THE PALACE // JIKOOK

Chapter 2

**Please give this story some love as well! ^^

Jimin was awoken from his broken, uncomfortable slumber by the sudden shift of the coach as they pulled into the drive of the sprawling estate belonging to the Duke of Changdeok, commonly known as Changdeok House, according to Namjoon.

He fought not to tremble at the thought that this could be his future home. It was far more stately and vast than his father's estate. He began to imagine the number of rooms from the number of windows and the amount of staff such a place would require just to keep it liveable. That calmed him somewhat, enough to make his breathing even out and his heart slow just a touch.

Namjoon watched him carefully, amused by his reactions. "You're remarkably poised for being so far from your father, Jimin," He said, careful not to touch him or startle him in any way, cautious of him as only an Alpha could be.

"Father was insistent that I learn to do without him," Jimin quietly said. "He said it was unseemly that any person be unable to function without someone else to decide for them. He wanted me to be able to deal well on my own if I managed to outlive him."

"It isn't natural for anyone to be on their own," Namjoon said, disapproval tingeing the words. "You will be much more comfortable here, I hope. We'll see what happens when the Marquess arrives. Until then, I am sure you will find the Duke's presence far more stabilising than that of your father. The Jeons are one of the oldest Alpha lines in the realm, after all."

"I am aware of their history, sir," Jimin said, blushing.

"Ah, here we are," Namjoon breathed, a sigh of relief leaving him as the coach rolled to a stop. "Brace yourself, it looks as if my cousin has just arrived, rather sooner than we all expected, too."

Jimin felt low, stark anticipation and fear blossom in his belly and looked anxiously back to find a lone rider heading towards them at a gentle trot, his erect carriage and tight control of his horse unconsciously indicative of great personal power and confidence.

"Shall we?," Namjoon urged, amused by his discomfort.

Swallowing hard, Jimin emerged to a silent audience of Changdeok servants turned out in their starched and dark uniforms, watching him with curious eyes. He felt their interest like the tickle of fingers over his skin, uncomfortable and close.

Their attention, however, was mitigated by the arrival of Jimin's husband and, indeed, his own attention shifted to take in the man dismounting before the staff. He felt Namjoon at his shoulder, a curious and amused presence watching the both of them.

Jeon Jungkook was nothing like Jimin had imagined.

He was older, but his look far younger than Jimin had thought he might be, which was the only impression he was able to garner before the travel-dusty and weary man's midnight-dark eyes fastened on him and bloomed fire.

Jungkook locked eyes with the slender, alarmed little Omega next to his cousin, pale but for a rosy tint to their still-round cheeks, wide honey eyes framed in long, curling lashes, a sweet scent wafting his way that was a mouthwatering mixture of youth and fertility that momentarily struck Jungkook dumb.

But only momentarily.

"Jungkook-ah," Namjoon said, grinning. "You are just in time for our arrival."

The staff waited, uneasy and bewildered by the sudden tension even their dulled beta senses could feel, unwilling to insert themselves into an unseemly family matter.

"I should say you are just in time, cousin," Jungkook said, his critical eyes traveling once again to the undeniably beautiful and delicate little creature now trembling at Namjoon's side. The scent grew stronger when the breeze shifted, bringing him the sweet-hot spice of an unmated Omega that, once discovered, could never be ignored.