THE DAWN - VMIN ONE SHOTS

PRETTIER THAN A FLOWER

The first time Taehyung tucked the small golden sunchoke behind his ear, his fingers trembled.

It was such a simple thing. Just a small flower, a quiet declaration.

And yet, in their pack, it meant everything.

It meant I have chosen.

It meant my heart belongs elsewhere.

It meant do not ask again.

He stood before the small polished mirror in his room, staring at his reflection for a long moment. The bright yellow petals contrasted against his dark hair, unmistakable even from a distance.

"Looks good on you," someone would probably say.

"Who is it?" others would whisper.

Taehyung let out a quiet, humorless huff.

If only they knew.

...

The reaction was immediate.

How could it not?

He was the kind of alpha people gravitated toward-tall, broad-shouldered, with a quiet strength that made others feel safe without him even trying. His presence alone turned heads, and for months now, the line of suitors coming to him had been endless.

Young omegas with hopeful smiles.
Betas with shy determination.
Even elders had begun whispering about how rare it was-how blessed the pack must be to have such a sought-after alpha.

Where once there had been a steady stream of hopeful faces waiting near his home, lingering near the training grounds, finding excuses to cross his path-now there was distance.

The omegas who once approached him with flushed cheeks and nervous smiles now lowered their gazes and stepped aside.

Betas who used to joke with him about choosing wisely now simply clapped his shoulder with quiet acceptance.

Even the elders watched him differently.

There was admiration in their eyes. And something else-curiosity.

Because Taehyung had not announced a name.

It would be a lie if he said he didn't hate it-the way they looked at him. But he could never bring himself to hate them, never them. Each time he watched their eyes light up... only to dim when he gently turned them away, he hated himself a little more.

"I'm sorry," he would say each time, his voice soft and careful. "My heart is already... somewhere else."

And every time, guilt would settle heavier in his chest.

Because the truth? The truth was cruel.

The person his heart belonged to... didn't even seem to notice him.

"Who is it?"

That was the question that followed him everywhere.

"Which pack are they from?"

"Is it someone from the northern territory?"

"Did he meet them during the last gathering?"