UNTILL I MET YOU || JIKOOK

10

JIMIN POV

Jimin had once again been woken before the sun came up, throwing on his armor and heading out across the island to where the most recent batch of pirates had been spotted.

It had been relentless, non-stop attacks for the better part of a week, and all concentrated away from the castle.

That was different from the pirates normal approach, which was more random and spread out. This felt more organized and that left him uneasy.

Were they being drawn away from the castle on purpose or had the pirates just decided they were concentrating their attentions on the wrong location?

Either way, Jimin had his work cut out seeing off that day's round of invaders.

"At this rate, we'll need to start recruiting more men to join the royal guard," yoongi said, checking their group of tired and unkempt soldiers in dire need of respite.

"We have a third of the able-bodied men on the island fighting by our side," Jimin said.

"If we take any more, there won't be people enough to tend to the crops and animals."

It was more important than ever that their island kingdom be self-sufficient.

"Well,then. Let's hope the pirates tire before we do," Tae said, his smile thin.

The three of them walked a little way down the beach together, out of earshot of the rest.

"Are we still holding training tomorrow afternoon?" Yoongi wondered.

"If there are no attacks between now and then, we should," jimin replied.

"Will you invite your new beau to watch?" Tae teased.

"He's barely seen you in human form let alone in all your shifter splendor."

They always incorporated some shifting into their training since their men never knew when they might come up against an alpha in combat.

They didn't want them to lose their nerve when suddenly faced with a seemingly wild animal.

"He doesn't want to see that."

"Those pampered princes think shifting is something only the uncivilized do."

"Their families alphas shift too," Yoongi said in disbelief. "Do they call their own uncivilized?"

Jimin shrugged. He didn't know the logic behind it. "It's all ceremonial to them."

"You know, when someone's being crowned, they have a lion present."

"Once a year on the solstice, there's a tiger standing sentry."

"Sounds confining," Tae said with a grunt.

"I'd go crazy in my skin if I could only change yearly ceremonies."

"You and me both," Jimin said, rubbing at his tired eyes.

"Have you seen much of him since the wedding?" Yoongi inquired with an air of innocence.

"You know I haven't," he grumbled. "There's been more important things to worry about."

"Well, Tae and I can finish up here. Why don't you head back?"

"If not to see him, then to catch up on some sleep."

"You look like you could use it."

Jimin could have slept for a week but he wasn't ready to leave just yet.

"I want to talk to the prisoner we took. He might know something."

It was doubtful though.

The pirates were consistent in holding their tongues once they'd been captured.