Chapter Text
He didn’t know he would be here.
He didn’t know he would be here sinking in the comfortable soft silk sheets against his skin. A calm smile formed on his face as he looked at the sleeping frame beside him. He remembered how he fell asleep that night into the comfortable sheets, due to being anxious, eaten by worries or just due to lack of sleep for days. How could he have slept when there was a constant knock of fear against the walls of his being. The fear of being attacked anytime on his pack. He’s brave, but sometimes that brevity gets shattered with that fear, that genuine fear.
The genuine fear that everyone feared - name one pack that would dare to challenge openly- but didn’t let it show on their face. Of course, it would mean cowardice if they do.
He didn’t know that fear that awaited for so long would be here, by his side, beside him.
But he didn’t fear that fear now. He embraced it into himself.
That fear turned out to be love.
That fear turned into love.
He didn’t know he would be here lying, soaking in the warmth that held genuine deep affection and love.
The crumble of the dried leaves under the footsteps disturbed the silence that covered everyone. For a second his steps halted to hear any outside voice. He looked back at Jihan, still a little scared, but the adrenaline running through his blood gave him the courage.
Jihan nodded at him, his hand ready on the sword around his waist for any danger.
They still hoped that this way would not have come under their eye. The underground tunnel was old but still robust. It connected the passage from inside the pack to the outside near the clearing of forest that would lead them to a safe place. The tunnel wasn’t in use and was kept secret and ready for emergency use only.
After many discussions and some arguments, his father had let them go and check, and examine around the outside area of the tunnel for any threat. After a few soldiers had gone and examined it as void of any danger, they decided it would be best to let all the omegas and children to safety as soon as possible. After waiting for the whole 2 days, they decided now was the best time when the enemy was busy on the other front.
Taehyung tried to open the jammed wooden door which was closed for years, that refused to open without any strength. Jihan came forward instead and tried to open the door without making much noise.
Taehyung bit his lips in anxiety. If they could hear this much noise from inside, then it must be audible from outside too. He saw all the eyes of omegas and little children that were behind him, looking at him with hope.
Hope, that soon they will be in a safe place.
The sound of clicking resonated inside, Taehyung came forward to open it but immediately Jihan stopped him.
“Wait! Not now.” He whispered and stopped Taehyung.
“Let's wait for a few minutes. If someone might be outside, he also had heard the sound.”
Taehyung nodded as they waited inside the tunnel. A few drops of sweat cascaded down his nape due to the heat in the cramped space. Few omegas and children settled on the ground due to waiting.
It was difficult to calculate how much time it was in the dark of the tunnel, only the light from the flame of a torch was the source of it.
But the changing morning sun's radiation coming from the certain crevices told them it had been almost half an hour. They decided on the morning hours to execute their plan as almost everyone was in deep sleep at this time.
Jihan gestured to Taehyung that it is the time now. He put the sword around his waist that was on the ground beside him. Jihan's half body looked outside after opening the wooden door a little, to again make the escape safe.
They stepped out in the open and looked around one more time for any danger.
“Do you think it would be safe?” Taehyung asked, looking at the surrounding that was eerily silent. The silence nudged Taehyung as he felt something to be off. The normal chirping of birds could not be heard when someone would come in on a sunny afternoon just for a walk. They were now outside in the open, a few omegas behind them.
“It doesn't…” Taehyung was silenced by the snapping of a twig when he stepped on a twig. His eyes went to Jihan who looked at him with the same intensity. Be careful.
Taehyung felt something akin to a needle pinching him from within. He could feel it, the constant telling of his inner being that something was off.
“I do not know but something is not good.” He whispered low but audible to Jihan.
Suddenly they heard another sound of a twig breaking, and Taehyung shook his head in a 'no' when Jihan looked at him back, that it wasn't him, not either the few omegas that were behind them.
With a raised hand Jihan gestured to them to stop where they were and walk back off a little.
The silence was stretched and it appeared from the face of Jihan that he knew something must be wrong.
And Taehyung was right.
His intuition that something was off was right.
They appeared like a swish wind, out of nowhere. Their clothes colour definitely helped them to hide behind the vegetation.
Jihan was tackled by two alphas on the ground but he was able to dodge the sword coming towards his direction. Their own other two soldiers tried to stop others.
Taehyung saw one coming towards him. The knife in the scabbard was out and was in his right hand in a second, ready to defend himself. His eyes for a fleeting second went to the omegas that were behind him, now retreating towards the tunnel.
But it appeared to be a mistake.
The sword of the enemy slashed his left arm, the light blue attire he was wearing now was coloured with a dark hue of red.
A hiss left his lips at that, immediately taking back his stance against the alpha .
From the heavy musk, he could tell he was an alpha .
With the knife against a sword, it was difficult to defend himself. He dodged the attacks as much as possible. The sharp blade of his knife cut through the front of the alpha's cloth in his next move and a smirk adorned his lips.
This led to a moment of pause between their fight, the alpha watched where the knife cut through his front and then at the omega. Taehyung could tell the alpha whom he was fighting against wasn’t pleased. Alpha’s face showed a clear reflection of shock, then recognition, and in the end, anger.
Alphas were nothing, just an animal full of pride, he knew.
When the alpha next attacked him, he was able to see from his peripheral vision that he was cornered from the rest of his own.
He tried to outstep the alpha and go back to where Jihan and the others were, but the alpha would always block him. It looked as if the alpha knew very well what was going on in his mind.
He felt the alpha knew what he was thinking.
It appeared the alpha knew what he was trying to do.
The next move of the alpha had his knife out of his hand, his balance staggering and he was on the ground unarmed. He looked wide-eyed at the alpha and waited for the attack as now his sword was on his neck. He refused to let his eyes cast down, the overpowering alpha scent made his omega whimper in surrender, but he tried not to show in this situation.
Anything could happen to him. He could be taken as a hostage or worse, he could be killed here, right now, at this instance.
He knew the person in front of him was not an alpha.
He knew the scent very well, sweet and with a hint of spiciness. and it belongs to an omega. It gave away the burning smell of the cinnamon, which was prominent around him. The omega was afraid, although he tried his best to not show it.
Both of their breathings were erratic due to the fight that happened. The sweat too gave away the smell of distress honey.
What is an omega doing here? he asked himself,
an omega that was fighting against an alpha.
An omega who should be in the pack instead of here fighting with him.
The Society also does not look up to omegas who try to come up as equal to alphas. The only role omegas have is to treat the needs of their alpha, give healthy pups, and look after the family.
The omega's face was covered with a scarf, only his eyes visible, that looked at him with rage.
He could clearly see the omega was trying to go near his people, as he was completely isolated from the group. He was constantly looking in that direction. He could see the confusion, the increasing alarm in his posture.
He snatched the next opportunity, of the omega being distracted and the obvious, him being an alpha. It's not that he doesn't commend it an omega knowing self-defence, but against a wolf who fights in a war and gets training since childhood about warfare, for an omega it holds nothing.
“Who are you?” He pressed his sword against the omega’s neck as the omega fell to the ground. If he pressed any further, he knew it would draw out the blood.
Taehyung just watched the alpha, his eyes narrowed, and looked for any way to get out of there. Jihan held one captive in his arms and almost everyone's eyes were on them. Taehyung’s eyes darted towards his knife a bit far from the reach of his left hand.
“Don’t you hear me, hm?” The alpha looked at the omega, who was all silent, refusing to say anything.
“I am asking who are you?” He said again, the anger clear in his voice when the omega refused to say anything. He then moved his sword to remove the scarf and he clearly saw the fear in the omega’s eyes lying under him but before he could do anything he heard Jihan,
“Jeon, you wouldn't want to lose him now, do you?” Jihan implied to the wolf in his hold, as the alpha in his arms struggled to get free. Jihan knew the one in his hold was of high rank, the clothes do tell rank, the badge of rank interwoven into the clothes. Jihan wanted to distract the alpha from Taehyung, from recognizing Taehyung and not do anything to him. He knew the alpha who held Taehyung at the sword’s end, and he feared the alpha would take advantage of the situation if he got to know who that omega was.
His eyes went to the speaker, nonetheless, his mind didn't forget the omega on the ground who tried to go for the knife, a little too far away towards his left. Taehyung tried to inch his hand as close as possible to grab the knife as he could see the alpha above him was distracted.
“Tch, now, now you don't try to outsmart me.” He mocked and pressed the sword further deep; blood found its way to be free. He then struck the knife on the ground further away with his foot and placed the same foot on omega’s hand.
Taehyung felt the pain course through his hand, he gritted his teeth to not show anything. But a lone tear found its way as it slid past his waterline and soaked the scarf around his ear, wetting the fabric.
He was clear in his instance, that it’s a war, one should know before coming here what it implies.
“What an omega is doing here Jihan, and fighting here, hm?” He knew very well he wasn't an ordinary omega. An omega was not to be trained as an equal to an alpha. If anything he must be a royal. The omega now below him did his best to not show his pain, where his foot was pressed on his hand, but he could see through his eyes that the omega was in pain and scared for what was to come.
“We are not like you Jeon. We treat omegas better than yours.” His eyes snapped at Jihan at the implication and ever so slowly he removed his foot from Taehyung’s left hand.
The atrocities of the war don't hide from anyone. The stories travel through the villages and the faraway lands wherever the curious ears are. How omegas are treated and what hardships people are facing. The Jeons had been at war for almost a year now, it would have ended soon if the Kim's’ hadn’t gotten into the middle, and if the Kim's hadn’t intervened how Jeons should fight a war.
“If I were in your place, I would have watched my tongue.” He retorted and gritted his teeth. Even if he and they, Jeons, did their best to save omega’s dignity, a few instances of atrocities reache all over all the packs.
He still looked at the omega below him, the said omega refusing to look down, glaring at him with rage and hate. He smirked before the sword that played with the scarf until now, undid it, and the sight that he saw was -he was not able to utter even a word. His eyes took all the beauty that lay on the ground unarmed and on the mercy of him.
He didn't know who he was, but for one thing he was sure was, he was a royal. He oozed the royalness just from his eyes that looked fiercely at him, the gentleness of the fingers that lay on the ground grasping the empty air, the courage he showed.
but deep down he knew the omega was afraid,
his scent turning sour, maybe from the uncertain future or from him. He had heard that the king had an omega son but didn't see him on any occasion due to their kingdom's relations. The relations that had been soured since centuries.
The omega felt all eyes on him, but the gaze that watched him from above felt too intense and intrusive. He tried to sit, but was obstructed by the sword on his neck, a silent order to remain where he was. His eyes went to Jihan, who looked so tense that he tried to hide. Taehyung knew very well what Jihan was thinking at this moment.
The alpha locked in Jihan’s arms wasn't that important to the alpha in front of him. It was clear from what he said a while ago, If I were in your place, I would have watched my tongue. The enemy alpha above Taehyung, who was definitely leading the jeon wolves, knew the omega on the ground was much more important than an ordinary alpha soldier in Jihan’s hold. and if it was important, he should have done something by now. And for sure the Jeon outnumbered them here.
For the same alpha , him—Taehyung, the omega in front of him was a royal.
The wars for omegas have always been the worst.
Taehyung gulped at all the thoughts that invaded his mind. They can take him as a hostage, for forever, hold him as a tool to make them- kims, put down their head in front of Jeons, or worst he could be thrown into brothels or forcefully married off to an alpha.
And as always the wars for the omegas had always been the worst.
“Jeon.” Jihan again warned him. He smirked, very well knowing how they were at an advantage here. Knowing very well the omega is nothing ordinary.
"Hm, so what do you think we should do?" He looked towards another alpha wolf behind him.
"What can be better than taking him hostage, alpha. The kim alpha would not be able to do anything but accept defeat." Another soldier from beside him said.
Jihan stood near the entrance, unable to do anything- what could he do with merely three soldiers with him in front of 10 Jeon alphas.
“Very well said,” He stepped to the right of the omega and the omega followed him with his eyes,
“Then it is done, you are coming with us, omega.” Those words made Taehyung fear for his life, maybe for the first time.
“and,” He stretched his words in a mocking tone, “I am sparing you Jihan because I need someone to relay my message to kim-alpha, right?" The alpha said, the authority oozing out of him.
Taehyung saw how they were making fun of them, and his father. If anything Jeons were responsible for the war against them.
"It's you who will be defeated." He spoke angrily.
The alpha smirked from where he was still above him as he lowered his head, “safe that confidence for the future. You would need it.”
"And we'll see it soon, omega, who will be defeated." With that, he ordered the alpha wolf behind him to take the omega with them.
As the Jeon alpha in front of Taehyung flicked his hand to arrest him, panic aroused in his veins. Taehyung hissed when the said alpha came close.
"Don't you dare to touch me!" He backed a little and immediately was up on his feet.
He grabbed the opportunity that the alpha wolf provided, a little loose in attention than the Jeon alpha. and he pushed the wolf further forward and immediately ran towards Jihan near the entrance of the tunnel.
The Jeon alpha tried to catch him but instead, he got the scarf around his neck.
Jihan immediately stopped the other alphas marching towards them.
"Taehyung fast."
Taehyung crouched down the large tree trunk to get to the entrance, looking back he found the alpha running towards him. "Hyung!" He called for Jihan to come fast.
They immediately went behind the entrance, shutting the door tightly. The heaving breaths of everyone were the only sound that could be heard. The omegas and children that were safely inside looked at them scared. They could hear the sound from outside, banging on the door and trying to break it.
"Come, let's go back, we don't have much time." Jihan took the reins again, commanding everyone.
His eyes went towards Taehyung beside him, looking anxious, his bottom lip caught between his teeth and red. His hand on the back of Taehyung made him come out of his reverie. He knew how strong Taehyung was but the situation in which one knew it could lead to him becoming a prisoner in the enemy's hand, could be daunting. "Come on, we have to be fast."
The enemy breaking the entrance was a very small possibility. The most they could do was demolish it and block another one of their possible exits.
***
It's been 6 months since the Jeon kingdom waged war against them. For years there had been tension between their kingdoms. Now fueled even more when they shook their hands and supported the Choi Kingdom, their long alliance but arch enemy of Jeons.
Taehyung gripped himself, to not fall as he ran towards his chambers. His heartbeat was so fast, he could hear it in his ears. Those words, what do you think we should do? , still resonating in his ears. They talked about him as if he were an object and giving them permission to do anything with him.
A shudder ran through his spine, at the aspect of him being a war prisoner. He had heard stories about the atrocities the omegas had to face, always them at the receiving end.
“Can you please arrange a bath for me?” he asked an omega servant, where she stood near the door and nodded.
He wanted to take a bath and remove all the dirt .
Even if no one touched him, he felt touched by the stares. He saw every other alpha staring at him as if he was another creature from a planet. And it made him upset, the reason was as clear as the sky as his father often said. There are certain obligations and rules people consider that omega should follow, one of them being that omega's don't fight wars. The reason was simple, the enemy take it as an advantage, capturing them, torturing and raping them, and using omegas as a means to show their enemy that’s where they belong.
He had felt naked, even when he was not. The alpha who stood in front of him, a Jeon alpha, thought of him as a means to turn the events of the war.
He was brought out from his train of thought, “Taehyung-ssi your bath is ready.”
Unable to say anything he only nodded. “Also, your father wants to see you.” The omega servant further added.
He knew now or after he had to see his father. He could not just run away from him. He sighed. “Can you inform him I will see him soon?” Just not now. He was sure his father was worried for him. His father was worried even before sending him there with Jihan at his own request. And now he knew, Jihan must have to tell his father what had happened there, he would be worried about all the incident and for him. No doubt his father gave him all the freedom to do anything, but some things are meant out of reach of omegas even if it is possible in your grasp.
When he dipped his feet into the lukewarm water, the rose leaves on it repelled, carving out a space for him in the water. He felt relaxed and calm as soon as he felt the water against his body.
He dipped himself further and then felt his skin sting near his neck, reminding him of the obvious scar that must have been formed.
Again, reminding him of his encounter with that alpha.
He then saw his left hand, swollen around the forearm as a blue colour showed.
Again, making him think of that alpha.
How that alpha didn’t hesitate to put his foot on his hand and humiliate him, maybe not directly but insinuating to take him with them, that only meant the horror for omegas. A tear slipped through his eyes without him knowing.
Sometimes he felt he was being wrong to feel this. His lifestyle and his routine, that some people had to be deprived of basic things as they left their homes to take shelter here in the centre of the pack. But he had learned it the hard way, through this waging war, that this is the course of nature. Some lose and some gain.
He played with the petals floating around him, some sticking to his body around his arms and chest, as if the petals were trying to save themselves from drowning in the water. Like how he was drowned in the unwanted stares around him hours before and now trying to rub off each of those stares from his mind.
.
.
As soon as he stepped into his chambers, he had an inkling she would not leave him alone this much time as he found his mother sitting on the bed.
He was in his bathrobe, wearing the inner garments, his hair still wet. The frown etched on her face told him she had been waiting for him here for a long time. She covered the remaining distance and cradled his face into her hands.
“Tae, are you alright? Jihan told us–” Before she could complete, he interrupted. “I am good, maa. Just…” He looked for words to not worry her further. He didn’t know how much Jihan had told his parents. “I needed a bath so much.” He sat on the dressing chair in front of the mirror as he took the lotion in his hand.
“I don’t know what Jihan told you. But I have not a single scar.”
A lie.
He hid the scar, the one on the side of his neck with his hair. He didn't want her to worry anymore. The mere information about them having an encounter with the Jeons must have them worried.
His mother watched him long and then sighed. “I know since you were in my belly Tae. And I know very well when you say something to not worry us.”
He wondered, is it how parents know easily what their child is going through? He turned around from where he was in front of the mirror, the rays of the afternoon sun intruding through the curtains and warming his room.
“Please do not tell appa. I don’t want to worry him.” He found tears well up in his eyes and soon found himself engulfed in a hug. He tried his best to not let the situation get the best of him, but he felt tired. Tired of where they were, in the midst of a war in which they had no idea when it would end. He had seen villages getting void of any inhabitants because they lay near the borders. In the midst of all, the small pups looked in amazement as for them the migration was a little trip.
His father, who didn’t let his resolve show, always looked tough and resolute. His alpha brother was far from them fighting with chois against jeon on the other front. The letters sent to them by his hyung were silent and only talked about the situation and some pleasantries. His mother cried in the dark of night alone in her chambers when it got too much, the injured soldiers and the hint that she might not be able to see her alpha son again.
The ray of hope that looked closer as they were nearing the opening of the tunnel, now seemed to be just a ray of sunshine and moon in the night coming from a hole. What they thought would be a way to send some omegas and pups to a safe location was now under Jeons' watch.
“Oh Taehyungie,” He heard his mother, “You always care about others.” She leaned back to look at him as she wiped his tears. “But you forget about yourself.” her eyes had seen years changing and the scratch that had developed a dark blue colour, that looked painful on Taehyung’s neck, couldn’t hide away from her eyes.
She caressed back his hair away, that were stubborn like Taehyung, wet hairs sticking to his skin as if listening to him to hide the little wound that had formed from his mother. Taehyung couldn’t match eyes of her, watching anything but her. “Did you clean it?” her voice was soft, like a little caress and Taehyung only nodded.
“The wound has closed, but I think applying ointment would be wise. I will go and inform the healer.” He knew his mother was willing herself to not be weak in front of him or tell him - omegas are not made for it, the wars and to fight alpha and he should not have gone- the words that sometimes tumble out the mouths in anger. “That's just a little cut, maa.” Finally, he looked toward her, and he could see her eyes glimmering, filled with tears.
She was willing to not let the tears flow but Taehyung could see through her. “You do not know what a single cut makes my mind go through, Tae. I have seen, don’t know how many wounds in the past months. And the implication that my children could go through the same…” She could not complete herself and hugged Taehyung close against her chest.
“Nothing will happen to me and hyung, maa.” But deep inside Taehyung knew how his brother’s skin would be decorated with wounds and cuts. the wounds and cuts that the alphas took pride in showing, a sign of their valour. A single encounter with a Jeon alpha today had him in this state, he could not stop thinking what would be his hyung doing with many soldiers encircling him.
“Everything will be fine, and the war will be in our favour soon.” He could feel his mother's hand against his hair, which tried to calm himself down. But he knew his mother was also feeling a sense of calmness through the action.
He watched his reflection against the mirror, the wound on his neck a dark shade of black. He didn’t know what would happen in the future. Their strategic position was not in a good position, as they were fighting on two fronts.
But he wished to be in embrace of his mother in his bed waiting for the morning sun to rise to greet them instead of crying for their loved ones.
***
The air was silenced but the sound of sword cutting through the air could be heard. the anger could be felt against the force of the sword striking against another. Or against Hoseok.
Hoseok saved himself with his next move by striking against him as he watched him with a frown. He had seen him angry many times but the way he just struck him, he was enraged. And Hoseok had a fair idea of why.
“I think we should take a rest.” they had just arrived back from the pack borders after they confronted the kims. And getting right back to practice even when they haven’t gotten any rest since coming back from there or for months.
They have been here for 4 months now. The tents pegged into the grounds for so long in the outskirts of the kim pack that the metal hammered into the ground had rusted a bit, facing the turn of nature like how they were facing the turn of the war.
It was stupid . There is no reason to tire yourself any further when you know a very bit of your stamina and strength is needed. It was stupid to waste your energy on something you could not do anything about now.
But Hoseok also knew if he opened his mouth now, he would be more pissed.
As it was their mistake.
The alpha in front of him looked at him piercingly, the eyes set on him as if he was his enemy. The strong musk scent permeated the surroundings as he could see the two alphas standing near feeling defended.
“Gguk…” He called him to have his attention, the said alpha’s eyes set on him at a spot as he was thinking deep.
The alpha was furious.
they missed the chance that the kims themself presented.
they outnumbered the kim s , had them in his choke hold, and had not had any way to get out of that situation.
they found a way, a means to make the kims kneel in front of them.
an omega that could have been useful against the kims.
but they were not alert and swift to catch that omega.
no, he wasn't. H e growled and the sword was inches away from Hoseok's neck.
"Calm down Gguk."
He snapped his eyes towards Hoseok and landed on his neck where his sword rested. He got reminded of how the same sword rested on that omega's neck. How that omega was on his mercy a few hours ago.
"I know we slipped there, but we cannot sit on that all day."
He looked at Hoseok’s eyes again and Hoseok wasn't submitting in front of Jeongguk even when he knew Jeongguk was trying to overpower him. He also knew what was gone couldn't be back now.
But they got the news from spies that kims would try to get out from the palace through a tunnel. Jeongguk had gone there thinking he might come across some high-level ministers or the kim alpha himself, trying to save themselves. But he didn't know he would find a horde of omegas and pups trying to flee from the pack under siege for 6 months.
He didn't know he would find Jihan leading the crowd whom he last saw 2 months ago in the meet of pack alphas for one more time to stop what was going on now.
He didn't know he would find him.
The omega.
He had only heard the kims had an omega son. Might even have seen him in the past, as he now forced his brain to think more. Maybe in some moon festival of another pack or a friendly meet where all royal pack families were invited to make their alliance stronger and make some new relations.
The kim omega.
He could not stop his brain from going to him again . The scarf that flew in the air before gracing the omega in front of him.
How he saw the surprise on the omega’s face at that which then morphed into fear.
He still remembered the sweet smell of him when he had neared him and how that sweet smell had turned into a bitter one. The bitter taste of honey.
“I know it.” He huffed in frustration, removed his sword, and combed his hair back in frustration. “But we should have been successful. You don’t know when we will get another chance like that.”
“We don’t have to worry about that, Gguk.” Hoseok moved to wash his face from where the earthen pot was kept filled with water. He washed his face before speaking again, “do you understand that the kims are in a tight position.?”
Jeongguk looked back at him in question.
“They were trying to get to a safe place. Either they think their pack is not safe anymore or they lack resources. How long would the food or other necessities last, right?”
Jeongguk thought for a long. He was right. They have stopped routes to access the supply of resources, trade, food, and anything else. Their alpha soldiers patrolled all the major routes and made sure nothing reached them. As far as he has experience and knowledge after fighting so many wars, he knew the food for as big of a pack as kims, it would last for a maximum of four months if they had their stocks and granaries filled.
And they had made sure from all directions nothing reached them. That's what you get when you jump into a war that has nothing to do with them, according to Jeons .
“Should he increase our charge against them?” Hoseok asked Jeongguk back.
“We definitely should.”
.
.
A soldier came running towards them with a message from the general. “Alpha, Alpha Min has arrived from the shin pack to oversee around here. He asks for your presence.”
Jeongguk groaned at the mention of the name. He didn’t want his day to get anymore worse. First, the lack of coordination between them and the releasing by mistake that omega and now alpha min visiting to check on the progress here.
Or mainly the progress of him. The progress of the wolves under him that how much they have succeeded till now. There was nothing hidden from everyone about how much it affected the whole pack for them to fight two wars at different places at the same time. The pack was tensed, the omegas tensed at the prospect of the wellbeing of their alphas and sons in the war and head alpha for the position they were in now. But he also knew the min alpha was here as it was his duty.
They would not be here - he would not be here - on the kims land if kims had taken the decision wisely and hadn’t poked their nose in their business against choi pack. Choi’s were nothing but greedy. The hunger to acquire more territory through any means and being a pain in the ass. The war with the choi's was strolling for a long time. In hindsight, almost every other pack knew that any time jeons and choi would be against each other. And it happened when choi raided one of the small packs under Jeon's jurisdiction, under their territory. The Jeons were ready to safeguard their land at any cost, even if they had to wipe out the existence of the shin pack.
But like a good pet of any mortal, the kims decided to help their long-time ally -despite knowing the wrongdoings of chois- and provided military support and also attacked jeons from the south-east direction.
“Welcome him to the main tent and tell him to wait, I am coming in a few seconds.” The min alpha could wait for a few minutes for him, he has to wait even if now he comes under him. He still has to work and show his strength to prove his capabilities. His brother - the head alpha - has given him big responsibilities amidst the opposition of some ministers.
“Do you think he knows about today?” Jeongguk frowned as he neared the same earthen pot to wash his face. His hair now sticks to his forehead after he splayed the water on his face before he grabbed a towel from a nearby stand.
“Nothing is hidden from him. I bet he knew before coming here.”
.
.
Jeongguk saw the min alpha, Yoongi, near the map of the kims pack sprawled on a wooden table, understanding and giving a nod here and there as one wolf explained to him - might be the location and all the safe paths they blocked and destroyed with soldiers and restricted the movements of the kims - he hoped it was that. He hoped the wolf was telling Yoongi that piece of information only.
He hoped the wolf didn’t tell him that they failed today - because of him, he is the leader and alpha here, if anything, he himself wants to tell Yoongi. But also, he didn’t want to tell him how they lost the omega from their grasp, as the talks would reach to the ears of his brother - not through Yoongi first but through the wolves that were lurking around him, looking and waiting for just a chance, a small slip from him to report- and to the ministers.
Don't mind him, he doesn’t hate Yoongi. It was Yoongi’s duty to keep an eye on everything going and inform the head alpha. Rather he appreciated his calm mind and the way he faces any situation. If one looks at him it would be difficult to see through him, through his face, because he didn’t let anyone read him, unlike others who would inflict a flicker of emotions when pressed or are placed between the divergence of two roads.
“Hyung,” he greeted as he neared him, “I didn’t expect you here today. Is everything alright?” And directly asked the reason behind his visit.
“Nice to meet you Jeongguk.” Yoongi still faced the table and placed a wooden pawn near a particular point on the map as Jeongguk and Hoseok traced the motion before facing him.
Yoongi nodded to the bow Hoseok gave before continuing, “Everything is going well. You tell me. I heard there is no such success against Kims.”
Through his words, Jeongguk knew Yoongi knew. He glanced towards the wolf that stood near the table who immediately bowed his head telling Jeongguk he didn’t tell alpha min.
“It was my mistake. I should have been faster and more careful.” If before coming here Jeongguk had the strength to look Yoongi in the eyes and tell him everything, now he doesn't. He glanced away to look at anything but him.
“We would have an upper hand if we had that omega,” Jeongguk said.
Yoongi kept looking at him and his lips curled in a small smile at the alpha. “So, who was that omega?” He asked before turning again towards the table.
Jeongguk was kind of surprised for a while as Yoongi didn’t say anything about that, that he lost a good opportunity and should have been careful and successful.
“Um… I think he is a royal omega.” He neared the table and looked at Yoongi, who was thinking deeply before putting another wooden pawn in another place.
“Why do you think so? He could be from one of the omegas that were trying to move to a safe place.”
“That's not possible.” Jeongguk was quick to reply, and Yoongi flicked his eyes at him prompting him to elaborate.
“He was fighting with us,” he could hear the unsaid question from Yoongi, ‘ any omega can fight.’ and definitely any omega could fight when it comes to safety. But Jeongguk knows when someone fights you with calculated steps and swift movement of hands. And only omegas of high status get to train themselves, and only a few omegas as society considers it unacceptable and forbidden for them.
So, he further concludes, “like a trained wolf.” He still remembered as clear as day all the details - for one part because they failed there and another, he was an omega - how he flicked the knife against his chest tearing his outer robe. He remembered those sharp eyes that wanted nothing but to hurt him, kill him, and how they within minutes were looking at him with worry, might be for his safety as he would.
“And I am really sure he was someone special,” Jeongguk looked at Hoseok after and it appeared Hoseok knew what was swirling in his head. “Probably kim’s son.”
Yoongi heaved a deep breath. And it appeared he wasn’t listening to him but was busy understanding the map as he said. “We could not change what had happened now, can we?”
No words were uttered from either alpha.
“The council is agitated.” Yoongi further said and Jeongguk looked at him with a frown. He didn’t expect to hear about the elders. “And even the council doesn't know for what.” Yoongi huffed a laugh.
“You know about your stepmother better than me.” Yoongi raised his eyebrows to make his point clear.
Jeongguk shook his head, he had a fair share of reasons for aversion to her. Despite being second to his mother in the hierarchy, her say held power. “I…we are doing our best hyung. It was your order that is stopping us from attacking the kims.”
“I know. We have to finish this soon with kims. Neither we have energy nor time to waste here. We tried our best to make them agree with us, but now it is their calling.” Yoongi was correct as time passed; the winter was also nearing. And they could not afford to deploy their armies in two places in the harsh winter. A wolf could hold enough only. And the wolves want nothing but their family for the warmth in the winter.
“Send a letter soon to them. For a last chance.”
***
The sky turned in shades of black. The different shades of black that one strokes the canvas with to paint a sky. The wind blew bringing the hint of earthy smell. Taehyung felt the cold breeze against his face that played with his hair locks.
He felt uneasy and a need to find a place somewhere safe.
He knew this feeling.
He knew this ugly feeling that now settled in his stomach that slowly curled itself around his heart, taking the form of apprehension.
He had seen this apprehension turned into reality.
He tried to ignore it and indulge himself in something or anything. But he could not help but look worriedly around him, seeing the atmosphere taking a turn again.
The sky looked all pale and void of any energy, just like him. He didn’t have any energy or enthusiasm these days. Maybe it could be because he has been cooped up in one place for months. Even the trees had started wilting their leaves, maybe they were feeling his inner emotions. And of everyone too.
He watched the pups running around playing with others in the little garden. Their omega parents took a seat on the makeshift bench and under the trees, having smiles on their faces as their eyes traced their pups. But he could also see the little frown that the smile tried to hide on their face. Frown of their uncertain future.
“Taetae,” an alpha pup came running towards him with a little bunch of flowers, some roses, and other wildflowers that he might have plucked from around the garden, “'s for you.”
“Thank you so much, sweetheart.” Taehyung bent down to his height and accepted the flowers that were held together with a red wool thread, he may have got it maybe from his play basket or the wool ball rolling near the feet of an omega as his eyes went towards the red wool behind the pup. A smile adorned his face as his eyes caught the little blush on the pup's cheeks.
“I spent the entire day making this for you.” The pup took a chance to look at him, capturing every ounce of confidence, “and...and…” he fumbled before Taehyung encouraged him with a nod. “Umhm, and?”
“Do you like it?”
“I love this.” He ruffled the pup’s hair before the pup ran towards his friends who were looking towards him.
The smile slowly dimmed at seeing them all playful and energetic amidst the situation they were in, unlike him and others. He wished they could go back to the happy times when everything was normal.
.
.
He did not know his wish would come true just after a day.
They could go back.
But with conditions.
He looked worriedly from where he stood behind near his mother as Jihan spoke the words, “It is from jeons.”
Taehyung first saw the scroll when he was passing through the garden towards his chambers. When he first saw that red scroll in the hands of Jihan who was running towards the room of his father, he didn’t like the colour of it.
The dark shade of red. Which would no doubt resemble the wilted roses that sat in his room in the vase near his bed. Or maybe he has seen the dark shade of red so many times in the past months, the blood of wounded wolves.
The scroll looked heavy in the hands of Jihan even when he was not carrying it. Maybe his insides were first to understand the hurry in the steps and frown on the face of Jihan. His inner self conveyed all but he refused to listen to the voice from his inside. He gulped the lump that formed in his throat, wanting to gulp the feeling that he felt since yesterday. The apprehension.
Greetings alpha kim.
We gave you two chances. First at the beginning to not join the fight that doesn’t involve you and fighting with chois. Second on the mark of the start of the third month when you lost your southern territory to us. Which you retaliated with more aggression.
You gave us no choice but to be aggressive against you in the past, present, and in the future too if you call it upon yourself.
You have twenty-four hours to surrender and come under us. A good position would be granted. A letter with your seal would be your last message that would decide your fate.
Alpha Jeongguk
Jeon Pack.
The letter was short, telling their motive clearly. They want them out of chois business or they would face consequences. A simple yes or no would be enough to conclude what would happen tomorrow.
Taehyung saw his father sitting in his seat, feeling defeated.
“I have got news that alpha Yoongi visited yesterday too. He is still there.” His father shared a glance with Jihan and the other wolves present there.
Taehyung didn’t know enough about politics and what would be beneficial for them, but he had heard that name. Yoongi . He knew enough that the statement given by Jihan about alpha Yoongi meant that the said alpha would be here till they concluded what they wanted for months. The conclusion of their future, about what would happen with them.
He felt his mother grab his hand tightly, her eyes still in front as he squeezed back in response.
“What do you think gentlemen? What should be our course of action.” everyone looked at the head alpha, head bowed slightly, looking far away.
“I am asking for your opinions because our decision affects us all and we know how it will affect us.”
“What do you think, alpha?” one of the ministers asked.
“I still think what we did six months back was nothing but our true step. We are kims and we help any friend in danger. This time it were chois, who knows who would be next. Jeons are nothing but hungry for territory and acquiring more territory. If we had not helped now, we might have been next. See now, we are next, their next target.” the head alpha spitted angrily even if he knew they were in losing position.
The whole room was silent.
“What if we have a truce alpha?” One spoke after a whole minute and all the eyes were on him. Some snickered in disapproval and some hummed in thought but the snickers were higher in number. “Truce, not surrender.” The same alpha cleared further.
truce? With jeons?
“Truce?” the head alpha, taemin huffed. “It would have been stated in the scroll if that was the case.”
If that was what kims wanted too.
The rivalry was decades old. And Taehyung thought if it was this simple to have a truce they would not have been here.
A rivalry doesn't need any big reason to crack between two, just a small incident and it would further deepen the crack to engulf all generations in it with years passing by. Even if his father talked about the truce just now, he and every other wolf are against it and share the silent bond on it that held everyone together. They would die but never have their hands touch and head bow to jeons.
His father was right. Jeon was infamous, in a bad or good way, that depended on the one who was on the receiving end. They would give you one chance at the beginning, and in their case it, the chance, didn’t come to them. Because of the age-old rivalry.
The scroll said its words clearly — ‘ surrender and come under us. A good position would be granted’. It was to come under their wing from the start, not to have a truce. Jeons words were clear from the beginning, whether it was 6 months ago before everything started or now. And it meant bowing their heads to jeons and losing their sovereignty.
“We have to decide soon.” Jihan started again, “I can say they are ready for the first light of the sun tomorrow.”
“There is nothing to decide, alpha.” Another senior wolf shouted. “It is as clear as day. We will fight.”
“Yes, alpha. We will shred those jeons into pieces.”
“Jeons will face us!”
Taehyung felt pride to be part of this family but at the same time, he wanted peace. Who would want blood and tears? The sight of those pups reflected in front of his eyes. He was an omega after all. The feeling of care and to protect webbed into him.
Taehyung felt himself zoning out. The voices to him were faint even if they fell against the walls of the big hall that resonated with. He didn’t know if he should be proud of himself, the kims, or worry about what tomorrow brings.
.
.
Twenty-four hours.
They have just twenty-four hours.
For the first time, Taehyung felt time slip between his fingers.
He could hear the commotion in the air as he sat on his bed and looked outside through the window. The clouds refused to rain as they covered the whole sky, since yesterday. His hand held a pillow against his chest.
A conflicting thought has flown to his mind which was nothing but bizarre. Not for others but for kims. He even had his clothes prepared for that conflicting thought.
but, no, he or anyone would not surrender or would ask for help from jeons to forgive them. If anything, he would be filled with so much remorse that he would not be able to live anymore.
He hated them for everything. “Who do you think you are!” he shouted and threw the pillow hard, landing on the floor.
Jeons had made their life hell. He had seen how hard it was for them these past two months, calculating every sack of rice and potatoes every day. The lack of letters from alpha husbands and sons who fought on other fronts with chois. The fear that engulfed every time the news would come of the demise of a wolf in the war, what if next is their kin.
He lamented himself for that day when he saw that jeon wolf, the youngest alpha of jeon, against him. He should have been fast to have ended him then and there. The jeons would have gotten a message that it is not wise to be against kims. He would not have let that alpha take pride in blocking their way out one more time, because he knows how fickle alphas are, with just a little success and their ego would rise.
He tried his best to contain the tears that threatened to come out of his eyes.
No, he would not cry.
If anything, he would see jeons cry tomorrow.
He wants to see them kneel in front of them, and his father.
they were right to defend their allies. jeons don't get anything to decide for them.
he fell on this bed on his side, as he looked around his room. The room looked slightly blurred due to the tears as he rubbed his palms against his eyes. A part of him, his inner omega, was trying to capture every detail of every nook of his room. He wanted to question it, but didn't know what to question, as he was feeling comfort in doing it.
.
.
Taehyung could hear the commotion outside, the tapping of footsteps that showed hurry in their sound. The sun was almost set and he knew the jeons might have now got their answer to the letter.
It was nothing to think about so deeply. At the first shone of the spring sun when the jeons had sat in front of their territories, they knew sooner or later they would be here, at this stage.
He stepped into the main hall, where all the omegas and pups were. They were being told by Jihan to pack their essentials in a jute bag and be ready for the call to evacuate anytime. The omegas were tense and if the pups were not before, they now adorned a frown on their forehead seeing their omega parent and a hint of tension on every other face.
He stood there at the entrance. He didn’t want to go inside and wanted to be on the receiving end of the pup's questions on what was happening around. He watched Jihan helping around, his eyes watched him and a small part of him was afraid for Jihan too. He was like his best friend, and a shoulder to relax in these past months when everything gets too much.
Jihan must have felt the eyes on him as he turned around towards him. He passed a small smile and a few seconds later excused himself to come towards him.
“Don’t stress your brain, Tae. Everything will be in our favour.” he stood near him.
Taehyung just silently watched him, his eyes strained on his’. He wanted to say he has enough confidence that they would have a feast very soon, that they would win. They should take pride in themselves.
Then why is he being afraid? If they are nothing less than jeons.
But one who has seen the world, could not decline the superiority of jeons. No doubt they were strong like jeons too. But Jeons were a big pack that everyone feared, not kims. Be it their centralized politics, many small packs under them, and the Jeons themselves. They hold that energy and aura that made everyone kneel in front of them, not kims.
He pushed all his thoughts to the corner of his mind and, “Are you going to the front too?” ofcourse he will. He is an alpha and son of alpha Do, the minister.
Jihan knew too, that taehyung was trying to hide what he was thinking. Taehyung’s red eyes told him everything. And he too ignored the question and asked something else. They both knew the answer to it anyway. “You should pack your essentials too. If we get some leverage, we will try to take all of you somewhere safe tomorrow morning.”
Taehyung frowned, “but all the passages are blocked.”
“We are hoping that jeons will be busy with us and might leave some ways for us.” He shared a small smile.
Taehyung nodded in response, “I cannot stay with you here? I know how to fight.” he smiled as he knew he would not be allowed as omegas don’t go to wars much less fight against anyone. That one time was an exception.
Jihan took his left hand, the skin still charred black, and then looked at him with raised eyebrows. “I wish you could. Even if you could stay inside here, I would like you to be safe.”
He watched Jihan motioning to someone behind him and saw an alpha wolf. “I need to go now. Promise me you will take care of yourself, Tae.”
Taehyung gave a nod and with that he saw him passing against him and diminishing.
.
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Jeongguk huffed a laugh at reading the scroll. He knew the answer even before they sent the scroll to kims. Kims were made of something thick. Everything would be crumbling in front of their eyes; they still refuse to lose their ground.
“Fucking idiots,” he grumbled.
“I suppose from your reaction that they refused,” Yoongi said from where he sat against the fire that cooked their meat.
“That was expected.” Jeongguk took his place again where he was before when one wolf came to them with the answer of kims.
They silently ate the food, the fire burned in front of them. The weather had turned suddenly, the dark clouds loomed above them. Jeongguk's eyes were fixed on the burning wood after he had finished his food. He watched the flames play with each other as if taking joy in burning the pieces of the wood.
He heaved a long breath before turning towards his Hoseok, “Everything ready for tomorrow, Hoseok?”
Hoseok nodded, “we are ready ever since we are here.”
Jeongguk saw a smile ghosting on Yoongi’s face, and he knew very well what Yoongi was thinking. They were indeed ready ever since to march towards kims but just didn’t and waited here because that was Yoongi’s or apparently head alpha’s order.
“We will head towards them as soon as the first light of the sun appears.” Jeongguk was ready. Not only that was what their pack wanted but it was important to assert his presence and dominance in their own pack. Even for the royals nothing comes served on the plate.
.
.
Taehyung could hear the voices but he found it difficult to say if it were from his dreams or from outside. His hands tighten his squeeze on the blanket that covered him from the cold of the night as he was sleeping on the bed.
Then he heard the sound of the gong ringing through. He immediately sat up on his bed and looked around. He didn’t remember sleeping here. He was sure he was by the window looking outside all the commotion to prepare themselves for tomorrow.
Or today
As he looked at the mute glowing horizon. It is today. The day has passed.
And then he heard the ringing of the gong again. He instantly stood up as he threw the blanket aside. While on his way to change his clothes, he saw his omega helper coming running.
In the next second, she was saying even before he could ask her anything. “Taehyung-shi, Jihan-shi has given orders to vacate the chambers and to move towards the western side.”
“Do we have that way clear?” He questioned her as he tried to change his sleeping hanbok. He put on a grey colour thigh-length top, jeogari, with minimal intricate pattern at the border, and loose pants, baji, underneath and tied it around his waist.
“He told us it might be.” Taehyung turned his head towards her at that sentence.
“If we don’t know how safe that path is, we could not take risks like that,” he reasoned.
He saw her hesitating and unable to say anything. How could she when she was just told to convey the message.
When he was ready, he grabbed his khukri (knife) with the sheath and tucked it around his pants' waistband, not in sight of anyone. He then grabbed his sword; he would be ready to defend himself and his family if it came to it today.
“Has everyone left towards the ground?” he wanted to meet his father last time and to see Jihan too. He had met him yesterday and hadn’t purchased time to say a last goodbye. He knew it would not be their last meeting, right?”
“I think everyone has left by now.”
Taehyung passed a small smile and moved to the western side of the palace. When he reached there, he saw from a distance several omegas and pups waiting to be out from here and at the same time a little hesitant too. They didn’t want to leave their fathers, sons and brothers.
He found his mother too, instructing some wolf soldiers about safety as he neared her, “Close that door, and remove any guard from nearby. We don’t want them to be suspicious.”
“Maa,” Taehyung called, his voice, despite being low, seemed loud in the quiet room. and he could see the crease on her forehead that she tried to best to hide it. Now we don’t want to make everyone around them anxious and more scared.
“Where were you, Taehyung? Do you know how worried I was?”
“I was on my way. Just-” Why was he late? Because he went across all the way in the hope of meeting one last time -because no one knows what is placed in their fortune- with Jihan. The omega helper was shouting his name from behind, but he didn’t budge. She was left with nothing but to follow him back.
He was presented with disappointment to not find Jihan as only a few wolves were stationed to patrol around the palace. He found the head alpha, his father. But he was not the one he wanted to meet.
He had left and his father advised him to go to his mother as soon as he could, “it is not safe here.”
He looked long at him, it’s not safe here.
He wanted to say, ‘ no, appa, it is much safer here.’ here near the palace, because the wolves and Jihan that are in front are more in danger.
“Tae…?”
He came out of whatever trance he was and looked around himself. “I know.” His mother passed a soft smile and he wondered how his mother always knew everything. “He will be safe and come back soon.”
He didn’t know his eyes gathered tears at her words and one slipped past his waterline. He hugged her close and wished it to be over soon.
.
.
Jeons were feared.
No one wanted enmity with jeons.
A flourishing pack with a powerful head alpha. That's what one needs to have a strong pack.
But when anyone tries to dig at a place every damn time, that was not theirs in the first place, then one would stab on their own feet.
Chois were warned, not just one time, but on several occasions to not intervene in their matter. But a dog’s tail is never straight. Chois intervened in their matter, in igniting an internal war in a province.
Chois took the chance and attacked them and here they are against each other for one year. The armies were stationed to assert dominance when not fighting each other.
Kims were good old friends with chois and arch enemies with jeons too. (Since decades had a war which ended with neutrality. But they knew if one grabbed a sword against any of them, it would be a declaration of war.
Kims did that. They thought they were being smart. Them fighting with chois would not break the neutrality and won't be a declaration against them. Kims were trying to be smart and fight against them without directly fighting them by helping choi. But whether you make a knife fall on a watermelon or a watermelon on a knife, watermelon gets cut.
And it means kims declared war against them.
“We are ready Jeongguk.” Jeongguk eyed Hoseok where he stood near the tent’s entrance. He was ready as he now wore his scale armour around his chest. Next, he grabbed the sword placed on a lifted desk.
“Is Yoongi hyung coming with us?” He wanted to confirm it as he, himself, was the leader here and everything came under him. If Yoongi refused to come with them, he would understand.
“He would but just to assess from far.”
Jeongguk huffed a laugh. Was he really doubting his abilities, part of him refuses that.
“I think he wants to give all the authority to you.” Hoseok further said,
Jeongguk nodded. He was right, if Yoongi would be with them, there could be conflict of decision and further questions could arise in the pack and on his hyung, the head alpha for his decision to send Jeongguk here. “Let's go, we don’t want to give an inch of time to kims before the sun rises.”
The galloping of the steps of the horses and neighing could be heard in the silence of dawning hours. The sun still was down the horizon and a little too much time was needed for the first rays of it to reflect the sky.
But Jeongguk was here in the front, at the outskirts of the kims pack, ready to march forward and crumble whatever bravery was left of the kims. He would make the kims regret their decision that they made in the month of spring for their whole life.
They would be forced to kneel before them,
before it could have been (was) by their own will, now it would be by their (jeons) will.