Chapter Text
Jimin hops out of his bed with a huge smile on his face. Today is the day! He is finally old enough to participate in his pack’s mating run.
“Jimin-ah! Are you awake, dear?”
“Yes, mom!” Jimin calls out before opening his door and heading to the kitchen, where his Omega mother is preparing breakfast.
“Are you ready for today?” She says, glancing over her shoulder at him, giving him a smile before turning back around.
Jimin snags a piece of fruit before sitting down. “As ready as I’m ever going to be!” He smiles as he bites into the fruit. “I cannot wait to see Tae! I hate that we have to be apart.”
“You know as well as I do, that leading up to the mating run, unmated alphas and omegas have to remain apart . It’s tradition.” She turns away from the stove as she serves the food.
“Bu..but,” Jimin whines.
“No buts Jimin-ah. You know the rules. You will see Taehyung at the mating run today. Now eat. You will need your strength for later.” His mom says with a wink.
Jimin rolls his eyes as he piles his plate with food. These days apart from Taehyung have been absolute torture. He misses his best friend; his other half and his soon to be mate!
Ever since they were young pups who grew up next door to one another, they had been inseparable. Their Omega parents were best friends, so by default they became best friends as well. Soulmates really.
And this is the longest they have ever been apart. It is driving Jimin absolutely insane. He knows that it is tradition , but it doesn’t mean that he has to like it. Soon, he tells himself, soon he will be reunited with his TaeTae.
After eating his fill, his mother shoos him away. Instructing him to go get ready. Jimin grabs his robe and necessary bathing items and with a bounce in his step, makes his way to the Omega bathhouse.
Jimin can hear the chattering of voices as he approaches. The bathhouse is already busy with all those participating in this year's mating run. He nods his head in greeting as he makes his way to a small copper tub in the back. He pours the buckets of warm water into the tub before adding his own special blend of oils to the water.
Removing his clothes, he sinks down into the tub’s warmth. He truly cannot believe that he will finally become an ‘Omega,’ today. He will experience his first heat with his Taehyungie. Afterwards they will receive a home of their own. Jimin hopes it is near their parents so that they can visit easily enough. He already knows how he wants to decorate it!
Yellow curtains, the cozy rug from his current bedroom and the numerous blankets and furs he has been making and saving since he was a young pup. Plus all the things their Omega parents have been saving. Jimin cannot wait. He has only had this all planned out since like forever.
He is broken out of his musings when he hears a splash near him. He pops his head up from the tub to see his fellow packmate, Hoseok. “Ah Hobi, I didn’t know you were going to participate this year!”
“I’m not getting any younger. I figured it was time.” Hoseok says with a resigned smile, not quite looking Jimin in the eyes.
“Oh, do you have your eye on a certain Alpha?” Jimin asks as he runs a wet cloth over his arms, he looks over at his fellow Omega.
“Yeah– something like that,” Hoseok murmurs softly. His eyes focused on water in front of him.
Hoseok is being eerily quiet, which is odd in and of itself. Usually he is loud and full of life. Maybe he is just nervous for the upcoming run. Jimin cannot recall if he ever really saw him around any Alphas. He cannot help but wonder who the Omega will end up with.
Finished with his bath, Jimin steps out of the tub, reaching for the unscented towel he left nearby. He makes sure he is rubbed dry before donning his robe and heading back to his house.
In his room, he takes great care with rubbing a special blend of oil over his skin and scent gland to enhance his natural scent. Jimin puts on the designated outfit of Omegas participating in the mating run. A white flowy shirt with a deep cut v in the neck as well as white flowy pants with ties up the side. Next he dons golden anklets with bells on each ankle, they make a soft tinkling every time he moves. The Omega artfully styles his hair away from his forehead. He grabs the white crown of flowers awaiting him on the dresser, carefully placing it on his head.
Jimin is finally ready.
He leaves his room to find both his mothers waiting for him in the living area.
“Oh Jimin-ah, you look so beautiful,” his Omega mother croons as she wraps her arms around him.
“Mooommm,” he whines, pulling away, “you are going to get your scent all over me.”
“I’m sorry,” she pulls away, tears in her eyes as his Alpha mother wraps her arms around her to comfort her.
“My baby is just all grown up. Soon you are going to be an Omega in every sense of the word. I just cannot believe it.”
“Come on, jagi. We need to head to the stands. We will see Jimin-ah after.” His Alpha mother pulls his Omega mother away. Jimin watches them leave.
Jimin takes a couple minutes to himself, before making his way to the gathering place for Omegas participating in today’s run. He cranes his head around, trying to see if he can see any of the Alphas from here. He pouts when they are nowhere to be found.
Jimin knows the Alphas won’t enter the area until after the Omegas have taken off. It is how it has been done for years. But he was still hoping for a glimpse of Taehyung, to reassure him. This time apart has made him anxious.
The Omega Elder begins their speech, talking about the rich history of the mating run and its purpose. Jimin’s heard it all plenty of times before, so he tunes the elder out. He doesn’t have to worry about anything, he is to become mates with his best friend after all.
Tahyung and him have it already planned out. Once the ‘gates’ are open, Jimin will run toward the left of the path towards the woods, Taehyung will meet up with him there. Jimin will accept him as his Alpha, they will spend their heat and rut together– they will mate and become one. Together forever, just like they have had planned since they were pups.
Jimin feels a nudge at his shoulder, he looks over to see Hoseok holding out a steaming cup. Ah– yes, the heat inducing tea. All Omegas participating in the run are to drink it. By the full moon tonight, all their heats will begin.
At the elder’s cue, Jimin eagerly drinks down the tea, grimacing slightly at the bitter taste. And along with the other Omegas, Jimin takes his spot at the starting line, bouncing on his heels slightly as the nerves began to set in.
You have nothing to be nervous about. Just go to the left, like Tae and you planned. Everything will fall into place.
There is a hush as the Alphas enter the area, blindfolded. Jimin sneaks a peek behind him, smiling as he sees Taehyung. Soon– soon they will be mates.
“Omegas. Take your mark. In 3– 2– 1– GO!”
The ribbon falls and the Omegas take off, scattering in different directions. Jimin heads off to the left, according to the plan. There is a stamping of feet and the scent of heavy pheromones as the Alphas are released. Jimin runs a little harder, he doesn’t want to make it too easy on Taehyung. Even if they both already know what the outcome is going to be.
Jimin looks off to the side, seeing a couple of other Omegas already ‘caught,’ with their intended Alphas. He runs a little further, Hoseok is ahead of him slightly. The scent of mint fills the air, Jimin slows down a little, a smile on his face. Taehyung is finally here!
He goes to turn around to smirk back at the Alpha, when Taehyung suddenly rushes past him. What is he doing? Jimin’s jaw drops as his eyes bulge at the scene that is currently playing out in front of him.
Taehyung reaches out his hand and grabs the Omega just ahead of him, pulling him into his chest. Jimin freezes, his heart pounding in his ears. Did Taehyung just claim another Omega, right in front of him? Someone that is not Jimin? He watches in stunned silence as the pair takes off, holding hands.
What in the world is Jimin supposed to do now? This– this isn’t what they had planned at all? What is going on?
The omega hears footsteps behind him. Scared, Jimin takes off running into the trees, the soft tinkle of bells following him as he weaves in and out among the branches until he no longer hears anyone behind him. Panting, he leans against a trunk as he tries to catch his breath and to allow his mind to process what had just occurred.
Taehyung.
Claimed.
Hoseok.
Taehyung claimed Hoseok. Right in front of his eyes.
Why? Why would Taehyung do that? They had a plan. They were supposed to mate and be together forever. And now– Jimin doesn’t know what the plan is. The elder’s words start to come back to him. ‘All those that consent to participate in the mating run, will come out mated in the end. One has to be absolutely sure before they enter.’
So Jimin will leave the forest with a mate tonight. Just not the one he expected. Not the one that he wanted. Jimin didn’t even know of any other alphas participating, he didn’t pay attention because he didn’t need to– he had Taehyung!
The Omega hears a snap of a twig, bringing him back to high alert. Jimin scents the air, trying to get a read on who could be out there. However all he can smell is the woods, the Alpha must have a woody scent. Jimin racks his brain trying to figure out who that could be? Panicked, he cannot recall any alphas with a woodsy scent.
SNAP.
Jimin jumps as he spins around, eyes wide, before taking off running again among the trees. The soft tinkle of the bells around his ankle follows him.
Who is the alpha with the woody scent? Who else but Taehyung could possibly want him? Everyone knew that Taehyung and him were supposed to be together. The Omega can start to feel the fatigue setting in as he keeps running. He pauses every so often but when he can still hear someone behind him, it spurs him on to keep going.
The Omega doesn’t think he can keep on for much longer, though. Whoever it is, they have been tracking him for a while. Maybe they will be a worthwhile Alpha, they have come this far after all. And honestly, as Jimin looks around, he is not quite sure where he is at any longer.
He bursts through the trees and comes to an abrupt halt. There is a wide expanse of water in front of him, the leaves of the trees reflecting off its smooth water.
Jimin has reached a dead end.
SNAP.
Well this is it. Jimin closes his eyes as he turns around, not sure if he wants to face what’s ahead of him.
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Yoongi took special care with his appearance this morning, wanting to look his best. He spent longer than he typically did in the bath, scrubbing himself clean in the lavender scented water, as well as making sure to get the dirt out from underneath his nails. Yoongi wanted – no he needed – to look as perfect as possible for his future mate.
The Alpha takes in his appearance in the small mirror available to him, making sure to style his hair over his right eye, effectively hiding away the scar there. Satisfied, he strolls into his bedroom, eyes locking in on the outfit laid out on the bed. A white linen vest and pants. The typical attire of an Alpha participating in the mating run. Yoongi cannot believe that it is finally happening…
That tonight he will finally lay claim to his Omega– Park Jimin.
The Omega whose scent reminds him of his Omega father; what little memories Yoongi has of him. He was found as a young pup on the outskirts of the Song Pack’s territory. The young Alpha was half feral at the time and had been alone for who knows how long; a large cut over his right eye.
The hunters dropped him off at the healer’s hut, and that was that. One of the healers took pity on him and brought Yoongi home. Raising him on the outskirts of the town, teaching him the ways of herbalism; how different flowers, plants and herbs could be used. With time, the feralness left him, but the scar over his right eye never went away. It was a reminder that he was different. And the one thing the Song Pack didn’t like was wolves who were different.
A majority of the pack kept their distance away from Yoongi– which didn’t bother him. He didn’t like interacting much with others anyways. He was fine with keeping to the outskirts and dealing primarily with the healers when he was in town, remaining ever the outcast.
However, Yoongi could not help but notice the Omega Park Jimin when he made his trips into town. His beautiful face and tinkling laugh captured Yoongi right from the start, but his scent , that was what really sealed the deal. He tried to learn what he could about Jimin from the healers, but Yoongi also heard the whispers and the gossip. How Taehyung and Jimin were to be mated at the next run. They were soulmates afterall.
The Alpha knew better however, being the pack’s outcast had its perks. One of them being that majority of the pack chose not to pay attention to him. Yoongi knew how to move quietly, and how not to bring attention to himself. That is also why he knew that Taehyung and Jimin were not going to be mated.
Yoongi had observed, several times, Taehyung sneaking off into the woods with a certain strawberry scented Omega. Both returning with their clothes rumpled and their lips swollen. Their eyes shined as they looked upon each other. Oh yes– Yoongi knew that Taehyung and Jimin would definitely not be mating, contrary to what the rest of the pack believed.
So, when it was time for the next mating run, Yoongi made sure to put his name down– but only after he knew that Jimin had signed up. This would be the only chance that he would get to claim his Omega, he was not going to pass this opportunity up… Park Jimin would be his.
Yoongi made his way to the special holding area for the Alphas participating in the run. Emotions were already high, pheromones all over the place, scents tinged with anticipation for what was to come. The scarred Alpha ignored the questioning looks sent his way and kept to the edge of the crowd. His eyes tracked Taehyung as he walked about, knowing that this Alpha would lead him to his Omega.
The Alpha elders appeared, silencing the group of Alphas. They droned on about the mating run as their attendants passed out the rut inducing tea, along with black blindfolds. Even though Yoongi loathed the idea of losing his vision, he knew it was a necessary evil. He makes sure he is near Taehyung as he carefully ties the blindfold around his eyes and grabs a hold of the lead rope.
“Okay Alphas! It is time. Keep a hold of the rope and don’t remove your blindfolds until you are instructed to do so.”
The walk to the start of the run gives the Alphas time to reflect on what is to come. Yoongi can feel his inner Alpha start to get antsy as the nerves settle in. He cannot believe that by the end of the night he would be bound to his Omega.
Yoongi’s ears hear the call of the announcer, signaling the start of the run, followed by the sound of running footsteps as the Omegas take off.
“Alright, Alphas! At my count, remove your blindfolds and take off. Remember you and your mate must return back to the community center by tomorrow afternoon.” Yoongi could feel his heartbeat quicken as the anticipation set in. “And 3– 2– 1! GO!”
Yoongi quickly removes his blindfold, blinking as his eyes readjust to the light. He immediately finds Taehyung, determined to keep him in view. He keeps pace behind the young Alpha, making sure to follow only a couple steps behind.
There in the distance he spies his Omega. He watches as Jimin turns around with a gorgeous smile on his face. Yoongi knows that smile is not meant for him, but rather for Taehyung, but it still makes his heart race all the same. And he watches as Jimin looks on in disbelief as Taehyung runs past him, to claim the strawberry scented Omega.
Yoongi elbows another Alpha out of the way when he notices her eyes lock onto his Omega. Jimin is mine, he yells in his head. But the scuffle must have startled the Omega, because he turns on his heel and takes off further into the woods. What Jimin doesn’t know is that Yoongi knows these woods inside and out.
Yoongi looks around to make sure there are no other Alphas ready to give chase. Seeing that everyone else is rather occupied, Yoongi takes off after Jimin. He makes sure to stay far enough back so as not to alert the Omega. Using his knowledge of the woods, Yoongi is able to somewhat steer Jimin to where he wants him to go, right towards the lake.
The Alpha prepared everything ahead of time, wanting everything to be perfect for his Omega, wanting him to be comfortable. No one ever came this way, so Yoongi was certain they would be alone. He left some blankets and furs a couple days ago.
As they both near the lake, Yoongi slows down, knowing eventually the Omega will run into the body of water, and have nowhere else to go. Just as he planned. As he approaches the lake and finds the Omega standing there at the shore, Yoongi makes sure to be ‘noisy,’ not wanting the Omega to be caught completely off guard. Jimin turns, his eyes wide and scared, as he sees Yoongi.
“Hello,” the Alpha murmurs with a slight bow to his head, holding his hands out in front of him. Jimin just stares at him, eyes roaming over Yoongi as recognition sets in. Yoongi didn’t want to frighten the Omega, so he holds off on moving nearer; they just stand there staring at one another. “Do you accept my claim?” he murmurs softly, taking one step closer.
Jimin glances around, as if checking to see if anyone else was coming. He takes a deep breath before answering. “Ye..yes, I accept,” the Omega whispers, his eyes downcast as he twists his fingers.
Yoongi approaches him, letting out calming pheromones as he approaches. When he is right in front of Jimin, he inhales deeply, briefly closing his eyes as that delicious citrus scent runs over him. Taking another step closer, he bends his head so that his nose rubs along Jimin’s scent gland, letting more of the Omega’s citrus scent out. Yoongi feels his fangs lengthen as he opens his mouth and lays a claiming bite. Jimin gasps, before going limp in Yoongi’s arms.
The Alpha gently picks the Omega up in his arms and carries him over to a little lean-to, off to the side of the lake. He sits him down softly, allowing him to lean against the side as he readies the area. Yoongi grabs a couple furs from the basket, laying them down on the ground, before adding some soft blankets. Heat coils along his lower back, his rut will hit soon.
Moving quickly, Yoongi starts a small fire to ward off the chill of the night, while he is still in his right mind. He surveys the area one last time, making sure there is no one else in their vicinity. Next, he lifts Jimin again, this time laying him down softly over in the furs he had arranged.
“God, he is so beautiful,” Yoongi mutters to himself as he takes in his fill with his eyes. Jimin’s hair looks so soft, and he aches to touch it and realizing that now he can, Yoongi reaches out his hand. Running his fingers through Jimin’s hair. Trailing a finger down the Omega’s plump cheek next.
Jimin instinctively nuzzles into Yoongi’s hand, a slight whine from his lips, even in sleep. He notices the faint sheen of sweat on the Omega’s brow, Jimin’s heat will be here soon, too. Yoongi looks up to the sky, noting the position of the sun. By his calculations their heat and rut will start within the next half hour. And Yoongi would know– he is the one that supplies the herbs needed to make the heat and rut inducing tea.
And right on time, Jimin’s eyes shoot open, glowing blue as the heat finally hits him. Yoongi is sure at this point that his eyes are glowing gold as he feels the rut taking hold. He tries to keep his wits about him, but as Jimin continues to let out his heat pheromones, Yoongi knows that he is only so strong.
“Alpha,” Jimin whines as he crawls to Yoongi. “Alpha,” he repeats again as he buries his nose in Yoongi’s neck, inhaling deeply. Yoongi tilts his head to the side to give him better access.
“Omega,” he rumbles deep in his chest. He can feel his sense of self leaving as his Alpha takes over.
The mating is upon them…