VIII

3rd pers POV:

"That's not fair." Jimin said, looking at the modern buildings around him.

"Why?" Hyungsik asked.

"Their village is definitely different than ours. Look at all these tall buildings and fancy shops, we Betas don't have this in our village."

"Well they're Alphas after all, the richest and most powerful."

"Powerful, my ass." the blond rolled his eyes.

Hyungsik chuckled. "I've never seen someone who hates his mate as much as you do." he said. "I'm really curious about the reason why you rejected him."

The younger just kept silent. "Don't wanna talk about it." he mumbled.

The gardener just nodded. "It's alright." he said, then he grabbed his arm and headed somewhere.

"Where are we going?" Jimin asked.

"I hope that you like ice-cream."

~~

"WOAH!" Jimin melted in front of the ice-cream shop.

They have small shops in their village but this one was much bigger and classier.

They entered and the younger literally crushed his nose against the window, admiring the colors and the different flavors presented on the counter. He was giggling like a little girl, wondering which flavor he will choose. Vanilla or chocolate, strawberry or raspberry..

Hyungsik was just looking at him, his arms crossed, a broad smile on his face. It was the first time he saw him outside their workplace and he must admit that he preferred this Jimin a lot.

He may seem tough but he's someone as soft and sweet as cotton candy.

"Vanilla for me, please." the older ordered his. "What about you Jimin?"

"I'm not sure." the blond rubbed his chin. "If only I could have them all." he licked his lower lip, his eyes going from nougat to coffee then mint choco to lemon.

"Take your time." Hyungsik smiled.

"Mm, can I choose two different ones?" Jimin asked him.

"Sure."

"Mm then I'll have mint choco and raspberry."

"Alright." the employee nodded and started making their ice-creams.

Jimin waited for Hyungsik outside the shop.

He observed how the Alphas lived differently than they did. While the Betas spent most of their lives practicing fighting, learning different languages and Darkya's politics, others were just living their lives as they should.

The Alphas had enough money to have lunch outside everyday, go shopping at the luxurious brands and offer themselves everything they wanted without hesitation.

"Here is your ice-cream." Hyungsik joined him outside.

He licked his vanilla cone and gave him his.

The blond gulped because the older looked very handsome at that moment.

He was wearing a grey turtleneck and a mustard leather jacket. He added a sexy touch with his expensive sunglasses and his messy hairstyle.

Hyungsik, who seemed to notice him staring at him smirked and approached his face to his. "Am I that handsome?" he whispered.

"What?" Jimin pushed him slowly. "I wasn't looking at you."

"Oh, really?" the older chuckled. "I thought that you got lost in my handsome face." he joked.

"Pfft bullshit." the younger mumbled and kept staring at people on his wheelchair.

As Hyungsik was pushing him, people couldn't help staring at them and give them dirty looks.

Jimin noticed them and frowned. "What's suddenly wrong with people?" he asked.

"I think because we're the only Betas outside now." Hyungsik chuckled.

"Yeah cuz we're supposed to be their slaves and shit." the blond rolled his eyes. "They're so arrogant, I hate them so much."

"Come on, not all of them are bad." Hyungsik protested. "There are good Alphas too."

Jimin could only think of Jungkook, the chef cook and..Yoongi. "Just a few of them." he mumbled.

"This ice-cream just made me more hungry." the older sighed. "Let's go eat something."

They arrived to a restaurant. "Table for two, please." Hyungsik told the waiter.

After a few moments, their steak, fries and drinks were served on their table.

The two ate silently, from time to time they raised their heads and shared awkward little smiles.

"I'm sorry if I did not say much now, it's just that it's been a long time since I last ate with someone." Hyungsik said with a sad tone.

Jimin nodded. "Same." he sighed. "It's been more than a year that I've been eating alone."

"It's been three years for me."

Jimin lifted his head and saw Hyungsik's eyes watering.

"Remember when you asked me if I have a mate?" he asked. "I lied to you." he rubbed the back of his neck. "I had a mate three years ago."

The younger furrowed. "Oh? You had?"

"Yes, I had one before."

"Where is he now? Did he..reject you?" Jimin asked, afraid to make him uncomfortable.

"He died."

The blond gasped. "H-how?"

"He was very sick, he couldn't heal anymore." the black haired sighed. "We called different doctors and physicians but there was no hope. His illness only had one fate."

Jimin didn't know what to say, he just gently squeezed his hand and offered him a soft smile. "I'm so sorry for your lost."

"It's alright, it's been so long now." Hyungsik wiped his tears. "It has been really hard for me after his death, it was horrible."

"How so?"

"I became too weak and ill too." Hyungsik answered. "I really thought I would die, sometimes I wished for it." he suggested heavily. "But I survived and I don't know how."

"Maybe because you're stronger than you thought you would be."

"Maybe." the older smiled to him. "That's why I was surprised when I heard that you rejected the master, I got very worried about you. You'll get hurt."

The blond shrugged. "I can bear the pain. I experienced worse anyways."

"You miss your family." Hyungsik said.

The younger nodded. "My father died a long time ago, my mother was murdered last year, I don't know anything about my cousins so I just have my youngest brother left."

"Taehyung, right? The one with the young master."

"Yeah, he's the only one I have." Jimin sighed.

"How was your life before they brought you here?"

"It wasn't good either." Jimin chuckled. "I wouldn't see Taehyung for days and just walk alone outside, get lost in the woods and fight with random people. My life wasn't a fairytale but I guess it was better than now, I don't even have clothes. I've been wearing the same ones every day." he said, pointing at his white dress shirt and black pants.

Hyungsik stared at him for a long moment before getting up. "How about we go shopping now? We'll find you some new clothes, okay?"

"What? No!" the blond waved his hands. "I didn't say that to make you buy me clothes."

"I know." the older chuckled. "I just wanna buy you something."

"You're gonna buy anything for him." a deep voice surged from behind.

Jimin frowned when Yoongi appeared in front of their table.

????

Jimin's POV:

"You're not gonna buy anything for him."

My heart suddenly started beating so fast and I caught a strong smell. Sweet like sugar.

I lifted my head and saw Yoongi piercing my eyes with his icy stare.

"What are you doing here?" I frowned.

"What are you doing here?" he asked coldly.

"As you can see, I'm eating with Hyungsik."

"Huh." he chuckled and turned to Hyungsik.

"Master." he got up and shyly bowed to him.

Why is everyone so scared of him?

"Hyungsik, I thought better of you." Yoongi said. "Hanging out with my mate huh?"

"It's none of your business!" I protested.

"You, shut up." he stopped me and turned back to him. "You brought him to the village, outside the mansion without my permission."

Hyungsik lowered his head. "He just seemed very sad so I just wanted him to take some fresh air." he said.

"I was the one who proposed to come to the village." I said, looking straight at Yoongi's eyes. "I'm so tired of that house, I feel like a trapped bird there. I need some freedom."

"At least you could ask for my permission!" he shouted.

Who does he think he is?

"Your raising your voice at me?" I furrowed. "I'm not your property okay? I don't need your permission to live my life."

"You are my mate, believe it or not." he said. "You can't go with just anyone."

"He isn't just anyone." I said and asked Hyungsik to help me stand up.

I rested my hand on his shoulder to take the balance and I swear I could feel the Alpha's eyes burning every inch of my body.

I slowly lifted my head and gulped when I saw anger surrounding him. His eyes became red and I could see his veins showing all along his neck and arms.

He pushed my hand from Hyungsik's shoulder and held me against his warm body. "Don't go near him again." he mumbled to Hyungsik before he grabbed my arm and headed outside.

He was walking fastly, making me stumble and groan with pain. "Stop it hurts!" I whined when I felt my wound stinging. "Walk slowly!"

He stopped and rubbed his neck. He kept staring at me for a moment before he decided to lift me up bridal style.

The fuck is wrong with this guy?

"Put me down!" I punched his chest strongly but he didn't seem to feel any pain.

People were staring at us everywhere, making me as embarassed as ever.

He walked inside a big store and finally put me down.

I crossed my arms. "What are we doing here?" I asked, looking at all the fancy clothes around me.

"You said you didn't have clothes." he mumbled. "Choose whatever you want."

Seriously?

I let a loud chuckle. "You brought me here just for this?"

"I wanna buy you clothes." he simply said.

"I don't need you to buy anything for me." I mumbled before heading to the door.

He was quicker than me because of my swollen leg. He grabbed my arm and made me sit on a leather couch. "Miss." he called one of the attendants. "Help me choose something for him."

"Yes, sir."

I saw him walking in the middle of the shelves, picking whatever he likes.

"Here." he handed me only black clothes. Black shirts, black pants, black shoes, black everything. "Try these on."

I shrugged and snatched the clothes from his hands before going to the fitting room.

It strangely looked good on me.

I always opted for more colors but black is definitely a unique color.

After fixing the clothes, I got out of the cabin.

"So do you l-" Yoongi's eyes started shifting from black to red than red to black when he saw me.

He suddenly stood up and widened his eyes, he looked very surprised, like he saw some kind of ghost or something like that.

Yoongi's POV:

When he got out of the fitting room and stood in front of me, wearing a full black outfit, I totally lost it.

Black has always been the only color I appreciated and seeing it on my mate was something to get crazy about.

You won't believe what I'm going to say but he looked hella gorgeous.

"You're drooling." I could hear his chuckle.

"Not bad, yeah.." I nervously rubbed the back of my neck.

I noticed that he hadn't fixed his collar well so I got up to do it. I approached him until there was nothing but a small distance between us. I gently put my hands around his neck to adjust the collar. I could hear his gulp, he felt exactly what I was feeling right now. The incredible feeling of desire between two mates, it was very natural but also very embarrassing at times

"Are you perhaps a couple?" the attendant asked with a smile.

I stared at Jimin, hoping he would answer positively but he just pushed me and shook his head.

"We're not."

"Oh." she furrowed. "I am so sorry it's just that I caught the scent and I thought you were mates." she said, nervously.

We are mates..

I paid for his clothes and put my arm around his waist.

"The hell are you doing?" he whispered.

"I'm just helping you to walk."

"I can walk by myself."

"No you can't." I took his arm and put his around my shoulders. "I know that you don't like me touching you but I'm just trying to help, okay? My car is near so don't worry."

We walked silently until we arrived to the parking lot.

I started the car and turned on the radio, a song I like was playing so I increased the volume.

Feels like we're on the edge right now

I wish that I could say I'm proud

I'm sorry that I let you down

Let you down

A few seconds after, Jimin joined him and started singing along.

All these voices in my head get loud

I wish that I could shut them out

I'm sorry that I let you down

L-l-let you down

His voice sounded like a sweet songbird's melody through my ears.

Beautiful.

I kept staring at him while he was singing.

He stopped and looked at me. "What?" he shrugged. "I like it too."

I nodded with a smile and sang along with them.

Yeah, I guess I'm a disappointment

Doing everything I can, I don't wanna make you disappointed

It's annoying

I just wanna make you feel like everything I ever did wasn't ever tryna make an issue for you

But, I guess the more you

Thought about everything, you were never even wrong in the first place, right?...

(song: NF- Let You Down)

While heading home, I realized that we had the same taste in music. We would increase the volume at the same time when a song we like starts and turn off the radio when there is a bullshit.

The ride was short but very pleasant. It was one of those small moments you wish would have never stopped.

We may not know each other well yet but I know that behind that rude behaviour was hidden a very kind gentleman.

"We arrived." I said.

"Wait!" he shouted and increased the volume. Damn, Last Dance by BIGBANG was playing.

"Make another round." he said.

I burst out laughing and increased more the volume.

"Alright, alright!" I turned around and headed for the road near the woods.

Naneun i norael bureumyeo

Neoege doragal geoya

Areumdawossdeon geudael

Dasi bol su issdamyeon

Neowa i norael deureumyeo

Majimak chumeul chul geoya

I sunganeul gieokhae

Eonjekkajirado Just one last dance

We sang louder, not caring about how horrible our voices may sound. We just sang like nothing else mattered.

To be honest, even if Jimin wasn't my mate I would have had a good time with him. He would have changed the routine of my days.

I don't know how he does it but he has that power to make an ordinary moment into an unforgettable one.

I hated it when I spotted the mansion again, we arrived and I didn't want us to go back to our usual selves.

I helped him climb the stairs until his room and asked a maid to prepare his bath.

"Well, uhm, good night." I said.

"Wait." he stopped me.

I furrowed. "Yeah?"

"Uh.." he nervously rubbed his neck. "Thanks." he cleared his throat. "For the clothes and.. you know.. the ride."

I tried not to smile too much because I could finally see a cute and gentle side of Jimin.

"All the pleasure is mine." I simply said.

????

Taehyung's POV:

"Here is his juice." Hoseok gave me the usual bottle. "How are you feeling today my beauty?"

"Good, I guess."

"I was wondering if you'd like to join me at the terrace at lunch time, I would like to prepare something special for you to eat."

Suddenly?

"Why?" I asked.

"I just never had the chance to cook for someone as pretty as you."

Smooth like a snake.

"I don't know if I'll be free." I said. "Jungkook might need me for something."

"Oh, I'm sure he won't ask for you while having dinner."

"I don't know."

"Do you like lasagna?"

Shit.

"I'll prepare it."

Damn, how can I resist a lasagna? Just how?

"Alright then."

"Yey!"

Guess I'm worse than Garfield.

I left the kitchen and headed to the gym room.

Jungkook was doing push-ups and guess what? He was shirtless.

I could see the contraction of his muscles every time he went up and down. It was too sexy to watch.

I cleared my throat to announce my presence.

He stopped and smiles widely when he saw me. "Tae!"

"Your breakfast." I gave him a clean towel to wipe his sweat and a shirt to cover that sinful body.

"Why a shirt? It's hot inside the room."

"I know it's hot." I gulped, staring at his deadly six-pack. "But you should wear it anyways."

I practically obliged him to wear a shirt before drinking his juice or else I won't be able to contain myself.

I don't know if it's the change of weather but I'm unusually quite excited lately, I've been too sensitive especially around Jungkook.

This is very strange.

Or maybe it's because I've been hidden in my room for so long.. we never know.

"Oh, by the way! I finished the drawing." he said before running to look for something.

He came back with a large frame. "Close your eyes!"

"Childish." I rolled my eyes.

"Come on! Close your eyes!"

I sighed and did as he said. I closed my eyes for a moment until he asked me to open them.

Oh.

The first time I saw a drawing of myself.

I was very surprised because it was well painted. Every feature, every flaw and every detail was perfectly drawn on the canvas.

"Do you like it?" he asked.

I slowly shook my head, not taking his eyes off the portrait. "I love it." I mumbled.

"Yass!" he jumped and hugged me tightly, making gasp from surprise.

Big alert. His arms were around me, his head was on the crook of my neck, his tights were so close to mine, his.. well nevermind, I was going insane because of his scent.

I tried to get off from his embrace but his strong arms were too much for my normal skinny body.

"uhm can I keep it?" I asked.

"What?"

"The painting, can I keep it?"

"Oh." He widened his eyes. "You want it? I'll give it to you then!"

"Thanks." I rubbed the back of his neck. "By the way you look so happy today, something happened?"

He nodded with a large smile.

"What happened?"

"I had a decent conversation with my brother!"

Oh, dear.

"I still can't believe it!" He exclaimed. "I thought he could ignore me or something but he actually talked to me!"

I couldn't help falling for his smile, he sure looked very handsome when he was happy.

People should often make him smile. It suits him a lot.

"I can't help thinking that it's thanks to you." he said.

"What? Why?" I was confused.

"Because you encouraged me! To be honest, I never could go to the other house when my brother gets sick. I would just send him people to take care of him, I was always scared that he would reject me but since you came and we talked about it, I felt more confident and finally saw his room. And I don't regret it." he smiled and hugged me again. "Thank you Tae."

I stopped breathing because I didn't want to catch his strong scent again. It was intoxicating me, positively of course.

"I did nothing special, it's all you." I said.

"Well a big part of me depends on you now." he said, looking straight at my eyes.

I widened my eyes. "W-what?"

????

Jimin's POV:

I couldn't sleep last night.

After changing the bandage, I drank the soup the chef sent me and just layed on the bed.

I thought about all the things that happened during the day.

The small date with Hyungsik was really good to be honest. He's really fun to hang out with, I always feel comfortable around him.

Then, Yoongi came and stopped everything.

It's true that I was extremely angry when he sabotaged our moment but it turned out that he just made the day more fun after.

Shit, I can't believe I'm saying this.

I was kinda touched when he bought clothes for me. It was maybe nothing for him to spend money but I liked receiving new outfits.

Then, the best part of the day, the car ride.

I would have never guessed the Alpha leader was interested in the same music style as mine. It turned out that we liked the same songs and same artists, crazy right?

I may hate his kind but I would be lying if I said I didn't have a good time with him the day before.

But just yesterday, okay?

Now we'll go back to our normal terms. I'll be a servant and he'll be my master, nothing else.

I was about to get up when I heard the door open.

I quickly layed back and closed my eyes.

Judging from the strong scent it must be Yoongi and.. chocolate waffles?

Holy shit.

"Are you awake?" he asked but I decided to stay still.

I don't know how to face him after yesterday. We had a good moment but I felt kinda embrassed to show him that part of me I usually reserve for special people.

"Still sleeping." he mumbled and opened the windows. "The weather is great today." he said. "No more snow, it's sunny and cool."

Good, I'll water the roses later then.

I heard him taking a chair and putting it next to my bed.

He gently uncovered me and I felt the gentle breeze caressing my half naked body.

He slowly put off the bandage and examined my wound.

I opened an eye just a little bit to see what he was doing.

I was surprised when I saw him gently caressing the wound with his warm fingers. It was unexpectedly very calming and soothing.

"I got you chocolate waffles, the chef prepared them for you." he said. "He told me that you were very kind and funny." he chuckled. "If he told me this two days before I would have laughed at him but he's right."

Oh?

"After spending some time with you yesterday, I realized it. You know, I'm not very social, I don't like people and shit, I've always felt uncomfortable around them but for some reason I feel good around you and it's not just because you're my mate."

I don't know what to think about this.

I felt shivers going through my spine when he caressed my cheek with the back of his hand. "It's too bad that you hate Alphas." he sighed. "Really bad."

His scent was going stronger and stronger, damn he was approaching me slowly.

"You'll definitely kill me if you knew what I'm about to do."

What is he about to d-

DAMN. DAMN. HOT DAMN.

My entire body was shivering, my temperature was increasing, my heart was exploding inside my chest and my eyes changed colors.

HE KISSED MY LIPS!