Chapter Text
It had been a rather hot day and there was nothing more that Jimin wanted than to head to his cabin, have some food and rest. The omega had been foraging all day long, looking for herbs and medicinal fruits to help prepare healing salves.
He was almost near his humble abode when he smelt it. Blood. And a hint of pine scent. It could be a rogue. You just need to go home. But the blood? The wolf seems to be in distress. The omega was torn and ended up following the scent to find an alpha, not in the wolf form bleeding from his shoulder.
The alpha was huge. Brunette locks and muscular built. There was a huge gash in his upper body. Jimin wasted no time and with all the strength he could muster, he took the alpha home.
There wasn't much in Jimin's cabin. It was a rather decent cabin with only the basic necessities he needed to survive and heal. Nestled in the forest, the cabin was his abode away from the pack politics and wild animals. But even so, every now and then he would come across a wild animal or a rogue. He had to learn to defend himself. It hasn't been easy for Jimin, living in isolation. But he's learnt to live with it, and be content. The last person other than him who has ever been to his home had been his grandmother, who had actually taught him the healing measures. But she passed away a year and a half ago, and Jimins has been on his own ever since.
It had been a tedious affair, bringing the alpha inside. But he wasted no time. He methodically cleaned all the wounds and treated them to the best of his knowledge and abilities.
A day passed and the alpha was yet to come to his senses. He'd been unconscious ever since he'd found him. The wounds were beginning to heal slowly but Jimin feared that without proper meals the wounds wouldn't heal properly.
Jimin slept fretfully that night. The following morning, he left early to gather some herbs. But the sight that greeted him when he entered the cabin took him by surprise. Dark orbs stared at him, intense eyes boring into him. The scent of pine was so strong that Jimin's omega felt weak. The alpha had woken up and was sitting on the bed but this stance was dangerous, like a wild animal waiting to pounce on his prey.
"I.. You're awake.." Jimin says, taking a step inside and then faltering when the alpha growls.
"Who. Are. You?" The alpha asks, voice gruff and low.
"I.. My name is Jimin. I found you injured in the forest." Jimin tries again, he moves to stand by the alpha. He notices blood oozing out from one of the injuries, the alpha must have moved too fast or tried to remove the dressing. He takes another step to closely look at the spot when he feels a strong hand closing in on his throat, choking him. It takes him by surprise. The distressed scent of sour cherries now filled the entire cabin. Jimin felt scared. The alpha looked dangerous, but he also tried to reason with the alpha’s reaction. He'd just woken up in a stranger's cabin. He's rightfully wary. Jimin tries his best to get the alpha to release him, his eyes watering up.
The alpha releases him at once. Jimin ends up with a coughing fit.
"Who are you? And why am I here? What have you done to me?" The alpha threw the questions at him.
It takes Jimin a moment to reply. His voice cracked, throat dry. "I.. I found you injured.. And took you in.. I.. Treated your wounds..it would have become septic. I.. was trying to help.." Jimin says, the last sentence coming off as a whisper.
"Why? Why would you help a random stranger?"
"I.. What do you mean by why?"
"Why would you just help someone you've never met before..?"
"Because I can."
The alpha looked surprised but Jimin didn't elaborate.
"Some of your wounds have opened up again.. I.. I know some healing measures.. I can help.. I don't want to imprison you.. You're free to leave.. I.." Jimin murmurs, while bringing a small box containing fresh bandages to the bed.
He looks at the alpha, silently asking his permission and the alpha only nods. He methodically cleans the wounds and changes the bandages. All the while, the alpha keeps staring at the blonde omega with the softest and sweetest voice he's ever heard.
Once done, Jimin excuses himself, informing him that he was making dinner for the two of them. But before he could leave he heard the alpha call for him.
"Thank you.."
Jimin nods.
"I’m..Jungkook"
"I’m Jimin.."
*****
The alpha seemed very gruff, but somehow Jimin’s omega didn't feel scared of him. In fact, for the first time ever Jimin's omega actually felt protected and safe. It was a peculiar feeling which Jimin didn't feel like addressing. When hours later, Jimin had carried a tray laden with food to the alpha, he was surprised to find the alpha wanting him to have dinner with him.
"You're not from a pack?" The alpha asked while chewing on a piece of meat.
"Im.. I used to belong from the Yoo pack.. I.. I don't know.. I mean.. My mother gave birth to me.. She didn't have a mate.. So she was ostracized. I happened to be a result of a reckless night my mother spent in her teens.. The pack was conservative and didn't want to encourage such behaviour, so they asked my mother to leave.. Which she did.. But a few summers after she left, she passed away.. A bear encounter.." Jimin winces. "My grandmother then came to stay with me.. She was the healer at the Yoo pack.. She would stay with me and teach me her medicine making procedures.."
"Oh.. Where is she?"
"I.. She passed away a year and a half ago.. And since then.. I have been living here alone.."
"You're an omega!"
Jimin raises a brow. "And?"
"I don't mean to sound judgemental.. But a lone rogue onega on their own.. It's unheard of.. Don't you get scared? There are wild animals out there.."
"Yeah.. I mean.. It's the forest.. Of Course there are animals.. But I live everyday as it comes.. One day at a time.."
Jungkook is speechless. The rest of the dinner is mostly silent. Jimin takes the empty bowls and tray and washes them. Jungkook notices the omega bringing a thin pelt, laying it by the fire and preparing to lay on it. It makes him feel guilty, realizing that he'd been using the omega’s resources so shamelessly.
"How did you get hurt?" The question takes Jungkook by surprise.
"I was patrolling with my team when we were ambushed by a few rogues. We took out most of them, but this one rogue kept trying to invade our lands.. I don't remember how long I fought him or how far I got away from my pack.. I did end up killing him.. I remember that.. But then the wounds I suffered got to me and I collapsed after walking a mile or two.."
"Oh.. Which pack are you from? Won't they be looking for you?"
"I'm from the Jeon Pack.. And yeah.. They probably are.. But.. Don’t worry.. I’ll leave as soon as the wounds heal. I won't bother you much.." He promises Jimin but Jimin doesn't respond.
In the next two days, Jimin and Jungkook spend more time talking, learning about one another. The wounds were healing well. Jimin felt lovely, finally having someone to talk to. He'd been told to stay away from alphas, but this alpha was nothing like what he'd read or heard of. Jimin wondered what it is like living in a pack. Jungkook speaks of his packmates with such love and adoration. Jimin cannot relate. He's never had anyone other than his mother and grandmother. A small part of his heart wished for Jungkook to stay, but he knew that wasn't possible.
"I think I will leave in a few days. My wounds have healed nicely.." Jungkook says that night while they're having dinner.
The alpha waits for a response but gets none.
Of course he'd leave. Everybody does.
Jimin takes the same spot by the fire and falls asleep to the sound of the forest, unaware of doe eyes looking at him longingly.
*****
"He has to be here somewhere.. I can smell his scent here.. "
"I can too.."
Jimin wakes up hearing noises outside his cabin. It must be very early in the morning, Jungkook had just left to relieve himself. He gets up and decides to see what the matter was, himself.
When he steps outside, he's cornered by 2 wolves. Both huge. He feels intimidated but he doesn't let it show.
"I.."
"Where is he? What have you done to him?" One of them hisses.
"Who? What are you talking about.. Who are you?" Jimin says.
Suddenly his shirt is grabbed by one of them.
"Don't act stupid. We can smell him. Tell us what happened.. Where he is, rogue!" The wolf sneers and Jimin has to admit, it stings. He’s reduced to a rogue, all because he has no one.
"Tell us!" Another one yells. They try to break into his cabin but don't find anyone inside.
"Do not enter the cabin.. It's my home.. and you do not have the permission to intrude." Jimin protests, with as much authority in his voice,as possible.
The other wolves growl. It takes a second for him to realize that they're all shifting.
This doesn't look good. Shifting means..
Before he could complete his thought he's lunged at by one of them, a punch lands on his face. They keep shaking him asking for answers but Jimin doesn't give in. He doesn't know who these wolves are. They didn't mention any names. And he didn't want to risk Jungkook's life.
Another kick lands in his abdomen and he feels himself spiraling down with pain. He doesn't think he can take any more when the scent of pine hits him, he senses the arrival of Jungkook limping.
The beating stops. Jimin falls down to the ground. He cannot even keep his eyes fully open. He notices the wolves moving towards the alpha, probably to hug him but the alpha evades them all to limp his way to him.
"Jimin? Jimin.. Come on.. jimin.." Jimin smiles and closes his eyes. At least he cared.