Third Person's P.O.V.

When Taehyung brought Kian back into their chamber, he was amused at how peaceful Jin looked as he soundly slept.

"You're really something else" he chuckled under his breath remembering the way Jin had fussed over all day how as an omega he was fundamentally better at taking care of the pup and wanted Kian all to himself.
And now he seemed to have no care in the world.

Taehyung put the sleeping child in his crib, watching Kian gurgle incoherently before he snuggled back to sleep as he tucked him under the baby blanket and Taehyung shuffled out of his heavy clothes, pulling on a pajama before he he slipped into bed.

He glanced at Jin, eyes staying on how his mate had substituted him with a pillow and was embracing it to his chest instead. Jin seemed to be glowing with a different kinda charm tonight and a contentment that surpassed all the troublesome things that surrounded them.

A kind of tenderness filled Taehyung's chest to see his mate like that...healthy, safe and happy. The feeling was so fulfilling that Taehyung felt like he could just watch Jin all night. Thoughts about what his mate had gone through since being mated to him flashed through his mind and Taehyung quietly gulped the regret, brushing a careful hand across Jin's brow to move his fringes in order to get a clearer view of his sleeping face.

It was a few minutes later when he was startled to see an awake Jin blinking at him though groggy eyes and realized he had fallen too deep into his thoughts.

"Why're you staring at me like that?" Jin mumbled sleepily, blinking at the alpha.

The words softly bounced against the striking calm around the chamber and Taehyung felt blank for a moment as he tried to gather his thoughts and tell his brain that his mate was awake now...and awake Jin was a difficult thing, unlike cute sleeping Jin.

However, he caught Jin's eyes time and again falling to his neck and bare chest and tried not to laugh at how he could see the way the omega was controlling himself to not ask for what he wanted.

"What do you wan-" "Nothing"

He saw Jin drop his eyes and duck lower to cuddle with the pillow instead. For the last few days due to the birth, Jin's omega had been dominating over his instincts and Taehyung could practically sense how he was holding his omega back.

He scooted closer, whispering over Jin's head "you can scent me if you want to..."

And he laughed a little, to see Jin giving in instantly when he opened his arms to let his mate fit himself in the coil of his hands. Jin instantly clung onto him, nuzzling at his neck as he scent marked his alpha...making Taehyung bristle when he felt his tongue lick at the side of his neck.

"Seems like you missed me too much eh?" Taehyung sounded smug as he smirked at his mate, who stopped the action, suddenly feeling conscious f how needy he must seem right now and resorted to quietly cling onto his alpha instead. Yes, he was self-conscious but Taehyung's scent felt just too calming to ignore right now.

"When did you get back?" The question was a quiet mumble against his neck and Taehyung secretly took a whiff of Jin's pleasant scent before replying.

"A while ago" he felt the next question before Jin had even uttered it "Kian is asleep" he added knowing Jin would be curious.

He rested his head on his pillow, drawing patterns along Jin's back with a gentle hand as the soft silence prevailed in their chamber.

"Why were you sitting and staring at me instead of sleeping?" The coy mumble was heard against his neck again and Taehyung's lips curved into an inadvertent smile.

"Because I can" Taehyung replied, tilting his face just enough to feel the soft brown curls tickling him, and he dragged a long breath to fill his chest with that endearing smell.

The room fell quiet again, and Taehyung knew Jin was still awake as he felt the swish of his eyelashes against his collar bones.

"Go back to sleep" he pressed a kiss on his head "I need to go to the camps tomorrow...and I'm sure Kian will keep you busy all day."

And Jin sighed closing his eyes, knowing how difficult a feat it was for him to learn to care for their pup...because of how badly he sucked at it, which was really embarassing since he was an omega and was supposed to be naturally good at it!

But for now he was content, for now he felt like everything was just as perfect as they could get, and Jin knew...he had never been happier.

-

The North Gate castle was bubbling with voices and cheer today. The hallways bustling with attendants busy in preparations, uniformed men strolling about the open courtyards and the entire place was filled with joyous faces and happy hearts.

And the attendants couldn't stop gushing over the little royal while trying their best to aid Seokjin because of how ignorant the omega was at nursing the pup. However, their tender emotions towards him didn't stop them from giggling to see how bad he was at it.

"It's no use dressing him" he huffed looking exhausted, there were dark circles under his eyes, his hairs sticking out in every direction and he hadn't even gotten a chance to take a shower since morning "he keeps peeing and pooping and puking himself...let him stay like this" he tossed the little tunic Yuna had handed him to put on the baby.

"Uh Seokjin-ah...that might not be a good decision, he might catch a cold" Ha-yoon tried to talk him to change the decision.

Seokjin sighed looking at the pup who was busy stuffing his own fingers into his mouth and grinned as he gazed up at him.

"We'll need to get him like a ton of clothes if this keeps going on" he muttered under his breath as he stuggling to slip the tunic through Kian's tiny hands and pull it down his head "he's laughing at me" he was pouting for being ridiculed like that "first, he doesn't bond with me...then he tortures me like this...why does he hate me so much?"

"He's just happy...he is finally bonding with you...see" Ha-yoon chuckled beside him before she leaned to picked up the kid, and Jin saw how the child fumbled instantly, twisting his head to trace where he was as he mewled for him "look how he's searching for you...he doesn't hate you Seokjin-ah, he's always going to seek for your presence" she walked back to him "this bond is of a rare kind...and way different than your bond with your alpha..."

A smile spread across Jin's lips as he felt his exhaustion disappear to see the child thrashing in her arms as he frantically tried to grab his attention and get back to him.

"You should see him when Taehyung's around...it's like he has a radar for him or something" Jin snorted pulling his pup to himself, hand reflexively coiling about the child to soothe his restive mewls "he's only looking for me right now because Taehyung isn't around".

Ha-yoon smiled caressing the dark tresses on the boy's head "he must feel more comfortable with him because he could bond with Taehyung even before"

Jin's gaze fell at those words, his heart tightening with the fears that constantly lurked behind their happy moments.

"Sometimes...I really wish I was just a normal omega, without powers...without all that cursed history that follows me like a shadow...it's like no matter where I go, I am never allowed to have a peaceful life."

The room fell quiet and Kian's little gurgles were the only sound as Jin sighed quietly to himself, instinctively pressing his face onto the pup's head as the other nuzzled into his neck.

"Every road you walk has its own ups and downs Seokjin-ah...I doubt anyone can proudly say that they have nothing they regret in their path of life..."

She saw him look at her with wide unsure eyes, his worries clean in his gaze.

"Fear cripples our hearts...let's rather hold onto hope" she patted at Jin's shoulder "if the worst happens...our faith will help more, rather than our fears."

She knew that several stories had stirred up after the birth of the trueblood's heir, conspiracies cooking up in the air as well as blessings and reverence have travelled to her ears...yes, she was worried but more than that she was delighted.

These days their home finally felt like a place she was delighted to live in...and despite the commotion and rowdy ruckus that was a constant among these hallways, she couldn't be happier to have more voices join in.

"Weren't you supposed to be at the camps?" Ha-yoon entered the study the next morning and got confused to see Kian cradled in Taehyung's arms, who seemed to be sulking at his desk as he glared at the other corner of the room where Yoongi, Hoseok and a couple of others surrounded Seokjin, who looked engrossed in something they were keenly discussing on.

"I get now why alphas' didn't allow their omegas to get into work" he grumbled not paying attention to how his pup was currently chewing onto the buttons on his jacket.

"What are you grumbling about?" she asked running a loving hand on the child's head.

"He said it's going to take five minutes" Taehyung's voice went lower with building anger "it's been twenty minutes after those five minutes have passed."

"Oh...give him to me" she offered "you can leave for the camps, they might be waiti-"
However, before she could take Kian, the child burst out in a loud cry, tears drenching his red face as he nuzzled into Taehyung's chest.

Taehyung sighed looking done, cradling and rocking the baby in his arms "he's been like this every time I have been trying to put him down in his crib...why's he being like this? Aren't pups supposed to seek for omegas more...?"

Ha-yoon quietly laughed at the scene, it was the last thing she had expected to see actually...a trueblood alpha being so careful with his child, grumbling yet he didn't disregard the charge of taking care of him while his mate was busy...unlike his father who had discarded every responsibility of being a father.

Taehyung sighed again, groaning as he got frustrated "he keeps drooling on me...how come he keeps getting hungry so quickly? Stop chewing on my clothes" he grumbled darkly at the kid whose happy face instantly got upset, eyes filling with tears as he sobbed, making Taehyung groan as his frustrations rose higher but he tried to tone it down and pulled the child to set his little head on his shoulder, patting his back to calm him down and apologised for being insensitive.

"I feel like he's playing tricks with me" he complained quietly, breathing through his nose as he tried to calm himself down "I swear...he must've gotten this bad habit from Jin".

Kian's sobs began fading out with that and he clutched back at his jacket, rubbing his tears and snot on his clothes now.

"He's a child...you were the same" she grinned, it was a new revelation to her to see that her short-tempered and awfully arrogant son could be this patient as well, and it made her proud to see that her fears of him living only as a feared and war-torn trueblood were blown far away. Unlike that aggressive alpha who had forcefully claimed his mate, who was practically hated by his omega, this Taehyung had grown out of his selfish whims and wayward demands to become a better mate to Seokjin.

"You're doing good" she spoke watching him trying to soothe the child, a smile unfolding on her lips to witness the scene "maybe even better than me."

"Mother...it's not funny" he grumbled flashing a glare towards Jin "I'm an alpha...I'm not supposed to be doing this...this is ridiculous! I have battalions waiting for me! I told him I couldn't stay back today...I'm late!"

They saw Seokjin walking to them, he noticed Ha-Yoon enjoying the scene and smiled coming to Taehyung's side, looking apologetic.

"Sorry that took-" "I have work too you know...the battalions are waiting for my commands" Taehyung snapped at him instead but he was whisper-yelling the words to not cause Kian to cry again, making Jin bite into his lip as he tried not to laugh at how caring Taehyung was being despite his agitation.

"But Kian is always so happy when you're around" Jin tried to coax him out of his grumbling, giggling to see the child clinging onto Taehyung even when he came to hand him over.

"Yeah-tsk...at least there's someone who's happy about my existence" he snorted to himself, pecking at his boy's head who wriggled in Jin's arms, little arms reaching out towards Taehyung as he headed out of the study.

"Wait!"

Taehyung halted again, frowning as he turned to check why Jin was being this difficult all of a sudden.

"I...uh..." Jin blinked, gulping his apprehensions since he had a feeling that what he was going to say would probably annoy Taehyung. The alpha already looked agitated as he stared at him.

"What?"

"I need a carriage prepared for me to visit the people, I intend to make a declaration" he handed the child to Ha-yoon, since Kian sounded hungry again.

"What declaration?" Taehyung took a few steps closer as he frowned at the words.
"I have ordered Hoseok to gather the omegas who intend to join the troops...so that we can start to train them the way we had planned earlier" Jin spoke slowly, judging the expression on Taehyung's face "but I'd need your help to do that"

Taehyung paused, gaze fixed on Jin as he didn't know how to react to that...he knew omegas are supposed to depend on their alphas for help but Jin had rarely asked for help from him.

"I don't really have much knowledge about putting together an army...I'll need your help in doing that."

And Taehyung failed to hold back the curve at the corner of his mouth that involuntarily appeared due to the pride that filled his chest.

"Very well...it will be arranged" he walked back to where Jin stood, gaze honeyed as he took in the unmatched zeal in Jin that never failed to surprise him "meanwhile get some rest...and don't push yourself too much" his fingers came up to push a few strands of Jin's hair behind his ear "your body might have healed but as a nursing omega you need time to recuperate...I don't want you to take yours and our pup's health lightly."

Jin nodded as his eyes dropped low, feeling embarrassed to have Taehyung being so affectionate before everyone all of a sudden and flushed pink when he felt him hook a finger at his chin before he pressed a chaste kiss to his lips.

"I'll tell Yushik to prepare the carriage...he'll take you to meet them, but after I'm assured that it is safe for you to be roaming the streets...before that I'll need to check with the intentions of the ships which have arrived at the port."

Jin watched Taehyung walk out, his cheeks still warm with how adored he currently felt when he was startled out of his little cloud of delight. Taehyung had been acting way too considerate and caring with him, as if his aggressive side had currently been stacked away and it was beginning to confuse Jin about why his brute of an alpha was being this careful with him now all the time...was it because Taehyung felt pity on him? Or was it because he felt guilty of the deal he had made?

"Man...what have you done to him? I fear I'm soon gonna miss that aggressive trueblood our Commander once used to be...he's like a tamed dog right now" Hoseok sighed, dramatically shaking his head when Jin turned to him "this is the reason I fear getting mated you know...it turns you so fucking weak."

"Stop with your ridiculous words Hoseok" Yoongi grumbled, quietly rebuking the other.

"Be honest Yoonie...you know how he used to be...and now he's just so 'careful' all the time" he complained, overlooking Jin's clueless blinking at him to understand if Hoseok had just read his mind "ah...I miss those days...blissful times"

"Both of you fought like animals whenever you met though" Yoongi reminded him from the side.

"Yeah but it was still so fun...those long afternoons of training till he scared the shit out of the recruits at the camps...drinking throughout the evenings while those pretty omegas swarmed us...they used to be all over us, drinks usually slowed me down a bit but he...he used to love those long wild nights of unhindered se-mffugh!"

Yoongi literally grabbed at his mouth before Hoseok could speak anymore and was dragging the other out of there.

"Please excuse us" and Yoongi didn't bother of Hoseok's muffled groans as he dragged him out.

However, not forgetting his manners as he bowed before a startled Seokjin, whose face looked utterly pale to have heard what Hoseok had spoken. After they had left, Seokjin was still blinking cluelessly as he stood startled trying to process the information he had just received.

-

"We wish great fortune and honour on the young prince..."

"May the future see him in all his glory and good health..."

"They have all come to give their blessings to the royal heir" Ha-yoon quietly informed to a confused Seokjin, who was rather sceptical about absolute strangers crowding around their newborn "they mean no harm...it's a tradition the royals follow".

And despite the assurance, Jin's omega felt jittery af.

"He will very likely be the pride of your blood, the heir who will keep the name of Kleon above all...just as you have done"

Taehyung was about to scoff at their overpouring wishes on his son, knowing that they had only come all this way to ensure that they had the bond of amity intact between the kingdoms. There had been years when his trueblood had been the cause of butchering their pride, and since then no other land had dared to go against Kleon.

And now, being aware of the stories regarding his exceptionally gifted mate as well, they dreaded getting on the wrong side.

However, as always...Jin had something to say.

"Well, thank you for your concern but there is no guarantee that he'll rule Kleon...although it's true that he's born of royal blood."

"Oh..." they looked a little unprepared for such a reaction and gazed at each other "we did hear that the king was overthrown and the new ruler-" "Leader" Jin corrected again.

And it took some time for the guests to catch up to what he meant.

"Kleon doesn't have a king anymore...we have a leader who has been chosen by the people...for the people" Taehyung voiced, pride glinting in his eyes as a little smile picked a corner of his mouth "anybody can be the one to lead...who proves to be worthy enough for the responsibility."

A murmur broke out among the horde of guests who had arrived and Taehyung's pride grew to see all their eyes go towards Jin as they spoke about his omega mate having the charge of taking decisions for their land, while Jin got busy to converse with the other guests who had come to North Gate castle to bestow blessings on their first born.

He walked closer to where his mate stood with Yoongi and Hoseok, noticing his son being cradled in his hyung's arms as the elder was trying to pacify the tense sobbing of the child.

"I think he's just troubled due to the crowd...too many new faces" Yoongi spoke, rocking the child lightly.

"Not good with people...eh?" Hoseok spoke taking a sly glance at Taehyung, and taunted "I'd say it just runs in the family."

"Annoyed especially with the uninvited ones" Taehyung snarled, giving him a cold glare.

"FYI...I was invited by Seokjin" Hoseok quipped grinning at the other's sour face to hear that "you know, this morning...I was just telling him about those old times" he grinned at Taehyung as he moved closer to Jin "how you spent your nights at Guqin's inn before you got yourself a mate."

Hoseok grinned wider to see Taehyung going absolutely silent for a moment "are you remembering those good times-" "Run...before I chop your legs off maggot" Taehyung threatened him, pulling him away from Jin as he glared at Hoseok.

Yoongi was about to tell them to stop being immature when Jin's happy squeak drew their attention.

"Unbelievable!"

They saw him stun to see a rotund old man accompanying the others.

"There's word going around about the fated pair who has taken the world by a storm" the old man spoke, his voice calm as a little smile curved at one corner of his mouth "now...I couldn't just stay on that mountain and forget about the child I had raised can I?"

"M-Master..." his voice was tiny as tears of joy welled in his eyes as the old man walked closer, his gait proud even as he walked among a horde of rulers and alphas that surrounded the child.

Taehyung wasn't very happy at the appearance though, a part of him still remembered how this old geezer had once dared to mock him...and more so because he hadn't told him anything even though he was aware of the secrets Jin held within.

He knew the master didn't approve of Jin being mated to him.

So, when the old man neared the baby and Jin got busy to let his master cradle him, the wolf in him bristled knowing how the man had warned him about how the omega being mated would lead to the birth of a tragedy.

"Wait" the trueblood's command was directed towards Jin but the master paused as well at the heavy authority in that voice.

"Jin has been in Kleon for a year now" he positioned himself before his over-trusting omega, intentionally guarding the child from the old man's attention as well as intention "and you came all the way from your mountain to Kleon to meet him after all this time...?" His eyes sharply confronted the master's "I'm rather curious to know what's your real intention here old man?"

"Why are you being rude to him like this?" Jin grumbled peeking from behind him, and Taehyung snubbed him with a warning growl, yet not moving from where he stood guarding his omega and the pup.

The master stared back just as sharply, realizing that fooling the trueblood was going to be a difficult feat and so he smiled at Taehyung, knowing that it was natural for an alpha to be over-protective of what belonged to him.

"It's true that I came here with an intention to talk to you and your mate...but I think it'll be better if we move the conversation to somewhere more private."

And Taeyung stared down at the old man for a while, debating if he even wanted him in his home...before he gave a nod. His mind was busy with thoughts as he anticipated that there was definitely something way more serious that had brought the old man all the way to Kleon.

When they had moved to the inner room, Taehyung saw the old man eyeing Yoongi and Hoseok.

"They are a part of the family...you may go ahead and speak what you intend to" he declared, taking a seat at his desk. He saw Jin walk in as well, his gaze wary as he sensed the tensed air around. Taehyung gestured him to come to him, knowing whatever the man had to say wouldn't be something nice to hear for his omega.

"Ha-yoon said she'll put Kian to sleep" Jin whispered easing into the seat beside his alpha, and Taehyung intentionally took his mate's hand in his, entwining their fingers as a way of gentle assurance that he was there with him....through everything, whatever it maybe.

"Good" he spoke, feeling Jin's hasty pulse and sighed to himself. He knew Jin was scared too, maybe he wouldn't show it before anyone but being his mate Taehyung could sense the apprehension in the omega.

"Tell us old man...what's your real intention behind coming to Kleon?" His gaze pierced into the other's as he waited to listen to him.

The old man looked around, gaze grazing over the five people in the room before they settled onto Jin. A smile curved on his lips to see how much he had changed since he had left Eulan but there was still that incorruptible glint in his eyes, that innocence and hope brimming full in him.

To him, somehow Jin still looked like the kid who'd topple over stones and laugh at his wounds and came running to show him how it had healed all by itself...to him Jin was still that child who would jump off the steep walls and laugh when others gasped in fear for his well-being...he was still the kid who could heal every wound but got hurt at the tiniest of scoldings and would sit hours with cheeks puffed in anger and spill streams of crocodile tears till the other apologized...to him, Jin was still the boy who had lived despite everyone's intention to kill him off...and he alone knew what this young omega, that the world had once despised, was actually capable of.

"Eighteen years ago when they came to leave the four year old omega prince to my care they told me to be careful because something dangerous lived inside him"

All the mumur in the room came to an abrupt stop as they listened to the old man's words as curiosity burned in their gazes as concern filled in next.

"I had seen fear in their eyes that day...they had seen him kill without being aware of what he was actually doing...without even knowing that he was capable of doing that"

The words echoed in the room, every eye curiously gazing at the old man before their eyes went to the omega who sat by the trueblood.

Jin felt his chest grow heavy at those words, his master had never really told him the truth about why he had been kept in the monastery...and remembering being banished from the palace by his father, he had told himself that it was because his father was ashamed of him...for him being an omega...for him being a murderer who had killed his own countrymen...his own mother.

"And the truth was he wasn't even supposed to be there" the old man's voice was cold and hard as he battled the agitated glare of the trueblood "he was left there because they couldn't kill him...he wasn't supposed to be alive."

Jin's head dipped low in self-reproach as he pressed his teeth into his lip and a tear trickled down his moist eyes. He sucked in a shaky breath when he felt the grip on his hand tighten, the warm touch like a gentle promise staying unhindered to hold him strong. From the corner of his eyes Jin looked to see his alpha looking just as unmoved and stoic as ever, those dark inquisitive eyes set on the master and yet Jin could sense the lulling scent of Taehyung's pheromones surround him, urging him to feel calmer and aiding his mind to settle into the feeling of being appreciated by his alpha and push back the bleak knowledge of being a curse to his father and Eulan.

And Jin breathed evenly now, his heart strong enough to face the ongoing conversation again.

"Honestly..." the old man still held the smile but Taehyung could see the emotion pooling in his eyes "I came all the way from my mountain because I fear for the child I took care of and protected for seventeen years...and because I am worried about that pup he gave birth to-" "You don't have to fear for him" Taehyung replied, frowning at him "if the stories you all believe in are true then no one will be able to harm him anyway."

If it was any other day Jin would curse at his alpha's cocky words but right now he felt a sort of assurance in them. He knew no matter what his alpha would protect him and their pup.

"So naive" the master chuckled at the pride in Taehyung's words "there are ways to kill you without really killing you...there are things that may stab us worse than a blade can."

A kind of grim silence filled in and Jin felt an odd gnawing worry creep into his heart at the hint in those words.

"I came here to let you know that all those stories that you are referring to, tells that your child is destined to bring about an apocalypse" there was a heavy insinuation underlying those words, worry laced with fear "as a child, he will be very different from other children no matter what he presents as..."

Taehyung listened to the man with hard set eyes as he asserted "being different is something both me and my mate have lived through...he'll be fine"

"This pride of yours" the old man sighed as he shook his head "it was a mistake...all of it, I had warned Yeonho...I had warned you but..." his gaze flickered to Jin and Taehyung could see the fear and concern in them "there was a reason that he was considered to be a threat to the others...his powers aren't merely...human"

"I am aware of everything he is capable of...and don't mind me saying this" Taehyung's jaw clenched as he glared at the man "you're not really helping us in any way...I'm getting kinda bored with all your-" "The seal" the old man spoke cutting off Taehyung's words "it cannot be broken by the spirit, and only two people is capable of breaking such a curse seal"

And this got Taehyung curious, "two?"

"The command of a trueblood alpha" the master looked at him as he spoke "and, the one who had created it."

Jin's eyes sparked wide to hear that but Taehyung spoke before he could.

"But his mother is dead" "Yeah" the old man nodded "the seal that had been put to keep Arcana tied within him, is actually a curse seal...breaking it will have consequences."

A frown crimped on Taehyung's brow as he realized that he was right, this man had a motive beyond the reason he gave for coming to visit.

"What kind of consequences?"

He saw the old man's gaze settle on the mark on his wrist, and Taehyung flipped his hand to look as well.

"It has something to do with this?"

"Your bond to Jin ties you to the seal too...breaking that seal would be hard on both of you...the last time Arcana tried to use its powers in a mortal body it ended up killing her"

Jin tried to gulp his fears down as he sat listening to the elder.

"But it doesn't want you dead...at least not as long as you are necessary" the master spoke in a heavier tone as his fears surfaced "however....not even your wolf's command will affect it once you allow Arcana to take it's vessel...and the first thing the spirit will try to do is kill him...and you."

"What?" Jin was startled to hear him "why would Arcana want him dead?"

"It wants both of you dead actually...as long as you are alive...you pose a threat to its freedom"

"We'll find a way to deal with this...there must be a way..." Hoseok spoke up when the air in the room felt too tense.

"The spirit planned it to happen this way, it is beyond our hands now" the old man looked dejected as he sighed quietly "and the only possible way to stop it all...isn't something I can help you with, it's more like a suicide mission and" his gaze fell to the floor "he might not be my own blood but I-" he pressed his eyes close as he spoke the next words "I was the one who brought him up...watched him grow...saw him dream of a life I knew they wouldn't let him have...but then, I never thought it'd all turn out like this".

Jin felt pained to see him like this, for him the old man had been the only parental figure he had to look up to while growing up and he had never doubted that the master loved him like his own child. There were people who feared him, who pitied him...people who were disgusted of him but this old man right here was the reason he had grown up the way he had.

"What if we don't let Arcana free? It cannot kill me as long as the seal is there..."

"It will ruin you from within...and destroy you one step at a time...till your body gets weak enough for Arcana to break the seal" the master replied remembering the words of the late queen.

"But even if I die...it cannot take over Kian's body without permission, right?"

The master picked his head up to stare at Jin "no...it can't...the seal will force Arcana to be trapped back in the realm between the mortal and the divine...but I doubt it will give up that easily...we don't really know what it is actually capable of doing...or how far a divine spirits' powers go...or how intricately that cursed seal bonds you to it..."

The room fell quiet, the fears growing in all their hearts and Jin felt his chest grow tighter with worry and confusion as to why was his life rigged with uncertainties and horrors all the time.

"I don't care"

The silence was cut off by a deep dark voice, a building growl could be traced as Taehyung snapped back against the fears and Jin could see him fuming and glowering at the floor beneath with red infuriated eyes.

"I don't care how far its powers go..." he spoke through gritted teeth, picking his gaze up "I'm not giving in easy to whatever voodoo shit it wants to scare me with...I'll fight-" "This isn't going to be one of those wars where everyone will bow down before you trueblood" the master's voice echoed with warning as he countered Taehyung's livid glare "this might not be a war your wolf can win...because, no matter what...as an alpha you will not be able to harm your mate...you are bound to protect him...given a chance to choose between saving your mate or your child, tell me what will you do?"

His words halted when Taehyung sprang up from his seat, his growing frustrations vivid in his expression as he felt his control over things slipping. No one tried to tell him to calm down at the moment, knowing it was hard to deal with whatever he was going through and they stayed quiet.

Taehyung didn't say a word but one could sense the anger bubbling underneath as he marched out, throwing the doors open as he struggled to deal with his pent up aggression and Jin gulped to himself feeling his insides quiver because of how enraged Taehyung's pheromones were at the moment.

-

With the guests piling in and the grand feast set out for everyone to rejoice the birth, North Gate was a bustling abode for the entire evening and yet Jin could barely see Taehyung around. Yoongi introduced him to the officials of the other lands who had come to bestow blessings and presents on their child, meanwhile Ha-yoon was busy keeping an eye on Kian.

Hoseok had offered to go and look for the other after seeing Jin's impatient eyes roving through the room time and again in search for his alpha, but he came back with a pale and conflicted look on his face.

"He seems to be...not in his right mind currently" Hoseok delivered to Jin who looked even more troubled now, his arms involuntarily rocking the child who slept in his arms.

"Wh-What's the matter?" Jin's voice faltered as he debated what he should do.

"Kian will be fine...we're here with him" Yoongi informed quietly beside him "go...he's probably waiting for you too."

Jin saw the tiny smile Yoongi gave him and nodded, handing his baby to Yoongi before he took the suggestion.

He knew he needed to talk to Taehyung and feeling restless excused himself from the gathering. He checked into the study and the chambers, and not finding him there focused on tracing him by his scent. But his steps froze when he finally found him by the stable at the back of their home.

"Again! Fucking pick your sword up! This is how you will face an enemy huh?!"

Jin flinched at the heavy angry roar from the trueblood whose back was facing him and gulped to see one of the guards struggling to get back on his feet, not missing to catch the bruises patterning the man's face. He saw Taehyung charge at him, the man's strength giving out at the first strike of the enraged hit from the trueblood and the sword slipped out of his hand. The man put his hands up to counter the next strike and Jin was walking with brisk steps fearing what Taehyung might do in his rage but saw him kick the other down instead of striking at an unarmed man.

"Fucking weakling! You'd die in a battlefield!"

"T-Taehyung...stop hurting them" Jin hastened trying to stop his alpha, whose infuriated red eyes instantly zapped to set on him.

On instinct, Taehyung had pushed Jin against a wall, trapping him with his own arm that pressed at his mate's throat as he breathed through his nose and Jin could see how anxious he was.

"Did that fuckface tell you to come here?!"

Jin couldn't control the shudder that ran through him at the fury in his words, he saw that red gaze burning into him and Jin felt his omega react instinctively to the angry pheromones that Taehyung currently gave off.

"I-I needed to talk to you" Jin tried to speak, his hand reaching out to set at Taehyung's chest "calm down...why are you so-" "Go inside...I'm in no mood to talk right now" he spoke through gritted teeth, removing his arm from pressing against Jin's throat but Jin could trace the strong stench of alcohol on him and from the corner of his eye caught sight of how Taehyung's other hand trembled as his fingers tightened on the hilt of his sword again.

A pang of guilt ran through Jin, knowing it was because of him that Taehyung was this anxious and distraught. If he had been a normal omega then they could probably be happy in living a simple life. Since the day Taehyung had claimed him, in some way or the other he had faltered in taking his decisions as a Commander and had even been punished for faults that hadn't been his.

Jin quietly glanced about and could see the number of guards who stood swaying and bruised but dared not say a word against the Commander. He gulped to himself, feeling responsible for the aggression they had to suffer because of something that wasn't their fault at all. He knew Taehyung was doing this to merely deal with his anger, that red gaze made it evident that his trueblood was rattled and he knew how violent and blood-thirsty his wolf became when enraged. It were times like these when Jin too felt threatened by him.

But after all he was his mate...he knew even at its worst, Taehyung's wolf was bound to abide by him. However, the problem was his wolf was bad at listening...so, Jin chose the only way he knew that would calm his alpha.

He quietly bared his neck, staring straight into Taehyung's eyes, who still stood fuming at him, gaze boring into him as his brows stayed knitted. Jin caught his eyes dipping momentarily to trace his action, gaze staying at his neck before those red eyes came back to delve into his. Yet, he did not seem to be happy about the gesture as he stood just as frozen as he glared at him.

So, Jin tried a bolder step as he denied to believe that he couldn't move his alpha's attention towards him as he unbuttoned his collar, freeing his neck to Taehyung's gaze before he bared his throat to him again.

Taehyung had to clench his jaws as he tried not to give in to the way his wolf just wanted to sink it's canines into his mate's neck and have his way with him. The submission from Jin was beginning to mess with his head and his wolf snarled at him for barring it from claiming what was it's to claim.

He placed a hand by Jin's head, fingers coiling into a fist as he felt the omega's sweet scent calling onto the beast within him.

"Jin" his voice was laced with a growl, and Jin felt goosebumps rise all over him at how heavy and authoritative Taehyung sounded at the moment.

"I'm warning you...this isn't the time to play with me" his other hand inadvertently went to clutch his mate's nape, fingers pressing at the softness as he dunked his face at the crook of his neck to run his nose there "I don't have the patience to be careful with you tonight."

Jin's mind felt hazy because of the heavy pheromones that were practically drowning him in it, his eyes closed in their own volition as he gave out a whimper to feel his alpha dragging his canines along his neck, taunting him intentionally. He barely registered anything other than his alpha's heavy breathing at his ear, and the way he could sense the trueblood's growing demand for his full submission to it.

"Then d-don't be..."

He felt Taehyung clutching at his jaw and opened his eyes when he felt hot breaths touching his lips, only to see those flaming red eyes stare at him as if they'd gobble him up in their scorching need...and unlike all those times he had dreaded the trueblood before him, tonight...Jin didn't feel scared at all.

"You don't have to be careful with me..."

Jin heard the sound of the sword dropping from his grip and a rough hand clutched at his chin before he felt Taehyung's mouth crash on his.

-

"Psst!" Hoseok gestured to Yushik to come to him, who meekly came to hear him out.

"How's the situation with Taehyung? Did he calm down?"

"Uhm...yes" Yushik looked conflicted to answer that, eyes dipping low as he informed as he gave him a shy smile "the guards are really thankful to you Sir."

"See...I told you... trueblood or not, he doesn't have it in him to ignore his omega" Hoseok winked at Yoongi "he might be your brother Yoonie but I know him way better than you...after all, we have been friends for the longest time...he's a rather simple man when you get to know him better..."

His eyes got a bit glossy as he moved his gaze to stare at the guests "I didn't mean to betray him...but King Jaehyun would have killed me if I had denied to fulfil the duties that had been given to me."

Yoongi turned to watch Hoseok, and saw how the other struggled to gulp his guilt down.

"Honestly, Taehyung was the only friend I ever had and I betrayed him...so, I forgive him for despising me...I'm happy for him actually, being the mindless brute he is...he got really lucky with Seokjin..." he smiled to himself thinking about how things had gone right for the trueblood despite the ways Jungkook had tried to ruin his life.

"Taehyung never really told me what you took away from him" Yoongi's voice was calm but understanding, and he quietly shifted closer to the other sensing how troubled Hoseok's scent had suddenly turned "so, I guessed you guys must have fought over something for him to hate you so much..."

"I did...I broke his trust, I might be the reason he doesn't trust people anymore" Hoseok smiled to hear him but Yoongi could see the line of moisture in his eyes as he stood stiffly still staring at the busy crowd "that day when the king had taken him from his home to the palace to force his trueblood to submit before the crown prince...I knew what they had planned"

And although the room was filled with voices and people bustled around, Yoongi felt like the world had fallen quiet as he watched Hoseok shed a silent tear as his gaze stayed stiffly frozen at the distance.

"I watched when they whipped him half dead...and told myself that what I had done was only to save myself, I did not want to be where he was...I was selfish" his voice shook and Yoongi saw him bite into his lip "but I was so scared Yoongi...I betrayed our friendship because I was scared to die."

Yoongi saw him drop his head as he quietly gulped down a sob and brushed a hasty hand down his face, before he shook away the grief and chuckled.

"He's so easy to annoy though...I had once threatened him that I'd tell all his secrets to his brother whom he hated so much...and he looked like he could kill me right there..."

Yoongi watched him pick his face, a wide smile pulling at his lips but he could hear the regret in his voice loud and clear.

"I kinda feel that's all that is left of our friendship...at least he still let's me annoy him..." he sighed, looking terribly disappointed in himself "I never thought I'd ever have this privilege of celebrating the birth of his heir at his home...I don't really deserve this, do I?"

Yoongi didn't say a word as he laced their fingers together, startling Hoseok.

They had been seeing each other, eating together...sleeping together but Hoseok didn't even know if he could really call it 'courting' with how their 'relationship' actually was. Yoongi seemed too quiet at times, and then there were times he'd act all caring and thoughtful and protective...it confused Hoseok, so he just guessed that maybe Yoongi didn't want everyone to know that they had something going on between them.

"I don't really care who you were or what you had to do to survive..." Yoongi spoke leaning into his ear "but I admire your courage to accept your fault and still come around to stand beside them, knowing that Taehyung might never forgive you...we all know how hard-headed my brother can be"

Hoseok turned to look at him, his ears dusting pink as he gazed into Yoongi's eyes to check whether he was being honest and felt charmed to hear his supportive words.

"I admire you for being yourself...just..." Yoongi gave a little smile as he leaned closer to whisper the next words "remember that if you feel like conning me...make sure to kill me first"

Hoseok felt all colour flush out of his face as he stared at the other, and he could see a thin rim of red around Yoongi's gray irises as he smirked at him.

"I can be a pretty understanding person but...unlike my brother, I won't spare you...neither am I good at forgiving."

á na márië.

[A/N] Change is the only constant! 🌚

Borahae 💜