Second Mate

17

Jeongguk woke up that night after few hours of lost consciousness. He wanted to touch his head with his hand but feeling it slightly heavy and he looked at it. He was surprised his hand was in someone's grab and he turned towards the owner of the hand.

Yaejin was sleeping on the chair next to him bending her body to the bed with her head on the other side. Jeongguk stared back and forth between her hand and Yaejin herself. He wondered why Yaejin was here but nevertheless he smiled that she was on his side all this time.

He wanted to wake her up as he knew sleeping in that condition surely was not comfortable but at the same time he didn't want to let her hand go. He tried to adjust himself a bit so he could put Yaejin in more comfortable way but as he moved, Yaejin suddenly opened her eyes.

Jeongguk startled and he wanted to close his eyes back but Yaejin was fast to realize that he's awake.

"You're awake."

Jeongguk couldn't speak at first so he just nodded. He then looked at their intertwined hands which made Yaejin looked at it as well. Finally, she realized and quickly she retrieved her hand in embarrassment. Jeongguk suddenly felt losing the warmth but he didn't want to say anything. Afraid that Yaejin might not believe him if he said he missed those warmth. Or worst, she will laugh at him.

"I'm sorry I didn't mean to touch your hand but Yoongi ssi said its at least can help to reduce your pain, so..yeah." Yaejin tried to explain.

Jeongguk kind of understood now why he felt so comfortable just now. His body reacted to his mate touch. His body recognized his mate but he still in doubt. He didn't know what to do but he shrugged his mind of it. He needed more time.

"I'm thirsty." 

Yaejin moved to the night stand and poured the water into the glass - a bit careful when she gave the glass to Jeongguk. Jeongguk took the glass and emptied it right away, giving back the glass to Yaejin. He watched she put down the glass before looking around the room.

"Where's everyone else?"

"They're already asleep except Yoongi ssi who waits outside. Do you want me to call him?"

"No, it's okay."

"Are you sure?" Jeongguk nodded slowly.

"If so, I should go back to my room. Please get some more sleep, Jeongguk ssi." Yaejin got up from the chair but before she could move, her hand was being grabbed.

"Wait."

Yaejin looked at Jeongguk confused.

"Please stay. I think I can't sleep anymore and I have a lot to ask you." Yaejin thought for a while before she nodded and sat back on her chair. Jeongguk made himself sat comfortably on the bed and let the blanket cover his waist. Yaejin watched as she wondered what was Jeongguk really wanted to ask her about.

"What is it that you want to ask?"

Jeongguk hesitated a bit. He really did have a lot to ask but he didn't know where to start. 

"I'm sorry but can I ask first? You seems lost so maybe I should loosen up a bit by asking you. Is that okay?" Yaejin asked quite afraid with Jeongguk's respond. His expression sometimes couldn't be read  as his behavior changed unexpectedly.

"Yeah, sure." To say Yaejin was surprised is an understatement but here she was. Nevertheless, she had to take the chance thinking Jeongguk might be in a good mood now.

"Why are you in pain just now? Did something happened to you before?"

Jeongguk was surprised indeed that he lost his way to speak. He kind of flabbergasted that Yaejin seemed didn't know why he was in pain. Didn't she feel the pain too? He shot some curious look.

"You didn't feel the pain?" Yaejin furrowed her brows. 

"What pain?"

Jeongguk was confused. Sure, she did feel the pain of rejection or did he miss something?

So, Jeongguk asked again and finally, Yaejin could understand so she explained to him about her special abilities. Jeongguk listened to it and he was surprised again. 

"So you can have another mate after all that?" Jeongguk asked. He didn't know why but he felt a bit scared to know the answer.

"Yes, I can." Jeongguk felt his heart dropped. 

"But..." Yaejin continued and Jeongguk's eyes showed a bit glimpse of hope.

"If I am too willingly accept the rejection." Yaejin said which made Jeongguk hopefully prayed that Yaejin didn't do it yet.

"So are you..." Jeongguk couldn't finish his word. He felt scared. More scared than he ever be in his life. 

Yaejin shook her head and Jeongguk just wanted to jump at her. To hug her tight to let her know how happy he was but he restrained himself. 

"Why?" He couldn't help but wanted to know the reason.

"Because of the prophecy. I think I should follow it for the sake of people safety even though both of us might not have feeling with each other."

Jeongguk's heart felt the drop for the second time. 'So, for the sake of being the chosen one not because we are fated to mate? Does she ever like me?' Jeongguk thought deeply. But, he couldn't blame Yaejin because he was the one who rejected her first. Somehow, he felt broken inside. Honestly, he did feel something when Yaejin touched him and to tell the truth, he kind of forgot about his feelings towards Yeoni. It's a shocked huh?

Well, that's the truth. He likes Yaejin. He wants her. He wants his mate. He finally realized it.