Mate or Not: You're Mine |Taekook| (EDITED)

Chapter 10

The stale air of the pack clinic hung heavy with the scent of healing herbs and worry, a stark contrast to the vibrant memories Hoseok carried of his friend. He hadn't expected to ever see Taehyung again, not like this. Two years. Two years since he'd forced himself to walk away, leaving behind the omega he cherished. He'd convinced himself it was for the best, for Taehyung's chance at a full life with his true mate.

Now, there he was. Taehyung, his Taetae, pale and broken on the clinic bed.

The sight ignited a fury Hoseok hadn't known he possessed. His gaze landed on Jungkook, the True Blood Alpha, sitting near the bed, his face a mask of icy composure. Blinded by rage, Hoseok launched himself forward, a snarling beast unleashed.

"You!" he roared, his fist connecting with the Alpha's jaw. "How could you hurt him?!"

“Hoseok, calm down! It wasn’t Jungkook! It was the rogues!” Yoongi's voice cut through the room, his hands strong as he wrestled Hoseok back. "Jungkook found him! He saved him!"

The words slammed into Hoseok, shattering the red haze. He stumbled back, Yoongi releasing him cautiously. Shame washed over him, a bitter tide. He had acted impulsively, fueled by a grief that had simmered for years.

He bowed his head, addressing Jungkook. "I... I'm sorry, Head Alpha. I didn't know. Thank you for saving my Taetae."

Jungkook's gaze, still fixed on the unconscious Taehyung, was sharp and distant. "It's okay… just please treat him. We will talk later."

Hoseok moved with practiced efficiency, the fury replaced by a focused tenderness. He examined Taehyung’s wounds, his fingers gentle as he cleaned and bandaged each cut and bruise. He knew Taehyung's skin, the delicate way he bruised, the places he was most ticklish. The memories threatened to drown him in a wave of regret.

He noticed, then, the almost unnerving stillness of Jungkook. The Alpha usually commanded a room with his mere presence, but now he sat silently, his eyes never leaving Taehyung. There was a raw, almost desperate quality to his gaze, something Hoseok had never witnessed before.

"Taetae will be fine, but he needs rest to heal faster," Hoseok said softly, breaking the silence. He pulled up a chair next to the bed. "He is my best friend, whom I left in my old pack. I left because my true mate rejected me, and that affected my wolf badly. I left to heal, and came to your pack."

He hesitated, then continued, driven by a need to explain and justify himself. "I wanted to take Taetae with me, but he was too young and hadn't met his true mate yet. I didn't want to deprive him of the chance to meet his mate and the life he could have with them. So I left him there."

Jungkook’s silence lingered, heavy and dense. Then, a ghost of a smile touched his lips. The irony was evident -Hoseok had left Taehyung because he believed his mate was in his old pack, but in reality, Taehyung's fated mate was here. He was here.

"Hoseok…” Jungkook's voice was low, almost a whisper. "I'm his true mate."

Hoseok froze, his gaze snapping to Jungkook in disbelief, as if the head alpha had just told him that elephants could fly. The Alpha stared back, his dark eyes unwavering, holding a truth Hoseok didn't want to accept.

The air in the clinic thrummed with unspoken tension, thick enough to choke on. Hoseok's face was a mask of protective fury as he glared at Jungkook. "Head Alpha, I know that Taetae is ethereal and a perfect omega, but you don't have to lie just to have him. I know that your true mate is already dead, so stop lying. You have omega Soyeon waiting for you to mate her. Leave Taetae alone! I won't let you hurt him."

Jungkook felt his wolf surge forward, a growl rumbling in his chest. The audacity! How dare this beta accuse him of such a thing? Of hurting their mate? The thought was ludicrous, repulsive. His wolf wanted to rip Hoseok apart for even suggesting it.

He clenched his fists, battling for control. "I… I have to go outside to get some fresh air." He backed away, terrified of what his wolf might do, what he might say. The scent of healing herbs and fear hung heavy in the air as he stumbled out of the clinic, the image of Hoseok's protective stance burned into his mind.

Inside, Taehyung stirred. His eyelids fluttered open, and he blinked, trying to focus on the unfamiliar surroundings. A clinic… but why? He felt weak, disoriented, with a lingering ache throbbing in his head. Then he saw him. Hoseok. His Hoseok hyung. A wave of relief washed over him, so intense it brought tears to his eyes. Surely, this was a dream.

“H-Hoseok hyung,” he whispered, his voice cracking with emotion.

Hoseok was by his side in an instant, his face etched with concern. He gently gathered Taehyung into his arms. “Hush… Taetae, don’t cry. I’m here now. I’ll keep you safe. No one can hurt you anymore. Your hyung is here.” His voice was a soothing balm, a promise of protection.

Meanwhile, Jungkook paced restlessly outside. He knew, with a primal certainty, that something had shifted. Then, boom, a wave of lavender hit him, so pure and potent it nearly knocked him off his feet. Their mate was awake! He surged back towards the clinic, his heart pounding in his chest, his wolf howling with joy. He imagined Taehyung, his eyes wide and innocent, waiting for him, the pull of their bond undeniable.

He reached the door, adrenaline pumping, his hand reaching for the knob. But then, he heard voices. He hesitated, a prickle of unease settling over him.

“…Your mate rejected you!” Hoseok’s shout was sharp, laced with bitter anger.

The words slammed into Jungkook like a punch in the gut. He staggered back, leaning against the doorframe for support. Rejection? How could that be? His mate should feel the bond, the undeniable pull. He should be yearning for him, just as he was yearning for Taehyung.

His legs trembled beneath him. Was it possible? Did his Taehyung… did he have another mate?

🐾🐰🐯🐾

Kookie and his wolf are thrilled to be with their mate. However, there's a teeny-weeny problem -Taehyung and his wolf don't recognize them as their mate. What will Kookie do? And what about Soyeon? Will she accept that Kookie now has a true mate? 💫