PICTURE US TOGETHER || JIKOOK ✅

26

Jungkook pov

Less than one week until the due date...

he could feel the tension and stress crackling in the air. He had trouble focusing these days.

Jimin's official due date was in four days. Four days and Jungkook's entire existence would change forever.

Again.

No, that wasn't quite precise.

One of the things he'd been told over and over again by the doctor was that the due date wasn't set in stone.

It wasn't a scheduled event.

A child could come very early...or late.

It was out of everyone's hands...unless they did a C-section.

Each day that passed had Jungkook's worries and expectations and restlessness growing.

He did his best to hide his feelings from Jimin. His mate had enough to deal with as it was. Tiredness.

Swollen ankles and aching feet. Back pain. Constant trips to the bathroom to pee.

Jungkook usually sent the servants away and tended to Jimin on his own, rubbing his feet or massaging his back he couldn't do anything about the peeing.

He was there with Jimin whenever the duties of the throne and kingdom didn't demand his attention.

Like now.

Jimin was in the royal apartments, but jungkook was in one of the opulent staterooms. Aera, his chief advisor, was with him.

The talk was not a pleasant one.

"How deep does this unrest go?" He asked, half sitting on an antique desk near the wall.

"A few packs are worse than others. The Blue Pack doesn't care much about kingdom politics or who you married. Most others fall somewhere in between, not sure what the future will bring with an omega remaining in the royal family's bloodline."

"They know the reasons, don't they?"

"All the lords and ladies know of the Prophecy. Our information campaign was largely successful in that."

"But there's still unrest?"

"There is prejudice, just as we knew there would be. But the Excelsior Pack and the Otta packs have been vocal in their disapproval, both because they had highborn daughters they hoped you would wed."

He gave a snort of contempt. "They would condemn their daughters to a loveless marriage? I've never hidden the fact that I'm gay."

She raised an eyebrow. "Is that a rhetorical question, Your Majesty? Of course they would."

"They would do anything to increase their own power, wealth, and prestige. They are nobles."

Cutting words. She delivered them so matter-of-factly that they hit even harder.

Aera had worked her way up through the ranks on drive and talent alone.

Yet, it was rare for her to criticize the pack nobles so directly.

"Fine. Some highborn wolves are upset. This is nothing new."

"They are always whining about one thing or another."

"With the court in recess out here at the Summer Palace, those 'whines' threaten to undermine the throne, erode your support, and increase unrest between packs."

"Once my heir is born, we'll head straight back to the palace. I'll throw the crown back on and let everyone cower before my glory."

That had Aera's lips turning up in a wry smile. "Of course, Your Majesty. And what about Madian? the Ambassador pulled me aside again last week."