A/N: rewritten due to changes in writing style
The baby crib had been long forgotten as soon as Hani started talking. As the words were pouring out of her mouth, Lily's attention only fell on her. Hani told her everything that had happened. From meeting him, to the way he was around her, to the conversations and the little rendezvous they shared under the starry sky, to the kiss, even their partings. Hani even spoke about the things she had felt, the way her body reacted to him and whispered things to her devotedly in love heart. She wanted Lily to comprehend, to understand her, to see Jungkook through her eyes.
"He is your mate, Hani. There is no doubt about that. If that's what your heart tells you, if that's how your body feels... then he's the one" Lily was speechless at everything her friend had told her, amazed at the things she had shared. "And, honestly, Hani, I have heard many stories of people meeting their mate for the first time. The things they felt, what was going through their mind... Yet, none of them described the connection like you did. I don't know if it's just your words, Hani, but you guys sound different... unique from the rest. I don't know how to explain it, I don't even know if it makes any sense... but, you feel the bond really intensively."
Hani's mind was taken back to the night before. When Jungkook told her that they were different from the rest, although neither of them really knew what distinguished them from the others. They couldn't really point out what it was that made them feel the bond more intensively. What consequences did a bound like that even have? Can a bond like theirs even exist? Or were they simply turning a small spark into an explosion?
"I'm sorry for doubting you, Hani" Lily's hands grabbed hers, stealing the girl's attention away from her thoughts. "He seems like a nice guy. And, if he is your mate, then, he must definitely be just as special as you. The moon goddess wouldn't give you someone underserving of you, I'm sure. Still, please be careful."
Hani was glad that her friend was, at least, willing to give Jungkook and her a chance, despite still being strongly tied down to the pre-conceived idea of him. Despite still, letting the lingering fear of the things, people said he had done, haunt her; Lily was willing to trust her friend. Hani accepted that, she accepted that it would take time for that image of him to be washed away from her mind and that's okay. She would make sure that Lily, slowly, would see Jungkook for his true colors and not the one's people had paint on him.
Hani gave her friend a small, yet, thankful smile and reached for the instructions paper that was laying on the floor. For moments, the conversation about Jungkook and Hani's meeting seemed to be done. Both of the girls were silently assembling the crib, trying to drive their minds away from each of their worries. However, there was something that Lily was curious about. A small little detail that was prickling her heart, forcing her to ask Hani about it.
"Does he, you know... know about Ulric and you?" Hani stopped moving, a furious and nervous heartbeat inside her chest suddenly echoed. "I mean about how your father wants to give you to h-"
"He doesn't"
Hani quickly interrupted the friend, not wanting to hear one more word about it. Her mood suddenly had dropped. Hani had been so focused in the perfect dreamy life she had pictured with Jungkook, that she had forgotten that things weren't as easy as she wanted them to be. Lily had given her a wakeup call, an aggressive and violent one. Suddenly, she was dreading meeting Jungkook again. Her heart wavered in her chest with uncertainty.
"You have to tell him, Hani..."
"I know, I will. I just..."
"Just what?"
"I'm scared... of his reaction"
Hani's gaze dropped, back to the instruction paper that looked so boring and grey. She knew she had to tell Jungkook about it. Still, Hani couldn't help but feel worried, scared at what his reaction would be. Perhaps, there was still a trail of the wrongly drawn image of him still living in her mind. Just... perhaps... she still felt unsure that she could trust him and his actions.
"No matter what you decide Hani, just remember this one thing" Lily said as she gently caressed the top of Hani's head. "He's your mate. He will always have your back, okay? If he doesn't, then it's not him. So, trust him. Let him prove himself to you."
‧͙⁺˚*･༓☾
Hani was relieving the day and the conversation she had had with Lily as she laid down in bed, waiting for time to speed up its course. Her bedside clock was on her lap, ticking slowly. Her fingers drew circular shapes on it, mimicking the motions of the pointers of the clock. A silly way of tricking her brain into thinking she could fasten time. She was still debating with herself, struggling to decide if she should tell him or not. He deserved to know the truth but she couldn't help but feel anxious about his reaction. Would he get mad? If so, how mad? Mad enough come after her dad or the other Alpha? Frustrated, Hani stuffed her face in the pillow. Her mind ran with possible solutions, although, some of them were more ridiculous than anything else. She got up and sat down, clutching onto the pillow in her arms. She sighed, heavily. Her eyes fell on the bedside clock that was next to her, "10:50" pm it read.
The girl jumped of the bed, a mixture of excitement and nervousness taking over her body. Following the exact same steps, she had taken the night before, Hani made sure everything was ready to cover her up absence. Quietly, she made her way towards the window. The night was colder, that day. Her body shivered, begging Hani to go back to the warmth and comfort of the room. As the memory of Jungkook washed over her, however, all coldness disappeared. Instead, a rather hungry need for him took over, turning her movements faster than they already were.
The pack was silent and quiet. Hani scanned the place around, reassuring herself that one was around, to see her leave in the middle of the night. The girl couldn't let anyone find out that she was secretly meeting Jungkook. Her father would nag at her and tell her that she was already "promised" to someone, despite her being aggressively against it.
With her electrified feet, the girl almost flew all the way to the lake. Passing through the daisy field, the lake revealed itself to the girl. A small glimpse, a hint of its existence – and her heart triggered an overwhelming feeling of belonging in her. Her hands were shaking with adrenaline. The night before, Jungkook had lowered down his mask in front of her. Had been honest and truthful about everything concerning him. Hani had to do it too, tonight. She clasped the fabric of her sweatshirt in her tiny hands, realizing that there was no running away from this. She had to tell it to him, despite the fear and the uncertainty.
Jungkook was sitting by the lake, his head was up looking at the stars. A blinding smile blossomed on her face, her feet grew wings and, like a breeze, she floated all the way to him. Gently, she wrapped her arms around him, letting her nose and her lips softly touch the exposed skin of his neck. Jungkook's body reacted to her affection, jolting before bursting into a fit of loving giggles. He turned around to face her, a smile just as blinding on his lips. Circling his arms around her waist, he brought her closer to him. Stealing the girl's balance and making her fall on his lap.
"I missed you"
Their noses brushed against one another tenderly. His lips whispered the words to her, sharing as if a secret only meant for them to know. Hani loss of words, filled with all emotions, smashed her lips on him. "I miss you", in the girl's eyes, had become a word, not big enough, to even slightly encompass all the feelings that had gone through her, that day. She poured those feelings into the kiss that they were sharing. Telling him how much she had missed him, how much she had thought about him and imagined he was there, right next to her. Telling him how much she had craved for him, for his lips, for his touch, his warmth, his presence. Craved him so much, her body did nothing else than try to find little trails and pieces of him in her.
Their lips moved hungrily for each other, taking in all the small little details and emotions that they had missed. Her hands were tangled, intertwined in his hair as he cupped her cheeks with his tender hands. Hani tried to detach her lips from his, she was getting out of her breath and she was frightened that her heart would blow up inside her chest, if she didn't let it rest for a bit. The Alpha was gentle enough to let her lips go, only briefly though. As soon as his lips were naked, distant from hers, unable to contain himself; his lips captured hers again. Rapidly and feverishly, he left pecks on her lips. She giggled happily at the flirty kisses as the Alpha smiled, happy to hear her laughter after such a long time
"Jungkook, you need to let me breath"
The girl half spoke, half giggled at her mate. Jungkook chuckled slightly, moving his lips away from hers. They shared a bright smile, a small red blush decorating their cheeks. Catching the girl of guard, Jungkook pressed a quick, powerful, kiss on her cheek. There it was. The loving twinkle in his eyes, that the girl loved so much – it only twinkled for her.
"I missed you so much" Jungkook spoke as he caressed her cheek with his thumb, chuckling and smiling at her. "I just couldn't contain myself"
"I missed you just as much" Hani chuckled, smiling mischievously at him. "But I won't run away. And, last time I checked, I need air"
Jungkook rolled his eyes playfully at her. With his hands on her thighs, he pulled her closer to his chest, so that, he could press a slow, gentle, kiss on her forehead. Hani could feel her body melting in his embrace. The way his warmth glazed, coated her and covered her in a feeling, that she couldn't find the right words to describe. It wasn't just a warmth; it was so much more. She felt safe, protected, welcomed – at home. Hani was certain that nothing could ever harm her, ever hurt her, if she remained in his arms. His warmth was shielding her from all the evil things the world owned. The scent of fire and forest, lullabied her heart into a calmness, into a kind of peace, nothing else had ever done before.
"How was your day, baby?"
His question brought back the conversations Hani had shared with Lily. The girl felt the uncertainty crawling upwards, shaking the girl's heart with nervousness. Jungkook was staring happily at the reflection of the moon on the lake as he waited for Hani to answer his question.
"It was nice" The girl swallowed the secret down, not having the courage to tell it yet. "I met up with Lily. I had promised I would help her with the crib but we ended up just talking for most of the time" Hanic chuckled lightly, remembering one particular conversation she had had with her. "Can you believe that she doesn't like mangoes, I j-"
The words abruptly stopped. Hani's mind was pestering her with memories of the things Lily had told her, with the necessity of telling him the truth. But, for some reason, she couldn't bring herself to do it. Something was holding her back, zipping her mouth shut. Without realizing it, the girl was unconsciously gripping the Alpha's shirt. Her hand relaxed, her grip lessened as Jungkook's hand touched hers. She looked up at him with her nervous and unsettled eyes.
"Angel, what's wrong?"
Jungkook whispered softly to her ear leaving small kisses on her neck. He could sense the worry and nervousness that was leaving the girl's body.
"There's something you need to know"
They locked eyes, her nervous ones with his filled with calm. His eyes were diving deep into hers, glued to them. Hani's eyes, however, were looking at their joined hands in her lap. She didn't really know how to start, which words to use.
"It's my father..." Hani started by explaining, murmuring the words as if, she too, was scared of hearing them out loud. "He made a contract with another alpha. I was around 14 years old at the time. I only found out about it a few years later"
When the Alpha nothing said, Hani's eyes searched for his. She was expecting some sort of reaction, a violent and angry one. Instead, Jungkook just nodded his head, telling her to continue.
"I never wanted it. I don't want it. Yet, no matter how much I argued, complained and stood up against my father. The more he insisted I had to do it." Hani's hands were shaking, reliving the conversation she had had with her father many years ago. "He said that the pack was at risk but I don't think that's true. I think it's about money and power."
Hani closed her eyes, trying to prevent the angry tears of frustration from spilling. She took deep breaths, trying to calm down the burning flame of emotions that lived inside of her.
"It's okay, baby" Jungkook was gently, caressing her cheek with his thumb. The words left his lips with calm, laced with gentleness and tenderness, melting the girl's fears away. "I'm listening, it's okay"
"He promised me to another alpha. He sold me to him." The confession flew out of her mouth violently, surprising the girl. Hani didn't know where the sudden boldness had come from, but there was no stopping it now. "I'm supposed to carry his lineage. I never wanted it, I don't want it. All that I wanted was to find my own mate, fall in love at my own time. I just... I just... c-can't understand why would he do this, to me?" Hani sobbed, whimpered. The tears kept on leaving her eyes, finally, being released after all that time of living trapped. "Why would he sell my happiness away? And now that I have you, that I know you... I'm more than certain than I don't want that for me. I want you."
Jungkook's eyes were unreadable, impossible to decipher. Hani's heart wavered in her chest with fear. A part of her was telling that "this was it". That in the next few minutes, the little perfect scenario she had imagined with Jungkook would come crumbling to her feet. Gentle, like the breeze that floated through the air that night, Hani felt Jungkook's skin touch hers. His thumb slowly and patiently wiped the tears that fell from the girl's eyes. Jungkook pressed a small loving kiss to her cheek, warming up her skin that was cold from the tears. Once more, he pulled her towards his chest, letting the girl shield her face in his neck.
"I know you don't want me to be mad but I can't do that. And, I want you to know that I'm not mad at you, I'm not. I'm mad at your dad." Hani faced him, her eyes wide open in worry. Her mouth opened to say something, yet, the Alpha was not done talking. "Listen, Hani. You're my mate. I want to be with you. I care so much about you and I like you so much that... that I sometimes don't know what to do with all these feelings you have given me. I won't stand still and do nothing. Don't think that for a f*cking second, I'll let someone, something or anything steal you away from me.... I just found you. I won't let it happen, trust me."
Hani's heart raced with a mess of emotions. Firstly, there was an overwhelming feeling of relief and happiness. Hearing him so assertively say those words, telling her he "wanted her" and would make sure that they would always stay by each other's side; her heart jumped in joy in her chest. Happy that she had a mate just as confident, just as committed to this bound like she was. It was enchanting her, tricking her into believing everything was fine. That feeling – the cloak that blinded her eyes – battled with another one that fought for dominance in her heart – fear. The determined piercing gaze stole the small comfort she had found in his words. How far would he go to keep them together? Would he do something to her father?
"What will you do?"
"I'll talk to him" Hani sighed in relief at Jungkook's answer, her heart slowly going back to its normal rhythm. "For as much as I want to go there and knock some sense into him with my fists, I won't do it. I'll explain to him that we are mates and that I'm open to negotiate with him, whatever he was planning to get from the other Alpha. Don't worry, okay? We'll find a way"
"And what if it doesn't work?" Worry was evident in Hani's voice. It trembled and weakened the more she spoke. "What if he refuses? What if he decides to keep the deal, then what do we do?"
"Whatever you want to"
The question had caught Hani off guard. Her eyebrows scrunched in confusion as she thought about it. What did she want to do? She never expected to have the opportunity to decide, for herself, what to do about that situation. Her father barely let her argue with him about it. And, honestly, she had pushed the possibility of that day happening, so far into the back of her mind, that she hadn't made a plan. There was only one thing that she knew for sure: she didn't want to be sold like that and she wanted to be with Jungkook.
"If you want me to keep on meeting you secretly like this until the day, I have to give you away to him, then I'll do it. No matter how much it pains me, how much it hurts me. If you are happy, I'll carry it. If you want me to go there and rip to shreds anyone who stands in our way, I'll do it. "
"What if I want to leave?" The suggestion left her mouth before she could even think about it properly. It surprised her, shocked her. Jungkook was confused at her suggestion, not understanding where Hani was going with this idea. "What if I want you to take me, to your pack? I mean, if my dad refuses your proposal then... you can just take me with you, right? He won't be able to go forth with his plan because I'm away from him so..."
The Alpha was thinking about it, for longer than Hani would like. She was anxiously and nervously, twirling one of the locks of his hair in her fingers. "Running away" was really the only safe solution without no casualties. If she was far from her father, he could not force her into following with his plan. Hani trusted her father wouldn't start a war over her. Not over her being with her mate. She just didn't want any of them to get hurt. Neither her father or Jungkook. Hani hoped that they could, somehow, reach some sort of peace and agreement amongst the three of them. She understood how Jungkook felt. She understood his anger and frustration at the situation, still, she was glad that he was letting her decide what to do.
"We can do it"
Smiling brightly, Hani wasted no time in wrapping her arms around Jungkook. Letting her body bathe in the euphoric happiness she was feeling, Hani feverishly kissed him. Jungkook immediately kissed her back, gently smiling at her joined lips. When they pulled apart, both of them glowed and glazed in happiness and love. On those brief passing moments they shared, Hani felt that life was easy, that the universe was on her side.
"Thank you, for everything"
"You don't have to thank me" Their lips brushed together, they both smiled. Jungkook tenderly tucked Hani's hair behind her ear, smiling at the beaming girl. "I just want you to be happy and I want you to be with me. You don't ever have to thank me, for making sure you stay in my arms"