Chapter Text
The sun had only just risen, its golden light spilling gently across the land like a quiet blessing. The warmth was soft and mild, never harsh, and the morning air still carried a faint chill that lingered against the skin. Dew clung to the grass in delicate droplets, cool and refreshing beneath bare feet.
Jungkook walked slowly across the open field, barefoot, letting the damp blades brush against his skin. He loved mornings like this—when the world felt hushed and untouched, when the noise of the day had not yet claimed its hold. In these moments, everything seemed gentler. Kinder.
But peace was not why he was here.
Ahead of him lay the training grounds.
Low, rough sounds filled the air—deep alpha growls thick with authority, sharp exhales of breath during strenuous drills, the heavy thud of bodies striking the earth. Claws scraped against the ground, fists collided, and snarls echoed across the field, each sound carrying raw power and dominance.
Jungkook stopped at a distance, close enough to see but far enough to remain unnoticed.
His eyes searched the scene instinctively.
And then they found him.
His heart skipped violently, as though it had forgotten how to beat.
Heat rushed to Jungkook’s cheeks as his gaze locked onto the shirtless alpha standing at the center of the field. Sweat glistened across sculpted skin, trailing over defined muscles and firm abs. His body moved with lethal precision as he sparred against another alpha, every strike calculated, every motion ruthless. His brows were drawn together in sharp concentration, fangs flashing briefly as he snarled—dominance rolling off him like heat from an open flame.
Jungkook noticed everything.
The way powerful muscles shifted beneath flushed skin.
The sharp, clean line of his jaw.
The dark intensity in his eyes.
Something deep within Jungkook stirred painfully.
And then it hurt.
Because no matter how fast his heart raced, no matter how strongly his instincts responded to that familiar scent calling out to him, he could never reach for him.
Alpha Park Jimin.
Son of the Elder Head Alpha.
The future leader of Mooncrest.
A man far beyond Jungkook’s place.
He swallowed hard, fingers curling into his palms as he forced himself to breathe steadily.
His thoughts drifted back to the moment it had all begun.
Years ago, on a quiet day he still remembered too clearly, a scent unlike any other had brushed against his senses. Rich. Commanding. Overwhelming. It had curled through the air and wrapped around him before he even realized what was happening. His nose had twitched instinctively, curiosity pulling him from the safety of his home.
The scent was unmistakable.
Umberfall.
He followed it until he spotted the Elder Head Alpha standing with another alpha—one Jungkook had never seen before. The moment his eyes landed on him, Jungkook froze.
The alpha stood tall, posture straight and unyielding. His presence alone demanded attention—demanded submission. He was undeniably handsome, but it was not beauty that struck Jungkook the hardest. It was the aura he carried.
Calm. Cold. Controlled.
His face revealed little emotion, yet his eyes spoke volumes.
Dark brown.
Deep enough to lose yourself in.
Jungkook’s heart had thundered in his chest, warmth pooling low as realization struck him all at once.
This alpha was dangerous.
Not in cruelty—but in sheer power.
As if sensing the stare, the alpha’s gaze had shifted suddenly.
Their eyes met.
Jungkook had gasped silently and darted behind a nearby wall, pressing a hand over his racing heart. His face burned as his breaths came fast and shallow. When he dared to peek again, the alpha was already walking away, another wolf following closely behind him.
That night, curiosity won over fear.
Jungkook gathered the courage to ask the Elder Head Alpha about him.
The old alpha had smiled knowingly.
“That is my son,” he said with quiet pride. “He wishes to focus on his training.”
That was when Jungkook learned his name.
Park Jimin.
A dominant, pure-blood alpha.
Born to lead.
Someone forever out of reach.
From that day onward, Jungkook’s heart had never truly belonged to him again.
Now, standing at the edge of the training field, watching Jimin move with relentless focus and power, the same ache settled deep in Jungkook’s chest.
Wanting.
Longing.
Knowing it would never be returned.
Jimin was already bound—to another.
Choi Soohee.
An omega Jungkook knew only from a distance. He didn’t know much about her nature, but her presence spoke volumes. She was beautiful in a soft, composed way, her demeanor calm and gentle. The way she interacted with Jimin—unafraid, warm, steady—made it clear she was a good omega. One who belonged at his side.
Jungkook forced down the jealousy twisting inside him as he watched how naturally close they were, how they moved together like something already destined. Like true mates.
Then Soohee called out to Jimin from across the grounds.
He turned instantly, attention drawn only to her, and walked over without hesitation. She reached up, gently wiping the sweat from his skin as she spoke to him with a smile. Jimin nodded at her words, expression softening in a way Jungkook had never seen directed at himself.
That was when Jungkook turned away.
He began walking, grip tightening around the stick he relied on. His breath hitched, and he sniffed softly, hating the sting behind his eyes. He hated himself—for not stepping back sooner, for ever letting his heart wander where it didn’t belong.
But reality had always been cruel.
His condition.
His limitations.
His place in the pack.
They had always been the unspoken barriers between him and everything he wanted.
Today, however, the pack buzzed with unusual energy.
It was a special occasion. Allies and old friends of the Head Alpha from neighboring packs were arriving after a long time apart. To honor the gathering, a grand celebration had been arranged—one where the entire pack would come together. Stalls were being set up across the grounds: food, clothing, trinkets, and various goods meant to mark the day as something memorable.
Jungkook had wanted to set up a stall of his own. Handcrafted items were one of the few things he took pride in. But the notice had come too late for proper preparation.
And more than that—
The Head Alpha himself had gently but firmly forbidden it.
“It will exhaust you,” he had said, voice leaving no room for argument.
So Jungkook watched from the sidelines once more, heart heavy yet quiet, wondering how many times in his life he would have to do just that.
_____
Jungkook walked alongside several elder omega mothers as they made their way toward the celebration grounds. Their pace was slow and unhurried, filled with casual chatter and soft laughter. Jungkook answered politely when spoken to, his voice gentle, his presence quiet.
Because of his slower steps, a few omegas naturally adjusted their pace to walk beside him. Others, however, cast annoyed looks, clicking their tongues before striding ahead without waiting. Jungkook noticed every expression, every subtle gesture. He told himself not to take it to heart.
He failed.
Still, he kept walking, head held just high enough to seem composed.
When they finally reached the celebration grounds, Jungkook stopped short.
His breath caught.
The entire area was transformed. Lanterns hung from wooden beams, glowing softly even under daylight. Colorful fabrics fluttered in the breeze. Stalls lined the open field—food, drinks, crafts, games—all buzzing with life. Music filled the air, laughter echoing everywhere.
One omega aunt squealed loudly, clapping her hands in delight as she spotted the massive liquor stalls. Several alphas stood behind them, putting on an impressive show—tossing bottles, mixing drinks with flair, drawing cheers from the crowd.
Jungkook realized then that he had arrived late.
The guests had already begun to gather. The celebration was in full swing.
Before he could take another step, Hanji appeared out of nowhere and grabbed his wrist.
“Come on!” she said excitedly, dragging him toward a sweets stall.
At the stall, a new dessert was being prepared live—golden honey drizzled carefully over warm dough, steam rising as the sweet aroma filled the air. Jungkook’s eyes lit up. He watched closely, memorizing every step, already planning how to recreate it back home.
Then—
He felt a shove.
It wasn’t hard, but it was intentional.
Jungkook stumbled half a step before quickly steadying himself. He turned around.
Jiyeon.
She stood there with three of her friends, lips curled into a smug smile. One of Mooncrest’s most persistent bullies. They never missed a chance.
Hanji immediately stepped in front of Jungkook.
“Omega Jiyeon,” Hanji snapped, “did you forget to bring your brain again? Or is it permanently missing?”
Jiyeon sighed exaggeratedly, flicking her hair back with a practiced air of arrogance. She stepped closer until she was face-to-face with Hanji.
“You should stay out of my business,” Jiyeon said coldly. “Or your little place in the market might disappear.”
Hanji scoffed.
“Oh, I’m trembling. You should be more scared that Jungkook will report you to the Head Alpha for bullying and threats.”
She turned to point at Jungkook.
He wasn’t there.
Hanji’s eyes darted around. Jungkook had vanished into the crowd.
Her stomach dropped.
Did he get scared again?
Jiyeon burst out laughing.
“Hahaha! Him? Complaining?” she sneered. “He ran away like a rat. He’s a disgrace to wolves.”
Her friends laughed loudly with her.
Hanji clenched her fists, ready to fire back—
When suddenly, everything changed.
The air shifted.
A heavy, commanding scent spread through the stalls—deep, rich, unmistakable. Every wolf nearby stiffened instinctively.
Pure-breed alpha.
Future Head Alpha.
Park Jimin.
He walked into the area with Soohee at his side, his presence overwhelming, demanding attention without effort. Conversations died instantly. Bodies straightened. Heads bowed slightly.
Jimin’s gaze swept over them all, sharp and assessing.
Before anyone else could react, Hanji stepped forward, heart pounding but courage burning brighter.
“There—Alpha,” she said quickly, voice steady despite her fear. “Omega Jiyeon pushed my friend and insulted him. She bullies him every chance she gets, and just now she threatened me too—to throw me out of the market.”
She poured everything out in one breath.
Jimin’s face remained unreadable, as always.
Slowly, he turned to Jiyeon.
Jiyeon’s confidence shattered. Tears welled in her eyes as she realized how far this had gone. Jimin’s dark gaze fixed on her like a blade.
“Who is your friend?” Jimin asked.
His voice was deep. Rough. Dangerous.
Hanji swallowed.
“His name is Jeon Jungkook,” she said. “You may have heard of him. He lost his parents to rogues. His ankle was bitten—”
She stopped herself too late.
The air turned icy.
A suffocating pressure pressed down on everyone present. Wolves felt the instinctive urge to submit, knees weakening under the weight of Jimin’s aura.
Soohee stepped back abruptly, her omega instinct screaming. Something was wrong.
Jimin said nothing more.
He turned and walked away.
Only once he was gone did everyone realize they’d been holding their breath. Soft exhalations rippled through the crowd.
Hanji turned to Soohee.
“Aren’t you going to follow him?”
Soohee shook her head quickly.
“No.”
“Why not? You’re his girlfriend—at least go calm him down,” Hanji whispered. “He looked like he was about to murder someone.”
“We’re not like that,” Soohee replied quietly. “Friends with benefits. That’s all. And honestly… I felt chills just standing near him. I’m not going after him.”
Suddenly Hanji gasped dramatically.
“Oh my—what if he murders my Jungkookie?”
Soohee winced.
“Why would he do that, idiot?”
Hanji blinked, then nodded.
“Oh. Right.”
She paused, eyes lighting up with curiosity.
“Okay, then explain. Everyone thinks you’re dating Alpha Park Jimin.”
Soohee snorted.
“Please. I don’t want him.”
What she didn’t say aloud was the truth: that she and Jimin had made a clear agreement. No feelings. No promises. Just heat and rut. Mutual benefit. Mutual understanding.
And that she used his attention to draw the gaze of someone else entirely.
Jimin knew.
And he didn’t care.
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