"You're hurting me!" Jimin yelled, trying to pull away from Taehyung's grip, but it was useless.

"Jimin," Taehyung called Jimin's name as he leaned closer, his eyes locked onto Jimin's. "I'm not trying to hurt you," he continued, his grip firm yet not constricting, resting on Jimin's shoulder. "Trust me when I say you don't want this to escalate further. Just tell me what I asked," he urged.

"The longer you hold back, the more it'll hurt, not just for you but for your unborn." Taehyung's fingers tightened as he waited for his words to register and for Jimin to respond.

Jimin's eyes widened in shock as he looked at Taehyung, confused and disbelieving. How could Taehyung possibly know about the secret he had only just discovered himself a few hours earlier? He hadn't even told Jungkook, who was usually the first to know everything.

"H-how do you know—" he stammered, but before he could finish his thought, a sharp pain jolted through his shoulder as Taehyung squeezed it tightly. "Ouch! You are hurting me!" Jimin cried out.

"You are not here to ask me questions! Now, answer me, because the next time I have to ask, you will feel my wrath!" Taehyung demanded, his voice exuding a commanding presence that left Jimin's Omega vulnerable.

"Jungkook is my mate because he is truly my mate," Jimin declared, his voice steady but filled with emotion. "I love him!" He glared at Taehyung, his eyes narrowing with frustration. "Are you honestly trying to hurt me just because you've somehow discovered that I was meant to be your mate? Is that what fuels your anger? That I chose him over you?"

Even though in pain, Jimin's expression intensified as he continued, "This very reason is exactly why I made my choice. I wanted someone who would be a true mate! Who would nurture and protect me, not inflict pain as you are doing now."

He paused, taking a shaky breath, "Jungkook warned me about you, calling you a monster. At first, I didn't believe him; I thought there was goodness in you. But now, I see the truth. You are a monster!"

His voice trembled with emotion as he spoke of his brother. "It angers me that my brother is bound to someone like you. He deserves so much more, a better mate. If he knew what you were putting me through, he would hate you for it, and rightly so!"

Taehyung forcefully pushed Jimin down, watching as he hit the ground. Before Jimin could even attempt to rise, Taehyung was looming over him, his gaze fierce, fingers tightening around Jimin's jaw. "Do you truly believe I've come to you driven by some desire for you?"

Taehyung leaned closer, his gaze piercing. The corners of his lips curled into a smirk, hinting at a blend of amusement and something darker. "Perhaps you believe I am here to voice my frustration over the fact that you are not mine to claim, not my intended mate?" Taehyung inquired, a dark amusement dancing in his eyes.

"Why would I ever settle for something like you, so insignificant, when I have already found the one who is truly meant to be my eternal mate?" Taehyung questioned. "Your choice to find comfort in Jungkook was a gift to us both. He is worthy of a soul like yours."

Taehyung's fingers tightened around Jimin's jaw, as he leaned closer, his breath warm against Jimin's skin. "You claim it angers you that your brother has a mate like me, but is that true? Were you truly concerned about the fate of your brother's future?

All I can discern is that your heart was consumed by selfish desires, tangled in the web of deceit spun by Jungkook. Thank you for being a fool for him and surrendering to his charm, for I would have ended you the instant you dared to step into my realm, pretending to be mine."

As his fingers traced the delicate curve of Jimin's throat, applying firm pressure, he declared, "Let it be known you were never meant to be mine; you are not Seokjin!"

As Taehyung relinquished his grip on Jimin's throat, Jimin instinctively clutched at the tender skin of his neck, the faint imprint of Taehyung's fingers lingering as he gasped for breath. Tears streamed down his cheeks; he felt helpless and powerless in Taehyung's presence, even more than he ever had in front of his Alpha.

With his commanding presence, Taehyung looked down at Jimin, a playful smile tugging at the corners of his lips. He smoothed the fabric of his suit before extending his hand with an inviting gesture. "Come on," he urged, "get up."

When he noticed Jimin hesitating to take his hand, he said, "As I stated earlier, I had no plans to cause you any harm. However, your words were unwarranted and caused me to become angry. Considering your connection to Seokjin, I doubt he would approve of me killing you, so I ensured I maintained a level of restraint."

Taehyung's smile spread as he noticed Jimin gradually distancing himself. "You don't have to fear me, especially when you have Jungkook at your side. He's supposed to be your mate, yet I can see that he doesn't really want you. Instead, he's cleverly twisted your emotions, using them as a means to get to me with whatever plan he has been plotting." The words hung heavy, carrying an unsettling truth that made Jimin's heart race.

Taehyung let out a frustrated sigh as he saw the hurt in Jimin's eyes, "Why are you Omegas always so dense?"

As Taehyung reflected on his comment, he urgently clarified his words. With a sheepish smile, he quickly added, "Well, most of you might be a little oblivious at times; I don't believe my Seokjin is like that anymore."

He felt a deep unease at the thought of Jimin having the chance to talk to Jin about their conversation. The mere idea of Jimin framing his comments in a negative manner bothered him. He could never tolerate the idea that Jin might perceive him as speaking ill of all Omegas.

The bond he shared with his mate made him aware of the loyalty and respect he was meant to have for the Omega community, and he knew that misunderstandings could damage his relationship. He was determined to protect both his reputation and the integrity of their bond.

As Taehyung observed Jimin's downcast eyes, he noticed his gaze drifted away as if he wished to dissolve into the ground beneath him. He stepped forward and gently grasped Jimin's arm, lifting him from where he had been crouched on the ground.

With a firm yet comforting grip on Jimin's shoulder, Taehyung guided his face upward, forcing their eyes to connect. "Listen to me," he said. "Your Alpha will be aware of my visit. He will know we spoke. It's perfectly fine to be honest with him. You can tell him everything that happened here today. I am sure he will want to know about it all."

Taehyung then moved his hand deliberately down to rest against Jimin's abdomen. Jimin instinctively recoiled, panic flickering across his face. But Taehyung was quick to react, grasping the fabric of Jimin's shirt tightly as he pulled him back toward him.

"This is only to help you, Jimin," he stated, his tone softening slightly. "And I'm doing this for Seokjin. Not because you matter to me." As he pressed his hand gently, yet firmly, against Jimin's belly, his gaze bore into Jimin's. "Your baby will be safe and protected as long as you don't get in my way. Yet, should you dare to cross that line, I have no hesitation in taking both your lives, hers and yours."

******

Jimin clutched himself tightly, the chaos swirling around him as the remnants of violence lingered in the air. The crimson stains on the floor, remnants of the guards who had fallen victim to his mate's outrage, filled him with dread. He trembled, uncertain of the darkness that would unfold next under Jungkook's ruthless anger.

"How dare he plant a spy in my kingdom!" Jungkook exclaimed, his voice echoing through the halls of his palace, disbelief coursing through him. His heart raced as the seriousness of the betrayal around him sunk in; he felt like a fool for not realizing sooner that a traitor lurked among his trusted circle.

Choi Soobin, someone he had considered a trusted guard, had been secretly placed in his inner circle by Taehyung. The thought of Soobin reporting back every move he made, every plan he concocted, sent a wave of fury through him. What made it worse was Soobin's direct involvement in taking his mate to his biggest enemy. He had not only handed Jimin over to Taehyung but had also caused his mate to be harmed, who was pregnant with their child.

Jungkook's fists clenched, and he could feel the heat of anger pooling in his chest. He seized his sword and drove it forcefully into the lifeless chest of the guard, twisting the blade and dragging it downward, cleaving the guard open as his rage intensified.

This was an unforgivable act, one that would not go unpunished. He vowed to ensure that Soobin, along with every member of Soobin's lineage, would face the consequences of the betrayal. He was certain, without a shadow of a doubt, that he would eventually make Taehyung pay.

No longer would he adhere to the rules of fairness; he had devised a clear plan to reach Taehyung's vulnerabilities. He had discovered the perfect way to penetrate Taehyung's defenses, and he relished the thought of striking at the very core of his being, unrestrained and merciless.

"Jungkook, please stop! They didn't do anything to me; they are innocent," Jimin pleaded with his husband but was immediately silenced. "Shut it!" Jungkook yelled as he sheathed his sword and walked over to Jimin. "How could you let him lay a finger on you, knowing you are carrying my child?"

"Did you really expect me to fight an Alpha?" Jimin asked, his voice filled with anger. "This happened to me because of you! How dare you be upset with me? Why don't you focus on being a better Alpha and securing your kingdom from spies? I've never once felt unsafe in the kingdom where I was raised!" Jimin shouted.

"Are you implying that you feel unsafe in my presence?" Jungkook inquired, his eyebrow arched, a wicked smile curling at the edge of his lips.

Jimin stood his ground, a flicker of defiance lighting up his eyes as he faced his Alpha. "What did it sound like to you?" He had already weathered more than enough trials for one day and was tired of it all.

He was aware that there was only so much his Alpha could do to him during this delicate time, and he was determined to make his voice heard, refusing to be controlled.

Jungkook let out a soft chuckle, his expression unreadable as he turned and strolled away, seemingly departing the room. In a swift motion, he seized his sword, and with a calculated curve, he drew a sharp cut across Jimin's cheek, eliciting a startled cry from him.

"Such disrespect is unacceptable when addressing your Alpha!" His voice echoed through the room as he witnessed Jimin's stunned expression, tears mingling with the blood that trickled down his trembling fingers. "I will transform you into something unrecognizable if you continue down this path!"

*****

Ummm... well, Happy New Year!