Want (I'll give you all the love I want in return)

Chapter 15 - Where is my angel?

"This is Bada. She's good-natured and calm, so the journey will be easy."

"Hi Bada." Jimin softly pats the mare's neck, then turns to Jungkook: "She's beautiful."

Bada is small in stature and her fur is the color of a fox. Jimin traces the white blaze running down her forehead with gentle fingers. They've come to the palace stables to pick their horses for the trip from the ones that Jungkook owns. Jimin decided against traveling in a carriage, because knowing Taeyoung, he was sure she would insist on riding a horse as well.

"And I'll take Balam." Jungkook pats the round behind a large, sturdy black horse.

The omega nods. There's a lingering feeling of tentativeness between them - like they are unsure how to act around each other after bonding last night. They avoid the elephant in the room and only talk about the necessary preparations for their trip to Gimhae. It's like they are tiptoeing around each other, making sure not to say or do anything that goes beneath the surface.

There are dark circles under the alpha's eyes and he is grumpy. He lets out his bad mood on the tailor for bringing an ill-fitting, much too large fur cloak for Jimin. When he talks to the omega, however, he is suspiciously polite and correct - Jimin imagines he means well, but it comes across cool and distant.

"Morning, lovebirds." the crown prince's dry voice breaks Jimin from his musings.

Jungkook throws him a glare and marches off without a word - but not without barreling his shoulder into Yoongi on his way out even though it's obvious there is enough space not to bump into each other.

The omega is quick to follow him with an apologetic bow towards the crown prince. The anger radiates off Jungkook in waves and Jimin feels sorry for the ground he is stomping with heavy steps full of wrath. But Jimin gets it. Jungkook looks up to his older brother - that makes it a heavy blow that Yoongi always sides with the king and plots plans behind Jungkook's back.

The next time he catches sight of Yoongi is when everyone gathers in the main palace square just before noon, getting ready to leave. Jungkook makes a point of them staying at the opposite end of the square, but Jimin catches a glance of white hair across the crowd - and of Taeyoung.

His first instinct is to run to her and ask if she is OK. But something keeps him glued to Jungkook's side. Maybe it's the bond with his alpha - even though his alpha still sounds foreign in his head. Maybe it's the hesitation, because he feels like he doesn't really know his sister. What went on in her head to willingly mate the man who killed her brother and his family?

Thinking about family, Jimin suddenly notices something has been missing from their trip preparation. He looks around, but doesn't find what's missing, so he asks:

"Jungkook, what about Joonhee? Is she not coming with us?"

"No." he answers monosyllabic.

"Not even to see us off?"

"No."

"Oh." Jimin makes a sound of disappointment and purses his lips in a pout: "I would have said goodbye if I knew."

Jungkook halts in his movement and looks at Jimin. His gaze softens and he offers:

"Jimin-ah, it's better this way. She's due to have her heat in about a week, so it's better she stays." mumbling at the ground he continues: "And noona knew. She could have warned us about them making us mate."

He points with his chin to the top of the stairs where king Jinheung and queen Sado emerge from the hall to send the travelers off. Jimin's heart sinks. This family is much more complicated than he ever imagined. It's cruel.