Mix and Match ~ TK

90

Jungkook had a weird phase where he and Taehyung acted somehow like lovers. But it always ended in tears and the mate bond feeling heavy and bothersome to the both of them. That wasn't the case today. Jungkook spent the entire evening making out with Lucas on the sofa, not an ounce of regret playing a note inside of him.
He was living the life, knowing he wasn't going to be enjoying it for much longer since they had a war waiting for them after all. But he did enjoy every second of it, and Lucas seemed to be inclined to make him even more attached. He wasn't forceful, mostly let Jungkook initiate which the latter appreciated him for a lot. He knew his wolf was calm with Lucas but he was still a true blood and he still loved to dominate.
And Lucas didn't seem to have a problem with that at all.
After what felt like an entire day but were only a few hours, they were called back into the Head Alpha's office.

It was his brother who came to fetch him. How he knew Jungkook was there was a mystery to the alpha. But Yoongi didn't look like he intended to comment on the passionate kiss he'd just interrupted and looked more interested in what they were about to hear in the meeting.

They passed by a lot of cabins where Jungkook could see families gathered, some for supper, some waiting for their partners or kids to come back from work or school. Life didn't seem that different in Bangtan even considering the situation they were in. Of course, everyone knew the extent of the conflict with the Council, which made the air spark with a sense of fear and anticipation, especially with the enhanced security in the borders of the pack. It took Jungkook some time to actually realize most of the people they passed by stared or gawked at him. He used to be used to it, he thought. After all, he did always attract more attention than the rest of the wolves surrounding him. But he couldn't help but feel that the stares he received of sometimes awe, and sometimes admiration weren't really deserved. He still smiled and bowed his head to those wolves he grew up with and who still regarded him with a lot of respect even if he let them down and abandoned his place as their leader, but deep down, his mind was in shambles. He had just said to Taehyung that he regretted leaving Bangtan, but he didn't know if that was true of it were only a reaction to what he heard the other alpha say. He still had so much to figure out and it didn't seem to get any easier the more they approached the meeting room.

Jungkook knew that even if they were only seven people in that office debating the future of the pack, important information still got out to Bangtan generals and the rest of the leading body. However, Jungkook knew precisely why some of that information needed to be kept private for now. With the weakened alliances and the target on their back, Alpha Jeon was scared the Council might've infiltrated the pack somehow, and that they needed to be extra careful with every step they take in this ongoing conflict.

"Sit." The Head Alpha gestured to the chairs surrounding the long table he was currently presiding. Everyone sat, looking with deep apprehension at their leader, waiting to hear what he had to say. "We have come to the conclusion that we'll be sending two people in the tunnels to reach Lupus. Unfortunately we can't send more help or provisions lest we attract unwanted attention." Everyone nodded in understanding.

"I will be going in," announced the white haired beta, resignation in his tone. Jimin and Hoseok were the first to turn to him, ready to fight him on it, but he stopped them with a hand up. "You two already went when we needed help to break Jungkook and Taehyung out. And you did beautifully." He complimented, earning nods from the Head Alpha and Luna. "But this time, it will be more delicate. We need to be careful because we don't know what we'll find once we reach the borders, and we need to be able to communicate with Namjoon and Jin without anyone noticing us."

"Who will be accompanying you, hyung?" Jungkook asked, feeling a bit useless at the moment and hoping he could help in any way.

"I need someone that knows the North well. Someone who belonged there." Everyone suddenly eyed Taehyung but Yoongi shook his head, catching everyone's attention back. "Taehyung is a target. We can't risk taking him there if we get caught, they will use him to lure us out yet again because of the mate bond." Jungkook deflated. Of course, the mate bond was still a problem. In hindsight, the Council probably still didn't know for sure if Taehyung and Jungkook were fated mates, because they've never succeeded in keeping them away from each other enough to see the full extent of the bond. They just assumed that if they were really fated, then capturing one of them would lead the other's pack bargaining with them in order to save their heir from the insufferable pain it should cause. And that was more than enough reason to keep both Taehyung and Jungkook protected within the pack. The thought only made Jungkook fume. He needed to find a way to break this bond, no matter what it takes.

"-before you say anything, no we can't risk you either." Yoongi stopped Jimin in the middle of his argument that he should be the one to go with him since he was born in Lupus and knows the North better than most. "We need someone the Council won't recognize right away. Someone whose loyalty belongs to Lupus so that in case we get caught he can get us in."

"Are you implying that you wanna take Lucas with you?" Jungkook suddenly realized what his brother was saying. His stomach dropped as Yoongi nodded.

"That's exactly what I'm implying. He was already caught once and got out unscathed. He knows the pack grounds well and he is known in Lupus but he's not close to the Kims enough to be known by the Council. He's the perfect choice."

Jungkook didn't know what to say. His brother was right, of course. He thought it all out. But Jungkook suddenly felt extremely protective over the beta.

"How dangerous is this mission, truthfully?" Jungkook asked.

"To be honest, it's more of a rescue mission than an attack. We're just trying to pass the tunnels to get to Namjoon and Jin and plan our course of action together. A lot of their soldiers are still here in Bangtan and we can't let them quarantined with no way out when they helped us get you two back." Yoongi pointed to him and Taehyung. The latter was even more silent than the first meeting, not looking at anyone else. Jungkook, however, did notice something under the table, which was what looked like Jimin's hand grabbing his so intently that it looked white. Jungkook's brows furrowed at the sight, but he didn't get a chance to analyse anything when his father talked.

"We don't have time for further discussion unfortunately. We need to get to Lupus as soon as possible and this can't wait another day." He sighed, exhaling his frustration. He suddenly looked at his wife and gestured with his hand. "Just tell them." Jieun looked a bit pale but she managed a little comforting smile to the young wolves surrounding her before her expression fell again when she started speaking.

"There's been a theft." She announced, which was followed by a series of gasps and interrogations. "There was a folder we have been working on, it had all the strategies we came up with to get Lupus out of the North, some data about the neighboring packs and some vital information about the Council and their activity. Those documents were extremely confidential and we can't find any of them. Someone must've taken them." She finished explaining. Everyone looked stunned and confused. There has never been something of the sort in Bangtan before. Stealing important documents? Right from inside the Head Alpha's personal office?

"How is this possible?" Hoseok muttered, unbelieving.

"We've been looking for it for days. There's no sign of it." Jiyong said. "Now, thankfully most of the information we already know. But unfortunately we can't use any of the plans we mapped out. It's a relief, though, that there was no mention of the tunnels in those documents. So for now, it's our only issue."

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