"Why do you look like that? Are you still upset?"

Jimin was caught off guard by his Alpha's question, not expecting him to be in the room. He instantly shifted his position on the chair he was sitting on. "I'm not upset."

"Are you sure?" Jeon Jungkook asked as he approached Jimin, looking into his eyes as he talked. "It's totally fine to feel upset."

"I'm not upset. It's been over a week. I'm not upset; I'm just worried." Jimin mumbled as he stared at his fingers.

"What's causing you to be worried? Did you hear something?"

Jimin let out a sigh and glanced up, meeting Jungkook's gaze. "No, I didn't, but I feel terrible. I understand you may not appreciate hearing this, but I do feel guilty. I was supposed to be the Omega that was sent there, but because of what happened, you claiming me-"

"You wanted me to claim you! You came here desperately wanting to be mine!" Jungkook approached his Omega with a firm tone, pulling him to his feet, "Do you have regrets about being my Omega? Is that what this is about? Would you rather be by his side instead of your brother?"

"No! Jungkook, you know more than anyone else how I felt about having my life arranged for me. Had it not been for you, my eyes would not have been open to all that exists in that kingdom. I am much happier being here with you."

With an intense expression, Jungkook clenched Jimin's forearms and said, "Let's make sure it stays that way. I will cut all ties with you the moment I doubt your feelings for me. I love you, and you are the Omega I've always dreamed of having, so don't make me regret not sending you off to Taehyung."

Jimin nodded and leaned his head forward, resting it against Jungkook's chest. "I'm sorry I upset you. I love you too," he whispered. "I'm just concerned about my brother. I told you that he is simple and conforming, which makes me nervous about whether he is facing difficulties while being there."

"Even if he is, there's nothing you can do. But I care about you and don't want to see you feeling sad, so I'll plan a visit for you to see him."

"You will?" Jimin glanced up, his eyes shining with excitement at Jungkook's words.

Jungkook smiled and replied, "Of course, my love, I'll do it. Let's hold off for another week or two before we go. I'm sure you recognize the importance of privacy for them as a newly mated couple."

Jimin gave a confirming nod. "Yes, and thank you! I'm really hoping he treats my brother well. This is all new to Seokjin, and it does make me anxious, but I imagine you are right. There's really nothing I can do about it. Seeing him regularly would make me happy, and I feel it would do the same for him too."

*****

While sanitizing the stair railings, one staff member whispered to another, "Has anyone seen the King's mate?"

"No, I don't believe anybody has seen him since the wedding. Although it makes sense, given that they are just married, I've heard that the King keeps his quarters secured. I have also heard that he was unable to have a customary honeymoon because of his workload and how unexpected things were with the passing of his father, our former King." While checking to make sure no one else was listening in, another staff member answered.

The other worker who had posed the question sighed and said, "At least he's mated to an Omega and not an Alpha or a Beta. I've heard there were a lot of issues with the previous King's choosing to mate with an Alpha."

"Yes, it did, and you are completely right. I believe our present King mate was chosen for him because of this."

"Hasn't that always been the case?"

"No, they act as though it has always been that way, but from what I've been told, the previous King was pressured to take this action in order to guarantee that his son, a purebred Alpha, mate with an Omega from a specific bloodline so the kingdom could maintain a balance of power."

Due to their deep conversation, both workers had stopped working and were unaware that Hoseok was approaching them.

"It seems as though the kingdom is paying you to speak rather than doing work?"

They both jumped and instantly bent their heads, saying, "We are sorry -."

"I'd rather not hear it. Concentrate on your work; if I were either of you, I would be particularly careful about what I say aloud." Hoseok issued a warning.

He rushed up the stairs without waiting for their reply, only to slow down when he remembered he had to face his daily horror.

****

Seokjin was seated in the center of the bed, knees pulled up to his chest, heart beating fast, an endless stream of thoughts swirling in his mind as he experienced the Alpha's presence in the room.

Ever since discovering the news that he had been pregnant, he had been feeling fearful and ashamed, especially when Taehyung was around. He was frustrated by the Alpha's silence over the past few days and concerned about his family's well-being. He was well aware that his dismissal from the kingdom was approaching.

They had not become mates, and he was sure they never would after what had transpired. He was sure he had made an awful mistake and let his family down.

As the door closed, he sighed heavily, feeling relieved. Inhaling deeply, he caught the intoxicating scent of the Alpha that always teased his senses. This made him look up and across toward the room door, instantly making eye contact with Taehyung.

Jin quickly averted his gaze, feeling his heart race and thump against his chest. He hugged his knees even tighter.

"I am sorry." He ended up speaking in a whispered tone. "I'm really sorry."

"Four days!" Taehyung shouted, "And you've finally discovered your voice to speak. After showing up here to embarrass me!"

Jin looked up and met Taehyung's eyes, speaking sincerely, "I didn't, I really didn't. I just came here to be your Omega, I didn't-"

Jin's heart raced as he was suddenly pushed down onto the bed with Taehyung looming over him, exclaiming, "My Omega?!" His heart raced with nervous anticipation. Taehyung was baffled by what Jin had just said. "You think I am stupid?!" Taehyung let out an unsettling chuckle while locking eyes with Jin. "You thought you could mess with what's mine, but you're about to learn how wrong you were," he warned. "How dare you show up here pregnant and unashamed?!"

Jin was visibly emotional, tears running down his cheek as he struggled to speak, "I-I didn't know. I had no idea, I swear."

Taehyung held Jin's jaw securely, making sure he maintained eye contact, "Say it again, and keep your eyes on me."

Jin almost choked up as he said, "I'm telling you the truth; I didn't know."

Taehyung let go of Jin and moved back, distancing himself from the bed. "You may have been unaware of your pregnancy, but you certainly knew what you were doing. Despite knowing you aren't innocent, you came here! Your very presence here shows a lack of respect for me."

"I am sorry, but that's not true. I don't know what else to say other than I was wrong, and I am sorry I failed to be the Omega you were supposed to mate with." Jin was uncertain about the future and how things would unfold, but his main concern was the safety of his parents and brother. "I know I have no reason to ask this of you, but please only punish me for the sins I have committed and spare my family from any consequences. They were completely clueless, I swear to you. I made a mistake, not them."

Taehyung's brows furrowed as his anger resurfaced. He approached Jin, standing tall as he gazed down at Jin's fragile form on the bed. "What do you mean by saying you failed to be the Omega I was supposed to mate with?" Taehyung chuckled, "Did you think you would walk out of here and put me to shame?"

Unclear, Jin gazed at Taehyung, "No, my Alpha-"

"Don't call me that! You haven't earned the privilege or the right to address me that way!"

"Sorry," Jin whispered, looking downward with a heart full of sadness.

"Not as sorry as you are going to be for the rest of your life. I will have no mercy on you! Especially after you showed up here attempting to ruin what rightfully belongs to me! I'll never trust you, and you won't be allowed to leave this kingdom without my permission." Taehyung spoke confidently; his voice was cold and unforgiving.

Jin was puzzled by Taehyung's words and looked up at him with fear, asking hesitantly, "Y-you are letting me stay here as your Omega?"

"Why are you feeling disappointed?" Taehyung let out an insincere laugh. "You must have believed you were here to cause chaos for me, didn't you?"

"N-no, I-"

"Did you plan on showing up here, embarrassing me, and then running back to the Alpha who got you pregnant? Did you actually expect that outcome, Seokjin?" Taehyung shouted in a fit of rage.

Jin started trembling in fear when he sensed the anger emanating from Taehyung, "No, I didn't." His voice trembled as tears streamed down his face, overwhelmed by the situation and feeling deeply misunderstood.

Taehyung dragged Jin in close, holding him tightly as he leaned in and tilted Jin's neck to the side. He went on to bite into his scent gland, which made Jin scream and grip his arm tightly.

As Taehyung's teeth remained embedded in his flesh, Jin felt a rush of emotions and physical sensations that engulfed him as the Alpha's scent enveloped him, rendering him powerless.

Taehyung pulled back, licked his lips, and concentrated on Jin. "The next time I come in, prepare yourself to be mine, officially," he said.

****

While Jin was standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom, his fingers moved to his neck and began to delicately brush over the swelling bite mark now situated at his primary scent gland. He had been afraid that things would turn out differently for him and that he would be exiled from the kingdom; yet, by some miracle, things had turned out differently, and Taehyung had planned to keep him there. Tears started to fall from his eyes as he began to weep in silence.

Based on what Taehyung had said, he was aware that he was not pleased with him and understood what he had said well. He was not surprised by it as he knew he had to be blamed for a lot of what happened. He sincerely wished to put what he was thinking and his truth into words, but he couldn't since he was unsure of how to do so and did not know what would happen if he did.

Even though the mark on his neck was only temporary, he was thankful for it since, once it happened, his body had become more relaxed, and he no longer felt as afraid as he had before. On top of that, the humiliating emotions that had been weighing him down were not as crushing as they had been in previous moments.

After going to bed that night, he slept for the first time in a very long time without any concerns of being terrified, free from the usual fears that had plagued him for so long.

*****

"As someone who has just been crowned the new King and as an Alpha who has just been mated, you do not appear to be in a pleased mood."

Taehyung averted his gaze from the drink he held and gazed at his cousin standing on the opposite side. "This is a rare sight," he said. "What are you doing here?"

Jungkook looked back at Taehyung with a smirk and said, "Rare? I have my doubts about that. Since I could not attend your wedding, I thought it fitting to come here and congratulate you."

Although Taehyung continued to look at Jungkook, he did not comment.

"Well, that's not the only reason I'm here. So, the Omega you're mated with is actually the brother of the Omega I'm mated with, and he's been persistent about wanting to see his brother.

I understand that you may see me as inexperienced, but my mate and I are expecting, and I want to support him during this time of hormonal changes by satisfying his request. But I know you recently got married and didn't want to bring him here if the timing isn't right."

"Your mate is Seokjin's brother?"

Jungkook smiled and nodded, "Crazy, isn't it? I would have invited you to the celebration, but it didn't seem appropriate since you were dealing with your father. Plus, I don't think you would have shown up regardless."

"I'm glad you didn't waste your invitation; I wouldn't have," Taehyung replied coldly.

Jungkook chuckled and then gave a hard stare to Taehyung. "Whatever. When can I bring my Omega by to see his brother? He is worried about him."

"What reason does he have to be worried?"

"You're the one his brother is mated with; isn't that all the reason he needs?"

"What difference would it make to his concerns if he saw Seokjin?" Taehyung asked Jungkook with a sly smile on his face. "Even if his brother is unhappy, what can your Omega do?"

Taehyung got up from his seat and started heading towards Jungkook when Hoseok suddenly entered the room, causing him to pause.

"Sorry! I didn't realize you were here with someone." Hoseok immediately apologized and spun around to make his exit.

"I'm not just anyone; I'm Jungkook," Jungkook expressed firmly as he turned to Hoseok.

Hoseok took a deep breath and turned towards Jungkook. He bowed and apologized, "Sorry, I didn't realize you were here, Prince Jeon."

"You don't owe him an apology. Why are you here, Hoseok?"

Jungkook rolled his eyes and glanced at Taehyung, "Are you teaching your servants to disrespect me? You are aware I can punish him, right?"

Upon hearing Jungkook's words, Hoseok gradually moved backward, getting closer to the door.

As a sly grin played over his lips, Taehyung lifted an eyebrow and asked, "Do you want to try?" He walked towards Jungkook and asked, "Would you like to enter my kingdom and touch my people?" Jungkook wasn't given a chance to respond as Taehyung forcefully grabbed him by his throat and brought him down to his knees, demanding, "Have you forgotten who I am?"

Seeing what was before him, Hoseok trembled and hurriedly left the room, consumed by fear.