Unexpectedly You

A Blossom Among Dying Flowers

Everything was quiet. The pack sat silently, watching as the torches around the bonfire were being lit one by one until the much larger fire pit in the middle could be brought to life. There was soft chanting, low humming from the elders as they kneeled around the large fire pit in a circle. It was the official ceremony to start their packs mating season. It was a sacred thing for them, holding a ceremony and praying to the gods that the wolves who find a mate have prosperity, love, strength and fertility. Seokjin was never one to participate openly before, but now he was sitting in the first row, with other omegas who were buzzing in their seats from excitement. The last of the torches were being lit, finalizing the outer circle around the omegas and alphas that were to participate in the mating season this year. Seokjin could see his parents, both smiling happily at him as they watched from outside. He averted his eyes, not wanting to see them cry from their excited feelings. His parents had been patiently waiting for him to finally participate. His gaze wandered around instead, looking over the alphas sitting across and seeing so many of them.

When he looked right in front of him he saw Namjoon, staring right at him with a small smile on his face. He smiled back, feeling the apples of his cheeks warm up. But his smile faltered when he looked next to the alpha and saw Wooyoung. He was staring at him like he was the only person there, it irked him and he looked away nervously. The chanting and humming stopped suddenly, drawing excited gasps and squeals from the omegas sitting beside him. The head of the elders walked towards the large pit, lighting it, the fire crisp and high as it came to life before them.

"Tonight marks a special day. The official mating season for our pack will officially commence. The moon is high and casting its holy light over us, blessing each one of your souls." The elder walked around, steps slow from his old age, but voice firm and powerful, " Also, the pack alphas son will be participating. One of you lucky omegas will lead our future by his side. Now we shall start, everyone please stand up."

Seokjin feels his stomach swarm with butterflies as he stands. A few omegas wearing white enter the circle with wooden bowls of white paint. While a few alphas also in white walk in with baskets of white flowers, the last to have bloomed. Every omegas would be called to step forward, and any alpha interested will step forward and offer a flower. It was a well known rule that an omega can accept as many flowers as they'd want. It widened the chances for alphas to prove themselves and omegas to learn more about them before making a final decision. Oftentimes it made the final test much more exciting and anticipating. When an omega accepted a flower, they would dip their fingers in the pain and trace a small line down the curve of their neck, a small indication that they were to possibly mate with them. It was an easy start, but it was the hardest for many. Rejection didn't sit down with many alphas, and many omegas suffered when the alpha they were interested in didn't offer them a flower.

Seokjin waited patiently, hands intertwined to keep them from fisting his clothes and crumpling them. He was getting many glances, from both alphas and omega participants. He had already heard many omegas talk amongst themselves about how much of a competition he would be. He didn't want to, but he always felt highly of himself when others thought of him as a threat. Not that he would be interested in any other alpha. Besides, the only reason he was participating was because of a certain someone who hadn't kept his eyes off him the whole night.

A slow rhythm of drums began in the background, barely there but enough to consume the silence. Slowly but surely he was to be called up next, the omega before him skipped back to his side with 4 flowers in his hand. When the elder nodded at him he took a deep breath and stepped forward. Settling in the middle of the circle, he tried not to look down from the stares he was receiving around him.

"If anyone deems themselves worthy of being the true alpha of this omega, step forward. Offer yourself to Kim Seokjin now." The elder steps away, giving him some space.

The first alpha steps forward instantly, he recognizes him right away. Yoosung had asked him countless times to be his mate and every time he had said no. Nothing would change now, when the alpha stood in front of him, flower extended he shook his head, mumbling a short apology. Yoosung huffed, shoulders slumping and eyes narrowing as he stared at the floor. The flower in his hand fell at his feet before walking away and leaving through the crowd of people. Another alpha stepped forward, and then another, and soon he had a pile of flowers at his feet. He was waiting, growing anxious every time Namjoon didn't walk up to him. It made him unconsciously nervous, his mouth feeling bitter.

When Wooyoung stepped forward, he took a while staring at the flower. He didn't know if he should accept it or not, and when his fingers curled around the stem of the flower he couldn't hide his own shock. More or so the whole pack was shocked too, gasps floating around and whispers muting out the drums. He avoided looking at Wooyoung as he dipped his finger in the paint and smeared a line of paint down along his skin. The alpha preened, smiling widely as he walked back to his spot and standing proudly. The alphas parents smiled when he looked back at them.

The pack grew quiet as soon as Namjoon stepped forward. His eyes were zeroed in on him as he got closer. It made his heart race, and his omega whined from how intense his stare was. It was hard breaking their eyes away from each other as soon as Namjoon stopped in front of him. As soon as he offered his flower he took it, holding it tightly against the other one. Seokjin had to keep himself in check, when he lifted up his finger. As soon as it came in contact with Namjoon's skin he felt his face flush. His finger smoothed down the curve of his neck delicately. When he pulled away the alpha caught his hand, bringing it to his mouth and kissing his knuckles.

Seokjin swears his heart was melting, his stomach lurching from the amount of butterflies swarming his insides. His cheeks dust pink, evident even at night, he can't stop himself from looking down shyly. When Namjoon steps away he doesn't wait any longer and returns to his spot. The time after that passes in a blur, his thoughts running wild every time he flickered his eyes towards Namjoon and saw him staring back. When every omega had their turn and every alpha had the chance to make their offering the elder stepped in the middle of the circle once again.

"Now, under the blessing of the moon, we shall begin our mating season. Alphas, the first test to prove yourself to an omega will begin at sundown in three days. Omegas, you will have three days to offer an item with your scent to the alphas you have accepted. This test will test their ability to think, act, and use their smarts. They will have until morning to trace you, only using your scent and their quick witted intelligence to find you."

Once again the omegas whispered in excitement, many muttering to themselves. Seokjin couldn't help himself either, thinking of what he could offer both Namjoon and Wooyoung. He had to think carefully and choose the right item for each.

"This test is unique, portraying how much your scent is to the likes and priority of your alphas wolf. There have been instances when an alpha has had a hard time concentrating, thinking and following the correct path. And alpha's wolf is the main factor of this test, and proves if your wolves will be in unity for life. Now go on and rest, you will have to gain enough strength and thoughts before the night comes."

Everyone waited for the elders to leave first. Everyone stood from their seats as soon as they had walked out of the circle. Seokjin brushed off the dust in his pants, before looking up and finding his parents beaming at him. He already knew what they wanted to ask, how they were curious that the pack alphas son had made an offering to him. But he only smiled and turned away, hurrying down to a group of omegas heading back to their home. He was exhausted, not that he had done much, but nonetheless he was emotionally drained. All he wanted to do now was close his eyes and rest before he began to overthink all the things that could happen from now on.