Important! Please read the disclaimer again. It has some warnings about this book.

"The duel..." Jeongguk's father's voice was grim and held uncertainty. "Do you think you can win it?"

The alpha and the omega seated in front of the latter alpha watched him blankly, not knowing what to reply to the question.

"Losing means death, Jeongguk" Jihoo said with a thick voice that held so much emotion. "I don't want to lose you, son"

"I know, dad" Jeongguk muttered. "But I need to do this"

"I told you not to get in trouble with big alpha packs" Jihoo grumbled. "When you first told me who Taehyung's father was..." He shook his head.

"I'm sorry" Taehyung whispered. "This was my fault–"

"It wasn't his fault" Jeongguk argued. "I can't control who I fall in love with, dad. Besides, I don't regret meeting Taehyung and–"

"What I can't believe is how you managed to get in trouble with the Kim Pack itself. The biggest wolf pack in Seoul and the pack with one of the most dangerous pack leaders in the country! Specifically, the pack I told you to not get in trouble with and to be on their good side"

"I was on their good side, okay?"

"Until you started courting their son!"

Taehyung let out a deep exhale.

"This is nothing against you, Taehyung" Jihoo spoke carefully. "But the absolute idiocy of Jeongguk! Fine, you court him. But why did you get on their bad side? If they were against you courting him, there are so many things you could've done instead of getting into a duel! For an omega! So many ways to resolve this!"

"It wasn't something that could've been dealt with some friendly conversation. We were way past that when Taehyung's parents found out about me" Jeongguk said. "The only other way was to let Taehyung go at the cost of losing everything in his life, everything we have built together so far, and our future together. I'm not going down like that"

"How could that be the only option?!"

Jeongguk sighed, looking at Taehyung. The omega squeezed Jeongguk's hand under the table, giving him a small nod.

"Dad," Jeongguk began, his voice steady but tinged with apprehension, "there's something we need to tell you."

"What is it?"

"We're going to have a pup," Jeongguk blurted out, the words tumbling from his lips in a rush.

The room seemed to freeze, the silence deafening as Jeongguk's father processed the revelation. His features darkened, his brows drawing together in a deep furrow of disapproval.

"A pup?" he repeated, his voice low and incredulous. His gaze switched from Taehyung to Jeongguk with disbelief. "You're pregnant?!"

"I'm sorry" Taehyung swallowed hard. Jeongguk too tensed, feeling the weight of his father's disapproval like a heavy stone in the pit of his stomach. "We know it's unexpected," Taehyung began, his voice shaking slightly, "but we're determined to make it work. We'll do whatever it takes to take care of our pup."

Jeongguk's father's eyes flashed with anger, his jaw clenched in frustration. "This is not how I raised you, Jeongguk," he growled, his voice thick with disappointment. Jeongguk felt a pang in his chest from Jihoo's words. "I expected better from you."

The tension in the room was palpable, the air thick with unresolved emotions as father and son faced off in a silent battle of wills. Jeongguk sensed a surge of panic rising within Taehyung as his scent heightened. Jeongguk squeezed his hand, trying to comfort him as he could.

"So that is why you decided to have a duel" Jihoo groaned in frustration. "This is unbelievable"

"Taehyung's pregnancy wasn't a big deciding factor in this duel. Regardless of us having a pup, I would've fought for him. He's my omega. It's my duty to protect him. I won't let him go into the hands of Seojoon who only wants to make Taehyung a breeding machine"

Jihoo let out an exasperated sigh. A nerve-wracking silence stretched between the three men around the table.

"You were being irresponsible," Jihoo said and looked at Taehyung. "So were you"

Taehyung lowered his gaze. "You two are adults so let's look past the fact that you mated before marriage. I noticed that massive mate mark on your neck the moment I came in here, though I thought that it was only a normal bite mark, I had my suspicions that you two had done mating rituals, though not permanent"

Taehyung blushed and Jeongguk squeezed his hand reassuringly.

"But getting pregnant?" Jihoo scoffed. "This is not how I raised you, Jeongguk. You should have to be more careful when you spend a heat with an omega. Especially a male omega who are known to be the most fertile"

"I know, I was being irresponsible" Jeongguk muttered.

"I was too" Taehyung whispered. "And I regret being so irresponsible"

"There's nothing we can do about it right now so let's put that aside. I'm angry at you for being so daft, Jeongguk. I warned you about Taehyung's pack before you moved to Seoul for your education. You clearly didn't take that warning to heart. It's going to cost you your life"

"I will live, dad" Jeongguk said.

"You'd better" Jihoo sighed. "I am impressed that you are willing to go to such lengths for love and protecting your omega. It's an honourable characteristic to have as an alpha. A characteristic most of the youth nowadays lack. So I am proud of you"

"Thank you" Jeongguk whispered, the anxiety easing from his chest a little. "I learned to be a real true alpha from you, dad"

"But as your father, I am worried and I wish you didn't take up the duel"

"I know"

"I wish you found a way around this"

"There isn't" Jeongguk said. "I'm ready for this. The day after tomorrow, I will face him"

Taehyung took a deep breath. Jeongguk felt his omega's pheromones heighten once again, a scent of bitterness filling his senses. He wanted to embrace him and reassure him that everything would be fine. However, he couldn't at the moment. Therefore, he caressed Taehyung's knuckles with his thumb, offering him reassurance in the only possible way at that moment.

"I have tried convincing him" Taehyung's voice was thick. "But he's stubborn"

"This really isn't a time to feed your pride and ego. You might be a true alpha but your life is worth more than your pride as one"

"Dad, please" Jeongguk let out a deep sigh. "This isn't only about my pride. It's not only about another alpha trying to steal my omega. He's my person. I love him. He's carrying my pup. His life and future are in line right now. I'm doing this for love. For Taehyung. For myself and the future I will have with him"

Jihoo sighed exasperatedly. "I have nothing more to say"

Taehyung took a deep breath, looking at Jeongguk. Jeongguk nodded at him, offering a small smile. He was about to stand up and bring dessert when–

"I forgot to congratulate you, though I don't feel very cheerful," Jihoo said. "I pray you to win this duel, my son and I will be able to become a grandfather"

Jeongguk smiled."I'm going to try my best to make it happen, Dad"

"Have you picked out names yet?"

Jeongguk shook his head. "No-"

"Yes!" Taehyung grinned.

"What?!" Jeongguk exclaimed.

"I've always had these names I wanted my pups to have"

Jeongguk chuckled. "And what are they?"

"Nabi, if it's a girl" Taehyung grinned at Jeongguk. "And if it's a boy, I always thought of naming him Moonchi"

Jeongguk grinned. "Nabi is beautiful"

"Right? But for a boy, now that you're the pup's father, we should name him something that starts with 'J'"

"Moonchi isn't bad either"

"Suggest a name with 'J'"

Jeongguk thought for a bit, rummaging his mind for names. He never had any names picked out for future pups like Taehyung had. "I don't know... Do you have any ideas?"

Taehyung pouted, thinking hard.

"Oh" Jeongguk said. "What about Jisung?"

Taehyung gasped, clasping his hands together in front of his face. "That's perfect! I love it!"

Jeongguk chuckled. "Dad, what do you think?"

"Yeah, that's not bad" Jihoo smiled. "When can you know the pup's gender?"

"In around two weeks, I think"

"Jeongguk, you'd better accompany him to every doctor's appointment. I did that when your mother was pregnant with you, even though the doctor was inside our pack itself"

Taehyung grinned.

"Don't worry, I will" Jeongguk chuckled. "Now would you like some custard pudding?"

"I will never say no to a pudding," Jihoo said.

Jeongguk walked over to the kitchen and took out the pudding. He couldn't help the deep sigh that escaped him. He knew too well that he was worrying everyone with this decision for this duel. However, it was already decided that this duel was necessary to protect their future together. He didn't have much of a choice. He didn't like how the situation had turned out. However, you don't always get to do the things you like in life. It's necessary to sacrifice something small for something better and permanent.

If he ran away with Taehyung right now, the consequences would catch up to them in the future, when they both would have too many responsibilities on their shoulders, like family life and pups. That would be a time too late to fight for what's his. In order to have a stable future with Taehyung and for them both to live their ambitions, this was necessary.

With every day that passed and the duel drew close, his anxiety grew, just like Taehyung's did. Jeongguk knew how much stress his omega was in. Part of Jeongguk knew that his hard work for the past week or so would pay off. He definitely had a chance at winning this.

Every night he imagined how the duel would turn out. He imagined himself killing Seojoon with his bare hands. If he could, he would draw blood from Taehyung's parents as well, for everything they had done to his omega. He craved revenge.

He was glad that the set date was much over a week, than the time Seojoon proposed that day. He wished to have more days. However, it was best to get this over with. Then both of them could go back to their education and plan what to do when it's time to deliver the pup.

The bowl in one hand and the other hand holding three cups stacked over one another, he walked over to the dining table. He watched Taehyung listen attentively to something his father was saying and he nodded at him. Taehyung did that when he was mentally taking notes. Though inaudible, he muttered something to Jihoo and his expression spoke of worry. The conversation had stopped when Jeongguk reached the table and he slowly started putting the cups and bowl on the table. He was about to serve the pudding when his father spoke once again.

"If, in case this duel doesn't end as we pray," Jihoon said, his tone suddenly serious and deep. Jeongguk gulped, looking at him.

"I swear on the moon goddess to look after your mate and pup until I take my last breath"

-

The day before the duel, Taehyung awoke with Jeongguk placing a soft kiss on his forehead. He bolted up, realizing that he had slept in and hadn't prepared Jeongguk breakfast, but Jeongguk assured him that his father would be cooking breakfast and had packed him a lunch as well. Taehyung sighed in relief and even though Jeongguk left with the order for Taehyung to get more sleep, the omega couldn't.

He had started feeling a bit nauseous in the morning for the last few days. He hadn't paid it much attention, since it went away after a while after he woke up. This day too, he had to get up, wishing the nausea would wear off. It indeed did, as he walked out of the bedroom with a robe wrapped around his pyjamas.

He found Jeongguk's father in the kitchen, cooking something; the smell of which made Taehyung's mouth water.

"Good morning" Jihoo sounded cheerful.

"Good morning" Taehyung said sleepily.

"Didn't think you'd be up so early"

"I've been getting morning sickness"

"Really? Did you throw up?"

"No, I only get a bit nauseous"

"Let me make you some tea for your stomach. You will feel better soon" Jihoo offered. "When I go back to Busan, I will send you some medicine my wife used to take when she was pregnant. I know this nurse who makes this herbal tea for pregnant omegas. Her mother used to make it for my wife"

Taehyung grinned. "I will drink it every day"

"It's a bit bitter but your birth will become much easier when you take it"

Taehyung nodded.

"Besides, I heard that male omegas need to be careful during their pregnancy," Jihoo said. "As easy it is for them to get pregnant, it's easy for them to lose the pups. They're incredibly fertile but their wombs are smaller than a woman's so it's hard work maintaining a pup"

Taehyung nodded. "I have heard that too"

"So you have to be careful and eat only healthy food, okay?"

"Okay" Taehyung smiled. "No more junk food"

Jihoo sighed. "You're still a kid, I feel bad for you. Are you ready to be a mother yet?"

Taehyung shook his head slowly. "I'm not. But I do not have the heart to get rid of the pup either"

"I understand. But I feel like you can always have another pup but you will only be young once. Think about it. You still have time"

Taehyung sighed. "After the duel, Jeongguk and I need to discuss about it"

"Yes"

"But we both are looking forward to this pup" Taehyung placed his hand on his stomach. "We both want it"

Jihoo nodded. "Of course, you two are mated at heart"

Taehyung nodded. "I should shower"

"Would you like some rice for breakfast?'

"Yes" Taehyung smiled.

"You can call me Dad"

"Dad" Taehyung grinned. "I'm happy to have another dad. A real one this time. Someone who doesn't want to sabotage my future"

Jihoo stepped close to Taehyung and caressed his head lovingly. "You've had a rough life. I pray the rest of your life to be easier"

Taehyung smiled. "With Jeongguk, I believe it would be"

"I too wish so" Jihoo sighed. "The duel will decide everything"

"Yeah" Taehyung gulped. The thought that the duel is tomorrow, alone, made his heart race.

Every time he thought of the duel, his heart squeezed painfully. His wolf whimpered in agony and he wanted to hide somewhere and never come out again. His heartbeat rose and it felt like someone was squeezing his chest.

"I can sense your stress but I can't tell you not to be stressed. It's illogical" Jihoo muttered. "Let's just believe in Jeongguk, for now"

"I trust that he would survive" Taehyung muttered. "For me and this pup"

-

Taehyung thought it would be quite awkward to spend time alone with Jeongguk's father since they had only met a few times. However, the two of them got along pretty well throughout the day. The conversation never died and Taehyung laughed his heart out as Jihoo told him stories about Jeongguk's childhood. Spending time with Jihoo eased his stress. If he was alone, all he would be thinking about would be Jeongguk and the duel.

That night, they were planning to invite all their friends for dinner. Therefore, Jin, Yoongi and Jimin said that they would come to prepare the dinner feast. Taehyung were not expecting any guests until the evening, however, around midday, the doorbell rang and Taehung looked at Jihoo, who looked as confused.

Taehyung stood up from the soft and walked over to the door. Through the peephole, he saw a man in all black and a cap covering his head. He had his back to the door. Eyebrows furrowed, Taehyung slowly opened the door just enough to put his head out of the door.

"May I help you?" Jeongguk asked, looking at the man who was a head or two taller than him.

The man turned around and Taehyung felt the air in his being sucked out. His eyes widened like saucers.

"F-Father"

"Taehyung" The man spoke. His eyes scanned Taehyung and Taehyung scanned his father. The alpha looked tired, as he hadn't slept properly in days. His face, otherwise cleanly shaved, was covered in grey stubble. His wrinkles looked more prominent than ever before. Taehyung felt like he had aged a few years in the past week.

"W-what are you doing here?" Taehyung let out, dumbfounded.

"Taehyung, I need to talk with you"

Taehyung clutched the door handle. "I have nothing to talk to you about," he said and was about to slam the door shut in his face when Minseok placed his own hand against the handle, preventing Taehyung from shutting it.

"Please listen to me" Minseok pleaded.

The look that his father gave Taehyung made him pause, his heart dropping a little. He had never seen his father so... desperate.

"W-what is it?"

"I'm sorry"

Taehung's breathing stopped. Had he heard this man correctly? Did he just apologise?"

"What?" Taehyung whispered.

"I'm sorry for making you go through this, Taehyung" Minseok pleaded. "Please call off the duel"

"What?" Taehyung's head swam.

"Jeongguk... Jeongguk won't survive it and you will become a knocked-up omega without a mate. Or Seojoon will kill the pup and kill you too. Tell him to withdraw"

"What are you talking about?!" Taehyung's voice was loud. "How dare you tell me something like that?! When you kicked me out! A week ago you didn't even want me as your son! You called me filthy names for falling in love and now you insult my alpha's honour?!"

"No... I'm not trying to insult him. I'm only warning you. Jeongguk will not survive"

Taehyung gulped, anxiety filling him as if someone lit fire to his body.

"Seojoon had been training like crazy for the past week. He almost killed his trainer yesterday. I don't care about Jeongguk but... but I can't have Seojoon killing you"

Taehyung took a step back. His knees trembled as anxiety and fear engulfed him. Was his father telling the truth? If he was, had Seojoon also built up his strength? Could he have trained more than Jeongguk? Would he kill Jeongguk? Would he–

"What's going on, Taehyung? Who's there?"

A voice made Taehyung snap back into reality. He turned his head to look at Jihoo behind him and he walked in front of Taehyung.

Taehyung's father's eyes widened upon seeing Jihoo. "Who's this?" Minseok asked.

"I'm Jeon Jihoo. Who are you?"

"I'm Taehyung's father"

Jihoo coked an eyebrow at Minseok. "How dare you come in here and speak to my son's mate? When you prepared to sell him off for his whole life and discarded him like a used toy when he was of no more use to you?"

Minseok shook his head. "I'm sorry!" he let out and sank into his knees.

Taeyung gasped, placing his hand over his mouth. "F-Father!"

"I swear that I am telling the truth, Taehyung. I didn't mean the things I said. I wasn't going to kill Jeongguk that day. I wanted to see him suffer for... for all the lies he had told us and how he courted you and knocked you up. But when I told Seojoon that I would lock Jeongguk and your friends up and torture them... I was going to let them go after a short while. I had no intention of doing any of you any real harm. I didn't want it to end up this way"

"But you still wanted to sell me off to Seojoon! Even after he acted like that and wanted to kill Jeongguk!" Taehyung shouted.

"I was angry and angry enough to kill Jeongguk. But I wouldn't have done it. I wasn't planning to. I still believe that you did us wrong, Taehyng. Both of you. But I don't want to see your life ruined"

"You know how my life could've been ruined? If I was married to Seojoon"

"But what's about to happen is much worse! Seojoon will defeat Jeongguk tomorrow and he will kill your pup too. I am almost certain that he would kill you eventually. I have witnessed the beast he had become. He is no match for Jeongguk"

Taehyung wanted to scream and pull his hair out. He wanted to punch his father and punch Seojoon even harder. If he could kill Seojoon, he would.

Instead, he sank into his knees, loud sobs escaping him.

Jihoo squeezed Taehyung's shoulders. "I think you should leave, Mr Kim"

"Stop the duel, please" Minseok begged.

"Tell Seojoon to stop it!" Jihoo shouted. "Or you stop it! Tell them that your son won't be the prize at the end of the duel! They are fighting for Taehyung's ownership, after all. This is what it is, simply put"

"Seojoon won't withdraw. He wants to win, kill Jeongguk and make Taehyung his. He's planning the marriage too. He told me he would wed you the next day after he kills Jeongguk"

Taehyung sobbed. "No! Jeongguk will win. He's strong too. Much stronger than before"

"Seojoon is stronger. He's older and taller"

"No" Taehyung shook his head. "You're lying"

"I'm not!" Minseok let out.

"You can't come in here and pretend to care about me out of nowhere. You didn't care about me or this pup when you found out about our relationship. You were ready to hand me over to Seojoon, with the pup too!"

"I know and I'm sorry. I was driven by rage and I regret acting that way. I just don't want you to die, Taehyung. Is it so strange that your father wants to see you alive?"

Taehyung sobbed.

"Even if Jeongguk withdraws, there is no way out of this. How could Seojoon be stopped? It's not like they could run away and then what? Be on the run for the rest of their lives?" Jihoo asked.

"I can talk some sense into him if you ran away. I can so something... but tomorrow...." Minseok gulped. "Taehyung, please. Don't do this"

"You started it, Father" Taehyung sniffled. His whole body burned and his body ached. "All of this happened because you wanted to sell me off to Seojoon's family. I was nothing more than a product to sell for the longevity and nourishment of the pack" Taehyung's tears fell in torrents, his chest heaving with the weight of his emotions. Anguish and rage mingled within him, a tempest of conflicting feelings threatening to consume him whole.

"I don't know why you want to start caring about me out of nowhere like this. M-Maybe you're just discouraging us to withdraw so Seojoon could take me without any difficulty!"

"Don't be so stupid!" Minseok shouted. "You know deep down that Seojoon is stronger than Jeongguk"

"You're just hiding behind the facade of love for me. You want things to go your way and that's all you care about. Not me. Not this pup. You never cared about me or my future, Father"

"I do care about you, Taehyung" Minseok pleaded. "You're my only son" He reached to touch Taehyung's face but the omega recoiled from his father's touch, unable to find solace in the arms that had once offered him comfort.

"You don't get to cry now! You don't get to come here and expect me to forgive you just because you decided to come to your senses at the last minute" Taehyung's voice cracked with bitterness, his words laced with resentment. "You had your chance to care, to protect me. But you chose to betray me instead."

Minseok's eyes brimmed with tears of his own. But the damage was done, irreversible and unforgivable.

"I know I've failed you, Taehyung," Minseok whispered, his voice barely audible over the sound of Taehyung's sobs. "But please, believe me when I say that I never wanted any of this. I never wanted to see you hurt."

Taehyung shook his head, his fists clenched in frustration. "It's too late for apologies now" he spat, his voice raw with emotion. Taehyung's sobs began to subside, replaced by a heavy silence that hung in the air like a shroud. He watched his father through tear-blurred eyes, searching for a glimmer of sincerity amidst the turmoil of emotions that churned within him.

Minseok wiped his own tears off. "I wish there was something I could do–"

"You want to make things right now?" Taehyung's voice wavered, tinged with disbelief. "After everything you've done?"

Minseok bowed his head, his shoulders slumping with the weight of his guilt. "I know I can't undo the past," he admitted, his voice thick with regret. "But I can try to make amends, to do whatever it takes to keep you safe."

Taehyung's heart ached with conflicting emotions, torn between resentment and the desperate desire for reconciliation. "Then stop the duel," he whispered, his voice barely above a breath. "Make it right, Father. Stop the duel before it's too late."

Minseok's gaze faltered, the weight of Taehyung's words settling heavily upon him. "But how?" he asked, his voice tinged with uncertainty.

Taehyung's resolve hardened, fueled by a newfound sense of determination. "Find a way," he urged, his voice gaining strength with each word. "Do whatever it takes to stop the duel. I will not lose Jeongguk. This is the least you can do for me."

Minseok met his son's gaze. "I'll do everything in my power to stop this duel," he vowed. "Even if it means putting myself in harm's way."

A tremor of uncertainty rippled through Taehyung, his heart torn between fear and longing. "But what if you can't stop it?" he whispered, his voice choked with emotion.

Minseok reached out, his hand trembling as he brushed away a tear from Taehyung's cheek. "Then I'll stand by your side, no matter what happens," he promised. "I'll fight for you, Taehyung. I'll fight for us."

Taehyung's heart skipped a beat at that. His chest ached from everything that had gone down in the past twenty or so minutes. He still felt light-headed.

"Fine" Taehyung said thickly. Jihoo helped Taehyung onto his feet and Minseok stood up as well.

"I will get going" Minseok muttered with a nod and took one last look at Taehyung before walking away.

The moment Taehyung saw him disappear into a different hallway, his knees gave out under him and he collapsed on the floor. Tears started running down his face.

As the weight of his emotions bore down upon him, Taehyung's chest tightened with an overwhelming sense of despair. He clutched at his chest, gasping for air as tears streamed down his cheeks, unchecked and unbidden.

Each tear that fell was a silent testament to the pain and turmoil that consumed him—a whirlwind of regret, longing, and shattered dreams. He felt as though he were drowning in an ocean of sorrow, unable to escape the suffocating grip of his own emotions.

Minutes passed like hours, each moment stretching into eternity as Taehyung wrestled with his inner demons. Jeongguk's father's small squeezes on his shoulders, meant to offer him comfort, did nothing for him. There was a possibility that Jeongguk could die tomorrow and there was nothing he could do about it.

Amidst the storm of emotions and the ache that devoured his whole body–Taehyung felt a sudden, searing pain shoot through his body—a sharp, stabbing sensation that tore through him like a bolt of lightning. He gasped in shock, clutching at his abdomen as a wave of dizziness washed over him.

"Ah!" Taehyung let out, both hands clutching his lower stomach.

"What is it? What's wrong?" Jihoo asked, confused about Taehyung's sudden reaction.

Taehyung's eyebrows knitted together as the pain continued. "H-Hurts"

"Where?" Jihoo asked.

Taehyung gasped as another wave of pain hit him. "My stomach"

"Shit" Jihoo cursed. "Let's get you to the sofa. You need to rest. Give yourself a break and stop thinking about all this–" Jihoo helped Taehyung to his feet but the omega felt lightheaded and his knees were weak. He put his arm around Jihoon, stabilising himself. He was about to walk with Jihoo as the older man guided him but–

"W-what's this?" Jihoon asked, voice laced with surprise.

"What?" Taehyung asked and looked at Jihoon, who was looking behind him. He followed his gaze to where Taehyung was sitting earlier.

Taehyung gasped upon seeing a pool of blood. "What the..."

Taehyung's trembling fingers brushed against the fabric of his pants, only to come away stained with blood. His heart constricted with fear, his mind reeling with the realization of what had just happened.

"W-Why am I bleeding?" Taehyung asked Jihoon with a trembling voice.

Jihoon looked as alarmed as Taehyung, his mouth agape. "Let's get you to the hospital. Quick!"

🌸

Song Rec: I Bet on Losing Dogs by Mitski