The main reason this chapter took so long was that I was on vacation for a whole week hehe. Also hello!

09/04/2020

It was late in the evening when Taehyung arrived home after spending the day with Jeongguk. Since it was the fourth day of his rut, the waves weren't as intense as the day before. Regardless, even when Jeongguk left a temporary mark on the omega's neck after that morning, they had gone for a few more rounds. The roughness remained the same even though the rut wasn't as intense as the day before. Therefore, Taehyung was limping. He tried not to. And he was glad that he had driven to Jimin's apartment the previous day instead of taking the bus because he couldn't imagine walking to the bus stand or having to take a taxi in his condition.

He had visited Jimin's dorm beforehand and Jimin being much better than Taehyung at make-up, had been able to cover Jeongguk's bite mark perfectly. The mark had already started to heal, with only faint marks of Jeongguk's teeth remaining and two dots where the canines sank in– which were pretty visible. He had worn a shirt, for extra precaution, so that the collar covered the side of his neck.

He didn't have anything to be anxious about, since he had already told his parents that he was with Jimin to do some assignments. Regardless, the grey Audi parked in his front yard made his heart jump with anxiety. His mind wandered back to when Seojoon came to his house when he wasn't home. And this car looked awfully familiar as well. He opened the door to his house and went inside. The sight that greeted him confirmed his anxious doubts.

Sitting at the living room were none other than Seojoon's parents. His own parents sat with them, a couple of tea cups sitting empty on the coffee table. Their chatter stopped when Taehyung stepped inside. Four faces turned to him. His eyes scanned each one– Seojoon's mother's delighted face, Seojoon's father's blank face with a hint of disapproval, his Father's unamused face and his mother's disgusted face twisted with disappointment. Taehyung gulped.

It was his father who broke the silence within the group. "And he's finally here" The alpha smiled.

"Taehyung!" Seojoon's mother chirped excitedly. "So good to finally see you"

Taehyung's anxiety seemed to ease when he heard the other omega's voice. "Mrs Park" He smiled, bowing. He started walking towards the occupants of the living room, then, as Mrs Park held her hands in welcome. Taehyung made his way to her and she made him sit down next to her on the couch. Taehhyung had taken a shower and sprayed Jimin's perfume all over himself before coming here so that he wouldn't reek of alpha. Hoseok confirmed that Taehyung had nothing to worry about unless someone gets really close to him and starts scenting him. Regardless, he was still anxious, especially when Mr Park gave him a small nod without a smile.

"You seem to be in good shape, Taehyung" Mrs Park chirped, her eyes travelling all over the omega.

Taehyung smiled. "Thank you. So do you! Healthy as ever" The woman grinned.

"And your face... it's glowing!"

Taehyung tried his best to not let his smile waver. "I have been getting good sleep"

"But your parents said you have been studying day and night" Seojoon's father spoke.

Taehyung gulped. "I have been, sir. I have been spending most of my days on the university premises. We have so much work to do"

"Yes, now that I look at you, your eyes do look kind of tired. You're such a hard-working kid" Mrs Kim smiled, squeezing Taehyung's hands in hers.

"I called you like a million times to come home soon because Seojoon's parents were here, Taehyung" Taehyung's mother scolded.

"I'm sorry, I didn't get the calls" He looked at Mr Park, who watched him with a judgemental gaze. "My phone was dead and I didn't have a charger with me. Jimin's one doesn't work with mine..." he muttered.

Mr Park hummed. "You should be more diligent, son," He said. "We came here to talk about your marriage"

"M-marriage?"

"I was telling your parents how it's a good idea to bring it forward" The alpha said, looking at the occupants of the room.

Taehyung looked at his parents in panic but they looked unfazed. "B-but I didn't graduate from university yet-"

"As an omega, marriage is the priority in your life. Your education must come first" Seojoon's father said.

"My education is my biggest priority right now. And I plan to work after I get my degree" Taehyung spoke, despite nervousness gnawing at his throat.

"Taehyung!" Taehyung's mother warned loudly. He could feel his mother's gaze burning into his skin.

"Seojoon is already approaching his thirties. I prefer that he takes over the pack leadership while I'm still alive and strong. So I want him to have a mate before he takes over" Mr Park said.

"Then you wouldn't let me work if I get married to Serojoon either! You would try to keep me home, being nothing but Seojoon's omega mate!"

"Yes you are Seojoon's to-be-mate"

"But that's not all I am!"

"Taehyung!" Taehyung's mother snapped. "Shut it"

"This marriage was agreed to. You are to be wed to Seojoon" Mr Park's voice carried surprise as if he couldn't believe how Taehyung was being so argumentative.

"Yes but it doesn't mean I can't have an education and a career!"

"Why would you need either when you will be the Pack Omega of my Pack?!"

"Honey" Mrs Park placed her hand on Mr Park's knee, trying to calm him down.

"Minseok, what is your omega son talking about? Is he refusing the marriage right now?" Mr Park asked Taehyung's father.

Minseok sighed. "Please, Wonha, calm down. He means no such thing. Taehyung is just passionate about his education and don't you think all the years he spent in school and now university, working for his career, would go to waste if he was to be kept home being nothing than a mother?"

"This is insanity! That's what he is for!"

"Wonha!" Mrs Park looked at her mate with disbelief.

Seojoon's father turned to Taehyung. "Are you healthy, boy? The healthier you are, the sooner you can start getting pupped by Seojoon"

Taehyung's mouth dropped open.

"Wonha!" The omega next to Taehyung tried to stop the man's words.

"When did your heat last occur?"

Taehyung gulped. He could feel the tips of his ears burning with rage and embarrassment. Anxiety and nervousness swelled in his chest and if he could, he would slap Wonha across the face. He looked at his mother and she watched him with anger. Would she slap him when the Park family leaves? Ground him, as if he was a teenager? Stop his education altogether in order to make the deal to sell him off to the Park family work?

Taehyung's rage only arose. "I don't really know" He whispered, eyes sharp as he watched Wonha. "I think when I was thirteen? I didn't get my heat after that"

The second method: convince the Park family that he was infertile and hence unsuitable to be a pack leader's omega.

"What?!" Wonha's voice was loud and even Mrs Park looked at him in surprise. Taehyung's mother stood up, eyes wide with alarm.

"What do you mean you didn't get your heat since you first presented?" Mr Park shouted, standing up from his seat. "Minseok, did you not get him checked?"

"Mr Park, please. This is a misunderstanding" Taehyung's mother pleaded. "He hasn't been getting heats because he has been on suppressants"

"Suppressants?" This time, it was Seojoon's mother. "How could you allow him to get suppressants? They're not good for his health! Are you trying to make him sick?"

Taehyung's parents looked speechless.

"B-besides, maybe it's because I have been on suppressants for ten whole years" Taehyung spoke, despite the tremor in his voice. "I haven't felt any symptom of heats since I was thirteen" he sighed. "Maybe I'm incapable of getting heats at all. The suppressants had taken away my fertility"

Seojoon's mother gasped.

Wonha's eyes were wide as saucers. "That can't be! You're a male omega! The rarest species and the most fertile! You are proven to get pregnant out of heat too on rare occasions! H-how-"

"It's not impossible" Seojoon's mother spoke in disbelief. "Suppressants harm omegas' health. Mira, you are an alpha but I'm sure you know of the effects suppressants have. The long-term effects, Mira! They could make the omega infertile!" She spoke to Taehyung's mother.

"That's not the case, Mrs Park" His mother pleaded. "He is fertile-"

"How would we know?!"

"We can see if he gets his heat this month," Minseok said.

"I didn't get it. The due date passed" Taehyung said. It's in a few days but...

"Taehyung, you will shut it!" Taehyung's mother walked around the sofas and dragged him away from Mrs Park.

"This is betrayal!" Mr Park shouted. "If he is infertile, we won't take him! You find a way to confirm he is infertile or this deal is off. Seojoon needs a healthy, fertile, omega that would give him pups. And Taehyung looks like the exact opposite of that! Seojoon doesn't need a barren bitch"

Taehyung let out a small gasp, the words hitting him like a blow to his stomach.

Barren. Being barren was many omega's nightmares. Though there were many omegas in society that couldn't have pups, and no one thought that they were any less of an omega; and even though there are many ways to try to have pups, being called barren was considered one of the biggest insults to an omega. Mainstream society never called omegas that anymore because it's not something omegas could control. And for Taehyung, who had always loved pups and wanted to have his own, the insult was much more painful than he had imagined.

He watched Wonha stomp his way out of Taehyung's house, dragging his mate behind him. Mrs Park offered him an apologetic expression before she disappeared out of the door. The moment they were out of earshot, Taehyung's mother grabbed him. He didn't have it coming when her hand slashed across his face, leaving a painful sensation on his left cheek,

Taehyyng gasped, his whole body turning to the side from the force of his mother's slap.

"You bitch" his mother screamed. "There's nothing we haven't done for you! You're a disgrace to be even born but you ruin the perfect marriage we have set up for you? Is this how you repay us for raising you? Would've been better if I concealed your birth and left you to die! You fucking disgrace of an omega!"

"Mira, stop it!" Taehyung's father tried to calm the woman down. But she didn't stop.

"How could you lie to them?!" She screamed.

"I didn't lie! Everything I said was the truth!" Taehyung couldn't help himself as a sob escaped him.

"You ungrateful bitch!" her hand collided with Taehyung's back and she kept hitting him.

"Mira!" Minseok shouted at his mate to stop.

"No! I need to teach him a lesson! After all we have done for him! After finding a perfect alpha with a perfect family. He does this-"

"Hey why did the Parks- Mom what are you doing?!" A female voice came from the front door and Taehyung heard his sister run towards them. She pushed her mother away and stood in front of Taehyung, blocking her slaps.

"Mom, what the fuck?" She shouted at Mira.

"Your brother is an ungrateful bitch!" Mira shouted. "Don't defend him. I need to teach him a lesson-"

Yeojoo turned around and wrapped her arms around a sobbing Taehyung. In her embrace, he felt tinier and weaker than he had ever felt. He had grown up with three strong alphas his whole life but he had never felt this... vulnerable before. So out of place and powerless.

"You don't get to hit him!" Yeojoo shouted. "He's your son!"

"I wish he wasn't!"

"That's it" Taehyung heard Yeojoo mutter and she turned around with Taehyung, walking out of the scene with her hands still wrapped around the omega. Taehyung sobbed as he let Yeojoo guide him to his room and when they were finally there, his sister let go of Taehyung and locked the door behind her.

"I'm so fucking sorry" She whispered.

Taehyhung sat on the bed, wiping tears that ran down his cheeks. "W-why does she hate me s-so much? What did I ever do? W-was it so wrong of me to be born an omega? W-why-"

"No, Tae, no" Yeojoon sat on the bed, wrapping her arms around her brother. "There's nothing wrong with you. You're perfect"

"Mom is always angry at me. It's like she hates me for existing. She said she wished I wasn't born"

Yeojoo sighed. "Fuck her. She's not the best mom. Even with me, she wasn't but she just liked the fact that I was an alpha. Alphas don't have a motherly, caring side for their pups like omegas have for their pups. I know it doesn't excuse or justify her behaviour. She was being real shitty right now"

Tehyung sniffled. "She was. As always"

"What happened earlier? I went out in the afternoon and I just saw the Park's car pulling out of the driveway. Why was she so mad at you?"

And Taehyung told her.

"Fuck!" Yeojoon groaned. "I didn't think the plan would have such severe consequences. I'm sorry"

"No it's not your fault" Taehyung's sobs died down when he was explaining to his sister about the scenario. "Besides, it seems to work"

"Yeah it's a lot of progress but I didn't think you would get beat up by Mom. And I was thinking of a more subtle way to do it. But then, I didn't have a plan either"

"Me and Koo were supposed to come up with a plan. But we couldn't. I was thinking about grabbing the opportunity if it comes"

"And you did it. It was the perfect chance to make them doubt your suitability to become Seojoon's mate. Though it had some painful consequences"

"It was worth it" Taehyung gave her a small smile.

Yeojoo sighed. "Still..."

"It's okay. If it means me and Jeongguk would be able to be together in the end, this is all going to be worth it" Taehyung whispered.

"You nutcase" Yeojoo shook her head. "You devoted and lovesick nutcase"

Taehyung smiled. "He is worth it"

"He seems like a good alpha"

"He really is" Taehyung nodded.

"Do you want to go to him? I'm sure you would feel so much better with him than with me"

Taehung looked at his sister with big puppy eyes. "Yes please"

"Okay. Grab some clothes. I will drive"

Taehyung stood up from his bed. "Would I be bothering him? I spent almost two days with him already?"

"Are you kidding me? If I could stay at my omega's place, I would stay until she kicks me out. And that's like never!"

Taehyung smiled. "And by the way" He muttered and chewed at his bottom lip as watched his sister.

"What?"

"My heat is in a few days"

"Say what?!" Yeojoo shouted.

"Shh!" Taehyung hushed her.

"You lied to them!" She whisper-shouted. "Such a risky thing? What if they sensed your scent?"

"That's not the point! And I didn't get caught. Besides I didn't take suppressants last time either"

"But you didn't spend it with Jeongguk, did you?"

Taehyung shook his head. "No, we weren't courting back then"

"Okay. now what?"

"I was thinking about spending my heat with him. Since he spent his rut with me too. Besides, I don't really know how my heat would be. What I would do and what..." He gulped, blushing. "What it would feel like to have someone with me during it"

Yeojoo nodded. "If you're sure about it, I say go ahead"

"I am sure. This is special and I want to spend it with him"

"I support you and I will cover for you" Yeojoo stood up from the bed. "This is the perfect time for you to spend time away from your house. Mom and Dad know that you're mad at Mom and of course you don't want to be home with her. So this is the perfect opportunity. I will tell you if something urgent happens and I will do my best to keep them off of your back. So spend your heat with your alpha and come back when you're ready"

"I used to hate you to my core when I was younger but I must say I love you right now" Taehyung grinned.

"Yeah, no. Let's not go there. Loser" Yeojoo rolled her eyes but when Taehung hopped onto her and embraced her, she wrapped her arms around him tightly as well, a hearty chuckle escaping her.

"Now get ready and let's hit the road"

-

With Taehyung's car parked outside Jeongguk's dorm in the parking lot, he waved his sister goodbye as he took his duffel bag out of the car. Yeojoo said that she would be taking the bus back home. As an alpha, she was safe. And safer than anyone else, though she was a woman, since she was a true alpha.

Taehyung stood in front of Jeongguk's dorm room after knocking on the door. He wondered if he had somehow let the alpha know of his arrival sooner. However, his phone was dead and he didn't remember his number to give him notice even through his sister's phone. Thus, with hopes of charging it in Jeongguk's dorm, he had come straight here.

Taehyung heard footsteps inside the room and the door clicked open. He was greeted by a messy-haired Jeongguk, dressed in shorts and a loose t-shirt– his usual night attire.

"Taehyung" His eyes widened. "You're here? Am I dreaming?"

Taehyung smiled. "I'm here"

Jeongguk stepped forward, taking hold of Taehyung's shoulders. "Pup" He whispered, scanning Taehyung's face. "Is everything alright?"

And at that, Taehyung felt himself break.

"Oh my pup" Jeongguk's voice was soothing. He embraced the omega, already taking the duffel bag from him and dropping it somewhere inside his room. He closed the door and guided the omega to his bed. He held Taehyung as he sobbed onto his shoulder and the alpha made sure to release soothing pheromones that made the omega feel a million times better. When Taehyung's sobs died down, he explained to his alpha what had happened. They talked, for what felt like hours, entangled in each other. Each and every one of Jeongguk's words felt perfect. As if he knew just the perfect thing to say at that moment. His words, as well as his presence, were liquid comfort to Taehyung. A reminder than he wasn't alone in this. They were together and they were doing this for them. To be together.

They were laying in bed and the clock had struck twelve at night. A silence stretched between them– comforting. Jeongguk's fingers drew patterns on the omega's back, over his shirt, and Taehyung breathed in and breathed out his alpha's vanilla scent.

"Alpha" Taehyung spoke.

"Yes, my pup?"

"I didn't get to tell you this earlier today. I wanted to but I couldn't. It kind of slipped my mind"

"What is it, pup?"

"My heat is in a few days" Taehyung whispered.

Jeongguk smiled. "What have you decided?"

"I decided not to take the suppressants this time. I want to go through it"

Jeongguk nodded. "That's amazing, baby. I can arrange Yoongi's apartment for you if you want to spend it privately. Jimin can come and cook or I can come and give you meals-"

"Alpha" Taehyung placed his hand on Jeongguk's chest with a smile. "You know I admire you so much"

"Tae"

"I tell you about my heat and you don't wonder if I want to spend it with you or not?"

"It's your first real heat, baby. You're going to feel it in full length. I know a lot of omegas spend their heats alone until they find a mate"

"And I have found my mate"

"Tae..."

"We are doing everything so that we would mate in the future, right?"

"Yes, of course. I want a future with you"

"So do I"

"I love you so much"

"I love you too" Taehyung smiled. "So I want to spend my first real, full-blown heat with my mate. My alpha. I want to spend it with you"

"Pup..."

"It is special. It's so special that it gives me anxiety. But I want it to be with you. I want to experience what it's like to be with my alpha in my heat"

"I'm honoured, my omega" Jeongguk pressed a kiss onto Taehyung's forehead. "But you don't have to feel obligated to-"

"I don't. I thought about this a lot and spending your rut with you made me want to do this more. You said I was the first omega you spent your rut with. You didn't tell me about your rut because you were afraid that you would hurt me. So your rut was special too. So is my heat. I want this with you. I want to take this leap in our relationship with you"

Jeongguk watched Taehyung with a lovesick expression. "I thank Luna every night for paving the path for us to bounce into each other in the festival that night. I'm so grateful that I met you and you let me court you. I'm the luckiest alpha in the world. In a world filled with hookups and one-night-stands, I found my mate"

"Jeongguk" Taehyung felt like crying again. "You're the best I could ever have. I would never regret choosing you"

Jeongguk pressed a kiss onto Taehyung's lips. "I love you. With all my being, I love you"

Taehyung kissed Jeongguk again. "I love you more"

"We're not playing that game" Jeongguk whispered. "I hate it. I don't want to argue about it. We love each other and that's all that matters"

Taehyung giggled. "True"

"Then I will tell Yoongi that I need to borrow his apartment for a few days?"

"Would he be okay?"

"He had been spending most his nights at Jimin's room anyway so I really doubt it"

Taehyung shook his head with a grin. "Then okay"

"Yeah" Jeongguk stared dreamily at Taehyung's lush lips.

"What are you thinking about, other than kissing me?" Taehyung asked, making Jeongguk grin.

"I was just thinking about the amount of condoms I would have to buy. I should buy all the available packs in the convenience store nearby for safe measure, don't you think?"

🌸

Quite a short chapter, I know. But I will update soon! Stay tuned!