Chapter 1: First.
Chapter Text
One’s worth to the pack is measured in two things: contributions and harmony of mind and body.
In the pack, every member has the responsibility of providing something for society. If you’re good at cooking, you’re expected to help in the kitchens. If you’re good at teaching, then you can teach the pups. If you’re great at combat, then you could be one with the hunters. This is equal ground for alpha, betas, and omegas.
Gone were the days that omegas had to always stay at home, no. Leaders have long realized that for their pack to prosper and reach higher levels of fulfillment, everyone must be moving. That all members must be providing something for their collective betterment. Even if they’re just great at parenthood, then alphas, betas, or omegas are free to stay at home and care for their younglings. Simple as that.
It just so happens that omega Namjoon had a skill that no other omega can easily provide to the pack: natural-born leadership.
Namjoon’s parents saw this trait in him when he was still young. Whenever there were mild disputes between the kids, young Namjoon could always magically fix them. Always the best at being diplomatic, never one to encourage violence. It was then that his father, the head pack alpha, realized that Namjoon was indeed a suitable candidate for ruling their pack once he retires. The omega was a natural mediator, a great listener, and an excellent captain. He had no doubts that his only omega son would be a great leader.
So even when Namjoon’s older brother, alpha Seokjin, was proposed to by the beta son of the neighboring head pack alpha, none of them had any qualms about leaving Namjoon to lead their home pack. “You would do so well,” Seokjin tells his younger brother confidently when Namjoon confided in him about his woes the day before Seokjin wedded and was destined to join the neighboring pack. “Maybe you’d even be a better ruler than hyung.”
“That’s not true,” Namjoon pouted. He wants Seokjin to be happy, of course, and he could see how smitten the alpha was to his betrothed beta, Hoseok. But Namjoon is simply worried about no longer having the older alpha by his side. “I’m just cuter than you, hyungie, but you’ve always been the biggest strength to the pack. I don’t even know how you do it.”
“Yah!” Seokjin scowls, softening in a second when Namjoon directs a meaner pout in his direction. “Fine, you pup, you are cuter than me. I’ll give you that. But I know that our pup is also strong and intelligent. You’d do well in your own way, in ways I cannot do. In ways you’ll come to learn.”
Namjoon sighs. Some other day, he would gloat about the fact that his older hyung willingly admitting that the omega is indeed the cuter child, but today, he just worries. For twenty three years, Namjoon lived with the thought that the leadership could either fall on him or Seokjin. Starting tomorrow, however, it’s all on him. Seokjin and Hoseok will lead the other pack when they marry, and that realization is daunting. Though Namjoon knows he can always run to his hyung in times of trouble, something about no longer being a young pup that could hide behind his hyung’s tunic caused Namjoon’s anxiety to spike the most.
“I’m just scared, hyungie,” Namjoon didn’t mean to be such a downer, especially when Seokjin is about to get married to the love of his life tomorrow. “I can’t be as good as you. I don’t even know how I’ll do it.”
Despite being in their early twenties, Seokjin still cared for his baby brother like he was a pup. Because some part of him still sees Namjoon as such. Despite his heavy responsibilities, Namjoon was still so young, sometimes lost, and maybe even a little naive. But another thing Seokjin knows about his brother is that Namjoon sometimes can't see how good he is.
Just like their parents, the alpha had always seen how much of a great leader Namjoon could be. The omega had outstanding potential, and if Seokjin is some other uncaring hyung, he’d simply scoff at Namjoon’s worries. But for him, the omega’s anxieties prove that Namjoon had the pack’s wellbeing in his very core. Namjoon cares about their community, and he only worries if he’ll be good enough for them. And if that isn’t one of the signs of being a good leader, then Seokjin doesn’t know what else could be.
“Namjoon-ah, come here,” Seokjin embraces his baby brother tight, ignoring the whine that escapes Namjoon’s mouth at being coddled despite literally being bigger than his hyung. “I know your worries won’t fade in a day, and that’s alright. However, I want you to use them to become better. You have a few more years until appa retires, so make the most out of it. Learn more, and grow until you become the best version of the head pack omega that you could be. Hyung knows you can do it, I won’t leave if I didn’t think the pack would be left in good hands. I trust you the way appa and eomma does, the way the whole council does, and the way our entire pack does, too.”
Namjoon emits a low whine. “Council member Choi actually hates me, remember?”
Seokjin snorts. “Who cares about him? He’s a bitter old man who hates everything and everyone. At best, he has two more winters left until he withers away. So if I were you, just wait until he goes away in style.” Namjoon smacks Seokjin’s forearm, the one that’s hugging him tight to the alpha’s chest, though he does emit a loud giggle along with Seokjin. “My point is, would hyung ever trust you to do something that he knows would only cause you and our pack any harm?”
For a long moment, Namjoon ponders about that. The trust he’s built with his brother is stronger than any hurricane that could have ever hit their land. It was a trust that their parents instituted in them from a very young age, and which the two have chosen to flourish in the years past. Namjoon knows for certain that his hyung will never want anything bad to happen to him — he would never make Namjoon do anything that would only hurt him.
Seokjin is leaving him the pack, his hyung must have seen something in Namjoon that he knows would make the omega the best captain for this ship.
“Hyung wouldn’t,” Namjoon answers, melting into Seokjin’s arms. He’ll miss his brother, especially since after the wedding, he and Hoseok have decided to travel around the world before settling down. He knows he won’t see his hyung for a good couple of years. “Thank you for your trust, Jinnie.”
“Always, pup.” Seokjin smiles, rubbing his nose against the omega’s scalp. He’ll miss his baby brother too, but they’re growing up now. Things have to change, and he’ll sincerely miss his Namjoonie the most. “Besides, it’s not as if you’re facing this all alone, right? Hyung might not physically be here anymore, but you’d still have some people right by your side, won’t you?”
As expected, Namjoon stiffens in Seokjin’s embrace. His face turns into a fiery shade of red, trying so hard to escape his brother’s arms who have only tightened around him knowing full well how the omega would react. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“Oh really?” Seokjin laughs, enjoying the flustered look on the omega’s face, never letting him go. “No one comes to mind, Joon-ah? No two alphas in particular that you know damn well won’t leave your side no matter what happens?”
Namjoon is now actively, maybe a little violently, trying to worm his way out of Seokjin’s grip, but damn this alpha is strong. “H-Hyung, go away! Shut up!”
“Aigoo,” Seokjin coos, his laughter never subsiding as Namjoon continues to grumble. “My baby omega is twenty three but is still acting like a three year old with his crushes. Oh, Joon-ah, please never change.”
The alpha’s teasing results in the two of them roughhousing each other like how they used to play around back when they were still toddlers. And even though Namjoon successfully escapes Seokjin’s tight arms, the alpha could still see the way the omega’s cheeks burned amber as he runs off with his tail caught in between his legs.
Seokjin’s laughter only echoed louder through every room in the pack mansion.
The second thing, as mentioned earlier, that is pivotal to the worth of a pack member is harmony of mind and body.
Harmony of mind and body doesn’t mean being physically strong alone, instead, it signifies the ability of a person to maximize their minds and bodies to diligently grow as an individual member of society. Having harmony means that a person manages to harness themselves and their own skills using their own means and resources. It’s about making the most of what you have, in mind and body. Even if sometimes, there are cases where pack members cannot physically perform the same abilities as others, having harmony means that their mind can still work along with their bodies to continue developing as a person.
(Most often than not, it’s not always 50:50, and that’s perfectly alright. The balance between physical and mental prowess can be hindered by so many factors, even those that are out of human control. But what matters is the willingness of a person to still give their 100% into whatever endeavor they wish to pursue. Each and everyone’s 100% is different, the elders would always say, what matters is they are persistent to grow and learn, and to always do their best. )
For hunters, for example, harmony means they’re both physically capable to withstand the harshness of the forest while being smart enough to come up with suitable tactics and methods of survival. It’s not all about brute, any hunter would say, but strategy too.
For someone like Namjoon, his body and mind’s harmony has to be at full force at all times. The moon goddess forbid that it would ever happen, but should there ever come a war, Namjoon would have to lead in the frontlines. And that entails a mental and physical strength that has to be harnessed every single day, beginning from when Namjoon was still a child.
That’s what Jungkook was for.
“Hyungie, come on, are you really getting tired?” Jungkook, despite his long curly hair literally sticking to his forehead thanks to the sweat, still has a playful smirk on his face that shows no signs of fatigue. How the alpha could still look so alive despite sparring for the past three hours, Namjoon would never understand. “We can do one more match, come on.”
Namjoon stares indecorously at the alpha, looking up at him with both fear and disbelief. Was his personal guard really a spy that’s out to kill him? For goodness’ sake, Namjoon was panting like an asthmatic pig on the ground. How could Jungkook think he has the energy or even the willpower for more?
“Jung—kook—” Namjoon heaves out, another second on the battlefield and he’d suffer a chronic heart attack. “I am about t-to die!”
Jungkook snorts, even having the gall to chuckle. “No, you aren’t, hyungie.” He kneels down, giving his future head pack omega a pat to his head though Namjoon was still wearing his steel helmet. “But you are gonna die if we don’t manage to brush up on your sword defense. You had too many open areas for attacks, hyung, we have to work on that.”
Alright. Namjoon knows that Jungkook only has his goodwill at heart. The alpha is doing this—training with and teaching Namjoon—for the omega’s own sake. But, “I m-might not even make it to the day we test m-my skills if I die right now. I’m not kidding, J-Jungkook, I can’t breathe.”
Namjoon dramatically sprawls onto the ground, the sound of the heavy metal of his armor clanking onto the floor echoing a little too loudly. Jungkook only laughs at the scene, shaking his head fondly at his childhood friend groaning in pain like he’s about to meet his maker.
“Alright, fine, I guess we still have tomorrow to work on it, but…” Jungkook says, before pausing. Widening his eyes at his hyung to look extra pleading. “You don’t suppose I can have an extra set of cinnamon rolls later at dinner tonight, don’t you?”
Being friends with Jungkook for almost eighteen years, and training with him for twelve of those, Namjoon knew exactly what the alpha was doing. The little shit was bribing him while looking so goddamn cute when he did so. But if this means Namjoon could still feel his limbs at dinner tonight, well, “You can even have my share. I-I’ll tell Sana to give it all to you.”
The alpha claps in triumph, bending down to gently remove the omega’s headgear, before placing a sloppy kiss on his hyung’s sweaty cheek. “You’re the best hyung ever, Namjoonie! Thank you!”
Namjoon only grits his teeth at him, knowing damn well that he isn’t giving up his portion of their head chef, Sana’s, delicious cinnamon rolls out of his own free will. It just so happens that Jungkook was so darn cute, the omega found it so difficult to resist. Plus, he really couldn’t train anymore for today. “Whatever. Now, help me up. I need to ask Jihyo to help me prepare for a bath.”
The omega knew his handmaiden was always by his side. But Namjoon supposes that since training has run for hours today, the maiden must have grabbed a snack for herself (or flirted with Sana in the kitchens, who knows). Neither Namjoon nor Jungkook could see her, so… what was Jungkook’s bright idea?
“Don’t worry, hyungie, I got you.” Jungkook kneels down beside the omega, placing his arms underneath Namjoon’s back and knees, before lifting him up like he was paperweight. “I’ll prepare the bath for you, come on.”
Namjoon yelps at being lifted so easily, blushing like a goddamn damsel in distress. He knows he’s bigger than Jungkook, at least height-wise, but the alpha is infinitely and evidently stronger than he will ever be. The omega doesn’t even dare to think about Jungkook’s eight pack and how it’s allowing the alpha to lift him up from the ground with total ease. His arms are so sturdy that Namjoon thinks falling asleep here wouldn’t be so difficult.
Thank the moon goddess Jihyo started using scent neutralizers in my baths everyday. The omega wouldn’t even want to imagine the way his scent flared at the alpha’s showcase of strength.
Nonetheless, Jungkook easily navigates his way through the pack mansion, up to Namjoon’s bedroom. What’s almost offensive is how not a single person bats an eye at the duo as Jungkook continues to carry his hyung like a princess, as if they were all used to the display. All Namjoon can do is lie against Jungkook’s arms a little stiffly, hoping and praying that the people can excuse his blush as a sign of his exertion.
(They passed by a couple of maidens. With the way they all giggled, Namjoon knows they know something they shouldn’t.)
Jungkook easily opens the bedroom door, then the connected bathroom without ever dropping his omega. It’s so easy for him to sit Namjoon down on the corner of his bathtub, stripping his hyung off of his armor, leaving the omega in his inner clothes. The alpha also does the liberty of filling the tub up with water, dropping all the essential oils he knew the omega liked having in his bath.
All the while, Namjoon watches him with wide starry eyes.
“There you go, hyungie. Your bath’s all ready. I’ll find Jihyo to tell her you’re here. After that, I’ll see you for dinner tonight then?”
Namjoon nods dumbly, not letting thoughts of how Jungkook is the perfect provider overcome his muddy brain. This is too much, this alpha is too goddamn much.
“O-Okay, thank you, Jungkookie. See you.”
Jungkook bows at his future head pack omega with one last cheeky grin. Namjoon wouldn’t strip down until the alpha has left, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t feel a little too exposed at the alpha’s twinkling eyes. The same eyes that dared to drop him a wink right before he exited the bathroom, causing Namjoon to release a deep exhale as if he hadn't been breathing the moment Jungkook lifted him up in his arms.
God fucking damn stupidly cute alphas that have muscles as sexy as their smiles.
Namjoon still feels like he’s in a daze as he finally rids off his sweaty clothes, cringing at how dirty he genuinely felt. Bless Jungkook for not even commenting on his disgusting self, but Namjoon desperately needs that bath to both cleanse his body and his thoughts about how a particular alpha could probably lift him up and fuck him against the—
“Namjoonie oppa?” A knock resounds from outside Namjoon’s bathroom door. “Can I come in?”
Instantly recognizing her voice, Namjoon sighs. “Yes, Jihyo. Please.”
With that, the younger omega opens the door, making a swift entrance with a teasing smirk on her face. “Well. I heard a cute little alpha brought you here after training, oppa.”
“Not a word, Jihyo. I beg.” Namjoon tries not to whine, but it only causes his personal maiden to laugh.
“Why can’t we talk about it, huh?” Jihyo giggles, inching closer to her future head pack omega before marveling at the fact that Jungkook indeed used all the right oils for the omega’s post-training bath. “Don’t you want someone to gush about his strong muscles and defined abs? Or—or what was it again the last time? The way his arms felt so strong you almost begged him to put you in a choke—”
“Enough, Jihyo!” Namjoon groaned, wanting nothing more than to drown in his very own bath water and never be seen again. As his attending omega, Jihyo unfortunately sees Namjoon in every shape and form. Including his drunken state. “You promised to never mention that again.”
Jihyo laughs louder, flicking the omega’s face with some water from his own tub. “No, you begged me to never talk about it. I never agreed.”
The older omega sighs, wondering what on earth he’s ever done to be surrounded by such disrespectful little omegas that wouldn’t even dare to help a fellow omega in desperate need. “Just please stop. He gave me hell in training today. I don’t wanna talk about him.”
The handmaiden playfully rolls her eyes. “Whatever you say, oppa. But we all know how you secretly want him to go so hard on you that you could barely walk and—”
“Jihyooooo!”
“I’m kidding, I’m kidding!” Jihyo protects her face when the omega dares to splash her with some bath water, laughing non stop at the undignified look on his face. “But on another note, oppa. I know you both went all out, but please don’t forget that you still have a one-on-one advisory schedule with Jimin-ssi today.” Her smirk widens at that.
Great. Exactly what Namjoon needed. “I’m not gonna survive the end of the day, aren’t I?”
Jihyo cackles, loving how defeated Namjoon looked. If the future head pack omega already looked so done at the face of one sexy and muscle-y guard, then literally everyone has a field day seeing the omega leave another advisory appointment with the flirtiest alpha in their pack.
Park fucking Jimin.
In line with what was mentioned earlier, harmony of mind and body also entails the continuous sharpening of one’s mind. If Jungkook was in charge of training Namjoon’s body for whatever it may entail, then it was Jimin’s job to sharpen Namjoon’s brain whenever the need arises.
Son of Namjoon’s former tutor and now council member, Park Jimin is reputable for his sharp wit and battle strategies. Like Jungkook and along with Jungkook, Namjoon has been raised with Jimin seeing as Jimin’s mother tutored both the Kim brothers, her own son, Jimin, and the baby alpha that always trailed after his Namjoonie and Jiminie hyung ever since they were pups, a.k.a Jungkook.
Growing up with Jimin has been nothing short of an… adventure. Namjoon prides himself in being calm and rational, like a body of water. He’s serene, constant, and generally peaceful. Jimin, on the other hand, is like fire. He’s always burning with desire, passion, and thrill. He always wants to learn new things whether it be about wars or history, try out new endeavors like horseback riding or dance, or perhaps go to all these other places and learn about other pack cultures and traditions.
In some way, they balance each other out. Jimin gives Namjoon’s life a little simmer with every lewd wink he throws the omega’s way. He keeps Namjoon’s life fun and exciting. On the opposite side, Namjoon grounds Jimin, keeping him steady when the alpha goes a little haywire. Whenever the fire is burning a little too high, the water would always be there to calm him down.
(But, between them, they’d probably both end up dead without their air: Jungkook. Always there to give them a sense of direction. Jungkook had always been the perfect mixture of control and mischief. He likes trying new things if he knows he’ll excel on it, which he always does. That causes him to drag both an enthusiastic Jimin and a dying Namjoon to whatever stint he wants to try now. But he also knows when to hold back, especially if he knows that it’ll only hurt the lone omega between the trio. Jungkook had always been undaunted but with care.)
However, despite spending most of his childhood with Jimin, Namjoon could still never get used to him. Not with the way the alpha made Namjoon’s heart feel all gooey.
“Hyungie, you’re not listening.”
As far as Namjoon knows, advisory sessions should be done in a formal setting, at least a table apart while the two parties discuss the matters at hand in a completely organized and subdued manner.
So explain to Namjoon slowly, why the hell was Jimin pressed up to his right, his left hand finding its home on the omega’s thigh, the alpha’s face pouting fiercely just five inches away from Namjoon’s own face? Since when did this become the new norm for advisory sessions?
“I-I, uhm,” Namjoon coughs out. He’s freshly clean now, just in time for his appointment with Jimin, but goddamn does the omega feel hot all over again. “I w-was listening, Jimin-ah. I just couldn’t help but mull over this proposal. Do you think it is a fair trade?”
Jimin sighs, smiling fondly at the omega. Leave it to Namjoon to think about a million things all at once. “I think it could still be negotiated a little better. This pack is only thinking short term, but what we’re aiming to gain is a longer trade-off. However, what they’re offering is exactly what we need, so I suggest we schedule a meeting with them and personally negotiate the terms.”
Namjoon hums in thought, pushing aside his horny brain to focus on serious matters. “I guess so,” He says. Nothing gets things done sooner than having a face-to-face meeting. “This pack is only two hours away from our own, isn’t it?”
Jimin nods, barely moving an inch away from Namjoon’s space. “Yes, hyungie, it is. I can have it scheduled immediately, and Jungkook and I can come with you. Think of it as a field trip.”
By now, it’s basically automatic to have Jungkook and Jimin join him no matter where the omega goes. It’s never one without the other, lest Namjoon wants to deal with a whole week of silent treatment again for being left behind. (Cue: That one incident that has the guards banging at Namjoon’s bedroom door at 2 am, an emergency in the farther areas of their pack town. He was awoken by Jungkook, barely having the time to slip on proper clothes before he was whisked away to deal with the chaos. Jimin absolutely did not appreciate the fact that neither Namjoon nor Jungkook thought of taking him along. He just wanted to be of help, too.)
“Except the livelihood of our blacksmiths is on the line for this field trip.” Namjoon muses.
True. This trade was for the production of items from earth metals, one that their pack didn’t have a bounty of. Unlike natural herbs and medicines which the other pack found a lack in their own supplies.
Jimin nods in agreement. “Perhaps so. But, I’ve read our history with this pack. We’ve never had any disputes with them, they’ve always been one of our allies. Albeit a little passively. I am almost certain that they’d agree to our requests, if presented nicely, of course. Which I’m sure is not a problem with you.”
Though he is indeed used to it, Namjoon is still sometimes racked with anxiety whenever he is tasked to negotiate with their partners. His father said that he’ll grow used to it in time, but Namjoon still can’t help but worry. “Goodness, sometimes, things like these just stress me out.”
Jimin adopts a somber look. By now, he can read the omega like an open book. He knows that his hyung is indeed still anxious about matters like these, no matter how much of a natural he genuinely was. “Now, now, don’t be too cynical. I don’t like seeing my hyungie so stressed out.” The alpha reaches out to Namjoon’s temples, rubbing them in circles to mimic a head massage. “Relax, Namjoon-ah, negotiating has always been a piece of cake for you.”
Maybe. But, Namjoon could still fail. Oh his poor pack. “Hah, I wish that was true.”
“It is true.” Jimin reaffirms, sounding so confident because he is. Namjoon never failed because the omega does all things with his people always in mind, he’d never come home to deliver bad news. “You know you’re one of the smartest, most eloquent, and charming members of the pack. That’s one of the reasons why your parents and the pack believe in you so much.”
Namjoon couldn’t even stop the shy smile from forming on his face. “Jimin-ah, you know you’re already in line to be my personal advisor when the time comes for me to take over the title. There’s no need to butter up to me.”
Of course, Jimin knows that. The same way Jungkook is gearing up to be Namjoon’s general, Jimin is on the line to become their future head pack omega’s right hand man. But, “Who says I’m doing this to butter up?” The alpha rolls his eyes. “Can I simply not tell my hyung how amazing he is? Can I not tell our future head pack omega how much I admire him and of how cute he is when he speaks in front of so many people and commands the crowd with just one dimpled smile?”
Blushes were so hard to retract whenever Namjoon’s around Jimin. The alpha always knew what to say to have Namjoon melting. “Aigoo,” He coos, trying to seem nonchalant, but anyone with eyes could see the way Namjoon’s eyes crinkled in shyness. “Thanks, Jimin-ah. I guess I really needed to hear that.”
The alpha smiles at him, free of teasing, just pure honesty. “And I’ll remind you every single day if I have to.” Similar to how Jungkook placed a sloppy kiss on Namjoon’s cheek, Jimin also leaves a chaste peck on the opposite side of Namjoon’s face. Giving one of those deep indents on his cheek some loving attention in a way that made the omega’s heart jump a little too silly.
Oh moon.
Trying his best not to get lost in the moment, Namjoon clears his throat, willing his blush to fade away with the wind. “Anyways. I, uhm, I guess I’ll leave you to schedule the meeting with them. Plus, can you do some research on what exactly does their pack like? I was thinking of bringing a few gifts to the meeting, just so you know, maybe to gain their favor.”
“You can count on me, hyungie.” Ever reliable, Jimin already has a plan in mind. He is not Namjoon’s advisor for nothing. “Now that that’s over, let me just run you through these letters, alright? After that, we can have dinner.” He points to a few envelopes that need the omega’s immediate attention.
“Okay.” Namjoon sighs, getting back to business despite Jimin’s hand finding its way back to his thigh again, squeezing sporadically in reassurance, or when the omega cracks a joke that never fails to leave the alpha howling. It’s always there, Jimin is always there. Always touching Namjoon, always holding his omega… best friend.
Life was just either too good or too cruel to one Kim Namjoon.
-----
At exactly 7 pm on the dot, Jimin and Namjoon find their way to the dining hall. It comes as no surprise to them that Jungkook is already there, waiting for them with an expectant grin.
“Jiminie hyung! Namjoonie hyung!”
“Hey, Jungkookie!” Jimin smiles, pleased now that he has his two boys after a long tiring day of addressing several pack affairs.
“Hi, Kook!” Namjoon, too, looks exhausted. But he’ll never pass up a chance to spend time with both his, err, two best friends. “Just in time for dinner. Come on.”
Tonight, it’s just the three of them for dinner. Namjoon’s parents are out of town, on a little vacation. Ever since they’ve begun entrusting the future head pack omega some real-life responsibilities, they’ve allowed themselves to have time for their own too. Which Namjoon wholly supports because his parents have been working hard for three decades now, they deserve some leisure time of their own.
By now, they’ve been gone for approximately three weeks, and they don’t arrive back for another one. Tonight, it’s only Jimin and Jungkook joining Namjoon at the table, since these two have basically been accepted as part of their family even before they turned teenagers. And thank the moon for that, the day has been draining, and having more relaxed moments like these with his best friends is the best form of detox Namjoon can ever have.
It almost feels like coming home to his own little pack after a long day of work. Except the people he’s built a home with are the exact same people Namjoon works with.
He wonders how, one day, when they all mate and go their separate ways… Namjoon doesn’t know how he’ll ever let go of what they have.
Midway through their meal, a knock resounds on the door. Namjoon half expected it to be Jihyo, but his handmaiden has long made it clear that she’d rather have some private time with their head chef than spend a whole meal watching three lunatics eye fuck each other across her salad (so much for omega solidarity), but he didn’t quite expect it to be Jimin’s very own beta assistant.
“Jiminie oppa?” Mina smiles politely, looking somewhat apologetic as she disrupts their meal. She also politely declines Namjoon’s invitation for her to join them, claiming she’s already eaten with her girlfriend. “You left this at your desk today.”
Instead, all the beta does is offer Jimin an envelope. Both Jungkook and Namjoon look at it in question, especially when Jimin’s eyes pop in recognition. “Oh! Thank you, Minari.”
The advisor accepts the envelope, bowing in gratitude at the beta who takes her leave as quickly as she came in.
“Anytime, oppa. Have a good evening.”
Once the door closes, it’s Jungkook who dares to ask. “What’s that?”
Jimin grins, excited. “Hyung, Jungkookie, look at this.” He carefully plucks out the contents of the envelope, and both Jungkook and Namjoon are surprised to see that it wasn’t any letter, but rather, “Remember the camera that one head pack omega gave to us when she visited our land?”
Namjoon remembers her. That head pack omega visited their territory just a month ago, gifting them with some new tech called a camera which allows a person to capture a moment. “Yeah?”
“Well, they taught me how to develop those pictures, which I did today. And look how they came out!” Jimin proudly shares the products of his development to his two boys. Both Namjoon and Jungkook ‘ooh’ and ‘aah’ at what they see. It’s so cool, the photos really did manage to replicate the scenes they captured. The three of them had a field day taking photos once they were taught how to use it, but none of them expected the results to be this realistic.
“Woah, so that’s how they look like.” Jungkook beams, carefully reaching out for some of the photographs they took. There are plenty of solo shots of the three of them, quite a few were pair shots, and some with all three. “This is so amazing.”
“That’s really cool.” Namjoon remarks, all three of them huddled together as they skimmed through the shots. “Oh moon, they’re all so pretty!”
“Right?” Jimin exclaims. As he developed the photos earlier today, he remembers being so enthralled at how their shots came to life. They soon pass by a photo with all three of them, and the alpha couldn’t help but coo. “Awww, look. Namjoonie hyung came out so cute.”
Jimin directs a big, beaming smile at their omega, and Namjoon couldn’t help but get lost in those eyes. Always so earnest, even when Jimin is obviously teasing, the alpha’s gaze was just so sincere and meaningful. Namjoon is like a pirate drawn to a siren, if only sirens captured its prey with just their beautiful eyes.
They remain oblivious, though, to one petulant alpha that absolutely did not appreciate being left out of the moment.
“I think we all look cute.”
Annoyance flares into Jungkook’s bloodstream. To be fair, Namjoon indeed looked adorable. Rarely does the omega allow himself to embrace his cuteness, but when he does, it’s always lethal. Any hardened heart will always melt like snow on a hot summer day in the face of such adorable dimples and lush pout.
But. Jungkook looked just as cute, too.
In the picture, Jungkook had his eyes closed with his tongue poking out. His cheeks were bunched into a smile while he nuzzled Namjoon’s fertile scalp, so why didn’t Jimin recognize him too?
Surprised, Jimin looks up to the youngest of the trio, an almost bewildered look in his eyes that didn’t escape Jungkook’s rueful gaze. Namjoon looks mildly shocked, stunned into silence. That’s only broken down when the older alpha chuckles, “Right. Of course, we all are.”
Jimin is very obviously trying so hard not to laugh, while Namjoon just sits there, flustered. He is, however, quite used to this game of tug of war. When you’re an omega stuck with two hard headed alphas as best friends, it isn’t quite new to have them both vying for compliments at the same time.
(Namjoon had no idea that this was actually just a Namjoon, Jimin, and Jungkook thing going on.)
“Ri—Right, I mean, yeah, of course we all did.” The omega placates their youngest, face unknowingly melting into an endeared smile as he watches Jungkook soften at his attention. As a cherry on top, Namjoon reaches out to run his fingers through Jungkook’s hair. “Look at you, our cutie Jungkookie.”
“Stoooooop!” Jungkook dared to whine while looking like he would rather have the earth turn upside down than have Namjoon stop petting his air. That liar!
“I thought everyone looked cute?” Jimin injects, pointedly looking at his fellow alpha that’s trying to poke his tongue out at him without Namjoon seeing. Is this really the future general of this pack? “You’re the absolute cutest, Jungkook-ah, look.”
To prove his point, Jimin also reaches out to tickle Jungkook’s chin, which the younger alpha swats away. That fucker!
“Whatever.” Jungkook huffs, shoving a spoonful of his mash potatoes to avoid dealing with his hyungs’ teasing. “I just think we all looked adorable.”
Both Namjoon and Jimin share a fond look, before they continue looking through the developed pictures. They’re all too engrossed at how cool this tech is. While they always knew times were changing, it never fails to stun them that mankind was able to come up with such cool new inventions. One that allowed Namjoon to capture the beauty of his pack, of the greenery that surrounds them… of his two beloved friends that made such goofy faces at the camera.
Again, Jimin comes across another shot with the three of them against the landscape of the surrounding forest. He barely remembers Jungkook’s stunt earlier, before Jimin once again comments, “Look at this, Joonie hyung, look at you and me! The shape of us looks like a heart.”
Namjoon just had enough time to blush before Jungkook’s grumpy voice once again cuts through the air. “That’s the friendship.” He says, albeit a little bitterly at being set aside once more. “The both of you look like a couple of besties.”
That’s it. Jimin couldn’t stop himself, he burst out into a flurry of giggles. He didn’t mean to tease, but Jungkook is just the cutest when he looked so sullen. “Oh moon, Jungkook-ah, you’re just so cute!” He cackles at his fellow alpha harder when Jungkook’s cheeks burn red. Whether it’s because of his hyung’s teasing or because Jimin called him cute, well, then that’s Jungkook’s secret to keep.
Meanwhile, Namjoon only looks caught in between one taunting Jimin and one indignant Jungkook. But then again, being friends with these two for nearly two decades now, Namjoon is so used to it. He’s actually so done with them. Somebody help him, please.
Though he silently but strongly agrees with Jimin on this one, Jungkook indeed looked the most adorable when he’s all pouty and sulky.
After dinner, Jimin and Jungkook both take their leave from the mansion. Though they have regular sleepovers at the head pack alpha and omega’s house, hell, they even have their own rooms there, they both make it a point to return to their own families. Especially now that Namjoon’s parents are out, they all just didn’t want to send the wrong message. Since, you know, they weren’t exactly Namjoon’s mates (derogatory).
Besides, Namjoon also enjoyed the quiet time by himself, saying that he uses the nighttime to read a book or to tend to his garden especially after having both men around the entire day. So his two alphas best friends then leave him to that.
Together, they walk back to their own houses which is just a seven minute walk away from the pack mansion. It’s so near that most often than not, the two even take a detour, taking some alpha-alpha bonding time together.
“Hello, little shit.” Jimin grins at his companion as Namjoon walks back to the house, seeing the two exit the main gate, giving them both one last wave as they leave.
“Hello, ugly shit.” Jungkook responds in kind, poking his tongue out at his hyung.
“Yah, have some respect for your elders.” Jimin reaches out to smack Jungkook’s nape, but Jungkook wouldn’t be the most renowned fighter in their pack if not for his reflexes. He quickly dodges Jimin’s small but ferocious hands. “You know, you owe me. You kept on cockblocking me at dinner tonight, you fucker.”
“Me?! Cockblocking you?” Jungkook huffs, daring to act all scandalized. “I wasn’t cockblocking you. I was simply making an honest observation.”
“‘You both look like a couple of besties?!’” Jimin reiterates, reminding the pup of his earlier statement that was so obviously caused by a burst of his jealousy. “What was that even about?”
“Because you both are!” Jungkook cries out, a little too dramatically. “How did you even make out a heart without me?”
Ah. Jimin tried his damn best not to coo, not wanting to give his alpha best friend the satisfaction of getting his hyung to soften up. Of course, Jungkook didn’t mind having his two hyungs draw out a heart, but it couldn’t be without him. He’s a part of them—it’s a must.
Deep inside, Jimin didn’t like excluding his cute little Jungkookie either.
But then again, he can’t just let Jungkook win. “Namjoon hyung and I just naturally look like a heart, deal with it.”
“Nu-uh, I don’t think so.” Jungkook rebuts with a huff, daring to poke Jimin’s side, causing the shorter alpha to jump. From an outsider’s perspective, these two look like a bickering couple taking a late night stroll…
“You’re so annoying.” …Especially when Jimin takes the hand Jungkook poked him with to intertwine their fingers together. “You know I clicked so many photos of you both, right? Why did you just have to ruin our moment?”
Jungkook squeezes the hand Jimin locked into his own. “You know I exist just to make you suffer, right?” He teases, bumping his shoulder to Jimin’s smaller stature to show that he’s indeed just poking fun. “Besides, it doesn’t matter. I know Namjoonie hyung loves me more anyways.”
Jimin pauses in his step, an indignant look on his face. “Now, where did that even come from?!”
“It’s just the truth.” Jungkook laughs. He always enjoys pressing on Jimin’s buttons whenever the opportunity arises. “Did you know that hyung lets me kiss his cheek anytime I want to?”
Jimin gasps, his eyes narrowing into a glare. “Oh yeah, well I do, too, for your information.”
Now that was news. “You traitor!” Jungkook retaliates, immediately thinking of a way to one up his fellow alpha. “Well, I carried hyungie to his room today after training. He fit right into my arms so perfectly.”
They both sound like kids fighting on who owns the better toy, but then again, this was never new to anybody. As a matter of fact, the whole pack was just so sick of them.
“What the hell?!” Jimin shrieks, looking so stunned. Before he lowers his voice in curiosity, “How did he feel, Jungkookie?”
Jungkook smirks. “He was so soft,” He sighs out dreamily, blissfully reminiscing the feeling of having his omega tucked right inside his arms. “He kept clinging onto my neck, I thought he was gonna scent me and I’d fall in my face right then and there.”
The two of them share a giggle. “Loser.” Jimin teases, seeing their houses come into view. He tugs on Jungkook’s hand to pull him to their secret spot. Just this big tree that’s exactly halfway through their own homes, one they’ve always lingered on when they still didn’t want their night to end.
Jungkook follows his hyung without another word.
It’s almost hilarious how their quarrels fade so easily at the topic of one omega that they both share a fancy for. That omega that just held the most special place in their hearts right from the moment they both learnt how to spell l-o-v-e. The same omega they never dared to make a move on either.
For obvious reasons.
“Hyung?” Jungkook asks quietly, free of any derision or petulance.
“Hm?” Jimin takes a seat at the biggest root of the tree, Jungkook sitting right next to him. Their hands don’t separate for even a moment.
“Are you…” Jungkook clears his throat, trying his damn best not to look so scorned. “Are you gonna make a move on Namjoon hyung now? Is t-that why you’re getting more flirty with him these days?”
Jimin freezes from his spot, the hand holding Jungkook’s own turning into ice. This is a topic they’ve both been dancing around for ages. Ever since the two of them presented as alphas and reached a legal age, the topic of mating one specific omega has subtly but heavily pranced around their heads for as long as they could remember.
It’s always about telling the other that if you want to, you know you can do it. Because anyone with a pair of eyes could see just how smitten both alphas were for Namjoon. It’s only a matter of time before one of them goes ahead and takes that leap.
But.
But one of them would ultimately be left behind.
So tell him exactly, how can Jimin even do such a thing when just the mere thought of him courting Namjoon made Jungkook look like the earth was crashing down? Yes he loves Namjoon, but Jimin would rather cut off his own arm than break Jungkook’s heart.
Unfortunately, Jungkook thinks the exact same way.
“No. I mean, well…” Jimin coughs out, looking far away, anywhere but Jungkook’s face. “Not yet.”
Jungkook blinks. “So you do have plans?” He concludes, not letting his throat close up just yet. “When?”
Jimin exhales a heavy breath. His chest suddenly felt tight. “I don’t know, Jungkook.” He tries to divert the question instead. “How about you?”
A silence overshadows both their presence, and Jungkook’s jaw is locked tight as Jimin asks him that question again, that same question they’ve been avoiding since they both formed a knot. “What about me?”
“Do you have any plans?” Jimin asks, though he loves Namjoon and adores Jungkook, if the younger alpha goes ahead and courts Namjoon, that’s something Jimin thinks he can’t stomach. Sure, he won’t stand in between. Sure, he’ll even support Jungkook. But Jimin would probably cry himself to sleep every night knowing that his two best friends are tangled in each other’s arms while he lies somewhere all alone.
Jungkook simply looks pensive. “I don’t know either.” Of course he wants to court Namjoon. Of course he wants to shower the omega with the same love he’d selflessly given them ever since they were young. But deep inside, Jungkook couldn’t help but wonder.
He loves Namjoon, yes, but is Jungkook the best option for him? Especially when one Park Jimin exists. His insecurities bug him every single night. In Jungkook’s head, Jimin always seemed like the better partner for their Namjoon hyung. Jimin would suit the leadership role alongside their hyung so much better than Jungkook ever would. His alpha hyung is smart, witty, charming, and loved by both elders and younglings, Jungkook can’t compete with that.
Unfortunately, that’s the main point of this whole thing. Every wolf only gets one mate. It’s a competition, only one of them would be Namjoon’s other half.
“Jungkook?” Jimin calls for his best friend again, looking at him so earnestly, it almost terrifies Jungkook on the spot.
“Yeah?”
As always, Jimin tells him that one thing he always does whenever their conversation ends up on this very topic. “You know you can do it if you want to.”
Jungkook exhales heavily. Of course he knows that. He knows Jimin is selfless enough to hurt in silence. The older alpha might cry, but he won’t let them see it. He’ll act happy and supportive, even though he’s breaking inside.
But no, Jungkook can’t do that to his hyung. “You know you can also do it if you want to.” As a matter of fact, he’d rather be the one hurting inside, let his hyungs be happy together, even without him. Jungkook doesn’t know if he’ll ever move on from that, but he’d rather it be him than Jimin.
So yeah, this is the very reason neither of them could move forward. All they can do is squeeze each other’s hand, whether it’s in encouragement or consolation… only Jimin and Jungkook would know.
They know that this game they’re playing is probably getting old. This ‘you-first’ ‘no-you’ push and pull has been going on for too long, causing the weight in these two alphas’ hearts to grow even heavier. Unbeknownst to them, too, is that the only person that’s suffering the brunt of this game is none other than the same omega they both kept telling themselves that they want to be happy.
They don’t know that this is all just hurting their Namjoonie hyung the most.
But what can they do? They both want to be selfless for each other. There will always be just one victor in a match, and it’s even harder when both sides refuse to hurt their opponent. Even more complicated when those two rivals share something special between themselves, too. One that they’re just trying so hard to bury, afraid that it may further mess up the situation they’re already in.
So they just keep on playing, and playing, and playing. With no end in sight.
Not knowing that because of this prolonged waiting game that they’re both partaking, the moon goddess has finally decided to take matters into her own hands. These two alphas have been sitting idly for too long.
It’s time for them to be given the push of their lives.
Chapter 2: Second.
Chapter Text
Namjoon’s parents arrived back in their little town just before the weekend came.
The future head pack omega had just finished his overseeing responsibilities at the pack infirmary. Accompanied by both Jimin and Jungkook, Namjoon ensured that all the physicians and their corresponding assistants had enough equipment and supplies to treat any patients especially with winter coming up real soon.
Namjoon arrives back just in time to see his parents pull up with their suitcases, a big beaming smile on their faces that tells the omega that they had a lot of fun in their vacation.
“Oh Namjoonie, I missed you so much, my son!” Namjoon’s mother exclaims once she sees him, immediately reaching out to hug her only omega child as tight as she could. “Oh my! Have you been eating, Joon-ah? You look thinner, child. Jimin-ah, Jungkook-ah, have you ensured that my son has been having his meals right on time?”
“Eomma,” Namjoon bemoans, embarrassed to a certain degree. “Please, I am not a child. And you just got back, really? That’s the first thing you have to say to me?”
The head pack omega doesn’t even look sheepish. Jimin and Jungkook giggling right beside them as they also offer their second mother a hug.
“Hello to you too, Namjoon-ah,” Namjoon’s father interjects, reaching out to hug his son too, albeit not as tight as his mom’s. “And forgive your mother, she just worries. I know for a fact that the stress of becoming head pack alpha or head pack omega could be too much on anybody. I remember when I took up the leadership from my mother, I lost weight like crazy. We just don’t want you to get too lost inside your own head. Again.”
Namjoon sighs. “I know, appa. But I promise I’ve been eating. I’ve just been training a lot more so that perhaps is why I look a little skinnier.” The omega looks to Jungkook in support, which the youngest alpha immediately understands without a word.
“That’s right, eomoni. I’ve just been making hyungie’s life hell on the battlefield, but I can assure you that me and Jiminie hyung feed him twice as much to make up for it.” Jungkook offers the head pack alpha and omega a cheeky salute, causing Namjoon’s father to ruffle the pup's hair.
“That’s good to hear.” He says, before pointedly looking at the alpha duo. “But not too much sugar I hope.”
“And deal with a sugar-rushed Namjoon hyung?” Jimin pipes up, a teasing tilt to his eyes. “No, thank you, abeonim.”
“Hey, I am right here.” Namjoon squawks. Sometimes he hates how close Jimin and Jungkook are to his parents, they always team up on him—their very own son! “And I’m not that bad, right, appa? Eomma?”
All four people surrounding Namjoon look away in different directions. Instead of answering the youngest omega, the head alpha only says, “Well, is anyone hungry? I’m quite famished if I say so myself.”
“Appaaaa,” Namjoon whines at being ignored. “Tell them I’m not that bad.”
“Namjoon-ah, we got you so many presents for you.” Namjoon’s mother says, not bothering to answer his question either. “You, too, Jimin-ah, Jungkook-ah. Come, I know you guys will love them!”
The two alphas giggle in chorus at the obvious way Namjoon’s parents avoid their hyung’s question. Namjoon sulks harder once he sees his father walk further away ahead of the group.
“Appa, wait! You still haven’t told them that I’m not that bad.”
Finally, the head pack alpha pauses in his step. He sighs deeply as he turns around, before ruffling Namjoon’s own hair.
“Joon-ah, my son,” He says seriously. “Words of wisdom, okay? A good pack leader never lies to their pack. Remember that.”
Right behind them, Jungkook and Jimin howl in laughter. The head pack omega giggling along once she sees her son’s undignified look.
As the head pack alpha walks away, Namjoon could only pout in defeat.
—————
No matter how old Namjoon gets, he will always, always love presents.
Perhaps it’s because he’s the son of the head pack alpha, but he’s grown up surrounded by gifts from anybody and everybody. The omega can even say that he’s so spoiled by it. Right now, he just can’t deny the joy of seeing everything his parents brought home for him. Namjoon might be older, but he’ll always be their omega pup. His parents always love to shower him with presents, buying a little something for him with every place they go to, especially when they know that Namjoon is working hard back home.
“By the way, son, I haven’t told you yet. But we have another surprise for you.” Namjoon’s mother beams. She just finished emptying her suitcase for all three of her kids. If Jimin and Jungkook already had enough to even bring home to their families, then Namjoon’s arms were bulging with their gifts at this point.
“You do?” The omega asks in aghast. Even Jimin and Jungkook looked curious. Between all these splurges from his parents, what else could there be?
The head pack omega only shares a look with her husband as they all stand up and make their way towards the dining hall. All three pups follow her dutifully. “Well, it’s not exactly a present, but.” She grins. “Someone is joining us for dinner tonight. A pair to be more specific.”
Namjoon looks to his two alpha companions. Both look equally dumbfounded. “Who?”
Just in time, like a dramatic turnabout of events, the door to the dining hall opens, and Namjoon gasps out loud when he sees who exactly was waiting for them inside.
“What was taking you all so long?” Seokjin. Seok—motherfucking—Jin dares to roll his eyes, playfully placing one of his hands on his hip like he’s been waiting for them for eons while the other circles the waist of the person right beside him. He stands impatiently, but even from a million miles away, everyone could see how the alpha tried so hard to stop a smile from breaking out on his face. “Hoseokie and I were so hungry, Joon-ah, I almost ate all the pumpkin soup before you arrived.
A pause. Even Jimin and Jungkook froze right behind the omega.
Then, Namjoon bolts. “Jin hyung!”
Already prepared for the way his baby brother barrelled to him, Seokjin easily meets his dongsaeng’s embrace. It’s so easy for him to lift Namjoon off of the ground, spin him around like a child again, all the while, their parents and Hoseok laugh at the heartwarming scene.
Unbeknown to the omega, Seokjin contacted their parents before they arrived back in town, wanting to surprise his brother by visiting as well. He and Hoseok have just gotten back in Hoseok’s own home town about two weeks ago, and figured it’ll be the perfect time for a family reunion.
“I missed you,” Namjoon exclaims against Seokjin’s neck, nearly in tears. It’s been two years since he last saw his hyung, the alpha can excuse him for sniffing his neck just to smell that familiar gingerbread scent he hasn’t had a whiff of in two whole years. “Jin hyung, you ass! How could you do this to me?!”
Seokjin merely laughs at his baby brother, his own eyes misting now that he’s reunited with his best friend since he was born. The alpha, too, inhales Namjoon’s neck, a common method of scenting reserved for either mates or family. “I missed you too, you ugly ass pup. I haven’t seen your annoying face in ages.”
Once the siblings calmed down, Namjoon made sure to remember his manners and greet Hoseok as well. Likewise, Jimin and Jungkook exchange tight hugs with the Kim’s eldest son. They might be closer to Namjoon, but they’ve also grown up with Seokjin. He’s one of their childhood best friends, too.
Dinner has never been happier than that evening. Namjoon talks animatedly with his brother, wanting to know everything and anything that happened with him and his mate’s travels. Namjoon and Hoseok didn’t have much time to really get to know each other before the beta married his brother and they both sailed the seven seas, but Hoseok also found himself in a happy conversation with his mate’s brother. Even Jimin and Jungkook cracked too many jokes with the alpha, just like old days, much to the head pack alpha and omega’s delight.
Things only shift, however, right before dessert is served. Seokjin has been waiting for an announcement. Anything to suggest that what he’s been hoping for has finally happened after a few years of absence.
Unfortunately, it’s only when Namjoon finally removes his turtleneck sweater did Seokjin realize that neither his baby omega brother nor his alphas were reluctant to share the news, rather… There were actually no glad tidings to be proclaimed.
Namjoon’s neck was still bare and flawless, still the same way it had always been ever since he was young. Seokjin’s smile fades and his mood sours just a tiny bit. He couldn’t help but glance at both Jimin and Jungkook once he realizes that these two… were still stuck in a fucking plateau.
The alpha decides to comment on it just before they finish their main course.
“But you know what, Joon-ah,” Seokjin may be funny and a jokester, but he is still an alpha. Son of the head pack alpha and omega, too. He knows when to be serious, and he’s darn protective, especially if it involves his omega pup. “I honestly thought that, you know, two years would make a huge difference by now. At least more changes to be specific.”
They were just discussing the few interior design changes the omega has done to their mansion, but something about Seokjin’s tone suggested that the alpha wasn’t just talking about the new paintings the omega has put up on the walls.
“I-I mean, I hope so.” Namjoon suddenly becomes nervous. Is his brother asking about the changes he’s made within the pack? “Don’t worry, I’ve also been improving a lot of things within our territory. Some of them might take a while to physically see improvements but—”
“No, no, not that.” Typical Namjoon. He was always looking too far. “I meant with you personally.”
Namjoon pouts in confusion. “Hey, what’s that supposed to mean?”
Then and there, Seokjin decides to be really specific. “It means, I thought things would be different by the time I came back. Starting with your neck, for example. I kind of expected to see a mating mark on there upon my return.”
Even as Seokjin directs his statement to his brother, the alpha’s eyes are heavy on the two alphas that suddenly stilled on either side of Namjoon’s seat. The three of them were sitting across the head pack omega, Seokjin, and Hoseok, while the head pack alpha sat at the head of the table, all in perfect line for Seokjin’s tilted glare. The omega suddenly coughs in discomfort, trying hard not to stiffen at his brother’s direct comment.
“Now you just sound like eomma, hyungie.” Namjoon tries to joke, his smile slanted at what his brother was trying to imply.
“Excuse you.” Their mother squawks beside Seokjin. “I barely nag you about finding a mate, Joon-ah. I haven’t even pushed you with all the proposals and courtships you’ve been getting from all the other pack alphas and betas. You said you wanted time, so I gave you time.”
Jungkook’s chest grumbles at that statement, but it’s low enough that only Jimin and Namjoon could hear it.
“W-Well, I mean,” Namjoon tries his damn best to find a loophole. “I’ve barely adjusted to my responsibilities. I guess… finding a mate just hasn’t been my priority in a while.”
Unfortunately for the omega, if there’s anyone who knows him best… it’s his big brother.
“Sounds like you’re just making excuses, Namjoonie.” Seokjin sing-songs, eyeing his brother with all the seriousness the alpha son of the head pack alpha and omega was known for. “Remember when we were pups, you always said you wanted to marry by the time you’re twenty five. What happened now?”
Ah yes. Young, dreamy, and romantic-at-heart Namjoon. He does remember claiming such a bold thing back when he was still a teenager. Back then, he thought, maybe by the time he reaches that age… enough time has passed, and some people would have already made a move.
(Namjoon just turned twenty five two months ago, and he still hasn’t received a single courting gift from the very alphas he’s been waiting for since the day he knew who his feeble heart beats for.)
“What happened is I’m left to become the head pack omega, hyungie.” Namjoon tries not to sound too dejected. If things only happened according to plan… maybe he would have been mated by time Seokjin returned with his mate. Maybe even before his hyung claimed the beta beside him. “It’s just… I don’t have time.”
“I disagree. I think you’ve had more than enough time.” Seokjin says, once again directing a firm look at the two alphas surrounding his baby brother. More than anything in the world, he absolutely hated seeing his pup sad. “You should be up for courting by now, Namjoon-ah. You don’t have to mate yet, but at least accept a courtship or two to show your interest with someone.”
Jimin grits his teeth from Namjoon’s left, eyes glaring at the innocent plate right in front of them. The omega pointedly diverts his eyes from him.
“No one has caught my eye yet, hyung. Besides, you know I don’t like accepting proposals from strangers, I would rather have a friendship with them first before I even entertain the thought of mating them.”
The word ‘friendship’ should have been enough hint, but both alphas surrounding Namjoon were too busy glaring at their laps, looking a little too guilty.
Especially when they knew that Seokjin had long left his indirect blessing to them before he left, without Namjoon even knowing.
“I trust you both to look after my baby brother once I leave,” The alpha sits the two down just before his wedding. Namjoon is his closest family, he wants nothing more than to see his pup be well taken care of. “I know there’s no one else I can trust to make Namjoon happy and to love him more than you two do.”
Jungkook and Jimin barely sees their hyung looking this serious, but they all know that when it comes to matters involving Namjoon, the alpha was never one to be kidding.
“We understand, hyung.” Jungkook replies, meaning every word he says. “We promise we will.”
“Good,” Seokjin says, before deciding to finally take the leap. “You know you have hyung’s full support if you ever choose to love him forever, right? I know there is no one else better for my brother than his two best friends whom he loves the most, too.”
Neither Jimin nor Jungkook could answer him back, for they knew exactly what the alpha meant. This wasn’t just a last reminder before he left, no. Seokjin was giving them their blessings… if they wanted to make Namjoon theirs forever.
But, they’ve both wasted that blessing. Because now that it’s been two years since Seokjin left, and now that the alpha has actually returned… no claim has still been done.
His younger brother was still waiting for nothing.
“Fair enough. But you know what, Namjoon-ah, we’re not getting any younger. If that won’t work, I feel like we have to come up with a new strategy.” So, Seokjin decides to play this game his way. What others may not know is that Seokjin also has a mean streak in him. One that could easily be fueled by his protectiveness over those people he loves the most like his parents and his mate, Hoseok.
But most especially, his baby brother, Namjoon.
“L-Like what?” Said baby brother looks nervous, because he’s all too aware of Seokjin’s supposed mean streak. He’s witnessed it a few times, when there were kids who would tease the omega back when they were younger, and Seokjin ended up discreetly pushing them to the dirty swamps. With no evidence to prove that he’s the one who orchestrated it, of course. Or like those times certain council members directly berated the head pack alpha’s decision to leave the pack’s leadership to Namjoon. Stating that an omega is nothing but a breeding bitch hungry for a knot, there’s no way someone as weak as him can lead the pack.
If a huge scandal of those sexist council members blew up just two weeks later, causing them to resign and leave the pack permanently, then no one ever had any proof that it could indeed be traced back to one Kim Seokjin.
“Well, if none of your friends would dare to court you,” Seokjin smiles at Namjoon and his two longest friends, looking quite sinister. “I say we look for another one from this pack who’s actually worth a shot.”
Namjoon nervously tries to swallow down the steak he hurriedly shoved into his mouth. “Huh? W-What do you mean?”
Seokjin smirks. “Namjoon, I know I haven’t been around in two years, but care to remind me again what happens on the lunar eclipse each and every year?”
All three people sitting across the alpha suddenly imitated gobsmacked goblins, eyes blown horrifically wide. In shock, disbelief, and repulsion, Seokjin is absolutely thrilled in what he’s seeing.
The lone omega is the first to snap out of his surprise. “Oh, hyung, what the hell?! Absolutely n—”
“I think you should join the mating run, Namjoon-ah.” Seokjin flat-out declares. From the corner of his eye, he can see Hoseok trying to hide his own smirk behind his glass. See, this is why he’s in love with his mate. They were always on the same wavelength. “It’ll be the perfect time for you to find your mate.”
Jungkook drops a fork on his plate, the metal clanking loudly. He doesn’t apologize for it, however, looking rather agitated on his seat. Jimin, on the other hand, is glaring daggers at the vase at the center of the table, jaw locked like he’s about to chew off Seokjin’s very own head.
Seokjin would like to see him try, though. They might be strong, but these two have never even gotten out of a headlock from him.
“Hyung, are you crazy?!” Namjoon nearly shrieks on the dinner table. “There’s absolutely no way I’m doing that!”
The omega looks fairly unnerved that Seokjin would even dare to suggest such a thing. The mating run is an old tradition, one of the most classic ways to find a mate. Every year during the lunar eclipse, omegas and a portion of the betas sign up to be chased. Alphas and other betas that are more in line with the alphas prefer the opposite, thus, they’re known as the chasers. During that night, these people gather to scorch the forest, the whole territory as their playground in the most romantic and primal version of hide and seek.
Granted that these days, it’s often used by members of the pack who just want to be chased for the thrill, or for those who already have a partner and just want to prove that their beloved would indeed brave the forest to seek them out. A sense of pride and honor, maybe even of accomplishment. Others, though, are just in it for the coupling. It’s that one time of the year where you can get knotted against a tree trunk like an actual animal and no one would even dare to bat an eye.
“And why not?” Seokjin dares to retort, looking very calm as he knifes through the last bits of his steak. He’s given the two alphas enough time before he left, if they still haven’t made a move on his brother, then he’s not letting Namjoon grow old alone. “You’re a strong, beautiful, and unmated omega at their prime age. It’s the perfect time for you to get mated. I know you dream of a romantic love, Joon-ah, and this could be your chance to get it. Who knows which alpha or beta can sweep you off of your feet that night? What do you think, Hoseokie?”
Now, Hoseok is never one to involve himself with matters that do not directly concern him. Most of what he knows about the situation is from Seokjin’s own stories of when the beta asks his mate about his family home. Not once has the alpha mentioned his younger brother without two specific alphas right by his side, but that’s pretty much all Hoseok knows.
From what he’s seen tonight, however, the beta realizes that there’s more to the story. And if there’s one thing about Hoseok, it’s that he absolutely loves drama.
“I think you’re right, Jinnie.” Besides, what kind of mate would Hoseok be if he didn’t support his Jinnie? He’s also such a big sucker for happy endings, so the beta figures he can ride along with Seokjin’s master plan. He trusts his mate anyways. “Namjoon-ssi, you’re very pretty, smart, and strong. Alphas and betas would be fawning over you at how much of a catch you are. I say give it a shot. You don’t have to come out of it mated already, but maybe find someone who could court you. Who knows what the night holds, right?”
Despite being the son of the most revered members of the pack, Namjoon still sucks at receiving compliments. “I—T-That’s just, I, uhm, that’s just crazy, I don’t think I’m, you know,” Namjoon stammers. Hoseok only offers him a genuine smile, wanting the younger omega to know that he means every word. Namjoon is a catch. Said catch is getting cornered, unfortunately, that’s why the omega turns to his parents for help. “Appa, eomma, surely you don’t agree, right?”
Sucks for Namjoon, though, his parents have been waiting for their omega son to find a mate for literal ages.
“I don’t know, Namjoon-ah. You know your appa and I also mated on the night of the mating run so I can guarantee you that, at the very least, it would be fun.” Namjoon’s mother says. As a parent, she always has her son’s best intentions at heart. Plus, she's not a fool. She could see exactly where Seokjin was going with his whole stint. “Besides, Hoseok’s right. You don’t have to be like us and finish the night with a mating bite. You can just open the door of possibilities and maybe even meet an alpha or beta that could catch your eye. It’ll be a good starting place at least.”
The head pack alpha is not one to be left behind. “They’re right, son. Also, I’ve received reports that there are quite a few sign ups for this year’s mating run. But with you joining, I know those numbers would certainly spike up. At least I’m sure that there would be more chasers joining our tradition.”
Both Jimin and Jungkook growl low in their throats at the mere thought of a bunch of knotheads tripping over their own feet just for a chance to capture the pack’s most prized omega’s heart. Unable to take it anymore, Namjoon’s self-proclaimed guard grits out, “Let’s not force hyungie to do anything he doesn’t want to do. He has to join it willingly, and I’m pretty sure hyung has never even shown any sign of wanting to be a part of the mating run.”
Seokjin doesn’t even hide the way he rolls his eyes. “Of course I know Namjoon has to join out of his own free will, but I’m just worried. We aren’t getting any younger, Jungkook. If there’s no alpha brave enough to court my brother, I say Namjoon-ah should stop waiting for nothing. He needs to place his own fate in his own hands.” He looks at Jungkook with a nasty smirk. “Starting with the mating run.”
The words ‘waiting for nothing’ sting more than what Namjoon would have liked. He knows that Seokjin is only thinking of him, but sometimes he wonders, does his brother really have to be so blunt? Does the alpha really have to shove into his face that very single thing Namjoon is desperately trying to bury?
He knows, alright, he knows that all these years, the very reason Namjoon has been rejecting any offers of courtship is because the omega knows exactly where his heart lies. It’s with Jimin and Jungkook. And the omega stupidly wants to believe that he, too, is where their hearts could be found. But, is it so wrong for him to expect at least this small thing from the alphas—to actually want them to brave the thought of courting one of the highest ranking omegas in the pack? As an omega, it’s all Namjoon could ever dream of.
He’s waited until Jimin presented, then Jungkook. But still none. Namjoon waited again until the day his father announced that he would officially succeed the leadership. Still, none. The omega even waited until the day his hyung and his mate got married—remembering how envious he was, secretly dreaming of a ceremony like that for himself with his two mates—and even until now, Namjoon has been doing nothing but waiting and waiting and waiting.
Still fucking none.
Have I really been waiting for nothing?
“I-I don’t know, hyung. I don’t even know if there would even be anyone interested in chasing me.” Namjoon sighs. He wonders if Seokjin is right. They aren’t getting any younger, what if all these alphas and betas see him as this older omega who’s still pathetically mateless just because he’s waiting for his fruitless fairytale to come true?
But even Jimin and Jungkook couldn’t help but frown at the omega’s insecurities. If there’s anyone in this pack who knows how many alphas and betas would claim Namjoon in a heartbeat, it’d be them. With age, Namjoon has grown in beauty and grace. Anyone with eyes could see that.
“Nonsense, son. Alphas and betas from this pack are lucky we’re only letting our own to join the run. If we opened the borders and allowed foreigners to be a part of this tradition, knowing that you’re gonna join in…” Namjoon’s mother animatedly says, determined to make her own son see just how beautiful he is. Namjoon came from her, after all. He got his good looks and even greater heart from her. “…I’m afraid a stampede might happen right at the very edge of our forest.”
Namjoon smiles appreciatively at his mother. He knows she means well and is trying her damn best to lift his spirits, but she’s his mother. She doesn’t count, Namjoon still feels terribly insecure.
Thankfully, someone else is also an expert in silencing the omega’s demons.
“Joon-ah, my baby bro, have faith.” Namjoon’s eyes have always been too expressive, so Seokjin takes it upon himself to comfort his brother. “I won’t set you up for failure or humiliation. I’m asking you to do this because I’m 101% sure that alphas and betas are going to sprint around the whole perimeter of the forest just for a chance to be with you. Right, Jungkook-ah? Jimin-ah?”
Oh that’s cruel. The direct address at the very two alphas who serve as both the protagonist and antagonist of this whole debacle stiffens harder in their seats. They want to protest, wanting to tell the older alpha to fuck off and that no fucking way will they let any other alpha or beta even touch a single strand of their hyung’s hair.
But no one goes against Kim Seokjin. Even the two of them knew that.
“Yes, hyung. You’re right.” Jungkook grumbles, begrudgingly.
“Yeah, we know they’d all be risking their lives just for a chance to be with you, Joonie hyung.” Jimin mutters with a scoff under his breath. Just the thought of those alphas and betas having a near death experience just to meet and mate his omega is causing his blood pressure to soar higher than the skies.
“See? Even your friends know so.” Seokjin grins cheekily. “Remember, Joon-ah, would hyung ever ask you to do something that I know would only cause you harm?”
Oh. Those words were the same words Seokjin told him the day before the wedding, and look where Namjoon is now. He’s flourishing as the future head pack omega. His hyung had so much faith in him, more than what Namjoon ever had in himself. That’s enough proof that Seokjin would never entrust Namjoon to do anything that would only hurt or embarrass him.
And his hyung must have seen a potential for Namjoon to be happy should he join the mating run.
For a long while, the omega simply remains silent. He looks down to his lap as he ponders upon his hyung’s words. He can’t deny the heaviness his chest feels. Seokjin is right, he’s just making up excuses, isn’t he? Waiting for something that still hasn’t happened despite what? Nearly eighteen years of friendship? Despite growing up together? Despite spending nearly every single day with them?
If they don’t want me, then I have to move on.
Jimin notices the frown forming on Namjoon’s eyebrows. He mistakens it for distress, and he hates seeing his omega hyung troubled. “I think we should lay back on Namjoonie hyung a little. Let’s not pressure him if he doesn’t—”
Only to be cut off by the omega himself. “I’ll do it.”
If only it weren’t improper to act like so in front of the head pack alpha and omega, both Jimin and Jungkook would have jumped off of their seats.
“WHAT?” Jungkook gasps, eyes blown astronomically wide.
“What, hyung?!” Jimin echoes, a mixture of shock and disbelief painting his frazzled face.
Namjoon’s jaw is tight, eyes looking straight at his brother and definitely not at the two alphas beside him. “I said I’ll do it.”
Jungkook balks at the decisiveness in Namjoon’s tone. His hyung did not stutter. “H-Hyung, wait, if you’re feeling pressured or anything, you know you don’t have to—”
“I’m not. I wanna do it.” Namjoon reiterates, sounding more determined. His brother eyes him with pride. Seokjin knows that Namjoon may be a patient person, but the omega is never one to treat himself like a doormat. “Jin hyung’s right, I’m not getting any younger. Being the future head pack omega, I know I need to find a mate someday. This is something I shouldn’t prolong anymore.”
Jimin’s chest heaves, like he’s trying so hard not to panic. “W-Wait, let’s not act too brash. Maybe w-we should—”
“What do you mean? I think it’s actually the perfect timing.” Seokjin cuts the alpha off. Now that the omega has made up his mind, he refuses for these two to change it back down. “I say it’s best to make the most out of the present. I don’t want my brother to do what? Wait again for another two years and nothing still happens? This will be good for you, Joon-ah. You have hyung’s full support.”
The direct jab serves to make the alphas flinch hard, but Namjoon’s face only softens at Seokjin’s words. He’s glad that more than anything, his hyung will always have his back.
“You have ours, too, Namjoonie.” The head pack alpha reaches over Jimin to squeeze his only omega son’s hand. “If you really wanna do this, we can help you prepare. You still have two weeks left.”
Namjoon’s mother attempts to control the excitement that’s basically bleeding out of her eyes. Cue: attempt. “We can make the announcement tomorrow, maybe more of our packmates would join the run. It’ll be so fun!”
Seokjin grins bright. “It is fun. I’ve always wanted to join the mating run when I was younger.”
Uh-oh. The alpha seemingly forgot that they’re having steak for dinner, meaning there’s a knife. Meaning Hoseok has direct access to pointy objects. “Say that again, my darling cheesecake?”
The alpha pales at the face of one conspicuously blinking beta who’s pointing a very sharp knife to his direction. The whole family, sans the two dumbfounded alphas, chuckle at the threatening sight. “I—I mean, I was just sooooo curious about it, but ever since I found you, my cranberry pie, I couldn’t even think of running for anyone else but you.” Namjoon fails to hold back a loud snicker at his brother’s obvious panic. It’s nice to see another person who can put Seokjin in his place. He and Hoseok would form a good team someday. “All I’m trying to say is I can help you prepare for it, too, Joon-ah. Make sure you have fun. Hoseok and I were planning to stay here for about a month anyway.”
Hoseok nods, satisfied. He puts down the knife he was holding to beam at his brother-in-law. “Jinnie’s right. I can help you prepare, too. I’ll make sure you’re gonna be so irresistible that night.”
Namjoon’s jaw tightens at the sound of both alphas growling beside him. It seems that these two were far too gone to even remember their basic manners in front of the pack leaders. Fuck.
“N-Now I just feel like a piece of meat being thrown into a lion’s den.” Just when Namjoon thought that he and Hoseok could be a team, he remembers that this was his brother’s mate. To be mated with one Kim Seokjin, you’d have to be in the same acumen. Of course these two share the same evil spirit.
“Don’t be ridiculous, Namjoon-ah,” Seokjin scoffs, cutting a slice of his own steak to feed his beloved mate. Hoseok grins at the action, smitten. “We’re throwing you to the wolves. But, we’re making sure that only the best of the best gets to you. Isn’t that right, Jungkook-ah? Jimin-ah? Won’t we all help Namjoon prepare for the run?”
Oh Seokjin was having too much fun. These two alphas could do nothing but grind their teeth as their hyung basically forced them to answer.
“Sure.”
“Yes, hyung.”
“Excellent.” Seokjin beams. He’s so excited to see how the next two weeks will unfold. It may not seem like it, but if things go according to Seokjin’s plan, then on or before the mating run, his baby brother’s neck would be sporting twin bites. “I can’t wait for the next eclipse. Oh gosh, appa, eomma, our maknae’s not a pup anymore.”
Their parents laugh. They’re too old for this kind of drama, and they trust that Namjoon and Seokjin are old enough to handle things like these. They’ll be staying out of this whole show, but they’re just there… watching from the front row. Just like Seokjin, they also can’t wait to see how this will all play out.
(Namjoon’s father felt slightly emotional. As an alpha, his omega son always held a very special place in his heart. Though he plays no favorites, there’s nothing that would make the alpha happier than to see his youngest son mated and happy. Jinnie’s right. Our pup is not a baby anymore. )
“Hyung, don’t be embarrassing.” Namjoon sighs out loud. He wanted to remind his hyung that he’s literally training to be the head pack omega. Of course he’s not a child anymore.
“Can you blame me?” Again and again, in Seokjin’s eyes, Namjoon will always be his omega pup. “I know you might not come out of it mated yet, but I can’t wait to meet the very alpha or beta that captures your heart. Oh, they’d have to go through me before I even let them court you. I just hope they won’t waste my blessing the way some others do.”
Being reminded of that, the two alphas couldn’t help but sink lower into their seats. Oh how they regret wasting a perfectly presented opportunity to move forward with their courting. And yet, what did they do?
Nothing.
This was all their fault.
“Jin, be nice.” The head pack omega reminds her eldest son. As much as Seokjin was right, she also considered Jimin and Jungkook like her own children. It hurts her to see them upset.
“I am nice.” Seokjin defends himself. “Nice enough to want my baby brother to be happy. You know hyung only wants you to be happy, right, Joon-ah?”
Namjoon grins. If all things crumble, that’s at least a fact he knows is true. “I know, hyung. I trust you.” He says. Namjoon knows his brother will never make him do anything that’ll only hurt him worse. “Now, let’s just have dessert. All this mating talk is causing my blood sugar to drop.”
Seokjin scoffs. “You’re just making an excuse to have another slice of the chocolate cake.”
“I deserve it. After you convinced me to join this godforsaken run.” Namjoon counters back, hoping they can now return to the lighthearted mood they were sharing before Seokjin saw his bare neck. Even though the two alphas’ anger still weighed quite heavily in the dining hall. “Besides, hyung wants me to be happy, right?”
Seokjin chuckles. This is one of the things he missed the most about Namjoon—how he always tried to bribe his way to more sweets. “Of course, have all the cakes that you want, Joon-ah.” Just for tonight, Seokjin will easily indulge him. “After all, we have to make sure that you can run as fast as you do when you’re having a sugar rush in two weeks time.”
“Again with me being in a sugar rush.” Namjoon whined, looking at his father once more. “Appa, tell hyung I’m not that bad.”
The head pack alpha rolls his eyes. “Eat, Joon-ah.” He ignores the omega’s plea, much to their family’s amusement. “Let’s have some cakes.”
Namjoon is left to pout again, grumbling about how he isn’t that bad as he finished the last bits of his steak. He doesn’t dare to look at either a long-faced Jimin or a brooding Jungkook, though. Afraid that just the sight of them being upset would be enough to make him change his mind.
I’ve always been putting them first. Just this once, Namjoon wants to choose himself. He’s given the two enough time, and if they don’t want him, then Namjoon will find someone else who does. He’s a strong, independent omega, and Namjoon knows his worth. He values his own worth. He only hopes he can find a mate that would put in the effort for him—something these two still haven’t done.
For the rest of the night, neither Jimin nor Jungkook uttered a single word. They didn’t even have their cakes when dessert was served, not when all that’s filling their mouths is the bitter taste of their own medicine as a result of stringing along an omega that they both couldn’t make their minds up soon enough before he finally slips away.
Chapter 3: Third.
Chapter Text
Preparation for the mating run isn’t as tough as Namjoon thought it would be, but that doesn’t mean his anxiety isn’t shooting off the roof.
Especially when both Jimin and Jungkook avoided him throughout the weekend. At least Seokjin and Hoseok were there to distract the omega, but it doesn’t mean he didn’t notice the way his two best friends did everything they could to not even breathe in the same air as Namjoon did.
The next weekday, however, after Namjoon decided to participate in the run, he tried to go through his day as he usually does. He half expected Jungkook not to show up for their training, but he’s quite surprised to find the young alpha already in gear the moment Namjoon appeared in the training grounds.
“Jungkook?” Namjoon exclaims in surprise, before he catches himself back. “Hey.”
Jungkook regards him with a tight-lipped greeting. “Hi, hyung.”
It’s only now that Namjoon realizes how much he missed his alphas. They’ve always been attached to the hip, so those two days apart felt like forever. “How have you been?” He asks, trying not to let the excitement of having them back shine through too much.
Jungkook only answers curtly, though, “Fine.”
Namjoon tries not to let his face fall at that very clipped answer. Jungkook has never spoken to him like that before. “Oh-okay.” The omega clears his throat instead, looking away from the alpha that’s causing a strike to his chest. “I guess, uhm, I guess let me just dress up so we can start.”
Without another word, Namjoon scurries away to gear up for today’s training. One thing about being primed to become the next head pack omega, he always knows how to put his head over his heart. In short, he can be a professional despite his inner turmoil. So that’s exactly what Namjoon does. The omega goes back to Jungkook once he’s all dressed up, trying hard not to think about the alpha’s cold attitude, and to instead focus on the necessary training he needs.
“So what are we doing for today?” Namjoon asks. Last week, they did a lot of archery. He wonders if they’re moving to the javelin spears this time.
Jungkook surprised him, however, by saying, “I think we should train for your, uhm,” The alpha sounds a little choked up, like he has to physically pull the words out of his mouth. “Mating run.”
Everything about Jungkook’s demeanor suggests that he’d rather be doing literally anything else but preparing his hyung for that godforsaken tradition, but he has to do this. This was the head pack alpha’s instructions.
“O…kay.” Namjoon is none the wiser. He didn’t realize that he’d really have to start preparing right away. Coming from Jungkook, though, really made everything feel so real.
“We have to train you first on how to fend off chasers, especially those alphas. You need to know how to combat their strength and defend yourself should they ever attack you. I have no qualms about your running abilities, but we’ll both run a few laps to make sure that you aren’t slacking off and you can outrun anybody when the chase starts.” Jungkook declares, his face unmoving. His posture is stiff, but his eyes burned with a strong resolve to ensure that Namjoon could get away from any of those imbeciles.
Which, is it just Namjoon, but doesn’t that kind of defeat the purpose of the run?
“Uhm, Jungkook-ah, I, uhm…” Namjoon tries not to sound condescending. “Isn’t the main objective of the run to invite alphas and betas to come to me? Why am I… I don’t know, training to fight them off then like we’re in an actual war?”
If there’s one thing Namjoon already knows about Jungkook, it’s that the alpha could be stubborn as goddamn hell. “Nonsense, hyung. You shouldn’t just let any alpha or beta come to you. Besides, what if it’s an alpha or beta you don’t like? You need to know how to ward them off.”
Namjoon blinks, dumbfounded. Maybe they’d get to the part on how to strategically invite the right alphas and betas later on in the training.
Even though Jungkook did not plan to teach his hyung a single thing about that.
Maybe that was Jungkook’s plan. “I—okay. I’m sorry, I just thought we’d be training more on how to put up a good chase, but not necessarily bully anyone that comes my way.”
Jungkook scoffs under his breath, turning away from the omega as he mumbles. “You don’t need to have any of those fuckers chasing you anyways.”
Namjoon isn’t sure he caught that. “What?”
“Nothing.” The alpha answers back, giving Namjoon a half-reassuring smile. “I’m just teaching you everything you need to know.”
The omega was just about to retort, but, unfortunately for these two… there is an alpha that’s been watching them ever since Namjoon returned to Jungkook, all geared up. He’s actually been meaning to catch Namjoon before his training began, but figured he’d rather watch this whole jealous shitshow Jungkook was putting on.
Nothing like an early morning amusement. But, this alpha has also heard enough.
“I call bullshit.” Seokjin steps in, a fuckass grin on his face. He looks at Jungkook with a knowing gaze, silently telling the younger alpha that he knows exactly what the little one was trying to do.
“Seokjin hyung?” Namjoon balks, he didn’t even realize that Seokjin was right behind them.
“Namjoon-ah, it’s a good thing I caught you just on time.” Seokjin says, as if he hasn’t been actually watching the whole thing.
“What are you doing here, hyung?” Jungkook asks, a look of fear crossing his face. If Seokjin was here, then Jungkook was almost certain that his agenda wouldn’t go according to plan.
And he was right. “Oh, me? Well, I’m just here to personally train Namjoon for his run. Since, you know, I don’t have any ulterior motives in doing so.”
Jungkook’s back freezes ramrod straight. God fucking dammit.
Only one person remains confused, however. “Uhhh, hyung?” Namjoon asks, wondering what on earth is happening here.
“Namjoon-ah,” Though Seokjin is addressing his brother, his piercing gaze is focused on Jungkook. “From now on until the night of the mating run, I’ll be taking over your training sessions. Jungkook, don’t take this personally, but I’m just ensuring fair play. You’re an unmated alpha, I don’t want anyone to think that someone else is gaining an advantage by having you train the most coveted omega in this year’s mating run.”
Namjoon immediately notices the tension between the two alphas, and it’s further proven by how Jungkook’s scent becomes agitated enough to the point that Namjoon has to scrunch his own nose. The omega doesn’t address Jungkook, though, afraid he might say something that Jungkook would react badly to. Namjoon looks at his brother instead. “You say ‘the most coveted omega’ as if that’s a known fact.”
“It is, dumbass.” Seokjin answers back all too easily. “Haven’t you heard from appa yet? The alpha and beta signups for this year’s chasers doubled already, and we still have less than two weeks left ‘til the run.”
Jungkook barely holds back a growl. It’s only the first weekday since Namjoon announced his participation, there will be more to come. All of those fucking assholes wanting nothing more but to bite on his omega’s neck. The same omega that already belonged to him and Jimin. Fuck.
“Oh-kay.” Namjoon tried not to show how spooked he was by that growl. Even scarier is Seokjin’s smirk, like this is nothing more than child’s play. “But… is this really necessary? I think Jungkook’s a great trainer, and I’ve literally been training with him since I knew how to hold a sword.”
The alpha shrugs. “Fair game, Joon-ah. It’s all about fair game.” Seokjin says, deciding to switch tactics to convince his baby omega. “Besides, don’t you wanna spend more time with your hyung?”
Ah, fuck him. Jungkook already knows he’s losing on this if Seokjin dared to pull that card.
Just as he expects, Namjoon folds at the sight of his hyung’s exaggerated pout. “Okay, fine.” He sighs in defeat, before looking at the younger alpha. “Jungkookie, we’ll start training again together after the run, okay? I promise.”
It takes everything in Seokjin not to giggle out loud. The look of loss and fury in Jungkook’s face was hilarious. The younger alpha knew all too well that Seokjin is here to teach his baby brother everything he planned to leave out. After all, they had different intentions. Seokjin wanted his brother to find a mate, while Jungkook wanted nothing more but to hide Namjoon inside his own pocket.
But just to be a little shit, Seokjin dares to add more fuel to the fire. It’s only fair, he thinks. These two have given his little Namjoonie a hard time, so he guesses he can just return the favor. “That still depends. What if your new mate would rather have you train with them, Joonie? What then?”
In that very moment, Jungkook has proven that all his years of training are really of good use. His control is impeccable. The younger’s inner alpha wanted to do something that could perhaps get him sentenced to a permanent expulsion, maybe by wringing Seokjin’s neck. But instead, all Jungkook does is hiss under his breath, his hand balling into a tight fist as he repeatedly blinks in hopes that Namjoon avoids seeing the way his eyes turned bloody red.
Just the mere thought of anybody else—Namjoon’s faceless mate, more specifically—taking away what Jungkook and Namjoon shared for literal years made him want to lash out. Seokjin is truly showing these alphas all that they’re gonna lose if they still remain as cowards. And it’s goddamn working.
“Hyung.” Namjoon chastises his brother, all too shaken by Jungkook’s visceral reaction. The omega might be strong, but he knows that breaking up a fight between two of the strongest and mightiest fighters in this pack is gonna cause some huge damage. And Jihyo just started me on this body cream with very specific instructions to avoid bruises or scratches if I wanted to achieve flawless skin by the night of the run. And even though Jihyo serves Namjoon, he’s quite petrified of his handmaiden, thank you very much.
“Whatever. I’ll see you then, Namjoon hyung. Seokjin hyung. Have fun in training.” Jungkook spat, not even giving the brothers a bow as he scurries away. If he was some other person, Seokjin would have chastised him for the lack of respect, especially to the children of the pack leaders. But, Seokjin has known Jungkook for years. He knows that the younger one is just pissed. Jungkook should also be glad that Seokjin is still, deep inside, fond of him. So he can excuse him this time.
Besides, Seokjin is having fun.
“That was weird.” Namjoon, though, is not. He just looks stupefied, almost guilty. If there’s one thing to know about the omega, it’s that Namjoon hates seeing the people he loves sad or upset.
And Jungkook was on top of that list, and he looked downright dejected.
Seokjin only smirks in response, watching with barely hidden glee as Jungkook walked—no, stomped—back to the mansion. “Maybe.” But in a much lower voice, not enough for Namjoon to hear, Seokjin murmurs with a wicked grin. “But it’s all going according to plan.”
Later in the afternoon, Namjoon is informed that he is momentarily relieved of his head pack omega responsibilities to prepare himself for the mating run. When Namjoon tried to rebuke, his father reminded him that finding a suitable mate is actually one of the most important responsibilities a pack leader has. Especially when their chosen partner would lead the pack with him when the time comes.
So his father ordered him to prepare for the run not just in body, but in mind, too. Thus, his advisory sessions have turned into a lecture of Mating Run 101 with Jimin. Or so he thought.
“Hi, Hoseokie,” Namjoon entered the library to find not just one sneering alpha, but another inconspicuously smiling beta. “What are you doing here?”
“Hi, Joon-ah,” Hoseok beams, completely ignoring the negative energy radiating off of Jimin in rapid waves. “I was just asking Jimin here where all the books we’d need for training can be found.”
Namjoon tilts his head in confusion. “Training?”
“Oh yeah, Seokjin told me to take over your lectures. Something about fair play and ensuring that you aren’t influenced by any unmated alphas before the run.” Hoseok glances at Jimin by the end of the statement, and the alpha was definitely not happy at the look of accusation thrown his way.
“I’m right here.” Jimin grumbles. He didn’t mean to disrespect the beta mate of their alpha hyung, but Hoseok has been poking jabs at him the moment he found Jimin in the library.
“Of course, you are,” But Hoseok only looks amused. “But now, I’m here too.”
Namjoon’s eyes shift back and forth between the two. The encounter with Seokjin and Jungkook is still fresh in his mind, don’t tell him he has to deal with another nuisance again.
“I just don’t understand?” If Jimin was still a pup, he’d be stomping his foot like a furious bunny. It’s almost terrifying how clearly Namjoon could picture it, but then again, they’d grown up together. He knew all of Jimin’s quirks and habits, even those he outgrew in time. “Head pack alpha already oriented me with our new syllabus. I think hyung and I can work on this by ourselves.”
The beta doesn’t even look offended at Jimin’s tone. As a matter of fact, his smirk only widens. “Oh really? Are we gonna pretend that I didn’t see you listing down tactics and strategies on how Namjoon could mislead the chasers during the run. We haven’t even reached the part where you planned to teach this poor omega about the gruesome history of mating runs in general. Are you trying to scare him off, Jimin-ssi?”
Oh. Jimin looks like he’s been caught stealing not just a cookie from a jar, but the whole batch straight from the oven.
“O-Of course not!” The alpha exclaims, though anyone with ears can definitely hear his guilt. “I just think hyung deserves to know all the risks that come with finding an alpha or a beta in that stupid run. Also, he needs to know how to derail those stupid knotheads if they end up bothering him at some point.”
The disdain rolling off of Jimin’s mouth as he thought of those stupid knotheads managed to even surprise Namjoon. Jimin was typically gentle, playful, and sometimes all cute-sy to Namjoon and for Namjoon. The omega has never heard him speak so harshly. But if that was supposed to deter Hoseok from his agenda, then it didn’t work. Not when he even dared to wink at Jimin. “Oh I can definitely do that, but I can also teach Namjoonie all the best positions to be knotted against the forest trees.”
“Hoseok-ssi.” Namjoon hisses in embarrassment, but the beta isn’t even looking at him. Instead, he’s focused on the glowering alpha who’s gritting his teeth at the image of Namjoon pinned against a tree trunk, a fat knot of some unknown alpha pushed into his tight hole.
Mine. Mine. Mine. He’s mine.
“Fair game, Jimin-ssi. Fair game.” Hoseok reiterates, directing a nastier smirk at Jimin’s agitated way. “No external influences allowed.”
Then, the beta looks at his brother-in-law, who's the subject of this whole predicament. His face suddenly shifts into a friendlier smile. Goddess, Hoseok switches faces quicker than any other actor. “As for you, Joon-ah, don’t you worry your pretty little head about anything. Hoseokie hyung is here to save the day! I’m gonna teach you everything you need to know on how to have the best chase of your life!” The beta looked so excited, even more when he adds, “Hopefully you even end up pupped by the time the night’s over, wouldn’t that be cute, Jimin-ssi?”
One blink, and Jimin’s eyes were red in fury. “Absolutely not!” He growls, and that sound should have scared even the mightiest alphas. But Hoseok only looks like he’s watching the best comedy show known to mankind.
Before the alpha could further do something stupid, Namjoon hastily interjects in an effort to save them all from bodily harm. “Hoseokie hyung, I beg you. Let’s not talk about pups yet when I haven’t even found a mate.”
Hoseok dares to clap. “And that’s exactly what I’ll be here for, I’m gonna help you find the best one out there.” He exclaims, again pointing an indirect look at the hissing alpha. “Seeing as no one around here seems to be brave enough to prove to you how worthy they are to be your mate.”
Jimin glowers harder. “I’m still right here.”
“And you’ve been here for how long, Jimin-ssi?” Hoseok rebuts, flawlessly. His mate oriented him with everything he had to know about the situation. And of course, how they both can make it worse or better, depends on whose side you’re on. “I think I got everything I need now, you can leave us be. Wouldn’t want you to take ages again before you start moving, right Jimin-ssi?”
Against all odds, Jimin actually looks down, ashamed. All these hits at him and Jungkook hurt because they know it’s true. They did, in fact, take ages, and that’s why Namjoon is here, preparing for a stupid run where he’s inviting all sorts of alphas and betas to claim him.
It’s their fault Namjoon got tired.
But Jimin is stubborn. One last time, he tries to stay, in hopes that it’s not him that Namjoon would push away. “Hyung?”
Namjoon, however, understands what Hoseok is trying to say. Yes, it’s been ages, and yes, he’s tired of waiting. So just this once, he opts to be selfish. For years and years, Namjoon gave them unlimited opportunities. Now, though, he’s opening an opportunity for himself to move on.
“I’m sorry, Jimin-ah, but I can’t deny my brother’s mate. Seokjin will literally feed me to the crocodiles if he finds out I rejected his mate’s generous offer.” Namjoon reasons out, trying to sound apologetic, but between what happened with Jungkook earlier, and now Jimin… Namjoon just wants to stay away from the alphas for a while. Maybe this time apart would do them well.
“That’s right, I’m being generous here, Jimin-ssi.” Hoseok nods, playfully ruffling Namjoon’s hair. He and the omega might not be related, but he’s already accepted the pup like a younger brother, the same way Namjoon accepted Hoseok like his new hyung. It’s not that hard anyways. From the little time they’ve spent together, the beta knows that Namjoon has a good heart. And if Hoseok can help make his heart happy, then he will. Namjoon is someone who deserves to be happy. “Now, Joon-ah, let’s begin, shall we?”
Even if the road to Namjoon’s happiness is engineered by Seokjin’s evil plan, then Hoseok is here for his mate and his family. And for the angst with a happy ending.
Namjoon bows at his adviser, eyes downcast in apology. “I’ll see you later, Jimin. Bye.”
With that, he follows Hoseok to the tables, while Jimin could do nothing but walk away with his shoulders slouched, a deep sad frown on his thick lips, looking very similar to a dejected little pup.
Things finally come crashing down exactly three days before the mating run.
To say that Namjoon was excited for the chase was an understatement. Perhaps it’s with the added provocation of both Hoseok and Seokjin, but the future head pack omega genuinely seems like he’s truly looking forward to the run with every sunset that passes by.
Leaving Jungkook and Jimin to both clench their jaws and suck it up.
Make no mistake, they still see their hyung often. When Namjoon has to make rounds in the territory, Jimin and Jungkook are still right by his side. But moon goddess, isn’t it the biggest torture? Especially when Namjoon decided to finally get rid of his scent neutralizer, at the encouragement of his parents who said that this was one way to prepare, exactly a week before the tradition.
Jungkook and Jimin could do nothing as Namjoon walked around the town, nosy alphas and betas trailing right behind him, trying so hard to catch at least a whiff of his honey blueberry scent. Looking like pathetic dogs in hopes that by memorizing the future head pack omega’s scent, they’d have a better chance of finding their hyung during the night of the eclipse.
As if.
Neither of Namjoon’s alpha best friends could even growl at those offending species, not when Namjoon himself only giggled at his townsmen, blushing shyly while saying, “Well then, let’s see if you can catch me.”
Honest to the goddess, Jimin almost jumped one alpha that looked like he was only one whiff away from burying his face straight into Namjoon’s neck, scenting their hyung right in front of the whole pack like an antecedent claim.
But if that wasn’t worse enough, Jimin and Jungkook received news tonight. Three days away from the mating run, Seokjin announced that starting tomorrow: no unmated alpha or beta must come close to Namjoon anymore. Including them.
“Hey,” It’s time for Namjoon to bid them both goodbye that night, and they won’t see him until after the run. After he’s chosen his new mate. “I’m sorry again that you’re also getting affected by this ban. But apparently, this is also part of tradition to ensure that my scent isn’t in any way, err, contaminated by any unmated alpha or beta.”
Jungkook grinds his teeth, as if Namjoon’s honey blueberry scent couldn’t get any sweeter. It’s basically yelling at them from a thousand miles away, calling them like a siren’s voice, find me, have me, scent me… mate me. “It’s fine, hyung,” The youngest alpha lies through his teeth. “We understand.”
Namjoon offers them a crooked smile. They can tell him it’s fine, but it’s obvious that these two were sulking at being denied their privilege of spending the day with the omega. “Thank you, and don’t worry. Three days will pass by before you know it.”
Jimin exhales shakily. Yes, he’s right. Three days would pass by all too soon. It’s been more than a week since Seokjin and Hoseok took over their training and appointments with Namjoon, and that alone breezed by too fast. Just three more days and Namjoon might find a potential mate, or worse, come home with a fresh new bite.
Three days left before they lose their hyung.
“Joon?” Jimin sighs out, willing his inner wolf to calm down. No matter how much he wants to lash out, to take Namjoon away where no one but him (and Jungkook) knows and have him all for themselves, to hell with those fucking knotheads who think they even have a chance with the most beautiful omega in town… Jimin knows he can’t just lose control like that. “G-Good luck, okay? We know you’re strong and smart. We know you’ll pick one that’s best for you so please, please choose well. And be safe, okay? Try not to trip on any rocks or tangle your foot in any vine in that forest.”
Namjoon didn’t know if it’s just him or did the air suddenly get ten times heavier? A part of him wants to coo, these two always cared too much about him. But a bigger part wants to cry. Even until now, when it’s their last chance… still nothing?
Don’t they both know that Namjoon would drop out of the run in a heartbeat if they’d finally claim him right here and now?
Namjoon figures it’s really time to give up. Let go of those hopes and dreams that will forever remain in another universe where his omega finally got the alphas he’s always been so madly in love with.
“I won’t, loser,” Namjoon conceals his pain with a chuckle. “I’ll do well. For me, and for this pack.”
Jungkook’s clenching down on his jaw so hard, it’s a miracle it didn’t ruin one of his teeth yet. “Yes, you do this for you, hyung. You—you deserve to be happy.”
One last time, the omega looks at his best friends with a burning gleam in his eye that spoke of pain, heartbreak, and disappointment. He wishes they wouldn’t have to reach this point, but if neither Jungkook nor Jimin truly felt anything for him—or if what they felt isn’t strong enough for them to step forward to court an omega like him—then Namjoon would have to move on.
“Thank you,” Namjoon exhales shakily, before stepping forward and cupping their faces on each hand. He pretends he doesn’t see the way their eyes glistened, if that meant they also wouldn’t say a word about his own misty gaze. “This means a lot to me.”
Ever so gently, Namjoon moves forward to place a chaste peck on first, Jimin’s forehead, then Jungkook. He breathes into this kiss all his regrets. The next time he sees them, he’d have a new alpha or beta by his side, and that is enough for Namjoon to know that some dreams really do remain in his sleep.
“Take good care of yourselves for now, okay?” The omega breathes out shakily, especially when Jimin and Jungkook surges forward to sandwich him in a tight, tight hug. “Don’t cause any trouble in the next three days.”
Jungkook chokes back a sob. “Y-You, too, hyung. Take care.”
“May the moon goddess guide you well, Joonie hyung,” Jimin relishes in this hug, inhaling Namjoon’s scent like a greedy wolf. Never wanting to let go. “You got t-this.”
But even if the alphas didn’t, Namjoon has already made up his mind. He’s the one who gently pulls away, letting them go with the heaviest of hearts. His inner omega howls deep within his soul, crying out for the alphas he’s long chosen as theirs. The logical side of Namjoon’s brain, however, has decided: enough is enough.
The omega waves another farewell at their retreating figures. With footsteps that sound like they’re chained to brass metal, Jimin and Jungkook painfully walk away from their omega hyung, never keeping their eyes off of him, like just one blink and Namjoon would be gone forever.
They’re not wrong.
After tonight, Namjoon would no longer be just their omega hyung. He’d be the subject of someone’s courting before being that someone else’s mate. That someone that could have been them if only they got their heads out of their knots a long time ago.
It’s too late now, though.
But just before they fade out of view, Namjoon suddenly calls out, “Jimin-ah? Jungkook-ah?”
Both alphas look back, surprised to see Namjoon on edge. “Yeah?” Jungkook beckons.
A minute passes by where Namjoon looks like he’s in the midst of an innate struggle. He keeps opening his mouth and closing it back down, like he wants the words to run past his mouth all by themselves. All the while, both alphas wait with a bated breath.
In the end, however, Namjoon figures he’s already said goodbye. “Nothing. Just be safe on your way home.”
With that, the omega closes the gate, walking back to his house without ever looking back. It isn’t until Namjoon’s safe back in his own bedroom when he slides down his own door, knees weak as the earth shattering sobs took over his whole body.
(For an event that’s meant to give him a mate, Namjoon looks like he’s already going through the worst breakup he’s ever been through.)
Jimin and Jungkook are helplessly left to stare at the closed gate, wondering fruitlessly what Namjoon had to say before he ran away. Guess they’ll never know.
That evening, their walk home was in complete silence. This isn’t uncommon especially for the past weeks since Namjoon announced that he’d be joining the run. The alphas were both left to dwell in their own chaos called their minds. Neither of them could utter a single word as they took slow and shaky steps back to their own houses.
It isn’t until they walk past their tree did the silence finally crack. The glass finally tips over when the quiet night is disrupted by a loud, groundbreaking sob from Jungkook’s very own mouth.
Jimin’s head snaps sharply towards his partner, “Jungkookie?”
The other alpha was starting to bend over, heavy droplets of tears streaming down his face as he choked out sob after sob after sob. “H-Hyung.”
In an instant, Jimin grabs the younger alpha to support his flailing body weight. “Oh, Kookie,” He places a hand on Jungkook’s back, pulling him flush to his own body. A rush of panic overwhelming his senses upon seeing Jungkook’s sorry state. “Come here.”
Jimin gently guides a crying Jungkook to their usual spot by the roots of this large tree. He sits Jungkook down, allowing the younger alpha to cry against his chest. His poor bestfriend. It’s still three days away, but Jungkook looked like he was already mourning everything they’ve stupidly lost… like Namjoon was never gonna come back now.
“Hyung,” Jungkook cries out, wanting to revert back to a pup and throw the worst tantrum he’s ever had. But he can’t, because this isn’t about just some lost toy or his appa’s refusal to let him go to the playground. This time, Jungkook knows that this visceral pain his whole body is feeling was caused by no one else but himself and his own choices. “Hyung, what—what are we gonna d-do?”
For once, ever intelligent and wise adviser Park Jimin of the silver moon pack had nothing to say. He can only feel his own eyes watering as a response to Jungkook’s apparent hurting. The adviser wanted to sob along with the younger, lose himself in this nightmare of Namjoon choosing someone else, but Jimin needs to be strong. At least for the younger alpha beside him. “Jungkook, I…” He takes a shuddering breath, wishing he genuinely has an answer to give, but, “I don’t know, baby, I don’t know, I-I’m sorry.”
Jungkook seemingly cries harder at that. He will admit, a part of him also wants to lash out at Jimin, he wants to blame his hyung for this whole disaster. It would hurt him less if Namjoon ended up with Jimin than any other faceless chaser. At least with Jimin, Jungkook silently reasons out, both his best friends are still within arms reach.
But… Jungkook is rational enough to know that he isn’t as innocent as he wanted to be. He was at fault too, so all Jungkook can do now is cry like a pathetic pup. “I don’t wanna l-lose him, I can’t even think about losing him.” But even through the anger, blame, and sorrow, there’s no one else Jungkook looks up to and leans on besides his Jiminie hyung. “Hyung, please, I don’t w-want to let him go.”
The way Jungkook was begging with him made Jimin’s shoulders slump heavier. He’d do everything he can to erase the pain the younger one was feeling. But as it is, they’re both equally as guilty as they are helpless. “Jungkook, I don’t want to either. I can’t e-even stomach the thought of him being mated with anyone else.” Then, he pauses, a tear falling from Jimin’s downtrodden eyes. Followed by another, then another, and another. Until Jimin didn’t even realize that he was already crying along with Jungkook. “At least not to anyone else but y-you.”
Jungkook inhales sharply, his breathing a little shaky. “I thought it would be y-you, too, hyung.” He says back, words muffled by his sobs. It would be painful seeing Jimin and Namjoon together without him, but at least it wouldn’t be this painful. “You should have courted him when you still had the chance.”
Jimin shaked his head vigorously. “No, Jungkook. I—I know you’re in love with Namjoon, too. I’m not gonna do that to you.”
A part of Jungkook wanted to retort, and that’s exactly what got us into this mess. But he couldn’t, not when he knew that Jimin was only thinking of him. “So what are we gonna do now then?” He asks instead, because this isn’t all on Jimin. It’s on them. “Apparently, he’s not g-going to end up with either of us.”
That sharp stab of truth hurts more than what Jimin would have liked, causing another onslaught of tears to fall from his eyes. His chest feels like it’s being sliced open by the sharpest sword ever crafted by man. “I can’t, Jungkook. I can’t do it. We’re in love with h-him. It s-should be us.”
Jungkook was too caught into his self-deprecating thoughts to grasp the full sentiment of Jimin’s words, especially that last sentence. How his hyung’s desperation was starting to fuel a new fire, ignited by a refusal to lose though he's already unarmed. “Yeah, but now it’s too late. He’s already participating in that fucking run.”
Unbeknownst to the younger alpha, Jimin was beginning to use this void of helplessness he’s feeling to cling on to his last strand of hope. In one final effort to defend their honor, Jimin’s thoughts begin to formulate one specific tactic that could either win them the prize or go home lifeless. “But… Is—is it really too late?”
Now that has Jungkook’s whole attention shifting towards his hyung. “W-What?”
Jimin licks his lips. It’s now or never. “Jungkook, I think… I think we’ve both been going at this the wrong way. I think it’s time we both man up and finally, finally pursue our omega.”
Jungkook still looks like he doesn’t know how to react, nor does he even understand the words Jimin was talking about. “W-What do you mean?”
But at this point, Jimin’s face is the perfect picture of determination. “Jungkook-ah, let’s do it.” The older alpha knows that this is their last chance, and he absolutely refuses to waste this. Not anymore. Not when the threat of losing their Namjoon hyung is all too real. For Jungkook and for himself, Jimin knows he has to brave this if they at least want a chance to get their omega, and be with their hyung forever. “Let’s both join the run and catch our omega.”
Pin. Drop. Silence.
The tears from the younger alpha’s eyes cease falling in shock. Freezing on his seat, Jungkook staggers hard at the stubbornness emanating from Jimin’s words, posture, and even his scent. “What? B-Both of us?”
It’s unheard of. The norm has always been one is to one. One half of a wolf and another. But Jimin looks nothing short of a thousand percent sure. “Yes, Jungkook. Both.” He declares. There’s no other way to do it. They both should have long realized that it was either two or none. Now that they only have such little time left, Jimin needs to come up with a plan to counter their upcoming loss. Quick. “Think about it. Hyung is too smart and too strong for just either of us. I think… I think it’s best if we do it together. We have a better shot of catching him if we both do this. Two heads are always better than one, right?”
Two hearts can conquer together stronger than just a single one.
But for Jungkook, Jimin was thinking a little too technically. That’s what the adviser does when he’s too stressed out. He hyper fixates on the technicalities, though Jimin is seemingly overlooking one very important detail.
“B-But,” Jungkook gulps. Before thinking of strategies and their better chances of winning, this must be the first issue they should resolve. “Who’s gonna mate with him then? You… or me?”
Jungkook’s heart thumps loudly as he waits for Jimin’ response. Fortunately for him, light has finally shone down on Jimin’s heart and mind. The answer has always been there, it just took them the threat of losing their omega to finally see what they’ve both been too dumb to realize.
“Both of us.” Jimin says, no room for doubts. “It’s you and me.”
Jungkook couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “What?”
The way Jungkook faltered in shock would have made Jimin giggle some other day. For two alphas who always try to worm their way into Namjoon’s heart individually, it’s almost unbelievable that one of them was willingly suggesting to share.
But. This was the only way, not just to reach Namjoon, but for them to truly be happy in their mated life.
It’s all or nothing. Jimin’s mind was made up, his heart equally as clear. “Jungkook, I love you too much to steal Namjoon away from you. I can’t even think of doing that because just Namjoon and I wouldn’t work out without you.” He explains because it’s true. It’s always been Jimin, Namjoon, and Jungkook. Not one without the other, never just two, thus, there’s only one logical conclusion to this predicament. “It has to be us both.”
With the way Jimin announced it, Jungkook expected a roar of anger, or at least disagreement, to wash over him. He’s always been so possessive of Namjoon, even going as far as cockblocking Jimin every chance he gets. But Jimin’s words only serve to shove off the snow on the ground, unsheathing the truth beneath the soil.
It has to be us both.
For the first time after years of dancing around, Jungkook obtains a clarity that makes all of his worries quell down. Now, he’s starting to realize that after all this time, while the two of them have been so focused on their feelings for their omega—or even trying to one up the other—they failed to recognize one very important element to their bond.
The way both their own hearts beat for the other alpha, too.
“And I love you too much to break your heart too, Jimin hyung.” Jungkook says, his heart is quiet. There’s no sign of refusal bouncing off of his chest, not when it has always been true. “I couldn’t do that to you.”
Jimin’s face softens. All this time, they’ve both been so stupid. How did they not realize that their own refusal to individually court the omega was a sign in itself of how much they loved one another? You don’t hurt the people you love, remember? “And you won’t, Jungkookie, because if we catch him together,” Jimin reaches out to squeeze Jungkook’s hand, glad that Jungkook is finally accepting the love he has for both Namjoon and Jimin. “Then we both have to mate him.”
Both. The two alphas were starting to realize that there’s truly no other way to do this. Or better yet, there’s no other way they’d want to go about this besides doing it together. Both of us.
But acceptance is one thing, believing it is another. “Do you…” Jungkook wonders. Hopes. Prays. Pleads with the goddess from the silver moon. “Do you really think it’s possible?”
“I’m not leaving you behind, Jungkook-ah,” Jimin says. There are so many uncertainties right now, whether or not they’d reach Namjoon that night before someone else does, or if they end up too late. But there is one thing Jimin can be certain of at this very second: he’s not doing this without Jungkook. They’ve always been a package deal. Besides, something tells him that this is a fact that Namjoon wouldn’t be bothered with at all. “I already told you, I love you too much. I can’t do this without you.”
It’s the first time Jimin has directly said those three little words to the younger alpha. A wave of euphoria washing over Jungkook’s whole body as the words sink in. The happiness he feels is nearly triumphant, for Jungkook knows that he’s not doing this alone. That he’ll always have Jimin by his side, and that alone feels like a victory in itself. Even better, it makes him believe that they do have a better chance of having their omega complete them, because he has a Jimin who loves him…
And whom Jungkook loves back just as much.
His eyes find a reason to unleash waterfalls again. “Oh hyung,” Jungkook cries out, using the hand Jimin’s holding to pull the older alpha closer, until he was cupping Jimin’s own face. “I love you, too.”
Again, Jungkook’s heart is at peace. This is exactly what it has always been trying to tell their owner after all these years. Jimin, too, looks happy to hear it at last. Finally, their two hearts were no longer burdened by the reality they’ve both unknowingly set aside. Finally, their hearts are beating as one—for one omega and for each other.
They kiss.
Jimin briefly wonders if this is how it felt like to have a piece of his heart be completed. The way their lips moved spoke of years of pining that they both tried to subconsciously deny. It felt like Jimin was given another reason to be alive again, knowing that someone as amazing as Jeon Jungkook loves him, the way Jimin loved him back.
But as one puzzle piece fits into itself, there is still one very large part that’s missing. As they both pull away from the kiss, however, their hearts are as unwavering as their eyes that are intent to find that final piece and bring him home to complete their set.
“So we’re really joining the run, then?” Jungkook asks, like he still needed an answer.
Jimin confirms, nonetheless. “Yes, we will. We have to get to our omega before anyone else does.”
But if Jimin’s one to dwell on the technicalities, then Jungkook’s someone who ends up fretting about possible weak points in times of battle. “B-But we haven’t had time to prepare. Everyone’s been gearing up for this chase for months. We only have three days left.”
For what it’s worth, Jimin knows Jungkook’s right. With Namjoon’s highly anticipated participation, that run will most likely end up like a bloody battlefield in hopes to get to the most esteemed prize—the most beautiful, the kindest, the strongest, and the healthiest omega in the pack. Their Namjoon hyung.
But Jimin also believes in another thing that’s true. “No, that’s where you’re wrong, Jungkook-ah. We’ve had nearly two decades to prepare for capturing our omega’s heart. If there’s anyone who can find him and actually get to Namjoon hyung, it’s gotta be us.”
Although going into a warfield with such little time to prepare is probably never a good idea, Jimin would like to rely on his prior knowledge about the prized omega himself. They know all of Namjoon’s quirks and ways of thinking. Jimin knows that they have the best chance of finding the omega against anybody else.
Plus, Jungkook’s the strongest fighter and Jimin’s one of the wisest members of this pack. Surely that had to mean something, right?
“Do you really think so?” Jungkook gulps. Maybe Jimin’s right. Maybe being Namjoon’s best friends has its perks. They can only pray to the moon goddess to lead them to their omega’s way before the night ends.
“I know so, baby.” Jimin replies, with a confidence charged more by desperation. “We have to do this for Namjoon hyung. We can’t let him go.”
Jungkook’s face momentarily turns solemn. It’s easy to accept this truth between the two of them, but, “What if—What if he only chooses one of us though?”
Then again, these two have been two of the most oblivious alphas to walk the surface of the earth.
Jimin won’t deny that he hasn’t thought about that, too. But he believes in attracting what you embody, thus, he tries to remain positive. “Something tells me that’s not gonna be true.” Jimin says, hoping he’s right. Because at the end of the day, “It’s you and me, Jungkookie. I’m not leaving you behind.”
He’s so, so right. Even Namjoon knew this before these two alphas realized.
“Promise?” Jungkook raises a pinky towards his hyung, an act that takes Jimin back to their younger days. Young Jungkook loved making pinky promises, he said it was the most sacred. The moon goddess was always watching what their pinkies do.
And though Jimin’s way past his childhood, he interlocks his pinky with Jungkook with as much fervor as they did when they were pups. “With my entire heart.”
To seal his oath, Jimin even gives Jungkook another kiss that spoke louder than a promise held about by a million pinkies.
The fear hasn’t dissipated yet, the threat of losing their omega still weighs quite heavily in their hearts. But Jimin is glad to see that besides that gruesome heartbreak painting Jungkook’s face from earlier, hope begins to shine through on both of them. They suddenly don’t feel as helpless anymore. Sure, there’s still some doubts about finding Namjoon and getting him to accept them both before anyone else could. But instead of shying away from that fear, these two hearts that beat as one begin to exude more confidence in their joint prowess.
It has to be us both.
“Let’s do it, hyung. Let’s chase after our omega.” Jungkook offers his hyung a shaky grin after their kiss, determination not even enough to encapsulate the way his eyes burned ferociously.
Jimin pecks the alpha’s lips one more time. “That’s the spirit, Jungkook-ah.”
But before they could get too ahead of themselves, Jungkook’s face dims once again. They seem to have forgotten one very important detail.
“But hyung, wait,” Jungkook gulps. “Sign ups have already closed today. We can’t… we can’t join the run anymore.”
A look of shock crosses over Jimin’s face. Fuck. He’s forgotten about that. Good thing, however, about being an adviser, Jimin knows how to use his head in crucial times and dire circumstances. He quickly thinks of a solution, mulling over how they could get past this first major obstacle.
When Jimin figures it out, he couldn’t help but hold back a hiss. To do this, the two of them would have to swallow their prides in whole, and lower their heads in admission of their cowardice. But then again, this is for Namjoon. They’d do anything for their omega.
Besides, he’s the one who said that whoever gets to mate Namjoon has to go through him first, right?
“No.” Jimin sighs. This is gonna be tough, but there’s no other person who can help. “I think I know someone who can help us.”
Jungkook’s eyebrows furrow. “Who?”
The younger alpha gets his answer the very next morning.
“Good morning, ladies and gentlemen,” Seokjin walks in with all the bravado he’s known for. Due to the ban, the two alphas had to find a way to speak with the eldest son of the pack leaders outside the mansion. Thankfully, Jungkook’s mom was an angel and an excellent baker. With her treats, she could even invite rouges to come to her house peacefully with the promise of her cookies, brownies, or even her cake rolls. Seokjin was no exception. “Did someone call for my handsome face this bright and early in the morning?”
It was Jungkook’s mom who personally invited Seokjin to their house under the guise of food. Though she thoroughly questioned the two alphas of their intentions, and gave them a flick to their foreheads for wasting so much time and being so blind, she had willingly partook in this mission to lure Seokjin to their house. Anything for her sons. Even if it meant baking cookies at 6 in the goddamn morning.
“Seokjin hyung, we need your help.” Jungkook and Jimin made their appearance right after the plate of cookies was placed on the table. Seokjin will admit, this was a pretty good strategy to get him to come. Because they’ve all grown up together, he and Namjoon were close to both Jungkook and Jimin’s parents, the same way the two alphas were to the pack leaders. Seokjin couldn’t say no to Jungkook’s sweet mom whom he treats like another mother, too. So he came, though he already had an inkling why his presence was needed so early in the morning, Seokjin decided to take the bait. “We need to join the mating run in two days.”
Pretty straightforward. Seokjin wasn’t expecting any less. The moment Jungkook’s mom excused herself after she placed the plate full of cookies, Seokjin knew the show was about to begin. Though he kinda expected for them to at least appear after he’s had half a dozen, Seokjin supposes that’s what happens when you’re a little more than desperate.
Impressed as he is, however, Seokjin is not gonna give in so easily. “I’m sorry, I’m afraid sign ups have already closed at exactly noon yesterday.” He grins through a mouthful of dark chocolate chip cookies—just his first cookie. If these two want to put on a show, then Seokjin’s gonna play his own part well. “Try again next year, okay?”
Jimin sighs. Like what he thought, this isn’t going to be easy. “Seokjin hyung, please, we really need you to do this for us.” He nearly begs, not shy of going so low when it’s their mate on the line. “We know there’s nothing you can’t do or—or can’t find a way around. We’re begging you, please, we need to get our names in there.”
Seokjin doesn’t say anything as he finishes his first cookie. He only crosses his legs, making a whole show of biting and chewing on these delicious treats as he did nothing but stare at the two younger alphas. Jimin and Jungkook could only stand and wait, anticipating Seokjin’s next words with an erratically beating heart.
Only when the eldest alpha in the room dusts off the cookie crumbs from his hands does he speak. “And give me one good reason why I should do that.”
Jungkook and Jimin share a look. They expected as much, and knowing Seokjin, the alpha wasn’t asking for sonnets or long letters to the moon. No. He wanted one straight and good enough answer for him to pull some strings to do this favor.
So that’s exactly what Jungkook does. “It’s—It’s for Namjoon hyung.” He says, with no preamble. At the end of the day, all this is for their omega and no one else. “Because we want him to be happy, and we… we believe we can make him the happiest.”
Though touching, Seokjin only responds with a loud scoff. “Bold statement there, Jungkook-ah.” He doesn’t even hide the way he rolled his eyes. “But don’t you think it’s already too late? You’ve had years to shoot your shot. In case you forgot, I’ve also given you two my blessings before I left. And what do I come back to after two whole years? Nothing.”
Their hyung’s words made the two alphas bow in shame. It’s embarrassing how Seokjin was so right. Now that time is running out, now did they want to move? They’re the ones who took time, opportunities, and blessings for granted.
But in spite of the shame, the fear of losing Namjoon for good reigns supreme. It pushes Jimin to reach out for Seokjin’s hand, hoping his hyung hasn’t completely shut them out of his heart yet after their series of dumb decisions. “We’re so sorry, hyung-nim. We’re so sorry for being such fools, and for—for doing that to your brother. But please believe us when we say that we care for Namjoon, that we love him, and because of that, we’re not gonna make the same mistakes again. Please, hyung. We’ve learnt our lesson. All we’re asking for is just one last chance.”
Jungkook stands behind Jimin, eyes equally pleading. “We’re both taking the leap for our omega, hyung, if you could please just find a way to put both our names in there. We want to make things right.”
It’s one thing for Seokjin not to push Jimin’s hands away, but it’s another to have him stop eating his cookies as he focuses his entire attention on these two imploring alphas. “Both of you?”
The two alphas nod in harmony.
“Yes, hyung. Both.” Jimin squeezes Seokjin’s hand, hoping his hyung can see and feel their sincerity. He feels Jungkook sneak his own hand to Jimin’s other palm, interlocking their fingers tightly. Seokjin also sees how the alphas squeeze each other’s hand tenderly. “It’s me and Jungkookie.”
Ah, finally. This was one crucial step to Seokjin’s grand masterplan. He knew how important it is to have these two realize that instead of competing with each other, Jimin and Jungkook are better off as one in their quest to pursue Namjoon. This is the only confirmation he needs that these two were goddamn serious. Because they finally put their lone brain cells together.
“You two listen to me and listen close,” Seokjin retracts his hand to stand up, eyeing Jimin and Jungkook with a certain gravity to make them understand that should they mess up one more time, Seokjin’s personally gonna chop their knots off with a bread knife. “One last chance, alright? Don’t fuck this up. What happens in that run is out of my control, so this is your one and only shot if you don’t want Namjoon to go home with anybody else.”
Jimin and Jungkook couldn’t stop their smiles from growing if they could even help it. Maybe their Seokjin hyung was never the enemy, maybe he’s always been an ally—a menacing ally, maybe, but still an ally.
“We won’t.” Jungkook nods vigorously, thanking the goddess that their hyung still loved them enough to give them one more chance. “You know we won’t let that happen.”
Seokjin hums, face still stoic. Though he’s giving, he’s not gonna make this easy either. He wants these two to understand the weight of this last opportunity. He wants them to give it their all for his baby brother. Again, Seokjin only wants Namjoon (and these two annoying dimwits) to be happy.
“We’ll see. You both don’t know how hard Namjoon’s been training for this run. And we all know how competitive he is.” Seokjin even tries adding a little bit more pressure, just to ensure that they’re going big if they don’t wanna go home as losers. “I’ll do this for you both since I know you two have good hearts, and I’ve always known how much you love my brother since we were young. But this is your last chance, alright?”
And because even if these two are a huge headache, Seokjin still adores his two childhood friends like any other big brother from another mother. But the alpha decides not to add that, he can’t appear too soft.
“Thank you,” Jungkook surges forward to hug the eldest alpha, Jimin imitating his actions from Seokjin’s other side. “Thank you so much, Seokjin hyung.”
Seokjin rolls his eyes, a little bit fond. He doesn’t hug them back, but he pats both their backs enough for them to know that they have his support. Somehow.
“Don’t make my brother wait for nothing again, or else I’m really gonna hang you both by your knots.” He threatens, squinting at the two when they pull away from that hug. “Now go and prepare for the run. You have two days left, and the goddess knows you’re already chasing for the most coveted omega this year.”
Jimin reaches for the alpha’s hand again, kissing Seokjin’s knuckles in gratitude. “Thank you, hyung, thank you. We won’t let you down.”
“Good.” Seokjin says, sitting back down to have another cookie. “I’ll see you both at the eclipse.”
But just when Seokjin thought they’d leave him to his sugary treats, Jimin suddenly pipes up again, “Wait, Seokjin hyung!”
Seokjin raises a brow, one large crumb of cookies dangling at the corner of his lips. “Yes?”
“Please don’t tell Namjoon hyung about this.” Jimin says, afraid that if Namjoon were to know, he’d hide harder from them. They have no way of telling if Namjoon wants them back or worse, if he does but his patience has finally ran out and Namjoon decides to choose someone else before either Jungkook or Jimin could find him.
In response, Seokjin only chuckles. “Oh Jiminie, I wasn’t even planning to.” He grins. Again, while he’s done them a favor, he’s also not gonna make it easy. “Fair game, remember? Let’s hope Namjoon at least sees you both before one of those alphas or betas bites down on his neck.”
Both alphas grumble deep in their throats, making Seokjin smirk wider.
“Like we said,” Jungkook’s lips turn into a frown. “We won’t let that happen.”
“We’ll see.” Seokjin garbled through another cookie, his eyes never losing that menacing tilt. “Again, Namjoonie’s both smart and strong. Quite cunning, too. He takes after me, remember? And I’ve also trained him so damn well, I know he’s gonna give whichever alpha or beta the chase of their life.”
Jimin and Jungkook share a nervous look. It seems that they’ll have to spend the rest of the day practicing how to run fast in the forest. If this is gonna be the chase of their life, then they’re bound to give it their heart, mind, body, and soul.
“So good luck to you both,” Seokjin’s cheeks have bunched up like a squirrel thanks to all the cookies he’s munching on. He would have looked cute, if only his eyes didn’t look that devious. “I know you two will definitely need it.”
It seems like they’re gonna have to give their goddamn all for their Namjoonie hyung, and they could only pray to the goddess listening that both their everything would be at least be enough.
Chapter 4: Fourth.
Chapter Text
Namjoon’s boots were a gift from his very own father.
Apparently, the head pack alpha used these very same boots to run after his own mate in their own mating run about thirty years ago. After Namjoon announced his official participation in the chase, the head pack alpha immediately ran to the best cobbler in town to have them resized and fit Namjoon’s feet just in time for the event.
It’s supposed to lead you to the one the moon goddess destined for you. He said to Namjoon the morning of the chase, looking hilariously teary-eyed. Namjoon doesn’t even want to imagine how his father would look like the day he gets married and mated, the old man would probably bawl like a baby in his mother’s arms. Trust these boots. I found your mother wearing them.
To a commoner’s eye, they looked pretty simple. Nothing too extraordinary. But they felt like the perfect fit in Namjoon’s feet. All laced up and prepared to run, hidden beneath the omega’s standard ‘chased’ robe, these boots seem sturdy enough and perfect for whatever Namjoon had in mind all throughout the chase.
Namjoon already sent a silent prayer to the moon goddess earlier today, hoping and praying that these boots would indeed lead him to where his heart truly lies.
(She listened with a twinkle in her eye.)
“Ladies and gentlemen! Alphas, betas, and omegas, welcome to the annual mating run!”
Seokjin stands tall, proud. His booming voice sounded commanding as he stood on top of an elevated platform to make himself visible amongst the hundreds of runners and their accompanying families and friends.
The night is dark, stars imitating freckles amidst the shadow canvas. The only light source are the fires surrounding the grounds to commemorate the moon goddess and her upcoming embrace with her shining lover. Everyone cheers hearing the alpha’s voice, hoots and claps saturating the air, making Namjoon grin brighter than any celestial body seen in the skies.
“As you all know, we commence this tradition every year during the lunar eclipse. It’s an exciting time for all unmated alphas, betas, and omegas who either wish to find a mate, prove their worthiness to their potential mate, or even give their beloved one hell of a chase.” Seokjin narrates, speaking not too fast, nor too slow. He begins with just enough time until the moon is painted red. Still, Namjoon’s older brother had snuck in a chance to tease his poor dongsaeng. Pointing to Namjoon with a beaming grin on his face. “I am thrilled to see so many participants this year, even happier to see my baby brother, our future head pack omega partake in this run!”
Although he wears the same mid-sleeve white satin robe like what all the chased donned this evening, Namjoon was absolutely glowing at the front and center of all the runners , looking like a goddess who bathed in liquid stardust right before he descended at the edge of the forest.
The premise of the run included making yourself look your best in hopes to entice the chasers, make them more eager and desperate to find you. And Namjoon looked nothing short of enchanting. Alluring in his scent, captivating with his beauty, and enthralling with his stance of confidence that embodied the true picture of the most coveted omega of this run.
The crowd goes absolutely wild. The chasers howling the loudest. The people of his pack cheering loudly for their future head pack omega.
Namjoon was so ready. All the alphas and betas who had eyes on him could see it clearer than day.
“Before we begin, I’d just like to remind you all of a few rules.” Seokjin holds a long paper in his hands. Despite this being a tradition that allowed one’s primal instincts to dominate, rules must still be set to ensure that no foul play would be involved. “One, no one is allowed to shift into a wolf. Alphas, betas, and omegas alike must remain in their human form all throughout the chase. Two, no violence allowed. In case any participants are involved in brutality, you will immediately be disqualified and punished by the council.”
When Namjoon looks up to the sky, he can see that the sun and moon are finally beginning to touch. He couldn’t help but smile to himself. Legends say that the reason the mating run was commenced during this time is because of the love the moon and the sun shared. What a special occasion, to meet and touch only a couple of times each year. So to celebrate the majestic kiss of the two most beautiful celestial bodies in the universe, the wolves set out to find someone who would seek them the way the sun and the moon did, willing to battle the distance, no matter how far the other runs away, they’d always catch their other half.
“Third, and most important. No. Force. Mating. If an omega or beta says no, then it’s a no. In this scenario, shifting into a wolf to howl for help is allowed. Remember, we have guards surrounding the perimeter. If caught forcibly mating anybody, you shall immediately be disqualified and put into trial.”
Namjoon already knows all these rules by heart. As the child of the pack alpha and omega, he’s watched the mating run happen every year. He even hosted the past two runs when Seokjin wasn’t around. So for the meantime, he closes his eyes, the omega is content in absorbing the buzzing energy of hundreds of runners around him. What a time to be alive.
“Fourth, the mating run ends when the sun rises again in the morning. So yes, you have all night to run around and do some fantastic coupling.”
Seokjin smirks, the chasers in particular hoot louder at the insinuation. Namjoon catches the omega by his side, winking at someone behind her—where all the chasers were—and he couldn’t help but ache just a little, wishing he also had someone to couple with all night long.
Oh Namjoon just didn’t know it yet.
“And last but not the least,” Seokjin catches the eye of his brother as he says, “Have fun, our pretty little wolves! May the moon goddess guide you to the right path, right to your awaiting other half!”
Cheers and claps echo louder, everyone so excited. The crowd was divided into three: the chased right at the front, the chasers divided by a ribbon right behind them, and the rest of the families and friends, or even mere onlookers, surrounded the participants. No one stood without a beaming smile.
And although Namjoon can see his own family from where he stood, his parents sat behind Seokjin in a makeshift throne, Hoseok beside his mate… Namjoon couldn’t help but scorch the rest of the crowd for two people in particular. He knows they aren’t the most enthusiastic supporters of Namjoon joining the run, but a little part of the omega couldn’t help but wonder if they really couldn’t set aside their disdain, just this once, to come and support him on such a monumental night.
(Namjoon just didn’t know that he was looking in the wrong crowd.)
“Now, I won’t keep you waiting any longer, we shall now begin the mating run. As always, the chased get a ten minute head start. Prepare yourselves, omegas and betas! The canyon will go off once you begin your run, and the next time it does, it means that the chasers have taken their leave. Then, the real chase begins.” Seokjin grins, looking up at the night sky just in time for the sun and moon to finally become one. He can hear the growls and roars of this year’s runners, already so eager to begin. So the alpha doesn’t make them wait any longer, “On my mark, ready! In 10, 9, 8…”
The omegas and betas around Namjoon prepare in stance, but he himself couldn’t help but still search for the crowd. He catches the eyes of his own parents, looking thrilled to see their son stand tall and proud right in front. Namjoon even sees Jimin and Jungkook’s parents lost somewhere in the sea of people, but his best friends themselves remain nowhere to be found.
“7, 6, 5…”
Namjoon exhales deeply. He takes his stance, but his eyes still don’t look towards the clearing. Maybe? One last time, please?
“4, 3…”
For a second, Namjoon thought he caught sight of long black curls and that signature part his other best friend had atop his own dark brown hair. But when he blinked, Namjoon’s vision was obscured by the face of an alpha who donned the two black lines on their jaw, signifying his participation in the run.
It couldn’t be, could it?
But Seokjin bellows just in time, “2… 1!” And Namjoon has no more time to wonder, not when the first canyon finally goes off right when the sun and moon finally kiss. “RUN!”
Just like that, Namjoon forgets any other thoughts about any other alphas, instead, he can feel the adrenaline charging through his veins, causing him to bolt faster than actual lightning.
According to his parents, there are two strategies in the mating run. Either you hide in one spot (commonly done by people who wanted to easily be caught by their alpha or beta and just get on with the coupling), or run from one point to another (if you’re really down for the chase).
Namjoon does a mixture of both. As a matter of fact, he does something out of the ordinary. He chose several different areas in the forest to be his hiding spots.
All participants of the chase are allowed to scorch the perimeters of the forest before the run. Like many others, Namjoon, too, explored the ground he’s grown upon. However, he had to be wiser. Given that he is the future head pack omega, Namjoon knew he always had eyes on him. So many of his packmates tried to see in which spots will the omega linger on, hoping it’s where they’ll find him on the night of the mating run.
Jokes on them, though, Namjoon knew the forest like the back of his hand. His scorching was merely a refresher, but never did he ever give even a hint of where he’ll hide when the eclipse falls.
So yes, Namjoon knows where he is. He also knows that he’s already quite far from the starting point, and the second canyon had long blown off nearly an hour ago. Namjoon knew all the shortcuts to avoid coming across any alpha or beta so easily, he even decides to play a little menacingly. The omega leaves trails of his scent on the barks of different trees. Giggling silently as he watches a few chasers lead themselves to a deadend.
“He’s over there!”
“No, but, you fucker! His scent is going that way!”
“No, no, it’s here! The future head pack omega went this way!”
An omega like me won’t be so easy to catch, Namjoon thought silently, having to bite down on his lips to prevent himself from giggling and giving away his hiding spot. So many more times did Namjoon encounter groups of alphas and betas looking for him, but none of them truly gave him a chase. He’s almost getting bored, all he’s been doing is derailing them, and it’s working. All these chasers were too easy to outsmart.
Namjoon can’t have that.
But, oh well. The run has just begun. Besides, it seems that more and more alphas are gathering over to this area, it’s time for Namjoon to move camp.
On his way to his third hiding spot for the evening, nearly two hours after the run began, Namjoon unexpectedly runs into a body. To be fair, the person’s scent was so faint, Namjoon had no idea he was even being followed until this particular chaser actually spoke.
“H-Head pack omega Namjoon-ssi?”
Namjoon startles. “Oh!” His eyes widened. He’s been… caught. “Hello?”
Tingling sensations begin to spread all over the omega’s body. Technically, he’s been caught by a chaser. This man, no, boy by the looks of it, had every right to offer himself to be Namjoon’s new mate. Or at the very least, to offer to court the omega. Although Namjoon can say no, he has to respect the fact that this person had indeed caught him.
(Namjoon doesn’t understand why he’s so nervous. Even feeling a little opposed. He tries to tell himself that the reason he’s in this run is to open up new doors for his mated life. So why does his heart still feel so locked up, like somebody already claimed it long before this chase started?)
“Hi, uhm,” Thankfully, at least at first glance, this particular chaser didn’t seem so aggressive. Nor was he too cocky. As a matter of fact, he was so shy. He couldn’t even look Namjoon in the eye. “Please don’t run away. I’m not h-here to ask you to mate me or anything.”
Well. Namjoon wasn’t expecting that. “Is that so?” He tries not to sound too skeptical. While this boy has so far been quite meek with the omega, Namjoon knew they were still in the midst of the run. A run where chasers tried to capture their mates using specific tactics they chose to adapt, a run done by legally adult packmates, which upon closer inspection, Namjoon couldn’t help but raise a brow at again. “Wait, are you even old enough to join this run?”
This chaser had such a boyish face. Either he’s bathed in the fountain of youth, or this boy is probably gonna land himself in trouble by lying about his true age.
Thankfully, he won’t be. “I’m 20, head pack omega-ssi, I’m a little bit of a late bloomer but I presented as an alpha just before the run.” The chaser explains, smiling sheepishly at the omega. When he does smile, Namjoon is quite surprised to see that the boy had dimples too. Just like he did. “And my name is Soobin.”
So far, Namjoon has no reason to be wary or afraid of this boy, even if he was an alpha. So at the very least, Namjoon decides to return Soobin’s courtesy. “Hi, Soobin-ssi.” He says, keeping his face and tone neutral. “May I ask, how long have you seen me?”
Even though the night is dark, Namjoon sees the way the alpha blushes. “Oh, I was following you the moment you came up from the lake.” But he quickly explains further when he sees the way Namjoon raises a questioning brow. “I didn’t mean to be creepy. I just… I wanted to give you this.”
Nervous hands suddenly produce a small bouquet of wildflowers from the alpha’s back that Namjoon didn’t even notice until now. They’re beautiful, Namjoon will give Soobin that. It might be small, and seemingly just put together minutes ago, since Namjoon knew that these flowers could be found in this very forest. The way it was also tied all together by long slim leaves tells the omega that Soobin haphazardly did this all by himself.
It’s cute, and very thoughtful. But before Namjoon allows himself to melt at such a sweet gesture, he couldn’t help but ask, “I thought you said you weren’t gonna ask me to mate you?”
Seokjin’s fingers shake just a little. “I r-really wasn’t, I didn’t even want to be a part of this run. But I just wanted to give you this.” He offers the omega the flowers again, still looking anywhere but Namjoon’s face. Cute. “I… please don’t be weirded out, but I’ve always had a crush on you. You’re just so beautiful, head pack omega-ssi, even right now, I’ve proven that to be so true. So w-when I heard that you were joining the run, I thought I might as well use this opportunity to at least meet you. At least I-I’d have something to look forward to.”
Okay. He’s sold. Namjoon is far from an easy man, but this young alpha is just so pure and genuine, especially when he called him beautiful. How can Namjoon not preen at such an innocent confession? Such a cute crush that Namjoon knew all too well how it feels to harbor.
“Soobin-ssi, thank you, this is so sweet. I’m very thankful.” Namjoon finally smiles, making the alpha grin brighter when he sees the omega even accept his makeshift bouquet. “But if you don’t mind me asking, what do you mean by 'you didn’t really want to be a part of the run?’”
Soobin’s blush darkens. “Oh well, it’s not like I was forced to or anything. But more like my parents told me to give it a shot.” He explains, and his eyes adapt a faraway look at the thought of one young boy not old enough to join the run pouting at him as he sends a reluctant Soobin off tonight, hoping and praying that he won’t come out of it mated. Not until this particular boy gains his subgender. “Even though I’ve already told them a million times by now that I’m still waiting for someone to present.”
Ah. Young love. Namjoon’s heart instantly turns into mush. As future pack leader, he always prays for the best for his people, and from now on, Namjoon decides to even add a special prayer specifically with Soobin’s name on it. “Soobin-ssi, I’m honored. I really am.” Namjoon says, and he’ll also pray that Soobin and his future mate won’t end up like him. He prays they’ll have the courage to stand up for their love when the day comes. “Whoever this person is that you’re waiting for, they’re very lucky to have such a sweet and caring alpha waiting just for them. Thank you.”
One part of Namjoon’s heart feels so soft. This alpha was just a total sweetheart. But another part aches. If only his own alphas were just like Soobin, maybe a little shy, but smart enough to find someone like Namjoon, and moreso, brave enough to actually come up to him and admit his crush.
“N-No problem, head omega-ssi.” To be honest, Soobin didn’t even think he could find the omega. Or even if he did, the alpha didn’t expect Namjoon to give him the time of day (or night in this scenario). Soobin knows that the chasers would flock to him, and Namjoon would have long been trapped if only the most coveted omega wasn’t equally as clever. So yes, Soobin honestly didn’t think he’d even get a chance to talk with their future head pack omega.
But Namjoon, sweet, soft Namjoon, doesn’t just talk to him. The omega even tells Soobin to, “Please. Call me hyung.”
Soobin gasps. “Really?” That was a huge honor.
But Namjoon was all too serious about granting this kind and thoughtful alpha something only he can brag about gaining in this run. “Yes, Soobin-ah. Of course.”
It’s so obvious that if this alpha was in wolf form, he’d be rolling around in the grass in total joy.
“Na—Namjoon hyung,” Soobin wondrously tests it out, looking like a pup who’s trying out cotton candy for the first time. “Thank you, hyung, I’m so glad you liked my little gift.”
“I love it, actually. And I should be the one thanking you. Thank you, Soobin-ah.” Namjoon reaches out to ruffle the alpha’s hair. Their first physical contact had Soobin blushing harder, making Namjoon giggle at how cute he is. “I just feel terrible, you know, that I don’t have anything to give you back.”
Soobin shakes his head. He didn’t give the omega his gift with an exchange in mind. “No, no, please, it’s alright. I’m just lucky I even got to see you, hyung.”
And that was a fact. Soobin had run past so many chasers who were on the hunt for one very specific omega. If that wasn’t hard enough, said omega was cunning too. His Namjoon hyung was excellent at hiding, really giving these people a run for their lives.
Soobin honestly believes this encounter is just a stroke of luck.
(But what neither Soobin nor Namjoon knew is that this wasn’t just a leap of faith. Rather, this was all going according to the moon goddess’ plan.)
“No, no, I…” Namjoon protests. He’d feel bad if this cute little alpha went away empty handed, and although Namjoon doesn’t physically have anything that he can give to Soobin, he quickly thinks of something he can do instead. “How about this… can I scent you, Soobin-ah? And will you also scent hyung back?”
Soobin gapes in surprise. “W-Wait,” He exclaims. Scenting is usually done once the chased acknowledges the chaser’s claim. “If I do that, won’t that kind of send the wrong message to the chasers?”
It would mean that this omega is taken now, he bores the scent of the one he’s chosen.
But even though Namjoon knows that he and Soobin aren’t gonna mate, his heart feels settled giving this alpha a little taste of his affection. “Eh, who cares,” Namjoon shrugs. “None of them are half as sweet as you anyways. So if you would like to, can you give hyung a little scenting?”
Soobin melts, nearly breaking his neck as he nods. So, so adorable. “It will be my honor, Namjoon hyung.”
With that, Namjoon opens his arms, baring his neck a little, before allowing this pup to clumsily nose against his mating gland. Soobin was truly just a newly presented alpha, his scent has barely developed, but it’s mild nature is perfect for Namjoon who detests those strong smells from overly aggressive alphas.
Plus, the way he smiled against Namjoon’s neck made the omega feel elated, knowing he’s made the right decision. He’s never been subjected to such a sweet gesture by someone equally as sweet. It’s worth the extra hardship of having the right alpha or beta find him in tonight’s escapade.
Namjoon may or may not come home mated, but he’s glad to at least return with a new friend.
(When the moon goddess looks down on her children, she’s glad to see these two softly locked in each other’s arms. In this way, Soobin goes home with a newfound friendship, and Namjoon gets to continue through the run with his own scent protected from all those nosy chasers. She wants no other alpha or beta to find her favorite child, not until two specific people she already has in mind do so.
And if those two people lose their minds just a little once they smell a foreign alpha on their omega, then that’s just a little payback for her favorite moonchild.)
Out of all the places in the forest, Namjoon likes the river the best. At first, he was hesitant to choose a hiding spot here, thinking someone might easily figure him out. That was until the omega remembered that the river stretched out for miles, and it was so deep into the forest, that Namjoon was quite surprised to see himself in solitary by the time he met the quiet waters.
He decides to rest. Walking and running has managed to drain him out, but nothing energizes Namjoon more than the sight of the river. He relaxes his muscles, exhaling deeply to release all the tension to rest against this large rock that’s probably thrice his size. So deep into it, Namjoon even dared to close his eyes, genuinely allowing himself to just bask in the river.
That was until he heard the sound of a twig snapping.
All of Namjoon’s senses become alert. He debates bolting away, but sure that that’s a dead giveaway to his hiding spot. No. He first needs to gather intel, Namjoon needs to see who’s there and decide if he can outrun them or just hide from them.
So like a zebra that’s preparing to cross an alligator-filled river, Namjoon surveys his surroundings. Another twig snaps, the sounds of two distinct breathings reaching the omega’s eardrums. So there’s more than one person around here, Namjoon will have a harder time running from them.
Could this be the chasers that finally get to him?
He got lucky with Soobin, but Namjoon’s no fool. He knows it’s highly unlikely he’d encounter another alpha that would just be interested in giving him another set of wildflowers, even more unlikely that it would be just another chased running away. No, the steps sound more calculating, definitely someone who’s looking for something.
Or someone.
Namjoon doesn’t move a single bone in his body as he tries to sniff the air in hopes to catch whether or not this is an alpha or beta on his trail. It’s difficult to deduce thanks to the natural earth-y scent of the clearing itself. The omega also had half the mind to thank his decision in letting Soobin scent him, hoping that his mild scent can mask Namjoon’s own natural fragrance for a little while.
Snap. Another rustle. The footsteps become a tad bit louder.
Namjoon isn’t even breathing anymore, his heart beating wildly. It’s quite dark, he’s so deep into the forest that he could barely make out his own reflection from the river. The omega knows it’ll be difficult to run, given that a body of water is separating the other side of the forest, but he’ll do it if it means not being caught. Yet.
(Again, he knows he’s been talking big about trying to find someone from this run, but the omega himself can’t understand why he’s just dead set on escaping every single alpha or beta thrown his way.)
Nevermind. To Namjoon’s relief, the sounds of footsteps seem to run past him, and only when the omega finds himself in a five-minute long spiel of silence does he finally exhale and sink back down to the rock he’s been leaning against. His nose could no longer detect any foreign scents, so the omega finally let his guard down.
Big mistake. Apparently, the omega forgot to look up. Particularly, in the tree branches that he and his two best friends used to play with like pros back in their childhood days.
The next thing Namjoon knows, another loud crunch echoes in the dead of the night, footsteps landing right on top of this boulder he’s been leaning against. Oh no.
He’s been—
“We finally found you, omega.”
Wait a goddamn minute. Namjoon jolts in shock, he almost levitates from the ground. No, no. That voice sounds familiar. That sounds exactly like—
“We actually found you.” Another voice adds in wonder, and when Namjoon turns around, he’s sure that his appalled face would have looked comedic, if only it didn’t feel like his heart was sliced into half, one part jumping right out of his mouth, the other falling from his goddamn ass.
Holy fucking shit. Jimin and Jungkook?!
Every nerve ending in Namjoon’s body snaps in awakening. “What the fuck?! What are you two doing here?!”
Jungkook, for the lack of a better word, looks dirty. He looks a little scratched and muddy. It’s either he plumeled somewhere or he used the mud to sheath his scent. Smart. Jimin, too, looks rugged. Sweaty from his head down to his toes, his tunic ensemble clinging to his lithe frame, almost making the fabric look see-through. Even though the night is dark, Namjoon could make out both their flushed cheeks, probably due to the exertion of running around for hours in hopes to find their omega.
Despite the mutual messiness, however, both alphas donned identical triumphant smiles, looking like all their hardships were washed away in a blink of an eye just because they finally found their hyung.
No. fucking. way. Namjoon still looked like an idiot with his jaw agape, little dragon eyes shaped like saucers.
“Hyung,” Jungkook bends down from the rock, kneeling until Namjoon can see his face and clothes better. As opposed to the chased’s white robes, the chasers wore tunic black pants and a matching long-sleeved top that would definitely not look that ragged if they weren’t literally chasing the most seeked out omega in the middle of the forest. “We came to claim our omega. We came for you.”
Could Namjoon have perhaps hit his head somewhere against these rocks and fell into a lucid dream?
“What?!” He gawks. Eyes shifting between the two alphas he’s known for life. “W-When did you two even join?!”
“Just two nights ago,” Jimin copies Jungkook, kneeling down so Namjoon could indeed see that this was him. Him. Them, actually. Both his best friends he thought he’d already said goodbye to, the same best friends Namjoon couldn’t help but feel mildly upset with seeing that they didn’t even bother sending him off tonight… only to find out that they were actually gonna be a part of this goddamn run. “Right after the moment we realized that there is absolutely no way we were letting you go.”
Dumbfounded. Flabbergasted. Stupefied. “I don’t understand.” There’s no proper way to describe the state of one Kim Namjoon. “B-But you—you—”
“We’re here because we want you to be ours, omega, the same way we’ll both be yours.” Jimin says, diving straight to the point. For years, they’ve been dancing around—going around in circles in an endless loop. Now, though, they want to go straight to the point. They owe the omega as much. “We’ve come to claim you, Namjoon hyung.”
Namjoon’s chest was starting to heave. Now that reality was starting to sink in, he wanted to burst. He just didn’t know yet if it was a good explosion or not. He’s filled with elation, with anger, with hope, with disbelief, with annoyance, and even with a smidge of fury. Because while he did love these two idiots more than life itself, the omega couldn’t believe that they’d really let all three of them reach this point.
“Jimin’s right, hyung. You joined this run to find a mate, so if you’ll have us, we’re yours.” Jungkook says, making it sound so simple. So easy. As if Namjoon didn’t want to burn the very ground he’s standing on. After all that waiting, now they’re telling him that they–“We just wanted to claim you.”
“CLAIM ME?!” Namjoon snapped harshly, sounding justifiably outraged that it made the two alphas recoil in shock. “After all these years, you decide you want me now after making me wait for ages! Just when I finally decided to choose my own fate, now you want me?!”
Namjoon’s shrill voice sounded like a piercing arrow in the dead of the night. The two alphas flinch hearing their usually gentle hyung yell at them like that, but it’s not like it’s unfounded. Namjoon had every right to be angry.
“We’re sorry, Namjoon hyung, we’re so sorry.” Jimin bows his head, hoping that the omega could forgive them—could still accept them despite their shortcomings. “We know we were cowards. But… we didn’t—we didn’t think it was possible for you to accept both of us. So all this time, me and Jungkookie have been telling each other that you can go ahead and court hyung if you want. But neither of us did it, b-because we didn’t want to hurt the other.”
Namjoon still couldn’t believe it. He’s been running for hours, but his cheeks haven’t felt this hot until now. And it’s not exactly a good thing, believe him. “So what changed now? The fact that I’ve joined the run?”
Jungkook couldn’t look the omega in the eyes. “Yes, and…” He gulps, sharing a look with his fellow alpha instead. “The fact that we both realized that Jimin and I love each other too much… the same way we both love you.”
Both of them glance meekly back at Namjoon. To be fair, even with this short space separating them, Namjoon could see the regret and apology in their eyes. The stubbornness, too, because when they joined this run, these two alphas vowed to themselves and to each other, that they’re not going home without their omega.
“So if you’ll have us, h-hyung, we want to claim you tonight.” Jimin tries again. He’ll keep on trying forever and ever until the day Namjoon accepts their humble offering of their own heart and souls. “We both want to be your mates.”
But to hell if Namjoon would let them get away so easily. These two made him wait for ages, to the point that Namjoon was willing to find any other wolf that would call out to his omega the same way it yearned for these two stupid alphas who were as blind as a fucking legion of bats.
“Claim me, huh?!” Namjoon scoffed, still looking absolutely livid. For years, he held it in. In the end, the omega even decided to let them go in peace. But no way in goddamn fucking hell will Namjoon make these two think that they can both get him so easily. That Namjoon would take them back just like that. Their actions have its impending consequences, if you would believe. Repercussions they’re just about to find out. “You think that after all these years, you two can just come here and make a show of claiming me just because you finally got your head out of your asses? You think that after all those years of waiting and I’m just going to drop to your feet and act like I haven’t been hurting all along seeing you do nothing when it was always so goddamn obvious how much I love you both?”
Namjoon screamed his heart out, it’s almost cathartic. His words came out fast, but never did the omega stutter. Jimin and Jungkook could do nothing but stare in aghast, not knowing Namjoon held all this pain inside his heart, it only made their shoulders further slump guiltily.
But the omega wasn’t done. Oh hell no. “You think you can just come here and claim me just because I put myself out in this goddamn forest, in hopes that I can finally move on from this cruel game you’ve both set me up for nearly a decade?” Namjoon spat, the growing agitation in his eyes matching his scent. “You really think I’ll throw away all these weeks of training just because of you two knotheads finally coming to realize what was always so obvious, huh?”
The omega felt like a canyon that’s about to explode.
Jimin and Jungkook share a terrified look. One thing about Namjoon is that he doesn’t deliver empty threats. “W-What?” Jungkook whispers.
But Seokjin said it in his introduction earlier, right? What happens when the canyon explodes?
“You say you both want me, Jimin-ah, Jungkook-ah,” When the canyon fires, then the real chase finally begins. “Then come catch me if you can.”
Once again, before either alpha could blink, Namjoon sprints away into the dead of the night.
Chapter Text
Jungkook knows there’s no one else to blame but himself.
He’s the one who personally trained the omega every single day. He’s the one who taught Namjoon how to fight and defend himself—he’s the one who ran laps with Namjoon, pushing the omega to go faster and faster, to beat his previous record just the day before.
So of course, Jungkook knows that the only person to blame for Namjoon’s exemplary speed and agility… is himself. He’s the one who encouraged Namjoon to become the fast and strategic runner that he is. Enough to outrun even two of the mightiest alphas in the pack, especially now that he’s fueled by the adrenaline of pure, viscous anger.
“Fuck, he’s going too fast!”
To be honest, if Namjoon was just running straight ahead, Jimin and Jungkook would have a better chance of catching up on him. But, the omega made swift turns, turning left and right, jumping up and down, without ever losing his momentum. It caused the two quite a few crashes against each other, even bumping against a tree or rock that resulted in ugly gnashes all over their skin, but the two alphas were determined not to lose sight of their omega at all costs.
The same omega who could feel the power thrumming in his veins, charged like never before.
The night was dimmed, but as the clock continued to run its course, the sound of howls gradually began to echo more frequently in the chilly air. A sign of a successful mating somewhere, a new bond formed under the direct blessing of the moon goddess herself.
Jungkook and Jimin vowed that they’d get their chance to howl in victory, too.
But first, they must catch their omega. Namjoon nearly ran as fast as he did when he was in wolf form, jumping over branches and rocks or puddles of mud with an ease that came all too naturally. He leapt from one patch of ground to another, never mind how high or low it was. They could have been running for hours, Namjoon didn’t know anymore, nor does he care.
Now this was a chase.
There were some instances when he’d look back and see that Jimin or Jungkook were just a couple of meters away from him, and that would give Namjoon a renewed motivation to run faster. The quick thinker that he is, he immediately thinks of possible exits, left and right, or even sliding underneath a couple of branches. It doesn’t matter, Namjoon was having fun. Too much fun.
He almost forgets that he’s actually angry. Instead, all Namjoon wants is to make these two alphas work for him. Serves them right for stringing him along for literal years.
But Namjoon also knew that he’s bound to tire out soon. This was one of the disadvantages omegas had against alphas. Although Namjoon’s endurance fares better than the regular omega since he physically trains every day, he’s also against Jimin and Jungkook, whose stamina lasts far longer than his ever could.
So Namjoon changes tactics in the midst of it. Like a game character that’s consumed a power-up, Namjoon's legs boosts itself to find a way for the two alphas to momentarily lose sight of him, just so he can hide for a few minutes and regain his breathing.
“Where—where is he?” Jimin hurled. One second, Namjoon was just in front of them. After one swift turn, and now he’s nowhere to be found. “Where’d hyung go?”
Not knowing that Namjoon was just beneath them, camouflaged under a patch of grass and a ginormous tree, smirking to himself while trying not to make a sound as he breathes. This is why the pack calls me Namu, the omega giggled silently. I am one with my trees.
“I can’t catch his scent,” Jungkook grumbled, carefully surveying the area around them despite the darkness. Namjoon was just there, he couldn’t have gone too far away. “I don’t know where he went.”
After carefully scorching the area for more than five minutes, Jimin and Jungkook still manage to bypass the omega by a couple of meters. Only when Namjoon was sure that those two had their backs turned against him did he leap out of his hiding spot before running like a madman. Again. The sudden movement from behind catches the two alphas by surprise, before cursing under their breaths after realizing that Namjoon was right beside them all along.
Did hyung really have to be as smart as he was pretty?
Nonetheless, Jimin and Jungkook are hot on Namjoon’s heels while the sound of his soft giggles left them a trail. Since Namjoon has recharged, it’s quite funny to see how high he’s jumping now, even more endearing to see is how proud he seems to be of himself. All that’s left for him is to play monkey bars with the tree branches, giggling to himself like how he used to back when he was still a pup who made his two best friends chase after him.
Some other day, Jimin and Jungkook might have giggled along with their hyung, hearts feeling soft seeing Namjoon so happy and free. But right now, they’re just dead set on not missing out on where their omega went, no matter how many detours he keeps on making.
One particularly dangerous leap lands Namjoon atop a hill. Thanks to his height, the omega easily lands above, a feat that Jimin and Jungkook couldn’t imitate. The alphas would have to run around this patch of land to reach his level, cursing under their breaths again when they realized that they’d have to lose sight of Namjoon just to reach him.
From above, Namjoon smirked in triumph at his chasers. “Give up?”
Jungkook grits his teeth like a true wolf, a fearsome amount of obstinacy burning bright in his gaze. “Never.”
Jimin’s chest was heaving, sweat covering every inch of his body while his knees nearly buckled at the exhaustion. But his own eyes don’t waver as he stares up to his hyung, “We’ll catch you, omega. And when we do, you’re gonna be ours.”
The words send a delicious shiver to Namjoon’s spine, but he tries not to make it too obvious. “I’d like to see you both try.”
Just like that, Namjoon sprints again, while the alphas had to go in the opposite direction, just to reach that hill Namjoon was on.
The omega quickly tries to think of another strategy. He knows it won’t be long until Jimin and Jungkook catch up, so he tries to find a hiding place where he can at least mislead them. He hurries to run his eyes throughout the land, the darkness not helping him at all. That was until he saw something that shines.
The river!
The same river that Jungkook and Jimin found him on, the one that stretched for miles on end. If Namjoon manages to cross the river, Jimin and Jungkook will have a harder time catching up to him.
So Namjoon sprints to it, the river might be long but it’s narrow enough for him to leap across. Or at least he thinks it is, he might be overestimating himself a little. Nonetheless, the omega reaches the waters, looking around to see any movement. There’s none. The quiet night only offers sounds of successful howling from elsewhere, so Namjoon decides to make the jump now.
He moves back a few meters, to give himself enough power to gallop. The omega takes a deep breath, focusing on his task at hand. He’s so attuned to his mission that he completely missed the sound of two sets of footsteps quietly padding to his direction.
Just when Namjoon made the run before the leap, his body suddenly came crashing down thanks to the force of another body slamming from his right. Making both of them tumble, rolling around the grass while the other person tightly cradled Namjoon’s head to his chest, protecting the omega from any possible injuries.
When they stop rolling, Namjoon lands on top of the person who just slammed into him. One whiff of that dark amber scent and the omega knows exactly who the culprit is.
Jungkook.
“Caught you.” Jungkook growls, no signs of pain showing on his face even as he takes the brunt of their crash. Instead, his arms circle around his omega tightly, refusing to let Namjoon even move an inch. “We finally caught you, omega.”
As much as Namjoon wants to seem unaffected, there’s a spike in his scent that’s a result from the alpha’s show of strength. And of course, by the fact that they really caught him. The omega tries to get himself up again in a last attempt to keep his sense of self-preservation. “Jungkook, you—”
But before Namjoon can put any sort of distance between them, there are hands around his waist. Pushing him down from behind. The signature small but mighty palms ring every bell in Namjoon’s head; this is the same touch that manages to drive him insane every single day.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Jimin orders. The timbre of his voice is low enough to nearly send Namjoon’s omega whimpering. “We’re not letting you go. Again.”
Namjoon is panting, his heart going absolutely haywire. Caught in between these two alphas who ran through the entire forest land in darkness just to capture him, the omega finds that he has nowhere else to go,
nor does he want to be anywhere else but here.
But of course, he refuses to be that easy. Namjoon whines like a brat, “Not fair.”
“Not fair?” Jimin echoes indecorously. Sweat still mapping his forehead after he ran more than he ever did his whole life. “You said that if we wanted you, we had to catch you. Which we did. Even if you basically made us run past a thousand trees before we did.”
Okay, so Namjoon did say that. But he was having fun! He wasn’t one to judge the people who were genuine fanatics of this chase, but before, he didn’t really understand the whole point. Until now. The omega didn’t realize how enjoyable the whole ordeal was when you’re actually being chased by the people you love.
Especially when you just want a little payback.
“Serves you right,” Namjoon grumbles, without any heat anymore. His body is slowly but surely surrendering to his two alphas. “You both made me wait for years upon years. I’m sure you guys could handle a little exercise.”
Jungkook scoffs from beneath them. “A little?!” He grumbles. “We could have been running for hours. I never even knew you could jump that high!”
The omega couldn’t help but smirk a little, he was proud of himself. Who knew he could make alphas like these two really work for it? For him! “Are you complaining?”
Jungkook shakes his head. “When it comes to you, hyung, we know we have no right.” He quickly amends but he makes no move to detach his arms that are holding down his hyung. “But we still want you. If you deem us worthy of the most coveted omega of this chase, then we still want to be yours.”
Namjoon grumbles under his breath, still stuck. “Well, it looks like you already caught me, didn’t you?”
He didn’t mean to be sarcastic, really. But the sharpness from Namjoon’s voice strikes through the alphas’ chests. They want Namjoon to want this—to wholeheartedly want them.
“Yes, but we also want you to forgive us.” Jimin says. He figures it’s the only way for the omega to accept them. Only if Namjoon would truly forgive them for their fuck ups. “Because we really are sorry, Namjoon hyung. Jungkook and I—we never really wanted to hurt you. We were so transfixed on not hurting each other, that we forgot that it’s you we’re probably hurting the most. And we’re so sorry that we couldn’t be brave soon enough for you, that you had to resort to joining this run.”
Damn it. Namjoon was really not a good player of this hard-to-get game. He can already feel himself softening especially with how sincere the alpha sounded. He supposes he will always have a soft spot for these two, stringing him along aside. Still, the omega decides to play with them a little bit more, “I don’t know about you but I actually enjoyed the run.”
Jungkook’s eyes twinkle. “Of course you did,” He reaches up one hand to card through Namjoon’s hair. Despite how messy and sweaty he is, his hyung’s hair still feels so soft. “And even if you want to go again, we’ll keep on chasing you until morning. We won’t stop until you deem us worthy enough, and until you forgive us.”
As the seconds tick by and his heart begins to calm down, Namjoon finds his omega purring as Jungkook continues to thread through his hair, and as Jimin rubs circles against his back. The two alphas’ hands are no longer forceful, just a steady weight around him. And as he settles down, Namjoon comes to terms with the fact that he really loves these two idiots far too much to ever hold a grudge against them.
As a matter of fact, “I’m not… I’m not mad at you, okay? I mean, I guess I was a little upset.” He quietly explains, settling against Jungkook’s chest like how he always did ever since they were young. “That night we last saw each other, I wanted to tell you then that if you two just said something, I would drop out of this run and mate with you that very same night. If you would have me. But you both just walked away, like you’ve already given up on me. So yeah, I was upset, and I figured that if you won’t really do anything, then I’ll have to move on.”
Jimin and Jungkook remember that evening; they remember wondering what Namjoon indeed wanted to say. Their hearts couldn’t help but clench at their hyung’s line of thoughts; they feel so terrible for breaking the sweetest omega in the world’s heart.
“We’re so sorry, hyung, we’re so sorry for making you even think like that.” Jungkook’s lip wobbles. “I’ve been telling Jimin hyung for ages that if he wants to, then he can court you. I always knew he was in love with you.”
“I’ve been telling him the same thing!” Jimin quips back. “I knew Jungkookie always loved you. With the amount of times he’s cockblocked me, you’d honestly realize the same thing.”
Jungkook scrambles in indignance, pulling himself and Namjoon up to a sitting position, just to glare at his fellow alpha. “I wasn’t cockblocking you!”
“You were!” Jimin repositions himself so that he could hug Namjoon from behind. This way, the omega’s sandwiched in their embrace. It feels warm, despite the two’s signature bantering. “You’ve always been such a little shit.”
“Am not!” Jungkook pokes his tongue out, arms tightening around Namjoon who’s now sitting in between his legs. “You’re the little one! But you’re also a bigger shit.”
“You two are such losers,” Namjoon rolls his eyes, cutting them both off before they could even start bickering on their… mating night. “Both so dumb, too. How come you’ve never even realized that you two are also in love with each other? The same way I love you both.”
That was the first time Jungkook and Jimin both heard Namjoon say those three words to them directly. They both couldn’t help but blush like the losers Namjoon accused them of being.
“Well, we, I-I, uhm—” Jungkook fumbles with his words, trying to calm his heart down at the implication of what their omega just said. “We just didn’t think it was possible. No one ever had two mates. We thought you’d only have to choose one.”
“That’s stupid.” Namjoon says back. “If anyone ever has a problem with that, then they can take it up with me.”
It wasn’t supposed to sound that easy, but these two know that Namjoon would indeed face any criticisms about their relationship with an iron spear if he has to, if it meant protecting his boys.
“We know.” Jimin’s chest feels warm. God, he loves Namjoon so much. “But does this mean you a-accept us both?”
Namjoon sighs loudly, for all their bravado, these two genuinely seemed terrified of an outright rejection. Which Namjoon had no plans on giving, because let’s be honest, he loves these two alphas so much. Dumb as they are, Namjoon also knows just how sweet and caring they were, especially to him. For all the times they’ve stuck by his side, helping the omega everyday especially when the stress of grooming himself to become head pack omega becomes too much… These two would always be there for him with either a kiss to his cheek or a shoulder to lean on. And that has never faltered for the past decades they’ve all known each other.
(Something tells Namjoon that that also wouldn’t fade away even as more decades come.)
Still, the omega has a sense of humor. He teases just a little bit more. “I don’t know, I feel like I can still burn a couple more calories tonight.”
“Please, let’s at least take five.” Jimin grouches, leaning his head against Namjoon’s shoulder with a tired pout. “I could barely feel my legs anymore.”
Namjoon tsks, playfully. “Wow, is this really the kind of alphas I would want to mate with?”
“We’re kidding!” Jungkook quickly appeases, widening his eyes in warning at one Park Jimin who’s wholeheartedly nodding his agreement now. No signs of that pout anymore. Aww. “I-If you still want to run, y-you’re free to do so, Joonie hyung. We’ll prove to you again and again that we can catch you, no matter how many times you run away. We’ll never get tired.”
Namjoon tries his best to control his grin. “Is that so?”
“Yes, but on the smallest chance that you might also be exhausted, then we don’t even want to let you go.” Jimin embraces Namjoon, before whispering softly to his ear. “We want you to stay with us here, hyung. And if you’ll have us, we want to be your mates.”
And Namjoon just… melts. There’s no point in running anymore, when he’s already right where he wants to be. He’s given these two alphas enough punishment anyways; Namjoon has waited far too long for this moment.
“So why don’t you convince me a little better then?” Namjoon whispers back, like there’s somebody else listening. Even if it’s only the three of them by the riverside, the omega keeps his voice down low. This moment just feels so special, solely kept just for them.
“H-How?” Jungkook answers back, looking terribly confused and Namjoon wants nothing more than to kiss him.
So, he does, “Kiss me, alpha. ” Namjoon basically commands. “Show me what I’ll miss out on if I were to run away again.”
The two alphas’ eyes widen simultaneously at what the omega just said. They could have leapt in joy like silly little pups at that very second, but as it is, Namjoon is asking them for something. And quite frankly, Jungkook and Jimin would reach for the galaxy and pluck out all the other universes for him if that’s what their hyung wants.
“Your wish is our command, omega.” With watery eyes, Jungkook cups Namjoon’s face. By their side, Jimin watches with an awed smile as these two’s lips come closer, and closer, and closer. “Anything to make you stay.”
Right at the moment Namjoon and Jungkook’s lips meet, the alpha realizes that he could have ran through the entire equator of the earth, and still wouldn’t complain if it meant that this was the prize that awaits the victory of catching his omega.
Everything feels completely and utterly right. It makes Jungkook feel so stupid, he could have had something so good sooner. The alpha knows that there’s no way Namjoon’s getting rid of him now. There’s no way Jungkook’s going to lose something this wonderful ever again.
Having the privilege to kiss Namjoon is absolutely worth the burn of his legs and the few bruises on his skin. Their lips simply mold together, moving against each other in harmony in a sweet and innocent kiss. Jungkook holds Namjoon from the back of his neck, pulling the omega even closer like he wants to bury his hyung under his skin. Though intense, the kiss remains closed-lipped, but Jungkook was already floating away in a state of euphoria.
When the alpha bites down on Namjoon’s lower lip, causing the omega to moan, it’s when he keens out, “Is that enough?”
Namjoon pulls back a little, never forgetting the person behind him who’s been watching (or maybe drooling over) this glorious sight of two of the most gorgeous people in their pack melting against each other’s lips. “I could be convinced a little better.”
The omega looks directly at the other alpha’s eyes when he says that, and Jimin was more than happy to pick up right where Jungkook left off. “Don’t mind if I do.”
Just like Jungkook, Jimin loses himself the moment Namjoon meets his lips in an overdue kiss. The exhaustion the alpha feels has already faded at that first contact, like it never even existed to begin with. All Jimin can feel now is his hyung’s lips on his, the way Namjoon moaned low against his kiss. Nothing else matters besides the omega in his arms and the alpha that’s content on watching them with the dopiest smile on his face.
Right now, there’s no more fatigue left. Instead, every fiber of Jimin’s body is bursting with nothing but love, love, and so much love for both Namjoon and Jungkook.
Only the moon knows how long they’ve spent sitting there just kissing over and over again. Even though Namjoon was long convinced to stay right when these two kissed him, all thoughts of continuing the chase permanently flew away when Jimin and Jungkook kissed each other too. Namjoon refuses to be deprived by a sight so breathtaking. Two strong, handsome, and stunning alphas pressed against each other like that… Namjoon knows he’s feeling so hot, and it’s not just because of the fact that he literally ran for miles on end.
“Goddess, you two are so beautiful.” Namjoon sighs out dreamily. Even if he has longed for this moment for literal years, nothing could have ever prepared him for the butterflies in his tummy at the sight of these two people kissing each other like that, before kissing him back again.
“Yeah?” Jimin teases, watching Jungkook maul Namjoon’s lips once more. As if he just couldn’t get enough. “I think you’re the beautiful one here, hyungie.”
Things might have changed now, but one thing that will always be the same is Jeon Jungkook and his naturally pettish ways.
“Actually,” He even pulls away from Namjoon’s lips just to squint at Jimin. “I think we’re all beautiful.”
Namjoon stares at him in shock, before shaking his head with equal amounts of fondness and exasperation. Jimin only snorts out loud like a literal bull. “Seriously, Jungkook-ah?”
“What? I’m just making it clear.” Jungkook defends himself.
Namjoon chuckles slightly, heart so tender, before tilting the youngest alpha’s chin with his forefinger, and smoothing out his pout with his thumb. “Just shut up and kiss us.”
Happy to go back to business, Jungkook forgets all his snarkiness just so he can continue kissing his omega (if it were up to him, he’d do this until the sun rises. Even forever if it was possible. Jungkook would only pull back from Namjoon’s lips if it meant kissing Jimin too, or watching Namjoon and Jimin kiss). Their kiss gets deeper, far enough for Jungkook to capture Namjoon’s tongue, exploring every inch of his hyung’s mouth like a starved rouge.
Meanwhile, Jimin settles for Namjoon’s neck, nosing at his jawline while his tongue darts out to leave kitten licks everywhere he can reach. He marvels at the spots that made Namjoon shiver, smirking to himself when the omega moans loudly against Jungkook’s lips.
That was until his roaming landed him against Namjoon’s scent gland. Jimin growls out loud when he realizes something. “Fuck, so that’s why I couldn’t smell you,” The alpha nearly sneered. “Hyung, why do you smell like somebody else? Why—why do you smell like an alpha?”
The words are enough to stop Jungkook from sucking on Namjoon’s tongue. He pulls back with a furrow to his brows. He noticed that too. Earlier when they were running, he himself could barely catch Namjoon’s scent. Jungkook simply thought that it’s because of the natural fragrance of wet grass and oak trees around them. But never would he have ever thought that it would be because…
Of another alpha.
Even more infuriating, Namjoon only gives the two a coquettish smile. “My, my dear Jiminie, you honestly think you’re the first alpha to get to me?”
Jungkook frowns deeply at that insinuation. “Has somebody else already claimed you?” His chest was grumbling, his inner alpha wanted to do something crazy like tear this whole forest apart at the mere thought of any other alpha catching his hyung.
Namjoon only shrugs, smirking to himself a little at the twin looks of fury. “I don’t exactly see a bite on my neck,” He sing-songs. And although Soobin is nothing but a gentle soul that Namjoon knew he would never even think of mating with, the omega couldn’t help but tease, “But I’m afraid that if I run away once more, I can’t promise the same thing. Especially if I find that same alpha again.”
The reaction is instantaneous.
“No,” Jungkook gripes, knothead brain going haywire in jealousy. His alpha burns in possessiveness, wanting to show everyone in the pack who’re the rightful alphas that caught their hyung. “You’re mine. Ours! Just ours.”
Jimin has taken to snarling against Namjoon’s skin, and the omega knew that the moment he gives him the go-signal, the alpha would cover every single inch of his body with marks to ensure that Namjoon would only smell of him and Jungkookie.
“Am I now?” And Namjoon simply couldn’t wait. He wants these two alphas to just have his way with him, make him forget any other thoughts of any other alphas from now on. “So why don’t you prove it, Jimin-ah, Jungkook-ah? Why don’t you claim me, right now?”
“I need your words, Namjoon hyung.” Jimin says roughly against his jaw, tilting the omega’s head to capture his lips in a searing kiss. “Tell us what we need to hear.”
Namjoon is impressed. Despite both these alphas’ chests basically vibrating with that primal need to claim, they know that they must first ask their omega for his consent.
He honestly couldn’t have chosen better alphas to catch him other than these two.
“I, Kim Namjoon, accept you both, Park Jimin and Jeon Jungkook, as the alphas that caught me, and as my new mates.” Namjoon recites the mandatory lines against Jimin’s lips. Eyes fluttering shut when Jungkook’s tongue darts out to lick just right at his dimples. “May the moon goddess bless our mating.”
That was all Jimin and Jungkook needed to hear.
“I’m gonna erase any other alpha’s scent on you, omega.” Jimin growls, hands tightening around his omega’s body. His words spoke of a delicious promise Namjoon couldn’t wait to see unfold. “Want you to smell like nothing but me and Jungkookie. Want you to smell like you’re ours.”
“I am yours, Jimin-ah, Jungkook-ah.” Namjoon sighs out, before it turns into a whimper as his neck is invaded by not just one but two furious alphas desperately scenting him all over. “All yours.”
Before the omega could blink, he’s being sprawled across the grass. Jimin has captured his lips again, while he could feel Jungkook’s teeth biting against his neck, leaving obvious marks on his skin that’ll last for days on end. Namjoon could feel himself slicking up the more his senses are being invaded by the alpha’s scents. A mixture of dark amber and honeydew melon, so much so that Namjoon could barely even smell his own honey blueberry underneath.
Jungkook begins untying Namjoon’s robe, until his chest is laid bare for both his alphas. All the youngest one can see is more areas to leave his marks on, taint that honey skin with his bites until no one would ever question to whom his hyung belongs to.
“You’re so beautiful,” Jungkook says, eyes marveling at every inch of this beauty underneath him. Completely naked, the alphas could definitely see the way Namjoon glowed like a real goddess. “You’ve always been the most gorgeous, hyung-nim.”
Namjoon feels himself flush at the honest compliment, his nipples hardening as Jungkook’s hands roam all over his exposed body. Once Jimin pulls back from Namjoon’s swollen lips, he joins Jungkook in ensuring that their lips touch every inch of the omega’s skin. No patch left unkissed. All the while, Namjoon whines and whimpers at their touch, shuddering ever so slightly when their lips brush against his sensitive spots.
Jimin and Jungkook soon enclose their lips around one nipple each. Namjoon couldn’t help but arch his back at the sensation. He’s no virgin, the omega has had his fair share of flings and hook-ups before, but never has he ever had two partners. If he thought having one person lave his nipples was already a lot, try having two.
Namjoon’s entire body felt like it was lit on fire as the two alphas groped and fondled his chest, mapping every inch of his skin with their lips until they reached down to his navel. By now, the omega was as wet as a river, his little pussy pulsing every few seconds the more he felt Jungkook and Jimin’s lips sink lower and lower and lower…
It wasn’t until Jimin’s lush pout wraps around his clit did Namjoon unleash the most embarrassing whine he’s ever released. But given the heat coursing through his veins, the omega could honestly care less about how he sounds. All he can do is feel their lips on his, around his clit and another against his neck.
“J-Jimin—!” Namjoon gasps out, especially when Jimin nibbles harder on his clit again. “Alpha!”
Relishing on those sounds, Jimin sucks harder before paying attention to the omega’s pussy lips. Hairless and a dark pink, the most perfect pussy in the world, Jimin can feel his cock twitching as his tongue makes contact with those lips. Namjoon’s slick tasted absolutely divine, and the more Jimin licked at his walls and sucked on his clit, the harder Namjoon’s legs twitched. The higher his whines sounded.
He’s just so cute.
But what’s even cuter is how the omega was leaking through the soil. The smell of Namjoon’s slick is strong as it begins to pour out his hole in copious amounts. It only gives Jimin the push he needs to make the omega unravel beneath his mouth, sucking harder and harder on his clit. He laps hard at those wet walls before fucking his tongue right into that hole, making sure Namjoon can feel him deep within. He wants to drink the omega up, but the more Jimin ate his cute little pussy out, the more Namjoon dripped down past his cute (not so) little ass.
Jimin is just merciless. He even spreads the omega’s folds until Namjoon was all exposed to the forest air. His tongue reaches every inch of his cunt, lapping so lewdly until Namjoon was shuddering non-stop. The alpha looks up to see how red the omega was, smirking to himself as his tongue pushed through that tight hole to devour his slick over and over again. Jimin felt like a true wolf, panting so eagerly at the most delicious taste in the world—Namjoon’s fucking cunt.
Paired with Jungkook’s overwhelming ministrations to his chest, the alphas are soon rewarded by the vision of Namjoon with his back arched, his clit twitching inside Jimin’s pout as he comes with the sweet taste of his honey.
“A-alpha—fuck—!”
Jungkook would like to say that he’s good at multitasking. But even an alpha like him could do nothing but gape at the sight of an omega as beautiful as Kim Namjoon becoming so debauched under their touch. He’s just left to look—to admire—and from the awed gasp on his other side, Jungkook knows that Jimin’s thoughts are not far from his own.
“Goddess, hyung, you’re so beautiful,” Jungkook says, and although Namjoon could barely process his words, the youngest alpha dived down for a kiss. Doesn’t matter if Namjoon could barely kiss back, Jungkook was losing his mind at how blessed he is to have an omega like Namjoon. “I love you so much, you’re so perfect.”
Jimin eagerly laps at all of Namjoon’s release with a satisfied hum, and he only pulls off from the omega with one last suck on his clit, making Namjoon tremble. “You even taste as sweet as you look, omega. Goddess, how did we get so lucky? I love you, hyung, I’m so in love with you.”
The comment about the way Namjoon tasted has Jungkook looking up at his alpha. “Really? Can I try?”
Heavens have mercy. Namjoon’s pussy still feels sensitive, but even without seeing the alpha’s face, he knows that Jungkook looks hungry. And the moon knows that absolutely nothing can stop Jungkook when he’s starving.
Jimin smirks, “He’s all yours.”
In a blink of an eye, Jimin and Jungkook have switched spots. Now, Jungkook lays in between the omega’s legs, head cushioned by the thighs he thirsts over the most. On the other hand, Jimin lays behind Namjoon, pulling the omega up to hug him from behind.
“Why don’t we flip him over, Jungkookie?” Jimin suggests, his fingers gently tracing lines against the omega’s flushed face. “So he can get my cock wet while you prep his cunt for your knot, how does that sound?”
Jungkook didn’t have to answer, the groan he emits is enough of a response. Before Namjoon could register what was happening, he’s being flipped to his tummy, the alpha exchanging a quick kiss between themselves before his ass and pussy is high and presented in the air.
“Fuck, you’re so wet,” Jungkook hisses, eyes blown wide at Namjoon’s dripping hole that’s just begging for a knot. It’s so red—a result of Jimin’s talented tongue. Even when his mere fingers brush against those pussy lips, Namjoon couldn’t help but whimper. Jungkook bites one of the omega’s asscheeks, making him yelp straight to Jimin’s lap. Which, now that Namjoon notices, has a huge dent that just made his mouth feel dry. “Look at you, hyungie, just so desperate for a cock inside you. But you’d only want us two, don’t you?”
Never has Namjoon ever experienced where only one orgasm in and his mind is already foggy. But he supposes that that’s what happens when you’ve been deprived for ages, and finally having two of the people he loves the most in one night.
“Y-yes, nggh, want you, please—please, want you both, please…”
They should consider themselves lucky for being the only alphas to see the strongest omega in their pack look and sound like a whore for their knots. Or maybe these two just saved a whole country in their past life, who knows. All Jimin and Jungkook knew was that they wanted to devour their hyung, bind their souls together, just to make sure that their omega would always be theirs forever.
“Oh, you’ll get our cocks alright, sweetheart,” Jimin coos, before his eyes flash black. “If you’d be a good boy for me and get my cock wet, then I can assure you that Jungkookie and I will fuck you so hard until you can barely walk or talk. Won’t we, Kookie?”
“Oh definitely,” Jungkook smirks, before grabbing Namjoon’s cheeks to spread them apart, further exposing his pussy. The view from behind is just exquisite, especially with how the moonlight made the omega’s cunt shine thanks to his slick. “Goddess knows how long I’ve wanted a taste of this cunt. I’ll fuck you so good, hyung, I’ll knot you until you’re swollen with my pups.”
Namjoon whimpers, the image of Jungkook filling him up with his pups made him feel like he’s going insane. But before he can beg again, the omega feels Jungkook’s tongue against his sensitive lips, while Jimin pulls down his tunic pants to reveal his long and hard cock, dripping with beads of precum at the tip.
“Come on now, omega, open wide.” Jimin smirks. He’s no sadist, but seeing his hyung eye his dick with that much hunger but being unable to function with how Jungkook was mauling his cunt, it’s almost cute to see Namjoon struggle. Nonetheless, the alpha holds his own cock by the base, before pressing his tip to Namjoon’s mouth. The omega opens as much as he can, all while feeling so overwhelmed at how Jungkook began sucking on his hole, like his slick is the last glass of water available on Earth.
All Namjoon can do is lay there as his mouth is stretched wide to accommodate the sheer girth of his alpha’s cock. For a stature so lithe, Jimin sure made it difficult for Namjoon to breathe. His cock was already hitting his throat, and the alpha was far from being all in. The omega can do nothing but suck and lick and drool, allowing his alpha to use his mouth to please himself.
All the while, Jungkook lapped at his hole, his tongue fucking in and out of the omega’s entrance. Namjoon can feel that wet tongue pushing deeper and deeper, drinking his slick right from the main source. It’s so deep, Jungkook was basically fucking his walls with his mouth. The sound of him swallowing Namjoon’s slick with loud slurps has the omega’s eyes rolling to the back of his head. It sounds so nasty, it’s making him go wild.
Jungkook also alternates between devouring his pussy and biting down on Namjoon’s asscheeks that the omega knows would leave marks and bruises that’ll make it even harder to sit. The thought alone has Namjoon shuddering, taking more of Jimin’s cock deeper into his throat. He long stopped caring about any future marks, all Namjoon can think of are these cocks right now.
Jungkook’s tongue alone made him forget any other coherent thoughts he could have. The way the alpha’s tongue breached his cunt, lapping at his folds like a goddamn ice cream bar. The feeling is incomprehensible, Namjoon could do nothing but take and take as Jungkook tongue fucked his pussy with little to no grace.
The omega’s not sure when it even happens, but soon enough, Jungkook’s eager tongue is joined by his fingers. From one to two, and now four, Namjoon is stretched open, fucked so desperately by his alpha’s mouth and hand. Even better, Jungkook uses his thumb to stimulate the omega’s hard clit. The same clit that’s still so sensitive after Jimin’s assault. When Jungkook rubs circles against Namjoon hard nub, the omega’s certain he saw the goddess herself and all her other friends.
Jungkook’s lips are swollen red from how hard he’s sucking on the omega’s cunt, but he could barely give a damn. Jungkook’s hunger is not even halfway satisfied, he wants more and more of his hyung’s slick. Not to sound like a wolf, but he sure did want to eat Namjoon up. Goddess, just imagining how wet the slide into this hole would be has Jungkook pumping his fingers even deeper. His thumb never stops rubbing the omega’s twitching clit.
By now, Jimin is gripping the roots of Namjoon’s hair, building a slow but deep stream of thrusts into his hot and wet mouth. For someone who’s known as a spokesperson of their pack, Namjoon surely had a small mouth but such thick lips. Jimin loves it so much, it makes the fit even tighter. Warmer. Wetter.
Namjoon groans around Jimin’s cock when Jungkook dares to smack his ass. His legs are trembling at every rhythmic thrust both his alphas give him at the same time. The omega feels like he’s burning all over in the most delicious way possible. Despite running for miles, Namjoon feels like he’s boosted with so much energy, fueled by a desperation to have both his alphas inside of him.
When Jungkook deems him prepped enough, he pulls his fingers out with a loud squelch thanks to the omega’s slick. The alpha begins to pull his own pants down, his own cock a fiery shade of red, hard enough to look painful. All Jungkook just wants is to bury his aching cock inside his omega, make him theirs from inside and out.
Once Jimin sees Jungkook lubing up his own cock with the slick dripping from the omega’s cunt, he pulls his hyung’s head up for a moment. Namjoon looks dazed, almost disappointed as to why they stopped. But Jimin only tips his chin up, leaving a long peck on his lips.
“Jungkookie’s gonna fuck you now, omega,” Jimin tells him, and Namjoon turns around to see Jungkook pumping his cock, eyes black as he lines his tip to the awaiting hole. “What do you tell your alpha?”
Namjoon whines when Jungkook teases his entrance again. “Please, a-alpha,” He begs, pushing against Jungkook’s cock just to make him fuck his pussy faster. “Please fuck—fuck me, Jungkookie, please. I need you, please!”
Jungkook had plans to draw out Namjoon’s begging, but he is nothing but a weak man to both the sight of Namjoon’s pleading eyes and to the scent of honey blueberry that’s basically consumed all his senses. Urging him to fuck his omega now.
“Fuck—fuck—” Believe him, Jungkook didn’t want to rush, both to savor the moment and so as not to hurt his omega. But the moment the head of his dick pushes in, and he’s engulfed by this hot and wet hole that’s still so tight despite being stretched with four of his own fingers, the alpha is powerless to his instincts. “Shit, y-you—you’re so tight, omega!”
Though the sting is there, Namjoon whines high and loud in pleasure as Jungkook pushes his way in so swiftly. His walls are stretched so wide, but his omega bleeds with satisfaction at not only being filled by his alpha, but from the deep groans of pleasure emanating from Jungkook himself. He’s such a good omega. Tight and wet, making alpha feel so good.
Once Jungkook fills him to the hilt, Jimin once again pulls the omega back to his own cock. Now, Namjoon is filled by two cocks in his two holes. Like the partners-in-crime that they’ve always been, the two alphas exchange a dark look before thrusting deeply into the omega that made Namjoon squeal despite his barred throat.
“Shit, hyung!” Jungkook cusses, his long curly hair sticking to his forehead that’s dripping with his sweat. The sight of Namjoon’s lips spread around his dick is enough to put any warrior down to their knees. One of his arms grips Namjoon’s waist, the other… he uses to spank the omega’s full ass. “Fuck, fuck, fuck, you feel so fucking good.”
There are tears falling from Namjoon’s eyes, but he even dares to take Jimin deeper, just to hear both his alphas feel so good because of him.
“Goddess, fuck,” Jimin grunts, his fist curled tightly into Namjoon’s hair as their thrusts get faster and faster. “Namjoon hyung, you’re driving me crazy. You’re such a good hole for your alphas.”
That, he is! Namjoon is dizzy with the pleasure from his pussy, and from the stretch of his mouth. But his omega preens loudly at the praises. He’s a good boy. Being bent over two gorgeous alphas, fucked hard by both their dicks. He’s speared on their cocks and only Namjoon can have them! Only him.
At some point, Namjoon genuinely believes he’s levitated or perhaps his soul has left his body. He wouldn’t know. Not when Jimin and Jungkook dared to fuck him harder and deeper, the sound of Jimin’s cock hitting his throat and Jungkook’s dick being wet from the sheer amount of slick coating Namjoon’s walls. The same walls the alpha was reshaping to fit just their cocks and their cocks alone.
Every thrust feels wild. Jimin and Jungkook would pull back and pound into him so eagerly, the sound of skin hitting against skin echoing quite obscenely. It reminds Namjoon that he wasn’t the only one who waited years for this. These two were as desperate as him, if their rapid thrusts were to signify something.
Again and again, the alphas fucked him so hard, the omega could barely keep up. So he doesn’t. He remains pliant, being their good omega that’s perfect for taking their cocks. Now this is the kind of tug-of-war Namjoon would love to play, how Jungkook would slam into him from behind, only for Jimin to pull his hair before fucking his throat again. Their thrusts are so loud, so hard, so fucking deep, it’s crazy.
“Omega, fuck,” Jungkook gasps out, his fingers on Namjoon’s waist grip tighter. It’ll bruise but he wants nothing more than to make everyone know who fucked this gorgeous omega from behind. “I’m gonna come s-soon, fuck, I’m gonna knot you, put all my pups in you. Shit! You’d like that, won’t you, baby?”
Despite Jimin’s tight grip, Namjoon nods his head. Pups! He’s such a good omega that he’s getting their pups! Namjoon would love to tell Jungkook how badly he wants it, but he can’t talk right now, not when Jimin’s cock was beginning to fatten up with his own knot.
“Gonna come too, knot this fucking mouth like our omega deserves,” Jimin growls out, his hips slamming harder against Namjoon’s face. Just the thought of unloading his cum into his omega’s mouth almost had the alpha coming on the spot. “Fuck, fuck, baby, Jungkook-ah, I’m gonna come too!”
Jungkook takes that as his cue to reach down to Namjoon’s clit, his fingers pinching and playing on that hard nub which only made the omega’s walls clench tighter around his large cock, and their hyung squeal around Jimin’s shaft. With the way Namjoon’s legs were shaking, the alphas knew that their hyung was close. So they fuck him harder and deeper, wanting to see their omega come again before they finally knot him.
Less than a minute or two, Namjoon’s back arches like a bowstring again, before Jungkook could literally feel the way his pussy locked his cock in a vice grip as he came. Jungkook doesn’t stop fucking him through it, nor do his fingers cease in rubbing his clit, wanting the omega to ride his climax out. Jimin, too, continues shoving his cock into Namjoon’s throat, silencing his screams as his high crashes into him so hard.
When Jungkook pulls his cock out and slams back in, seeing his cock not just wet with Namjoon’s slick but also with ropes of white from the omega’s release, that’s when Jungkook loses all semblance of control.
“Fucking hell, m’gonna knot!” He yells, using both hands to hold Namjoon’s hips, as the base of his cock inflates with his own knot. The moment the alpha locks it inside, he comes with a deep animalistic howl, the tip of his dick kissing the omega’s cervix. Fuck! The thought of fucking his pups right into the omega’s womb has the alpha groaning again. More ropes of cum shooting from his slit, wanting nothing more than to see his omega swollen with his child.
There’s no way Namjoon isn’t pregnant now.
And Jimin, well, the sight of the two people he loves the most coming undone is enough for him. Call him sentimental, but Jimin just feels euphoric right now. Seeing Namjoon bent over for them like this, and Jungkook knotting their omega, Jimin’s cock basically unloads itself into Namjoon’s mouth.
“Fuck, hyung, c-coming now, fuuuuck—!”
And Namjoon is a lot of things, but apparently he’s also an amazing multitasker. Despite one knot on his pussy and him coming down from his own climax, Namjoon eagerly catches Jimin’s load, mouth stretched to its widest just to accommodate Jimin’s fat knot.
Namjoon could die a happy man right now.
Or so he thought, because the pleasure he feels at that moment is nothing compared to the bliss he experiences when Jungkook bites down on his neck, mating with him for the rest of their life. When he bites back at the alpha, Namjoon truly feels like the luckiest man on Earth.
Even better, Jimin follows suit in a few minutes. Right when he got Namjoon pushed up against a tree trunk, his own knot buried deep into the omega’s cunt. They both bite against each other’s necks while being connected in the most intimate way. Whispering how much they love each other as they wait for Jimin’s knot to come down. Guess Hoseok’s lessons were put to good use in the end.
But the moment Namjoon finally, finally feels complete is when Jimin and Jungkook share a bite between the two of them, too. Now, all three of them sport two bites on their necks, and the omega almost wishes he can frame this moment forever. Just so he can come back to the happiest night of his life.
The night he got the two loves of his life bound to him for eternity.
In the end, Jimin and Jungkook fulfilled their promise. Three howls echo in the forest air as another bond forms between three blessed mates.
(The moon goddess grins in satisfaction at the sight of their marks on each other’s necks. Nothing makes her happier than to see true love prevail. There will come a ton of challenges in their mated life, but with the kind of love and dedication these three share, she knows that she has blessed a mating that’ll last longer than a star’s entire life span.)
Come morning and Namjoon could barely walk. That’s why Jungkook does the liberty of carrying him out of the forest, his strong, muscular arms flexing itself in the hottest way possible.
Though exhausted, the omega is still lucid. That’s why Namjoon doesn’t miss the way his older brother is excitedly standing at the entrance of the forest, where the chase began last night, welcoming them back to the mainland. His eyes are gleaming, there’s a big grin on Seokjin’s face as he sees Namjoon surrounded by those two rascals he’s so incredibly proud of.
They really did it!
When they get closer, however, Seokjin’s face cringes at the state of his maknae. “Goodness, Jungkook-ah, Jimin-ah. I thought you were gonna mate with my brother, not maul him ‘til he looks like he was feasted on by vultures.”
Jimin only offers his hyung a lopsided smirk. “The mating run is that one time of the year when we get to embrace our inner wolves. So if anything, Namjoon was actually eaten by the wolves.”
Seokjin only rolls his eyes, but the smile on his face tells the trio that the alpha was beyond happy to see the results of the chase. Everything did go according to his plan. “I take it you at least had fun.”
Jungkook grins, bright and full energy despite carrying his omega for an hour without even staggering. “Too much fun, if I would say so myself. But we can always have more.” He even dares to wink at the omega in his arms. And would you look at that, even if Namjoon feels like he could sleep for the next three years, he still has enough energy to blush.
Just not to talk, however. Not when all his holes hurt after both Jimin and Jungkook stuffed him a little too full all night long.
“Ew, yuck, no! That’s my baby brother you’re talking about.” Seokjin fakes vomiting. “I don’t want to hear a single thing about the details. I’m just glad you both pulled through.”
“We promised you, didn’t we, hyung?” Jungkook answers back, though his eyes never leave Namjoon’s. “We told you we’d get our omega last night.”
Oh that’s a surprise. Namjoon didn’t know Seokjin was in this, too. Guess he’ll be giving Seokjin the biggest and fattest fruit basket he could find in the markets as soon as he can walk again. Which he hopes won’t be for another week, seeing as his alphas were quite insatiable. And Namjoon is a good omega, he’ll be the best omega to warm his alphas’ cocks and—
“So it’s official now?” Seokjin asks, like he has to. Not when those twin bites on the omega’s neck didn’t basically scream how hard he’s been taken.
“Yup!” Jimin exclaims, looking the happiest he’s ever looked. He looks at Jungkook with a big, beaming smile, the two of them looking like they’ve won a million lotteries. “This pretty omega right here is all ours.”
Seokjin could legitimately cry. “Oh goddess! Wait until eomma and appa hear this. Our maknae is really getting married!”
Namjoon whines at his hyung’s coos, but that whine only turns into coughing. Damn. His throat is really that out of commission.
Jimin turns to Namjoon, who’s still tucked into Jungkook’s neck. “You hear that, hyung, we’re gonna get married. I’m finally going to marry the omega I’ve always been in love with.”
Namjoon’s cheeks pinken. But just before he manages to choke out something that sounds like an actual word, Jungkook cuts through the conversation.
“I think we’re all marrying the omega we’re all in love with.”
Namjoon and Jimin look up at Jungkook in incredulity. Meanwhile, Seokjin only snorts at the youngest one’s pout. Some things really never do change.
“Really, Jungkook? Even until now?” Jimin huffs. Though he looks terribly endeared, guess that’s what happens when you’re in love with petty alphas.
“What? I just have to make sure we’re all clear.” Jungkook defends himself. Looking every inch of a brat he’ll always be. “We’re all marrying each other. Remember that.”
Oh goddess. Despite the fatigue, Namjoon suddenly finds the strength to burst out laughing. He laughs and laughs and laughs in Jungkook’s arms, uncaring of the way the other three look at him in shock. Because, would you look at that, in spite of the bites on his neck from the alphas that went through all the trouble of chasing him last night, these two are still his best friends. The same best friends he’s always known and loved.
These two bratty, caring, annoying, oblivious, and loving alphas are his mates, and Namjoon wouldn’t have it any other way.
He loves them so, so much. He always will, he believes. Namjoon has been loving these two dorks for nearly two decades, he can do two hundred more lifetimes.
In the end, while it definitely took some time, Namjoon’s all too happy to know that all of his waiting has finally, finally resulted in something great.
FIN.
Notes:
There we have it! We love strong, independent, badass, but still a softy Namjoon in this house. Also, fun fact, I wrote that scene with Soobin before the boy went all out with his love for Namjoon so that was really cool to see. Love how we're both obsessed with prasing Namjoon hehe.
I hope you all enjoyed. S, I genuinely pray that it was alright. Thank you so much again, and I'll see everyone again in my next fic. Love you all so, so much. Take care <3
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