This Mask of Mine

12

If you didn't know exactly where the festival was, you would soon find out because music poured over the valley, bonfires lit the horizon, and loud laughter and chattering led you straight to the source.

Wolves were dancing around the bonfires, eating some of the crop split from their stock and meat from hunts. As Taehyung had said, many alphas had thick coats near them or in their arms. And as he said, many alphas were nearly or completely shirtless and painted in clay.

The clay was optional for the chosen, but if Jimin mated or was courted by someone in the Kim pack, he would wear the clay until marks were passed.

"Have fun. There's food and drink on the other side of the fire. You won't have to dance, but you are welcome to it," Seokjin grinned before unlocking their arms and running off and around the dancing wolves.

"Just fucking perfect," Jimin grumbled. The bonfire gave him a little warmth, but not necessarily as much as he wanted. He hugged his arms close to his chest and edged around the circle and dancers and to the table of foods.

The kitchens had outdone themselves. Of course, Jimin hadn't been to any previous festivals, but based on his meals at the meal hall, this was very different.

The food was arranged as always in a way that was pleasing to the eye, but there was much more food that usual. The centerpiece was a big platter of meat and Jimin heard a memory in the back of his mind of gossiping with Taehyung, Hoseok, and Seokjin a week ago.

There were five barrels of ale or water, Jimin assumed. And he assumed well because once he went over to inspect, the labels on said barrels were in fact ale and water respectively.

The ale and food warmed his bones little, but still was an improvement from before. Having a coat would have been nice too.

Benches circled the bonfire and stools circled the smaller ones, Jimin seeing those who were not dancing were those who chatted around each little fire. Children ran around playing games, dancing, or staying near their parents.

Not seeing anyone he was even a little intimate with, he moved to sit at a less crowded fire. Only a single alpha sat there, his plate empty next to him, a coat on his other side, and a mug of ale balanced on his knee as he tended his fire.

"May I join you?" Jimin asked from the other side of the fire, the alpha looking up and Jimin couldn't help but laugh.

He hadn't recognized the alpha with the scar because of the clay on his skin.