17/04/2020

Signs of Taehyung's heat started appearing on the third day he spent with Jeongguk. He was at Jeongguk's dorm, books scattered on the alpha's bed and their laptops on their laps as they both typed away; busy with their university work. He remembered the exact moment he started feeling exhausted out of nowhere, so early in the morning. He remembered telling his alpha that he doesn't feel so good and they both assumed that the heat was about to start. Therefore, after one call with Yoongi, Jeongguk was driving Taehyung's car to the other alpha's apartment. That day, Taehyung had been drained and slept all day because of the fever that didn't seem to go down. Jeongguk had aided him and fed him. He had made him hot beverages throughout the day and kept him hydrated and even given him a bath twice.

The heat started the following day. Needless to stay, the beginning was much more difficult than Taehyung imagined because his stomach hurt like someone was punching him and he felt nauseous from time to time. He also had a mild fever. However, all of that could be pushed to the back of his mind as Jeongguk fucked him in many different positions throughout the day. And even after Taehyung felt like passing out, not even an hour after a session, another wave of heat was crashing down on him, urging him to relieve himself.

His heat lasted exactly for three days. The two of them barely ate and barely showered in those three days. Taehyung felt disgusted with himself when he woke up next to Jeongguk the day after his heat apparently ended, both of them sticky and covered with cum– which Taehyung didn't know how long were on their skin. It was hell.

Now, it was the fourth day. No matter how many hours of sleep Taehyung had been able to get that day, he still felt exhausted. He knew that Jeongguk did too. The alpha barely got any sleep either and Taehyung knew that he was tired. However, he still cooked and helped Taehyung shower after waking up that day. He put their clothes in the washing machine, changed the sheets, swept the floors and cleaned all the condoms all over the house. Taehyung helped out too, as he could, but Jeongguk insisted on doing it by himself because Taehyung needed his rest.

Overall, the experience was much different than Taehyung expected. In all honestly, he preferred normal sex over heat sex. True, heat sex did feel different and there was something amazing about it. Also true, heat sex felt better because all his senses were heightened and his wolf is in control over him, taking what it wants and satisfying the need to be bred. However the pain? The sick feeling afterwards? And the soreness he feels? Taehyung didn't know if all the good things about heat sex could compensate to all the pain and discomfort he had to go through.

However inarguably, Jeongguk made everything better. Taehyung thought that he was truly blessed to have an alpha like Jeongguk by his side. He was too good to be true. Beyond his expectations.

As the heat had passed, the bond between Taehyung and Jeongguk seemed to have deepened. Taehyung found himself in a state of emotional vulnerability unlike anything he's experienced before. The intimacy they shared during those intense days has left an indelible mark on his heart, a mark he carries even after the heat has subsided. His experience with Jeongguk on his heat made the omega understand that he made the best decision by choosing to spend his heat with his alpha. It seemed as if he and Jeongguk now shared an even deeper connection and his love for Jeongguk seemed to have grown. The experience allowed him to open up in ways he never thought possible, revealing parts of himself that he had guarded for so long.

They were now cuddled on Yoongi's sofa, watching a movie while they sipped the hot chocolate Jengguk had made them. Regardless of the intimate and special time they spent together in the last four days, Taehyung's heart didn't forget to skip a beat every time his eyes met Jeongguk's. He noticed the way their interactions held a deeper layer of understanding, a shared secret that only they knew. Every touch, every smile, every lingering glance carried a weight of significance that left him both exhilarated and apprehensive.

Because after all, in a heat and in a rut, the wolves allow themselves to be vulnerable. They expose parts of themselves they keep secluded from the outer world, since their wolves take control of them. They lay out bare parts of their souls that they can never take back. And even as Taehyung had bared his soul naked for Jeongguk, all he felt was comfort and closeness to the alpha. As if it was just the right thing to do. A sense of belonging had washed over him.

As Taehyung cuddled close to his alpha, Jeongguk's hand around Taehyung's shoulders, Harry Potter talked to Neville Longbottom about some seaweeds. Jeongguk mentioned that he personally loved seaweeds... those crispy ones they sell in convenience stores. Taehyung had grinned at him dreamily, muttering how he too liked to eat them while he studied.

"You missed four days of lectures because of me" Taehyung muttered as Harry Potter was in the bathtub, talking to Myrtle.

Jeongguk looked at him. "It's basically just two days, pups" He whispered.

"You didn't have lectures in the weekend?"

"Just one. It's fine. I will get the notes from Yoongi. And Namjoon can teach me anything I don't understand" Jeongguk smiled. "Don't worry about it"

Taehyung pouted, glancing back at the screen.

"What about you?" Jeongguk asked. "Did you catch up on the lectures you missed when you spent my rut with me?"

"Yeah I did. Jimin recorded some lectures and he taught me the practicals I missed too. He will do the same for these days"

"That's good" Jeongguk whispered. "Shall we go back to campus tomorrow morning?"

"Yeah... can't miss any more lectures" Taehyung sat up on the couch. "Alpha..." He looked at Jeongguk.

"Yes, my pup?"

"Thank you for everything these few days. You took care of me"

"It's my honour and my duty to take care of my omega. You don't need to thank me" Jeongguk said, "And you took care of me in my rut too, remember? We take care of each other in this relationship"

Taehyung nodded. "But my heat... it must've been hard for you"

Jeongguk shrugged. "I enjoyed it. I enjoyed spending time with you, taking care of you and obviously, I enjoyed fucking you in your heat" He grinned. "I hope to spend your next heat too and hopefully...." He shifted closer to Taehyung on the sofa. He took hold of the omega's hands and caressed the knuckles softly. "I will get to spend every heat of your life with you"

Taehyung's cheeks dusted a rosy pink. He looked down at their intertwined hands. "This is romantic but I expect a more grand proposal from you"

Jeongguk laughed. "Oh, I will give you one. I will propose to you to be my mate in a way that you'd think it's straight out of a fairytale"

Taehyung giggled. "I'm looking forward to it"

"I feel like you have already given me your yes, my omega"

"Maybe" Taehyung looked at Jeongguk through long lashes.

"Come here" Jeongguk whispered, extending his arms. Taehyung crawled towards him on the sofa and sat down on his lap, legs over his lap and wrapping his arms around the alpha's torso. Jeongguk embraced him tightly and securely, and the omega buried his face in Jeongguk's neck.

"Still" Taehyung muttered after a while being in Jeongguk's embrace, surrounded by his sweet and masculine scent.

"Hmm?"

"I should thank you properly"

Taehyung could feel Jeongguk's smile even though he couldn't see it. "Take me on a date, then. Tomorrow or the day after"

Taehyung grinned. "Okay!" He moved his face to look at Jeongguk with a grin. "I will treat you to a meal. Do you have a lecture in the afternoon tomorrow?"

"I'm free before three"

"Let's meet in the cafeteria at midday and let's go somewhere nice. It's on me"

Jeongguk chuckled, tucking a strand of hair behind Taehyung's ear. "This feels alien. We aren't in a phase of our relationship where we have to thank each other for simple things people do when they are in relationships"

"But it's nice to treat you to a meal! I want to!"

"Okay but not as a token of gratitude. You have nothing to thank me for"

"Okay, fine. But I want to show you how grateful I am"

"You don't have to!"

"I still want to!"

Jeongguk groaned, making Taehyung laugh. "We are in love with each other. I'm a very thin layer of self-control away from asking you to be my mate-"

"I basically am already your mate! You just didn't mark me, that's all!"

"Yes exactly! So there is really no need for formalities between us"

"It's not a formality!"

"Thanking me for the bare necessities is a formality!"

"Then let me just suck your dick!"

Jeongguk's mouth dropped open, and he looked at Taehyung flabbergasted.

"Omega?!"

"Alpha?" Taehyung's cheeks and the tips of his ears were a bright red.

"Are you horny?"

"Not exactly?"

"Harry Potter is about to die!" Jeongguk pointed to the TV screen before them.

"When is he not?!"

Jeongguk burst into chuckles. He pressed his forehead against Taehyung's and let his lips brush tenderly against the omega's. "I thought your heat was over" He whispered. "Could it be that it hasn't?"

"It is over. I know it is"

"Maybe it's post-heat symptoms"

"Maybe I'm just horny"

Jeongguk grinned. "I thought you would be too sore for about a week from the way we have been fucking. I can't believe you wanna fuck again so soon" He took a deep inhale and proceeded to nose against Taehyung's scent gland. "Now that I scent you..." He muttered and licked Taehyung's swollen scent gland– swollen from all the times Jeongguk nibbled at it, scented him and licked it. And of course, from the heat that had just passed. "You do smell aroused... as if your heat had only started to pass"

"What do you mean?"

"I mean you're at the stage where your heat is still passing and not exactly over? Does that make sense?"

Taehyung nodded. "But I don't feel like I'm on heat"

"You're not on heat. The heat is over. But this is the aftermath and you're not entirely back on your normal cycle. So even though it's already been almost a day since your heat ended, you're still in your post-heat"

"Oh yeah, that makes sense"

"It's normal, Don't worry. It might take some time for you to get back to your normal cycle because this is the first bull-blown heat you have experienced. On some cycles, it takes me more than a day after my rut ends for me to get back on my normal cycle... normal self, where I'm no longer feeling the need to pounce on an omega or a beta"

Taehyung gasped. "You feel the need to pounce on an omega or a beta?!"

"I told you I usually spend my ruts alone. But I do feel the need to have someone with me"

Taehyung pouted. "I don't like the way that makes me feel" Jealousy, isn't that what he's feeling? It's like it's heightened, in a sense. Maybe it is because he indeed was still in post-heat.

Jeongguk's laughter filled the air, warm and genuine. He leaned in, his breath brushing against Taehyung's lips before he pressed a sweet kiss onto them. "No need for jealousy, Taehyung. You're the only one I want, in any state or cycle."

Taehyung couldn't help but smile against Jeongguk's lips. Their lips parted, and Taehyung gazed into Jeongguk's eyes, his own filled with a mixture of fondness and a hint of mischievousness. "So, Mr. Alpha, what are you going to do about this... need?"

Jeongguk's eyebrow quirked up playfully. "Oh, you're curious now?"

Taehyung's fingers traced a pattern on Jeongguk's chest. "Maybe I want you to help me get through this phase of my heat too. After all, we're in this together."

Jeongguk's expression softened, his gaze filled with a deep affection that sent a shiver down Taehyung's spine. "You're incredible, you know that?"

Taehyung's heart fluttered at the sincerity in Jeongguk's voice. "Only for you," he whispered, leaning in for another kiss.

Jeongguk's hands circled around the omega's narrow waist. His fingers brushed softly against the skin where his t-shirt had ridden up. "So fucking sexy" Jeongguk whispered, their lips brushing together once again. "Everything about you is so fucking sexy, Tae" His hands were under Taehyung's shirt now. "Your body, words, brain...everything"

"Alpha" Taehyung's eyelids fluttered as his cheeks heated up. He parted his lips and Jeongguk's tongue pushed inside. Their tongues met and the omega wanted to moan. His hands were on either side of the alpha's neck and he moved one hand so it pressed against Jeongguk's chest. Jeongguk made a low rumble from the back of his throat, leaning in further and clasping his mouth against Taehyung in a much more passionate way that had the smaller boy gasping.

He, regardless, kissed back, arousal burning in his veins. It reminded him of how he had been aroused when he was in his heat. The fire that burned inside him was almost similar. His wolf was going wild inside him, buzzing with the need to be bred.

"Alpha" Taehyung moaned needily and Jeongguk understood. He pulled away, looking at the omega before taking his hands off Taehyung's waist.

He started fumbling with his sweatpants and Taehyung watched as he pulled down the waistband, revealing his black boxers. Jeongguk pushed his hand inside the fabric and took out his cock, making Taehyung's breath hitch in his throat. Jeongguk looked at Taehyung, his hand moving over the hard and wet length.

"You're h-hard already" Taehyung mumbled, mouth watering at the sight.

"How could I not be?" Jeongguk rasped. He touched himself as Taehyung stared, fist moving smoothly along the length and the omega could feel himself slicking up, his stretched-up hole pulsating with the desire to have Jeongguk's length inside him.

"Put your mouth on it, baby"

Jeongguk's voice snapped Taehyung back to reality. He immediately pushed all his arousal to the back of his mind and climbed off the alpha's lap. He knelt between Jeongguk's legs and wrapped his hand around Jeongguk. He looked up at Jeongguk who stared back at him before wrapping his lips around the alpha's wet tip.

Jeongguk hissed when Taehyung's lips wrapped around the sensitive tip. He didn't waste any time since his mouth was watering. Therefore, he started sucking and bobbing his head up and down, slowly taking more and more of Jeongguk into his mouth with each bob of his head. He breathed in through his nose, the experience of the ample times he had done this with Jeongguk coming into play and the alpha moaned and groaned as he broke apart with the pleasure Taehyung provided him.

His alpha's responses only encouraged Taehyung. Making sure to take breaks every few seconds by pulling Jeongguk out of his mouth completely, he kept sucking Jeongguk off eagerly. He licked the underside of the shaft as he pulled off and sucked out the pre-cum as it leaked from the tip, hums of satisfaction leaving Taehyung's lips. Jeongguk threw his head back at these times, one of his hands coming to fist against the omega's hair. He tugged at his locks, making a moan escape Taehyung's lips.

Taehyung sank himself down further, letting the tip of Jeongguk's cock hit the back of his throat. Taehyung almost gagged and Jeongguk let out a loud groan, once again throwing his head back. Feeling brave, Taehyung bobbed his head up and sank down, loosening up his throat so that the tip would move further down his throat. This made Jeongguk's hips buck up and his cock travelled further down Taehyung's throat. Taehyung gagged, tears springing to his eyes. Sensing Taehyung's discomfort, Jeongguk pulled Taehyung off his cock from his hair, making the omega look at him with tear-stained cheeks and glassy eyes. His cheeks were a bright pink.

Jeongguk panted as he watched his omega. He brought his other hand to caress Taehyung's cheek softly and wipe away a teardrop that rolled down his cheek. His thumb pressed against Taehyung's glistening lips, slick with saliva and Jeongguk's pre-cum. And Taehyung watched him with half-lidded eyes.

"You know what you would look fucking sexy in?" Jeongguk rasped.

"What?" Taehyung breathed.

"Pink hair" Jeongguk panted. "You will rock it"

Taehyung smiled. "Always wanted to dye my hair" He licked his lips. "My parents would kill me if I did, though"

"Fuck your parents"

Taehyung didn't have it coming when Jeongguk pulled Taehyung up, back to his lap. Their mouths were once again on each other, moving harshly like they were two starving wolves. Taehyung found himself naked on Jeongguk's lap minutes later, all his clothes peeled off of him by Jeongguk's hands amidst kisses. He too helped Jeongguk take off his own clothes.

Taehyung was sitting on Jeongguk'c cock soon enough, moving his hips with his hands on the alpha's shoulders. He knew that Jeongguk would lose his patience soon. And just as anticipated, Jeongguk flipped them over, pushing Taehyung onto the sofa and pounding into him animalistically, the omega's legs on his shoulders. Taehyng remembered his phone ringing from the guest room but Jeongguk was inside Taehyung so he had too little care for that. He was getting fucked good.

Taehyung could feel his slick making its way down his ass crack and would stain Yoongi's sofa but that was a concern for another time because Jeongguk's hips moved with the speed of lightening, making loud moans escape Taehyung with each one of his thrusts. It didn't take a minute of fucking for Taehyung to cum on his stomach.

The feeling of Jeongguk's knot inside him was divine. His wolf sang with euphoria when Jeongguk pumped his cum into Taehyung, painting his walls with hot liquid. Taehyung had missed this. They had been using condoms throughout the heat– exactly when he needed to feel Jeongguk's cum inside him, to feel his knot stretching inside him.

However, his heat was over now and even though they were still in risky waters.... They were out of condoms. They had used the final one the previous night. Therefore, they didn't really have a choice and Taehyung didn't want the alpha to pull out. Not now. He needed Jeongguk's knot.

Afterwards, they were both cuddled up on the sofa and Taehyung regretfully felt dampness underneath him. His own work of art, surely. They needed to clean that so Yoongi wouldn't find out later. Jeongguk was planting soft kisses on Taehyung's shoulder blades, his cock still inside him and the knot had died down now. Taehyung was about to turn his head and press his lips against Jeongguk when he heard his phone start ringing once again. Taehyung groaned and Jeongguk shifted behind him.

"I'll go get it" He sat up on the sofa, letting his cock pull out of Taehyung's hole, l making the omega shudder and it left him feeling empty. He pouted and sat up, pulling on his boxers which he found on the coffee table next to him. Hoping Jeongguk's cum wouldn't leak out of him, he sat back down on the sofa.

"It's Jimin" Jeongguk walked over to Taehyung with his phone and handed it over to him.

Taehyung slid his thumb over the call button and pressed the device onto his ear. "Hey"

"Taehyung" Jimin's voice came as a whisper. "Your parents are here"

Taehyung's whole body went cold. "What?"

"They came like five minutes ago. Said you haven't been answering their calls or texts for like the last week and that they're worried–"

"But you told them that I'm staying with you"

"Yes but who wouldn't be worried when you're not answering their calls?!"

"They should know that I'm not coming back when they treated me like that, that day"

"I know but Tae, they are worried about you. Obviously, my words aren't enough for them to stop worrying about you. They're still your parents and Mr Kim looks sad"

Taehyung sighed. "What did you tell them?"

"I said that you have been staying with me but you were out to get groceries"

"Oh, okay"

"So come back as soon as you can. I don't think they're leaving anytime soon"

"Fuck" Taehyung cursed. "Okay, I will come back. Just give me twenty. I need to take a shower too"

"For fuck's sake, Tae" Jimin groaned. "Your heat's over, right?"

"Yeah, yeah" Taehyung stood up from the sofa. "I will come, okay?"

"Okay, be quick"

"Alright" As the line cut, Taehyung looked at Jeongguk, who watched him with a worried expression. Taehyung sighed, running to their room as Jeongguk followed him. He picked up some clean clothes as he described the situation to Jeongguk.

"I'm going to drive back alone. I will pick up some things on my way there and you come back later" Taehyung said as he ran to the bathroom.

"Okay. Shall I come to visit like twenty minutes after you get there?"

"No, no need. I can handle this"

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah" Taehyung nodded. "I will tell you how it goes" Taehyung stepped into the shower and started rubbing himself down.

"Put on a lot of soap and drive with your windows rolled down, okay?"

Taehyung nodded. "I will"

"Hurry up. I will also go back to my dorm after I finish tidying up this place. I have to clean the couch too"

Taehyung smiled at Jeongguk with gratitude. "Okay"

-

The night had set in when Taehyung pulled up to Jimin's dorm with two bags of groceries he had picked up from a small grocery shop near Yoongi's apartment. He wasn't entirely sure what he had picked up, he didn't pay much attention. Once he made his way to Jimin's dorm, he paused before opening the door to gather some courage. When he finally pushed the door open, he was met with the sight of his parents sitting on two chairs and Jimin sitting on the bed, two empty tea cups on the small table before them. Contrary to Taehyung's expectations, he was met with lively conversation when he stepped in, but it soon stopped the moment his parents noticed his arrival.

His mother stood up first, looking him up and down with the distasteful frown that was tattooed on her face whenever Taehyung was around. "How nice of you to finally grace us with your presence, Taehyung" Her voice dripped with sarcasm.

Taehyung wanted to scoff. He placed the two bags of groceries on Jimin's small pantry and saw his father placing his hand on his wife's shoulder as if urging her to calm down.

"What do you want?" Taehyung asked nonchalantly.

"Is that the way you speak to your-" Taehyung's mother's voice was loud and sharp. But Mr Kim cut her off.

"Taehyung, we're your parents. We're worried about you. Why haven't you been answering our calls?" the alpha asked.

"Maybe because I don't want to talk to you" Taehyung's voice was sharp. He walked towards the bed and sat next to Jimin, who offered him a reassuring smile.

Taehyung's mother scoffed. "We raised you and gave you the best life you can ask for and this is how you treat us? We are still your parents! Where did you learn to talk back to us like this? You have been around some bad influence! How dare you disobey your parents and turn your back on us-"

"You didn't seem to care about being parents when you forced me into an engagement I don't want!" Taehyung's voice grew louder. "And you did not treat me like I'm your son that day!"

Minseok sighed. "Taehyung, you exposed yourself to Seojoon's parents in a way that could harm you. Heat suppressants? What were you thinking?"

"I only told the truth! And maybe I was thinking that I needed to show them that I'm not some compliant omega you can just control!"

"And look where that got you. Now Seojoon's parents have second thoughts about the marriage" the woman said scornfully.

"Good! Maybe that's what it takes for you to finally see that I won't let you ruin my life" Taehyung said.

Mr. Kim's voice was calm but stern. "Taehyung, we're still your parents, and we have your best interests at heart. You might not agree with our decisions, but this behaviour is unacceptable"

"Right, because everything you've done so far has been so acceptable" Taehyung scoffed. "You're telling me that standing up to myself is unacceptable. I'm telling you that I don't want to marry Seojoon. You promised me off to him the day I presented as an omega. I have been your instrument to bring together our and the Park pack since then. All I have been is an instrument of power. So you can build and grow your pack and can continue being the biggest and strongest pack in Seoul. That's all that mattered to you. Not the fact that I am your only son. I have been treated by you two like an object and you have been poisoning me with bullshit ideologies about how omegas should be this and that but I know from experience that those ideologies belong in the past" Taehyung could feel a sob threatening to escape in his throat. But he didn't back down. "I don't need to behave a certain way and do things a certain way just because I'm an omega. I am not a slave to an alpha, and nor am I nothing without an alpha. I am me and I can do and become what I want. This is my life and you as my parents should be supporting me"

Taehyung's parents stared at Taehyung with gaping mouths.

"But you haven't been doing such a thing. So don't say that you are my parents because you have not been acting like it. All you have done my whole life is groom me to become a good omega to Seojoon"

"Taehyung" Minseok whispered. "That's not true... you're my son and I love you..."

Taehyung's mother frowned. "You're lying. We haven't been grooming you to be Seojoon's omega your whole life. We gave you education and we let you go to university. You don't know how many times your father spoke with Seojoon's parents so that you could finish your education before you got married. And you dare tell us that we haven't acted like your parents?"

Taehyung gulped. "But at the end of the day, my education would go to waste since the only thing Seojoon's father wants from me is to have Seojoon's pups and be a good mate for him. Which I am sure involves me being a house-mate while Seojoon goes around doing his pack leader stuff. Do you really think they would let me do a job? Let me live my dreams?"

The two alphas in the room were once again speechless.

"And mom, you were against me going to university at first. Because you wanted me to stay at home and learn to cook and take care of my future pups. You were planning to marry me off to Seojoon right after my school ended so that I could be a young mate who is more fertile and would have no issues making pups for Seojoon. Did you ever even love me? Did you ever care about what I want?"

The woman looked away, hands crossed against her chest.

"I will speak with Seojoon's parents and come to an agreement so that you can work after getting married," Minseok said.

"Did you not hear me say that I don't want to marry Seojoon?" Taehyung stared in disbelief.

"You can't have everything!" Taehyung's mother argued. "He is a good alpha. You two grew up together and you know him well"

"But I don't like him like that!"

"It doesn't matter!"

Taehyung's father sighed. "Taehyung, this marriage.... It's true that there is an ulterior motive behind this. It's to strengthen our pack by forming a bond between our and Park pack. A marital bond, the strongest bond of them all. But Seojoon's family is a great family with a rich history. They're wealthy people and you will live a life of luxury. Besides, Seojoon is a good man. I have done more than enough research about him. I wouldn't just marry off my son just because of this pack bond if his mate is a bad person. But Seojoon isn't a bad person. We all know that. He is considerate and careful. He's respectful to you. He had been nothing but kind and loving to you your whole life. You know that. We all do. So he is the best you could have"

Taehyung shook his head. "He is a good person, maybe. I know he likes me. But I don't like him. It doesn't feel right with him" he sniffled.

"You will get used to him. It will feel right when you start a family with him" It was Taehyung's mother this time. Her voice seemed softer.

"But I don't want him. I don't love him. I can't love him"

"Taehyung..." Taehyung's father whispered.

"He isn't the only person I can marry. You can find someone else... someone better. Maybe you will like him better than Seojoon..."

"There is no one better. Seojoon has everything you can want"

"He doesn't have what I need" Taehyung whispered. "He doesn't have my heart" my heart is with someone else.

"But there's no one else-"

"There can be someone else. In the future, I'm sure I can find someone else that I will be able to give my heart to-"

"Is there someone else?"

Taehyung's gaze turned to her mother. She took a step towards Taehyung.

"You're so much against Seojoon because there is someone else, isn't there?" She asked.

Minseok's eyes widened. "Is there?"

"W-what? No-" Taehyung said.

"I think there is. He was never so against this marriage until recently. Until he started his second year at university" Taehyung's mother said. "Who is it?"

"It's no one. I'm not in a relationship. I just said that there can be someone else who is not Seojoon. Right now, I just want to finish my degree and land my dream job. I want to focus on my studies right now and with all this drama with Seojoon, I can't do that!"

Minseok massaged his temples. "Taehyung, if there is someone else, know that You have betrayed our trust in you"

Taehyung gulped. "There is no one else! How could I even have time to have an affair when all I have been doing is staying in Jimin's dorm and in the library, studying!"

Taehyung's mother sighed. "I don't trust you"

"Did you ever?" Taehyung's voice was sharp.

"If I didn't, I wouldn't have let you go to university-" Taehyung'a mother barked.

Minseok placed a hand on her shoulder, pulling her back towards himself. "Let's all just calm down. We're making a scene inside Jimin's dorm"

Taehyung sighed, looking at Jimin. Jimin spoke up for the first time: "Mr. Kim, Mrs. Kim, I have known Taehyung for the longest time and I know him well. It really sucks that he doesn't get to live the life anyone his age lives because he is supposed to get married. It's just... sad. Seojoon is a good person but he isn't the person for Taehyung. Even if you get them married, Taehyung will have to live the rest of his life sad. He will regret everything he could have become if it weren't for this marriage. All the jobs he could've done and all the dreams he could've lived. It's easy for anyone to say that Seojoon is a good person and he has the perfect background. But none of us will be the person who is going to have to live with him for the rest of his life. Taehyung will be unhappy in this marriage. And you are his parents. Will you be happy if your son lives the rest of his life unhappy?"

Taehyung's parents looked down in shame, contemplating the weight of Jimin's words.

"How can this be stopped?" Taehyun's father muttered. "It can't be, Jimin. We can't withdraw our agreement. It will taint not only the pack but also Taehyung. It will ruin Taehyung's future"

"I'm willing to risk it"

"You don't understand. Our pack is the biggest pack in Seoul. You will be living in this country in the future, won't you? You will be known in the other packs as Kim Minseok's omega son and they will also know about the marriage that you broke off. It will ruin your life and maybe even the dreams you have. I know packs aren't popular amongst the kids these days and not many people are in packs. But if you were to meet someone who has grown up in a pack, which isn't uncommon, so you will meet them, and you have to work with them, are you ready to face the black mark on your reputation? You will regret ever tainting your reputation, Taehyung. I'm sorry but that's how things work in this society. You will be seen as unreliable and as an omega with no honour"

Taehyung sighed.

"And we don't want that for you" Taehyung's mother said. "No matter what you think and say, this marriage is perfect for you. It's the best you can have"

"Mom, I feel like we're back to square one"

The woman looked away.

"Son," Taehyung's father walked towards him. "Let's go back home. You have been away from us for a week. Please come home. Let's talk more on the way back. I will see what I can do. Let's try to make up your mind or make up Seojoon's parents' mind. Let's find a solution for this issue, okay?"

Taehyung looked up at his father with glassy eyes. "Okay" he whispered.

Minseok smiled. "And your mother..." He looked at the woman who stood behind him. "She wants to apologize for hurting you that day. Right, Mira?"

"Yes" Taehyung's mother muttered. "I'm sorry for hitting you"

Taehyung didn't say anything. He only looked down at his feet.

"Let's go back, hmm?" Minseok said again and Taehyung stood up. He looked at Jimin, who nodded.

Jimin smiled, standing up and squeezing Taehyung's shoulder.

"Thank you for letting my son stay here" Minseok told Jimin. "I know he's a lot to take care of"

"No worries, Mr Kim. It's like he wasn't here at all"

Taehyung bit down on his bottom lip to conceal his smile as the four of them walked out of Jimin's dorm. The crescent moon gleamed in the sky above as they bid Jimin goodbye. They walked in silence to the parking lot where Taehyung's parents' car was in. They drove in silence until Minseok stopped in the traffic lights and broke the silence amongst the family.

"How is friend Jeongguk doing?"

Taehyung's eyes widened. "Um... I'm not sure. I didn't meet him recently"

"If you meet him, tell him to come to the pack grounds sometime"

"Why?"

"The construction of the studio we were building is almost done. I want him to take a look. He was pretty excited about it when I showed it to him the other day"

"He's quite the talented lad, isn't he?" Taehyung's mother chimed in.

"Yes he has a lot of knowledge on so many things" Minseok said.

"Even art! How wonderful" Mira grinned.

Taehyung smiled. "I will let him know"

"I actually would like to go have a drink with him. Does he drink, Taehyung?" Minseok asked.

"He does"

"I should go to a Korean BBQ with him one day, then" Minseok chuckled. "He sure is someone I would like to spend time with. He has a great personality"

"I thought so too when I talked to him at the Art exhibition that day. He's very knowledgeable about Art that he surprised me" Mira said. "I didn't think young people nowadays would have such knowledge"

"He's a born leader too" Minseok chuckled. "I hope he rebuilds his pack. Did you talk to him about it, Taehyung?"

"No, Dad. I didn't get to. He wants to focus on his studies right now"

"Now that I think about it, he's got quite the vibe on him... he's so easy to talk to and he has such a special way of speaking. It's like he doesn't boast about himself or about the things he knows, even though he knows so many things" Mira said.

"That's true. That's a very attractive and honourable quality someone could have. Especially an alpha in his prime" Minseok said.

"Yes, that's very attractive. Seojoon isn't like that. Sometimes I find it difficult to hold a conversation with him" Mira muttered. "Conversation with Jeongguk just flows with ease"

"I agree. Seojoon likes to boast and that's something he gets from his father"

"That's unattractive"

"It is"

Sitting in the backseat, Taehyung couldn't help but grin as he listened to his parents' conversation; the praises for Jeongguk made his heart heave with pride and joy. He was also euphoric about how they were comparing Seojoon and Jeongguk. Could it be that they have already started seeing Jeongguk at the same level as Seojoon? A potential mate for Taehyung?

Could it be that Taehyung and Jeongguk's plan is actually working out, after all?

🌸

The climax of the story is closing up. Do you guys things there's finally hope for Taekook in the future where they won't have to be together in hiding?