Flower

CHAPTER 39

Namjoon looked up from where he sat on his chair in the study, deep in thought when Jungkook barged in, out of breath. "A carriage from palace is nearing" he said between pants. Namjoon ran towards the entrance, the younger right behind him. A million thoughts ran through his mind as he watched the carriage draw near. 

Was his love okay? Had those men hurt his beloved? Many terrible thoughts came to the forefront as he was forced to wait till the carriage pulled on the door. The world stopped as his younger brother stumbled out, fresh tears sprouting from his eyes as he ran towards their parents, falling into their arms. His attention was taken by his husband, who jumped down, gaze scanning the people around till it zeroed on Namjoon. 

Spreading his arms, he let Seokjin crash into them, holding tight on the shaking body, feeling a part of his soul return now that his omega had come back safe and sound. He could hear his mother-in-law call out Seokjin from behind him but he refused to budge, pulling the omega impossibly close to him. He let out a shaky breath as Seokjin reluctantly pulled away. A few hours had felt like eternity, Namjoon hating them from the bottom of his heart as he shuddered at what the helpless feeling had been like. 

It had felt terrible, to sit at home, protected by the walls while the love of his life had been out there, trapped by wicked men that knew no morals. What he noticed was that Seokjin carried no foreign scent on him, of another alpha which only meant that he had been rescued before it was too late. As if reading his thoughts, Seokjin's gaze landed on Taehyung, who had now crumpled to the ground, wrapping in a comforting embrace of his parents. 

"Tae sacrificed himself for me. I- I was lucky but he" Seokjin whimpered, eyes slipping shut as water collected at the bottom lid, a steady stream running down his cheeks. Before he could sat anything, Seokjin's mother had appeared beneath them, pulling the omega close, letting him cry into her bosom, his father slowly patting his back. 

He ran towards Taehyung, wrapping his arms around his little brother that he had failed along with his mate, kissing the top of his hair as Taehyung buried his face in his neck. Namjoon let his calming pheromones cut through the sour scent, hoping to reduce the pain he was feeling in whatever way he could. It was difficult to fathom, what his brother had gone through in the past few hours, what was supposed to be a fun evening ruined by an event that could change his life for the worse. 

To be unable to have control over your body, unable to stop the person violating you because you are weaker than him, to be forced to live with that for the rest of his life, all of it was too much. When Taehyung had presented as an omega, Namjoon had promised himself that he would never let such a situation befall his little brother, yet he had failed him. Failed both of Seokjin and Taehyung. 

Seo Hi nodded at him, a pained expression on her face as she gently guided the young omega by his shoulders, taking him inside so he could rest. Meanwhile, Namjoon turned his attention back to his husband, offering his hand, the omega swiftly leaving his parents' side to join him. He laced their fingers together, bringing them to his lips, pressing a kiss on the back of his hand before leading them inside.

"I want to take a bath first" Seokjin mumbled, Namjoon nodding, excusing them from the company of their parents. The walk to their room was silent, the alpha having so many questions in his mind, but unsure if his omega would be comfortable with him asking them. He wanted to know what had happened, the events of the past night but seeing Seokjin so shaken up with bloodshot eyes, tear stained face and weakened body worried him. He had noticed the bruise around his wrist, now dark red in color, knowing that no matter how much the omega tried to hide, it still hurt. 

He quickly realized that his scent had turned sour, Seokjin looking at him with wide eyes as they entered their room. "Seokjin does not need to see your anger now. He needs care and attention, get a grip on yourself", Namjoon scolded himself internally. Hands slipping from his, Namjoon walked to Seokjin's cupboard, opening it, looking for a loose and comfortable outfit. "Alpha", the soft call had him hastily turning around, all his attention directed towards Seokjin who fidgeted on his spot, gaze downcast, playing with his fingers.