Chapter-3

A gentle hush cloaked the icy breeze in the room where Taehyung was still sleeping. He could sense the fireplace crackles silently. An unfamiliar surroundings startles the Omega instantly. He panics and looks around, only to realise he is in his marital bed chamber.

The Alpha is nowhere around, but the sweet, roasted pumpkin reeks in the room. He glanced at the couch he was sleeping on. The ache on his neck is enough proof to realise that never had he slept this uncomfortably.

He pouts at the longing he feels for his own chamber and bed. He never thought he would miss the place he never called home. Looking around once again, he saw a brown faux fur coat laid on the bed neatly. Hoping it's for him, he wore on top of his wedding waistcoat and trousers.

He didn't get to explore the house last night because of the chaos, so he took time to observe every nook and cranny.

The house is indeed cosy and warm, with minimalistic mahogany and chestnut furniture, white and cream themed walls, and curtains. Seeing the well organised kitchen, Taehyung doubts if anyone would even cook in there.

He opens the front door and steps out to the garden. It's nothing like the one he used to enjoy in the Kim mansion. The frosty leaves, snow flowers sparkling in dewdrops, and winterberries in bright red all within the yellow ornamental hedge in the boundaries.

The snow carpeted across the pathway seems to be thin compared to last night, and the weather seems to be better and brighter today. He is not sure if he could walk through these unknown places, but the growling in his stomach says otherwise.

'Was the Alpha playing his tricks on him? Imitating his personality for what he is infamous for.'

The thought just infuriated him even more. His eyes catch a glimpse of the pack Alpha from a far distance, probably walking towards the cottage. His brows furrowed at the sight, and he stepped back into the cottage.

In no time, Jungkook came in, bringing mouth watering aromatic delicacies with him. Taehyung gulped, eyeing the bamboo steamer in the Alpha's hands. "Good morning, my Luna. My apologies for not waking you up and also for not providing you with a comfortable sleep. Please forgive me and accept this breakfast I made with my own hands for you."

"So this is how your pack treats omegas? Or is it just because of me?" Taehyung demands an explanation as he stares at the Alpha with his hands crossed.

"Oh good, gracious Luna, please don't misunderstand my intentions. I wanted to give you the best of the best. My apologies on behalf of my servants. They are generally sensible and caring people. Although none of the pack members see them as lowly ones. Please let me make it up for you, my Luna." Jungkook steps closer to the omega, hoping to caresses other's cheek.

As expected, Taehyung steps back. "Please at least have this food. You haven't had any since yesterday at noon."

"I rather not eat anything from you." Taehyung snarled at the Alpha. However contrasting to his remark, Taehyung's stomach growled again, embarrassing him completely in front of the Alpha, who is now biting back a smile.

"Please, my Luna, I insist." Jungkook opens the bamboo steamer showing freshly prepared mandu and setting up on the kitchen table.

The omega gulps at the sight of the tempting savouries. He clears his throat, glancing at the Alpha again. "Why don't you have it first?" Jungkook holds the gaze, seeking for the emotion behind the invisible mask.

"Are you afraid that this is poisoned? Oh my Luna, why would I do that? I feel so ashamed that you doubt my sincerity towards you. It's true that I married you for alliance, for the future benefits of my pack. If so, why would I want my mate to be dead? I would rather not anger the wealthiest pack and its allies." Jungkook picks one of the mandu and bites it confidently.

Taehyung sighs and tastes one first. He pauses and looks at the Alpha in wonder. "Liked it? Well, I'm not exaggerating, but I am good with hands... I mean, I cook well." Taehyung coughs hearing that. "Oh Luna, drink this." He takes a cup of water from the jug.

Jungkook leaves the cottage, giving the omega freedom to have his breakfast as much as he wants. When he returns an hour later, the bamboo steamers are neatly stacked. He sees it empty when he opens. Seems like Taehyung had all of it. But where is the Omega now?

He goes to their bed chamber only to find his mate by the window sill, reading a book taken from his library. "My Luna, I bought you some change of clothes. It's nothing like how you used to wear, but I'm trying my best to get my men to pick up your trunks from the ship."

He handed a set of white semi sheer shirts that came with a scarf and black trousers. Taehyung looks like he is about to tell, but he wants to get rid of those tight vests and trousers that he is wearing now. So without any complaints, he takes the clothes from the younger with a nod.

"I will be waiting downstairs. Once you are done, we must visit the pack house, and then I will show you around. Atholl is not as huge as Lanark. However, it's still beautiful." Jungkook bows his head and leaves the room.

Taehyung wonders why he is so quiet here. He doesn't see any servants lurking around the cottage. He doesn't show his distress towards something. He just somehow listens to whatever Jungkook says like a perfect mate he is.

Like Jungkook said, these clothing are not his style. It's not the finest material. It's simpler and something common. It doesn't define his status either, but it's rather more comfortable than any other clothes he ever wore in his life.

Taehyung goes downstairs and sees the Alpha waiting by the front door. He turns to look at his mate, and the eyes say it all. Jungkook knows Taehyung is praised for his beauty. However, no words could do justice to Taehyung's perfection.

Taehyung no longer smells like burnt caramel. It has been a day since he got a chance to yell at someone properly. So it's just caramel, and Jungkook already loves it. Taehyung looks at his mate, who changes his clothes as well. The omega has come across many Alphas from different places. None of them made him feel more comfortable than the Alpha in front of him.

He takes some good quality time to check his mate. Handsome indeed. Muscular body, round face with starry eyes. His scent....Taehyung takes a sniff of the sweet roasted pumpkin. Fresh and tempting. He clears his throat and averts his eyes when he realises Jungkook catches him, checking out.

He takes the fur coat and drapes it over the omega before he wears his own. Jungkook juts his arm for Taehyung to grab on. "Shall we my Luna?"

Taehyung ignores the Alpha's arm and walks ahead. Jungkook rolls his eyes, seeing the brattiness before following the other. Halfway through the icy path, Taehyung slips his footsteps and falls to the ground. He thought Jungkook would catch him as the younger seemed he was about to hold him reflexively. However, to his surprise, the Alpha didn't.

Looking at the Alpha, Taehyung wonders if he actually likes him as he claims. He narrows his eyes when he catches the Alpha, biting back a smile. "Are you laughing at me, Alpha?"

"Oh no, my Luna. I was not laughing at you." Jungkook says, still trying to control his smile. He tries to help the omega to stand up before the latter sways away his hand. "I can manage my own." Taehyung gets up only to slip again. But this time, before he falls, Jungkook wraps his one hand around the other's waist and the other hand on his butt inside the coat. Taehyung is pressed against the Alpha's chest, feeling a sudden burst of warmthness.

"Are you okay?" Jungkook asks in his soft, low voice. Taehyung responds with a nod. "You are wet." The Alpha says again, gaze locked with the other's. Taehyung raises his eyebrows. "I mean, your as$ is wet." Jungkook subtly squeezes the flesh in his hold.

Taehyung pushes his mate away from him. "My Luna, I didn't mean to-."

"Save it. Don't embarrass me more." Taehyung turns around embarrassingly.

"Do you... want to hold hands so that you don't fall again?" Jungkook tries to clear the awkwardness. Taehyung turns around as if he is about to kill the Alpha. Knowing the stubborn omega, Jungkook lends his hand again. Taehyung clenches his both fists, jaws gritted in disgust. However, he takes a deep breath and holds the alpha's hand.

The rest of the walk was rather silent than screamed awkwardness. They greeted a few officials and a few main families of the pack. Jungkook took Taehyung to the white dusted mountain valley, icy streams, and cold streets of Atholl.

He had to leave the omega in the communal garden to attend a few official matters. All of a sudden, Taehyung felt shiver as if the surroundings weren't cold. It's the warmth that Jungkook took along as he left.

"Luna, I hope you're getting better with the temperature here." Taehyung turns around to look at the source of the sweet voice. As expected, it belongs to a very beautiful omega woman.

"I guess we haven't introduced ourselves yet. I'm Jieun, one of Jungkook's close friends, obviously after Hoseok-ssi. I have heard a lot about you but never thought our pack Alpha would take you as his Luna someday." Jieun gave a fake smile.

"Seems like I don't have to introduce myself to you." His sassy response somehow offended the other omega.

"You know, Jungkook and I were supposed to be mated. That's how it was until he lost his parents. Since then, he was enveloped with responsibilities that made him a lone wolf who hated the idea of mates or starting a family. I really have no idea why he chose you." Jieun crossed her arms, glaring daggers at Taehyung.

"He chose me because my pack is the wealthiest of all. He chose me because my father promised him unlimited trade of goods. He chose me because it would benefit his pack. I hope now it's clear." Taehyung responds with no ounce of regret.

"Apologies, Luna. I didn't mean to offend you. I'm happily mated to my Alpha now." She smiles sincerely now.

"Good for you then." Taehyung controls his urge to roll his eyes.

🥀🥀🥀

"Hey, are you okay? You seem to be quiet since we came back." Jungkook asks the Omega who is sitting idly on the living room couch, eyes closed and head leaned back.

Well, Taehyung doesn't understand the feeling he is going through. Ever since he met that omega woman, he feels uneasy about it. Why would he be envious of someone when he plans to leave after 3 months? Jeon pack is going to be his in a few months. He is going to be the omega leader of all these people, including Jungkook and Jieun.

Taehyung opens his eyes and gazes up the alpha. The pupil of his eyes enlarged as wide as it can be seeing his mate. Yes, his mate who is currently half naked with water droplets on his body. Taehyung has never seen an alpha like this (except for his brother). His eyes travel down to the Alpha's dark buds on either side of his pecs. He visibly gulps at the temptation. 'What the hell is happening to me?'

"My Luna...." Jungkook speaks again, yet no response. "Kim Taehyung!" Jungkook raised his voice lightly.

Taehyung snaps back to reality. He clears his throat and gets up from the couch. "I'm going to sleep." He pauses on the stairs with an expression that Jungkook is uncertain, "Are we...are we going to sleep on the same bed?"

"Isn't that how it's supposed to be? We are mates." Jungkook walks towards the Omega. Taehyung reflexively steps back. "It's just for 3 months, and we are done. We don't have to sleep together."

"I don't have plans to mate or mark you, Luna." He pauses and smirks, "at least not yet. But we can just share a bed if you are okay." Jungkook suggests taking another tentative step.

"NO!" Taehyung panics. "I DON'T WANT TO." The Omega blared at the other and rushed towards the room.

A few seconds later, the Alpha came in. Taehyung averts his eyes from the still half naked Alpha. "I ..I will sleep in the next room if you are feeling uncomfortable. I just need to take my night wear." Jungkook takes a deep breath and moves to look for his clothes.

The Alpha is now turned back facing a wardrobe. Taehyung's eyes shift to the broad shoulders of the Alpha's bare back. Subconsciously, his eyes travelled down again, but this time, all the way to the two round curves. In an instant, he was reminded of how the Alpha squeezed his ass this morning.

Heartbeats raise to an unprecedented level, with little hair on Taehyung's skin pointed straight, and a shiver ran through his spine. Jungkook turns around with a set of clothes starling the Omega. "Do you...do you want these night clothes? I couldn't make you comfortable last night."

Taehyung nods, not trusting his voice now. Jungkook lends him those clothes, but Taehyung didn't take it from him, so he placed it on the bed. The Alpha grabs his clothes and leaves the room, pausing by the door. "Sleep well, my Luna."

"Fu*k." Taehyung whisper curse the moment he is alone in the room. "What is wrong with me?" Taehyung breaths in and out, in and out. "It's just because I am seeing an Alpha like this for the first time." Taehyung calms himself down.

His sleep was rather disturbing. The comfort that his own bed back in Kim mansion provided can not be compared. He kept stirring in his sleep, trying to find a comfortable position. He doesn't know if it's all just part of his dream, but soon he relaxed and felt comfortable enough to sleep in the warmth.

🥀🥀🥀

Jungkook was sitting on a rock beside an icy lake in the early hours of the day. He couldn't sleep much, so he decided to take a walk and ended up in his favourite spot.

His ear perked at the incoming footsteps. 'A bear? A reindeer? Or some hare?' He clenched his fists tightly, ready to fight. The Alpha sighed at the sight of his friend. "What are you doing here so early, Hobi hyung?"

"That's what I came to ask you as well. What are you doing here in the early hours of dusk? You have a mate now, shouldn't you be with him?" Hoseok furrows his eyebrows, sensing fear on the younger's eyes.

"I rather not." Jungkook responds, looking straight ahead to the lake.

"Why not?" Hoseok asks the other to speak clearly.

"You know he is not my real mate. It's just-."

"Then why is our Luna asking your whereabouts to anyone who is near your cottage? He looks like he is about to cry." Hoseok sits beside the Alpha.

Jungkook straightens his posture shockingly. "He..he is looking for me? Did he go out of the cottage?"

"No, just in the garden, I guess. Yumi informed me that Luna needs you. So I came here as a messenger."

"I can't go, hyung." Jungkook dips his head engulfed in guilt.

"What's wrong, Jungkook-ah?"

"Hyung, he....he is on his heat."

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