire…she-” but before Jimin could fabricate a plausible excuse Jungkook yanked him up by the collar of his mauve silk robes, the rich shimmery fabric crumpling at the force as Jimin struggled to keep his fear down but a shocked whimper slipped his mouth as he blinked up at the King.

“He was not supposed to know about her…that was the one responsibility you had” Jungkook’s voice was a low threat “and yet you let my brother meet her?!!”

“Sire…I didn’t” Jimin begged, knowing he’d have to act his way out of the mess he had gotten himself in “she left the room on her own…I brought her back in here as soon as I could…and I assure you sire the Commander didn’t learn much…he couldn’t decipher her words”

Jungkook was seething in rage as he glared down at the omega “he couldn’t decipher…?”

“He doesn’t have much knowledge about the myths and the ancient histories of the gods like you do my lord…neither does he know who she is, so to him her words were only riddles” Jimin tried to get the alpha’s anger down as best as he could and he could read Jungkook’s mind as the King seemed to believe in his words.

“She didn’t tell him about Seokjin?”

“No Sire” Jimin gulped “she told him nothing about the prophecy”

Jungkook’s anger toned down but his grip remained, his eyes looked unsure whether to believe Jimin’s words or not. However, he believed that the omega had not the audacity or the need to lie to him anyway.

“You’d be stupid to even try to go against me…don’t overstep your position Jimin” he snarled yanking him close again and Jimin bit down the short gasp that almost slipped out “don’t let the pretty clothes or jewels or the kindness I have shown you make forget that you are nothing but my slave…I’ll let you rot in dungeons if I feel that you are not needed anymore.”

Jimin’s eyes watered to hear those words as he dared not look up at the alpha, a line of tear dropping down his pale cheek. His heartbeat became faster when the King’s grasp on him stayed and he could feel his angry breath on the side of his face. 

Jungkook did not usually come to his chambers, but when he did Jimin was sure he was in big trouble.

“F-Forgive me…m-my lord-ngh!” Jimin winced, feeling his back hit against a wall, arms flailing in fear as he tried to stand steady on his own legs.

“You failed in your duty omega…you should have been more careful if you didn’t want to be punished” the voice was a low threat making Jimin sniffle without his consent.

“However…”

Jimin blinked at the change in the alpha’s tone of words, waiting for what new order he had for him.

“I am willing to overlook if you succeed in the job I have for you…”

The squeak he let out this time was the result of Jungkook’s hand slipping through the slit in his robe to caress the side of his thigh, the warm touch dragging up and down had a very heavy sensual insinuation as Jimin felt his breathing hitch and body reacting beyond his control.

“I heard you met my brother today”

Jimin instantly nodded to the words, teeth pressing onto the softness of his fleshy lower lip when fingers danced over the inside of his thigh, nails scraping over his groin in a tease. This wasn’t a very shocking instance for him, he had often found himself in such situations but what the King did next sure came as a shock to the omega.

“S-Sire…uhmm” tears sprang from his eyes as he shut them close feeling his omega craving for more as the alpha dragged his tongue over his scent gland and Jimin felt his body losing to the need as he felt slick drenching his thighs and clenched his legs together in shame.

This was a shock to him because Jungkook strayed away from scenting him, and Jimin could take all his touches and every other oppression except being scented. It was the one thing that still made Jimin feel disgusted…especially of himself because of enjoying it when he believed he wasn’t supposed to.   

He wasn’t supposed to enjoy any other alpha scenting him except his long gone mate…and this feeling brought back memories…memories he had tried so hard to forget because of how broken those made him feel.

“Alpha…p-please…” he squirmed spilling more whimpers as he felt a hand coming up to grasp at his jaw and turn his head to a side fir better access. Jimin needed something to hold onto to stand upright and in his daze clutched hard at the alpha’s bicep.

“He will be arriving at court tomorrow morning again…I want you to read his mind and tell me everything of what he has planned…I want to know everything…do you understand?”

He hastily nodded, trying hard to not react to the way he was being held and scented but his sanity seemed to be slipping without his consent now. He could feel something wasn’t right, Jungkook never showed a hint of possessiveness over him, more so because he didn’t need to since he owned him.

Jimin had learned early on that to survive in Kleon and in the palace, he needed to keep the King happy and make the alpha believe that as a slave whom he owned, the omega would never go against him and only do things in order to please him. As his slave that was what was expected of him…however, as his slave Jimin was never supposed to grow any feelings for him…wasn’t supposed to want to have the alpha’s favours on him…wasn’t supposed to seek for comfort from him.

“So, greedy to give yourself up to me eh omega…always so eager…look at you trying to tempt me…you think I can’t smell your arousal?”

Jimin felt the hand brush over his privates and felt fire run through his blood, he couldn’t hold back the moan as his chest arched off the wall to push onto the alpha’s. His mind went blurry to have Jungkook’s hand touching him, however, he could also feel the King’s pheromones hovering around them and Jimin was too dazed to understand why was Jungkook letting himself act like this…he believed the alpha hated him, so much that he wouldn’t even use the omega for pleasure. He had heard him call him worthless, heard him say that he’d never feel anything for a mere slave, heard him call him a whore.

“The King of Zyon…” Jungkook sounded breathless yet furious as he spoke “has claimed to take you back if he wins…is that what you want? To go back to his bed and be his slave?”

The mouth set on Jimin’s neck again making him whimper and squirm to feel the alpha sucking on his scent gland.

“I will kill you before I let another alpha take you away…keep that in mind omega…” the words were a sure threatening growl at his ear “so make yourself useful and ensure the victory of Kleon if you want to live.”

All air seemed to flush out of Jimin’s lungs as he clutched harder at the alpha, he was aware that it was a part of King Do-Hwan’s plan. He now realised what a troublesome situation he was in…to help Jungkook win the war would mean that his parents would be butchered without mercy…and to help Zyon would mean he’d get tortured to death by Jungkook’s hands.

The King let him go, shoving him back against the wall as he stood watching him falling weak to stay on his feet and slump down to the floor, looking like a mess of tears and rushed breaths as he hiccupped, face burning red as he stared at the alpha’s feet, who stood glaring down at him.

Jimin’s sniffles were the only sounds in the small chamber, his robes were utterly dishevelled and he clutched at the hem of his robe, trying as best as he could to look decent but failed badly to control his scent, and the appealing fruity scent proved his omega’s urge to be touched more…to be mated…to be knotted.

“You are so pathetic” the voice was cruel over him “I might have saved you from being a slut to that worthless King but you are just as filthy still…you’d submit yourself to any alpha wouldn’t you? That’s what you used to do, right? You let him use you…”

Jimin ducked his head lower, he had so many things to say against those accusations…but he wasn’t allowed to.

He wished he could tell him everything he had to go through…let him know that he had been abducted and taken away from his parents to live as a slave to the crown prince of Zyon when he was only fifteen or how they made him take scent blockers to ensure he wouldn’t be able to use his powers or how they had threatened to made him watch his parents being whipped before the public when he had tried to take revenge for how they had killed his mate.

His existence had never been his own…and it still wasn’t. 

“Get up”

Jimin shuddered at the order but tried to follow the alpha’s words as he struggled to get back up on his feet and put up no resistance when he felt the King grasp at his upper arm to drag him to the shower.

“You cannot go outside smelling like that…strip…and wash yourself…”

It wasn’t a choice but a command and Jimin gulped, walking in slow steps to enter the shower. He turned away from the alpha but he could still feel his eyes on him, watching very closely as he began peeling the mauve silk off of himself to reveal the layer of white silk underneath.

He wasn’t embarrassed to have the King’s eyes gazing at him as he stripped naked before him, his back still turned towards the alpha as he headed to stand under the water and let the cold drops cascade over his body as he showered before his eyes.

But it was the hint of possessiveness he caught in those flickering red eyes when he turned to face him that made his insides clench, a weird sort of anticipation gripped his heart and made his throat go dry. The alpha made no move, not even inch from where he stood watching him, his eyes fixed on him.

“Dress yourself and come out” Jungkook had tersely ordered before looking away and walking out.  

And minutes later Jimin found himself standing behind the King and watching the old lady muttering words on her own, riddles spewing endlessly out of her mouth as she gazed blankly at the walls around the chamber in which she was kept hidden.

“Ah…the future…the future…to look in time…”

Jungkook had a frown arising on his brow as his gaze moved to the lady to hear what new prophecy she had made to relay about his future. He was aware that with every action there was a chance to change the future…and in truth that is what he had been trying to do…denying the warning of this lady that fate is not a thing to be played with.

“A string of nows to hail the tomorrows…a time untouched that waits beyond the grasp…pray some for fortune, some crave for glory and some befriend malice to meet their doom in waiting...”

Jimin turned towards the lady still crooning verses in a daze as he watched the King walk over and sit before her.

“We are going to war, I’d prefer hearing something better than that.”

Her eyes moved to set blankly on him, fingers scribbling something unknown in the air as she spoke “the howl in the wind speaks of brothers…equal in blood…the pride of Kleon…one to rise among the stars, another lost in oblivion…”

“I have no use for you if all you see is my downfall” the King’s voice was grim as the iridescent blue gaze stayed on the young face. Her shaky hands came to clutch around Jungkook’s palm and she closed her eyes for a moment before opening them again.

“Hate is the other name of your grief…” Jungkook’s frown began to dissipate at those words, his mouth pressing into a tight line as he tried to keep his glare on her “but remember, cruelty is the path of the weak…you fool your heart in trying to trick your fate…nothing to cherish if you can’t cherish what’s before you to take…” 

The alpha sat judging the words for more than a minute before he turned his focus on something else “what did you tell my brother?”

Her fingers let go of his hand and she sat staring blankly at him before she spoke “no word will change his destiny, no action ruin his name…he will lead his men to mutiny, he will lead his land to fame…”

“So, nothing has changed? My brother will rule Kleon? The prophecy still holds, doesn’t it?”

“No blade can kill a god’s will…no mortal power to twist what’s written in time…in acceptance their fate fulfil…their deeds to forever shine”

Jungkook sighed, eyes closing in anger as is fingers curled into a fist and he cursed at his fate, trying to never let his will to change the prophecy be defeated “fine then…I will let my blade take what it can and your gods can watch me kill him and rule over what is mine!!”

“Time will not bow to you young King…and eyes will witness what I have prophesied.”

Jungkook jerked up from his seat, fuming aggressively to see the audacity in her eyes to look unaffected by him.

“Jimin?” He called for the omega in a stiff growl “read her mind and tell me-” “The immortality you sought is his to keep…the power you craved only his to command…but your greatest loss is his highest win” a smile graced her serene features “to own a heart that holds him.”

The words made Jungkook still, his eyes had the same obnoxious cruel look he wore when he would decide to take matters into his own hand and do something absolutely thoughtless.

“The people will never accept him!” He growled in anger “he’s not a royal! He’ll never sit on my throne!! He cannot win! He cannot!”

“Truth needs no throne and heads will bow before true power” her words rang with truth before her eyes moved to set on the omega who stood draped in butter toned silk robes, his gaze meek and anxious but set on her in an unfaltering stare “the vile heart would change…and lies wilt under light but souls never heal if it doesn’t safety and affection find…”

Jungkook didn’t notice the shiver that ran up Jimin’s body, his eyes widening for a fraction of a second as his gaze stayed on the old lady and if one was paying attention they could see tears pricking the corner of his eyes as he set a hand over his own chest, trying to keep his breathing under control.

Because in that moment as he peered into the lady’s mind, Jimin had had a glimpse of a future he could never imagine…a future that would bring in good days for him and wonders for all.

And although he often told himself that he had no right to cater hopeful emotions because his fate was sealed, agony the only prize he was to attain in this life but the glimpse had made him dream of a future in which he’d be able to be happy…be respected…be able to call this life worth living after all.

He watched the King leave the room without another word, looking frustrated and done with conversing with her and Jimin bowed low to ensure he’d not offend the alpha in anyway because he could sense already how infuriated Jungkook currently was.

It was times like these that Jimin knew that alpha became fearsome, reckless and thoughtless in his cruelty. His mad need to win and hold his position of power above all…and for some reason the old lady’s words and the host of broken images in her head made Jimin think that this war would cost Kleon heavily.

Well, there was also another reason he knew that…because he would play a big part in that downfall.

Although in his heart he knew he didn’t want to watch the ruin of Kleon…not anymore…for in soe way this land…the palace had turned to become his home.

There had been a time when he had hated being brought to Kleon, hated King Jungkook for pulling him out of one hell to throw him in another but over time that had changed too.

If this was six years ago when Kleon had led a war on Zyon and as a victory claim his own lord had handed him to the monarch to keep as his slave, Jimin would have been glad to watch the destruction of this land. But Kleon and it’s King has been far generous to him that what he had faced in Zyon, it was the reason he dreaded going back to live there…he couldn’t even begin to imagine the torture, both physical and mental that he had to go through while he lived there.

He had cried and begged for help, pleaded not be traded at the time but then King Do-Hwan had made a deal with him, one the alpha ensured Jimin wouldn’t be able to deny.

Jimin, the only male omega who had survived in Zyon had belonged to the King before he chose to free himself from the bond of slavery when he had found his alpha, who was a battalion leader in Zyon’s army. Jimin had happily agreed to be claimed and being aware of the danger they eloped soon after. The mated pair chose to live among the outskirts, living in peace in a humble abode away from the palace and the King, fate smiled upon their love and the omega was blessed to be pregnant with a child.

But his happiness only lasted a few months, till one day they heard palace guards outside their home as they broke inside and attacked them, tranquilising him before they tackled down his mate.

Worse, he still remembered the look of terror in Luhan’s eyes as he watched the sword come at him and in that blink of a moment chose to break their bond intending to save Jimin. But the impact of that breaking off of the bond and watching the soldiers behead his mate at the same second, made Jimin freeze in shock…so much so that he forgot how to use his powers.

And the next few days he remained in that frozen state, trapped in that terrifying memory and couldn’t understand what was happening around him, not even processing the words when they told him he had lost the pup he had been carrying because of what had happened. It was on the ninth day in that dark chamber when they told him he needed to dress up because the King had demanded his presence before him.

However, days only became worse for him after that…the King used him as he pleased as a means to punish him for his audacity to believe he was allowed to do as he wished.

The palace became a literal hellhole for him and he wished he could die as soon as possible…he wished his body would break and he would not have to open his eyes again…he wished it would all be over. But when that didn’t happen, he tried to kill himself by his own hands…unfortunately, that only brought him even worse punishments.

So, when after the war with Kleon, crown prince Do-Hwan gave him an option to choose between seeing his parents be whipped to death or accept the responsibility to become a messenger in secret for him because he had caught the eye of the crown prince of Kleon, who had demanded him as his slave…Jimin had no choice but to accept it.

However, he realized with time that he’d have been happy if Kleon could become his home instead of the looming fate that demanded him to go back to Zyon once his lord’s wish would be fulfilled…the wish to see Kleon get devastated by the brothers who were its protectors.

Yes, it was Jimin who had relayed information about the growing aggression between the King of Kleon and the trueblood…it was he who had informed King Do-Hwan about how King Jungkook suffered from hallucinations and was becoming more unstable by the day…it was he who had informed him that the King wasn’t capturing people with gifts because he wanted to defeat every other nation but his sole enemy seemed to be his brother because of his belief in a prophecy that the trueblood would take away everything that is supposed to belong to him. 

But he didn’t say what the prophecy was about…neither did he let King Do-Hwan know about the omega King Jungkook had intended to acquire…nor did he say anything about the powers Seokjin possessed.

Not like that made much difference after the previous war with Eulan, which had revealed to all the world what an eerie and terrifying power the omega prince possessed. However, the reason for their actual terror was to know that he happened to be the mate of Kleon’s infamous Commander, the trueblood who remained the undefeated pride of Kleon.   

In all honesty, he never felt any enmity against Seokjin.

But when after being crowned as the King, Jungkook had revealed that he sought for a royal omega as a mate, it was the first time Jimin had felt uncomfortable with the thought of the alpha claiming some other omega…it was also the first time Jimin realised what had happened during the years he had stayed by the alpha’s side…it was the first time he had confronted his own heart and realized that he wanted to become the King’s mate.

For days he had denied to accept it, feeling pathetic to think that his heart had moved on from the alpha to whom he had once belonged to, that his omega had accepted another alpha’s scent to feel comfortable around, that he was giving up on the life and love he had held so dearly to himself all this time. He cried through nights in secret, knowing there was none who could understand what a crooked fate he had been born with and decided to kill himself before he could ever do such a thing as accept being claimed by any other alpha.  

However, it was another event when the King of Kleon had rescued him yet again.

Jimin wouldn’t lie…his life had been a pathetic existence after he lost his mate and their unborn pup but he couldn’t deny either that catching the eye of the alpha hasn’t been as torturous as he had thought it would be. The king had flaws, his need to be powerful his biggest weakness but Jungkook had his own way of making his presence felt around him.

He still remembered the first day he had been brought to the palace and put inside a chamber, he thought he was lucky that it wasn’t a prison cell in the dark cold dungeon because the chamber looked well furnished and cosy, set rightly for an omega. But his pleasant surprise was soon blown away when he saw the crown prince enter and anticipated the worst as he hurried away from him, hoping to take shelter at a corner, trying his best to keep his tears to himself but failing.    

He was already aware of how royals treat slaves and he knew as a captured prize of war his fate would not improve much from what it had been in Zyon. He had to tell himself that he was doing this for his parents…told himself that he had nothing to live for anyway and they had already stripped all pride and integrity from his name already.

He had been the plaything of the crown prince of Zyon…and now he had simply changed hands.

The King had cornered him when he tried to hide away because he feared being forced to accept things he didn’t want to do. Tears clomped on his lashes as he felt the alpha licking and sucking at his neck, and Jimin had felt disgusted at the foreign scent on him but took everything in silence as he believed he had to. He hadn’t said a word to him and yet he had ensured Jimin knew whom he belonged to from here on.

That day had been the only time Jungkook had scented him while Jimin knelt at the alpha’s feet after he had been forced to submit before him.

The next few months hadn’t been easy…the other omegas in the harem were cruel to him and did everything possible to ensure he wouldn’t survive. But they were the ones who turned out to be the fools being unaware of his special gifts. So, when they tried to bribe the cook to poison his food, Jimin would pretend having a stomach ache, or when they tried to order him around he secretly played with their minds and made them do things for him instead, or when they grouped together to get him punished he’d manipulate all their minds against each other.

Till one time he ended up almost manipulating the entire harem to finish off each other and if the King hadn’t intervened even the Queen Dowager would not have survived that day.

And yet no one could point a finger at him because he hadn’t said a word and had innocently assured with proof that he had been busy doing the chores all day.

But the look the King had given him before grasping at his arm and dragging him out of the harem to his own chamber, told Jimin that he was in trouble.

He had forgotten that he was after all a slave, probably because unlike his previous owner King Jungkook didn’t enjoy torturing him and forcing himself on him as he pleased. Although it is very difficult to differentiate between oppression or abuse, and if they really could be graded then Jimin would say, Jungkook was a little less oppressive and a little less abusive than King Do-Hwan but cruel nonetheless.

He realised then that he should not have overstepped his boundaries because the King had given him quite the leeway as a slave…he had his own chambers, he was fed well, the King had declared that none other than himself was allowed to enter the omega’s chamber and though silently, he ensured that the people who plotted to kill Jimin would not succeed.

Thus, when he lay on the floor of the King’s chamber too weak and in pain to move at all while cold air licked at the long bleeding cuts on his bare back, he knew he should have known not to forget his place. He was a slave…while everyone else in the harem held positions higher than him…concubines, consorts and Queen. 

That was the first time Jungkook had punished him, and the bruises had taken weeks to heal.

But his worst memory till this day was suffering through his first heat in Kleon, worst because his body had betrayed him.

He hadn’t had a heat for months after his untimely miscarriage and it arrived suddenly one afternoon when the King had gone into rut. Jimin had cursed at himself, the King had not forced himself on him but for his omega to react this blatantly to the alpha’s pheromones was like an appeal to please him. He had locked himself inside for days, unbothered about food or care, and only the fear of being taken advantage of running through his mind.

And although the King hadn’t taken advantage of his situation, neither did he force himself on him but it was the first time Jungkook had touched him.

Seeing him missing for days and hearing from other attendants that the omega denied to let anyone enter his chamber had gotten the King curious, so he decided to check himself. It was good that he did because Jimin would probably have died otherwise, going through heat alone had gotten his body fragile and to top that he had no food to sustain himself and Jungkook had found him deathly pale and passed out in the shower, fever burning his body and the sweet alluring scent of his fading heat still clinging on him.

It didn’t take him much effort to understand that the omega had reacted to his rut pheromones.

Jimin had woken up in pain, whimpering in bed and coiled to himself to see the King watching him as he sat a foot away from the bed. It was the first time Jimin had seen him looking confused, his calm eyes anxious as he ordered him to ensure that he always took medicines on time to keep his heat under control because he didn’t want to deal with something like this again.

And Jimin knew it was wrong of him to plead to him for help…he felt pathetic as his body went into submission to sense the alpha’s cinnamon and pines scent clogging his nostrils and making him delirious in his need to be satiated and knotted…so much so that the alpha had to command him to stop pleading to him. However in the end, the King had come up to help him not being able to watch him writhe in bed, he had let him have his touch although neither did he knot nor had he bared himself before Jimin’s eyes that day.

It was the also the day that Jimin realised that Jungkook wasn’t an alpha who believed in bedding omegas for fun, neither was he someone who boasted of his virility.
 
The King had concubines who eagerly waited to serve him, hoping to wear his mark and give him an heir. Yet Jimin couldn’t understand why the King wouldn’t take a mate, till he learned about Jungkook’s greed to attain a power beyond mortal capacity. His sole purpose in life seemed to be his greed to become the strongest alpha of all…and defeat the opponent he had forever been a barrier to him in attaining that purpose.

It was one evening as he sat at the King’s side in his study when he heard Jungkook repeating what sounded like an old verse as the alpha gazed above at the ceiling, a blank look on his face. It took him a few more weeks to learn about his obsession with the prophecy that had been declared…and he believed that if he wasn’t the one to achieve that omega who held that unique power then it would lead to Kleon’s destruction.

Honestly, Jimin didn’t understand how the two were even related…till he listened to it himself…because the prophecy spoke of Kleon’s glorious future under the leadership of a righteous man…a righteous man who wasn’t him but the one person Jungkook had forever hated.  

'One scorned at birth, one held in shame,

The undefeated in strength waits to claim

A power that shall hold a divine name.

Across the five seas and over all land

In timeless glory their names shall stand.

Fated to be tied in a royal mating;

Two powers to knot in immortal bonding

And a love shall bloom like never before, 

To birth invincible heirs to rule evermore.'

So, Jungkook believed that the only way to not let the prophecy come true was by ensuring that he will be the only one who would know about that omega and mark him as his before his brother could even learn about the prophecy or the omega.

It was also the main reason he did not want the Commander of Kleon’s army to have any knowledge that there would be a surprise attack at Eulan, and neither would the trueblood be joining them on the quest.

Jimin hadn’t known that his actions to let Seokjin flee from the ship would lead him straight to collide against the trueblood but he did know that fate has a way of catching up to you always…you can never escape your fate, no matter how hard you try.

He sighed finally breaking away from the winding thoughts his memory had suddenly captured him in as he tried to focus on his work and walked close to attend to the lady before him.

“Dishonesty, the snake that poisons love” the words made Jimin stun for a bit as he paused midway from helping the lady get comfortable on the bed.

His eyes slowly stared into hers to see the iridescent blue gaze on himself.

“Your future won’t bloom if you tarnish it with your past” shaky fingers came up to graze over the side of his neck where once the mark of his alpha used to be “there awaits a spring after every winter…and hearts thaw at the touch of warm affection.”

He tried not to let her words hold any power over him, he could read in her mind what she saw as his future and yet it was difficult for Jimin to put his faith on it.

“I have long ago given up on the idea of affection…it’s only survival that drives me now.”

He felt her set a palm over his chest and looked to see her smile at him “you need love for survival too…there is life still…even a daylily craves to bloom, although it wilts before it sees the next sun…”

“He…” Jimin stopped fearing to sound gullible but opted to finish the sentence “he doesn’t see me as his mate.”

There was an odd haunting sadness in those words and Jimin felt pitiful of his own weak heart, telling himself that he wasn’t supposed to think like this…but now his hopes were breaking. The war was upon them, and he had to ensure Zyon’s victory to keep his parents safe. If only he had succeeded in getting marked by Jungkook then he could use his position as the King’s mate and get his parents freed from King Do-Hwan’s oppression.

He had tried to be thoughtful, tried to let the trueblood know of the dangers that awaited him and his mate and their unborn child…he tried to do at least something and in his helplessness had let out the lady hoping Taehyung would listen to her and become aware and take precautions…he tried to warn the General about the plans of war that Jungkook had kept hidden from them…he tried to make them understand that this wouldn’t just be a war…it was a revenge, and a war has rules…but revenge solely feeds on violence and cruelty.  

But he failed…and he knew this failure would cost him his everything. He had to take a side and he didn’t have a choice, as usual…circumstances had forced him yet again.

“A heart that fears hurting is a heart still capable of doing good” her voice was soft against the tension raging in Jimin’s mind.

Jimin smiled at the words, knowing she could sense his apprehensions “I never did any good” he felt as if his voice got stuck in his throat as he uttered the words “I am not good neither was I fated to be a hero and save the day…”

“Fate is a blind guide…but it doesn’t decide…the choice to step is always yours”

“Choice?” The word was derisive on Jimin’s lips “I hope you of all the people do not make the mistake of believing that I ever had any choice…not all of us are that lucky” he could see the eyes still looking at him with the same calm gaze “in my years of agony the only choice I learned I had was knowing that if I cannot withstand a storm…then I must become it.”

“And the price for such a step? Will you choose to pay it with your life?”

A sigh overtook Jimin as he twirled the thoughts in his mind, indecisive about the steps he was needed to follow.

“I agree, I had a choice too…to hold on to the life they had spared…the life Luhan had given to me with his last breath” he sounded morose, moisture lining his eyes “and in my life I have learnt that the price of a life is another’s sacrifice” his voice hardened as he set his resolutions strong knowing what he would have to do.

Jungkook was the king but Zyon’s main target was someone else…and once that target was out of the way, Kleon would not be as powerful as it is deemed to be. Jimin told himself yet again that it was nothing personal but this was something he had to do. He gulped the anxiousness he could feel bubbling in his heart, he didn’t even bother if this war was going to be the end for him…he had nothing to lose anyway, and honestly had been waiting for the day he’d be free of the worthless existence that was his life.

His only regret though…was knowing that he might be harming Seokjin in getting the trueblood out of the way.

The omega was so naïve and unaware of the world around him that he felt guilty even thinking of hurting him. It was so easy to trick him that even he who had been a master in manipulating others felt something pierce his heart when he thought of doing so to the omega prince. In some way he knew why the trueblood was so wary of him befriending his mate.

If one thing he had learned about the Commander, it was that people were wrong to think that his strength was his greatest power…it was but it was his intuition and sharp instincts that went hand in hand with his power…and that was the real reason Kleon’s army had remained undefeated.

“If they are strong enough they will survive…if not, one of them will have to choose his sacrifice.”
 

-

Jin woke up to see himself in an empty bed in the middle of the night, his body feeling tired despite the rest while his eyes stirred about searching for his alpha.

He sat up, wincing as he felt the mark on his neck throb and remembered Taehyung using his trueblood to make him submit. A tiny hint of complaint bubbled in his heart. Somehow every time he wanted to believe that the alpha was over this whole showing his power over him thing, Taehyung would somehow end up using it against him yet again.

Honestly, he didn’t remember much about what had happened or what had made Taehyung react so aggressively…though he felt the bite and remembered the trueblood being in charge when they mated. His omega had fallen in submission and it made him trust the alpha that he wouldn’t hurt the pup in anyway.

But what had been more confusing was being accused of angering the alpha when he didn’t even remember what he had done…he remembered Taehyung fuming at him for saying something about breaking their bond yet the most hurtful was hearing him ask him the same thing his father had once asked.

‘What are you?’

He pushed back the apprehension in him as he wrapped the blanket about him, denying to part with it as he tiptoed out of the chamber to see the guards instantly getting alert.

“Where is he?” He asked rather curious and actually troubled, he thought Taehyung must have realized by now that he needed him close to feel at peace while he slept but with how volatile the alpha was, it was very difficult to build any expectations on him. One minute he was understanding and caring, making sure he ate well and felt secure while the next he is holding him down and forcing him into submission.

It had been a few months he’s been living with him and he had thought he finally understood the alpha, it wasn’t much difficult to know what his alpha wanted from him because most of the time he’d yell it out for him…as a matter-of-fact Taehyung had very simple needs.

The first n foremost n most important being, he wanted to be acknowledged as his alpha, bonus if you let him know that you depend on him and need him to make you feel secure and cared. It made him feel worthy as an alpha to know that he was a good mate to his omega.

Second, although he made it sound as important as the first one, was never to defy him…but Jin had learnt in his own way that he could get away with the second if he ensured the first was not breached because he had come to understand that although Taehyung threatened him for defying him, in the end he’d still accept it and stand by him if he was assured that the defiance was a valid outcome from Jin’s perspective and not just to ‘test his temper’.
  
The rest of the rules were on and off and Jin abided and discarded as he pleased, which earned him mini bouts of yelling or they’d have one of those usual episodes of bickering. However, he also learnt over time that the big bad wolf turned awfully soft whenever he’d cry or if he sensed that he was upset or sad or distressed about something and Jin didn’t want to accept it but in those times he felt like curling up to him and let him pamper him.

He’d curse himself every time though, telling himself it was his omega that being on a hormonal roller coaster, sought the alpha’s attention and care because in truth, it was embarrassing to accept that he actually enjoyed the way he’d caress him and released calming pheromones and let him take his energy so he could feel strong enough to carry through this pregnancy. Jin had to agree that having a pup was hard, he felt so fatigued yet restless and hungry yet nauseous and moody yet teary and so sensitive all the time.

It was so damn troubling, especially because he couldn’t bond with the pup and over the months of war, loss, outrage and building enmities he had learnt one thing for sure…that Taehyung had meant it when he had said that no matter how much he cursed or fought against him, his alpha would always be there to stand by him, even if he showed him no affection whatsoever.

It was the only reason Jin actually trusted him enough to feel assured that he and the pup would be fine if Taehyung was there.

And last night seeing the alpha be so utterly infuriated with him and threatening him had made Jin scared to the core…and he felt weak and insecure to think he had angered him because something inside him told him that he needed to make up asap as the fear of being abandoned by the alpha gripped at his heart.

It was a real fear in every omega because that could most definitely end up in him losing the baby, omegas with child when abandoned by their alphas most often suffered miscarriages. Although Jin wasn’t aware of that but he could sense the fear his omega felt at the thought of having angered the alpha too much.

“Master is in his study, the war is upon us…he must be busy” they spoke and he nodded, acknowledging their words before following the scent of amber and pines and mossy earth till he reached the door to the study.

Jin was sure that his sense of smell and omega instincts had heightened as well since he had conceived, like right now all his nose could smell was the his alpha and the scent made tingles rise all over him, the sense of emptiness and insecurity he had felt in that room when he had woken up alone was replaced with warm endearment.

He pushed the door open to peek inside, to see the trueblood leaning over a large map as he marked and jotted down stuff on scrolls laying in a mess on the tabletop.

“You do know I can smell you, right?” Taehyung didn’t pick his head up as he spoke.

“Um…I just…didn’t want to disturb…or get you all angry again…” the last few words were a mumble “I woke up and couldn’t go back to sleep” he cleared still standing outside, and only his head peering through the doors.

The alpha didn’t reply, not saying that he’ll come to join him soon neither did he tell him to come inside. So, Jin decided to leave him alone, he must be stressed and busy because of the war anyway...or probably still pissed at him for some unknown reason he couldn’t pinpoint.

“I-I’ll go…I guess” his gazed dropped as he stepped back “don’t be too late” these last few words were a mumble again as Jin bit into his lip before closing the door and walking back into the chamber.

He laid on the cold bed, tossing and turning because no matter what he did he couldn’t seem to get comfortable enough to get some sleep.

So, an hour later he was back peeking through the door to the study.

And this time the alpha stopped his work to look up at the sad pout the omega was sporting.

“I still can’t sleep” Jin spoke “can I stay here? I’ll be quiet I promise.”

Taehyung had been going through a turmoil of his own for the past few hours. He wasn’t sure what to believe in…a part of him knew this was his mate, the omega he had chosen to claim as his, to care for and keep safe for life and yet a part of him told him to keep the omega under his command and not show his weakness to him.

His eyes took in Jin’s soft brown gaze, he could sense his mate’s need for him and he could hear the omega’s palpitations rise fearing that he had upset his alpha and would have to face his anger again. But what struck him the most was Jin’s fear, he could sense it loud and clear. That was something he couldn’t accept, no matter what the circumstances Jin was pregnant and needed to feel safe. The things troubling him, the answers he sought, the questions he had weren’t things to create distance between them…rather this was the time Jin needed to trust him the most.

If he couldn’t help his omega feel secure and cared for then how was he going to do that for all the people who had entrusted him the duty to protect their lives? 

“Come here” he gestured him to come to him and watched Jin waddle inside being cocooned within the blanket without a second’s loss as he went near the desk to peer at what he had been working upon, eyes sparking with curiosity to see the preparations all ready for the battle. He squeaked when Taehyung pulled him onto his lap, sharing his warmth with the omega whose feet were chilled to chunks of ice and cheeks white as paper as the cold nipped at them.

Jin felt the comfort taking over him almost instantly and leaned to set his face against the alpha’s neck. He could sense the distress in the alpha but for now he was glad that he wasn’t upset or angry with him, and the fear of being abandoned by his alpha dissipated as he sensed Taehyung releasing calming pheromones for him.

And Jin knew this was the assurance his alpha had promised him…the assurance that no matter how wrong things went he’ll still have this shelter in him. It was something he had never received…the feeling of assurance being foreign to him…maybe that was the reason it had taken him so much time to understand what it meant to have a mate…to have someone who’d stand by his side no matter what.

Although it felt as a novel realization this night but Jin knew he had known it for quite a while now…he had known it when he choose to join the army to go to war along with the alpha…he had known it when he decided to release his omega on his own to stop the war…he had known it when he stood before the people and declared in an unfaltering voice that everyone should be given an equal right to serve the country and derive equal benefit from their nation.

He knew the resilience in his decision…the strength in his voice…and the courage in his words came from the very knowledge that no one would dare to mock his ideas or call him a deluded omega because they knew the trueblood would stand against them for him. Taehyung had proved that by his actions several times…before the court, before the people, before the troops and even before his father.

But most importantly, he had proved it to him the day he had chosen to go against all norms and every law and handed him the sword and let him use it for himself as he wished.

No one understood what that one action would end up in…or how far it’s repercussions would reach…because it was much more than a gift to celebrate their mating…it was the first step towards allowing an omega have free will…the first step towards letting an omega have the means to protect themselves and not depend on an alpha to do that…the first step towards accepting an omega by their merit and personality and not by their social role.

It proved that the trueblood saw him as a formidable mate…and not just as an omega…although at times it seemed as if he himself wasn’t aware that he did so and his reactions would reveal the reflection of the norms he had grown to learn as ‘normal’.

“I still don’t understand why you got so angry with me…my neck still hurts” his voice was a complaining whine, mouth still a pout as he expressed his confusion and pain.

“Why are you so distressed? Did I scare you so much?” The alpha’s voice sounded worried but low, his hand habitually enfolding around the omega.

“Did I do something really bad? I don’t remember what I did…or said…did I hurt you?” Jin’s head suddenly shot up to stare at the alpha because he hadn’t considered this, he had not thought that he had probably done something and hurt the alpha which had gotten him to become angry.

Taehyung sighed choosing not to answer that, it had become evident to him that Jin knew nothing about the other side of his omega. So, he had been raking his brain since the past few hours and he had come up with a few possibilities of what it could be.

One, Jin’s omega had two sides…one was the docile blue-eyed one which reacted to him exactly how you’d expect an omega to react to its alpha while the other side was some weird hyper-arrogant, white-eyed devil…maybe like a personality disorder or something…

Two, Jin is part omega and part sorcerer who could use spells to summon something unnatural since his mother was a sorcerer after all…that’d explain the talk about vessel and freedom and killing the omega inside out…that didn’t make much sense though because powers of sorcery weren’t genetically transferred. One has to learn sorcery and the spells to work with those….but Jin could have learnt that at the monastery while growing up…who knows…

However, those talks about vessel and freedom made him come up with something even more bizarre…what if Jin had two omegas residing within him…the blue-eyed one and the white-eyed one.

It was something unheard of…no one was born with two wolves, it’s actually impossible because they’d most likely kill each other in their greed for dominance and to set up a sole connection with their human. Which brought a greater question…why hadn’t then the more powerful white-eyed omega killed off the blue-eyed one?

There were millions of such questions popping one after another and Taehyung knew he didn’t have enough resources to learn the truth…heck he didn’t know who to ask!

Who do you ask when there’s something happening that has never happened before in all existence? Where do you go to look for answers? What do you expect to know? More importantly, what do you think you can do with that new knowledge?

It was beyond his comprehension…and honestly he was a simple man, he relied on his strength, took actions according to what he had learned over the years…he wasn’t a scholar…had no great knowledge…never bothered much about the histories and philosophies and the gods.

He had taught himself that nothing happens if you don’t make it happen and let his actions guide the course of his life…and it hadn’t been half bad, there were things he could do because he enjoyed them and was hella good at them…why then should he have bothered with reading piles of mouldy pages to accumulate futile knowledge that wouldn’t help him anyway?

“I lost my mind for a while…I wasn’t thinking straight” he spoke, eyes dropping to look at his mate who had snuggled half into him, he could see the glaring red mark on Jin’s neck, blood still glistening where his canines had dug in “I’m sorry.”

There was little silence when neither of them spoke and for a moment Taehyung thought Jin had fallen asleep. He sceptically let his fingers touch the mark, actually regretting letting his trueblood take control and inwardly cursed at his wolf for being so forceful. A hiss reached his ears, letting him know that Jin wasn’t asleep.

“It hurts a lot more when you mark me in anger…my nerves freeze and the pain is paralysing”

Taehyung gulped feeling even more guilty as he remembered all those times he had chosen to sink his teeth into his flesh only to ensure his power and reclaim his dominance over his mate.

“But it feels the complete opposite when you do that while love making…” his voice had a softer note this time and Taehyung waited to hear him out “that feels quite…pleasing.”

Taehyung set a hand at the back of Jin’s head as he leaned into his neck, mouth pressing gently on the angry red mark as he tried to soothe the pain. Almost as an instant reaction Jin seemed to melt against him, a pleased hum spilled out as he clutched at the alpha and as if in a daze his palm set on the portion of the alpha’s chest that was uncovered by the robe he wore.

“Don’t do that Jin…stop”

Jin snapped out of the daze when he felt Taehyung pulling his hand away and he realised he had been drawing energy from him without even realising that he was doing so. He blinked up at the alpha and saw that his gaze had suddenly turned hard and cold as he stared down at him.

He could sense the anger Taehyung was holding back and felt tears fill his eyes not understanding what was going on and why was he doing this beyond his own knowledge. He never took from Taehyung without permission…from anyone actually…that’s the first rule his master had made him to follow when using his powers.

The only time he took from others without permission was when he let out his destructive omega…because it bothered about no permission neither did it follow any rules.

“What is happening to me?” Jin’s voice was a shaky whisper as he looked at his alpha with fear and confusion “I didn’t want to do that…I don’t know why I did…I-I just…”

“It’s okay…don’t worry so much” he caressed his head, looking at his mate as he tried to get him to calm down as best as he could being gripped with worry himself “nothing is happening to you…you’re fine…”

A part of him was extremely scared for his mate...fearing that cruel arrogant side of his omega hurting Jin and he couldn't understand how to win against an opponent hurting whom would also hurt his mate n his pup n also himself...it was a combat he had never expected to face.

And even when they returned to the chamber, he couldn't get a moment's sleep all night as he kept watching Jin.

He knew he needed answers…and fast…

The next morning, Taehyung trudged into the palace with one agenda…although he had come here to relay the final preparations for war at court because they had no time as such…and Jungkook had decided that he’d declare the war against Zyon the very next day.

But the trueblood’s sole agenda was finding Jimin and no matter what he’d have to do but he was gonna make sure that sly omega was going to talk today and not flee throwing crazy half statements!

He had initially wanted to search for the old lady but figured even if she talked he wouldn’t be able to understand half of it…so he gave up on that plan.

And the moment he stepped out of the court, he began his search for Jimin, who he realized wasn’t actually that hard to find as he met him on the very hallway he was walking through.

“Found you” he was about to grab at the omega when he remembered Jin’s reaction the last day he had sensed a scent on him and hence chose to simply talk instead “I need some answers...and it's very important-” 

“I’m assuming it’s about your mate, am I right Commander?”

More bizarre was the fact that Jimin seemed to have known that he would be looking for him.

“What is the real reason Jungkook brought him to Kleon for? What does he know about my mate that I don't?”

“I will give you the answers Commander...but I have one question to ask you...”

Taehyung stared back at him, waiting to hear the question he had for him.

“Are you sure you want to know?”

á na márië.

[A\N] difficult chapter but a challenge always tends to get more interesting for me🌚

Word count: 10.7k words🥴happy reading!

Borahae 💜