i was gonna update yesterday but i couldn't, since i was a little busy and i had planned to publish the preference sequel sooo here you go! sorry for the wait. I hope you'll enjoy this!

P.s: pay attention to the minor details and read the dates. also don't be shy to comment what you think happened to taekook from what you read in the first chapter :) (did you realize the date on chapter 1 is more than a year later than the time in the story right now?)

25/01/2020

"Jeongguk slow down!"

Taehyung's scream was carried away by the wind that gushed past his face, making his hair fly in every direction possible.

He heard Jeongguk chuckle in front of him as he sped up his bike even more, making Taehyung let out another scream and his grip on the alpha's waist tighten. Regardless of the way his heart raced as Jeongguk whizzed past other vehicles of the streets, Taehyung was grinning. Adrenaline was high in his veins and he absolutely loved the thrill he felt.

When they finally arrived at Jimin's dorm, Taehyung's hair was a crow's nest of curls that had been messed up from the wind as he wasn't wearing a helmet. But he couldn't stop grinning as he stepped off the bike.

Jeongguk wasn't wearing a helmet either. They only had one helmet and the alpha had wanted Taehyung to wear it but he refused. So Jeongguk didn't wear one either, saying "If you die, I die", which Taehyung found extremely sappy and corny.

Taehyung watched as Jeongguk stepped off and ran a hand through his hair. The sight made Taehyung's heart skip a beat. The alpha was handsome, there was no doubt in it. He was extremely attractive and he made Taehyung's stomach bubble with butterflies every time he flirted.

Taehyung couldn't believe someone as handsome as Jeongguk would take any interest in someone like him.

Jeongguk turned to look at Taehyung. His cheeks were flushed red from the wind. Taehyung guessed he himself looked no different.

The moment the alpha's eyes landed on Taehyung, he started laughing.

Taehyung's eyes widened in confusion, a smile appearing on his lips regardless. "What?!"

Jeongguk threw his head back as loud, bubbly laughter escaped him. Taehyung thought he had a nice laugh. It was one of those laughs that made you want to smile or laugh upon hearing it. It was pleasant. Taehyung wanted to hear more.

"Hey!" Taehyung said and walked towards Jeongguk. He playfully punched the alpha's arm. "Jeongguk!"

"I'm sorry" Jeongguk finally looked up at Taehyung again, still grinning. He wiped off the tears that had gathered on the corners of his eyes.

Taehyung frowned at him.

"Tell me" Taehyung whined.

"I'm sorry. It's just that...that your hair" Jeongguk said, taking a step towards Taehyung invading his personal space.

"What's wrong with my hair?" Taehyung exclaimed. It surely was messy but it can't be that bad, right?

Jeongguk looked at Taehyung fondly, his eyes gleaming under the street lights. He had pretty lips, pink and plump. They were stretched into a fond smile. It made Taehyung feel like he meant something to Jeongguk.

Maybe he did.

"Nothing's wrong" Jeongguk had stopped laughing and his voice was now soft. "It just looks funny"

"Oh"

Jeongguk shifted closer to Taehyung and the omega stood frozen in place. Their chests were only millimeters away and so were their faces. Taehyung's heart started beating erratically and his cheeks heated up.

"Here, let me fix it" Jeongguk said in a soft but deep voice. He started running his hand though the omega's hair, patting it and making it less messy.

While the alpha was concentrated on his work, all Taehyung could think was of how handsome Jeongguk looked. He had sharp features. Like is jawbone and cheekbones were sharp. Well defined. He had a cute bunny nose. His nose and his cheeks that were a little round at times were the only features of his that were soft.

He had perfect lips. Beautiful. For a split second, Taehyung wondered what they might feel against his own.

Taehyung shook the thought away, the blush only deepening. He need to control himself. It wouldn't be hard for the alpha to notice the sudden but small changes in the omega's scent. Alphas were good at noticing such subtle things, especially when it comes to an omega they're attracted to.

"Better now" Jeongguk's voice made Taehyung break free from his daydreams.

"Thanks" Taehyung whispered.

"Will we be meeting again?"

Taehyung smiled. "Of course. I had fun with you"

"I had fun too. I want to know more about you. You're such an interesting person, Taehyung"

Taehyung blushed scarlet again. "So are you"

"Maybe we can go take some photographs together. You know...like a little trip to somewhere close by? I also took classes for photography after high school. Maybe I can teach you some of the things I learned"

"You'd do that?!" Taehyung exclaimed. "I love photography but I've never been taught anything"

"I can teach you" Jeongguk smiled. "If you want me to"

"I want you to. I'd love that. When shall we meet again? I'm excited already"

Jeongguk shrugged. "I have band practice tomorrow. Other than that, I'm free for rest of the week days"

"I won't be able to hang out on Saturday, 28th. We have a family dinner with some close friends of ours. Maybe next Monday?"

"Yeah sounds awesome"

Taehyung grinned, clasping his hands together. He bounced on the balls of his feet with excitement. "I'm excited!"

"You're so cute, Tae" Jeongguk grinned. "Can I call you that?"

Taehyung smiled. "Yeah"

"Awesome. Will you be coming to the gig on Friday? I can set you up so you can come inside free"

Taehyung pouted. "I really want to. But now that I think about it, I don't think I'll be able to. I need come up with an excuse and tell my parents a few days earlier. And it's Wednesday. They won't let me come. But I'll definitely come next Friday? "

Jeongguk grinned. "Yeah that's fine. I would love it if you came. I really want you to"

"I bet you look amazing on stage"

"I look hot"

Taehyung giggled. "Really?"

Jeongguk shrugged. "I don't know. I might be lying. There's only one way to find out I guess"

Taehyung ginned. "Fine. I'll do something to come"

"Your friends won't have to worry. I can give you a ride afterwards. I can drive you straight home"

Taehyung shook his head. "You can't. My parents..."

"Oh right"

"Aren't you going to ask me why you can't give me a ride home?" Taehyung asked.

Jeongguk shrugged. "I just figured they were really strict from the things you told me. And that you can't have alpha friends. I think that's ridiculous."

"Yeah they are. And they're just really protective of me"

"I can protect you"

Taehyung smiled fondly. "I know. You're a strong alpha"

"I can be your strong alpha"

Taehyung would love that but...

"Stop" Taehyung giggled.

"Am I making you uncomfortable, Tae?" Jeongguk's voice was a mere whisper.

Taehyung's eyes widened. "No" He shook his head. "You don't...I just..."

"You just what?"

Taehyung blushed. "I kind of...um...I kind of like it"

Jeongguk laughed. "I'm so happy to hear that!"

Taehyung smiled. "But I can't date you even if I want to"

"Because of your parents?"

"Yeah"

"I don't understand them"

"They...are just overprotective"

"I mean when you have an omega as beautiful as you as your child, I would be overprotective too"

Taehyung laughed.

"But that's just too much, Tae" Jeongguk said. "But I can't force you to do anything. We can hang out and stuff and be friends. I want to know more about you. And I hope you would listen to yourself and take a decision. I will always be here"

"Jeongguk" Taehyung pouted.

Jeongguk reached over and brushed a lock of raven hair off of Taehyung's face. His fingertips brushed over the omega's face making his shudder.

"Take care of yourself. Go inside, now. And get home safe, okay? It's getting late. Let's meet tomorrow at university"

Taehyung nodded. "Okay. Thank you for the ride"

"Anytime" He smiled at the omega.

Taehyung waved at Jeongguk and started waling into the dorm. Before he went inside, he looked back once more only to see Jeongguk leaning against is bike as he watched the omega go inside. Before the omega disappeared into the building, Taehyung's swore his stomach did somersaults more than a couple of times.

-

28/01/2020

"Are you ready?"

The door of Taehyung's room opened, revealing his mother dressed in a pressed, long dress. Her hair was neatly tied up in a bun. She started walking towards Taehyung, who stood by the mirror holding a makeup blush.

"Not yet" Taehyung said, looking back at mirror. He wore a white, silk shirt with flower patterns and black pants. It was only a family dinner but Taehyung was told to dress "decently".

"That shirt looks nice" His mother said. Taehyung smiled. He wished she would complement him too once in a while.

"Yeah" Taehyung said and started applying blush over his cheeks.

"But on some lipstick too. Use that red one"

"Mom I don't like red. It stands out. I'm going to use the pink one. I don't want to look like a girl"

"You're an omega. You're supposed to be feminine"

"I don't want to be feminine. I like the way I am right now"

"You can't live the way you want in this world. You're omega. You should be what people expect you to be"

Taehyung's heart ached at his mother's words. He gulped as he felt tears prickle at the corners of his eyes.

"If someone wants to love me, they'll love me for who I really am" Taehyung said in a small voice.

"Love?" The woman scoffed. "That thing doesn't exist"

"Don't you love dad?"

"It's complicated. I started to feel something for him after our marriage. After my parents married me off to him. And whatever that I felt towards him had faded. Now I don't know what I feel towards him. I care for him. That's all there is. It's nothing like what I felt all those years ago. Love doesn't exist. Even if it does, it doesn't last"

Taehyung knew his parents' marriage was an arranged one. His father was the leader of their pack so he had to marry someone from another pack to form an alliance. So he married the alpha daughter of a neighboring pack. His father was a pure-blooded alpha but his mother wasn't.

A pure blooded alphas were rare. You name an alpha pure-blooded when both their parents are alphas. Taehyung's sister, who was two years older than him, was a pure blooded alpha. Just like male omegas, female alphas were rare. But not as rare as male omegas. However, they were treated with respect and known as natural leaders unlike male omegas who were known to be the lowest rank possible.

"Just because it didn't happen for you doesn't mean it doesn't exist" Taehyung muttered.

"Shut up and try to get some more makeup on your face. So you'd at least look a little pretty. Your face looks so fat now. Do something to hide that. We're leaving in ten minutes" With that said, the woman marched out of Taehyung's room, leaving the boy choking on his sobs.

Does his mother not love him? Why does she treat him like this?

Quickly wiping the tears, he wiped off the now smudged makeup with a tissue and began applying makeup anew.

-

"Oh Mr. and Mrs. Kim! You're always on time. Come on in!" Mrs. Park chirped the moment she opened the door to let Taehyung's family in. Taehyung heard his parents laugh and say something as they stepped into the house.

"Didn't Yeojoo come?" Mrs. Park asked Taehyung's mother.

"She said she couldn't get off of work early. I'll make sure she comes next time"

"Oh that's fine. Where's- Oh Taehyung! It's so nice to see you. It's been so long" Mrs. Park's had a huge smile on her face. She took hold of Taehyung's hands and pulled him in to the house.

"You look so beautiful, Taehyung" She said with a huge smile.

Taehyung smiled widely. "Thank you Mrs. Park"

"Come on in. I prepared some pudding for you. Your favorite?"

"Oh my god really?"

"Yes! You love that, don't you?" She leaned in closer to Taehyung's ear. "I also made some chocolate mousse for you!"

Taehyung squealed. "I love chocolate mousse"

"I know!" She grinned. "I can't wait for you to taste it. Seojoon is just inside. Let's go"

Taehyung smiled and let the elder woman drag her into the house. Mrs. Park was an omega. She was the mother of Park Seojoon, Taehyung's friend and Jisoo, Seojoon's younger sister. Mr. Park, Seojoon and Jisoo's father, was the leader of the Park pact.

There weren't many packs nowadays. Many people didn't belong to a pack, as they had separated or are living separately. Or many packs had merged together by a marriage and are being ruled by one alpha. Jimin and Hoseok didn't have a pack either. But Jimin's parents and Taehyung's parents were close friends. So they had been childhood friends. They went to school together and now, college.

The moment Taehyung entered the living room, he saw Seojoon greeting his parents and talking amongst them.

Seojoon was an alpha. He and Taehyung had been friends since childhood and they basically grew up together, despite being from two different packs. Seojoon was the only alpha Taehyung was allowed to be friends with. Taehyung always wondered why it was only him when he was younger.

He only understood the reason when he was older.

When Taehyung entered the living room, Seojoon instantly looked at him. The moment their eyes met, Taehyung's heart skipped a beat.

Seojoon was handsome. He was a few years older than Taehyung. He had a round face and sharp features. He towered a head or two taller than Taehyung. The omega thought that he looked really masculine. And very much alpha-like.

"Taehyung" The alpha smiled at Taehyung and started walking in his direction.

"Hi" Taehyung said in a small voice.

"How have you been? Haven't seen you in a while" He said, stopping in front of the omega.

"I've been well. A little busy because of college" Taehyung grinned. They hadn't met since Christmas. It's been more than a month.

"How's second year going?"

"There's a lot of work. Lots of assignments. Other than that, everything's fine"

"You need to enjoy that college life" Seojoon smiled. "I miss those days"

"You sound like a fifty year old"

Seojoon laughed.

"How have you been?" Taehyung asked. He had always been comfortable with Seojoon. And the alpha never did anything to make him feel uncomfortable or awkward, which Taehyung really appreciated.

"Same old. Busy with work. Do you want to hang out sometime?"

Taehyung hesitated. "When?"

"Anytime you're free. We used to hang out a lot when we were younger" Seojoon said. It was true. They used to be really close friends. But things changed when Taehyung became busier with school and Seojoon started college.

Before Taehyung could say anything, Mrs. Park's voice came, telling them to come have their drinks and the both boys started walking out of the room.

Dinner went peacefully. Taehyung never really liked family gathering or any social gatherings. Even when it's with people who he's familiar and comfortable with.

They sat at the dinner table now, relaxed conversation flowing amongst them as they ate. Taehyung sat in front of Seojoon on the table and his mother sat next to him. Taehyung had finished his food and Mrs. Park gave him a cup filled with pudding and chocolate mousse.

Taehyung grinned happily at her and uttered a small 'thank you' before digging in. He had only eaten little food so he could enjoy the dessert. Mrs. Park had always treated Taehyung like her own son. She felt like more of a mother to him than his own mother. Whenever Taehyung came over when he was younger, she made him his favorite sweets because she knew he loved sweets.

Taehyung hummed to himself as he took the first bite of the pudding. It made his taste buds sing with joy. He was about to take another bite when-

"Stop eating so much"

Taehyung stopped midway from taking the bite and looked at his mother who sat next to him, glaring at him.

Taehyung hesitated but took another bite.

His mother pinched his thigh, making him wince in pain. "It's too sweet. Stop eating like a pig"

Taehyung gulped, tears starting to form in his eyes again. He had looked forward to tasting the dessert. Before Taehyung's mother could say anything else, Mr. Park spoke.

"When's Taehyung finishing college?"

Taehyung looked at the leader of the Park pack at that.

"He has two more years to go" Taehyung's father said.

"How old would be then?"

"Twenty four" Taehyung's mother answered with a smile.

Mr. Park nodded. "That's a little old. Seojoon would be twenty nine by then"

"Yes I suppose" Taehyung mother said.

"The marriage would happen when Taehyung finishes college, then?"

"Taehyung said he wants to do a degree" It was Mr. Kim.

"Seojoon can take care of him. He doesn't need one" Mr. Park said.

"I want to do a job. I want to be a researcher"

"You'll be busy if you had such a job. Who's going to take care of the pups when you're not at home?" Mr. Park asked.

"Dad, stop. He's going to be my husband. I'm sure we can figure something out when we actually have pups" Seojoon came to the defense of Taehyung.

Taehyung was looking down at him lap, hands fumbled together and a blush covering his face.

"I would prefer you two get married soon. Seojoon will have to take over this pack soon and he needs to have a mate by then" Mr. Park said again.

"I'm sure they can get married when they both are ready. It's not like Seojoon would be taking over the pack anytime soon" Mrs Park said with a smile.

"Just let Taehyung stay with us for some more time. He's still a kid" Taehyung's father said with a chuckle.

Taehyung smiled at that.

The conversation about their marriage stopped there but Taehyung couldn't help thinking about all the things the adults had said at the dinner table.

Seojoon and Taehyung were supposed to get married.

Taehyung had known this for years. It was decided the moment Taehyung was identified to be an omega. He had heard that the Parks were hoping that he would turn out to be a beta because an alpha family having an omega and a male omega at that was a rare coincidence. And when Taehyung had his first heat, everyone was ecstatic except for Taehyung's own family who had hoped to have an alpha as their youngest son.

They had wanted a pure-blooded alpha to rule their pack and instead they got a male omega which is considered as the lowest rank possible for the sub-genders.

Nevertheless, this is Taehyung's fate now. An omega could never rule a pack. If he can't rule, he must be of some use for their family. Because a male omega is considered useless, even though society had come to respect them with time. So he should at least be worthy by getting married off to the pack leader of another pack to keep up the legacy of his own.

This was the reason why Seojoon was the only alpha he was allowed to be friends with. Because they were hoping to marry them off.

Taehyung was never allowed to have any boyfriends either. It's a deep-rooted belief in most packs that the pack leader's mate must be pure. Untouched. A virgin. Therefore, Taehyung had been groomed to become Seojoon's mate from his childhood.

His parent's "protectiveness" was never about actually protection Taehyung from wild alphas. It was rather because they wanted Taehyung to be a virgin and be pure until he's married off. It took the omega a while to understand that.

He keeps this fact to himself. So he called him parents "over-protective" because he was ashamed to tell anyone the reality.

The belief that omegas were supposed to be pure was outdated. Taehyung was taught that all omegas were supposed to virgins but he now knew from experience that almost every omega he knew had boyfriends or girlfriends and did all sorts of vulgar things with each other. He understood that what he was taught wasn't true at all.

But Taehyung had nothing to do about it. This isn't something he could avoid. This was his destiny: to get married to Seojoon. Even though he didn't feel anything romantic towards the elder.

Maybe in the future he would be able to develop feelings for him.

This is why he said no to Jeongguk.

Taehyung didn't know what he felt towards Jeongguk. He liked the alpha. Jeongguk was sweet, caring and made Taehyung laugh. Taehyung liked hanging out with him and wished he could spend more time with him. And he was looking forward to meeting the alpha for a photography date.

Date?

Friend date. Yes.

The only reason he didn't want to think about anything more than friendship with the alpha was because he was already taken, even if it's without his liking and choice. Even if he wanted to be more than friends with Jeongguk, he couldn't.

"Taehyung!" Mrs. Park's voice came as Taehyung and his parents stepped out of the Parks' house, ready to go home. He turned around to see Seojoon's mother running towards him.

"Here, take this" She said, handing Taehyung a small container. "Some chocolate mousse I made. I saw that you didn't eat much today. Go home and eat it, okay? Don't tell your mother"

Taehyung grinned at her. "Thank you"

"Don't think too much about what Seojoon's father said, okay? Just focus on your studies"

"I will" Taehyung couldn't help smiling. "Thank you so much"

The woman smiled at him. "Now go. You should come over sometime. So you and I could spend some omega bonding time. I can make you some food too"

"I'll tell you when I can come" Taehyung said.

"Go now" She said and Taehyung bid her goodbye and got into their car.

The ride home was silent and peaceful other than the conversation that flowed between his parents, which Taehyung took no part in. It was peaceful, until...

"I told you we shouldn't send him to college when he's going to get married to Seojoon" Taehyung's mother's voice broke through the silence.

"He wanted it. And you're the one who's been rambling about how his grades aren't satisfactory when he's been getting As every time. Why care about grades if you didn't want him to go to college" Taehyung's father said.

"That's because if he's doing something, he needs to be best at it. Why do it if he's not going to get A plusses? I'm just saying, if we didn't let him go to college, we wouldn't have to hear those words from the Parks about how Taehyung would be old when he gets out of college"

"He's not old. He's going to be twenty four"

"But Seojoon would be twenty nine. He can't wait that long to marry Taehyung. What if they decide to marry him to some other omega?"

"I'll make sure they don't. Or Taehyung can just marry him next year or something. He can still go to college married"

Taehyung listened from the backseat as he fumbled with his fingers. His throat opened and closed as he tried to keep the sobs inside. He hated how he had no choice in the things that happened in his life. To his family, he was just an object that could be used for their own benefit.

When they arrived at his house, Taehyung fled to him bedroom and locked the door. He threw himself on the bed and started letting out loud, heart-wrenching sobs.

A few minutes later, he heard the sound of a notification. Taehyung looked up from his pillow and took his phone out of his pocket. He saw a text notification and pressed it. It was a text from Jeongguk. He opened it.

Hey we're meeting the day after tomorrow, right? I'm so excited! I'll pick you up after classes ?

For the first time that evening, he smiled genuinely. His heart swelled with happiness and he wiped his tears before he typed out a reply.

🍭

Thoughts?

Hi! I appreciate you reading this💗 If you were a reader of my other books, you might have seen that all of them had a sexual theme. They started with a sexual relationship. But with this book, I'm trying to take a different turn. It's a new experience as well as a challenge for me too. So I hope you guys would support me on this. Thank you for reading 💗