Jimin isn't sure who is more nervous.

He himself, or his best friend who is walking next to him while they slowly make their way to the event.

He feels like throwing up. He is starting to regret his decision a little, but he remembers why he decided to do it in the first place very clearly.

And he still stands by that choice.

So, he tried to suppress his nerve-wracking emotions for now and solely focus on his best friend next to him.

It didn't take long before they reached his destination. Jimin went up to the registration so they could mark him as present, telling him that it would start in about half an hour, once it got dark.

"Why don't you enlist yourself too?"

The sudden question surprises Taehyung.

His best friend knows more than anyone about his hatred towards dominants. Especially alpha's. He's aware that he isn't fond of the idea of possibly having a terrible mate.

He also knows for a fact that he isn't one to take the risks of The Hunt, yet came the question.

The look on Taehyung's face said it all. It made Jimin giggle.

"Nevermind, forget I just asked. I know that look. It's just that I'd love to see you happy like that. I know you wish me the same thing."

The other omega hummed quietly, not sure what to say. It's like all of his words managed to get stuck in his throat.

Thirty minutes seemed so long, yet knowing that these minutes might be the last few minutes he has with the other made him realise how quick those minutes actually pass by.

"What do your parents think about this?" Taehyung wondered, staring blankly at the endless and unknown dark woods in front of him. The forest Jimin would disappear in soon and perhaps not come back out─ alive.

He gulped.

"My father has always said that I should join. My mother on the other hand, she's terrified of losing me, just like you. But unlike you, she is really into the idea of me having a mate, anyone having a mate in particular. She even asked me if you would join aswell."

Taehyung raises one eyebrow, averting his eyes to his best friend he's known since birth.

"Are they coming to watch?"

"Maybe. I'm not sure. My dad doesn't really care I guess, he's most certain of the fact that I'll get out alive. His confidence is almost reassuring in a wierd way. Mother is probably not able to watch, so I doubt she's coming."

A sad tone was prominent in his voice.

Which is understandable. His parents weren't going to be there.

But the other nudged him with a small comforting smile tugged on his lips.

"I'm sure you'll do well, Jiminie. You'll make it. With or without a mate, you got this!"

A bright smile plastered on the petite omega's lips. He smiled back, engulfing the other in a very tight hug.

"Thank you Tae. I love you. Always remember that."

Soon it was time.

The air got colder, the breeze caused goosebumps to rise on Taehyung's skin. He shivered. But maybe, the credit should go to his nerves.

Ignoring the need to throw up, he grins through worried eyes, trying to reassure his best friend everything would be alright. But, honestly, he was more busy trying to convince himself.

Oh, Jimin, what have you gotten yourself into?

He watched as the male, along with all the other submissives for tonight, shifted into their wolves.

They aligned themselves in a neat row, all standing next to one another. They waited for the start sign in anticipation.

Those minutes that it took felt like hours, agonizing hours and Taehyung almost considered walking away from the whole ordeal.

Is he really going to stand there and watch his friend run towards his death?

Before he could turn around and change his mind, the high-ranked wolves howled.

The sign they've been waiting for.

The small wolves took off as quickly as their legs could carry them, all disappearing into the dark, in different directions.

Taehyung watches Jimin's beautiful wolf run away, until he was a mere dot in his vision. Soon enough, completely wiped out.

His heart jumped in his chest as he now watched the dominant wolves appear, lining up next.

They have to wait a few more minutes, letting the submissives have a big head start. They needed it.

There it is, another set of howls.

Some dominants growled, immediately sprinting away as fast as they possibly can and going after the scent that attracts them the most.

The omega's eyes enlarged in size, seeing a dark brown wolf run into the direction Jimin went off to.

The boy doesn't know for how long he had already stood there. It feels like hours, while in reality it had probably only been half an hour max.

One pair had already returned. The submissive hadn't ran very far or hid very well, which made it easy for the dominant to track her down.

In the end, she looks happy. And that's all that matters. Taehyung only hopes that it isn't an act in order to save herself.

More time passed and more wolves returned.

But there is still no sign of Jimin yet.

He bit his lip anxiously. He didn't even notice the presence that slowly creeped up behind him, until he suddenly heard a voice, which made him flinch visibly.

"Enjoying the show?"

Oh, he knew that voice all too well.

"Hoseok.." He mumbles, not wanting to turn around.

"Maybe you should sign yourself up, Taehyung. It'd be a great idea."

The omega knows what that means. If he'd sign himself up, Hoseok was going to aswell, planning on going after him and not stopping until he gets what he wants.

Another reason why Taehyung isn't ever planning on doing so.

"I'm good. I'm not exactly into this." Is all that the blonde went with, still staring in front of him.

He didn't get to register what Hoseok muttered behind him after, because an ear-deafening scream took all of his attention away.

An omega came running back, wailing out. He had his hand pressed tightly onto his neck, trying to stop the blood from seeping through the gaps of his fingers.

"T─there's something out there!" The submissive cried out, face getting drastically whiter by the second.

"What do you mean, something is out there?" A random wolf from the audience asked, horrified at the scene and words.

"Someone─" The omega panted, correcting himself. "Never seen his face before, unknown scent, he's─"

The person's voice died down and down, barely being able to finish his sentence and only mumbling some words.

Before he got the opportunity to, his body collapsed to the ground.

A pool of crimson started surrounding him. He passed away due to the blood loss.

Taehyung only state at him wide-eyed, heart sinking to his stomach.

A familiar scent hits his nostrils vaguely. It was distant, but it was there.

His head shoots up, a hopeful look in his eyes.

There he is, Jimin made it.

But he isn't alone.