Chapter Text
Seam side down flat against the neck. Pull the skinny end. Higher. Higher. Lower? Cross the ends. Pull the skinny end through the hole. Or behind? Oh, this couldn’t be right. Flip it, maybe?
Namjoon fastened the knot. The shape was definitely wrong. His tie was all wrinkled. He tried to undo the knot but he ended up tightening it even more. He couldn’t pull the tie over his head either because it was too tight. The tie was just digging into his chin and he grunted in frustration as he pulled and pulled, without success.
“Joonie? Need any help?”
Namjoon met his sister’s patient gaze in the reflection of the mirror. She was already dressed up with a long flowing jumpsuit.
‘Yeah, that’d be great…” Namjoon replied.
Lina’s manicured fingers fumbled with the knot, untightening it in a few seconds. Her honeysuckle scent was gently enveloping Namjoon’s face.
“Do you want me to break it down to you again, or…?”
“No, I don’t think I’ll remember more than last time…”
She chortled. “At least you know how to tie your shoes now.” She crossed the ends of the tie, swirling them with quick confident movements.
“Oh, don’t remind me of this mess.”
She pulled up the perfectly executed a perfect Windsor knot. “Like this?”
“Yes, just…looser.”
The doorbell rang again and Namjoon tensed. A low ruffle could be heard downstairs.
“And this?” Lina asked again after readjusting the knot.
“Yes, perfect, thank you.” He flipped his collar down. A loud laughter pierced through the walls. “I guess they’re here.”
“They are.” She gave him a feeble smile. “Namjoon… can you please… be careful?”
“Of course! I won’t say anything.”
“You don’t have to say anything. You just mope around, everyone knows you disapprove.”
“I can’t listen to him! He’s going be even more insufferable now that it’s election time.” He scoffed as he slipped on his jacket. “His conservative agenda is nothing to brag about.”
“Listen. I hate this too. But he’s our father. It’s not like you have any choice. Just let him talk.”
Namjoon had to lower his head to meet her threatening gaze. Lina was surprisingly tall for a female omega but she was still a bit smaller than him. Her dragon-like eyes were harsh, undercutting the cuteness of her round cheeks.
“Okay. Okay. I’ll be good. I can… be... passive… without being aggressive!” His sister tilted her head without breaking eye contact. “Or a bit of both, with a strong emphasis on the passive today.”
She nodded with a fond smile. “That’ll do. Alright, let’s go.”
A group of pack members was already gathered downstairs. Three-piece suits, bow ties, satin dresses with vivid colors that matched the greenness of the lawn. The whole pack wasn’t here, there were only close relatives which meant that Namjoon’s friends weren’t anywhere near and time would pass painfully slowly.
Long tables covered with white apron were set under the shade of the cherry trees. His father was already entertaining a small group. His faint lime-green scent was airy and assertive. The bold middle aged man was coyly bowing to accept the compliments for his reception. Namjoon spotted his mother by the buffet. As an elegant and dignified alpha, she was wearing a grey suit with a salmon bowtie. Her lavender scent always brought Namjoon a semblance of comfort. He walked to her and she told him that he was very handsome today as she readjusted his tie, tightened it a bit and aligned it perfectly with Namjoon’s white shirt.
Namjoon tried to find something to eat to pass the time. He was soon discouraged by the copious amount of seafood. Pack members were politely making small talk around him and Namjoon got bored right away. Sports, prejudices, vague preconceived opinions on current events… The lack of substance of the conversations in itself was putting him off. But then there were the flickering gazes. Pack members who avoided looking at him in the eyes.
Namjoon used to love these kinds of gathering. This is where he used to be babied and complimented for his exceptional cleverness and his remarkable kindness. His father was the first one to brag about Namjoon’s qualities. Those who had a particular soft spot for him even predicted that he could become pack leader one day. Namjoon’s beta father used to eagerly nod, pride glowing in his eyes. This had changed when Namjoon had presented.
Namjoon had become a sensitive topic to avoid at all costs. His father barely talked about him anymore and people were respectfully keeping their distance. It hurt, but Namjoon could deal with this. Being ignored. What he couldn’t deal with however were the cutting remarks. His father tended to have a very loose tongue… and if Namjoon were to say anything, he was blamed for being too susceptible.
The only positive thing about this event was that it was hosted in their house. As soon as the guests would be gone, Namjoon would be able to isolate himself in his room.
The polite chatter was getting to his head. He found himself zoning out in a conversation about golf. He excused himself and strode to the pond, far away from the pack’s attentive gazes. Frogs were croaking and Namjoon tried to approach them but they immediately splashed into the water. He stilled at the opposite end of the pond where there was a stump on which he could sit. He slowly let his ever-latent sadness take over. He wanted to cry but the tears would not even come. He always felt so lonely, the silence was crushing his chest. He should be used to it but it only seemed to get worse with every passing day. Only when he started to suspect that people would notice his absence, he reluctantly went back to the party.
As he was drawing closer to the conglomerated groups, he immediately identified his father’s loud voice covering the others’.
“…please, you’re telling me he can’t find a single mate in Art school?”
An awkward silence fell over the small group. His father kept ranting. Sipping noises were chopping his words.
“It’s getting ridiculous, it’s like he’s not even-trying. There’s…that alpha friend of his? What’s the kid’s name? Jin? Seokjin?”
“Dad, you know that Jin’s not… available.” His sister’s wavering voice replied.
Namjoon couldn’t see her face since they were both turning their backs on him but he could guess only too well how brave she was being for defying their father’s severe gaze.
“Oh please. Two alpha? That can’t be serious. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not against it... But that’s just a phase.” He took another generous sip from his glass of wine. “And if you want to know what I truly think, this Jin kid wouldn’t need to go elsewhere if Namjoon actually gathered some-”
Namjoon loudly cleared his throat and a dozen of heads span around, gaping at him. His father slowly turned around. His lime-green scent was turning sour but his lips still stretched in an effortless smile.
“Oh, speaking on the devil… I was answering some questions about your love life, Joon-ah, everyone’s getting worried.”
“That’s nobody’s business.”
The party went utterly silent. His father’s smile froze on his lips. A potent lavender smell tickled Namjoon’s nose and he didn’t need to look at his mother to know that her gaze was imploring him.
“Ah, Namjoon… always so defensive.” His father turned to the pack members who had heard Namjoon’s reply. “Don’t mind him, he’s at that age where he just likes to contradict for the sake of contradiction.”
Pack members eagerly nodded. Namjoon took a deep breath in and clenched his fists really tight to muster enough restraint to drop the ball. He was ready to back off when his father exchanged a pitying smile with a few people around and for some reason, this took Namjoon off the handle. There were so many words that his simmering anger inspired him but he knew he couldn’t say them. Even when he seriously considered saying them for a crazy hot second, the words could not get pass his lips and he ended up dumbly gaping at his father.
“What’s that? Do you have something to say? His father hummed questioningly.
“You’re… I-” He met his mother’s stern eyes. “Will you excuse me for a moment? I need some air.”
“We’re standing right outside.”
“Some air away from you.”
Quiet gasps punctuated his words. The lavender smell turned acid. Namjoon avoided his mother’s eyes and ignored the prickle of shame in his stomach. He rushed back inside before anyone could stop him. He briefly considered going up to his room but people could still come and find him there. He slammed the entrance door shut behind him. He was practically seeing red. He didn’t know how to deal with this shattering anger. He kicked a flower pot and actually heard it crack. The throbbing pain in his foot didn’t make him feel any better.
He had to go far away from this place where people could still take a peek at his misery through the windows. His bike was already waiting in front of the garage. Without thinking, he started pedaling with all his strength. His mouth was getting dry and his muscles soon started to ache but he didn’t care. He wanted to head to a place here no one could disturb him. He settled for the forest.
Cool air was rushing to his face, it dried the tears of anger that were trickling down his cheeks. What stung the most was not even his father’s words. He already knew that his father had all those prejudices against Namjoon and his friends and that they all thought the same. What stung the most was that he couldn’t get out of his head the words that he had heard his entire life, even before he presented. Male Omegas are always trouble. Namjoon couldn’t help thinking that no matter what he did, he was proving everyone just how true these words actually were.
By the time his tears had stopped falling, he realized that he had no idea where he actually was. It didn’t matter. There was still the forest right ahead of him. Dusk was settling in and the air was getting chillier when Namjoon finally reached the edge of the forest.
A resinous smell hung in the air and Namjoon pulled the brakes. His tires dug into the humid turf. There was a heavy silence that was only broken by the faint chirping of birds. The smell probably came from the centenary elm trees that surrounded him. A chill breeze was blowing on Namjoon’s hair and probably ruffling his disciplined hairstyle. He hopped off his bike and looked for a spot that still bathed in the last rays of sunlight. Namjoon marveled at the beauty of the landscape: the moss that covered the trees had a vivid green hue and wild flowers sprinkled the ground. Namjoon found a spot of soft grass beside the biggest elm tree around and closed his eyes to focus on the strong smell of bark that he loved so much.
He was about to sit down when several other scents clashed in the air. They were much more aggressive and overpowering than the friendly scent of the tree. Namjoon sprung back up. He flared his nostrils and this time he clearly identified that these musky scents belonged to other wolves. Goosebumps were spreading over his arms. He searched in his pockets for his phone only to realize in dread that he had forgotten to bring it with him.
“There, there, what do I see?”
Namjoon jumped at the sight of a packless alpha coming from behind the elm tree.
“Isn’t that a spoiled pack alpha?” Another voice replied behind Namjoon. He pivoted and saw two other silhouettes.
“I think that’s an omega.” A fourth alpha said and Namjoon recognized the resinous scent that he had smelled in the first place. It was the strongest scent among the alphas, even if this one was standing farther than the others.
“Oh right, I call never tell with their bloody pills.” The closest one said. “What’s your name lil’ omega?”
Namjoon gulped. He had to get out of here. He shoot a glance towards his bike. He froze when one of the alphas clicked his tongue.
“Tss, tss, tss…no hurry. Let’s chat.”
Namjoon briefly met his dark fiery gaze and sprinted to his bike. One of the alphas immediately blocked his way and kicked Namjoon hard in the leg. Namjoon tumbled down and hit the dirt. He tried to get up but the alpha pinned him down with his boot. The dirt beneath his sole was staining Namjoon’s white shirt.
“Good job.” The one who seemed to be the leader congratulated. “Would’ve been a shame to let that one go. Look at his cute little tie.” He crouched next to Namjoon and the foot released its pressure from Namjoon’s chest.
“Now, don’t try to do that again, don’t be stupid, okay? What’s your name?” The alpha’s beard was dark and messy He smelled like stale milk to Namjoon. The smell was all the more unpleasant as he was not used to unfiltered packless wolves smells. If anything indicated that these were rogue wolves who despised the pack system, it was their raw scents that assaulted Namjoon’s nostrils.
Even with the leader draped over him, the resinous scent was still the strongest. It was the only one that Namjoon didn’t find repulsive so he tried to focus on this one to keep himself from throwing up. The alpha slapped Namjoon hard in the face.
“Ain’t got a tongue? What’s your fucking name?”
“Namjoon.” He couldn’t rack his brain for a lie. He could hardly think.
The alpha slowly nodded as he was sticking out his tongue. His smug expression made Namjoon break out in a cold sweat.
“Lost your way, didn’t you?”
Namjoon lowered his head, fighting back tears.
“Oh no, look he’s terrified.’ The alpha’s rough, dirty finger caressed Namjoon’s cheek. The skin was still sensitive from the slapping. “Everything’s gonna be okay, omega. We’ll bring you back to your precious pack…eventually. Say, do you happen to have anything valuable on you, like, I don’t know, a wallet…?”
Without a word, Namjoon unbuckled his wristwatch with trembling fingers and held it to the alpha.
“What…that’s it?”
“I don’t have anything else. This is worth a lot of money. Consider your mugging successful.”
The other alphas sneered. The one with the resinous smell remained silent. He was watching the scene with an impenetrable gaze.
“You’re the cocky type, I can tell. Let me enlighten you on your situation, Namjoon. I decide if it’s enough.” He pressed his index to Namjoon’s chest. “And I think you have something much more valuable.”
Namjoon’s couldn’t breathe anymore, he would faint if his lungs didn’t get some air soon.
“How much do you think your pack’s gonna be ready to give to have you back unharmed, huh? What about your parents, huh? Your precious pack… They’ll miss you if you disappear, won’t they?”
“They’ll kill you.”
The alpha slapped Namjoon again, so hard this time that his neck cracked.
“Why would they hurt us if we can hurt their son? Huh? Are you parents as dumb as you are?”
Namjoon almost burst into a nervous fit of giggles. “I bet my parents would see it as a blessing if I disappeared.”
“I say this bitch fucking needs a lesson.” Another alpha said while unbuckling his belt. The metallic sound might as well have been a punch in Namjoon’s stomach.
The alpha in lead raised his arm to stop the eager one and pulled harshly on Namjoon’s necktie.
“Mmh… you see, judging from this probably very expensive suit, I think you’re more important than you say you are.” He got impossibly closer, his nose was brushing Namjoon’s and the milk scent brought stinging tears to Namjoon’s eyes. “And I think you’re going to be a nice boy and cooperate.”
Namjoon squeezed his eyes shut. He was feeling sick to the core. The humid turf was uncomfortably cold under his cotton pants but he couldn’t move an inch.
“Are we really doing this?”
The leader clutched his hand around the end of Namjoon’s tie. In one movement, they all turned to the alpha who had just spoken. It was the alpha with a resinous scent who had barely spoken thus far. He was crossing his arms and his almond eyes were glowering. He looked younger than the others, younger than Namjoon even.
“Do you have a problem with this?” The leader said in a strained voice.
“Obviously, I do. What is this now, are you playing mafia? I didn’t sign up for this. I don’t want to prove them we’re just a bunch of criminals.”
“Then what the fuck are you doing here? You don’t like it, you’re free to leave, dingo.” The leader exaggeratedly articulated each word, punctuating each syllable with searing contempt.
“Yeah, more for us.” The most aroused alpha said. His coal scent was spicing up as was rubbing his hard cock through his pants. Namjoon shivered in dread.
“No.” The young alpha’s voice was determined as he took a step forward.
The leader blinked a few times before standing up to face the younger alpha.
“No?”
The alpha’s almond eyes darkened as the leader stepped closer to him, menacingly puffing his chest.
“You’re gonna have to learn how to respect your elders.” The leader’s voice was low and menacing. “I knew you shouldn’t have come. I knew you’d be trouble. Now get the fuck out.”
The leader started walking back to Namjoon but he froze when the young alpha continued.
“You know, I don’t think Hoseok is going to be very happy when he sees me all bruised up.”
The milk scent turned even staler than before.
“He hates it when I get into fights.” The young alpha was bold enough to speak through a provocative pout. The leader gave him a horrified look.
“You wouldn’t. Three to one.”
“Three to two.” The young alpha said while pointing at Namjoon. “You’re putting his ass on the line and you think he’s not gonna fight?” He took another step forward. “So, I was saying… when I’ll be back and Hoseok sees that you were very mean to me tonight, all because I didn’t follow one of your stupid orders- I’ll tell him that you’re just bullies after all. You know what he thinks about bullies.”
“You got some nerve. This-” the leader pointed at Namjoon, “a goldmine.”
“This” the younger replied as he imitated air quotes, “is trouble. You don’t mess with packs, that’s too dangerous, everyone knows that. You’re not that desperate. Your plan was ridiculous, you should be happy I’m giving you an excuse to back off.”
“You’re never coming with us ever again, you hear me? From now on, you deal with your shit alone. You can starve and we won’t move a finger.” Namjoon startled as the leader spat on the ground. “Let’s go, fellas. Nothing to see here. Let the dumbsucker collect his prize.”
With loud stomping noises, the three alphas were gone.
“Can you stand?”
It took Namjoon a few seconds to realize that he was the one being talked to since there was no one else.
“Y-yeah” The alpha got closer and held out his hand to help Namjoon up. Whips of his smell burst on Namjoon’s face. The sensation had nothing to do with the milk scent that had made him want to barf. This alpha had a strong earthy smell that almost made Namjoon cough. From this up close, Namjoon would actually identify it as amber. He clumsily stood up and the alpha immediately took a step back, brows knitted in a frown. Namjoon’s knees were threatening to give out from how shaky his legs were.
“Thank you. For, you know. Not assaulting me.” There was a heavy silence that Namjoon broke by mumbling to himself. “Bare minimum.”
The alpha widened his eyes, looking at Namjoon in disbelief. “Fucking pack wolves… can’t even say thank you.”
Namjoon opened his mouth to apologize but the alpha interrupted him.
“I don’t care. It’s not like it’s worth anything anyway. What were you even doing here alone?” His tone was harsh but Namjoon couldn’t help noticing how pretty this alpha was. His sparkly almond-eyes were hypnotizing, strongly reminding Namjoon of doe eyes.
“I- had a thing. And then I hadn’t-” Namjoon was aware that he was not making any sense but these were the only words that came to his mouth. “I like it here. It’s quiet. Supposed to be- quiet.”
“Here? Where people do weird shit all the time?”
“I- I didn’t know.”
The sun had set. Darkness was gradually taking over the scenery as the birds were getting silent. The alpha’s bright eyes were piercing through the dark.
“You’re not going to be in trouble with your friends?” Namjoon asked.
“They’re not my friends. And no, I don’t think so.”
“What are they then? Why were you with them?”
The alpha sighed. “I usually say no to this shit but…money’s been kinda tight lately and- why am I telling you this? Fuck off, I don’t owe you anything.”
Namjoon flinched a little. The alpha’s sharp words did not fit with his warm enticing smell.
“I do, though. Owe you- something.”
The alpha’s frown deepened.
“I thought it was bare minimum.”
“It was. But still-… do you need something?”
The alpha scoffed. “What you’re just- going to give me money? I thought you didn’t have your wallet.”
“I don’t have it on me! For real. I could- I don’t know, bring it to you later.”
A flash of realization flickered in the alpha’s doe eyes.
“I’m not taking pity money.”
“That’s not-”
“You’re feeling guilty, that’s all. You wouldn’t consider giving me money if I hadn’t pointed out how pathetically selfish you were. Now you wanna prove me wrong.”
“I promise that’s not what it is about! I just- want to help you. I don’t want you to get in trouble because you helped me.”
“I already told you they won’t-”
“That’s not what I’m talking about.” Namjoon sighed. “Let’s see this as- a business transaction.”
The alpha snorted. “Then I would have to give you something in return. What could you possibly need?”
The mocking laughter died in his eyes when he met Namjoon’s hollow gaze. They shared a pointed glance and Namjoon almost shivered. He had no idea of what he was doing exactly but somehow, it still felt right. His body felt weak but his head was surprisingly clear. The alpha broke eye-contact and started pacing around.
“You like… coming to the forest, right?” The alpha was biting his lower lip as he was thinking hard and Namjoon might have blushed because of that. He secretly thanked the dark.
“Yeah, I think I really do.”
“How about- how about you come here and I make sure you have a nice and quiet alone time? This- was working, right? I helped you. I provided you with a valuable service. If you want to help me back… let’s just- keep doing that.”
“So I would- pay you for… protection? Why don’t I just go to a safer part of the forest?”
“Have you pack wolves never heard any of these creepy fairy tales? Hello, the forest? Big bad place. A safe forest doesn’t exist. You’ve been really lucky if you’ve never had any problem before.”
Namjoon hadn’t been very often to the forest, much less without his family or friends. It would be nice, he guessed, to have a safe space to blow off some steam. He definitely needed that. And he tried to not formulate the thought, but it would be nice to see the alpha again. He was ready to accept the offer but he needed to ask something first.
“What’s your name?”
The alpha flinched and hesitated to reply, slightly lurching back.
“Jungkook.” He replied aggressively, as if Namjoon had just insulted him.
“Okay, Jungkook.” The alpha lowered his head when Namjoon repeated his name. “How much?”
“Huh?” The almond eyes turned impossibly round.
“How much money do you ask for?”
“Oh…” Namjoon held back a smile. Jungkook did not look in his element at all. The alpha was definitely younger than him. There was a certain quirkiness and softness about him despite his tough demeanor and Namjoon was absolutely intrigued.
Jungkook frowned. “I don’t know, how much would you…- nah, this feels weird. Forget it.” He turned away from Namjoon’s disappointed expression but pivoted back almost instantly. “Hold on, don’t you have access to those Pack stores?”
“Pack stores?”
“Those giant stores where they don’t let wolves like me in because they say we stink…?”
“Oh… yes, I suppose I do.” Namjoon surmised that Jungkook was just talking about the mall. He had never noticed that the access was restricted.
“A lot of good items there. Things I can’t really get a hand on. You could shop for me. Just a couple of stuff each week.”
“Okay... Okay! That’s a good idea. You just have to tell me what you need.”
“Well… at the moment, I really need-light bulbs.”
This time, Namjoon’s face broke into a genuine smile.
“Light bulbs?” He repeated, dumbfounded.
“Yeah, light bulbs. I’ve been pissing and showered in the dark for the past four months and it’s a nightmare.” Jungkook cleared his throat. “That was- unnecessary details. Are you in, or not?”
Namjoon couldn’t believe that the same alpha who had confronted a gang earlier was now asking him for…light bulbs. It was hard to take Jungkook’s intimidating act seriously when he looked so genuine and- cute?
“Yeah, I’m in.” Namjoon held out his hand to shake off their deal. Jungkook walked closer and Namjoon could smell him even better. Thick and warm amber. A few breaths in and it was slowly starting to cloud his thoughts. Namjoon had never smelt such a powerful scent. It was burning his nostrils, tickling his neck and caressing his face at the same time. He realized with horror that he was gripping hard at Jungkook’s hand and not pulling away. Jungkook’s eyes darkened.
“Namjoon.”
It was the first time that Jungkook pronounced his name and Namjoon shivered.
“Let me be very clear about one thing.” Jungkook leaned in closer and Namjoon thought he would liquefy on the spot. “You pay, I protect. You don’t and I walk away. This was a one-time favor. You stop paying and get in trouble, I won’t step in. Again, I don’t owe you anything. And it’s gonna stay this way.”
Namjoon’s mouth was getting dry. He nodded and let go of Jungkook’s hand.
“Next week, same day, same time.” Jungkook shouted as he was striding away.
“Can we say one hour before dark?”
Namjoon thought he heard a distant “’kay” but before he could confirm it, Jungkook had disappeared behind the trees. Despite having been confronted to a serious danger, Namjoon stood there like an idiot for a solid five minute, waiting for the rich amber smell to fade away.