Taehyung was smiling like a lovesick fool, permanent grin on his lips as he read his book quietly.

Jeongguk was laying right beside him on the bed, own book in hand as he read the last few pages of the one thousand page book.

His brows were furrowed in attempts to concentrate, unable to get past the current page.

He kept thinking back to the way Taehyung's sweet noises filled his ears as his lips lavished his skin.

They were deafening, the sounds, as he pressed his lips against his mate mark.

He cleared his throat lightly as he gripped the book tighter, watching as Taehyung quickly turned to look at him.

Taehyung didn't say anything for a split second before he was slowly closing his book and setting it aside before scooting closer towards Jeongguk.

The alpha could see him from the corner of his eye before Taehyung's hand was slightly touching his arm, innocent eyes looking up at him shyly.

Jeongguk turned to him with a blank look on his face, eyes meeting his as Taehyung slowly cuddled against his arm.

He swallowed harshly as tingles immediately shot up his body, mind screaming at him to move away but his body refused to do the same.

He found himself moving his arm out of Taehyung's hold only to wrap it around his body.

Taehyung instantly pressed closer against his side as his tummy swirled with butterflies.

Jeongguk's hand found itself on Taehyung's waist, fingers ghosting over the sliver of exposed skin where his shirt had risen.

The omega could feel as Jeongguk's chest rose and fell with every breath and the steady beating of his heart.

"T-That's an ugly wolf." Taehyung commented with a frown as he pointed his finger accusingly towards the book in Jeongguk's hand.

The alpha pursed his lips at the picture on the page Taehyung was pointing at, bloody eyed beast with large fangs out.

Those things must have been around in the stone age, distant ancestors of their time.

"That's how I look." Jeongguk said seriously, tense silence filling the room as Taehyung's body literally pressed pause.

"I-I just meant t-that the t-teeth are a little-"

It was amusing to see the way Taehyung attempted to defend himself, body practically shaking in his hold in fear that he had offended him.

"It was a joke." He said simply, making Taehyung's head turn to look up at him.

He blinked back at him once, twice before, "Oh."

It seemed like he hadn't processed what Jeongguk had said until seconds later when he was whining like a kitten.

Jeongguk had closed the book shut by then, unable to concentrate any further now that the source of his distraction was in his arms 

His hand did not move from Taehyung's waist as the omega got more comfortable snuggled up against his side with his head resting on Jeongguk's chest.

After a few moments of silence between them Taehyung was softly speaking up, breathing relaxed.

"Alpha?" 

"What is it?" He replied coolly, looking down to see Taehyung playing with his fingers.

He let out a short huff like he was unsure if he should continue what he was saying, feeling a little embarrassed.

"Is there anything a-about ranks?" Taehyung questioned finally, making Jeongguk's brows furrow as he pondered about it.

"There is a chapter on it. Why do you ask?" Jeongguk murmured, finding himself already skimming back through the pages.

Taehyung bit his lip anxiously as he watched Jeongguk flip through the pages, the omega's head resting on his shoulder lightly.

"They never really taught us anything about ranks in school... They just separated us by ranks and put us in classes like cooking, sewing, and cleaning."

Jeongguk finally managed to find the section, "Rankings", a thoughtful look on his face.

"Did your mother not teach you?" The alpha asked, his tone not condescending but holding genuine curiosity.

Taehyung let out a soft breath at the feeling of Jeongguk's fingertips grazing the skin of his waist.

"Mother taught me what I needed to know about... mating w-with you."

The omega's voice was shy, stuttering over his words nervously as Jeongguk's body tensed immediately.

He had not expected for the subject to be brought up at that exact moment, the inner alpha within him felt aroused at the sudden confession.

The idea of Taehyung learning everything there was about how to please an alpha like himself was something to feel boastful and cocky about.

But the other half of him, the alpha male dominant persona was telling him that Taehyung's mother was an instigator for her son sleeping around with other males.

Perhaps she had taught him how to pleasure other alphas, had used the excuse of practicing on others.

Meanwhile Taehyung felt as if he had made a mistake by saying those words, not wanting Jeongguk to feel like he was being pressured to mate with him or feel like Taehyung was complaining about the disaster of a wedding night.

"I-I'm sorry, I shouldn't have-"

"Alphas," Jeongguk began to read the first line on the page, slightly clearing his throat, "are the most dangerous species of the lycanthrope with the ability of faster reflexes, stronger caliber, and the prime leader."

"Royal blood alphas are the single rarity of lycanthrope, possessing the ability to entirely shape-shift into their truest of forms. The breaking of the limbs will prove to be a challenge of its own, therefore only the strongest in the line have a higher chance of surviving the transformation."

Taehyung's eyes were wide in awe as he followed along with Jeongguk's reading, leaning slightly forward to read the words for himself.

He had already known about Jeongguk's ability to shift into a wolf from the coronation ceremony but it was still a new concept to grasp as he was never taught it.

"Whoa." Taehyung whispered quietly, hand resting on Jeongguk's thigh as he turned to look up at him.

"It must be amazing to be so connected to your wolf." He commented as Jeongguk set the book down for the night once Taehyung let out a soft yawn.

There was a moment of silence as Jeongguk watched Taehyung's eyes sparkle with sheer fascination before he was already speaking.

"I'll show you, tomorrow." Jeongguk spoke suddenly as he began to pull the sheets over Taehyung's body and his own.

The omega blinked up at him sleepily, face clearly showing surprise as Jeongguk had just agreed to show him his wolf.

It felt like a big deal, which it most likely was seeing as this was Jeongguk they were talking about.

"I'd like that." Taehyung began to smile happily as Jeongguk turned off the lamp by their bedside.

This time neither of them turned away, Jeongguk remained on his back as Taehyung fell asleep facing his direction, body curled up into a ball.

-

The sound of the carriage growing closer to the palace grounds filled Seokjin's ears as he sat diligently in the backseat with his hands over his lap.

His face was blank as the ride came to a complete stop and the horses neighed softly as they reached the entrance of the building.

He had just arrived back from visiting the marketplace, bags filled with fresh fruits and vegetables for the kitchen.

The queen specifically requested for Seokjin to buy them from the village seeing as they were certainly the most ripe and sweetest.

The door to the carriage suddenly opened as Seokjin grabbed his coin purse tighter in his hand before a familiar scent filled his nose.

His eyes were void of emotion as he stared straight ahead, waiting for Seokjin to get off without a word.

The omega inhaled through his nose as he stepped foot on the ground, eyeing the guards standing around the door mindfully.

The familiar scent grew closer as the king's guard nearly breathed down Seokjin's neck as he eyed him from the corner of his eye.

There were servant girls coming out to collect the merchandise, Seokjin walked in as the guard followed close behind, his scent penetrating Seokjin's nose.

Just when they were closer to the main hallway, a pair of strong arms wrapped around his waist causing him to gasp despite already knowing exactly who it was.

He was twirled around immediately, causing him to come face to face with the king's guard.

"What's wrong princess?" He asked lowly, eyes looking like a sad puppy now that no one was around.

The omega handmaiden swallowed harshly as his heart rate began to pick up, an annoyed huff leaving his lips once he regained composure.

"I've told you to stop calling me that!" He hissed as he attempted to get out of his grip.

But the alpha's grip only tightened, eyes pleading as Seokjin glared up at him, desperately trying to leave the scene.

What if someone caught them? What if the king or queen suddenly walked past and saw them in this compromising position?

"I'm sorry-" the alpha guard began softly as he reached out to caress Seokjin's cheek.

But the stubborn omega turned his face away, eyes blank as the alpha slowly retracted his hand.

"Why are you being like this? I want to court you Seokjin, I've made my intentions with you clear and you keep acting like this isn't affecting you right now." He spoke again, hurt in his voice as Seokjin's eyes began to sting.

"You and me? We'll never  work." He said slowly, taking the opportunity to pull away when the alpha's grip lessened.

"Just... leave me alone Namjoon." He whispered shakily as he looked up to catch one last glimpse of the saddened alpha before storming off to cry someplace else.