Chapter Text
The evening light spilled through the tall windows, soft and golden, when Jungkook finally helped Jimin across the threshold of their bedroom. His arm was firm around his omega’s waist, steady and unyielding, while his other hand gripped the carrier that cradled their newborn son.
Every step was careful, measured. The distance wasn’t far, but Jungkook treated it as if they were crossing miles of dangerous ground. His omega’s body was still fragile, tender from surgery, and Jungkook held him as though he were spun from glass. Jimin leaned into him, drawing strength from the steady thrum of his alpha’s heartbeat against his side.
The moment they crossed into their room, the air shifted. The familiar scent of their nest enveloped them...thick with the comforting blend of alpha musk and sweet omega warmth, woven into every pillow, every blanket. It was untouched since they’d left for the clinic, exactly as they’d left it: layered, lived-in, saturated with them.
Jimin’s breath hitched. His hand fisted in Jungkook’s shirt, eyes glassing with tears. “Kook…” he whispered, his voice breaking. “It still smells like us. You kept it safe.”
Jungkook’s jaw flexed, his chest tightening with the weight of his omega’s words. He bent his head, brushing his lips reverently against Jimin’s temple. “Of course,” he murmured. His voice was low, unwavering. “No one touches our nest. No one. It’s only for you, me and now Jaehyun. Only for us.”
He guided Jimin slowly to the nest, helping him sink into the layered bedding with infinite care. Jungkook fussed, arranging pillows behind his back, tucking blankets just right, mindful of the tenderness of his belly. His hands were gentle but meticulous, making sure his omega was cocooned in comfort before he allowed himself to exhale.
Jimin melted into the familiar embrace of their nest, the tension in his body loosening with every heartbeat. The space wrapped around him like a memory and a promise, warm and safe.
Only once Jimin was settled did Jungkook crouch by the carrier, lifting their son into his arms. The pup squirmed, nose twitching, and let out a thin whimper that pierced straight into Jungkook’s heart. At once, a deep rumble rose from the alpha’s chest, steady and grounding, vibrating through the room. The pup stilled, soothed instinctively by the sound.
“Shh, little wolf,” Jungkook whispered, cradling the tiny body against his broad chest. “Appa’s here. Eomma’s waiting.”
Jimin’s arms trembled as he reached out, need radiating from every fiber of him. Jungkook knelt at the nest’s edge, passing their pup into his omega’s waiting hold with a reverence usually reserved for sacred things.
The moment the baby touched his chest, Jimin broke. The small, fragile weight pressed against him, warm and alive, and his tears fell unchecked. The pup wriggled once, then relaxed completely, nuzzling into Jimin’s scent. A shaky breath left the omega as he bent down, kissing the fine down on his son’s head.
“Welcome home, baby,” Jimin whispered, voice trembling with love. “Our nest is whole now.”
Jungkook eased down beside them, his large frame curving protectively around his mate and child. His arm slid firmly around Jimin’s waist, grounding him, while his other hand covered almost the entirety of the pup’s tiny back. His forehead pressed against Jimin’s temple, and when he spoke, his voice was rough, unpolished, but full of unshakable devotion.
“This is it,” Jungkook murmured. “This is everything. You. Him. Us. No one will ever touch this space. It belongs only to us.”
The pup gave a small sigh, the sound so soft it was almost lost in the rumble of Jungkook’s purr. Jimin’s lips curved into a tired but luminous smile, his eyes fluttering shut as he leaned deeper into his alpha’s warmth.
“Home,” he breathed, the word trembling with prayer and promise.
Jungkook’s answering growl-purr filled the space, low and constant, wrapping around his family like a shield as they lay back against the soft pillows.
After a while, the pup stirred, a soft sound breaking the hushed stillness of the room. His tiny arms lifted above his head, fists curling tight, and his little legs kicked out beneath the blanket. The stretch was clumsy but determined, his whole body trembling with the effort. His lips parted in a squeaky whine, as though the simple act of uncurling from the safety of his nest of warmth was a mighty battle.
Jimin let out a wet laugh through his tears, watching the movement in awe. “Oh my God… look at him,” he whispered, his voice trembling but full of delight. “So strong already.”
Jungkook’s chest swelled with pride, a smile tugging at his lips as he reached to steady the baby’s flailing foot with a fingertip. Even in something so small, so simple, he saw strength...his son’s determination written into the line of those tiny stretched-out legs.
“He’s big like his Appa,” Jungkook said softly, almost smug, though the words came out hoarse with emotion. His pride wasn’t vanity...it was fierce, primal, protective. A claim.
The pup let out another squeak before relaxing, his limbs going boneless as he burrowed closer against Jimin’s chest. The little display had drained him, leaving him in that newborn haze between sleep and wakefulness.
Jimin’s heart clenched, overcome by the simple miracle of it. He bent to kiss his son’s tiny knuckles, then pressed another kiss to Jungkook’s jaw where it rested against his temple. “He’s perfect,” Jimin breathed. “Every part of him.”
Jungkook rumbled deep in his chest, the sound vibrating through them both, a resonance that the pup responded to with a soft sigh. He nuzzled Jimin’s hair, inhaling the delicate, grounding mix of his omega’s scent and their pup’s new, milky smell. For a moment, he just let it fill him...until the edges of memory flickered unbidden.
There had been no one to rumble like this for him when he was small. No warm arms, no safe scent-soaked nest. His parents had been wealthy, their home sprawling and cold, filled with polished marble and endless rooms. But there had been no warmth in it, no softness. No one to gather him close when he cried. No kisses pressed to his hair, no arms rocking him through nightmares. Just nannies who came and went, and parents who believed that affection made an alpha weak.
Jungkook’s jaw tightened at the memory, his fists clenching reflexively against the blanket. The ache of that loveless childhood lingered in him still, but as he looked down at the tiny bundle in Jimin’s arms, instincts coiled around his son like steel.
Never.
Never would his pup know that kind of loneliness. Never would he reach for warmth and find nothing. Never would he cry out and go unheard. Jungkook swore it in silence, swore it with every thundering beat of his heart, swore it in the way he drew Jimin and their son tighter against his chest as though his body could shield them from the world.
“He’s ours,” Jungkook said fiercely, reverently, his voice almost breaking. “Our little wolf. Safe.”
Jimin turned his face into Jungkook’s throat, his tears dampening the alpha’s skin, but his smile was radiant. “Safe,” he whispered back.
The pup gave a tiny sigh, as if echoing the promise, and the nest fell quiet again...wrapped in warmth, thick with their mingled scent, and bound by a love that nothing could touch
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The room was quiet, bathed in the soft amber glow of the nightlight, but the fragile silence was broken by the high-pitched wail of their newborn. Jungkook’s eyes snapped open instantly. Every muscle tensed, every instinct flaring as he scanned the room. The whimpering came from the bassinet beside the nest, and Jimin stirred slightly in his sleep.
“What's all this racket, little wolf?” Jungkook murmured, his deep voice vibrating through the room like a protective shield. He swung his legs out of the blankets, moving with deliberate quiet, and reached for Jaehyun. The tiny body fit against his chest, and immediately, the baby’s cries softened into whimpers, soothed by the calming wave of Jungkook’s pheromones.
But the alpha caught the faint, telltale scent of a messy diaper. “Ah…so that’s it,” he muttered, already making moves to fix the situation. He carried the pup with careful precision into the nursery, where the changing table waited, fully stocked. Jaehyun let out a small, wet squeak as Jungkook unfastened the diaper, revealing a messy blowout. Jungkook’s lips twitched with exasperated amusement.
“What has Eomma been feeding you, huh, little wolf?” he asked softly, wrinkling his nose as he gently cleaned the baby...making sure to clean inside all of the cracks and crevices of his little fat rolls. Jaehyun cooed in reply, the small sounds tugging at Jungkook’s chest even as he scrubbed away the mess with meticulous care. Every touch was tender, deliberate, ensuring the baby was comfortable and safe.
Once clean, Jungkook slid a fresh diaper into place and dressed Jaehyun in a soft onesie patterned with little wolves and moons. He rubbed his hands with sanitizer, inhaling deeply, and then cradled the tiny bundle close.
Returning to the bedroom, Jungkook froze for a moment when he saw Jimin sitting up against the pillows, eyes heavy but shining. His gaze softened immediately, but the protective instinct still flared.
“Baby…you should have waited for me to help you,” he murmured, voice low and rough, walking over to Jimin’s side.
“I… I feel a little stronger now,” Jimin whispered, brushing a hand over the blanket and meeting Jungkook’s eyes. The alpha’s tension eased slightly.
“Alright,” Jungkook said, offering the pup carefully into Jimin’s waiting arms. Jaehyun stirred, small fingers twitching, but quieted as he felt the warmth of his eomma’s chest. Jimin lowered the front snap of his gown and guided Jaehyun to his breast. The tiny mouth found its mark instinctively, and the soft, rhythmic suckling filled the room, blending with the occasional sigh and contented coo.
Jungkook settled beside them, one arm curving protectively around Jimin’s shoulders, the other hand resting lightly on the baby’s back. He pressed his forehead to Jimin’s temple, feeling the steady warmth of his mate and pup against him. His chest ached with a mixture of pride, love, and the raw, unshakable instinct to protect.
The tiny bundle stretched against Jimin, little arms waving, legs kicking softly. Jungkook’s eyes softened at the sight, and he whispered, “Look at you… my little wolf.” He let the rumble in his chest vibrate quietly, a constant reassurance for both Jimin and their son.
Jimin’s chest rose and fell with each careful suckle, eyes closed, lips pressed to the soft downy crown of Jaehyun’s head. “Home,” he breathed, a word so full of promise and prayer it seemed to anchor the room itself.
Jungkook’s purr of contentment deepened as he watched, the three of them cocooned in their own scents, their own warmth. Safe. Complete. Whole. The night stretched softly around them, filled with quiet breathing, tiny coos, and the slow, tethering rhythm of a new family finally together.
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The first light of morning spilled softly through the curtains, warm and golden, casting a gentle glow over their nest. Jimin stirred first, eyelids fluttering open to see Jungkook leaning over him, his eyes dark and tender, full of awe and quiet protectiveness. His presence made Jimin’s chest tighten with a mix of love and vulnerability. Jungkook’s lips met his in a slow, lingering kiss, careful and deliberate, and Jimin melted into it, savoring the closeness and the grounding warmth of his alpha.
For a few precious moments, they simply existed together...skin to skin, breath mingling, hearts falling into an easy rhythm. Outside the room, the world went on, but here, there was only them, the soft sheets cradling their bodies and the unspoken promise that they would face everything together.
Jimin let out a soft sigh, nudging closer, rubbing at the tender spot along his abdomen. “I hope Jaehyun stays asleep for at least another hour,” he murmured, voice heavy with both fatigue and longing. “I’d love a hot shower.”
Jungkook brushed a strand of hair from Jimin’s forehead, eyes soft as he smiled. “I’ll help you, baby. Don’t worry,” he said, his voice low and reassuring.
“What about work today?” Jimin asked, concern flickering in his tired eyes. “Aren’t you supposed to...?”
“No,” Jungkook interrupted gently, placing a hand over Jimin’s, his thumb brushing reassuringly across his skin. “I’m taking the week off. You and Jaehyun are my number one priority always.”
He swung his long legs out of bed, the sheets falling away as he stood, and walked across the room where he left the bag of supplies that Jin has sent with them. He reached down inside and pulled out a large waterproof bandage to protect Jimin's incision from the water.
Returning to the bed, he sat beside Jimin and carefully lifted the gown to expose the tender incision. He peeled the sticker off with precise movements, cleaned the area lightly, and pressed the bandage down smoothly. His fingers lingered momentarily along the curve of Jimin’s belly, tracing the line of the wound, an almost reverent pause as he acknowledged the pain his mate had endured.
“Thank you, baby… thank you so much for our beautiful pup,” Jungkook whispered, voice thick with emotion. “I’ll treasure him always.” He bent forward, pressing a soft, lingering kiss to Jimin’s lips, letting his gratitude and love settle there.
Jimin’s lips curved into a tired, tender smile against Jungkook’s, his fingers curling around the back of Jungkook’s neck. “We made him together,” he murmured softly, voice trembling just enough to betray the weight of emotion. “He’s ours… all of him.”
Rising, he asked gently, “Do you want me to carry you, or do you want to walk?”
“I’ll walk,” Jimin replied softly, swallowing around the ache in his throat. “Jin said I need to move as much as I can.”
Jungkook nodded, guiding him to the side of the bed with steady hands. Each movement was careful, precise, measured...nothing rushed. He'd cut off his own arm before ever hurting his mate.
Step by step, they made their way toward the shower. Jungkook’s hand stayed firm at Jimin’s back, supporting him, ensuring each footfall was secure.
Once in the bathroom he stood Jimin by the toilet so he could empty his bladder."Take your time, baby. I'll go check on little wolf and grab the baby monitor."
Jimin nodded, gripping the edge of the counter for support. Jungkook’s hands lingered for a moment on his shoulders, steadying him before he slipped out of the bathroom. The soft click of the door marked Jungkook’s brief departure, leaving Jimin to focus on the small, careful movements his body could manage without strain.
Jungkook checked on Jaehyun first. The tiny bundle slept peacefully in the bassinet, chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm. Jungkook picked up the baby monitor, clipping it securely, and carried it with him to the bathroom.
Once back in the bathroom, Jimin had done his business and was standing by the sink already naked and waiting. Jungkook’s eyes softened as he took in the sight of Jimin, standing there pale and flushed from the effort, still tender but determined. He stepped closer, hands gentle on Jimin’s hips, guiding him toward the shower as he reached in and turned it on. “Alright, baby, let’s get you cleaned up,” he murmured, brushing a stray lock of hair from Jimin’s forehead before leaning in to press a soft kiss there.
The warm hiss of water greeted them as Jungkook tested the temperature, adjusting until it was perfect. He stripped off his own clothes then gently guided Jimin under the stream, hands gentle but firm, and stepped in behind him...he felt the tension in his omega’s body slowly give way. Jimin tipped his head back, eyes closed, letting out a quiet, blissful moan as the warm water poured over him.
“It feels so good,” Jimin whispered.
“I’ve got you, baby,” Jungkook murmured, pressing a kiss to his temple. He began washing Jimin from head to toe, slow, careful, deliberate. Every touch was full of devotion, ensuring nothing strained the incision or caused discomfort.
Once Jimin was clean, Jungkook stepped under the spray to wash himself. They rinsed together, the warm water washing away the tension, the ache of surgery, and the fatigue of their first sleepless night. When he turned off the water, Jungkook wrapped a towel around his waist and draped Jimin’s plush robe over his shoulders, hands lingering on the fabric, letting him feel secure, loved, protected.
He guided Jimin to the double vanity, brushing their teeth side by side. Jungkook shaved carefully, stealing glances at Jimin’s serene face as he attended to his skincare. Together, they moved in unspoken rhythm, small, intimate tasks reinforcing the closeness that filled the room.
Back in the bedroom, Jimin asked to sit up for a while. Jungkook helped him onto the soft couch, propping pillows behind his back. Then a tiny whimper from the bassinet reminded them of their son.
“I’ll get him for you,” Jungkook murmured. He moved over to the bassinet, bending down to press a tender kiss to the crown of Jaehyun’s soft head. Cradling their son with careful, sure hands, he lifted him gently and carried him to the nursery. A quick diaper change later, he returned to Jimin and carefully placed Jaehyun into his arms.
“Good morning, my little love,” Jimin whispered, his voice soft and trembling with awe as he held Jaehyun close. The warmth of the tiny body pressed against his chest, the gentle rhythm of his heartbeat under Jimin’s hand, made his chest ache with a fierce, tender love. He marveled at the soft weight of Jaehyun’s fingers curling around his own, so small, so fragile, yet somehow already claiming him as their own.
Jaehyun’s lips found his breast instinctively, latching with a natural, delicate determination. The soft suckling, combined with the tiny, contented sighs escaping the pup, made Jimin’s eyes glisten with tears. He brushed a gentle hand over the downy hair at the nape of his son’s neck, tracing the curve of his tiny cheek, committing every detail to memory.
He let out a quiet, shaky breath, overwhelmed by the beauty of the moment, the perfection in his arms, and the undeniable sense that his heart had never known such fullness before. Every small movement...the twitch of a finger, the press of a tiny nose against his skin...felt sacred, a miracle he had waited a lifetime to hold.
“I’ve never seen anything so beautiful,” Jungkook whispered, crouched beside them, eyes soft and shining with pride. “Watching you feed him…it’s… it’s everything.”
Jimin smiled, voice soft. “He’s ours,” he whispered, brushing a hand along the baby’s back.
Jungkook got up and sat down beside them on the couch, wrapped an arm around Jimin, pulling him close so their bodies formed a protective circle around their son. He rested his chin atop Jimin’s shoulder, eyes soft and steady, and whispered, “We did this…all of this…together.” In that quiet, golden morning light, the three of them simply existed, perfectly and completely, as a family.
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Later that night the room was still, thick with the mingled warmth of Jimin and their newborn pup. Jungkook lay awake, unable to go back to sleep after Jaehyun's last diaper change and feeding. His muscles were coiled under the thin sheet, eyes tracing the ceiling as a storm of thoughts raged through his mind. Lorenzo’s betrayal, his greed, the very image of him scheming to steal and sell pups like currency...wanting to sell HIS pup to the highest bidder like he was fucking cattle at an auction. It set Jungkook’s blood on fire. Jungkook's pheromones released into the air...bitterness and anger swirled around the room.
Jaehyun stirred in the bassinet, letting out a small whimper that tugged at Jungkook’s heart. The pup smelled the tension, sensed the sharp edge of his Appa’s emotions, and Jungkook instinctively shifted closer to the bassinet. Without thinkink, Jungkook leaned forward and a low, steady hum of soothing pheromones spilled from him, wrapping around Jimin and the pup. The scent was warm, grounding, and protective; it pressed against their senses like a shield, steadying little Jaehyun’s heart and lulling Jimin back toward sleep.
He laid back down but Lorenzo’s face continued to linger in his mind, smug and cruel, and then it focused on Alexei...the last link to that filth-ridden network. Jungkook’s jaw clenched, his claws itched for the hunt. That son of a bitch had to pay.
He swung his legs over the side of the bed, moving with silent precision. Jimin stirred slightly in his sleep, but the alpha’s pheromones reassured him, keeping his mate calm even as the heat of rage coiled tighter in his chest.
The clock glowed 3:00 a.m., casting a cold light across the floor. Jungkook’s bare feet met the wood silently, each step measured, deliberate. The night air through the balcony door kissed his skin, sharp and clean, sharpening every nerve.
Jungkook drew his phone from his pocket, the cool metal grounding him for a moment. His thumb hovered over the screen, then pressed firmly, dialing a number only he could call in such moments. The line rang once, twice...
The line clicked, and a familiar deep, sharp, eager voice answered instantly. “Yeah, boss…what do you need?”
Jungkook’s dark eyes narrowed, the cold precision in his voice slicing through the quiet night. “Alexei. That filth has to die. Make it look accidental. No mistakes. Follow his routine. Learn it. When you get the chance…take him out. Quick, efficient. Report back to me.”
A low chuckle came through the line, almost reverent. “You got it, boss.”
The call ended with a soft beep. Jungkook let the phone fall to the railing, gazing over the city below, mind flicking back to the tiny life waiting for him inside. Jaehyun’s little form in the bassinet, Jimin curled beside him in their nest...it was the only thing that truly mattered. No one will ever touch them. No one.
He lingered a moment on the balcony, letting the cool air wash over him, thoughts sharpening and solidifying into resolve. Then he stepped back inside, locking the door behind him.
Bending down at the bassinet, he brushed a hand over Jaehyun’s downy head, inhaling the scent of new life. The whimper came again, soft and fragile, and Jungkook’s pheromones enveloped the pup once more, calming him instantly.
Satisfied, he crawled back into the nest beside his mate, sliding an arm around Jimin’s waist and pressing a possessive kiss to his temple. His eyes lingered on their sleeping pup.
Always protected. Always mine.
_________________
Two weeks later
The streets were slick with recent rain, reflections of neon signs rippling across the asphalt as the man Jungkook had assigned to the job moved like a shadow. Every step was precise, every turn rehearsed. He had studied Alexei Petrov’s patterns, memorized his routines, and waited patiently for the perfect opening. Thursday nights were always the same: Alexei disappeared into the red-light district with his favorite male omega, leaving his sprawling estate unguarded, his entourage in tow.
The hitman slipped inside the mansion with the kind of practiced silence born of obsession. Floorboards groaned faintly beneath his weight, but the darkness swallowed the sound. He moved through the halls like a predator, mapping escape routes, noting cameras, locks, and blind spots.
At the base of the staircase leading down to the basement, a faint glow leaked from beneath a door. He approached, senses sharp. Fingers grazing the handle, he opened it slowly. The room smelled of dust and mildew, cramped and unnervingly quiet. A cardboard box on a high shelf drew his attention. Kneeling, he pulled it down and flipped through the contents.
Photographs. Little faces, newborns to ten-year-olds, eyes wide, innocent, frozen in time. Stacks of falsified birth certificates sat next to them, detailing stolen identities, stolen lives. The hitman’s lips curled in disgust. This wasn’t just greed...it was depravity. He closed the box carefully, forcing the bile down his throat. There would be time for judgment later. Right now, the mission demanded focus.
He returned to the kitchen, scanning the room one last time before kneeling at the gas stove. Fingers moved with deliberate precision, rigging the mechanism to explode at the perfect moment. Timing was everything. He stepped outside, sliding silently into the alley, just as Alexei’s sleek car glided up the driveway. The entourage poured from the vehicles, laughter echoing in the night, oblivious to the storm about to strike their master.
He crouched in the shadows, counting heartbeats.
Three. The guards were laughing, distracted, too drunk on Alexei’s money and arrogance to notice their fate creeping closer.
Two. A house door slammed, Alexei’s voice carrying through the night, harsh and cruel even in casual command.
One. The hitman's hand flexed on his thigh, steady, patient...then...
BOOM!
The explosion ripped through the house. Windows shattered in a cascade of glass, flames burst skyward, and a shockwave rattled the nearby trees. The scent of burning wood and chemicals filled the air, punctuated by the frantic barking of dogs and the distant wail of sirens.
The hitman waited until he was certain the chaos would cover his escape, then melted into the darkness and returned to his black SUV, parked a block away. He slid into the driver’s seat and dialed the familiar number.
“Speak,” the low, commanding voice growled.
“It’s done, boss. He didn't know what hit him.” The hitman replied, a dark chuckle escaping.
“Well done,” the voice said, crisp and satisfied. The line clicked dead.
The man leaned back in the seat, the roar of the flames still echoing faintly in the distance. With one hand, he reached up and tugged the black mask down from his face.
The fabric slipped away, and in the faint glow of the dashboard lights, his reflection sharpened. Taehyung leaned closer to the rearview mirror, the corners of his mouth curling into a slow, deliberate smile...calm, dangerous, lethal.
The job was complete.