Chapter Text
The success of a wolf pack is inherently tied to its pack alpha. By nature, it's not an easy role to fill. One has to be strong in mind, body, and will.
So rare could one alpha claim all three, and yet there are many who aspire to it. Some are even willing to fight and die for it.
Having recently reached the age of 22, Namjoon has entered a rather difficult time in his life. He looks like a full grown alpha, he smells like a full grown alpha, he feels like a full grown alpha, but he has yet to prove himself as one.
There's been a tug at the back of his mind since even before his uncommonly early presentation at 16 years old. One that has only grown more persistent over the years, to the point where he cannot deny it any longer.
Namjoon has come of age to split from the pack that raised him and start his own.
He's in his prime. He's strong and smart and resourceful, and he's always known he was born to lead.
Not every alpha leaves like this. But Namjoon has grown restless to the point of being unable to sleep through the night. Irritable to point of unpleasantness - not helped by his younger alpha sister who increasingly pokes and postures at him in her own growing desire to prove herself.
He fears it's only a matter of time before it goes too far. Until one, or both siblings are seriously injured by one another.
Their family dynamic is no longer sustainable. And knowing this, their pack alpha encourages Namjoon's decision to leave and start a pack of his own. Far, far away from this one.
And Namjoon knows exactly who he needs by his side to do this.
Yoongi, his closest friend and another alpha. They'd presented one after another. Yoongi first at 18, then Namjoon less than a year later. Namjoon knows he doesn’t stand a chance without him.
Hoseok, a beta that Yoongi had just short of imprinted on and whom Namjoon has grown to love dearly.
Jimin, also a beta, who was raised in the den right by Namjoon's. They'd played together since they were pups and Namjoon trusts him with his life.
And finally, there's Jungkook. Barely 18 and freshly presented as an alpha. One that looks at Namjoon like he hung the stars in the sky.
Despite Namjoon's reservations about Jungkook leaving the pack so recently after presenting, Jimin had begged on his behalf, claiming that the alpha would never forgive them if forced to stay behind.
So the five wolves say their goodbyes, cut their familial ties, gather what they need to survive, and set out into the world with a fire in their bellies and a nose to the sky.
They run and run and run until the scents of their pack have long faded. They run along riverbanks, over mountains, through fields so vast they look like the stretch of an open ocean. They run until they're truly on their own.
And after nearly a month of searching, Namjoon finds himself in a forest that is dense enough to provide protection and rich enough to feed his pack. It feels like home.
So they stay.
Namjoon is now the alpha of a settled pack of five. But it still feels like there's something missing when they curl up together at night in their den.
The nest isn’t quite right. The pheromones in the air are at times stifling. And no matter what herbal remedies he tries, Namjoon still can't sleep through the night.
He knew it would be hard to live without a pack omega.
With three alphas and two betas, they are a strong pack of five, but there is weakness in unbalance. Without an omega, their efforts feel hollow. Their nerves stand on edge. They're restless. Incomplete.
But for the moment, Namjoon is solely focused on providing for his pack. Without an established territory he has no hope of attracting an omega - at least one that will stay. Why would an omega risk leaving their pack for his without the promise of more?
So they hunt. The alphas scent the valley and the hillsides and the riverbanks, pushing further and further out to broaden their claim. Namjoon's packmates are eager to follow to his lead, to make this their home as well.
But the nights are hard. Jungkook's wet sniffles are difficult to bear, and no amount of scenting has helped. Hoseok's constant pacing is growing unbearable. Yoongi is snapping quicker - instigating fights with Namjoon that remind him of their adolescent days. And poor Jimin clings to them all like they'll shatter the moment he lets go.
"Don't be too long. Back before sunset, yeah?" the beta tells Namjoon as he brushes their wrists together.
"I'm the scariest thing in these woods. Nothing is going to happen to me," Namjoon reassures with a soft smile. Jimin smiles back, but he laces their fingers together and tugs pointedly.
"You don't know for sure what's all out there yet. Just be careful."
Namjoon leans down to brush his cheek against Jimin's and the way the beta relaxes is instant.
"Back before sunset, I promise," Namjoon tells him, lifting their hands to kiss the back of Jimin's before dropping it.
While Yoongi takes the rest of the pack out to hunt, Namjoon will be looking to expand the borders of his territory.
The alpha has to move quickly if he's to be back before dark. He wants to push all the way to the base of the mountain at their west, which means he's got a lot of ground to cover.
He slows when he catches a hint of an unfamiliar scent in the air. He's still learning about this forest and the other creatures he shares it with, so it's not unusual for him to encounter one he doesn't recognize. But something about this scent throws him off.
It's not the scent of potential prey, he's fairly certain about that. But it's good. Distracting. He wants to follow it.
So instead of following the original plan of marking his own scent, he follows this one. Tunes all his senses into it like he's on a hunt. His mouth waters as if he is.
He decides that it definitely does not smell like a deer, or a rabbit, or a bear. It smells like a wolf.
Namjoon loses track of time as he follows the faint trail of whoever has crossed into the outskirts of his territory. He has a right to know who it is. He must. If not to satisfy his own curiosity then for the safety of his pack.
He comes to an abrupt halt, brain fuzzing out a bit as he pauses to lean in and sniff at a low hanging branch because oh... that's- that has to be intentional, right?
It's an omega. There's an omega in these woods and they smell so good it sends a shiver straight down the alpha's spine.
Had they smelled him too? Does this omega know they are in his territory and that they've been fucking marking trees through it? Do they want him to follow?
Namjoon starts off again so quickly that he stumbles.
The scent trail is getting stronger even though Namjoon finds no more marked trees. The closer he gets the more desperate he feels. The omega smells mature, strong. Maybe even ready to be pupped.
The alpha can only hope.
He hears the rushing water of the western river before he sees it. The crisp smell mingles nicely with the omega's scent. Namjoon cautiously and quietly approaches the tree line, skirts the edges of the shadows and just... watches.
Long, messy dark hair and sun kissed skin. So much skin. Namjoon blinks. Stares harder at the omega's naked back. He’s thin. Too thin. Seemingly younger than the alpha had expected from his scent. Maybe even around Jungkook's age.
Namjoon tilts his head in a mirror of the omega's. His whole body feels taught.
He decides to take a cautious step out from the shadows.
The omega stands straighter where he wades in the water, nose tilting up. Namjoon's heart pounds in his chest. He takes another step closer.
The pounding of his heart comes to an abrupt halt as the omega turns to look over his shoulder, right at Namjoon.
Namjoon stares as the boy's eyes widen, his scent spiking with- is it fear? Is it interest? He can't tell. The other wolf's eyes dart down and then back up the length of Namjoon again as he takes another step closer. Close enough to see that the omega is naked. The water reaches up to his waist, but Namjoon can now see bare skin beneath the surface.
Say something.
Namjoon needs to say something. But this omega has literally stunned him into silence and there isn't a single coherent word left in his mind to say.
"TAEHYUNG, DIVE!"
Namjoon's head whips to the left.
Oh my god. There are two.
***
Seokjin feels like his heart is going to fall right out of his body when he resurfaces to the sight and smell of an alpha. A big alpha. From the smell of it, a pack alpha. The same one whose territory he and Taehyung had been trying to lay low in for the past three days.
And he's looking at Taehyung like he's ready to pounce.
Seokjin panics. He screams for Taehyung to dive under the water, out of sight, where the alpha can't smell him or see him.
"He's just a pup!" he shouts as he rushes through the water, "he's just a pup, please!"
The alpha looks stricken, falling a step backwards, mouth opening and closing like he wants to say something. But he can't get a word out over Seokjin's panicked yelling.
The older omega is finally close enough to throw himself in front of Taehyung and block the omega from view entirely.
He pants, glaring up at the alpha and baring his teeth.
The alpha narrows his eyes and does not back away.
"Are you alone?"
Seokjin tenses, body filling with dread before the alpha clears his throat.
"Wait, that came out wrong. Are you alright?"
Seokjin just stares. The alpha stares back. He doesn't seem feral, at least. Looks fairly young. No older than Seokjin, surely. And if Seokjin wasn't so afraid, he might actually appreciate his impressive size.
"Just passing through. We'll leave right now," he finally says through tight lips. He still hasn't lowered his arms. Taehyung remains pressed against his back.
"Hyungie-"
"Shh," Seokjin hushes him. Out of sight, out of mind. He doesn't want the alpha's attention on Taehyung if he can help it.
"There's no need to rush. I'm not here to make you leave," the alpha tries. His brow furrows and his scent is tinged with distress. Still good. Ridiculously good. Rich and deep in the way only pack alphas' usually are. But distressed. It's Seokjin's turn to narrow his eyes.
"Why are you here, then?"
"Ah," the alpha scratches the back of his neck, eyes briefly darting away. Seokjin's gaze follows the flex of his bicep where his sleeve rides up and from the squeeze at his hip, Taehyung's had too. "I picked up your scent. The tree you marked. I thought maybe..."
Seokjin flushes. He feels his ears burn. Feels Taehyung squeeze at his hip again hard.
It had been purely instinct and a complete lapse in judgement. Betrayed by his own body in the face of such uncertainty. The last thing they need right now is an alpha on their heels.
But here one is. And he's obviously strong. And his scent is so potent. And he's big. He's really big. His territory is ripe with game that's been feeding Seokjin and Taehyung well for the past few days and he hasn't tried to hurt them yet.
"I apologize. We didn't mean to intrude," Seokjin says, a little softer this time. He dips his chin so that he has to look up through his wet hair to meet the alpha's eyes.
The alpha stares, throat bobbing as he swallows. Seokjin suppresses a smile.
"I'm not going to hurt you. Or you, pup," he says, nodding at Seokjin's shoulder where Taehyung is peeking out. "It's going to be dark soon. You're both welcome to stay."
Relief floods Seokjin. He feels his whole body relax, arms lowering back down to his sides.
He doesn't miss how pleased the alpha looks at that.
"Thank you," Seokjin says, finally offering a smile that has the alpha grinning back.
"What's your name, alpha?" Taehyung peeps.
Seokjin is about to scold him for using the title so casually, but bites it back when he sees how visibly flustered it's made the alpha.
"Namjoon," he offers with another dimpled smile.
"I'm Taehyung. And this is Seokjin!" Taehyung says as he slides his arms around the older omega's waist. Namjoon's eyes fall to it.
There's a little gust of wind up the river that has Taehyung shivering against Seokjin's back.
"Oh. You're cold," Namjoon says with a frown. "Ah, I know it's forward, but we have blankets and shelter, and food if you want to stay with my pack tonight."
Taehyung whines by Seokjin's ear but the older shakes his head.
"I think we'll be okay on our own until morning."
Namjoon doesn't budge. Just stares at them while tensing and untensing his jaw. Shit. Seokjin feels a traitorous and shameful rush of heat in his belly.
"At least let me-" Namjoon doesn't finish, just pulls his shirt off as well as the fur pelt tied at his hips. He's left in what are supposed to be loose fitting trousers, but he may have outgrown them just a tad.
"You've got to be kidding me," Seokjin hisses under his breath as Taehyung practically drools onto his shoulder. The elder isn't faring much better. He can feel his ears burning up again at the sight of the alpha's bare chest.
Namjoon sets the clothes down in a neat little pile beside theirs before looking back over at the two flushed omegas.
Oh.
He feels very suddenly and uncharacteristically shy under their piercing gazes.
"Thank you alpha," Seokjin purrs.
Namjoon takes a deep, steadying breath.
He can't leave them out here smelling like that. Looking like that. Fuck. Jimin is going to absolutely kill him if he isn't home on time but he feels physically unable to tear himself away.
He will absolutely sit out here and freeze his ass off all night acting like a glorified guard dog if it means Taehyung and Seokjin will sleep easier.
Seokjin smiles as if he can read Namjoon's mind.
"Though, you know, we wouldn't mind it if you stayed with us tonight," Seokjin says sweetly. He meets Taehyung's eyes over his shoulder and then they both turn matching sweet smiles up at the alpha.
Namjoon’s mind is made up before the words even leaving Seokjin's mouth. He's staying. The pack will understand once he explains what happened.
He's halfway through babbling about where the perfect spot for them to sleep tonight is when Taehyung slides out from behind Seokjin.
Namjoon's words falter. He should turn around. Gods, he shouldn't look. They're both naked and he really shouldn't watch.
"Uh-mhm," he coughs, spinning to face away when Seokjin raises an eyebrow at him.
He listens intently to the sound of them leaving the water and pulling on their clothes, his clothes, and then startles at a light tap on his shoulder.
It makes Taehyung giggle as he pulls his hand back. He’s got the pelt that Namjoon had around his waist now tied around his shoulders. Seokjin drowns in Namjoon’s shirt, now layered over his own.
The omegas walk hand in hand as Namjoon leads them deeper into the forest. The foliage is dense and the sun is low in the sky and Namjoon finally feels more like himself again.
"Alpha," Taehyung says quietly, voice muted by the woods.
"Mm?"
"Won't your pack be worried about you? If you don't come home tonight?"
"Yes," Namjoon says honestly while holding a large branch out of their way, "but I also think they would worry about me leaving both of you out here alone all night."
Taehyung smiles at that, but Seokjin narrows his eyes at the alpha's back.
"And what about you? Do you not worry about your pack being left alone without their alpha tonight?"
Namjoon chuckles and the omegas share a look.
"Two alphas and two betas are hardly at risk sleeping in the heart of their own territory. They're probably curling up in the den together right about now."
Taehyung tugs on Seokjin's arm. Seokjin's purses his lips and squeezes his hand back. He refuses to look at the younger's hopeful eyes directly.
"So you're a pack of five, then? No omega?"
Namjoon glances over his shoulder.
"We're five. Still fresh... but we're happy here. Not a bad place to call home."
Seokjin nods as Taehyung practically bounces on his toes beside him.
"Just through here," Namjoon says as he lifts a section of foliage draped over the face of a steep rock wall to reveal an opening just big enough for the alpha to fit through.
The omegas cling tighter as their eyes adjust to the dark.
Once they're able to see where they are, Taehyung practically melts into the soft pile of furs on the floor of the makeshift den.
"Oh alpha, it's perfect," he sighs, rolling and stretching and kneading right away.
Namjoon's stomach swoops at the sight.
"Ah, Jimin found this spot. You'd like him, I think. He's easy to get along with. Some even mistake him for an omega."
Seokjin kneels at the edge of the nest and brushes his fingers over one of the fur pelts.
"Thank you," he says, looking up at Namjoon over his shoulder.
Namjoon swallows at the sudden weariness in Seokjin's voice.
He doesn't know what these omegas have been through, but he's glad they're here now and that they're safe. They'd always be safe with him. He'd make sure of it.
"I'm gonna go find us something to eat. Just- stay here," he says. Something in his voice says he's worried that they won’t be here when he gets back.
"Don't worry," Seokjin smiles softly.
He watches the alpha's back while he leaves, lifting the hanging vines out of the way as he ducks out.
"Hyung," Taehyung whispers, sitting up immediately to climb into Seokjin's lap, "I like him."
"Taehyungah... we just met him."
"I know but he's nice! I can tell."
Seokjin sighs and rubs a hand up the younger's back.
"He has a pack, hyung," Taehyung continues, nuzzling at Seokjin's cheek. "With betas! And more alphas," he says dreamily. "Maybe we could just... try?"
"Look, I know you're tired of running. But I just- I just-"
"It's okay, hyung," Taehyung purrs as he clings tight. Seokjin's shoulders are so broad, so safe. He's home. "I know you're tired too. You smelled so scared for me earlier. I never want either of us to feel scared like that again. And I know you’re worried about your heat. Maybe... maybe he could be a good alpha. For both of us."
Seokjin feels tears stinging the backs of his eyes. Taehyung is right. He's so tired - of running, of being afraid, of never truly being able to relax. He loves having Taehyung safe in his arms, but for once he wants to be the one that's protected. Comforted. Taken care of.
He's afraid to hope, though. For both his and Taehyung's sake. What if this alpha isn't as good or capable as he appears? If he or any of his pack ever hurt Taehyung he would- he would-
"Hyungie," the omega in his lap whispers, "I want to try."
Seokjin brushes his wild hair back to kiss his forehead and Taehyung smiles. Seokjin would give him the whole damn world if he could.
"Okay baby. Let's try."