Try Me Alpha (Taekook)

Chapter 19: Easy Way

The day of the festival had arrived, and the Blue Moon Pack's territory was already abuzz with excitement. The scent of burning wood mixed with the crisp evening air, and the sky was painted with hues of orange and pink as the sun dipped below the horizon. The campfire party was one of the most anticipated events of the year, and even as an outsider, Jungkook could sense the energy building up for the festivities.

Jungkook was still within the Blue Moon Pack's borders, lingering a bit longer with his hyungs—Namjoon and Yoongi. He found them sitting by a low table in one of the guest lodges, going over some last-minute details and discussing how the evening might play out.

"Jungkook, you look like you've got something on your mind," Namjoon observed, glancing up from the map of the area spread across the table.

Jungkook sighed, running a hand through his hair as he leaned back in his chair. "I do, hyung. My mother... she asked me to take Lisa to the festival tonight."

Yoongi, who had been silently listening, raised an eyebrow. "Lisa? You mean the one everyone in your pack is expecting you to get engaged to?"

"Yeah," Jungkook replied, his voice tinged with a mix of resignation and frustration. "She's the one."

Namjoon leaned forward, resting his chin on his hand thoughtfully. "Does Taehyung know about this?"

Jungkook shook his head, the knot in his stomach tightening at the thought. "I handed him the name in an envelope, but I didn't tell him outright. I thought... I thought it might be easier that way."

Yoongi's gaze was piercing as he studied Jungkook. "But is it easier for you? Or for him?"

Jungkook paused, trying to formulate his answer. "I... I don't know. I thought maybe it would be less awkward if he didn't have to deal with me bringing Lisa up directly."

Namjoon sighed, rubbing his temple. "And what do you think Taehyung will do when he sees you arrive with her? You know he's not oblivious. He'll understand the implications."

Jungkook nodded, knowing full well that Namjoon was right. "I know, hyung. I've been going over it in my head all day. My mom even said I could send a carriage to bring Lisa here, but part of me feels like I should go and pick her up myself."

Yoongi glanced out the window, where the sky was growing darker by the minute. "If you do, you'll be showing everyone that you're taking this seriously, that you're ready to make her your mate."

"But are you ready for that, Jungkook?" Namjoon asked softly.

Jungkook hesitated, his thoughts a tangled mess. His mind kept drifting back to Taehyung, to the way he'd noticed a different scent clinging to him recently—cinnamon, soothing and subtle, but not Alpha. Not threatening. Yet, the idea of another scent on Taehyung had stirred something primal in Jungkook, something he hadn't fully processed yet.

"I don't know," Jungkook finally admitted, his voice barely above a whisper. "It's what my mother wants, and Lisa's been by my side for so long, but... but I don't know if it's what I want."

Namjoon exchanged a glance with Yoongi before turning back to Jungkook. "Then maybe that's your answer. If you're not sure, then perhaps you need more time to figure things out. Bringing Lisa here under those circumstances might only complicate things further."

Yoongi nodded in agreement. "And besides, Taehyung deserves to know where you stand. You can't keep him in the dark forever, especially if you're planning to introduce someone else into your life."

Jungkook sighed deeply, feeling the weight of their words. He knew they were right, but the path ahead still seemed uncertain. "I'll think about it," he finally said. "Maybe it's better to have that conversation with Taehyung sooner rather than later."